Old Wheatleyans F ORMER P UPIL N EWS
Super photograph taken very early in the morning on the way into school by 6th form student Kirat Johal,
Welcome to the Summer edition of the Old Wheatleyans newsletter recurrent theme amongst our former pupils who visit the school after a long ‘separation’ is: “Wow, it’s so different, yet reassuringly the same!” They wonder at new facilities and fresh activities, but appreciate the warmth of a community still determined to make a Bablake education and its values accessible to as many bright children as possible. I am sure that this stems in part from our situation in Coventry. A
Whilst our pupils benefit from extraordinary opportunities in a privileged setting, we are committed to enriching the life of our local community. Our parents often make very significant sacrifices in order to afford a place for their child. We assist a good number through bursary support, and would dearly like to help more. We are far more diverse socially and culturally than the majority of independent schools, and I believe this is a key factor in moulding a friendly and inclusive environment, where young people grow in self-confidence without pretention. They remain ‘grounded’ in their attitudes and values, whilst also having the encouragement to take off and fly! It’s great to see cranes (of the metallic variety) in the city again – for redevelopment and building are sure grounds for optimism. We are home to two super universities, with Warwick being voted the Sunday Times top university of the year and Coventry placed 15th nationally in The Guardian rankings – unheard of for a ‘new’ university. The arrival of Wasps at the Ricoh has been a huge boon to our city’s sporting scene, and the expansion of JLR can only be good news for our region. Not only do we benefit from links with all of these local key players, but we are also engaged in numerous partnerships with primary schools, secondary schools (via the Swan Teaching School Alliance) and our city’s unique cathedral – as an International Cross of Nails School. (See www.schoolstogether.org ) In each of the last three years pupils, staff and parents have raised almost £25,000 for charity and many of our pupils are involved in community service. We have recently become a Coventry and Warwickshire Champion, eager to play our part as a corporate citizen and advocate for our region. We are committed to the values of peace and reconciliation, as underpinned by our school aim to “promote an awareness of the world beyond school, a generosity of spirit, and a sense of service to the wider community”. Why is all of this so important? Because we depend in life on each other, and we hope that our young people will together build a better world and a better future. There is so much to celebrate in this community – a community to which you still belong as a former pupil. And a community at the heart of our great city – of which we are very proud to be a part!
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Former Pupil News Mel Wells - Class of 2001 Book Launch for Food Coach and Author June is promising to be an amazing month for former Bablake pupil Mel Wells following the publication of her first book, which is currently racing up the Amazon book charts. Publishers Hay House UK release Mel's The Goddess Revolution: Make Peace with Food, Love Your Body and Reclaim Your Life in June 2017, and Mel begins a tour to launch her book later this summer. Pitched as a new handbook for life, 'The Goddess Revolution' hopes to promote the advantages of the new 'anti-diet', ending a war with food and negative feelings about weight or shape by encouraging a rewarding relationship with food and empowering new lifestyle. “The Goddess Revolution” has already been favourably reviewed by a number of national magazines, and this is what Amazon says about it…. “(Mel...) devised a unique method to transform her relationship with food and shares the techniques she's learned in this book. Written with honesty and passion, 'The Goddess Revolution' shows how it is possible to have a healthy, satisfying and guilt-free relationship with our bodies without any dieting or strict regimes. Tackling modern issues - including 'fitspiration' and the unrealistic strive for perfection caused by celebrity culture and magazine airbrushing - Mel shows us how we can truly start to show our body the love it deserves, take back our power around food and, in return, feel better than ever."
Bradley Gill - Class of 2007 Junior Choir Workshop Former pupil and music scholar Bradley Gill returned to Bablake to lead a workshop with our Junior Choir. Bradley, chorus manager for the University of Birmingham Musical Society and successful auditionee for the prestigious City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), kindly joined our Junior Choir's weekly practice to help prepare our singers for February's 'Back to the 50s' charity dance and music show that is being arranged by Gold Arts Award pupil Enya Bowe. Bradley concentrated on some technical work with our young singers and teaching them a new song. He worked hard offering them advice on the warm-up needed before singing, had them all thinking about correct breathing and also worked on the focus, projection and range of the vocal 'colours'. We are certain Bradley's advice will bring benefits for the choir's future performances. It was a delight to welcome him back and we wish him the very best for his studies at the University of Birmingham.
