Old Wheatleyans Former Pupil News
Welcome to the winter edition of the Old Wheatleyans Newsletter A recent survey of 1,655 adults for the Social Mobility Commission found that nearly half believed where people ended up in life was mainly down to their background and parentage. Less than a third (29%) of people questioned thought Britain was a country where everyone could get as far as their talent and hard work would take them. The report published by the Commission is not terribly optimistic and highlights a widening social divide, exacerbated by an unfair education system, a two-tier labour market, a regionally imbalanced economy and unaffordable housing. How does a Bablake education fit into this and what role will our young people play in building a fairer society? I believe that one of our greatest strengths is that we are more socially and culturally diverse than the vast majority of independent schools – this actually strengthens our community and keeps us ‘grounded’. We are very different from the school I inspected last year where I had to drive for a mile once through the entrance arch before I reached the main building! I met some super children enjoying a rather unique experience! I once worked in a boarding school not hugely dissimilar to this and would have hesitated to have my own children educated in the senior school; as it is, they grew up in South London and Coventry, often quite oblivious to the differences and dissimilarities that others might perceive. However, let’s not deny the fact that our children are privileged. They benefit from outstanding opportunities at school in an environment where aspiration and ambition are the norm, and their parents are very supportive of their education. So it’s hard to disagree entirely with the findings of the survey. With those privileges which our children enjoy come responsibilities: the responsibility to make the very most of their precious education – for they will only have one opportunity; the responsibility to ensure that they become the very best version of themselves in the way they relate to others, at both school and at home; and the responsibility to emerge from school as young adults wishing to play a generous role in building a better world. I am forever pleased to hear from former pupils about where their lives have taken them since Bablake, and there is always a huge variety of different experiences. Many of you know, I know, will attribute at least part of your success and fulfilment in life to your education at Bablake, and we remain eager to extend its outstanding opportunities to as many bright children as possible, regardless of background. I wish you and those closest to you a very Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year,
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Former Pupil News Matt Davidson - Class of 1996 Award-winning Creative Industries Dissertation While the revival of the Pokémon phenomenon has been a remarkable story across the world, for former pupil Matt Davidson (a.k.a. actor Matthew Bretton), this rise was not unexpected. As part of his MA in Acting at Birmingham School of Acting, he wrote a dissertation, researching the challenges for actors looking to make a name in the video game industry, which has just won the highly regarded 2016 CAF BCU Prize. We look forward to reading Matt's full dissertation, where, while arguing how video game acting is hugely varied and offers very rewarding career options (e.g. both in the characters available and in the choices that are made when performing that role), he emphasises how video game actors must maintain proper care and development of their vocal and physical abilities, since motion-capture may take several months and voice recording contracts may be several years long. Professor Paul Long, Director of the Birmingham Centre For Media and Cultural Research, praised Matt for producing "a piece of work that has a clear value for actors who wish to work in the lucrative and fastgrowing video games industry." He said the dissertation "impressed the judges, not only for its strong academic rigour, but also for the applied insights he offers actors, such as the need to be flexible, develop strong relationships with the animators and how to show realistic emotions, despite the digital processes overlaying a performance." Matt, a stalwart for a number of years at our Mock Interview Morning and Careers Conventions, was interviewed by BBC Cov and Warks presenter Brody Swain about the opportunities for video game actors. He was also asked to present his findings to a Midlands symposium supported by the Creative Advantage Fund (CAF). We heartily congratulate Matt on his award and look forward to current Bablake actors returning with news of assignments for animation of Pokémon Go and similar games. They will be following in the eminent footsteps of former pupil Amelia Tyler, who has extensive experience in this area of acting. Photograph of Matt Davidson by Graeme Braidwood via Red Talent.
