BURSAR’S BULLETIN
Michaelmas Term 2024
It never fails to amaze me how quickly a new school year comes upon us. It is even more remarkable when one reflects on the many achievements of the past year – the successes of our boys (including some excellent GCSE and A-Level results) and ORs (including more Olympic medals to celebrate in rowing) and all that our staff have been involved with, be that at Radley or outside of the workplace.
This Bulletin is packed full with stories, achievements and insights. If you are new to Radley, this is our termly staff newsletter and a great way to learn more about the teams and the people around you and all that they do. There is something for everyone in this Bulletin, shining a light on our staff, and providing new insights into our colleagues and their lives within and outside the College. So do take time to have a break and have a read. We would love to hear from you with feedback and ideas for future editions – the best way to do this is by emailing Anna Haynes: AMTH.Haynes@radley.org.uk
May I wish everyone a happy new (school) year, and wish you every success for the term ahead.
Best wishes
Three Old Radleians competed for Team GB at the Olympics in Paris this summer.
Tom George (2008, G) and Ollie Wynne-Griffith (2007, D/J), pictured above, won silver in the Men’s Pair. Charlie Elwes (2010, J), pictured top, was part of the Men’s VIII crew who won gold. All three have inspired the current crop of Radley rowers and helped to cement the College’s reputation as one of the top rowing schools in the world, with the programme led by John Gearing and Sam Townsend the envy of many.
Congratulations to Director of Drama, Victoria Buse, whose short play, The Next Generation, was chosen to be included at Theatre503 this summer
in the new writing festival Voices from Home. Victoria’s writing was praised as “brilliantly unnerving in the way it discusses ‘minorities’ of the future while unpacking the hopes parents project onto their unborn children.”
Victoria’s short film, Don’t Look Behind You, was selected for the Brighton Rocks International Film Festival, receiving honourable mentions in both the ‘Micro Movie’ and ‘Micro Budget’ categories. The film is a thriller set on the edge of the woods of Radley’s campus, where two young women hear strange noises. When one goes to investigate, the situation turns serious. Victoria said she was delighted with this recent success and grateful to these organisations who champion new work.
Spotlight on: The HR Team
The HR and Payroll team was delighted to move into its new office in the Courtyard building in February. Over the last 20 years the team has gradually grown from one part-time administrator in 2004 to a team of seven in 2024, partly to deal with the many changes in employment legislation as well as the growth of the College.
With 28 departments and more than 500 staff, life can be very busy. However, please remember that we are all here to help at any time – the department is open between 8.00am and 4.30pm Mon-Fri, and emails are checked outside these times. There is no question that is too silly – just come and see us!
You can contact us on the email addresses: hr@radley.org.uk and payroll@radley.org.uk
Sarah Bray HR Officer
I joined Radley in 2018 after 16 years managing apprenticeship programmes. Whilst HR had always been a small part of my role, this was quite a change.
Radley is certainly a unique place with a unique way of doing things and that takes a bit of getting used to. I love the sense of community here in the Radley bubble and that no two days are the same.
I mainly deal with recruitment, posting adverts, maintaining the vacancies on the website and arranging interviews. What I love about our team is that we all do a little bit of everything, so I am not limited to just recruitment.
I have two young children who keep me busy with a range of after-school clubs. I also love watching football and have taken my son to a few Oxford United games recently, including the recent championship play-off at Wembley.
Jane O’Connell HR Administrator
I joined the HR team in January 2019, having originally joined the College as an exam invigilator the previous summer. I started part-time and gradually Sarah Ballard has persuaded me to do more hours, so I am now full-time.
My main responsibilities are ensuring the accuracy of our records, monitoring our HR inbox and recruitment checks for new staff but I’ll do whatever needs doing and I like the variety. I’m an administrator at heart and love a checklist. This job is very different to what I used to do (working in Financial Services), and it is a joy to work on such a beautiful campus, which beats the view of an industrial estate in Bracknell hands down.
I love reading, crafting and US road trips.
Back row, L-R: Sarah Bray, Jane O’Connell, Louise Morrow. Front row, L-R: Sarah Newport, Kelly Thomas, Sarah Ballard, Lisa Slater
Louise Morrow HR Advisor
I joined in March 2009 as HR Officer. This was a new role, working with Sarah Ballard and Dusty Evans, when we had just 356 employees. I had never worked in a school setting before, so it was quite daunting at first.
My role has grown over the years and is very varied. I am mainly involved with employee relations – staff welfare, managing longer term sickness absences, occupational health referrals, maternity/paternity – but I’m also responsible for the administration of the Aviva Pension Plan and healthcare administration. I feel very privileged to work in such a lovely environment with some great people.
I am an avid sport watcher and especially love tennis. I love a bit of DIY, as well as tending to my garden. More recently, I enjoy following the successes of my son’s esports team, although the games can be quite stressful to watch!
Look out for more about Ryan’s esports team on page 15.
