Old Wheatleyans Newsletter - Issue 2

JULY 2013 FORMER PUPIL NEWS FROM BABLAKE SCHOOL

Old Wheatleyans Summer Newsletter June 2013

Welcome to the Summer edition of the former pupils’ newsletter...

We have been delighted to welcome back many former pupils this term, and the recent 1950s reunion was an especially memorable occasion. Some OWs had not returned since their school days, and thoroughly enjoyed meeting current pupils as well as seeing some of the changes which have occurred. The emphasis on life-changing opportunities, and our desire to extend these to as many bright children as possible are, however, themes that have remained constant. One of my greatest joys is bidding a fond farewell to our leavers! I see them all individually, and am unfailingly impressed by the confident and generous young adults ready to embark on the next stage of their journey. We are very proud of them, and they share the same sense of loyalty to Bablake as generations who have preceded them.

John Watson Headmaster

New database provider for Former Pupils Contacts - Advice - News - Events

Bablake Former Pupils ‘Old Wheatleyans’ have a new database, hosted by InTouch, a dedicated alumni software company. We are sure that you will find this new database easy to use. However, if you do have any problems please do not hesitate to contact our Alumni Relations Officer, Sylvia O’Sullivan at sosullivan@bablake.coventry.sch.uk Whilst at the moment there is not a lot of content on the new site, please bear with us, we will continually be improving and adding features as we go. We do hope that you will use this site to keep your contact details up to date. It is particularly important that we have your current email address, as we can then be assured that you receive all news from us regarding other former pupils and information regarding forthcoming events that you may be interested in.

To register with the database please contact Sylvia (email above), or to update your current details, please go to the school website www.bablake.com/Former Pupils section. We are trying very hard to keep the database up to date and to increase membership, so please spread the word, and, if you are in contact with any former pupils, please do encourage them to join. If you do have any news, events or photographs which you would like to be included in future newsletters, please let us know.

Visit our Former http://www.bablake.com/former_pupils.php …‘The Old Wheatleyans’ .

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Old Wheatleyans RFC The 2012-13 season was one of consolidation and real development for the Old Wheatleyans RFC. After back-to-back promotions, the 1st XV were playing in Midlands 3 and finished a very respectable mid-table.

Team highlights for the season included great victories against Ledbury, Southam, Redditch and Evesham, whilst an individual performance of note came from Richard Drury, who scored 22 tries and was rewarded with a full senior Warwickshire cap. For the 2nd XV, re-branded as ‘The Stags’, the season was an excellent one. 18 fixtures were played, 11 won and the Stags are now hopeful of entering a Warwickshire league for the first time next season.

The overall highlight for the Stags was the blend of youth and experience, with 8 current Bablake sixth formers having a huge impact on the squad.

If you are interested in playing for, sponsoring or volunteering for the Old Wheatleyans RFC, please contact Adam Mason – amason115@hotmail.com

Rugby - 1st XV regains the Mike Hibbert Shield In front of over 1000 spectators, our 1st XV proudly regained the Mike Hibbert trophy with an 18-8 win over local neighbours King Henry VIII at Coventry RFC's Butts Park Arena.

Stoic defence throughout from both teams, coupled with some exciting breaks from the backs, made for an excellent spectacle on a bitterly cold but dry evening.

Andy Haughian scored the first try of the game, completing a rapid drive by the forwards; all this amid a furiously frenzied first few minutes of the game, where both sides had good possession in their respective opponent's 22. A penalty reply from King Henry VIII was then answered by a dash for the line, won by Robert Faulkner. This try left the game poised 10-3, in our favour, at half time but there was some anxious talk on the touchline that we might rue not having made more of some very good possession in the King Henry VIII half.Both sides spent the early stages of the second half looking for a significant breakthrough, but the only score was a penalty to Bablake, which James Faulkner converted. The win was finally sealed for Bablake when Andy Clisham broke free on the King Henry VIII 22. His pace, strength and positive, direct running were rewarded with a fine solo try, as he broke free from King Henry VIII's resolute resistance. A clever interception soon after led to a well-deserved consolation try for King Henry VIII. This proved to be the last move of the game, which therefore ended 18-8. The excitable crowd had witnessed one of the most open games for a number of seasons and both teams should be commended on their excellent spirit.

