OC Magazine, Issue 9, 2023

From the Headmaster

Every now and again you come across a quote that has a certain resonance and one such moment occurred as I was putting together the Lower School Prize Giving address. On this occasion it was Arthur Ashe, of tennis fame, who provided inspiration when he said: “ Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”

The quote helped me massage the self-esteem of those at Prize Giving who weren’t prize winners, but it also made me reflect on what Churcher’s is about. We may not top the league table everywhere, although we have enjoyed notable national success in netball, computer coding, swimming, not to mention in the various academic tables and we have enjoyed glory at county and regional level in so many other areas. What we do have here, however, is a remarkable journey that the children and their classmates embark upon; a journey that has such a positive impact on them.

This is no truer than for the dozen Ukrainian families we have been supporting through the Foundation over the last 18 months. For them, tragically, the outcome still is very much an unknown but, as the parents were so keen to impress upon me when we got together on Open Day, we have been a life-saver for their children.

Whether you left Churcher’s at the top of the tree, some way up or were still struggling to get a foot-hold, the experience you had here would have had a significant impact on you, not least because it comes about during your formative years. I recall a conversation with one OC from the 60s decade who returned, he confessed, rather to lay ghosts to rest than celebrate joyous times. To his delight, the school now is so different to school back then and, though he may have achieved what he achieved despite being here rather than because of it, he was still inspired to support the Richard Churcher Foundation and become a member of the 1722 Society.

Whether you have religiously remained in contact with all your friends and classmates of old, or whether this is the first time you have picked up a Churcherian publication since you left Ramshill, hopefully you will be inspired to return to one of the events here, be it to support the Foundation, a reunion, a school production, Open Day, or simply find a chance moment to drop in for a cup of tea. We would love to hear from you, introduce you to the Churcher’s journey of today and help you rekindle friendships of old.

With my very best wishes,

From the Development Office

This year very much felt like a transition year for the Development Office. The celebrations for the 300th anniversary of Churcher’s College came to a finale in November with the Benefactors’ Concert. Then came the laying of the new Tercentenary Path at the back of Old College to recognise donors to the Richard Churcher Foundation.

How would we follow the tercentenary – 150 OCs returning for a reunion lunch, an outdoor concert for over 1,800 and planting a wood with that same number of trees?

It was a key objective of the celebrations to engage the Old Churcherians with the school and their peers. So many of you attended events, created your own mini reunions, made a gift to the Foundation, volunteered your time, visited the office or engaged with us through our online portal, Churcher’s Community. Thank you!

It is simple – we just want to build on all of that…

The value generated from the Old Churcherian network becomes stronger the more OCs are involved, however that may manifest itself. So please do continue to offer your support, share your feedback, give us your ideas or ask us to help – it is all welcome.

Whilst we say goodbye and thank you to Vanessa, we are excited to welcome new members to the team and a new extension to our home in the Coach House opposite Ramshill. We are always delighted to receive visits from Old Churcherians, but if you are unable to make the journey, just pick up the phone, drop us an email or write us a letter.

With very best wishes,

Nick Smith Head of Development

The value generated from the Old Churcherian network becomes stronger the more OCs are involved, however that may manifest itself.

School news

The Grill Lecture

On the 22nd of February, I had the privilege of introducing Steven Frank at the 2023 Grill Lecture. I first met Steven over six years ago when I was a student at Churcher’s. I heard his unforgettable story during the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Ambassadorship programme that I took part in, during which Steven spoke of his happy childhood growing up in a secular Jewish family in Amsterdam during the late 1930s and how this life changed drastically following the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands in 1940.

His story is remarkable: it is full of sadness and horror like the disappearance and death of his heroic father Leonard Frank, and the frequently brutal times Steven spent in Westerbork and Theresienstadt camps. At the same time, I was once again moved by Steven’s compassion and wisdom. In a particularly poignant moment, Steven told us of a man who taught him how to grow tomatoes at Westerbork. The man was ‘sent East’ – most likely to his death – and ever since, Steven has been growing and watering tomatoes in his garden in memory of this man.

Hearing Steven speak six years ago that first time inspired me to study History at university. By passing on Steven’s story we preserve the memory of what happened during the Holocaust and actively remind each other of the individuals to whom the atrocities occurred.

Anna Hedges (18)

Merritts Meadow

As part of Churcher’s College Community Action Service, Churcher’s College offered its services to Merritts Meadow, less than 500 metres from the school site, building a new gravel path to ease access to local residents during the winter and help create a nature reserve in the heart of Petersfield.

Third Year pupils and Lower Sixth students were in action over two days shifting 22 tonnes of soil using shovels and wheelbarrows, covering 75 metres of new path, which was formally opened in June by Petersfield Town Mayor, Cllr JC Crissey.

Tercentenary Path

A new Tercentenary Path has been created at the back of Old College to recognise those from the Churcher’s community, including Old Churcherians, pupils, parents, staff and friends, who made a gift of £300 or more to the Richard Churcher Foundation during the tercentenary celebrations.

