ISSUE 6
BEVIN
ERNESTBEVIN.ORG.UK
Photo: Press Association
ERNEST BEVIN COLLEGE AND SIXTH FORM CENTRE
PRINCE JOINS BEVIN BOYS ON COURT
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SPRING
2014
P02 SEEKING FORMER STUDENTS – BEVIN LAUNCHES ALUMNI NETWORK AND ORTIS DELEY OPENS NEW SCIENCE LAB P03 GREEN TIE CHEFS IMPRESS THE MAYOR P04 YESTERDAY’S BEVIN BOYS – WHAT ARE THEY DOING TODAY? P06 BEST JUDO SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY P07 RUGBY WORLD CUP COMES TO VISIT P08 SIGN UP FOR ALUMNI NETWORK HERE!
02 BEVIN
WANTED! FORMER
WELCOME
We hope you will enjoy this latest issue of Bevin magazine. We are always pleased when past pupils drop into college to tell us what they are doing now and there is plenty of research on how ‘alumni’ are keen to offer help to their old school when they can. So with this in mind we have launched a Friends of Bevin network and are encouraging as many former students to sign up as possible and to spread the word. On pages 2 and 3 we hear about ways some of our former students are already helping the young people in college now. On pages 4 and 5 there are profiles of students who have attended Ernest Bevin or one of its predecessor schools. We asked them what they enjoyed about school, what they have been doing since leaving and if they have any tips for current pupils; things they wished they had known when they were at school! Ernest Bevin students have always been very sporty and successful. On pages 6 and 7 we celebrate how this success is translating into real opportunities for those young people who excel at their sports. In particular our Judo coaching continues to go from strength to strength, as shown when we were named the Best Judo School in the country last year. Finally we would encourage you to show any dads, uncles, neighbours or friends who came to school here the back page of this magazine. Ask them to sign up to our network of former students – we would love to get back in touch with as many former students as possible. Mike Chivers and Rukhsana Sheikh, Principals Produced from mixed sources and the process is chlorine free. Contact Fiona Wilkins, Ernest Bevin College, Beechcroft Road, London SW17 7DF T: 020 8772 5766 E: fwilkins@ernestbevin.wandsworth.sch.uk Photography: Adrian Pegg Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, we cannot accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form. ©Ernest Bevin College. All rights reserved 2014.
Ernest Bevin is launching a network of former pupils to here has been much talk in recent years about ‘old-school-tie-networks’, usually in relation to politicians in high places and well-known private schools. At Ernest Bevin we are equally proud of the achievements of our former pupils and keen to mobilise our own network. Our teachers are always pleased when former students come back to tell them what they have been up to since leaving. So it is a natural step to find ways of using our ‘old boys and girls’ or ‘alumni’ to help the current generation of students. Bevin can already boast of one old boy in a prominent position in the Shadow Cabinet, Sadiq Khan, MP for Tooting since 2005. Sadiq has been generous with his support of his old school despite his multiple responsibilities in the House of Commons, which currently include Shadow Minister for London since 2013, Shadow Lord Chancellor and Shadow Secretary of State for Justice since 2010. He has hosted visits to his work place and arranged for Bevin students to tour the Houses of Parliament (see inset image). He has also come in to college to talk to students about his career both as an MP and as a human rights lawyer prior to entering Parliament. Who knows if his support will lead to a few more Bevin boys and girls in
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Parliament in the future? Other former pupils with high profile careers are often great motivational speakers. In September 2013 Ortis Deley returned to Bevin to officially open the newly refurbished Science Labs. “I always wanted to be invited back for science,” he said. “I have fond memories of studying in the old Biology block but I love the fact money has been spent on improving the science facilities and I hope it inspires the next generation of scientists. I’ll be looking for our first Nobel Prize winner for science from Ernest Bevin.” Ortis was a Purple Tie who left in 1991 and went on to earn a degree in Pharmacy at Sunderland University. He has gone on to have successful career as a television presenter, actor and radio DJ, presenting amongst other things The Gadget Show. He is now part of an organisation called the Big Bang which aims to increase the numbers of girls and boys taking science. Former students often get back in touch when they have done something out of the ordinary and a great number seem to be involved in voluntary work. Clearly Bevin instils a certain degree of social responsibility into its students and it is great when some of this can be channelled back towards the school.