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Former Pupil News cont... Josh White - Class of 2002 Many congratulations to Josh White, 2009 Bablake graduate and Old Wheatleyans RFC winger, who is the 2015 EAL National Advanced Apprentice of the Year. Already the West Midlands 2015 winner, Joshua, a digital apprentice at IBM, received the excellent news of his win at the National Awards ceremony last week. The awards, now in their twelfth year, are run by the National Apprenticeship Service and recognise excellence in two areas: businesses that grow their own talent with apprentices, and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces. Mr Mark Woodward, Head of Careers, commented: "I am delighted that Josh has received this recognition. He did not rush his Post-18 Options, spending his gap year working in a local school. He then gained experience with Lantra and the Adecco Group before landing an excellent three-year apprenticeship with IBM. He has also spent time helping some of our Sixth Formers with their decisions and returned for our Careers Convention to offer advice to pupils."
Alex T Smith - Class of 1996 While we await both news of 2014 World Book Day illustrator Alex T Smith's next edition of his creation 'Claude' and his new character 'Mr Penguin', he has been busying himself with a special edition illustration. Richmal Crompton's 'William in Trouble' (from the 'Just William' series) has been released as a special edition, complete with a cover illustration by 2003 Bablake graduate Alex. He is no stranger to this work, of course, since last year he was involved with new sketches for a revamped edition of the classic children's favourite 'The Hundred and One Dalmatians'.
Kimberly Jamison - Class of 2005 Freelance Writer Kimberly Jamison is a freelance writer, whose work has already been featured in various anthologies, such as 'EnDearing Minds' and 'Parenting' (Mother’s Milk Books). Last year, Kimberly, who has built up a very good knowledge of the publishing industry, wrote a guest blog for Hemsley Editorial (a Nottingham independent copyediting business) about how to achieve your writing goals; this piece was especially appropriate since she has advanced plans to live her dream, namely the release of her first novel. We wish University of Nottingham graduate Kimberly all the very best with her aspirations and look forward to both promoting and reading her future work.
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Oscar Night ‌ Fay McConkey - Class of 1984 Part of the Double Negative team that won an Oscar for its Visual Effects work on the film Ex Machina. The Oscar-winning film Ex Machina, a 2015 British science fiction psychological thriller film written and directed by Alex Garland, was one of the lowest budget films Fay has worked on, but the special effects wowed Oscar judges and the team at Double Negative beat blockbuster competition from the likes of Star Wars to take home the Oscar. Fay's mother, Janet, wrote to Headmaster Mr John Watson after Fay won the award, saying: 'I am a very proud parent today. Fay, an ex-pupil of Bablake, won an Oscar for Double Negative for its Visual Effects on the film Ex Machina. As parents we wish to thank Bablake for all of the support and encouragement so many years ago.' Fay was recently invited back to the Midlands to speak at the March Coventry and Warwickshire Champions meeting. The Champions attendees were treated to a behind the scenes look at the world of visual effects and a night at the Oscars. She even started her talk with a picture of her in the paper as a Coventry Champion representing Bablake in our netball team!
