The Reigatian 2022

THE REIGATIAN 2022

ANDY PAUL

“Education should be the number one priority for governments and communities”

See page 40

CHANGING LIVES

Campaign target achieved three years early!

See page 8

WELCOME

Notes from the Headmaster and the Head of Foundation

A WORD FROM OUR NEW CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

Mark Elsey writes his first introduction for The Reigatian

CHANGING LIVES UPDATE

The latest update on the campaign

RGS WE CARE

From foodbank collections to Christmas gift donations, RGS We Care continues to support the community

FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES

2022 has seen the return of so many beloved events, from golf days to the Henry Smith Club dinner

THE PILGRIM SOCIETY

Change a child’s life with a regular gift by joining the Pilgrim Society

LEAVE A LEGACY

Leave a gift in your Will and help a child start their journey with us

REUNION EVENTS

We were delighted to bring together members of our Reigatian community

RGS PROFESSIONALS

Meet some of our RGS Professionals and read about the events that we hosted this year

OVERSEAS AMBASSADORS & EVENTS

Meet our worldwide ambassadors from Singapore to Switzerland, New Zealand to Dubai

AWARDS AND HONOURS

Several Reigatians received notable awards, while others graduated from university

FEATURES

INTERVIEW WITH OUR COVER STAR, ANDY PAUL

Andy Paul talks about his fondest memories of RGS, founding Corsair and offers advice to those looking to start a business

WHAT A GIG!

Gary Beestone talks to us about orchestrating the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games

TOM CANNON

Recollections from his early days riding ponies to the biggest win of his career to date

HENRY SMITH CLUB DINNER SPEECH

Read the inspirational speech given by Sayinthen Vivekanantham at the Henry Smith Club dinner

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Learn all about the history of the house system at RGS

RECOLLECTIONS

Reigatians share their memories of their time at RGS and how it came to shape and enrich their lives

REIGATIAN NEWS

From breaking records to BAFTAs

63 65 68 72 74 76 78 80 84 85

REIGATIAN SPORT

Sporting summaries from our local rugby, hockey, netball and cricket teams

SCHOOL VISITS AND SPEAKERS

2022 hosted a variety of careers talks for our students and we welcomed more Reigatians back to the school

SCHOOL NEWS

Highlighting achievements across the school

STAFF LEAVING

Bidding farewell to RGS staff

RGS INTERNATIONAL

An update from our RGS schools overseas

PUBLICATIONS

Including children’s fiction, cooking and interactive reading

BIRTHS AND MARRIAGES

Celebrating new arrivals and wedding news

OBITUARIES

Paying tribute to friends we lost in 2022

MERCHANDISE

Treat yourself or a friend to a unique gift

MEET THE FOUNDATION TEAM

We’re here to help – from finding lost friends to work experience introductions

Tell us if your details change Moved house? New job? Updated your email address? Please let the RGS Foundation team know so that we can keep in touch.

Email foundation@reigategrammar.org

Call 01737 222231

Online at rgs.foundation/update-details or scan the QR code

WELCOME

FROM THE HEADMASTER

Reigatians delight and amaze me 2022 has demonstrated and reinforced the resilience of our community. With the pandemic slowly reaching its end, we did not falter in our continued efforts to raise awareness of the Nightingale Fund and promote RGS We Care by supporting the ever-changing landscape of our socioeconomic climate. With donation appeals for Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis, our united support offered our extended community to benefit from everyday items so many of us take for granted. Yet this edition of The Reigatian, also captures a sense of fun and excitement that returned with the first in-person events that we had all craved so much. We were able to reunite with our Reigatians celebrating reunions, welcome back our university graduates or host a Champagne soirée under the summer sun. We marked occasions such as Founder’s Day and once again saw the return of the Henry Smith Club dinner that had been absent from our calendars for the past few years. It has been super to see a generosity of spirit and commitment to making the world a better

place that drives the school community.

There has been a real sense of achievement over this past year and, as I said in my message only a year ago, ‘In the worst of times, we have seen the best of people’. This is true of our staff, students and community who never fail to rise to a challenge and do so with strength of character and conviction. It is this sense of community that we have been able to regain momentum following such a challenging period of history and I want to personally thank every one of you for your engagement in the school.

It brings me joy to welcome new parents into our community as well as alumni and supporters of RGS, all connected by a common set of values that underpin our vision for overall educational quality for each child. As a result of this ongoing commitment, our staff and students have been awarded a School of the Year accolade in a range of areas of school life every year since 2018. That is truly remarkable. This academic year it has been an honour to receive the School of the Year award for our engagement with the community, for

the way our students work with those beyond RGS preparing themselves for life after school and helping to make a difference in the community. However, all those awards put together are not as important as the daily experience of each child in our care as they learn more about themselves and learn more about the world. When independent and professional judges hold our provision in such high regard, I hope that all members of the Reigatian community can feel affirmed in our determined efforts to get things right for each child.

I hope you enjoy this 2022 edition of The Reigatian. It captures that RGS is part of the Global Village, encompassing our Reigatians near and far. It also offers an insight into the daily life of our community and how much impact those within it can have. Most of all, it underlines our commitment that there is so much more to a great education. We are lucky to have such amazing adults and children –Reigatians continue to delight and amaze me.

Shaun Fenton OBE Headmaster

FROM THE HEAD OF FOUNDATION

It is important to recognise, highlight and share our collective success. Our 2025 goal was to raise sufficient and sustainable funds to establish at least 50 fully funded places at Reigate Grammar School, for talented boys and girls from significantly disadvantaged backgrounds. To have achieved this ambitious goal this year, three years earlier than anticipated, is truly overwhelming and creates even greater momentum and desire to do more.

Throughout our history as a school, we have endeavoured to reach out to those in greatest need and to provide life-changing opportunities to talented young people.

The Reigatian community is amazing. The collective response to the Changing Lives social mobility campaign has been outstanding. We have already supported 92 children to date and with the strength of this campaign, we have enough drive and momentum to push forward to the next level of our philanthropic ambitions as we move towards the highly anticipated 350 anniversary of the school.

It is commonplace to have goals. Goals are meaningless without inspiration. I truly believe that the starting point for achievement is having desire, passion, and commitment for something you believe in. For me, social mobility, via the provision of an excellent education and wider opportunity, is the greatest gift we can give to young people. I’m extremely proud and in awe of my team and all the supporters, advocates, and ambassadors for the Changing Lives campaign. It is, and continues to be, a real team effort! True to our Foundation and charitable status, we have a responsibility to our local communities.

Vincent Van Gogh said, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together”. This could not be a more accurate sentiment, particularly as we reflect upon our journey. As we have endeavoured

to bring our wide and diverse Reigatian community together, the Foundation has evolved and matured, introducing various activities and initiatives that have allowed us to grow together as a community.

Once again, this publication provides a wealth of information, interesting stories, and examples of a community network in action. Post pandemic in-person event, it has been refreshing and exciting to be so active again, hosting events that range from golf days to reunions, and it is reassuring to know that we can find opportunities within these ‘new normal’ moments, to spend quality time together, meet new Reigatians and reinforce relationships.

My sincere thanks go to Mark Elsey who has been a huge support for the Foundation over the years, and not least with the creation and growth of the RGS Professionals network which enjoyed it’s tenth anniversary this year. With Mark having been appointed our Chair of Governors at RGS, it was great to see Matt Lowe receive the captain’s armband as our new RGSP Chairman at our first post-pandemic event, arranged by Michelle

Davey (family plug!) and hosted by Penny Group in the City. We can look forward to many more events and further opportunities to engage and connect with the ongoing support of Matt and the RGS Professionals group.

Thinking of our Reigatian friends around the world, we now have more opportunity to engage and feel part of a globally connected community. It was wonderful to see first-hand the impact of this, with the American Friends of RGS events that brought together many of our Reigatians this year. A special mention should go to Michael Lloyd, who was a founder of the

2022 Foundation

Ambassadors: From L-R Ioan K, Laura P, Emma W, Menaal R, Anaya P, Eloise J

“The Changing Lives campaign will provide opportunities through open access to those whose potential is far greater than their financial means.”

From RGS Foundation’s Changing Lives campaign brochure, public launch, in January 2014.

AFRGS and who continues to inspire me. I wish to also extend a thank you to Andy Paul (front cover and main feature) for his wonderful advocacy and friendship to the Foundation and school.

The school is in rude health and I’m always proud to share the many successes of RGS, its pupils, staff, and community. It is a wonderful and flourishing school, which yet again, received the School of the Year national award. As Andy Paul says, “Education should be the number one priority for governments and communities.”

I wish to pay homage to our amazing Foundation Team who work so selflessly and tirelessly. I would especially like to thank Jodie Lazarus, our brilliant new Reigatian Community Officer, who picked up responsibility for this magazine following the departure of Nikki Burch back in October. I’m sure you would agree that she has done an amazing job. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Nikki for her great work during her time with us. Joining the expanding team is, Tracey Thornton, who as Foundation

Executive will work alongside Catherine Hutchison – who has been remarkable these past few years in keeping the engagement across our network thriving. Tracey brings great experience, skill, and warmth to her role, and not least as she is a current parent and advocate of all things RGS! It is key I mention that for some time now, the glue of our operation has been Clare Adams, who as Foundation Office Manager, is the vital cog in the machine. Finally, I am thrilled that our very own Jonny Hylton has been promoted to Foundation Director, which is richly deserved. To conclude, I want to thank our Foundation Ambassadors who have done a sterling job in supporting the team. Together, we look forward to the next period with great confidence and excitement as we plan for our RGS 350 campaign and drive forward with our aim to change lives and build futures.

Enjoy the read!

Sean Davey Head of Foundation

FROM THE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

As I enter my second year as Chair of RGS, it seemed an opportune time to reflect on where the school stands and what lies ahead.

Despite obvious challenges, there are many positives. In particular, it is great to see school life largely back to normal after the disruptions caused by the pandemic, with students able to enjoy the whole range of activities that so enrich their education. It was also great to see the enormous efforts of the school leadership team and staff, to provide the very best possible education throughout the different phases of the pandemic pay dividend, as the school achieved its best ever results at A Level in 2022 and a really strong performance at GCSE level. With pupil numbers at their highest ever and strong demand at each entry level, we have a robust platform from which to build for the future.

The Foundation continues to go from strength to strength, with the return of in-person reunions, regional gatherings, RGS Professionals meetings and a Henry Smith Club dinner. Thanks to the generosity of our community, our 2025

Changing Lives fundraising targets were achieved three years early and Changing Lives now supports more than 50 pupils with literally life-changing RGS bursaries. On the international front, we continue to expand our footprint both in Asia and the Middle East, providing an increasing cultural and ethnic dimension to the RGS education as well as a foundation for additional economic resilience in the face of a number of existing and potential headwinds.

As regards those headwinds, we face the same increasing costs as the rest of our community and, as governors, have to strike a difficult balance between fees, salaries and investment. These challenges now also include political threats to our charitable and tax status. Sadly, the wrong decisions here will inevitably put pressure on our ability to invest in the local community.

Throughout all the challenges, our priority is to maintain the all-round educational excellence that marks out RGS as one of the top co-ed schools in the country. Indeed, the governors’ challenge to our senior leadership team

is to set a strategy that will see the school continue its upwards trajectory across all areas of activity. This is certainly no time to be resting on our laurels.

As well as our traditional educational activities, key areas of focus include continuing our investment in the wellbeing and safety of our students, as schools increasingly see themselves on the frontline of student welfare, driving a sustainability agenda across all aspects of the school, increasing our diversity and inclusivity and building ever stronger links with our wider community.

In the latter context, I very much hope you enjoy this edition of The Reigatian. The importance of education and supportive relationships has never been greater. Despite the many challenges, with a high quality and motivated staff team and an engaged and supportive Reigatian community, I know that we can face a future of delivering educational excellence and building relationships with optimism and confidence.

Mark Elsey (RGS 1974-1978) Chair of the Board of Governors

Launched January 2014

CHANGING LIVES TARGET ACHIEVED three YEARS EARLY!

Our vision was made a reality by the help of our friends and supporters

The award-winning Changing Lives campaign launched in 2014 and has supported 92 bursary students to date. To celebrate the school’s 350 anniversary in 2025 we set ourselves a target of having 50 fully-funded Changing Lives bursary students in the school at any one time.

Thanks to our amazing community we achieved our target three years early!

£1,494,369

£9.5m+ 92 13

raised between January – December 2022

raised since the launch of the Changing Lives campaign

bursary students supported

new 1675 bursary students joined RGS at the start of the 2022-23 academic year.

Changing Lives of those whose potential is far greater than their financial means…

The aim of the dedicated 1675 Bursary Fund is to produce sufficient income to support a wider range of deserving pupils through immediate bursarial support.

Inspired by the philosophy of our founders, we recognise that such benefaction enriches our school, enhances academic standards, is socially inclusive, and widens educational opportunity.

RGS GAVE ME THE SUPERB EDUCATION MY PARENTS COULD NOT HAVE AFFORDED. I’VE NEVER FORGOTTEN THAT... SO I DECIDED TO GIVE A BURSARY TO A FIRST YEAR STUDENT AND I HOPE IT GIVES HER SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES RGS GAVE TO ME.

Andrew Sullivan (RGS 1974-1981)

To make a donation to our Changing Lives campaign, please scan the QR code

Ellis Mekki née Clarke (RGS 2006-2013) speaking at the launch of the Changing Lives campaign in 2014

RGS WE CARE 2022

NIGHTINGALE FUND: BUILDING AWARENESS

TUESDAY 22 AND WEDNESDAY 23 FEBRUARY

Following the launch of the Nightingale Fund in 2020, we wanted to further raise awareness among NHS workers. As part of our outreach work with East Surrey Hospital, Catherine and Nikki from the RGS Foundation team spent two days speaking to nurses, porters and support staff. With communications having been sent prior to the visit, people came along with specific questions about bursaries and admissions. The feedback was wonderful, and everyone was truly grateful to RGS for setting up the fund.

SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

SATURDAY 5 MARCH

On 24 February, Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine. Amid the shock and sadness, communities across the world were galvanized into action.

As part of RGS’s ongoing commitment to support the wider community, we sent out an appeal for donations of essential items to support the increasing number of refugees escaping the conflict.

We were proud to have worked closely with Polish Saturday School, St Wilfrid’s, who highlighted an urgent need for First Aid kits, thermal clothes, hats and gloves, sleeping bags, duvets, blankets, pillows and sheets, batteries, flashlights as well as particular items for children.

FOODBANK APPEAL

SATURDAY 19 MARCH

Reigate Grammar School is proud to be working with local charities to support the most vulnerable.

In March, Loveworks highlighted that the challenges caused by the pandemic –combined with the terrible rise in heating bills and the increasing cost of fuel and inflation – meant that our local community needed our help more than ever.

We appealed to local Reigatians to donate a few items from their shopping to help feed those in our community who are struggling.

Once again, the playground was transformed into a drop-off point, with a

team of volunteers on hand to help unload donations of tinned goods, UHT milk, pasta, cereals, toilet rolls and more.

On the morning of Saturday 5 March, Reigatians dropped off donations on the school playground.

With additional collections at St. Wilfrid’s School in Crawley, Co-Op at Maidenbower in Crawley, Eurovia UK, Shipley CE Primary School, Emmanuel Croydon Church Community, Bolney Village Community, and GoAhead, we filled two double-decker buses and two big vans to support people affected by the hostilities in Ukraine.

This was a huge response and we can’t thank you enough for your generosity and willingness to help those in crisis.

ORPHEUS CENTRE JUNE 2022

In June, RGS organised a treasure hunt for all our new joiners to raise money and awareness for the Orpheus Centre, an independent specialist college in Surrey that increases the confidence and skills of young disabled adults through the performing arts.

STRIPEY STORK AND LOVEWORKS

SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER

RGS responded to the financial crisis for those who are vulnerable and homeless. We organised a week where pupils brought in toiletries for Stripey Stork and food donations for Loveworks.

SCHOOL OF THE YEAR FOR FIVE YEARS RUNNING

NOVEMBER 2022

We are delighted to have been named School of the Year once again in 2022-2023. RGS has won the award for our community engagement and outreach programme. This work is essential as it helps prepare our children for life beyond school. RGS students are well-educated, not just well-qualified.

CHRISTMAS GIFT DONATION DECEMBER 2022

At Christmas, many young people are unable to leave the hospital due to illness and ongoing treatment. The resilience and bravery of these children and their families is remarkable, and so Great Ormond Street charity teamed up with Fabian’s Childhood Cancer Trust to make things a little bit easier by providing a Christmas gift to let them know someone cares. RGS set up a gift station to support this initiative and we were thrilled at the response. We wanted to thank everyone that brought in a gift and made a child’s day!

The judging panel from Education Today celebrated the work we do which makes a difference every day in our community through our outreach programmes, inclusivity and diversity programmes, extra-curricular activities and charity work. Mrs Lawson, Assistant Head and Head of Outreach, has been recognised as School of the Year Community Champion for her exceptional work in the local community.

The judges recognised the work RGS does to support local charities including The Giant Pledge, Loveworks, Stripey Stork and The Orpheus Centre, as well as Renewed Hope and many more. Our extensive outreach programme offers Master Classes aimed at local state primary schools as enrichment for students with a specialist interest in a variety of subjects. These Master Classes are run by RGS staff and Sixth Form students.

RGS We Care – can we help?

We Care

The RGS Foundation team is still coordinating outreach efforts. If you think we can help, please email rgswecare@reigategrammar.org or call 01737 222231.

FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES

FOUNDER’S DAY

5 MAY

Founder’s Day 2022 was all about celebrating our amazing people, so we asked you, our Reigatian community, to share a photo of yourself with a fellow Reigatian. As you can see, we had some wonderful pictures to share including, the delicious treats our catering team produced for staff and students.

In school, our Sixth Form Foundation Ambassadors delivered an assembly in St Mary’s Church to inform and inspire current students, telling them about the long history of the school, from its founding in 1675, right through to present day expansion of the estate.

HENRY SMITH CLUB DINNER

5 MAY

It was with great pleasure that we were able to host, after 3 years, our Henry Smith Club Dinner, at the fabulous M restaurant in London’s Victoria. We were thrilled that so many could join us to mark Reigate Grammar School’s Founder’s Day, as well as hear important updates on the Henry Smith Club and Changing Lives campaign.

Sir Peter Gershon (’65), Henry Smith Club President, spoke with passion about his wholehearted belief in social mobility and the difficult issues the country has faced over these past few years. Speaking with optimism, Sir Peter highlighted the future hopes and ambitions of the Henry Smith Club and the enormous impact it has had on children and families in the local area. We have committed to doubling the number of members to 250 over the next three years.

The Foundation team updated guests on the Changing Lives campaign, announcing our breakthrough of reaching £10m and our vision as we build towards the 350th anniversary of RGS in 2025. Some exciting challenges lay ahead, but our focus remains on growing the number of opportunities we can offer to deserving young children through our social mobility work.

A particular highlight of the evening was

listening to the inspirational and eloquent Sayinthen Vivekanantham (’09) who described the importance of being a Reigatian and the transformational impact an RGS bursary had on him. Say is an extremely impressive young man and our youngest HSC member; you can see what he is up to at homey.co.uk as he looks to shake up the housing market.

‘Once a Reigatian, always a Reigatian’!

Former Physics Technician, Ed Stonard (RGS staff 19982022), pictured with John Squirrel (’62), taken in the ringing chamber of St Mary’s Church, Reigate, in April 2022.

Ian Davis (’97) and Simon Davis (’87) – who are not related! – were both part of the Reigate Baptist Church litter-picking team in Woodhatch earlier this year.

Friends since their first week at RGS in 2011, Gemma Tarrant (’18), Anna Anderson (’18), Yasmin Herbert (’18) and Sophie Emmerton (’18) smile for the camera in 2022.

Ian Howick (’57), Roger Tharby (’57), John Reed and Martin Harris at the CCF RAF section summer camp in White Waltham in 1956-7 with the Chipmunk trainer in which they all flew.

SUMMER SOIRÉE

14 JUNE

June saw the first Summer Soirée and what a wonderful evening it was in the Headmaster’s garden, with delicious Champagne and magnificent hand selected food, it was great to bring Reigatians back together.

Our enormous thanks go to Shaun and Jane for hosting us in their beautiful garden and arranging the blistering sunshine.

The evening would not have been possible without the generosity of RGS parents Damian Shaw (CEO of Winterbotham Darby) and Gilles Dumangin (Champagne Dumangin J. Fils) who supplied the wonderful food and drink.

CHARITY GOLF DAY

16 JUNE

The RGS Foundation Charity Golf Day, sponsored by Devine Homes, was another fabulous event, raising an incredible £7,985 for the Nightingale Fund and we thank our 60 golfers, sponsors and prize donors for their generous support.

Early in the competition, England T20 international cricketer, John Simpson, set the target for the Longest Drive on the 14th. Thanks go to Ed Forsyth (’08) and Harry Vaughan (’09) from wealth management company, FLM for sponsoring the competition.

With everyone back and enjoying a drink and dinner outside on the clubhouse veranda, players were eager to find out who had won.

Jonny Hylton (’99), RGS Foundation Director, began the prize giving by thanking everyone for attending the day and supporting our fundraising efforts so enthusiastically! He talked about our commitment to supporting families facing unimaginable challenges through current and future emergency appeals. As such, we have been able to offer a bursary place at RGS to a Ukrainian refugee and shared the news that the impact of the Nightingale campaign allowed the daughter of a paramedic, who sadly died at the start of the pandemic, to join RGS.

The prizegiving followed and, in a slight change of format, we took the best three scores from each team this year. It proved tight at the top, with just one or two points between the first, second and third teams! But with an incredible score of 134 points, trophies were presented to Matt Hill (current parent), Phil Ellis (current parent), Jez Hippolite (current parent) and Kevin McNair (friend).

With trophies awarded, it was time for the raffle and we want to thank everyone that donated prizes; The Plough Inn at Coldharbour, Reigate Hill Golf Club, Love

Reigate, Silent Pool, Dexter’s Barber Shop and author & current parent, Tim Hain. In addition to this, Jonny Hylton managed to secure donations for the three auction prizes, which included: a flying lesson with Pilot Flight Training thanks to Tom Saunders (’98), a course of physiotherapy sessions with Matt Wilkinson (’07) at Six Physio and four tickets to see comedian, Joe Lycett, at Wembley Park thanks to Kerry Patterson (’04).

Players enjoyed a beautiful day at Reigate Hill Golf Club and our thanks go to Barry Devine (’90) for his ongoing sponsorship of this event.

L-R Ed Bartlett, Aaron Simmons (’97), Gez Watkins (’97), Tyrone Long, David Hyner, Jimmy Espin, Simon Wood-Wolley

Join the Pilgrim Society

The Pilgrim Society

You can change a child’s life

Together we can transform the life chances of disadvantaged children from our local community by providing educational opportunities and hope. To date, through Pilgrim Society members alone, we have already given places to 32 Changing Lives bursary students.

Your support of the Changing Lives campaign is crucial because now, more than ever, the twin drivers of low social mobility, economic and educational inequality, are on the rise.

“Social mobility is for everyone, not just a few. It is about every single person having the chance to succeed.”

Social Mobility Commission State of the Nation 2022

My 7 years at RGS has undoubtedly had a massive impact on my life.

My education here really made me realise what I can be capable of, and the teachers, staff and even my other classmates all led me to my decision to study medicine. Without such a challenging yet rewarding

90

people giving £20 a month = a 100% bursary for one academic year

environment, I can safely say I may not have even considered such a demanding career, let alone pursued one. RGS has made me realise a lot about myself, especially my passion for medicine and hockey but what I am most proud of is the connections I made during my time here. I would argue that a good community is one of the most important parts of a school, and I am grateful to have been and still be a part of the RGS community.

I am excited to see where my medicine degree leads me in the future, hopefully towards a career in neurology perhaps in the UK or abroad! Due to the skills I have gained during my years at RGS I feel fully equipped to aim high and pursue any career path I may set my mind to.

