As we enter another academic year, I’m absolutely delighted that life at Freemen’s has returned to the active, bustling and exciting environment we enjoyed before the pandemic. This year promises to be full of renewed energy, as we look forward to more activities, trips and visits, as School returns to ‘normal’. This extends to our alumni community, and we do hope to see you on campus again, should you wish to arrange a visit to Freemen’s, relive your old memories, and see for yourself the fantastic developments and updates that have occurred since you graduated.
This return to normality was also evident in the summer, as we received the results of our formal assessments, as A-level and GCSE examination results emerged in August. Despite some continued challenges last year with the ongoing effects of the pandemic, our students showed great tenacity and resilience. The impressive academic results witnessed this summer are a testament to their – and their teachers’ – endeavour. They are also testament to the emphasis the School has placed on pastoral care and the importance of mental health and wellbeing of our students.
Whilst this year’s academic results have been excellent, we should also congratulate students for the difference their contributions have made at Freemen’s. We believe in a holistic education, and so many of our students have really taken on board our mission of ‘learn, lead, make a difference’ and have taken advantage of opportunities outside the classroom. I hope that we have prepared our leavers for bright and successful futures and we wish them every success as they move on to the next phase in their lives.
Looking ahead to this new academic year, I was delighted to welcome back our returning students, and to welcome nearly 130 new students to our Freemen’s community. We wish them every success and happiness as they settle into their new school. There is always a buzz at our first parent event of the year, and it was a pleasure to welcome new parents to join staff and our Freemen’s School Association (FSA) representatives to the newly renovated Main House for the New Parents’ Coffee Morning on the first day of term. It was also wonderful to see our new uniform making its first appearance earlier this term, as pupils arrived in their brand-new attire.
The start of the academic year also brings with it new opportunities and events. From our extremely popular Open Days for prospective families (with over 300 families attending our Open Day in September) to our programme of alumni activities for you, our former students. There is much to celebrate and look forward to at Freemen’s this year, and I hope to meet with many of you in the coming months.
As ever, Roland.
What a privilege to publish my very first edition of Freemen’s Calling magazine. Since joining Freemen’s in April 2022 as (interim) Director of External Relations, it has been an enormous pleasure to get to know the alumni community better – from those living near the School gates, to those the other side of the world. It was wonderful to also meet so many of you in person recently at our London alumni reunion event (see feature on page 10).
To celebrate the launch of the brandnew Freemen’s Global initiative (see full article on page 14), this edition of the alumni magazine is going global! I hope you enjoy our features on Freemen’s graduates who have made new lives for themselves overseas, and read about their adventures along the way. It was wonderful to read the
We would love to share Freemen’s news with even more of our alumni community. However, to ensure the School remains compliant in how we use your data, we do need alumni to ‘opt-in’ and provide consent for us to issue invitations to events or to receive communications, such as the alumni magazine. So, if you know of other Freemen’s alumni who may not currently be receiving any information from the School, please do encourage them to contact us, so that we may update our records and keep them informed of our wonderful alumni programme.
words of wisdom they shared with our current students – many of whom are currently navigating their way through subject options and university choices. I hope you enjoy meeting our newly appointed Head of Future Pathways (see article on page 4), whose role will specifically support our students with their future aspirations.
Finally, I’m delighted to announce the expansion of the School’s Alumni and Development team. As a result of increased engagement with our former students, and a growth in donations from supporters, Freemen’s is proud to invest in two new team members, so that we may offer the best service to you, our alumni, and contribute even more to achieving the School’s ambitions. Please do get in touch should you have any ideas of activities,
events or communications you would like in the future.
I do hope you enjoy this latest edition of Freemen’s Calling and look forward to receiving any of your thoughts or comments at development@freemens.org
Best wishes, Rhian.
I’m delighted to have been appointed as Head of Future Pathways from September 2022. This new post will build on our excellent careers provision and provide outstanding support for all pupils. I am very much looking forward to working closely with our student community to support them in their future aspirations.
Through a combination of a comprehensive Careers Programme, Higher Education Guidance and Future Pathways events, students can access the information they need to make informed choices; recognising that each student is on their own unique journey and will require bespoke support. Many students wish to directly progress to Higher Education, whilst others prefer to explore other options such as entering a specific career or embarking on some overseas travel. Apprenticeships can offer a very attractive alternative to university, allowing pupils to gain qualifications,
valuable work experience, and a salary simultaneously. At Freemen’s, we are keen to ensure that every pupil is aware of all the opportunities – so they may choose the best outcome for them.
We really value your input, as alumni, into the guidance we provide to our current students. After all, who better to share their top tips than former Freemen’s students? Over the coming months, we will be hosting a number of fantastic events, such as our annual Careers, Education and Gap Convention (Thursday 24 November 2022), regular careers and guest speaker seminars, a brand-new Alumni Careers panel event (2 February 2023), International Women’s Day (March 2023) and our popular Oxbridge panel event (June 2023). We would very much like to draw on your expertise, so if you would be interested in being involved, please contact Lucy. ryckaert@freemens.org
I am delighted to share that Freemen’s was recently recognised for the work of the Eco-Committee and awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag, with merit accreditation. Comprised of staff and students, Freemen’s Eco-Committee was proud to learn this summer that the School has gained commendation not only for the improvements made across the organisation to boost sustainability, but also commended for the manner in which the students themselves have taken the lead in these activities, and felt empowered to launch new projects and Schoolwide initiatives.
Such intiatives have included profile raising of environmental topics across curriculum subjects, in addition to student-led assemblies and debates. The new FSA-funded ‘green room’ outdoor classroom (more information on page 42) was also highlighted as a particular success by the Green Flag committee, as well as the external partnerships with sustainability focussed charitable organisations, to deliver messages about climate change. The judges noted: “your application made us feel really positive for the future… We are so impressed by your achievements this year”. For more information on the work of the Eco-Committee please contact me, on ofelia.buenolopez@freemens.org
As you are no doubt aware, City of London Freemen’s School was set up in 1854 to help orphans of the Freemen of the City of London. As we approach our 170-year anniversary (June 2024), we are looking forward to celebrating with a large-scale event, open to all students, parents, the local Ashtead community, charitable partners and, of course, our alumni. More information to follow in due course!
However, as we look to the future, we should also respect our past, and the charitable principles upon which the School was founded, through the offer of a free education to any promising child, no matter their family’s income or assets. This was the School’s aim in 1854, and our commitment to increasing our bursary provision remains a key goal of the School today.
We are, therefore, proud to launch our new bursary fundraising campaign: ‘Freemen’s Fellowship 170’ to align with our upcoming anniversary celebrations. For the next two years, we will be running events, selling Freemen’s branded merchandise and seeking donations to boost our bursary fund. This is what a bursary means to one of those students:
“Without my bursary, I would not be academically thriving within this
fantastic school. I am eternally grateful for your generosity.” Roland Martin agreed: “This year’s A-level results confirm just how life-changing bursaries can be, with students in receipt of bursaries receiving some of the top A* grades and securing their places at their first choice Universities. For many such students, they will be the first in their families to attend universities.”
Already the School receives support via donations from current parents, alumni and organisations. The Worshipful Company of Grocers is one such supporter, generously contributing to Freemen’s bursaries for many years. What is their motivation? “Supporting young people to succeed in education and nurturing future talent is fundamental in ensuring a prosperous future for all. Bursary support opens up the option of private and often boarding education to a wider range of students. This benefits those who might not ordinarily think
this is an option for them as well as giving a more diverse and enriching environment for those within the school. It is natural that the Grocers’ Charity would wish to invest in young people in this way. We are proud to be linked to City of London Freemen’s School and enjoy watching the successes of students that we have supported.”
Whilst we are so proud of what we have already achieved, there is much more we could do – with your help. As alumni of Freemen’s, we would love your support with this campaign. Your donation to the bursary fund will go even further thanks to the generous match funding contributions provided by the City of London Corporation. To discuss this further or to pledge a donation to the #FF170 bursary campaign, please contact the Development & Alumni team on development@freemens.org, call us on 01372 822444.
“Year 3 at Freemen’s is about developing independence and confidence in a secure, warm, familial environment. And making lots of new friends” – Mr Matt Robinson, Head of Junior School.
Many of our alumni community joined Freemen’s in Form 1 (or Year 3, as it’s also known in the English National Curriculum) –our earliest point of entry, before progressing through the School. But do you remember much about your first introduction to Freemen’s? Or wonder what we offer these days for our youngest students?
During these first few weeks at their new School, students in Form 1 have shared their experiences with us and they have demonstrated how they live the Junior School values of ‘Kindness, Honesty, Fun’.
Last year’s Form 1 students (now in form Lower 2) remembered all too well how it felt to be a new student at Freemen’s. They wanted to welcome the new Form 1 students to the School and set their minds at ease, so they wrote individual welcome letters to the new arrivals. When asked how they felt when they read their welcome letters, new student Lauren commented, “I love this! It is so sweet!” and William added, “I felt warm inside my heart.” Olivia shared, “I felt welcomed”.
