St Andrew's Prep - OA Magazine 2024

OA

o ld a ndrovian • o ld aSchamian

Welcome to the 2024 edition of the OA Newsletter.

Another year seems to have flown by and it has, once again, been a busy and successful one for the St Andrew’s community. Much has happened in the last twelve months and there has been plenty to celebrate. Last summer’s Speech Day was a ‘first’ in that it took place in the Congress Theatre instead of the Durlacher. Freed of the smaller capacity that the latter venue has, it was also a ‘cool event’ thanks to the air conditioning which the theatre affords – something that cannot be said for the school gym at the height of summer. It was also the first time that I can recall our summer term finishing before the end of June. This was the direct result of the charity’s decision to unify our term dates with that of the College throughout the academic year; something that parents with offspring in both prep and senior school no doubt appreciate when it comes to planning their summer holiday. Mental health and wellbeing is an issue that has come to the forefront in recent years. No school can ignore the challenges that pupils now face on a daily

basis in our world today. We were therefore most fortunate to have Alex Partridge OA/OE as guest of honour on Speech Day. Alex has become recognised as a leading speaker on neurodiversity as well as being a pioneer of social media so his message to the children to ‘be themselves’ and the pros and cons of social media was valuable advice indeed.

Cross charity cooperation has also been evident in the last twelve months with the announcement, in November, that Eastbourne College and St Andrew’s have won a Wellbeing Award 2023–2026. This recognises the excellence which both establishments demonstrate in this vital area of school life. It comes as a result of a great deal of hard work within both schools and

the report recognised the strength of pastoral care and support for its pupils in both establishments. The award has been run by Optimus Education in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau.

Sixty years ago the school moved with the times and took in its first cohort of day boys. I wonder how many OAs were at St Andrew’s in 1964 and can recall the event and the influence that this then had upon the school? 2024 sees a very different situation with day pupil numbers forming the vast majority of today’s school. Despite this, the boarding community remains a central component of the school’s ethos and character. This year sees a change in Colstocks as the Tomsett family take a well earned rest from the rigours and responsibility

of running the house and Libby Minister nee Hyder (OA 2008) and husband Matthew take up the baton. With Libby’s appointment as Head of Boarding this is a ‘first’ in more ways than one as it is almost certainly the first time the school has had a Headmaster and Head of Boarding who are both OAs and OEs. How many other establishments have people in post with this range of expertise and first-hand experience of the school in which they serve?

Finally, I have been looking at ways of increasing the relevance of the OA Society to our younger alumni. With this in mind we held a reunion dinner at school last May for ‘The Class of 2018.’ This proved an enjoyable event that not only allowed the cohort the chance to reconnect and reminisce but also for us to hear of their many achievements and their various plans for the future. I am therefore grateful to them for the significant number of contributions they then sent me for this Newsletter. It was good to see that a cohort who had had their secondary education hugely disrupted by the pandemic have bounced back and are in good form. Their energy, enthusiasm and aspirations are a tonic to us all as we navigate the uncertainties and challenges that we all face in our lives today.

Chris Laughton

Class of 2018 reunion dinner, May 2023

– Where Are They Now?

From The headma STer

Dates for your Diary

A reunion dinner for members of this cohort will be held at St Andrew’s Prep in the school pavilion. Details have been sent out to relevant OAs. If you have not received anything, and would like to come, please email me: claughton@standrewsprep.co.uk

The staff who taught at the school at this time have also been invited and I am hoping that many of them will be able to attend.

Over the course of the Lent half-term, I had the pleasure of meeting and showing OA Roderick Barton (1991) and his mother and two children, around the school. If you’re reading this, Roderick, it was a pleasure to meet you and your family. It was a chance meeting, as I was heading into school to drop something off and saw them peering through the gates near the Ascham Building. Spending time with Roderick and his family was an absolute joy, as we were both able to reminisce, remember and share specific events of our time as pupils at St Andrew’s. On the way around, Roderick’s son asked me what I thought the biggest difference was between our days at school and the school today. I remarked I thought it was the technology, as beyond doubt the technology available to us, in the running of the school but also that which supports the children’s learning is beyond anything I could have imagined aged 12. However, having reflected on that very interesting question I would now say pupil voice and pupil wellbeing. I am not saying I was not happy or listened to, as I couldn’t have been happier and indeed no OA I have ever met has said anything other than they loved and enjoyed their time at St Andrew’s. I hope the same is true for this readership too. However, it was a different time. I remember long break times, playing football or cricket on the square asphalt, with the first pupil outside being able to call ‘my asphalt’ and decide the game and the format, but I don’t remember being supervised. I don’t remember sharing my feelings

or being upset about anything to need to share my feelings, but who would I have spoken to if I was? My set master? My housemaster? I simply don’t know. One of those two was my uncle, so I am pretty confident he would have listened and fed back to my parents, but I just didn’t have the need. Fast forward too many years to mention, and times have changed. The pressures on young people are different and their experiences, notwithstanding Covid lockdowns, are different. Schools are now judged by the inspectorate on the quality and evidence of their pupil voice. I am very proud of the listening culture within our school and pupils know they are able to voice their thoughts, feelings and hopes, knowing they will be taken into consideration. Similarly, the listening culture feeds into the focus of pupil wellbeing. We want to know when something isn’t quite right in a pupil’s life, so we can do something to support them, guide them, help them find a solution or strategies to move forward now and in the future. Also in this newsletter, Chris will share news of an exciting award we recently achieved, alongside Eastbourne College, that recognises the work we have undertaken in this field. Again, something I am very proud of.

It is my sincere hope that all Androvians will depart and join the extensive group of OAs, like you, who had positive experiences during their time at St Andrew’s. I wish for them to cherish and hold on to happy lifelong memories, similar to those individuals such as Roderick Barton and the numerous other OAs I have the pleasure of talking to about their school days. I’m still to meet one who shares anything but positive memories.

Tom

Gregory

Firstly to Linda Priscott who kindly donated a copy of the 1981 school photo. This used to belong to her aunt, May Farrant , who worked at the school at that time.

Secondly, to Phil Hepburn and Chris Boyd who sent me copies of a number of photographs from their time at Ascham and St Andrew’s respectively.

Thirdly, to the large number of younger OAs who have sent me updates as to what they are up to nowadays. These are pupils from the 2014 and 2018 cohorts respectively. It was good to catch up with the Y13s (class of 2018) last May and I am eagerly looking forward to our forthcoming reunion dinner in May when the class of 2014 have the chance to meet up again with contemporaries and some of the staff that taught them. It is worth pointing out that both these year groups faced the challenge of studying and sitting major exams during the years of the pandemic. It is good to see them having emerged from the difficulties that they had to face.

Thank you one and all.

Ascham Sports Day 1958

Crashed car in Darley Road

The school celebrated St Andrew’s Day on 1 December 2023

It was yet another day of fun and excitement–eagerly anticipated and enjoyed by all the current pupils. A chance for the Y8s to treat all the younger children to games and activities with a liberal supply of sweets as rewards for their efforts. A superb lunch for the entire school plus guests, prepared by James Hillman and his team of wonderful kitchen staff. Then the excitement of the afternoon entertainment organised by the gappies and drawing on the varied skills of a number of talented musicians, actors and dancers. And finally, the staff who let their hair down, got up on stage and entertained the children with an unforgettable dance routine!

Greetings were received from the following OAs, OA families and former staff. OAs

The Arnell and Boardman families Mark Arnell (1990–1995) and Beatrice Boardman nee Arnell (1987–1990) and Mr and Mrs Arnell. Gareth Doodes (1984–1990) and current HM at The King’s School, Worcester. Ian Douglas

(1951–1956). Robert Foote (1939–1944). The Foster family Louise Nichols nee Foster (1984–1991), John (1993–1995), Charles and Harry (1996–1999), Lucy (1997–2003), Elizabeth OE (1969–1970) and Dick James (1930–1936). Stewart Francis (1949–1951). Rev Stephen Gray (1974–1979) Conduct of Eton College. The Hanraty family… Lara Lloyd nee Hanraty (1982–1990), Nick Hanraty (1983–1992) and David and Angela Hanraty (parents). The Jellings Family, Alex Jellings (2000–2006), Lisken Jellings (2006–2008) and Mr Matthew and Mrs Jane Jellings. The Liddell family, Brian Liddell (1953–1957), Colin Liddell (1956–1961), Victoria Lerner nee Liddell (1990–1994), David Liddell , MC (1926–1930 and Governor) and Ian Liddell , VC (1929–1933). Hannah Matthews nee Butler (1994–2001). Rick Morris (1950–1955). Nigel Philips (1963–1969). Ben Shuttleworth (1989–1995). Roger Smith (1945–1949) and Matt Veitch (1982–1986). Former Staff Andrew John (1980–1990). Gareth Jones (HM 2015–2020). Pat Nolan Nicholas Rideal (1980–1990). Simon Severino (HM 2010–2015). Dalene Viljoen (1991–2006). Matt Veitch (1993–2011). Armelle Wilkinson Paul and Sue Williams (1978–2006).

A number of OAs sent their good wishes via Facebook. They included Guy Linley-Adams (1975–1980). Nick Monu (1973–1979). Melissa Jagger nee Passmore (1986–1991) and Guy Passmore (1986–1991) and Harvey Smith (1973–1979).

A large number of guests were invited for lunch and it was great to see so many familiar faces and catch up with former colleagues over drinks in the staff room before the wonderful St Andrew’s Day lunch. The event is always eagerly anticipated and greatly enjoyed by those who attend and this year’s celebration was no exception.

Those who attended included Jeanette Adams, Dr and Mrs Guy Baker, Ann Caffyn, Rev and Mrs Giles Carpenter, Simon Farrar, Emma Garrett, Abbey Gough, Derek and Dorothy Greenwood, Jeremy Griffith, Jan Hafernik, Zoe Harris, Mike Harrison, Andrea Inglis, Helen and Jozik Kotz, Jorj Kowzun, Tom and Jess Lawson, Sara Maclaurin, Chanda Newton, Brian and Janet Price, Andrew and Elaine Robinson, Rev and Mrs Ben Sleep, John and Sue Smith, Jane and Mike Steen, Sally Tomsett, Judith Wharton, Ali Wicks, John and Liz Wilton.

oa daY 2023

As in previous years the day started with tea and coffee in the Library after which a chapel service was held. The Middles choir sang beautifully to give a strong lead to the congregation and also performed a lovely Harvest Festival Anthem. After the service there was the chance

Last year’s event took place on 30 September and it was good to welcome back a number of OAs and former staff.

for people to mingle and chat over a pre-lunch drink in the new library. There was also a display of photos and archive material including the letters that Dr John Briscoe (OA) LVO wrote during his days as a pupil during the war when the school was evacuated to Chaddleworth, Berkshire. In

addition to this was an extensive display of school photos from the last thirty years which proved of interest to some of our OA parents and their offspring who had attended the Chapel service. We were then treated to a wonderful lunch in the dining room after which tours of the school took place. Once again the weather was on our side and everyone enjoyed the convivial nature of a lovely autumn day catching up and reminiscing with other OAs and former staff. Those present included:

Simon Severino (HM 2010–2015)

OAs Robert Foote (1944), Dr John Briscoe (1946) LVO, Chris Boyd (1961), Rupert Harper (1967), Dr Chris Meikle (1973), Farshad Irvani (1977), Harvey Smith (1979), Tom Gregory (1988) and Ashling Smith nee Reid, (1994).

Former Staff John Chambers (1991-1995) and Fiona Chambers (1985 – 2005), Nicholas Rideal (1981 – 1990), John and Susan Smith (1984 – 2009) and John and Liz Wilton (1977 – 2001).

Old Aschamian Nicholas Rideal (1963).

Simon revisited the school on April 12th to see some of the changes that have happened in recent years and to also allow his two children, Henry and Charlotte, to see some of their father’s old haunts. During his time as Headmaster here Simon introduced a number of changes which included the refurbishment of the Science labs (2013) and the start of the Sports Hall building programme (2014). He also introduced the house system that still operates today with each child being a member of either Arcos, Rovers, Sea Kings or VCs. [Ed these were four of the original ‘Sets’ that used to exist at St Andrew’s Prep]. He was pleased to see the school was in good form and also enjoyed seeing some of the recent improvements which include the Fives courts, Boarding House, Wainwright Pavilion, the Snug, Reception area and the Library.

