Old Wheatleyans Newsletter - Issue 19 by Bablake

Returning to Bablake in September, I found a school bruised by the last two years, but with the values that make our community a very special place, still at its core. Pupils have continued to flourish and staff are working hard both inside and outside the classroom. The summer’s exam results were exceptional and we remain one of the highest performing schools in the

Early in the New Year, we will launch an updated school crest – don’t worry, it will not be a controversial or ‘bold’ redrawing! We have used it as an opportunity to tidy up the current design and the Lion and Stars will, of course, remain. I think you will like it.

Does the crest matter? I believe it does and it is much more than just a logo on a letterhead. It not only links to our past and the stories of Queen Isabella and Thomas Wheatley, but also binds us to the values that are fundamental to our community. There is a reason why the Lion and the Stars are everywhere you look, as they remind us that we are part of Bablake and of the advantages and responsibilities this brings. While working with designers on the crest, we found different re-drawings that appear around the school (and Old Bablake) and it is interesting to see how little the crest has changed. The 2023 re-drawing, if anything, brings back a little more tradition and I look forward to sharing it with you.

Independent schools are often attacked by commentators and politicians and this isn’t going to change as we approach the next general election, which will probably be in 2024. The South-East bias means that often the experiences of the sector from the media and some politicians are very different from what we see at Bablake Our intake is not one that would be considered privileged and one of the strengths of our community, and a cause of celebration, is the mixture of backgrounds that are represented. In fact, our pupils come from a far greater mix of households than most state schools. Around 30% of all our pupils have financial support to attend, through bursaries and scholarships, and many more will have help with fees from grandparents and other family members. What we all have in common is a shared belief in the importance of education. When we surveyed our parents, 50% had a two-income household total of less than £60k. This means that they have prioritised education and made significant financial sacrifices to do so. It makes working here both a privilege and a great responsibility. I am talking to a some former students about setting up a fund so that those who are fortunate enough to be in a position to donate, may do so, enabling more young people to attend the School and to benefit from what we offer. We hope to launch this next year.

We are proud of what we are able to achieve at Bablake for our pupils and in our wider role supporting education in the city.

On behalf of the staff and pupils at Bablake, I would like to wish you a very happy Christmas.

Sath recently got in touch with us as she wanted to give us a little update about what she has been up to in Oxford and over the summer vacation..

“I was awarded the Heron-Allen Travel Scholarship by my college for my expedition to Ecuador. Over the summer, I went on a 2-week adventure to the Tropical Andes and was part of the ornithology team studying the avian life of a region of the cloud forest never studied by scientists before! It was the most incredible experience; we found several new and undiscovered species of frog, snake, toad and orchid! I learnt so much about the biodiversity of the ecosystem from scientists and the indigenous members of the community. I even got lost in the dense forest by myself for three hours (less fun, but all part of the experience).

University life is also going well. I earned a Distinction (1st) in my Preliminary Examinations and was awarded another Heron-Allen Scholarship for excellence in Prelims and achieving the highest mark in my college cohort. I attended the Scholars’ Formal Dinner and will be involved in the Annual Heron-Allen lecture later on in the year. Outside of academics, I have been continuing to take part in the performing arts. I have been performing Carnatic vocal at various events, such as the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies' Diwali Puja. Last year I performed, as a representative of the Hindu Society, in the Sheldonian Theatre as part of Opening Oxford 1871, a concert marking the 150th anniversary of the Act that allowed people of all faiths and none into Oxford. I've also been getting involved in student politics, nature conservation, and (of course) bird watching!

The LMH (Lady Margaret Hall) community is warm and vibrant and reminds me of Bablake in many ways!

I hope Bablake is still as wonderful as I remember it to be”

I recently received the above photos from David Kipping. He and classmates Phil Paxton (Class of 1965) and Stuart Dean (Class of 1965) met for lunch. Phil now lives in Calgary, Canada and Stuart lives in Kenilworth.

“I haven't see Phil since I left Bablake in 1970-52 years ago. I did however bump into Stu only around 30 years ago. We keep in touch in our WhatsApp group.

Please see above photos; me in black shirt and Phil in sky blue. I thought these might be of interest. We had a great day full of wonderful memories.”

