My first document

From the Head

I write this introduction to The Edwardian sitting at home just after the long Easter weekend. An extraordinary gale is howling outside my window, and the fire is roaring. It seems that winter has one last trick up its sleeve before we can look forward to the sunnier uplands of the Summer Term. However, despite the inclement weather, it warms the heart to reflect upon the wonderful, full, exhilarating Spring Term just finished, as well as to reminisce on the Autumn Term before that.

Highlights of the school year so far for me? Well, there have been so many! Sporting triumphs; academic endeavour and success; partnership and charitable activities and events. But perhaps the stand-out moment from the perspective of our fabulous pupils was the brilliant production in the Dobson Theatre of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ last autumn. Full of colour and life, it brought together fine acting with exceptional dancing (including tap) and song. Truly professional in ambition and scope, it was also thoroughly professional in execution. It never ceases to amaze me how remarkable KES productions can be; they are a true testament to the dedication of the staff and the talent of the pupils. I say that ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ has been a highlight – but that is to be unfair on the many other creative and performing arts events we have enjoyed this year: from a wonderful Dance Gala; through to the Junior and Senior Spring Concerts; and on to a new event – a multicultural showcase evening in which staff and pupils performed poetry, songs and dance from their own cultural and family heritage (as well as offering up some truly delicious international food). Particularly moving was a beautiful Ukrainian-language poem dedicated to peace, performed by two of our current Ukrainian pupils, attending KES after the devastation of their homeland. I, like many, was too spell-bound by the performance to read the English translation until much later: you did not need to understand every word to feel the emotional power of the poem.

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school activities and reunions.

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But perhaps it is unsurprising that the arts should so flourish at our School… it seems it was ever thus. For me personally, another highlight of recent weeks was in attending an exhibition in our very own Art Department of the paintings of Peter Folkes – a highly respected professional artist and Head of Art at King Edward’s in the 1950s. It is to his great credit as a teacher as well as an artist that so many came to celebrate his work and to revisit their old school. For me, it was lovely to chat about art with numerous Old Edwardians, and to enjoy their reflections upon life at KES, and especially how they fell in love with art and creativity under the tutelage of Peter Folkes. Indeed, getting to know our School better through meeting former pupils is always a pleasure for me, and this year I have been delighted to attend a number of Old Edwardian events. These have included both 10 and 50-year reunions at KES; plus a fabulous social night in London, attended by OEs from many different eras and decades. If you were at any of these wonderful evenings, then I thank you for your support of KES and your excellent company. I hope to meet many more of our OE community at future social events, so that I can hear your stories about life after KES; and hopefully so that you can rekindle your links with your School, and perhaps even feel able one day to be in a position to offer your support and the valuable experience you have gained in life for the benefit of the young people now at King Edward’s. In the meantime, if you ever wish to visit King Edward’s, do not be shy in getting in touch – we would love to see you!

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From the School

Goodbye to Mrs Ferrand

At the end of last term, we said ‘Goodbye’ to Mrs Ferrand who has been at KES for 12 years, many of them as Head of Netball. To mark her departure and to celebrate her time at the School, the Sports Department hosted an OE v KES 1st team match that featured 8 of Mrs Ferrand’s senior netball team captains from the past 12 years. What a match! It was a fantastic display of netball with the OEs taking the victory by a single goal (32-31). There was even a few surprise special guests from amongst the former teaching staff, including Mr Fitzpatrick (former Director of Sport) and Mr Wood.

Did you forget to pick up your exam certificates?

Prizegiving

Our Exams Office is keen to reunite a whole host of unclaimed exam certificates with their owners before they are destroyed. Dating from 2015 back to 1975, we have over 160 certificates waiting to find their rightful homes.

If you think you may not have collected your certificates, please email our Exams Team on exams@kes.hants.sch.uk stating your name, as it was at the time of sitting your exams, and your date of birth. Alternatively, you may call the school on 023 80 704561.

