As part of their induction week, and following their experiences at the Toitū Museum, the Year 7s visited the resting place of John McGlashan at Dunedin’s Southern Cemetery.
Dr Columbus talked in Wednesday’s assembly about our new students becoming part of the whakapapa of our school, and their time as stewards of the school beginning. He shared how important it is that we know our school’s origin stories and about those who have played a significant role in those stories. John McGlashan, of course, takes a central role!
The Year 7s met Dr Columbus at the entrance to the cemetery and stopped by the grave of Thomas Burns on route to the McGlashan family plot. Burns was the driving force behind the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in the Otago settlement, dying in 1871, and giving his name to Burns House at our school.
The boys then wound their way to McGlashan’s final resting place, and heard from Dr Columbus about his life and contributions to early Otago, and vision for a Presbyterian boys’ school. McGlashan died in 1864, but this was realised by two of his daughters in 1918. Agnes and Margaret gifted the land and house on which our school was established. They also lie at rest in the family plot, alongside their mother and John's wife, Isabella, after whom Balmacewen House is named. The boys also shared their takeaways from their learning and experiences at Toitū.
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