In attendance Messrs Bird, Trew, Shaw, Bush, Weaver, Williams, Sanders, Keilloh and an always welcome interloper from 1975 Alexander

David recently visited the school for a tour and to see the school in action. I am sure he saw many changes from when he was here as a pupil. He called into the library and was pleased to see that his own book Jesters was on display. Whilst here he visited our Memorial Garden. David’s father, Alan Trew, was a former pupil from Class of 1946. Alan, who sadly passed away in July of this year, was a regular at our Spring Coffee mornings.

“Jon Cooper (Class of 1986) and I represented England Hockey O45s at the home nations in Swansea, which we won. We both played hockey at Bablake from 1989 to 1993.”

“I have just completed a solo art exhibition at the Malthouse gallery in Lyme Regis, Dorset where I now live. I was the first pupil to go to Art college from Bablake and completed a BA Fine Arts degree in 1976. At the time Ted Burrough wasn’t keen on a Bablake pupil going to Art college. Fortunately the college wanted me anyway!

I am still at it; Art colleges are so important for society with its students pursuing all kinds of ‘professions’ and creative activities. I ‘fell’ into theatre and spent my years as an events technician. Travelling the world with all kinds of shows and events. Tony Weaver was my Art Teacher.

I am retired now and live on the SW coast.”

Nia very kindly came into school to talk to L6th in their Enrichment session. She spoke to them about her journey from school, through university and now working with the MOD. Huge thanks to Nia, very informative, and hopefully got them thinking about their own future plans! Here she is with the wonderful

Simon visited us to talk about his career path in architecture. He is a second generation former pupil; his father Alan (Class of 1958) and his son Ben (Class of 2014). Simon is now Group Director at Corstorphine & Wright and is recognised as one of the country’s leading Bluelight architects.

“I was just looking at an old Bablake video on YouTube of the School Rugby 1stXV, playing in 1999. I was amazed to see that their jerseys were then very similar to those of my old Toronto Lions Rugby Club (which I had designed).

Below, is a photo of our Over 40s Team at the Golden Oldies Tournament in Toronto in 1989. I’m on the left end in black shorts (the only one over 50, as shorts were colour-coded by age).

Sadly, the Club no longer exists, as major changes in the Rugby structure in Ontario in the early 2000s caused many of the smaller Clubs, like ours, to either merge with larger Clubs or fold.

I played for the Old Wheatleyans, from 1958 to 1963, in the 2nd row, mostly in the 2nds, 3rds and 4ths, when we played in shirts with tiny maroon. gold and navy stripes (much narrower than they use today). In fact, they were so narrow, that they looked like solid brown shirts from a distance. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep that shirt and don’t have any photos of it, but I still do have my 1962-63 Fixture List! I also still have my Old Wheats tie.

I gave up playing in April of 1963 when the second of our three children was born; and

Catherine was a student at Bablake from ages 7-17 (1998-2009) and went on to do a geology degree at the University of Leicester. Many years down the line, she has received a scholarship.

In October, she will be moving to New Orleans for 12 months as a Fulbright-Lloyds Scholar to study human impacts on rivers and reservoir water quality in particular. Her bio is below.

More information about the award is available here: https://fulbright.org.uk/ and information about myself and the other grantees is available using this link: https://tinyurl.com/ykv2txd6

Catherine Russell completed her PhD in fluvial sedimentology at the University of Leeds in 2017 and went on to lecture in sedimentology and earth surface processes at the University of Leicester, whilst also affiliated with Louisiana State University. Catherine is a geologist who is interested in human impacts on rivers and their landscapes, including plastic pollution. On experiencing the Louisianan human-modified Mississippi River landscape in 2019, Catherine began adapting traditional geological techniques to modern environments as well as investigating how plastic behaves as a sedimentary particle. In 2020, she established the Anthropocene Sediment Network, which aims to holistically combine human, social, and physical elements of a landscape to aid communication, networking, and learning between communities.

As a Fulbright-Lloyd’s Visiting Scholar at the University of New Orleans, Catherine seeks to learn the deeper impacts of the human-modified landscape on day-to-day living in New Orleans. The key focus of her research will be investigating the novelties of Anthropocene rivers when compared to natural systems, and particularly the consequences of our activities on reservoir water quality. The Fulbright Scholarship will give her the opportunity to build bridges and new connections in her research, as well as to undertake fieldwork in a new environment. The learnings from this research will allow for deeper understanding of the long-term effects of human impact on surface processes across Earth Systems in the Anthropocene.