Kelly Thomas Payroll Officer
I joined Radley in June 2014 as a part-time payroll officer having previously been self-employed as a bookkeeper / payroll clerk whilst my three children were young. Prior to having children, I worked for a web design agency as a Financial Accountant / Payroll officer.
For nine years, I was the only member of the payroll department here at Radley, so when Sarah N joined in September last year, she was a very welcome addition. My main responsibilities are to process the monthly payroll, input any changes, manage the pensions schemes, and ensure that deadlines are met.
Radley is a lovely place to work, and we are very lucky to have moved into our new offices and joined the HR team.
I enjoy spending time with my family, shopping, eating out and socialising.
Sarah Ballard HR Director
Sarah Newport Payroll Officer
I joined Radley in September 2023 as a part-time Payroll Officer having previously worked in the payroll department of a recruitment agency for almost 20 years.
I am responsible for processing the monthly payroll alongside Kelly, processing the IR35 payroll, reconciling pension data, and ensuring all records are accurate. Taking on a new role after having worked in my previous role for such a long time has been quite challenging, but it is one that I am thoroughly enjoying.
The HR and Payroll team has been very welcoming and it’s a joy to work in our new office in such beautiful surroundings.
I enjoy spending time with family and friends and watching football. I have two young children so that keeps me busy and is a full-time job in itself!
I was appointed by Richard Beauchamp in 2004 as a part-time HR Administrator, partly because I think he had got tired of dealing with the ever-increasing paperwork involved in employing people!
A key aspect of my role is overseeing a significant amount of operational detail, ensuring that the College is fully compliant with current legislation regarding the protection and wellbeing of both its staff and pupils. Working with the Warden and Bursar, I provide advice on a range of strategic HR issues including the recruitment, retention and development of our staff. I am also responsible for the school’s salary budget as well as the administration of the three pension schemes. I have loved the past 20 years at the school. The majority of the time my role is hugely enjoyable and the people I get to work with are fun and interesting.
In my spare time, I teach scuba diving, having qualified as a PADI instructor in 2021. I also enjoy spending time with my family and have two wonderful grandchildren –Hugo and Bonnie.
Lisa Slater HR Officer
In April this year, I embarked on my new chapter with Radley after facing redundancy from my previous company of 20 years. My HR career began just before the onset of the pandemic, a challenge I had not anticipated, but one that taught me a great deal about adaptability and resilience.
I’m thoroughly enjoying being part of the HR/Payroll team and enjoy exploring the grounds during my lunchtime strolls. While I am still taking on various ad-hoc tasks to gain a well-rounded grasp of how Radley and the department operate, I am still learning ‘the Radley way’, a process I’m sure that I will master in time.
I am an active gym member, enjoy long dog walks and getting stuck into a good book.
MY radley
Gary’s career has been one of two halves, spanning 20 years with his skill and attention significantly contributing to the campus looking as good as it does. I sat down with Gary and asked him to tell me more about his arrival at Radley in 2002.
I joined just after I left school. My grandparents lived a couple of doors down from Paul Ryman, who at the time was the Lead Technician in the Design Engineering Department. I’d started my education in horticulture at Warren Farm, Horton-cum-Studley, after I finished school and it was Paul who told me about the apprentice gardener position at Radley. I started here in March 2002.
In 2007 I transferred to the Grounds team. There were a few reasons for this, but I had started to take more of an interest in the College grounds; learning more about different fertiliser programmes to enhance the lawns I looked after, which were the then-Warden’s house (now L Social), Sub-Warden’s house and the Burnet Garden. This led me to an interest in the Sports Turf industry.
I left in February 2011 to go to Pangbourne College as Deputy Head Groundsman. It was good to try something new but there aren’t many places like Radley, it’s hard to match! I found I didn’t have the same level of budget or the facilities at Pangbourne so when Adam King (Head Groundman) asked me to come back to Radley as Deputy Head Groundsman in July 2013 I was pleased to accept.
Tell us about your focus in your current job.
It’s really important to stay on top of the most recent products and research into soil health because this affects the grass plant which in turn is what makes the lawns look so nice and the pitches healthy and of a high standard. We can enhance this with fertilisers, but the soil is the most important thing.
What’s the secret of Radley’s incredible lawns and pitches?
No secret! Hard work, good equipment and people who know what they’re doing.
Which part of the year is your favourite?
I look forward to the first half of the Michaelmas Term. The weather is still good, the grass always looks its best after the summer renovations, and the winter sports pitches show off the campus really well. It’s nice to see the boys come back in September and the pitches being used again. Now that the Nike and Liverpool camps are here over the summer holidays, the pitches, astros and tennis courts are used a lot more than they used to be.
And what’s particularly hard about your job?
It’s the cricket term that provides the most frustration because each cricket wicket takes two weeks to prepare ahead of each game. If it rains on the Friday before the match on Saturday it can feel as if a lot of hard work has been wasted. Having said that, we are all really invested in the sports played here and it’s always great to see the teams doing well and having success at national competitions.
What are your highlights from your time so far?