Can you name them?

Answers to claughton@ standrewsprep. co.uk

Who are these boys in the old library?

Can you name them RESPONSES

I am grateful to the OAs and former staff who wrote back to suggest names for people who featured in last year’s Newsletter. The Boarders singing photo (page 9) generated interest from three OAs.

got in touch and suggested names for almost all the children in the picture. Sitting on the bench she suggested it was, left to right, David Long (holding his knee), Stephen Shotton and Abigail Griffin . In the bottom left hand corner she thought it was Sarah Clark and Louise Ayling . On the far right she thinks it is herself, Zoe Killick and Alisa Mifsud . In the middle she reckoned Harry Griffin (with hat and checked shirt) and ‘a lovely Turkish student’ sitting in front of Harry. The picture was probably taken in the mid 80s as most of the pupils left between 1985 and 1987.

Stephen Shotton (1986) also got in touch and confirmed that it was indeed him and David Long sat on the bench.

Charlie Williams (1984) emailed me to say that he spotted himself in the photo – he is the fair-haired boy sat on the grass (in the middle of the photo). Charlie went on to say that he had not

been back to the school since the 1980s but that he still holds very happy memories of his time at Prep school. He added that after leaving St Andrew’s he went on to Tonbridge School before attending both Nottingham and King’s Universities. After graduating he spent 23 years in the Army and took part in live operations in over 50 countries. In the last ten years he co-founded a commodity trading company specialising in metals. Meanwhile his own children sadly were unable to attend St Andrew’s as the family lived up in Herefordshire.

The Girls Hockey team photo (page 15) also attracted interest.

Jenny Waghorn nee Hylton spotted herself on the extreme left of the picture. She was also able to name all her fellow team mates who are (from 2nd from left to right): Lucy Uren , Sara James , Annabel Richardson , Alice Ball , Nyssa McNeil , Annabel Oakley (nee Rackham), Sophy Mills , Felicity Sweetman and Alex Deery. I was wrong about the team though as it was in fact the U11 team and not the 1st XI. They had just won the IAPS Nationals with Mal Rossell and Pam Bott as their coaches. Jenny added, “we were the Under 11 National IAPS hockey champions – I remember having the photo taken after coming back from winning the tournament!”

1939 1st XI Soccer photo (page 23).

John Nettleton (1935–40) got in touch to say how much he enjoyed the Newsletter. He went on to say he remembered the Taylors well (Richard and his cousin John – who both arrived in 1936). He then went on to name almost every boy in the photo. These are: back row (left to right): Mocatta , Laver, Mr Thurlow, Richard Taylor and Mills . Middle row: Wood , Nettleton , Pease-Watkin , Baird , and RGP Paterson . Front row: Richardson II and Corrie-Hill

The team had a very good season and were undefeated –winning 5 of their 6 matches and drawing the sixth.

‘The School Today’ article (page 20) prompted Simon Evers (Former staff) to get in touch. He pointed out that boarding numbers in the 80s were just as high as they were in the 90s. Simon had 95 in the Boys House and he and Ali Bawden were on duty every night except one when Dod Wainwright and Eric Jones would be on duty. A duty day ran from Breakfast till 10pm each day. He added that Peter Erskine had “at least 35 girls in the Lodge at the same time.” Simon went on to say that the re-enactment of the Battle of Waterloo (page 15) was definitely 1985 as it was his final term at St Andrew’s.

The School Website and the Androvian Magazine

This is to update you as to both these items.

WEBSITE

I am very much hoping to reinstate the OA section of the school website in the not too distant future. It has been out of action for some time now but the intention is to build up an online record of the Androvian magazine as well as the previous OA Newsletters. Funds have now been approved and so a

programme of scanning back copies will soon begin. This will be a phased operation and therefore be spread over a number of years (5, 6 or 7) but eventually all back copies of the Androvian Magazine, between 1949 and 2021, will be

available for viewing online. OE’s will be familiar with the fact that there is already a digital resource that allows you to view backcopies of both the Old Eastbournian and Eastbournian magazines online.

ANDROVIAN MAGAZINE

The sheer cost of printing and then mailing out copies of the Androvian magazine forced us to go down the electronic

The picture of The Mikado production (page 5 ) prompted John K C Maclean (1953–1958)

to get in touch. He said: “As a 10 year old in the audience it ensured that, given the chance, I would always attempt to see (or act) in any Gilbert & Sullivan that subsequently came my way!” He went on to say that he could identify three boys in the bottom left picture. “ Graham Boal (son of Ascham’s school doctor). He went on to become a high court judge and I think he died a year or so ago. He sits cross legged centre stage. Sitting two down on his left are Keith Perry (became a commercial airline pilot) and, next to him is, Tim Wheatley. Thanks for the memory.”

John added that at 17½ he had his first job in the Hippodrome Theatre in Seaside Road during his summer holiday from the College. He shone the spotlight on the Cyril Fletcher Summer Show for 6 weeks. The comedy bits stood him in good stead for performing his own (usually drunken) recitals on many subsequent occasions. “By now they are probably all outdated and non PC!”

After leaving the College he went on to spend a gap year teaching at a Prep School near Bridgenorth before going on to read Engineering at University.

route two years ago. The last printed edition was in 2021 and, since then, it has been available online on the school’s website. The latest edition of this magazine can be viewed by clicking on the following link (if you are reading an digital version of this Newsletter) 2022–2023 Androvian Magazine. For those reading a printed Newsletter, please visit https://standrewsprep.co.uk and click on WHAT’S ON/NEWS then select 2022–2023 Androvian Magazine from the drop-down menu. Thank you.

Boarders weekend sing along –early 1980s

1st XI 1939

Girls U11 Hockey team 1995

The Mikado

Melissa Jagger, nee Passmore (1986)

re U nion

cla SS o F 2018 din ner

I have wanted to increase the number of events that involve our younger OAs for some time now.

With this in mind I arranged a reunion for the ‘Class of 2018’ back in May 2023 just before they went on exam leave for their A Levels. I am glad to say that there was a good response and a total

of 36 from the cohort and 15 staff attended. It not only allowed them the chance to meet and catch up with their contemporaries but also for us to reconnect and find out what they have been up to during the last five years. I am grateful to

Alex Partridge OA who attended and spoke after the dinner. He highlighted the pros and cons of social media in the light of his experience as a pioneer during the earliest days of this internet phenomena.

OAs who attended included Thea Adams , George Auer, Theo Bathard-Smith , Oliver Baxter, Francsesco Bongiovanni , Alex Cardoza , Charlie Carpenter, Tiana Coley, Millie Cranston , Ethan Dando , Harry DaviesGilbert , Farzan ForghaniAshkezari , Dominic Forward , Trinny Gott , Kieran Haffenden , Seb Isepp , Noah James , Rosie Jemison , Savya Kafle , Emma Lewis , Megan Linden , George Lowery, Chloe Maidens , Theo Maclean Young , Tabby Newton , Jess Putland , Ptolemy Ridge , Amelia Tait , Mary Taylor, Millie Taylor, Sophia Titterton-Manos , Giles Warwick-Smith , Grace Watkins , Ben Young , Juliette Zeilmaker, James Zhou

A significant number of the cohort wrote back to me to give me an update as to what they are doing now that they have completed their secondary education. So, many thanks to all of the following for sharing their news.

Thea Adams

“I am currently at the Royal Holloway, studying the Drama with Acting course. Since the beginning of term I have taken part in uni performance festivals and have written and directed a play as part of one of them. I’m currently looking forward to Assistant Directing the main term show for the Drama Society and am also a host of the Student Workshop’s (a theatre company attached to

the university) podcast, The Cast, which can be heard on Spotify.”

Denziel Armah

“Since leaving school I have been studying Architecture at the University of Plymouth. I have sought out opportunities to gain relevant work experience, also serving as an Ambassador for the Regeneration of Brainery, whom I represented when we won the Social Impact Award in the real estate industry at the EG CEO Summit in 2022. At the summit I had the privilege of speaking on the same stage as CEO’s such as Ambassador for Regeneration of Brainery

John Holland-Kaye. He was the former CEO of Heathrow Airport and had been invited to speak about how business leaders might increase diversity and inclusion in the workplace.” denzielwork@ gmail.com

Tiana Coley

“I’m currently studying Popular Music at Leeds Conservatoire with my principal instrument being the bass guitar.”

Millie Cranston

“After successfully passing my A-Levels I auditioned for many drama schools but didn’t manage to gain a place as entry for these courses is extremely competitive now. I therefore decided to audition for a foundation course instead and am currently studying on a six month programme at Rose Bruford College in London. Once that is completed, I will be working with my agent and hoping to get a few jobs under my belt. I will also be focusing on my Music to support the applications I have made to both the Royal Academy and the Guildhall of Music. If nothing comes from these it certainly won’t be for lack of effort on my part.”

millsthecrank@icloud.com

Ethan Dando

“I’ve just started my first year at the University of Exeter and am reading International Business with Spanish. I’m still playing lots of rugby, mostly in the freshers 1st team and we’ve had some notable wins against the likes of Bath Uni men’s 2nd team. I’ve enjoyed uni life so far and look forward to the remainder of my degree course, particularly my third year when I get to spend a year abroad in a Spanish speaking country.”

Kieran Haffenden

“I was thrilled to receive an A and two ABs in Maths, Economics and Product Design in my A-Levels and now study Motorsport Technology at Oxford Brookes University. I’ve met a load of wonderful people and have formed great relationships with many of the flatmates in my hall.”

Seb Isepp

“I am currently preparing to travel to Nendaz in Switzerland for three months to take park in a ski instructor’s internship.”

Henry Luk

“I am now studying Law in my first year at King’s College London. I still have many happy memories of my time at St Andrew’s and greatly enjoyed the shooting activity in particular.”

Kiri Marshall

“I am reading History at Durham University and am really enjoying life as a student. I have met some amazing friends and I have been playing lots of squash and hockey. I have also enjoyed becoming involved in a number of societies particularly the Art and Mixed society. In the Summer Holidays I am hoping to travel abroad and teach English.” kiri.marshall@ icloud.com

Oliver Shouksmith

and Miguel Santos in Seville “After leaving Eastbourne College I decided to take a Gap Year in order to travel around Europe and gain some experience of the working world. So far I have been to Spain and Portugal and, together with my girlfriend, we have enjoyed time visiting cities such as Barcelona and Lisbon. We have also been involved with Workaway, an organisation that rewards volunteering work with the offer of full board accommodation in homestays. The experience was eye opening as it gave us a true insight into the culture of the two countries. We stayed with three families (through Workaway) and helped with projects which strive towards self-sufficient living. Our work involved the construction of gravel paths and also olive and

carob picking. The highlights of my trip were definitely visiting the Royal Palace in Madrid, the Gaudi architecture of Barcelona’s Park Güell and also meeting fellow OA Miguel Santos who was my own personal tour guide for 3 days in Seville. I’m currently working back in Eastbourne before I jet off again to explore Central and Eastern Europe in April. I am also really looking forward to next September when I will embark on my Hispanic Studies degree at Nottingham University.” oshouksmith@gmail.com

Polly Symes

“I am currently taking a gap year, and last year I completed a 2 month professional chef cooking course in Italian cuisine, which was in Florence, Italy. After this, I helped out my sister (AnnabelOE 2018) and her husband with their newborn son for a month (putting those cooking skills into action – also in Tuscany!). In the new year, I took a CELTA qualification in London to teach English as a foreign language for a month in Hanoi, Vietnam. When I return, my main job will be to pass my driving test! Other than that, the rest of the year has yet to be planned – work in a restaurant? travel? It remains to be seen! I achieved A* A* A* in my A-Levels of English Literature, Italian and Classical Civilisation. Beyond my gap year, I’ve been accepted to King’s College London University to study their Culture, Media and Creative Industries BA, which commences in September 2024.” pollyrosehope@icloud.com

Mary Taylor

southern ‘Brave’ team in august. In my debut for southern brave I took 3–18. I also managed to win the Charlotte Edwards’s cup and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy with the southern vipers. I have now got a senior contract with the team and hope to further progress my cricket throughout this season. I am also trying to get my coaching badges for cricket and have had some experience in coaching on the Sussex hockey pathway.” marylathamtaylor@gmail.com

Millie Taylor

“Now that I’ve left school I’ve continued to pursue my cricket goals and have recently come back from Malaga, Spain, where I played for the England XI in the European championship and won gold. I am still a part of the vipers academy program and look to make my way into senior cricket this season. In addition to this I am also putting my level 2 cricket coaching qualification to good use and looking for some coaching job opportunities where I can get them.” [Ed. Millie took seven wickets in the competition]. milliesarahtaylor@gmail.com

Grace Watkins

“My A levels went great thankfully, and I got the grades I needed! I am currently on a gap year working as a professional musician, playing lots of shows and gigs. Although this is great fun, in the New Year I shall be heading to Europe for a few months to travel. I am also planning a trip to China for a month so I can use what I learned in my Chinese A level. Finally, in September I will be heading to the Royal Holloway University to study Music!“ graciemay.watkins@gmail.com

Juliette Zeilmaker

“Since leaving school I have continued playing cricket for the southern vipers and got the opportunity to play in the

“I’m currently spending my gap year working in Brighton College Prep School as a sports and music gappie. While it’s very busy, this job is also rewarding and enjoyable and coaching my own hockey and netball teams has been a particular highlight.”