Prutha Vyas, bursary recipient (RGS 2013-2020) – medical student

36

people giving £50 a month = a 100% bursary for one academic year

Talk to us about making a regular gift

The more members we have, the more children we can help. Sign up to give a regular gift and become a member of the Pilgrim Society. Scan the QR code or visit rgs.foundation/support-us/donate-now/

is a philanthropic group which recognises the commitment of members of the Reigatian community who support the Changing Lives campaign with a regular gift.

TELEPHONE CAMPAIGN

16 JULY TO 4 AUGUST

A huge thank you to our wonderful call team:

Top

Between 16 July and 4 August, our fantastic team of callers spoke to more than 550 Reigatians. They loved hearing about what former students used to get up to when they were at school – not to be repeated, apparently!

From advice about university courses and career prospects, to the best pubs in Oxford, reading-book suggestions and gap-year recommendations, our call team certainly benefitted from the wealth of knowledge our community has to offer. Here is a flavour of the conversations taking place:

“Hi Olivia. Thank you for your kind words about my stories. I hope the campaign continues to go well and that you have a fantastic years 2, 3 and 4 at uni. You’re clearly going to smash it!”

As well as having some incredible conversations, the Telephone Campaign raised over £62,000 for the Changing Lives bursary fund.

A huge thank you to our wonderful calling team who helped make this campaign so successful. We also want to thank all those who shared their insights and advice and to those who generously supported our fundraising efforts.

“Hi Jasmine. Thank you for such a mature, knowledgeable and intelligent conversation – you represented yourself and RGS extremely well, something to be proud of. Good luck in the future with Geography at Bristol, but more importantly, make the most of your gap year.”

“Really lovely chat, she works at GSK first in communication, then the commercial industry. Gave me book recommendations, she likes visiting family and friends – she now lives in the US.” (Mawadda)

“We spoke about our careers in medicine. I expressed my interest in going into plastic surgery and he told me he is training to become a plastic surgeon right now and offered me advice, which was great. He told me to get in contact as he would love to help me out with my future career decisions and any help I need.” (Aurora)

“Had a lovely chat about his time at RGS and how he studied English, French and Spanish. One of the friends that he met at RGS ended up being the best man at his wedding and he really enjoyed the 50th anniversary reunion where he said he was able to recognise lots of people despite them having a few grey beards and hairs! He talked about being in the CCF and also playing croquet on Broadfield Lawn.” (Tom)

Row: Hana Bashir (RGS 2015-2021), Tom Dénecé (RGS 2015-2022), Aneesah Dhillo (RGS 2014-2021), Mawadda Edbagi (RGS 2020-2022). Middle Row: Aurora Egalla Dewage (RGS 2019-2021), Jasmine Foster (RGS 2015-2022), Olivia Hamilton (2014-2021), Lucy Hangartner (RGS 2013-2020). Bottom Row: India Rawlinson (RGS 2014-2021), Purvaja Sivakumar (RGS 2015-2022), Maddy Westley (RGS 2015-2022)

RIDE AND RUN REIGATE

10 JULY AND 18 SEPTEMBER

Thank you to all the riders and runners who joined team RGS for Ride Reigate in July and Run Reigate in September. Feedback on both events was hugely positive.

Duncan Wesley (RGS 1960-1967) and his friend, Colin Dunn, took the 100k Ride Reigate route in their stride, reporting, “Ride Reigate was lovely. Well organised, apart from one junction where the signs were hidden in a bush!”

Of Run Reigate, RGS parent, Alison Dénecé said “Thank you so much for all the support and the opportunity that you have given Lucy to run for RGS and the Foundation at Run Reigate. She absolutely loved the experience – seeing friends and teachers along the way at water stations, with everyone really enjoying the

community spirit and great atmosphere. So many teachers were encouraging her throughout and afterwards which was lovely to see. Amazingly, she ended up winning the 10K women’s race, her first competitive 10K, which she really wasn’t expecting at all.”

REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE

11 NOVEMBER

On Friday 11 November, we welcomed members of our Reigatian community back to school to join the Service of Remembrance.

RGS students, staff and guests gathered on the playground – like so many generations before them – to reflect, to remember and to give thanks for the sacrifices made by so many people in conflicts over the years.

Reverend Phil Jackson led the service, with readings by students Tilly A and Head Boy, James C. The CCF parade was led by Flight Sergeant Thomas L and the Drum Major was Hannah S.

We were honoured to welcome Flight Lieutenant James Harris (RGS 1978-1984), Officer Commanding 9 Air Experience Flight at RAF Leeming, who read the Act of Remembrance:

Let us remember before God, and commend to his sure keeping, those who have died for their country in war; those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure; and all who have lived and died in the service of others. They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

The bugle call of The Last Post signalled the two-minute silence. Following Reveille, the Polyphony sang Abide With Me and the wreath-laying party, including Head Girl Neyha K and Colour Sergeant Electra M (Lord Lieutenant Cadet for Surrey), departed for the memorial.

Our guests then joined the Headmaster, Reverend Phil Jackson and Fl. Lt. James Harris for a special service in the school Memorial Garden.

REIGATIAN COMMUNITY WELCOME DRINKS

With award winning pieces of art on view, drinks and food flowing, it was the opportune time for Headmaster Shaun Fenton to address guests and welcome them to this fabulous event. The Headmaster spoke with great passion about the history of RGS, the importance of being a Reigatian in the modern world and the opportunities to get involved with our work in the community. He then went on to introduce Adam Gosnold, a parent who has had three children pass through the doors of RGS (the last leaving in 2021).

After three years of waiting, this event finally happened! We were able to welcome ‘new’ RGS parents to our Reigatian Community drinks reception on the Southbank of the River Thames, in the backdrop of the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral. The venue for the evening was the magnificent Bankside Gallery, showcasing pieces of art from

The London Group and arguably their most ambitious exhibition to date in their 109 year history.

On arrival, parents were treated to some fantastic live music from RGS bands ‘Take Five’ and ‘Shades of Yellow’, who played a variety of solo and group pieces featuring everything from Adele to singalong West End classics.

REIGATIAN CHRISTMAS EVENT

7 DECEMBER

We had a wonderful evening of festivity at The Hatch pub in Redhill in December. The event brought together all different walks of our Reigatian community, from those that left the school 60 years ago, to new parents, whose children started this September.

Everyone enjoyed a festive drink and mince pie whilst our RGS brass band and choir provided us with carols and some wonderful Christmas classics. Headmaster, Shaun Fenton highlighted the importance of the community and the joy of everyone coming together, even on a cold and frosty evening.

Adam Gosnold (RGS Parent) won unofficial ‘best Christmas jumper’, although the lights on his jumper may need to come with a warning sign!

Our thanks go to Pilgrim Brewery, in particular Adrian Rothera (’84 and RGS Parent) and Rory Fry-Stone (RGS Parent), for allowing us to take over their first Pilgrim Brewery Free House. Tali Glynn-Jones and Richard Hare were brilliant (as usual) and showcased the talent and calibre of musicians and choristers at RGS.

Adam spoke with first hand experience of the benefit of getting involved with the Reigatian community, the professional network that his three children have utilised, friendships his family has forged and the satisfaction received from being involved with our Changing Lives campaign as a member of the Henry Smith Club. Adam is a true example of a Reigatian! Foundation Director, Jonny Hylton (RGS ’99), ended the proceedings by highlighting recent examples of the Reigatian community in action and opportunities for parents to get more engaged; whether it be joining the RGS Professionals group, offering advice and guidance to recent graduates, attending events or supporting our philanthropic work – there really is something for everyone.

We would also like to thank Ralph James for their support with this event and we were delighted to welcome company Director, Ashley Bone and his team along for the evening.

LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL AND CHANGE A LIFE FOREVER

With a gift in your Will, you would transform the lives of talented children from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds – removing barriers to social mobility – ensuring that any child wanting to study at Reigate Grammar School gets the very best start on their journey in life.

Why leave a legacy?

“I have left a percentage of my estate in my Will to the RGS Foundation to support the 1675 Bursary Fund, having witnessed the impact that Reigatians have had on the life chances of others. I believe wholeheartedly that every child should have the opportunity of an excellent education, no matter their background or circumstance. By becoming a legator, I can support the next generation of Reigatians long after my time on this earth is done!”

Jonny Hylton (RGS 1992-1999, RGS staff 2014-present)

“My support of the RGS Foundation is given with the hope of enabling promising young people with modest means to benefit in the way that I have. It is a cause very close to my heart as I was one whose life was truly changed by my time at the school and for that I have always been extremely grateful.”

Peter Clarke

(RGS 1945-1950)

“As a mum of a current bursary recipient, I knew that I wanted to give back so that more children can benefit from a wonderful education. While I don’t have the means to support the Changing Lives campaign in my lifetime, I know first-hand the impact that leaving a legacy can have, which is why I have left a proportion of my estate to the bursary fund.”

Claire Minter (Current parent)

“My form master, Sid Andrews, said ‘Blackie, you have taken it too easy for too long’. He could have so easily been right and that would have altered my destiny. The reason for leaving a gift in my Will is to give a little help to someone less fortunate.”

Peter Blackwood (RGS 1939-1946) 1928-2015

“I made my Will in the mid-1980’s after the birth of my grandson. When I received a letter from the Foundation asking me to consider leaving the bursary fund something in my Will, I added an instruction to my executor, who is also the chief beneficiary. I was of the view that I was already making a monthly contribution and my legacy would give me an equivalent over the next few years enabling me to continue giving after I had gone.”

Jeffrey Bee (RGS 1947-1953) 1963-2021

IN MEMORY OF ROBIN BLIGH

Robin Bligh joined RGS in 1953 as a young Mathematics teacher, dedicating the next 40 years to helping boys experience a broad education, beyond their academic studies, through his leadership of the 16th Reigate Sea Scouts. Robin continued his relationship with RGS far beyond his retirement, regularly joining us for lunch at the school , attending school events and even celebrating his 90th birthday with a party in the Peter Masefield Hall . Robin inspired so many generations of Reigatians and he is remembered with great affection and respect.

Robin’s impact was enormous, passing on life skills and wisdom to thousands of RGS students and Scouts during his teaching career. He also generously left a legacy to the 1675 Bursary Fund in his Will. Through Robin’s kind gift, combined with the support of his former students and peers who donate to the Robin Bligh Fund, we are delighted to announce that we will have two Robin Bligh Scholars in perpetuity at the school.

Two deserving and talented children, who otherwise would not have the financial means, started their lifechanging journey at RGS in September 2022. We hope that, as well as the

outstanding academic and pastoral support that they receive, that they will also take advantage of all of the extracurricular activities that RGS has to offer, teaching them the lessons in teamwork and leadership that Robin was so keen to impart on others.

Robin Bligh Bursary Fund

To honour this fine Reigatian, and to provide a lasting legacy in his name, the RGS Foundation, in collaboration with the Bligh family, has established the Robin Bligh Bursary Fund. This aims to provide a life-changing education at Reigate Grammar School to disadvantaged children from the local area. By joining others who have already pledged their generous support for the fund, you will help fund a Robin Bligh Scholar at RGS.

“Being a Scout was a large part of my life at the school. It gave me a wide range of the things to do and look at how to cope with them. This is something I wish to commemorate by giving my support to the Robin Bligh Bursary Fund.”

Ian Whiteman

(RGS 1953-1961)

Donate online using the QR code or via rgs.foundation/support-us/ robin-bligh-bursary-fund/ or by cheque (posted to the address on the back cover).

Reigate Grammar School has partnered with Morr & Co to provide legacy guidance. Contact Morr & Co for advice on writing a Will by calling 01737 854500 or go to morrlaw.com/wills-trusts-and-estate-administration/

The tree planted at Hartswood in memory of Robin Bligh (RGS Staff 1953-1994)

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY LUNCH 24 JUNE

On Friday 24 June, former students from the Classes of 1970, 1971 and 1972 (and partners) celebrated 50 years since leaving Reigate Grammar School.

For many, this was their first visit back to school since they left, and it provided a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old classmates and take a trip down memory lane.

After two years of COVID disruption, it was an absolute joy to finally meet in person and we were particularly delighted to have three guests fly in from overseas: Jonathan Sakula (’70) from Canada, Terry Caloghiris (’71) from Switzerland and Malcolm Butcher (’72) from Australia. The icing on the cake was to have former teachers join us, Bob Harden (RGS staff 1961-1974) and Allan Sims (RGS staff 1964-2001), who still recognised many of their former charges!

Most guests opted to take a tour of the school and set off from reception with a volunteer guide from our Sixth Form. While some areas of the school have changed beyond recognition and a few new buildings and facilities have been added, the fabric of the school remains the same.

Tours ended with the Old Library (or the gym as it had been in the late 1960s, early 1970s), where one guest, Alan Soer (’72), was particularly happy to find the Mitchiner Cup board sporting his name, as well as his Seat of Learning!

TIME FOR LUNCH

Our party then moved down to the Headmaster’s garden, where talented musicians, Juliet C-W, Omar A and Megan T charmed guests with a mixture of classical music and their take on a few rock pieces. Everyone enjoyed catching up, looking at displays of old photographs, flicking through old copies of The Pilgrim, and sharing photographs that they had brought with them.

Headmaster, Shaun Fenton, provided an overview of recent awards and successes, before delivering the following message, “Undoubtedly Reigate Grammar School is a great school, and offers both in and out of the classroom a first-class education to its students and an invigorating and helpful atmosphere… It has been both a delight and an encouragement to me to discover the strength of the loyalty and sense of comradeship in the school.” This was actually taken from HM Ballance in the spring 1969 edition of The Pilgrim, but is a sentiment that still rings true today!

He explained that, as the school approaches its own anniversary in 2025, the ethos of philanthropy, on which the

school was founded, is still going strong. He proudly announced that in recent weeks, we have offered a bursary place to a Ukrainian child, with another place hopefully going to an Afghan refugee.

He mentioned the house system, explaining how and why the eight houses became none (it wasn’t deemed trendy in the noughties!), before four, having been reintroduced under his tenure. Indeed, the names of RGS’s current four houses –Bird, Cranston, Hodgson and Williamson – were chosen by students and are personal to the school, being the names of the first four Headmasters. He talked about the number of languages our First Formers learn – from French and Mandarin to Python and HTML (computing languages)!

Mr Fenton wrapped up by announcing that lunch was ready and guests helped themselves to a delicious cold buffet of salmon, chicken, quiche and an array of salads, followed by strawberries and cream. During lunch, everyone embraced the challenge of naming those pictured in a pack of old photographs from their school days. These – alongside copies of The Pilgrim magazine from 1961-1969 and messages from those who were unable to make the date (largely because of COVID and rail strikes) – formed part of a large display, evoking lots of fond memories.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

After lunch, guests made their way to the bottom lawn, where Head of Foundation, Sean Davey, emphasised just how special it was to be able to host the Golden Anniversary Lunch after a challenging couple of years, asking everyone to take a moment to remember those we have lost. He highlighted the role the RGS Foundation plays – both in keeping our Reigatian community connected through events such as this, and by raising money to provide bursary places to students.

He mentioned the incredible legacy left by former teacher, Robin Bligh (RGS staff 1953-1994), who had gifted his estate to the RGS Foundation (see p19), before thanking all those who currently support our work. Foundation Director Jonny Hylton then spoke, explaining that he left the school in 1999 and is proud to have been a student, but is even more proud of the work he does now. Such is his belief in

the impact that an RGS education can have on deserving young children, he has pledged a gift to RGS in his Will and is currently the school’s youngest legator.

Guests were then asked to gather together for photos. It was amazing to see all the old school ties, badges and even a very small-looking school cap, donned (or should that be doffed?) by Nick Collyer (’70). All images from the day can be viewed in the Event Gallery on the website rgs.foundation

LIVING HISTORY SESSION

After tea, coffee and cake, Third Form History students arrived, eager to hear about growing up in Reigate and life at RGS in the 1960s. Guests had been reminded that these were impressionable young thirteen and fourteen-year-olds, so asked everyone to keep the more colourful stories to themselves! It turned out that their teachers had set them a challenge to discover the most shocking piece of information! In groups of two and three, students sat with guests, and chatted about how life at RGS in the swinging sixties compared to life at the school now. All parties found this experience absolutely fascinating, with older guests learning as much from the students as the students did from them.

After an action-packed day, 3pm came around quickly and it was time to bid everyone farewell, though guests were encouraged to come back and visit again soon.

Terry Caloghiris (’71)

NOSTALGIA TRIP TO RGS: 33 YEARS ON 6 MAY

the actual smell of exam-room nerves and empty single desks left over from some students exiting their GCSE, made us suddenly glad we were this side of 18.

We were also kindly allowed into the (currently) unmodernised Broadfield House. Though it is surpassed by the new buildings, Broadfield’s smells, sights and fixtures transported us back to the old Room C, as if the great Mr Carpmael was still to be found there spinning magic from the writing gods with a literary twinkle in his eye. Those who encountered the Lower Sixth enrichment of the ABC lessons may join us with flashbacks of being taught etiquette (no kidding), car maintenance, other cultures or photography – some of these are remembered now with more fondness than we had at the time… although not the etiquette sessions!

When Matthew Sears (RGS 19821989 and current parent) contacted us to say that a group of his old school friends were planning a reunion, we were delighted to add a tour of the school to their weekend of reminiscences. It was wonderful to welcome the Class of 1989 back to RGS.

“With curiosity, and some re-awoken Platform 9 ¾-ish butterflies, five 80s-era Reigatians gathered on a sunny afternoon to see the old place once more. After three years of planning (thanks to the tenacity and bonhomie of Matt Sears), we came from Norfolk, Yorkshire, Switzerland, Miami, and even from the deepest fringes of Reigate to stand together at RGS for the first time since 1989. Although we were now official grown-up visitors, with lanyards and reserved parking spaces, some deep part of our brains half expected to be told to comb our hair and put our caps on. The visit was of course, totally cap-free, a pleasure and an education!

Ignoring the varying grey hair/no hair amongst the lads in our group (there was unaltered charm among the ladies, of course), time rolled back as we revived a cascade of memories. Materially, things have of course changed for the better. Anyone who remembers the prefab-era rooms: W1, W2, CW3, CW4… well, these have vanished. By contrast, the wonders that are the new Sixth Form centre and Music block defy definition.

Beautiful as the new facilities are, it was of course the old stomping grounds that triggered the group’s memories. In particular, the Concert Hall where Rob Shearman (RGS 1980-1988), fresh from a posting as Dr Who scriptwriter, climbed up onto the stage upon whose boards some drama seeds were sown… there was a glistening eye. (In fact, I hope he’ll write a play about our RGS reunion – I’d like you to cast David Tennant to play me please Rob!).

Outside the former dining hall, where some of us had our last-ever chat with the legendary Aubs, there was the board where Aubs’ handwritten sign-up sheet for ‘Youth and Music’ was constantly pinned. Much excitement here! However good RGS Sixth Form students have it now, they’ll never have the thrill of a risk-assessment-free, no-seatbelts ride to London, to squint from nose-bleed-high seats at some bit of high culture, followed by totally legal drinks in the interval. There followed a far more entertaining second half, then walking the 10 yards to Aubs’ impossibly exquisite parking, to play minibus-seat bingo all the way back. No wonder that the noticeboard outside the dining hall stirs the memories.

The Old Library and stairwell were pleasingly eternal in their resistance to time, and the very same metal banisters complete with studs to prevent any sliding stuntwork were stoically still in place –the stairwell, library, all still the same but somehow much smaller! In the Sports Hall,

A big thank you to the school. We could not have been more excellently welcomed by our hosts, who happily listened to misty-eyed moments, and of course some less misty-eyed 80s-era tales of “This is where Mr X … and I fainted” or “This is where Mr X … but the boy stopped screaming fairly soon” … moments that would have given Roald Dahl some promising material. But both the decades and the school have changed impressively. I was pleased to be able to meet Mr Fenton in person, and (as a teacher myself) to thank him for leading education in a more modern and human direction, that leaves students in a stronger position to handle school life and the life that follows in the widest sense of those terms. I’d also like to take this chance to thank the school on a personal note – when COVID hit, RGS said ‘Can we help?’ and meant it, and the difference it made to my family was huge.

One thing that stood out was the enormous power of the influence of the special, kind, interested, dedicated, teachers, and also how lucky we are in our friendships, first forged among those RGS rooms, corridors and minibus seats. Thank you RGS – we re-lived some old memories and gained some new ones.”

Steve Bishop (RGS 1981-1989)

L-R Class of 1989, Vicky Cave née Shearman, Matt Sears, James Powell, Stephen Bishop, Annabelle Patchett, Lucy Hathaway

Robert Shearman (RGS 1980-1988)

CLASS OF 1977 SCHOOL TOUR

27 MAY

After two years of COVID-induced lockdowns and many Zoom meetings, on Friday 27 May, Ash Priddle, Allan Lambert, Andy Brown, Simon Brisk and Tim Atkin finally met up!

Ash, Simon and I used to catch the 424 bus to school from Horley. We were pleased to discover it was still running, so we decided that this would be our first trip down memory lane. The bus bore no resemblance to the old double decker we were used to, and bus passes were superseded by contactless card payments. Very little of the original route was covered, giving us our first clue that times had changed!

Having arrived in Reigate Town Centre, we retraced our steps along the old lane leading past St Mary’s Church. We were pleased to see that had changed very little, if at all. We met Andy at the school and were soon greeted by Nikki Burch, the then Reigatian Community Officer, who gave us a guided tour of the school.

It was pleasing to see the front of the main building hadn’t changed, although the stonework looked a lot cleaner than we remembered. Inside too, the layout and distinctive school smell appeared largely unchanged. The classroom doors were also reminiscent of the good old days, with all of us remembering how Howard Ballance, the Headmaster, was just tall

enough to peer through the windows, ready to catch any schoolboys who were misbehaving during lessons! Most of us had fallen foul of his surveillance and could recall being led out of the class to line up outside his study, halfway up the stairs leading to the old assembly hall. The traffic light system just above the door merely added to the trepidation of the reprimand to come!

We were shown the new Headmaster’s office on the ground floor overlooking the rear playground. A warm welcome was given to us by Mr Fenton. The whole atmosphere here appeared far less foreboding and there was no overwhelming sense of doom!

The playground appeared to have shrunk in that there were many more outbuildings occupying its space. We all remembered how we used to play football using a tennis ball during break times, although the rear wooden fencing, used as goals, had been replaced with taller metal fencing and secure gates.

New facilities offered by the Harrison Centre, music block and the Ballance Building were amazing and we all wondered how we would have fared if we had had these at our disposal. The indoor swimming pool looked so much more inviting than the cold outdoor offering we were greeted with!

One building which did not appear to have changed was the old Sixth Form centre (Broadfield House). As we gazed on the oak-panelled walls of one of the classrooms, we were reminded of an April Fool’s Day incident instigated by Allan. It involved Richard Stather, a History teacher at the time. The lads used to listen to Capital Radio during the 10-minute morning break, and at the end of it, Richard Stather would stride in and mark his territory by turning it off. So, one April Fool’s day we put a transistor radio inside the casing of the radio, so when Mr Stather tried to turn it off, it was still merrily blaring away. He tried again, then turned the switch off at the wall. Still it played its music, so he pulled out the plug, yet the music continued. Now totally exasperated, he took the whole thing out onto the lawn, and left it there to entertain everyone else sitting in class at Broadfield. Nice one Allan!

After a very tasty buffet lunch, our tour came to an end, and we proceeded into Reigate to avail ourselves of some alcoholic beverages in the local pubs. Pilgrim Brewery was particularly nice and in the traditional manner, we concluded our day with a curry. More school memories were mulled over before we finally parted, and we all vowed not to leave it so long until the next time.

Tim Atkin (RGS 1970-1977)

It was pleasing to see the front of the main building hadn’t changed, although the stonework looked a lot cleaner than we remembered. Inside too, the layout and distinctive school smell appeared largely unchanged. The classroom doors were also reminiscent of the good old days, with all of us remembering how Howard Ballance, the Headmaster, was just tall enough to peer through the windows, ready to catch any schoolboys who were misbehaving during lessons!

Class of 1977 outside the old Headmaster’s office. L-R Tim Atkin, Simon Brisk, Andy Brown, Ash Priddle, Allan Lambert

GRADUATION BRUNCH: CLASS OF 2018

On Saturday 3 September, the Class of 2018 (along with current and former RGS staff) returned to school for their Graduation Brunch.