My highlights would be the social events – golf tours, Christmas parties, the Bavarian Ball a few years back, Staff Quizzes and evenings in the JCR – getting to know colleagues outside of work helps build that feeling of community camaraderie so I’m a big supporter. It’s always so nice to see new faces at staff social events and there are lots of opportunities to get involved in whatever kind of event is your cup of tea, whether it’s something sporty or competitive or creative.
What’s changed?
Just about everything! In some ways though, the flow of the year remains the same; the Grounds Team works in 12-week blocks, preparing the pitches for the term ahead, followed by renovations and the turn-around ready for the next sport.
What does Radley mean to you?
I’ve spent more than half my life here now. It’s unique: the community, the campus. Over the years I’ve been lucky to work with people who have been a big influence on me, like Alan Biles, the Deputy Head Gardener who sadly passed away a few years ago. I see his influence in the way I conduct myself and how I finish jobs – he was an important father-figure. And Andy Crawford, Deputy Head of Grounds – he was more of a crazy uncle! Andy sadly died more recently; he was a proper character and someone I’ll never forget.
What about your rare moments of time off?
My son races motorbikes and my daughter rides horses so I spend most of my time away from Radley supporting them. My daughter competes in cross-country and showjumping and my son competes in short circuit road racing at British Championship level as well as Speedway at Oxford Stadium – they’re both adrenaline junkies! We go all over the country with them, and to Spain in the winter and early spring. It’s a big commitment and involves a lot of logistical arrangements but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Bollywood comes to Radley!
Launched in 2021, Music Flood brings together 25 schools in Oxfordshire with one aim: music in every school, every day.
Monday 16 to Friday 20 September is Music Flood Week 2024, kicking-off the musical year in style. In residence for the week will be The Bollywood Brass Band (above), the UK’s pioneering Indian-style brass band, who will be performing in local schools, leading a ‘come and play’ massed ensemble workshop for children of all levels of ability, and performing alongside secondary school children. The high point of the whole week is always the joyous massed celebration in Abingdon Market Place, which will see hundreds of children joining the band for an hour of dancing and singing on Thursday 19 September at 10.30am. Help from staff is always welcomed at this event, from driving minibuses to marshalling. Please contact the Partnerships Team on partnerships@radley. org.uk if you would like to be involved.
The Bollywood Brass Band will also give a free public concert in the College Theatre on Thursday 19 September at 8pm. Tickets can be booked on the College website or using the QR code.
Music Flood Week is always a highlight for the College’s musicians and I asked two of them to explain what makes it special. Sam H, left (V, J) said: “I look forward to the fact that I get to help the younger children and improve their experience. I especially enjoy the performance in Abingdon Market Place which is very fun and memorable.”
Moses B, right (6.2, E) echoed this, saying “Leading the assemblies has helped my confidence and I want to do more of it now –you definitely feel you are able to inspire the children.”
Commercial Summer Lets
The Commercial Enterprises team reports another extremely busy year of bookings, with a wide range of events taking place across the campus.
Feedback from the group organisers, course attendees and staff of the College have all been very positive in terms of their experience this year.
Reflecting on this year’s success, the team said “this has very much been a result of the lessons learnt from previous years and the commitment of College staff to help and support the offering.”
Innovation in Education Award
The College has recently won two awards for its bursary provision.
The Talk Education Awards for Innovation in Education named Radley as the winner of the Bursary Provision category. The judges – a panel of experienced researchers and educational experts, former heads, teachers and advisers – recognised the successful launch of The Keys Award, an all-inclusive scholarship programme for talented and ambitious boys from families who would not normally consider an independent boarding education.
We have also just been notified that Radley has won the Best of the Best Senior category for Scholarships & Bursaries in the Autumn/Winter 2024 issue of The Week Independent Schools Guide, also in recognition of The Keys Award and the new Innovation Scholarship.
each Tuesday evening and every Wednesday morning there was a fine sprinkling of cocoa power over the entire kitchen.
the wedding service they exchange crowns to represent Adam and Eve as king and queen of creation. We wrote dual language service sheets so that Roger’s friends and family could understand what was
S: Whilst in Chester I worked as a translator and interpreter for a project in collaboration with the Romanian Ministry of Justice. By an amazing coincidence my boss was also called Roger Shaw but there was no relation!
Over the years here at Radley, I’ve worked as an Exam Invigilator and Assistant Librarian. I started working in the library in 2004 on a part-time basis. For me, working in the library means I interact with the boys and help support them, especially during exam times. I enjoy running the the Languages Café too – this is an informal chance for boys with English as an Additional Language to practise conversational language skills.
R: My role at the moment as Deputy Head (Systems) means I focus on overseeing things like the timetable, College databases and ICT systems, data analysis, staff induction, policies, and inspection preparation. I also inspect other schools for the Independent Schools Inspectorate twice a year. I think it is helpful to Radley, but it is also really interesting for me. There are many diverse schools, all trying to achieve similar aims but often in different ways. Although we are only there for three days, it is so intense that you really manage to get a feel for the school in that time.