Kieran and some of his uni friends

Kiri at the Grey College Winter Ball

Millie Taylor helped England to Euro championship win (picture: Eastbourne Herald)

Oliver

Polly at the top of the Florence Duomo

Mary Taylor (right) takes another wicket at Trent Bridge (picture: Shaun Botterill/ Getty)

aScham – c an Yo U name Them ?

I am wondering if you can identify any of the people in these photos?

This one of the Ascham Nursery in 1969 – the year it was set up – intrigues me as I’m sure there are people out there who can remember who these children are. The Nursery was run by Mrs Hepburn (HM’s wife) and Jean Adler, wife of the then Bursar of the College, Bernard Adler.

I imagine these three photos are perhaps late 1960s or even 1970s? Once again do drop me a Iine if you can put names to any of the faces. Email claughton@standrewsprep.co.uk

This one with five boys on the playing field dates from 1958 and is one of Phil Hepburn’s pictures so I am guessing that he may well be one of those pictured?

Androcles and The Lion 1974

This collection of pictures comes from the Ascham production of Androcles and the Lion which was performed in 1974. It was evidently quite an ambitious play to put on – produced by David Barnes with assistance from David Reid. The sets were designed and built by Michael Taylor and required the creation of The Colosseum as part of the scenery!

Another memorable part of this production which I read about was Tony Shawyer’s rendition of the roaring Lion which he apparently gave from the wings using a loud hailer!

Ascham during the late 1950s.

I am grateful to Phil Hepburn for sending me some pictures of Ascham during the late 1950s. These include pictures of the four houses in 1958 and also some from Sports Day of the same year.

Bishop Carey House 1958

w here are The Y

Last Autumn I heard that a number of the mothers with children in this cohort are still in touch with each other ten years after their offspring had left St Andrew’s Prep.

Furthermore, these mothers still meet up from time to time. It gave me the idea of holding an annual reunion for OAs who left St Andrew’s ten years ago. So,this year it is the turn of this cohort, the Class of 2014, who will be meeting up for a reunion in May. If this proves successful, we intend to make this reunion an annual event in the future.

Having written to all the OAs in this cohort to float the idea of the reunion I also asked them to drop me a line and let me know what they are up to now. A lot did respond and I am particularly grateful to the twenty or so below who took the trouble to write back and share their news. It will be great to catch up with you all in the not-too-distant future.

Krystelle Banfield

“After completing my GCSEs and ‘A’ Levels at Eastbourne College I took a gap year and travelled across New Zealand, Australia and America. Unfortunately, Covid intervened so my travels were cut short and I had to return home. I then went on to London University and studied Business and Management at the Royal Holloway College. I graduated in 2023 with a 2:1 and now work for an Engineering and Design company in their accounts and administration management. The company specializes in a computer program mooring gas carriers all over the world. Outside of work I am also kept busy and am currently renovating my first house!” banfieldkrystelle@gmail.com

George Edwards

“Since completing my studies at Exeter in 2023 (BSc in Natural Sciences followed by an MSc in Global Sustainability Solutions), I have spent the last few months working the ski season in Courchevel. I have also been offered a job at PWC and look

forward to starting work with them later this year.”

Fintan Gander

“I am a Medical Assistant in the Navy and am currently abroad. I entered the Royal Navy in May 2020 at Dartmouth – and we were the first cohort of Navy recruits to do our basic training there. My training was during the first Covid wave so I was unable to come home for any week ends. I passed out in August 2020 and luckily by then Covid restrictions had been relaxed so my parents were able to attend the ceremony. I then went on to do my medical training at locations all over the country and have worked in hospitals, Navy Medical centres, and bases in Lichfield, Plymouth, Faslane and Malta.”

Joshua Hardy

Teeing off

Seaford Tusks winner 2023

Josh has been working at a local gym but will shortly be going abroad to pursue his dream of becoming a professional golfer. In 2024 he will be travelling across Europe before he flies to the States to compete in various tournaments in an effort to gain his tour card. For much of 2023 he was in America, predominantly in South Florida, working and playing at various courses including the PGA National and Trump Jupiter. He also competed in some local events back home and won the Seaford Tusks competition. Another of his fine achievements was back in 2016 when he set an unofficial record of 59 at the Eastbourne Royal Golf course. Josh is adamant that if his dream to become a professional golfer doesn’t work out he will still look to work in the golf or sports world.

Marçal Jané-Heidsiek

“After St Andrew’s I went on to Brighton College where I did my GCSEs and A-Levels. Whilst at Brighton I travelled to Sri Lanka, discovered the world of international relations, and grew up with some great boys who have become my closest friends. During lockdown I suffered myocarditis and was confined to bed rest for 3 months, so when I recovered, I took up running. I haven’t looked back since, and I now run regularly and recently ran the Lausanne Half-Marathon in October. I am setting my sights on completing an Iron Man in 2025, and will be doing an event every 2 or 3 months this year to train my swimming and cycling in particular as I have little to no experience of either.

More recently, I graduated from Exeter University last summer having spent four incredible years reading History and International Relations with French. During my time at Exeter, I spent one year in Aix-en-Provence where I studied French and specialised in political science. This was undoubtedly the best year of my life. Socialising with such a vastly international and diverse group of people gave me a lot of energy and inspired me to look into the possibility of living and working abroad.

Two days after graduating university I started my first day of work at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research in Geneva. I’ve now worked at UNITAR for seven months, recently being made a consultant, and have loved every minute of it. I get to work with people from every corner of the world including many high-profile figures, which has made the job truly fulfilling.” marcaljane4@gmail.com

Louis Heywood Louis graduated from Newcastle University in 2022 but then decided he wanted to do something different before starting his career. As a keen athlete, he came up with the novel idea of combining his love of running with

travel. He set himself the challenge of running 12 marathons in twelve different countries! In January 2023 he completed the first in Marrakech and then proceeded to run marathons at Kilimanjaro and in Rome, Paris, London, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Uppsala, Sydney, Amsterdam, Porto and Malaga. He not only achieved his goal but also succeeded in raising over £2600 for his chosen charity MIND (Mental Health Charity). Many congratulations indeed. louisheywood13@gmail.com

Dan Hobden

“Since Leaving school & College, I have pursued a career in financial services as an Account Manager. I manage day-to-day relationships with blue-chip banks & other large insurance companies. Currently, I am sitting my CII qualifications which will allow me to bring a greater wealth of knowledge to my company and my clients. I am also on course to becoming a Director in the next 5 years. I have also succeeded in getting my foot on the property ladder and bought my first house in March 2023. I live with my 1 year old cocker spaniel called Jessie.”

James Holman-Dine

“I am currently in my 3rd year at the University of Sussex studying political science. During my degree, I have also worked with the OE/ OA Society to rejuvenate Fives

Class of 2014 Mum’s reunion

Class of 2014

Kilimanjaro

Marathon medals

across the charity. This has involved volunteering at St Andrews to coach pupils, fundraising and developing a long-term sustainable plan for coaching and facility upgrades. Upon completing my undergraduate studies in the next few months, I shall be taking up an offer from Oxford University to study for an MSc in politics research.”

Sam Leonard

“I completed my degree in Computer Science at Manchester in 2023 and now work as a software engineer in the city. Whilst at University I got to play for the 1st XI Hockey team although my season was unfortunately cut short by a dislocated knee early in the season. l also had the privilege of representing the UK in the European Cyber Security challenge in 2019. This involved the team solving challenges and puzzles in various domains of computer security.”

Alex Lock

“After completing my A Levels at Eastbourne College, I went on to study the LLB (Hons) Law Degree at The University of Exeter. I graduated with a 2:1 in 2022 and will be starting a Legal Training Contract in September 2024. Over the past 7 years I have taught sailing and windsurfing at Buzz Active Eastbourne. This has involved teaching adults and children of all abilities, including pupils from both St Andrews and Eastbourne College. I have loved taking any opportunity to get out on the water, both in Eastbourne and Exeter. I am now a manager of Buzz Active and will be continuing in this role until my training contract in September.” alexlock421@gmail.com

Joe McIntyre

“After leaving Eastbourne College I studied for an Economics degree at Exeter University. In between leaving school and starting Uni I was a tennis coach in a 5* Spanish resort and got to tour Europe visiting some of the capital cities. I also travelled to Australia with Dan Toole and Josh Holland and whilst there we had a great time in Melbourne meeting up with James

Smith (2013 gappie). We were able to return the favour a few months ago when Smithy was over in the UK and we all met up again (together with George Edwards) in London.”

Fizz McNally

“I’m currently in my 4th year studying Medicine, enjoying surgery rotations and research in particular. Aiming to qualify in 2026 and not sure exactly which speciality I want to go into yet. I’m also currently trialling for CUBC working towards the Boat Race at the end of March. Whilst I have a while left to go at Cambridge, I did graduate with my degree in Philosophy last year as my intercalation specialising in philosophy of physics and political philosophy. My time is pretty full this year with rowing and medicine but whilst an undergrad I did a few different things including being president of some societies like karate, medical societies and some more social ones.

Me and the three other McNally siblings (Lulu, Hugo and Dotty) are all still very close and, whilst spread out over England and beyond, all return to Eastbourne as much as we can. I hope everyone’s doing well and I often think of my time at school.”

Katie Meikle

“After finishing Sixth form at Eastbourne College, I (almost) completed a ski season in 2020 before starting at UCL studying History, Politics, and Economics. Particularly, I focused on Post-Socialist politics in Central and Eastern Europe. I’m now studying for a Masters at UCL in sustainable resource use. I’m enjoying the course, playing hockey, and having some of my friends from St Andrews and Eastbourne join me in London.” katiemeikle4@ gmail.com

Issy Newton

“Since graduating from the University of Nottingham in the summer of 2022 I have been working as a deckhand onboard a superyacht. I work seasons, mainly in the med and the Maldives, although I was lucky enough to be at the Football World Cup in Qatar with the yacht! I am having a great time travelling and my work involves watersports and snorkelling, maintenance of the yacht and driving tenders.”

Beth Piper

“I am currently doing a postgraduate course at Kings College London and working in the NHS to train as a Children’s Wellbeing

Practitioner within CAMHS. In September, I will be working as a graduate boarding assistant at the Dragon School in Oxford.”

Edward Rosson-Jones

“After leaving St Andrew’s I joined my brother, Oli, at Harrow and decided on a career as an Architect. I am currently studying for my Architecture Degree at Westminster University which I am enjoying very much. I have many interests which include DJ’ing and also modelling. I also continue to enjoy my sport, particularly basketball, as I am well over 6 feet now.”

Samat Shagdamov

“A lot has happened during these last 10 years. Currently I am on my second year studying Finance at the University in Moscow. I have travelled a lot during these years. I have visited places such as Tatarstan, Dagestan, Karelia and recently stayed for my winter holiday in Murmansk.”