In September, the Dobson Theatre was full to bursting for the School’s annual Prizegiving event. Parents, friends and staff all gathered to celebrate our wonderful pupils’ achievements and we were delighted to welcome back former KES student, Virginia Stuart-Taylor (KES 00-07), as our Chief Guest to present the prizes. Virginia is Head of EU Engagement at the Department for International Trade and is passionate about tackling gender inequality in the UK and abroad, empowering young women to reach their potential through mentoring and organising Women in Leadership events. Her insightful speech reflected on her experiences as a woman.

Singin’ in the Rain

The Autumn Term was awash with rehearsals and performances of the whole school production of Singin’ in the Rain. The show was a real treat with its musicality, colour and vibrancy thrilling the packed-out auditorium each night of its performance in November. There was a wealth of talent on display in this beautifully choreographed and produced piece of showmanship. Auditions are about to start for the next extravaganza which will be ‘Chicago!’

EPA trustees visit

The School was recently visited by the trustees of Sir Edward Abraham’s charitable trust that supports our gifted students wishing to study the Sciences at A Level. What better way to convince them of the value of the trust’s investment than for them to speak to former holders of the award and hear about their success stories.

Thank you to Anoushka Umranikar (KES 14-21) and Oliver Schofield (KES 12-20), who are both KCL medical students, Harriet Crompton (KES 15-17) who teaches Biology at KES and brothers Yousuf and Ibrahim Hayat (qualified doctor and current medical student) who gave up their time to come into KES to talk to the trustees about their studies, careers and future aspirations.

OE Events

Class of 2012 10-year reunion

The Class of 2012 had a fantastic night catching up at their 10-year reunion in November. It was great to see so many familiar faces back at KES and hear what everyone has been up to since they were last here. Thank you to everyone who made the effort to be here.

Class of 1971, 1972, 1973 & 1974 50-year reunion

It was a pleasure to catch up with alumni from the 1970s in January for their 50-year reunion. The whole school photo from this time was the cause of much amusement for many and a good night was had by all, as guests spent the evening catching up and swapping memories. An added delight was the presence of 3 former members of staff from this time.

Amongst those present was Terry Macey. In 1969, Terry set the new Long Jump record in the U14 boys’ event with a distance of 5.7 metres; one that still stands today. Our annual Sports Day programme still gives details of the current record holder of each event, with others also dating back to the 1960s. Will Terry be beaten this year?

London Drinks

Champagne Charlies was the venue for our KES post-work London drinks drop-in in March. From those currently at university, to those who are now retired, OEs from across the decades gathered together to catch up and network. The event was so popular that places booked out within a couple of days, and we hope to run similar events in the future.

Sport

The OE Golf Society has released the dates for each of this year’s events. Other than the Triangular Match, which is by invitation only, the events are open to everyone, and new players of all standards are welcome.

For more information on the events and to join the golfing mailing list, please contact Nick Creal on squealer13@yahoo.com.

OE Golfing Events 2023

Peter Folkes – Artist and Teacher

On 27th March, the Art Department hosted a fabulous exhibition of the works of Peter Folkes (former Head of Art at King Edward’s from 1954 –1964).

Peter was an outstanding artist and teacher and has left a substantial body of work in numerous public and private collections around the world. Upon joining the school in 1950, he began painting local scenes, notably the Test and Itchen estuaries, boatyards, the docklands, and Southampton Water and these paintings are a priceless record of the post-war period in the city. He also experimented widely with

the range of new materials exploring his fascination with old, weathered gravestones, their carvings and inscriptions and church spires appear in his later, more Cubist, watercolours. In 1964, Peter took up a Goldsmiths Travelling Scholarship, visiting the United States and, here, a series of paintings emerged, inspired by the regular geometry of skyscrapers. Our sincere thanks to Rod Rumble (KES 51-59) who made a huge contribution to the organisation of the event and to all those who lent paintings for the exhibition. There were over 120 people in attendance, over half of whom were OEs and former pupils of Peter.

Born and bred in Southampton, Kenzie was a student at KES between 2006 and 2011. Now, she is a presenter making waves in the sports and entertainment industry. From covering the Premier League, to presenting at countless major sporting events, from Cup Finals at Wembley and Lords to Rugby Internationals at Twickenham.