S: The thing I have valued most about Radley is the community. It has been a wonderful place to bring up two children, in a safe environment with so much going on. Andrew and Jamie were Radley Choristers and Sam Gladstone and his predecessor, Stephen Clarke were both amazing at bringing out musical talent in them as young children. Andrew recently graduated from Edinburgh with a degree in Maths and Music and is due to start his PGCE shortly. He’s planning to teach maths, so it’s lovely to see him following the family tradition!
R: In the holidays one of my favourite hobbies is cycling. I have no interest in competing against other people, but I do enjoy challenging myself. Last summer Andrew and I cycled the 2400km from Radley to Romania which was an amazing adventure and raised money for the British Red Cross. My next personal challenge is to complete the coast of Great
Britain. The way I am measuring it the coastline is 8000km long and I have completed 90% so far. (Actually, arguably the coastline is infinite, but this is probably not the right place to go into the fractal geometry of coastlines!)
Christmas is also a particularly special time for us at Radley. Andrew directed the Christmas nativity play for children of staff for a few years. And we host drinks in Mansion on Christmas morning after the service in Chapel to which all staff and their families are welcome.
S: We were both invited to the Long Service Celebration last term. Radley makes people feel connected in a way that makes them want to stay (or return) so it is a really lovely thing to see long service highlighted in this way.
Changes
Staff
Niall Murphy
Niall has taken over the role of Sub-Warden from Ben Holden with his primary focus on being the SubWarden for all staff (Common Room and Operational) and boys. Maintaining the high standards and expectations by which we measure ourselves at Radley College.
Ed James
Ed James is now the College’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and can be contacted on x3128 and via email: safeguarding@radley.org.uk
Tammy Heavens
Tammy Heavens starts on 16 September as Operations Director, overseeing the running of the Catering, Facilities, Commercial and Housekeeping departments. Tammy has been d’Overbroeck’s Director of Operations since 2021 and has previously worked at both the Dragon and Abingdon School.
Hasna Bloore
Hasna Bloore joins us on 18 September in the new role of Head of Philanthropy. Hasna joins the Foundation team from The Oratory School, Reading, where she was the Head of Development and Alumni Relations.
Congratulations
to the following on their recent promotions and new positions:
Steve Fredericks has been the Sports Centre cleaner since August 2021 and begins his new role as Gardener.
Rory Gearing moves from his role as Sports Centre Duty Manager to Graduate Assistant Rowing Coach.
Effie Hiram begins her new role as Head of Geography.
Kerri Perrett moves from her role as Sports Centre Team Leader to start the new position of Assistant Health & Safety Manager.
Andy Wagner (Cricket Professional) is reducing his hours this academic year ahead of his retirement in August 2025 after 40 years. He will be working alongside Billy Godleman from September.
In the Sports Centre, Steve Wall joins as Leisure Club Manager on 16 September and Callum Stubbs has been promoted from Duty Manager to Commercial Enterprises Facilities Manager.
Stuart Walter takes on the additional role of Head of Timetable and Academic Data.
Changes in Socials
Congratulations to new Sub-Tutors (L to R) Xola Matete in E Social; Elektra Georgiakakis in F Social and Tim Schmalz in H Social. Welcome to Faye Crews who joins as PHM, K Social.
Bursary Reception: Extended Hours
In order to improve the experience for visitors to the College, and as part of efforts to ensure everyone on site is signed in and out and wears a visitor/contractor lanyard and badge for the duration of their visit, Bursary Reception will now be open from 7:30am to 6:00pm, Monday – Friday. Visitors can still sign in/out at the Lodge outside of those hours and at weekends.
The two Bursary Receptionists/Administrators will job-share and work weekly alternate shifts to cover the opening times, with a 30 minute handover.
Joining Sallie Swain, who has been our friendly face on Bursary Reception since November 2020 will be her daughter, Robyn Swain who has worked at Radley since November 2021 as the Sports Centre’s Operations Administrator.
Thank you to Amanda Pople who has stepped in over the last year to help cover Reception during lunchtimes.