Ronan Jones, Bablake's 1st XV captain, proudly collected the Mike Hibbert Shield from Mrs Marion Hibbert, wife of the former Old Wheatleyan. When asked how he felt, he commented: 'It was a special feeling captaining the side in front of such a big crowd and we are all really pleased to have regained the Mike Hibbert trophy.'

Head of Boys' PE Mr Rob Burdett added: 'I thought King Henry VIII defended superbly but our team was slightly stronger in key areas. Captain Ronan Jones was outstanding in leading a dominant pack, the backs played with pace and ambition, plus Andrew Clisham's score to seal the win was a fantastic piece of individual brilliance!'

We would like to thank the spectators (including many former pupils and parents), match officials, and Coventry RFC and its staff for their part in all making the evening such a success.

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Old Wheatleyans RFC end of season Dinner The Old Wheatleyans RFC celebrated its 2012-13 campaign with the traditional End of Season dinner at Coventry RFC. The season has proved most successful with the 1st XV establishing its presence in a new division after promotion, under the care of a new coaching and physio team, led by Lee Cassell.

The 2nd XV has seen the emergence of a dedicated nucleus of current Bablake 1st XV players and has gone from strength to strength under the tutelage of former pupils Robert McGowan and club stalwart and seasoned professional Greg Weaver.

Mr Nick Newbold, MD of HIA Ltd, spoke warmly of his connection with the club and continued sponsorship, while a number of players not only enjoyed some excellent company, fine food and drink, but also collected prestigious end of season awards.

Chairman Adam Mason reminds everyone that 2013-14 training takes place at 7pm most Tuesday evenings throughout the summer at the Bablake Playing Fields.

Old Wheatleyans Cricket Bablake Old Boys’ Cricket Club was formed in 1910 by former pupils of Bablake School and is always seeking new members. The Club maintains close links with the School and has two senior teams competing in the Premier Division and two more teams competing in Divisions 4 and 6 of the Warwickshire Cricket League. The Club maintains competitive matches on Sundays with one senior team competing in the Warwickshire Sunday Cricket League, and a midweek side in the Coventry Midweek League.

The club has invested heavily in coaches, facilities and opportunities in its thriving Junior Section with over 100 boys and girls from age 8 to 16 regularly enjoying quality coaching and education.

Due to the success of our junior coaching, many players go on to represent Coventry Bears at their age group and an increasing number progress to Warwickshire also. It is our policy that younger players are encouraged to play senior cricket as soon as they’re able and as a result many of the Club’s 1st through 4th XI players are made up of junior members.

If you are interested in joining, please contact James Paxton on 07972 051576 or via jamesdpaxton@btinternet.com, or browse through our website at http://bablakeob.play-cricket.com/ home/home.asp 3

University Meet-up…….

Durham Alison Tumber, Head of 6th Form, recently visited Durham university and met up with some former pupils.

She was joined by Kenny Sangha, now in his 3rd year at Durham reading Mathematics, yet who, as you can see from the photo, still wears his Bablake kit in order to win!

Birmingham Following a successful trip earlier in the academic year to catch up with former Bablake students studying at the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University, the Headmaster and Alison Tumber, Head of Sixth Form, travelled to Birmingham to meet up with Bablake alumni.

The ‘spirit of opportunity’ engendered at Bablake certainly stays with the students and it was great to hear how well they were achieving academically and about the wide range of activities in which they were involved. Fond reminiscences of Bablake flowed throughout the evening and we wish them all good luck with their exams.

Plea for support!

Two of our former pupils Kirsty Mabbett (2001-2008) and Daniel Booth (2001-2008) are planning to get married next year and have contacted us with a view to contacting the Alumni to ask for help collecting tokens from the Coventry Evening Telegraph, who are running a competition (see link…... http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/lifestyle/competitions/coventry-telegraph-win-wedding-competition4027810) If you read this newspaper and would like to offer your support, please send your tokens through to Sylvia O’Sullivan, Alumni Relations Officer at Bablake School, Coundon Road, Coventry CV1 4AU

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The Return of the Classes of 1991 & 1992

On a sunny Saturday in May, we welcomed back the Classes of 1991 and 1992 for their Reunion. While the weather offered only fleeting glimpses of summer sunshine, the atmosphere was very convivial and it was lovely for both current and former staff to share happy memories with their former pupils.