Tim Hands - Class of 1976 Once, Twice, Three Times An Emmy Award Winner While celebrating the recent accolades of Darren Carnall and Fay McConkey, respective 2016 Olivier Award and Oscar winners, it would be very remiss of us to ignore Tim Hands, arguably the most successful Bablake former pupil in the world of drama and performing arts. Tim, a graduate from the Royal College of Art, is a three time Emmy Award winner for his outstanding work as a dialogue and ADR supervisor on an impressive CV of blockbuster films and TV series. His most recent win was last year for 'Outstanding Sound Editing' on cult TV series Game of Thrones. His work on this series had also won an Emmy in 2012 and received three further nominations, while he received his first Emmy in 2005 for work on movie The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. As well as his outstanding Emmy success, Tim has also won a staggering six Golden Reel Awards in the USA, for Chicken Run, Game of Thrones and The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, as well as being nominated a further five times. Tim fondly recalls Messrs Drury, Jackson and Prescott as key influences from his time at Bablake. He also claims Bablake's worst ever Mock O Level Mathematics result (16%), but expresses immense gratitude for Mr John Drury's ability to coach him successfully through the real examination! The respect and regard is mutual, as Mr Dave Prescott, former Director of Drama at Bablake, says: "Tim was heavily involved in drama and art, with a keen interest in sport too. He played in bands, 'The Pirates of Panache' I recall, in the old Drama Room, and we cobbled a play together in about 10 days during his final term at Bablake. This play was called 'A Resounding Tinkle', and, in fact, Tim still quotes its lines today! He was also a key player in the Sixth Form reviews we presented. Many will remember 'The Gooseberry Song' fondly!" (Photograph by Jenny Horne.)
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Theatre Life ………. Darren Carnall - Class of 1990 Celebrating Three Olivier Awards Former pupil Darren Carnall's night at the 2016 Olivier Awards was surely the highlight so far of what has been a fantastic career for him in the West End. Up for a wonderful seven awards, with fierce competition from Gypsy, the UK version of acclaimed musical Kinky Boots won a brilliant three awards, including Best Costume Design, Best Actor (Matt Henry) and arguably the most prestigious of the awards, Best New Musical. Asked about the evening, Darren said: "It was an amazing night for the Kinky Boots team. All the hard work paid off and it was amazing to be at the Oliviers with so many incredibly talented people." If you were wondering about how the life of an Olivier Award winner panned out after such a ceremony, be reassured that ever-the-professional Darren was back in the Adelphi Theatre to help audition for the new cast! We suspect however that this would be no hardship at all for Darren as, on page 67 of the 2007- 8 Wheatleyan, in an interview with aspiring actress Kate Byrne, conducted in his West End dressing room, he said: "I started because I loved it, and I have simply been lucky enough to make a living out of it.”
Kate's article was entitled 'Any dream can come true' and we reckon his life in the theatre is already surpassing all his original expectations. Photograph submitted by Darren (right) with Kinky Boots producer Jerry Mitchell (centre) at the 2016 Olivier Awards.
Hannah Elsy - Class of 2005 Hannah's Production Set For Arts Theatre West End Former pupil and school captain (2011-12) Hannah Elsy presented 'The Quentin Dentin Show' in London during May. This cult hit Edinburgh Fringe rock musical is an 'extraordinary and eccentric' (Broadway Baby) exploration of life, love and therapy, featuring a live rock band and a full chorus of 'fish, Friends and lemons'! Musical Talk praised the production saying: 'Unique, startling and very funny. Like nothing I've ever seen.' Talking about her production, Hannah said: "It has been a wonderful experience to develop and produce an entirely original rock musical. I am very excited that the show is transferring to the Arts Theatre in the West End after the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year. 'The Quentin Dentin Show' is the first of many productions to come!"
(Artwork by Tara McInerney.) 5
Theatre Life cont………. John Haidar - Class of 2002 Director John looks forward to Southwark Playhouse Premiere Former pupil John Haidar - who left Bablake in 2009 and read English Literature at Trinity College, Cambridge - is looking forward, as director, to the European premiere of award-winning playwright Steven Dietz's play 'Last of the Boys' at the Southwark Playhouse. John, deputy editor of the 2007-8 edition of our nationally recognised magazine 'The Wheatleyan', had a keen interest in drama at Bablake but had originally set his career sights on becoming a chef. English teacher Mr Gary Park helped challenge all this with an A Level English trip to see Michael Boyd's production of 'Henry V' at the RSC. John says: "That was my lightbulb moment. I did not fully know what it was I was looking at, but I knew I wanted to have a go at it. It reinforced the fact that Shakespeare's plays, along with those of so many other great dramatists, were never really written to be read; they were written to be seen. That was a game-changer for me. The thought of pursuing a career in theatre or film had not crossed my mind before that." His CV is an impressive record of the vast experience gained since writing for the world-regarded Cambridge Footlights and completing his English Literature BA (First Class hons). His MA in Theatre Directing at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) was followed by a post as resident assistant director at the Birmingham Rep.