“Science is fun!”
(Year 1S student)
As the new term got underway, our Form 1 students were encouraged to get to know their new classmates better with a teambuilding day. Working in a team, one of their challenges was a Scavenger Hunt, with the map designed to help them become more familiar with their new surroundings.
Students also enjoyed supporting each other in the Foam Path challenge and encouraged their new friends to succeed. Callan, for instance, demonstrated his kindness and leadership skills by asking his team “Are we all okay?” Austin replied, “It’s super tricky!” and Ruby responded, “That’s why we are working as a team!”
After a busy day, the Headmaster arrived to read the Form 1 students a story, to allow them to catch their breath after all their exploring.
Our youngest students enjoyed their first visit to the Science Lab, where they learned about safety in the laboratory and modelled the safety goggles and lab coats to protect them. They studied the 10 key rules of the laboratory and were excited to learn about the different experiments and opportunities which will arise in the Form 1 science curriculum in coming months.
The students’ first maths class saw them working together in pairs to problem solve a place value riddle. Matthew asked his partner kindly after explaining the problem, “Do you understand now?”
In addition to the curriculum-based lessons, students in Freemen’s also benefit from the School’s Enrichment programme. At this early stage in the new academic year, this included students singing together. Within the wellbeing unit, Year 6 (or Lower 3 as we know it at Freemen’s) came together as a carousel and shared their knowledge and skills with the new Form 1, providing the comfort that the older students would support them during their time at our School.
As the first point of entry to Freemen’s, Form 1 is a popular time to join the School. On Saturday 24 September, we welcomed nearly 50 families to Freemen’s for our Junior School Open Day, with families keen to explore admission for 2023 enrolment. If you would like any more information about Junior School or admissions, then please contact: admissions@freemens.org
Senior School, gives the older students the ability to reconnect with their friends and allows pupils to become more intellectually curious as we are amongst people of our age. University styled space allows me to experience what is around the corner, and I feel I will be more prepared for university style learning.”
Lila, a current Year 13 student, also experienced her Lower 6 in the newly opened Main House: “As I am studying Psychology, Religious Studies and English Literature as my A Levels, the majority of my lessons have taken place in Main House... the layout of the rooms make the classes feel like they are much more of a community and gives them more of a collaborative feel, making the lessons much more enjoyable.”
Adam, also now in Upper 6 recalls his feelings about Main House prior to the renovation: “When I joined the school seven years ago as a Junior, Main House was nothing more to me than the cramped lunch hall and the dilapidated changing rooms. These days, the new Sixth Form Centre is the ultimate learning environment for the most senior pupils. The architecture feels fresh thanks to the modern refurbishments, while not covering up too much of the original, historic features; proudly maintaining its historic soul.”
In the previous edition of Freemen’s Calling (2021), we showcased the renovations underway at Main House, as the transformation took place to create the new, bespoke Sixth Form Centre. The freshly renovated facility opened in September 2021, to rave reviews.
Chloe, a student now in Upper 6 (Year 13) who enjoyed her Lower 6 year in the £23 million renovated building, shares her views after benefitting from these new facilities for the past academic year: “In Sixth Form you gain a sense of independence, which is why it is vital to have a space to accompany this new age. Having a mini campus, away from younger members of the
Chloe enjoys the versatility of the facilities and space: “The Orangery is a place students can concentrate on their academic work. The new Library allows pupils to ditch their electronic screens, to enjoy a good book, or have quiet time away from their peer group”.
Such a dramatic transformation has had a tremendous effect on the students, with Sixth Formers taking advantage of the social aspects of the building, as well as its academic benefits. Lila notes: “I spend a lot of my time in the Common Room, which is a really nice space for the two sixth form year groups to mix. Having a café in the Common Room is also very popular. I use the Orangery and the Study often, as they are very quiet spaces which are perfect to finish off work, or do some revision.”
Chloe agrees on the social benefits: “Sitting in the Common Room has been a home from home for most students. I am always chatting with my
friends on the same sofa every day, which has now become a comfort – especially as Sixth Form life can be stressful at points, particularly when the deadlines are looming.”
Adam feels he speaks on behalf of his peers when he observes “It is this choice to let us students use the building as we wish that is my favourite part of Main House: this independence makes me feel mature and respected as a student.”
Another star attraction in the Main House are the ultra-modern X20 media facilities, used by our Freemen’s Global A-level teachers. You can learn more about this innovative, technologydriven international project on page 14 of this magazine. Following the results of the A-level examinations in August, Philip Woodhouse, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the City
of London Freemen’s School, commented: “I very much hope the students have enjoyed being the inaugural year group which has experienced life in the visionary Sixth Form facility, which – having been opened in September 2021 – has been developed to ensure that students in the Sixth Form have the best education possible.”
If you would like to see this beautiful restoration for yourself and arrange a trip down memory lane on an alumni visit to campus, we would be very happy to arrange this with you. Please contact development@freemens.org to discuss your dates.
If you would like to make a donation to future capital fundraising campaigns, such as Main House, then we’d be delighted to discuss this with you in further detail.
After three years without social gatherings, it was not a surprise that so many former Freemen’s students jumped at the opportunity to reunite at our recent alumni event, held on Thursday 6 October near London Bridge.
Welcoming the alumni to the event the Headmaster, Mr Roland Martin, remarked on the wonderful turnout – with graduates from the Class of 1965 through to the Class of 2018 in attendance!
Whilst there was no theme to the reunion, we were keen to ensure that alumni more advanced in their careers or having retired with that wealth of expertise behind them would share their knowledge with our younger graduates. It was wonderful to see many of our alumni from across the generations enter into this spirit – sharing memories not only of their time at Freemen’s, but also sharing advice and tips to support those starting out in their careers.
Held at the Brigade Bar and Kitchen which, itself, has a wonderful social mission, this was the perfect venue for the Headmaster to introduce the alumni to the Freemen’s Fellowship 170 campaign, and our mission to increase the number of bursaries offered to future students.
For many alumni, this was the first time they had met in person since graduating and, with delicious food and plenty of beverages, the evening was packed with conversations, reminiscing and much laughter. It was truly a pleasure to attend. We hope to see many more of you at future occasions.
To ensure that you are invited to future alumni events, please check that we have the most up-todate contact information and consent for you. Please contact development@ freemens.org if you are in any doubt.
By Rosemary Roach (nee Wilkes)
I joined Freemen’s in 1959, gaining my A-levels in English, French and German in 1967. Equipped with these languages, I began a challenging career with Lufthansa German Airlines that was to last for 32 years, until early retirement in 2000. My school days were happy, busy and fulfilling, not only with academic studies but also with sport, music, social activities and duties as a prefect and Head Girl in my final year. I was determined to achieve academic success to set me on a good career path. In addition to my academic work I studied piano, my father having decided I should receive private tuition at school, the great benefits of which would only become apparent to me in later life.
My father, Jack Wilkes, after whom this bursary is named, chose Freemen’s for the education of my sister and me, despite the considerable financial burden this placed upon him and my mother. He was a very kind, generous and modest person, and I was indeed fortunate that he decided on Freemen’s for us. The broad-based education I received there set me up for a successful career.
I studied piano for several years at school, reaching Grade 6 standard and eventually playing well enough to give occasional solo performances in school concerts. However, as my A-level exams approached, I found it difficult to devote sufficient time to my piano practice. This time pressure was to continue due to the demands of my career and, as a result, my piano playing ceased completely for almost 50 years! It was only upon my retirement that I finally plucked up courage to resume the piano and I was amazed to discover that I could still read music and find my way around the keys; clearly what I learned at Freemen’s all those years ago had been safely stored in my brain. The piano tuition I received at school had also instilled in me the deep love of music that has enriched my life.
My father died in 1990, but my mother passed away only in 2021, just one month before her 99th birthday. After her passing I wanted to show my appreciation for the opportunities that were made available to me at Freemen’s and, at the same time, to commemorate the efforts of both my parents – especially my father – in providing those opportunities. This inspired my donation to Freemen’s, and the establishment of the Wilkes Piano Bursary. The aim of the bursary is to encourage students to incorporate music into their lives – students whose financial circumstances may otherwise mean that paying for additional piano tuition is beyond their family’s means. Students in receipt of financial support at Freemen’s will be able to apply for the Wilkes Piano Bursary, and I hope playing the piano brings them the same great pleasure and benefits that it has brought to my own life.
I am certain my father would be very happy and honoured to have this bursary named after him, and to know that it will help so many young people at Freemen’s.
Over the past few years, as borders closed and the pandemic hit, one might have assumed that activities at Freemen’s had remained local, and that developments were restricted to our immediate surroundings. However, at Freemen’s, we like to challenge expectations and so, at this time when many of us remained closer to home, a brand-new global education initiative was born within the School. David Boddy, Head of the new Freemen’s Global programme shares more with us about this innovative project (the only one of its kind in the UK!) on page 14.
