Edwardian April 2024

From the Head

Being the Head of a School like King Edward’s is an extraordinary privilege. It is also a rare one – I am just the 39th person to have fulfilled the role since our foundation in 1553. Sometimes the responsibility not only of trying one’s hardest to provide an exceptional education for every child attending the School right now, but of also stewarding this historic institution safely through the turbulence of the moment so that it can continue its valuable work for future generations can weigh somewhat heavily upon me. It is a significant responsibility, and one I never underestimate. But most of the time the sheer honour of being asked to fulfil the role hugely outweighs any burden.

This honour is never more apparent to me than when I meet Old Edwardians, which I do regularly. At our alumni events dotted throughout each academic year, or through chatting with current and prospective parents who themselves attended KES, I am regularly reminded of just how lifechanging a KES education can be for a young person. How impactful it can remain for the entirety of their lives.

‘The Edwardian’ magazine provides just another such way in which these positive benefits can be expressed and appreciated. This edition perhaps even more so than most, containing as it does some wonderful stories about the extraordinary achievements and lives of former pupils who are both recent leavers and somewhat more mature. In the case of the article celebrating the 350th birthday of Isaac Watts, very much a long-ago leaver!

That you choose to keep us informed about your lives beyond KES is testament to your continued link to our School. In fact, if I could insert just one plea here, it would be for yet more OEs to reach out to us and to share your brilliant stories. We want to hear about your experiences beyond KES and we want to keep in touch. We would love for today’s pupils to benefit from you by learning about some of the pathways they themselves might one day tread. When I meet Old Edwardians, I am given to reminding them that KES is, and always will be, their School – whether they like it or not! I hope

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for most of you that this is a happy message, and that you too still feel that you belong to this fabulous place.

I know that for Chris Avent, who I spent some time with recently, this is absolutely the case – as indeed it was for his father Ronald, who taught at KES for many years. Chatting to Chris and his sister about their father’s love of the School, and about Chris’ own heartfelt appreciation for the difference it made to his own life, was one of those moments where the privilege of my job was brought very much to the fore. Not just for us Headteachers, but for all teachers, this is the very stuff of why we do what we do! To make a difference. That the Avent family then decided to pass on the opportunity of a KES education to other young people from our region by donating such a wonderful bursary gift, was a kindness beyond measure.

Thank you to Chris and his family – but thanks also to every Old Edwardian who contributes what they can to our bursary funds, or else chooses to let us know what they are up to and perhaps offers to pass on their experiences to inspire our pupils. We value every contact, every link, every kindness - no matter how big or small. So do please get in contact (and then keep in contact) with KES… your School!

King Edward VI School, Wilton Road, Southampton, SO15 5UQ Tel. +44 (0)23 8070 4561 Join

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News from the School

KES achieves top national rankings

The School has proudly secured its position amongst the Top 100 Independent Senior Schools in the UK. This recognition not only places the school in an elite category but also distinguishes it as the sole representative co-educational day school from Hampshire on the prestigious list. The announcement, made in December last year, comes as a testament to the unwavering commitment to academic excellence, outstanding teaching, and a nurturing learning environment at King Edward VI School.

The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide ranks schools by the first true set of post-pandemic examination results and is widely acknowledged as the most authoritative survey of the country’s top schools.

Neal Parker, Head, expressed his immense pride and gratitude for the entire school community, stating, “This recognition is a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of our students, staff, and parents. It affirms our commitment to academic excellence. We are delighted to be the only co-educational day school in Hampshire to feature in the Top 100 Independent Senior Schools in the UK.”

Isaac Watts 350th anniversary

This year sees the 350th Anniversary of one of KES’s most famous former pupils – minister and hymn-writer Isaac Watts. There are several celebrations taking place across the city to celebrate his life and extraordinary contribution to hymnody – which includes such popular favourites as ‘When I survey the wondrous cross’, ‘Joy to the World’ and the school hymn ‘Our God, Our Help in Ages Past’. His writing was radical in its time and continues to set the standard for hymn-writing even today.