A warm welcome to staff who have joined us since April 2024:
Tommy Andrews, Head of Jazz & Contemporary Music
Steve Batchelor, Kennel Huntsman
Hasna Bloore, Head of Philanthropy
Angie Camporredondo, Spanish Language Assistant
Lisa Collett, Domestic Cleaner
Faye Crews, PHM — K Social
Millie Dickinson, Operations Assistant
Patrick Duggan, Head Rowing Coach
Maeva Dupasquier, French Language Assistant
Jake Edwards, Leisure Assistant
Serena Eggers, Teacher of English
Martin Garrod, Teacher of Maths (Michaelmas Term)
Elektra Georgiakakis, Teacher of Classics & F Social Sub-Tutor
Billy Godleman, Cricket Professional
Juliette Gosselin, Teacher of Physics
Vicky Gotham, Senior Biology Technician
Henry Hamilton, Graduate Athletic Development Coach
Rachel Harwood-White, VMT — Oboe
Tammy Heavens, Operations Director
Lucas Hendley, Leisure Assistant
Charlie Henry, School Counsellor
Injune Hwang, Maths Graduate Trainee
Mattis Kern, German Language Assistant
Fred Lagden, Food Service Assistant
‘Working at Radley’ film
Gary Lewis, Electrician
Althea Lumley-Jackson, Gardener
Domingos Maia, Kitchen Porter
Sharon Meek, Domestic Cleaner
Robyn Morley, Teacher of Economics
Simon Munday, VMT — Trumpet
Christelle Munro, Teacher of French (Michaelmas Term)
Olena Nahorna, Reprographics Administrator
Karen Notley, Domestic Cleaner
Guy Passey, VMT — Saxophone
Sol Paton, Leisure Assistant
Annette Robbins, Talking Therapist
Adam Sills, Teacher of Chemistry
Lisa Slater, HR Officer
Will Sumner, Design Engineering Lead Technician
Dylan Swadling, Sports Centre Duty Manager
Lucy Todd, Teacher of Biology
Eugenio Viana, Kitchen Porter
Nara Wadthaisong, Domestic Cleaner
Steve Wall, Leisure Club Manager
Ursula Weekes, Teacher of History of Art
Abigail White, Teacher of Geography
Steve Williams, Head of Woodwind & Brass
Ian Williams, IT Security / Network Manager
Daria Zavadska, Domestic Cleaner
Thank you to everyone who has kindly agreed to feature in our new recruitment film. Over the summer, Max Horsey and his team have been busy filming short interviews with Operational Staff to highlight what they value most about working at Radley. It has been great to hear from a wide range of staff, with many overcoming nerves to appear in front of the camera. There are a few more interviews to film as term begins before the editing process can start – watch this space for the final film which will be an important tool in recruitment. Up next – a similar film focussing on teaching staff at Radley.
Baby News
Welcome to the newest members of our community: (from top) Oscar Milo Dodds, born on 20th July to Nat Dodds (Nurse, Health Centre); Rory Jolly, born on 7th May to Adam Jolly (E Social Tutor) and George Martin Willis-Stovold, born on 16th May to Kyle WillisStovold (J Social Tutor).
Did you spot Radley’s ox, part of this summer’s Ox Trail, keeping watch from the window of Abingdon Library?
The mini oxen were just two of 138 sculptures making up the art trail across the county.
Radley’s ox was designed and decorated by Marco S (6.1, H), Theo C (6.1, F) and James J (6.1, J) who were inspired by the famous description of Oxford as ‘that sweet city with her dreaming spires’ from Matthew Arnold’s poem Thyrsis
OxTrail is raising funds for Sobell House Hospice, Oxford, who provide expert and compassionate care to people at the end of life, and support to their family and friends. Radley was successful in reaching our school fundraising target of £1,000, thanks to generosity of staff and pupils who made donations and bought ice creams and cookies. Thank you to everyone who supported this brilliant project!
VMT Susie Allan, who teaches piano and can often be found coaching and accompanying within the music department, is a regular collaborator with the baritone Roderick Williams OBE.
The pair’s most recent recording Vaughan Williams – A Birthday Garland is now available on the SOMM label (via the QR code below) and is a recording of their popular tribute marking the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth. Roderick is known as one of the greatest baritones on the world stage and their tribute to Vaughan Williams is described as a wide-ranging celebration of the rich variety of English song over a century.
In another Radley connection, Roderick’s brother-in-law, David Clasen, is an OR (1978, C) as is David’s son, Leo Clasen 2009, E).
Cassandra Russell (Events Coordinator, Radleian Society) and her son, Connor (left), enjoyed a unique view of the College campus this summer from a hot air balloon.
The ride was booked to commemorate Cassandra’s late father’s 70th birthday in 2020, but after numerous cancellations it was pure coincidence that four years later the wind direction would take them over Radley where her father was born.
Cassandra and Connor left at 7.10am from Oxpens Meadow in Oxford and landed in Abingdon Airfield at 8.40am. They travelled over four and half miles over Hinksey, Boars Hill, Foxcombe Hill and Whitecross, getting an excellent view of the College campus on their way, where they were spotted by members of the Radleian Society and Foundation teams.
Estates News
Dogs of Radley
Saffie
Owned by: Laney Parker
Breed: Border Collie
Age: 4
Favourite Radley walk: Little Wood & Smithson’s
Favourite treat: Cheese
Known for: Chasing squirrels and pigeons
Favourite toys: Kevin the Carrot and Nellie the Elephant!
Lucy
Owned by: David Anderson
Breed: Labrador Age: 10
Favourite Radley walk: Little Wood
Favourite treat: Doggy
biscuits from Sallie on Bursary Reception!
Favourite activity: Curling up under David’s desk for a snooze.
The area around Bursary car park will look a little different this September as the Music project started with a bang over the summer. Demolition works have cleared the ground around Silk Hall and the old Music School for the foundations and from exeat weekend there will be a crane in situ to put in the steel framework for the new building that will soon start to take shape.