On 31 March, fittingly on Founder’s Day, a time capsule containing memorabilia from the tercentenary was buried by First Year pupils underneath a commemorative stone recognising the original bequest from our benefactor, Richard Churcher. The same pupils contributed to the contents of another buried time capsule remembering Queen Elizabeth II, which included stamps, newspaper articles and coins among other items.

It has been wonderful to see so many come and have a look at their stones. We encourage those who have not managed this yet to try and do the same!

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Richard Churcher Foundation, whether this was before, during or since the anniversary celebrations. Your support is vital in enabling us to provide bursary awards to families whose children would otherwise be unable to benefit from a Churcher’s education.

Coronation Copse

The new and outgoing Captains of College led the planting of a new ‘Coronation Copse’ at the Senior School to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III.

Located at the end of Nicholson’s Field, near the top netball courts, the new copse complements the nearby original ‘Coronation Copse’, planted some 86 years ago near the eastern Love Lane entrance, to celebrate the Coronation of the current King’s grandfather, King George VI, in November 1937.

The 1937 issue of the Churcherian reported, “In honour of the Coronation of King

George VI and Queen Elizabeth, a clump of trees was planted on November 20th in the field. Some of them were the gift of Form VI. The plantation consists of three oaks (Quercus coccinea splendens), four poplars (populus trichocarpa), four poplars (populus alba nivea), three maples (acer platonoides), one Ailanthus glandulosa, and two birches. Long may they thrive.”

The new Copse incorporates three Acer campestre ‘Elsrijk’, two Carpinus betulus, two Quercus ilex and three Quercus robur. Long may they thrive, too!

OC news

OC Reunion Lunch

Over 50 Old Churcherians came together in March for the OC Reunion Lunch to rekindle friendships, swap stories and reminisce over school days, with representatives from year groups 1955 to 2013.

After drinks in the Old Assembly Hall, including the clearly still very popular ‘Churcher’s 1722 Pale Ale’, OCs had to queue up to collect their ‘school dinner’ from the canteen in the newly extended and renovated dining hall.

Of note, it was wonderful to see different generations representing the Dimond family. Peter (58) was accompanied by his children, Nicola Hudson (98) and Ben (02). He also brought a portrait and some archive photos

of his father D.W. Dimond who was a member of staff for over 40 years from 1927 until his retirement in 1968.

Adding a little humour to the day, Rob Morris (86) and Nigel Easton (73) were surprised and delighted to (finally!) receive their ‘Ordinary Level’ certificates from current Headmaster, Simon Williams for their endeavours at Churcher’s College many years ago.

OC reunions

Aside from the Reunion Lunch, we have been delighted that so many Old Churcherians have returned back to College in the past year and to hear about other reunions happening in Petersfield, London and elsewhere.

September was a busy month… For the traditional and ever popular Recent Leavers’ Drinks , over 100 alumni braved torrential downpours and lightning to come back to Churcher’s to catch up with friends and staff. With combined ages of over 1,200 years (!), our senior Old Churcherians were hosted by Sixth Form students and entertained with tea and a tour of the College on a sunnier September afternoon. And over 40 OCs from the Class of 2012 returned to lunch in the Garden Room at Ramshill for their 10-year reunion on 24 September.

At the beginning of the summer term, we welcomed back a small cohort from the Class of 70 – Iain McLeish , Alan Graham , Rob Pocock and Stephen Sealy, the first time any of them had been back to the College since they left over 50 years ago.

The Development Office helped Ben Harper (93) arrange a 30-year reunion in Petersfield in June. The group enjoyed it so much that they plan to follow this up with another gettogether in June 2024.

If any other year groups or individuals would like to arrange a visit or reunion at Churcher’s or anywhere else, or would like help to spread the word, please do get in touch with the Development Office.

It’s incredible how much things have changed, but it is still the same Churcher’s.

OC Sport

It was great to see so many Old Churcherians from a variety of year groups ( Class of 86 through to Class of 22 ) coming together and competing for the Eaton trophies in March, with lots of friends and family on the side lines showing their support. We were treated to three fantastic, closely fought matches, all played with plenty of good spirit, sportsmanship and most importantly fun!

On Open Day in July, we welcomed back a strong OC team for the annual and highly anticipated cricket match against the 1st XI. The school team batted first, scoring a very respectable 159 in 25 overs with Mann top scoring with 63. It was the Old Churcherians who triumphed on the day, regaining the trophy for the third consecutive year, overcoming the total in 23.1 overs with Seb Herold (15) also top scoring with 63.

The inaugural OC Tennis tournament certainly didn’t disappoint. The eight OCs, who between them attended the school across three different decades, displayed some excellent tennis with many closely fought games. Particular mention should go to the pairing of George Feeney (22) and George Wilkinson (11) who won all their matches in the round robin tournament. Unfortunately, the school narrowly edged the OC team on points to take home the trophy.