One of these commemorative events is a composition competition to encourage composers to write music to his words anew and to create the living bond between verse and melody through something new. The winning entry will be performed by the KES chamber choir in a central Southampton church in the autumn.

Mr Eadon, KES’s Director of Music, is one of the judges for this competition and says,

“Isaac Watts is such a familiar name to regular church goers – but his texts are universal, spiritually inclusive and often far more well-embedded in broader society than we might think. It is so exciting that, in common with our beloved city of Southampton, we seek to celebrate his work in this way during his 350th anniversary year. The idea that KES pupils will be the first performers of a new, specially-written piece through an open competition brings great anticipation and harks back to the 1980s when Elizabeth Poston (of Jesus Christ the Apple Tree) was commissioned to write a setting of Isaac Watt’s metrical version of Psalm 23.”

KES receives transformational donation to fund bursaries

We are delighted to announce a transformational donation from the Avent family to fund bursaries at KES. In late November 2023, Chris Avent travelled to the UK from his home in the US and, along with his sister, Alison, visited us at the School. Chris was a pupil at KES from 1963-1970 during its Grammar School era and for him, the visit was certainly a trip down memory lane. A tour around the site brought back many recollections and, in particular, Chris recounted that this was one of the first times he had ever driven up to the School from the front drive. In his day the entrance for pupils was always via Kellett Road and, even as Deputy Head of School, he would certainly have not been able to wander down the Head’s corridor!

When Chris joined KES in the 1960s, his father Ronald Avent had already been teaching Geography here for well over a decade. Alumni and staff from this era may remember Ronald’s empathy for pupils and colleagues alike, and his occasional tendency to branch off the core subject matter to share his many passions with those in his class. Ronald is remembered to this day at KES through the ‘Aventry’ on the first floor, so named because that room became a store for his many papers, books and gowns. Chris and Alison were pleased to find during their tour that the Aventry’s function is not too dissimilar today!

Chris and Alison’s visit did have another special purpose, which was to discuss their decision to make an incredibly generous donation to the School. As well as wishing to continue the remembrance of their father, Chris and Alison both strongly believe in the power of a KES education to create opportunities for today’s young people and enable them to achieve their full potential.

Chris says:

“When I studied at KES in the Grammar School days, the education was completely free. Looking back across my life and my career, I realise that my time at KES was very formative for me. As a family, we wanted to make a gift to the School that will help today’s pupils, especially those who are not able to afford the fees but who would hugely benefit from the quality education KES continues to provide.”

The donation from the Avent family will mean three outstanding young people from underrepresented backgrounds are offered a fully funded bursary place from Year 7 through to Sixth Form over the next three academic years.

Neal Parker, Head comments:

“We are hugely grateful to Chris and Alison for providing these Avent Family Bursaries. Since the very foundation of our school in 1553, a key part of our ethos has been to support the education of bright pupils who may not be able to afford it otherwise. I know that this gift will have a huge impact on three outstanding pupils here, and I cannot wait to see what they do with these opportunities.”

When the news of the Avent Family bursary was shared on social media it prompted numerous comments from alumni formerly taught by Ronald Avent, all of whom remembered him and his teaching methods with great fondness.

“Ronald Avent taught me all I know about geography and is one of the first masters to spring to mind. A firm favourite.”

Chris Haresign

“Mr Avent was a regular letter writer to the broadsheet newspapers, and often got his letters published. Over

The teaching staff in May 1959, Ronald Avent top row, 7th from left.

time the papers stopped including his letters as he had submitted so many. So he resorted to pseudonyms to get his letters published. One of which was R G Buller, and that’s how he got his nickname!!” Rob Kavanagh

“Mr Avent, is one of a handful of the masters who taught me during my time as a boy at ‘Spuds’ 1962-69 whose lessons I can remember. His teaching style was relaxed and ‘easily’ driven off course by us devious pupils. Vivid descriptions of Glaciers and the difference in the specific gravity of ice and rock resulting in ‘sinking boulders’ made the experience of his lessons exciting and memorable. He was a man of integrity, a great teacher and a powerfully positive influence on my learning path.”