He then enjoyed work as an assistant director at Shakespeare's Globe and The Royal Court Theatre, and was associate director to Michael Grandage on 'Photograph 51', which starred Nicole Kidman, at the Noel Coward Theatre in the West End last year. Once 'Last of the Boys' has finished its run at the Southwark Playhouse, John moves to be a staff director at the National Theatre. We are delighted to report on John's dramatic impact in the theatre and it will be no surprise to see more of his own projects involving writing, poetry and screenplay adaptation come to fruition over the next few years!
Music Front Nayantara Sriram - Class of 2005 Former pupil Nayantara Sriram has released a single 'Ghost' on iTunes as 'Acacia'. The shooting of the video became a heavily influenced Bablake affair with supporting roles for actor Chris Walters and keen photographer Abhimanyu Bose. We look forward to further news about Nayantara's bid to make her mark in the music world. While enjoying her musical career, Acacia is also pursuing International Development Law and Human Rights at the Warwick (UK.) She says she aims 'to bring to the forefront violations and unjustifiable stigmas, creating a method of through music'. Recently she also enjoyed an internship at the Organisation's headquarters in Geneva.
a Master's in University of human rights' empowerment World Health
Born into a family of Indian Carnatic singers, she was inspired by her late grandmother Revathi Balachandran (a Bharatanatyam dancer and Carnatic singer) to pursue both music and dance. 6
Bablake’s three year hold on the Mick Hibbert shield is broken Bablake 1st XV's commitment and spirit could not be questioned as a rejuvenated King Henry VIII side won the Mike Hibbert Memorial Shield for the first time in March. As is traditional, the match was played at Coventry RFC's ground in front of an encouraging crowd - approaching four figures - on a pitch that allowed swift adventurous running from both sides, with conditions perfect for an excellent game of rugby. Early pressure from KHVIII's forwards was rewarded with the first try of the match, while soon after a slick move from the penetrative backs created an overlap and a converted try to put us 12-0 behind with barely the first quarter complete. When we lost a player to a red card, you might have been forgiven for thinking Bablake's night would soon become one to forget. However, immense spirit from the squad instigated one of the bravest local derby performances ever. Our defence held firm for the rest of the evening, despite immense pressure from an exciting, fast set of backs. Perhaps with a little more good fortune, Bablake might even have grabbed a try, either through a pack that seemed to gain momentum and dominate the second half once reduced in number or via some exciting runs from our backs, in particular Jack Butler, James Moffitt and Dan Smith. Mr Rob Burdett, 1st XV coach, was quick to praise victors King Henry VIII, a team transformed this season by new coach Mr Jonathan Fitt, saying: "Congratulations to King Henry VIII on a well-deserved victory. However, huge credit to the spirit of Bablake's boys. I thought we just edged the game after being reduced to 14 for such a long period, but all credit to both defences for protecting their line for so long. I suspect there is much hard work to be done to ensure we recover the Shield next season!"