Cordelia Stevenson

“I completed the International Baccalaureate at Charterhouse School and then graduated with a degree in Anthropology from Durham University. I have done a real estate internship and worked as a ropes instructor at Camp Coleman in the USA. I am currently working as a technology recruitment consultant in London for clients such as the FCDO, Home Office and Rolls-Royce. I love Reformer Pilates and Real Tennis.” Cordelia.Stevenson@ empiric.com

Sophie Stephenson

“After leaving Eastbourne College I took a gap year and travelled around America, Australia and New Zealand before Covid hit. I then went to Oxford Brookes to study Law whilst working with various football clubs in Oxford and Eastbourne. I also worked with a number of law firms including an American one that gives legal advice for patients on death row. I am now working for the NHS dealing with projects for patients with heart conditions and the contracts for inequalities within. I am in the process of buying my first property and still

very much enjoy my sport and travels. I am fortunate in that I work hybrid so I’m able to travel just as much as I did previously.”

Sian Sulke

Sian graduating from Oxford

“After finishing at Eastbourne College I studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at St Peter’s College, Oxford – however more time was spent singing than studying! Since graduating last year I moved to London and concentrated on preparing an application to the Royal College of Music. I’m delighted to say that I have been accepted so will be starting a Masters in Performance in September. I have been fortunate enough to perform in some wonderful locations around London as well as in Oxford and the USA. My highlights have definitely been singing at St Paul’s Cathedral and St Thomas’ Fifth Avenue, NYC. I am currently working in the radiology department at a West London Hospital and enjoy singing in the choir of St Luke’s Chelsea at the weekend with my boyfriend and friends.” sian.sulke@gmail.com

Douce Vergé

“After completing my BEng in France I am now in the second year of my Master’s degree (Environmental Engineering) in Madrid. Next year I may well come back to the UK to complete my studies with an Internship in water management in London. I am still undecided about my future career though but am thinking of possibly taking time out to travel and work with an organisation overseas in a humanitarian role. I am passionate about my singing and before University I greatly enjoyed singing with the Youth choir of the National Opera for four years in Paris. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to continue my singing whilst at University so it is certainly something that I want to get back into as I miss it greatly. Aimée (2005) and Maud (2000) are both well, as are my parents. I am now an Aunt three times over as Maud and, my other sister, Alice have both started families!”

Joe and Daniel catching up with James Smith in Melbourne

John Briscoe’s Letters from oakash Part 2

John Briscoe’s days at St Andrew’s were spent mostly at Oakash (in the village of Chaddleworth) where the school was evacuated to between 1940 and 1945. His letters home were not only carefully kept but also, very kindly, offered to us as a welcome addition to the OA Archive. They provide a fascinating insight as to what it was like to be at Prep School during the War years.

You may recall that, in last year’s Newsletter, we left John at the end of his first year at Oakash, Chaddleworth the school’s evacuated location on the Berkshire Downs just north of Newbury? More than a little bewildered still no doubt by how much his life had changed in the last year. John was sent away to board at the age of 7½ from his home in Suffolk. So why had his parents decided to send him to boarding school at such a tender age and why did they choose St Andrew’s?

John had three sisters, Dorothy-Anne and Susan who were older and a younger sister, Jane. John’s mother also had the help of four servants to run the large family house in Woodbridge. There was Betty (nanny), Moogie (cook) and finally Peggy and Mary (housemaids), and so his homelife was somewhat bereft of male influence; eight females to one male! When John’s father, a Doctor in the RAMC, was posted to Iceland in 1940, it was decided that a greater male influence/role model was definitely needed, so boarding seemed the obvious choice. Although for any parent this must have been an agonising decision coming as it did during the early days of World War 2 fraught with worry and uncertainty.

And why did they decide on St Andrew’s, a good 100 miles away from their home in Suffolk?

John’s father, Dr Daly Briscoe, had read Medicine at Cambridge and whilst a medical student there, he had worked for ELB during the ‘Long Vac’ terms of 1921 and 1922 – the so called second half of the summer term which

undergraduates normally spend elsewhere having completed their exams in May. John’s father had attended Hereford Cathedral School before going up to Cambridge and of course ELB and his six brothers were all Old Herefordians – hence the recommendation that he approach St Andrew’s if he wanted to try and find a place to teach and coach cricket during his summer vacation. So that explains the whys and wherefores as to how John became an Androvian.

So, John’s second year at St Andrew’s would have started, as it did each term by catching the school train. This meant travelling down from Woodbridge to London and then to Paddington where boys would assemble before catching another train to Newbury. John, not surprisingly, loathed these occasions and his mother’s letters to his father recorded the fact that John would be heaving and crying for most of the journey down to London. He also refused to eat anything not only on the day of the journey itself but also the day before.

knew that termtime meant being unable to see your parents for the next twelve weeks as petrol coupons could only be obtained for ‘essential journeys’ and visiting small boys at boarding schools was not deemed to be one of those!

The only consolation for the 8 year old John was that this term he was no longer the youngest boy in the school and the Andro recorded that five new boys started that term. In his first letter (28 Sept 1941) John informed his parents that he had ‘moved up another form to 4a’ which was a sign that, despite his inevitable homesickness, his academic potential as a bright youngster had already been spotted. John’s first few reports indicated that he started in form 3 but was promoted to 4b by the summer term of 1941 and thence to 4a at the start of his 2nd year. In the same letter he let his parents know that “I am in a different dormantry and … we are having lots of concur fights.”

ponder where the Orr-Ewings managed to procure nearly 200 of said items given the restrictions imposed by rationing?!

It could scarcely have been any better for the second leg of the journey except that there would have been almost the entire school catching the train down from Paddington. All the boys were boarders and very few parents, if any, would have driven their sons back to school as petrol rationing was well established by now. Every boy

Good news would come from time to time in John’s letters when one of the boys had a birthday or won a scholarship and there had then been a treat. Later that term he announced that OrrEwing had given the whole school “two tarts each” (Eddie and he were good friends and both had started at the school in 1940). It is interesting to reflect on two things here noting not only how such an act could collectively lift the spirits of the entire school but also

During his second Autumn term John noted that “in two years time I will proberly be having lessons with Mr Hall.” This might not sound significant but for the fact that Mr H W Hall (aka ‘Bolo’) was a Classics teacher and had been co-opted out of retirement (and in his 80s now) to come and teach at Oakash during the school’s evacuation. He had not only taught at St Andrew’s before the war but had written his own Latin textbook too. It is also important to remember that at that time, Latin and Greek, were core subjects of the curriculum and appeared at the top of the school report forms – English appeared 6th on the list below Maths, French and Scripture. Science did not even feature! In fact John’s promotion to Mr Hall’s Latin group was eventually brought forward by a year so that by the Autumn term of 1942, still aged just 9 ½, he had joined this select group of potential scholars. Health played a crucial part in the success and achievements of not just individual boys but the whole school at that time. Bearing in mind that this was still the pre-antibiotic era, epidemics and infections were far more frequent. It was not uncommon in a boarding community for a large proportion of the entire school to be laid low at some stage during the year. During John’s prep school career there were at least two epidemics of Measles (June 1941 and June 1945) which impacted the limited number of cricket matches played during

John’s final report Spring 1946

Airmail to John’s father in India

Cricket team at Oakash 1945, John back row LHS with cap

John’s 1st team colours

John’s Androvian bookmark

those years. A meagre fixture list could easily become a season with virtually no matches played. Another factor was of course the weather. Winters were much colder and snow frequently disrupted the games programme. The ground could be frozen for weeks at a time and so this too affected the number of games and matches played. Winters were grim for all boys as there was very little heating in the building at Oakash but, in addition to this, John often suffered from chilblains as well.

Life in rural Berkshire might have had a simplicity and safety that cocooned you from the bombings that were targeting towns and cities elsewhere but power cuts (up to a day in length) and pump failures were frequent occurrences and these then affected washing and cooking capabilities. A pump failure, such as one that occurred in late October 1941, meant that no baths were possible for the next few days until a repair could be completed. Not that this on its own would have bothered the boys that much as you only got one ‘proper bath’ a week! Knee baths were allowed on a more frequent basis and were taken daily - “luxury!”

war in its various theatres, boys would listen to the radio to keep abreast of significant news (“driving Rommel back in N. Africa” Nov 1942). There were also talks given by guest speakers such as Gen Eustace Tickell speaking on “N. Africa and Italy” in May 1944. Major Bryan returned in Jan 1945 and “talked about the Ardennes,” and in Nov 1945 Col Liddell (Philip’s brother) talked

and John played for the 1st XI in both the 1945 and 1946 seasons – captaining the team in his final term. He also captained the 1st XI Soccer team in his final season (Autumn 1945).

The other topic which featured regularly in John’s letters was, predictably, food! Foods he’d rather not have …… “we have porage nealy every day and how I do hate it so, but still I have grown to like it now.” (20/10/40).

about “The Burma campaign and fighting the Japanese.”

When lessons and games were over there was time to read, play music or make things. Carpentry (with the Blogg brothers) was very popular as was model making with Sergeant Hurd. Boys were a good deal more inventive too and would play games such as ‘English and French’ on the field adjacent to the main driveway. John explained this game to his parents in one of his letters home and his description came complete with illustrations.

As well as Philip Liddell’s weekly updates on Saturday afternoons which kept boys informed of the progress of the

Boys also witnessed firsthand the build up to D-Day as Americans manned a local airbase adjacent to the school. From October 1943 the base became a hive of activity as they practised for the eventual invasion of Europe. The sight of bombers towing Horsa gliders into the air was a regular occurrence and Androvians had front row seats to witness it all! After the American troops left the base in June 1944 the RAF moved in and John described how they then saw the arrival of 4 or 5 Meteor aircraft in June 1945 – thus heralding in the start of the jet age!

Foods he loved…. “ For lunch we had a lovely strawberry tart, it realy tasted lovely and there were some sort of plumes too.” (8/11/42). Similarly “ On Saturday we had sprats for breakfast they were lovely and we had about ten each.” (6/2/44). Foods he had missed….”We had a banana on Wednesday , they were lovely. I had not tasted one in six years.” (10/2/46).

Fruit and vegetables were grown by the boys and these

vegetables – but not soup” when she visited him at half term. He added that if she wasn’t coming then she should send the tins ‘post haste’ in a box labelled ’your sweet ration!’

Sometimes ‘the feast’ would be provided by the school in the form of a St Andrew’s Day meal or an end of term celebration. This was the case in December 1942 when the young 9 year old wrote with understandable joy and excitement… “On Saturday we had a feast in Wartime!! We had chocolate, biscuit wafers, oranges, fruit cake and beautifully cut bread and butter, with lots more if you wanted it, and jellys. The room was beautifully decorated with things across the ceiling, and a Christmas tree. Tomorrow we are going to pack our trunks and we will be very busy.”

John wrote frequently about sport in his letters. He enjoyed all the games they played and gained his colours at 1st team level for soccer, rugby and cricket. However, it was cricket that he loved the most. By May 1943 he mentioned that he might soon be moving up into 1st game cricket. This happened in due course

were enjoyed in season. Boys would also receive parcels from home and John would, from time to time, be sent sweets, boiled eggs, fresh fruit, jam and tinned foods. Sweets had to be handed in but boys would then be allowed to receive them “one a day.”

Now and then John would write requesting provisions for a “feast.”

One such occasion was in Feb 1946 when he wrote urgently requesting his mother bring tins of “either sardines, beans or chopped

John’s final year at St Andrew’s started in Sept 1946 and coincided with the school’s return to Eastbourne. In addition to the sense of euphoria that the war was, at last over, there was the added excitement of returning to the school’s ‘proper’ location – complete with Chapel, Boarding House, playing fields, coastal location and the ‘plunge.’ None of the boys in the school (bar two) had ever seen Eastbourne so it was essentially a ‘new school’ for them all. The only exceptions were Timothy (Astley) Roberts and David Nicholls; both had joined the school in 1939 although David spent almost the entire war in NE India.