The Music Department has been relocated, with practice rooms and teaching being housed in new pods (below), 9 Upper Shrubbery and ‘Big Space’, the temporary building in front of Theatre that will be used for ensemble rehearsals. This involved a mammoth task of organising and delivering all the instruments, lockers, sheet music and pianos across the school to their new homes – at least for the next year!
Elsewhere, Estates have been keeping busy with various projects throughout the school this summer – all of the bathrooms in G Social have been refurbished and the external guttering replaced. The Art Studio has had new windows and a new vibrant floor laid, with plans to complete the windows to the ground floor in October.
The Old Laundry has been completely stripped out ready for an exciting new project and there has been the small matter of 26 house moves, maintenance and servicing, replacement of windows and fixing of roof leaks, as well as a brand new roof to the College’s oldest building on site, the Cottage.
Countryside Centre News
After a long, cold, dark and unusually wet winter, the spring and summer could not have been more welcomed at the Countryside Centre. No surprise therefore that we have embraced the opportunity of late to extend and deepen the activities that we can offer to Radley boys, our strategic partners, the local community and of course our own Radley families.
To enable this, the team has changed quite significantly over the last year, with the arrivals of Al Fagan as Partnership Assistant and Steve Batchelor (and wife Jane) as our new Kennel Huntsman. Both have made an enormously positive contribution since their arrival. I cannot let the opportunity pass also without thanking Tom Wye for the sterling work that he did last year as the Interim Kennel Huntsman, and to congratulate him as he steps into a revised and expanded role as our Countryside Centre Officer. Thanks also to Michael Watkins who completes his first year in real style, and without whom we simply could not do all that we do. With the right team in place now, the Countryside Centre feels poised to deliver on its long-term potential.
Our purpose remains unchanged: to deliver class-leading countryside, conservation and outdoor education, training and personal development opportunities to Radley College boys and our school, charity and community partners. Legal hunting, through the Radley College Beagles,
remains our principal sporting opportunity, but the past year has also seen us initiate a clay shooting development squad and support the growth of flyfishing, while the main effort internally remains the delivery of the weekly Shell Countryside Programme on Wednesday afternoons. All Shells now spend five or six afternoons at the Countryside Centre in their first two terms at Radley, and we are delighted to continue hosting and supporting the CCF.
Of course, Countryside Partnerships remain a major focus of our work and have continued to evolve this year. Over the past 12 months we are delighted to have worked with all three secondary schools in Abingdon, several local primary schools, Kingfisher School, Kennington Pre-School, Oxford Head Injuries Services, Mary Hare Deaf School and Downe House. In the last two weeks of term alone, we hosted more than 150 children on partnership activities ranging in length from a couple of hours to a whole day. The next year will see a subtle but strategic pivot in our work towards Blackbird Leys, with nascent partnership programmes starting in September with The Oxford Academy, and several primary schools in the surrounding catchment area. We hope to publish soon a short booklet showcasing some of the detail of our partnership work.
Underpinning all of these activities is the centre itself, which continues to develop on a monthly basis. The year
has seen Radley boys and our partners plant dozens of trees, hundreds of hedging plants and a small bee friendly garden. We have nearly completed the livestock transition to a small flock of rare breed and native sheep, have rescued a couple more goats, acquired two new Kunekune breeding piglets (Peppa and Pumbaa), a peacock (David) and some bottlefed lambs (Monkey, Toto and Sunday) and continued to expand the range of small animals for handling by very young children. Last but not least, we were delighted to see Steve and Jane Batchelor arrive in late April with two glorious Shetland ponies (Clyde and Chester).
In finishing, can I add a huge thank you and farewell to our outgoing Radley College Beagles’ Joint Masters, Freddie Thorneycroft and Will Tanner, and to welcome their replacements for this new season, Arthur E-F, Edmund H and Henry B-C. They’ve had another excellent showing season, parading at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, and winning a total of three 1st places, four 2nd places and four 3rd places, as well as the School & College Trophy, Champion Beagle Bitch and Overall Champion Beagle at the three national hound shows entered this summer. Awesome results and a real credit to Tim Morris and all involved.
Come visit us soon!
Charlie Herbert Director, Countryside Centre Partnerships
MY radley
One of Radley’s longest-serving staff members, Niall takes up the post of Sub-Warden this term. I started by asking him to take us back to his first days at Radley.
I arrived at Radley in September 1993. While at university I’d really enjoyed sports coaching and leading children’s summer camps so I decided to write directly to schools enquiring about teaching posts. From my 100 letters, I had three responses! One of which was from Radley and I subsequently found out there was a last-minute vacancy in the History Department that needed to be filled. I met Richard Morgan for my interview in Cambridge over afternoon tea at the University Arms Hotel and then nervously awaited the outcome. I received a letter a few days later offering me a job in September as Teacher of History, with a starting salary of £13,700, so I promptly took the letter to the bank and extended my student loan!