Kenzie thoroughly enjoyed her time at KES and often reminisces with her brother Luke, who also attended the school, about the happy times they spent there.

“KES is a special place and I always smile when I think about my school days. I have so many brilliant memories and I am lucky to have met some wonderful friends there who I am still in regular contact with to this day.”

Upon leaving KES, Kenzie juggled attending college with her work as a runner at Sky Sports on ‘Soccer Saturday’ and ‘Goals on Sunday’ in an attempt to learn her craft. But it wasn’t until her time at university, where she studied Multimedia Journalism, that Kenzie’s presenting career started. At just 19 years old, she was named the new matchday presenter for Premier League Football Club, Southampton and she still fronts their media output to date. She has also worked for Arsenal Football Club as one of the faces of their live matchday show.

Kenzie’s first TV role came back in 2017 on Nickelodeon, which kick started her career in children’s television. From 2018 onwards, she became a familiar face on

CBBC, where she hosted the weekly ‘Match of The Day Kickabout’ programme and ‘Can You Kick it?’, as well as appearing on the likes of Blue Peter and CBBC HQ. “Working in children’s television is a complete joy. Everyone is always happy, and you’re always guaranteed to have so much fun.”

As well as a wealth of experience as a pitch side presenter and children’s TV host, Kenzie has an impressive resumé in a live studio setting. Kenzie has fronted a monthly show for the Premier League since 2020 alongside David Alorka and Alan Shearer, and has presented from the famous SW19 postcode, creating content for the official Wimbledon channels at the prestigious Championships. It was here she teamed up with Andy Murray for a special shoot for AMEX, which saw her go head-to-head with the two-time Wimbledon champ in a hilarious ball boy/girl challenge. This, coupled with her roles as a presenter around the grounds for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 and hosting various The Hundred matches, meant it was a jampacked summer. Kenzie has worked on The Hundred since the inaugural edition of the tournament was announced in 2019, coupling stadium hosting duties with presenting content for their social media channels – a role she is excited to take on once again in the summer of 2023. Sticking with cricket, 2023 will also see Kenzie presenting on both the England men’s and women’s ODIs and T20 series. Kenzie became a TEDx Speaker in 2022 when she spoke about football being a game for everyone. Kenzie is the daughter of Southampton FC legend Francis Benali, so as someone who grew up in a sporting family who thoroughly enjoyed playing ‘the beautiful game’ herself as a child and now being a woman working in football, Kenzie

felt it was an important topic to speak about.

Throughout her career to date, Kenzie has presented at many England matches which, in 2022, saw her named as the official England announcer for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

“It was a massive privilege to work on the World Cup and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Announcing the goals when my country scored was such a buzz. I regularly travel for work, but I had never been to Qatar before, so it was a great opportunity to explore somewhere new.”

Through her various roles over the years, Kenzie has interviewed some of the world’s biggest stars, including Jenson Button, Harry Kane and Ben Stokes. She also hosts a weekly interactive show for microlearning platform, PepTalk. Here she has interviewed some of the world’s smartest experts and sporting icons, including Paula Radcliffe, Jonny Wilkinson and Katie Piper. Kenzie is now an ambassador for Saints Foundation and is hugely passionate about supporting their work in the local community. As well as this, together with her family, she is an avid supporter of various other charities, including Cancer Research UK.

In her personal life, Kenzie married cricketer Lewis McManus in November 2021 in a beautiful winter wedding setting and the couple have spent the last year building their new home in Southampton. The end of 2023 will see the 10-year reunion for Kenzie’s KES cohort, an event for which she is hugely excited.

“I am so looking forward to catching up with everyone. It will be so lovely to come back to the school that did so much for me and to take a trip down memory lane.”