After assembling in the Main Foyer, pupils were encouraged to tour the campus, revisit their original form rooms and view new facilities. During the buffet in the Dining Hall, formal speeches from Mr Peter Burden (Archivist), current school captains Ben Evans and Maneesha Sehgal, and Headmaster Mr John Watson were all warmly appreciated. It was noted that Ben exited very swiftly after having reminded the former pupils they had completed their Bablake days in a technology-free era! Asked about the event, Mrs Sylvia O'Sullivan, Alumni Relations Officer, commented: 'I was delighted to see so many former pupils returning to Bablake on Saturday for their reunion; the day went exceptionally well and there was a really good atmosphere. This was the first time we have had a combined reunion and it seemed to work really well. It was also very rewarding to be able to finally put a face to all the email addresses, after 12 months' planning!'

Mr Mark Woodward, Head of Careers, said: 'Despite U6KMH returning almost en masse and enhancing the ignominy of just a single member of my 1997-99 tutor group being present, the reunion was an excellent day!

It was a fantastic chance to renew contact with so many former pupils and as always, so humbling to see how fulfilled, happy and successful everyone was. My only regrets: a) not being able to talk to everyone at length and b) a senior moment or so, displayed in its worst form when momentarily accusing Mark Shilton of being his brother, just a few months after having coincided at Bablake's Edinburgh Fringe show!

There were many highlights of the day but one of the best was Emma Tiplady confirming that my eulogies for early material by the Chemical Brothers way back in the 90s were correctly placed!'

Photographs from the event are being posted on the school's official Facebook page. However, if anyone would like a copy of the above sent to them, please contact Sylvia O’Sullivan sosullivan@bablake.coventry.sch.uk 5

1950s Reunion stirs many happy memories...

The second of our formal school reunions this year for Old Wheatleyans took place in June and it was the turn of the pupils from the 1950s to renew friendships with some of their peers and reminisce about their days at Bablake.

Former pupils, who were greeted by members of our new Prefect team, gathered in the Library, before a welcome address from Mr Peter Burden (Archivist) and Mr Alan Partridge (President of the Former Pupils' Association).

The most moving part of the day for the majority was the chance to tour the school where they revisited former classrooms and noted the changes that had happened over the decades. Those who had written their names in the stone at the top of the Tower, however, were unable to view their handicraft since the area is now very much under lock and key!

A light buffet was then served in the Dining Hall, which had served as the Gym for this generation of pupils. At this, Headmaster Mr John Watson welcomed the group and spoke of the pride in both our former and current pupils. Former Headmaster Mr Seaborne was mentioned a few times and there was a rousing version of the School Song, led by Mr Ian Wallace!

The current pupils present, as always, were an absolute boon and enjoyed comparing notes on their experiences as pupils with our guests. For James Faulkner, the occasion was especially poignant since his grandfather was one of our guests!

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Former Pupil News ….

Martine Croxall

(1981-1987)

In BBC News Channel Relaunch BBC News presenter, former pupil and Royal Geographical Society fellow Martine Croxall who has always been very happy to assist current pupils with enquiries about careers in the media has been in the news herself as the BBC completed its move from the iconic Television Centre building to Broadcasting House.

Scheduling changes at the BBC News channel now see Martine, who left Bablake in 1987 to study Geography at the University of Leeds, share late evening presenting duties with Clive Myrie. This also involves a new twice-nightly programme which reviews the next day's newspapers. We are immensely proud of Martine's involvement and wish her all the best in the BBC's new virtual studio.

Emily Whitmore (2000-2007) Emily will be representing Great Britain later this year in Alanya, Turkey, at the Triathlon European Championships, following an impressive performance at the recent Dambuster Duathlon.

Emily, who left Bablake in 2007 and studied for her degree at Loughborough University, won gold at the gruelling event, held at Rutland Water in Leicestershire, when she came first in the 20- 24 age category.

The event, which involved running and cycling, was also a qualifier for the Duathlon World Championships, which will take place in Canada in August. We look forward to posting further news about Emily's brilliant progress and wish her all the best for her training programme and forthcoming competitions.