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Former Teacher Michael Rodgers - 1966-1969 Letter sent to us from Michael Rodgers…... “I taught chemistry at Bablake from 1966 until 1969, when I left teaching to start a career in publishing, first as an editor at the Oxford University Press. In nostalgia-down-Memory-Lane mode, I travelled from Oxfordshire, where I live, to Coventry and called briefly at Bablake. I chatted to two ladies in the school office, showing them a photograph of me with my form (I was a form master of a sixth form), taken outside the front door in 1967 or 1968. They told me of your role as archivist. I remarked as I was departing that maybe I should return later in the year with my wife, and perhaps meet you. Meanwhile, one anecdote. During the 1970s I was visiting the Chemistry department at Leeds University. I was having a cup of coffee with one of the academics in a common room. Presently a young man came over and uttered the immortal words: ‘Hello, Sir.’ I can still remember his name, Franklin, and he had been in my form for his two years doing his A levels. He was doing research at Leeds for his PhD. The reason why I still remember with such clarity what might seem like a minor incident, an odd coincidence, is this. I had taught him all of his A level Chemistry and here was confirmation that it had worked: university, a good degree, and now PhD research. A wonderful feeling, and I felt real pride! I am taking the liberty of attaching the cover of my book, published a couple of years ago, about my life in publishing. I wasn’t long at Bablake, but it was an important part of my life. My memories of that time are good ones, and still very clear.” In February 1976 a letter from a colleague of someone called Richard Dawkins landed on my desk. I was a commissioning editor at the Oxford University Press and one of my interests was science for the general reader, popular science. The letter told me that Dawkins was writing a book, his first, tentatively called The Selfish Gene. What followed, persuading Richard Dawkins to sign up with the OUP and then working with him on his book, published the following October, was one of the most exciting periods of my life. Years later (well, about 30 years later), the idea of writing a book about a life in publishing gradually took hold of me. Here was a world wholly unfamiliar to outsiders, and yet what an amazing place I’d found it to be. I wanted to lift the veil on that world and communicate to others – complete outsiders – what it felt like meeting and working with extraordinary people, discovering at first hand ideas that, when hearing about them for the first time, were simply breathtaking. Before beginning my life in publishing I taught Chemistry at Bablake, starting in the autumn of 1966 and leaving in the spring of 1969, when I joined the OUP. My new routines included visiting university academics and one such meeting in the early 1970s has stuck in my mind for a special reason. I was in the Chemistry department at Leeds University, chatting to an author over coffee in a busy common room. A young man approached and greeted me thus: ‘Hello, Sir.’ It was Franklin (alas, I am not able to remember his first name). I had taught him his A level chemistry and here he was, doing research for his PhD. Wonderful! There is another incident which might be said to have echoes from my time at Bablake. I worked with the Oxford chemist Peter Atkins on what eventually became the most successful textbook of Physical Chemistry in the world (published in 1978, it is now in its tenth edition). Here is a small detail from the story, as told in my book: ‘Peter sent me the draft of each completed chapter and there was scope for me to wield my editor’s pen. On the one specific instance I can remember, a chapter on spectroscopy, there was much to criticize and I returned it covered in red ink. A note of acknowledgement from a wounded Peter told me that the chapter had brought out the schoolmaster in me…’ I hasten to say that my points were not technical ones on the chemistry but rather were concerned with presentation……. 8
Former Teacher Michael Rodgers - 1966-1969 Cont….. So, my deciding to write a book. I had been an editor for almost 35 years, seeing myself as a midwife, bringing books into the world. You might think I would have known all about what it felt like being an author. Not a bit of it. At each stage I suffered the worries and stresses and neuroses that I’d seen so often from the other side, as authors create something they feel passionate about. The experience was truly an education. In front of me now is a photograph, taken in 1967 or 1968, of a sixth form with their form master, me. For me, a splendid time, enjoyable and fulfilling. I am proud of my association with Bablake. (Publishing and the Advancement of Science: from selfish genes to Galileo’s finger by Michael Rodgers, Imperial College Press, 2014)
General
The Alumni office was contacted earlier in the year by Timothy Davey (Class of 1972) who bought the book shown here for his mother. Upon reading it, she identified an Old Wheatleyan, a Mr Alan Bateman at Bablake 1952-59) who is mentioned in the book… “His parents lived in Longfellow Rd and Alan was born in Gulson Hospital the night of the bombing. He and his Mum escaped somehow when the hospital was hit by a several bombs. His parents’ house was not bombed but the air raid shelter where his parents would have been was destroyed . Many killed and injured but not Alan's Dad, who was struggling to get to Gulson Hospital to see his newborn baby. I used to work with Alan at Wood End School. He went to Bablake as a boy and then did teacher training” Perhaps if others have read it they may be able to identify other Old Wheatleyans ?
Old Wheatleyans at large (Be carefull you never know where they turn up!!) It’s amazing who you bump in to at the Cricket! Mrs Alison Tumber (Head of 6th Year) recently bumped into Elliot Bates (Class of 2003) whilst watching the cricket at Lord’s amazingly they were sitting in the same row in a 30,000 seater ground ! If there are any other Old Wheatleyan ‘spottings’ let us know !!