Many of you will remember Dr Trish Archer, who is a teacher of Maths here at Bablake, also a very proud Mum! She recently sent through some links regarding her son former pupil Matthew Archer, who is the Spaceflight Programme Director at UK Space Agency.

The BBC article is headed “The launch of satellites from Spaceport Cornwall will inspire children to work in the sector, those behind the project have said.” For further information please read link: https://tinyurl.com/386dxus5

Photo credit BBC

Photo credit BBC The article in The Guardian “It’s really happening” : tears of joy as space mission nears Cornwall launch”…. https://tinyurl.com/2feywuav

1977

Back Row left to right:

Mr B Woolnough, Mr W J Anderson, Mr R A Fewtrell, Mr W A Hudson, Dr D K Wright, Mr B J Sutton, Mr T R Proctor, Mr J M Drury, Mr G S Percival, Mr A C Brown, Mr A J McConaghy, Mr G L Burgess, Mr A B Weaver

Middle Row left to right:

Mrs C B Wilson, Dr M R Reynolds, Mrs J Locock, Mr G C Nurser, Mr P L Hanley, Mr D R White, Mr R S Gorecki, Mr R E Jones, Mr M J Masters, Mr R C Prime, Mr S R Owen, Mr B N Titterington, Mr D F Prescott, Mr B W Gladstone, Mr E Jenkins, Mr P G Marshall, Mrs R M Grainger, Mrs M R Prowse

Bottom Row left to right:

Mr B W Caudwell, Mr T W Patchett, Mr M E Millard, Mr D W Mann, Mr H S Lewis, Mr D C Duncan, Mr J E Malin, Mr V G VanHee, Mr E H Burrough, Mr M W Barker, Mr A W Hayes, Mr J R Lawrence, Mr J Galsworthy, Rev W R Kelly, Mr D E Ward, Mr G Jones, Mr A J Mather

Gurdeep Mann (Class of 1993) sent in this selection from the play the Happiest Days of Your Life. Is your name somewhere amongst them?

I am never averse to telling people a bit about the history of Bablake, should the opportunity arise. So when Catherine Jeffcoat, a former pupil of mine who is now one of the Deputy Heads in our Junior School, asked if I would go along to a special assembly of theirs on October 20th I was glad to oblige. The occasion was the anniversary of Bablake's opening on this site in 1890. What I vaguely anticipated was that I might be asked the odd question. Only when I got there and was introduced did it dawn on me that I was meant to be leading the assembly. How am I going to do this, I thought, without using too much of the material I use for my annual talk to the Shells? I think I just about got away with mixing bits about 1890 and how the School had changed since my boyhood in the sixties. Questions did indeed happen spontaneously. The most challenging, in a way, was why Bablake had for so long been only open to boys. Some of the photographs Kiley Brown took of the assembly were to appear online. I was flattered when one former pupil commented that I hadn't changed at all since twenty-two years ago, until it struck me that that probably just meant that pupils thought I looked seventy-two when I was fifty. More recently Catherine has asked me when the Junior School building opened. Am I right in thinking that that was in 1992?

I mentioned my talk to the Shells, and this time that happened before September was out. I was pleased to be back in the hall, which allows me to draw attention to the three memorials to Bablake's losses in the two world wars: the board at the back of the hall, the Book of Honour and the memorial organ. A pleasant side-effect of the talk is that Shells sometimes acknowledge me when we pass in the corridor. This time two of them let me know that I had taught their mothers. Indeed one of them not only has a mother who was in my tutor group but a grandad I have known since we were at school together.

The 1966 Staff photograph we included last time inspired some nostalgia, not only in Terry Carter, who provided it, but in Michael Rodgers, another of that year's unusually large intake of new staff. Michael was very complimentary about the pin-sharp hard copy of the photograph I was able to send him. The credit for that goes, not to me, but to our wonderful reprographics technician Tracy Mair. The Staff photograph we include this time was taken when Edward Burrough, Vic Van Hee and Harry Lewis were all about to retire and includes Martin Barker, who was sitting in with Edward Burrough before taking over as Vice-Principal.

