Scots College – Learning. For Life.

Sir Clifford rose to become Chief Executive and subsequently Chairman of one of New Zealand’s iconic companies, Wright Stephenson later to become Fletcher Challenge, and a business leader who commanded the respect of all he came in contact with.

Sir Clifford was born in 1905 and entered Scots in its Foundation year, 1916.

He was a Gibb House Boy and retained lengthy association with the school after he left to go to University.  I well remember his presence around the school in my days here – he was an ever-present member and Vice-Chairman of the Board at the time.

Sir Clifford was a sportsman and a scholar – we would know him today as an all-rounder.  In his last year he played Cricket for the 1st XI and Rugby for the 1st XV and was a Prefect.

When he left school Sir Clifford joined the company he was later to lead, Wright Stephenson Ltd, and studied for a degree in commerce.

During his life he supported many charities and in 1988 was awarded the Order of the Distinguished Auxiliary Service by the Salvation Army.

Sir Clifford was knighted in 1967 for his services to commerce and the country.

Sir Clifford was an active Old Boy who did his time on the Executive of the Old Boys’ Association in the late twenties and after the war.

His confidence and loyalty to the College were such that his four sons all attended Scots in their time.  And when tragedy struck the family when Richard died in his late teens in 1957 Sir Clifford memorialised the family’s association with Scots with the establishment of the stone fence and original gates.

He was a member of the Board of Governors for 15 years and helped to set up the Scots College Foundation which plays such a vital role in supporting the school today.  He was its founding Chairman of Trustees.

(Written by Francis Wevers (SCOBA Chairman) for Issue 12 of The Quad Magazine)