I came to Radley after my finals to meet the then Head of History, Jim Summerly. I stayed with him for the weekend, met the rest of the department, watched some sport and found out what I was going to be teaching so that I could go away for the summer and swot up.
What does Radley mean to you?
Without putting too fine a point on it, Radley probably means everything to me. I went to boarding school while my parents were working overseas in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. While I was at university they were in Brunei and they finally settled in Northern Spain. We had a house in Kent which acted as our base in the UK but I never felt as if I had a permanent home growing up. Radley is home for me.
Why is Radley a special place to work?
It’s the sense of community that one has and the people one gets to know over time; you make friends for life here. I include the boys in that sense of community – I’m teaching boys now whose fathers are Old Radleians. That was a bit of a shock the first time it happened a couple of years ago! I’m very close with certain groups of ORs – whether from K Social, or the 1995 season unbeaten rugby team – and I’ve been invited to 40th birthday parties, weddings, things like that which are very special.
Can you pick a highlight from your time so far?
Personally there are several: Ros and I got married here and our children, Niamh and Fintan, were christened and confirmed here. There have been tough moments, losing friends and colleagues in office, and really special memories like my surprise 40th birthday in K Social and my 50th
birthday during Covid. And there have been too many funny moments to mention. For sheer shock and amusement, Nick Morgan’s speech to a very chastened 3rd and 4th rugby squad on a Sunday morning in Carcassonne was probably the funniest single moment of my working career to date.
How would you describe working at Radley?
The thing that attracted me most in the very beginning, and remains to this day, is the variety. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the pitches, in CCF or other activities. There are meetings, interviews, Council meetings – no two days are the same. If you add to that the context in which you see boys – in the JCR, Social, Chapel, Hall – the Radleians themselves make it enormously varied and interesting.
What has changed over the years?
Apart from buildings and the way in which the fabric of the College has evolved over time, the biggest single change I’ve noticed in my 30 years is the immediacy of communication. When I arrived there was no email or internet. Everything was hand-written, with notes delivered to pigeon holes and requests for privis received by first class post.
Tell us about becoming the first Tutor of K Social in 2008.
The College had plans to expand and Warden McPhail called me in to see if I would be interested in running one of the new Socials. At the time, I didn’t even know where K Social was going to be but it was to be built around what was then the Bursar’s House. We really enjoyed being ‘pioneers’ and were able to get involved in the design of the Social. It was a privilege to get to know so many boys and parents during our seven years in K.
What are your thoughts on your new role?
I’m hugely looking forward to it and indebted to BJH and JSM, they have both been wonderful to learn from. We have a very close-knit College Management Team and although these are undoubtedly challenging times for our sector, I know the College is robust enough to navigate its way through choppy waters.
In terms of my role, I will be focusing on the ethos of the College and the maintenance of high standards. I want to continue the process of integrating all staff at Radley. Everyone should feel valued in what they do, and everybody has their role to play in making this the very best school in the land, which I firmly believe it is. I see it as my job to ensure it stays at the top of its game.
The finalists of Bright Ideas gathered at Radley College on Saturday 29th June.
The creativity competition – a partnership between the College and The Oxford Times –asked children in Year 4 and 5 to create a response to the theme of ‘Keys’, in tribute to The Radley Keys Award, an all-inclusive scholarship for talented and ambitious boys from state primary schools.
Old Radleian entrepreneur and television personality Jamie Laing acted as judge and helped to whittle down the many, many entries. The 15 finalists each showcased their work and four winners were chosen. Congratulations to Nancy Wise, Thomas Barwood, Felix Donaldson and Ronnie Watson. They were presented with a £100 Amazon voucher, bespoke medal (kindly made in the Design Engineering workshop by Charlie McKegney), certificate and a packet of Candy Kittens.
Staff Events
Thank you to all the staff who came along to the Ping Pong & Pizza evening last term! It was a fun and informal night with games organised by the Sport Centre staff and pizza generously funded by the Bursar. We will hope to run a similar evening again – the aim is to give opportunities for staff from different departments to meet and socialise together, your sports skills won’t be under scrutiny!
The Catering team cooked and served a delicious BBQ for Operational Staff in August – thank you to them, and to members of the Housekeeping team who made Chapel Quad look really festive for the occasion.
We have a host of events coming up this term – details below and more information will be shared in due course. Please email Anna Haynes if you would like any more information. These events are open to ALL staff, so please do come along!
Campus Tour with David Anderson | Fri 18 October | 1:30pm
Staff Quiz hosted by Lisa & Quizzo | Fri 22 November | 6:30pm
Countryside Centre Visit | Date and time tbc
Star Gazing in Radley’s Observatory | Date and time tbc
Christmas Art Workshop | Date and time tbc
Operational Staff Meeting
FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER 2024 | 11:15 | THEATRE
All Operational Staff are encouraged to attend the meeting and to arrive from 10:45 for refreshments. More details will be circulated nearer the time.