Just a few days into the new school term, we were delighted to welcome back more than 70 guests from the Class of 2018 to celebrate their recent successes and hear their future plans.

Meeting in their old Sixth Form common room in what was then the newly-opened Harrison Centre, guests enjoyed tea, coffee and a sumptuous spread of croissants, sausage baguettes, pains au chocolat, fruit, cakes and other treats. Everyone found the display of old photographs quite funny (it’s fair to say that our guests had changed somewhat

10 YEARS ON: CLASS OF 2012

30 NOVEMBER

since First Form) and enjoyed catching up with their old Form Tutors and other members of RGS staff.

After picking up a glass of bucks fizz, we headed out to the terrace for speeches. Headmaster, Shaun Fenton, began by welcoming everyone back, highlighting that they were such an impressive year group that we built a whole Sixth Form building for them!

He then ran through some of the exciting changes that have happened in recent years, including the improvements made to pastoral support and plans to build a new sports centre. He explained the value of the RGS International programme, with music students travelling from Reigate to Hanoi and plans for gap-year students to teach in RGS schools overseas.

Finally, he raised a toast to the Class of 2018, wishing them the very best for the future and reminding them that they will always be Reigatians, before handing over to RGS Foundation Director, Jonny Hylton (’99).

As a former student himself, Jonny mentioned that, however old you are, it will always feel a little bit naughty to address your teachers by their first name! He then spoke about the value of keeping in touch and engaging with the wider Reigatian community through the RGS Professionals group.

It was time for us to say goodbye, and for guests to head into Reigate to continue catching up. We look forward to seeing them again in 2028 for their 10 Years On reunion – if not before!

We were delighted to see so many former students, from the Class of 2012, at the Founder’s Arms in London, Blackfriars, What a fantastic venue, both in terms of location and vibrant ambiance.

From the moment the first attendees arrived, conversation flowed effortlessly, punctuated with plenty of banter and laughter, with lots of happy faces all round. Those attending the event on the Southbank, with the stunning backdrop of an illuminated St Paul’s Cathedral, reminisced about school days and caught up on a decade of life experience, including university, work, new homes, new relationships and more besides.

The Foundation team are always happy to arrange these special anniversary events, knowing how important it is to keep friendships and connections going throughout the years. We would always encourage former students to sign up to our RGS Professionals group too, so they can benefit from the vast network of expertise from our expanding Reigatian community. With lots of Foundation events ahead, there will be ample opportunity to stay in touch before the next reunion!

THE RGS APP KEEP UP TO DATE WITH REIGATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Prospective Reigatians, current parents and members of the Reigatian community can now download the RGS app for on-the-go, up to date information, stories and resources.

The RGS app provides an interactive mobile platform that:

• Connects members of the Reigatian community

• Answers all of your admissions needs

• Keeps you informed about school and RGS Foundation news and events

• Live streams RGS events

• Updates your tailored news feed with school community information

For prospective Reigatians, the RGS app offers the opportunity to visit RGS virtually, via an interactive tour. It also allows you to sign up to open events and apply online. You can view all admissions publications, including the school’s online prospectus and view guidance to help you with your application.

For the Reigatian community, encompassing current parents, former pupils, former parents, staff and friends of RGS, the app provides a wealth of content from the school and the RGS Foundation. For current parents the app offers school news at your fingertips, as well as the school calendar and other important information and resources.

You can view school updates and events on your tailored news feed just as you would with other school social media channels. It also offers an interactive mobile platform for members of the Reigatian community to connect with each other as well as receiving Reigatian news on-the-go. You can view information about the RGS Foundation and its work, receive push notifications for upcoming events and access live streams of Reigatian community events.

Access the RGS app today!

To access the app, simply scan the QR code and set up your account, indicating whether you are a parent or a member of the Reigatian community.

Alternatively, the RGS app is available on the App Store and Google Play

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

Morr & Co has been a valued par tner of Reigate Grammar School for many years, providing exper t guidance on our gif ts in Wills programme, hosting RGS professionals events and suppor ting the campaign by sponsoring a student at RGS.

ChangingLives

Having served generations of Reigate families, Morr & Co has been one of the leading law firms in the area for almost 300 years, when the first legal practice opened in 1729 at 46 High Street, Reigate. With a new vision in recent years to change their name from Morrisons Solicitors to Morr & Co in order to be seen as a more progressive, modern business, the community is still at the heart of all they do.

Morr & Co are there for all your personal and business needs, supporting individuals, families and businesses with advice and solutions in a range of areas from estate administration to buying and selling a property or business, divorce, employment to Wills and power of attorney. No one can plan for every eventuality but with Morr & Co, you can trust them to help you respond and adapt to the changes that come your way to protect you, your loved ones and your business interests.

We all like to be as prepared as we can be, though you never quite know what challenges await you in the years ahead. Contrary to the widely regarded connotations associated with a Will, there are plenty of great reasons to put one in place or update your existing one, such as…

Mandy Humphrey Associate Solicitor

01737 854 515

info@morrlaw.com

Mandy Humphrey joined Morr & Co in 1998. She deals with a varied level of estate value. She has particular experience in dealing with deceased’s estates – advising on associated inheritance tax, capital gains tax, income tax matters and intestacy.

Mandy gives advice in relation to Wills, estate planning, preparing declarations of trust, advising on all types of Powers of Attorney (Lasting Powers of Attorney and general powers), lifetime trusts and Court of Protection matters such as Deputyship Orders and registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney.

A baby

Whether it’s your own child, a grandchild or a godchild, you might want to consider leaving a legac y or share of your estate to them for when they ’re older and planning to buy their first home or to help with university fees. You might need to consider a trust if they have special requirements and take advice on the best way to do this without impinging on any benefits they might be entitled to.

For your child, you’ll need to appoint guardians to take care of them if you were to die before they attain 18 years of age – probably the most impor tant thing you’ll ever do.

An increase in wealth

You may have inherited money, won the lotter y (we can all dream), received a bonus, your proper ty or overall estate value may have increased over time. Whatever happens, you’ll want the best outcome for your family by

planning around inheritance tax. This could involve some planning during your lifetime and/or via your Will too, to ensure your liability to inheritance is mitigated as much as possible.

A new par tner

More people cohabit in today ’ s society than ever before. It is sensible to consider who owns the proper ty and how you will s afeguard your future, taking into account children from previous relationships and both sets of families.

A new house

For many of us, the proper ty you own will be your most valuable asset. It is a s afe haven that can provide financial security to your family and its future needs. Perhaps you have bought a second home as an investment and wish to leave each proper ty to a different beneficiar y, or ringfence some of the total value of your

estate to provide security for them in the future; whatever the situation and no matter the complexity, we are here to advise.

A new international adventure

There are plenty of countries that allow for reciprocity of Will. Probate can hold up the transfer or s ale of a proper ty if more than one countr y is involved. It may be wor th considering having a different Will for each countr y you own proper ty in.

For many, it is one of those things people put off, this could be due to stresses associated with writing a Will, complications that surround it or even lacking the time.

With our experienced team of solicitors at Morr & Co, the journey will allow you peace of mind when putting your affairs in order, ensuring you have taken care of your assets, favourite charities, yourself and your loved ones.

RGS PROFESSIONALS

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

8 MARCH

CELEBRATING INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN 2022

We always like to celebrate members of our Reigatian community and International Women’s Day provides the perfect opportunity to give a cheer for the thousands of wonderful Reigatian women.

Among our parents and former students lies a wealth of knowledge and experience that we want to harness, drawing on their collective insights to help inspire and inform the next generation. We are so proud of all the Reigatians who are #inspiringminds. The International Women’s Day theme for 2022 was #BreakTheBias, and we were asked to imagine what it would be like in a world that was gender equal and free of stereotypes and discrimination.

Each of the Reigatians below have shared their career journeys and offered insights and advice on achieving success in their sector. From structural engineers to film producers, business founders to those working in medicine, and women who have carved a passion into a career. You can read all about the talent in our community on our website by scanning the QR code below.

Have you won a professional award or succeeded in fulfilling your career ambitions? Or perhaps you have an unusual or interesting career journey you would like to share? We would love to hear from you! Please email foundation@reigategrammar.org Join our professional group on LinkedIn to connect with hundreds of Reigatians. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

Seeing an opportunity in a growing market after the launch of the internet, Ben Goss (RGS 1981-1986) launched game changing ‘Dynamic Planner’ to the financial market. Here he talks to us about how his time at RGS gave him the confidence to achieve big....

of further education, work and ultimately business, a bit more confident as a result.

Tell us a little more about the success of Dynamic Planner and where the idea came from?

As a successful entrepreneur, what words of wisdom would you give our Reigatians embarking into the professional world?

Which teachers had the biggest impact on you at RGS and why?

I joined the school in the Third Form and Mr Whitely was my form teacher and house master – he taught me Geography and rugby. I ended up studying Geography and playing rugby at university both in the UK and then in the US. One of my sons now plays rugby for Bath and so I guess the love of the game in our family started at RGS! Mr Richley – he gave me confidence I could actually do Maths and I haven’t been afraid of numbers since!

Is there a particular trip/event or story from your time at RGS that sticks in your mind?

The Lower Sixth trip to the Ardèche was amazing fun. I was back there last summer on a French immersion trip canoeing down the river and jumped off the same rocks we did almost 40 years ago. I started relearning French building on my O Level in lockdown. Thank you Mrs Benson!

Who have you remained close to from RGS?

Some of my best and longest standing friends were made at school. There’s a group of us who played rugby together, went to each other’s weddings and are still close even though some live overseas now. A few of us are off to Portugal in April.

What would you say was one thing you took away from your time at RGS? Confidence, probably sometimes misplaced, but on reflection I did a lot at the school not just academically but the friends I made, activities like Duke of Edinburgh, Music, as well as Sport. I entered the world

Dynamic Planner is a FinTech – a financial technology company that financial advisers use to match people with suitable investments. My original exposure to financial services came when a school friend got me a summer job at a fund manager. When the internet came to the UK in the mid-1990’s I was working as a management consultant at PwC. I thought it could be a game changer for people looking for financial advice – making it easy to access and more objective. Today more than 40% of investment advisers in the UK use Dynamic Planner.

What do the next few years hold for you?

In terms of the business we’ve opened up in Europe and I’m really enjoying developing the company on the continent.

I’m also on the advisory board of a charity called Urban Synergy that helps school children in South-East London where I grew up before Reigate, get access to the mentoring they need to fulfil their potential. It’s very fulfilling to help young people access some of the amazing opportunities I’ve had.

Aim high, work hard, go for it and be nice to people along the way. I think there is a misunderstanding about business that it has to be cut throat. Actually business is about people and finding ways to help each other.

If you could go back to any point in history, when would it be?

Great question. It would be fascinating to go back to the industrial revolution and see the impact of new technologies. We’re seeing huge changes now through the digital revolution but the changes then would have been comparatively just as big if not bigger.

BEN GOSS

“Aim high, work hard, go for it and be nice to people along the way”

NFTS AND CRYPTOCURRENCIES

28 APRIL

RGS PROFESSIONALS GOLF DAY 26 SEPTEMBER

At lunchtime on 28 April, Paul Howard (RGS 1989-1997), Director of BlockFi and Founder of DigitalArtFair, hosted a virtual RGS Professionals event about NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and cryptocurrency.

Based in Hong Kong for almost 20 years, Paul has more than a decade of institutional sales experience in Executive Director roles at both Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, and was named one of Asia’s youngest Managing Directors of a Fortune 500 company.

This insightful session was attended by 83 Reigatians from around the world, who sent in questions both beforehand and during Paul’s presentation.

Paul was eager to stress that he was completely impartial and that his aim was to explain the technology and uses of cryptocurrencies and NFTs, rather than to advocate their adoption.

By using real-world examples, Paul made the premise of cryptocurrency easy to understand. He likened it to the earliest adoption of currency which replaced the barter system, where precious metals were seen to have a perceived value. Or the promissory system of trust that we have today, using the value of your house for example, which is principally not determined by the amount it cost to build, but by the sale prices of similar houses nearby. You have trust in the value of your house or the £10 in your pocket because its value is commonly accepted.

Paul then went on to cover the risks and benefits of cryptocurrencies and how NFTs work as part of this; stablecoins and why and how they should be in your investment portfolio; and where we are on the road to cryptocurrency and blockchain adoption.

After addressing some of the questions received, Paul wrapped up the session, leaving everyone much better informed! We thank Paul for sharing his expertise.

On Monday 26 September, 48 golfers braved the wind, rain, hills and heather for the ninth annual RGS Professionals Charity Golf Day at the Royal Ashdown Old Course. Our thanks go to Ralph James and Morr & Co for sponsoring the event and to the generosity of our players, who helped us raise an incredible £11,840. Having caught up with friends, and fuelled by coffee and bacon rolls, teams set off to their various holes for a 10am shotgun start.

The Thunderball Challenge proved popular again, although all but three teams donated their yellow balls to the Sussex countryside! The winning team was Stephen Cahill (parent), Craig Burgess and Richard Leutsche.

The nearest-the-pin competition on the 6th hole went to James Espin, while the longest drive competition on the 12th hole went to Molly Moore. Congratulations to them both.

At the 14th hole, players were invited to

take up the Par 3 Challenge – to get their ball onto the green (without bouncing or rolling on or off) in one shot. The gusty conditions, appearance of maintenance staff working in the bunker behind the pin and the odd spurt of water due to air in the irrigation system, made this challenge particularly interesting! Indeed, only 20% of players achieved this and took home a goody bag of wine and beer.

Our particular thanks go to Ashly Kilsby-Dukes from Ralph James for taking some wonderful team photos, and to Mike Jackson from Morr & Co for delivering beer and snacks to players throughout the round.

Back at the clubhouse, players donned some dry clothes ready for a sumptuous three-course dinner.

Congratulations to our team competition winners, James Espin (whose trophy cabinet will be positively bursting after this event!), Tyrone Long, Geraint Watkins (RGS 19891997) and Aaron Simmons (RGS 1989-1997).

To join the RGS Professionals group, head to LinkedIn and search ‘Reigate Grammar School Professionals’ or email us at foundation@reigategrammar.org.

IT’S ALL IN THE NAME

We are proud to announce that 2022 was another successful year for our partnership with local RGS partners, Ralph James. Their support has been incredible, sponsoring events such as the RGS Professionals Golf Day and new parent event at Bankside in London, Ralph James have consistently gone above and beyond to demonstrate their commitment to the Reigatian community.

It’s not just about being a sponsor; it’s about embodying the values that RGS and Ralph James both have at the core of what we do. We asked Ralph James why their partnership with RGS means so much to them and the answer was simple – it’s about investment in people. Whether that be supporting the students and parents of RGS and promoting the work of the school and the Foundation, or being part of the wider Reigatian network by attending and sponsoring events that offer the opportunity to interact and engage with the Reigatian community.

With three offices in the local area, Reigate, Dorking and Redhill, Ralph James have epitomised what it means to be a ‘Reigatian’. With stylish offices, you feel like you are meeting an old friend over coffee whilst talking about the decision around buying and selling your home. It’s the comfort of trusting them to take your next step with compassion and understanding.

In addition to what they are so expertly known for, Ralph James believe it’s about giving back to the Reigatian community

wherever they can, even sponsoring Old Reigatian RFC and in particular, the youth teams. As both Ralph James and RGS recognise, sport is a great way to invest in the future and helps forge relationships between those it brings together.

As part of their ongoing commitment, Ralph James saw the benefit of what RGS can offer their students and as such, are generously supporting our Changing Lives campaign by providing support for a local child to attend RGS via a bursary. The partnership between Ralph James and RGS is one of trust and investment in each other. Attending events and creating engaging media helps spread the word to the community and is just one way we are able to bring this commitment to our Reigatians.

I moved to Reigate 15 years ago, it’s a wonderful place to bring up a family. The people are friendly and there is a great sense of community. The High Street has a good mix of local and high street shops, cafés and restaurants so there is plenty of choice right on the doorstep. We regularly visit Priory Park with my daughter, for a walk, a bike ride or a scoot, we’re so lucky to have such a great open space right in the heart of the town.

Nicky

@ralphjamesestateagents

Visit the website: ralphjames.co.uk

“I am proud to both live and work in Reigate. My history with Reigate started many years ago when I attended the college and even back then it was a fabulous place to be. In later years, both my children attended school in Reigate and now we all enjoy taking advantage of all it has to offer. For me, a perfect day involves strolling into the town, having a walk around the beautiful Priory Park and having a coffee in one of the many fabulous coffee shops or a bite to eat in one of the lovely restaurants. Jackie

SPOTLIGHT ON...

Read the full interviews on our website at rgs.foundation

SIMON BASSETT (RGS 1989-1996)

Marketing recruitment expert, Simon, is Founder and CEO of tml Partners, the leading marketing headhunter in the UK. He leads a global team that has engineered hundreds of senior marketing appointments with brands such as Aviva, innocent Drinks and The Princes Trust. Simon provided students with insights into building your personal brand: your reputation; your social currency.

ADAM GOSNOLD (former parent)

Very few people work for the same company for over 35 years, fewer still work their way up from school leaver to Managing Director! Adam talks about the challenges and achievements of his career in the water, energy, transport and telecommunication sectors, from maintaining essential infrastructure services during the pandemic to introducing apprenticeship schemes and renewable energy solutions.

BEA LAWSON née Walcot (RGS 1982-1984)

RAF Group Captain (Colonel OF-5), Bea Lawson née Walcot, is the Defence Attaché at the British Embassy in Vietnam. Sparked by her time in the CCF, she has put her gift for languages and love of travel to maximum use during her exciting and varied 33 year military career which includes highlights such as commanding RAF Stations Brampton, Wyton and Henlow, two operational deployments to Afghanistan (2007 and 2013) and, in Cyprus, as Chief of Staff for personnel, logistics and infrastructure supporting air operations against ISIS.

FRANCINE DE STOPPELAAR (current parent)

Healthcare has been at the forefront of the news for the last few years, therefore, we were fascinated to speak to Francine, who currently works as Director of Pharmacy at the Cleveland Clinic in London. She has been integral in developing this new hospital, which boasts the very latest in medical innovations and state-ofthe-art technology.

Want to network with like-minded individuals? Join the RGS Professionals group via LinkedIn (Reigate Grammar School Professionals) or by emailing foundation@reigategrammar.org.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE AT PENNY GROUP

13 OCTOBER

We were thrilled to get the RGS Professionals back together on Thursday 13 October, two years since our last event.

The Penny Group were our hosts for the evening, located next to Cannon Street in the heart of the City of London, a great venue to drop in after work. Penny Group are a fully Chartered Financial Planning practice with a raft of nationwide clients. Our huge thanks go to Michelle Davey (RGS ’13), Senior Administrator, for her help in organising this successful event.

It was great to see so many familiar (and new) faces, re-connecting and engaging with each other in the backdrop of The City from high on the seventh floor. Penny Group highlighted the importance of relationships and networks in business and identified a similar ethos and culture to the one that is engrained at RGS and the Reigatian community. They took the opportunity to talk through the financial steps you should have in place to plan for the future, with pensions and mortgages featuring heavily as you would expect –a hot topic!

Just before the evening drew to a close there was an important announcement to make:

The RGS Professionals group has been under the guidance of its Chairman, Mark Elsey (RGS ’78) for the past ten years. He was at the forefront of this group when it was launched back in 2012 with our first event, and has been ever since. Mark has been a key driver in helping grow the membership to over 2,000.

We have held over 50 events under his tenure, from golf days to high up in the clouds at The Shard with numerous business cards exchanged, professional relationships developed and plenty of advice, mentoring and work experience given.

In his new role as Chairman of the Reigate Grammar School Board of Governors, Mark felt that it was appropriate for someone

else to lead the charge of the Professionals group and guide it into its second decade. On behalf of the group, thank you Mark for your support, guidance and help over the past ten years.

We are therefore delighted to announce that Matt Lowe (RGS ’97) was installed on the night as the new Chairman of the RGS Professionals group.

Matt Lowe is Founder and Chief Executive at performance-io, the leading digital performance and benchmarking agency specialising in healthcare marketing. Partnering with brands from Fortune 500s to start ups, Matt strives to challenge the status quo with smart, agile marketing fuelled by revolutionary data and insights. We are hugely excited about his appointment as Chairman and the passion and energy he will bring to the roll. Matt is a proud Reigatian and had this to say on the appointment:

“Mark, huge congratulations on the establishment and growth of the RGS Professionals group. You leave it thriving and I am hugely proud, excited and privileged to take over the baton. I’m looking forward to standing on the shoulders of giants and having some fun along the way!”

Mark Elsey (’78) and Matt Lowe (’97)

OVERSEAS FRIENDS OVERSEAS AMBASSADORS

Our Overseas Ambassadors are the points of contact for anyone wanting to meet up with existing established Reigatians. If you are living, travelling through or visiting any of these territories, please email foundation@reigategrammar.org so that we can put you in touch with your local Ambassadors.

SWITZERLAND

Gregg Turner (RGS 1990-1998)

VP of Sponsorship, CAA Eleven

USA, New York

Mike Lloyd (RGS 1981-1986)

Managing Director, Acquisitions, Vessel Technologies, Inc. President, Jigsaw Ventures LLC

SINGAPORE

Ryan Younger (RGS 1983-1991)

Head of Petrochemical Trading, Freepoint Commodities

AUSTRALIA, Melbourne

Ray Buckett

(RGS 1961-1966)

Territory Manager, LaCorium Health International

CANADA , Vancouver

Matt Falkner (RGS 1976-1981)

Senior Aviation Security Manager, G4S Secure Solutions

AUSTRALIA, Perth

Karl Hackett (RGS 1982-1990)

Chief Advisor, IS&T, Asia Pacific West, Rio Tinto

NEW ZEALAND, Auckland

Ed Kidd

(RGS 1990-1998)

Director, Argyle Estates Ltd. Co-Founder, Fireform Ltd.

USA, Seattle

David Mycroft (RGS 1970-1976)

Retired

DUBAI

Paul Thornton (RGS 1988-1995)

Director, Middle East, TBH

DUBAI Campbell Steedman (Parent of former student) Head of Corporate, UAE, Squire Patton Boggs

NEW ZEALAND, Auckland

Stuart Donald (RGS 1977-1978) Managing Director, Agrifrontiers

AUSTRALIA, Sydney

Neil Brett (RGS 1973-1980) CEO & Mortgage Manager, CSC Home Loans

SINGAPORE

Ben Jones (RGS 1987-1994)

Chartering and Derivatives Manager, Vitol

HONG KONG

Lawrie Webb (RGS 1969-1977)

Partner, SkyTxB (Transactional banking)

DUBAI

Rachel Armstrong née Holder (RGS 2000-2004) Partner, IP/Commercial, Gowling WLG, Dubai

AUSTRALIA, Brisbane

Chris Smedley (RGS 1978-1985)

Managing Director, Queensland, Fertility Group

We were delighted to reignite the American Friends Shareholder Model that was launched almost ten years ago, supporting children through our Changing Lives bursary campaign. We have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity of our American Friends from our recent trip. If you would like more information on this initiative, please email: jdh@reigategrammar.org for more details.

RGS AMERICAN FRIENDS BACK TOGETHER!

Until last week, 2017 was the last time Reigatians connected with each under the banner of our established RGS American Friends group. RGS gatherings in both New York City and San Francisco brought our overseas community together reuniting friends, old and new, following a five-year break.

NEW YORK CITY GATHERING

THURSDAY 29 SEPTEMBER

The Headmaster, Shaun Fenton, joined Foundation Director, Jonny Hylton for the New York leg of the trip, welcoming almost twenty Reigatians to Foxy John’s in the heart of the ‘Big Apple’, opposite Grand Central Station. This connected group is our most established in the USA, spearheaded and driven by our RGS American Friends President – Michael Lloyd (’86).

The concept of a ‘Global Village’ is one that was prevalent on the night with Reigatians that had just touched down in NYC receiving guidance and advice from experienced ‘New Yorkers’ living in the city for over twenty years including former pupils from New Jersey, Brooklyn and even Bermuda!

The Headmaster addressed the room with a comprehensive update of RGS, highlighting the recent outstanding GCSE and A Level results, RGS International school sites and the value and importance of being a Pilgrim, on a good purpose in a modern-day world.