Thank you

Thank you to all the Old Churcherians who have come back to play in a team this year, or supported on the side lines. We would like to continue to grow OC Sport but cannot do it without the enthusiasm and commitment from alumni. It has been fantastic to add tennis to the programme and we are really looking forward to bringing back OC Rugby in 2023, with an OC v OC match on Saturday 9 December.

Please do get in touch with the Development Office if you would like to be involved in any of the OC Sport teams next year or are keen to start a new OC Sport team.

Sport after Churcher’s

Chris Parker (86) has been a familiar face in the OC Men’s hockey team, taking part in the annual match against the Senior College team for many years. Due to a medical condition, Chris has unfortunately been advised to avoid any further contact sport. He chose this year’s OC Hockey fixture to end his competitive career – a fitting conclusion, as it was during his time at Churcher’s where his love for the sport first began, ignited by the enthusiasm and passion of the late Marc Eaton, of whom the ‘Eaton trophies’ are named after. It was a wonderful and emotional moment for him to have this year’s trophy presented to him by Marc’s widow, Cathy.

We caught up with Chris to hear about how those first school hockey matches have taken him around the world and given him lifelong friendships and connections…

“I am a proud member of the Class of 86, beginning at Churcher’s aged 11 in 1979. Hockey was just starting at Churcher’s at that time, all driven by a then new, but now infamous, young PE teacher, Mr Marc Eaton. I was not as big as others and the regular rugby matches saw me getting bashed out of the way. Hockey fascinated me; it was physical but also fast and skilful. I enjoyed years of matches and was delighted to represent and get colours for Hockey 1st XI in my last year.

After I left Churcher’s, I started playing for Havant HC, in the Hares – a feeder team to their impressive 1st XI. It was here in particular that I realised that hockey (and other sport) teams give you an extended ‘family’ that cuts across other boundaries and can gain you many opportunities.

Instead of University I opted for the RAF and flying planes. I played hockey with many people in the RAF and (somehow) quickly represented the Service at Full and U-21 level for 2 years. My flying was sadly not as prolific and I was unsuccessful and had to leave. I decided Sandhurst and the Infantry would be my next step.

I represented the Infantry as Captain and revelled in being in a fabulous career, where you would not only get paid time off for playing sport, but your boss would praise

you for doing so! In the 2003 Gulf War, I recall a tense moment when I was pressing on with precision air strikes around Basra. I remembered that one uneasy RAF chief used to play up front in a hockey team alongside me. After restoring an old hockey link, relations eased swiftly and we were able to deliver battle effects by the new, safer method that we had devised.

When I left the Forces, aged 37, I found it hard to find time to play sport alongside family commitments. However, after finding work in the UAE, I sought hockey once again. I discovered the National Head of UAE Hockey Committee and booked a meeting. After a few minutes, it was clear they were newly formed, had no coach and needed help. After relaying my credentials, the leader stood, and in a dramatic wave of his arm invited me to be their new national coach!

During this time, I reached out to ask for help from the International Hockey Federation (IHF) and to my delight found the leader was GB Gold Medal winner (and my old Havant HC captain) David Faulkner. The power of the family, again.

The list of friends and allies I have built over the years through hockey has been hugely beneficial, as well as great fun. With personal effort and helping others you can develop a large network, and enjoy as much benefit from using those sporting tools in your bag, just as much as your important academic ones. It bears dividends without a doubt in my experience.

Happy playing!”

You can enjoy as much benefit from using those sporting tools in your bag, as much as your important academic ones.

From the staff room

I was a student at Churcher’s from 2004 to 2011. Those years were formative and filled with unforgettable moments. The two sixth form years were undoubtedly the main highlight for me. It was during this time that I discovered my passion for the entertainment industry and honed my skills, which set the course for my future. Being involved in the school production of Grease as a pupil in 2010 was an absolute blast. The camaraderie and teamwork involved in putting on such a large-scale show left a lasting impression on me. Additionally, I have fond memories of participating in green power racing during my lower years, and the Young Enterprise scheme gave me invaluable business insights which I use to this day.

Right after leaving school, I dived straight into the entertainment industry as a freelancer. It was an exciting and challenging time, and Churcher’s played a role even then, offering me work on an ad-hoc basis. Eventually, this led to a permanent position at the school in 2013.

Churcher’s continues to be a significant part of my life. Currently, I serve as the Technical Manager and School Commercial Manager, allowing me to immerse myself in the world of entertainment every day, with a nice mix of commercial business activity thrown in for good measure. Some of my most cherished projects include supporting large productions like Miss Saigon in 2017 and the 2022 outdoor Grand Summer Concert celebrating the school’s 300-year anniversary.

On a broader scale, I support the Richard Churcher Foundation by assisting the growth of our external lettings and commercial activities programme. A percentage of the income generated from these activities directly contributes to providing bursary support through the Foundation. Additionally, The Half Moon, a local public house facility I manage, plays its part in supporting the foundation’s endeavours.