Beth Mills (2000-2007) Could it soon be a Xyra-world?

People always remember what they were doing when significant historical events happen, while they also tend to recall where they were when a band they like split up. JLS (who had come to fame via X Factor) announced earlier this year that they were splitting up and just on cue, Xyra, which includes former Bablake pupil Beth Mills, came to play a concert at school for our Junior and Senior school pupils!

Xyra spent over 4 hours in Bablake, talking to music students from our 3rd year, playing two concerts and then going over to our Junior School. We heard how the band, which consists of Amy, Beth, Laura, Nadina and Sasha with instrumental support from Harry and Simon, found each other after musical degrees and courses in the capital.

There were some fascinating pointers for would-be singers and musicians and one of these, Chloe Harper, who is already writing her own songs, was invited to sing with Xyra. A number of staff plus over 200 pupils packed the Theatre for the lunchtime concert and they were all very impressed with the strength of the band's vocals and harmonies. At the moment Xyra is writing songs for an album but for its school mini tour, the songs being played are excellent versions of very well known current and contemporary songs by artists such as Justin Timberlake and Rihanna. The rearrangement of Elvis Presley's 'Hound dog' showed just how much potential the band has to become a very big household name. Beth took the band back to the Junior School where she even found her old classroom and reminisced at her old desk! The band did some signings, sang a capella for some classes and even joined a recorder class.

There was also time for some photos on our campus which are posted on our Facebook site. There is, of course, a history of musicians appearing at Bablake before their careers rocketed as Mr Hudson and KT Tunstall both played gigs at Bablake in 2000 and 2004 respectively before they became household names, so who knows what the future holds for Xyra!?

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Former Pupil News cont ….

Ash Hawkins’ (1998-2005) video introduction to Bablake is now showing on loop in our main foyer and justifiably gaining a lot of interest from pupils, staff and visitors.

The video can be viewed online, please visit our school website www.bablake.com. Ash, who left Bablake in 2005, completed his Computer Science degree at the University of East Anglia and worked in television before setting up his own company, Lightyear Films.

A keen magician and musician himself, Ash has directed a number of showreels, is an accomplished wedding videographer and currently compiles the official video highlights for Nuneaton FC. He has also been an official 'Apple Genius' for a number of years!

We are looking to offer far more moving image evidence of the quite special atmosphere of the Bablake community and it is excellent to see that our 6th Form Drama society, Actorum, is already beginning to branch out in this direction.

Ron Jones

International rugby player to renew Bablake connection

There will be much excitement for some of our senior rugby players since they will soon be reunited with an international rugby player for training.

Update: Former Welsh international rugby player Ron Jones will indeed be awaiting the return of the Old Wheatleyans RFC from its tiring Easter tour of Sidmouth and South Devon.

At the first training session he was looking along with fellow coach and son-in-law Lee Cassell at ensuring the final few games of this season were approached professionally with a view to maintaining a mid-table finish in their new division.

A lunchtime visit to Kendall’s Deli in Earlsdon to meet former pupils Marcus Kendall (one of the owners of Kendall's Deli) and John Greenhill (former pupil).

We took along some of our L6th Prefects, Kate French and Josh Bhathal, who interviewed them for the next issue of the school magazine ‘The Wheatleyan’ (due to be published mid December). Previous issues can be viewed on line on the school website www.bablake.com.

Marcus Kendall 1963 - 1971

John Greenhill 1941 8

Let’s hear from the Archives….

When Sylvia O’Sullivan asked me some months ago to write a piece for the newsletter to introduce myself and my role as Archivist, I was delighted to oblige. A few days ago when she asked me to write another, shorter piece, I was less sure. What did I have to say?

Perhaps I could just report on some of the things that had happened in the last few months. So, in no particular order, as they say... We held, on 18th May, a very successful reunion for those who entered the School in 1991 and 1992. Though I had reservations about combining year groups for the first time, it seemed to work on the day. Now Sylvia and I have to arrange a meeting with the Headmaster to decide how we proceed for next year’s Reunion.