Gordon McGlone

Following on from the Avent family donation, the School is planning to expand its bursary offering for pupils. If you share this vision to create opportunities for bright young people and would like to discuss how to donate to the King Edward VI Foundation, please contact edwardians@kes.hants.sch.uk.

Sport Golf

Eight OE golfers braved showery but warm conditions at Corhampton Golf Club for the final golfing event of the 2023 season, welcoming Mark Wright-Green (KES 72-78) and John Spencer (KES 64-71) for the first time. With the course in excellent condition, players didn’t take advantage of their approach play and found the greens tricky with several subtle breaks in them. This was demonstrated on the 18th as Nick Creal 3-putted to miss out and take 3rd place with 35 points. Top spot was decided between Guy Bewick and Andrew McNaught who both finished with 36 points, with Guy taking the Ray Paull Cup home by virtue of his 13-11 points total on the last 6 holes. Nick’s 3rd place win secured him the Order of Merit Cup for the 2023 season.

2024 season events:

Season Results:

Event Winner

The Inter House Reynolds Competition: (Dave Dykes & Nick Creal)

The Triangular Cup: OEs win

The Wally Kemp: Dave Creal

The Ray Paull Cup: Guy Bewick

Order of Merit 2023 season: Nick Creal

New members are always welcome as we will need at least 12 players for the events due to restrictions in place at many clubs. Please contact Nick Creal at squealer13@yahoo.com for information.

Chris Avent with Neal Parker, Head, in our new Chapel

What receiving a bursary has meant to me

Afjal Chowdhury (KES 17-24)

My first exposure to KES was with the partnership programme that was running with my primary school. I came along with my class and took part in Science, Art and Philosophy sessions and my Head Teacher subsequently encouraged me to apply for a place.

The day I found out that I had passed the entrance exam and had been offered a full bursary place was a happy and emotional one for me and my family. We held a big party to celebrate and I was even prouder when I first started in Year 7 when the Head, Mr Thould, came up to me and told me, “Your paper is one of the best that I’ve read.”

7 years later, I am now in my final year of KES, studying 4 A Levels in Maths, Further Maths, Computing and Physics with a view to studying Maths and Philosophy at University. Beyond that, I am uncertain about the specific direction I want to take with my career. I am currently exploring more creative paths outside of pure STEM, an area that I really enjoyed lower down in the school, with hopes to incorporate these somehow into my career. I envisage myself somewhere in the likes of academia, AI, or entrepreneurship: all I can say is, watch this space!

Alongside working hard on my academics, I am heavily immersed in co-curriculars at KES, having attended somewhere in the region of 30 different clubs over my 7 years here. I found these to be a really valuable opportunity to delve into my interests outside of the curriculum, and to see practical applications of a lot of my classwork. Greenpower was a highlight for me, and we built and designed a kit car that we raced at Goodwood. I have also been an active member of Lunar Society, delivering several maths-themed lectures, and I have served as Head of Sustainability in my Upper Sixth year.

KES has been instrumental in helping me get to where I am today. Being surrounded by so many like-minded people within my peer group under the guidance and nurture of my teachers is, for me, my favourite part of KES and has provided me with the perfect forum to explore my passions and develop my intellectual curiosity. This spark is something that has somewhat contagiously caught on in my sisters and other family members too, with the effects of me going to a school like KES echoing well beyond my own individual growth.

I would encourage anyone thinking of applying for a bursary to attend KES to ‘Go for it’. Although it might all seem a little daunting, joining a brand new school, and leaving behind a lot of your friends, I’ve found that there have been so many benefits to coming here, some that I’m only realising now, and I can’t imagine myself anywhere else.