It’s incredibly rewarding to give back to Churcher’s and contribute to the place that has given me so much. I’m proud to continue my journey alongside this unique institution, where passion for education meets a commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Chris Pellet (11)

It’s incredibly rewarding to give back to Churcher’s and contribute to the place that has given me so much.

Churcher’s College Technical team – Chris Pellett (11) second from left, alongside other OC part-time support staff Ben Williams (20) third from left, Joe Knowles (20) second from right and former member of staff, Nathan Etherington, on the right.

Senior Production – Grease

Community news

Celebrating Nicholson

It was fitting that the 300th anniversary celebrations included a nod to the man who played a big part in the lives of everyone connected to Churcher’s by gifting the land at Ramshill in Petersfield in 1881, where the Senior School stands today.

William Nicholson, Churcher’s College Governor and local MP, had purchased the land from Magdalen College, Oxford and made the extraordinary gift to the School. In addition to politics and philanthropy, the Nicholson family also began distilling gin in 1736, predating every other British gin brand and the first to develop what we now know and love as “London Dry Gin”.

In March, the newly renovated and awardwinning Petersfield Museum hosted an event ‘Celebrating Nicholson’ for the Churcher’s community. Aside from tasting the Nicholson gins, guests were treated to a private view of the Museum, once the local Police Station and still retaining many of its original features, including the Magistrate’s Court at the rear of the building. It was here that an amusing re-enactment of two court cases took place during the evening under the watchful eyes of a stand-in William Nicholson, who just so happened to be acted by a direct descendant of the man himself!

Churcher’s Golf Day

On a slightly blustery day in May, 71 golfers (one dropped out on the day!) gathered at Petersfield Golf Club to raise funds for the Richard Churcher Foundation. With representatives from the wider Churcher’s community, including Old Churcherians, Senior and Junior School parents (past and present), staff, suppliers and friends of the College, the day was a roaring success raising over £3,000 for the Richard Churcher Foundation and the provision of bursaries.

For the first time ever, 18 four ball teams teed off together for a shotgun start, tackling the tough but enjoyable course with varying levels of success (some said due to the fact there was not one, but two well-stocked halfway houses!) but all in good spirits. There was even a holein-one which prompted a round of drinks in the pub later that evening!

Two teams had extra support and coaching from their non-playing Old Churcherian Captains, Chas Cairns (65) and Brian Holliday (69), who also kindly volunteered

to run the Putting Competition. Nigel Hunt (77) managed to hit the Straightest Drive of the afternoon. Whereas the winning team, ‘Jabba the Putt’, included OC Matt Elsom (91), who executed his strategy perfectly to get his hands on the Greenish Jacket.

A huge thank you as ever to our sponsors – Agilico, Alitex, Independents by Sodexo and Robison – all long-term supporters and without whom the event could not happen.

Foundation Summer Party

Over 170 people from the Churcher’s community came together for the inaugural Foundation Summer Party which was a phenomenal success and raised over £25,000 for the Richard Churcher Foundation. Generously hosted offsite by current parents, with support from the Development Office and a team of parent volunteers, the event succeeded in its main aims to raise awareness of the Foundation and what it does, raise some much-needed income and make sure that everyone had a lot of fun at the same time!

The evening kicked off with OC Rosie Botham (19) providing musical accompaniment whilst guests arrived, collected their auction brochure and picked up their welcome cocktail. With a beautifully decorated marquee, superb weather and Churcher’s staff member and quiz master Ian Crossman standing in as MC, there was an incredible atmosphere on the night.

Guests raised funds for the Foundation by making a pledge, ‘signing up’ to a Churcher’s community party, bidding on the silent auction or, for those a little braver, bidding for one of the unique experiences in the live auction.

Huge thanks to our hosts, but also to everyone who helped to make the event such a success, whether volunteering, working on the night, donating an experience, bidding or just by being there and dancing the night away!

Professional Connections

Thank you to all Old Churcherians who have supported our careers and networking events this year.

In March, Lloyd Pearson (14) supported the annual Careers Convention, representing SubSea Craft. The Sports Hall was packed with pupils and parents visiting an exhibition with almost 50 companies in attendance, whilst the Donald Brooks Music Auditorium played host to a ‘mini-lecture programme’. Many sectors were represented including the arts, hospitality, finance, the space industry, marketing and communications, forestry, fashion and beauty.

The same month, over 100 volunteer networkers, including Old Churcherians Carly Smith (06) and Toby Swindells (17), put our Lower Sixth students through their paces whilst they practised their networking skills over drinks and canapés. Advice, anecdotes and experience were shared and, after a slightly nervous start, the students soon found their networking feet and obviously thoroughly enjoyed meeting such an interesting and supportive group.

Carly wrote about the evening:

“I think it’s such an important skill for young adults to learn how to hold a conversation and how to take an interest in others. Churcher’s students are lucky to have the opportunity to practise these soft skills. It was great to see how they started feeling nervous and unsure but as the evening progressed, they grew in confidence. I hope I was able to help with a bit of encouragement and enthusiasm for the next phase of their education. I really enjoyed the event – thanks for having me.”

