Summer 19 Oakhamian Magazine

The magazine of Oakham School and The Old Oakhamian Club

Summer 19

The

HOUSE PRIDE LOWER SCHOOL HOUSES SHOWCASE THEIR NEW FLAGS AT SPORTS DAY

Interview with Henry Price, Oakham’s 31st Headmaster • Oakham is shortlisted for Tes Award

STRATEGIC EDUCATION INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD SHORTLIST! We are absolutely delighted to announce that Oakham School has been shortlisted for the ‘Strategic education initiative of the year’ category in the 2020 Tes Independent School Awards.

Oakham has been shortlisted for this wellregarded award because of its commitment – both in School and in sharing its knowledge with others – to learning through inquiry; enabling children to learn by finding out for themselves.

FOSIL is a Framework Of Skills for Inquiry Learning that has been developed and honed over seven years by Oakham’s Head of Library, Darryl Toerien, and a growing number of colleagues across the School. It continues to be embedded into Oakham’s education: both in the classroom and with pupils putting it to tangible use when completing their EPQs and EEs. “The ability for children to learn by finding out for themselves is extremely pertinent in today’s world,” says Darryl. “This is twofold because information is superabundant, which is a problem in itself, but unfortunately this information is not always trustworthy. Secondly, the rate of change, particularly in the job market, is unprecedented – meaning that today’s students will need to truly embrace the notion of ‘lifelong learning’.”

Earlier this year Oakham established the FOSIL Group (www.fosil.org.uk), an open and free online platform where all educators can share, reflect and develop more effective inquiry learning, for the collective benefit of all students, not just Oakhamians. The FOSIL Group, which was only launched this April, already has over 140 members from a range of different schools (state, independent, primary and secondary) both across the UK and, indeed, the world. It has also been endorsed by the country’s three leading library and information associations. It houses a continually growing number of FOSIL-based resources which can be immediately used, as

well as a Forum which is growing in popularity too (with 240+ posts across 70+ different topics of discussion).

“Sharing knowledge, sharing ideas and sharing resources have always been at the heart of education,” says Henry Price, Headmaster. “So I am delighted to witness not only the collaborative power of The FOSIL Group in working towards providing all pupils with the opportunities and resources to learn how to find things out for themselves, but also to see this excellent

educational initiative receive recognition in this Tes award shortlisting.”

Oakham and The FOSIL Group are now looking ahead to February when the winners of the ‘Strategic education initiative of the year’ award will be announced at a gala event in London.

To find out more about The FOSIL Group, visit the website, or follow them on Twitter @TheFosilGroup.

Summer 19 | Contents

33

PERFORMING ARTS

43

S TRIPS AND TOUR

79 ACTIVITIES

CONTENTS n Feature: Welcome to Oakham’s New Headmaster, Henry Price

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n Academic 9 n Performing Arts

33

n Trips and Tours

43

n Pastoral 55

87 SPORT

n Cover story: Lower School Houses present their flags at Sports Day

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n Activities 79 n Sport 87 n Staff News

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n Beyond Oakham

107

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ACADEMIC

Old Oakhamian News from our Old Oakhamians

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Up-date from the School Foundation

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The Oakhamian Magazine (no. 205) and Old Oakhamian Magazine (no. 115) Acknowledgements: The Editor would like to thank everyone who contributed articles and photographs to create this edition, including Adam Chidlow and Benedict Holland (Oakhamian pupil editors), Henry Deane (School Photographer) Louise Hitchen (Press Officer), Antonia Scott (proofreading).

Oakham School, Chapel Close, Oakham LE15 6DT 01572 758500 www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk Oakham School Registered Charity Number: 1131425

Oakhamian and Old Oakhamian Magazine Editor: Rachel Fairweather rf2@oakham.rutland.sch.uk ooclub@oakham.rutland.sch.uk Design: Dsquared Limited 01780 480690 • ideas@dsq.co.uk

Front and back cover: Lower School Sports Day. Photos by Elli Dean Front cover Old Oakhamian Magazine: Class of 2009 on a tour of the School.

Photo by Becca Maddocks

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Feature | Oakham’s New Headmaster

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

INTRODUCING OAKHAM’S 31ST HEADMASTER, MR HENRY PRICE MA OXON ‘Et quasi cursores vitai lampada tradunt – And like runners, they pass on the torch of life’.

The words of the School Motto have never been so apt given that at the end of the summer holidays the torch was officially passed to Henry Price to became Oakham’s 31st Headmaster.

Henry brings a wealth of experience, not only from his five happy years as Headmaster of Wellington School in Somerset, but from a range of roles in a variety of independent schools that are akin to Oakham in ethos and provision.

Educated at Cumnor House Prep School and then Eton College, Henry went on to study Classics at New College, Oxford University. He began his career at Sydney Grammar School, as the Oxford Classics Fellow. He then returned to the UK to spend two years at Sherborne, not only teaching and tutoring, but also running the 2nd XI Cricket and 1st XV Rugby team. He joined Rugby School in 2001, where he held the positions of Head of Classics, Housemaster and latterly Senior Housemaster, before joining Wellington School in 2014 as Headmaster.

Deanscroft is now home to Henry along with his wife Mary, their four children (three of whom have already settled into life at Oakham) and their dog Petal.

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Feature | Oakham’s New Headmaster

IN HIS OWN WORDS...

“I feel delighted and privileged to pick up the bright torch of Oakham School and am very grateful to Nigel Lashbrook, for passing me such a healthy legacy. It is my belief that a great education is not only a platform for the future, but also recognises that these years at school are intrinsically precious and to be enjoyed. Our School Motto derives from the Roman poet, Lucretius, and in the previous line he speaks of

the cycles of life changing in a short time. I want Oakhamians to be as prepared as possible for our ever-changing world, but also to have the time, space and support to get to know themselves during their adolescent years, so that they can face that future with confidence.

In addition to continuing to focus, develop and further strengthen the academic, pastoral and cocurricular pillars at Oakham, it is my intention to

shine a brighter light on the importance of human relationships and the value of the role our pupils play in their community. I want Oakhamians to learn to be responsible not only for themselves but, importantly, to those around them. It is my hope that if our pupils learn to live life with resilience, humility and joy they will shine brightly during their time here at Oakham, as well as being ready to pass on the torch in the world beyond our gates.”

It is my belief that a great education is not only a platform for the future, but also recognises that these years at school are intrinsically precious and to be enjoyed.

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Feature | Oakham’s New Headmaster

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IN CONVERSATION WITH MR PRICE The Oakhamian editors, Adam and Benedict (Form 6) interviewed Mr Price in his study at Chapel Close.

Why did you choose to study Classics at Oxford?

I loved the all-round nature of it. Classics covers language, literature, history, art, philosophy, and conflict, but it also has memorable characters, whether you’re doing Caesar, Medea or Achilles.

As a Classics teacher, what would you say is the place of this subject in the modern world?

I believe the ability to unpick language is valuable, whether you end up speaking it or not.

Latin taught me great grammar, and it’s got quite a mathematical feel to it.

That study of the nuts and bolts of how something fits together is good. I think reading challenging literature in any language, but especially in a different language to your native one, like Latin, teaches you excellent analytical skills. The classical world has heavily influenced today’s world, and an understanding of this, thinking where we came from, revisiting and challenging ideas, still has great value.

What does the school motto of “Et quasi cursores vitai lampada tradunt” (“Like runners they pass on the torch of life”) mean to you?

I think our motto is really valuable, because it reminds Oakhamians that we are a part of something bigger, and we have to do our best while we’re here.

Oakham is a great school, because all of us at Oakham make it great, so it’s that sense of handing on a baton; I will be here for a while, then I’ll move on.

Mr Lashbook was here for a while and he has handed the baton on to me.

Nothing is ever permanent; we are all playing our part. You have got to run hard, but know there is someone coming after you and there is someone who went before you. Also, I love the word ‘vitai’; vitality and life come from that, so live this life and pass it on. Do your best while you’re here, at Oakham and beyond, then pass it on to the next generation: life is precious.

Oakham School has existed for 435 years now. What do you want to preserve and what are you looking to change?

I am always asked about change, but I try to avoid the word! Evolution and improvement might be more fitting. In a sense, education is quite simple. We have to look after pupils really well. Pastoral care is the first thing. Then we must make sure that the pupils are inspired to academic pursuits and learning, as well as having truly enriching experiences outside the classroom.

I want to preserve Oakham’s really good reputation for all-round 6

education and it is my belief that we learn as much beyond the classroom as within it.

I also want to protect a sense of groundedness; Oakhamians aren’t arrogant but they appreciate the opportunities afforded to them at Oakham School.

In return, pupils should think, “one day I’m going to make sure my good start in life is going to benefit others”. I hope that will be a part of what they believe in. I also want to preserve the fact that we are a town school and part of a wider community.

Chapel is also important and whilst I recognise that some pupils may be reluctant to go to Chapel some mornings, the fact we are all sitting together is precious. It embodies our sense of community, our relationships, and connects us with previous generations of Oakhamians.

So overall, it is not about change but continuing to do it well; keeping up, and evolving.

What in your opinion makes the perfect Head? What virtues and traits should he/she have to benefit a school community?

If you could ever be a perfect head, if such a thing were possible, you would need to be a brilliant educationalist, an astute businessperson, a manager, and a leader. You would need to be someone who inspires others, be fantastic with pupils, parents and staff alike, energetic and resilient. You need to have a strategic brain, but also to be out and about on the touchline and at other School events. I’m working on it!

In your opinion, what role should a Head play in the day-to-day lives of pupils?

I want all Oakhamians to know that my door is always open to them, even though I am not their first point of contact. They can come and make an appointment with me before 8.30 every morning. I will always be available to pupils because they are the number one priority at the School. My wife and I already have the Decem round to Deanscroft each week and we will be inviting regular groups of pupils from the New Year. Every Saturday I walk around as many fixtures as I can. I have visited lessons, and wherever I can visibly be supporting pupils I will. Ultimately, it will take time, but I hope pupils will trust that I want them to do well and I enjoy their company. I am on their side and always working on their behalf.

Feature | Oakham’s New Headmaster

I WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE TO PUPILS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY AT THE SCHOOL How do you think the job of a Head has changed over the years, and how do you see it changing in the future?

I think sadly the big change has been a move away from the really visible Head who taught many lessons and was very close to the pupils. The day-today demands of running a school have changed a lot. I think many Heads have become a CEO and whilst I would never wish to be described as one, that is what I theoretically am. I still like to think of myself as a schoolmaster, a housemaster and a headmaster, but I am a CEO. That’s the change.

Having moved to Oakham from a school offering only A-levels, what do you think of having both IB Diploma and A-levels running side by side in the Upper School?

Different opportunities, different pathways, I think that’s important. The international element that the IB Diploma brings to Oakham is absolutely invaluable. The IB Diploma is a great course, and there is so much within it.

Not all pupils will choose to do the IB Diploma, but I think it gives a really strong option for our current pupils. It is broad and demanding, but we should not shy away from something because it is hard work.

What do you understand by the phrase pupil empowerment and what it means for Oakham School?

Pupil empowerment is not about one thing; it is about the day-to-day conduct of the School. If pupils want Oakham to be known as a kind, friendly and purposeful school, they need to be kind, friendly and purposeful. Pupil voice and change are important, but the essence of pupil empowerment is living and embodying the values they wish the School to be known for.

In the more traditional sense, the Decem ought to be an embodiment of pupil empowerment. We are trying to give pupils responsibilities, give you ways of experiencing small aspects of life in the overall curriculum, so that’s where prefects and leadership really matter. The Decem, however, in themselves are not as powerful as a whole year group and I have always thought that when a year group does well academically, it is down to positive peer pressure. It is because within themselves, the pupils all decided to work well. More importantly, the culture, atmosphere and purpose of a year group or House comes from within – it’s the pupils who make the real difference.

What do you think are the most important attributes for Oakhamians to have in today’s world?

You need a combination of aspiration and humility; you must be bold and ambitious, as ambition is great for yourselves, your company, your family or whatever it might be, but balanced with humility, modesty and appreciation of others. It sounds cheesy, but you have also got to be able to love, and to work out what’s really important. In the end, the truly important things are your relationships; your colleagues, friends and family.

Being creative and versatile are also important as the current generation is going to have to keep learning, keep moving jobs and going back and retraining in order to keep moving forward. It comes back to a love of learning.

Regardless of the subject, it’s key to accept that you’re going to have to adapt as the world changes around you.

Finally, build trust, build honesty, build integrity; if people don’t trust you, they won’t want to work with you or form the deepest and most valuable relationships that sustain us all.

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oakham.rutland.sch.uk

Feature | Oakham’s New Headmaster

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT...

Did you know of Rutland before you joined Oakham?

My wife, Mary, grew up nearby in Kibworth Beauchamp and we have family across the Midlands, so we have always had a personal connection to the region.

What do you do in your spare time?

Running a busy school and having four children leaves little spare time – although I am very happy that is the case. When time allows, I enjoy exercising, walking and reading.

Where is your happy place?

Our house on Anglesey looking out over the Menai Straights has always been our home away from school. I never wear a suit there!

What is your favourite Greek myth?

Bestselling novel or political biography?

Ovid Book 8. The transformation of Philemon and Baucis.

Political biography.

Shakespeare or Musical Theatre?

What character or token do you choose in Monopoly?

Shakespeare.

Always the dog.

Box set binge?

Game of Thrones.

Six Nations, the Ashes or the Olympics?

That is hard, but if I really only had to choose one, the Ashes.

Brunch or Sunday Roast?

Cat man or dog fan?

Cotswolds or Maldives?

Dog fan.

Brunch.

Cotswolds.

X Factor or Strictly?

Strictly.

What would be your ‘luxury item’ if you were taking part in desert island discs?

What is your favourite saying?

An endless supply of coffee and Kit Kats.

“Know thyself”.

What can you reveal about yourself that Oakhamians may not know about you?

I once played cricket at Lord’s.

If you weren’t a Headmaster, what career would you most like?

Easy! I would go straight back into the classroom to teach Classics. That, or run a hotel.

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ACADEMIC Art 10 BioSoc Special 18 Form 6 FOSIL Project 20 My Year in Lower 1 25 Design and Technology 26 MFL News 29 Poetry and Prose 30

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Academic | Art

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

FORM 2 SCULPTURE

Petr Kachur

Joshua Hart

Daniel Kaczmar

Snow Yu

Mees Timmermans

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Academic | Art

FORMS 1 AND 2 PAINTING

Olivia Hunnisett

Olivia Sutton

Hope Wheway

Harry Gilman

David Harrison

Riya Hirani

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Academic | Art

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GCSE PAINTING AND MIXED MEDIA

Ella Turner

Ethel Marzaganov

Eleanor Benson

Bronte Noble

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Katarina Kemp

Academic | Art

Finlay Thomas Annie Fei Wang

Daniella Hamson

Nathan Shaw James Lee Yongkyu

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Academic | Art

oakham.rutland.sch.uk Florence Verdon

GCSE SCULPTURE Rory Gilchrist

Kate Popova

Henry Luttman-Johnson

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Flo Wilkinson

Academic | Art Ethan Waller

Suzzy Kome

Gus Haste

Tom Bland

David Wood

James Fairweather

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Academic | Art

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GCSE TEXTILES

Emilia Batory

Eloise Murray Oliver Lang

Freya Landy Anabel Witting

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Lydia Stevens

Academic | Art

Katrina Southern

Inez Jackson

Phoebe Tucker

Alice Hornsby

Alisha Ayres

Arabella Holt

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Academic | BioSoc Special

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A EVENING WITH A NOBEL PRIZE WINNER Oakham School was honoured to welcome Nobel Prize winner and current President of the Royal Society, Dr Venkatraman Ramakrishnan FRS, for a unique event: ‘In conversation with Sir Venki Ramakrishnan, Nobel Laureate.’

T

he Wilson Auditorium was full to capacity with students studying Science and Philosophy in the Sixth Form at Oakham, along with pupils from a variety of other schools across the region including Harington School, Beauchamp College, Uppingham School, Stamford Endowed Schools, Loughborough Grammar and Leicester Grammar.

Dr Ramakrishnan, who was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009 for studies on the structure and function of the ribosome, took part in an hour-long symposium where he conveyed a real passion for his work. He discussed a variety of topics including his journey to the Nobel, his status as an ‘outsider’ in the USA in the 1970s, and the nature of scientific truth. All pupils thoroughly engaged throughout the event.

Indeed, the feedback post-event suggests that they were, in fact, ‘buzzing’!

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As well as being able to hear his thoughts and opinions from his decades of experience which span three scientific disciplines (and working in three continents), students also had the opportunity to ask him their own questions. When quizzed whether he liked studying Biology at school, Dr Ramakrishnan was candid in his reply – the answer was a resounding ‘no’! However, he was equally candid in explaining why he, later in his career, gave up Physics to work in the field of Biology. The interesting discoveries of the time, namely DNA sequencing, were key and he certainly impressed upon the students the excitement of working in the fast-moving field of molecular biology.

Following the event students had the chance to meet Dr Ramakrishnan over an informal supper where he was incredibly generous with his time, talking with a great number of pupils and staff.

“Whilst we have regular Biology Society (‘Bio Soc’) meetings here at Oakham, this was an incredibly special one-off event for us – one that has taken two years to arrange,” said Dr Andrew Nicoll, Biology teacher at Oakham School. “We were delighted not only to be able to host Sir Venki to inspire our scientists, but also to be able to reach out to young people from the East Midlands so that they too could take part in the event. We hope the evening went some way to help inspire the next generation of thinkers and scientists for the country.”

It was also a great pleasure that former Oakhamian Dr Navin Leanage, who has been a long-standing supporter of the Biology Society, was able to return to the School to make a short presentation to Dr Ramakrishnan. Sir Venki himself thanked Oakham for the invitation and, in his words, for “making it so much fun!”

Academic | BioSoc Special

REACTIONS TO THE VISIT OF SIR VENKI RAMAKRISHNAN FRS TO OAKHAM SCHOOL “A remarkable evening and a remarkable achievement.

It really was something else, and the format was hugely enjoyable for the audience. Lots of good feedback received… thanks for giving this ‘outsider’ the opportunity to keep doing things I never dreamed I would.”

An Oakham Biology teacher

“There was real focus for the whole hour in the Wilson Auditorium. Although I am a non-specialist in biology, it was quite possibly the best academic meeting of its type I have attended during my time at Oakham School.”

A member of the Teaching & Learning Team

‘We all now have a much greater understanding of just how much inter-disciplinary co-operation can achieve when implemented well, and this seems to be something everyone is keeping in mind as they continue their various studies. As a philosophy student, I must admit I was most interested by your comments on the nature of truth, but it was also wonderful to be able to learn more about such important work on the ribosome, and from an individual so integral to our understanding of it. It was also a memorable experience to be able to hear your thoughts on such a wide range of topics.’

Thank you letter from an Oakham School Sixth Former ‘Sir Venki conveyed a real passion for his work and communicated to the pupils the excitement of working in the fastmoving field of molecular biology. The pupils who came all wanted to study in the field of biology, but are now seriously considering molecular biology.’

Teacher from a visiting school

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Academic | Form 6 FOSIL Investigation

FORM 6 FOSIL INVESTIGATION Darryl Toerien

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

•

Chapmans: Overall Winners • Toby Morrison: The literature of Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly” •

Matthew Nagel: O Brave New World: A history of genetics and its association with ethics and philosophy

• Barrow • Adam Chidlow: United States’ invasion of Grenada, 1983 • Buchanans • Gabby Peck: The life of Winston Churchill • Clipsham • James Fairweather: Why Tyrannosaurus and most other carnivorous dinosaurs were primarily scavengers • Gunthorpe • Olivia Gregory: Effects of pollution and how the amount has largely increased • Hambleton • Bethany Davis: The relevance of history in today’s society • Haywoods • Mohamed Kone: Jobs in the future and automation • Rushebrookes • Melanie Hendrikx: The canonicity of different Doctor Who spin-offs • Stevens • Bethany Cartwright: The Lehman Brothers: The financial crisis of 2008

S

eymour Papert once observed that “[t]he kind of knowledge children need most is knowledge that will help them get more knowledge” (1993, p. 139). In an age in which, by some estimates, the collective sum of knowledge doubles every 12 hours (Geddes, Cannon, & Cannon, 2018) while the half-life of information is decreasing (Arbesman, 2013) this is true not just for children but for all of us.

Consequently, the purpose of the FOSIL Investigation is to ensure that all Form 6 pupils are aware at the outset that their academic success will increasingly depend on their willingness and ability to learn by finding out for themselves, and to give them an opportunity to do so. Pupils are required to identify a topic that interests them, research it further in their own time using at least two subscription databases and a book, and then explain why they consider the topic worthy of consideration in an essay of between 500–750 words in length. The Investigation is expected to

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take between 3–4 hours in total.

The best essays in each Tutor Group are then judged, mostly by bibliographic analysis, to determine the best essays in each House, with an overall winner (see above right). What is striking is the sheer number of essays that exceed the suggested word limit, apparently effortlessly, that are also well researched and thoughtfully written. What is equally striking is how much the essays reveal about the colourful intellectual personalities of their authors.

This year it was impossible to choose between Toby Morrison’s erudite analysis of Kendrick Lamar’s hip-hop album “To Pimp a Butterfly” and Matthew Nagel’s thoughtful and detailed discussion of the ethics and philosophy of genetics in a historical context. These were two worthy winners, whose essays on very different topics were both engaging and scholarly, and brimmed with enthusiasm and passion for their subjects.

• Wharflands • Archie Smith-Maxwell: Are football players overpaid?

References

Arbesman, S. (2013). The half-life of facts: why everything we know has an expiration date.

New York: Current.

Geddes, B. C., Cannon, H. M., & Cannon, J. N. (2018). Addressing the crisis in higher education: an experiential analysis. Developments in Business Simulation and Experiential Learning, 45, pp. 265-279. Retrieved from https:// pdfs.semanticscholar.org/57f9/ ebb31386f8c1f96a6527d5c3ff6f69971981.pdf Papert, S. (1993). The children’s machine.

New York: Basic Books.

Academic | Form 6 FOSIL Investigation

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOINT FIRST PRIZE WINNING ESSAY

The Literature of Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp A Butterfly”

by Toby Morrison

R

ap music is both a key component of our artistic zeitgeist and an interesting evolutionary advance in the form and content of poetry. Just as past poets used a variety of meters and rhyme schemes better to express their meaning, rap artists use not just rhyme, internal rhyme and rhythm, but also music and drumbeats. Kendrick is a modern artist, whom I find personally intriguing. He manages to deal with complicated themes of systemic and internalised racism, guilt, spirituality, and celebrity, while coming through terrifying depression, and preaching self-love and acceptance.

His third full length album, To Pimp A Butterfly is split into 16 tracks that together form a narrative of great literary merit, that explores many facets of the African American experience through Kendrick Lamar’s personal psychology (Lamar, To Pimp A Butterfly, 2015). It resonated with a broad audience (it broke Spotify records being streamed 9.6 million times within a week of release) (Bauer, n.d.) through many specificities that allowed for a broad insight into the human condition – both the pain and the potential for joy.

[The] first track is largely an exchange between Kendrick Lamar and a character he creates, called Uncle Sam. The first verse features a frenzied, braggadocios Kendrick describing all the things he is going to do with the money and new-found success deriving from his 2012 album, Good Kid, m.A.A.d City (Bauer, n.d.). He explains how he will interact with the upper echelons of America’s social order, moving from poverty and violence in the inner city to wealth and fame.