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Reunion Season Spring Coffee Morning - April 2016 Those who came to our annual Coffee Morning and the Class of 1996 Reunion earlier this term will testify to the enjoyable time spent back at their alma mater, as well as the inevitable pangs of nostalgia walking back into the main foyer and then touring the school.
Our former pupils had an opportunity to meet some of their contemporaries, meet Chair of the Governors Mrs Julia McNaney, hear an update on Bablake's current strengths from Headmaster Mr John Watson, watch a video about life in the school in 1952, and mingle with Mrs Kate Duke's Shell English class. Mrs Sylvia O'Sullivan, Alumni Liaison Officer, commented: "I always look forward to this Coffee Morning as it signifies the start of Bablake's 'Reunion Season' for our former pupils. It was especially heart-warming today to see our Shells talking to our attendees and swapping stories from school experiences that were at least 50 years apart. I eagerly await the Class of 1996 on Saturday 21st May and then later in the term our first 70s reunion." Should you wish to attend one of our reunions or have a look around the school during the working day, we would be delighted to see you. For further information on how to arrange such a return visit, please contact us..
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Reunion Season cont…. Class of 1996 - May 2016
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Bablake Old Boys’ Club 1948 - 2016 Bitter sweet day when the keys to "The Club" were handed over to the new buyers, lots of great memories & stories-a-plenty to many an Old Wheatleyan & Bablake 6th Formers, end of an era -2016
Bomber Command Memorial John Greenhill - Class of 1941
Former pupil John Greenhill took time out from a recent visit to London to place a Bablake cross on the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, London, in memory of all the soldiers that did not return. 12
Let’s hear it from the Archives...
Time passes so quickly. In September it will be fifty-five years since I arrived at Bablake as a shy and rather scared Shell-former. As I have been part of the School ever since, except for ten years at college and then teaching elsewhere, it is hardly surprising that the place should have many memories for me. Most often it is when I am alone in a fairly empty school that the ghosts of previous moments arise. The hall is a particularly fertile location. I think back to the times when Bablake reacted as one, perhaps to someone’s selection for England, or to the retirement of a valued colleague or the news of a death within the Bablake community. I remember particularly vividly, for instance, the moment at the end of Martin Barker’s farewell assembly when I had to swallow really hard before I could say anything to the Oxbridge candidate I had asked to stay behind for a word with me, Other memories come out of the blue on the slightest pretext. The theatre will call up memories of the thrill of the occasional drama lesson that really took off or I will look into a newly cleaned and tidied form room and feel again that nervous excitement of being about to meet a new tutor group in September. I can never work out why I so love the shavings smell of the woodwork shop when my memories of lessons in there are almost entirely of incompetence and fear. Even the sports hall brings back powerful memories, of the nervous tension of an exam room and of the enjoyable marathon of a sponsored Stayawake with a favourite tutor group. It is always enjoyable to show former members of the School around the Bablake of today. Recently, for instance, we welcomed back Dr Michael Rodgers, who taught Chemistry here from 1966 to 1969. Having decided that teaching was not for him after all, Michael went on to a most distinguished career in scientific publishing, including being an early associate of Richard Dawkins. Michael was kind enough to donate to our library his splendid book recounting his career in that field. His visiting us after such a long interval made me ponder on whatever happened to some other names from the past. We do try to keep in touch with former members of staff but it is not always easy. What happened, I wonder, to Michael’s contemporary here Dr Roger Harmer? There were those. I recall, who thought it witty to refer to them as Rodgers and Harmerstein! I would love to know what happened to Mr George Waterhouse, a larger-than-life character and by the time I was taught by him a rather embittered one. And is it true, as I was informed by one contemporary of mine, that Mr John Brewer still lives locally? My first encounter with him was when he supervised the group I was in fir the entrance exam. As always these days Reunions and Coffee Mornings come thick and fast. It was a delight to read such appreciative comments from the 1996 intake year on their recent reunion. The coffee morning for local Old Boys of more mature years was bathed in still more nostalgia by a showing of the film on Bablake life which Bill Hayes and Alec Moretti made in the early fifties and to which John Lawrence, in his time as Archivist, had added an introduction and commentary. As I said at the reunion Pam Lloyd’s funeral in February, though of course a sad occasion, also served as something of a reunion for a remarkably large gathering of this charming lady’s former colleagues. After the sale of the headquarters of the Former Pupils’ association Bablake has most gratefully received eleven framed drawings of Old Coventry most skilfully executed by Kenneth Wootton, who was Bablake Art Master from 1914 to 1948. No doubt very soon we will find a suitable place to display these to best effect.