Meanwhile, a survey during the academic year revealed that nearly 140 Freemen’s students speak a language other than English at home. A survey conducted by Dr Alicia Palomo Lopez (Head of Freemen’s Languages department) as part of the 2022 European Day of Languages revealed this remarkable statistic. These results shine a light on the diversity of our community, and it is a real testament to the ability of our students (and their teachers) that over 14% of
our student body are achieving academically in their second (or third!) language.
With approximately 10% of our students holding an international passport, and a thriving and diverse Boarding house, Freemen’s may physically be located at Ashtead Park, but our global reach is expanding. You can read about the Headmaster and Head of Admissions’ spring visit to Nigeria on page 18, whilst the summer saw many of our Senior School students enjoy an adventure to Borneo. They share details and amazing photos from their trip with us on page 16.
Home, for much of the alumni community, is beyond UK borders. Since graduating, Freemen’s alumni have broadened their horizons and embarked on new adventures across the world, with many setting up new lives for themselves overseas, or returning to their home countries. Let’s bring a slice of the world to Freemen’s. Let’s meet some of our alumni currently living overseas, and hear their stories from page 19.
City of London Freemen’s School has never been afraid to challenge the norm. Whilst many other independent schools have expanded their reach internationally through the construction of bricks and mortar schools and overseas franchises, here at Freemen’s Global we were keen to try something different. I am delighted to introduce the new remote-learning venture launched in September 2022, for pupils attending Freemen’s partner schools in South Korea, Germany and Italy, with a whole host of new partners lined up to follow. Through harnessing the brilliance of our teachers, we are delivering A-level lessons into the classrooms of our partners via a state-ofthe-art Immersive Digital Technology, originally developed for Harvard University.
The Coronavirus pandemic did for the global acceptance of online teaching what penicillin did for medicine – revolutionised it in rapid time. Developing the technology was not far behind, led by US family-owned firm, X20 Media. They had developed a USD $5million multi-media teaching suite for Harvard a few years earlier, and the leadership team at Freemen’s saw an opportunity immediately to do something no one else across the world has ever done – create a Global classroom, with children from different backgrounds, cultures and outlooks, sharing the same learning opportunity, with live lessons delivered by our top teachers.
The essence of the X20 Platform is that it sets the teacher free to teach. Unlike other platforms, teachers are not locked behind two square inches of glass. They can walk around the classroom
(located in the newly renovated Main House) and interact directly and easily with students on the video wall. Their image is life-sized and directional speakers allow the teachers to respond and react, just as they would in an in-person classroom. This ensures that the teacher can effectively monitor progress, observe if there are questions, and encourages improved classroom engagement.
One major decision taken by the Headmaster, was that children should not be taught in their homes; presence in a school setting is vital for the social and emotional well-being of young people. This led to the decision to form a series of partnerships with like-minded schools across the globe. Students on the Freemen’s Global programme, therefore, attend their local partner school, undertake local curriculum requirements and pastoral care, but attend their academic lessons with Freemen’s teachers remotely in a dedicated “Freemen’s Room” in their school, which we believe to be absolutely essential for the students’ wellbeing.
The first phase of the Freemen’s Global Pilot launched just a few weeks ago with a small number of students and three partner schools.
Other partner schools from Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa are expected to join phase two of the Pilot from September 2023. Also commencing in Easter and Summer 2023 will be dedicated revision programmes, open to all students on the Freemen’s Global programme ahead of the examinations, which they will sit in their local schools.
In addition to benefitting from Freemen’s specialist University application counselling service (just as their Surrey counterparts receive), graduates from the Freemen’s Global programme will also join the School’s official alumni network – opening up further opportunities for them to connect with alumni worldwide and to identify opportunities for networking and career progression.
As a former Headmaster myself, what I find brilliant about this initiative is the bringing together of different cultures, backgrounds and understanding into the same classroom. Imagine a discussion about inflation and cost-of-living, where the Korean experience can be compared with the Italian or German understanding, for example. And the friendships made amongst the global student body will open up connections and opportunities for students which are unrivalled.
To find out more, please contact me at david.boddy@freemens.org
by Miss Farrington
Just before the end of the summer term, a group of 11 intrepid Freemen’s students from Lower 5 and Lower 6, along with Mr Graham and Miss Farrington, embarked on a three and a half week-long expedition to Borneo. This trip had been several years in the making, so everyone was excited. The expedition was coordinated through Adventure Life Signs and we were also accompanied by a member of their team to guide us, which provided extra reassurance.
We had a great itinerary planned. We combined sight-seeing with jungle trekking, alongside working in a local village to help develop their fledgling eco-tourist industry. Our initial sightseeing took us to Kota Kinabalu where on our first night we sampled freshly caught fish at the market, with some students being adventurous enough to try the eyeballs. We also encountered our first translation mishap when it came to payment, but thankfully that was sorted quickly and served as a good learning experience for the students. We then travelled to the jungle with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. Spending two nights sleeping in hammocks was highly memorable, particularly when their waterproof nature was severely tested. Many damp students, and staff, were very quiet at breakfast the next morning. The jungle was definitely a test, but it was lovely to see the students come together and support each other through those tough climbs. We were always only
“just under two kilometres” away from camp according to Elsie (guide) which went some way to boosting morale.
Following the jungle, we travelled to the national park in Mulu to encounter some wildlife and our first taste of the many caves of Borneo. A particular highlight was watching the bats streaming out from the world’s largest cave, as well as the botanical trails and attempting to (unsuccessfully) spot a hornbill from the bird watching tower. Next on the itinerary was Kuching where we explored a vibrant and lively city with a beautiful waterfront. The students adored Kuching, and we all wished we had more time to spend there, but our onward commitments awaited: our next stop was a nearby village to embark on our community project. Cue a week spent being thoroughly spoiled by exemplary Malaysian hospitality from the village families, as well as learning the Malaysian phrases for “No Littering” and “No Smoking”, as we supported the community in creating new signage to display in the local environment.
The students thoroughly integrated themselves into the village community, including the local school, and their ability to overcome the language barrier when interacting with the local children was truly heart-warming. The real highlight came midway through the week during an epic football battle against the village. Sadly, the result did not go our way, but great sportsmanship was shown. Our time in the village culminated in a celebration evening where we were taught local dances. This proved both entertaining for us and the villagers, so we’re not sure that the quality of the Freemen’s dancing was fantastic!
The trip ended where it began, back in Kota Kinabalu where the students reflected on all the experiences that they had and were able to enjoy some relaxing time at the beach. Every student at some point had displayed excellent leadership, organisational and personal skills, alongside a fantastic cultural awareness, learning lessons about themselves that we hope will stay with them forever. Now, where to next?
It is always a joy for me to meet students enrolling at Freemen’s each year from all over the world. With a thriving boarding community of some 66 students, and approximately 10% of our entire student body holding international passports, Freemen’s is proud to welcome students from so many countries this year, including China, USA, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Nigeria, in addition to our UK-based Boarders.
In recent years, we have observed an increase in enquiries from Nigeria, and so, in May this year, we decided it was high time we visited. The Headmaster, Roland Martin, Head of Boarding, Alan Auld and I travelled to Nigeria for the UK Boarding Schools Week, where we thoroughly enjoyed meeting with
prospective families in Abuja and Lagos – with the Freemen’s stand at the exhibitions proving particularly popular, as you can see from the photo of Mr Martin and Mr Auld.
Our trip also included a visit to some local and international preparatory and secondary schools, to help us understand the local market and the aspirations of their pupils and parents. A particular highlight was meeting the parents of some current Nigerian boarding students face-to-face, after lockdown had restricted communications to e-mail alone. Sending your child to board overseas is an anxious time for parents and it was good to meet in person and provide reassurance.
Of course, it wasn’t all work. One of the highlights of the week was an invitation to the Deputy High
Commissioners’ residence in Lagos for their celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a particularly poignant memory now. All the great and the good of Lagos were there, and we spent a fun evening rubbing shoulders with members of the Nigerian business community, as well as footballers and pop stars. I am only grateful that the video footage of me dancing with D’banj (aka the Koko Master), one of Nigeria’s most popular singers and rappers, did not go viral!
We are looking forward to a return trip to Nigeria, and also to neighbouring Ghana, next year. If you are currently living or working in Nigeria and would like to share a story about your experiences there, we would love to hear from you, and perhaps to have the opportunity to meet up with you when we next visit. You can contact us at development@freemens.org
After undertaking his O-levels at Freemen’s and completing his remaining studies in the UK, Martin joined the Royal Hong Kong Police in search of adventure! Although he enjoyed his time overseas, Martin subsequently returned to the UK, but having been bitten by the travel bug, worked for a large British company “which had me travelling to most parts of the world”, culminating in a move with his wife to Singapore. “We made the most of the experience, spending a lot of time off the beaten track around Asia and Australia, making memories that are still strong with us now. After another move back to the UK, we started a family and I was given an opportunity to take up a two-year contract in Ontario, Canada. We went for it! The two-year stint turned into three, and then four, and here we still are after twenty-eight years. It’s home.”