I am truly grateful to all those who have supported the King Edward VI Foundation, and I want you to know that your generosity has reached far beyond a simple scholarship. A KES Bursary truly transforms lives: it fuels success stories, cultivates a community where diverse perspectives converge, and empowers all individuals to thrive.

If you would like to join with others in helping young people like Afjal, please visit our website for more information on how to donate.

Reunions

10-Year - Class of 2013

Everyone had a great night back in November when the Class of 2013 gathered at School for their 10-year reunion. We were delighted to welcome back so many familiar faces and catch up with what everyone has been up to over the last decade. As ever, the highlight was the tour of the School to see exactly what changes have taken place since Leavers’ Day 2013!

25 YearClass of 1998 & 1999

What a wonderful January evening we had here at KES as we welcomed back our alumni from the Classes of 1998 & 1999 for their 25-year reunion. Our thanks to everyone who made the effort to attend, with some guests flying in from abroad just to be with us for the evening. We were also joined by a good number of former teaching staff.

London drinks

It was another great turn out for this year’s annual London post-work drinks. Due to the popularity of this event we shall be seeking a venue with a larger capacity for next year. Watch this space!

Forthcoming Reunions

We will be hosting the following reunions and social events in 2024. In order that you receive an invitation, please ensure we have your most up-to-date email address.

Natalie Black (KES 94-01)

Natalie Black (KES 94-01) was the first Head of School for a fully co-educational KES. Upon leaving King Edward’s Natalie attended the London School of Economics where she graduated in International Relations before completing a Master’s degree in Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School as a prestigious Fulbright Scholar.

Most recently, Natalie was the first His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific and the UK’s Senior Economic Official to ASEAN. Based in Singapore, Natalie led the UK’s trade strategy and operations across North-East Asia, South-East Asia and Australia and New Zealand. Highlights included a new network of trade deals and partnerships across the Asia Pacific region from Japan to New Zealand, membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for TransPacific Partnership, a new Digital Economy Agreement with Singapore and record levels of investment to the UK from Asia Pacific.

Prior to this role, Natalie held a number of posts in His Majesty’s Government including Deputy Head of the Number 10 Policy Unit, Director of the Internet Harms Unit and Director of the Office of Cyber Security in the Cabinet Office. Before joining the Civil Service, Natalie was the Chief of Staff for Security at the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, London 2012, and a management consultant.

In January 2020, Natalie was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Honours List for her public service.

“My time at KES taught me to make the most of every opportunity - to meet new people, try new experiences and make a difference wherever you can. Most importantly, I made friends for life that I will always cherish.”

Ian Hewitt OE awarded MBE in Honours List (KES 58-65)

Congratulations to Ian Hewitt who was recently awarded an MBE, in recognition for services to tennis and charity, in His Majesty The King’s New Year Honours.

Ian proceeded to St Edmund Hall, Oxford upon leaving KES where he gained a first, becoming a partner for more than 25 years with Freshfields, a leading international law firm based in London. Within his role he developed a wide experience in joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions and other commercial transactions. He was also a leading member of the International Trade Centre’s pro bono committee on international commercial model contracts, including joint venture and alliance contracts, for small and medium-sized enterprises.

A former county tennis player for many years for Hampshire, when regular teammates included fellow ex-KES students Keith Wiseman (56-63) and Charles Trippe (54-62), Ian joined the main Committee of The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (AELTC) and the Wimbledon Championships in 2002, becoming Chairman in December 2019. During his tenure, Ian ably steered the organisation through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic (including cancellation of the 2020 Championships and subsequent recovery) and then, in

following years, the difficult issues concerning Russian and Belarusian player participation in light of Russia’s war on Ukraine. He also oversaw many enhancements to The Championships, including the introduction of play on Middle Sunday; the completion of a state-of-the-art Indoor Tennis Centre; and long-term renewals with two key Wimbledon broadcast partners.