We are very keen that more OCs lend their support to our Professional Connections programme – it adds huge value to these events and is really appreciated by the pupils. Please look out for upcoming events and get involved if you can.

I hope I was able to help with a bit of encouragement and enthusiasm for the next phase of their education. I really enjoyed the event.

Richard Churcher Foundation

The Benefactors’ Concert

The celebrations for the 300th anniversary of Churcher’s College came to a finale in November with the Benefactors’ Concert. The packed audience, including those from the Churcher’s community who had made significant gifts to the Richard Churcher Foundation, were treated to some incredible solo performances by current pupils, before the baton was handed over to Old Churcherian, Richard Saxel (92), who gave a mesmerising performance, somehow managing to combine Mozart and Wagner, on the very same piano which he learnt on all those years ago as a pupil at the school.

In recognition of the former Headmaster’s commitment towards music at Churcher’s, the Donald Brooks Auditorium was formally named with a plaque unveiled by his wife, June Brooks, herself also a long-standing supporter of performing arts at the School, supported by the recipient of the Donald Brooks Prize for Music, Peter Elsom (23)

Once the former Chair of Governors, Michael Gallagher, had thanked the pupils and the audience for their support to Churcher’s, the raked seating was pulled back and guests were treated to canapes and glasses of Churcher’s 1722 fizz to round off the evening in perfect style.

1722 Society Summer Lunch

The 1722 Society recognises those who make a significant gift or legacy pledge to the Richard Churcher Foundation and provision of bursary awards.

On a gloriously sunny afternoon in June, we were delighted to welcome 1722 Society members for lunch at the College. Current Sixth Form students and some of our Ukrainian pupils joined the guests for drinks and canapes on the Headmaster’s Lawn, to share their experiences of life at Churcher’s today.

We were also lucky enough to have ‘The News Crew’ in attendance – a First Year pupil-led group creating videos highlighting the dayto-day goings on at Churcher’s College. They interviewed a few Old Churcherians as part of their ongoing film project, who in turn gave some insight of what Churcher’s was like back in the day.

Over coffee at lunch, the Headmaster gave an address, thanking all present for their support of the Richard Churcher Foundation, referencing how the bursary programme is ‘a gift that keeps on giving’. Not only do the

Foundationers benefit from the support, the whole school community is enhanced from their presence, their enthusiasm for education and their appreciation of the opportunities they would otherwise have been unable to experience.

Mr Williams introduced two of the Ukrainian pupils who gave a moving insight into how they have settled into the Churcher’s community and how welcomed and supported they feel. At the time of writing, the school supports 11 Ukrianian children on full bursaries.

Thank you for your support

Thank you to everyone who has made a gift to the Richard Churcher Foundation this year, or has supported us in our fundraising efforts. It is hugely appreciated.

At present over 60 children are supported with transformational bursary awards – approximately one third with 100% school fees.

Recognition

We have been delighted to recognise donors to the Richard Churcher Foundation for their support during the 300th anniversary celebrations and to see so many Old Churcherians and members of the wider community come back to take a look at their stone on Tercentenary Path, their seat in the Donald Brooks Music Auditorium or their practice room in the Music School.

These recognition opportunities will continue to be offered to those who make a gift to the Foundation. Our ultimate aim is to name every seat in the Auditorium, each room in the Music School and extend the Tercentenary Path as long as we can!

Income towards the Richard Churcher Foundation is generated from the school –including investments, lettings, commercial activity – and philanthropic support.

£150+

£300+

£10,000+

Name a seat in the Donald Brooks Music Auditorium

Name a stone on Tercentenary Path

Name a practice room in the Music School

Make a gift

To do more, we need philanthropic support from the Churcher’s community, whether this is a regular gift, a one-off gift or a legacy bequest.

We are very grateful for any support you are able to give.

Every penny we receive will contribute directly towards the provision of bursaries.

For more information on making a gift or recognition opportunities, please visit https://community.churcherscollege.com/supportus or contact the Development Office.

By being able to attend Churcher’s, I have been able to reach my full potential. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about how lucky I have been.

Churcher’s Ukrainian families gathered together at Open Day.

In memoriam

Since the last issue of ‘OC’, we have been advised of the deaths of the following Old Churcherians and staff. We have included a few words and reflections which have been sent to us by family and friends.

Obituaries are also published on Churcher’s Community – In Memoriam.

Old Churcherians

Tim de Buriatte (48) Grenville

Edward Lywood (48) Rodney

David Lawrence (48) Nelson

Bill Kirkman (49) Drake

Paul Redvers (51) Grenville

Dennis Briggs (51) Nelson

John Davey (51) Rodney

Keith Martin (51) Drake

Ron Daniels (59) Drake

David Brooks (61) Rodney

Tony Ewens (68) Grenville

Geoff French (69) Grenville

Mark Dawson (73) Nelson

Barry Sayer (75) Nelson

Oliver Johnson (94) Grenville

Former staff

Rob Barron (87-04) Physics

Norma Bones (89-02) Bursar’s Secretary

Bob Broadhead (79-91) Maths

Sue Cross (93-09) Ramshill Housekeeper

Anne George (92-98)

History and Head of Rodney

Bob Pullin (62-63) PE

Rob Barron (former staff)

Born, brought up and educated in Yorkshire, Robert entered the teaching profession after successful completion of a physics degree at the University of Sheffield. He worked as a physics teacher in both Suffolk and Kent and married his wife Eileen in 1974.