Whilst Martin had already enjoyed international travel and other cultures since his late teens and didn’t necessarily experience a ‘culture shock’ in moving to Canada, he admits that his family’s first winter in Canada’s climate was certainly a cold shock! He soon learned to take advantage of the season, through skiing, skating and admiring the incredible snowy landscapes. “I found travel gave me a glimpse into other cultures, new landscapes, and fresh environments.”
With experiences such as backpacking from Hong Kong to the UK, via white water rafting in Nepal, Martin’s journey certainly hasn’t been dull, as he encourages Freemen’s current students to identify their passions and really strive to achieve them: “It’s fun and rewarding, and the journey is never done.”
Sharing memories of his time at Freemen’s, Martin recalls his fascination with history: recalling “the Headmaster arranged weekend field trips to museums and castles which were always great”, though perhaps his other significant memory wasn’t quite so light-hearted: “The boys’ changing room in the Main House basement was supposedly haunted, and we never took long to get out after rugby!” Martin credits Freemen’s with helping him develop many of the skills that have helped him succeed with his career and new life in Canada: “the disciplined school structure taught me the importance of focus and effort. I left the School with a good sense of confidence in my abilities and the independence to make things happen.”
“I was looking for adventure…and I found what I was looking for.”
Graduated from Freemen’s: 1983
Richard, his sister, Fiona, and brother, Michael, attended Freemen’s as Boarders while their parents worked in the Foreign Office. With the family based in the Middle East, Richard, Michael and Fiona were pleased to attend a co-ed School, which Richard credits with enabling the siblings to stick together and they remain close to this day, despite living on different continents. Michael is currently based in Australia, whilst Fiona works in Albania.
“At Freemen’s, my siblings rose to the dizzying heights of Head Girl and Boy in their respective years—me not so much! Some of my most endearing memories of Freemen’s are playing soccer on the old tennis courts by the Main House on summer evenings, escaping for long bike rides through the Surrey Hills, and the cold walk to breakfast from Philp House.”
Following his A-levels at Freemen’s, Richard chose to pursue the two things he loved: geography and the sea, joining Cardiff University to study Maritime Geography, and qualified as Chartered Surveyor in Marine Resource Management. After a period working at Cardiff Port on the new barrage, Richard relocated to Scotland to work for a salmon farming company, which is where he met his American wife, author Christy.
Six years later, Richard changed direction, moving to Seattle, USA to study his MBA qualification. After graduating, he married Christy and “I convinced Intel that growing salmon was the same as making computer chips, and so started my career in tech”. A few years later, another relocation beckoned – to the San Francisco Bay area – and a career spanning two decades working in Silicon Valley, both at big tech companies and start-ups in supply chain. “My career took me all over the world – including setting up the first electronics manufacturing site in Suzhou, China in 1997.”
However, “the challenge with all jobs, especially in tech, is they can be all consuming. I got a wakeup call in 2016, when I was diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer, multiple myeloma.”
With his health now thankfully stabilised, Richard retired in 2018 and, these days, uses his business skills to mentor others and raising money for organisations such as Myeloma UK.
After a life of such diverse experiences, international adventures and the challenges of his health, Richard shares words of wisdom with current Freemen students: “don’t get caught up in exam results or the prestige of educational institutions. The Shetland salmon farmers I knew could run rings round the Harvard MBAs I worked with. Work hard, find things you’re interested in, and stick with them – all the while not forgetting to take care of yourself and your relationships, and have fun.”
“As Boarders, at half term holidays, my brother and I would go on trips. On one bike/camping trip along the south coast, we got the return to School date wrong and ended up camping illicitly in the School grounds until term started again!”
Joining Freemen’s in 1990, Umesh recalls the “phenomenal education” he received at School, as well as the “world class facilities”. He recalls taking part in a Monty Python comedy sketch in the School’s talent show where, despite forgetting his closing line, it was well received by the audience.
Umesh’s parents had always wanted to visit the USA – a desire he inherited and so, after finishing his GCSEs at Freemen’s in 1998, Umesh initially joined an American curriculum school in the UK to finish his education. However, within his first week, Umesh realised that perhaps his understanding of the US education system gleaned from TV shows such as ‘Saved by the Bell’ and ‘Grease’ may not have adequately prepared him for an American High School, where he experienced some considerable culture shock. He returned to study the A-level curriculum instead, with his sights firmly set on an American university experience as the next step.
Umesh joined the College of William and Mary in Virginia, USA, in 2000 where, thanks to the additional credits he gained via the A-level curriculum, he completed his Economics degree in three years rather than the typical four years, and subsequently joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in New York in 2003. “When I moved to Virginia, I was initially homesick and questioned my decision to move overseas. But I persevered, and ultimately had the best experience of my life. It taught me the importance of life skills such as perseverance and diligence when pursuing a goal.”
Umesh has taken his own advice – persevering not only with his career at Merrill Lynch, where he has risen through the ranks to become a Managing Director, and Senior International Advisor in wealth management, but has also persisted with his studies, currently studying his Global Executive MBA at Duke University. His advice to current Freemen’s students is to “remain intellectually curious” and he encourages students to always keep learning.
Amongst his many industry awards, in 2021
Umesh was recognised by Forbes in their list of ‘Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors’ and interviewed on his accomplishments in the industry, despite being only 39 at the time.
Umesh is humble about his accolades, however, and preferred to highlight his work as a mentor to the younger generation. He is keen to support Freemen’s students who would like advice on studying in the USA or may have questions about working in the finance sector.
“I was a shy child, but discovered magic as a hobby at a young age and performed on other kids in my class. That gave me confidence, and school became a very happy time for me.”
Graduating from Freemen’s without a clear idea of his next destination, and no particular desire to attend university, Nick engaged the support of his father (a Gold Badge Tennis Referee for the ITF and Wimbledon tournament) to explore his contacts in the world of sport. “I had enjoyed the privilege of travelling the world already with my family…but I had never been to the USA” and so, as a talented tennis player himself, Nick initially proposed working at a Tennis Camp in the USA. Plans evolved, however, when a Coach at a College (university) in Oklahoma proposed that Nick try out for the College team. It was to be “the first day of the rest of my life”.
The following year, Nick gained admission to the University of Southern Indiana, which boasted a
much stronger sports programme, joining their four-year degree programme as a College Athlete. However, here the differences between the US university model and the UK’s academic model became clear. “The US university system consists of students completing their core requirements of the college (English, maths, history etc), as well as their major’s requirements. After finishing Maths at 16 after my GCSE’s at Freemen’s – thinking I’ll never need to do that again – I thought it would be a great idea to major in Engineering! I had been out of maths classes for about three years and had forgotten anything I had ever learned. So, I started at the bottom in remedial maths classes, and pushed myself through to complete my degree, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, with focus in mechanical and industrial engineering.” Gaining a degree was not the only thing that Nick achieved during this time. It was at College that he also met his future wife, with whom he has a daughter, now aged five.
“I started my career as a design engineer in the mining industry…before leaving to join a construction supply manufacturer making residential building supplies and was later headhunted for an automotive engineering role.” But after years of heavy travel for work and long hours, Nick decided that a change of career was needed, and moved to the non-profit area. “I’m currently a Program Manager at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, which serves around 100,000 students each year; managing apprenticeship and education programs for a number of large manufacturers. I was also appointed an Adjunct Professor at the College, teaching industrial classes and even basic Math (me, of all people, who was in the bottom set of maths at School!)”
After so many years in the USA, Nick has settled in well to life there and approached the different cultural norms with an open mind, though admits “the only time it still gets frustrating is ordering food. Anytime I need to ask for water or tomatoes, I almost have to put on an American accent to get the order across.” Nick is an inspiration to those who may not graduate with a clear career plan in place and is proof that life can take you in fascinating directions – regardless of which ‘set’ you may be placed in at School.
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“I drew inspiration from the Design and Technology classes at Freemen’s to become an Engineer.”
Nick Gathercole
Currently living in Greece, Dick’s long and extremely successful career has seen him come a long way from his School days at Freemen’s in the 1940s and 50s – both figuratively and literally!
Initially working as a Prudential Assurance Clerk on a salary of £16 per month in 1952, Dick undertook his National Service with the RAF and, by 1955, entered the world of sales. Joining the company Palmolive in 1955, his role as Salesman trainer took him to Iraq, Greece, West Africa, Lebanon, and all over the Middle East and Persian Gulf.
Management positions with Colgate Palmolive and Bristol Myers Clairol saw Dick transported across the Mediterranean and the Middle East, before taking up his role as Vice President at Bristol Myers in 1974, initially overseeing the Europe markets then, subsequently Latin America, culminating in the role of President for Europe. There weren’t many continents that Dick hadn’t visited ahead of his retirement in 1998!
Despite admitting that he disliked academic lessons as a boy, Dick credits his teachers at Freemen’s for “knocking a little common sense into my head” and noted that “School years were wonderful. I loved rugby, gymnastics, athletics, acting…and a good fight!”