John’s chief academic focus in his final year was to win an award to his next school. The challenge was high as he was entered for both Harrow and the Winchester Election (their version of the scholarship). Evidently the school was doing all it could to support him by way of extension work in

Gliders and Bombers Oct 1943

French and English game Feb 1944

Cricket practice

Football positions

Cricket pads May 1943

Maths problem

all subjects in the lead up to his exams. Bolo Hall’s assessment of his chance of success was typically blunt though…….. “ Mr Hall is a great discourager, he says that he still has some hope in me passing my scholarship. He says that all the other scholars haven’t got a chance!”

Harrow held their scholarship exams in the spring term and John was then called to sit the main papers in early February. When the results were announced it was to say that he had been awarded an Exhibition. No doubt to the school’s dismay, John’s father ‘risked all’ by declining the offer as he wanted his son to go to Winchester. This was a huge gamble though as failure to win a scholarship would not necessarily mean him being offered a place, (other candidates gain their place by taking the ‘Winchester Entrance’ papers which are considerably harder than CE papers). In the event John did his best but his chances of success were very nearly scuppered when he went down with chickenpox shortly after arriving in Winchester! He was then quarantined and had to sit the remaining papers in a separate

house before being interviewed by both the Headmaster and the Second Master; subsequently he was moved to the College Sanatorium. It was touch and go in more ways than one as John’s father received a letter from the 2nd Master on 14th June to say that “it looks as though he could be somewhere near the borderline.” A day later came a telegram from the College to give John’s parents the following good news…… “John 19 on roll wins Scholarship congratulations.”

John came 19th on a roll of 22 boys but five of them above him had decided to take

exhibitions and go into a house instead of College. ‘College’ is the medieval boarding house that all Winchester scholars must go into. Holders of Exhibitions can choose to go into any of the other 11 boarding houses.

Apart from winning his Scholarship to Winchester, the other event that John vividly recalls from his final year was the death of John Fewings. JAF had taken over as Headmaster after ELB died in 1933. He nursed the school through the dark and difficult days of WW2 and got the school safely back to Eastbourne in Sept 1945. He had never enjoyed the best of health as he had been gassed during World War

s va LB ard adventure

Inspired by the opportunities and experiences from my time at St Andrew’s and Eastbourne College, the chance to fulfil a lifelong dream presented itself to me a couple of years ago and I jumped at it.

During my time at St Andrew’s there was a talk from someone who had visited Antarctica and I dreamt that one day, I might do something similar. Further inspiration came from exciting family holidays, scout camps and also a number of school trips skiing and attending some of PGL’s Outdoor Activity centres and Plas Menai’s Sailing and Outdoor Centre in N. Wales.

Late one evening in lock down ii I was at home and had just enrolled my children on

the St Andrew’s Ski trip. I wanted them to experience the same joy and inspiration that I had done previously. That same evening, I discovered a company online who run trips to Svalbard, a Norwegian Archipelago that lies within the Arctic circle. It would involve trekking across and camping on the ice. One of their expeditions just happened to coincide with the dates for the school trip so I wasted no time in booking my place immediately.

Svalbard has featured in a number of wildlife films including Planet Earth so the thought of visiting the same area and observing arctic wildlife was just amazing. It would also involve descending into glacial ice caves, summiting unclimbed peaks and taking skidoo trips up to

One. The strain of everything eventually proved too much and he succumbed on 24 Feb 1946 having been in bed for a fortnight with Jaundice.

John’s next letter to his parents on 27 Feb gave details of the funeral which was held in St Mary’s Church, Old Town just three days later. The service was taken by the vicar of St Mary’s but Bishop Carey, a cleric from Eastbourne College and the Rev Francis Browne also took part. The church was packed and amongst those in attendance were the specials and apprentices who, it was decided, should represent the school. It was certainly the first funeral that John had ever attended and, not surprisingly, left an indelible mark in his memory. It was announced that Jack Bryan (OA) was to be the next Headmaster and he took over at the start of the summer term. Despite being a popular choice, his tenure was to last for only one term. Mrs Bryan had been in hospital during that term and, having being discharged, she was advised that the role of Headmaster’s wife might well prove too much for her health.

Chris Laughton

200km across frozen fjords and bays. Anyone who has seen pictures of that landscape will know just how eye wateringly beautiful a place it is. This was surely an opportunity too good to miss!

On arrival I was immediately blown away by just how staggeringly beautiful it is. There were breathtaking views in every direction. I hadn’t realised when I’d booked it that I would be staying in the northernmost permanent settlement on earth. I knew it would be cold but just how freezing it would be was still a revelation to me. Furthermore, I hadn’t anticipated the mountainous landscape that greeted me - I had been expecting flat ice.

From my earliest days I have always been interested in the natural world. This was partly thanks to encouragement from my parents, fuelled further by science lessons at school and finally topped off by my love of David Attenborough’s wonderful TV programmes. If ever there was one animal that I have longed to see in the wild it would have to be the Arctic Fox. Little did I know that I would be getting a chance to tick that off my bucket list later that week!

It happened late one afternoon whilst we were all sat in the main mess tent in camp; one simply walked right up to us! I just couldn’t believe my luck and rushed outside to snap some pictures. There it was just a few feet away, quite relaxed and keen to check us out. It stayed for quite some time before simply turning and walking off into the white arctic tundra.

Telegram to John’s parents from Winchester 15 June 1946

Telegram from St Andrew’s to John 17 Jun 1946

And my journey with an Arctic Fox

Pete Fellows OA (1993) and OE (1998)

It was such a magical moment and that day ended perfectly with another unforgettable sight later the same evening when I saw the Northern Lights for the first time.

I could scarcely imagine that the week could get any better and yet every day brought further incredible experiences. We came across herds of reindeer as we dragged our sledges across the ice. The skidoo trips took us

to yet more amazing locations each with their own breathtaking views. The nature of trekking and travelling in such environments (noisy ice underfoot, high winds, avoiding tangling towed sledges) meant extended periods of solitude lost in my thoughts. I reflected on just how privileged and fortunate I was to be experiencing this whole arctic adventure and recognising the journey of life that had brought me here.

It was then that it dawned on me just how significant my early years growing up and my school days had been for me; they had fuelled this trip. Solo parenting my two children for the last seven years coupled with the isolation imposed by COVID had meant I’d been unable to go on any further Adventure holidays of the sort that I’d enjoyed previously.

This whole trip reignited my passion for the outdoors, for travel and all that accompanies

it. From the personal challenge to the whole cultural learning and the interesting people one meets along the way. I’m now fortunate enough to be teaching Biology at Eastbourne College and hope to inspire my pupils in similar ways. In addition to this I am heavily involved with the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme and have introduced a new initiative for 6th form students – the Leadership, Awards and Personal Development (L.A.P.D.) program. This allows them to gain professional qualifications in topics such as Lowland expeditions, mountain bike leadership, remote first aid, competent crew yachting, cookery and food hygiene. This program is now entering its second year at the College.

A number of people have played a big part along the way and without the support of my parents and the encouragement from certain teachers, I’m sure that I wouldn’t be the person I have become today. So, to the following…… Pete Birch, Colin Venner, Chris Laughton, John Smith, Jan Hafernik, John Wilton, David Beer and Chris Corfield, a sincere ‘thank you.’

e astB ourne’s PreP schoo L s

Eastbourne’s history as a leading educational centre goes back a long way. Its seaside location coupled with its enviable climate proved an attractive combination and many schools were founded and established here in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the 1930s the total number had reached no less than 380 “schools” with a total of over 3000 pupils therein.

There were no less than 19 Prep Schools at that time. As well as these there were many Pre Preps, Public Schools and Girls schools as well as a multitude of Tutoring houses. Since then the vast majority of them have either closed, merged or relocated. By 1990 there were just six schools left in the town and today only St Andrew’s, Eastbourne College and Bedes remain. The last 30 years saw the closures of Beresford House (1991), Chelmsford Hall (1992) and, most recently, Moira House (2020).

The following is an account of Warren Hill which was one of the other prominent Prep Schools in Meads up until the Second World War:

Warren hiLL schoo L

Another school that was located in Meads was Warren Hill School. As its name suggests, it was situated on Warren Hill, now known as Beachy Head Road. The School was purpose built and funded largely by a generous gift from HRH Prince Vajiravudh, the son of the King Rama VI of Siam. Its first Headmaster was Alfred Wilkinson, a 34 year old Master of Art, who had been born in Hong Kong. He had been tutoring Prince Vajiravudh whilst he was in England and a close friendship developed between them. In gratitude for his support, or simply out of friendship, the Prince gave Mr Wilkinson a large sum of money, enough to construct a school.

A 90 year old lease was taken out with the Compton Estate in 1886 for £3600 and Mr Wilkinson was expected to spend a further £3000 to construct a dwelling for the purpose of a school. This he did and a fine building with 56 rooms was duly constructed. Initially the numbers were small but by 1901 the school had blossomed and was a fully functioning prep school. There were now 52 boys, predominantly from London and the south east but also pupils from Germany, France, Brazil, United States and India. In due course boys also joined from South Africa, Siam, Ceylon, Argentina and Egypt.

Warren Hill School site as it is today.

The house on the right, Warren Hill House, was formerly the Headmaster’s House for the school. In recent year’s it was home to a long serving member of Eastbourne College staff.

With an increase in pupil numbers came a greater number of servants. These now numbered 18 and included two matrons, two hospital nurses, one cook, six house maids, one kitchen maid, one scullery maid, one parlour maid, two footmen, a children’s maid and a house boy.

The school continued to thrive although the headship changed a number of times after the Wilkinsons left in 1917. Initially it was taken over by Michael Arthur North and Frederick Roger Ebden BA (Oxon) but in 1925 the former retired and Mr Joshua Goodland MA LLB (Cantab), a retired barrister, became coowner with Ebden. Numbers remained healthy,

although slightly fewer, and in an inspection report of 1929 the school was listed as having 5 day boys amongst the school’s total of 45 boys. The inspectors considered the school’s facilities to be “very good” pointing out that “each form had a form room and one served as a school hall.” There was also a good library which was used as a quiet recreation area. Other facilities included, a gymnasium, a woodwork room, squash racquet courts, a playground with roller skating rink and a playing field for football and cricket practice. The school also had access to a larger playing field for regular games.

The Goodland/Ebden partnership remained for a few more years until July 1931 when Ebden retired. Mr Goodland then continued for a little longer until he also retired, selling the school to Mr Bertram George de Glanville, late of the Ceylon Civil Service and one-time Open Mathematical Scholar of Worcester College, Oxford.

Mr de Glanville issued a new brochure of the school and in it he stressed some of the advantages of the school namely that it was lit by electricity and centrally heated. He also mentioned the Reading Room that was built as a Memorial to the Warren Hill boys who had lost their lives in the War. It contained an ornate carved wooden chimney breast which had the names of all those pupils killed engraved on it.

The brochure also went on to point out that Science, which had formerly been an optional extra, was now part of the curriculum and taught throughout the school. It included Elementary Astronomy, Chemistry, Physics, Botany and Nature Study. Furthermore, all boys took part in class singing and a large proportion of them learnt the pianoforte. De Glanville went on to stress that this took place in ordinary school hours and did not come out of the boys’ recreation time.

Sadly, the 1930s were a time of decline for independent schools partly, no doubt, due to the large number of prep schools that had

Warren Hill School circa 1920 from Beachy Head Road (East Sussex County Council Library and Information Service)

Warren Hill School earlier from the back. (East Sussex County Council Library and Information Service)

Warren Hill School War Memorial.

existed in Eastbourne previously and also the fact that the carnage of the First World War had drastically reduced the number of young fathers and therefore the potential intake of pupils as well.

Warren Hill continued until 1935 when, like so many other schools, it faced closure. However, de Glanville did manage to effect a merger with Ascham St Vincents. He and eleven boys transferred across in the January of 1936 but of course Ascham St Vincents faced similar competition and it was only another two years until Arthur Willis (Ascham St Vincents Headmaster), worried about the threatening situation in Europe, closed the school. He sold the buildings and land to Eastbourne College.

And what became of the wonderful buildings of Warren Hill School? Clearly no other school was keen to take on the purpose built establishment given the uncertainty for the future that prevailed at that time. The buildings and the land went to a residential developer and, by the end of the decade, houses began to appear.