Uncle Sam follows. In the album, he acts as the personification of American capitalism, and its capacity to exploit the marginalised. He goads Kendrick, asking, “What you want you? A house or a car? / Forty acres and a mule, a piano, a guitar?” “Forty acres and a mule” is what General Sherman promised freed slaves in the civil war (Britannica School, n.d.); both were swiftly taken away from them. Kendrick thus suggests that people want to manipulate him with promises of material wealth, but potentially take something away from him. Uncle Sam ends his verse with “But remember, you ain’t pass economics in school/ And everything you buy, taxes will deny/ I’ll Wesley Snipe your a** before thirty-five.” These lines have several layers. Wesley Snipes is an American actor who was convicted in 2008 of wilfully not filing his tax returns (Oxford African American Studies Center, n.d.). Kendrick uses this fallen black celebrity from the South Bronx to express concerns for his own fate, particularly after a difficult education that makes the world much more difficult to navigate. Kendrick’s use of “snipe” is a smart double-entendre, because the word is a verb denoting an act of violence. And 35 is the age at which an individual can become President. Kendrick’s lyric suggests that Uncle Sam, the personification of the American social order, is prepared to put him on a pedestal, manipulate him away from his values and towards his, Uncle Sam’s, own gain (material wealth), and then take away his ability to achieve power. …

Kendrick truly starts to address the daemons that prevail in his life in the track Institutionalized. He takes his “homies” from the streets of Compton to the BET awards, and discovers they are considering robbing the successful artists around them. One character explains to him why: “Now Kendrick, know they’re your co-workers/ But it’s gon’ take a lot for this pistol go cold turkey/ Now I can watch his watch on the TV and be okay /But see I’m on the clock once that watch landin’ in LA /Remember steal from the rich and givin’ it back to the poor?/ Well that’s me at these awards.” He admits that he understands that the people he wishes to steal from are Kendrick’s friends and colleagues, but suggests that violence and poverty are concepts underpinned by incredibly involved societal structures, and for them to be eradicated (for “this pistol go cold turkey”), huge change needs to occur. It is worth considering in this context the extent of economic racial inequality in the United States. The New York Times says that, for every $100 in white family wealth, black families hold $5.04 (Badger, 2017), and the Institute for Policy Studies says that the median white family is 41 times wealthier than the median black family (Inequality.org, n.d.).

Kendrick inhabits two worlds: one surrounds the poverty and racial discrimination of his upbringing, and the other flows from his wealth and success in the music industry. The two worlds collide in Institutionalized, which is one of the album’s lynchpins, He is forced to confront these two worlds, which starts a personal, political, and historical lyrical exploration. …

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Academic | Form 6 FOSIL Investigation

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

The caterpillar is a prisoner to the streets that conceived it Its only job is to eat or consume everything around it, in order to protect itself from this mad city While consuming its environment the caterpillar begins to notice ways to survive One thing it noticed is how much the world shuns him, but praises the butterfly The butterfly represents the talent, the thoughtfulness, and the beauty within the caterpillar But having a harsh outlook on life the caterpillar sees the butterfly as weak And figures out a way to pimp it to his own benefits Already surrounded by this mad city The caterpillar goes to work on the cocoon which institutionalizes him He can no longer see past his own thoughts He’s trapped When trapped inside these walls certain ideas start to take roots Such as going home, and bringing back new concepts to this mad city The result?

Wings begin to emerge, breaking the cycle of feeling stagnant Finally free, the butterfly sheds light on situations That the caterpillar never considered, ending the eternal struggle Although the butterfly and caterpillar are completely different They are one and the same The last words of the album are “Pac? Pac?” Tupac’s disappearance suggests that Kendrick is ready to be his own cultural leader, and Tupac can not guide him any further.

To Pimp A Butterfly is an abundantly honest album that can be enjoyed as much for its music as its lyrics, and they pair well together. The lyrics convey the confusion and depth within the African-American experience, and the album’s narrative arc is so universally reaching in its hopefulness. It is broad and beautiful, an instant classic, and, in its own right, is a butterfly, not to be pimped.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AllHipHop. (2015, December 29). Kendrick Lamar Addresses “Respectability Politics” Criticism Of His Song “The Blacker The Berry”. Retrieved from AllHipHop: https:// allhiphop.com/news/kendrick-lamar-addresses-respectabilitypolitics-criticism-of-his-song-the-blacker-the-berry-LZFqYmWG0KL5ypKef5bIQ/ Badger, E. (2017, September 18). Whites Have Huge Wealth Edge over Blacks (but Don’t Know It). Retrieved from New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/18/upshot/ black-white-wealth-gap-perceptions.html Bauer, P. (n.d.). Kendrick Lamar. Retrieved from Britannica School: https://school.eb.co.uk/levels/advanced/article/ Kendrick-Lamar/627738 Britannica School. (n.d.). Reconstruction. Retrieved from Britannica School: https://school.eb.co.uk/levels/advanced/ article/Reconstruction/62908#295415.toc DuBois, W. E. (1903). The Souls of Black Folk: Essays and Sketches.

Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co. Eells, J. (n.d.). The Trials of Kendrick Lamar. Retrieved from Rolling Stones: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/musicnews/the-trials-of-kendrick-lamar-33057/ Haley, A. (1976). Roots. Doubleday.

Haskins, J. (2000). The Story of Hip-Hop From Africa to America, Sugarhill to Eminem. Penguin Books Ltd.

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Inequality.org. (n.d.). Racial Economic Inequality. Retrieved from inequality.org: https://inequality.org/facts/racial-inequality/ Lamar, K. (2012). Good Kid, m.A.A.d City [Recorded by K. Lamar].

Lamar, K. (2015, July 31). Kendrick Lamar -- For Free? Retrieved from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ ZTYgq4EoRo Lamar, K. (2015). To Pimp A Butterfly [Recorded by K. Lamar].

NAACP. (n.d.). Criminal Justice Fact Sheet. Retrieved from NAACP: https://www.naacp.org/criminal-justice-fact-sheet/ Oxford African American Studies Center. (n.d.). Snipes, Wesley. Retrieved from Oxford African American Studies Center: http://www.oxfordaasc.com/article/opr/t0005/ e1114?hi=2&highlight=1&from=quick&pos=1 Ray, M. (n.d.). Tupac Shakur. Retrieved from Britannica School: https://school.eb.co.uk/levels/advanced/article/TupacShakur/474467 Singleton, J. (Director). (1991). Boyz N The Hood [Motion Picture].

Sullivan, L. (2015, December 9). President Obama’s Favourite Song of 2015 Is... Retrieved from Billboard: https://www.billboard. com/articles/news/6804586/president-barack-obamamichelle-favorite-songs-2015 Walker, A. (1982). The Colour Purple. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Academic | Form 6 FOSIL Investigation

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOINT FIRST PRIZE WINNING ESSAY

O Brave New World A History of Genetics and its association with ethics and philosophy

by Matthew Nagel

Introduction

M

y essay [looks] at how our understanding of Genetics and the technology available to us for Genomic Sequencing and Genetic engineering has evolved over the past few centuries. I will then discuss the Philosophical side of Genetics and Biochemistry: how ethics limits our use of technology in genetics, the corruption of Eugenics and how Utilitarianism relates to Genetic engineering.

The title is taken from Miranda’s line in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, which was later made famous by Aldous Huxley in his dystopian novel, Brave New World. I chose this line as Huxley’s novel was pivotal in exposing society’s fears of the manipulation of genetics, which is the very topic I address in my essay.

The Evolution of Genetics The Second Task and its relevance Genetics is defined as the “study of heredity and variation” (Oxford University Press, 2019), a study which dates back to the beginnings of human civilisation.

We have evidence demonstrating the use of artificial selection from ancient Babylonian tablets describing horse pedigrees, and “old carvings showing the cross pollination of date palm trees” (Winchester, 2019); this human push to select livestock and crops with the best qualities for breeding, is an integral part of what it means to be human, a part of our species that runs as deep as our DNA. While some may argue that it is simply a sign of our advanced intelligence, it is more than that. Every organism in existence is programmed to do a set of tasks: live, reproduce, and die. Anything outside of that list is purely a consequence or a prerequisite of those tasks. The second task, reproduce, requires that organisms be able to distinguish what characteristics are ideal in a mate to pass on to the next generation, in order to give them the best chance of survival and continuing the lineage. This ability is present in almost all animals: peafowls selecting mates with the most colourful train (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019); Birds of Paradise taking part in extensive mating displays (The National Geographic Society, 2019); and even the tiniest details are noticed by humans, including our immune system’s ability to detect a mate with a compatible immune system based on their body odour (Hurly, 2018) (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019).

While this might seem irrelevant, it could not possibly be more important for the context of this essay. The human determination to understand heredity and control it to get the desired results, is not, in fact, remarkably human, but instead it is plainly animalistic, enhanced and further enabled by the intelligence of our species. This is important as it demonstrates that Darwinism is not only caused by the ability of sexually reproducing organisms to vary and pass on their alleles, but that our drive to understand genetics is wholly caused by Darwinism and the animal instinct for survival and evolution. Over the past century, following the rediscovery of Gregor Mendel’s experimentation on pea plants, the technology related to genetics has exploded, thrusting us into a period of Pharmaceutical advancement and an increased understanding of who we are as a species, going from first discovering Chromosomes to being able to synthesize human proteins and alter the genetics of organisms in only one hundred, short years.

…

The Era of Science The 20th Century saw a boom in the human understanding of science: it was the century of the atomic bomb, of new chemical weapons, and the most dangerous of them all, genetic engineering. Huge strides were taken in genetic research, from the realisation that Chromosomes were the storage units of DNA; the Eugenics movement; the Asilomar conferences; experimentation on Drosophila to begin sequencing genomes; the synthesis of major human hormones and chemicals such as Insulin and Factor VIII, and the beginning of CRISPR. Unfortunately, it would be impossible for me to cover every major discovery in the 20th Century in this essay, however, it is essential that these discoveries and theories are touched on due to the context they have in the 21st Century and how these events have impacted the Genetics movement. …

The Human Conviction versus Utilitarianism Throughout the history of genetic research, there has been discord in society. Those who believe that we are ‘playing God’, those who are disgusted by the idea of genetic engineering and cloning; and there are those who believe that it is in the interest of our species to advance our understanding of genetics and utilise the technology we have, for the good of humanity.

The Power of Disgust Cloning. Genetic engineering. Manipulation of nature. All these things seem unnatural. They perverse the laws of reproduction and inheritance. Many are repelled by the thought of cloning humans, it is deemed Frankensteinian to manufacture human life in the way we want. It is viewed as amoral to meddle in nature, and to change the genotype of an organism. For millennia, repugnance has served as an argument against modern technologies and discoveries. People

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Academic | Form 6 FOSIL Investigation

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

were repelled by homosexuality, by abortion, by sex before marriage, by the idea of integration of races. Our ideas of morality are subjective and change over time, yet the human conviction of disgust, rather than logic and utilitarianism, rules the world of philosophy and ethics.

Of course, over time logic has been implemented into our ideas and we begin to get to the root of why we experience disgust. A crime such as murder was viewed as morally repugnant because God gave sacred life, now we maintain the view that murder is wrong due to the fact that we cannot be sure of what comes after death, and we know that it is permanent. We fear what is outside of our control and believe that all humans should be able to live the life they have been given. Whereas, the views on something like integration of races has completely changed; in the 1800s in America, African Americans were viewed as three fifths of a person in the US constitution, but logic and compassion has forced society to change its beliefs to state that all humans are equal, down to our genetics and our abilities. The time you are born, and the views of society determines your ideologies, and therefore, what ideas evoke disgust in you.

Despite the evidence of evolution in our beliefs, those who are not repulsed by practises such as cloning or eugenics are viewed as cold. Even those who try to evaluate our horror through scientific evidence are seen as suspicious and viewed as lacking morality; for example by saying incest is morally repugnant due to the fact it leads to abnormalities in the child, rather than just accepting that it feels morally unacceptable for people who are related to have romantic and sexual relations.

This is important to my essay and to my future endeavours in biochemistry and genetics, as there will always be opposition to research and use of cloning and genetic engineering. It is theorised by some that our disgust is due to the inherent human view that life is sacred and nature should not be perverted. The American Physician and Scientist claims we have these views based on four points: firstly, manipulating the genetic material of a child involves said child in an experiment that they did not consent to, therefore making it morally ambiguous. Secondly, it creates an issue of identity, as the child resulting from cloning or genetic engineering will question if they are more than just their genetics. Thirdly, cloning and genetic engineering seem to go against nature, and turn reproduction into a world of manufacture, constantly trying to improve the ‘product’, Kass believes that this dehumanises the child and causes us to be repelled by the idea. Fourthly, this way of creating life misses the true meaning of parenthood and procreation, the idea of acceptance of the individual you have brought into this world despite its imperfections (Western Philosophy, An Anthology, 2009). These are the root causes of our disgust and the view of genetic engineering as morally ambiguous, however, these can easily be combatted by the philosophy of utilitarianism. …

Conclusion While it is important to have certain restrictions on research which can be as dangerous as genetics, we cannot let our fears and irrational arguments based on nothing but our morals which will one day be outdated, corrupt the processes in place. If we are to advance as a species, we must use what is available to us and ensure that at every step we use rational and logic to determine how to take the next step, never going by our gut or our heart but by our brains. However, this research and practices such as Eugenics cannot possibly take place until society overcomes its bigotry. Until we can put aside our differences and see the similarities between us there is no way we can lead unbiased research and programmes. Those in power must follow the theory of utilitarianism to take our society forward and not use propaganda to influence the bettering of our species. At every crossroads we must carefully think about the convictions we hold and whether it is time to let them go, whether it is time to adopt new ideas and moral arguments. If we are to survive future crises and natural disasters, we must advance our understanding of nature, of biology, of life.

We live in a new era, and there is no going back. That is the beauty of mankind. ‘Playing God’ is the destiny of Mankind and there is no way to avoid it.

Good luck to my Brave New World.

“How beauteous Mankind is! O brave new world, that has such people in’t!”

(The Tempest, 5.1. 186-187)

BIBLIOGRAPHY Allen, E. G. (2019). Biological Determinism. Retrieved from Encyclopædia Britannica: https:// school.eb.co.uk/levels/advanced/article/biological-determinism/604950#313236.toc Biography.com. (2014, April 1). Gregor Mendel Biography. Retrieved from Biography.com: https://www.biography.com/scientist/gregor-mendel Diaz, J. M., & Fridovich-Keil, J. L. (2019). Genetically modified Organism. Retrieved from Encyclopædia Britannica Advanced: https://school.eb.co.uk/levels/advanced/article/ genetically-modified-organism/443507 Encyclopædia Britannica. (2019). Peacock. Retrieved from Encyclopædia Britannica Advanced: https://school.eb.co.uk/levels/advanced/article/peacock/58859 Encyclopædia Britannica. (2019). pheremone. Retrieved from Encyclopædia Britannica Advanced: https://school.eb.co.uk/levels/advanced/article/pheromone/59628 Fester Kratz, R. (n.d.). Genetic Crosses and Mendel’s experiment. Retrieved from Dummies: https:// www.dummies.com/education/science/biology/genetic-crosses-mendels-experiment/ Hurly, A. (2018, March 12). You Might Not Agree, but Science Says You’re Attracted to Body Odor.

Retrieved from GQ: https://www.gq.com/story/body-odor-attraction Mukherjee, S. (2016). The Gene, An intimate History. Scribner.

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Mulaney, J. (2018, May 1). John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City. (J. Mulaney, Performer) Radio City Music Hall, New York, New York, United States of America.

Oxford University Press. (2019). Genetics. Retrieved from Oxford Reference: https://www. oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095847525 Palmer, M. (1999). Moral Problems in Medicine. Cambridge: The Lutterworth Press.

Pickrell, J. (2006, September 4). Timeline: Genetics. Retrieved from New Scientist: https://www. newscientist.com/article/dn9966-timeline-genetics/ Shakespeare, W. (1610). The Tempest.

The National Geographic Society. (2019). Birds of Paradise. Retrieved from National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/group/birds-of-paradise/ Western Philosophy, An Anthology. (2009). In J. Cottingham (Ed.), Western Philosophy, AN anthology (pp. 608-611). Blackwell Publishers Ltd. Wilson, P. K. (2019). Eugenics. Retrieved from Encyclopædia Britannica Advanced: https:// school.eb.co.uk/levels/advanced/article/eugenics/33201 Winchester, A. (2019). Genetics. Retrieved from Encyclopædia Britannica Advanced: https:// school.eb.co.uk/levels/advanced/article/genetics/110582

Academic | My Year in Lower 1

MY YEAR IN LOWER 1 Edward Fairweather This year has been a busy but enjoyable time, when we got to make so many new friends and had so many new experiences and challenges.

Despite being a busy and jam-packed year, it passed in the blink of an eye, with next year awaiting me full of new opportunities. But before putting our minds to the far away future I wanted to think back to our first year at Oakham.

Lower 1 was a very different experience to my previous school. We had to get used to a large range of new people, both teachers and pupils, as well as a change of surroundings and a new sense of responsibility. We had to get to lessons on time and hand prep in, whereas at my previous school we stayed in the same classroom. We also had a wide range of new subjects such as Drama, English, Computer Science, D.T and Form Period – all of which had many separate challenges and triumphs building up my widening range of new skills.

With the new range of subjects, I have found many strengths and talents but also many challenges from new tasks to new learning habits.

In particular, I found dance challenging as it didn’t really appeal to me but I found I did enjoy

it. I also found Music and French hard, as I wasn’t used to them and hadn’t practised them much before. But out of challenges you can often find triumphs and particularly enjoyable subjects, which from my point of view consist of English, English Library and Humanities which I enjoy a lot and look forward to between lessons.

Speaking of between lessons, I was picked to be in Sargants House, which was a new experience as well, with people and things inside to support and entertain me at break, Lunchtime and prep time and all those in-between times were made easier by support from House. The prefects and tutors made me feel at home as well as my Housemaster and a new group of friends making House feel like a safe and friendly place to stay in.

There have been a lot of trips for Lower 1, as we love learning outside of the classroom too. These included the coal mine trip, the Lea Green trip, the Cambridge trip and many more. I particularly enjoyed the Natural History Museum sleepover with the massive skeleton whale and the dinosaur skeletons. All in all I think it was a successful year; I just hope Form 1 is this fun!

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Academic | Design and Technology

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

LOWER 1 DESIGN Pupils designed and created pencil holders to tidy up desk space and protect pencils and pens. Pupils had to cut wood accurately and also create a design to be lasercut, requiring pupils to learn both machining work and CAD skills at the same time.

Pupils designed and created an electronic keyboard with a graphic of their choice. They were then required to create a circuit board to allow the keyboard to function, requiring them to learn soldering and circuit board construction.

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Academic | Design and Technology

FORM 1 DESIGN Pupils explored form and function when creating clocks for a specific user in mind. They followed the design process from brief to final product.

Pupils created a game based upon either Whack-a-mole, Bop-it or Runner, using themes such as culture and video games. The pupils had to create a circuit board, assembling the components to create the game of their choice.

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Academic | Design and Technology

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

FORM 2 DESIGN

Pupils designed and created memory sticks creating CAD models on CREO, which allowed them to create fully developed designs. Once done, they were then 3D printed.

Pupils created desk tidies to store Post-it notes and pencils. Pupils had to generate concepts and then develop them to create a physical product using workshop machinery.

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Academic | MFL News

MFL NEWS Onatti Productions entertain Hispanists

Form 6 Hispanists Cook up a Storm!

In May, Form 4 pupils of Spanish were joined by pupils from neighbouring Catmose College for an entertaining performance of El Viejo Saloon (The Old Saloon) by Onatti Theatre Company.

The play was pitched at the perfect level and included plenty of audience participation.

Everyone was engaged and enjoyed the lively show and it was a great way to develop language skills while having a lot of fun.

As part of their work on traditional Spanish cooking, Form 6IB pupils (ab initio and Standard Levels) put their newly acquired language skills into practice in the kitchen. Using their vocabulary knowledge of ingredients and cooking utensils, the pupils followed recipes in Spanish to create some delicious traditional dishes: chocolate caliente y churros, tortilla de patata con y sin cebolla and tarta de Santiago.

Storytime in French

One lunchtime in June, Form 1 and Lower 1 pupils gathered in small groups in the library where members of the French Department read some classic children’s stories to them. They enjoyed ‘La chenille qui fait des trous’ (The very hungry Caterpillar) ‘Barbapapa’, ‘Je veux des pâtes’ (I want pasta!) and more, and managed to understand and engage with the language.

The pupils all left with a croissant or pain au chocolat and some new words in French!

Modern Languages Society Soirée

The Modern Foreign Language Society celebrated the end of the year for Form 6 with an evening of song, dance and dramatic performance. The evening included poetry readings; drama sketches, including some original material; popular songs and tongue twisters. The finale was a Spanish Fiesta, including dance, a Piñata and the recipe for a traditional Sangría. An informal evening of fun, but one which showcased the linguistic talents of many pupils in a relatively unusual context.

Many thanks to all who participated, both staff and pupils, and especially to Mr Toussaint who hosted the evening with the aplomb and showmanship of an experienced performer.

Form 4 Project: The Italian Job Over two sunny June days, more reminiscent of Italy than the UK in 2019, 25 Form 4 Oakhamians took part in the Language and Business Challenge Project “The Italian Job”.

The brief was to market a region of Italy to tourists, making reference to local products and cultural features. Each team was required to invent a marketing character and poster (in Italian, of course), accompanied by a product which tourists would buy as a souvenir. This would then be advertised with a radio advert and a tweet, again in Italian.

The competition was judged and devised by Business Language Champions, who provided representatives from international businesses to judge both the material the teams produced and a final presentation, which explained the reasoning behind their choices. Although the competition was hot, the final winners were the Lombardy

Team; James Weldon, Tom Davison, Danny Rumble, Daniel Mashonga and Sam Smith; who designed a very slickly marketed set of ski products branded with an excellently crafted mascot. It was a demanding and lengthy task and the panel were impressed by all the teams’ work.

During the project, there was an introduction to some Italian, which was mastered impressively by many, and a chance to explore the rich food and fashion of Italy. The visiting organisers were extremely impressed by the amount of Italian that the participants retained, which they said was unusually high in their considerable experience.

Many thanks to all the participants and also to the Modern Language Department, particularly Head of Italian, Mr Breag and Head of Languages, Mr Milner, who organised the two days.

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Academic | Poetry and Prose

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

SCIENCE FICTIONAL WRITING As part of their work on Science Fiction novels in English, Form 1 pupils used their knowledge of the genre to conduct a FOSIL investigation into scientific advances and then applied this to their own creative writing.

After some detailed planning and analysis of the literary techniques needed, pupils then embarked on writing their opening to their own Science Fiction story. The results speak for themselves…

CLONE

Monday 26th July 2032 Genes. Engineering. The two don’t mix. At least that’s what I think. And my opinion isn’t valued, not in the big scheme of things.

In case you were wondering, I’m Leif Redloh. 14 years old. Yes, I am a boy. My name is Norwegian.

Before you ask, no one in my family is Norwegian.

I live an average life. I go to Hollets, an average school. I live in an average house, in an average street, in an average town. My parents are average people. My mum is a supermarket check-out girl and my dad is a secretary for a global company that produces fridges.

Apparently they make thousands per year. That’s a lot of warm food.

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Evie Holder (Form 1)

I also have a twin sister. She’s called Astrid. Another Norwegian name. Why Norway?

Tomorrow, we are leaving.

Forever. We are moving to London.

My parents have bought a house in the city centre, on Hollets Road. Funny that. It has four bedrooms and a medium-sized garden. Astrid and I are moving schools, too. To a grammar school called Bishop Mill Academy. It is a small school, not that that matters.

Ahhhhhhhh. Morning in my new bedroom. Everything is blue. I hate it.

I like green. Apparently Mum’s going to paint it. I really hope she doesn’t.

She is terrible at art and anything creative. She has other talents, like pricing food ...

Astrid’s room is pink. She had a

fit this morning because she didn’t like the shade. Said it was too vibrant.

Astrid likes subtle things.

Mum and Dad’s room is lovely. A calming, pale shade of ghostly grey.

The kitchen was a mess when we found it. Fake wooden units. Oak veneer. Not solid. Terrible quality.

Handles keep falling off.

Sitting room is ok, but we are going to repaint it because the walls have some ‘blemishes’ according to Dad. I think it’s quite nice.

The two bathrooms are horrific.

They have the worst tiles in universal history. So we are going to change them.

Dad went to Topps Tiles today. He brought home some nice greyish tiles.

Both bathrooms will be the same,

he says. I hate samishness. It gets on my nerves.

Astrid and I are quite close.

We chat together under my bed about the things we don’t like and how we would change them. We sit together sometimes in class because everyone thinks we’re weird.

Because we weren’t genetically engineered.

That’s the punchline of my life.

That I am different and everyone else is kind of the same. It’s because everyone else was a designer baby.

When that came into fashion. It won over the world. Everyone basically became clones. An all-perfect world.

Perfection sucks. It gives you no personality. I advise you never to be perfect.

