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EXPLORING THE WORLD

WITH PROJECT TRUST

CONTINUED PRINCIPAL’S

LAST WORD

As the incoming Principal, my professions and locations to create a Heriot
world is one of absorbing Tartan that has weaved across the globe
volumes of information that through the centuries.
tends to be focussed upon
The establishing of Where is Your Star is an
the immediate, and the need
important initiative that supports our
to have the school up and
connectivity and one that I would encourage
running at the start of the
you to propagate; understanding the locale of
year. Yet an undoubted
hopefully have the chance to combine my pleasure of the role is to learn fellow Herioters has a multitude of benefits and
hopefully have the chance to combine my
interest in internationalism and politics into a of the characters, the events, through the lens of our current pupils creates
diplomatic career. the successes and failures aspiration, ambition and a network of support
to encourage a global outlook when, in
What would you say to other Herioters that have created the history
bubble-like mentality in my head that life was of George Heriot’s School, challenging times, it is too easy to look inward.
Hector McKechnie (2018) thinking of participating in the scheme?
Roatan, Honduras simple. After having witnessed some tough I couldn’t recommend it enough. It was and the starting point is In time, I look forward to connecting myself
situations, including the realities of extreme Quadrangle.
Also travelled to all the countries in undoubtedly the most fun, educational, and with Herioters, both in the UK and across the
poverty, the effects of high crime rates, and Gareth Warren
Central America, and Colombia. challenging year of my life so far. There weren't To create an informative, diverse and wide- world but will assimilate and enjoy the contents
severely corrupt political systems, it made me re-
too many ways to prepare, but that’s part of of Quadrangle as an excellent starting point in
What did you do on your project? evaluate my perspective on things, which also ranging magazine that holds interest for each
the deal: you live independently for a year, where understanding the heritage, passion and pride
I volunteered, teaching English in a local school. inspired my university and further career path. generation is no easy task and my compliments
you have to confront challenges yourself. that is clearly evident for the school.
Although teaching children from ages 4-18 was How did it impact your next steps? However, you’ll find that you always have a pass to the team that bring the stories, pictures
my primary assignment, I would often do extra and archives together. I wish you all well through the Autumn months
I now study International Social and Political support network, whether that’s your partner,
work around the school, including cleaning, and if you happen to see me out and about,
Studies with Spanish at University College your community, other volunteers, and of course The school is about people and what has
gardening, errands around the island and please do introduce yourself. I would be
London. When I left Heriot’s, I had one offer to your family and friends from home are only a impressed me is the diversity of contributions
coordination between charities and our school. delighted to meet you.
study International Management at Warwick phone call away. Of course, there will be tough from FPs; from those that have left this
Apart from teaching English and doing my best (I didn’t get into UCL first time). I was about to times (I certainly had a few), where you may feel summer, to Herioters of a more golden age.
to help my local community, my aim was to take my Warwick offer, but I decided to reapply unmotivated, or homesick: I really believe this is It is apparent that the golden thread of
challenge myself in a completely new way, in whilst in Honduras (one of the most stressful why the process is so valuable. Your resilience will generations of FPs connecting with each other
an environment that was much different to the processes ever). I think a combination of grow each time you conquer a challenge, and as is interwoven with a diversity of careers, Gareth Warren
one I’d known at Heriot’s. exposure to new political climates, and because a result you are stronger as a person. Lastly, the
What did you learn? reading books was the primary source of year is fun! For every tough moment, you will
entertainment during downtime (I loved have tons of great memories that go alongside
The great thing about my time in Honduras is
Kissinger’s World Order), I was reassured that them. For me, this included volcano boarding
that it was unpredictable: I couldn’t plan what
ISPS was the right degree for me. I am happy down an active volcano in Nicaragua, scuba
situations or challenges I would have to face, or
to say I have loved studying it ever since. After diving with sharks in Belize, going to the world’s
how to deal with them. To be honest, (and
UCL, I’d love to work in the Foreign and first Salsa bar in Colombia, and making
without sounding too cliché) I think it burst a
Commonwealth Development Office, and connections with tons of international contacts.