Except, that not all the former school buildings were destroyed. If you walk up Beachy Head Road today you will see a two story property called ‘The Folly’ on your left. The ground floor of this comprises part of the original school building and contains five rooms and a large hall. This was formed as a bungalow when the school was sold and developed. It remained as a single storey building until the 1990s when a second floor was added. At some stage ‘The Bungalow’ became ‘The Folly.’

In the first picture, the Library and Reading room can be clearly seen to the extreme left

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Shereen Hoadley.

Congratulations to Shereen and Nick Hoadley on the safe arrival of Isla Rose Elizabeth on Friday 14th July at 4:44pm weighing 7lbs 4oz. The photo shows just how much she has grown in the last 9 months!

Jim Tantram

Congratulations to Jim Tantram (Head of Nursery) and his wife Georgia on the safe arrival of Bodhi on the 26th April 2023. He weighed 8lb 4oz at birth and is now looking forward to his first birthday.

of the picture. To the right of this can be seen three waist to ceiling windows and, further to the right, two smaller windows. The second photo shows the same section of the building as it is today.

In a similar way, the original Reading room and Library survived and were converted into another residential property. It too had another floor added subsequently and these two houses now make up numbers 19 and 21 Beachy Head Road.

There’s one small mystery that I’d love to solve though. A few years ago I was

Mark and Trudy Tomsett

As mentioned previously, having run the Boarding House for the last nine years Mark and Trudy will be stepping down this summer for a well-earned rest from Houseparenting. In their time the boarding House has seen a total refurbishment and the Tomsetts have created a wonderfully welcoming, homely atmosphere within Colstocks for all the boarding pupils.

Libby and Matthew Minister Into their shoes it is great to announce that Libby Minister nee Hyder will be the New Head of Boarding. She has a vast array of school experience coming from her time working in admissions and marketing at Brighton College before training and transitioning to a more pupil focused role as assistant head of Nursery at Skippers Hill. Libby is both an OE as well as OA and returns to St Andrew’s with happy memories and a desire to provide a home from home for all children, be they occasional, flexi, weekly or full boarders.

approached and asked if I knew the possible whereabouts today of the War Memorial from Warren Hill School? My enquiries, although ongoing, have so far drawn a blank. Did it get moved across to Ascham St Vincents when the schools combined in 1936; not as far as I know? Was it perhaps auctioned when the contents and effects of Warren Hill were sold off before the site was developed; possibly, but who would buy such a structure? Or was it returned to Alfred Wilkinson, the founder of, and inspiration behind Warren Hill School who moved to Wittersham, Kent and enjoyed a long retirement before dying in 1948 aged 92. One very much hopes it did survive and possibly still exists today as it would have been criminal to see such a fine Memorial destroyed when the school site was redeveloped in the late 1930s.

If anyone knows anything more about this splendid memorial then please drop me a line as there are a number of people who would be very interested to have an answer to this question, myself included. Email claughton@ standrewsprep.co.uk. Thank you, Chris Laughton

Libby is excited to be joining a highly experienced boarding team and will be supported in her role by Matthew who will continue in his role as resident house Tutor. So, this is yet another ‘first’ in the history of St Andrew’s to not only have a Housemistress in the role as Head of Boarding but to also have two individuals who are both OEs as well as OAs in the roles of Headmaster and Head of Boarding.

Sally Tomsett

Sally retired at the end of the summer term 2023 after teaching at St Andrew’s for 24 years. Tom Gregory paid tribute to her at Speech Day saying, “Over those years she has assumed many teaching roles from PE to maths

to science to games. She has been a true Androvian and I know that it was difficult for her to hang up her whistle, protractor, lab coat, hockey stick, cricket bat and break time high-vis. Sally, thank you for your dedicated service to St Andrew’s, you will be sorely missed.”

As well as looking forward to having more time with her family and friends, I know she is planning to travel to some of the far-flung places that she and John (her husband) have always wanted to visit. The following pictures were taken on a recent trip to South Africa which included visiting Johannesburg, Cape Town, the Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls and Botswana.

Warren Hill School later from the back (East Sussex County Council Library and Information Service)

All that remains of the school building today (with thanks to Terrie Rintoul)

Isla Rose Elizabeth Hoadley

Jim and Georgia Tantrum with Bodhi

At Victoria Falls

On the way to the Kruger National Park

After leaving St Andrew’s in 2007, Max moved on to Sevenoaks School before reading Physics at Cambridge for both his BA and MSc degrees. He then gained his PhD at Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) specialising in climate physics and environmental economics. He now works there as a post-doctoral researcher.

I contacted Max after hearing that one of his recent papers had been published in Nature. What did you enjoy most about your time at St Andrew’s?

The main memory for me is a sense of community and feeling at home. It probably helped that I had parents teaching at the school, but friends and other staff were a big part of that as well. I also think it was a very active time doing many different things, but I never remember feeling stressed in any way. I think that’s probably a good sign.

What were the subjects you studied for your IB whilst at Sevenoaks?

My higher-level subjects were maths, physics and chemistry, and I took English, Russian and economics as standard-level subjects. From Physics to Climate Impact research is an interesting progression. What, if anything, prompted your decision to pursue this line of work?

People are often surprised by that, but the climate system is mainly governed by thermoand fluid dynamics, so many of the people working in climate research have a background in physics. As for many other colleagues, I’d loved studying physics for the beauty of its abstract and fundamental approach, but in the end wanted to apply myself to something more connected to the “real-world,” or at least something with a clearer purpose. I’d also always loved nature and been conscious of the environment, so it was quite a natural transition. I was also very lucky to find opportunities to support that transition.

What were the findings of your research that Nature recently published in 2022?

Our study looks at how economic growth is connected to historical fluctuations in weather conditions. Building on our work that developed a global database of sub-national economic output, we used statistical methods to identify correlations between precipitation conditions and macro-economic productivity which are plausibly causal. The main findings

were that the performance of economies across the world are closely linked to changes in different aspects of precipitation and, in particular, that heavy precipitation extremes can slow economic growth.

What impact, if any, did the pandemic have on your research?

Good question! For many people it was a difficult time, but for me it came as an opportunity to limit external inputs and focus on a few things that were important to me. One of these was my work which greatly benefited from the time, but I also developed a strong interest in Buddhist meditation in this period which has since been a support for my research and life in general.

Which countries has your research taken you to in recent years?

I work and live in Berlin and have travelled around Europe a fair bit to present work (usually by train!). This has been in Spain, Italy and other parts of Germany. More recently I had the opportunity for a longer research collaboration in Australia and spent three months at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. This was a fantastic opportunity, and I was really lucky to also spend time with ecologists on their research station on the great barrier reef.

What are you currently working on at PIK?

A whole mix of things, it’s sometimes a bit chaotic! Most of the work is connected to understanding climate change and its impacts. At the moment I’ve been interested in applying

some of our methods to assess impacts that aren’t economic and so often receive less attention. For example, one study looks at the amount of time women spend collecting water when they don’t have access to drinking water in their home. Another is looking at how climate extremes can impact terrestrial bird populations.

You have also been working for the European Central Bank. What has this entailed?

The guys at the ECB are increasingly interested in climate change which is great. I’ve been lucky to connect with them and use some of our data and methods to assess how weather extremes can impact inflation, in particular through food prices. We’ve had a lot to learn

from each other, and I enjoyed having a small glimpse into the strange and complex world of central banking, although I found visiting their HQ in Frankfurt pretty intimidating actually! Do you think the IB Diploma (as opposed to A Level) influenced your chosen career path in any way?

It’s hard to say. I think I would have probably followed sciences anyway, but personally I found it really enjoyable to keep some interest in languages and literature alive during my later years at school.

How optimistic are you as regards the planet’s future in the light of recent findings concerning climate change? (latest research suggests that climate models significantly underestimate how much extreme rainfall increases under global warming).

People often ask this and I always find it hard to answer. I don’t think there is any convincing evidence that a run-away climate change could make the earth literally uninhabitable, as some people (usually not scientists) sometimes convey. But having said that the consequences we see are already serious across many parts of the world, not only for nature but also for humans. It’s also certain that these will continue to get worse until we reach net-zero emissions. And on that front, while there are increasingly committed pledges from countries (e.g. to phase out fossil fuels at the recent COP), and emissions are now declining in Europe and the US, global emissions are still increasing, let alone reaching zero.

My main worry comes from the fact that human societies are extremely complex and non-linear, and stable democratic systems, are perhaps, more fragile than we have long taken for granted. The continued intensification of the impacts we see may have unforeseen consequences in terms of migration, conflict and geo-political dynamics which are unfortunately very hard to assess within a scientific framework.

What proportion of global warming do you think can be attributed to natural processes as opposed to anthropological influences? This, at least, is an easy one to answer – none of it! We know that natural processes from cycles in orbital alignment and solar radiation influence the climate system, but when we account for only these “natural processes” we should actually be in a period of global cooling! The role of greenhouse gases in driving global warming has been understood from basic physics (quantum mechanics and thermodynamics) since the early 1900s, and all lines of evidence point to the fact that all of the warming we have seen since the 1900s is due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (check out the recent IPCC report for a summary).

What recreational and leisure activities do you continue to enjoy?

As I mentioned, I’m a keen Buddhist meditator and am lucky to have a good community of people in Berlin who are also very enthusiastic. Other than that, I have two rabbits and an Italian fiancé, and still find time to play music and keep active. I used to play a lot of rugby

A research visit to Heron Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef with a group of Early Career Scientists in Australia. Max is centre back.

(from St Andrews to University) but those days are sadly over!

What achievement has given you the greatest satisfaction thus far?

My final Physics exams at Cambridge were very intense but also very satisfying. I doubt I’ll have such a comprehensive overview of a subject as then. Then, finishing my PhD was a big milestone. But probably I’ve most enjoyed seeing the two Masters’ students, whose theses were the first I supervised, getting excellent grades when graduating. What ambitions do you hold for your future career?

Academic careers are pretty competitive and unreliable, so I’m trying not to be too specific. But having said that, I’d like to have my own research group in which I can supervise students and guide an overall research agenda. Come back and check 5 years from now and let’s see how it’s going!

maxkotz@pik-potsdam.de

After a 2 hour presentation and discussion, Max received his PhD and his graduation hat which, in the German tradition, was crafted by his colleagues to reflect his work and personality. “Mine had a lot of clouds and rain drops on it, as well as a buddha and large rabbit.”

Peter Winch visit (oa 1938)

It’s not every day that one gets to walk into a care home with a gun, but that is exactly what I did a year ago!

At this point I should perhaps confirm that no one was injured or harmed in any way by my doing so. The story as to how I came to be there goes back to May 2021 though when I wrote to an OA whose parents had donated a .22 rifle to the School.

Peter and David Winch were both good shots and when David left in 1939, Mr and Mrs Winch very kindly presented the school with a splendid new .22 BSA rifle.

The event was recorded in the Androvian magazine of that year and I’m sure that John Dent would have been delighted to have this new gun as this was by far and away the best rifle one could obtain for junior shooters at the time.

The BSA, Martini action, rifle remained a popular choice for Prep Schools who shot .22 for many years and indeed I had an identical one at the school I taught at previously. Its light weight and the fact that it could be shot left handed, just as easily, made it the ideal choice for this age group of younger shooters.

When I came to update our stock of older rifles I hung onto this particular gun as it was still shooting straight and also remained a popular choice with our youngsters. Sadly my letter to Peter went unanswered and I was beginning to give up hope of ever making contact with him until a letter from Peter’s son Richard, reached me in Dec 2021. In it he confirmed that my letter had eventually reached his father as the new owners of the property in Hawkhurst knew a forwarding address and where Peter and his wife had moved on to.

Covid then intervened and I was beginning to doubt that I’d ever get the chance to visit Peter and show him ‘his rifle’. I tried to arrange a visit on two or three occasions when my travels took me down to the West Country but on each occasion the Care Home in Salisbury were not accepting any visitors. Fortunately, this changed and eventually all the stars aligned

and I was able to drop in and pay him a visit during the Summer half term of 2023. Peter was thrilled to see his rifle again and we chatted at length about the school in the late 1930s which he remembers fondly. Word spread rapidly throughout the building and it was not long before carers from other floors were appearing to see what all the fuss was about!