Gregor McKenzie always had a life-long love of sport and, in particular, cricket. During his years at KES, he was Vice Captain of the 1st XI cricket team in the Sixth Form, during which time the team went on to win the Altham Trophy in 2017. Upon leaving KES, Gregor gained a place at Oxford Brookes University to do a sports coaching and physical education degree. Playing and coaching cricket was a critical component part of Gregor’s course, and he played university cricket three times a week and was President of the CC and Assistant Coach at the MCCU. However, during his first year at university, in a sudden and unexpected turn of events, Gregor was diagnosed with ARVC (arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy) a disease of the heart muscle in which fatty fibrous tissue replaces normal heart muscle that subsequently interrupts normal electrical signals and may cause irregular and potentially life-threatening heart rhythms. As well as the knowledge that this disease was potentially life threatening, Gregor was also faced with the possibility that he would no longer be able to play any kind of sport or take part in any competitive type of exercise due to the nature of the condition and the risks that this posed to his health.

‘I went from playing cricket three times a week to thinking that I couldn’t play for the rest of my life and also didn’t know how much I would be able to coach – it was a horrendous time.’

Thankfully for Gregor, the then President of the University Cricket Club had a disability and was able to let him know about the disability section of Hampshire Cricket Club. In his second year at university, Gregor started playing disability cricket for

Hampshire and was able to continue with the sport he loved – a big relief!

In 2022, the English Cricket Board introduced a new tournament designed for cricket players with disabilities that aimed to bridge the gap between international and county cricket. Existing England squad players were automatically put forward for the teams and there were 8 slots made available for county cricket players and Gregor was awarded one of these slots.

Since last year, he has been playing disability cricket in the Disability Premier League (a tournament which is the first of its kind) for his team, Tridents. The team features players with a range of disabilities from physical and mental to sensory impairments. Because of his heart condition, Gregor plays alongside a runner when in bat so that he does not have to overexert himself and put his heart under strain. Each team is provided with an interpreter for those who are deaf and speak only sign language, whilst different adaptions are also made for other players to enable their participation in the game. The training schedule is fairly intense and requires Gregor to attend weekend training camps monthly at locations around the country.

“Disability cricket is a different form of cricket which can be challenging for both the players and coaches with the wide mix of disabilities within the team, but it allows me to play the sport I love which is great. I’ve made some really good friends.”

Last year Gregor and the Tridents reached the final of DPL in the inaugural competition season. There were some incredibly close games throughout the qualifying rounds, but the culmination

of the competition was a final played at Bristol County Ground and streamed live by Sky, leading to a victory for Tridents.

“Playing at Bristol was awesome – another level of cricket altogether. Commentators, professional umpires and stump mics all made for an unforgettable experience.”

Gregor’s performances in last season’s matches have ensured him a place in the squad for next year and he has been retained by Tridents for the forthcoming 2023 cricket season.

The ECB’s ultimate goal is to become world leaders in disability cricket and the creation of the DPL is their first step in achieving this. Last year, as part of the ongoing promotional work for the DPL, Gregor featured in an ECB commissioned film for broadcast by Sky. The production team followed and recorded Gregor in all aspects of his daily life; at home, at training and at work, and we were delighted to welcome them into KES as they trailed Gregor conducting coaching sessions. Their footage has now been made into a 30-minute film that will be used by the ECB to promote the competitive sporting opportunities available to those with disabilities.

Gregor’s experience of disability sport has been a positive one and he is keen to help make sure that everyone is aware of all the opportunities that are out there.

“I think it’s important to make people aware of the opportunities available outside of mainstream sport. There are a lot of people who would benefit from it and they are unaware of their existence as they don’t get publicity. DPL has the potential to reach a big audience and encourage other people to play disability sport which can only be a good thing.”

If the popularity of DPL continues there may be future possibilities for players to be given 6-week seasonal professional contracts. Gregor would love this to happen but, for now, he is combining his training schedule with his role as Graduate Sports Coach here at KES, in the hope that this will help him in his quest to become a full-time county coach.

“I loved my time at KES as a student. I made friends for life and enjoyed every day. It gave me fantastic opportunities and the mindset to strive and succeed and be the best I can be. It’s great to be back!”