Academic | Poetry and Prose

ROBOTS I ran. My dogs by my side. “Stop!” yelled R400599. I bolted straight to my house. The only safe place. “Are you alright?” Ruby asked. My cousin is really protective.

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” I planked down into an armchair and leant back. Nora snuggled up against me, unfortunately crushing my foot. Harry however crawled to his blanket, curled himself up, and promptly fell asleep. Once the dogs were settled, I relayed the events of the day to my cousin.

I had been tricked. A.X.E.L. had lured me in, then blasted me with their full power. I had been outnumbered and cornered, my back to a road teeming with cars. Then I had done the last thing they expected. I jumped into the middle of the road. There I grabbed the roof rack of a passing car and hitched a ride back to my house. Since the robots took all of the jobs Ruby and I had built our own house. We are

Dante Scott-Horne (Form 1) T.M.O.R.R ...

We had come up with the name on the spot. The Ministry Of Removing Robots. Our mission is to remove the robots from all the jobs and get humans back working again. All the robot doctors: gone. All the home help robots: gone. All the ‘boring’ jobs that us lazy humans decided we were too good for were given to robots.

Our team consists of; me, ruby, and two dogs (Miss Fluffanora Barkerson (Nora) and Mr Harry Woof (Harry)).

Nora and Harry might be the only real dogs left in the world. All the others are robots.

“I hate R400599. He, R4114205 and R6691514 are out to get us I’m sure of it” I sighed.

“Well at least we have a plan of action,” Ruby said, trying to console me.

“Right then, tomorrow we will all go after A.X.E.L.”

THE FIFTH REVOLUTION Max Clarke (Form 1) The chair awaited. As I walked into this very modern room, bright lights shone upon me like a ray of white. I took a seat.

I have been waiting for this day for countless years. This is definitely how I imagined it. A camera seemed like it was scanning my face from top to bottom. I was really confused and almost instantly a screen dropped from the ceiling very slowly. With small writing on the screen, I squinted at the screen. It was processing if I had got my dream job. My heart started to pound, it felt like I was taking serious punches from inside my body.

“Sorry all jobs have been vacated to our new system, Robots.”

My mind was panicking. I was surrounded with different thoughts.

How could that happen? What will I do now? Is this the end?

They circled around me in fear of devastation.

A couple of months have passed and I have ended up working in my mother’s store. I have taken my mind away from being a doctor. I just can’t understand this new system of ... Robots. I can remember as a child playing with action men and robots, but I never thought it would become reality.

“First ever robotic operation has been completed at the Royal Surgery Unit, this will go down in history.”

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Academic | Poetry and Prose

FLYING CAR

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

Christina Nicole (Form 1)

As I woke up I looked out my bedroom window, it was the same old sight. I could see mechanical cars just flying around in the sky like it was normal. I wondered what it was like years ago when there was no technology. Just people using their legs to walk around instead of jumping in a self-driving car. One day there was bound to be an accident like it crashing into something, I’m surprised it hasn’t happened yet, I would never ever go in one, not after my grandad died in a selfdriving car. As I went downstairs to have breakfast my mum was standing there with an envelope and I was confused as she gave it to me, but I opened it anyway. When I read it I was terrified.

There were so many emotions running through me, I could hear my heart thumping like a boulder inside me. The envelope said we have won a free ride in a new self­-driving car. I tried to persuade my mum to get me out of it but she insisted on it. My thoughts were all whirling around my head but they wouldn’t stop, I had no idea what I was going to do. I was scared. We were meant to be going for the ride tomorrow. I had to do this.

THE ALIEN AGE No one would’ve thought of this.

8 years ago, on the 4th of September 2029, I was still a kid. The world exploded after hearing the news of NASA’s announcement. It was incredible. Every news program was reporting this. Some people were frightened, and some were excited. No one knows what is going to happen once they have come, and no one wants to know.

My name is Lin, I am Chinese but I go to school in New York, I am not normally scared at anything but this is a special occasion. Today is the 17th of December 2037, and I am 13. They should be coming to Washington D.C. 15 days later. I am scared. It has been raining a lot recently and I don’t know why. This event might change my life.

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Richard Li (Form 1)

PERFORMING ARTS Drama 34 Music 38

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Performing Arts | Drama

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

OUT OF THIS WORLD The Middle School Production of Return to the Forbidden Planet was a musical delight.

Charlotte Wilson (Form 6)

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Performing Arts | Drama

T

his interstellar reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Tempest was chock-full of nostalgic classics, such as ‘Young Girl’, ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’ and ‘Good Vibrations’.

Whilst the audience may have been forgiven for thinking that they had walked onto the set of Doctor Who, the language of the play was straight from the 16th century, with references to Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Macbeth, and others.

In his QET swansong, Arlo North led the cast as the noble and respected Captain Tempest, piloting an intergalactic scientific survey flight, with his right-hand man, Bosun (Henry Peasgood), the ship’s cheeky chef, Cookie (Max Wilson), the Navigation Officer (Laurence Rodwell), and the suspicious, sassy new Science Officer, played with gusto by Chloe Howard. Following a crash landing on the Forbidden Planet, the crew encounter a long-lost foe in the form of the mysterious Doctor Prospero, as portrayed by Zsolti Johnson, along with his quirky robot, Ariel (Kaloyan Stanchev) and his darling daughter, Miranda (Maisy Shand).

Trouble and hilarity ensue in classic Shakespearean style, as an unrequited love triangle emerges between Tempest, Miranda, and Cookie, the ship is continually attacked by a terrifying space gorgon, and the truth about Doctor Prospero’s life’s work is revealed.

The cast’s challenges in the rehearsal process were numerous, from getting to grips with the Shakespearean language, to learning choreography on crutches, and yet from just watching the performance, you would never know. The cast’s energy onstage was positively contagious, and their performances perfection.

It is so impressive to see actors as young as these really getting stuck into Shakespeare, and in such a way that is accessible to all audience members, and with such gut-busting comedy. The final result was polished and professional, and their musical enthusiasm – particularly in the final medley of ‘Born to Be Wild’, ‘Monster Mash’, ‘Wipe Out’, and ‘Great Balls of Fire’ – had the audience on their feet and dancing along.

It is fair to say that, from this group of Middle School students, there are a fair few rock stars emerging, and we look forward to seeing how their QET careers progress…

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Performing Arts | Drama

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THE ADVENTURES OF ALICE Roland de Vil

Lower School Production of Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, adapted by Adrian Mitchell.

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he Queen Elizabeth Theatre has not played host to Alice for a good many years and, in that time, much has changed in what is expected from an adaptation of this seminal classic of hallucinogenic fantasy. Walt Disney did not shirk from the more fantastic, absurd, and irrational aspects that emerge from the books and Adrian Mitchell maintains all the ludicrousness and overblown curiosities but also provides a context with the convention that we start in the ‘real’ world with Alice and her sisters (three daughters of Dean Liddell) together in a rowing boat with Dodgson (aka Carroll) and his friend (Cannon) Duckworth – endearingly portrayed by David Harrison and Howie Parford respectively.

All the stage settings were lavishly detailed with backcloths and projections complementing the classical costume and stage pieces, and the opening pastoral idyll was just right. In the title role in Act 1, Daisy Styles brought a nice blend of patient befuddlement to her interpretation and we much enjoyed her confusion and relentless

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journey down the rabbit hole as she chased the perfectly pitched and be-whiskered White Rabbit of Liv Sutton through the host of bedraggled creatures. She confronted the Caterpillar, who had clearly been too long at his hookah, and which fumes seemed even to affect our Alice. Ethan Taylor did well to convey all the languid and soporific quality of the be-fumed and philosophical Lepidoptera, and Jemima AshtonRoberts and Henry Bluff did well to bring us ‘Old Father William’.

The scene then shifted to the gardens of the King and Queen of Hearts (Evie Sheridan and Adam Johnston) and the painted roses, with the feckless gardeners of Sophie West-Sadler (who teamed up with Adam as the Tweedle twins), Liv Tyler who also portrayed the angelic and floaty White Queen, and Mesi Johnson who starred as the Alice of Act 2 Through the Looking Glass.

All the while the Cheshire Cat was sinuously portrayed by Phoebe Skelton, who later gave us the frightful Jabberwock.

Via the kitchen where Izzy Mayhill’s Dutchess is disputing with Amelia Arthurton’s Cook, we eventually reached the madness of the Tea Party. Maxim El-Sheik was in his element as he presided over the mayhem, and Ben Fagan’s Hare and Lily Reynold’s Dormouse were wonderful counterparts. Despite it all, a crime seems to have been committed and the sensational Knave of Hearts, Evie Holder, is brought to book. The Court Room scene – jury box crowd with all manner of beasts of the air was finely disciplined and effective as were all the witnesses, King and Queen, etc., – and Alice’s immortal line brought Act 1 to an end.

The usual character suspects in Through the Looking Glass were on parade including Amelia Arthurton’s Lion and the stoical Unicorn of Georgia Kirsopp. Evie H and Henry were again on show as Messengers – inventions of Mitchell and this act did seem to depart from the original in sometimes quite challenging directions. Mesi’s

wonderful Alice was a pivotal portrayal and helped steer us through to the end where David’s White Knight and Maxim’s Old Old Man shared in verse what was both a tender and sometimes pathetic tale of what were the hazards of old age and perhaps the early onset of dementia – heady stuff for such young performers, but I think they pulled it off and the whole was, as we have come to expect, well supported and well received.

Other notable performances were by Lara Foster, Tilly Golland, India North, Annabel Norwood, Howie Parford, Eloise Snape, and Lulu Tyers.

All in all, an evening where we were reacquainted with our fond and favourite friends but saw them in a profound new light and – what acting promise for the future.

Performing Arts | Drama

All the stage settings were lavishly detailed with backcloths and projections complementing the classical costume and stage pieces, and the opening pastoral idyll was just right

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Performing Arts | Music

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

SCINTILLATING BIG BAND CONCERT India Gammon

The air was positively humming as people began to arrive, carrying picnic baskets and wearing smiles on their faces – and this atmosphere continued long after the Big Band finished playing.

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ach year, and with each concert more highly anticipated than the last, the Oakham School Big Band unite the School for a night of musical excitement on the last day of term. Staff, parents and pupils alike are drawn to the glowing marquee which appears on Doncaster Close a few days prior, lured by the promise of both classic and contemporary jazz numbers being performed to a highly impressive standard.

The air was positively humming as people began to arrive, carrying picnic baskets and wearing smiles on their faces – and this atmosphere continued long after the Big Band finished playing. Under the lively direction of Head of Brass & Percussion, Mr Steve Foster, the evening kicked off with a performance of Strike up the Band. Pupils demonstrated their talents both as an ensemble and in solo performances.

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We were treated to seven vocalists this year; each displaying great vocal talent and stage presence. Many thanks to Tristan Small, Lily McNeill, Will Jacklin, Clo Farmer, Sophie Beeston, Eskarda Matthew-Shaw and Laura Beeston for their stunning vocals. Tatenda Dzingarai also wowed us with her performance of All my Life on the tenor saxophone. We were treated to a solo performance by Mr Steve Foster himself, performing Tico Tico flawlessly.

The final song of the night had everybody on their feet, when the solo singers returned to the stage together for a memorable rendition of Stevie Wonder’s hit As; a feel-good love song which the packed audience greatly enjoyed singing along to. The number drew to a close as the marquee swelled with applause, and the first thoughts of what next year might bring began to form in people’s minds…

Performing Arts | Drama

THE FINAL SONG OF THE NIGHT HAD EVERYBODY ON THEIR FEET, WHEN THE SOLO SINGERS RETURNED TO THE STAGE.

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Performing Arts | Music

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FRIDAY NIGHT CLASSICS Friday 3 May | Emilia Hubbard (Form 6)

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he concert opened with a performance from the Wind Band, enthusiastically led by Mr Steve Foster. Their opening number, the Lady Liberty March, was well balanced and upbeat. These themes continued throughout their performance, with the energy remaining high throughout, with well-loved pieces following. This was continued by Polyphonix, led by Miss Lyndsey Evans, in their best performance of the year, which was polished and technically accomplished with their contrasting harmonies throughout their pieces. This included an inspiring rendition of Somewhere Only We Know, with lovely harmonies as their performance gained in confidence and momentum. Their final number of Walking on Sunshine was also propelled by the choir’s enjoyment of the piece. The Chamber Music Cup was also awarded, with Jessica Carr and Rupert Fell being given the cup due to their proficiency in accompanying groups. The first half ended with the Chamber Orchestra’s

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contrasting programme of classical music. The ensemble, led by Mr Martin Cropper, began with Weber’s Romance for Bass Trombone, in which Oliver Brunt presented his mastery of the instrument, and which was beautifully accompanied by the orchestra, whose counter melodies sparkled and shone. Their performance ended with a performance of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.3. The orchestra worked seamlessly together as a chamber ensemble, with all of the sections having their turns to share and shape the melody, including the added harpsichord for this concert. The overall effect of this ensemble was enjoyable and conveyed the compositional intent clearly and simply.

The second half of the concert was dominated by Concert Band, led by Mr Keith Slade, who performed a variety of music with soloists throughout the band. The band opened with The Last Centaur, a film score which illustrated the strengths of each section. The contrasts within the piece were acknowledged

and it portrayed itself as an accomplished performance. The next piece was The Symphonic Gershwin, in which several instrumental soloists distinguished themselves from the ensemble.

One of these soloists was Freddie Buchanan, whose mellow sound carried over the band in both this piece and the next, Share My Yoke, in which he was in a more prominent solo role.

The band supported Freddie’s solo performance in a solid accompanying role, and the positive harmony reflected how the piece was received by the audience. Jitterbug!, however, was the most enthusiastically supported by the audience, as the uplifting, ‘big band’ style piece created an atmosphere which was hard to break. The concert ended with a performance of ‘The Marches’ (from Star Wars), fittingly on the day that the actor Peter Mayhew, who played the iconic Chewbacca in the Star Wars films, died. This piece was met with passion from the performers, who brought the composition to life and fittingly brought the Friday Night Classics concert to a close.

Performing Arts | Music

SPEECH DAY MUSIC & CHORAL CONTRASTS Saturday 25 May | Peter Davis

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s always, the School’s musicians played a significant role in the Speech Day celebrations this year. On the eve of Speech Day, Form 7 leavers presented their traditional ‘own’ concert, which was hugely enjoyed by their peers and a supportive audience of parents and staff. The programme was hugely diverse, ranging from a jazz ensemble opening number through a sequence of entertaining vocal and instrumental solos and duets. The following day, Keith Slade (Head of Woodwind) led the School Concert Band in a range of entertaining music as the audience gathered in the Speech Day marquee for the Prize Giving ceremony.

Their performances of music ranging from Gershwin to film music by John Williams were hugely enjoyed by parents and pupils alike.

In between these more informal performances, the School’s Chapel Choir and Chamber Choir presented their annual Speech Day Concert. Their programme was entitled “Choral Contrasts” and was unashamedly eclectic. Despite the early start time of 10.00am, the Chapel Choir was in fine voice, opening with the famous Hallelujah Chorus by Handel, leading to a performance of movements from Schubert’s Mass in G major, featuring solos from

Lily McNeill and Gabe Tufail Smith. Further music from the Austro-German tradition followed later in the programme, with beautifully crafted singing in two Mendelssohn pieces: his setting of Martin Luther’s words, Verleih uns Frieden, and Denn er hat seinen Engeln, a short movement from the oratorio Elijah.

The Director of Music’s recent sabbatical in Latvia and the forthcoming music tour to Latvia had a significant impact on the programme too.

The Chapel Choir presented two short motets by Rihards Dubra (Ave Maria I) and Pēteris Vasks (The Fruit of Silence), but the Chamber Choir’s performances of music by Ēriks Ešenvalds were particularly notable. Opening with a reflective setting of the ‘Lux aeterna’, they then presented the hugely popular work Only in sleep in which Lily McNeill was the superb featured soprano soloist.

There was a surprise element towards the end of the programme, however, when the Chapel Choir (and ‘cello soloist Alina MariesReim) gave the world première of Will Todd’s For the beauty of the earth. This had been specially commissioned, with support from the Oakham Foundation, to mark the end of Nigel Lashbrook’s tenure as Headmaster of Oakham School. Will Todd’s new musical setting of a familiar text is hugely moving, and made a significant impression on the whole audience, as well as on Mr and Mrs Lashbrook, who were presented with copies of the score at the concert.

The Chapel Choir concluded their performance with a final festive setting of the anthem Thou, O God, art praised in Sion, sending the appreciative audience off in a triumphant blaze of choral and organ music.

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Performing Arts | Music

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LOWER SCHOOL LIVE Thursday 6 June | Ben Richardson

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hristina Slominska, directing her Lower School Percussion Ensemble, opened the concert with an arrangement of Pirates of the Caribbean. The ensemble had everything from glockenspiel to snare drums and demonstrated their strong rhythmic ability.

This was followed by three soloists: Bea Selkirk showed maturity beyond her age on the oboe whilst Snow Yu proved herself to be a strongly intuitive musician on the double bass. This set of soloists was capped with Henry Bluff and Patrick Donnelly-Cullen doing a piano duet from earlier in the year at the Piano Duet Competition: a delightfully cheeky piece.

Led by Lyndsey Evans, Cantamus showed a good harmonic ear in their renditions of ‘How far I’ll go’ (from Moana) and a short and sweet arrangement of Summer Holiday by Welch & Bennet. The next batch of soloists consisted of: Susannah Ayre playing the guitar with a great deal of confidence; Maya Mbogo playing a beautiful piece on piano and Eloise Snape singing ‘How could I ever know?’ (from The

Secret Garden) with great tone and depth of sound.

The Lower School Woodwind Ensemble were next with Lisa Nelsen at the forefront.

They played two pieces from Carmen: ‘Toreador Song’ and ‘Les Dragons d’Alcala’. Daisy Griffiths stayed on stage to start the next round of soloists on her alto saxophone, followed by Simi Hirani and Ethan Taylor, singing and playing piano respectively, with as much skill and ability as many further up in the School. The first half finished with a confident display from the Lower School Brass Ensemble, led by Mr Steve Foster, playing Hello Dolly!, Tour de France and Thankful for Small Mercies.

Tessa Drummond led the start of the second half with Lower School Strings, featuring a special directorial debut from Patrick DonnellyCullen who demonstrated confidence and maturity at the front of the ensemble during their arrangement of ‘Hedwig’s Theme’ from Harry Potter. Joshua Davis and Georgia Kirsopp took to the stage as the next soloists, with

Joshua showing skill on the notoriously difficult french horn and Georgia repeating a sweeter solo version of ‘How far I’ll go’ from Moana.

The Lower School Guitar Ensemble, led

by Maria-Iona Ford, played a short ditty called Those Homework Blues!, a piece which made the audience chuckle. The audience went from chuckling to cheering for the next set of soloists: David Harrison demonstrated his inner Elton John in the aforementioned’s I’m Still Standing, singing with absolute boatloads of skill and confidence. Eddie Marshall then showed us what he was made of on the drums playing Brazil Overture with a level of ability that nobody would expect of a person his age. The whole concert was topped off nicely by the Lower School Choir led by Mr Peter Davis. They sang two sweet melodies, Yarmouth Fair and My Own Country by Peter Warlock with Ethan Taylor joining them for the second song. Finally, they finished with the upbeat ‘The rhythm of life’ from Sweet Charity with the choir demonstrating great diction.

The whole concert was topped off nicely by the Lower School Choir led by Mr Peter Davis.

EXCELLENT ORCHESTRAL SOUNDS Friday 21 June | Peter Davis

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he School’s orchestral musicians opened their final concert of the year with Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, with the Chamber Orchestra giving a spirited performance of this famous work under the direction of Head of Strings, Mr Martin Cropper.

The work is unique in being composed for 3 violin, 3 viola and 3 ‘cello parts, but these challenges were met by the pupil performers with style and commitment. The Symphony Orchestra then came to the stage, presenting the charming and attractive short Serenade

by Welsh composer William Mathias as their opening piece. They then framed the first half of the concert with another popular Baroque orchestral work – Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks. This famous work is full of musical challenges, but the orchestra rose to these very well indeed, ably capturing the contrasting

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characters of the different movements, from the grand opening through to the spirited faster movements, as well as the more gentle playing demanded in ‘La Paix’ at the heart of the work.

The second half began with another popular work – Brahms’ most famous short dance movement: the Hungarian Dance No. 5. This was played in a modern arrangement by Iain Farrington, allowing the orchestra to revel in many new 21st Century harmonic and rhythmic twists! It was then the turn of star soprano soloist, Lily McNeill, to join the orchestra for the first set of Songs of the Auvergne by Canteloube. These justly famous song settings breathe new life into folk songs of the Auvergne region of France, supporting them with lavishly orchestrated accompaniments. Lily rose to the challenge of performing these in their original regional dialect (Occitan), and her glorious

singing soared over the orchestra effortlessly, particularly in the famous ‘Baīlèro’ movement.

Credit is due to the orchestra too, and particularly the woodwind players, solo violinist and orchestral pianist who all coped admirably with the significant demands of Canteloube’s orchestral writing.

For their final work, the orchestra reprised Rossini’s Overture to William Tell which they had first performed in the Autumn Concert back in November. They relished its contrasting episodes, ranging from the opening ‘cello/double bass solo septet, the fiery orchestral writing of the storm section, the pastoral interlude featuring solo flute and cor anglais, and then the famous ‘Galop’, led by the trumpets and horns. The orchestra’s playing was justly applauded by all present, marking the conclusion of another excellent year of music-making.

TRIPS AND TOURS India 2019

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Lower School Trip to France 46 Madrid 2019

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Orielton 2019

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Choir Tour to Latvia

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Lower 1 Trips

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MUN & Form 2 Trip to Woolsthorpe Manor

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Trips and Tours | India

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

IMMERSION IN INDIA

Eleanor Lomas (Form 6)

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e stepped out of the manic Delhi Airport to be slapped by heat, not much different to the UK which just the day before had been the hottest day on record!

We found out that the group of 10 of us had one very similar thing in common: we all thought with our stomachs and at this point we were all thinking the same thing. So, we went for lunch!

We then made our way for Old Delhi train station and found ourselves thrown into what felt like a movie, with clambering and jostling, passengers even jumping through windows as the train was still moving. For some of us, this was our first experience on a sleeper train and thankfully our bunks were reserved, but as we were travelling at a time of pilgrimage, it certainly wasn’t a quiet night’s sleep. Once leaving the train, we made our way to the Doon School (The Eton of India), which exists in a walled bubble in the middle of the city of Dehradun. Here we saw a stark contrast, with the Doon School being bordered by an extensive slum. After freshening up and again… eating, we had our first experience combatting the roads via Tuk Tuk to visit the market. The Dehradun Market was stocked with pretty much everything and anything one could think of, from fabric stalls to electronic shops to fruit carts. We bumbled up and down the streets, to be honked by the occasional motorbike or car trying to get past us on a ‘pedestrianised’ street.

We then left the Doon School and ventured on a long bus journey through the valleys of the river Ganges, driving past monkeys and loud

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Trips and Tours | India

music and wild parties on the tops of trucks… sadly health and safety (aka Mr Chohan) did not allow us to do the same. Eventually we reached the small village of Bhandarchur, which translates to ‘monkeys in trees’. Before we could even step off the bus, small children swarmed around us, with utter confusion expressed on their faces.

After having a tour around the Arthur Foot Academy, the school which we would be working at for the next few days, we were taken to Mr Khan’s farmhouse (a mansion in the middle of mango fields), where we would be staying for the duration of our time. Mr Khan, being a Doon School alumnus and a benefactor of the AFA, has been involved with this project since its inception.

The farmhouse highlighted the contrast between different people in India; let’s just say that we were very comfortable, and our stomachs were always full, with Chicken Biriyani, Saag Paneer and many other delicious traditional dishes.

After a breakfast of curry and Coco Pops we departed for the Arthur Foot Academy. We began with icebreakers such as the Hokey Cokey, Macarena, Hopscotch and made bunting. The language barrier proved difficult at the start, however, we learned that communication via talking is not the only way! Before we left, we were treated to a yoga lesson run by the older girls at the school, however, it turns out none of us are very flexible. We then returned to the farmhouse to have lunch, relax and play very competitive card games for the rest of the evening.