This year too saw many changes in our Staff. I came along to the unusually long session of farewell speeches and presentations after end of term in July. It was marked by a powerful combination of humour and emotion. For me the occasion was tinged by the recognition that in some cases we were saying farewell to colleagues I had barely been aware of.

I am delighted to say that the Headmaster has given his go-ahead to my organising a staff reunion during 2023. This will be the first with that specific focus since the one I organised in 2003 to mark the retirements of Ron Jones, Terry Patchett and Ed Jenkins. There are hopeful plans in the offing too for better archive storage and display, despite the School's perennial lack of space.

Now that Covid is being less of a hindrance, I have in mind to remind interested parties of the existence of a second edition of The Lion and the Stars, my history of Bablake. Published just three years ago it is a handsome volume, most competitively priced at £15.00 and available from me at the School. I like to think it contains much to show what Bablake has to be proud of and what we would fight to preserve.

Former pupil Matthew Payne has sadly died aged 66 after a valiant battle against cancer lasting several years.

Matthew was a keen sportsman, particularly when wet – excelling in the swimming pool, where he represented not only the school but also the leading local Three Spires Club, and at water polo, which he was still playing at a competitive level until a year or so ago for the London-based Blue Marlins. He had also represented the school at basketball.

Like most of his era, Matthew was an aficionado of Monty Python, and friends tell us he remained keen on edgy humour, often attending alternative comedy shows, usually in London, though on several occasions he visited Edinburgh to enjoy the Fringe. He espoused strong political views (not to be shared here!!) but was just as well known by his nearest and dearest for his absorbent memory and having a seemingly bottomless pit of (often useless) information.

He revisited the school as recently as last year, along with several fellow ‘Class of 1967’ friends, who on emerging from the Covid restrictions returned ‘home’ as a group to join the celebrations marking Coventry’s spell as UK City of Culture.

Those remembering Matthew from schooldays may recall his nickname – Tufty, the provenance of which is still being debated! He had begun life at Bablake in Shell L before moving to 2F under form master Ron Fewtrell and taking his O Levels while in Lower 5F in 1971.

After gaining successful Economics, Mathematics and Geography A levels, he attended Sheffield University and attained a degree in Economics and Geography.

He worked in a number of professional sectors including marketing and recruitment advertising and, refreshingly, concluded his working life with the Royal Mail – as Postman Matt, as his friends enjoyed calling him. Matthew was married in 1983 and has two children, Saskia and Louis.

During his later years he lived in a flat overlooking the Thames and would spend much time observing life drifting leisurely by on the water. As a lasting and appropriate mark of respect, on 8 October, family and friends took to the river themselves to scatter his ashes there.

Those same family and friends are sure to miss his engaging conversational style, often a mix of dry wit and thoughtful opinion.

The above was sent in by Gary Atkins, who along with Matthew and some other class mates (see photo), visited us last year to have a tour.

John’s brother Rob, sent the following to me for inclusion in the newsletter...

“John started running as a sport on 29 September 1962. He ran for Bablake in a crosscountry race against two other schools and came 3rd, even though he was probably the youngest of the 47 runners and many would have been a year older than him. His potential was identified because he was, “hardly out of breath.”

His achievements were high:

3 x English Schools Champion (2 x steeplechase 1969 and 1970, 1 x cross-country 1970)

2 x English Schools Vest (steeplechase)

5 x GB Junior Vests (steeplechase) including 10th in European Junior Champs 1970

1 x England Senior Vest (steeplechase)

3 x GB Marathon International Vests

2 x England Commonwealth Games Reserve (marathon)

5 x first 21 in London Marathon

9th 1988 2hr 12min 13 sec

12th 1989 2hr 12min 22 sec

13th 1987 2hr 13min 21sec

20th 1986 2hr 15min 56 sec

21st 1981 2hr 21min 00 sec

Winner Crete International Marathon 1986 (2hr 22min 37 sec)

UK veterans (over 40 years) record 10 mile road race 1991

Winner London Marathon Veterans Section 1992 (2hr 18min 47 sec)

At 15 he held a ‘World’s Best’ time for an Under 16 running the Steeplechase.