FAST FACTS :: 2013: BEST EVER A LEVEL RESULTS 71% AT GRADES A – C
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BEVIN STUDENTS NEWS
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Green Tie chefs impress Mayor
Four Year 10 students impressed the Mayor of Wandsworth and two professional chefs in the Bevin heat of the Wandsworth Young Chef competition. Shah Zaib Shamsi, Treyvelle Cox, Jallis Ali & Dilan Patel had two hours to prepare a four-course meal. Shah Zaib (pictured above with the mayor) emerged the overall winner with his starter of courgette frittata, paella main course and cold winter fruit salad with Greek yoghurt to follow. “I wasn’t expecting to win but am very grateful for the opportunity,” said Shah Zaib. Shah Zaib will be mentored by a professional chef and represent Bevin at the Wandsworth final.
Left: Broadcaster and Bevin alumni Ortis Deley opening the newly refurbished science labs. Above: Former pupil Sadiq Khan MP regularly offers support and advice to current pupils. Right: Dr Azhar Saleem visits his old school to talk about his charity work in Haiti.
help the next generation – it’s time to put the future first For example, a couple of years ago Dr Azhar Saleem, a Red Tie who left Bevin in 1998 and studied Medicine at UCL, came in to talk about his role in a medical disaster team sent to Haiti by charity Humanity First after the 2010 earthquake. After his Bevin visit he was asked to become a governor at the school and has also helped Sixth Formers prepare for university interviews. But it is not just about the highest flyers, Bevin remains a comprehensive school with mixed abilities and the key is to give the current generation attainable aspirations. The aim is to build a network of former students from all walks of life. On open mornings former pupils will often turn up with their own family because they are considering sending their son to their old school. These old boys are especially important because they are the school’s grass roots, and what better advert than for a dad to entrust the education of his son to his old school? These are just a few examples of the ways former students help the current generation of Bevin students. We have recently signed up with charity ‘Future First’ to enable the school to keep in touch with former pupils over the years (see box out). This year all our Leavers in Years 11 and 13 will be encouraged to sign up before their exams and we are launching a campaign to encourage those we have lost touch with to sign up too via the school website.
In return, those who sign up will receive a couple of emails a year informing them of news from their old school. There will also be occasional requests for help, for example for careers talks or to those who can spare a little time to mentor a student. So even if you were the one who ran out of the school on your last day without a backward glance, do consider getting in touch. You might have that nugget of advice that will make it click for the pupil currently daydreaming at the back of the class!
Future First is a charity that will help us reconnect with former students and to keep in touch with our school leavers. It only takes a few minutes to sign up at https://networks.futurefirst.org.uk/ former-student/ernestbevin or through links on the Bevin website. There is no obligation to do anything after you’ve signed up but you will receive a couple of newsletters a year to keep you updated about school news and tell you about opportunities to get involved or help out. If you have any questions, please get in touch with Abigail Nokes on abigail@futurefirst.org.uk
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Blue Tie Debating Win A Year 8 team of rising debating stars won Wandsworth’s Model United Nations General Assembly (MUNGA) competition and went on to represent the borough at the London finals of the English Speaking Union Debate Challenge. The photo shows the team (left to right): Akif Choudhury, Joseph Ferguson, Anish Nesasigamany, Calvin Smith and Ravin Ramroop with the trophy they won at the Wandsworth event.
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Sixth Form Maths Challenge Sixth Form maths students recently took part in the UK Senior Team Maths challenge at Imperial College. They faced stiff opposition from teams representing some of the top independent schools but came a very respectable 7th place out of over 20 teams. Well done to the boys pictured above with Mr Segbafah: Talhaa Ahmed, Jiehao Lin, Evi Terziu and Rizwan Mahmood.