Ian was pivotal in establishing and chairing the Wimbledon Foundation, the official charity of the AELTC and The Championships. Now 10 years old, the Wimbledon Foundation invests substantial resources annually through grants to charities locally in the boroughs of Merton and Wandsworth, nationally and internationally with a view to making a positive difference to people’s lives. Ian stepped down as Wimbledon Chairman after the 2023 Championships and is now a Vice President of the AELTC in recognition of his outstanding 21 years of service. He is also the author of a variety of sport-focused and legal publications.

Ian comments: “I have always recognised and been grateful for my good fortune in attending KES and the platform that created for subsequent opportunities in my life.”

Ben Dobson (KES 79-85)

Ben Dobson, son of former headmaster Colin Dobson, was a pupil from 1979-1985.

In February, he launched his new book, Too Good To Be Forgotten – Three Wise Men From Football’s Golden Era, which revisits that time in the company of ex-players and fans and examines the similarities and idiosyncrasies of the three remarkable sons of the north east who made it happen – Brian Clough, Lawrie McMenemy and Bobby Robson.

“I was saddled with Saints by my Dad from an early age and have never been able to shake the allegiance, however hard I’ve tried and despite living 250 miles away. My first season ticket was unwrapped on Christmas Day 1975 and five months later Saints had won the FA Cup, so for a time I considered myself a good luck charm. The unfathomable success wasn’t to last, but as an inveterate nostalgist this time is one I wanted to re-visit. How could I be watching Jeff Hemmerman of Hull City at The Dell one week, and Robbie Rensenbrink of Anderlecht the next – something akin to Red Rum appearing on The Common. It’s sad that the sort of winter Saturday embedded in my brain doesn’t exist in today’s world as our game is changed. Multi-Coloured Swap Shop and Football Focus, pre-match meal of Mum’s meatloaf and Marmite gravy, the walk down Hill Lane and past the school, emerging from the dark of the West Stand to the greenest of pitches before me, half-time Bovril as men in white coats hung slates on pegs to give the scores from elsewhere and a cheer for Pompey 2-0 down, back to the car in time for Sports Report, Doctor Who and a short kip before parental resurrection for Match of the Day. I told you I was a nostalgist.

For me, it’s not about the match statistics. What mattered was the impact it had on the wider community, and the city itself, which was put on the map as never

before. The book is therefore based on contributions from ex-players (anybody remember Mick Channon, Peter Rodrigues, Paul Bennett and Hughie Fisher?); Lawrie kindly wrote the foreword himself. All of these club stalwarts still live in the area today – something which endorses the narrative of the story. A bond was created between players, club and community which simply cannot exist in today’s game.

I was one of the 200,000 who packed into the streets around the Civic Centre on 2nd May 1976 – the largest gathering in the city’s history – to welcome home the Cup heroes. It became clear in the interviews with those players that that day still means as much to them as it does to the fans. It was also important to talk to those fans, one of whom will be familiar to many alumni. I have to thank here my former English teacher David Dykes, 60odd years a season ticket holder, for his characteristically sage input, and hope the advance copy I sent him doesn’t come back to me marked and with ‘see me’ noted at the bottom.”

Ben’s book is available online and in bookshops.

Did you go on The Charlotte Exchange?

2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the partnership exchange programme between King Edward’s and The Charlotte Country Day School in North Carolina. Over the past 25 years, a wealth of KES students have enjoyed the partnership between the two schools, visiting the USA for two weeks, living with families and experiencing first-hand life at an American school. The exchange always culminates in a home leg visit to the UK for our students’ exchange buddies and in many cases life-long friendships have been formed between students and staff from both sides of the Atlantic.