Our huge thanks go to Michael Lloyd for his help in organising the evening and for his speech that captured the true essence of being

a Reigatian, retelling the joy he experienced in 1981 learning he was to receive one of the first bursaries RGS had to offer, and the subsequent impact this has had on his life – thank you Michael. The event was a great success, and it was magnificent to see so many…Englishmen in New York!

Jonny Hylton, Foundation Director, welcomed and thanked everyone for attending before introducing Sean Davey, Head of Foundation. Sean summarised the importance of making connections, especially overseas and the spirit of being a Reigatian which now extends to our RGS International Schools overseas – a lot has changed in the last five years.

Our thanks go to Andy Paul (’75) for his wonderful support of our social mobility work and his help in selecting a venue for the night. As a key contact on the West Coast, Andy has promised to hold the next San Francisco gathering at his bar in Sonoma… something to look forward to!

SAN FRANCISCO GATHERING

Whilst we have held West Coast gatherings before, this was the inaugural event in San Francisco. Therefore, it was no surprise that 15 Reigatians celebrated by taking over the Mayor’s Office at Momo’s, located in the shadow of the impressive San Francisco Giants Stadium, Oracle Park to celebrate!

Reigatians from every century from the 1960s to 2000s shared stories of their time at RGS (Mr Louis featured heavily with his patrolling of the one-way system!) and a convivial atmosphere was enjoyed by all.

Andy Paul (RGS 1968-1975), Dr. Mike Spink (RGS 1960-1967), John Smith (RGS 1961-1966)

Andy Paul (RGS ’75) being presented an RGS plaque by Foundation Director Jonny Hylton (RGS 1992-1999)

AWARDS AND HONOURS

SKETCH OFF 2022 WINNERS ALICE WICKERSHAM AND ANDY BUCHAN

VED NATHWANI (RGS

2016-2021)

QMUL School of Law’s Student Award for Creative Legal Innovation.

The Queen Mary School of Law’s Student Award for Creative Legal Innovation. This award is given to a student who has shown an outstanding talent for creative legal innovation in activities outside of their degree programme.

After seeing some friends doing comedy on London’s open mic circuit, in 2017 Andy Buchan (RGS 2004-2011) and Alice Wickersham (RGS 2004-2011) started performing sketches. They put their heads together to come up with something that hopefully other people might find funny. Living in a houseshare at the time, gave them plenty of opportunities to write together. The next year, they entered the Leicester Square Theatre Sketch Off, reaching the semi-finals. After a hiatus when they started their PhDs (and, obviously, the pandemic), they eventually got round to rewriting some material, and decided to enter again. This time, they won!

What do they put their win down to? “If you sit a pair of monkeys at a typewriter for long enough, they will eventually write a tight seven-minute comedy set!” Alice told us.

Of their winning performance, the judges said, “The modestly named duo, Low Effort Sketches, deservedly romped away with the first prize for their preparedness, writing, smart ideas and ability to improvise when the tech gets in a twist. For all their clever virtues and making it look easy, what rammed home their victory was their screaming murder of a song, which piled on the ridiculousness until it collapsed in a noisy heap. There had been plenty of shrill and shriek through the evening, but this was controlled, weapons-grade caterwauling

that was unfollowable. Hilarious.”

Since Sketch Off, Low Effort Sketches have featured on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. They have also been writing and trying out new material at various gigs in London. One of the prizes from winning Sketch Off was their own showcase at the Museum of Comedy in London, so they are currently trying to hone an hour’s worth of material over the next year – watch this space!

Find Low Effort Sketches on Instagram (@low.effort.sketches), Facebook (Low Effort Sketches), and Twitter (@WeAreLowEffort).

REBECCA PUTTOCK (RGS

1998-2006)

Rebecca has been shortlisted for Luxury Travel Designer of the Year Award, sponsored by Pure Luxury at the TTG Luxury Travel Awards 2023. Winners to be announced at the event 24 February 2023.

Have you won an award? Or perhaps a friend or relative has, but they’re too shy to tell us! We love to share the successes of our community with others, so email foundation@reigategrammar.org with all the details.

Photos: Steve Ullathorne

NEW YEAR’S HONOURS LIST ELAINE FORSYTH OBE

Mrs Elaine Forsyth, (parent of former students and current staff), Head of Pre-Prep 1980-2019 has been awarded the most excellent Order of the British Empire Medal, for services to education in Surrey in the Queen’s New Years Honours List 2022. Elaine joined at The Hawthorns Pre-Prep, back in 1980 with a class of just nine children. Over time, this grew to an outstanding 240 pupils. Having been recognised throughout her career as a teacher that embraced

children learning in their natural environment and being outdoors, she went on to teach children about the importance of sustainability. A career that has included being governor for Furzefield Community Primary School and part time teacher at Reigate Grammar School, Elaine was presented her medal by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Mr Michael More-Molyneux at a ceremony held in April at Loseley House.

CARA MCGOOGAN (RGS 2001-2009)

Cara’s investigative podcast series, Bed of Lies, about major British scandals has won seven awards to date, including News Podcast of the Year in the prestigious Press Awards and Features Journalism in the British Journalism Awards. After seven years at the Telegraph, becoming its first Narrative Audio Journalist, she is finishing a five month stint in Washington DC as this year’s Stern-Bryan Fellow at The Washington Post. An initiative established in 1979, the SternBryan Fellowship brings a young British journalist to work at The Post for 3 months each year. Being selected for this fellowship is an accolade few journalists get the opportunity to be a part of and it is said that some of the best British journalists are graduates of this program. Cara’s first book, The Poison Line, will come out with Viking, Penguin, later this year.

UNIVERSITY HONOURS 2022

 Reigate Grammar School Professionals

CLASS OF 2022 RESULTS

Barnaby Collins (RGS 2011-2018)

Durham University

Computer Science

MEng (Hons)

1st

Raeesah Dhillo (RGS 2011-2018)

Loughborough University

Product Design and Technology

BSc

1st

James Dodsworth (RGS 2012-2019)

Durham University

History

Congratulations to all those who graduated in 2022 – we wish you all the very best of luck with your future careers. Remember to join the RGS Professionals group on LinkedIn for networking and support in a variety of sectors. In the first A Level exams to be sat since 2019, RGS students have secured the school’s highest ever exam results. Despite the challenges of the past few years, over 96% of students have secured places at world-class universities such as the Russell Group, Oxbridge, medical school, top universities in the USA as well as prestigious degree apprenticeships. 47% of grades were A* and 4 out of 5 grades were either A or A* and 94% of grades were A*-B.

BA

2:1

Connie Bambridge-Sutton (RGS 2011-2016)

University of Cambridge

Mathematics

BA

1st

Eleanor Braham (RGS 2014-2019)

University of Exeter

English

BA

2:1

Hamish Broderick (RGS 2011-2018)

Swansea University

Business Management

BSc

2:1

Isabelle Brotzel (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Colorado, Boulder

Economics and Political Science

BA

GPA 3.5 summa cum laude

Tom Bushell (RGS 2012-2019)

University of Warwick

Physics

BSc

1st

Victoria Butt (RGS 2014-2016)

University of Nottingham

English

BA

2:1

Max Clarke (RGS 2013-2019)

University of Nottingham

Mathematics and Economics

BSc

1st

Jasmyn Cliff-Patel (RGS 2012-2019)

Nottingham Trent university

Mechanical engineering

BEng (Hons)

2:1

Elena Kim (RGS 2014-2019)

University of Cambridge

Materials Science

BA

2:1

Luca Kollmer (RGS 2016-2018)

University of Bath

Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry)

BSc

1st

Megan Lewis (RGS 2016-2018)

University of Reading

Speech and Language Therapy

MSci

1st

Camille Du Buisson (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Birmingham

Intercalation in History of Medicine

BSc

2:1

Harry Elliss (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Bath

Chemistry

MChem

1st

Jenna Emmerton (RGS 2011-2016)

Royal Agricultural University

Equine Science and Business

BSc (Hons)

1st

Joe Griffiths (RGS 2002-2007)

Oxford University (Wycliffe Hall)

Theology & Religion

BA

2:1

Brooke Harris-Lowing (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Bath

Biomedical Science with professional placement

BSc (Hons)

1st

Chris Jones (RGS 2011-2016)

University of Kent

Chemistry

BSc

2:2

Samuel Jones (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Bath

Biochemistry with professional placement

BSc

2:1

Declan Kelly (RGS 2013-2018)

University of Leeds

Business Management (Industrial)

BA

1st

Charlie Markland-Smith (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Southampton

Physics

MSc

2:1

Ethan May (RGS 2012-2019)

University of Southampton

Physics

BSc

1st

Fin McCartney (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Edinburgh

Business with Marketing

MA

2:1

Eleanor Medcalf (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Cambridge

Classics

BA

1st

Andrew Pardoe (RGS 2011-2018)

Durham University

Mathematics

M.Math

2:1

Frankie Petitt (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Reading

Psychology

BSc

2:1

Amber Rothera (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Bristol

Computer Science

MEng (Hons)

1st

Manish Seeruthun (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Bath

Aerospace Engineering

MEng

2:1

Ben Silverman (RGS 2011-2018)

University of York

Computer Science

BSc

1st

Daanish Smellie (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Exeter

Physics

MPhys

1st

Will Standing (RGS 2016-2018)

Durham University

Business and Management

BA

1st

Milo Stephens (RGS 2011-2018)

Durham University

Computer Science

MEng

1st

Chloe Stimpson (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Sheffield

Sociology

BA

1st

Georgina Stracey (RGS 2017-2019)

University of Cambridge

Human, Social and Political Sciences

BA

1st

Gemma Tarrant (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Bath

Politics with Economics

BSc hons

1st

Laura Upstone (RGS 2008-2015)

Cambridge University

Master of Arts

MA

Goya Verity (RGS 2013-2018)

Durham University

Classics with year abroad

BA (Hons)

2:1

Samantha Wolsey (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Durham

Geography

BA

1st

Anna Wraight (RGS 2011-2018)

Loughborough University

Economics

BSc

2:1

UNIVERSITY HONOURS SUPPLEMENTARY YEARS

GRADUATED IN 2021

Ibrahim Ali (RGS 2011-2018)

Oxford University (Wycliffe Hall)

Theology & Religion

BA

2:1

Jack Carter (RGS 2013-2018)

University of York

Film and Television Production

BSc

2:1

Ella Cross (RGS 2013-2018)

University of Leeds

Fashion Marketing

BA

2:1

Sophie Emmerton (RGS 2011-2018)

University of York

Environmental Science

BSc

1st

Libby Gosnold (RGS 2011-2018)

Durham University

Biosciences

BSc

2:1

Tom Guise (RGS 2013-2018)

University of Exeter

Business and Management

BSc

1st

Chris Jones (RGS 2011-2016)

University of Kent Chemistry

BSc

2:2

Adam Ling (RGS 2012-2018)

Loughborough University

Computer Science

BSc

2:1

Daniel Muir (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Warwick

Mathematics

BSc

1st

Lilly Pinggera (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Manchester

Biomedical Sciences

BSc (Hons)

1st

Ed Spiers (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Oxford

Economics and Management

BA

1st

We endeavour to obtain as many university honours as possible. If you did not appear this year and would like to feature in a future edition, please email foundation@reigategrammar.org.

Gabriella Watson (RGS 2014-2018)

University of Bristol

Classical Studies

BA 1st

Joanna Welsh (RGS 2011-2018)

Durham University

Classics

BA 1st

Megan Wheeler (RGS 2011-2018)

University of East Anglia

International Development with Anthropology

BA

1st

Isabel Wood (RGS 2011-2018)

University of Cambridge

Materials Science

BA

1st

GRADUATED IN 2020

Marcus Sotiriou (RGS 2015-2017)

University of Nottingham

Chemical Engineering

BEng

1st

To join the RGS Professionals group on LinkedIn, please scan the QR code or email us at foundation@reigategrammar.org.

INTERVIEW WITH ANDY PAUL

(RGS 1968-1975)

What are your fondest RGS memories?

Learning how to sail with Dick Burroughs in the school sailing boat, called Bye Bye, and then in Portsmouth on a school organised sailing program. Playing rugby for the Colts in 73, we had a great team, and won most games. That was really my first introduction to playing team sports and you learn a lot from that, relying on other people and vice versa.

What were your favourite subjects and teachers?

I ended up veering over to Maths and Physics, which is what I studied at university. But I was pretty good at languages and learned Latin, French, German and Spanish at school. Latin of course being the basis for most of those. I mean who can forget Aubrey Scrase teaching the Latin conjugations!! The teachers that stand out, were not necessarily the ones that taught me the most, but the most colourful ones. So Aubrey and Keith Louis and Mr Brooks, (we called him Daddy Brooks), and of course Mr Wright, who taught Biology I think but also junior rugby. And of course Allan Sims, that wonderful Welshman.

What was it like returning back to RGS after 45 years?

Well amazing. I mean so different and the new buildings and swim centre and music studios, and the new library. And also it seemed to me that when I was talking to the Sixth Form students, they seemed a lot more educated than I remember being at that age. And a lot more confident.

Tell us about your early career, what were the early challenges you faced?

I mean the first few jobs were just learning about work and trying to find something that would pay for beer and petrol. I didn’t really have a strong idea of what I wanted to do when I left university. But working then in the UK, it seemed that there was no obvious path to getting anywhere in a large company, I felt stuck in these junior positions. Then I found work in one of the original semiconductor companies, Fairchild, an American company, where I was put into marketing and started to learn about how things got bought and sold and priced etc. That led to getting transferred over to the US where I moved into product marketing at Fairchild and other

companies where I could start to define what products they should be making.

You founded Corsair in 1994 –to what do you attribute your success?

Well you have to start with a good team of like-minded people. And you have to have a clear plan. We were all engineers and I had a strong idea of what products to make. I think that by that time I had a good idea of what products made sense for people or companies to buy, and how to market and sell them. And I knew what key skills the people around me needed to have.

Can you summarise what your role entails and describe a typical week?

Very different now than 10 years ago. When we were small and growing we had a few weekly meetings that most of the key staff would attend, one for example on new products and keeping the R & D team on schedule, and one on Operations, making sure that production shipped things on time. And originally I did all the buying, all the accounting and ran

the sales team. Now we are much bigger and a public company and we have VPs to do all those specialised roles, and I have a very competent President, who runs the day-to-day operations. I spend a lot of time with investors, and a lot of time looking at acquisitions. We have done seven acquisitions in the last five years and probably looked at 20 opportunities. And I spend a lot of time visiting our various manufacturing sites and offsite offices.

Walk us through your fascinating marketing model?

Since we are in the consumer hardware space you have to start by watching how consumers get their information on products. These days, for us, its mostly from influencers on Youtube or Twitch or via social platforms like Tiktok and Instagram. So we work with hundreds of influencers, some get free products, the ones with wider audiences get paid monthly fees. Then they will talk about our products and tell their viewers if they like the products or not (hopefully this is usually positive). That’s how we get product awareness, and we also sponsor esports teams and esports events to get the brand recognised. Then you move

down the funnel to the point of sales, which these days is retailers like Amazon and also the search engines like Google. There is a fine art to picking which search words you want your products to show up in, and the obvious ones are expensive, so you have to watch how people are searching for products like the ones that you make. At the end of the day you have to balance what you are spending on tactical and digital marketing vs what effect it has and what the ROI is. If you make great products that everyone talks about when they are released, then you don’t need to do much else except make sure that they are in stock.

Corsair does a lot of work in the areas of environment and social impact. Why is this important to you?

Its important to everyone I think. And we have noticed that it is becoming more of an issue with younger generations. So it becomes helpful to our brand if we do things that our core audience cares deeply about. We do a lot of work with disadvantaged kids through various organisations like Save The Children and Make-A-Wish. And we are constantly

trying to cut down our carbon footprint by looking at packaging, making sure it can be recycled and so on.

You are a generous supporter of the Changing Lives bursary scheme, why do you think this is important?

Education should be the number one priority for governments and communities. Its so clear that an educated society is going to do better in all aspects than a poorly educated society. And the best students need to go to the best schools so that they can realise their full potential. And if the best students can’t afford the best schools, well then that’s where I can help.

What are your personal gaming passions and pet peeves?

I really don’t have a lot of time to play games, although I did spend much of my youth in arcades. But where I can connect the most is with people who build their own gaming PCs because I love building things. Pet peeves, on gaming, it’s the way female gamers get treated on social networks. And on non-gaming, that would be the way that the uneducated masses talk nonsense on social networks.

With the fast pace at which technology evolves, what will the gaming landscape look like five or ten years from now?

Well I expect that the games will continue to get more and more immersive and I think will move more towards interactive entertainment than skill games. Its already moving that way, sort of like watching a blockbuster movie where you can participate. The gaming PC will probably remain as the platform for the gamers who want the most immersive experience. I expect screens will continue to get bigger and higher resolution, and the games more life-like. I expect that the way humans interact with games will change. We see that already with Virtual Reality set ups, but there are other technologies like head and eye tracking that means you can interact without just using your hands and fingers. And of course as phones get more and more powerful, and likely bigger, then more and more people will play games on phone platforms.

What advice would you give any entrepreneurial readers who are looking to launch a business?

Make sure you study carefully what the existing players are doing in the market you want to enter. You need to have something that is not offered in the current market in order for anyone to take notice of you. And try and do a three year business plan, and have others look at it, who have experience, probably not your best friend.

What does life beyond Corsair hold for you?

Well as I write this, I am sailing across the Atlantic for the first time. So a lot more sailing. I am a keen skier and also love scuba diving, and I like playing around with old cars. So as I wind down my work hours, then I have plenty of things to keep me busy.

“Education should be the number one priority for governments and communities. Its so clear that an educated society, is going to do better in all aspects than a poorly educated society.”

CAREERS TALK: BUILDING A $1.9B BUSINESS

trusted in the sector (especially those with millions of followers). The company also sponsors e-sports tournaments and uses events, live streams, social media and product reviews, rather than traditional advertising. He revealed that 50% of Corsair’s sales are online (via its website and Amazon), but, despite being more expensive, it continues to sell products through most major retailers worldwide, believing that you have to do both.

Corsair is a leading global developer and manufacturer of high-performance technology for gamers, so imagine how excited our Sixth Form Economics students were to be invited to a talk by the company’s Co-Founder and CEO, Andy Paul (RGS 1968-1975)!

On Friday 11 March, there was a buzz in the Old Library as students filed in to hear Andy’s incredible journey from RGS to running a tech company with over 2,100 employees and a revenue of $1.9b.

Having moved to the USA in 1981, this was Andy’s first visit to RGS in over 45 years, and his talk was preceded by a tour of the school and lunch with the Headmaster.

He began his talk by comparing his time at the school with the amazing facilities and academic successes we now enjoy. Indeed, looking back at his old school photos, Andy joked that he was unpopular with Prefects (the disciplinarians in the school) and staff for having long hair! And his passions while at school were rugby, sailing and playing the piano and guitar –definitely not his studies!

Andy highlighted to students that both at school and at university it’s always good to hang out with people who are smarter than you as it makes you raise your own game.

After completing a Physics degree at City University, Andy’s first job was with Decca (who famously didn’t sign The Beatles), making electronics for the military. In 1981, he moved to Maine, USA, then to Silicon Valley in 1985, which had a huge number of start-up businesses at the time.

It was the early days of gaming and you couldn’t just play on a PC, so most gamers were building their own equipment. Andy Co-Founded Corsair in 1994 and created a bit of a cult by overclocking (increasing a

component’s clock rate, running it at a higher speed than it was designed to run), making high-speed gaming PCs. Corsair quickly expanded to offer other products, before acquiring other companies, which, as Andy explained, was the only way to grow the business quickly.

Some 26 years later, and in the middle of the pandemic, Corsair went public. Traditionally, being listed by Nasdaq would be accompanied by a roadshow, but with most of the world locked down, Corsair was the first company to run a virtual roadshow!

Corsair now makes a wealth of different gaming products: keyboards, headsets, greenscreens, cameras, lighting, monitors, stream docks, microphones, gaming controllers, gaming chairs, acoustic panels, capture cards and more.

Andy explained how Corsair has embraced modern methods of marketing, relying on third-party endorsements by supplying gamers and influencers who are

Andy ran a short quiz, giving out some amazing prizes for correct answers to questions such as, ‘Which e-sports game makes the most money?’ (Answer: Dota), ‘With which game has Corsair recently partnered?’ (Answer: Tiny Tina’s). After this, students put a couple of questions to Andy, including, ‘How did you raise the capital to start a business?’, ‘What was your motivation in setting up Corsair?’, ‘How can we make ourselves stand out from the crowd?’. To the latter, he said, “If you want to do anything, you need to plan a bit. Not only does this help you spot opportunities when they come up, but it will also help you be ready for those opportunities. University will introduce you to a diverse range of people. Beyond that, when taking your first job, think about how it sets you on the pathway to what you really want to do.”

RGS Foundation Director, Jonny Hylton thanked Andy for speaking to students. Head Girl, Jasmine F handed Andy a gift and thanked him for taking the time to give such a fascinating talk. We’re quite sure Andy won’t leave it quite as long before returning to RGS again!

We want to extend our thanks to Andy Paul for taking the time to talk to our Sixth Formers.

Photos: Tim Cantrell

WHAT A GIG!

This summer, Technical Director of Gary Beestone Associates (GBA), Gary Beestone (RGS 1994-1999) wowed audiences by orchestrating the opening and closing ceremonies for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Briefly tell us about your journey from RGS to producing largescale events (is there any truth in the rumour that you wrote a fake leaving letter from the Headmaster?).

Ha! It is possible that, after my exams, I may have been involved (with others!) in distributing a letter via staff pigeonholes stating that the Headmaster was leaving and that I, and some of my peers, were taking over the school!

Seriously though, my interest in theatre started by being in RGS school productions and then further developed – inspired by then Drama teacher, Jim Grant, who used to take us to see loads of different shows alongside my A Level Theatre Studies course. From there I went to the Central

School of Speech and Drama to study Theatre Practice.

Having originally wanted to be a lighting designer, I fell into technical and production management and toured internationally. In 2010, I established Gary Beestone Associates with my business partner Zoe Snow and have been very fortunate to work on some incredible theatrical productions and world class events.

How did your involvement with the Commonwealth Games come about and how long did you have to prepare?

During the pandemic, when we had a lot of time on our hands, we were able to successfully write a bid to win the contract to deliver the opening and closing

ceremonies. With our broadcast partners, Done and Dusted, we set up a joint venture ‘Birmingham Ceremonies’ about 18 months before the event itself. The company went from the three of us to just over 300 full-time employees and back to the three of us again in just two years!

Walk us through the creative decision-making process.

The organising committee engaged a creative team including Director, Iqbal Khan, who is from Birmingham, and we set about developing a concept for the show. We created a pre-visualisation and scale model of Misty Buckley’s design to present the concept to the many stakeholders, including the then Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, to sign off the required budget.

Once we had the green light in December 2021, it was a race against time to finalise the show and get the technical infrastructure (aerial system, lighting, sound, pyro) designed and ordered with just eight months to go!

How do you deliver for both a global broadcast audience, and a 30,000-strong live crowd?

We were fortunate to be working with the incredible TV Director Hamish Hamilton, who made sure that the show was always being thought about through the camera lens. Stadium shows are about scale, so we had to make sure everything read and worked well for the spectators in the stands whilst always checking the camera shots. During rehearsals we had a

full camera set up and would review footage and make changes to the show each night to improve the broadcast output.

You worked to make the Games’ ceremonies carbon neutral – what did this involve?

The organising committee set some ambitious social values and environmental requirements and we integrated those into our planning, and even the show’s design, from the very beginning. We had to make sure everything we used was able to be re-used or recycled and made plans for what would happen to every part of the ceremony after the Games before we even started making them. We tracked all of our carbon footprint using specialist software, including every single workforce

and supplier journey to and from the stadium and rehearsal site so that where we couldn’t eliminate carbon completely, we could off-set our carbon footprint with a regulated provider.

“My interest in theatre started by being in RGS school productions and then further developed – inspired by then Drama teacher, Jim Grant, who used to take us to see loads of different shows alongside my A Level Theatre Studies course.”

What were the greatest challenges?