Will Hine - Class of 2006 Having completed his Geography degree at the University of Manchester, Will Hine, aka Whiney, is now a Traineed Architectual Technician and is about to release his debut EP. Will's record label Med School has written the following excellent piece about Will's 'Stranger Tides' 4 track EP, in its promotion for his debut release: "Will Hine (aka Whiney) is a prime example of how Med School keep to their key ethos - to bring through and nurture the very best in the next generation of producers. At just 21 years old, he’s already gained a reputation amongst esteemed tastemakers, including label boss London Elektricity and BBC Radio 1’s Friction, for contributing stand-out moments on various compilations. Take 'Komodo' on ‘Hospitality 2016’, 'Nightfall' on ‘Ten Years Of Med School' and 'Guardian' on S.P.Y’s ‘Hospital Mixtape’ to start. Now two years on Whiney steps into the limelight with his own artist-defining, solo EP ‘Stranger Tides’. Whiney’s productions are built on solid foundations. His love for the creative process spreads throughout, fuelling his tracks with an array of cheeky quirks. His DJ sets also bring that surefire element of fun to the dancefloor. He's been packing in huge crowds world over, receiving a warm welcome in Europe at Med School label nights, Liquicity showcases and the massive D+B-centric festival Let It Roll." (Photograph from Whiney's Facebook feed.) 2
Former Pupil News James Langton - Class of 2005 Stands out at Automotive Design Degree show "It took just seconds to note the stunning standard of design work on display at Coventry University's 2016 Industrial Design Degree Show� reports Head of Careers Mr Mark Woodward. "I had been invited to the show by Class of 2005 former Bablake pupil James Langton, at school a key 1st XI footballer but now one of the first names on the team sheet for Old Wheatleyans RFC. James, who enjoyed an internship last summer at Concept Group International, has just completed his Automotive and Transport Design degree, the leading undergraduate course of its kind in the UK. He took great pride in showing me not only his own final project but also the impressive work of his peers spread across three rooms of Coventry University's Maurice Foss building. James' project, an impressive, innovative Modular Snowsports Rescue Vehicle, designed with Alias Automotive and Keyshot 4 software, has a very viable niche market and clearly not only impressed me but also the show's moderators as it is one of 12 projects to be nominated for the 2016 Steve Olney Memorial Award. James has also received confirmation that his project animations, a very dynamic element of his work, are to be part of the New Designers show in London later this year alongside some of his peers' work. James is delighted with the overall reaction to his project and reflecting on his degree says: 'The excitement of bringing 2D sketches to life as 3D models, surface by surface, is easily my greatest design experience during the course. Creating the Alias model has always been the highlight of all my projects and the most satisfying element.' James is looking forward to working with Jaguar Land Rover in the near future and it is exciting to imagine what he and his peers will be able to bring to the market in the next decade."
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Former Pupils News Nick Skelton - Class of 1971 Olympic GOLD winner
Old Wheat Nick Skelton has given inspiration once again to all Bablake pupils with his second Olympic Gold! The senior man of the Team GB Olympic equestrian squad added to his team gold from London 2012 by taking a prized individual gold with a majestic performance in the individual show jumping event. Nick's story of courage and determination, competing in his 7th Olympic tournament, after breaking his neck in 2000 (when he was told it would be dangerous to ride again) and having a hip replacement in 2011, is one to inspire every member of the Bablake family. For Holly Payne, involved with the England hockey squad, and Kare Adenegan, Team GB’s youngest competitor in the Paralympic games, Nick Skelton's achievements will be even more inspirational. For current pupils like Izzy Harris, Izz Hemus and Hattie Evans, former pupils Lucy Farrington and Lucinda Roche, and many others connected with equestrianism, his feat will be especially significant. Photograph via Team GB Twitter feed. Title inspired by Aldi Stores UK Twitter feed.
At the time of writing this newsletter, Nick Skelton had been nominated for the BBC ‘Sports Personality of the Year’ award… we wish him luck! 4
Former Pupils News Rebecca Garforth - Class of 1990 Bath School of Art & Design Rebecca won the Tigerprint Award at the 2016 New Designers exhibition in London. We congratulate her on being one of just 16 designers from across the UK to have been presented with an award, for her project 'Amsterdam to Paradise Valley'. The judges praised the project's use of colour and quirky sense of humour, saying: "Her work is bold, confident and clean. We were won over by her fun and passionate personality and her diverse yet commercial portfolio." As well as a cash prize, Rebecca also won a paid two month placement with Tigerprint, which will prove an excellent and invaluable tonic for the first part of her career as a graduate designer. Photograph via New Designers.