We returned to the school every day for the next five days, where we did lots of games and carried out many craft activities. It felt very rewarding to see children playing with the toys and wearing bracelets they had made with us around their own villages. Whilst we were staying at the farmhouse, we were taken to a nomadic home, where we got to experience what life was like living as an Indian nomad. We tasted milk from the cows that they kept and experienced what cooking on an open fire was like. It opened all of our eyes and showed us how happy people can be to live with so few possessions and just how much of what we each own, we could live without.

Our host, Mr Khan, is a keen collector of vintage cars and jeeps. This, alongside living on the border of the national park, came in our favour, as each night he would take us out for a night safari, where we witnessed wild cats and deer and learned about the dangers of elephants. It was definitely an experience that we won’t forget.

After leaving Bhandarchur, we made our way

to Rishikesh, which is a holy city located on the River Ganges and full of people coming to ‘find’ themselves through yoga and spiritual activities.

In Rishikesh, we got to bimble through markets and do a bit of shopping. We were very lucky to also be able to take part in a religious ceremony called Aarti, which was an incredible sight and gave us a real insight into the culture and Hindu religion. Rishikesh is a major pilgrimage site and we were very lucky to take part in a ‘bathing in the River Ganges’ ceremony, however, it was rather cold and therefore only toes were dipped in. The following day, we went on a nature walk along the beaches of the River Ganges, spotting monkeys, various birds and a very tired Izzy Fear. After this, some of us joined a yoga class, in which I decided to take a quick nap. After this rather intense yoga class, we took a rickshaw to the famous Parmarth Niketan Ashram on the Ganges to learn about Hindu Gods.

The next day, our journey continued.

Following a 10-hour bus journey, we found ourselves in Agra. Agra is home to the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world; it was utterly breathtaking and much more impressive than the pictures. We then went to a marble factory and were shown how the Taj Mahal was created, by carving marble and inlaying precious stones. To follow this, we also went to a jewel factory and had a go at making jewel carpets!

After lunch, we went to the Red Fort, which is full of history and beauty enabling us to learn a lot about India’s rule under the Mughal Empire. As we had brought clothes from home to give away, we stopped at the Mother Teresa Orphanage, which reminded us all of how we need to think about the struggles of others, especially when materialism comes so easily.

India was a real eye opener and an experience that none of us will ever forget. It enabled us to view how other people live and question what it really means to be privileged. It also made us question whether happiness is from material worth or whether you can be happy with family, friends and basic necessities. Following this trip, I’m certain we’re all set on the latter! It also made us consider how we take things for granted, such as smooth clear roads, not invaded by cows or the constant beeping of car horns. I would recommend this trip to anyone and everyone; India was an amazing experience, which enabled us to meet incredible people and create memories that will remain forever.

WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO ALSO BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY CALLED AARTI, WHICH WAS AN INCREDIBLE SIGHT AND GAVE US A REAL INSIGHT INTO THE CULTURE AND HINDU RELIGION 45

Trips and Tours | French trip to Burgundy

NOTRE SÉJOUR EN FRANCE Lower School trip to Burgundy, France

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t the start of the summer holiday, a group of pupils from Forms Lower 1–2 headed to France to practise their French and learn more about the culture of our nearest European neighbour. Staying at the wonderful study centre Maison Claire Fontaine, in the heart of the Burgundy countryside, pupils enjoyed four days of tasting typically French food, and trying their hand at a variety of different activities – from canoeing to circus skills.

We spent the morning doing mosaic making and lessons. Mrs Wills also partook, creating a beautiful sunshine!

We get to bring our mosaics home to decorate our parents’ gardens!

Some of the group baked the local recipe of tartouillat. These cakes were judged this evening, with winning teams basking in their glory!

After three hours spent in the circus tent, we can now balance, do acrobatics, walk a tightrope, perform on a trapeze and climb the silk, as well as spin plates, all in French!

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Trips and Tours | French trip to Burgundy

This evening’s entertainment involved a pétanque competition, with the close-to-call semifinals resulting in a final between David and Eddie.

A thrilling 5 minutes saw David lift the trophy!

This afternoon, we spent time on the River Cure, kayaking in pairs, taking in the calm and beautiful scenery... well, it wasn’t quiet all the way!

There were little moments of excitement, but we all arrived back safe, and a little wet!

Today we tasted all kinds of French delicacies – some were more delicious than others!

We also practised ordering food in a restaurant ahead of our big trip out!

This evening we went to a fab French restaurant, where we all asked for our meals in French! It was delicious!

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Trips and Tours | Form 6 Trip to Madrid

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

ABSORBING SPANISH CULTURE AND LANGUAGE IN MADRID Form 6 students of Spanish spent a fantastic weekend immersing themselves in the language and culture of Spain’s capital city. Floris Bijvoet (Form 6)

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e set off at 9.00am on the Friday morning from Oakham. When we arrived in Madrid, we first settled into our hotel that was located in the city centre before heading out for a spot of sightseeing that included the City Hall and much more. In the evening, we went to have tapas and after this typical Spanish experience, we watched a short Spanish play full of Spanish humour. We rounded off the evening with some ice cream and some well-deserved rest.

On the second day, we started off by visiting Mercado de San Miguel, where we were able to choose our breakfast. After this, we went to Museo Reina Sofia where we saw Picasso’s world-famous painting ‘Guernica’. After some free time exploring the city and a delicious Spanish dinner, we went to see a Flamenco show; it was very impressive and a completely new experience for many of us. On Sunday we

had some time to do a spot of shopping before we sadly had to leave.

I would highly recommend going on the Madrid trip. It is only three days long but you would be surprised at how much you can see and do in this time. Even if you have just started studying Spanish, you will be amazed at how much your knowledge of the language can improve in this time. What’s more, the atmosphere in the city is excellent, the people in Madrid are very patient and open to have a chat with.

My favourite moment was when, after a long day of travelling, we had a typical Spanish meal of tapas in a restaurant in the city centre that was full of locals.

We were standing at a table and already after five minutes we were enjoying a variety of different tapas dishes. The weather wasn’t too bad either!

Lucy Barton (Form 6) ¿Te ha gustado el viaje a Madrid? ¿Cuál ha sido tu parte favorita?

Si, me encantó el viaje a Madrid porque fuimos a tantos lugares en tan poco tiempo.

No sabía qué esperar del viaje, pero fue muy divertido y lo recomendaría a los más jóvenes que van a tomar español. Mi parte favorita fue cuando fuimos al museo Reina Sofía y Mónica tenía un micrófono y nos hablaba a través de él. Nunca me he reido tanto! ¿Crees que ha mejorado tu español?

Creo que porque solo hablamos español todo el viaje y no hablamos inglés, mi español ha mejorado. Definitivamente ha mejorado mi acento y hablar con la gente local también me ayudó. ¿Qué has aprendido?

He aprendido mucho sobre todo de la cultura española. El espectáculo de flamenco fue increíble y el viaje nos permitió aprender mucho sobre cómo viven los españoles.

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Trips and Tours | Biology Trip to Orielton

INVESTIGATING ECOSYSTEMS U

pper School Biologists and Environmental Systems pupils practised ecological sampling and statistical analysis on the annual field study trip to Orielton, Pembrokeshire in June. Over several days, the pupils worked in sand dune and rocky shore ecosystems and the IB pupils additionally looked at freshwater and woodland ecosystems.

Everyone quickly became experts in identification of flora and fauna, sampling techniques, and how to eat a sandwich in sandstorm conditions!

Despite incredibly windy conditions on the sand dunes and a few rock pool immersions and near misses with incoming tides on the rocky shores, all the pupils successfully completed their data collection.

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Trips and Tours | Music Tour to Latvia

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

NORTHERN LIGHTS Standing ovations greeted many of the performances that our pupils gave on their summer music tour to Latvia.

Peter Davis (Director of Music)

It was a particular joy for me as Director of Music to lead our biennial choral and orchestral tour to Latvia in July 2019, having spent six weeks living in Rīga on sabbatical from March to May. I would have to admit to some feelings of trepidation too, given the extraordinarily high standard of youth music-making that I had encountered earlier in the year. I had nothing to fear, however, as Oakham’s musicians rose to the challenge admirably, regularly reminding me of the benefits of touring, in particular the chance to give repeat performances of repertoire first learned and performed back in the UK. A tour party of 51 pupils and 6 staff gathered in Oakham on the morning of Thursday 4 July for pre-tour rehearsals, before setting off on our travels, via coach to Gatwick, Air Baltic flight to Rīga, and then by coach to a city centre hotel, established in the buildings of an old convent.

It proved to the perfect base for our exploration of Latvia’s capital, which began in earnest the following morning on one of two guided walking 50

tours which took in the sights and sounds of the city. Before long, however, we were off to our first concert venue on the edge of a national park in the town of Sigulda. As in previous years, we were delighted that many parents followed our musicians on tour, but for those still in the UK, there was the unexpected benefit of our first concert being broadcast as a Facebook Live event. Despite Mr Jacques having to battle with a less than ideal digital organ, instrumentalists and singers alike set the standard with a very promising first performance – and our first of many standing ovations!

Day 3 dawned, and the glorious sunshine (quite rare during our trip) heralded a day of sight-seeing outside the capital. Our first destination was the Ethnographic Open Air Museum on the outskirts of Rīga, which is now home to hundreds of wooden buildings from across Latvia. One of the grandest is a large wooden church, in which we performed alongside a visiting American choir (the Westminster Presbyterian Church Choir). Our

short choral programme bridged international boundaries as we performed an American spiritual, a modern Latvian choral work, and finished by giving the Latvian première of Oakham’s latest choral commission by UK composer, Will Todd. Its text – For the beauty of the earth – seemed particularly apt in this woodland setting. After lunch, we headed to the spectacular Rundāle Palace, which has been beautifully restored in recent years, and the sun came out again as we emerged into its stunning gardens after our tour.

Sunday was unquestionably our busiest day, with a particularly early start for the Chamber Choir. Our original plans to sing at a morning service at the Anglican Church in Rīga quite literally fell through due to the partial collapse of the church ceiling the previous week, so instead we were invited to the lofty Old St Gertrude’s Church. We joined them in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the church’s foundation, and alongside singing music for the mass by Schubert and Latvian works by Ēriks Ešenvalds,

Trips and Tours | Music Tour to Latvia

we ended the service with an exhilarating performance of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.

The rest of the tour party spent the morning exploring the city’s Central Market (located in former Zeppelin hangers), where notable purchases included Archie’s Viking helmet.

Many of us had to dodge the rainstorms over lunch, before we prepared for our second concert in Rīga’s top church concert venue, St Peter’s Church, located only yards from our hotel. Its stunning acoustic and grand organ inspired the musicians to perform brilliantly, and a hugely appreciative international audience offered lots of complimentary feedback afterwards. Dinner awaited us in our hotel afterwards, where we celebrated Lizzie’s 16th birthday with cake and song!

On Day 5, we travelled further north in the national park to the town of Valmiera, where we received a very warm welcome from the young musicians of their local Music School. As well as hosting us for pre-concert refreshments, the singers of Valmiera Music School Junior

Choral Class opened that evening’s concert brilliantly, followed by an excellent vocal trio and an exceptional performance of O sole mio by a 12-year old treble who brought the house down. Oakham’s musicians responded superbly, with stylish performances of Brahms, Handel, Mendelssohn and Schubert. We had been asked to sing together with the Latvian choir at the end of the concert, and our joint finale of the moving Dvēseles dziesma by Ešenvalds received a standing ovation.

Latvia saved its best weather for Day 6, when the clouds thankfully lifted as we headed to the glorious beach at Jurmala for a morning of swimming, sandcastles and beach games for all! After finding lunch in various eateries in the town, we headed to our final church venue in Dubulti to prepare for our final concert.

The woodland and natural surroundings were a perfect setting for the Chamber Choir’s performance of Saint-Saëns’ Les fleurs et les arbres, and for our leavers, the sounds and messages of the Irish Blessing by Bob Chilcott

and our final encore, You’ll never walk alone by Rodgers & Hammerstein, will travel with them at the end of their time at Oakham School.

Throughout the tour, our Latvian audiences clearly appreciated Latvian music that we performed by Dubra, Ešenvalds and Vasks, with the latter’s The fruit of silence being greeted with a spontaneous cry of “Bravo!” from the audience when it was sung as an encore in Dubulti. The audience was once again generous in their praise: one Russian visitor described our final concert as an “amazing present”, and 17th Century English music by Purcell had a great impact on audiences in both Riga and Dubulti.

Not surprisingly, it was a weary tour party that returned to the UK the following day, but everyone’s eyes had been opened to the wonders of Latvia that had previously been known by very few. Highlights of our tour concerts can be heard on the Music School’s Soundcloud page: https://soundcloud.com/oakham-school-music/ sets/highlights-from-latvia-music 51

Trips and Tours | Lower 1 Trips

NATIONAL COAL MINING MUSEUM A

s part of their work exploring events of the late 20th century, during which they learned about the causes and effects of the miners’ strikes in the 1980s, Lower 1 pupils visited the National Coal Mining Museum in Yorkshire.

This trip, therefore, gave them a great chance to discuss these moments with the miners who had lived through them, and really brought History to life.

Upon arrival at the Coal Mining Museum, the pupils were given an underground tour, to see what conditions were like for miners. They got into the character of a miner by putting coal on their faces and found out how tough it was to work in a mine as they collected coal and processed it through the system.

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Trips and Tours | Lower 1 Trips

LEA GREEN I

n May, Lower 1 travelled to Lea Green Development Centre near Matlock in Derbyshire for their annual residential trip.

Amidst the stunning countryside of the Peak District, they threw themselves into everything on offer. On the first day, they enjoyed a mix of orienteering, tackling a high ropes course, stream walking and campfire building.

On the second day, they tried a spot of paddle boarding in glorious sunshine and worked as a team to take a bellboat down the river. After a hearty supper, they completed a night walk through the local woods.

All in all, a fun and action-packed time was enjoyed by all.

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Trips and Tours | MUN & Form 2 Trip to Woolsthorpe Manor

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“OAKHAM IS A SHINING SYMBOL OF MUN EXCELLENCE” Laurence Ward (Head of Politics and International Relations)

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akhamians delivered a very successful and stunning performance at the Alkmaar International MUN Debating Competition in June, where they received huge praise for their debating skills representing the Republic of Korea and the prestigious Security Council member, Belgium.

The Secretary General, Moos Middelkoop, deliberately went out of his way to highlight Form 6 students Greg and Joe for delivering the best opening speeches at the International conference, saying “We are always impressed by the grace, fluency and calmness of Oakham’s MUN debating teams and they are clearly a shining symbol of MUN excellence.”

William and Lara were highly commended with regard to their research and resolution on their complex issues. Sophie was singled out in her historical committee for making fantastic contributions, including asking insightful questions to the resolutions.

Oakham students spoke frequently in their committees and proposed many amendments on behalf of their designated country; and most of their resolutions were approved and debated.

The MUN team is now busy preparing to represent the Security Council nation Equatorial Guinea, and Chile at the Cheadle Hulme School in October.

FORM 2 PUPILS TREAD IN SIR ISAAC NEWTON’S FOOTSTEPS Nayan Chohan

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n May, pupils in Form 2 visited Woolsthorpe Manor, Lincolnshire, the birthplace and family home of Sir Isaac Newton, consolidating their work in Physics on friction.

The pupils were given a tour of the Manor and saw the famous apple tree that led to Newton developing the laws of gravity and motion. They also completed experiments based on Circular Motion, Oscillations and Galileo’s Bells.

The pupils had a wonderful time interacting with the experiments and learning about Sir Isaac’s Newton’s life and it was a great way to round off their work in Science.

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PASTORAL Speech Day 2019

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Middle and Upper School Sports Day

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Lower School Sports Day

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House News

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Lower School

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Middle School

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Leavers’ Day 2019

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OSCA 78

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Pastoral | Speech Day and Prize Giving

SHOWCASING OAKHAM India Gammon SPEECH DAY AND LOWER SCHOOL PRIZE GIVING 2019 Speech Day and Lower School Prize Giving always offer wonderful opportunities for pupils, staff and parents to celebrate the wide-ranging achievements of Oakham’s pupils, and this year’s events were no exception.

In glorious sunshine, both days saw hundreds of parents and family members gather to view the displays of pupil work and enjoy the prize giving ceremonies and speeches.

Both occasions were even more memorable, as they marked the end of Nigel Lashbrook’s tenure as Headmaster.

In his final speeches as Headmaster of Oakham School, Nigel Lashbrook celebrated achievements both in and outside of the classroom – which showcased the breadth of all that Oakham has to offer and highlighted just how incredibly successful our pupils are at all levels – be it school, regional or national.

In his Speech Day address Mr Lashbrook took the opportunity to praise the wonderful Oakham community and the support they had shown one another during his tenure, even in the darkest of times. In a personal and emotional moment, he gave his heartfelt thanks to all those who had supported him over the last ten years.

At Lower School Prize Giving, Head of Lower School, Mr Adrian Morris, reflected on a year “that has embraced change in so many ways.” He outlined just some of these changes, including those made to the fabric of the Lower School; “the

Nigel Lashbrook celebrated achievements both in and outside of the classroom – which showcased the breadth of all that Oakham has to offer and highlighted just how incredibly successful our pupils are at all levels – be it school, regional or national.

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four Houses look stunning with redesigned and newly furnished common rooms and changing rooms”. He mentioned the newly dedicated team to the boarding provision, known affectionately as Hodges, the increased number of tutors, and the introduction of the Positive Learning code, centred on four key pillars: prepare, engage, respect and consolidate.

He described how the most notable change, the phasing in of the IB’s Middle Years Programme, is “now tangible - not least in the way we can all see the ten attributes of learning on the Jerwoods corridor, but more importantly hearing staff and pupils talk about the benefits of an inter-disciplinary approach and how they develop as learners from all subjects, whether, for example, as inquirers, thinkers or being open-minded.”

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Pastoral | Speech Day and Prize Giving

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Pastoral | Sports Day

SPORTS DAY Middle and Upper School pupils competed in glorious sunshine at this year’s Sports Day. Contesting track and field events, such as 100m sprints, 1500m races as well as relays, hurdles, high jump, javelin, and discus, pupils showed sporting qualities of leadership, teamwork, support, effort and a competitive spirit.

Assistant Director of Sport (Boys), Trefon Vandoros said, “The day was outstanding on both track and field. One of the highlights was seeing some of the pupils putting so much effort in events that were not necessarily their strongest, which made a big difference to the House results. Praise must also go to the record breakers, of which there were many!”

Many congratulations to all the participants and a big thank-you to those who helped make the day so memorable.

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Pastoral | Sports Day

Victrix Ludorum Intermediate Girls: Izzy Skelton

House Competition Intermediate Girls: Hambleton

Senior Girls: Issy Stitt and Ellie-Mae Healey

Senior Girls: Gunthorpe

Victor Ludorum Intermediate Boys: Toby Cousins

Intermediate Boys: Haywoods

Senior Boys: Luke Fry

Overall: Haywoods

Overall: Gunthorpe and Rushebrookes

Senior Boys: Barrow

Record Breakers Sports Day 2019 Helen Braybrook

Senior Girls

800m

2:28.01s

Helen Braybrook

Senior Girls

400m

63.16s

Oliver Simmonds

Senior Boys

High Jump

1.80m

Macy Carr

Senior Girls

Discus

26.9m

Georgi Agafonov

Inter Boys

Shot 4kg

13.72m

Holly Styles

Inter Girls

High Jump

1.45m

Ewan Rodell

Inter Boys

1500m

4:44.9s

Ralph Cordi-Piec

Inter Boys

High Jump

1.69m

Ariwera Jonathan

Inter Boys

Discus

40.2m

Peter Braybrook

Inter Boys

800m

2:09.63s

Isabelle Skelton

Inter Girls

300m

41.38s

Isabelle Skelton

Inter Girls

75m Hurdles 11.7s

Isabelle Skelton

Inter Girls

Long Jump

4.97m

Braybrook, Rodell, Cousins, Bell

Inter Boys

4x 400m

3:55.0s

Murray, Braybrook, Bairstow, Turner

Open Girls

4x400m

4:36.3s

Sadu, Stitt, Malyon, Styles

Senior Girls

4x100m

55.0s

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Pastoral | Lower School Sports Day

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

FLAG DAY Lower School Sports Day 2019 was special for two reasons: it was the first time in several years that all four Lower School Houses were able to compete against one another as Houses of equal size and it was the first time that the pupil-designed House flags were revealed to reinforce the separate identities of each House.

Artist in Residence, Jess Gilbert, worked with the four Lower School HMs and discussed with them how they might approach the flag, such as the size and technique of making. They decided that a digitally printed flag would be the best format and that pupils should complete a design sheet to pool their ideas for how their House flag could look. Pupils answered questions such as: What does your House mean to you? Does your House have a slogan? Does your House have a mascot?

Jess then looked through the pupil designs to pick out key images and words that appeared frequently and then drew her interpretation of their designs digitally. Jess said of the process: “The pupils were involved in every step of the design process, so each time I changed something on the design, it had to have their go ahead. The HMs and I agreed on the final designs and sent them to an external company to be digitally printed.”

Sports Day was the first time the pupils had seen their design as a real outcome and their response was fantastic. As Jess commented: “It was great to see the pupils march in the parade holding their flags with pride; they have a real sense of ownership in their flags, because they designed them.”

The flags are now fast becoming a regular feature at all Lower School interhouse events, celebrating House pride at its finest.

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IT WAS GREAT TO SEE PUPILS HOLDING THEIR FLAGS WITH PRIDE

Pastoral | Lower School Sports Day

LOWER SCHOOL SPORTS DAY RESULTS Girls: Lincoln all three sections and overall cup winners Boys: PH won the L1 section and Sargants won F1 and F2 sections and were overall cup winners Combined Teams (Victory Cup): Sargants and Ancaster

Victrix Ludorum L1 Girls: Betsy Healey F1 Girls: Sofia Barrett F2 Girls: Evie Smith Victor Ludorum L1 Boys: Owen Nutter F1 Boys: Harry Dadd F2 Boys: Freddie Fairman

Record Breakers F1 Boys 300m Eddie Ricketts 46.26s (49.1s) 1500m Harry Dadd 4.59.1 (5.28s) F2 Girls 300m Evie Smith 43.47s (46.6s) Triple Jump Jemima Wardle 8.47m 4 x 100m Relay 55.55s (57.6s) Charlotte Cousley, Evie Smith, Emily Burlison, Monica Augustine-Ohwo F1 Girls 200m Sofia Barrett 27.7s (29.8s) 800m Sofia Barrett 2.31.56s (2.31.8s) Long Jump Sofia Barrett 4.90m (4.20m) Triple Jump Eloise Snape 9.26m 4 x 100m Relay 57.77s (59.03s) (Simi Hirani, Riya Hirani, Alice Smith, Sofia Barrett)

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Pastoral | Leavers’ Day 2019

LEAVERS’ DAY...

AND NIGHT I

t was a beautifully sunny day on Friday 28 June as the Class of 2019 spilled out of their final Chapel service onto the lawn outside Round House and School House. The service, which for many was an emotional one, provided a last moment of reflection on their time at Oakham interlaced with some enthusiastic singing of hymns. A new choral commission by Will Todd to mark the Headmaster’s retirement was heard at the service having been premiered on Speech Day. Parents, staff and students alike were then able to enjoy a delicious selection of tea and cakes after collecting Leavers’ bags, and regular peals of laughter could be heard as people thumbed through their Yearbooks and copies of The Oakhamian.

The evening saw Doncaster Close come to life with the Leavers’ Ball, where live music from the band ‘Funk Soul Brother’ and a three-course meal were greatly enjoyed by all. The evening drew to a close with a stunning display of fireworks which lit up the sky over the School.

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Pastoral | Leavers’ Day 2019

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Pastoral | OSCA

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OSCA I

n a term dominated by the pressures of exams, Oakhamians have been their usual busy selves raising money for good causes, not least the boys of Sargants and Peterborough Houses who did a Sponsored Cycle ride around Rutland Water.

From this, the boys of Sargants House raised more than £3,000 for LIV Village, Natal, SA; the boys of Peterborough House raised more than £2,500 for Salaam Shalom Kitchen Nottingham, which provides hot meals to those in need. Also in the Lower School, Ancaster House collected £150 during their ‘Soirée’ for the Rainbows charity.

