The Old Diocesan Issue 12 - Magazine - Page 117
ODU
ANDY WOOD:
The new face of The Mitre
For many years, Paul Murray has been the lone steady presence at the ODU,
providing continuity and institutional memory for committees that rotate
over time. The appointment of Andy Wood as Executive Director now
strengthens that continuity, establishing a full-time leadership role for
the Union. As of February this year, he is being assisted by Gisela Zunckel.
A
ndy Wood’s relationship
with Bishops began early.
He attended both the Prep
and the College, before studying
at UCT, completing his teaching
qualification and beginning his
career at Westerford.
Andy returned to Bishops in
1990, joining the staff for what
would become a formative decade.
During this time, he served
as assistant housemaster at
Founders House, taught English
and geography from Grade 8 to
Grade 12, and led the Geography
Department with Mark Hanley,
Hugh Fynn, Phil Court and Tim
Hamilton-Smith. His contribution
extended well beyond the
classroom: he was head of
Outdoor Education, Common
Room secretary, and marketing
director; coached hockey;
organised international tours; and
played a key role in establishing
the school’s pioneering laptop
programme.
After leaving Bishops, Andy
spent the next 18 years in senior
school leadership roles, most
recently as principal of Think
Global School, a project-based
travelling high school with
students from around the
world. His leadership experience
spans South African as well
as international contexts,
largely within International
Baccalaureate schools. He has
also worked as a lead inspector
for accreditation bodies such as
Andy’s love for rock climbing began in the Bishops Mountain Club. His
teaching career incorporated management, marketing and leadership roles.
the New England Association
of Schools and Colleges.
Beyond education, Andy has
a lifelong love for the outdoors.
Introduced to rock climbing
and hiking through the Bishops
Mountain Club by Charles
“Pickles” Currey, he’s climbed in
Yosemite, the Alps, the Himalayas,
the Andes, Patagonia and beyond.
The Cederberg remains especially
close to his heart (see page 23).
He and his wife Karen recently
celebrated their 40th anniversary.
They have two children and two
very special grandkids.
We asked him about the new job.
Andy on an average day
at The Mitre:
“The Mitre has quickly become
a home from home for me, and
it’s a lively place. Mornings often
see parents gathering for coffee in
the lounge, joined by ODs catching
up and reconnecting. Throughout
the day, OD families and alumni
pass through – some local, others
visiting from abroad – often keen
for a tour of the school, a return
to their old house, and a hopeful
search for familiar faces in decades
of house photographs. I work
closely with Paul Murray, the OD
Ambassador, whose extraordinary
memory and deep knowledge of
the OD community bring these
connections to life.”
On wrangling events:
“We are actively encouraging
ODs and our extended Bishops
family to use our facilities, and it’s
working! The Mitre hosts a wide
range of events: guest lectures,
book launches, parent and Council
THE OLD DIOCESAN | 113