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Vale Mr Malcolm Martin - Caretaker Mr Martin, pictured handing his keys over to his successor Mrs Jo Davidson (formerly our Cleaning Supervisor), has been one of those members of staff that everyone connected with the Bablake community will remember for very fond reasons for years to come. His joie de vivre and ability to see the positives in any scenario and raise spirits with a quip or joke, rarely at his own expense, have been treasured by everyone since he joined us in 2001. 'Malc', as he has been fondly known by parents, pupils and colleagues, underwent pervasive cancer treatment a few years ago but, thankfully, returned to Bablake even stronger and has remained in remission. He even came back remarkably with far more zest, sarcasm and positive spirit than ever before! Coming from a solid Irish farming family, it has been no surprise he has proved himself a fighter and his work ethic would stand comparison with the sturdiest of academics. Praise, gifts and tears - some of them his own, we are sure - have been cast and shed towards the end of this term as the day he has dreaded has finally come when he has had to leave the job and community he dedicated every ounce of his energy to over the last 14 years. We wish Malcolm and his wife, Sue, all the very best in retirement. Bablake 'courses through his veins', as our Headmaster said in his valedictory comments in an Assembly last week. He will miss us, we are sure, but maybe not the 'open all hours' demands of employment as a live-in caretaker that he has enthusiastically borne over his time with us. Have a tremendous retirement, Malcolm! We just hope the 'Malcolm Martin Guide to Caretaker Sarcasm' has not been handed over to Mrs Davidson?!
Obituaries Mrs Pam Lloyd - Languages Teacher With great sadness we list the names of our departed friends and colleagues. One of them was Pam Lloyd who died earlier this year. She was suffering latterly from Alzheimer’s and she died peacefully in January. Mrs Gill Thomas wrote the following tribute :
“She was a highly respected colleague and excellent linguist, and became a good friend to many of us. She was in charge of Fousseau and was such a kind and gentle lady. She set her pupils high standards and was determined they should reach their potential.�
We were also extremely saddened to hear that the following former pupils have died: Sidney Brown Colin Blower Claude Barnwell Joseph Brunt Leigh Bramley-Dobson
Years at Bablake 1937 - 1944
Brendon Jennings
Years at Bablake 1972 - 1979
Information not known
1930 - 1937 1959 - 1966 1955 - 1962 14
Memories… Coundon Road Railway Station
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1970s Decade Reunion - 25 June 2016 Just a taster of some of the fabulous photographs taken at our recent successful reunion, more to follow in our next edition of the newsletter ‌.
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Other School Publications You can now read Bablake publications online. Visit the publications section of the school website using the following link: http://www.bablake.com/547/information/publications 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. Sixth Formers' thoughts on Bablake and beyond
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!
Diary Dates Reunion Class of 1997 May 2017 *******************************
As well as highlighting forthcoming events, our termly newsletter is an instant record of Bablake’s pupils’ most recent tremendous achievements.
Contact:
Sylvia O’Sullivan - Alumni Relations Officer
Email: Telephone: Website:
sosullivan@bablake.coventry.sch.uk 024 76271259 www.bablake.web-intouch.com/ www.bablake.com/former_pupils.php www.facebook.com/groups./bablakereunited www.twitter.com/bablakeschool http://instagram.com./Bablakeofficial
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Reunion Former Pupils who started at Bablake during the 1980s Date to be decided – June 2017
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