After St Andrew’s, Peter went on to Canford School. He then joined the Army and spent the last two years of the war in India. After being discharged he was articled to a firm of surveyors in Steyning and worked there to gain his qualifications. He then joined the family firm of Winch & Sons (estb. 1820) in Cranbrook and he remained with them until 1967 when the firm was sold. Peter then joined the Ministry of Agriculture and worked as an advisor for them on fruit and hop growing in Kent until he finally retired in 1989.

Who are these people in Piglets Pantry with Miss Lozano?

Peter reunited with his rifle

The Winch Rifle

Peter and his shooting prizes (1938)

Father and sons Cricket Match 1938

Sports Day 1934

Sports Day 1934

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from oa s

Many thanks to the OAs who have been in touch over the last year. The date in brackets for each contribution denotes the year they left St Andrew’s.

Chris Boyd (1961)

Photos

Chris kindly sent me a few photos of his time at St Andrew’s that he’d come across whilst clearing out his cupboards at home. Some of these were team photos whilst others were ones that he’d taken himself. Boys of that era (1960s and 70s) will recall the support and encouragement provided by Eric Seir and the darkroom he established upstairs in the old barn. Many OAs developed and printed their first film there. For a number of them, photography became much more than a hobby and they went on to follow careers in the Photographic Industry.

Chris plus friends in the pool (Devonshire Park?).

Chris 2nd from left but can you name any of the other boys?

Magnus Spencer (Ascham 1975–1977 and St Andrew’s 1977–1980)

Reunion of OAs and OEs

Magnus organised a pub gathering at The Ship Inn in Meads on Saturday 17 June which involved Old Aschamians, Old Androvians and Old Eastbournians.

General The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB

CBE DSO DL (David Richards) Ascham 1965

Lord Richards took part in the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6 May. He was honoured to be asked by HM The King to carry the Sword of Spiritual Justice as part of the coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey. In a tradition that dates back to at least the coronation of Richard The Lionheart in 1189, the sword is one of three that was carried in the procession, pointing upwards and unsheathed, representing the king’s various powers and duties. The Sword of Spiritual Justice signifies the Monarch as Defender of the Faith; the other two swords are the Sword of Temporal Justice, which signifies the king’s role as head of the armed forces and the Sword of Mercy, which has a blunted tip, and symbolises the King’s mercy.

In an interview at the time Lord Richards said; “It’s a great privilege because I recognise that many other much greater people than I have historically had this honour. And now I’m doing it for our new king, who I know reasonably well and have a very high regard for, so there’s a personal element to it too.” He said that he had known the king since the – then Prince Charles had served as an Officer in the Royal Navy in the 1970s. Lord Richards added: “when I first met him he was a very normal, approachable officer and that’s how he wanted to be treated and viewed. Since then I have met him on many occasions and I’ve always found him remarkably normal and lacking in pomposity or self-regard.

James Leonard (1979)

Appointed Kings Council Many congratulations to James who was awarded Kings Council (KC) in 2022 and was sworn in at the 2023 silk appointment ceremony at Westminster Hall on 27 March 2023, when the Lord Chancellor formally bestowed the title. The title of KC is awarded to those who have demonstrated particular skill and expertise in the conduct of advocacy. James specialises predominantly in health, safety and environmental law and has an established practice in disciplinary and regulatory cases. He has a considerable background in complex industrial accident cases, fraud and corruption cases, financial services, multi-jurisdictional confiscation proceedings and public law. In 2014 James was the Chambers and Partners Health and Safety Junior of the Year.

Paul Wilton (1983)

Visiting Jake Mackenzie

Paul was recently on holiday in Bali and, whilst there, he took the opportunity to drop

by and visit another OA, Jake Mackenzie (1987) who lives on the island.

Pete Fellows (1993) Expedition to South Africa. Following on from the success of his trip to the Arctic, Pete is taking another expedition but, this time, heading to South Africa and also with eight sixth form College pupils at the end of the Spring Term 2024. This 12 day adventure includes giraffe conservation, a canoe expedition, safari, community visits and cultural tours of the Zulu battlefields. Pete said that it will be “a trip of personal challenge, development and enrichment for the pupils. It’s an exciting new venture that I’m delighted to run in my capacity as head of the new Leadership Awards and Personal Development (LAPD) programme for the sixth form.”

Harry Rimmer (1999)

Winning the Richard Day Golf Singles Knockout

This competition was introduced in 2022 in memory of Richard Day (OE 1987). In 2023 a total of 24 members of the OEGS entered for the competition. The semi finals and final

Lord Richards on the left of the picture holding the sword of Spiritual Justice

Jake Mackenzie and Paul Wilton

Chris, seated centre with 1st XI Cricket, 1961. Can you name any other boys?

Crashed car in Darley Road

Chris Walter Mark Skelton, Toby Edwards and Warren Terry Magnus Spencer, James Dean, Marios Costambeys

were played on 21 October at Rye. Conditions were extremely challenging with torrential rain for much of the day and a very strong wind. A tight final saw Harry emerge victorious by eventually beating David Barwell (OE) 3 games to 2.

Brett Saunders (2005)

John O’Groats to Lands’ End run Brett took on the challenge in September 2023 and planned to complete the distance in 16 days. He was running in memory of Tom Sibree (OE 2004) who died in 2015 from Sudden Unexplained Death from Epilepsy (SUDEP). Brett was raising money for SUDEP Action which is a charity that provides bereavement support for families who have lost someone, raising awareness of the risk that all epilepsy sufferers are at, and researches ways of preventing deaths from happening. Tom’s father David Sibree (OE 1974) is a trustee of SUDEP Action so has first-hand experience of the wonderful work that the charity does. Both the charity and the Sibree family are very proud of Brett’s continued support and the other endurance events he has previously run in Tom’s memory. However, six days, and 411km, into the run Brett had to pull out. Family members including his brother Aaron OA (2008) and his parents (Sharon and Andrew Saunders) took over and ensured the challenge was still successfully completed by either walking, cycling or running 42km each day for the remaining nine days. We’re pleased to say that not only did Brett and his family complete the challenge but that they also exceeded their target of £16,000 and have, so far, raised a total of £18,000 for the charity.

Toby Marriott (2008) Facing England bowlers.

Toby and his colleague Jack Meacher took on the challenge in February 2023 of facing England bowlers Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad at the indoor nets at Lord’s. Toby and Jack run the Cricket District website whose mission is to grow the game they love through the power of social media. From videos of village cricket heroes to features with the biggest names in cricket, they want to celebrate the culture that surrounds the sport and keep the community entertained with the latest news, views and stories from around the world. They have a YouTube channel which includes the popular feature Village vs Pro, in which they go head-to-head with professional cricketers. Being amateur cricketers themselves, they are used to facing bowlers with deliveries at about 50–60 MPH, but the two pros, even when they were holding back, were delivering higher speeds than that. Toby said “it was an incredible day. Anderson and Broad are absolute heroes of ours, so to get the opportunity to make a video with them, let alone have the chance to face them, is a dream come true.”

Hannah Butler-Matthews (2001)

Birth of son

Many congratulations to Hannah and her husband

Doug on the arrival of their son. Miles William was born on 13th May 2023 and Grandparents Dawn and Nigel have been really enjoying their new roles.

Morwenna Kotz (2006)

Birth of daughter

Congratulations to Morwenna and her husband on the arrival of their daughter. Reya arrived on the 16th April and weighed 7Ib 3oz at birth.

Lowden family update

News on Sam, Alice and Emma Jackie kindly got in touch to give me an update on her family. Sam (2006) is still in the Army and is now a Major. He also got married in June 2023. Alice (2007) is a Global Director of Marketing

& Comms for Street Child and Emma (2010) is working as a Political Officer leading backchannel dialogues between Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Emily May (2017)

Duke of Edinburgh award

Congratulations to Emily on recently achieving her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award (May 2023).

Ben Young (2018)

£1000 raised for charity

Congratulations to Ben who, together with Amelia Baldock (OE 2023), helped raise over £1000 for ‘You Raise Me Up’, a charity that provides emotional and mental support to families who have lost a young person.

James Zhou (2018)

Physics Olympiad success

Congratulations to James who won a silver award in the 2023 Physics Olympiad. He recently started his studies at UCL reading Chemical Engineering.

Alexander Davies (2019)

Lord Lieutenant award

Congratulations to Alexander who was recently chosen to receive this award by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Andrew Blackman CStJ. Cadet Warrant Officer First Class (WO1) Alexander Davies was chosen for his outstanding contribution to his unit. One of the highest achievements in the cadet forces, the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet is the aide and representative to the British royal family and the Lord Lieutenant. Alex is following in the footsteps of another OA Ethan Hackett (2016) who won the award in Nov 2020. Anthony Lamb, deputy head of co-curricular at the College remarked that “Alexander exemplified the resourcefulness and determination of the College’s CCF.” This is the third time in the last 15 years that a pupil from Eastbourne College has had such a singular honour bestowed on one of its cadets. He added that “rarely, if ever, has a school ever had so many cadets honoured.”

Oliver Edmead (2019) Arkwright Engineering Scholarship

Congratulations to Oliver who was recently awarded the Ward

and Burke Arkwright Engineering Scholarship.

Isaac Lee (2021)

Design award winner

Congratulations to Isaac who continues to excel in the world of fashion design. He was awarded Joint Winner in this year’s Royal Opera House Design Challenge. He was also selected as one of four finalists in his age category for the Young Fashion Designer UK.

George and Archie Shakespeare (2021) Golf successes

Both George and Archie continue to enjoy considerable success with their Golf. They came joint 10th in the National U15 Championships. They also participated in the prestigious MacGregor Cup, U16 National Finals. This requires players to have a handicap of 1.4 or better to qualify. George is the current U15 Sussex Champion and Archie holds the Martlets trophy for the best performance in both U18 and U15 Sussex Championships.

Alfie Lulham (2021)

Air sortie

Alfie was one of eight College cadets who were fortunate enough to enjoy a flight in a Grob Tutor aircraft with a pilot from RAF Benson recently. Each of the cadets had the opportunity to take control of the plane during the 30 minute flight. Another of the cadets on the flight that day was Eric Wood (2021). Alfie took the opportunity to take some pictures during the flight and one of them, taken from the cockpit was subsequently chosen by the RAF to be uploaded to the RAF’s main Instagram page.

Miyu Katsumata (2022)

UKMT Maths Challenge

Congratulations to Miyu who won an award in the 2023 UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge. Miyu’s score was the highest of all the Y9 pupils who entered.

Georgie Pedley (2022)

Southern Vipers Emerging players

Congratulations to Georgie who was recently selected for the Southern Vipers Emerging Players Programme.

Stuart Broad, Toby Marriott, Jack Meacher and Jimmy Anderson

Hannah, Doug and Miles

Alfie’s flight in the Grob Tutor

Morwenna and Reya

oB ituaries

Gavin Tait (OA 1953)

Gavin arrived at St Andrew’s in the Summer term of 1947. He was a keen sportsman and it was not long before his name started appearing in the Androvian reports for various teams. In his first term he was a member of the 10th XI Cricket team and later that year he got into the 9th XI Soccer team –and so it went on. By his final year he was in the 2nds for Cricket and Soccer and the 1st XI and XV for Hockey and Rugger respectively – gaining his colours in the latter. He was also an accomplished gymnast (captain of PT) boxer (Light Heavyweight winner) and rifleman (1st VIII and team colours). In his last two terms he rose to be Head of Rovers Set and also Head Boy before moving on to Uppingham in the Summer term of 1953.

After his time there he joined the Army and was commissioned into the Household Cavalry (aka Blues and Royals) and lived in London in their Knightsbridge barracks. Gavin’s family had strong links with the architectural profession though (his grandfather was the distinguished architect Sir John Burnet Tait and his father also joined the Burnet Tait and Lorne Practice) so it was not surprising that Gavin would eventually follow suit. Having ‘swapped his sword for a set-square’ he embarked on the 7 year training to become a qualified Architect and once he had done so he was also offered a partnership in the same Practice. Amongst other projects, Gavin was involved in setting up the Middle Eastern branch of the Practice in Riyadh in 1977. One of their most famous commissions was the King Faisal Hospital in the Saudi capital. Nearer to home, he also personally designed Rustington Court, an impressive building that stands at the end of St John’s Road in Eastbourne.