James Chamberlain is currently working as a junior doctor at Winchester Hospital. On leaving KES, James proceeded to Cardiff University, where he enrolled on a biology undergraduate course, something he attributes to the inspirational teaching of his Sixth Form biology teachers. However, after finishing amongst the top performing students at the end of his first year of study, James took up a place on the medicine feeder scheme, via which, after two further years, he finished top of his year with a Biomedical Science degree. He then spent a further four years at Cardiff Medical School where he qualified as a doctor before moving back down south and taking up a position as a Foundation Doctor at Winchester Hospital and sharing a house with his friend from KES, Tom Thwaites.

James’ medical training, like so many, was severely interrupted by the COVID pandemic and, as such, much of the time he would have spent learning, observing procedures and practising surgical skills in theatre, such as how to use laparoscopic surgical equipment, was curtailed due to the lockdown. As the ‘Skills Lead’ for the Cardiff University Surgical Society, he would normally have been busy organising suturing teaching and other practical sessions for students, but this was not possible due to the global pandemic. With time on his hands, James set about working on a project to enable him, and others in the same situation, to be able to practise these skills without the need to access a clinical environment or expensive

equipment. And with this in mind, he designed a laparoscopic training box – a piece of equipment that medical students can use to practise simulated laparoscopic surgery but that can be produced at a low cost, utilises the student’s smartphone, is easily put together and can be used in a home or study environment.

After qualifying as a doctor, James revisited this fledgling idea and with the help of Tom (a qualified architect who had studied A Level Design and Technology at KES), produced a detailed design of the kit to enable it to be produced on a laser cutter. The pandemic had produced a generation of young medics who are now experiencing a surgical skills gap, due to the shortage of time spent in theatre due to the lockdown. Producing the laparoscopic training box at a low cost and with relative ease would be one way to help counteract this and give young doctors the opportunity to practise their surgical skillset with just a mobile phone or tablet and one of the laparoscopic box sets.

Earlier this year, James contacted the KES Design & Technology Department and requested help with his project by using the school laser cutter to produce the first

prototype of the design. The School were only too pleased to assist and, last month, James was delighted to see his project finally come to fruition. The plan going forward is to produce a number of these kits and, with the support of his surgical colleagues at Winchester Hospital, set up a training session for some of the young doctors there. Looking ahead, the project is one that James hopes could help many more medical students and young doctors, providing an ideal way for them to get to grips with the intricacies of working in a 3D environment on a 2D screen and honing the fine motor skills needed for such delicate surgical work.

James will soon be starting his rotation within the A&E department at Winchester before he heads off to Australia to take up an 18-month contract in Sydney before returning and hoping to specialise in interventional radiology.

James Chamberlain (KES 11-13) & Tom Thwaites (KES 06-13)

From The Archives

Your memories of KES

So often we talk to many of you at reunions and you tell us about your time at KES, your former teachers, their nicknames and quirky habits, school events and the high jinks you all got up to.

With the passing of time, these important memories and recollections risk getting lost and forgotten and we would therefore like to collate them all together to place in our digital archives.

If you have memories that you would be happy to share (the mundane, the funny and downright bizarre), please do jot down your thoughts and either email them to edwardians@kes.hants.sch. uk or post to the school address for the attention of The Development Office.

We would also be interested in having copies (digital or original) of any photos taken during your time at school to add to our school archives.

Will you join us in helping the next generation of OEs?

In 1553, King Edward’s was founded on an act of philanthropy when William Capon left the sum of one hundred pounds in his Will to fund a school for the poor boys of Southampton. Today, as a School, we endeavour to honour our important historical roots by providing bursarial support to as many gifted local children as possible, so that

they may benefit from a King Edward’s education regardless of their family circumstances. To this end, the school seeks the support of OEs and other supporters of the school to help us achieve this vision.

We ask you to consider joining with others, either by leaving a bequest in your Will, or by making a one-off or regular donation of any size to ensure that we can continue to keep offering places to all gifted children from any background. Membership of our Capon Club is exclusive to those who are supporting the King Edward VI Foundation and members are invited back to the School on a regular basis to meet with other like-minded individuals and enables us to thank them for their ongoing support.