Ronan Cassidy - Class of 1978 Returns for Bablake Prize-Giving Ronan, who was appointed Chief Human Resources and Corporate Officer of Royal Dutch Shell plc at the start of this year, is a member of the Executive Committee of RDS, located in The Hague, The Netherlands. In this role, he is responsible for Human Resources, External Relations, Security, Health, Real Estate and Aircraft. Educated at Bablake between 1978 and 1985, Ronan then read Modern History at Worcester College, Oxford University, before joining Shell in Aberdeen in 1988 in Human Resources. With leisure interests in hiking, reading, wildlife, rugby and cricket, at work he has held a variety of leadership roles in Human Resources across the Upstream and Downstream businesses. After initially working in UK in Exploration & Production (North Sea) and at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex (Ellesmere Port), he spent much of the 1990s in China (Beijing), was VP HR for the global Retail business, Executive Vice-President for Strategy & Regional Coordination covering HR in USA, India, China, the UK and the Netherlands, and Executive Vice-President HR Downstream (Trading, Manufacturing and Marketing). Before moving to his current role, he was Executive Vice-President Upstream (Exploration & Production). Ronan came back to Bablake in September, to attend Prize-Giving and whilst here also hosted a twilight careers session . 5
Former Pupil News Bablake former pupils climbed Ben Nevis in memory of former pupil Cameron Grant
Tom Calderbank, Jack Jacques, Callum McDonagh, Rob Vallance and Jonathan Wellings joined Cameron's brother Alastair, aunt Frances and parents Evan and Carol at the start of July for the walk. A number of them, with an eye on the changeable weather conditions, chose to wear onesies to create further attention and awareness for the Cameron Grant Memorial Trust. We congratulate the team on raising a superb £1433.75 to date for the charity. (Photograph submitted by Robert Vallance.)
“Working 9 to 5...What a way to make a living” ! After the success and enjoyment of performing in ‘Sister Act’ last autumn, Bablake’s Head of Sixth Form Alison Tumber, took to the boards again in ’9 to 5’, a production by St Augustine’s Musical Theatre Company in Solihull. Joining her this time, is former pupil Emily Hall (Class of 2005), a previous member of Mrs Tumber's Sixth Form who left Bablake in 2012! Brilliant performance by all involved. (Photograph courtesy of Mark Woodward)
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Former Pupil News Jonathan Collett - Class of 1983 Test Series between the England and Pakistan cricket team
Jonathan Collett has been travelling with the team throughout the tour, advising the players and management. For Jonathan, the real victory of the summer has been how openly the media and general public have welcomed the Pakistani tourists after previous tours have been soured by various controversies. In conversation with our Careers department, Jonathan explained further about his role: "Obviously previous tours have been very challenging for Pakistan, so they wanted English strategic help and expertise. The theme for this tour has been winning cricket matches and making friends and that has gone very well. The celebratory 'press ups' are a thank you to the Pakistan army that trained the team before the tour. The old adage of a picture telling a thousand words applies here, as it shows the team has a sense of unity and fun. The reception so far has been very good too." Cricket has always been a key part of Jonathan's life. As a former Warwickshire CCC junior and Coventry Schools captain, to be back at Edgbaston this week has made his current job seem even more like as if he is living the dream! He was a notable spin bowler in his time at Bablake, as a member of the Class of 1983, who took two hat-tricks for the school, and he proudly recalls receiving a cricket ball for these feats from Vice-Principal Martin Barker in our full assembly. Jonathan's link with Pakistani cricket is further enhanced by the fact he previously played on an English XI tour of Lahore and Karachi, and was due to manage public relations for an international test side tour to Pakistan, which was unfortunately called off for security reasons. Formerly Press Secretary to Michael Howard whilst he was Leader of the Conservative Party, Jonathan is a Chartered PR Practitioner, who has been recognised as a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts; he has previously directed external communications for the Press Complaints Commission and the Advertising Association, and led and managed public affairs at News International. (Photograph of Jonathan in the Press Box at Lord's submitted.)
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Bablake Weddings...“Love is in the air” Lucy Timms (Class of 1996) and Charlie Hands (Class of 1997)
Former pupils Lucy Timms and Charlie Hands ‘Tied the knot’ on Sunday 26th June 2016 at “Trevenna” St Neots, Cornwall. To add to the celebrations the occasion was attended by several other former pupils.
