TALKING ABOUT MY GENERATION

How much has changed at RGS since the 1980s? We caught up with current Head Girl, Jess, and her Dad Chris Bates (RGS 1980-1988) and Head Boy, Charlie, and his Dad, Steve Jenner (RGS 1978-1986) to see how their experiences of school compare.

Charlie with his Dad, Steve Jenner (RGS 1978-1986)

Chris Bates (RGS 1980-1988) with daughter, Jess

What were your highlights?

Chris: RGS was a different place when I was there – predominantly because it was all boys up to Sixth Form. But also because people come from much further afield now – there was one bus from Horsham in my day! Most of my memories revolve around sport, with rugby in winter and cricket in summer. The friendships are the most important thing I took away. Every morning, Martin Russell (RGS staff 1975-2019) ran a basketball club, which people from across the school could attend – it was a great way of gelling together students from different year groups.

Steve: I agree that it feels very different now, especially with the academic pressure on students, but that’s what we all aspire to. In my day we had boys with wider academic abilities, and fees were around £1,500 a year, which was a lot at the time. My father had died when I was younger and my Mum was working as a nurse and it was a real stretch for her to send me and my brother to RGS, but it was absolutely the making of us. Like Chris, the highlights are the friendships I made. I’m still in touch with a lot of my school friends, which becomes more important the older we get. Most of my friendships were founded through sport – the school has always had a strong rugby pedigree. I played a lot of rugby and Chris and I were both 1st XV captains. And then Old Reigatians RFC has been a big part my life, having played there for ten years, then coached minis and juniors for another 14! Like Chris, early morning basketball was an absolute hoot!

Charlie: My highlights come from sport and the atmosphere which creates – the team that you spend so much time with – you build a close bond. There are a lot of good memories from rugby – we’ve never been quite as successful as in Dad’s era, but a lot of my best memories come from that. Jess and I had an hilarious time in Wales doing our Duke of Edinburgh Award. Those are the sort of experiences that I’ll never forget.

Jess: Oh, DofE! It rained for five days straight, but no-one cared that we were soaked and looking awful... it was nothing but laughter! The people at RGS are the best – we were in the middle of Wales, with nothing but each other, and had a fantastic week. I’ve loved playing netball – spending so much time with my teammates – training and going to matches – that’s what I’ve missed most in 2020. The people I’ve met and the friends I’ve made are the highlights for me.

How different do you think RGS is now?

Chris: It was strange to turn up on Jess’s first day and bump into Martin Russell and get embroiled in a conversation, forgetting that I had my little girl standing there!

Jess: I actually really like the fact that I had a connection to the school already, albeit a long time ago! It’s great that we can compare experiences and teachers and we all love listening to Dad’s stories and hearing what’s changed. Dad was obviously quite good at school, which makes it easier! I haven’t actually been taught by any of the teachers he had, but I see them in the corridors and my brother, sister and I are all called ‘Batesy’!

Steve: I was pleased that my boys could go to RGS. I was surprised by the number of teachers who were still here!

Charlie: Like Jess I really enjoyed having a prior connection to the school – it almost felt special! For me, with my brother Joe in the year above, that connection was much more recent which meant a lot of my teachers already knew what to expect. Thankfully Joe left a good impression which I hope I didn’t tarnish!

Any favourite subjects and teachers?

Chris: I loved Economics, which had a great department with Geoff Simpson (RGS staff 1980-1991), who I still keep in touch with, and John Manfield (RGS staff 1979-2010), who was a huge influence both in the classroom and on the sports field. André Genillard (RGS staff 1986- 1997) was my Form Teacher. They were all great fun. I had Dai Bader (RGS staff 1982-2019) for Maths from Second Form – his first job, I think – and he really knocked me into shape. For sport, Alan Reid (RGS staff 1971-2017), Andrew Whiteley (RGS staff 1978-2015) and Stuart Nicholson (RGS staff 1979-to date) were a huge influence. Likewise, David Jones (RGS staff 1975-2013) for cricket – I think we had 25+ 1st XI fixtures in our final year.