We faced unprecedented challenges given that we were coming out of a pandemic (we started planning via Zoom while in full lockdown!), and then we were hit with supply-chain issues and workforce shortages alongside the busiest summer of events experienced in the UK! So, we had to be incredibly flexible and do the best with what we had to avoid being de-railed by the issues.

Is there a particular element you are most proud of pulling off?

We created a 10m-high animatronic bull that became the star of the show. When the Designer, Misty, first had the idea, I genuinely had no idea how we were going to make it happen! We went through a few different ideas before we found a fabricator who could produce it, we even had to buy a telehandler off Ebay to deliver it. Since the show, the bull has been displayed in the city centre and has now been seen by more than four million visitors!

In addition to the content for this article, we want to extend our thanks to Gary for judging Fifth Form enterprise activity day on Friday 7 October.

AMY WICKHAM (RGS 2013-2020)

Throughout the Games, Amy worked as a Team Liaison Officer (TLO) for the South Africa Women’s Cricket team.

What are you currently doing?

I am currently in my final year at the University of Birmingham, studying BSc Sport and Exercise Health Sciences. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the course and have been lucky enough to learn both the physiological aspects of sport, but also the more commercial/business side of sport (an area I find myself more and more interested in!).

How did this opportunity come about?

After finishing my A Levels, picking a university seemed extremely daunting, however, Birmingham was an obvious choice. The Sport and Exercise Science course is ranked highly in the world and the Women’s Hockey 1st team play in the Premier League – both two huge reasons to choose Birmingham. However, I was also attracted by the fact that Birmingham was hosting the Commonwealth Games (at the end of my second year of study). Having played high-level sport myself,

I knew I wanted to be part of this environment. When summer 2022 finally arrived, my course lead encouraged students to apply to work at the games as the experience would be invaluable. So, I filled out my application form and applied to be a TLO as I wanted to be directly involved with a team. I received an email telling me my application had been successful and quickly attended two stages of interviews. They went well and I was offered the TLO role for South Africa Women’s Cricket throughout the duration of the games.

What new skills have you learnt?

Through the Games, I’ve learnt what it’s really like to work in an elite-performance environment and it’s confirmed that this is what I would love to do in the future! I’ve also developed my skillset as I was required to be organised, have efficient time management, and proactively solve problems.

You’ve worked on some amazing projects, but is there one contract that you would love to land?

Of course, it would be amazing to produce the Olympics opening ceremony, but I would want to do it in the UK and sadly I don’t think it’s coming here any time soon!

What’s your next adventure?

We have lots of different projects in pre-production, all of which are confidential at the moment, but include a new West-End show, three new immersive productions and a show in a theme park – all to be delivered next year!

Any highlights?

A personal highlight for me was hearing South Africa sing their winning song when they beat Sri Lanka in the final group game of the tournament to end on a high. I had an absolute blast throughout the tournament and formed some great friendships with the girls – it truly felt like a big family that I was so glad to be a part of. I’ve even been invited out to visit them in South Africa for the World Cup next year!

Amy Wickham (far right)

TOM CANNON

(RGS 2004-2007)

I first started riding when I was a very small child as my mum was a riding instructor and so I was around horses my whole life. I rode ponies and did eventing but I always loved the speed and danger element of riding.

As I got older I gravitated towards this more and started riding out for racing yards at weekends and riding in pony races. I then graduated to point to pointing as an amateur and was national novice point to point champion as well as runner up in the amateur jockeys championship for races on proper racecourses. This gave me the confidence to turn professional when I was 19 and I linked up with trainer Chris Gordon as stable jockey. That was it and I was a full time professional with all the ups and downs that came with it. I’ve had over 500 winners to date. After a few years I was approached by Alan King to become his stable jockey and ride mostly for him and Chris Gordon respectively. Last season I linked up with Edwardstone to win the Arkle chase at Cheltenham having already won a Grade 1 at Sandown and 2 Grade 2’s in the season. The Arkle was the biggest win of my career and this year he will be aimed at the champion chase at Cheltenham. The hardest part of the job is the relentless driving (70,000 miles p.a.) and the battle with the scales. Injuries are part and parcel of the job and you know you’ll be injured during the season. I’ve broken my neck, both legs and had my knee reconstructed. My goals for the future are to ride 100 winners in a season (I had 74 last year) and to win the Grand National, I’ve ridden in it a few times but never completed! I wouldn’t change anything no matter how tough it gets as I’ve managed to make a career from something I love. In my eyes it’s a privilege to have the adrenaline rush and experience the highs and lows, it’s addictive and hopefully I can keep going for as long as possible. In my head I’m still the boy who likes going fast and being dangerous!

“I wouldn’t change anything no matter how tough it gets as I’ve managed to make a career from something I love.”

HENRY SMITH CLUB DINNER SPEECH FROM SAYINTHEN

(RGS 2002-2009) BURSARY STUDENT

Sayinthen attended Reigate Grammar School on a bursary following a move to the UK from Sri Lanka several years before. His time spent at RGS allowed him to go on to study medicine, which progressed into a flourishing career. In addition to this, Sayinthen grew a property portfolio which took him out of medicine and on to a new career path….

Once my grandparents had deemed he was a suitable age to get married, which to my surprise was 32, they called him back to Sri Lanka where my grandfather asked if he would like to see a photo of his bride. To this, he replied, “If I say no, do I get to say no to the marriage?”

To which, my grandfather, a civil servant with a reputation for being straight talking and firm, replied, “Absolutely not”. So in this way, he naturally got to meet my mother for the first time at the wedding Manniverai, which is the equivalent of the Altar in the Tamil culture.

while I grew up. As a family we would have conversations over dinner about the benefits of studying there, and this was used as a motivating factor to encourage both my sister and me to study harder for the 11+ entrance exam, but there was never a realism to the thinking that myself or my sister could actually attend the school.

This story starts off in the 1980s in very different circumstances to which we stand in today. My parents grew up in a small town called Jaffna, in the North of Sri Lanka. This small country, despite its infinite beauty and rich culture, had unfortunately been plagued by a bitter civil war which started in 1983. At this time, my father had been studying Law in the capital city of Colombo, but as tensions started to rise, leaving Sri Lanka to support his other family members was seen as the best option as his studies were increasingly disrupted by the tensions in the country.

Having secured a nursing training contract in the UK, he arrived at Gatwick airport, and began to work at the Royal Earlswood Hospital based in Redhill, and he naturally then based his residence there.

Although joyful an occasion, the circumstances before the marriage were far from pleasant. My mother had taken shelter under a building once the bombing in the area had started hours before her wedding. A village lady who was with her ran out of the building to “safety”. When the bombing had ceased, and my mother left the building, the corpse of this village lady was seen on the public roads.

It was this adversity that pushed my parents to leave their beloved home town and wider family to pursue a safer life in the UK.

From a young age, my parents prioritised education for me and my sister above all else. Although they often would argue about financial matters, no book or tuition lesson was ever too expensive. Education was perceived to be a means by which we could gain stronger futures.

Studying at Reigate Grammar School was perceived as completely out of reach

Nevertheless, my father thought it was worth attending the 11+ exam to see if I managed to get in and then see what happened. He was always a strong supporter of, “If something is worth pursuing but looks unachievable, still apply for it as you never know what might happen – the only way to guarantee not getting the goal, is to not try at all.”

Whilst sitting the exam, my parents became aware of the bursaries that were available. At this time, my parents told me the only way to attend was to get an academic bursary – well, at least that is what they told me, perhaps in an attempt to make me study harder in general!

A combination of my academic score and my modest parental income meant I was awarded a financial bursary from the school, without which I certainly would not have been able to attend.

The opportunities the school provided enabled me to have a truly world class secondary school education. The opportunities went beyond the classroom. I could take part in sports and activities like the Royal Air Force Cadets which I would have not had, had I studied elsewhere.

The summation of these skills and knowledge, allowed me to subsequently gain admission to Imperial College London to study medicine. I chose medicine since I enjoyed it and was told I had a natural knack for solving problems.

I viewed medicine as the ideal career to apply this knack, as every patient would have a raft of issues that needed to be solved. I thoroughly enjoyed working as a doctor, and I would find myself spending many hours after work reading, researching, and learning about articles and interesting papers which supported my learning.

Although simultaneously, I started to build a part time hobby. In the 2010s, as the financial recession took a strong hold, property prices which were at an all time high in 2008 had fallen considerably. With property ownership having been perceived as outside the realms of possibility while I grew up, I recognised that a fall in property prices was perhaps an opportunity of a lifetime to enter the market.

Through savings, student loan, grants, scholarship funds for entering university and part-time tutoring jobs, I was able to put them together for my first deposit of £13,500 to purchase an ex-council flat on the top floor of a block of flats in Redhill. And here is where the luck came in, polar to everyone’s expectations, the property market turned the corner faster than expected in the early 2010s. This meant, that not only did the property produce a healthy cash flow, the value also rose surprisingly quickly. This meant that I was

able to refinance, buy another property, and continue to keep on building this part-time hobby.

10 years forward, alongside my medical career, I was able to grow a modest property portfolio and learn the nuts and bolts of business. I owe credit to having been able to balance this due to the skills I learnt through studying at RGS, and the emphasis on the importance of extracurricular activities. This again would not have been possible without the generosity and opportunity created by the bursary programme.

And, following 10 years of building a business part-time, I decided that building businesses was where my passion and natural skillset lied. So, with heavy heart, I decided to give up my medical career so I could give the focus and attention that growing a business deserves.

So now to what I am working on now... Good businesses require solving problems for your customers. After being involved in 30 property transactions, it became clear that buying and selling a home remains an antiquated process fraught with difficulty and obstacles.

It is unacceptable that of the 3.6 million conveyancing transactions that occur annually, 1.2 million fail to complete causing disruption and difficulty to the lives of home movers.

To tackle this multi-faceted problem, we built a team of five talented humans, who have become close friends of mine since. This team is now a startup called Homey.

“If something is worth pursuing but looks unachievable, still apply for it as you never know what might happen – the only way to guarantee not getting the goal, is to not try at all.”

For the first time in history, the legal process of homebuying will be transparent, stress-free, and efficient for all involved.

So far, we’ve been fortunate to have been backed by some of you in the room, notably by Sir Peter Gershon. I would like to thank the members of the Henry Smith Club for being supportive in the introductions, advice and generosity given thus far.

To end, I would like to circle back to the beginning. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunities and experiences that I have had and remain conscious that much of this may not have been possible had I been born and raised in Sri Lanka.

So I remain in debt to those who brought me up, those who have supported me in my journey – notably RGS – and look forward to trying to change the world in a positive way.

WITH THANKS TO ARCHIVIST, PETER BURGESS

THE HISTORY OF THE RGS HOUSE SYSTEM

Do you know the names of the eight Houses in the 1960s? Or that we currently have a thriving House system, which aims to develop student leadership and integration across all ages? Discover where it all began and how internal and external forces have shaped the House system over the years.

Houses are a quirky feature of the traditional British school system. Presumably, it was originally conceived in boarding schools where a House would represent a group of students physically billeted in a particular set of dormitories or buildings. But, apart from a small number of boarders, a practice that had ceased by the Second World War, RGS has never been a true boarding school.

The House system dates from 1909, when the comparatively recently created County Council authorities provided grants, or bursaries, to children who had passed through their state primary education and had reached a sufficiently high level of academic competence to progress to grammar schools such as RGS. In this way, the number of boys attending RGS grew rapidly from the 1890s, and a House system was seen as a good way to organise the boys into identifiable groups where they could mix with others of different ages and experience the values of teamwork and loyalty to an entity additional to that of the school itself.

Starting with eight houses

Initially, there were eight Houses, each one named after the masters who were appointed to run them. One can immediately see a flaw in this system, as it depended on the House masters not leaving the school for another post, which would then have required the appointment of a new master and a change of House name! The introduction of a House system is mentioned in The Pilgrim issue 29 for September 1909, in a section reporting on school football:

“For the sake of improving football generally the school has been divided into Houses, eight in number, each named after a master, and captained by a member of the 1st XI. Two very keen games have been played so far. We hope to report fully on the House scheme next term. The Old Boys’ Club has generously presented a shield to be held by the winning House at the end of the season. We thank them for their sporting gift.”

Issue 30 of The Pilgrim contains a brief mention of the new House system in its editorial:

“The House matches have proved a great success in the main object, viz: to give more opportunity to the younger boys to distinguish themselves. It is, however, a pity that many Houses have lost important members since last term.”

In news of the Old Boys’ Club, we learn that former students of the school were doing their bit to promote interHouse sport:

“During the end of last year, it was decided by the Committee as a result of a ballot of the Club members, to present a challenge cup to the school, to be held yearly by the House team which obtained the highest points in the football competition. This was handed to Mr Howarth at the dinner and is in the form of a handsome plated vase, with figures of footballers embossed on it.”

The Houses were named Mr Calistri’s, Mr Eade’s, Mr Dawson’s, Mr Hall’s, Mr Howarth’s, Mr Wade’s, Mr Ward’s, and Mr Reeve’s.

Eight became four

It appears that within 12 months of the new Houses being established, a serious problem had already manifested itself, in that key members of some Houses were leaving, and younger, less experienced, boys had the unenviable task of playing football against much better players in Houses that still retained key players. This suggests that the Houses were too small and this in turn made them highly vulnerable when just a few boys left the school. As we are no longer cognisant of how boys were allocated to each House, we cannot be certain whether this would have made some Houses more vulnerable to this problem, but it is entirely possible that this is the case.

Whatever shortcomings had become apparent, it was only in 1912 that the

“For the sake of improving football generally the school has been divided into Houses, eight in number, each named after a master, and captained by a member of the 1st XI.”

problem was addressed, when the number of Houses was halved to four, and the boys were allocated to each House mainly by considering the area of the borough in which they lived. Thus, were formed the Houses Priory, Doods, Redstone and Wray, each being a historic district or manor within the borough.

Issue 32 of The Pilgrim, in October 1912, explained the change as follows:

“The House system has been modified owing to certain difficulties which have proved inseparable from it. With eight small divisions the House Captains found it exceedingly difficult on many occasions to form a team. The fortunes of a House depended too much on a few of its most important members who had a habit of leaving in batches and little boys had to play with some much older and stronger

RGS Rugby Redstone, 1927

Doods House, 1950

to the advantage of neither. The apportionment of new boys was also a matter of difficulty. The present system of four larger divisions, according to area, should remove most of these disabilities. It is hoped to form both a 1st and 2nd XI in each House, so that boys may be assorted according to prowess.”

This is how the Houses continued for many years. Inter-House competitions were mostly of a sporting nature, reflecting the mix of activities promoted by the school at the time, so initially football, changing to rugby, and also cricket, and other activities such as shooting and athletics.

From an early date, soon after the formation of the four new Houses in 1912, Mr. Calistri, Master for one of the original Houses and then still a teacher at the school, donated a new cup to be awarded to the House with the best overall schoolwork results, and this continued to be awarded at least until 1982, with no further reference in The Pilgrim after that year. Latterly, there was more a greater emphasis on inter-House quizzes and chess competitions.

More students, more Houses

With the expansion of the school as a result of a greater influx of boys following the passing of the Education Act 1944, a further four Houses were added in 1951. By this time, there were 540 boys attending the school. The creation of the new Houses was achieved by splitting the four existing houses in two, creating Underhill with boys from Doods, Kinnersley from Priory, Linkfield from

Redstone, and Northdown from Wray. The House activities continued pretty much as before.

The Pilgrim from Spring 1951 stated: “As [each] House is smaller, so it is more compact and more conscious that it is a distinct part of the school. This is emphasized by the House prayers which are held once a week. Of course, teams will be doubly difficult to field, but this will ensure that more boys will play an active part in the House competitions.”

Throughout some fifty years, each year a number of House-based competitions were arranged, and this provided an ongoing raison d’être for the House system to continue. These were largely but not exclusively sport-related. Thus, the eight-House system continued more or less unchanged until the end of the century when the decision was made to scrap it.

The abolition of the house system occurred during the headmastership of Paul Dixon. This was during the first years of a fully coeducation intake, but at that time there still weren’t enough girls to go around to field sports teams. This created the opposite problem that had arisen decades earlier, when the then four houses were just too large to allow the majority of pupils to participate in house activities. However, rather than reduce the number of houses to increase the available pool of girls for team members in each house, the decision was made to get rid of houses altogether, the justification being that a traditional house system was considered an obsolete element of a modern school. At the time, the decision was not universally popular however.

The current House system

This was not the end of the story, however, as a new House system was brought back in 2013 by RGS’s current Headmaster. This time, there were four Houses, named after former Headmasters of the school, the names having been chosen by ballot by the school students themselves. The Houses are: Bird (Rev. John Bird MA 1708-1728), Cranston (Rev. Andrew Cranston MA 1697-1708), Hodgson (Rev. Joseph Hodgson MA 1800-1842) and Williamson (Rev. John Williamson MA 1684-1697).

Students are allocated to both a House and a House family when entering the school. House families span all ages and contain approximately twenty students per family. Houses aim to increase the student voice at RGS, and many ideas are discussed and put forward as students feel more confident holding discussions in small family groups.

As in the previous incarnations of Houses, there are regular inter-House competitions involving creative and intellectual challenges as well as a wide range of sport-based activities. These include singing, drama, art, gun run, bake-off, debating and chess. Each year a cup is awarded to the House achieving the greatest level of success across the board.

House Sports, 2000

HENRY SMITH CLUB

A great philanthropist, Henry Smith, was born in Wandsworth in 1548. He went on to accumulate significant wealth through the acquisition of land and estates in the City and south of England.

Henry died in 1627 and declared in his Will that a gift of £1,000 be used for the relief of the poor and to educate local children in Reigate. In 1675, RGS was founded and has remained on the same site to this day.

The school’s very foundations are built on philanthropy. Through the Henry Smith Club, you can help us to continue this support for hard-working, talented local children who lack the financial means to experience the educational excellence that RGS offers.

Membership of the HSC is through an annual donation of £1,675 – representing our foundation date – for a minimum seven-year term (the school cycle of a child). Your donation would be used for the sole purpose of providing bursarial support.

Member benefits

• Have a significant impact on the life chances of a talented young child

• Gain membership of an important network of like-minded individuals

• Collect a handmade, bespoke membership pin

• Receive invitations to the annual Henry Smith Club Dinner

• Receive a membership certificate

To become a Henry Smith Club member, please sign up online at: rgs.foundation/support-us/henry-smith-club, call 01737 222231 or email foundation@reigategrammar.org

Henry Smith Club members together provide a life-changing place at RGS. Could you be one of them? 10

Dr

and

In the spirit of our founder, we have a club in his name in support of the Changing Lives bursary fund.

“I would not have been able to attend RGS without the generosity of the kind donors who helped fund my education. As soon as I was able, I wanted to give back; to give others the same opportunity. When I saw the great work that was being done by the HSC, I was eager to contribute, given that it’s a cause to which I can personally relate, having been supported by the school on multiple occasions.”

Say Vivekanantham (RGS 2002-2009) Former bursary recipient

HSC member

RECOLLECTIONS & MEMORIES

IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN DO IT

BOB KNOX (RGS 1958-1965)

I came across the Walt Disney statement, “If you can dream it, you can do it”, in the mid-1990s when I was preparing a presentation for my colleagues at HSBC. The concept that you could do anything if you put your mind to it, drove the success of the project of improving the customer experience.

Let me put this in context.

I started life in Battersea/Clapham and my family were rehoused to Merstham council estate in 1953. After passing the 11+ in 1958, I attended RGS. At school, I was in the fife and drum band of the Cadet Corps, playing the bass drum and, on one occasion we played at the Royal Tournament. I was also a member of the very first maths set who took our O Level a year early under the tutelage of Robin Bligh. My parents sadly died in 1962 and 1963. With my parents dead and very little money, I left school at 18 and joined Midland Bank in Redhill. Having worked in many branches in the southeast, and at the regional office in Maidstone, I eventually found myself as the Senior Assistant Manager at the Eastbourne branch, where I became President of the local Institute of Bankers. My main guest at the annual dinner was the President of the CBI, which was holding its conference in the town that year. As a result, I became one of the youngest Fellows of the Institute, aged just 34.

I later became a senior tutor at the bank’s management training college at Betchworth where, on two occasions, I undertook leadership workshops for the RGS Sixth Form in 1983-84.

For six years in the 1980s I worked at the SE regional office in Maidstone undertaking three roles and eventually became Deputy Regional Director looking after all the branches in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. For a brief period in 1986 I visited Belfast once a week during the troubles to assist with the sanctioning of loans in branches of the Northern Bank.

My next role was as a Senior Project Manager in UK operations, in charge of finding ways to improve the way the bank’s Direct Debiting system worked. My research involved not just talking to customers, but to originators and the Consumers Association. The ensuing system proved highly successful and was eventually adopted by all the banks, with me chairing the APAC’s interbank committee. This system is still in use today and saved the banks millions in fraud and errors.

I was then asked to review customer telephone services which, in 1992, were all branch based. Eventually, as Head of Customer Services, we rolled out the new service to all branches over a two-year period. Until then, the only way customers could find a telephone number for their branch was by receiving a letter or looking in a telephone directory! We were the

first bank to put telephone numbers on cheques and statements, making it easier for customers to contact us. As a result, call volumes increased exponentially, which was exaggerated by the advent of mobile phones.

In 1996 I was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Manufacturers (FRSA).

There were many technical IT and telephone-system issues to overcome which involved me undertaking research in the USA, Canada and Europe but, by the end of 1999, I had 3,700 staff in Hemel Hempstead, Leeds, Swansea (where the first ever Welsh-language call centre was established), Edinburgh and Hamilton. By then, all the other credit card, insurance and business call centres in Southend, Leicester, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent and Southampton reported to me and had adopted the same systems and business practices. One of the early challenges was introducing local pay scales which involved interesting discussions with the trade unions.

As a result of the ever-increasing headcount, I then established call centres in Hyderabad and Bangalore in India and later in Kuala Lumpur. There were some 2,000 staff working in these sites all servicing the UK. The Bob Knox Road

1964 Corps of Drums, Bob is in the back row, second from the left

Show took place from 1995-2004 where I went on the road talking to as many of the staff in the centres as I could, including in India and Malaysia. Without the enthusiasm and the excellent quality of the staff we would not have been successful, so I felt it important that they had access to the ultimate boss to challenge me on ideas and management issues. This is where the “If you can dream it, you can do it” became the driving force.

Despite media concerns about call centres at home and abroad from 1999 through to 2004, the Consumer Association voted HSBC (Midland merged with HSBC

in 1993) the best bank for quality in their call centre services. In 2002 I received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute of Customer Services.

Much of my role was about researching ideas to improve the customer experience and this included being involved in the early days of internet banking and at one stage with Sky and TV banking which only had a short life. During this period, I was also Chairman of the Speakeasy Club –an industry-wide organisation sharing best practices.

In 2004, my final role at the bank was to undertake a full strategic review of

MEMORIES OF THE OLD LIBRARY ROGER TYLER

(RGS 1944-1952)

I used to shoot .22” rifles in the range above the hall (now known as the Old Library). Chemistry and Physics labs were in the small corridor leading out of the back of the hall, which gave access to the rifle range. The corridor led to the back stairs which took you down to the woodwork shop and the cloakrooms and to the door which went outside.

Memories of the hall were that we had assembly there each day. There was a big stage at the southern end with a piano at one side. The masters and mistresses used to file in once we had assembled and the headmaster stood in the front to take the meeting. The whole school filled the rest of the space. We sang a hymn, accompanied by the piano, which was normally played by Mr Thomson, the Music and Woodwook teacher. We also had a reading from the bible and prayers. Then there were notices and other items before we filed out to go to lessons.

The hall served as the gym and we used to do PE there as part of the curriculum. In both sides were wooden wall bars which we had to perform on and there were three ropes attached to the ceiling which we had to climb. Various pieces of

equipment were stored behind the stage. Also, there was a frightening piece of apparatus called a “Window Ladder” which hung from the roof. It was a wooden frame and was suspended from the roof by ropes. The idea was that you lowered it down and then climbed up into it and wriggled your way through it, I was too scared to do it and I don’t remember it being used.