In Middle School, the Clipsham boys walked 21km through the Rutland countryside, raising in excess of £4,500 for Rutland and Leicestershire Air Ambulance in the process. Barrow House raised around £300 for Build Africa, Missing Peoples and Love Support Unite from bacon roll sales. They also had a pancake sale for Matt Hampson’s charity and YoungMinds, raising £200. Chapmans boys took part in a Fun Run and raised £245 for Papyrus. In Rushebrookes House, there were two events raising around £200 for Cancer Research.

In the Upper School, the 1st VII Netball raised £80 for the Mind Charity. This was from

the netball match they played against the 1st XV Rugby team. £30 was raised for DSM Trust and for the Djanogly Sherwood Academy many books were collected and £75 in cash, which has been put into £5 book tokens to use as a reward for reading lots of books. For Water Aid £111.58 was raised.

Added to all of these we have had the termly Non-Uniform Day for Rainbows, raising nearly £2,000.

Well done to everyone who helped raise over £13,345 in such a busy and short term, bringing the total of the year to just over £30,000.

WELL DONE TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED RAISE OVER £13,345 IN SUCH A BUSY AND SHORT TERM, BRINGING THE TOTAL OF THE YEAR TO JUST OVER £30,000.

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ACTIVITIES CCF 80 D of E 84

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Activities | CCF

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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HEROES CCF DofE GOLD EXPEDITION TO NORWAY Capt Duncan Wright

Mid-August 2019 saw many months of preparation finally become reality as the intrepid CCF Gold DofE gang assembled bleary eyed at the CCF HQ in the wee small hours. The theme this year was the ‘Heroes of Telemark’, so the cadets broadly followed the route taken by the small group of British-trained Norwegian Commandos who parachuted onto the plateau in 1942 in what was then Nazi-occupied Norway before surviving the harsh winter and carrying out their attacks in early 1943.

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fter an uneventful journey down to Heathrow, the cadets crossed the North Sea, accompanied by Lt Col Taylor and CI Copas, and landed at Oslo on a fine, clear morning. After a short wait, they were collected

by Capt Wright and Lt Reeves who had driven around from the UK via the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden and two overnight ferry crossings to meet the party. The group then headed through the Oslo rush hour towards our base at Rjukan (with an obligatory stop at McDonald’s en route) arriving at the campsite which nestles in the shadow of the Gaustatoppen, the mountain which dominates the whole area.

It was at this stage that Des – their assessor – appeared to cast his seasoned eye over their camp craft skills.

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Day 2 dawned bright and sunny and after a lie-in and some breakfast, we headed up the valley to start the acclimatisation walk. After the long journey, this was much needed and the weather didn’t disappoint with sunshine and temperatures in the mid-teens. We followed the zig-zag path that runs through the trees under the Krossobahnan (the cable car up to the plateau) – the same path that the saboteurs took in 1943 as they made their escape having blown up the heavy water plant at Vemork. It was a tough walk – 500 metres of vertical ascent – but all did well and the views and cafe at the top made it worthwhile. On reaching the town, it was time for lunch then expedition shopping time – all the more difficult in a foreign supermarket with strange foods and many brands that they weren’t

familiar with. On getting back to the campsite it was time to sort expedition bags, mark maps and generally get ready for the morning and the start of the expedition proper.

The first day of the expedition started quite damp and the teams were ready when we arrived at the campsite. After some last minute checks and a final briefing for each team from Des, we set off to the various start points. The weather brightened considerably during the morning so by lunchtime it was sunny and warm – a good start! Once the staff dropped back, the teams continued on to their various finishing points.

Day 2 of the trekking phase saw rain in varying degrees for most of the day which tested the cadets all physically and emotionally, in addition to testing their rucksack packing and waterproofing

Activities | CCF

skills! Teams 1 and 3 made good time, arriving at the idyllic Marbu hut – at the head of Marfjord – at around 17:00. The hearty welcome, warm beds, hot showers and drying rooms provided some respite although by evening the rain had cleared – just in time for them to cook dinner. After sitting, chatting and playing cards, the cadets headed for bed. After a good sleep and a light breakfast, both teams left Marbu hut just before 09:00, making the most of the forecast good weather. Having camped at Marbu, team 2 headed for the hut at Kalhovd, arriving at around 17:00 after a long and slightly difficult day weather-wise. Again, after a hot shower and with a chance to dry their kit and clothes, spirits were lifted ahead of a good night’s sleep.

The third day of the trek was fairly uneventful with all three teams continuing their move southward across the mountain plateau, the Hardangervidda.

The final day of the trek dawned chilly and with a little rain. With all teams within striking distance of the finish line at the top of the Krossobahnan, it would be one last push.

The weather remained typical of a Norwegian summer with showers of rain interspersed with warm, sunny spells. Teams 1 and 3 made good time, finishing about 30 minutes apart and in good spirits. Team 2, despite an early start, had a few navigation problems and finished a few km up the valley. After a reviving hot chocolate, teams 1 and 3 took the Krossobahnan down to Rjukan before we all headed up the valley to collect team 2. Once all reunited, we headed back into town to check into the main hostel in town – the prospect of a hot shower and a comfy bed was very welcome to all of them! They then had a few hours to relax, wander around town or snooze before we headed out for the end of trek dinner.

The setting was the lovely art deco Kino Kafe, the restaurant attached to the town cinema. After a good chat and a pizza, it was time to wander the short distance back to the hostel.

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast we headed up to the museum at Vemork.

This houses various displays including the history of the development of Vemork and Rjukan.

However, the main purpose of our visit was the site of the ‘heavy water’ plant that the Norwegian saboteurs attacked in 1943. Not only is there a display of their exploits as well as a video, but sitting outside tantalizingly under wraps are the basement rooms of the plant which housed the heavy water production and which were attacked.

These have recently been excavated after 40 years of being buried. After a quick group photo by the saboteurs’ memorial, we headed down to the train ferry port at Mæl (another key link in the heavy water story) from where the stocks of heavy water were transported from Norway to Nazi Germany.

Then our final stop of the day was at the memorial overlooking the site where the train ferry ‘Hydro’ was sunk in 1943 taking with it all the heavy water stocks, so thwarting the Nazis’ nuclear ambitions.

From there we headed for Oslo and the campsite, which overlooks the city centre.

The R&R day in Oslo saw blue skies and warm temperatures – perfect for sight-seeing!

The cadets could choose what they did and most

The cadets all worked very hard over the week and all successfully completed their assessed Gold Expedition. They have also had plenty of time to appreciate all the things that Norway has to offer – especially the amazing scenery – as well as learning about using mountain huts and the concept of ‘city camping’.

seemed to make good use of their day in one of Europe’s more compact and pleasant capital cities. Destinations included the Viking Longship Exhibition and the Nobel Peace Prize Museum, as well as the Norwegian Resistance Museum. Some hired electric scooters – the ideal cheap way to get around the city – and there was plenty of time to shop, eat and relax too.

The cadets all worked very hard over the week and all successfully completed their assessed Gold Expedition. They also had plenty of time to appreciate all the things that Norway has to offer – especially the amazing scenery – as well as learning about using mountain huts and the concept of ‘city camping’. As ever, I am indebted to the members of staff who assisted and gave up their time – Lt Col Taylor, Lt Reeves, CI Copas and Sgt Des Barlow. I am also grateful to the Ulysses Trust who provided some grant funding for the expedition which helps to keep the cost affordable and the expedition more accessible for all.

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Activities | CCF

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Lt Col D.M.Taylor (Contingent Commander)

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his has been another excellent year for the Contingent. Since I last wrote in these pages, we have enjoyed some notable performances at Adventurous Training camps and leadership courses and completed both our Annual Central Camp at Beckingham and our Gold DofE Expedition to Norway.

It is worth remembering that meeting and overcoming challenge, both as individuals and as groups, lies at the heart of all that we do. Monday

afternoon parades provide the learning and developing opportunities for cadets at all levels to identify what sort of challenges appeal to them.

Central Camp this year, (see below), was particularly revealing for a number of our junior NCOs. Taking 38 junior cadets, their challenge was to pick up new skills and to bond as coherent teams. Central to all our training planning, however, has to be fun. Beckingham 2019 ticked all these boxes.

As is customary, my final note has to be one of thanks to all my staff who work with great commitment and enthusiasm to deliver an exciting and rewarding syllabus for cadets from Form 4 to Form 7. That our numbers grow year on year (we currently sit established at c.185 cadets) is testament to the sense of achievement that flows from top to bottom. We finish our 109th year in a strong position.

MEETING AND OVERCOMING CHALLENGE, BOTH AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS GROUPS, LIES AT THE HEART OF ALL THAT WE DO.

CCF SUMMER CAMP I t was a pleasant morning as we set off in minibuses to Beckingham Camp in Lincolnshire.

It was an old camp with semi-circular huts but it was to be our home for a week.

Sunday saw us doing some introductory weapons lessons before drill and some free time. For some reason drill seems much more fun on Camp because everybody is doing it. The following morning, following a hearty (if greasy) breakfast, we went onto the ranges for a day’s shooting. The weather was brilliant and we shot clay pigeons, the Cadet Target Rifle, air rifle and our usual L98s (I think).

Tuesday – another hot day – brought fieldcraft stands. The best part of this day was the paintball lane, where targets along a muddy trench popped up and needed shooting. The fields we were training in included our fiercest enemy: pollen. It was probably the most tiring day of the week.

Wednesday was a bit weird. It was the AT day and we went to Rutland Water to do water sports, mountain biking and cycling. This was a great fun day and not at all military.

The end of the week saw our own exercise, where our staff set a plan that ended in a Platoon attack first thing in the morning. This gave the

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opportunity for the senior cadets to lead their sections and it proved to be very realistic. When we got back into camp and cleaned up, it was time for the competitions. We did very well in the air rifle shoot and less well in the drill.

It was a really good way to start the summer holidays and I look forward to going again next year.

Activities | CCF

THOSE MAGNIFICENT CADETS IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES Flt Lt Kevin Townsley

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ritish weather being what it is, of a possible six flying opportunities this year, three have come to fruition, with one more possibility yet to come. So far, that’s twenty-two flights, with at least as many barrel rolls, loop the loops and inverts experienced.

RAF cadets who fly for the first time don’t have to say too much after a first air experience flight, as beaming smiles on faces say more than words can easily say.

Cadets successfully flew in March, May and June; the latter date being part of the Form 4 Project.

The day at RAF Cranwell starts with a safety brief, including a video on procedures in the event of an emergency in the air. Cadets then have to demonstrate how to jettison the canopy and evacuate the aircraft, parachuting out if the need arises. (It has never arisen to put minds at ease.) There is a thorough administrative check of paperwork, medical approval forms etc. Flying

suits and helmets are then individually fitted with a parachute securely worn over. A sick bag is also carefully packed!

The walk out to the aircraft is an exciting time; with aircraft movements on the ‘pan’, take offs and landings on the runway and the smell of Avtur (aviation turbine fuel) in the air. Cadets are then introduced to their captain and encouraged to talk about what they want to gain from their flight. Cockpits are closed, engines turned over and the flight begins; each with an agenda personal to the cadet. Cadets invariably get some ‘hands on’ control of the aircraft, tailoring the flight to their individual needs. After the flight, there is a ‘hot’ de-brief and getting out of the flying rig. This mainly involves lots of chatter and banter, usually with emails and photos sent home.

It’s an exciting experience for the cadets and one provided without cost by the MOD, via the Royal Air Force, to whom we offer grateful thanks.

CADETS INVARIABLY GET SOME ‘HANDS ON’ CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, TAILORING THE FLIGHT TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.

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Activities | D of E

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WASTWATER TO KESWICK Gold Walking Assessment Expedition Wednesday 26 June to Monday 1 July 2019 Paul Hicks (D of E Gold Walking Section leader)

The Participants (24 Students): Monday Team 1: Will Jacklin, Freddie Scott, Ruben Scott, Amelie Hill, Isobel Wells, Phoebe Le Marquand, Izzy Fear Monday Team 2: Saoirse Mason, Maddie Stellmacher, Freddie Marlow, Tristan Small, Gabe Tufail Smith , Euan Burridge Friday Team 1: Alexander Anthony, George Davies, Harry Peacock, William Foster-Collier, Alicia Gaisford-St Laurence, Emily (Milly) Greenlees Friday Team 2: Joseph (Joe) Kelly, Thomas Mitchell, Laura Crowley, Clare Maitland, Eloise Sentance

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he Gold Walking group arrived at Wasdale Head Youth Hostel on Wednesday afternoon ready to acclimatise themselves to one of the more remote locations of the Lake District. The weather forecast leading up to the Assessment Expedition was a mixed picture, including very sunny conditions to begin with leading to wet and windy conditions near the end of the sixday expedition. The forecast turned out to be accurate. We fended off the sun during the first three days and put our jackets on for periods of the final three days. Extra supplies of sun hats and sunscreen had to be purchased for the start.

Wednesday and Thursday (Acclimatisation Day) went well with the assessor team checking navigation, and landscape awareness in addition to getting familiar with their teams and checking for their physical condition. All four teams were ready for the challenge to get themselves from the western edge of the Lakes to Keswick in the north.

Most of the routes planned were challenging, particularly on Day 2 and Day 3 of their expedition, as it was always going to be difficult to get from Wastwater to the Langdale Valley and then from Langdale to Borrowdale without going over some difficult terrain, covering a great distance. Monday Team 2 clocked up over 28 km during Day 2, taking some wrong turns and getting in to camp at 20:30 that evening. The rest of their expedition went well with absolutely no mix-ups. Monday Team 1 really excelled themselves by going over High Raise on Day 3 when visibility was poor at times and the

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weather was windy and wet on top. The team got a little confused and managed to descend near Thirlmere rather than Borrowdale, as planned.

They did, however, correct themselves the next day and got themselves to Keswick without error. Friday Team 1 made good progress each day and got into camp at the right time. They navigated their way through a challenging route and were a truly great team. Friday Team 2 made good progress each day and were spot on with navigation. All four teams were wildly different in character but all showed real determination and endeavour throughout the expedition, which

enabled them all to arrive in Keswick slightly ahead of schedule and in good spirits. What a way for Eloise Sentance to celebrate her 18th Birthday. I feel sure she will never forget her 18th!

A great many thanks to Mark Durose and Kate Hill and to our team of external assessors namely Graham Hill, James Gooding, Philip Strawson and John Wyatt for all their hard work during the last week. Also to Chris Dook who joined us to see how things work on Gold D of E. He proved to be a real support to me and I thank him for that.

Activities | D of E

BRONZE CYCLING ASSESSMENT EXPEDITION Daniel Greenfield

A

fter a busy school year, six slightly nervous but intrepid cyclists left School heading for the hills of Shropshire knowing that they were going to encounter some challenging terrain and weather.

After arriving in the small village of Hughley, the group loaded up their bikes and set off. After a nice cycle through the valley, they hit their first big hill of the day. Despite some of the group having to push on some steep sections, everyone summited in good time and cycled onto camp with plenty of daylight left to enjoy cooking and eating in the warm summer sun. The group woke on Saturday knowing that they had their hardest day ahead of them and the day did not start well with a broken chain and a broken pannier rack. The delay meant that the group started off with the mercury already rapidly rising on what proved to be the hottest day of the year so far. The first hill of the day was over 3km and really took its toll with the group extremely tired at the top.

However, after a long descent and a big lunch, the group seemed to find renewed energy and completed the day with glorious views along the edge of the Long Mynd. After two days in the saddle most had an early night knowing that they had one final day ahead of them. After another delay for a puncture, the group set off to scale the Long Mynd. Cooler temperatures made the ascent slightly easier and all were rewarded with spectacular views at the top.

Several hours later, the group finally returned to Hughley having successfully completed the hardest cycling they had ever done. Lots of lessons about teamwork, map reading, navigation and camp craft had been learnt and will put the group in a good position to undertake the Silver Duke of Edinburgh.

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Activities | DofE

IF…

Sophie Clarke

With apologies to Kipling – A tribute to all Friday Silver walkers undertaking their Silver Assessment Expedition in the Trough of Bowland 23 – 26 June 2019 Post GSCE exams, 18 intrepid Friday Silver walkers commenced their Assessment Expedition. This encapsulates their experience…a poem they have just studied for GCSE English.

Well done to: Anabel Witting, Milly (borrowed boots) Beattie, Helen Braybrook, Bethany (finished) Cartwright, Maddy Bowery, Tatenda Dzingirai; Clarissa Wooddisse, Archie Baker, Fred Waberski, Caleb (borrowed coat) Ighofose, Rori Rodell, William D’Arcy, William (rucksack not) Bland, Jack Foster, Thomas Hutchinson and Callum Wass.

Thank you to Mr Nutter, Mrs Smith and Mrs Segura without whom none of this would have been possible. Not forgetting Mr Coman (on loan to Monday Silver Walking, Miss Lopez Martin (free transfer to Bilbao) and Mrs Kaur.

If you can keep your head when all about you Are lost and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all your team doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait (for assessors) and not be tired by waiting, Or being rained on, don’t deal in chafing, Or having blisters, don’t give way to crying, And yet don’t look too good (in your expedition year), nor talk too wise (no chance of that!).

If you can dream (of finishing) - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your expedition aim; If you can avoid meeting with Mountain Rescue (some just stayed at their place), And treat your qualifying expedition just the same; If you can bear to hear the (navigational) truth you’ve spoken (lost again) Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools (assessors), Or wear just one pair of pants all week, broken, And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out boots: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss (which way should we go now?), And lose, and start again at your beginnings (day 2 of 3) And never breathe a word about your being lost; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone (remember day 1 anybody?), And so hold on when there is nothing in you (except quick cook pasta, again) Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can walk with crowds of cows and stay alive, Or walk with Kings (your team) - nor lose the common touch, if neither campsites nor trangias can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute (long break anyone?)

With fifty kilometres (or so) of distance walked, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And – which is more – you’ll have finished your Silver Assessment Expedition, my Friday Silver walkers!

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Staff News | Arrivals

Claire Campbell (Teacher of Business)

Arthur Mayhew (Senior Deputy Head)

Arthur joined Oakham in September 2019, having previously been Assistant Head (Pastoral and Cocurricular) at Wells Cathedral School and Housemaster at Christ’s Hospital School. Maths teacher by trade, he is dedicated to giving young people the tools to influence a better world and has a personal passion for sport and the creative arts. He is married with one son who has also joined Oakham School.

Isobel Beighton (Sports Trainee Teacher)

Isobel joins Oakham from The West Bridgford School in Nottingham, where she was the Sports Coordinator, as well as a full-time athlete on the GB Rowing START programme. Previously she was a Netball Graduate at Sedbergh School, in the Yorkshire Dales, before making the switch to rowing in 2016. She studied her BSc at Loughborough University, where she was a student-athlete, playing for Loughborough Lightning netball at NPL and Superleague level.

She is hoping to complete her teacher training in the near future and enjoys playing competitive sport.

Evan Bett (Teacher of Geography)

Evan has moved to Oakham as a Geography NQT and a Resident Tutor in Wharflands. Prior to this, he trained to teach in High Wycombe and spent four years at Lancaster University studying for a BSc in Physical Geography and an MSc in Hydrology and Flood Management. Having been born in Auckland, Evan is a very proud Kiwi, meaning he has had very mixed emotions towards recent cricket and rugby world cup events. Outside of School, he is a keen golfer with a love for the great outdoors and travelling the world.

Claire joins the School from The Ferrers School, in Northamptonshire, where she has been a Teacher of Business and Computing for the past 10 years. She has previously taught Business in Hertfordshire, Botswana and New Zealand. She studied at Nottingham Trent University. In her spare time, she loves to travel, read, bake and listen to live music.

Heidi Cannie (Head of Academic and Curriculum PE)

Heidi has been teaching Sport and Academic PE since graduating from Leeds Carnegie. Her passion for the subject stems from a lifelong involvement in sport, gaining honours in swimming, hockey and tennis.

Heidi was previously Head of Girl’s Games at Stamford Endowed Schools and is also a Team Leader examiner for OCR bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the department. Outside of School, Heidi is a passionate skier and runner as well as a mum to two boys, aged 4 and 2.

Matthew Clint (Teacher of Biology)

Matthew joins Oakham from Malvern College, Qingdao where he was Head of Year for 5th Form and Teacher of Biology.

Previous to his time in China, he has taught in the Falkland Islands, Brunei and schools in Lincolnshire. He studied for his PGCE at the University of Nottingham and has a BSc (Hons) in Genetics from the University of Liverpool.

Matthew is married with three children and in his spare time he enjoys watching wildlife and volunteering for the RSPB. He is also looking forward to another successful season following Liverpool FC.

Sonia Goldsworthy (Teacher of EAL)

Sonia joins us from Bourne Academy where she has worked as the EAL Coordinator. She was born and attended school in the United States, completing her BA in Business and German which included a year at the University of

Konstanz, Germany. Having a keen interest in language and travel, she qualified as an English Language teacher and worked for several years in the Czech Republic and Japan before moving to the UK and completing a PGCE. Other interests include gardening, film and theatre.

Maxine Kane (Finance Bursar)

Maxine joined the School in September 2019 as Finance Bursar, having returned to the U.K. after 21 years as an ex-pat. Maxine is a Chartered Accountant and started her career as an Auditor in London. In 2008 she relocated to Bermuda with PriceWaterhouse Coopers and subsequently has held various financial roles within the International Reinsurance sector. Most recently she has worked on a voluntary basis in the Education sector for an International School in Switzerland.

Samantha Lowiss (Teacher of Mathematics)

Samantha joins Oakham from Moulton School and Science College, in Northamptonshire, where she was a newly qualified Teacher of Mathematics for a year. She studied her MEng at The University of Bath and went on to complete her teacher training at The University of Leicester. In her spare time, she likes exploring new places with friends and family.

Deirdre MacDonald (Domestic Operations Manager)

Deirdre joins Oakham from Holiday Property Bond, Director of Santa Rosa Resort in Lanzarote. Prior to this, she was the Manager at Sibton Park in Kent; both complexes offer aparthotel facilities in a club atmosphere. Deirdre has also owned and run a B&B, restaurant and public house, and is also qualified as a veterinary nurse. In her free time, Deirdre enjoys walking her dogs, Twiggie and the new addition Albi, travelling both home and abroad, reading, cooking, wine appreciation, gardening and crafting of all kinds.

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Staff News | Arrivals

Karen McGeoghie (Teacher of English)

Karen graduated from Aberdeen University with an MA in English Literature and completed her PGCE at Cambridge University. She has taught in educational settings both in the UK and abroad, including two British international schools. In 2013, she relocated to Cambridgeshire to be closer to her partner and family. She is looking forward to joining the English Department and taking part in the many and varied aspects of life at Oakham. Her interests include reading, playing netball, and long dog walks with her sprollie, Zac.

Laura Urban (Teacher of Business)

Laura studied International Business in Leeds and has worked as a marketing manager for various blue chip companies both in the UK and Germany. Laura joins us from Moulton School in Northamptonshire, where she taught Business and Enterprise to students from Year 9 to Year 13.

Laura is a keen golfer and enjoys running, reading and baking in her spare time.

Anna Williams (Teacher of Drama)

Anna joins Oakham having taught Drama in Hampshire for the past four years. Anna studied Drama, Theatre and Performance studies at the University of Roehampton before moving to the University of Reading to undertake her Drama PGCE. She is currently studying her MA in Education with a Leadership and Management pathway through the University of Reading and is particularly interested in Teaching and Learning. In her spare time, she enjoys attending shows at the theatre and travelling to different places.

She is currently studying her MA in Education with a Leadership and Management pathway through the University of Reading and is particularly interested in Teaching and Learning.

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David Williams (Assistant Director of Music)

David Williams attended Shrewsbury School before going on to read Music at the Royal Northern College of Music as a first study violinist. Upon leaving Manchester David completed his PGCE at the Institute of Education in London. David has had a varied teaching career, teaching in London and

Sydney, Australia. David joins Oakham from Nottingham High school where he held the position of Assistant Director of Music for eight years. David is passionate about chamber music as well as orchestral conducting and solo performance. David enjoys directing the music for musicals and is currently working on the school’s production of Chicago. David teaches academic music at all levels at Oakham and particularly enjoys the challenge of getting his students to understand and appreciate great music. Dogs, good food and friends are his main loves when he is not in the classroom!