Lucy and Charlie live in Australia; Lucy is a Team Manager for an events company and Charlie is a Software Specialist for “Mindbody” and still paying rugby for St Patrick’s rugby club. Guests at the wedding included: Ben Hands (1997) Bestman
Ella Hands (Hughes 1997) married to Ben Hands
Baz Barrington (1996)
Nick Lloyd (1996)
Guy Hands (1995)
Rob McGowan (1995) married to Mandy McGowan (Fleming 1995)
Carla Olroyd (1996) Bridesmaid
Ali Rowe (1996)
Ryuko Reid (1996) Bridesmaid
Mark Davis (1997)
Andrew Mitchell (1994)
Laura Mitchell (Coulthard 1996) Married to Andrew Mitchell
Chris Mitchell (1996)
Roy H Hands (1943) Grooms Grandfather
Sam Foster (1997) Mrs Alyson Heath (Former Teaching Staff 1998) Guest and flower arranger ! 8
Uma Raman and Adam Walters (Class of 2003)
With Neil Simmonds, Sam Rowe, Daniel Lawrence, Alex Myers (Best Man), Paul Jordan, Craig Lawlor, Adam David Walters (Groom), Uma Raman (Bride), Emily Jackson, Rachel Hollinrake, Abhimanyu Bose, Toby Donaldson , Simon Godfrey, Elliot Bates.
With Abhimanyu Bose, Emily Jackson, Toby Donaldson, Adam David Walters, Uma Raman, Roya Ellie, Alex Myers and Rachel Hollinrake
Best wishes and congratulations to both couples 9
Remembrance Day Service 2017 We were once again privileged to have our service attended by a number of former pupils, some of whom had been evacuated to Lincoln from Coventry in WWII. The Headmaster moved the focus of the service to remember not only those who died in battle, but those who survived. His own reflection on his father's experience of WWII and Reverend Slavic's recital of words from Auschwitz survivor Iby Knill added a poignancy appreciated respectfully by those present. (photographs by Mark Woodward Bablake School)
Former pupils present: Peter Adams 1942 David Amery 1939 Peter Amery Geof Eames 1940 John Greenhill 1941 Tim Lenton John Print 1960 Jim Sherlock 1949 Also in photograph (top right), Terry Patchett and Peter Burden
1942 1956
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Planned Reunions for 2017 We are busy here in the Alumni Office gathering contact information for former pupils in readiness for our reunions next year; Class of 1997 in May and 1980s Decade in July. Whilst looking through information sent to us we have come across the following photographs.
Class of 97
1980’s Decade
If you would like any information regarding these planned reunions, please email Sylvia O’Sullivan sosullivan@bablake.coventry.sch.uk 11
A trip down memory lane ...
A view of Coundon Road station, with just a glimpse of our dining hall. Back when this photograph was taken it would have been the gymnasium. Upper 4G 1953-54
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A trip down memory lane ... School trip to Germany 1957. Climbing the Zugspitz. The group who were on the trip, were accompanied by ‘Jake’ Irons, Biology Master, and included Vern Dewhurst (Class of 1955), who kindly allowed us to use the photograph. Maybe you were on this trip?
If you were on the trip and can identify the people in the photograph, please contact Sylvia O’Sullivan sosullivan@bablake.coventry.sch.uk 13
Old Wheatleyans at large (Be careful, you never know where they may turn up!!)
Class of 1974 meet-up! A few of the class of 74 (with a 73! infiltrator) at Town Wall having taken in Cov RFC v Cambridge earlier in the day. (Photograph courtesy of Greg Weaver)
This summer, 23 years were swept away in one moment when, as they dropped off one of this year's South African tourists, a Bablake parent bumped into Mr Bruce Wilson (Boys' PE) who had been a key member of staff on their own 1993 rugby tour to Canada; all proving while the location may be different, some members of staff remain constant! This chance reunion soon prompted fond memories of the 1993 tour and provided proof of gratitude towards staff for devoting vacation time to school trips.