Why I have chosen to support the King Edward VI Foundation

Phil Preston (KES 64-71)

During my last year at Shirley Junior School, I was part of a production of a Shakespeare play. One of our performances took place at King Edward’s in front of a packed audience of pupils and staff from other schools in Southampton and this triggered my determination to become a pupil. I was, therefore, thrilled, if a little surprised, to pass my 11+ and gain a place at KES.

With older parents and limited financial means, I looked to the staff at KES as role models. The late Eric Merriman, in particular, helped me cultivate my continuing passion for music and I joined the school choir at the end of my first year enabling me to be a part of the many successful musical events and choir trips abroad to countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Involvement in a range of the many extra-curricular activities on offer at KES developed my keen sense of teamwork, leadership, responsibility and the value of friendship in a secure and caring setting.

I left KES in 1971, the year in which Colin Dobson succeeded John Stroud as Headmaster. I joined the staff of Hampshire County Council as an audit assistant following which I undertook a range of roles in Education Management in local authorities in the Southeast of England. I subsequently became Head of Education Planning and School Organisation in two London Boroughs and, for two years, I was Senior Education Consultant in a major international project management company supporting education providers in the UK and abroad. Now retired, my love of music continues and this year I am devoting much of my free time to singing second bass with the Chelmsford Singers as well as supporting our local Mencap group as a trustee in Chelmsford.

As well as a sound academic foundation, attending KES gave me a set of values and standards by which to conduct my life and which my wife and I have always instilled in our children and grandchildren.

We have chosen to support the King Edward Foundation as we wanted to help young people, who would not otherwise have the financial means, to benefit from the potential life-changing educational experience and opportunities that I was fortunate to have had through attending KES myself. Every time I return, I still feel ‘at home’ - part of the happy and caring KES family - and would encourage other OEs to join with those of us who have committed to helping the next generation of KES pupils.

To find out more about how you can help, either by making a donation or leaving a legacy, please visit our website by scanning the QR code.

Snippets

Lee Balch (KES 90-97) returned to KES for the first time since leaving, for his cohort’s 25-year reunion in February this year. Following his renewed contact with the School, Lee kindly offered to talk to current Sixth Formers and we were delighted to welcome him back to speak during Foundation Studies last term and hear about his experiences of growing up as a gay man in 1990s Britain, his life since leaving KES, including his planned and unplanned gap years, his university studies and his career in the NHS.

Ellie Jones (KES 05-12) recently returned to School to help us mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Ellie proceeded to Oxford upon finishing KES and now works for the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, designs, trademarks and copyright.

Martin Brisland (KES 64-71) recently donated 4 signed copies of his local history and fact books to the school library. From his work as a tour guide with See Southampton (whose aim is to promote the city, its communities, culture and heritage), Martin has picked up a whole host of weird, wonderful and interesting facts and anecdotes, which he shares in his books. Secret New Forest, Secret Southampton, the A-Z of Southampton and Celebrating Southampton are all published by Amberley and provide a fascinating insight into the lesser-known facts about our local area. Martin is also currently working on two new titles to include the nearby town of Romsey.

Kit Chapman’s (KES 96-01) recent book Racing Green has won the RAC’s Motorsport Book of the Year 2022.

Ellie received an autism diagnosis about 3 years ago when in her 20s, and spent time talking to KES staff and students about the impact the diagnosis has had on her life, including within the workplace and personally. She explained how a diagnosis had helped her with her own self awareness and understanding of her needs, as well as how different strategies have been useful in helping her deal with situations that she can find challenging. Ellie championed the support that she has received from her employer and also spoke about the positives of being neurodivergent.

Rory Penrose (KES 16-21) has been selected for the 2023 GB Men’s Hockey Elite Development Programme.

Caroline Taylor (KES 03-10) returned to the South Coast in December for a special Christmas fundraiser at St Mark’s Church. Caroline, and her co-performers performed an hour-long programme of songs and arias from shows including West Side Story, La Bohème, Carmen and South Pacific, alongside familiar Christmas favourites, to raise funds for Ben Pavitt’s Legacy of Love Fund.