Thankfully, Dick’s fighting days were soon behind him as he entered professional life. With this considerable experience under his belt, Dick is keen to pass on some of what he’s learned to our current students, urging them to “Listen carefully to everybody: your boss, colleagues, and especially those who work for you, and sleep on important decisions.”
Dick currently splits his time in Greece between his Kythera Island home, and wintering in Athens, with frequent visits to London. He would be keen to hear from any other alumni who may live in Greece and wish to connect.
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Love what you are doing and you will do it well.
Richard Malyan
These days, Ceri lives in Bavaria, Germany, but her love of languages can be traced back to her teachers at Freemen’s: “Through a contact of my German teacher, Mr Steptoe, I started an exchange programme with a German student
of a similar age (at 14 years old). We would visit each other every year. We travelled together as students in Germany and remain good friends to this day.” In addition to an introduction to European languages, Ceri also had the opportunity to explore European politics during her Freemen’s days, participating in a European Youth Conference in Germany, which provided a firsthand insight into the workings of the European Union, and mixing with diverse groups of young people in 1990s Berlin.
“Upon leaving Freemen’s, I hadn’t decided upon a particular career path, but I knew that I loved languages, learning about different cultures and travelling, and so I joined the University of Birmingham to study Modern Languages –German and Italian (ab initio)… It opened my eyes to many different perspectives and gave me a real appreciation and understanding for the way our societies work today. The best part of the degree was the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus scheme, and I spent the year studying at the University of Verona in Italy”.
After graduating from University, Ceri combined her passion for languages and culture with her love of winter sports and started a period of season work as a ski instructor in the beautiful mountains of Tyrol, Austria, before completing her Teacher Training to teach Modern Languages in 2004. This new qualification led to teaching posts in a British Forces school NordrheinWestfalen, followed by a move to an International School in Bavaria. “As a teacher, I was most passionate about the learning experiences outside the classroom and, at both schools, got involved in organising school trips, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, in which I had also participated as a student at Freemen’s. And so, in 2012 I decided to pursue this passion for the outdoors and learning outside the classroom. I left teaching to set up my own business, running outdoor adventure programmes for schools”
Now based in the foothills of the Alps, Ceri has also trained as a Mountain Hiking Guide and leads hiking trips through Northern Italy, Austria, Germany and Switzerland. “I would encourage young people to say yes to the different experiences that are offered outside of the classroom – at Freemen’s there are many!”
Graduated from Freemen’s: 1983
“Freemen’s ethos means that its young adults are prepared for life, and its pupils make a real difference. Freemen’s gives its students ambition, but it also gives them an approach to life, filled with kindness and consideration.”
Working as the Chief Training Captain for 400 crew and five family yachts, Captain Stuart also oversees the safety and security of two very affluent families. Sharing his memories of Freemen’s whilst aboard a yacht, Stuart is effusive in his praise of the School: “Freemen’s is a very special place – it’s like no other.” So much so, that Stuart has returned to Freemen’s as a regular contributor to Careers seminars and guest speaker sessions for current students, last visiting campus four years ago to present on topics including ‘Mortgage Free by 30’, ‘You don’t need straight A’s to succeed in life’, and a careers presentation on the Superyacht Industry, jobs both on board and ashore.
“There is a belief at Freemen’s that every single pupil is good at something”, as he praises the teachers who went above and beyond to identify each child’s unique strength. Admitting that he did not pass all his exams whilst at Freemen’s, Stuart strongly believes that academics alone don’t guarantee success in life. He credits Freemen’s with developing his broader skills, his sense of ambition and instilling in him high standards, which has enabled him to thrive in his career and reach the success he enjoys today.
“” Freemen’s is a very special place – it’s like no other.
Stuart Andrews
Graduated from Freemen’s: 1986
“I type this with a strong sense of Déjà vu. It’s been over 36 years since a staff member at Freemen’s gave me homework with a strict deadline. It is now less than two hours to deadline and I am only just starting to compose my memoirs for the alumni magazine. It feels like a Monday morning in 1985, skipping assembly to complete homework which was due in the first lesson of the day”.
This hilarious opening to Richard’s account of his time at Freemen’s is accompanied by his ‘excuse’ for his last minute scribblings, having been kept busy writing submissions for the UK Home Secretary and the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Albania. So how did Richard arrive in Albania 36 years after graduating from Freemen’s?
Joining Junior School in 1978, Richard enjoyed the majority of his experiences at Freemen’s (“apart from the rugby. How I hated the rugby!”), describing himself as an average student but fondly remembering the friendships made. After achieving in his O-level exams, Richard wasn’t so confident with his A-level choices, however, this didn’t prevent him in achieving his goal (inspired by his earlier Freemen’s arranged work experience) of joining the police force. In 1988, Richard joined the Surrey Constabulary. Posted to the Leatherhead Police Station, Freemen’s was within his ‘patch’: “I never did wreak revenge on
my teachers by setting up a speed trap outside the school though”.
After four years in the police, Richard started to get itchy feet (“as this tale will make clear, itchy feet is a condition that frequently afflicts me”) and was inspired to join the Royal Hong Kong Police. Arriving in Hong Kong in December 1992, Richard spent months receiving hours of Cantonese language training and cultural guidance, as he acclimatised to his new surroundings. A few months later, the opportunity arose to work on a very small station on the outlying Island of Lamma, which had a mixed community of indigenous fisher folk and expatriates. “One of my onerous duties as ‘officer in charge’ was to conduct liquor license checks of the many seafood restaurants on the island, a task which I took on with relish – not least because I was usually offered a good lunch by the owners”.
Richard remained in Hong Kong, working both in patrol and CID until 1997, when he was selected to be part of the Flag Party for the Hong Kong handover ceremony to China, on 30 June 1997, lowering the flag in front of Prince Charles, Tony Blair and Governor Chris Patten –as well as the global audience of millions watching on the television.
Leaving Hong Kong in 1999, Richard took up a position with Médecins San Frontières as a Logistician and Administrator, working in conflict areas including Sri Lanka and South Sudan. Attempting to operate in conditions of war was challenging, particularly when locked in their compound for 12 hours a day. “I was never a boarder at Freemen’s, but I expect the experience was probably similar just with fewer mosquitoes and less gunfire.”
Upon his marriage, Richard moved on again –joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and seconded to Kosovo, to manage a team of election fraud investigators, before the opportunity arose to join a police and criminal justice mission in Albania.
“When I arrived in Albania in early 2003, the country was still emerging from the fall of Communism, the chaos of collapsed investment schemes, and government challenges. The
Mission’s task was to work with the police and justice system to rejuvenate these institutions. The most important lesson to me was that change takes time and requires a consistent approach.”
Leaving Albania in 2009, Richard worked with the UK Government’s Stabilisation Unit, which had been established in the aftermath of the Iraq war. “I spent a total of nearly five years in Afghanistan, working mainly as an adviser to British and US Military trying to develop the Afghan Police and Security forces. It was a strange experience watching the fall of Kabul from afar – seeing five years of your working life disappear. More importantly I had friends both civilian and military at the airport who were in grave peril.”
In 2020, Richard was awarded an MBE. “Prince Charles conducted the investiture, I was a bit upset that he did not recognise me from Hong Kong” and has since returned to Albania, working with the British Embassy delivering several projects around policing and justice.
“I had a great foundation in my time at Freemen’s. I wasn’t particularly academic, but the School gave me confidence and people skills” With Richard’s ‘itchy feet’ not yet fully scratched, he’s uncertain where in the world his journey will take him next, but is excited about the new opportunities up ahead, and faces them with a sense of assurance and humour.
“” The School gave me confidence and people skills.
Richard BoneAbove: Richard Bone in Kabul standing in the old Royal Palace.
As a student at Freemen’s, Diana and her friends were huge fans of the Australian soap opera Neighbours: through her senior years at Freemen’s she remembers they would all try to watch the lunchtime episode together! So perhaps it’s no surprise that today, Diana lives with her husband and two children near Manly beach, Sydney, Australia.
What are Di’s memories of Freemen’s? “I remember enjoying the School skiing trips to Switzerland and also recall the day when the Mayor of London came to visit the school. All the children lined the road up to Main House and, when the Mayor finally walked by, he chose to stop and talk to me and my friend Nadine – we were very excited about that! I remember that day like it was yesterday!”
After studying Brand Packaging Design at Kingston University, Di worked in Central London as a brand designer, before packing up and travelling the world for 18 months in 1999. After enjoying adventurous holidays with her family as a child, Di had firmly caught the travelling bug, and was keen to discover life beyond the UK. Whilst travelling through Melbourne, she worked at Blue Marlin Design for three months on an Australian working visa, which resulted in a job offer and a permanent move to Melbourne in 2002, where she currently works freelance as a brand and logo designer.