To mark this significant 25 year anniversary, Ms Speck, who is currently the Charlotte Exchange Co-ordinator, is planning a reunion event for past pupils who have participated in the exchange when our American friends visit KES in February 2025. If you have enjoyed the Charlotte Exchange at some point over the past two decades, please do drop her a line on les@kes.hants.sch.uk so that she can send you details of any celebratory events.

Obituaries

Barrie Wadham Burne (KES 45-53) died on 15th October 2023 aged 87.

William (Bill) Marshall Cox (former KES Chair of Governors from 1986-2001 and a Fellow of the School) passed away in December 2023 aged 93. He was born within half a mile of KES and, due to the war, was educated first as a boarder, and then as a day-boy, at Peter Symonds School in Winchester. He left school in 1948 after his Higher School Certificate to complete his National Service. In 1950 Bill joined Eli Lilly as a Management Trainee and in 1952 joined ICI accepting a posting to the Philippines a year later. Thereafter followed a further 10 years of working and living abroad, during which time he met his future wife Nanna in Thailand in 1961. They were married in Sweden and subsequently lived in Singapore. In 1963 Bill’s family acquired the Southampton-based pharmaceutical wholesale company, Herbert Ferryman Ltd and Bill joined the company in 1964, when his Far-East contract ended, becoming Managing Director in 1967, alongside his father as Chairman and brother as Finance Director. Bill’s other interests included a life-long love of Southampton FC, he was consular agent for Italy in Southampton from 19671986, served as President of the Rotary Club and was appointed by the Lord Chancellor as a General Commissioner in 1988. In 2001 he became Chairman of the Hampshire County Cricket Club Youth Trust. Bill will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.

David Anthony Hoare (KES 55-62) passed away in September last year. He became a partner of Burnett Swayne in 1972 and was involved in the audits of a number of their clients including Southern Newspapers, Whitport, White & Co and Brookton, M & W plc and Misselbrook and Weston. He joined the Board of Whitport in 2002, becoming Chairman in 2012 and was also a Director of Brookton. David was a member of the Old Edwardians’ Association for many years, as well has playing an active role in the OE Lodge, Rotary Club and a number of local charities. He was also a trustee of the Frank Misselbrook Foundation. David will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.

David Giddings Jones (KES 45-51) passed away last year.

Tony Christopher David Knight (KES 45-54) died on 01 December 2023 in his sleep, aged 87. At King Edward’s he was quickly recognized for his intellect and started learning physics at the age of eight. Proceeding to Bristol University, Tony graduated in nuclear physics and

met a young nursing student, Bernice, who was destined to be his wife.

Tony first became a teacher but quickly moved into industry working as a research physicist at the opening of the first nuclear power plant in England. With the advent of the space race, scientists were in demand around the world and the family emigrated, on a genius visa, to the United States where he immediately started work for Bendix in Ann Arbor, MI, helping NASA develop the Apollo space program.

Tony worked on the Viking missions to Mars at Martin Marietta Aerospace near Denver. The two Viking Landers, that became the first ever spacecraft to land on Mars, contained (among other experiments) a seismometer, a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer, and an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer that he had helped design and build. Heading up entry sciences on the Viking Landers Tony briefly relocated to the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena to work on mission control. He earned a NASA public service award and a presidential medal for the first exact measurements of Mars.

In 1977 he was involved with the project that sent up two Voyager probes to conduct closeup studies of Jupiter and Saturn. Both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are still travelling and collecting valuable scientific data from the farthest reaches of space. His next project was the Galileo mission to Jupiter. This was the first spacecraft to orbit an outer planet and Tony was in charge of designing and building the 6 instruments aboard the Galileo Probe. In 1995, the Galileo probe travelled 50 million miles away from the spacecraft at speeds of 106,000 MPH to descend through the atmosphere of Jupiter. All instruments performed as designed, giving the world the first detailed analysis of Jupiter’s atmosphere. Then Jupiter’s gravity crushed it into the size of a grain of sand.