His social skills were high and this can be demonstrated by the fact that he was captain of Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club and when he transferred to Tipton Running Club he, after a few years, became captain there. These are two of the leading running clubs in the country.

John held 2000m world indoor best for ‘boys’ since 6 Oct 1968. 50+ years

This was timed by a hand timer at Cosford UK when John was 17 years 59 days. (Source: Wikipedia).

David Coleman commenting on the leading group of elite runners in a London Marathon said, “and there’s John Wheway, always there or thereabouts” which unintentionally summed up John’s involvement in athletics.”

Those who were taught by Jill and worked alongside her at Bablake will have many special and personal memories and anecdotes which they have shared with each other, for Jill forged long lasting friendships with many staff and their families.

When Jill was appointed to teach German at Bablake in January 1981 there were few full time women teachers on the staff. Her good friend and colleague from Finham Park, Pam Lloyd, had joined the staff just a term before and they, together with Claudette Wilton, provided perfect balance to the Modern Languages Department.

Jill was an outstanding linguist. She prided herself in keeping her German vocabulary and conversation up-to-date, and continued to do so in retirement. Her teaching groups received the best attention and were meticulously prepared to achieve the success she knew they were capable of. She was indeed an excellent teacher. Following the retirement of Berwyn Woolnough Jill took over the organisation and running of the annual German Exchange to Hemer in West Germany. She had already accompanied the trips and formed firm friendships and connections with the German group leaders Hilda and Detlev. When the German party visited Bablake, Jill kindly invited several staff to some ‘nibbles’ to meet with the leaders. On those evenings plate after plate emerged from the kitchen as ‘nibbles’ turned into a banquet. She was, as many will know, a welcoming host and an excellent cook. She also enjoyed a glass of white wine.

She was a committed, efficient, hard-working, caring and compassionate Sixth Form Tutor. If there was a job to be done Jill could be trusted to get on with it. She always wanted the best for her tutees and her occasional direct approach stirred individuals into action. As in her teaching Jill set high standards of conduct. She calmly and kindly counselled tutees who, for whatever reason, needed extra support… expressing her concern and enabling them to seek solutions.

In addition to teaching, Jill took on other roles including co-ordinating the many contributions the School made to charity. She gave her time and energy to the group of staff who supported Ian Appleby in organising the PHAB Ball, encouraging students to help with and be involved in what became an annual event to raise money for the charity supporting physically handicapped able bodied young people.

With care and efficiency, she also organised the Community Service Volunteers programme for Sixth Form students… and woe betide those who failed to be where they should have been on that Wednesday afternoon. They were effectively reined in, and sometimes reassigned to placements which could be more closely monitored.

Jill loved the Arts and as part of the General Studies programme assisted in preparing Sixth Formers for the Arts and Social Sciences elements. She also supported school plays, music events, Senior Citizens’ parties and school trips including National Trust visits. Whilst Jill loved the Arts I think it is fair to say technology was not one of Jill’s loves or passions!… and I think I will leave it there. Cont/...

First thing in the morning on cooler days Jill could be found checking out the Common Room radiator... and she was never short of a colleague to share the task. She was elegant and stylish and somehow, even in the most inclement weather, managed to navigate the route from school to language block arriving there still looking immaculate.

Jill had a reasoned and a valued voice in discussions and expressed her opinions with the interests of the pupils and the school at heart. Not only were these in formal settings but also at the break and lunchtime ‘knitting table’, as it was affectionately called. This is where many policies were formulated and the seeds planted for change! She was professional in all aspects of teaching, quietly efficient and caring to all.

Jill’s colleagues had a warmth and respect for her, and the friendships maintained since retirement are a testimony to the special person she was.

In his reflections Stuart Nuttall confirmed the sentiments expressed then. He wrote to say that Jill “epitomised all that was good about Bablake… as a Headmaster I could not have wished for a better member of staff.”

At the time of Jill’s appointment Bablake’s mission statement was ‘Excellence through Care’. How fitting. That was so true of Jill throughout the time we, as friends and colleagues, were privileged to have had with her.

(Thank you Jill)

Gill Thomas (Former Deputy Head)

We were extremely saddened to hear that the following former pupils and a former staff member have passed away.