Once a year we had a concert and, as a member of the school choir, we used the stage to sing to the parents who attended the concert. I certainly remember singing the Hallelujah Chorus and Drakes Drum on separate occasions. It also served as a theatre for stage productions and revues.

I recall a play called Lady Precious Stream, in which a boy called Tony Hidden played the female lead. He eventually went on to be an eminent QC or senior judge. I can remember a show, written by me, which was a send up of the In Town Tonight programme and in which I dressed up in my father’s suit to be the announcer. I interviewed various people in a series of sketches.

Also, a school show in which the characters sat beside an unexploded bomb

Do you have memories of your time at Reigate Grammar School that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you – email the Foundation team at foundation@reigategrammar.org

customer contact services throughout the group which took me to America, mainland China and the Philippines.

From humble beginnings to my executive position, I also managed three London Marathons and 25 London to Brighton bike rides. I was also Chairman of Reigate Round Table, 41 Club, the Reigate Fuel Bank and The Old Reigatians Association. For three years after I retired, I worked for the Citizens Advice Bureau as a volunteer on their Access programme. My motto throughout all of this was “If you can dream it, you can do it”. I still believe this.

which eventually went off. One of my friends specialised in making explosives and provided the necessary material to create an explosion – all this in a crowded hall full of people! Health and Safety would go bananas nowadays, but in the 1950s it was deemed to be Okay!

That’s about all I can remember. Happy days in the gym at RGS.

FULFILLING MY DESTINY

TERRY CALOGHIRIS (RGS 1968-1972)

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

DEREK TWINE CBE FRSA (RGS 1962-1970)

Having retired nine years ago, and having passed yet another milestone birthday, life is just as busy and fulfilling as ever, and with continuing thanks to RGS for the foundation years.

At the risk of sounding like a paid contributor to The Reigatian magazine, I must say that my years at Reigate Grammar School influenced me considerably and laid the foundations for my future life and career.

I was born in Egypt of Greek-Cypriot parents, who, as British subjects moved to what was then a British protectorate and were involved in banking, cotton trading, etc, and my mother was a civil servant at the British Embassy.

Cairo was at that time a very cosmopolitan city with British, French, Greek, Italian and many refugees escaping wars. International schools were of a high standard and education was multilingual. It was a happy life and my future seemed bright, the only dark cloud was my father’s bouts of anxiety and depression since the war.

There were, of course, several disturbances – the Arab /Israeli war, Nasser’s takeover, the Suez Canal crisis – but, as a child, these didn’t impact me much.

Then one day it all changed. The British Embassy announced that it was getting dangerous for British subjects and strongly advised us to leave immediately, with the last departing merchant ship escorted by British warships. We left with a couple of bags. I have to say, for me and my brother it was rather exciting, but not for my parents who fled Egypt basically penniless.

In England, we were lodged in prefabricated World War II cabins at the St Annes grounds in Redhill. We were not like the refugees one sees on TV escaping war, but for the first time in my life I felt poor and sad as I saw my father’s health deteriorating considerably.

In Egypt, I had been an excellent student, but now realised that my English language fluency was inadequate. By a miracle, I was taken for an interview at Reigate Grammar School and was accepted, albeit one class

lower. This was the England of the swinging 60s and, although Reigate Grammar had a lot of traditions and rules, most of the teachers were open-minded, supportive and encouraged free-thinking and debate across all types of subjects. One of my favourite sessions was the debating society, which challenged one’s thinking and beliefs. Such openness and sharp intellectual, but polite, exchanges! Just like (or unlike) the House of Commons!

The school gave me a very strong base on which to build a future. After graduating from Surrey University where I studied Metallurgy and Materials Science, I went to the University of Caen for a French Language Diploma and much later to Wharton in the USA for a business one. This started what was for me a perfect career and family life. I worked for a while in steelworks, nuclear research, followed by machine tools, then started a 40-year global career in manufacturing, R&D, marketing, sales, and finally as Corporate President for a major multinational. What I enjoyed, other than the different functions, locations, and cultures, was the multitude of industries: from recording substrates to electronic components, to packaging, to engineering plastics, to paints and textile fibres. This resulted in 21 moves across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, in 42 years of married life; I was lucky that my wife enjoyed the challenges and opportunities to sample different languages and cultures, and our kids had an international education.

I realise that this life is not for everyone, as we each have different needs and ambitions, but the main point is that each one of us should lead one’s destiny and not be led by it! The Grammar School not only gave me a great education, but also taught me to think clearly, make my own choices and be accountable for them, which for me is the secret of a satisfying life!

I often reflect upon the ongoing residual impact of many of the school staff during the 1960s. TWH Holland himself, even though Headmaster, taught an English class each week to our Second Form, leading us in a detailed analysis of The Tyger that lasted a whole term, and induced a love of literary appreciation.

George Paxton and Chris Mason were both truly inspirational as they encouraged creativity and critical thought in both English Literature and English Language, and also supported my sub-editorship of The Pilgrim. Karol Kornel in Economics spoke personally of painful personal experiences of the political protests in the Prague Spring of 1968, which gave great insight into the impact on individuals of political ideologies.

Ken Farries shared his experiences of his visits to the Soviet Union in the 1960s, and of his passion for the place of windmills in the changing rural economy. Aubrey Scrase arranged countless visits to London theatres (not least seeing Paul Scofield in Macbeth with the RSC in 1966). There were rugby matches (only 2nd XV for me) and inter-school swimming competitions. As a Prefect I ran the school tuckshop and supervised the lunchtime waiters. Most of these indelible and formative experiences were beyond the formal curriculum, but addressed the whole person, and for that I am grateful.

After A Levels, my university years were spent in Bangor, North Wales. Again, where I not only enjoyed the formal curriculum (and secured a first-class degree), but the people and the wider experiences had a wider impact. I was fortunate that my Statistics tutor, WR Jones was a global authority in bilingualism and social research techniques, but he also introduced me to fine wines and whiskies! My inspiration in English Literature (my subsidiary subject) was Professor John Danby, who held special tutorials in the evenings in the Ship Inn, home of local folk musicians – I gained quite some insights on those Wednesday evenings. Again, learning

Prefects, 1972, with Terry pictured bottom right: ‘I am the handsome one with the longish curly hair’!

beyond the formal curriculum. And time was spent, like many others, with wider student activities – some political, some with community service, and certainly days out climbing in Snowdonia.

There then followed post-grad and published research, teaching on the academic staff, then moving across into national youth work. My career developed in various roles involving non-formal education, adult leadership training, and organisational development. Finally, I spent 17 years as CEO of the Scouts, with national and global engagement: corporate management, financial strategies, intercultural diversity, fundraising, membership management, safety in outdoor activities, media representation, and much more. This then extended sideways into corporate non-executive directorships, projects with various national agencies, liaison across several

royal households, giving evidence to numerous Parliamentary Select Committees and Chairing the Commission on Governance in Voluntary Organisations.

After retiring in 2013, my wife and I moved to Yorkshire, and I enjoyed serving on the Council of the National Trust and as Vice-Chair of the Church Urban Fund. When these roles concluded their fixed terms of office, the space in the diary was quickly filled by being appointed by the Secretary of State as a Member of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, where, more recently, I have been appointed Chair of Finance, and separately as Member Champion for cultural heritage. Locally, I was asked to lead on delivering a £1.9million Heritage Lottery Fund project, and all this still accommodates my ongoing role as Chair of Council for Bradford Cathedral, plus days walking in the Dales.

Certainly, RGS instilled a sense of being

busy, multi-tasking and being socially active to make a difference. Thank you RGS, staff and peers alike.

ROBIN OAKE (RGS 1949-1954)

Not the brightest star in the school, I managed the 11+ exam and left with five O Levels. My father spent WWII underground in the Cabinet Office with Sir Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower. Mum and my two sisters were evacuated to Poole in Dorset, having been bombed out at Hooley, Surrey. We watched much of the army leaving for the war in Northern France!

We returned to Hooley in 1946, going to school at Chipstead Primary and saw my Dad once again after many years as he was in London.

While at RGS, I became a Christian through Crusaders. Following RGS, I joined the Prison Commission working as a junior clerk, which gave me an inkling for police work – I would catch thieves instead of looking after them in prison!

I played rugby for the Old Reigatians as a No. 8.

I joined the Metropolitan Police in 1956, and was stationed at St John’s Wood, North London on the beat. After three years, my Chief recommended I transfer to New Scotland Yard in 1959 and I married Chris in 1961 (she was a nurse at St Thomas’s Hospital). We had three children – a son and two daughters.

I passed my Sergeants’ exam and was posted to C Division in Soho, then passed the Station Sergeants’ exam and became an Instructor at the Training School. After two years, I was promoted to Inspector and after a six-month course, was awarded a scholarship to University College, London to read Law. After graduating, I was posted to A Division in Westminster. This was a difficult time, with IRA bombings, but it was interesting to have links with politicians, miners’ leaders, and others related to marches.

I was promoted to Chief Inspector in

Brixton and after two eventful years, I was seconded to the National Police College, Bramshill with a remit to study and promote policing with counter terrorism – to oil rigs, working with European police forces and on corporate policing.

On promotion to Superintendent, I was invited to transfer to Greater Manchester, which involved remits in Northern Ireland, Miami and Scotland as well as continued visits to Bramshill to lecture.

I was promoted again to Chief Superintendent and then Assistant Chief Constable, after which I was invited to become Chief Constable of the Isle of Man which was way out of date with modem policing! This was supposed to be a three-year undertaking, but I stayed there for 13 years having left Manchester, where my son, Stephen, had followed me into the police. He was in counter terrorism and was very sadly killed on duty as a hero.

Following retirement, I was asked to be Chancellor of The Order of St John, which was going through a difficult time, and I continued working in London and throughout the UK with St John until retirement. I now live in Shropshire, was a local preacher and Christian speaker throughout my adult life.

I continue to be an ardent supporter of rugby and local church life. And I am proud to be a Reigatian!

UNDER THE SEA LIFE ON A SUBMARINE DAVID

GOLDSON (RGS 1951-1957)

My school reports show that my years there were not as illustrious academically as I care to remember, but I embraced every aspect of school life and thoroughly enjoyed those innocent years with rugby, athletics, cross country as well as the CCF and the Scouts. I have always been an all-rounder, and this stood me in good stead because I won a scholarship to Dartmouth when I was 16 (having been advised by the Careers Master that I stood no chance!) and joined the Britannia Naval College two years later in 1958.

For the next seven years I trained as an Engineer Officer ashore and at sea in a frigate in the South Atlantic and an aircraft carrier in the Far East and the Persian Gulf. The latter experience determined me to become a submariner!

The first step was the submarine training class, experiencing the initial excitement of escaping from 100 feet underwater in the escape tower and learning the intricacies of a modern diesel submarine in considerable detail, whereupon I was appointed to an old WWII boat in Singapore at the time of the Malaysia-Philippines confrontation.

A-boats had been designed for the Japanese war in the Pacific, where high surface speed and long range were important characteristics, enabling us, in the 1960s, to operate from Hong Kong to Australia. Life on board was hot and dirty with extraordinary food, known only to submariners! In recognition of the conditions, and to preserve an old tradition, we wore pirate rig (i.e. anything which came to hand, sometimes out of the ragbag, but sarongs were not a good idea when the diesels were running and sucking a large volume of air down the tower).

Submarines were not particularly effective against the threat from the Philippines’ sampans but, another hangover from WWII, we had a four-inch gun which gave rise to much hilarity, although it turned out to be more accurate than the hi-tech armaments of the surface fleet and

we were withdrawn from the gunnery competition to avoid embarrassment. Our longest operation was a major exercise through the Philippines (after the confrontation had finished), around New Guinea, inside the Great Barrier Reef and to Darwin for a short maintenance period, before returning to Singapore via the Sunda Strait.

Following an accident that affected the engineer of another submarine, I switched to another A-boat which was due to come back to the UK round the Cape. This was a magical time for me, re-visiting the ports of East and South Africa before the long voyage north, calling at St Helena, Dakar and Gibraltar on the way. We were required to dive once a day to take bathythermograph data, but mostly we were on the surface amongst the albatrosses, flying fish and dolphins.

After two years of old-fashioned submarining in the tropics and having great fun, it was back to a cold and rainy Britain for more training – this time as a nuclear qualified Engineer at Greenwich and Dounreay in the north of Scotland. That completed, I was appointed to one of the four strategic missile boats (SSBNs) where my responsibilities included the nuclear reactor as well as the systems required to support the lives of 150 men during a

dived patrol (581). Whereas the duration of a dive in my old A-boat could be measured in hours, and sometimes days, limited mostly by the battery endurance. In the case of a nuclear submarine, the limit is set largely by the amount of food carried and is measured in weeks and months.

The idea of 150 men imprisoned hundreds of feet below the North Atlantic for weeks on end may, to the layman, seem difficult to comprehend. In reality, it was strangely satisfying. Each man had a job to do and, for me, a considerable responsibility to fulfil. The SSBNs mission was to remain undetected and stay in constant one-way communication with operational HQ. Hence, we were able to receive news and personal messages (vetted) from families. These were the days before personal computers and modern electronic devices, so our entertainment was through 16mm films and games such as the infamous submarine ‘uckers’ (Ludo to the uninitiated). Time passed remarkably quickly for most.

Following five years at sea, and a major refit and a promotion, I moved ashore to carry out a variety of roles in direct support of submarines at the base in Scotland, in the Admiralty Design department and in the Ministry of Defence, before finally retiring as a Captain after 30 rewarding and enjoyable years fulfilling my childhood ambition.

I made the transition from St Mary’s to RGS in 1951, not without difficulty after fluffing the entrance exam and having to rely on an interview to squeeze my way in!

AMO, AMAS, AMAT, AMAMUS, AMATIS, AMANT!

LESSONS OF A MISSIONARY JEREMY VERNON (RGS 1965-1972)

young man. At the time I suddenly felt a great peace and offered him the few dollars in my pocket, and he glanced to my beloved Timex, which I duly gave him.

My wife and I had some brushes with death travelling during those years especially in Colombia and Peru.

I spent many years studying the Bible, both in the western world and in Asia, and learning – through drama, visiting orphanages, schools, TV shows, radio programmes, and Bible studies one-to-one or in small groups – how to present the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ to millions of people over a 35-year period.

business in one sense.

This was the time of my life I loved the most – seeing how friendly and precious regular Chinese were at the time and how they all wanted to be your friend, have their photo taken with me, ‘My friend hold camera, ok?’ Some of you reading may have been there and know what I mean!

Anyone who has gone through Latin for six years, truly has the fortitude to face many difficulties in life! Coupled with rigorous summer Cadet Corps training on Dartmoor, where unimaginably painful blisters grew out of your heels on the 16-mile trek carrying a 30kg backpack, and you begged your leader to ‘please let me in the jeep and bring me back to civilisation!’ ‘No chance my boy!’

I am very thankful for all that I learned at RGS. Many teachers influenced my life, primarily Mr Harrald, Mr Noble, Mr Scrase, Mr Sims, (‘The bigger they are the harder they fall’), Mr Dawson, Mr Westall and Mr Ballance.

Unusually for an RGS graduate perhaps, I became a Pastor and a Missionary, working in over 20 countries from the age of 19.

The Spanish I learned under Mr Gutridge helped me enormously in South America – I lived in the Andes countries for about five years – and later (Portuguese) Brazil. I lived there with my first wife and my children primarily grew up there before we moved to the States.

Of course, such a life in my 20’s 30’s and 40’s and 50’s was exciting in those decades between 1975 and 2010.

By the time I was 35 years old, I had become a Headteacher at a mission school in Rio de Janeiro and later in São Paulo, and it was a fruitful and fulfilling time.

I was robbed at gunpoint on a crowded bus in Rio with a silver pistol pressed to my temple by a very sweaty and nervous

Finally, after a four-year stint in India, the prime of life found me entering China, where we spent 10 years as Pastors and English Teachers in a huge city of 14 million wonderful Chinese people.

Before arriving in this communist country, we received two months of training from other missionaries about how to live there without being arrested, deported, or having your visas cancelled. We learned about the culture, how to conduct ourselves, dress and how to recognise when our phone was bugged, how to send and receive encrypted emails and how to recognise government agents posing as friends. So, we learned before we entered it was going to be a serious

I mainly taught English to Chinese business people and university graduates at a high level. One multi-national recruited me to go to the South China Sea and teach on oil rigs. I had to pass a seven-day safety course covering various life-or-death scenarios which could occur on an oil rig, including a very realistically simulated helicopter crash from which I barely escaped myself! I was the only foreigner vetted and allowed to teach there.

Our house in China was always full of friends, students and businesspeople, some of whom have gone on to follow Jesus Christ in China. I can only be thankful for this gift of life and experience. I learned Mandarin to about level five (out of eight) for speaking and listening. We never were arrested, although I am sure the authorities knew of us!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean to our own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths”. Proverbs 3:4-5 (the Bible).

Emily, Shenzhen, early 2001

Our lovely Swiss Mission sponsors and their hotel

Bihar state India, 1986

Central China, 2004

SCHOOL LONG JUMP RECORD BROKEN AFTER 52 YEARS!

In June, Michael M (then in First Form) smashed a school record that has stood since 1970 with an outstanding leap of 5.37m in the long jump, the third longest jump for his age group in the country last year.

The previous First Form long jump record holder was Nigel McDowell (RGS 1969-1977). An extract from The Pilgrim in 1970 (underlying the drawbacks of the House System at the time), highlights the value of Nigel’s victory to those in Kinnersley House: “Many of those who had made excellent contributions to the House effort were rewarded by fine personal results on sports day when, apart from winning both the junior and intermediate relays, we had Port, Stenning, Leader, Pretlove, Lamb, Burnett, Greenhalgh and McDowell with placings in two events each. We might congratulate McDowell in particular on gaining three first places. The great success of the few on sports day...”

SONG PLAYED AT THE BAFTAS

BILLY ELLISTON (RGS 2010-2017)

I played a lot of rugby and cricket during my time at RGS, and studied Maths, Economics and Government and Politics at A Level. I then went to the University of Nottingham where I studied Economics for three years. Having graduated in 2020, I had a year’s break, aiming to travel. Unfortunately, this was during the peak of COVID-19, so I spent a lot of nights in at home instead! In 2021, I started a job in strategy consulting at CIL Management Consultants in London and I’ve been working there for over a year.

Throughout my childhood I’ve always loved playing the piano. I never really understood why people did grades –I only wanted to learn songs from contemporary artists like Ludovico Einaudi. I started composing and performing my own music at the age of 13 (I was terrible!) – I remember boring my schoolmates with unnecessarily long songs!

I have never really taken music seriously as a career, but I’ve always really enjoyed

writing music. I finally got to an acceptable level by my final year at RGS. I remember playing in the awards ceremony and a parent called Dan McGrath spoke to me afterwards, saying he thought we should record a few songs for his production company, No Sheet Music (nosheetmusic. tv). We recorded 11 songs in a studio and one of the songs, called Hope, was played at the 2018 TV BAFTAs. Since then, I carried on writing songs and, in 2022, I sent a few to Lisa Clark, who produces the TV BAFTAs). One of these was chosen as the soundtrack for the 2022 TV BAFTAs in-memoriam section.

I still compose songs regularly alongside my day job (although I experienced a few broken fingers in 2022 from playing football) and I am just about to sign an album with a record label!

You can find my music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/ 3yjN5RwsOOq0f4DBU6XDa1.

A PILGRIMAGE TO CANTERBURY

GEORGE ASHWORTH (RGS 2018-2020) and NICK BYRNE (RGS 2013-2020)

had created a pilgrim’s banner based on a design used during a Christian revolt under Henry VIII known as the Pilgrimage of Grace. The route would be similar to the one described in the Canterbury Tales, although numerous diversions were necessary due to motorways and traffic. Day one took us out of London to Gravesend, day two took us through Rochester, and on day three we arrived in Canterbury.

PROUDLY SUPPORTING CRANSTON HOUSE!

Former Maths Teacher and Head of Cranston House, Martin Russell (RGS 1975-2019), moved to Gloucestershire in 2021 and guess what he had his house name changed to…yep, Cranston House!

Most of us have heard of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales; the story of a group of pilgrims who are travelling from London to Canterbury to see the shrine of the martyr St Thomas Beckett. To provide entertainment throughout the journey, each pilgrim tells a tale, with themes ranging from love and war to chivalry and womanhood. Despite being published in the 14th century, Chaucer’s work has stood the test of time, and is seen by many today as one of the greatest works of English literature. It was his story which would serve as the primary inspiration for our pilgrimage.

The original idea consisted of a sixtymile journey from London to Canterbury over the course of three days, aiming to arrive by Easter Sunday. During the planning process, we realised that the pilgrimage would present us with an opportunity to do some fundraising. Nick suggested that we should raise money for Surrey Care Trust, a local charity which provides opportunities for disadvantaged young people. We set up a GoFundMe page, where we raised £2,200 over the course of a few weeks.

The pilgrimage began on Maundy Thursday from St Paul’s Cathedral. Josh

Despite a brisk start, we began to suffer from fatigue as the journey wore on. To help, we took short breaks and drank plenty of water. Wetherspoons would be our primary stop for food and drink! There, we encountered many locals who were curious about our journey. Some people even donated to our cause! One pub offered complimentary food and drink to assist with our journey. At the end of each day, we would arrive at a pre-booked hotel, where we would rest, treat our blisters, and discuss the next day’s route. Despite the necessity for haste, we also took some time to explore the countryside, and visit some landmarks, such as Rochester Castle.

We arrived in Canterbury the night before Easter Sunday. The next day, we attended the morning mass led by the Archbishop, and received a pilgrim’s blessing at the shrine of St Thomas Beckett.

One of our initial goals was to understand the religiosity that underpins a pilgrimage, as well as what motivated medieval pilgrims to undertake such a journey. Pilgrimages are not easy. They can be gruelling, and require one to keep a constant, steady pace to arrive punctually at one’s destination. However, a pilgrimage allows one to discover new lands, meet interesting people, and form closer friendships. It can also cause one to undergo a spiritual experience, as you soak in the majesty of the world around you.

At the end of the pilgrimage, each of us had grown as a person and could all agree that it was one of the most meaningful things we’ve ever done. For two of us, being former RGS students, we couldn’t help but remember the times when we sang To Be a Pilgrim at Reigate Grammar School and marvelled at what we had accomplished as we endeavoured to truly be pilgrims.

OLD BOYS RUGBY MATCH

MATT FALKNER (RGS 1976-1981)

STEPHEN BORER (RGS 1986-1993)

Stephen and Matt’s teams face each other twice a season in the Pacific NorthWest Old Boys league. This over 40s match ended in a 4 try draw. One of them was taking advantage of the ‘red’ shorts rule which means they cannot tackle nor be tackled... prompting much heckling in the bar afterwards!

Stephen Borer with the Priest Valley Vicars, Kelowna and Matt Falkner with the Semiahmoo Old Boys, White Rock.

FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON

IAIN RODGER (RGS 1968-1975)

I received my Freedom of the City at The Guildhall recently. I was proposed by The Company of Communicators who are soon to become the City’s newest livery hall and at which I am a Founder Liveryman. As a Freeman I am now allowed to drive my sheep over London Bridge. More seriously, The Company of Communicators offers much charitable help to companies and individuals with any ‘communications’ challenges they might have.

ONCE A PREFECT ALWAYS A PREFECT!

CLIVE RUSSELL (RGS 1958-1965)

One wet afternoon over Christmas, we were clearing out some old boxes as we are hoping to downsize next year, and I came across this. I thought I had lost it!

I became a Prefect at the end of July 1964, with the badge being awarded in the September. During the afternoon we had rugby at the old boys ground in Park Lane, and during the match, a stray head smashed into my mouth, and promptly broke my two front teeth.

Meeting my girlfriend after the match, all she could ask was “what have you got that big silver badge for?”

OLD REIGATIAN RUGBY

This promises to provide regular top class coaching sessions together with opportunities for placements at Brunel University.

The Minis and Juniors sections continue to flourish with increasing numbers and we love to watch the players of the future develop. We were recently able to invest in upgrading our floodlights, which has allowed further training to take place during the week. This extra effort is certainly showing in the results we have had so far this season.

The club maintains its generous charitable efforts and last season raised £10,000 for SportinMS and Wooden Spoon as well as supporting Ukraine by funding two fully equipped ambulances to be sent to the country.