In 1987, he joined Churcher’s College to teach physics and electronics. He was well respected by colleagues and students alike and continued working enthusiastically until his retirement in 2003.

Robert (Bob) Broadhead (former staff)

From the Churcherian (91), Peter Collins, the then Head of Maths wrote of Bob’s retirement...

‘Bob was a very active rugby player in his younger days and subsequently became a referee. He is a member of Hampshire Rugby Club and Northampton Rugby Football Club and is a supporter of every England International match at Twickenham.

He came to Churcher’s in 1979 and ran the U13 and U14 rugby sides for a number of years before becoming interested in jogging. He then started the school cross country team and still regularly beats them home on a Wednesday afternoon! Bob has to date completed four London marathons and is a committee member of Liss Runners.

Bob’s CCF involvement at Churcher’s stemmed from his national service days in the Infantry. He joined the CCF with the rank of Major i/c Army section.

Before coming to Churcher’s Bob taught Mathematics at Northampton Grammar School and then was very much involved in the discipline and counselling, as well as teaching Maths, in an emerging large Comprehensive school. Churcher’s was a welcome return to the traditional system of an academic education that he had previously known at Northampton Grammar.

Bob’s particular interest has been statistics and its interpretive use in education. He will certainly be missed in the Maths department. Whom shall we seek help from now?

Life will not be easy for him next year as he will be fully occupied completing two higher degrees, an MA and MSc concurrently. We wish him luck!

Bob has quite a talent for picking winners in horse racing. If you would like a tip for next year’s Derby, he is the Petersfield punter to ask. The staff enjoy his annual sweepstake.

He and Jenny love walking and spend many a happy week roaming the Lake District. We wish him well in his retirement and hope that Jenny’s business continues to thrive, at least enough to add the odd bottle of fine claret to Bob’s already overstocked wine cellar. Cheers Bob, it’s been nice knowing you. We will certainly miss your sense of humour.’

David Brooks (61)

David Michael Stewart Brooks attended Churcher’s College in the 1950s and 60s. He loved school and often used to talk about it. Although, he did not like rugby and said many times that if he had the ball, he would get rid of it! He did love cricket, however, which was one of his great interests along with steam trains.

David had many friends, as was demonstrated by the number of people who came to his funeral. He was a caring loving family man to his three children and a wife, Jean, to whom he was married for over fifty years.

Sue Cross (former staff)

Taken from the Churcherian 2010…

‘Sue grew up in Nyewood just outside Petersfield. She met her husband, Malcolm, at his brother’s 21st birthday party and 5 weeks later they set off to the Sahara Desert – the first of many travels together.

When they finally settled in the UK, Sue joined Churcher’s on 1 March 1993 to look after Ramshill which had become the school’s Sixth Form Centre. She was the sole housekeeper there for 7 years until Maggie Grimes joined her in June 2002.

Her practical side was always to the fore and, during the summer holidays, she was to be found painting and decorating the Ramshill common rooms in VERY bright colours and the Ramshill tuckshop in VERY bright multi-colours as she used up the remains of paintpots! Sue not only looked after Ramshill and the pupils and staff there but she also ran their tuckshop.

The Sixth Form numbers using Ramshill increased each year over the 16 ½ years Sue was there until, when she retired, she was collecting 17 loaves of bread every day for their toast and gallons of milk for their tea and coffee!

Sue, known as Susie Q by her colleagues, has a great sense of humour and so was a very popular member of the set-up team – a small number of site staff who do all the setting up for school events: assemblies, church services and plays, among many others.

Sue will continue with her other interests outside the school – travelling, her dogs and her running. Sue and Malcolm are members of the Liss Runners. The main nightlight of Sue’s running career was in 1997 when she took part in the 80-mile South Downs Run. She ran for 13 hours 55 minutes and came first in her age category and 3rd lady finalist over all the entrants.’

Ronald (Ron) Daniels (59)

Ron was a larger-than-life character, who greatly enjoyed his school and university years, where he studied Maths, Applied Maths and Physics at Reading University.

He played much rugby post education and his love for the sport and his beloved Harlequins never waned. Ron also led a rich and varied international career, spending the majority of it across the telecommunications and IT/software consulting industry, with a stint running the Dutch operation for Logica plc. In retirement he immersed himself in rotary, becoming an international figure in the organisation. Not only personally raising much money but also planning and implementing highly impactful domestic and international projects.

