Page 161 - Herioter 2020

outside school, working with Edinburgh
South Community Football Club, and his
commitment has been recognised by a
Saltire Award for volunteering. To Bruno,
the award is secondary; what is more
important is that young people get to play
a game that both they and he love.
Bruno understands that being a Herioter
is a privilege and when he says this, he is
not paying lip service: he appreciates what
the school has done for him. At times, he
has questioned if university is the right
route, but his teachers have instilled a
love of learning. His advice to others? Try
something new, take yourself out of the
comfort zone. Bruno remembers doing
just that in S1 when he joined Chess Club.
Initially, he was ‘annihilated’, but over time
he got better and now has ‘a pretty good
game’.
He found being Captain ‘a tough gig’ at
first. He felt he had to please everyone
and found it hard to balance the demands
with schoolwork, as well as juggle the role
of friend with that of Captain. He learned
to ask for help from other captains and,
after that, began to find his feet. It is at
this point ‘the boys’ deserve a mention:
Bruno Steel, S6. Invited to see Mary Poppins, Bruno Bruno needed their friendship and support
was reminded how much he enjoyed being
in S6 more than ever. They reminded him
Captain in Once on This Island, his P7 show. He to have fun, enjoy himself and not take life
was lucky to have a lead role, but luckier
too seriously.
still to spend time on stage with friends.
It is apt to describe Bruno Steel as a Bruno admits to being apprehensive and
geographical feature – he is to study Trips evoke positive memories for Bruno emotional about leaving Heriot’s: he joked
geography at St Andrews, after all. Bruno for different reasons. He remembers his that he has never not wanted to be at
is an iceberg. He is not cold; quite the visit to Iceland as being ‘a good laugh’ school, and will remember the happy, safe
opposite. His bonhomie, cheer and hearty and a chance to get to know pupils and bubble where it was fine to be yourself.
staff better. Bruno was also among an
laugh is renowned, and only rivalled by his S5 group that spent two weeks in Kenya, As we bid adieu to our ‘iceberg’ and wish
aftershave! But, like an iceberg, Bruno has taking part in charitable work in the him well on the next leg of his journey,
hidden depths: on the surface, he is clever, Laikipia region, as well as spending nights Rudyard Kipling’s If comes to mind. So,
witty, confident, and an able sportsman; under canvas and on safari. The trip staff Bruno, take these words and our great
on a deeper level, he cares about others, is talk glowingly of Bruno’s leadership and affection with you; the world has much to
passionate about learning, and loves being an ability to motivate that was beyond learn from you.
in school. his years. Bruno admits the enormity of If you can talk with crowds and keep your
He came to Heriot’s in P1, the school the the trip has not sunk in and expects the virtue,
only one on his parents’ list as they felt impact to be lifelong. Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common
the ethos fitted. Bruno’s recollections from As a talented ski racer, footballer and touch,
those early days are hazy. He remembers rugby player, sport played a massive If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt
the playground, which seemed ‘huge’, part in Bruno’s school life. In S5 and S6, you,
but friends make everything easier. To he concentrated on football and rugby, If all men count with you, but none too
Douglas, Will, Oli, Magnus and George, and cites these playing experiences as much;
thank you, even if the group was ‘a bit of highlights of his final years. What made If you can fill the unforgiving minute
a handful’. Clearer memories are building these experiences so important was With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Anderson shelters, designing gardens, playing and training with friends – when Yours is the Earth and everything that’s
and Wrap Around Care. Bruno jokes that you are with your friends, he says, victory in it,
he had a ‘loyalty card’ for WAC, such was tastes sweeter and you can carry defeat And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my
the regularity of his attendance, and he better when it is shouldered with others. son!
continued to pop in to say hello when in Bruno has coached football for many years Ms Leigh Robertson

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