I am making gradual progress on the second edition of the history of the School, “The Lion and the Stars”. Mr Brendan Connor, former Chairman of Governors, has been of great help in providing an immense amount of material and in making himself available for discussion. I have completed most of the work on amendments to the original text, on the chapter on Dr Stuart Nuttall’s headmastership and on illustrations for the new volume. Where I seem to be rather stuck is on the chapter on the years since Mr Watson’s arrival in 2006. The lack of historical perspective, along with my love of Bablake, makes it difficult to avoid writing an extended gushing advertisement. I am, though, about to set up a meeting with a potential printer, which should be just what I need to give me fresh impetus.

What else? I am putting together small displays of archive material for the Open Evening and for the following day’s Reunion of pupils who were here in the nineteen-fifties. I drew up at least a partial list of Bablake Internationals for Rob Burdett. I made some suggestions as to illustrious former pupils who might be invited back as Guest of Honour at Prize-Giving. I have arranged a visit to Warwick School’s museum. Sylvia and I met up with Jan Butler from King Henry VIII School and Alan Partridge of the Former Pupils’ Association. I have been in touch again with Martyn Nutland, the author of a biography of Sir Leonard Lord, a Bablake Old Boy who rose to the very top of the British Motor Corporation. As I said to the author it was refreshing to see someone using material from my book intelligently rather than, as so often, mangled and unacknowledged. I have assisted a number of people with requests for information about relatives’ time at the School or their own exam results. Though still sworn to secrecy as I write, I have sought out images from the past of one of the long-serving colleagues retiring this term .I have started the process of tidying and pruning the archive office in readiness for the next flood of former pupil files.

It remains a varied little job!

Bablake’s Theatre goes online...

If you would like to find out more about plays that are being planned for the Bablake Theatre, selected recommended local productions or even information about roles in the theatre, the place to head to is the new Bablake Theatre website.

Created using Weebly (a website building site recommended by Mr Darrin Price and also used by our Careers department), the website provides information, Ms Caroline Farmer, Director of Drama, urges pupils, parents and staff, about how to audition for future productions, find out more about Bablake drama and view photographs of recent productions.

There is also excellent information on the website about our forthcoming involvement at the Edinburgh Fringe. For the 27th year in a row, Bablake will be performing at this world famous festival. The production will be 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' and more information will follow later this term.

The Bablake Theatre also has a Facebook page and a Twitter feed which people may wish to refer to.

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Other School Publication You can now read Bablake publications online. Visit the school website www.bablake.com and simply click on the cover to view in an interactive PDF viewer.

Published annually, the Wheatleyan is Bablake's official school magazine.

Each issue celebrates the best of the preceding academic year.

Stretch appears once a year and is edited by a small group of L6th students in their work experience week. We believe it is student journalism at its best!

Other News You may be aware that the new series ‘Love and Marriage’ with an impressive cast is currently on a Wednesday evening at 9pm on ITV . It runs for six weeks, was filmed entirely in Coventry and has several scenes filmed in Bablake. The writer, Stewart Harcourt, was in Bablake a few weeks ago and spoke to several classes. Watch and see if you can ‘spot’ any familiar places.

Contact: Email: Telephone: Website: Facebook:

Sylvia O’Sullivan Alumni Relations Officer sosullivan@bablake.coventry.sch.uk 024 76271259 www.bablake.com/former pupils www.facebook.com/Old Wheatleyans

As well as highlighting forthcoming events, our termly newsletter is an instant record of Bablake’s pupils’ most recent tremendous achievements.

Diary Dates Bablake & KVIII Hockey Reunion ‘Calling all players from the 1970s & 1980s’ Saturday 7th September 2013 For further details contact : Mr Rod Dunnett roderic.dunnett@sol.co.uk ……………………………………………..

Reunion for all former pupils who started at Bablake school in September 1973 Saturday 7th September 2013 at 8pm The Town Wall Tavern Coventry CV1 4AH For further details, contact Mark Illsley - 02476 675615 / 07974 308805 Email: illsleygardening@supanet.com …………………………………………….

Mock Interview (Careers Dept) 21 September 2013 If you can offer any assistance please contact Mark Woodward mgaw@bablake.coventry.sch.uk ……………………………...

Bablake School Open Morning Saturday 9 November 2013 9.30am - 12.30pm ……………………………...

Reunion for 1992 and 1993 intakes Saturday 17 May 2014 Further details will be sent out soon! ………………………………

Careers Convention February 2014 10