Tony led the design and build for the Descent Imaging Spectral Radiometer (DISR) aboard the Huygens Probe. Holding the record for the most distant landing from our earth the Huygens Probe landed on the surface on Titan (Saturn’s largest moon). The famous images sent back from the surface of Titan were from the DISR.

Sadly, due to a massive heart attack Tony’s career ended at the age of 55. At the time of his retirement, he was Director of the world renowned “Payloads, Sensors, and Instruments” group at Martin Marietta Aerospace. Despite being given a life expectancy of two months to two years, Tony lived an extra 32 years.

A lover of music, wood working, performance cars, science, the outdoors, family and friends, Tony was a muchloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and a very accomplished man who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Clive Ralph Prestidge (KES 45-54) died in January aged 87 after a short illness. Born in Southampton, a talented cricket player and a regular 1st XI player, he turned to the teaching profession after completing national service with the Royal Engineers. Having qualified at King Alfred’s College, Clive took up a post teaching Geography at Weston Park Boys’ School before moving to teach Maths at the newly opened Mountbatten School in Romsey in 1969. He stayed here, until retirement, becoming Deputy Head in the 1980s. In retirement he continued to support the community working at the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, with the Court services, and as a church warden in Burley. He also devoted much of his time to his beloved wife, Elizabeth, and to his children and grandchildren.

Michael Weston (former KES Governor) passed away on 29th December last year aged 96. He was a longstanding governor at the school, following George Gould as Chair before handing on to Bill Cox. He was also the initial Chairman for the King Edward VI Society. Michael will be sadly missed by his wife Joy and his daughter Jackie and all that knew him.

David Thomas (KES 49-55) died in November 2023 with his children and grandchildren around him having actively taken on the challenge of fighting one after another terminal conditions for his last decade. After leaving KES, David qualified as an accountant, having pursued ice hockey in the 1960s, working in-house with a leisure group in the North, the Midlands and London before returning home to take on the family’s wholesale shoe business based in Romsey. Extraordinarily active throughout his life, with a keen interest in other people and the world around him that never faded, his impression will remain with the many throughout the world who had the good fortune to meet with him along the way.

Hugh Malcolm Kenneth Whiffen (KES 52-57) known as Whiff, died in December 2023 aged 82. Hugh enjoyed a successful career as an insurance broker in the city with W John Rose, succeeding Monty Rose upon his retirement and later joining

the Bowring group serving as board member at Bowring Rose. In the 1970s, Hugh established Malcolm Whiffen & Associates and a Lloyd’s underwriting agency. Aside from his work and his family, Hugh’s two passions were the RAF, having lost his RAF pilot father in 1943, and rugby. He joined Trojans Rugby Club and soon became an ever present 1st team player and lifelong Trojans supporter. He was much loved and respected by all his family; daughters Lisa and Bobbie, and siblings Andy and Marnie and missed by so many more.

Snippets

Tom Moisan (KES 15-20) is currently studying at the University of Surrey on the Tonmeister, music and sound recording course. As part of his course he has to create a portfolio of music recordings in a variety of styles and genres and featuring a range of artists, ensembles and orchestras; both in recording studios and on location. The KES Senior Spring Concert provided the ideal opportunity for Tom to complete one of these assignments and we enjoyed having him here for the evening to record the event.

Chloe Fong (KES 13-20) is currently studying medicine at KCL. This April, Chloe, and her friend Aqeel (also a medic) ran the London 2024 Marathon in support of Richard House Children’s Hospice. Richard House Children’s Hospice serves the heart of east London, delivering specialist care for babies, children and young adults, while supporting their families through counselling, therapy, bereavement support and more.

Annie Shuttleworth (KES 06-13) and Stu Duggal (KES 06-13) got married in Beesands, Devon last July – another KES wedding. They missed the 2023 10 year reunion as they were on honeymoon in Patagonia but their wedding provided their own mini KES reunion. The couple live in Exeter where Annie works for the Met Office and Stu works in Marketing for outdoor brands.