The 2021-22 Season was arguably one of the best for Old Reigatian RFC. Following a decade in London South West 2 the 1st XV enjoyed a very successful season and secured promotion to Regional 2 South East. Highlights of the 2021-22 season included ending the 53 game unbeaten run of Reeds Weybridge and then a very competitive and enthralling draw in the return fixture at

OLD REIGATIAN HOCKEY

Whiteley Village. We scored more points away from home than any other side in the league and the second most points at home.

I must mention our Under 15 girls team who won the National Cup in a highly competitive final against Cheltenham North at Sixways Stadium. Recognising the growth of the girls’ section, we have formed a partnership with Ealing Trailfinders.

Finally, it would be remiss not to mention David Forsyth, who, after 10 years as Chair, handed over the reins. His steady leadership saw the club survive two arson attacks, reinstatement of the club and a national pandemic. He has left it in the steady hands of lifelong clubman Ben Hamps. Who, supported by an army of volunteers, will take the club forward and continue our success.

With thanks to Kate Birinder-Ross, ORRFC Hon Secretary

The 2021-22 season in the revised south structure ended with the 1sts finishing last but one in their division and being demoted and the 2nds and 3rds each bottom of theirs but not demoted, as teams dropped out. The summer was spent in a large online recruitment exercise, led by the Club’s communications expert Jonny Kyle, and this has resulted in a good number of new players. This means fielding three teams is easier and the league positions are better. At the Christmas break this season the 1sts and 3rds are midtable in their divisions, although the 2nds are last but one in theirs.

The Club was formed at a meeting in the school on 16 December 1960 and so was 60 years old in December 2020. Plans to celebrate were deferred because of COVID but at last we were able to have a celebration. This was a buffet lunch at the Reigate Manor Hotel, Reigate Hill on 17 September (pictured right) and was a success, with original or very early players Ian Flack, Graham Hudson, Arthur Offen and Douglas Treacher joining John Chisholm, Roger Doyle, Richard Munnery, Adrian Taylor, Peter Wheatley and current players, including those who have just begun their playing career. There is a booklet with the Club’s history available free (email contact opposite).

The Club is always keen to recruit at any age and ability. If you would like to return to hockey, please contact Rob Evans on 07718 128575 for more details. Or look at the website www.orhc.info where a lot of work is carried out to make this one of the best hockey club websites.

With thanks to Ian Whiteman (RGS 1953-1961), ORHC Treasurer ian_whiteman@hotmail.com

New Chairman Ben Hamps

OLD REIGATIAN CRICKET

A big crowd is always guaranteed for this game and the Reigatian community young and old watched on in anticipation as the holders were asked to field first. Unfortunately things didn’t quite go to plan, as the Priory took Will Timmons for 37 in one over, much to the delight of the crowd. Veterans Davies and Irving did well picking up a couple of wickets and stemming the flow as well as they could.

The 2022 season really showed what a great community Old Reigatian CC has become. Although we only played two games, there were plenty of opportunities for social gatherings and catching up on the good old days.

The first game of the season was our annual game against the school 1st XI, which showed that school cricket is in fine fettle. Although the OR’s won by seven wickets, the school 1st XI played a great game and hopefully laid the way for many future OR’s.

Laurie

Nicholson and Will Timmons put on

99 for the 2nd wicket until Timmons saw the team home with a good skipper’s knock. What was particularly nice about this game was the blend of the older and newer Reigatians, which is something we would love to see more of moving forward. Arguably everyone’s favourite game of the season is the Annual Joey Benjamin memorial match vs Reigate Priory. In a bid to calm the nerves before the big game, a hotly contested game of golf took place at Bletchingley golf club for the second year running… a future tradition?

OLD REIGATIAN NETBALL

Netball has continued to be popular in 2022-23 and we currently have our highest membership numbers on record, having welcomed many new players again this season, to further strengthen our three squads.

This year our A team are having a very strong season, with experienced combinations moving up from the B team and strong commitment across the squad helping the As end the first half of the season unbeaten and top of their division. Having been promoted a division and experiencing significant squad changes since last year, our Bs are in the process of developing new connections and rebuilding, and have had a season of mixed results so far, although have been pleased to remain competitive in all matches. Our Met team have also welcomed a lot of new players this season, so are focussing on building consistency with a more regular squad, with good things to come hopefully over the rest of the season and into the next.

Aside from our own training and matches, plenty of our team like to do their bit to support Surrey Storm and England Roses

games when we can. For a social, a group recently attended the Copper Box to watch the England v Jamaica test series, and I’m sure everyone will be closely following coverage of Netball World Cup in South Africa later this year.

We always enjoy welcoming new members

ORCC were chasing 200 off the 20 and this was always a sturdy task. However Luke Haughton did the bulk of the run scoring, finishing on 80 before being caught in the deep. With 13 needed off two balls, Max Coyle kept everyone on the edge of their seats as he bombed a six, but couldn’t repeat the feat next ball as OR’s relinquished the cup.

Many drinks and songs were sang as Old Reigatians from all generations caught up long into the night, which for me is what it’s really about.

ORCC are always on the look out for new players. If people are interested in playing please message Phil Davies to be added to the club whatsapp. Pjbd@hotmail.co.uk

With thanks to Phil Davies (RGS 20012008) ORCC Chairman

each season, with our squads covering a range of levels of experience. If you would like more information, please contact oldreigatiansnetball@hotmail.co.uk

With thanks to Charlotte Frith (RGS 1999-2006), ORNC Chairperson

Prutha Vyas (RGS 2013-2020) returned to RGS on 21 January to be photographed as one of the cover models for the 2021 edition of The Reigatian!

On 14 March, Jack Miller (RGS 2002-2009) had a tour of the school before delivering a talk to students about careers in journalism

On 30 June, Karl Hackett (RGS 1982-1990), visiting the UK from his home in Australia, enjoyed showing his old school to his wife and sons

Steve Pilgrim (RGS 1978-1985), having lived in New Zealand for many years, returned to Reigate and was keen to take a tour of the school on 24 February

Graham Harries (RGS 1953-1959) came all the way from South Africa to meet up with school friend Roger Green (RGS 19531960) and take a tour of RGS on 2 August

Richard Murphy (RGS 1988-1990) who lives in NYC, visited RGS on 16 November for the first time since he left as a pupil

On 3 September, a group from the Class of 1986 visited the school (L-R) Richard Bennett (RGS 1984-1985), Stuart Nicholson (RGS staff 1979-present), Ben Goss (RGS 1981-1986), Martin Russell (RGS staff 1975-2019), Dai Bader (RGS staff 1982-2019), Andy Dauncey (RGS 1978-1984), Rob Booth (RGS 1978-1986), Andy Clayton (RGS 1979-1986), Kev Loth (RGS 1978-1986), Joel Gilbert (RGS 1979-1984), Steve Jenner (RGS 1978-1986), Ed Thesiger (RGS 1978-1984), Stuart Daniel (RGS 1978-1984), Steve Pilgrim (RGS 1978-1985), Tom McGrath (RGS 1979-1985)

On 21 April, Simon Bassett (RGS 1989-1996) came into RGS to speak to Sixth Form students about setting up a winning LinkedIn profile

On 27 May, (L-R) Tim Atkin, Simon Brisk , Allan Lambert , Andy Brown, Ash Priddle from the Class of 1977 finally met up after two years of Zoom meetings

On 6 May, (L-R) Class of 1989, James Powell, Vicky Cave née Shearman, Robert Shearman (RGS 1980-1988), Stephen Bishop and Lucy Hathaway met 33 years on

On 11 November we were honoured to welcome Flight Lieutenant James Harris (RGS 1978-1984), Officer Commanding 9 Air Experience Flight at RAF Leeming, pictured with Head of Foundation Sean Davey and (right) reading the Act of Remembrance

SCHOOL TALKS

RGS EARTHSHOT LAUNCHES LECTURE SERIES WITH SIMON VIRLEY (RGS 1979-1987)

On Wednesday 11 May we welcomed back to the school Reigatian and ex-Head Boy, Simon Virley, to deliver a talk on ‘Climate Change, COP 26 and how we get to Net Zero’.

Simon is Vice-Chair and Head of Energy and Natural Resources at KPMG. He advises some of the world’s largest companies on the energy transition and the shift to Net Zero, and represented KPMG at the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021. Before joining KPMG, he spent twenty-five years in the UK Government, including at 10 Downing Street where he was Private Secretary to Tony Blair for three years, HM Treasury and latterly as Director General for Energy in the Department of Energy and Climate Change between 2009-15.

After RGS, he went to Oxford University, where he achieved a First in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He also holds a Masters in Economics from LSE. RGS Earthshot is a series of initiatives to encourage our RGS students and the wider community to live more sustainably. This lecture is the first in our RGS Earthshot Lecture series. The event was incredibly well attended by pupils, parents, staff and members of the local community and neighbouring schools.

A huge congratulations to Jasmine F and Thomas D, Heads of School, for launching this exciting new RGS sustainable movement whose vision was inspired by The Earthshot Prize and knew it could be the foundations of our own environmental movement. Moreover focusing on the negatives and the challenges associated with becoming more sustainable and work out what we can do as a community to make a change.

SIMON BASSETT (RGS 1989-1996)

In April, Sixth Formers were treated to some industry insights into personal branding and building a show-stopping LinkedIn profile, courtesy of marketing recruitment expert Simon Bassett.

TIM CRITCHLEY (CURRENT PARENT)

On Tuesday 28 June Tim Critchely, CEO, Squared UP, came in as key note speaker at the TEDx Youth @ RGS (an independently organsised TED event). Tim presented ‘An accidental entrepreneur: 4 lessons from a career in start-ups’

ART, PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

The First Form has focused on the artist Michael Craig-Martin’s use of colour and line. They have been busy developing their drawing skills and experimented with printmaking, creating a variety of colourful compositions inspired by the artist’s work.

Second Formers have been focusing on the architectural designs of Antonio Gaudi for their art project this term. They have created mixed media drawings of Gaudi’s towers and recorded their observations of natural forms producing colourful wax resist paintings of seashells.

In Photography the Third Form students have been introduced to light sensitive paper. They have used a contact method to create lumen prints and cyanotype and they have been looking at an early form on photography with pinhole cameras made out of biscuit tins.

Designing and creating a lamp is a practical task in the Third Form curriculum which helps students to embed GCSE-level skills and knowledge such as 3D CAD, computer-aided manufacturing, electronics and making skills.

Our students have displayed an exceptional amount of talent this past year, some of the art produced can be seen here.

Charlotte G

Luka B

Daisy A

Second Form class 2GFB

Jacob L

Maebh G

DRAMA

It was all swash and buckle in the Concert Hall in December as the Christmas Drama production of Treasure Island played to sell-out crowds. The company was led by Emma B as Jim Hawkins, Liberty T as Long John Silver and Annie J as Grandma, in their final performances after seven years of appearing on the RGS stage. A particular highlight was a rapt audience of local Year 5 and Year 6 pupils, who cheered for every sword fight and cowered at the pirates.

In April, RGS Drama presented Monstrous Stories, a storytelling project based on the novel by Patrick Ness. It was a powerful, impressive and moving tale, whilst challenging to watch. The students and staff clearly worked hard, with great dedication, passion and skill to produce another incredible RGS production.

MUSIC

RGS put on a most spectacular performance for their annual concert at Dorking Halls. The concert involved all of the First Form and many musical groups ranging from their Symphony Orchestra to their Swing Bands and choirs. Hundreds of students participated. The tickets to the concert sold out in a record-breaking 24 hours.

SCHOOL PHOTO

In September, the whole school turned out for our photo with Tempest Photography. Our first since 2016!

ReiMUN

“October saw the largest take up in places at our annual ReiMUN Conference for five years! With over 350 students in attendance, the day was full of fun and fruitful debate on a myriad of topical, complex international issues.” Ms Fullalove, MUN Director.

As ever, the event focused on collaboration, support and sharing: “Be the catalyst”, this year’s theme, was expounded by our Secretary General Maame O, who linked the idea of chemical change with social change for her own recipe of international cooperation and mutual respect.

and it is a wonderful experience for them.”

Students from twenty other UK schools, both state and independent, ensured a diverse range of backgrounds and ideas.

Younger students from schools such as Bishop Thomas Grant in London were enthralled by the atmosphere. “I love bringing my younger delegates to this conference,” said Miss Gray, MUN Advisor, “as their ideas will always be well received

RGS was allocated the United Kingdom and Afghanistan – clearly, two vastly different regimes! Students had to spend time researching political policies on topics such as the illegal drug trade, mandatory vaccination, and international laws on punitive justice.

“MUN is a great training ground for law and politics at university,” said Maame O. “I came to this school to do MUN and it has been brilliant.” Maame hopes to study law next year.

©ElyseMarks

A LEVEL RESULTS 2022

Best exam results in the School’s history

Following record breaking outcomes last year, Reigate Grammar School students achieved the best exam results in the school’s history, resulting in a record year for offers to selective and world class universities.

SPORT

Sport continues to evolve at RGS with increasing emphasis on our vision to develop great people through sport. The stories from sport this year have been increasingly rooted in a values-based and behaviours-driven approach, where sport is about being part of something bigger than yourself. While we want individuals to shine, we also want students to embrace the Team Reigate spirit.

Our intention is to create an environment where every student on the pitch has a great experience, both RGS students and our opposition. This means we want competitive games where the result hangs in the balance until as late as possible in the game. This keeps students engaged and enjoying sport as the perception of competence is important to all. We put collaboration with opposition above competition against opposition. We love watching students succeed and often winning a narrowly contested game brings smiles and excitement. But we need to remember that sport is not a zero-sum game where there must always be a winner and a loser. Cricket at RGS was once again recognised in the Top 100 Cricket Schools in the country by the Cricketer Magazine, whilst rugby is continuing to thrive, with more than 150 fixtures played since September alone.

• 47% of grades were A* and 4 out of 5 grades were either A or A*

• Students achieved 94% A*-B grades

• The typical grade profile is A*AA

• 96% of A Level students received Russell Group, Top Universities, Oxbridge or medical school offers

• Impeccable BTEC results (100% receiving the top grade: Starred Distinction) demonstrating the diversity of the school’s new curriculum.

“We have made a concerted effort to empower students by encouraging them to take more ownership of how they train and play. Teams have been running their own pre-match routines and we have even incorporated parental post-match feedback with the seniors. This has allowed us to develop the students’ independence, leadership potential and problem-solving abilities.”

In netball, we’ve had more students than ever participate and over twenty-five teams represented RGS in competitive fixtures.

Our autumn hockey term started with a warm pre-season with the focus on team values as well as improving our skills on the pitch ready for the season ahead. We have a number of successes among our own students who have gained selection at a higher level in hockey. This is a process that for many of them started in the summer with a lengthy process of trialling. Football at RGS has been on an exciting trajectory this year for both the girls’ and boys’ programmes. With continued and increased involvement from all our students, we consistently provide weekly football for over 300 students a week.

The golf programme at RGS continues to grow with eight single figure players in the school and many more learning the sport for the first time in First and Second Form. Cross country club continues to be popular, particularly with the Lower School students, and an increasing number of students have competed in team and individual events. There have been notable successes for many of our students throughout the year including the November Whitgift Biathlon with excellent times produced in the pool.

RGS continues to go from strength to strength in providing further sporting opportunities to all its students and there has been huge steps this year to include an array of new sports such as equestrian, dance, ballet, judo, trampolining and fencing in addition to the new Specialist Sports Programme which includes squash and ski racing.

“Cricket is very much part of the sporting offering for boys and girls here at RGS. We have excellent facilities at Hartswood, including three grass pitches, one artificial wicket, six artificial nets and grass practice wickets. The standard of coaching is high, and we cater for players of all abilities.”

James Leck, Head of Cricket

Doug Cooper, RGS Rugby

LEAVING STAFF

EDWARD STONARD

STAFF 1998-2022) Physics Technician

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself?

Find time each week to submit your petty-cash claim forms.

What are you most proud of?

Having made several innovative new pieces of demonstration apparatus for the Physics department.

What will you miss the most?

Friday morning fried breakfast.

What will you miss the least? Health and safety bureaucracy: risk assessments, portable appliance testing, etc.

Your fondest memory?

Many years ago, the science department used to hold various social events – fireworks, Epsom Races, barbeques, bowling... these were good ways to get to know colleagues.

HUGO COSTAIN

2004-2011, RGS STAFF 2017-2022) Teacher of French and Spanish, Commanding Officer of the RAF CCF section

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself? Take things slowly and try to focus on having time to relax.

What are you most proud of?

My role as head of the RAF CCF section where we (finally!) provided the cadets with opportunities to take gliding and flying lessons.

What will you miss the most?

My supportive and caring colleagues, many of whom are now close friends. I will also miss breakfast and lunch – thank you to the catering team!

What will you miss the least?

The panic of being caught in traffic on Reigate Hill during my morning commute.

Your fondest memory?

A trip to France with some First Formers where we visited a snail farm and proceeded to watch a PowerPoint presentation on snails from a passionate Frenchman. I don’t think I will ever forget the close-up pictures of snails kissing!

Any other comments?

I wish all the staff at Reigate Grammar School the best for the future – please do stay in touch!

We were sorry to say farewell to the following staff in 2022…

(RGS

(RGS

RICHARD ALVAREZ (RGS STAFF 2016-2022) Design and Technology Teacher, Rugby

and Cricket coach

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself?

I would tell myself to relax and enjoy the day. I was quite nervous after leaving my previous role and comfort zone and could have been more relaxed with more of an open approach. It was great to see the teaching staff that I started with – some stayed with us at RGS for a few years after!

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of producing over 1,000 pieces of PPE equipment for the NHS during the height of the pandemic. This was a project that was particularly dear to my heart, and it was great to know that with some clever design and innovation, we produced equipment that was transported to clinics around the Surrey area. Getting recognition from our peers, the Headmaster and the leadership team made a real difference.

What will you miss the most?

I am going to miss the amazing colleagues that I was blessed with seeing every day. They made my day, and I am going to miss the laughs, the camaraderie and the general pick-you-up when they knew that you needed it. Teachers are an intrinsic bunch, and we evoke our emotions in our teaching and our personality. Having game-changing people around, to share the highs and the lows with, I will never forget.

What will you miss the least?

Form Tutor report writing! I understand that it was a necessary evil, however, when I was juggling living with a baby daughter (who is now five) and limited sleep, I must admit that these got me close to the end of my tether!

Your fondest memory?

The senior rugby tour to South Africa in 2018. We had just played one of our first fixtures and the stunning backdrop of the hills and mountains behind the pitch will always stay with me. It was a tough game, but seeing the lads getting along with the opposition and sharing some laughs – dancing on tabletops and enjoying the best part of rugby – mutual respect and admiration for the combatant playing their very best for the colours they represent. Representing RGS in an international scenario like this was fantastic.

Any other comments?

I look back very fondly on my time at RGS. This place will always hold a special place in my heart. Both of my children were born at the local East Surrey Hospital and have grown up in the area. I was proud of taking my daughter to DT workshops during lockdown and showing her what being a teacher at RGS meant to me. Sometimes, I felt that I still had one more chapter to write at RGS, but I guess there was a calling to begin another chapter somewhere else.

WE ALSO BID A FOND FAREWELL TO:

Aga Wisnicka (RGS staff 2019-2022), Payroll Administrator

Amanda Adams (RGS staff 2019-2022), Receptionist

Anita Evans (RGS staff 2021-2022), Librarian

Cherie Stockil (RGS staff 2013-2022), IT Manager

Chloe Jones (RGS staff 2013-2022), Teacher of English

Claire Yellow (RGS staff 2021-2022), Marketing Assistant

Daniel Walker-Cheetham (RGS staff 2017-2022), Senior Finance Assistant

Diane Clark (RGS staff 2015-2022), Art Technician

Ecem Guen (RGS staff 2021-2022), MFL Assistant (German)

Grace Chandler (RGS staff 2010-2022) Library Assistant

Imogen Riddick (RGS staff 2021-2022), Teacher of Economics

Jette Bovingdon (RGS staff 2011-2022), School Counsellor

Liv Ient (RGS staff 2019-2022), HR Officer

Luke Stoneman (RGS staff 2021-2022), Teacher of Physics

Marion Louet (RGS staff 2021-2022), MFL Assistant (French)

Michelle Minson (RGS staff 2016-2022), Classroom Assistant

Michelle Morgan (RGS staff 2021-2022), Marketing Executive

Nikki Burch (RGS staff 2020-2022), Reigatian Community Officer

Rebecca Erratt (RGS staff 2015-2022), Drama Assistant

Rich Turner (RGS staff 2016-2022), Graphics and Communications Officer

Ruth Glover (RGS staff 2010-2022), Finance Assistant

Sally Wadey (RGS staff 2004-2022), PA to Bursar

Sabrina Moutarde (RGS staff 2021-2022) Marketing Executive

Sara De La Torre (RGS staff 2021-2022), MFL Assistant (Spanish)

Sarika Shah (RGS staff 2018-2022), Teacher of Maths

Simon Collins (RGS 1979-1985, RGS staff 2007-2022), Teacher of Geography and Head of DofE

Sonia Dembinska (RGS staff 2015-2022), Saturday Music College

Susan Lockyer (RGS staff 2007-2022), Senior Science Technician

Sydney Biggs (RGS staff 2006-2022), DT Technician

Since the first RGS International school opened in Nanjing back in 2020, RGS’s international education project has gone from strength to strength. Since then, Reigate Grammar School has welcomed students in RGS Vietnam and most recently added to its portfolio, RGS Riyadh. Our Global Village is a force for change, driving great education across continents, supporting interactions between young people that help shape their future. Education is a powerful tool, one that offers opportunity and the chance for change. We seek to further expand the global Reigatian community by building foundations and networks that underpin the values supported by our schools and the education within. This is an opportunity to bring the core values of the RGS brand, promoting cultural enrichment and education of the children worldwide.

RGS INTERNATIONAL NANJING

As the first RGS school overseas, Reigate Grammar School Nanjing is at the vanguard of our RGS China and RGS International projects. RGS Nanjing is located at the Qilin Innovation Park on an impressive 25-acre site. The school opened to great excitement in September 2020. Now in it’s second year of operation, the school’s kindergarten and primary school is flourishing.

VIETNAM

Reigate Grammar School Vietnam, (RGSV) is a not-for-profit international school that blends the best of a traditional British independent school education and Vietnamese values and principles, within the dynamic culture of the city of Hanoi, for pupils aged 3-18 years.

RIYADH

Reigate Grammar School Riyadh (RGS Riyadh), was established in 2022 and now has over 850 students from kindergarten to Year 13.

DAVID WALLIAMS (RGS 1981-1989) Spaceboy

The thing Ruth loves most is space! She spends her days reading comics about alien invasions, doodling UFOs, watching movies about Earth being invaded by creatures from Mars, and gazing at the stars through her battered old telescope. One night, she creeps out of bed to watch the stars, when she spots something blazing across the sky. Something that looks like a flying saucer! When the UFO crash-lands in the cornfield, and Ruth rushes to help, she finds a mystery – and an adventure –beyond her wildest dreams.

Code Name Bananas

It’s 1940 and Britain is at war. Eleven-yearold Eric spends his days at the place that makes him most happy: London Zoo. He particularly loves Gertrude the gorilla, but with bombs falling over London, Eric must rescue Gertrude. Together with his Uncle Sid, a keeper at the zoo, the three go on the run. While hiding out at the seaside, they uncover a top-secret Nazi plot. But the extraordinary friendship between a little boy and a huge gorilla might just save the day.

The World’s Worst Pets

These ten tales of the world’s craziest creatures will have you shaking with laughter. Marvel at Houdini, the magician’s rabbit. Take a trip around the world with Zoom, the supersonic tortoise. Gasp at the chaos created by Griselda, a grizzly bear with a big secret. And run for your lives... it’s Furp, the monstrous goldfish! Good pets, bad pets, super-villain pets, pets as big as a house and pets that could eat you in one gulp – these are the most hilarious and horrendous animals around.