“Many of the businesses I worked for in the UK had offices overseas, so I enjoyed visiting those whenever possible, for instance, working in Vietnam, Chicago and San Francisco, before settling down in Australia. My advice to students graduating from Freemen’s is the same: put yourself out there and travel. Work for free if you have to – the experience on the CV is great and you’ll have so much fun learning different countries’ ways of working and their lifestyles.”
And with Diana’s brother, Chris (also a Freemen’s alumnus), now living in Denver, Colorado, USA, it seems that the desire to explore is firmly in this family’s blood.
One of the reasons I moved to Australia is for its sunny outlook on life, wonderful schools – not to mention all the outdoor sports – and surfing at the fabulous beaches!
Diana Pinnuck
“When I first arrived at Freemen’s, my grandparents were absolutely shocked that it was a mixed boarding school. As a Boarder I learned about independence, resilience and decision making. I also became friends with young people from other countries”.
These days, though Linda is approaching her retirement in Melbourne, Australia, her life is anything but quiet: from climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge to becoming a Justice of the Peace for Victoria in the coming months. Life at Freemen’s in the 1960s was somewhat different to the life she currently leads in Australia, though the love of table tennis she discovered in the Boarding house continues to this day. As a Roman Catholic, Linda recalls not attending the School’s Sunday service but, instead, would walk to the village to attend the Catholic Church. Subtly alluding to some cheeky tales and adventures amongst the Boarders, Linda fondly remembers the boarding house culture, though the library and being outdoors playing sport were her main passions.
Upon leaving Freemen’s in 1969, Linda undertook training and a brief period of work until realising that her real passion was the law, resulting in a
law degree in London, before a move to Australia and the birth of her daughter. “I worked for a court service before being offered a role as a Hansard reporter — and later as a subeditor — at the Parliament of Victoria where I have been ever since. I love the immediacy of the job and get a real buzz out of sitting in the middle of the chamber during the cut and thrust of debate. When Parliament is not sitting, I travel with parliamentary committees to take evidence for their inquiries. It is during those trips that we often witness the genesis of legislation, which I find exciting and inspiring.”
Though retaining her British citizenship, Linda is now also an Australian citizen. Her first introduction to the continent wasn’t quite what she expected, however: “When I arrived in Australia for the first time, I thought there would be kangaroos hopping down the main street of Melbourne. How wrong I was! Melbourne following the gold rush in the 1800s was reputed to be the richest city in the world. It has a truly European feel and is very sophisticated.”
With her experiences in Australia, including visiting Uluru and whale watching off the Victoria coastline each year, it’s no surprise when Linda declares “I love life in Australia”. Following her passion to pursue the law, and pursuing her new life in Melbourne, Linda is keen to encourage Freemen’s students to do the same: “be brave, follow your heart and your passion. Work hard, be resilient and care for others.”
“I always enjoyed autumn term in Boarding because we had so many activities, such as Halloween, putting up the Christmas tree, Secret Santa, movie nights with popcorn in our pyjamas in the Common Room and, later, Burns’ night.”
Meranie joined Freemen’s as an international student from Uganda, sharing the Boarding house with students from all over the world. Coupled with the School organised overseas trips that Meranie enjoyed, she credits this for her current global outlook: “It made me tolerant to people different from me, gave me exposure to different cultures and learnt to adapt to different surroundings.”
This understanding of the differences between cultures was made particularly clear to her one day at School. “I once came across a group of Nigerian friends chatting amongst themselves in a very loud, animated manner. I asked them to stop arguing with each other, since they were all friends. They burst out laughing and told me that they were not arguing, but having a conversation with one another. Whilst we were soft spoken in Uganda, in Nigeria they informed me that they were loud and animated. From then on, I learnt the difference in how we communicated in East Africa versus West Africa.”
Meranie recalls the career guidance and support she received at School, not only to choose her A-levels, but support with the University application process also. During one of the School organised careers talks, she heard from an expert in the chemical engineering industry. This presentation inspired her to study a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical and Biological Process Engineering with a Year in Industry, spending her industrial training with Lafarge Cement in Scotland. Later in her career, Meranie moved to Boston, USA, to complete her Master in Business Administration (MBA) qualification.
These days, as a Chemical Process Engineer in the oil and gas industry, Meranie’s role has
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I always enjoyed autumn term in Boarding because we had so many activities.
Meranie Kiwanuka
taken her all over the world. “I have worked on projects in Europe, Asia, the Middle East – of which I spent 10 years in UAE – and Africa. I have come full circle, and am now working on a project at home in Uganda”.
Living now in Kampala, Meranie is looking to a Freemen’s future for her own daughter (who is currently 8 years old), when the time comes for her to join the boarding community. “Boarding gave me an opportunity to grow on a personal level, develop social maturity and independence, and gave me confidence that prepared me for university and my adult life.”
Graduated from Freemen’s: 1996
day can be very different in Egypt – from driving along the highway next to a flatbed truck full of camels with their heads bobbing out in the wind, to driving past the pyramids every day going to and from work.”
As Head of Teaching and Learning in the American division of El Alsson International School, Cairo, one might assume that Chris’ entry into the education sector was fairly predictable. However, it was as a SCUBA instructor in Australia, Grand Cayman, Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, Thailand, and the Bahamas that Chris gained experience in sharing his knowledge with his diving students, and only considered teaching as a profession at the suggestion of others. “My friends convinced me to try teaching and so I worked as a supply teacher at their school before completing my teacher training and my MEd in Education.”
“Immediately after leaving Freemen’s I went to University in Bristol. I sometimes regret not taking a year out to work out what I wanted to do, as I just went straight into a business degree without really thinking about the direction I wanted it to take me”. It is this experience that prompts Chris to share his advice with Freemen’s current students: “If you are unsure about what you want
to do in the future, take your time and take the risk to try as many new experiences as you can. One of them will eventually be your calling.”
After graduating and relishing a change from his role in the treasury department of a firm in London, Chris and a fellow Freemen’s alumnus travelled to Australia for a year. It was there that he was introduced to SCUBA diving. Upon becoming an instructor and working in Sharm El Sheikh, “I met some teachers who were diving, and they lived in Cairo. I went up and explored Cairo with them as a resident rather than a tourist and I was amazed at how much Cairo had to offer.” Whilst now firmly settled in Cairo with his family, Chris still relishes the experience of living and working in a different culture.
And what of his time at Freemen’s? “When I was at Freemen’s it was not as multi-cultural as it is today. However, the skills and dispositions, as well as the acceptance of others I learned, have helped me to fit in in other cultures and societies. For me, the most important aspect of my job is a non-academic skill that I developed at Freemen’s. The socio-emotional intelligence that I developed at School helps me to connect with students of all ages and stakeholders of all demographics. It is a skill I must use every day, from dealing with our youngest or oldest learners, to my colleagues, the pupils’ parents and all the workers at school. The ability to read a room, make small talk, and judge situations to make meaningful connections with people was something I developed at school.”
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For me, the most important aspect of my job is a nonacademic skill that I developed at Freemen’s.
Chris Beales
“Every
As Zayd’s photo demonstrates, he is certainly enjoying life in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he lives with his wife and two children. Zayd became familiar with overseas living following his parents’ relocation to Dubai from Wembley, London, when he was just a young child, and he subsequently joined Freemen’s as a Boarding student. Remembering his favourite activities during his years at School, “I enjoyed participating in team sports at the (then) newly
constructed sports hall. The school organised several school trips, which were always fun. One particular memory is Guy Fawkes night and the bonfire. It remains the largest bonfire I’ve ever seen to this day!”
While Zayd was successful in his A-levels and joined the University of Reading to study Economics, it is the strength of the pastoral care that he particularly remembers at Freemen’s. The sense of care and wellbeing he experienced is something that remains with him to this day, as he advises our current students: “In a world of targets, deadlines and budgets, there’s nothing more inspiring than taking care of yourself”.
Zayd also credits being a Boarder at Freemen’s
as giving him the confidence to making an easy transition to University, which saw the start of his successful career in Accountancy and the Audit profession. These days, Zayd is an International Liaison Partner with Crowe UAE – a leading audit, tax, advisory, and risk firm.
Zayd is keen to promote the merits of living and working in the UAE to other Freemen’s students – both past and present: “I am lucky to be here in Dubai. It’s a great place to be – not only to raise young children but also to further my career in professional services.” And with his free time spent hiking and biking, swimming in the ocean and playing sport with his family, Dubai’s environment certainly seems to agree with Zayd.
2. Andrew Cole
Graduated from Freemen’s: 1991
Whilst his permanent home with his family is in Luxembourg, Andrew spends much of his time in Abu Dhabi, in his role as CFO with Yahsat, and he travels between the two countries. This global lifestyle is nothing new for Andrew, however: ”I was always fascinated by going overseas. My father spent much of his career working in Africa and I recall the wonderful stories that he and my mother would tell me of their time in Nigeria in the 1960s. I was born in Paris and so it was not a big surprise when I decided to pursue languages.”