Ron was a dedicated family man and is survived by his second wife Helena, son Jeremy, grandchildren Molly, Charlie and Luka, as well as his stepchildren, Siobhan, and Dominic and their children, Sarah and Tom, Emily, Elisa and Harrison – all who brought him huge pleasure and he loved unconditionally.

Antony (Tony) Ewens (68)

On leaving Churcher’s College, Tony gained a BA Honours degree in Theology from the University of Exeter before a PGCE from St Luke’s College, Exeter and subsequently a Master of Philosophy degree. He worked as a teacher and headteacher in primary and middle schools in Devon, and also as the county’s advisory teacher for religious and moral education, before moving into initial teacher education at St Martin’s College, Lancaster (now the University of Cumbria).

Tony was an outstanding organist, learning to play during his years at Petersfield and often deputising at Petersfield Parish Church. Later he was organist at Southernhay Church, in Exeter. During his time in Exeter, he met Sally and they were married in 1979. Pastures new beckoned and the family moved to Hornby, near Lancaster and the southern Lake District.

Throughout his life, Tony played out a strong Christian faith – a lay preacher in the United Reformed Church and on the move to North Lancashire, organist and Director of Music at St Margaret’s Church in Hornby and also conductor of the local Choral Society. He believed that music was for all and welcomed singers with talent and no talent at all to participate in musical events. Other interests included a love of hill walking, cricket and any sort of railway!

Tony is survived by his wife, Sally, and daughter, Susannah.

Geoffrey (Geoff) French (69)

A very true friend, husband and father, Geoff made everyone he met smile even though his humour, mimicry and antics belied his truly loyal and serious nature.

He had many adventures all over the globe and after relocating to the Middle East in the late Seventies to forge a career. Remaining in Kuwait throughout the entire Gulf War, Geoff retired back to Blighty where he relished the opportunity to reconnect with old chums. He always had fond memories of his time at Churcher’s and the number of Old Churcherians he remained in touch with was quite lovely to see.

Geoff is survived by his wife and son.

William (Bill) Kirkman MBE (49)

Bill attended Churcher’s College, then went to Oriel College, Oxford, cutting his journalistic teeth on the student newspaper, Cherwell. Starting on the Express and Star and moving to The Times, from 1960-1964 he was Commonwealth Staff Correspondent and Africa Correspondent, covering the period of rapid decolonisation.

In 1964, he returned to Oxford as a careers adviser, where he wrote ‘Unscrambling an Empire’, a critique of British colonial policy. In 1968, Bill moved to Cambridge, heading the University Careers Service (1968-1992). He then became secretary of the Cambridge Society and editor of Cambridge, retiring in 2003. He also spent four years as Advisor on Public Relations to the University.

Bill was elected a Fellow of Wolfson College in 1969 and in 2000 became Emeritus. In 1982, he founded the Wolfson Press Fellowship, of which he was Director for 14 years and in 1993 he was awarded an MBE for services to journalism. In 1994 he started writing a fortnightly column for The Hindu that he continued for over 20 years.

Bill was an enthusiastic amateur organist and played regularly for services in the village church. Bill is survived by his wife Anne, their three children and seven grandchildren.

Remembrance Concert in St Peter’s Church, Petersfield, in November.

My time at Churcher’s

Jane Jamouneau (1989 to 2023)

It seems an age ago when I first arrived at Churcher’s straight out of university in 1989. As a newly qualified and inexperienced teacher, I was thrown in at the deep end to teach my very first lesson to 20 Fifth Year boys. Apparently, one of them went home to tell his mother that they had a very strict teacher who they had struggled to understand, given her strong Liverpudlian accent.

Some of you may not remember what was happening in the world back in 1989: Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” and Cher’s “If I could turn back time” were the big hits of the year, and Band Aid 2 was the Christmas number one. The film, Shirley Valentine, was released, along with the launch of UK Sky TV. Motorola introduced us to the first non-brick flip phone with an eight-character display, measuring 23cm long and weighing 400g. It cost an eyewatering £2000+ so obviously I didn’t have one as my wage was in the region of £10,000! The average house price was £55,000, we saw the end of the Cold War and the Berlin Wall came down.

So, I now find myself 34 years later, reflecting on my time at Churcher’s. One very sobering thought is that given the College has just celebrated its tercentenary, I have been here for over 10% of its existence and have taught in the region of 10,000 pupils.

It would be fair to say that I have learnt much along the way given the variety of positions of responsibility I have held. In addition to being a teacher of Biology, I have been the Stage Manager on several productions, Head of Hockey, Head of A level PE, and bizarrely Head of the Equestrian Team – I say bizarrely because a) I have no idea about horses and b) I am petrified of them!

But my main interest was always the pastoral side of teaching, and this led me toward the Head of House roles. I have had the privilege to have been the Head of House for three Houses: Rodney (briefly!), Drake and then Collingwood. I guess my legacy is Collingwood as I was the first Head of House, having set it up in 2005. Given that the other Houses were formed back in the 1920s, it could be a fair while until another individual is fortunate enough to say they were the first Head of House!