Also joining the School this year

Chloe Abuteir Graduate Fellow

Ben Clarke Graduate Sports Fellow

Taegan O’Hara Graduate Sports Fellow

Maria Doblas Agraz Spanish Assistant

Lauren Day Undergraduate Design Fellow

Markus Reneau Graduate Yale Fellow

Joseph Arkwright Graduate Musician

Jack Messenger Graduate Sports Fellow

Yuna Ricard French Assistant

Kim Bennett Theatre Fellow

Jenna Mohan Graduate Sports Fellow

Henry Sandys Graduate Sports Fellow

Caroline Brandon-Cox PGCE Trainee

Marie-Luise Mueller German Assistant

Olivia Ward Theatre Fellow

Aurore Bruno French Assistant

Beyond Oakham

NAVIGATING THE WORLD BEYOND OAKHAM Meet the team who help and guide our pupils through the process of decision-making and applications for life beyond Oakham.

Helen Elliot Careers Administrator

Pippa Gibbs Head of Careers & Higher Education

Caroline Atkinson Work Experience Officer

Following a History degree from the University of Bristol, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant with what is now PwC in London.

My main clients were in telecommunications, publishing and banking. One of my favourite clients operated the phone systems across the Caribbean meaning frequent islandhopping trips! From here I worked as an accountant for ANZ Banking Group where I was responsible for writing reports for the UK board and subsequently running their Private Banking finance function in London. After getting married, I moved to the East Midlands where I took a career break to bring up my two daughters. A part-time job at my local school expanded over the years to become the Careers Manager at a large comprehensive school in South Lincolnshire. At Oakham I help coordinate the department as well as organising the Careers Fairs and other events such as the University Fair and university application days.

After graduating from Exeter University, I began my career working in the Retail sector. As a graduate trainee in the WH Smith Group I was able to gain a wide range of experience including shop floor operations at Waterstones, strategic planning and IT project management at Our Price/Virgin, as well as store planning and design at Farringdon Records. After completing the graduate scheme, I started a permanent role at Our Price/Virgin and was also sponsored by WH Smith to complete an MBA in Retailing and Wholesaling at the Institute for Retail Studies, Stirling University. Following this, I went on to work at Quantum International in the Inventory and Logistics Department, progressing to European Inventory Manager. I was involved in warehousing and stock control, purchasing and logistics and helped to oversee the entry into new markets around Europe. After a number of years I moved to Deloitte where I worked as a Management Consultant in the Retail and Consumer Business sectors. Key projects that I was involved with included Lilywhites, Cadbury, Burberry, Harrods, Duracell and Computacentre. An extended career break followed whilst I had young children, after which I retrained as a Biology teacher. I taught Biology and Science at Northampton High School before moving to Oakham as Head of Careers and Higher Education.

Having worked in Retail for over 20 years, 17 of which as a Manager for British Shoe Corporation, Kurt Geiger and Stead and Simpson, I moved into Education. I spent 10 years using my experience in Retail to train Level 2 and 3 Apprentices in the workplace in Retail, Customer Service, Team Leading and Warehousing and Storage. I also did bespoke courses with companies, assessing their needs and writing training courses to deliver to their staff. I am now the Work Experience Officer here at Oakham School where I help Forms 5 and 6 organise work experience placements in various companies during the holidays. I also help within the Careers Department with the various activities throughout the year and am available to help with CV and letter writing.

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Beyond Oakham | Work Experience

oakham.rutland.sch.uk

WORK EXPERIENCE 2019 In 2019 the Oakham School Careers Department organised over 50 work experience placements for pupils, with many more pupils organising their own experience. Form 5 pupil, Isabelle, wrote this diary of her week-long placement at Parliament.

... y r ia d n o d n o L ... y r ia d n o d n o L London diary...

Monday 17 June

This was my first day of work experience at the Houses of Parliament, very kindly organised through the Oakham School Careers Department. I worked in the office of Sir Alan Duncan MP with his assistants but also had the opportunity to visit many locations in the Houses of Parliament. I met Harriet, one of Sir Alan’s assistants, and having collected my pass, we made a whistle-stop tour of the premises. It’s practically a labyrinth; there are so many corridors and buildings! Sir Alan’s office was located in the Palace of Westminster, along with the offices of several other junior ministers.

I met Jack, another of Sir Alan’s assistants, and they put me to work straightaway. I was lucky enough to be there during the exciting time of the Conservative leadership ballots and so my task was to prepare profiles for each of the six remaining candidates, summarising their key proposals and pledges. As soon as I’d finished this, I prepared briefing notes on the ongoing progress of the Colombia Peace Process for use in a debate next day.

It was certainly a dive in at the deep end but a fascinating introduction to the type of work carried out at the Houses of Parliament.

Tuesday 18 June

This day was exceptionally busy but I got to witness so many things as well. I started by sitting in on a climate change committee meeting before watching ministerial questions from the viewing chamber in the House of Commons.

There was a fantastic atmosphere on this day as it was the first of the ballots so I hung around in the 108

met several of his staff there who were all extremely welcoming and spoke a very impressive number of languages between them. The building itself was awe-inspiring and very ornate with an incredible array of artwork and gilded ceilings.

It was fascinating to explore the building and to see the foyer where President Trump had given a press conference just a few weeks earlier and where morning briefings are held. This experience definitely increased my interest in pursuing diplomacy as a career path.

Friday 21 June

corridor where the voting took place and got to see many of our most recognisable MPs (including Boris Johnson) and even managing to take a photo with Rory Stewart. I then had the opportunity to view the debate about the Colombia Peace Process (which I was able to follow due to my preparatory work) but not before witnessing an interview with Sir Alan where he proved to be a talented impressionist.

Wednesday 19 June

I had very kindly been booked on a tour of the Houses of Parliament

by Sir Alan’s assistants. I learnt many interesting facts about various rooms and artwork as well as being able to view the House of Lords – a bit more palatial than the House of Commons! After the tour, we managed to grab a last­minute

ticket to Prime Minister’s Questions.

I was really impressed by the wide array of subjects that the Prime Minister has to have intimate knowledge of: discussing fisheries one minute and nursing care the next! After this, I had a research project to do for Sir Alan about the Armenian Genocide. I can’t admit that I knew much about the matter beforehand but my research opened up to me an entirely new sector of historical events.

Thursday 20 June

This was the day that I visited the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where Sir Alan works as Minister of State for Europe and the Americas. I’ve been thinking about possibly pursuing a career with the Foreign Office so this was an invaluable experience. I

This was my last day and the House was not sitting so it was quieter as well. I learnt how to reply to emails from constituents and prepared a few more briefings on various subjects. I would have liked to stay for a couple more weeks but soon it was time to leave. I met so many incredible people who went out of their way to make me feel welcome and show me around. I understand the daily workings of government and MPs to a much greater extent than I did before.

The fact that I was involved in and got to witness so many things really encouraged me to consider a career in politics. I’d like to thank Sir Alan and all his team for allowing me to do work experience with them and I’d really love to return next year!

If you are able to help us by providing one/two pupils with a work experience placement, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please email Caroline Atkinson cla@oakham. rutland.sch.uk

The magazine of the Old Oakhamian Club

Issue Number 115

Oakhamian The Old

FRIENDS REUNITED Class of 2009 reunion

OO President’s Dinner with new Headmaster Henry Price • 40 Years of Haywoods and Stevens

Dear Old Oakhamian Firstly I would like to thank Eileen Fisher, former Alumni Manager, for her kindness, her outstanding organisational skills, and her unwavering commitment to the Old Oakhamian Club. It has been a credit to Eileen’s hard work and dedication to receive so many kind words from those that came into contact with her, particularly the words of fondness on the OO Facebook page (which now sits at close to 2500 members). Eileen, your kind heart and fantastic sense of humour will always be remembered in College House.

I certainly have some big shoes to fill!

As my first time at the helm of the Old Oakhamian Magazine, I feel incredibly lucky to introduce myself as your new Alumni Manager. It has been a wonderful first Winter Term in position, with exciting plans taking place, as well as a new database and our recently updated OO Hub. The OO Hub is the best platform to explore all the networking opportunities the Oakham community has to offer. If you would like to sign up to the OO Hub, or if you would like further information, you can find this on page 119, or contact me directly: ooclub@oakham.rutland.sch. uk. Never underestimate the impact that

advice and guidance can have on those who are at the beginning of their Old Oakhamian journey.

The Old Oakhamian Cub has also launched its very own Instagram page: oldoakhamianclub, which already has 150 followers. This is a great opportunity to share photographs, both old and new.

If you have photographs that you would like to be featured, please send them to: ooclub@oakham.rutland.sch.uk.

I recently hosted, together with Brian Welford (Bluffer), the OO Club Treasurer, my first reunion in the Barraclough at Oakham School. I was met with the warmth and spirit of the Class of 2009; a joyous cohort who I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to meet. You can read more about the evening on page 118. With more reunions coming up in the summer, I am already looking forward to welcoming many of you back to the School.

The Annual Old Oakhamian President’s Dinner took place on Saturday 23 November 2019, in the Barraclough at Oakham School. It was a joyous occasion, with memories being shared across the cohorts of 1953–2014. You can read more about the occasion on pages 116–117. For those to whom were unable to make it, I trust an opportunity to meet you will arise in the near future. The Old Oakhamian Christmas Drinks will be at Camino King’s Cross on Monday 16 December; I hope to see you there.

I would like to once again thank Katharina Klohe (07) for her time as the Old Oakhamian President and welcome

David Gilman (89) who will be taking over the reins from Katharina. I hope to welcome many of you to the next Old Oakhamian President’s Dinner in 2020; David and I have a lot of planning to do.

In the Foundation, we welcome back Asha Hickin as Development Manager, who is joined by Joe Roberts, Development Assistant, and Bobby Youngwood, who has recently been appointed the Head of Development.

You can read more about the recent developments in the Foundation on pages 130–131.

It is such a privilege to be a part of the continuing success of the Oakham community, as our outreach broadens, and the engagement within the OO Club develops from strength to strength. I received an inspiring email recently, from an Old Oakhamian who left in 2016, who updated the OO Club with his movements since leaving Oakham. He concluded his message by saying: “Oakham teaches you to juggle so much and it’s only since leaving that I realised how valuable a skill that is!”

I am always delighted to hear from Old Oakhamians, whether it be to share the memories you have of your time at the ‘old place’, or to discuss the journeys life has taken you on since. Please do get in touch, or come along to visit your old School – the doors of College House are always open.

Quasi Cursores, Becca Maddocks Alumni Manager

CONTENTS

News 111 Sport 112 Feature: Matthews Society

113

Informal Reunions

114

125

Events 115 Future Events

119

From the Archives

120

Feature: Peter Witchell Trio

124

Births, Engagements and Marriages

125

Deaths and Obituaries

126

Foundation News

130

110

124

FEATURE: PETER WITCHELL TRIO

111

BIRTHS, ENGAGEMENTS AND MARRIAGES

NEWS

News Founder and Managing Director of Bambino Mio, Guy SCHANSCHIEFF (84), was crowned the 2019 Great British Entrepreneur of the Year and Entrepreneur for Good at The NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

Congratulations to Jess ANAND (10) who has qualified as a Captain for British Airways.

Martin KERR (00) performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the Winspear Theatre in Edmonton Canada in November.

Charlie MASON (76) was interviewed in the November issue of Active magazine about his work as Chairman of Uppingham’s Fatstock Show.

Louise DOUGHTY (81) has just published her new novel: Platform Seven.

The work of Dr Holly COLEHAWKINS (00) in the field of surgical cosmetic and anti-ageing treatments. at the Waterhouse Young Clinic in London, recently featured in the Saturday Times Luxx supplement.

Stephen JEFFES (96) performed with the BBC Singers at The Last Night of the Proms.

Following his successful one-man comedy show, The Life I Lead, about the life of David Tomlinson and appearance on Have I got News for You, Miles JUPP (98) is set to make his Royal Shakespeare Company debut in 2020 playing Antipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors, at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratfordupon-Avon.

Neil Mullinger, former Director of Sport at Oakham and Hon OO wrote with the following news about his daughter, Kate MULLINGER (12): ‘Kate’s school, Meadow View Farm School In Barwell, has not only won the Special Needs School of the Year, in the TES Annual Awards, but also it is, for 2018/19, the overall UK School of the Year!

I am so grateful for the guidance of my Oakham colleagues in Kate’s last three years at Oakham. Please pass on my thanks to the staff who encouraged her on her journey.’

Charlie READING (95) recently completed an Ironman Challenge in Italy. See the November issue of Active magazine for more information.

Rebecca STOTT (07) writes: ‘Following on from 10 successful years in residential property sales, I have gone on to launch FoundIt, the only independent property finder in London that specialises in helping first-time buyers, getting them on the property ladder the right way and with confidence.

After Oakham, I headed to Reading University where I graduated with a degree in Real Estate and Management, specialising in residential property. This enabled me to start my career in the residential property market at the notorious Foxtons. From here, I moved on to a boutique start up agency: Haus, which I reframed as a challenger brand to the infamous bigger firms.

I have set up FoundIt London to help purchasers save time, money and stress. Our service offers two

TAPP Sarah (91) writes: ‘I was ordained Deacon at Guildford Cathedral on Sunday 30 June to the parish of St Mary of Bethany, Woking in the Guildford Diocese.

Alejandra Sarmiento, Tamara Church and Sarah Samedizadeh are in the picture. All of us left Oakham in 1991.’

Lucy ROBERTS (15) has won the Student of the Year in Chemistry and duly a First from Manchester University.

Kwamé RYAN (89) made his BBC Proms conducting debut in September, leading the Chineke!

Orchestra in: ‘CBeebies: A Musical Trip to the Moon.’

packages – ‘Full Service’ and ‘Advisory’. The former includes property sourcing, accompanied viewings, area research, advice, comparable evidence, due diligence and managing the purchase from beginning to end – charged at a fraction of the cost of a traditional buying agency.

Meanwhile buyers are given a bespoke report and findings under the ‘Advisory’ package where I shortlist the best properties for my client, listing the pros and cons for each, and provide comparable evidence for similar flats that have sold close by, whilst highlighting area information and intelligence regarding lease, council tax, service charge and so on.

Working with Nick HENBURY (04), who provides financial advice to all parties, it has been an amazing start to this new venture I am embarking on.’

Alex WILLS (04) ran the Berlin Marathon on Sunday 29 September and raised £1000 for Save the Children in the process.

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News

SCULPTURE IN MEMORY OF FORMER TEACHER JOHN CHEVERTON Staff past and present came together in October to celebrate the life of former Head of Biology, Dr John Cheverton, at a ceremony to unveil a wall sculpture created in his honour by his friend and former colleague, Ian Prendergrast.

John joined Oakham in 1989 and was well known and loved for his passion for Biology and enthusiastic teaching of the subject.

The ceremony was well attended by current and former Oakham School staff, along with John’s widow, Sian, who cut the ribbon to officially unveil the sculpture.

The sculpture is a triptych basrelief made out of high-density plaster and the trio of images reflect John’s interests in Biology: As Ian explained: “Bees are at the centre of the sculpture as they were a central

CRICKET

The sculpture is a triptych bas-relief made out of highdensity plaster and the trio of images reflect John’s interests in Biology

Brian Needham

After playing in one Test Match against Sri Lanka and two Test Matches against West Indies (taking four wickets during which he became the 7th most successful bowler in Test Match history), Stuart Broad (04) played several early season Championship matches for Nottinghamshire but then concentrated on six Test Matches, one against Ireland and five against Australia. In the one-off Test Match against Ireland at Lord’s, he scored 3 and 21* and had bowling analyses of 19/5/3-60 and 8/3/4-19 in an England victory. Against Australia, a series drawn 2-2, he was England’s most successful bowler with 23 wickets (and 59 runs). To date he has scored 3,149 Test Match runs, taken 467 Test Match wickets and held 42 Test Match catches; in ODIs his record stands at 529 runs, 178 wickets and 27 catches. In Twenty20 matches for England he has scored 118 runs, taken 65 wickets and held 21 catches; his First Class record is 5,119 runs, 759 wickets and 78 catches. In List 112

part of John’s doctorate. Monty the python was a famous ‘member’ of the Biology Department, and the third image of the Hawaiian state fish represents John’s extracurricular interest in diving; one of the highlights of John’s career was leading a D of E Exploration trip to Hawaii in 2005.”

Ian continued: “John was a great friend and colleague and I was very much inspired by everything he did and this is reflected in this sculpture.”

In addition to current members of staff, we were delighted to welcome several of John’s former colleagues to the unveiling ceremony. In addition to Ian Prendergrast, Chris Gillies, Sally Wragg, Liz Holland, and Val Harvey returned to School to commemorate John’s life and work.

A matches he has 620 runs, 216 wickets and 32 catches and in Twenty20 he has scored 152 runs, taken 100 wickets and held 26 catches. He was selected for England’s tour to New Zealand in autumn 2019.

Josh Cobb (08) continued his First Class with Northamptonshire, mainly playing in the shorter versions of the game. His First Class record now stands at 5,155 runs, 87 wickets and 53 catches. In List A Matches he has 3,339 runs, 35 wickets and 29 catches, and in Twenty20 he has 3,165 runs, 56 wickets and 65 catches. Tom Fell (12) continued to play for Worcestershire; his First Class record is 3,808 runs and 61 catches. In List A matches he has scored 1,369 runs and held 16 catches, and his Twenty20 record is 62 runs and 2 catches. Lyndon James (17) and Donald Butchart (17) have both now played in one List A match each for Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire respectively; 1 run and 1 catch for James in 2019 and 12 runs for Butchart in 2019.

RUGBY As the winter rugby season opened, Oakham’s only representative in the World Cup in Japan was Hamish Watson (10), but his tournament was ruined by an injury in the first half of Scotland’s first match that forced him out of the tournament. OOs who are playing in Premiership squads include: old hand Alex Goode (06) for Saracens RFC and newcomers Sam Wolstenholme (18) for Wasps, Sam Costelow (19), Jack van Poortvliet (19) and Cameron Jordan (19) for Leicester Tigers and Tyrese JohnsonFisher (18) for Bristol Bears.

Feature

THE MATTHEWS SOCIETY Natasha Feroze (14) remembers the Matthews Society, a school society that she and other Form 7 girls in her year established.

The Matthews Society was created as a platform for discussion about women’s rights. It was established by the Form 7 girls in 2014, although it was open to all Seventh Formers who wanted to learn more gender inequality. At the time, this was a topic that we were completely in the dark about. Gender issues were not something that we had been particularly exposed to and we didn’t even feel comfortable referring to ourselves as ‘feminists’.

We held a number of events over the year. In the first meeting, we talked about the late Jane Matthews, a hugely influential figure at Oakham School. Her husband, Andy (56) joined us for the event and spoke of her role at the School, encouraging the girls to take part in sport, and becoming the first female head of department.

One of our most memorable Matthews Society meetings was a talk given by two Journalists, Holly Baxter and Rhiannon Lucy Cosslet from the Vagenda Magazine. It was inspiring to speak to women who were so well educated in this field of work. They were eager to question why we found it difficult to call ourselves ‘feminists’. We learnt that by definition, the word ‘Feminism’ means the belief in equal rights between men and women. It then became clear to us that this was the movement we were a part of and we should be proud to call ourselves Feminists.

The Matthews Society was a really important space for its members. There was always an energy in the room and a profound sense of pride in a cause that we could all relate to. I am really grateful to Mrs Fairley, Mrs Gomm and Mrs Durston for all of their help in establishing and continuing the Matthews Society, as, without them it would not have been able to carry on for the last 5 years.

The Matthews Society made a difference to my life in a number ways after I left Oakham.

I applied conversations we had had into my academia and took up feminism modules in my Politics degree. It surprised me how well informed so many people were already about gender issues and I was grateful that I had already been exposed to the topic at School. I also joined the feminist society at Bristol University.

This was a fascinating experience for me as I got to know a vast array of feminists from more diverse backgrounds. It made me realise the variety of opinions people had, whilst still

We regularly discuss topics on the Facebook page and have added other individuals who have taken an interest in our cause.

Then...In 2014

And now... In 2019

The Matthews Society was a really important space for its members.

There was always an energy in the room and a profound sense of pride in a cause that we could all relate to. believing in the core principle of equality for men and women.

In my social life, the Matthews Society also gave me a better understanding about the challenges I may face as a young woman outside of the Oakham sphere. On countless occasions, I have resorted back to some of the memorable discussions we had during the Matthews meetings as I confronted some of the challenges

in my own life. Something particularly special has been the efforts taken by members, to remain in touch and to share our experiences after Oakham.

We regularly discuss topics on the Facebook page and have added other individuals who have taken an interest in our cause. Whenever I meet up with former Matthews members, we regularly discuss gender issues and talk fondly of our days in the Matthews Society.

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Events

INFORMAL REUNIONS In addition to the ‘official’ reunions and OO events that we host each year, it is great to hear from OOs who have been holding their own ‘informal’ school reunions. Here we feature three such recent events that demonstrate the depth of friendships formed at School.

THE GRAPES SOCIETY Christopher COTTAM (60), John Lawson (60), Michael Chamberlain (60) and Harvey Hermann (56) meet every year as the Grapes Society. They originally started as the Sour Grapes Society, the OOs meet every year in Oakham to have dinner and reminisce about life at Oakham and catch up on news.

CLASS OF 61 AND 62 John DILLON (62) recently met up with two fellow OOs for their annual reunion in Oakham: ‘It has become something of a tradition now for three former Day Boys (Johnsons) to meet for one night a year in Oakham, take a walk around parts of the School and end up for a ‘pie and a pint’ in the Lord Nelson. In late October 2019, Les COOKE (61), Peter SMITH (62) and I paid our third visit.

The three of us were friends at School, Les lived in Manton while John and Peter were at RAF North Luffenham. After one year in the Sixth Form, Les decided not to complete his A-levels, enlisting in the Army in 1962. After basic training he joined the Coldstream Guards and in 1964/65 served 12 months in Aden. On his return he did a weapons instructors course and as a result qualified for transfer to the Small Arms School Corps, in 1967. He then served as a training advisor in various training units, at home

and abroad, until his discharge in 1999.

Peter and I both left in 1962.

Peter went into engineering with the A.V. Roe aircraft company (who built the Vulcan bomber) and spent 42 years in engineering procurement and management before moving into adult education. His engineering skills are now channelled into restoring vintage motorcycles. Les and I subsequently completed degrees with the OU. I joined the RAF in 1962 and after some years flying as a navigator on Vulcan bombers, I spent 25 years in mainframe computers. Early retirement was an opportunity to go to Reading University as a mature student and after taking a History PhD, I now write military history – my third book should be out this Christmas.

The school was very different in our day; no girls and discipline that was more in the style of Flashman and Tom Brown’s Schooldays. But we have fond memories.’

CLASS OF 1999 Jon Wills 20 years after leaving Oakham, nearly sixty members of the Class of 1999 met at Caminos Tapas bar, in London in November. A great venue and an even better night. Huge thanks must go to Olivia White, who was instrumental in organising for so many of this year to attend. Anna Mugglestone flew in espeically from Hong Kong, where she now lives, for this event. What a great effort by her.

Numerous stories and tales were shared of the fun times that they had at Oakham and it is clear that they continue to feel such warmth toward their old school. Towards the end of the evening, the group received an unexpected visitor: none other than the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. There are already plans for this group to meet again on a more regular basis.

If you are having a reunion with fellow OOs, do get in touch! We’d love to hear from you and feature your OO reunion in the next magazine.

Please contact Becca Maddocks, Alumni Manager, at rim@oakham.rutland.sch.uk

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Events

OO FOOTBALL MATCH Jamie Kendall (07) A wet autumnal day in Southwest London saw the OO Football club take on a well set-up LSE team at the Fulham FC Academy ground.

After quickly going down 2-0, the OOs began to control possession with some neat link-up play from holding midfielders Nick Davies and Henry Bridgwood, who orchestrated forward balls to Julian Adeniran, Tarhan Sadhra and Ivan Vlasenko.

As the first half wore on, the OOs’ strong interchanging defensive group of Richard Grundy, Alex Healey, Tim Bradley and Ben Lewin kept LSE at bay, and allowed for the likes of Charlie Faye, Dylan Cleverdon and Jonny Darke to bring the ball forward to give chances for Jamie Kendall and Jamie Thorpe, who saw a superb effort tipped onto the bar by the keeper!