Snippets

Luke Benali (KES 04-11) returned to KES this term to talk to Sixth Formers at Open Forum. Luke is the founder and director of his tutoring business, Summit Tutors. He gave an insightful talk on his post-KES journey, the challenges of setting up and expanding a business and the importance of networking. He also gave valuable tips on writing CVs and interview technique. Luke talked about who and what had inspired him to push forward and take risks, to be able to achieve personal and professional growth and he encouraged the students to persevere in their own individual endeavours.

Abigail Shaw (KES 02-09) is currently working as a Plastic Surgery Registrar at Southampton General Hospital and Salisbury District Hospital. In summer this year, she is planning to travel to Lilongwe, Malawi in July/ as part of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) Malawi-LION Project. This is a 5-year charitable project, setting up a Hand Surgery Unit in Malawi. Previously, there was no significant hand surgery provision in Lilongwe, the capital and largest city in Malawi. BSSH are sending a consultant surgeon, training surgeon and hand therapist from the UK for 5 years, to form a team with the Malawian trainee surgeon and hand therapist, aiming to set up a sustainable hand surgery service. Abigail will be just one of the volunteers who will visit Malawi in 6 weeks to 6 months blocks. Currently the team there are running around 2-3 days of hand trauma operating lists per week and 2 hand clinics, often with up to 40 patients in each clinic. They are also delivering weekly teaching sessions for Malawian trainee surgeons, hand therapists and clinical officers in a structured hand teaching programme.

Catherine James (KES 00-07) completed her medical undergraduate and postgraduate training in Cardiff, moving back to Hampshire in 2022. She now works as a GP with the Homeless Healthcare Team in Southampton; a GP surgery for adults experiencing homelessness in Southampton, including those who are street homeless, sofa surfing, in hostel or other temporary accommodation, women in safe houses and refugees/asylum seekers.

David Dry (KES 55-63) former Deputy Head of School and Oxford University scholar, continues to work consulting and mentoring young managers despite approaching 80. His professional history includes roles as CEO of several international businesses, university board positions at Staffordshire and Keele University and working on government funded regional mentoring and ‘levelling up’ programmes. He is also Chair of a research and development company.

Ian Bruce (KES 56-64) has published another book ‘Vision Changing Charity’ which looks at the development of British charities 1970 to 2010 through the lens of RNIB.

Chris Dowding (KES 57-64) joined British American Tobacco Co after leaving school before moving to Bordon Chemicals. After an unfortunate situation where he nearly blew up the resin testing laboratory, by overheating an exothermic reaction, he decided to change career moving into sales with Yellow Pages. He then opened his own business running provincial ‘Ideal Home’ type exhibitions in various venues in the South progressing to running new car motor shows. Having played bowls for 50 years (winning the Hampshire Singles Title in 1993 at Atherley BC a few hundred yards from the school), Chris started Bowls Sponsorship Ltd which is the only independent company in the UK organising sponsorship for Bowling Clubs. Now, aged 78, he is still working and continues to sell his unique bowling products. www.bowlssponsorship.com

Simon Williamson (KES 90-94) visited KES last term to deliver a talk to Sixth Formers about the personal challenge he set himself in 2013 – to run 100 marathons in 10 years. Simon spoke about his motivations for setting himself such a challenge; improving his overall fitness, helping combat stress and raising money for Parkinson’s disease charities to support his mum’s illness. He has competed in countries around the world setting a personal best of 3h 08 minutes along the Thames Path in 2020. In 2021 he completed his 100th marathon in his home village of Awbridge to the applause of his family and friends and raising over £15,000 in the process. But what next? Never one to remain idle, Simon plans to spend 2023 running with 365 different people – one for each day of the year, complete the remainder of the six major world marathons in Boston, New York and Tokyo and take part in the Comrades Ultra Marathon in South Africa between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.