Indian for Everyone

Former chef at Michelin-starred restaurant, Tamarind, YouTube cooking sensation and creator of a popular line of curry kits and sauces, Hari Ghotra’s latest book presents over 100 curries, dhals, and other classic Indian dishes to make and enjoy. In this beautiful family cookbook, she explores the perks of traditional Indian spices – including reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and easing pain – and shows how to stock your pantry with the most versatile ingredients. She covers basics like biryani and rogan josh, as well as street food, snacks, drinks, and holiday specialities.

HARI GHOTRA (current parent)

JOE CHEAL (RGS 1980-1986)

The Maglanian Chronicles

The Shadowbound Lands and The Oblivionati are the first two books in The Maglanian Chronicles, a series of interactive gamebooks where the reader decides what actions to take – like an open-world video game in book form! Waking up in a strange place with creeping fields of darkness consuming the land, a secret organisation is about to unleash havoc. Who will you trust and which direction will you take? These books will appeal to fans of Lord of the Rings or video games like Skyrim and Witcher.

Alice and the Painting Adventure

Did you know that Alice in Wonderland had a Granddaughter? This is a book with a difference, because it is also a game! Guide Alice through an epic exploration, deciding which direction the story takes! Tell Alice where to go and what to do! Have you ever been to a picture gallery without any pictures? This is what will happen if Alice gets distracted from her quest – a quest to find and fill the gallery with wonderful images from her travels. Whether she succeeds or not is up to you!

RIYA M (current student)

The Escape Across the Ocean

Heather and Nate are looking forward to a holiday in Northern Oak Town. Although, like last year, they get swept in another adventure... Three criminals are spreading counterfeit money across Oak Town. But how? While trying to solve the case, Heather and Nate get captured and imprisoned in an abandoned house. Being held prisoner on an island of many secrets, Heather and Nate must find a way to escape from the three criminals, and save the town, before it is too late...

Had something published?

Many of our Reigatian community are published authors and our school library proudly includes many a signed book! If you’re writing something, please let us know by emailing: foundation@reigategrammar.org

BIRTHS & MARRIAGES

HANNAH FUNNELL née Frankum (RGS 2006-2013) married Jamie Funnell on 23 April. Reigatians present were Hannah’s sister and Maid of Honour, Charlotte Frankum (’08), Bridesmaid, Sophie Horne (’13) and Gemma Grabham (’13).

Born on 7 November to parents Hannah and Jamie Funnell.

FRAN BENNETT-COWIE née Bennett (RGS 2003-2005) married Ross Cowie in the woods in Aberdeen, on 20 August 2021. Louisa Mellor (’05) and Rachel Oram née Hails (’05) both attended.

CHARLIE STEEDMAN (RGS 20042011) married Elizabeth Rankin on 5 September also in attendance were best men Nicholas Gunning (RGS ’11) and David Anderson (RGS ’11).

Blaize Harris (RGS 2005-2009) and Gemma Cameron welcomed baby Dax Harris on 1 May.

MADDOX JAMES FUNNELL

DAX HARRIS

Ryan Welmans (RGS 1993-2000) and his wife Katie welcomed identical twin boys Levi and Rio in Autumn. Ryan, who is also an identical twin, told us that the odds of two generations of identical twin boys occurring naturally in direct succession is quite rare. The twins are pictured here with Ryan and Katie, big brother Max, 5 and big sister Darcey, 3.

Born on 21 February to parents Rebecca and Tom Kirschen (RGS 2001-2009).

Born on 20 March to parents Jack Pollard and Anna Stehrenberger (RGS 2002-2010).

LEVI AND RIO WELMANS

AMELIE NUALA KIRSCHEN

PENELOPE HOPE POLLARD

DEATHS & OBITUARIES

Reigatian Association (ORA) annual dinners as his guest.

Andy was a stalwart member of the CCF Corps of Drums (or the Corps Band, as everyone called it in those days). A quiet but totally reliable presence, and always smartly turned out, he was a skilled Side Drummer who rose to the rank of Sergeant. Leading Side Drummer in his final year, it was he who wrote the complex drum part for the band’s version of Telstar, a popular tune of the 1960s. Sadly, Andy left the school and the band the year before our Royal Tournament appearance at Earls Court. He would have loved it.

ANDREW

WILSON (1946-2022) (RGS 1957-1965)

We are saddened to advise the death of Andy Wilson on 6 January, 2022 after a short illness.

After leaving RGS, Andy studied at Ewell Technical College and qualified as a

Chartered Building Surveyor, ultimately working for local government.

He lived in Horley, but eventually moved back into the family home in Salfords to care for his father, Les, who was heavily involved in local Scouting and also a keen badminton player, even in later years. Andy regularly brought his father to Old

His most recent visit to RGS was to watch the current CCF’s VE Day parade as he was keen to get involved with the band in some way.

Obituary with thanks to friends Lynn Wilson (RGS 1959-66, CCF Side Drummer) and Michael Jordan (RGS 1959-67, CCF Drum Major)

Having moved to Canada in his early 20s, David found it difficult to access cricket results in the early years of the internet and was one of the pioneers who developed Cricinfo (espncricinfo.com) from its origins as an email list into a fully-fledged website. Living in Newfoundland, he discovered that cricket had been a popular sport there under British rule, but that interest had since faded. He decided to help reinvigorate the game by offering his services as a volunteer organiser, coach and umpire, as well as developing school programmes. Eventually he became president of Cricket Newfoundland and Labrador, from 2017 to 2019, and also played a national role in managing Cricket Canada’s website, joining its board of directors.

the movie’s cricket consultant, checking dialogue and teaching actors how to play.

David was born in Accra, Ghana, where our parents, John and Peggy, worked for the British Volta mission. He grew up in Redhill, Surrey, attending Reigate Grammar School and the University of Edinburgh, where he studied Geology. Moving to Canada, he completed an MSc and PhD in Glacial Geology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, with a break to work in the oil industry and then to backpack around the world.

DAVID

LIVERMAN (1956-2022) (RGS 1967-1974)

My brother David Liverman, who has died aged 66 of prostate cancer, was a BritishCanadian geologist who became a tireless sports administrator in Newfoundland and Labrador, where he helped to regenerate interest in his favourite game, cricket.

In 2019 David was named as Sport Newfoundland’s Executive of the Year, and in 2021 Cricket NL named their summer league trophy the Liverman Cup in his honour, also creating the David Liverman Fairplay award. When Hollywood came to Newfoundland to make the film The Grand Seduction (2013) – in which a remote Newfoundland community tries to attract a doctor obsessed with cricket – he became

In 1988, David was hired as a Geologist by the Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador in St John’s, where he eventually became Director of the survey and then Assistant Deputy Minister in the provincial department of natural resources, retiring in 2016.

An adjunct Professor of Geography at Memorial University, his geological interests included geoscience communication, the glacial and sea level history of Newfoundland, and geological hazards. He wrote a book, Killer Snow: Avalanches of Newfoundland and Labrador (2007), which attracted considerable popular interest.

Aside from his dedication to cricket, David also spent many hours as a volunteer involved with figure skating in Newfoundland, serving as a club president and as a provincial executive, and winning the Skate Canada Volunteer of Excellence award in 2007. He was very proud when his daughter,

Beth, joined the staff of Skate Canada. In addition, David, who was a lifelong Arsenal supporter, spent many hours on the football field as a referee, and became a national level refereeing instructor for the Canadian Soccer Association. He is survived by his wife, Sandra (nee

Powell), whom he met in Edmonton when doing his postgraduate studies and married in 1986, by his daughter, Beth, and by his two siblings, me and Michael.

Obituary with thanks to David’s sister, Diana

ALAN SYMES (1930-2022) (RGS 1940-1948)

Alan was born in St Mary’s Road, Reigate. He attended St John’s Primary School, Redhill and later won a scholarship to Reigate Grammar School in 1941, where he eventually became a Prefect. A comment from his headmaster said: “If this boy took as much interest in his education as he does with sport, he would be brilliant”! However, he still did very well academically, attaining equivalent A levels in Chemistry, Physics, Botany and Zoology.

He entered National Service duty in the RAF, in Lancaster bombers and did a degree in Entomology leading to a role as an entomologist. Never losing his passion for the natural world, he considered ‘man’ arrogant in his attitude to nature: an early eco-warrior! Alan also had a natural affinity with wood and often made handmade gifts for friends and family in his workshop. Working as a chemist at The Fuller’s Earth Union, whilst undertaking his second degree in Minerals Extraction, Alan rose to Plant, Production and Quarry Manager in a 35-year career. Following the plant closure, Alan worked at Surrey County Council as Quarry Planning Inspector until his retirement. Moving to Exmouth, Alan in his characteristic way, made many new friends, and joined new clubs, including Exmouth Rugby Club (where he became Vice President), and Rotary international (where he did his stint as President).

Rugby was Alan’s passion and his love for the game, spanned an impressive 46 years. Having played in the school rugby 1st XV colours from the ages of 15-18, he even wrote that he joined the ATC 775 squadron, to play rugby! He first played for the ORRFC on their reforming in 1946 and due to War casualties in the club, he played for the Old Reigatians whilst still at school. He captained all six sides in the club and played his last 1st XV game at the

age of 42. As voluntary Clubhouse and Ground Maintenance Chairman for 20 years, and briefly bar manager, he was given the honour of being awarded life Vice Presidency of the club.

Alan also played in other teams, including ATC England International Cap colours (19 group), RAF, United Services, Captained Surrey u.19s, and played as a ‘casual visitor’ with several other clubs. He also refereed lower games and schoolboys, and apparently always had his kit in the car! He estimated he had played 1,850 games during his rugby career, not including Sevens.

Suffering a number of injuries during his rugby career didn’t stop his deep pride and love for the game, believing it levelled and developed people. His commitment was total, and he said he would do it all over again. Always the team player, Alan’s devotion to people drove him and he gave back where he could, particularly in the education and development of the younger

generation, and to that end he often mentored young rugby players. In Exmouth he managed the Rotary’s junior club.

Deeply modest, Alan was proud of his achievements, but seldom mentioned them: he later wrote that he believed that may have been a mistake, as he was sometimes not taken seriously, nor received recognition at that time.

Towards the end of his life, Alan’s reduced mobility and vascular dementia, finally trumped his fierce desire for independence in his home in Exmouth, having to move to the dementia Care Home in Horley. Alan died with his daughter by his side in his ninety-third year: a long and full life: a modest, and proudly independent man, impacting many people with his big heart for others.

He leaves four children, seven grandchildren and nine great-grand-children.

Obituary with thanks to Alan’s daughter, Judith Wetherall

My father Roger Clarke died suddenly of heart failure on 27 November 2021, aged 87.

Dad attended Reigate Grammar School 1945-1953. He was very happy there, made life-long friends in Theo Kirstein and Roger Palmer, scored cricket games, and rose to Sergeant in the Air Training Corps. He had loved planes since the war, when he would beg to be allowed to watch the Battle of Britain from his family’s air-raid

shelter in Redhill. He always said his teacher Doris Knight inspired his love of Chemistry. We have a photo of Ms Knight (pictured above) in the old RGS science labs, helping us imagine what it looked like then.

Roger studied at Queen Mary College, London (BSc Chemistry, 1958). This time framed his future life. He met his wife Joan, made wonderful friends, and decided to become a science teacher. His first boss said he took to teaching like a duck to water.

In 1960 he moved to Hove Grammar School, later Blatchington Mill School, where he was to spend his whole career, retiring as Head of Science in 1995. He

then worked for the University of Sussex, mentoring PGCE students beginning their own teaching careers.

Dad was passionate about science –especially Chemistry. He was always delighted when pupils chose careers in science and took enormous pride in their accomplishments.

He is much missed by his wife Joan, children Jan, Rosemary and Chris, and grandchildren Tom, Alice and Emily (Dixon, RGS 2007-2014).

Obituary with thanks to Roger’s daughter, Jan Dixon

ANTHONY STEPHEN EARL (1950-2022) (RGS 1961-1969)

We Old Reigatians first encountered Tony Earl in September 1961, as new boys of Reigate Grammar School. He was wearing a navy cap with two encircling white rings, a navy tie with white stripes, a somewhat larger than required, and uncomfortably

new, navy blazer and grey flannel shorts. His knee length navy socks were also the standard requirement but from under the striped tops peeked the green tabs of his 30th Reigate Scout garters as evidence of a nascent independence of spirit. The name ‘Earl’ would have been sewn in Cash’s name tapes into his cap and blazer and ‘Earl’ was his sole identifier for the next three years. We played our first game of rugby together for the school in November 1961 and our last in April 1969 but by that time he had morphed into a legend. He was now ‘Tony’ but more than that his character seemed to be enshrined and enriched by the 60s music that defined our age. He was a ‘cool dude’ who seemed to be one with PJ Proby and Elvis and to whom the name of ‘Baby’, however outwardly incongruous, applied so appropriately.

In his later life he always retained that essential character and combined it with the determination and capacity to go his

own, individual way. He relished Art and all things Italian and was a great enthusiast for many sports. He had a wonderful and at times somewhat impish sense of humour and took the road of life seemingly effortlessly but he was also well informed in current affairs and used a ready wit to amuse all. He may seem to have strolled through life but in reality he achieved much and was particularly blessed with three daughters of whom he was hugely proud. In summary, he embodied charisma easily and naturally and was somebody with whom we all wanted to claim friendship.

Tony, or Baby, will be massively missed by his many friends and family. We who have played in life with him must now play on without him but we do not play that game alone. Friendship and a love of life are his most important gifts to us and we will hold them fast and dear.

Obituary with thanks to Richard Jopling: President of The Nag’s Head Flyers 2023

ROGER CLARKE

BSC CCHEM FRSC (1934-2021) (RGS 1945-1953)

ROGER HANCOCK (1930-2022) (RGS 1941-1946)

Roger was born in Hendon, North London, moving to Salfords in Surrey when he was five years old. Growing up here through the war years, he attended RGS, where in one of the joint dances held with Reigate County School for Girls he met his future wife Eileen. Their romance blossomed through their shared pleasure in playing in Mr Dale’s junior orchestra.

His was a musical family, and he was both a choirboy and a violinist. However, while his musical talent was of such a standard that a career as a professional musician was considered, he opted instead for engineering. After leaving RGS he worked briefly as a junior draughtsman before undertaking an apprenticeship, on completion of which, he joined the Scientific Civil Service as a Scientific Assistant.

After National Service from 1951 to 1953 (and having married Eileen in December 1951), he returned to the Civil Service, and immediately transferred to the newly established National Engineering Laboratory in East Kilbride. Here he made a career in the development and application of fluid power, rising through the grades to finish as Head of the Fluids Department. During his 32 years at NEL

he was involved in many cutting-edge projects including hydrostatic drives for earth-moving equipment.

Roger loved the outdoors. The early years in Scotland were spent exploring, particularly the Highlands. This was also the time when he decided that, as flying was too expensive a hobby for a young man with a new family, he would take up sailing. He joined the works sailing club, before building himself a Heron dinghy and joining the Clyde Canoe Club in 1960. From dinghy sailing he progressed to small keelboats, and from club racing on Loch Lomond to racing and cruising during the summer months on the West Coast of Scotland.

On his retirement in 1986, Roger and Eileen moved north again to the village of Fintry nestling in the countryside north of Glasgow. Retirement also brought sufficient spare time for his dormant passion for flying to be indulged, and he joined the Scottish Gliding Centre where he achieved his dream of flying solo and enjoying the peace of soaring alone above the Fife countryside.

Roger and Eileen had recently celebrated 70 years of marriage when he passed away suddenly in March. He is survived by Eileen, son Francis, daughter Jackie, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, and will be warmly remembered by many who knew him.

NOTICE OF DEATHS 2022

Alan Symes (RGS 1941-1948) died 30 December 2022

Patrick Watson (RGS 1940-1947) died 29 December 2022

Eric (Jim) Best (RGS 1937-1942) died 23 September 2022

Tony Earl (RGS 1961-1969) died September 2022*

Cliff Bonneywell (RGS 1944-1950) died 14 August 2022

Peter Gunn (RGS 1951-1957) died 14 July 2022

Alan Brownlow (RGS 1944-1950) died 21 May 2022

Richard Charlwood (RGS 1952-1959) died May 2022*

Roger Hancock (RGS 1940-1946) died 11 March 2022

Paul Phelps (RGS 1952-1959) died 24 February 2022

Dave Hannan (RGS 1951-1957) died 18 February 2022

David Liverman (RGS 1967-1974) died 29 January 2022

Andrew Wilson (RGS 1957-1965) died 6 January 2022

*Exact date of death unknown

NOTICE OF DEATHS SUPPLEMENT

Roger Clarke (RGS 1945-1953) died 27 November 2021

Lynn Ellaby (RGS 1963-1969) died 23 November 2021

Richard Jennings (RGS 1943-1947) died 23 October 2021

David McKinney (RGS 2000-2005) died 17 July 2019

Barrie Edgely (RGS 1935-1942) died June 2021*

Dr Charles Owen Lister (RGS 1939-1943) died 31 March 2021

Derek Taylor (RGS 1944-1949) died 18 February 2020

Melanie Knight, née Rae (RGS 1984-1986) died in 2017*

Obituary with thanks to Roger’s son, Francis Hancock

Looking for a unique gift for a loved one? All profits from the sale of commemorative products go towards our Changing Lives campaign, so why not treat yourself?

£15

RGS CREST NECKLACE

RGS BASEBALL CAP

New design! In a navy colourway, this a unisex, one size fits all baseball cap, features the embroidered RGS castle logo on the front, along with ‘1675’ emblem on the side.

£50 MINIMUM DONATION £20 each £30 set MINIMUM DONATION

Authentic cotton ‘old school’ rugby shirts, featuring the embroidered school crest on the chest with the Roman numerals ‘XV’ on the back with ‘1675’ (the year RGS was founded) on the collar. Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL (sizes come up slightly on the large side)

£50

DONATION

RGS FOUNDATION UMBRELLA

Make a statement with this classic, large black golf umbrella with the RGS logo on one side and a lime green Changing Lives logo on the other.

RGS SCHOOL PICTURE: A3 PRINT / A5 GREETINGS CARD

Commissioned by RGS and designed by local artist Helena Vaughan (helenavaughan.co.uk), this unique picture of Life at RGS is available as an A3 print, ready for framing, and comes with authentication certificate. An A5 greetings card with white envelope is also available.

The tie width is eight centimetres (three inches) at the widest point. Colour options: blue and silver or green and blue for both ties and cufflinks

RGS FOUNDATION TEAM UPDATE

PLACING AN ORDER

To place an order please email: foundation@reigategrammar.org

Call: 01737 222231

Scan the QR code below or order online at:

https://www.rgs.foundation/ support-us/merchandise/

Please include the following details with your order

– Item, quantity, colour and size (if applicable)

– Your full name

– Delivery address and contact number

We offer free UK p&p with each order (exception: there is an additional £5 surcharge for umbrella orders – collection from RGS is also available).

On receipt of payment, please allow five working days for delivery.

Keep up-to-date with our latest news and events:

We are delighted to inform you of some fantastic recent appointments and developments within the RGS Foundation.

We are developing an exciting RGS 2030 campaign, linked to our school’s 350 anniversary in 2025. We will be more ambitious than ever for our school, for our wider community and for our social mobility programmes. To lead the team and this new campaign, Jonny Hylton (RGS 1992-1999) has been promoted to the role of RGS Foundation Director, working directly with Shaun Fenton Headmaster. Sean Davey’s role has evolved, he will continue to provide invaluable support and consultancy as Head of Foundation, whilst focusing more on the important growth of our Global Village of school partnerships.

The team has been strengthened by the arrival of Tracey Thornton (RGS Parent) as Foundation Executive. This new role will complement the great work already carried out by Catherine Hutchison (Foundation Executive) as we look to further strengthen friendships, engagement and fundraising with the Reigatian Community.

We also welcome Jodie Lazarus, who takes over from the departing Nikki Burch, as Reigatian Community Officer. This role is vital, and Jodie will take the lead on events including; ‘Back to School Day’, annual reunions, community fundraising activities and collating content for The Reigatian magazine. If you have any interesting stories to share, wish to return to RGS for a visit, would like to offer your expertise to provide a career talk or have any general community queries then Jodie will be able to help. Please do welcome both Tracey and Jodie as and when you meet them.

In addition to these new appointments, Clare Adams has been promoted to RGS Foundation Office Manager in recognition of her outstanding contribution over the past few years.

The RGS Foundation team is an important part of the wider RGS school team and exists to engage and connect with our Reigatian Community and to support RGS pupils, staff, alumni and RGS families by harnessing the power of our global community. We do this in several ways through events, networking, community activities and philanthropic endeavours. We are here to help.

“We can prepare a new, ambitious 2030 strategy and celebrate our school’s 350 anniversary because of the phenomenal success of our Changing Lives campaign under the incredible leadership of Sean Davey, hitting all our 2025 targets three years early. Thank you to all who have helped make a difference and transformed the life chances of children who otherwise would not have benefitted from an RGS education.

Jonny Hylton steps up to lead the RGS Foundation with his outstanding team, I can’t wait to see what we

Shaun Fenton, Headmaster

As

can do over the next 7 years.”

MEET THE FOUNDATION TEAM

HOW WE USE YOUR DATA THE GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR)

In May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation came into force, extending the data rights of individuals. It requires us, as an organisation and a charity, to take appropriate and extensive measures to protect your data.

As a member of the Reigatian community, we hold information on our database. This includes your name, address, email and phone number. Depending on the extent to which you have been involved with the school, we may also hold information on donations you have given, Gift Aid declarations and possible correspondence we may have exchanged.

It is important for you to know that we do not share your data with other organisations or individuals, with the exception of those carefully selected to provide us with essential services, such as a mailing house (to send The Reigatian Magazine) or data cleansing (to ensure records we hold are accurate). We are committed to respecting your privacy and the GDPR enhances our data policies.

We contact individuals on our database with school and Foundation news, reunion and event invitations and fundraising campaign information, always giving you an opportunity to opt out. Copies of our Privacy Notice and Data Retention Policy can be found on our website: rgs.foundation. We hope you enjoy hearing from us and being part of the Reigatian community. If you have any questions about how we handle your data, please get in touch at: foundation@reigategrammar.org

CLASS OF EXPLAINED…

We record the dates that alumni attended RGS based on the year that they would have left had they stayed until the end of the Upper Sixth. So, if somebody left after the Fifth Form, their ‘Class of’ would be two years later than the date they actually left.

We record it in this way to ensure that alumni are always categorised in the correct year group. If we organised a 50-year gold reunion, for example, we will invite the Class of 1973 (in 2023).

GIVING LEVELS

CLARE ADAMS Foundation Office Manager cla@reigategrammar.org

General enquiries

Call: 01737 222231

Email: foundation@reigategrammar.org

Website: rgs.foundation

Below we outline the various ways in which you might consider supporting the work of the Foundation. We welcome your gifts, no matter how large or small. Please speak to the team or visit our website (rgs. foundation) for more information.

PILGRIM SOCIETY

Donate a regular gift – from £10 a month up to £1,675 a year

HENRY SMITH CLUB

Give an annual gift of £1,675 (with a seven-year commitment)

PATRON

Patron gifts are one-off donations of £16,750

BENEFACTOR

Complete sponsorship of one child’s full Reigate Grammar School education

1675 SOCIETY

Pledge to leave a gift to RGS in your will

CATHERINE HUTCHISON Foundation Executive cxh@reigategrammar.org

TRACEY THORNTON Foundation Executive tat@reigategrammar.org

JODIE LAZARUS Reigatian Community Officer jel@reigategrammar.org

SEAN DAVEY Head of Foundation spd@reigategrammar.org

JONNY HYLTON Foundation Director jdh@reigategrammar.org

The Foundation Office exists to support the development of Reigate Grammar School and to foster the friendship and support of all Reigatians. The Reigatian community includes current and former pupils, parents, staff, governors and friends of the school – all, in fact, for whom the school is, or has been, an important part of their lives. Our future success depends upon the benevolence of the whole Reigatian community and we invite you to contribute with them and help to shape the future of our great school and its pupils.

Foundation Office

Reigate Grammar School

Reigate Road

Reigate RH2 0QS 01737 222231

rgs.foundation

 @foundationRGS

 Reigate Grammar School Foundation

 Reigate Grammar School Professionals rgsfoundation

Stay connected via the RGS app

Registered Charity number 1081898