In the incessant rain the OOs entered the second half still 2-0 down but were now controlling long passages of play. It was not long before they were on the score sheet thanks to a 30-yard screamer courtesy of Jonny Darke.

Now at 2-1 with 15 minutes left and balls raining into the box from the long throw of Nick

Davies, the OOs created something of a goal line scramble and Jamie Kendall, using his experience to distract the keeper, allowed Richard Grundy to poke the ball through last ditch attempts from defenders into the net: 2-2!!

The last 10 minutes of the game called for the OOs to dig deep, led by a couple of great saves from Keeper Gareth Peters to keep it at 2-2.

All of a sudden with five minutes left, Jamie Thorpe found himself cutting in from the edge of the box to beat two defenders to slot home the winner!!

A superb 3-2 win for the OOs with special mentions to recent OOs and newer members of the squad Ivan Vlasenko, Ben Lewin and Dylan Cleverdon, who worked tirelessly up and down the field to keep some old timers in the game!

The Man of the Match award was shared by the ever vocal rock in defence Richard Grundy and Nick Davies, who was the engine room in

midfield and peppered the opposition box with his long throw ins.

A nail-biting game was followed by a couple of social beers, where it was great to see OOs from as far back as 2007 and more recently 2018 socialising together and regaling stories of not just their time at Oakham but some slightly inflated footballing prowess…

Thanks to all those who took part and if you are interested in getting involved in the Christmas social/next game, get in touch with Jamie Thorpe at jamie.thorpe@thorpes-joinery.com

CLASS OF 1979 REUNION Jon Wills

In June, over sixty of the class of 1979 had a reunion lunch in BAFS Cricket Pavilion. A number of the group had not returned to Oakham since they left and were clearly delighted to see the increase in the number of new buildings and facilities that have been constructed since they left the School 40 years ago.

It was particularly pleasing that Oakham’s next Headmaster, Henry Price, (the 31st) was able to be present to welcome everyone and to emphasise the huge importance of the Old Oakhamian Club to the School, in the past, the present and the future.

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Events

OO PRESIDENT’S DINNER 2019 On Saturday 23 November, Old Oakhamians gathered from across the UK to attend the annual Old Oakhamian President’s Dinner, which this year took place in the Barraclough Dining Hall at the School.

There were Oakhamians present who had attended the School between the years of 1953 to 2014, who joined together to welcome the new Headmaster, Henry Price.

The evening began with a Champagne drinks reception in the Staff Common Room, where guests were able to reminisce over photographs provided by the Archives Department. As we made our way into the dining hall, we were welcomed by the delicious smell of a Carvery buffet, beautifully put together by the School’s Catering Department.

As main courses were finished, rousing speeches were given by the outgoing OO President Katharina Klohe (07), and by Headmaster Henry Price. The Old Oakhamian Club Chairman, Jon Wills, also said a few touching words.

Katharina spoke of the values which Oakham had instilled in her, and how much she appreciated the many opportunities that she was afforded during her time at the School: “I encourage the School to continue raising students who are open to otherness and I encourage us OOs to value the international network that is available to us in order to 116

appreciate the diverse paths we all take in our lives. I am excited to see where the School is heading and what shape it will take under its new leadership.”

Subsequently, the Headmaster’s address focused on the importance of sharing those opportunities with others: “Pupils are encouraged to take part and play their part so that they become committed and fulfilled members of their communities hereafter.”

Jon Wills, Chairman of the Old Oakhamian Club, thanked both Henry and Mary Price, and extended an invitation for them both to become Honorary Old Oakhamians. Huge thanks were given to BAF and Jill Smith for their massive contribution to the School over many years, and to Mary Stevens for her longstanding dedication to Oakham. Jono also thanked Katharina for her outstanding year as Old Oakhamian President, and introduced David Gilman (89), who will be taking over

the reins from Katharina. Finally, Jono gave thanks to Kim, his wife, for her continued support in his role as Chairman over the last 25 years.

At my first OO Dinner as Alumni Manager, I would like to thank all of the attendees for giving me such a warm welcome. It was a wonderful evening filled with reminiscing, laughter and cheer.

We hope all that attended enjoyed the evening and you were able to catch up with old friends.

For those of you who were unable to attend, I trust an opportunity will arise in the near future. The Old Oakhamian Christmas Drinks will be at Camino King’s Cross on Monday 16 December; I hope to see you there.

Becca Maddocks

Events

At my first OO Dinner as Alumni Manager, I would like to thank all of the attendees for giving me such a warm welcome. It was a wonderful evening filled with reminiscing, laughter and cheer.

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Events

CLASS OF 2009 REUNION Becca Maddocks

On Saturday 2 November, Brian Welford, OO Club Treasurer, and I welcomed the Class of 2009 back to Oakham School. As my first reunion, I was so grateful to be greeted with such warmth.

The Small Dining Room of the Barraclough was filled with laughter and conversation, as the cohort enjoyed catching up and reminiscing with old friends.

For some the evening began at the Admiral Hornblower, before they made their way to the Barraclough, with the night finishing at The Lord Nelson. A good effort.

A special mention to Lars Kahl, who flew in especially from New York, after moving there only six weeks prior to the reunion.

On the Sunday morning, I gave a tour of the School to six of the cohort, who shared their fond memories of Oakham with me. I would like to personally thank them for the opportunity to view Oakham through their eyes, an experience for which I am truly grateful. Although I do apologise for successfully setting off the Smallbone Library’s security alarm…

This was a wonderful first reunion for me and it has only made me look forward to the next one even more. I hope the Class of 2009 continue to keep in touch, both with each other, and with the Oakham School community.

I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK THEM FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW OAKHAM THROUGH THEIR EYES, AN EXPERIENCE FOR WHICH I AM TRULY GRATEFUL.

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Events and Future Events

CLASS OF 90 INFORMAL REUNION Dolores Sanders

A class reunion can be a scary thing, and as Ffion Jones reached out to the class of 90 to start the idea of getting everyone together again to celebrate 30 years, it was clear that we all had our own story about whether we could, should, would go along. We decided to hold a pre-reunion get together, as many of us hadn’t seen each other since we left... What happened was a truly magical weekend. Over the two days – and Friday and Saturday night – 15 of us came together; what was clear from the start is we all very much left any baggage at the door, like the discarded files on the steps of the Chapel. We laughed, shared stories, did a little networking, begged a little forgiveness, and mostly just talked; so loudly at some times we were asked to move on... until we deployed a useful noise management system.

What wasn’t present was judgement, oneupmanship, expectations or concerns. What’s clear is we’ve all had an incredible 29 years since leaving School, full of all the ups and downs life delivers, and we were all reminded in a glorious

way of the foundation of friendship, respect, and alcohol resilience our school days gave us, when all else is stripped away. So next year we are doing it again, and would love to have the whole year there to raise a glass to everyone.

...and we were all reminded in a glorious way of the foundation of friendship, respect, and alcohol resilience our school days gave us, when all else is stripped away.

JOIN US FOR OUR 30-YEAR REUNION Please contact Ffion Jones and Dolores Sanders for details, and if one of the boys would like to join us to organise the reunion, we would love to hear from you.

Date Saturday 5 September 2020 Venue BAFS Please contact in the first instance Becca Maddocks, rim@oakham.rutland.sch.uk

DATES FOR THE DIARY DON’T FORGET! Christmas Drinks in London Monday 16 December 2019 6.00pm – 10.00pm Drop in to this ever popular FREE festive event.

Class of 1974 Reunion Saturday 6 June 2020 BAFS Midsummer Drinks Saturday 20 June 2020 BAFS Class of 2015 5-year Reunion TBC Class of 1990 30-year Reunion Saturday 5 September 2020 BAFS 119

From the Archives

30 YEARS OF HAYWOODS AND STEVENS Charlotte McCrory, Archivist

September 2019 marked the 30th anniversary of two of our Boarding Houses: Haywoods and Stevens. To celebrate, we thought that we would take a look at the building and opening of both of these Houses.

Both Houses were born out of the dissolution of Deanscroft – a previous boys Boarding House.

Deanscroft had opened in January 1948 but by the 1980s, the School was continuing to expand in pupil numbers, especially after the introduction of girls and co-education in 1971.1 Stevens

As such, a decision was made to convert Deanscroft into a new Middle School Boarding House for the girls, to be named Stevens.2 This would be the fourth such Boarding House for girls after College House, Buchanans and Rushebrookes. The Headmaster of the time, Graham Smallbone, wanted to balance out the boy to girl ratio at 50:50 and, being easier to recruit girls as boarders, it was decided that girls should move into Deanscroft.3 Yet this left a dilemma: where would the existing boys of Deanscroft go? Because the last few large building projects had been focused upon girls boarding, the lagging quality of the boy’s facilities was becoming apparent. So, it was decided that a brand new House, Haywoods, would be built on Kilburn Road.

Haywoods

1Brian Needham, (Unpublished), p.169.

Deanscroft House

Haywoods being built

Both new Houses opened simultaneously in the September of 1989 with a new cohort of 50 girls in Stevens and 81 boys in Haywoods.4 Stevens was opened

by Mr Michael and Mrs Mary Stevens. Michael Stevens, the namesake of the House, had been an Assistant Master, Second Master, Housemaster, Registrar and even acting Head of Oakham School throughout his career.5 It was Michael and Mary who had been ‘responsible for inaugurating the first Senior Girls’ House’ in what is now Buchanans and so lending their name to a new girls Boarding House was the perfect fit.6 The first Housemistress of Stevens was Mrs Mary Hoyle and the first ever Head of House was Rebecca Robinson.7 2Ibid. p.305. 3Ibid. 4Oakhamian Magazine, (Winter 1989), p.2. 5Ibid. 6Oakham Update, (Winter 1989), p.1. 7Oakhamian Magazine, (Winter 1989), p.2.

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From the Archives

The opening of Stevens House by Michael and Mary Stevens

Similarly, Haywoods was opened by its namesake, Colonel Thomas Haywood – former Chairman of Oakham School Trustees and Lord Lieutenant of Rutland.8 Haywood’s first Housemaster was Mr Tim Gunn while its first Head of House was Matthew Astill.9 8Oakham Update, (Winter 1989), p.1.

9Oakhamian Magazine, (Winter 1989), p.2.

The opening of Haywoods House by Colonel Thomas Haywood

Since then, both Houses have continued to grow and develop.

Below is a list of all of the Housemasters and Housemistresses of each House until the present day.

We would love to hear your memories of these Houses opening or just your time as a Stevens or Haywoods pupil. You can share your memories or any photos with the Archives at archivesuser@oakham.rutland.sch.uk or on Twitter (@OakhamArchives) and hopefully, if we get enough, we will publish them as a collection in the next edition!

Housemistresses of Stevens (Middle School Boarding / Flexible Boarding Girls)

Housemasters of Haywoods (Middle School Boarding Boys)

1989-2000 2000-08 2008-18 2018-present

1989-96 1997 1997-2001 2001-07 2007-18 2018-present

Mary (M.V.) Hoyle Steve (S.J.) and Jan (J.) Burrows Annette (A.M.) Lear Emma (E.G.) Roe

Tim (T.C.) Gunn Brian (B.S.) Welford Jon (J.) Wills Simon (S.C.) Northcott David (D.M.) Taylor Glenn (G.) Gelderbloom

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Can you help us to pinpoint the school year of this Stevens photo? You can get in touch by emailing archivesuser@oakham. rutland.sch.uk or on Twitter (@OakhamArchives).

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NOTORIOUS OLD OAKHAMIANS Oakham School’s Honorary Historian, Brian Needham, looks at the story of Ronald Vivian Light (at Oakham from 1899–1902) and the Green Bicycle Case.

Ronald Vivian Light was born in 1885 and grew up the only child of a successful inventor of plumbing devices, George Henry Light of London. He attended Oakham from 1899-1902, and according to a prosecution brief from his murder trial in 1920, he was expelled at the age of 17. It must be stressed at this point that there is no confirmation in the School records that he was expelled for any reason, but Story’s Register shows that he was at the School 1899–1902 and that in 1916 he was a Captain in the Royal Engineers; however, it claims also that he was deceased by 1920. His British Army WW1 Medal Index Card (in the name of Ronald Light, not Ronald Vivian Light) confirms that he was commissioned from 27 February 1915 to 1 August 1916 in the Royal Engineers and that he re-enlisted as a Gunner in the Honorable Artillery Company, but it does not indicate the award of any war medals.

The Green Bicycle Case involved the death of a young woman in Little Stretton, near Leicester, on 5 July 1919.

Annie Bella Wright was the eldest of seven children of an agricultural labourer and his wife and lived in a thatched cottage in Stoughton, four miles outside Leicester. She worked as a domestic servant before taking a factory job in Bates’ Rubber Mill, about five miles from home. Wright may have met Light prior to the night of the murder, for she had told her mother of an officer who had fallen in love with her who may well have been Light, although he denied it in court. Wright was killed by a bullet wound to the head.

Earlier that evening she had been seen with a man on a green bicycle. By all accounts, Wright and Light met on a road on 5 July 1919 around 6.45 pm when she asked him if he had a spanner to help with the loose freewheel on her bicycle. He did not have one but offered to accompany her

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to her uncle George Measure’s cottage in Gaulby and waited for her outside. They rode away together at about 8.50pm and Wright’s dead body was found on the Via Devana by a farmer, around 9.20pm Police Constable Alfred Hall, who came to the scene, initially found “smears of blood on the top bar of the field gate” but no footprints on either side of the gate. A doctor made a cursory onceover by candlelight and decided that Wright had died in a simple bicycle accident. Not accepting this explanation, PC Hall returned at 6.00am and found a .455-calibre bullet seventeen feet from Wright’s body, which had not yet been removed from the scene. He washed the face of the corpse and found the entry wound. The prosecution’s reconstruction was that a mile west of Gaulby, Bella Wright had fled from Light, panicked, and headed south on an inferior road that was a possible route home, but not the shortest one. Light took an alternate route to get in front of her and lay in wait at a cattle gate, where he shot her and fled.

For five months after Wright’s death, Light hid his bike in a cupboard. He later claimed he had failed to come forward to avoid worrying his ailing mother. He eventually took the bike to the Upperton Road Bridge in Leicester, dismantled the bicycle, and threw it piece by piece into the River Soar, an act witnessed by Samuel Holland, a labourer. On 23 February 1920, Enoch Whitehouse was guiding a horse-drawn boat full of coal on the River Soar when the tow-rope snagged the frame of a green bicycle. Police were called to investigate and saw that the serial number had been filed off both the frame and the seat lug and the brand name (BSA) had been filed off the fork. However, a faint serial number on the fork proved sufficient to link the bike to Light. He was arrested on 4

From the Archives

PC Hall returned at 6.00am and found a .455-calibre bullet seventeen feet from Wright’s body, which had not yet been removed from the scene. He washed the face of the corpse and found the entry wound.

March 1920 at Dean Close School in Cheltenham, where he had just begun teaching Mathematics. On 19 March an additional piece of evidence was found: an Army pistol holster and a dozen live .455-calibre bullets were dredged from the canal. Light was tried at Leicester Castle and on the advice of his barrister, Sir Edward Marshall-Hall, he admitted essentially everything but the killing, trusting to the hope that the jury would accept his version of events as an ex-Army officer and now schoolmaster.

He admitted that the holster was his and that he had owned a revolver but stated that he had parted from Wright without her having come to any harm.

In the prosecution brief, two girls, aged 12 and 14, testified at his trial that the very day of Bella Wright’s death, Light had chased them as they rode their bicycles through the countryside. There seemed to be no evidence to support these accusations.

Marshall-Hall restricted his cross-examination largely to technical matters, questioning the prosecution ballistics expert, Henry Clarke, who had to admit that the bullet could as easily have come from a rifle as a revolver, which allowed Marshall-Hall to make the case that the fatal shot could have been an accidental shot from a distance and that this alternative scenario was likely because a shot at close range would probably have done more damage to the victim’s face.

This theory and Light’s demeanour and social standing were apparently enough to convince the jury to acquit.

After his trial, Ronald Light all but vanished. By 1928 he lived in Leysdown-on-Sea on the east side of the Isle of Sheppey. For at least a time, he assumed the name Leonard Estelle. In 1934 he married an older woman – Lilian Gertrude Lester née Bower. He died in 1975 at the age of 89.

The author of The Green Bicycle Murder (1993), C. Wendy East, concluded that Light did murder Bella Wright but in an earlier book, The Green Bicycle Case (1930), author H.R. Wakefield came to the opposite conclusion.

ARCHIVES QUIZ Can you match the sports photographs with the years? If you think you have matched them all correctly, get in touch by emailing archivesuser@oakham.rutland.sch.uk or on Twitter (@OakhamArchives), and your name could be in the next Old Oakhamian Magazine!

1 Hockey XI 1999 • 2 Hockey XI 1989 3 Hockey XI 2009 • 4 Hockey XI 1979

A

B

C D

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Feature

THE WITCHELL TRIO

Peter Coates (91)

“Are you playing at the Wigmore Hall?”

The question came from a middle-aged man (a retired performer, it turned out) who a few minutes earlier had been enthusiastically demanding an encore as the members of the Witchell Trio left the stage. Now he stood with them as they relaxed in the wings, showing no signs of the jest that the question might have evoked in the three Old Oakhamians had they allowed it. It was June 2019, and the Trio had just given their first performance outside Rutland, their fifth public appearance in the less than two years of their existence. It was a wet Thursday afternoon in Ashbourne, but the church of St Oswald’s was ringing with enthusiasm for the fledgling ensemble and the performance they had just given of Rachaminov’s First Trio élégiaque and Dvořák’s Dumky Trio. The billing for the event had described them as ‘WorldClass Performers’, an epithet that had raised an eyebrow or three as the performers prepared for the event. Now it seemed rather less out of place.

And then the emails starting coming in . . . . . . Your recital today was nothing short of brilliant! . . . . . . Wonderful recital today! Just fabulous . . . . . . Just to say again how brilliant that was. I was in heaven, especially in the intensely quiet sections. Stunningly good, well done to you all, and thank you! . . .

So just who are the Witchell Trio, and what brought this unlikely group together? Well, the three OOs in question are Jennifer Kelsey (92) on violin, Peter Coates (91) on cello and Fraser Graham (99) at the piano. All three were music scholars in their day, and those with a long memory might remember concerto performances of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto and Beethoven’s Romance in F from Jenny, Bruch’s Kol Nidrei and Addinsell’s Warsaw Concerto from Peter, and Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto from Fraser. Also of note are the concerti that Peter and Jenny premiered in 1998 and 1999 respectively, written for them by the then Director of Music, Peter Witchell (PJW), and the string quartet featuring Jenny and Peter that won the Chamber Music for Schools competition in 1991 with its memorable performance of Shostakovich’s 8th Quartet, which they also performed at the School. While still in the Sixth Form, Fraser received honours in his Guildhall recital diploma, a rare achievement for a school pupil. More recently, he again 124

excelled himself, becoming a finalist in the Liszt Society Piano Prize in 2012. Although the older pair were school contemporaries, friends and chamber music partners, Fraser, who arrived at the School the year Peter left, does have distant memories of Jenny, who was in her final year when Fraser was in his first. The three were not to meet until September 2017, when their muchloved former teacher, Peter Witchell, who had continued to support so many OOs over the years, sadly died, and they were approached to provide the music for his memorial service held at All Saints’ Church in Oakham. Despite the sad and somewhat stressed circumstances of this first meeting, the three found an immediate musical rapport with each other, and decided to meet again, which resulted in their first concert performance, again in All Saints’, in March 2018, in which they played Rachmaninov’s little known but deeply moving First Trio élégiaque in Peter Witchell’s memory. It was after the success of this concert that they decided, in view of the circumstances that brought them together and their desire to keep PJW’s memory alive, to take Peter Witchell’s name, and the Witchell Trio was born. They followed their performance of the first Rachmaninov Trio élégiaque with the even more demanding second, which they performed twice in October 2018.

The trio’s links to Oakham School are rooted as much in the present as the past: Fraser is a current member of staff, teaching piano at the School since 2004, and Jenny’s three sons are also pupils at the School. In 2019 the trio has started to spread its wings, with performances in

Ashbourne, Newark and Manchester Cathedral, in addition to returning to All Saints’ in Oakham, where they have become something of a feature.

Although Jenny and Fraser are hardly next-door neighbours, the 60 odd miles between Derbyshire and Oakham are nothing compared with the journey from Scotland that Peter has to make to meet for rehearsal and concerts. Undaunted by the logistical challenges, the trio is constantly planning and learning new repertoire and looking to further expand its concert itinerary.

Peter Witchell, as well as being Director of Music at Oakham School for many years, was a prolific and gifted composer, writing much of his music for his pupils and ex-pupils, including some rather unusual instrumental combinations (quartet for flute, clarinet, cello and piano, anyone?). Several of his works featured large in his memorial service, helping to make it a truly unique and memorable occasion. Although there is no music written expressly for the conventional piano trio ensemble, the members of the Witchell Trio have already performed some of the music for flute, cello and piano to great acclaim, simply swapping the flute for Jenny’s violin. There are also works that they hope to perform in the future. Since PJW’s death, Oakham School has set up an archive of his work to enable access for those wishing to perform it.

Enquiries/bookings for the Witchell Trio to jenny@medi-kelsey.com Enquiries about the PJW archive to Nigel Webb: nandcwebb@gmail.com

Births, Engagements and Marriages

BIRTH

MARRIAGES

Dr Emilie Couchman (05) (née GREEN) gave birth to Bobby Hayden Remy Couchman on 9 August 2019.

Caroline ALLSOPP (83) of La Rippe, Switzerland, married Erwin Leitner in Vandoeuvres, Geneva. The civil ceremony was followed by a church ceremony at the Anglican church in Gingins, Vaud, Switzerland on 21 September.

Among the guests was Samantha Roost (83) (née Rhys-Williams).

ENGAGEMENTS

Hannah MITCHELL (12) and Fabian TAYLOR (08) got engaged on 28 September at Burnham Overy-Staithe.

From left to right: Harry Loweth, (Will who is not an OO) James Padley, Susie Padley (née Manby), Rosie Manby, George Padley, Jack Measom, Henry James.

Two OOs, Susie MANBY (08) and James PADLEY (07), got married on 1 June 2019.

Susie writes: ‘We had the most fabulous day. We were married at Rauceby Church in Lincolnshire and had Ivan Linford playing the organ for us; we asked him as we had both attended many 'Chapels' and Congo practices with his music. This was followed by a marquee reception in our garden at our new house in Ruskington (where James proposed just under a year earlier). I had my sister Rosie Manby (13) as my Maid of Honour and James (07) had his brother George Padley (06) as his best man. Three more of his ushers were also OOs: Henry James (07), Jack Measom (07) and Harry Loweth (04), as well as lots of the guests!

Anna V SKUSE (04) & Major James M Walters R ANGLIAN got engaged on 1 June 2019 at Hambleton, Rutland Water. Their marriage will take place at the School Chapel on 30 August 30 2020.

Major Christian WRAGG (01) has got engaged to Juana de Diaz. A summer wedding is planned.

Sarah PATRICK (12) got married on Saturday 22 June 2019 to Craig Attmere.

She writes: ‘Craig and I met in Suffolk, where we both live, the summer before I came to Oakham for Sixth Form, and we have been together ever since! It will be 9 years this October. I now work for a travel company, and Craig proposed whilst we were travelling in Borneo at the top of Mount Kinabalu.

We got married in our local church (close to where we both grew up) in Parham, Suffolk, and then had the reception in a marquee at my parents’ house with a live band to continue the celebration into the early hours.

Both my parents, John Patrick (80) and Louise Patrick (81) (née Davies) met at Oakham, and my sister Alison Patrick (10) studied at Oakham for Sixth Form a few years before me, and she was my maid of honour at our wedding.’

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Deaths and Obituaries

Peter BANKS (54) 23 July 1936 – 2 March 2019 Written by Peter’s friend and colleague Andy Brown Peter Banks was a distinguished consultant maxillofacial surgeon, who was recognised as a leading figure in the specialty dedicated to treating problems affecting the face, jaws and mouth.

He made major contributions to the management of maxillofacial injuries and facial deformity in particular.

However, his clinical interests ranged widely and he was highly admired as an innovative surgeon and stimulating teacher.