After leaving Radley in June 2023, Ryan Morrow (former Reception Porter) joined a professional Esports team called Into The Breach (ITB). Ryan has had considerable success in the last year and has shared with us what he’s been up to.
Esports is essentially competitive gaming, the same way two teams play football against each other, two teams can compete against each other in a video game. I am currently the Head Coach of ITB, coaching five players on the team. The game that we compete in is a tactical shooter called Rainbow Six Siege, and my role consists of anything a normal sports coach would do: management, tactics, strategy, analysis, mentality, organisation etc.
During my year as Head Coach, we have qualified for two of three possible international events, including a Major in Manchester, and the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ITB is currently the 2nd best team in Europe, and in the top 10 best teams in the world.
The hard work of the team as a whole has allowed us to achieve this success not only inside Europe, but to also travel around the world competing. The next tournament will be in Montreal, Canada in November, which we hope to qualify for during our league in September and October.
It’s pretty cool to be able to turn my hobby of playing games into a full time job, however it’s not simply playing games for fun and being paid for it, there are extremely long work days and weeks of mentally taxing practice and theory to ensure that you are competing at the highest level. Esports is a ruthless industry and everything is driven on results. If you don’t perform and get the results then you have a high likelihood of losing your job, but despite that, I wouldn’t change this job for anything as I’m an extremely competitive and passionate person who loves winning, so I will do whatever work it takes to win. That is the joy of the job.
Partnerships on Film
At the end of the Summer Term, the Partnerships team launched their annual ‘Voices’ report detailing the work that took place across all of our partnerships in 2023/24 – the philosophy of Voices is to allow us to hear from students, teachers and parents in their own words on the impact of the partnership with which they’re involved.
One of the voices in this year’s edition is Radley Primary School’s Deputy Headteacher, Jess Peiro. Jess has been instrumental in the close partnership between the Primary School and the College, and we are excited to launch a joint film which shows the many facets of this partnership, from boys mentoring children through their Maths SATs to reading with them on a one-to-one basis and helping in the classroom with art or out on the field with PE. Thanks as always to Max Horsey and Radley Video. Please do take a moment to watch and share the video via the QR code.
Radley Routes
A reminder that you can view the Radley Routes series on the Staff Noticeboard (via the QR code).
Look out for a new route which will be added shortly, by our resident herbalist and J Social Domestic Cleaner, Marcin Stefanski and, to come, a bird-watching route from Michael Noone, Head of Biology. Please do get in contact if you would like to contribute details of your favourite local walk, run or cycle!
Gym Upgrade
The Sports Centre team is excited to announce that the Fitness Suite and Weights Room have both received an upgrade this summer.
Nature Notes
The Fitness Suite (above) has been kitted out with new treadmills, cross trainers and bikes, all with new features and programmes. In addition, new resistance machines have been installed, including a chest press and low row.
The downstairs Weights Room (below) has undergone a full refurbishment to include new half racks, Smith machine and weight benches, as well as a stair climber and hip thrust. We very much hope that members who have perhaps not used the Weights Room before will be encouraged to do so and will feel more comfortable using this area.
All College staff can make use of the Fitness Suite, Weights Room, classes and swimming sessions for just £50 a year!
Dog Rose: A beautiful lady, full of health – it’s hard to ignore her!
You may have noticed this wild rose which blooms with pink flowers in spring and early summer. However, in autumn and winter you will also notice its intensely red fruits. Dog Rose (Latin: Rosa Canina) has been known for millennia.
The first mention dates back to the Roman Empire, when the ancient Romans used it to treat rabies in dogs, and the wild rose appeared in the Bible in the Book of Wisdom (2:8). Then, as now, the rose grew in
Dog Rose
Israel, and the ancient Israelites, like the Romans, made water and oil extracts and rose wine from it.
Dog Rose also became a heroine of the Second World War and it was partly thanks to her that the British survived the blockade of supplies to the island. This was a solution to the problem of a long-term, ongoing shortage of fresh fruit and vegetables. The British recognised rose hips growing in home hedges as “our best native source of vitamin C.” The collection and processing of rose hips became important to the British government.
Who’s Who?
After the end of the war, mass production of Dog Rose products began in Europe, led by the Germans and the Swiss. Preserves in the form of marmalades, juices and syrups appeared on tables throughout Europe, with one kilo of ripe rose hips containing as much vitamin C as 10 kilos of lemons! Additionally, the fruits are rich in vitamins B, E, K and PP.
All that remains is to fall in love with this beautiful plant!
Marcin Stefanski Domestic Cleaner, J Social & Herbalist
2023/4: A Year in Pictures
Look out for the latest edition of our Year in Pictures publication which showcases the best photos from the last academic year and gives a great insight into life at Radley. Congratulations to everyone involved!
Following feedback, we will soon be launching a new ‘Who’s Who’ SharePoint site to allow staff to easily search and view profile photos to identify each other. Staff are grouped by department giving the opportunity to put that name to any faces you might not know! The site will be available via the Staff Hub.