Sadly, his career was cut short when he began to lose his sight in middle age due to macular degeneration. But, never dwelling on his own misfortune, he turned the situation into a positive by setting up his own company, Access Design Consultancy, in 1995. He worked in collaboration with architects, planners and developers to ensure that buildings were designed to meet the needs of all users, including disabled individuals. The company went on to do incredibly well, winning prestigious commissions in places such as Kensington Palace.

In the 1990’s Gavin was to learn of the Amber Trust and their work in providing opportunities for blind and partially sighted musicians. He became closely linked with the organisation and was the first chair of the Trustees holding the post for a number of years. Under his stewardship the Trust was registered as a charity and became incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. Gavin’s interest in Music had been assured a number of years earlier by the marriage of his elder daughter, Lucinda, to Joe Strummer – the co-founder and lead vocalist of the punk rock band, The Clash.

Gavin also worked in other areas for Blind Musicians and successfully led a collaboration with the RNIB to set up the Soundscape Centre in Redhill, an innovative educational provision for blind adults with learning difficulties, to pursue their interest in music.

St Andrew’s clearly meant a lot to him and when he came back to revisit the school in July 2019, I had the pleasure of showing him around. Despite not being able to see the many changes that had taken place since he left, the sound of the spiral staircase and the smell of the playroom and chapel brought memories flooding back; memories that were still crystal clear to him despite the passage of time.

A kind and generous man, with a great sense of humour and a modesty that belied his many achievements. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him, most especially his many friends and family.

Hugh arrived at St Andrew’s in the spring term of 1943 so half of his prep school career was spent at Oakash before the school returned to Eastbourne in 1945. He quickly made his mark as a talented sportsman and by his final year he was a 1st team player in all four sports and gained his colours in each case. Cricket was his best sport though and he played for the 1st XI in both 1947 and 1948. Having Jack Bryan as his set tutor must have been an added bonus for him as well as a perfect role model. As an excellent all-rounder, he also turned his hand to Fives and was the U12 and U13 runner-up in his two final years. His appointment as Head Boy, winning the St Andrew’s Cross and gaining his place at Winchester saw him conclude a highly successful Prep school career in the summer of 1948.

On leaving school he did his National Service before joining Harrisons & Crosfield, who posted him to Cochin, South India, in 1956 to start working in the Tea trade. There he formed several lifelong friendships and made the most of the sporting opportunities, playing with distinction for the Cochin Cricket Club and being selected to play state cricket for Kerala on a few occasions. As well as cricket he enjoyed his squash which was another game he played to a high level. After a couple of years he was posted to Jakarta, where he met and married Valerie, who worked in the British Embassy there, and their first son was born.

In 1963 Indonesia’s president, Sukarno, reacting against the Britishsponsored formation of Malaysia, nationalised British companies and oversaw an upsurge in anti-British sentiment. The young family were evacuated to Singapore and Hugh was then posted to Calcutta, where he was headhunted by Brooke Bond. In 1967, Hugh was posted to Colombo, and after a year or two Brooke Bond promoted him to run their tea operation in Sri Lanka. His maternal grandfather had worked for many years in the Ceylon Survey Department and his mother had spent much of her early life there, so there was already a connection, and he always had a particular fondness for the country and the many friends they made there. Thereafter it was Kenya which of course was the prime source of tea for the UK and this became a significant factor in his future career.

By the time Brooke Bond was taken over by Unilever in 1985 Hugh and his family were back in this country and he was working in London, where he ultimately rose to head Unilever’s tea businesses as well as chairing the UK Tea Association.

He loved his career in the Tea Trade and the countries it took him to, and became widely loved and respected for his kindness, good judgement and integrity.

On their return to England he and Valerie settled in Newick, East Sussex where over the course of 40 years, they developed a much admired garden and a large network of friends. In retirement he took on a range of voluntary and community roles, first as chairman of an NHS hospital trust and then in and around Newick, including volunteering with the CAB and working with IMPACT, a local charity bringing medical care to villages in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

He was a keen walker all his life, exploring the Himalayas, Pyrenees, Alps and several long distance paths in the UK, as well as the Weald and South Downs of his beloved Sussex. He was never happier, though, than at home in the garden with friends and family.

With thanks to Nick Thwaites (son) and David Panter (one of Hugh’s closest friends) for providing the bulk of information included in this tribute.

Hugh Thwaites (OA 1948)

Gavin with 1st viii Shooting team Spring 1953 (to the right of John Dent)

1st XI 1948 Hugh Thwaites middle row 2nd from left

Dr Cressida Jervis-Read (OA 1993)

Cressida grew up in the village of Warbleton and started at St Andrew’s in 1989. She was the quiet academic who, from an early age, greatly enjoyed her studies and furthering her knowledge. She did this most successfully winning two form prizes in the four years she attended the school. She took to the stage and enjoyed performing in three school plays culminating in playing the lead role, of Sir Digby Vane Trumpington, in The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew in her final year. She also developed her lifelong love of music winning two First Class certificates at the Eastbourne Festival with her singing.

After attending St Leonard’s, Mayfield she studied Anthropology at University completing her Doctorate degree at Sussex, writing her thesis on urban migration (“Making Delhi like Paris: Space and the Politics of Development in an East Delhi resettlement colony”). She was to remain in the world of academia working at UCL and Sussex University before settling with her husband, Haris, in Oxford where she became a research fellow at Oxford University in the Oxford Centre for the History of Science, Medicine and Technology. She retained her love of music and was a passionate singer with the Jericho Singers for a number of years. She also continued her love of creating as a keen and adventurous cook and latterly an avid knitter. She could often be found cycling around the streets of Cowley, distributing flyers for the Green Party.

In late 2020, while pregnant with her second child, Cressida was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and despite enduring rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she died in April 2023. She is survived by her husband, Haris, and two young children, Ezra and Aphra, as well as her mother and her sister, Fleur, all of whom miss her enormously.

ascham oBituaries

Robert Gasgoigne-Pees (Ascham 1952–1958; Pennell 1958–1962)

Robert died in 2023 aged 79. At Ascham he won the boxing cup, the John Penn shooting cup and the Browning cup for the best team leader. He continued his success at shooting while at the College gaining his colours and winning the Rattay-Gardiner Shooting cup in his final year. He was one of a number of pupils chosen as part of a pupil exchange with Chiselhurst & Sidcup Grammar School, a highlight of which was a visit to the Chiselhurst Caves Jazz Club. Robert also enjoyed music, passing his trumpet Grade V and was a silver bugler in the CCF band as well as a member of the College orchestra.

Tony Champion (Ascham 1947) and Former Staff (1954–1956)

I have received the news that Tony sadly died in November 2023 at the age of 94. Tony not only attended Ascham as a pupil but also taught there in the 1950’s. It was whilst on the staff that he met his future wife.

Tony Trevelion, Head Gardener

Tony was the Head Gardener at St Andrew’s for 23 years and these were the happiest days of his working life. Before starting at the school he had worked in catering in the Merchant Navy and also at the Duncan Foster Bakery in Eastbourne. But it was a love of gardening and working outdoors that led him to take up the job at St Andrew’s in 1984. He had learned his skills previously working for the Borough Council and tending the carpet gardens on the seafront. These are always a blaze of colour during the summer and Tony prided himself on ensuring that the school’s borders, and those around the Headmaster’s lawn in particular, were always maintained to an impeccably high standard.

Tony had a wicked sense of humour and he always enjoyed a chat and the chance to share a joke no matter how busy the day might be. He had a refreshing take on Health and Safety though and he saw to it that the sticker on his storeroom door in the school barn had an additional letter so that the yellow warning sign read ‘Pestincide.’

In addition to his gardening work he also made his mark in other areas of the school and was responsible for laying the concrete floor in the school barn when the building was refurbished. He similarly helped ensure that the surroundings of the Casson building were picture perfect when the facility was opened in 1985.

Outside of school, he was very much the family man devoted to Joyce, his second wife, who was the mother to Mark and Judy, his two children. He was also incredibly proud of his six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He is greatly missed by all of them.

Other Old Aschamians whose deaths we have been informed of in the last year include the following:

David Ross Clark (Ascham 1954–59; Pennell 1959–63)

Died on 26 June 2021 aged 75.

Derek John Connolly (Ascham 1949–55; Powell 1955–59)

Died on 2 Oct 2023 aged 81 years.

Blane Coulcher (Ascham 1946; Powell 1946; Reeves 1947)

Died on 17 Feb 2023 aged 90, in Victoria, British Columbia.

Richard Dorling

(Ascham 1947–53; Reves 1953–57)

Died in Vancouver, Canada on 15 Nov 2021 aged 81.

Cdr Michael Goodenough Emary RN (Ascham 1947–53; School 1953–57)

Died on 9 Apr 2023 aged 83.

Geoffrey Harry (Ascham 1947–49; Gonville 1950–54) Died on 30 March 2023, two weeks after his 87th birthday.

David Houchin (Ascham 1946–49; Pennell 1949–53) Died on 29 Aug 2023 aged 88.

David Mockler (Ascham 1959–65) Former St Andrew’s Staff (1984–2005) Died on 15 September 2023 aged 72.

John David Paul (Ascham 1945–50; Wargrave 1950–56) Died on 22 Aug 2022 aged 85.

Their obituaries have been included in this year’s copy of the Old Eastbournian . Please go to: https://eastbourniansociety.org/pages/ old-eastbournian and click on the relevant OE edition.

The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew (1993)

The School Year 2023

One of the most significant achievements has been the charity’s success in winning a Wellbeing Award. This recognises schools that prioritise and promote mental health and well being within their communities and is granted by Optimus Education in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau. St Andrew’s Prep was praised for its peer support groups, including Maths buddies, reading buddies and a Play Leaders scheme where older pupils buddy up with younger ones at playtime, the snug for pupils to drop in and more formal listening appointments with a member of staff and its coffee and cake parenting course. The Headmaster

said “In the process of gaining this award, we’ve had some lovely feedback from parents about our staff and how responsive and supportive they are. It’s wonderful to be recognised for our dedication to wellbeing, which sits at the forefront of our educational programme.”

In other developments, the last twelve months has seen the official opening of our Library and also the new ‘Learning Hub’ (located in what was previously the school Library). In other areas 23 scholarships were won by our pupils in Academic, Sport, Music and Drama. On the games front nine of our Athletes qualified for the SAPSA National finals with Nathan Burge winning the 100m

Once again the school has enjoyed a highly successful year with achievements across the full breadth of the educational landscape

final, establishing a new record and winning the Corden Cup. We also qualified for the National championships in Fencing, Hockey, Tennis, Swimming and Table Tennis. Izzy D’Abbraccio deserves a mention for becoming the U13 Girls Epee National Champion.

There was also success at county level with Herbie Gregory becoming the U11 Sussex Champion for Table Tennis. In Rugby our U10 and U11 A teams had unbeaten seasons and in Cricket our school was once again listed in the top 50 Prep Schools for this sport within the country.

In Drama there were outstanding productions of both Shrek (Seniors) and Matilda (Middles). As well as outstanding

performances from the lead actors in both productions it was the collective commitment of the entire middle school that came across strongly in their performance of Matilda

On the Music front it was wonderful to see the quality and depth of talent of so many children being displayed by them in the school Carol Service, House Music competition and Summer Serenade.

As always, a picture tells a thousand words so it is probably better to let the following photographs give you a fuller idea of the variety of events and activities that the children enjoyed during the last twelve months at St Andrew’s.

Back to school tea party – James in full control Carol Service May Fayre

FOSA Summer Ball

Nathan 100m National champion and Record holder

Colour Fun Run

Orchestra Day

Aquarium visit

Greek Day Juniors

Girls U13 Sussex Tennis Champions

Grandparents Day

Family camp

Opening the new library

King Charles’ Coronation tea party Matilda – Middles production

Shrek – Senior production