Zofia Rogers (KES 16-18) has just started her first national radio presenting role on Capital Dance. She started radio at university in 2019 and, after graduating, took part in community radio for a year whilst searching for a role in national radio.

Martha Tipple (KES 99-06) now runs her own business (AME Training & Consultancy) specialising in training junior employees on how to manage, and nurture client relationships. She also helps those new to the world of working - teaching communication, negotiation, problemsolving and conflict management skills.

Ameena Hamid (KES 11-18) won the Best Producer award at The Black British Theatre Awards in November. Congratulations Ameena!

Obituaries

John William Charles Bowden (KES 43-56) passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on 12th March. After attending King Edward’s, John joined the Royal Navy, where he served as a Chief Artificer and diver. Following his naval service, he joined Wiltshire Police as a Constable and later became a senior engineer at Air Products. He retired to Devon in 1999 having retired as Facilities Manager at Dolphin Square in London. John will be remembered for his humour and is survived by his wife Patricia, and sons Simon and James.

Derek Collinson (KES 44-51) died in September 2022 aged 89.

David Garnet Durham (KES 56-64) passed away suddenly in February. At School, David studied Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths at A Level and was a good all-round sportsman, playing 2nd XI rugby, hockey and cricket. He was also a school monitor. David spent his retirement living in Scotland but returned south regularly for school events and was a supporter of the King Edward VI Foundation.

David Richard English (KES 39-44) passed away earlier this year. David was a stalwart supporter of the School and a regular at the annual Poole Evacuees’ Luncheon.

Robert ‘Bob’ Hailey (KES 50-58) had a distinguished school career becoming Head of School in 1958. He proceeded to King’s College London where he read German before going on to the Carnegie College of Physical Education in 1961 to train as a specialist PE teacher. Bob had been poorly for several years and passed away peacefully in January 2023.

Classics and Divinity at KES, to do Physics at Durham University. He then completed his Dip.Ed. in Physics at Trinity College, Cambridge before doing a PhD in Physics on ‘Gravity Waves in Water’ at Loughborough University. He subsequently put himself through the Law Society’s exams to qualify and practise as a solicitor in NorthEast England and gained a Fellowship on Artificial Intelligence and the Law at Northumbria Polytechnic. The last 25 years of his career were spent as a Senior Lecturer in Legal Practice at Northumbria where he enjoyed his academic research as much as his teaching, publishing more than 400 papers, many in association with a local colleague. Michael had a strong interest in religion and charitable activities which led to his commitment to pro bono work with the marginalised and included active support for those suffering from mental illness (an area of support he began in his years at KES). He leaves his Anglo-Swedish wife of 58 years, Elizabeth, sons Stephen and John and 5 grandchildren.

John Charles Northover (KES 56-63) passed away in September 2022.

Robin Lloyd Pomeroy (KES 42-47) died in March 2023. Robin was a regular attendee at the Poole Evacuees’ Luncheon along with his wife, Bobby, who died last year. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends and is survived by his son, Bruce.

Terence (aka John) Dove-Dixon (KES 49-56) was born in Bath but attended King Edward’s when the family moved to Southampton. After leaving KES, he joined the National Provincial Bank and subsequently the Automobile Association at their Basingstoke HQ. He was a lifelong keen cricketer and hockey player playing for the OE 1st XI from 1954-1956. When the OECC entered the Hampshire League in 1976 he scored an unbeaten 163 in their first match. John was widowed twice and, latterly, moved to Devon. He died in early December, aged 84.

Michael Ambrose Heather (KES 52-60) died in September 2022 and was the eldest of three brothers, all of whom attended KES during the Dr Stroud’s headship. Taking an ICI transfer scholarship, he changed from

Peter James Pope (KES 47-53) passed away in November 2022, aged 86. He joined the St John Ambulance in 1953 and spent his life supporting the voluntary services. He worked as a chartered engineer in medical devices until he and his wife, Maggie, moved to Cumbria and he concentrated his efforts within the voluntary sector. He rose to the rank of Superintendent in the first aid organisation, assisting in the development of the Keswick division. Peter and Maggie had no children of their own but were heavily involved in fostering whilst they lived in London. Peter leaves his widow and his many friends within the St John Ambulance.