:: GCSE 57% 5+ A* – C, INCLUDING ENGLISH & MATHS :: 28% EBACC SUBJECTS
04 BEVIN
Dr Oliver Page 1981 LEAVER
David 1963 Gregory LEAVER
BEVIN BOYS: WHAT THEY DID NEXT We ask former Bevin students what they’ve been up to since leaving school. They also told us a few things they wished they had known when they were at school
a great “debtI owe to the teachers whose commitment to the comprehensive system spurred us on
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I was one of the original school boys who went to Hillbrook School which then became Hillcroft when we went into our brand new building in Beechcroft Road. Up to the time that Hillcroft was created, once you had failed your 11 plus exams, you were consigned to a secondary modern school and were effectively written off. Hillcroft, with its streaming system, meant that you could work your way up in different streams and take exams that were previously never considered a possibility. I, and the other pupils, owe a great debt to the teachers at that time whose commitment to the comprehensive system spurred us on and who never accepted that we were academically challenged. I left in 1963 with three ‘A’ levels and eight ‘O’ levels, and eventually became a Chartered Accountant and Company Director. I kept in touch with Mr Watts, the Head of Accounting/Commerce, who taught me accounts. When he died in his 90s, it was my privilege to speak at his funeral.
I left Ernest Bevin Secondary school in July 1981 with three ‘A’ levels and did my degree at the University of Wales Institute of Science & Technology in Cardiff. I wanted to get out of London and see the world. I have since had a successful career in transportation planning, engineering and safety research. I live in the US and I’m teaching, plus completing a course in forensic investigation with a focus on motorcycle crashes. I got my Ph.D. in 2006 and have visited close to 30 countries outside Europe. My favourite memories of Bevin are of school meals: I miss the spotted dick and custard or jam roly-poly. The one thing I wished I had known at school is the advantage of communicating in a foreign language and that it will open doors in your career. My final bit of advice would be to keep in touch with your friends even if you move away. It is easier now with social media and these contacts can provide invaluable networks for success in the global village.
My final bit of “advice would be to keep in touch with your friends... these contacts can provide invaluable networks.
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Premal Desai 1994
LEAVER
passionate “aboutI amcars, and working hard... has meant that I’ve been able to buy some fast ones...
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After I left school I studied for a BSc in Management at the London School of Economics, part of the University of London. It was a fabulous experience as they had students from over 100 countries! I work for Thomson Reuters and my official title is ‘Global Head of Strategic Marketing & Analytics’. I basically work in marketing and my job is to better understand how customers use our products. We provide financial data and news products for many of the world’s largest banks and financial companies. I am passionate about cars, and working hard at school and work has meant that I’ve been able to buy some fast ones in recent years. At Bevin I was the school table tennis captain. I’m sure standards are better now though! My advice to current students would be to follow your dreams and passions and have a sense of pride in everything that you do. Education is valuable, and provides you with opportunities that many people never have the chance to experience.
:: 2013: 99 SIXTH FORMERS WENT TO UNIVERSITY FROM ERNEST BEVIN COLLEGE
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Kavi 2003 Pabari
PICTURE THE PAST
LEAVER
I distinctly remember the day after my last exam, my mum cooked me the best fry-up ever! I completed my degree at Aston University and decided to go to Law School. I am now working in financial regulation looking at the growing problems of financial crime and money laundering. I am hoping to head my own division soon. Since school I have seen New York/ Times Square, the Caribbean (pure paradise!) and Las Vegas. I remember an inspirational teacher, Mr Muldowney. He was the Sir Alex Ferguson of the school: he just had a way of getting the best out of people, a real motivator. Make a decision about your career post 16 or 18 and try your best to stick to it but never fear change or to try something different. It is those who face hurdles in life, experience new things and overcome difficulties that become stronger people. Education is important but remember to develop other skills as well. Extra curricular activities are brilliant for making new friends and may help you in your future job search.
It is those who “ face hurdles in life, experience new things and overcome difficulties that become stronger people.
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Ahmed Omar 2009
Right: Sixth Formers in 1963 at Hillcroft school, which would eventually become Ernest Bevin College, with David Gregory centre.
LEAVER
Left: Dr Oliver Page, second from left, with fellow Sixth Formers and teachers Mr Atkins and Mr Barnes in 1981.
I am the first “ person to graduate in my family and I would not be where I am without the teachers at Bevin.