Andrew particularly recalls his enjoyment of the performing arts at Freemen’s: “I loved playing the wonderful Steinways in the music department and I still compose and play the piano to this day, studying at the Luxembourg Conservatoire when in the country. I have many happy memories of the drama productions too – I particularly enjoyed taking part in ‘My Fair Lady’ at the School.” Freemen’s 1991 music trip to Canada, and playing the organ at School assemblies are also still fresh in Andrew’s mind. “Freemen’s gave you the space to breathe and develop.”
The confidence Andrew developed at Freemen’s led to a four-year French and German degree at Aston University, with a year spent at Regensburg University, in Bavaria. After graduating, “I worked at KPMG for 17 years, and spent much of that time working overseas for long periods, auditing some of the firm’s largest global clients based in Switzerland, Cameroon, France, and the USA, amongst many others. In 2006 I worked at Nestle, on secondment, in their Chinese operations, based for 6 months in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.” When asked if, with all these travels, did Andrew ever experience any culture shock or cultural misunderstandings, the one story which stands out is “being temporarily detained by the French Police at Bordeaux airport at the age of 20 for failing to do my French military service”. Andrew hastens to add that this was a misunderstanding that was very quickly cleared up!
In 2014, Andrew joined a satellite company in Luxembourg called SES, as the group’s Financial Controller, where he relocated with his wife, describing Luxembourg as the most beautiful country. By 2019, however, another international move beckoned, this time to join Yahsat, based in Abu Dhabi, as their Chief Financial Officer, where he continues to this day.
With such considerable experience of working overseas and collaborating with international clients, does Andrew have any advice for current Freemen’s students? “Be bold and take a few risks. If things don’t work out, then you can always do something else – the first path you take doesn’t necessarily have to be the only one.”
“Life overseas broadens your mind and perspectives. It enriches your experiences and increases your learning and understanding of people, of different cultures and of yourself”
“The time I spent at Freemen’s and the learning environment at the School gave me lots of opportunities to explore what I really liked, and laid the foundation stone for me to pursue what I loved: Architecture.”
Over the years, Freemen’s has enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Hong Kong. In fact, such has been the demand for a Freemen’s education from Hong Kong families that, prepandemic, the Headmaster, along with senior teaching staff and members of the Admissions team, would visit Hong Kong annually, to meet interested families, and hold the admissions interviews in-country. This is how Adrian himself first became familiar with City of London Freemen’s School, gaining admission to join the Boarding community.
At School, Adrian recalls that this is where his passion for design flourished, “I stayed late in the D&T lab, enjoying all the design opportunities at my fingertips – until the teachers had to kick me out every evening when it was time for them to leave!” Making use of the wonderful DT facilities, such as the laser cutters, in addition to the support
“” The time I spent at Freemen’s and the learning environment at the School gave me lots of opportunities to explore what I really liked, and laid the foundation stone for me to pursuit what I loved: Architecture.
Adrian Locontinued over
of teachers such as Mr Barnes, Adrian achieved his ambition of gaining admission to the University of Hong Kong, where he studied Architecture. These days, working as a registered Architect in Hong Kong, Adrian’s passion for his profession is evident: “Architects are the ones who are responsible for our built environment; the spaces we create are for people. I believe that good design should serve people well, whilst also making our cities more sustainable” On this theme of sustainability, Adrian is also a BEAM Plus (a green building benchmark system) Professional, and co-op Council Member of Professional Green Building Council.
Recalling his favourite aspects of his time at Freemen’s (“boarding life would be the best part”), Adrian is keen to “highly recommend” a Freemen’s education to other families in Hong Kong. Whilst the regular Hong Kong Freemen’s alumni gatherings may be temporarily paused due to pandemic restrictions, he very much looks forward to the next reunion, hopefully in 2023!
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I
As a Prefect at Freemen’s, Brian was asked to read the above Bible passage aloud at Senior School Assembly. Having already said goodbye to his parents, who remained in Korea, and moved to the UK as a Boarding student, this passage resonated with him. “I could not have known what the future held for me – but I went”.
Joining Freemen’s in Lower 6 in 2005 to start his A-levels, “I knew even back then that life at Freemen’s was going to be one of the best times of my life.” He was honoured to be appointed Head of Boys’ Boarding House, School Prefect, Chair of the Debating Society which, combined with his studies, led to him joining the University of York to read BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics in 2007. After graduating with his degree, Brian returned to Korea to enlist in
the Korean Army for his national conscription and, upon completion, he embarked upon his next international adventure – this time to the USA to continue his studies, Brian attended the University of Iowa’s College of Law, where he became a licenced New York attorney, before returning to Korea to join a law firm in Seoul.
Many exciting roles followed in his career, such as working in the legal team at Samsung, and at LG International. Brian acted as general counsel for companies specialising in a range of industries, including bioventure, vaccine production and, later, gaming. These days, now happily married, Brian works as a legal Freelancer for several companies, however, is also a busy North Korean human rights activist, involved in civic groups such as ‘Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of Korea’ and ‘North Korean Human Rights Association’.
Brian credits Freemen’s for much of this success, coupled with his faith and trust in the Lord’s company. On his journey across three continents, Brian notes that Freemen’s equipped him with qualities such as “keeping composure when faced with ‘come what may’; a deep sense of optimism, tranquillity, and brightness; and faith in being kind-hearted and generous. Freemen’s imbued and formed my identity and culture…for which I am grateful and will endeavour not to lose it.”
Graduated from Freemen’s: 2009
Demi joined Freemen’s from her native China in 2007 to study her A-levels. “I remember so many exciting new experiences and trips with the boarding community during my early days in the UK. My first West-End visit (Billy Elliot), first contemporary theatregoing, and even first Bicester shopping trip. Those early experiences definitely helped me understand British culture and traditions, and for that I’m becoming ever more grateful.”
Demi’s journey has seen her move between China, the UK and the USA, and she has some amusing anecdotes to share, as she transitioned between the different countries and cultures, with one particular incident relating to the British convention of apologising. “I must have acquired the British habit of saying “sorry” as a replacement for ‘excuse me’, ‘pardon me’, ‘I didn’t catch that’ etc, while people in the States take ‘sorry’ in a very serious manner”, which led to an interesting encounter and cultural misunderstanding with a lady at an American supermarket! Demi’s move to the USA was prompted by her studies. After graduating from Freemen’s, Demi completed an Economics degree at the University of Warwick, before embarking upon a Master’s degree in Finance from Johns Hopkins University in the USA. Following her second Master’s degree in Investment Management from Cass Business School, Demi moved back to China to work with McKinsey as a consultant. Demi credits her time at Freemen’s for this current success: “The teachers at Freemen’s really helped me see the underlying logics of knowledge and the applications and implications on real lives, enlightening me to ask
the right questions and to seek why – purely for the sake of understanding the world, instead of remembering only facts in books.”
These days, whilst Demi is happily settled in Shanghai with her husband and 3-year-old daughter, there are aspects of her time in the UK which have left their mark: “When I eventually moved back to Shanghai, China, I came to realise just how much I missed British foods! A simple prawn mayo sandwich is hard to find, let alone the various pies, pastries, puddings and all-day breakfast!”
It has been this understanding of new cultures and access to different international experiences which has shaped Demi, and she is keen to encourage others to do the same: “to embrace new experiences, to travel far and travel a lot. Eventually, we are all shaped by our experiences, the things we did and the people we encountered. Having diverse experiences could help us understand each other better even – when the other person is from a very different background – and helps us appreciate our commonality.”
“The Boarding students formed a very closely knit community ... the activities were so diverse and well-organised, making the boarding life especially enriching and memorable for an international student like myself”
“Maybe I am the only pupil that left Freemen’s twice? I was presented with my leaving bible in July 1961 and, due to my atrocious GCE results, I came back to take re-sits – eventually leaving in December 1961. My last school report said that if I had done as well academically as I did socially, I could be Prime Minister!”
It is with great humour that John shares his memories of his time at Freemen, and the incredible experiences which have seen him visiting or living in more than 45 countries, culminating in his current life in Manila, Philippines.
After graduating from Freemen’s, John joined the international Hotel Company, Trust Houses, in London as a management trainee, earning £5 per week. John had high ambitions, however, subsequently gaining a new role with Imperial Tobacco’s new food division, and the Golden Wonder Crisps brand, as a Sales Cadet. John rose through the ranks, expanding his role into different brands and products, until his career was paused when he developed a lifethreatening blood complaint. Despite being initially given 4–6 months to live, John surpassed expectations and, “after 12 months, and studying when I felt well enough, I received a Diploma in Sales & Marketing Management…and was recruited as a Marketing Manager for an International Exhibition Organiser, involving travel to France and the USA, which was great fun.”
Amidst the many wonderful and exciting travel memories John shared, one which particularly stands out for him was his visit to Jordan, whilst working for a London-based advertising agency. “We were travelling by road from Amman to Aqaba on the Red Sea when the driver suddenly stopped the car and started chatting with some Bedouins. When he returned, he indicated we should follow him to the waiting donkeys. After 10 minutes of bone shaking ride, the narrow gorge suddenly opened up into a wide expanse
and ahead was the Treasury of Petra. Petra –the Rose Red City – had only been discovered by accident some 30 years earlier. It took my breath away.”