Graham Allan ‘John’ Rogers (KES 49-57) died very peacefully in November 2022, aged 84, after a period of declining health. He had a distinguished career at King Edward’s, not least due to his sporting prowess. He represented the School in cricket, rugby, hockey, athletics, basketball and tennis, and played for the Hampshire Schools rugby team. He was Southampton Junior Tennis champion on three occasions. In 1957 he was awarded the Egremont Cup for the School’s best all-round athlete, and, in 1954, an American Field Service Scholarship and spent a happy year with a family in Minnesota. On his return he became a Prepositor and Deputy Head of School in his final year.

In 1957 he went up to Nottingham University to study Philosophy and, in 1960, on to St Catherine’s, Oxford, for doctoral studies. In 1962 he accepted a position of Lecturer in the Philosophy Department at Keele University where he remained until his retirement as Emeritus Professor of Philosophy after a distinguished career, becoming an internationally renowned scholar of seventeenth century philosophy. His colleagues describe John as a “scholar and a gentleman”. His scholarship was extensive, not only in a formidable output of published essays and editorship of many collections of essays, but also with the completion of two large-scale editions of John Locke’s Essay and Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan. He also founded, and for many years edited, The British Journal of the History of Philosophy which rapidly became one of the premier journals of the history of ideas. He was Head of Keele’s Philosophy Department for many years and is fondly remembered by generations of colleagues and students alike for his calmness, courtesy and

thoughtfulness. He successfully steered the Department through the troubled times when philosophy departments nationwide were under threat, securing its future.

In retirement, he joined his local Rotary club, played golf and enjoyed family time with his beloved wife, Jo, (whom he met at Keele when she was a student). They had been married for over 54 years and Jo was so thankful to have been able to care for him during his final years of health problems.

John was devoted to King Edward’s and proud to serve as President of the Old Edwardians for many years, attending several lunches for past Presidents with Jo. He leaves wife Jo, daughters Sara and Rachel and was proud Grandpa to five grandchildren.

in 1996. Retiring to the Scottish Highlands, Brian more recently returned to the south coast.

An Old Edwardian, regular attendee of the Poole Evacuees’ luncheons and OE events, Brian stayed connected to the school up to his 90th birthday which he celebrated in December.

Brian Edwin Steptoe (KES 43-49) passed the 11+ entrance exam to King Edward’s a year early aged 10. As a wartime pupil, he was evacuated twice to Poole with the School. Brian captained the 1st XI hockey team and represented the school in 1st XI football and cricket teams. He was followed at King Edward’s by his brother Gordon (KES 48-53), and his two sons, Piers (KES 74-80) and Dominic (KES 80-86).

After graduating from the University of Southampton in 1953, Brian began a long career in the RAF, during which he was stationed across the UK including RAF Bawdsey and HQ Bomber Command, before being posted to the Aden Protectorate (now South Yemen), Madrid and Gibraltar. As Squadron Leader, he left the service after graduating RAF Staff College. In 1970 he joined the University of London Careers Advisory Service, which he led until his retirement

Ralph Watson Stevens (KES 38-46) died in January this year after a short illness. Due to the outbreak of war, Ralph spent much of his secondary schooling based at Poole Grammar School when the school community was evacuated from the Hill Lane site at the outbreak of war. He gained a Higher Certificate in German, History and English Literature with a distinction in French. In 1948 he was posted to Egypt for his military service, before progressing to university. A quiet, courteous, caring and kind man, Ralph was devoted to his beloved wife Beth who predeceased him and his family. He leaves his daughter Lindsey and son Kevin and his grandchildren who will all miss him dearly.

Derek Paul Wise (KES 69-76) passed away at home in August 2022.