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I started at Ernest Bevin in 2001 and had come from Somalia with very little English. I had oneto-one sessions with Ms Lowney which also helped my self-esteem. I left in 2009 with 11 GCSEs and ‘A’ levels in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and Philosophy. I had a lot of support in school from my tutor Ms Dorcely and at home from my Mum. I was encouraged to go to lectures and workshops at St George’s and this helped me decide on my path. After leaving I went on to do a four year Masters in Pharmacy at Kingston University and am now doing my training year at a community pharmacy in Vauxhall. I am the first person to graduate in my family and I would not be where I am without the help of the teachers at Bevin. At school I enjoyed most sports and I still play football and have taken up running. I have aspirations to run a marathon, inspired by fellow Somalian Mo Farrah. I also worked at the Olympics as part of the security staff. This country has done me a lot of good and I am keen to repay the debt.
Imran 2012 Sanaullah LEAVER
INTERVIEW: RIZWAN WAHAB
Mr Chivers said: “ “Say yes to every opportunity that comes to you.” This is exactly what I did during my time at Bevin.
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In the first assembly I had in Bevin in Year 7, Mr Chivers said something which I took to heart: “Say yes to every opportunity that comes to you”. This is exactly what I did during my time at Bevin. Although education is key, the amount of experience I have gained from these other activities has helped me considerably in the real world. Being part of the College Council gave me the opportunity to grow skills such as public speaking and negotiation. I am now studying Law at Westminster University. I was presented with the Naz Bokhari Award when I left Bevin and the opportunities the Naz Legacy Foundation has given me have been truly amazing and certainly unexpected. For example I have met Lord Rowan Williams, Boris Johnson, Nick Clegg and Ed Milliband amongst others. The Naz Legacy Foundation aims to invest in the future by providing young people with support when they really need it. The Foundation has shown me that I should play an active part in the world and that philanthropy is not a job but is a way of life, which is the type of life I would like to lead.
:: THE MAJORITY OF YEAR 11 STAYED ON TO STUDY IN THE COLLEGE SIXTH FORM
Photo: Press Association
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Above: Prince William enjoying his volleyball lesson and tips from Bevin’s U15 Volleyball team. Right: EBC Sports Leaders Terrell Jordan, Rakeem Caesar and Sebastian Espin
Ernest Bevin’s royal volleyball recruit impresses team
SWEEP AND SERVE Ernest Bevin’s young sportsmen have ambitions not only to excel at their sport but also to pass on their knowledge to younger players following in their footsteps
he Under 15 volleyball squad took on a new player in December: none other than Prince William, second in line to the throne! The prince took part in a special session at Westway sports centre to promote his charity The Royal Foundation’s involvement in the Greenhouse Coach Core programme, which trains young people to be sports coaches and mentors. Terrell Jordan, one of Greenhouse’s Coach Core apprentices at Bevin, coached the game. He had some tips for Prince William: “He did very well, but his technique could do with a bit of work. He had a good serve, but he needs to open his hand and he would have better results.” It is not the first time Terrell has had a brush with royalty. Earlier in the year he was flown out to New York by The Royal Foundation to help launch a sister programme called Project Coach as the guest of Prince Harry. During the trip, they visited baseball charity Harlem RBI, where they are employing the same apprenticeship scheme that develops older players into coaches and mentors for the youngest. “We went onto the baseball field and Prince Harry hit a few balls; then there were photos and speeches,” said Terrell. “I was also involved in a closed meeting with the prince and I got the impression he really
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respected our opinions because he listened and asked questions back.” Terrell also joined Prince Harry on stage at an evening gala and spoke about Greenhouse Coach Core to a 100-plus audience, including Prime Minister David Cameron. “I was nervous all day about making my speech but I met Will.i.am beforehand who gave me a little pep talk,” said Terrell. “After my speech he came and told me that my speech was amazing and I would have made my family proud.” (image left) So far Coach Core has enabled 20 young people (four from Bevin) to gain the mentoring skills and qualifications to become paid apprentice sports coaches. Students at Bevin benefit from the extra coaching. Terrell is helping with the U15 volleyball team who have their sights on the London Youth Games. It was this team who got to play volleyball with Prince William. Team-member Vinojh Kalaiselvan was quoted saying he felt sorry for the prince when he was unable to return his serves: “He played well and my team-mates, Umang, Ali & Aleem thought he played well too. If he practises and practises he will be at our standards.” Another player Emre Arslan summed up the day: “I was excited from the get-go. Knowing I was going to play volleyball with the prince made me very delighted. A day I will never forget!”