Richard East (Class of 1986) with Bruce Wilson
Well done, Roger Parkes (Class of 1953) Coventry Telegraph. (October 2017) 14
A word from our Archivist….. When John Malin retired from the Bablake Staff in 1984 he had served here for 41 years. His association with the School dated back still further, to 1933, when he followed his brother here as a fuzzer. I well remember his saying “In six years’ time nobody in Bablake will remember me.” I am now almost at the stage where that applies to me, though of course that is not so true of the Staff. When people ask me if I miss teaching I sometimes say what I miss most is the easy camaraderie and banter with pupils around the place. Age also creeps up, of course, and the occasional bout of vertigo has not helped matters in recent months. I am still very lucky, though, to be able to help out with enquiries about the history of the School or more specific requests on a former pupil’s own time here. The oft-repeated line “Oh, Peter will know this” probably more often turns out to be right than wrong. I was quizzed recently by Mark Woodward, for instance, on how long we had had the school field, the sports hall, the astroturf and the netball courts. I was delighted to be able to provide someone in Belgium with a rather splendid photograph from our Book of Honour of Robert Allen, who died while trying to liberate the correspondent’s hometown of Geel. I suppose the help I have most enjoyed being able to give of late was to a young lady who was organizing a surprise sixtieth birthday party for her father Russ Bevan. I was able to provide her with copies of his Bablake reports and photographs of his Shell and third-year classes. I knew I could rely on his first form master, my friend and former colleague Edward Jenkins, to have kept a copy of the Shell J photo complete with names, though it was ironic that Russ himself was the one boy absent on that one. With some trawling through the relevant section of the archives and some help from Sylvia O’Sullivan and Kayleigh Lacey I was able to send out an email to some of Russ’s contemporaries inviting them to contact his daughter. It was a delight to me, some days later, to hear from her that she had received a phone call from Mark Whitehead in Hong Kong. Mark had been her dad’s best friend at Bablake but they had not been in touch for some forty years. Being the School’s archivist is wonderful when it works! To go back to John Malin, it is good to be able to report that he is still living locally, though now in a home. Sadly, his wife Joyce, who was a colleague of his at Bablake during the Second World War, died some months ago. They had celebrated seventy years of marriage. My contemporary Max Field and I plan to visit John in the near future.
John Malin
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Obituaries Tony Mottram (1920-2016) Article in THE TIMES newspaper on 10th October 2016. Tony Mottram had a most distinguished war career, winning the DFC. It was as a talented tennis player, however, that he made his name. In 1951 he defeated number two seed Jaroslav Drobny in the third round at Wimbledon.
To read the obituary in full please follow the link http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tony-mottram-zkx2lw8rd
We were also extremely saddened to hear that the following former pupils have died: Name Mark Tomlin Anand Dave
Years at Bablake Class of 1984 Class of 1995
Recently notified that Mark passed away a few years ago Died August 2016
Other School News‌.. Current Pupil Kare wins her third Paralympic medal Current pupil and outstanding 15 year old wheelchair athlete Kare Adenegan won yet another Paralympics medal in the T34 800M final in Rio Kare took bronze in a thrilling 800m race won by Coventry University's Hannah Cockcroft MBE. While Hannah won her third gold medal, a fantastic feat, Kare was also winning a third medal, adding to her 100m silver and 400m bronze. Headmaster Mr John Watson summed up the feelings of the whole Bablake community saying: "How proud we all are of Kare : T34 100m Silver and 400m and 800m Bronze medallist, while the youngest member of Team GB in the Paralympics! What an inspiration she is to us all!" Kare's return, in her Team GB kit and racing chair, was marked by all pupils from the school cheering her down our school drive and main terrace and waving Union Jack flags. At the end of her short journey, she was greeted by Chair of Governors Mrs Julia McNaney, Headmaster Mr John Watson, Sixth Form student Peter Cusack (England wheelchair basketball player) and three of her close friends, Anna, Charlotte and Emma, who each presented her with one of the medals won in Rio earlier this month. 16
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 Former pupils who started at Bablake in 1997 Saturday 20th May 2017 ******************************
Reunion - 1980s Decade As well as highlighting forthcoming events, our termly newsletter is an instant record of Bablake’s pupils’ most recent tremendous
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
Facebook: Twitter: Instagram:
Former Pupils who started at Bablake during the 1980s Saturday 1st July 2017 ******************************
Spring Coffee Morning Friday 5th May 2017
The former pupil stories in this newsletter have been taken from our website www.bablake.com 17