Steve: Along with all the names mentioned, I was stronger in the sciences, so Allan Sims (RGS staff 1964-2001), Dai Griffiths (RGS staff 1949-1984), Alan Clarke (RGS staff 1973-1989), Dr Kathryn Knapp (RGS staff 1973-2004) for Chemistry – I always thought it was cool to be taught by someone whose name was on the text book! I loved doing Latin in the earlier years with the absolute legend that was Aubs Scrase (RGS staff 1955-1995). We didn’t appreciate at the time how much people like DJ – who was involved with everything – used to do across the school. I have fond memories of the old blue Sea Scout double-decker bus that Martin Russell used to drive for basketball games; coming back late at night and stopping off for fish ‘n’ chips. Going down the M25 was an experience given that the back was open!

How do you think your experiences differ?

Chris: Being co-educational is the biggest difference – this makes the school a bit softer. Whilst I was lucky because I loved sport, I have friends who weren’t into rugby who spent two winter terms having to play sports they didn’t like.

Jess: I’ve loved my time at RGS and Dad did too, so from that perspective, we had similar experiences. There are so many opportunities to get involved in different things, so while those opportunities might be different, that’s the common theme. I did more in my earlier years. In fact the one thing I wish I’d carried on with is drama – the productions are incredible and Dad loves coming back to watch these.

Steve: I think Charlie has had to work a lot harder. The school’s a very different place, but I’ve been very pleased with what it’s given both of my boys. Charlie and his friends will be going out into the world as well-educated, well-rounded and respectful individuals. I’m glad I was able to give my children the same springboard that RGS gave me in terms of both education and confidence.

Charlie: RGS is more diverse in terms of what people are offered. Sport is still a big thing, but it’s no longer the only thing! People do so many different activities, be it music or drama, and I think this has a big impact. The stories Dad tells are similar to my own – so I think RGS has kept its culture.

Being Head Boy and Head Girl

Steve: I’m hugely proud that Charlie was elected Head Boy and think Charlie and Jess have done an outstanding job of representing the school and their fellow pupils in these difficult times. The early video shoots from home were a learning curve for us all, but now Charlie has it all in hand.

Jess: Obviously it’s been different, given that there have been no events. But we’ve written and recorded a lot of speeches. Though being positive when it hasn’t been a great year for some people is a sensitive balance.

Chris: The process was different in my day, where you were appointed. I was asked to go and see the Headmaster and my heart sank, but thankfully Peter Lee (RGS 1981-1988) was given the top job! He had to give this huge speech on Speech Day. He was my height and build and afterwards we were loitering around and several Governors came up to me and said, “Great speech!” I said “Thanks!” while grinning at Pete! I’m thrilled for both Jess and Charlie – it’s a just reward for their efforts all the way through the school.

Charlie: It has been tricky trying to fill the role virtually but, in many ways, that’s created a lot of opportunities. With events like the Remembrance Service and Carols by Candlelight, producing videos gave everyone a chance to be much more creative – being a part of that process was a lot of fun.

How do you feel about this being your final year? Charlie: I’m sad about leaving, but grateful that we’ve been able to be in school continuously for the whole autumn term. This is such an achievement. Everyone has followed the guidelines and been so careful – and shown such maturity, especially the younger years. I’m excited for the next chapter now, but don’t have any concrete plans. Jess: I can still remember arriving in the First Year and thinking I don’t know anyone and how would I survive in this big school! I can’t believe how quickly the last seven years have gone. I’m lucky that my brother and sister are here, so I’ll still hear what’s happening. But the good thing about our school is that we’ll always have a link through the Foundation.

Have several generations of your family attended RGS? Let us know by emailing foundation@reigategrammar.org.

The PE department interviewed the Bates family during the spring/summer 2020 lockdown – listen to the podcast at spoti.fi/2LS4x9j.