A number of other exciting opportunities followed, including a Management position with Sheraton Hotels in Kuwait where John’s new apartment was next to Yasser Arafat’s, who was in exile from the South Bank at the time! Next was a move to Dubai with Sheraton: “Dubai in my time only had 2 large hotels – the Sheraton and the Hilton – nothing like the metropolis you see today”, leading to a personal approach by two Saudi Princes, who asked John to join their conglomerate in Saudi Arabia. At the end of this contract, John relocated again – this time to Doha, as Regional Director of Sales with the Ramada hotels, where one of John’s proudest moments was being personally congratulated on his success during a Royal visit by the Duke of Kent.
A shock accident overseas led to a period of recouperation in the UK, where John realised he had been missing life at ‘home’ and accepted a role with Trust House Forte as Regional Sales Director in the North of England, though this brought a culture shock of its own, adapting to the thick fogs and snow of the Pennines, after having acclimatised to the heat and sandstorms of the Middle Eastern desert. After decades of related roles in the UK, the lure of warmer climes led John to consider his retirement in the Philippines, “a country I had fallen in love with 40 years previously. I moved to Manila met a wonderful Filipina, Cristina, whom I married 15 months later, and we welcomed our daughter Sophia. When we were last in the UK we visited Ashtead Park and Sophia fell in love with Freemen’s!”
Now nearly 78, John isn’t ready to relax quite yet: “I now spend my time creating, writing and delivering Soft Skills Programmes to Colleges, Universities and Commercial Clients in the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore China, India, Pakistan and the Middle East”. In 2020, John was proud to receive the Freedom of the City of London and “I was also bestowed with an honorary Doctorate in Singapore – not bad for a lad who left school with just 2 “O” levels!“
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If I had done as well academically as I did socially, I could have been Prime Minister!
John Savage
Chloe’s most vivid memory of her time at Freemen’s was an incident considered quite dramatic in the life of a teenage girl: “I once dropped my mobile into the toilet and it got flushed away…Mrs. Retzlaff had to call in a plumber to see if they could retrieve my phone from the pipes.”
It is a desire to learn and gain new knowledge that led Chloe to embark on her latest adventure – studying for her second Master’s degree, at the National University of Singapore in the field of Clinical Psychology, already having gained an Undergraduate degree from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) “where I gained my Bachelor of Social Sciences, double majoring in Psychology and Counselling, and my Master of Social Sciences in Mental Health (Clinical Stream) where I specialised in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy respectively.” Reflecting on her decision to relocate to Singapore, Chloe notes “Singapore is arguably one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse countries in the world. It will be a good learning experience for me to have exposure to people from different backgrounds.”
Chloe’s impressive credentials in the field of Psychology hearken back to her Freemen’s days. “The A-level Psychology course offered at Freemen’s prepared me very well…When selecting Psychology as my major, it definitely gave me an advantage over other local students.” It was at Freemen’s that Chloe also experienced her first case of ‘culture shock’ – having joined the School’s boarding community from her family home in Hong Kong: “Being at Freemen’s made me more open to learn new ways of thinking and living, and to be more understanding of another nation’s culture”, which prepared Chloe well for the transition of moving to Singapore, and moving out of her comfort zone. “I experienced culture shock when I moved to Singapore. For example, it is common that landlords here don’t allow tenants to cook and that talking is not allowed (or strongly discouraged) in lifts and public transportation.”
Upon completion of her first degree, Chloe worked as a behavioural therapist in an international school in Hong Kong: “I supported children with special education needs and gained my credentials as a Board Certified Assistant Behaviour Analyst.” It is a sense of work ethic that Chloe hopes to inspire in the current Freemen’s generation. “My first masters degree was a part-time programme, and so I also worked full time whilst studying. That was when I realised how important it was to have work experience. I gained so many new ‘soft’ skills in the workplace that I wouldn’t have gained through study alone. My advice is to be proactive in seeking job opportunities while you are studying and do not underestimate how much you can learn from a workplace environment.”
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My advice is to be proactive in seeking job opportunities while you are studying.
Chloe Au
Following in the footsteps of the global phenomenon of TED talks, TEDx is a grassroots initiative which follows the ethos of the original TED events whilst bringing exciting, passionate and innovative ideas to local communities. Their aim is to uncover new ideas and share latest research, making TED events accessible on a more local stage.
Following an application by the School, Freemen’s was extremely proud to be granted a licence in the Summer of 2022 to host its own TEDx event on campus. Spearheaded by teacher Mrs Parkin, but with topics proposed, written and presented by the students themselves, the School opened its doors in June 2022 to welcome parents, Governors, staff and students for the inaugural TEDx evening. Students and teachers delivered talks on a range of different topics (related to their passions or studies), with the TEDx rules stating that all speeches could not last more than 18 minutes. Students delivered their speeches confidently without notes before the audience, and whilst being filmed –a huge accomplishment.
Here’s what the students had to say about their experience of taking part:
Josh:
“I loved the opportunity of giving the talk, purely because I’m not often pushed out of my comfort zone that far, and it showed me that if I can deliver a TEDx talk in Year 12, who knows what the future holds! You really can’t miss these chances, because you can only learn from them!”
Hannah:
“Giving the talk was nervewracking at first but…I’ve gained a lot of confidence and self-assurance from this experience”
Olivia:
“I absolutely loved the event, not only presenting, but I enjoyed the process of researching, writing and perfecting my talk- the whole experience was enriching, and really interesting. I feel very proud of myself for having given a TEDx talk, and am sure that the skills I have gained will be key as I move onto University.”
Congratulations to all the students who spent so many hours composing and rehearsing their speeches, and for showcasing the exceptional standards that Freemen’s students can achieve.
The Freemen’s School Association (or FSA) is a registered charity run by parent volunteers, who are all dedicated to supporting the School. In addition, through our class networks, regular coffee mornings and gatherings, and a specialist app, we also aim to provide the best level of support to other current families at the School, particularly if families have only recently joined Freemen’s and may have so many questions. We are here to help, signpost them, and ensure they have the best Freemen’s experience as their children progress. Each year group has representatives who form the vital link between parents and School.
Each year, the FSA hosts a number of events to bring the community together, including the exciting annual Fireworks Night (Thursday 3 November, 6.30pm to 8pm), and the extremely popular Freemen’s Christmas Fair – (Saturday 3 December, 11am to 3pm).
We would love to welcome you, as Freemen’s alumni, to join us at these events and enjoy the celebrations back on campus.
We are proud to have supported the School through our fundraising efforts and, last academic year, we were delighted to see the completion of the new ‘Green Room’ – a dedicated outdoor classroom, where both Junior and Senior students enjoy learning. Thank you to everyone who supported our campaigns, which has resulted in this much used and much-loved space.
In addition to the Green Room, we were proud to have raised funds to also support the School with the provision of a new PA system, new gym roll mats, and contributions to the Lego Club, Sixth Form Enrichment Awards and the students’ Leavers Balls. We were also proud make a significant donation to the School’s student bursary fund, to support students facing hardship. Thank you to all the parents and the community who have supported us in our fundraising endeavours last year, and we look forward to achieving even more in the coming academic year.
For more information about the FSA, our events and projects, please contact: freemensfsa@outlook.com
In a previous edition of Freemen’s Calling, I announced our plans to develop a new Clubhouse for the OFA. I’m now delighted to confirm that the architect has submitted an application to Mole Valley Local Authority for detailed planning approval for the OFA’s new memorial building, to be located on a dedicated plot of land accessed via Rookery Hill, at the far end of Freemen’s car park. Such ambitious plans rarely materialise overnight but, with the support of the School and the Governors, and following negotiations with the Corporation regarding the lease, we had hoped to be in a position to move ahead when Covid struck, which inevitably led to considerable delays.
Having identified the most appropriate location for the new Clubhouse, we commissioned a
number of reports (on heritage, archaeology, ecology, and arboriculture) and carried out a detailed topographical survey, to ensure that the local environment (and the remains of an ancient ice-house) were not negatively impacted. We have also engaged with the local community, via leaflets and holding an exhibition in person, to share information about the proposed development, ease any concerns of local residents, and answer questions. An impression of our design for the new Clubhouse can be seen in the image above.
Whilst the timeline for deliberations and receiving consent is uncertain, we await feedback from Mole Valley Local Authority on the application, and will keep our alumni community informed.
In addition to our regular fixtures which have taken place over the summer months, the OFA is delighted to announce the launch of its latest affiliated sports club: the Old Freemen’s Football Club, which has officially joined the Southern Sunday Football League. Please get in touch if you would like to join the football team: simeon.lando@ntlworld.com
AUTUMN 2022 | ISSUE 7
Editor: Rhian Curtis
Email: development@freemens.org
Telephone: 01372 822444 www.freemens.org