:: BEVIN JUDO SQUAD AND VOLLEYBALL TEAM NOMINATED IN 2013 WANDSWORTH
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Rugby World Cup visit
Bevin rugby teams were given a boost when they had the chance to be photographed with the famous Webb Ellis trophy as part of the build up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Leonard Ozeel (top right) Under-16 team captain, said: “The Rugby World Cup is the ultimate trophy for our sport, so we were extremely lucky to see it so close up.” Denzel Boatey-Agyei, (pictured second from right) said: “Just thinking about all the people who have touched it on the winning teams, has inspired me to work twice as hard on the rugby pitch and in training.”
Above: Three-time Olympian Winston Gordon coaching students in EBC’s purpose-built dojo. Right: EBC judo successes Haris Kekic and Adam Adnam.
Eric Bonti on how Bevin became the best judo school udo was introduced to Ernest Bevin by a teacher in the late 60s and it soon became popular amongst pupils. In the 70s and 80s, EBC developed a reputation for producing strong judoka and did well at the British Schools Championships. The 90s saw another shift in Bevin’s judo development with the arrival of Margaret and Simon Hicks. Along with Richard Gledhill they produced top fighters such as Winston Gordon, three-time Olympian and Commonwealth Champion; Keith Davies, Commonwealth Champion and several times British Champion; and myself, Eric Bonti, World University Silver Medallist and five times British Champion. Eric Following my retirement from Bonti competitive judo in 2004, I began teaching PE and redeveloping the judo programme at EBC, with the benefit of a new purpose-built dojo. With the help of our coaching team, including Winston Gordon, Darren Hawney and Balmore Ellis, and the Greenhouse Charity we have since built a strong programme which includes judo within the PE curriculum and a community judo club. With pupils now achieving success at national and international level, our vision for schools judo is being realised. In July 2013 we were awarded the title of ‘best judo school in the country’ in recognition of our
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judo team topping the medals table at the British Schools’ Championship in March. Last year another significant development was the implementation of the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence or AASE. This Level 3 course gives aspiring elite athletes the knowledge and understanding necessary for top-level judo performance. Adam Adnam, a student on the programme, said: “I was encouraged by the England coaching team and national coaches to sign up. It’s a recognised qualification that teaches you things about judo that can’t be learnt on the mat.” Adam has stepped up to the U21 age group and has to balance his training and AASE coursework with ‘A’ level studies. Haris Kekic, who is studying engineering in the Sixth Form, is also on the programme: “It is all about understanding yourself as an athlete, for example diet, psychology and training.” Haris hopes to get as far as he can competitively but he is also taking a coaching course, as this is the reality of the sport. We are now even ‘exporting’ coaches, Winston having taken up a position at the German Olympic Centre; but we’re pleased to say he remains a frequent visitor to our dojo. With a strong coaching team and initiatives such as AASE to bring on the next generation, we hope to continue to produce high quality judoka for years to come.
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England caps for volleyballer Ernest Bevin Sportsman of the Year 2013, Cameron Carrington (above: front row, wearing number 6), has earned his first England caps. He played six matches for the Cadet (U17) team as outside hitter at an international tournament in November. Cameron also made selection to the England Junior (U20) training camp in January. Although he didn’t make the final team, as one of the youngest players in the squad he’s on track to join the other Bevin boys in the England Juniors very soon.
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Olympic runner drops in Conrad Williams, the Team GB 400m runner (pictured above), dropped in on the Wandsworth Sportshall athletics competition and found time to pass on some tips to the Year 7&8 teams. The advice clearly sunk in, with the Year 8 team taking the Gold medal and winning the right to represent the borough as the boys team in the Central London finals and hopefully the London Youth Games.
ACTIVE AWARDS :: YEAR 11 FOOTBALL TEAM REACHES LONDON CUP FINAL