My final role was to join the Senior Management Team as the first Senior Teacher (pastoral) with a particular responsibility for the girls in the school: a role that was both challenging and rewarding, and certainly enough to keep me going until retirement.

It goes without saying that Churcher’s is a wonderful school: great pupils, brilliant colleagues, and a supportive parental body. But you know it is time to go when you start teaching children of pupils you have taught, and when some of your work colleagues are pupils you used to teach. I didn’t want to risk teaching the grandchildren of pupils I taught!

Churcher’s College is one of those places that really gets to your heart, and I have so many fond memories of my time here. The time has come for this Jammy Jamouneau to bow out after 34 years. And to leave you with the words of Winnie the Pooh:

“How lucky I am, to have had something, that makes saying goodbye, so hard!”

Churcher’s College is one of those places that really gets to your heart, and I have so many fond memories of my time here.

Michael Gallagher (1987 to 2022)

I first became involved with Churcher’s College in September 1987, just after my late son Duncan started in the First Year at the Senior School. There were, at that stage, 479 pupils, including 56 boarders. I put my name forward to become a member of the PTA and was elected as a representative for the First Year. I remained on the PTA which later merged with the Old Churcherians’ Society and I later became the treasurer of the combined organisation. During this period, we organised summer and Christmas parties in the Assembly Hall and had a lot of fun and made many lasting friendships.

When Duncan left to go to Godalming College in 1993 my link to the College paused, but both my wife and I remained friends with Geoff Buttle, the then Headmaster, and his wife, Jeanette. We were still invited to various events at Churcher’s, so the link was far from severed. I also was asked to advise on the planning stage of New College. One Sunday evening in November 1995, I received a call from Geoff saying that he should have asked me first but that he had put my name forward as a possible new governor and that the Chair of Governors Neil Fairey would be in contact –I joined the Board on 12th December 1995.

A year later, I was elected to be Vice Chair and then Chair at the Board meeting in December 2001. I remember that same evening attending a wonderful performance of West Side Story in the gymnasium. The first person to greet me and congratulate me was Gill Clarke, then one of the two Deputy Heads. Little did I know then that I would still be Chair 21 years later!

During my tenure, the school has changed considerably in estate terms and in structural

terms becoming solely a day school after the final end of boarding in 1998. Notable building projects have included:

• The Junior School at the former Littlefield School in Liphook – this came about after a lengthy period of trying to get permission for a new school on various sites in Petersfield, even one proposal which was on our own site, which all failed. To transform the site, we later created a Nursery, Middle School and The Seona Rivett Hall.

At the Senior School…

• a Science Faculty building, including the Lecture Theatre.

• a Library constructed within the shell of a former Physics and IT classrooms.

• a Swimming Pool to replace the original, leaking, outdoor pool.

• the Goodfield Design and Technology Centre and Music School including the recently dedicated Donald Brooks Auditorium.

• and most recently, the extension to the dining facilities, an upgrade of the kitchens and new Staff Room on the first floor of Old College.

During this time, we have appointed one new Headmaster (Simon), two new Junior School Heads, (including Ffion), two new Heads of Sixth Form, five Deputy Heads and two Bursars. The pupil numbers have increased to 1030 in the Senior School and 232 in the Junior School, but the overall caring feeling has very successfully been maintained and enhanced. I experienced this in a very personal way on many occasions, but especially when my wife Cindy died in 2009 and again six years ago when my son Duncan was diagnosed with cancer and passed away only three weeks later.

I can tell you that it has been both a tremendous honour and an extremely rewarding time of my life to be involved on the Governing Body for the past 27 years and to see the school growing in stature during that period. I will continue to attend events at Churcher’s as long as I can – I am not severing the link just yet!

It has been both a tremendous honour and an extremely rewarding time of my life to be involved on the Governing body for the past 27 years.

From the archive

Petersfield Museum display

Petersfield Museum kindly dedicated a curated display including artefacts from the Churcher’s archive to join in the celebrations of our 300th anniversary. We are delighted that the Museum will be donating the casing so the same display

can be relocated back to Ramshill in the New Year, thereby enabling it to continue to be enjoyed by the Churcher’s community and other visitors.

Archive project

We are extremely lucky to have such a wonderful archive at Churcher’s, preserving the history of the school and providing a hugely valuable resource. Thank you to everyone who has made a contribution to the archive this year.

Over the next few years, we have plans to develop the archive, making it more accessible and easier to navigate by electronically cataloguing all items and making more resources available online.

With the extension to the Development Office in the Coach House, ultimately, we also hope that those Old Churcherians who come back to visit and access the archive will have an all-round enjoyable experience.

Your support

Thank you to all those who have supported with the archive this year, including Tom Bennett (12), archivist at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh, for all the guidance he has provided.

To fulfil the objectives of the archive project and achieve our ambition, we need support from the Churcher’s community. If you would like to help, either by volunteering or making a gift, please contact the Development Office.

Stay in touch