Peter spent his early years in Hinckley. He started at Oakham School in 1945 as a junior boarder before progressing to senior school where he was a prefect in Deanscroft House. He was a keen sportsman enjoying rugby and cricket in particular. He was also a member of the shooting team having been introduced to field sports by a much loved grandfather who was a farmer in Market Bosworth. Peter had an impressive academic record during his time at Oakham with the high probability of an ‘Oxbridge’ scholarship. Nevertheless he decided to study dentistry instead, which required the late addition of science A-levels to the arts subjects he was already studying.

Peter left Oakham in 1954 to enter Guy’s Hospital Dental School with an Open Entrance Scholarship. His academic success continued with the award of several prizes before graduating with an honours degree in 1959. After a brief experience in general dental practice, he realised that his interest lay in hospital practice and the developing specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery. His appetite was further whetted by a period as senior house surgeon at the renowned Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead.

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Recognising the need for broader medical education, Peter returned to Guy’s to study for a medical degree, qualifying in 1964. Following the usual round of ‘junior’ hospital posts, and the obtaining of a Fellowship in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons, he returned to East Grinstead in 1966 to complete his training before being appointed as a consultant at Peterborough District Hospital. Less than two years later, he was invited to come back to East Grinstead where he remained until his retirement from the NHS in 1999.

During his time as consultant surgeon at the Queen Victoria Hospital Peter influenced and enthused generations of trainees from at home and abroad, many of whom subsequently became leaders in the specialty. He had an iconoclastic attitude to much received wisdom and his enquiring mind and innovative approach meant he was a stimulating clinical teacher, much in demand as a lecturer and postgraduate examiner.

He was an extrovert and gregarious man, who was in many ways a larger than life “character”. From time to time he openly vented his frustration at the irritations of life in the NHS but any such outbursts were short lived with no malice behind them. All who worked with him or for him held him in high regard and genuine affection.

He had many friends in maxillofacial surgery around the world who sought out his company whenever the opportunity arose.

Peter Banks’ stature and eminence in his chosen surgical specialty was recognised by his election as President of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and subsequently as President of the International Association. He died aged 82 on 2 March 2019 leaving his wife Diana, a nurse in the department who he met on his first day at the Queen Victoria Hospital, plus three children and eight grandchildren.

Roger Marshall BATES (52) 10 January 1935 – 12 October 2019 An obituary will be published in the next edition of the Old Oakhamian magazine.

Timothy Richard CULLEN (65) 11 September 1947 – 10 July 2019 Richard Cullen writes: ‘It is with sadness that I inform you of the death on 10 July 2019 of my father Tim Cullen (Timothy Richard Cullen).

Dad worked as a solicitor at the Nottingham law firm Eking Manning (later Geldards LLP) for his entire career, where he was Senior Partner.’

Michael John HINMAN (68) 24 September 1949 to 21 August 2019 Written by Richard Horsman (68) Michael Hinman died at his flat in Oakham shortly before his 70th birthday.

An only child, born in Oakham, Michael was a serious, studious boy who eschewed sport but served in the Signals section of the CCF. He was in Johnsons 1961– 67 and, in our last year (1967-68), he and I shared a room in College House.

Michael read Modern History at Exeter College, Oxford, where he appreciated the academic environment and the social life of the College Chapel and the Christian Union. He trained to teach in Leeds, and taught for two years at Bembridge School on the Isle of Wight but, realising that wasn’t his vocation, trained in Liverpool to be an Archivist.

In 1976 he joined Coventry City Council’s Record Office, where he worked until his retirement 38 years later. One of his colleagues said of him; “he pretty much matched the public stereotype of an archivist: strict moral and professional ethic, everything done by the rules. He had a capacious memory and considerable scholarship. Other archivists came visiting to admire and learn.”

In Coventry Michael worshipped at Holy Trinity Church, where he served as a Lay Reader, led Bible Study Groups and made many friends. His leisure time was spent walking, often 10 to 15 miles or more, both around Coventry and when he came home on leave to Rutland. His mother, Nora, looked forward to his visits but often saw little of him because he arrived with a programme of walks planned.

After Nora died in 2010, Michael bought a flat opposite All Saints’ Parish Church, perfect for his retirement. In 2014 he brought back to Oakham from Coventry his enormous collection of Vinyl LPs of classical music, photographs and documents, all catalogued and stored in numerous boxes. He quickly involved himself in church life, taking services in the villages where his ancestors had lived and farmed, and participating in meditation and home bible study groups. He had a long involvement with the Rutland Local History and Record Society and the Rutland County Museum. At his death he was due to play a leading role in writing a new History of Rutland.

He was also President of the Rutland County Probus Club, and a key member of the steering group for the Oakham Neighbourhood Plan.

In 2018 Michael joined a church pilgrimage to the Holy Land; and he planned to go to the Oberammergau Passion Play in 2020.

Michael was a dedicated letter writer. I wasn’t his only correspondent, but he wrote to me every fortnight for 51 years!

What will I remember about him?

His atrocious handwriting; his incredibly long sentences; his fondness for cats; his devotion to his mother; his amazingly fast walking over daunting distances; and the extraordinary Old Testament beard he grew in recent years: frankly, he looked better with a mere moustache.

Some 200 people came to Michael’s funeral in Oakham Parish Church, including nine priests, a retired Bishop and a half-dozen OOs.

Deaths and Obituaries Stuart kept horses and had a great love of all animals but his greatest pleasure was his dogs.

William JOHNSON (99) 24 September 1981 – 16 February 2017 William’s parents, Andrew and Susan Johnson, wrote with information about a memorial to their son, William, who died suddenly while jogging in Holland Park of a sudden aneurysm of the thoracic aorta.

‘The Holland Park authorities were extremely kind and allowed us not only to place a bench but also to plant a tree close to where he died.

Both can be found in the south-west segment of the park, most easily access off Abbotsbury Road on High Street Kensington, close to the Belvedere Restaurant and the main offices in the stable yard. The bench is close to the chess playground, while the tree (Chinese Mahogany) should grow well in a superb location between the rose gardens and the tennis courts next to the Belvedere.’

B. Stuart LAMBERT (71) 29 September 1952 – 3 August 2019 Written by Charles Tassell (71) Stuart was born on 29 September 1952, the oldest son of Olive and Derick Lambert. He was brought up in Oadby and went to Stoneygate Prep School.

At the age of 13 he passed his Common Entrance and became a boarder at Oakham School in what was then School House. The Housemaster in those days was Ronnie Henton. Stuart at 13 was as tall as he was as an adult, and so towered over us all. Because of this he became known as ‘bean pole’ later shortened to ‘beany’; a nickname that stayed with him all his life.

At School Stuart was a good sportsman; he excelled at athletics and rugby. He was awarded his 1st XV colours for rugby.

On leaving Oakham, Stuart went to what was then known as the Leicester Polytechnic, where he did a course on Business Management.

On completing this, he joined the family firm and ran the carpet department there.

When the firm had to close, Stuart set up a carpet wholesale business, trading first in Wigston and then moving to Freemans Common in Leicester. Times proved hard in the business and Stuart closed this down and started to operate from home, providing rugs and carpets direct to the general public. This was still trading until very recently.

Stuart had many interests and

hobbies in life. He was never happier than walking in the countryside and finishing the day off with a pint of beer in a local pub.

During his life, Stuart kept horses and had a great love of all animals but his greatest pleasure was his dogs. He was never happier than in their company.

He had a lifetime interest in Leicester City and would love to go and watch them.

In later life, Stuart became a Freemason and joined the Old School Lodge. He very much enjoyed the Lodge and made a lot of friends there, especially Chris Miller whom he enjoyed helping with the organisation of the meals.

A very modest man, who will be missed by many. He lived respected and died regretted.

1970 1st XI. Stuart is standing second from the right in the second row from the top in the photograph.

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Deaths and Obituaries

David Joseph MATTHEWS 17 April 1937 – 19 June 2019 Written by Brian Needham Born at Red House in Barrow in Rutland on 17 April 1937, David entered Oakham School in the Winter Term of 1948 as a Day Boy (as then they were termed), to be followed by his brother Andy (1953–56). In due course he was appointed a House Prefect and then a School Prefect, was a Sergeant in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). He gained his Cross-Country Colours and his Rugby Colours, playing for the XV in the four seasons of 1951-54, captaining the side in that final season of 1954. The Master-in-Charge of Rugby, Geoffrey Liebert, wrote of David at the end of the 1954 season: “his sense of position, his safe hands and amazing control of the dribble make him the best forward of my experience here and he could go far. As captain he is a shrewd judge of character and at times a hard critic; he has done much to keep up the general standard by interesting himself in the lower Lots [junior squads] and we are greatly in his debt.”

The 1953 1st XV, captained by B.A.F. (Brian) Smith, had a playing record of 13 matches of which 12 were won and 1 drawn with no defeats, scoring 204 points to just 22 conceded. On finishing School, aged 17 in 1954, he returned to Red House Farm but combined farming with continuing his rugby career; he played as flanker for Oakham RFC (from age 14); for Stoneygate RFC; for Leicester Tigers RFC

(1955–74 and captain 1965–68) in a record 502 matches with 119 tries; for Leicestershire (with a record number of County Caps and as captain), for the East Midlands (notably against both Australia and South Africa) and for the Barbarians RFC. He had three England Trials 1965–67.

After his playing career he was team coach (1988–91), became a director until 2007 and was President (2001–03) when Tigers won backto-back European Cups with Old Oakhamian Lewis Moody (96) playing in the team. He was awarded with Life Membership in 2005.

In 1960 he married Sylvia Chambers, with whom he had a daughter, Ruth Helen, in 1966. In 1982 he married Anita Davis with whom he had a son, Mark (02) and who played in the 1st XV Rugby and 1st XI Cricket teams.

Over many years David was a keen supporter of the School 1st XV and his input when the 1st XV won the Daily Mail Cup in 2002 and 2003 was invaluable.

After a long illness, David died on 19 June 2019, aged 82, and the eulogy at his memorial service in Rutland was given by Dean Richards.

His service to Leicester Tigers was recognised by a minute’s applause before the kick-off in the European Challenge Cup match against Calvisano on Saturday 7 December and his record number of appearances was commemorated by the opening of a new 502 Lounge in the Mattioli Woods Stand and the Players’ Player of the Year Award was re-named the David Matthews Award.

1954 1st XV. Standing: G.R. Liebert (Master i/c), B. Newman, J.G. Clarke, P.C. Woodward, A.J.G. Pollard, I.J.J. Knott, I.E. Saxby. J.C. Clegg, D.J. Stocks Sitting: D.G.J. Gibson, P.I.D. James, D.J. Matthews (captain), J.E. Strickland, R.J. Peberdy.

In Front: I.S. Hurst, A.P. Marrion

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Brigadier Alan Cedric Scott ROSS (45) 28 October 1928 – 1 December 2018 Written by Brian Needham Alan Cedric Scott Ross was born on 28 October 1928, the son of J. Ross of the Cape Colony, South Africa (who fought in the Boer War, being awarded both the Queen Victoria and the King Edward V11 campaign medals, and in the First World War he was commissioned into the Canadian infantry and won the DSO at Vimy Ridge). Alan grew up in London and was schooled at Latymer Upper in Hammersmith, but on the outbreak of the Second World War, he was evacuated to his godmother in Oakham and attended Oakham 1941–45, becoming a member of Junior House and then School House. He won his Athletics Colours and was a Corporal with Certificate A in the OTC / JMC. Gaining his School Certificate at a level that won him a place at the London School of Architecture, he embarked on a five-year course only for it to be interrupted after two years by being called-up for National Service in the Royal Engineers; he so enjoyed his time that he applied for and gained entry into RMA Sandhurst, from where he was commissioned as an officer.

The passing-out parade was taken

by HRH Princess Elizabeth on her first official royal engagement. He volunteered for service with the 9th Independent Airborne Squadron Royal Engineers, the combat engineer element of the airborne forces. After a tour of two years of parachuting in the UK, Cyprus, and Egypt, he went to the Royal School of Military Engineering for a further year of training, from which he emerged with the Fowke Memorial Medal.

Posted to Malaya, he spent three years of road and airstrip building during the conflict with the Chinese terrorist groups and was in command of a seventystrong group of Malay Chinese and Tamil Sappers; he was Mentioned in Despatches for his performance during that tour. Back from Malaya he was appointed Adjutant of the

Royal Monmouth Royal Engineers (Militia) – the “Double Royals” and the senior regiment (founded 1539) of the Reserve Army. From there he attended the Army Staff College at Camberley, following which he worked at the Ministry of Defence for several years.

Next he was appointed to be the British Liaison Instructor with the French Army Engineers (Le Genie), studying for two years the French Army’s range of amphibious bridging rigs – road vehicles that could swim with a superstructure that could link to others to form ferries or a bridge. From France he was sent to Germany to take over a cadre of around 100 Sappers to form the Army’s only Amphibious Engineering squadron and expanded 23 Amphibious Engineering Squadron to a unit of 340 soldiers while at the same time commanding the Army Diving School at Kiel.

After a short time with the operations branch at NATO’s Northern Army Group, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and took over command of 21 Engineer Regiment, the senior field regiment of the Sappers. Then followed two years of all-arms training and Iron Curtain patrols before having his force increased by two extra squadrons and being posted to Northern Ireland in 1971.

There his 880 men were split in some six locations through County Down and County Armagh, serving in Crossmaglen and Newry and along the border, while at time reinforcing infantry units in Belfast and Londonderry.

Alan in 1971

Deaths and Obituaries

As a result, Alan was promoted to Colonel and Chief of Staff of the 3rd Division with its 25 regiments and battalions spread from Windsor through Catterick and Salisbury Plain to Colchester. This was a period of a very busy desk job, while juggling with the conflicting problems of the commitment to maintaining peace in Northern Ireland, giving support to NATO activities, training on the battlefield ranges of Canada and being involved with joint operations with the RAF and other foreign armed forces in exercises in Turkey, the Balkans, and Kenya.

Finally came promotion to Brigadier and command for three years of 12 Engineer Brigade which comprised virtually all the Royal Engineer front line or field units spread across the UK – three engineer regiments, a survey regiment, the Military Works Force under a Colonel and two Lieutenant Colonels, and specialist teams in well drilling, electrical and mechanical engineering, bulk fuel handling for the Harrier aircraft, and a heavy plant squadron.

Sport played a role in his life

after Oakham, where he had won his Cross-Country Colours; he ran crosscountry for Polytechnic Harriers, representing them in several County Championships, played rugby for the Army Staff College XV (The Owls), and stayed fit enough to descend into the Grand Canyon and return to the rim in time for lunch!

At age 49 and after almost 30 years of army service, Alan took voluntary redundancy and a job in Wincanton with the engineering and transport division of Unigate, refusing a tempting offer to return to the Ministry of Defence.

In 1985 he took final retirement and moved to Andalucia (Spain), designing his own house, moving, designing a new house, moving again and designing a third house, living there other than summer months spent in the Isle of Wight.

He married and has three daughters and six grandchildren. He died on 1 December 2018, aged 90.

Simon SCHANSCHIEFF (57) 22 October 1938 – 15 November 2019 An obituary will be published in the next edition of the Old Oakhamian magazine.

Alan was promoted to Colonel and Chief of Staff of the 3rd Division with its 25 regiments and battalions spread from Windsor through Catterick and Salisbury Plain to Colchester.

Visiting his men in the Yemen in 1977

Rod SMITH (Hon OO) 8 June 1938 – 15 August 2019 Written by Dermot Gilvary Rod Smith was educated at Woodhouse Grove School (Yorkshire) and Jesus College, Cambridge. He taught for seven years at Merchiston Castle School (Edinburgh), before John Buchanan (Headmaster, 1958-77) appointed him to Oakham School as Head of English and Drama (1968-78), and then as Housemaster of Chapmans (1976-1990). A former national serviceman with flying and gliding experience, he was a member of the RAF section of the CCF from 1972 to 1998, and became commanding officer. As Warden of College House from 1990 until his retirement in 1998, he looked after the Upper School scholars. In retirement he pursued many active interests in time which was divided between Yorkshire, Arran and Mull.

In his youth, he captained his School’s 1st XI cricket, and had a trial with Yorkshire CCC. He was a champion middle-distance runner, a climber and a fell walker, a rugby footballer and golfer. To the delight of Day Boys in the Direct Grant era, he introduced soccer to Oakham.

As Head of Drama, he transformed School theatre with his introduction of the House Drama Festival, and he was visionary in his call for Old School to be transformed in 1969 into a living theatre, the Shakespeare Centre, where his outstanding production of Hamlet starred three boys who would become successful professional actors: Adrian King (Hamlet), Greg Hicks (Laertes) and Richard Hope (Gravedigger).

Fiercely intelligent and phenomenally well-read, as a teacher in and beyond the classroom, he inspired generations to love English literature. His measurement of success was not the great number

of boys and girls whom he encouraged to reach the most selective universities, but the reading and theatre-going of Oakhamians beyond the age of thirty. As always, he saw readily to the heart of the matter. John Buchanan wrote an impressive tribute to Rod in 1998, when he noted that Rod was a poet, lyricist, playwright, pianist, organist and composer who worked at the greatest speed. He added approvingly that (thirty years after his appointment) Rod “still carries with him the harum-scarum appearance of an undergraduate”, and stressed that “concern and compassion for the under-privileged lies at the heart of Rod’s character” and that “his primal sympathies [were] for the boy who was lonely, the misfit, or the temporary failure still to discover his goal in life”.

Nigel Webb (a long-term contemporary of Rod; sometime Head of Mathematics, Housemaster of School House and Second Master) recalls: “Where he excelled as a Housemaster was in his determination to find the potential strengths of each boy and to encourage his development. Always quick to forgive the peccadillos of youth, often to the frustration of other Housemasters, he rightly saw teenage reaction to authority primarily as a symptom of lack of self-confidence. Those leaving Chapmans for School House arrived, believing in themselves, knowing their strengths and accompanied by the strongest recommendations from Rod, detailing all their virtues and potential virtues and minimising their faults and weaknesses.”

Old Oakhamians posted many moving tributes to Rod on the OO Club’s Facebook page.

Rod Smith died on 15 August 2019, aged 81. He is survived by his wife Andrea, their five children, Tracy, Nigel, Simon, Jamie and Angus (all OOs) and his grandchildren.

Where he excelled as a Housemaster was in his determination to find the potential strengths of each boy and to encourage his development.

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Foundation News

I am delighted to write this introduction, having picked up the reins of the Foundation and Alumni Office alongside the Marketing and Communications role I have been proud to hold here at Oakham School for the past six years. My association with Oakham School began in September 2011, when my daughter joined Lincoln House as a boarder in Form 1.

Oakham School was everything we hoped it would be, and when an opening to join the Oakham community arose in 2013, it was an opportunity not to be missed!

Bobby Youngwood, Asha Hickin and Joe Roberts

My connection to Oakham School runs deeper than it simply being a great place to work; it was the school I entrusted my daughter to, and the school that

PROFILE OF BOBBY YOUNGWOOD, HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT Joe Roberts, Development Assistant Originally from Buckinghamshire, Bobby Youngwood has been a Leicestershire lad for the last 13 years and currently lives locally with his wife and two daughters. As a teenager, Bobby attended the Douai School in Berkshire. A graduate of the University of Leicester, Bobby has worked in charitable fundraising for 12 years, most recently at University of Leicester, and before that at Methodist Homes, De Montfort University and Home-Start UK

Why Oakham?

Having lived in Leicestershire for the last few years, I was familiar with Oakham and it has a fantastic reputation, for academic as well as sporting and artistic excellence. The School has strong local connections and feels part of Oakham life.

The Foundation’s focus on bursaries is a project I really believe in – providing to a range 130

of backgrounds to make sure an Oakham education is available to as many people as possible.

How is it different from your previous job?

There is a much smaller donor pool to fundraise from which means that building relationships is key. But that does mean that building those relationships makes you feel part of a family.

First Impressions?

My colleagues have been fantastic – friendly, approachable and welcoming. Everyone is working to 100% to deliver for the School, which makes it easy to invest yourself in the community.

Best part of the job?

Meeting donors, inspiring them to support the School. People give to people, so it’s all about building the relationships. I look forward to helping reengage OOs with their School and ensuring Oakham’s future success.

she and her friends are proud to say they attended. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that Oakham continues to be a great school, giving pupils, no

matter what their background, an opportunity to benefit from all we have to offer, and to continue to provide high-quality facilities for Oakhamians and our community now and in the future.

I am delighted that Bobby Youngwood joined the team in October as Head of Development. I would like to offer a warm welcome back to Asha, on her return from maternity leave, wish Becca every success in her new role as Alumni Manager and welcome Joe on his 12-month internship.

We are all looking forward to working with you and welcoming you to College House over the coming years.

Samantha Rowntree, Director of External Relations

UPDATE ON FOUNDATION SOCIETIES Asha Hickin, Development Manager Since the start of 2019, we are delighted to welcome four new members to the 1584 Society. We currently have a total of £125,664 committed through 1584 Society donations.

I have really enjoyed reconnecting with all 1584 Society members since returning from maternity leave and am looking forward to seeing as many members as possible next year.

We have started to plan our next 1584 Society Annual Lunch, which we will hold here at Oakham School.

More details to follow!

1584 Society members receive complimentary invitations to a number of events throughout the school year. Any OOs who may be interested in joining the 1584 Society are invited to attend the Brandenburg Festival Concert, which will take place on 30 January 2020. This is a great opportunity to

see our talented musicians perform in Central London and informally meet the Foundation Team over a drink after the concert. Please do get in touch if this would be of interest to you: foundation@oakham.rutland.sch.uk In April 2018 The Foundation introduced the Robert Johnson Legacy Society.

Next year we are very much looking forward to hosting our very first Robert Johnson Society Legacy Dinner, to thank all of those with existing bequests.

If you would like to leave a legacy to Oakham School, or need to inform us of a bequest within your will, please contact Asha Hickin, Development Manager either via email: ah@oakham.rutland.sch.uk or telephone: 01572 758 699.

Foundation News

2019 TELEPHONE CAMPAIGN This summer saw 12 recent OOs return to the School to participate in the 2019 Telephone Campaign, sharing experiences of life at and beyond Oakham and raising money for the School’s Bursary programme. Ellie Loxton (16) describes her experience as one of this year’s calling team.

Between 12 and 26 August, I joined 11 recent leavers who had successfully applied to participate in Oakham School’s 2019 Telephone Campaign. We arrived early on the Monday morning for our first training day, smiling shyly at half-remembered faces. Within a couple of hours, however, we were chatting together and sharing school memories like old friends, reliving everything from Barraclough desserts to the buzz of Big Band.

Following two days of intense, biscuitfuelled training, it was time to make the first call. Team leader Izzy emphasised the positive aspirations underpinning the Campaign: rather than simply securing donations, we were aiming to reconnect with fellow OOs and engage with them in conversation. And, Oakham alumni, you did not disappoint! The Campaign calling team enjoyed a wealth of fascinating discussions and thought-provoking conversations. I had the privilege of speaking to a fantastic variety of OOs, from artists to arable farmers (we appreciate that the Campaign took place in the height of harvest – thank you for taking the time to speak to us!). The conversations were enlightening and unexpectedly diverse – in one shift alone I learnt about beekeeping, computer coding and farriery!

It was, moreover, heartening to listen to the many warm memories treasured by past students. Recalling not only school day sports and inspiring staff, OOs spoke in praise of the reunions they have attended since leaving Oakham. Hosted at locations worldwide, OOs of all ages wished to thank the OO Club for providing them with the opportunity to return to the School – Eileen Fisher’s organisational skills also received particular applause!

Thanks to the generosity of Oakham’s alumni, the Campaign raised a phenomenal

I had the privilege of speaking to a fantastic variety of OOs, from artists to arable farmers... – in one shift alone I learnt about beekeeping, computer coding and farriery!

£61,539, a figure which continues to increase as pledges are followed up. Participating in the event was a wonderful and rewarding experience; not only did we make new friends and enjoy

Samantha Rowntree’s much-appreciated supply of home baking, we were reminded that Oakham will always remain a genuinely supportive, global community.

Help us to continue to develop the right facilities, which genuinely facilitate the care, learning and experiences of our boys and girls and the wider community of which we are a part.

To get involved, contact foundation@oakham.rutland.sch.uk

THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF OAKHAM’S ALUMNI, THE CAMPAIGN RAISED A PHENOMENAL £61,539 131

01572 758758 • admissions@oakham.rutland.sch.uk • www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk