DialOGue 2022

Conquering

Our Man in Bangkok

Philippa Green Editor

It has been a busy, enjoyable and very productive few months in the Development & Alumni Relations Office. An increasing number of young OGs are getting involved back at school and it is great to see them giving back through the careers programme, webinars and interest talks, and we are also delighted to welcome back big names to give lectures and support the School.

Over the last year, our reunion programme has been taking off once more, with OGs of all generations meeting here at the RGS, catching up with their teachers and engaging with the pupils to share stories of school life past and present. We have plenty more OG events planned for 2023 so do check the Events Listing on the back cover and join in wherever you can.

There are big, exciting plans for fundraising over the next decade. Hot on the heels of our successful Twenty for 2020 Campaign, The Road to 2035 is an ambitious project for growing the bursary provision further. See more on p10 as this vital part of future school life moves up to the next level.

One of the best things is meeting OGs of all ages and hearing about the wonderful, interesting, unusual paths they have followed since leaving the RGS, be it into a first job or beyond retirement. It is rewarding for us and all the staff to see them building careers that make them fulfilled and happy. We also treasure memories from former staff and parents who keep us up to date too!

The spirit of philanthropy is thriving amongst our community, with OGs looking beyond their own horizons to enrich the lives of others. It is heartening to see the core values of the School taken on through life.

Whenever you may be visiting Guildford, do come and find us upstairs in the Austen Room, in the Old Building, to share your news and find out what is happening at your old school.

Editorial Team and Acknowledgements

Editor Philippa Green

Associate Editor Helen Dixon

Communications should be addressed to the Editor: og@rgsg.co.uk or RGS Guildford, High Street, Guildford GU1 3BB.

Acknowledgements

With sincere thanks to all those who contributed to this edition of the OG magazine or helped with its production. We would particularly like to thank those not credited elsewhere:

Mary Buylla

Peter Dunscombe

Phill Griffith

Nina McCoy Monica Popa

Jimmy Pressley Lucy Shires

John Simpson Kathryn Sweet Alan Thorn

Many thanks to all those staff and families who share OG news with us and support us at our events.

Our grateful thanks as always to the Catering Team, the Estates Team and the IT department who give us such wonderful support throughout the year at our events – we couldn’t host them without your fabulous food, friendly service, hard work and attention to detail.

This magazine was designed by Haime & Butler and printed by L&S Printing. It is produced annually by the Development & Alumni Relations Office, Royal Grammar School, Guildford.

THE CLASS OF 2022 AN RGS JOURNEY

UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS

THE HARDY CUP

First awarded 100 years ago, The Hardy Cup (previously The Cock House Cup) celebrates an accumulation of successes and participants for each House, with points awarded for a vast array of activities throughout the School year. These range from sport to music, reading to baking, debating to drama and so much more. The proud winners for 2022 for the second year running were Austen House. To explore the history of the RGS House system and The Hardy Cup, please refer to our feature on p32 curated with research carried out by our Senior Housemaster, RGS Religious Studies Teacher and OG 1996, Karim Tayar.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

We could not be more impressed by the way our Class of 2022 have conducted themselves. Sitting high-stakes A Level examinations after the significant succession of disruptions caused by the pandemic and having never experienced formal public examinations before, placed real demands them. The Class of 2022’s hard work, determination and resilience have been tested to the full. Nevertheless, they responded stoically and resolutely to each and every challenge and have emerged with results of which they can all be rightly proud. We

are absolutely delighted that they have achieved such excellent results.

Academic enrichment is about so much more than grades and percentages in public examinations, never more so than in the current climate. The growth of intellectual curiosity, independence, creativity, habits of learning within a scholarly community are all at the heart of an RGS education. The Class of 2022 fully embraced and maximised every opportunity outside the classroom in true spirit of a love of learning.

50.1% 11

Bath, Cambridge, Durham and Exeter have been in the Top 5 destinations of RGS students every year for the last six years

Class of 2022 Bursary Fund

80.9% 293

of all grades being the top, gold-star standard – awarded at A* of the Class of 2022 secured places to study Medicine of all grades were awarded at A* or A boys have received Oxbridge offers in the last ten years

95% 107

of all offers held to UK institutions were to a Russell Group or Times Top 20 Institution

students went to their first-choice institutions: securing places on the most competitive courses at the leading universities in the country

Widening access and opening the doors of the RGS to every bright local boy is at the heart of our philosophy. Motivated by education and the principles of widening access, 34 families from the Class of 2022 have raised 29% of the Class of 2022 Bursary. This Bursary commemorates the achievements of the Class of 2022 in the most RGS way possible – working together to open the door to those less fortunate, ensuring that another bright, local boy who has earned his place at the RGS will be able to take it up.

Congratulations

Victorious Austen House Captain Ollie and Tony Dubois, Housemaster of Austen for over 25 years, as he retires from the RGS

Leavers’ Ball

The Headmaster’s Address

Senior Prizegiving

Tuesday 28 June 2022

Mr Mayor, a very familiar Madame Mayoress, High Sheriff, Mrs Creedy, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is our first live Prizegiving ceremony for nearly three years so it is with a genuine sense of pleasure and relief that I speak to you all this evening.

Time flies. I last spoke in person at this event in September 2019. My son was in the audience; he is now about to start his fourth year at university. Quite a lot has happened in the intervening years, an almost unbelievable turn of events. For many years the term global pandemic was simply an entry on this school’s Risk Register. It was an entry to which no-one really gave any credence, believing it to be so improbable that it wasn’t deemed fit for discussion. How times have changed. And here we are, in 2022, having been able to experience our first uninterrupted school year for three years. It has not been without its restrictions. We were still under some Covid regulations back in September, but things felt a little more normal in that we were free of masks, year-group bubbles and we were able to do some of the events which are so important to us as a community. Forget the blip of Omicron which, with the cancellation once again of this year’s Carol Service, set us back a little, we have gradually been able to resume an RGS education in all its senses, and for that we can be extremely grateful.

In many respects it has been a year of firsts. When I talk about firsts, I am referring to ‘firsts since the pandemic changed our lives’. September saw the first rugby fixtures since December 2019 and I have never seen so many happy faces and so many parents on the touchline at Bradstone Brook; after the travesty and farce of CAGS and TAGS we have appreciated seeing the boys sit public exams for the first time since summer 2019, an opportunity for them to demonstrate, through their exam performance, that they are amongst the brightest young minds in the country; we have sat watching drama productions and music concerts, sharing that experience of fun, laughter, awe and admiration with our fellow audience members, and maybe tensing nervously at the coughing coming from the seat behind; and perhaps most importantly, we, as teachers, have delighted in returning to the classroom and interacting with our students in a way which the barrier of a computer screen can never replace.

Don’t get me wrong, although it sounds very odd to say so, in some respects I have appreciated the pandemic. On a personal level, I am grateful to have spent so much time as a family when, ordinarily, my two older children would not have been back home with us. And on a professional level, I have been delighted to see the support,

the creativity, the innovation and the stoicism which has emanated from the RGS during such a time of challenge.

Throughout the pandemic an RGS education has continued in a variety of forms and we are proud of the standards we were able to maintain during such a challenging time, showing the School to be adaptable and inventive. That we successfully negotiated one of the most difficult times of our professional careers and did so in a way that our students continued to be well prepared for their future education and careers is something to be celebrated. When faced with such a challenge one has to do things differently, to come out of one’s comfort zone and to take risks. Taking risks with the education of young people is not something we would normally relish but, as the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, said, “In a

world which is changing rapidly, the only strategy guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.”

The fact that an historic and traditional school such as ours can be nimble and adaptable in its response to a challenge is as good a lesson to our boys as any.

This year has been an exceptionally busy one for all the right reasons, but it has been an exhausting one too, as we collectively emerge from the enforced inactivity of the pandemic period and resume our education at one hundred miles an hour. So much wonderful work happens inside the classroom where students are challenged and inspired, but so much of our education occurs outside the classroom, yesterday’s Field Day being a good example, where those other essential skills are learned, developed and honed. It was this aspect that we missed so much during the pandemic and which we have relished this year.

Our all-round educational excellence was reflected in the latest ISI inspection report published in April. We were ‘delighted’ to welcome the ISI inspection team in the week straight after the Lent half-term. When I say delighted, you will all know that we weren’t delighted at all. No-one enjoys being inspected and judged, particularly when such judgements are so critical for a school of the reputation of the RGS. We talk with the boys about the importance of failure as a learning experience. But on this occasion, failure was not an option. Inspections are highly pressured situations. So, it was with a sense of dread, rather than delight, that we received the phone call from ISI at

8.30 on that Monday morning – with the formal inspection starting just an hour later. We had been expecting the call for weeks; we were prepared and confident, but inspections are never pleasant experiences because for all of us, students, staff and Governors, when your school’s reputation is being judged by outsiders, it is a very personal thing.

You will all know that our inspection was extraordinarily positive, indeed, I could not have hoped for a better outcome. The report is divided into three sections. The first checks whether the School has met standards of compliance. This is not a given. In a year when some famous and respected schools have failed their inspections, I was pleased that we met every standard and am grateful for the hard work of so many members of staff who shouldered the considerable administrative burdens, mostly behind the scenes, just to get a tick and a pass in this section. The remainder of the report focuses on the academic achievements of the boys, who were described as displaying exceptional attitudes to their learning, and on their personal development, where we also received the top descriptor of excellent.

The inspection team did a fine job. I would say that when our school has passed with flying colours, but what pleased me more than those top descriptors was the fact that the inspectors described the school that I know and love in such glowing terms. They really got to the heart of what makes us tick. When I talk to prospective parents there are aspects of the school

An abridged version of

I am very pleased that we have been able to offer places to three Ukrainian pupils who have fled their country. We are enjoying their company enormously but we hope that their tenure with us will be brief and that they can return to their homeland as soon as possible.

which I always try to highlight. I talk about our boys’ humility and engagement; the Inspectors wrote: “Pupils are respectfully confident, and display a natural polite, and engaging way of communicating with each other and adults.”

I always describe the enjoyment I get from my own teaching of such interesting and sparky young men – the report said: “Pupils are passionate, motivated and enthusiastic.”

I talk about the fact that education is about more than gaining a certificate full of 9s and A* grades – the report stated; “Pupils’ attitudes are wholly aligned in fulfilling the School’s aims which encourage scholarship for all, growth of intellectual curiosity and the opportunity to establish important life skills.”

I talk about the boys’ behaviour as a community and as individuals – the report said; “Pupils have a clear and deep understanding of what is right and wrong.”

I mention that fact that RGS boys learn from their mistakes and that, in my very short temporary exclusions log, I am very proud of the fact that no name appears twice – the Inspectors stated; “Pupils are confident that any mistakes they make will be treated kindly and that they will learn from the experience.”

And, finally, I always emphasise that RGS boys can be themselves, they don’t have to conform to a stereotype – I was very pleased to read;

of us like all schools which we must face with determination. As the leader of the RGS, I know that we still have work to do in some key areas.

We can bask in a glow of satisfaction at a wonderful inspection report but can we really be satisfied when some boys are still receiving unpleasant treatment from others because of their sexual orientation or their ethnic background? This is why Diversity and Inclusion, and Pupil Experience are two of the School’s development priorities for the next three years. It is essential that we work collectively, the staff and the student body together, to ensure that every boy can do his very best at the RGS, and that he enjoys his time here. This exceptional inspection report is merely a stepping stone to an even better RGS in the future.

communities of young people. We try, always, to espouse the values and beliefs of RGS Guildford in the running of our overseas schools. Any incident of bullying, of whatever form, is investigated and dealt with so that our overseas students can enjoy their education free of censure and stigma.

“Pupils were unanimous in their belief that diversity is a normal part of life, that individuals matter, and that they operate within a very tolerant and inclusive community.”

We have received an inspection report of which any school in the country would be proud and I would like to thank you all for your support. Late on the Tuesday evening of that inspection week, I was allowed to read the results of the anonymous parental, pupil and staff questionnaires which ISI had received. They were extraordinarily supportive; reading such glowing endorsements from you all was such a pleasure and made me feel quite emotional. I was also very touched by the emails I received at the start of the week from parents to wish me good luck. One of you very kindly wrote that “whatever the result of the inspection, the RGS is a fantastic school in our opinion”. I’m pleased the inspectors agreed with you.

I look back on the past year with great satisfaction. So many exciting events have occurred; it started with the successful opening of our new school in Dubai which is going from strength to strength and has already established a formidable reputation. In the space of just one year it will have grown from 250 pupils last September to nearly 700 this coming September. But there have also been challenges along the way too. Just as the Covid pandemic, which had exercised our thoughts for so long, seemed to be diminishing, we were then faced with the war in Ukraine and the effects which such a conflict inevitably has on our lives here in Guildford. I am very pleased that we have been able to offer places to three Ukrainian pupils who have fled their country. We are enjoying their company enormously but we hope that their tenure with us will be brief and that they can return to their homeland as soon as possible.

There are so many things to celebrate in this report, but we must also remember that inspections create an incredible sense of loyalty and pride within a community such as ours. When being judged by outsiders it is a natural response that we all want our school to be outstanding. So one must also be realistic. The RGS is not a perfect school, we have challenges ahead

We also experienced a challenge in the spring when our school in Qatar was one of a number in that region which were accused in The Times in relation to its stance on homophobia. Most of the statements in that article were incorrect and we alerted the journalist to this fact before publication, but to no avail. Our international schools are tolerant

All young people in the world are entitled to a fine education, and those at our schools in Qatar, Dubai and Nanjing are benefiting from the tolerant communities which we have established overseas. Our aim is to educate the young leaders of the next generation. We should not shy away from the challenges of educating in countries that do not, perhaps, share the same moral code as us, because we are educating the future leaders of these countries to take the ethos and values of the RGS into their future lives.

When one hears of adverse publicity about our overseas schools, it is important to remind ourselves why we took on such challenges? One only has to look at the values of this school to know why. Collaboration, kindness, courage, scholarship, sharing expertise, engagement in global cultures, but the bottom line is that these ventures allow us to be even more inclusive. The money from our international schools goes straight into our enduring bursary fund to allow pupils from less affluent families to benefit from an RGS education. It is not about profit, it is not about facilities, it is simply about transforming the lives of young people. Our international school income is an important way to achieve this goal and to transform the lives of young people both here in Guildford and abroad.

I have made no secret of the fact that I wish the RGS to be open to any bright boy irrespective of financial circumstances, and we have just launched our Road to 2035 bursary campaign with the very ambitious target to raise 13 million pounds in just 13 years. It won’t be easy but, following the successful conclusion of our 20 for 2020 campaign last year, we can be confident that we have the expertise and the will to make our goal of open access to the RGS a reality.

In a school such as the RGS which speeds along at one hundred miles an hour, it is essential to remind ourselves of the importance of reflection. It is, after all, one of our Learning Habits.

The irony, in a year where we have celebrated the return to business and business as normal, is that calmness has also never been more important – it is something I, personally, have had to remind myself this year. The chance to reflect, digest and re-evaluate is so important, and can only occur when pressured time is not the priority. Accepting that we work and learn in such a busy school means that creating space and time for reflection is even more important for the emotional well-being, and mental and physical health of us all.

The author Robert Colville wrote that, “Where our grandfathers sauntered and our fathers strode, we now find ourselves scampering.” As the summer holidays approach, we must learn when and how to slow down. As we catch our breath after a year of such success and such intensity, I hope there is still a place in all our lives for taking things slowly, for sauntering.

It is lovely to be able to speak to you face to face, it is lovely to be able to reflect back on a more normal school year, and it is lovely that I can thank everyone, in person, who has contributed to the success of the RGS over the past 12 months. We are very fortunate to work and learn in a community filled with energy, kindness, support, compassion and good-humour. Thank you all for being a part of that community – and, when it comes, do switch off, do relax, reflect on a wonderful year at the RGS, and enjoy your summer break. Thank you.

Dr JM Cox Headmaster

We are very fortunate to work and learn in a community filled with energy, kindness, support, compassion and good-humour.

We can be confident that we have the expertise and the will to make our goal of open access to the RGS a reality.

FOUNDATION

THE ROAD TO 2035 CAMPAIGN

In 2016, the Headmaster Dr Cox set out his vision for the School. Within a generation, every boy who applied to the RGS would be able to take his place solely through his academic merit, irrespective of financial means.

It was this vision to which you responded generously, and the result was the successful completion of our “Twenty for 2020” Campaign in 2021. 20 boys were able to start their journeys at the School thanks to your financial support. All were awarded transformational bursaries covering over 80% of fees.

We thank our donors: OGs, parents, governors and staff alike for your generous collective kindness. We now look forward to the next phase of our journey: “The Road to 2035” Campaign. A journey which will celebrate 525 years since the foundation of the RGS and bring us back to our founding roots.

The RGS was established as a free school and we remain a grammar school at heart. We do not want to deviate from our founding mission: the education of the brightest students, regardless of financial background. An education based on sound teaching, in an environment which is both supportive and academically challenging and equips our students for the challenges of life.

Currently 1 in 14 of our pupils receive bursary awards

Join the journey and change a life

We are doing well as we are among the top 5% of independent schools in the UK for bursary provision. We are aiming to double our bursary awards to 1 in 7.

The Road to 2035 will help us achieve this goal and be a fitting celebration of the School’s 525th anniversary. We hope you will join us on this journey.

Monica Popa, Development Director

OUR AIM: 1 in 7

If you are interested in becoming a supporter of the Campaign, please contact mpo@rgsg.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL REUNIONS PROGRAMME

Singapore Reunion

Join our Supporter Circles

Our existing circles of regular supporters offer life-changing transformational support to our students. Our top donor circles include:

King’s Benefactors sponsor a full 7-year Bursary

Patrons sponsor a third of a 7-year Bursary

1509 Circle sponsor a tenth of a 7-year bursary

Become a Campaign Friend

We are creating a new circle for supporters who wish to join the “Road to 2035” Campaign. For a regular commitment of £20.35 per month you could sponsor a new bursary award and become a Campaign Friend.

If a fifth of our community chose to join us as Campaign Friends, we would raise an extra £5 million over the course of the Campaign. To join us in our mission, please complete a donation form included with this magazine or visit: www.rgsg.co.uk/support-us

Become a Beckingham Society Member

There is another way in which you can become a supporter if you cannot make a financial commitment at present. Our Beckingham Society brings together OGs and parents as well as former staff and governors who chose to remember the RGS in their wills.

Our members come together each year for a special lunch with the Headmaster. This year’s Beckingham Society lunch will take place on Thursday 12th October in Big School. All members and guests are invited to save the date in their diaries.

For more information on joining any of our supporter circles, please contact Monica Popa at mpo@rgsg.co.uk

Our first international alumni reunion took place in Singapore in May 2019, and we are delighted that after a hiatus of three years, our OGs gathered together again on 25 May 2023. Hosted once again at the exquisite 1880 in Singapore, our special thanks to Luke Jones OG 1988 and Paul Landless 1996 for this initiative.

North American Reunion

We are also pleased to announce our first North American Reunion which will take place on 13 July 2023 in New York. This reunion has been long in the planning. We also hope to hold a reunion on the West Coast to bring together our alumni and friends in the area.

Singapore Reunion

25 May 2023 at the 1880

If you are interested in taking part in our Reunion Programme or organising your own international reunion, please email us at og@rgsg.co.uk

The Headmaster with Nathan Janmohamed OG 2019 and Monica Popa, Development Director at the 2022 Supporters’ Summer Reception

School life offers an eclectic range of activities from Model United Nations to adventurous expeditions, poetry reading to drama, music to science Olympiads and so much more. Here are some highlights over the last year.

SCHOOL NEWS

Olympiad successes

The RGS is incredibly proud of its strong STEM abilities, developing tomorrow’s scientists and innovators, and achieved a new RGS record in the 2023 Chemistry Olympiad winning 12 Gold awards plus 14 silver and 8 bronze medals.

Alex U6 was selected for the UK team going to the International Olympiad on Astronomy & Astrophysics in Georgia.

Tom L6 is in the International Biology Olympiad 2023 UK Team Selection Final

Bake Off delights every year as pupils and staff dust off their aprons and produce delicious, imaginative treats.

British Physics Olympiad: 4 Top Golds, 3 Golds, 5 Silver, 19 Bronze and 2 Commendations with 440 schools competing.

Senior Physics Challenge: two pupils achieved 90% and we won seven golds and 3 silver amongst 5585 competitors nationwide.

British Maths Olympiad: two pupils are sitting the formidable Round 2 Olympiad paper putting them in the top 100 mathematicians in the country.

Rohan 5th form came second in the U18 section of the Golders Green Rapidplay chess tournament and won the rating prize.

Ashwin L6 has appeared as Sai in Heartstopper (Cert 12) on Netflix.

Harry 4th form and his cousin completed a 100km triathlon (including 1700m of ascent!) to raise £2160 for Compassion UK, a charity which supports homeless children. 70km mountain biking, 20km trail running and 10km paddling in one day.

L6 students Stuart, Andrew and Seth won Cambridge University’s theology film competition with their erudite film entitled How artwork shaped modern Christianity

Wai-Shun Lau legendary Head of Chemistry has distilled years of teaching knowledge in a book. 30 Tutorials in Chemistry is a collection of lectures and essays to bridge knowledge between A Level and university. 10,000 hours of preparation means he truly is an expert, but we knew that already. Available on Amazon.

Musician of the Year performances from our hugely talented musicians left the audience awe-struck by the quality of musicianship as well as technique in a close final. Testament to the outstanding music-making by so many pupils throughout the School as seen at concerts and recitals all year-round

Modern Foreign Languages Drama pupils filmed around historic Guildford for their adaptation of Les Misérables

Young Enterprise success continued this year with RGS teams winning regional awards and dominating through to the UK finals, where they won the Innovation in IT Award.

The RGS Prep Junior Choir Lower School Chamber Orchestra and RGS Lower School Choir took part in the first performance of Samson composed specially for them by renowned choral composer, Jonathan Willcocks. High drama and rousing performances in an inspirational afternoon of music making.

RGS competed in the English Chess Federation National Schools’ Chess Final.

The RGS team reached the semi-finals of the Student Robotics Competition at Southampton University.

RGS teachers Andy Gyford, Mathematics and Sarah Besly-Quick, Classics have been starring in Only Connect this season. As the Morporkians team, they excelled in mind-bending questions to reach the semi-finals

Andy Gyford (centre) and Sarah Besly-Quick (right) on Only Connect

Tom L6

RGS SPORTS NEWS

A snapshot of a very busy year for RGS Sport with team and individual success across a wide variety of ages and disciplines. Great to see so much participation and enjoyment.

Well done to the 2nd form team who won the Year 8 competition in the District Sports Athletics. At the District Sports we had a record number of RGS athletes qualify for the Surrey Schools’ Athletics competition.

Kai L6 made his debut for the Spanish national emerging 7s rugby team at the Super Sevens series. Spain won the plate competition and Kai scored an excellent try in the final.

The U18 basketball team edged an absolute thriller 58-57 against Guildford County School.

Excitement for the 1st XI football team playing in the ISFA National Shield Final. 1st XI footballers Kia, Paddy, Elliott and Jake also represented the National Team in a trial game.

Congratulations to all our fencers – what a year! U18 Foil British Schools’ Team Champions, U13 Épée British Schools’ Team Champions and silver medallists in U18 Épée of the British Schools’ Team Championships.

Surrey Schools Swimming Competition saw the RGS joint winners at junior level, comprehensive victory for the intermediate team, and the senior team just missed out on a clean sweep of trophies.

Huge success for the RGS biathlon team of Hugo, Jack and Angus securing silver at the British Schools Modern Biathlon Championships 2023.

Senior rugby captain Tom played for England U18 rugby v France and scored a try, after an impressive season for school and Harlequins.

RGS hosted the annual U16 7s rugby Tournament at Bradstone Brook to great acclaim.

1st XV rugby celebrate their last game, finishing off an unbeaten season at home this year.

Well done to the shooting team who won The East Surrey Bicentennial Bowl, The Green Howards Country Life Trophy and The Queen’s Regiment Cup

Congratulations to the 1st XI cricket team who beat the MCC at Bradstone Brook for the second season in a row.

at the Schools’ Meeting.

L6 pupil Henry achieved a terrific silver medal at the England Age Group Weightlifting Championships.

Max 4th form won silver in the Southern England Schools Judo Championships in the U15, under 60kg category.

MARK GOODING OUR MAN IN BANGKOK:

International politics is headline news. Tensions across the globe are growing and opinions are becoming increasingly divided. We took some time to talk to Mark Gooding OBE OG 1992 and Britain’s Ambassador to Thailand to talk frankly about the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), how to bridge the divide in world affairs as well as fond memories of life and times at the RGS.

During his time at the RGS Mark knew that he was drawn to a life less ordinary. An academic and music scholar, he took French, German, History and Maths at A level and reminisces with joy over his many positive memories of the RGS, laughing as he recalls being terrible at rugby, which was rather the order of the day in the 1990s.

What strikes a chord the most is remembering the student environment, and the buzz of being part of a group of highly motivated and able students. An attitude cultivated by the teachers and their dedication and commitment. He remembers they were always ready to go the extra mile not just in terms of study but in wider support and pastoral care.

Being a music scholar, he loved being able to participate in different music groups, and he is especially thankful to Mr White and his team.

“I remember the musical experience was fantastic.” And music is still a mainstay of Mark’s life, having met his husband through choir, and when in London he sings with the Royal Choral Society and still plays the piano. (After this interview Mark was dashing off to record a piano rendition of a famous Thai New Year’s song for the Bangkok British Embassy social media.)

After continuing with French and German at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, Mark was determined to spread his wings and pursue a career with an international dimension. With little overseas experience but fortified by his passion for international relations Mark’s first opportunity

size of the European Union….” And China was keen to reciprocate, as the economy began to open in the early 80s under Deng Xiaoping’ Chairmanship and willing to capitalise on gains made. Whitehall was pushing the Embassy for increased trade relations.

Halcyon days for a young diplomat in China. Mark covered the political, economic and press portfolio during a period of dramatic economic growth and development in China and managed headline delegations such as Tony Blair’s visit in 2003 to increase diplomatic dialogue and co-operation between the two countries. The foundations laid by the UK during Mark’s tenure in China led to rapid growth in ties, with Britain remaining China’s largest source of European investment and the second largest trade partner in Europe. In 2021 China is one of the UK’s largest trading partners, accounting for £93.0 billion (7.3%) of the UK’s total trade.

Left: Diamond Jubilee mine detonation in Cambodia 2012

Top: Cycling in front of Forbidden City Beijing

Bottom: Visiting Port Lockroy British Antarctic Territory

was as a French and German Teacher in Sri Lanka. It was here that Mark remembered and channelled his former mentors, Mr Grace, Mrs McIntyre, Mr Knight and the modern languages department. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing as civil conflict in Sri Lanka was intense as the Tamil Tigers controlled much of the north and east of the country, with frequent terrorist attacks in the south. A conflict Mark would revisit later in his career in a very different position

He returned to the UK to take a research position with a pharmaceutical company, and it was during this time that Mark began the year-long rigorous process of applying for the Foreign Office. This included demanding interviews and assessments and security and medical clearances. Having passed these tests, Mark’s first job was as a desk officer covering EU trade and development policy before heading overseas. Before assuming his first official overseas posting in Shanghai, Mark became a full-time student at Beijing University to learn Chinese and acquire a real understanding of the people and the culture.

It was an exciting time to be part of Sino-British relations. Tony Blair had only recently made his first visit in 1998 and stated “China is of massive importance to Britain and to the world. You have a market in China three or four times the

It was also in Shanghai that Mark met his husband, Dr Christopher McCormick, an executive leadership coach and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Christopher came to audition for the choir that Mark sang in, and the rest is history.

In 2004 Mark returned to the UK as Head of the EU budget team before being promoted to Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary, working for Margaret Beckett and then David Miliband. This was a fascinating role right in the heart of British foreign policy. But it’s difficult to stay still in the FCDO. Mark returned to Sri Lanka in 2008 no longer a fresh-faced teacher straight out of university but as the Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. But his work within the High Commission was no holiday. Sri Lanka was coming to the end of a particularly bloody civil war. (The UN’s humanitarian office estimates between 80,000 – 100,000 militia, rebels and civilians were killed.) The UK has close historical ties with Sri Lanka and an extensive political network there, meaning that Mark and his colleagues were closely involved in efforts to reduce violence and provide emergency humanitarian relief to those displaced. It is predominantly because of his work in Sri Lanka and his services to foreign policy that the late Queen Elizabeth II awarded him the OBE in 2012. ➧

In 2011, Mark left Sri Lanka to become Ambassador to Cambodia, a country still reeling from the effects of conflict even though fighting had finished many years beforehand. As part of this role, Mark championed the UK’s support for the “Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia” (Khmer Rouge Tribunal), which eventually brought the surviving leaders of the murderous Khmer Rouge to justice. At the same time, Cambodia’s fast economic growth provides ample opportunities for new co-operation with the UK today. Mark’s stint there also coincided with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 London Olympics, making it a particularly memorable time to be representing the UK overseas.

In 2014 Mark returned to China as Minister Counsellor at the Beijing Embassy, noting that one of the more interesting aspects of the role is being privy to some incredibly interesting people. Mark accompanied President Xi Jinping on his state visit to the UK. He also accompanied Prince William on his very first visit to China, which he recalls as a highly enjoyable experience as they attended a UK Innovation Festival together and then travelled to South China to visit an elephant sanctuary. Like his father, William was very keen to promote the problems with the illegal wildlife trade and draw attention to biodiversity and the protection of wildlife.

Following the UK’s Brexit decision in 2016, Mark returned home to become EU Director in the Foreign Office. This involved advising Ministers and engaging with European counterparts about the UK’s approach to Brexit and the future UK/EU partnership. This was a daunting task given the scale of the change and the political uncertainty that followed the 2016 referendum. Mark refrained from sharing the details, simply describing the experience as “interesting and not straightforward”.

In 2021 Mark was appointed British Ambassador to Thailand. The position of Ambassador feels familiar, but do we really know what the nuts of and bolts of the job entail? Mark leads an embassy of over 150 staff, from a range of Whitehall departments, including the biggest consular team in the world, supporting over a million British tourists a year to Thailand. As the senior UK representative in Thailand, Mark is very much the public

face of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, undertaking a lot of media work in between meetings with Ministers, businesses and civil society.

In essence the role of any embassy is based on three interlinked pillars of diplomacy. First of all, there the political and security issues with joint involvement on cybersecurity and counter terrorism alongside annual joint military exercises. This brings real benefit in protecting our countries and building resilience.

Second, there is the importance of investment and commerce; the current trade relationship with Thailand is valued at £5.7 billion per year and one of the ways this could be increased is through relatively new sectors such as health and genomics, education, science and innovation, digital and technology, financial services. Thailand is also a major investor in UK sport. Three English football teams are owned by Thai Investors (Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday and Oxford United) making Thailand one of the top Premiership and FA markets. It’s rare that Mark attends an event without being asked his favourite football team (Liverpool).

Third, much of his work is beyond Thailand’s borders and on a more regional level. In a bid to strengthen its engagement with the Indo Pacific region, the UK recently became a

Dialogue Partner to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). This makes us the first new Dialogue Partner for ASEAN in 25 years giving us greater breadth of co-operation and political engagement right in the centre of the Indo-Pacific.

In addition to these pillars, a central priority for the Embassy is to provide assistance to UK nationals in Thailand. This can be relatively straight forward (lost passports) but does include darker more complex problems such as issues of child protection, deaths, detainees and mental health.

Politically it is an interesting time. There are new tensions in China’s relationships with the West and China’s Belt and Road initiative has developed new trade routes and investment within the region. When asked if China’s investment was influencing regional policy through a debt-diplomacy approach, Mark said that Thailand had been a successful, fast-growing economy for several decades and was now a middle income country (referred to as Tiger Cub, along with Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam). This meant it was less dependent on international financing, including from China, than some other countries in the region.

One immediate priority for Mark and his colleagues around the world is to galvanise the international community in condemning Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Although Thailand traditionally maintains a neutral foreign policy stance and has often abstained on votes related to Russia’s invasion, most recently it supported a UN General Assembly vote in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and calling for Russian withdrawal and peace.

“This is about a large country (Russia) invading its smaller neighbouring country which is a sovereign state. There is no situation in which seizing another country’s sovereign territory by force is acceptable. If you accept this kind of behaviour, you end up with the international order and international law undermined, making the world a more dangerous and less stable place. This principle is as important to East Asia as it is to Europe and everywhere else in the world. A fundamental principle of the UN charter is to respect other countries’ sovereignty and territory.”

Having worked in China for many years, Mark is acutely aware of the pitfalls of polarisation and rejects any cold war rhetoric, warning it is in our interests to engage with all countries around the world. Global challenges require global collaboration. The UK Government sets out its position clearly to China on issues such as Hong Kong and Taiwan, but this should not be a barrier to engagement. Climate change is one area where all economies need to work together to reduce emissions and invest in clean and renewable technologies.

Mark is committed to leading the British Embassy in Thailand for a while, but whatever comes next is sure to be exciting. He would encourage any young RGS boys looking for a career in the FCDO to do something that interests them. “Study what you’re passionate about and don’t be afraid to try other things. It gives you a helpful perspective. Be flexible and adaptable and try different things … it is new and can be daunting but it’s exciting, so go for it.”

Mark has spent 23 years with the FCDO and applauds the changes that have happened within an organisation not historically known for its ability to adapt. Most significantly to Mark, is how much more diverse the 17,300+ workforce has become, reflecting more of the society they are employed to represent, with more women in top jobs and more openly LGBT+ staff.

Communication and media has also completely transformed how the FCDO is run. When he joined it was the beginning of 24/7 media. Now there is extra pressure on him to communicate with agility and despite the demands he feels it’s a great thing. “People have much more access to information, they have reasonable expectations of wanting to know what the British government is doing.” And he is open to debate, as he notes criticism is something we must read and consider and learn from to improve things.

SNAPSHOT QUESTIONS: Red or Green Curry: Green

Yes, Prime Minister or In the Thick of It:

Yes, Prime Minister Chiang Mai or Phuket: I’m going to get into trouble with that one. I can’t possibly answer Change the past or see the future: See the future Ferrero Rocher – yes or no: No (I get given them quite a lot)

“A fundamental principle of the UN charter is to respect other countries’ sovereignty and territory.”

“People have much more access to information, they have reasonable expectations of wanting to know what the British government is doing.”

Laying a Wreath on Remembrance Day at River Kwai

Thai class

Presenting credentials to King of Thailand

CHRIS MURRAY OG 2017 AND COMMONWEALTH GAMES GOLD MEDALLIST 2022

LIFTING TO VICTORY

Chris Murray was just 23 years old when he broke the Commonwealth Games record to win 81kg Weightlifting gold for England in June 2022. He returned to the RGS to inspire our boys with the story of his path to victory, valuable lessons learned along the way and his future ambitions in the world of Weightlifting.

Chris joined the RGS in 2010 and while an enthusiastic sportsman in rugby and athletics, he didn’t feel he’d found his own true sport. Diving drew his interest and he rose swiftly to compete at the National Diving Championships whilst still in the 4th form at the RGS.

Weightlifting in the old RGS gym took over and just a year later, Chris participated in the Under 20’s British Weightlifting Championship in Wembley where he won his weight category and broke five British records. He surpassed his previous three records for Under 16 in clean and jerk, snatch and total, and he broke two new records for Under 17 in clean and jerk and total. ➧

Selection quickly followed to represent England in the Weightlifting Squad at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa in September 2015. After a shaky start due to nerves, he finished the snatch with 88kg (1kg below his British U16 and U17 record). He improved in the clean and jerk and fought hard to break his British records and more importantly to win the bronze medal, an extraordinary achievement.

Chris went on to qualify for the European Youth Championships (Poland) and the World Youth Championships (Malaysia) in the Weightlifting 69kg category. And then came the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham.

It was a nail-biting final, down to the last lift, as Chris beat Australia’s Kyle Bruce to win gold. In the process he set a new Games record after lifting an astounding 325kg from his snatch and clean and jerk lifts. In an emotional interview afterwards, he said “I couldn’t watch it. I had a towel over my head, the earphones in, and had a bit of a cry. I was so overwhelmed. Part of me is a bit upset I didn’t watch it, but I couldn’t put myself through it. I was just so happy with the British record and PBs and that was enough for me. When my coach told me I’d won gold I broke down again. To win in front of a home crowd is amazing.”

It was the first male English Weightlifting gold medal for 20 years!

Chris reflected on his time at the RGS with great affection, the place where his career started, and how it enabled him to take time to compete in three international championships while still a pupil. Ian Wilkes, former RGS Director of Sport and now Head of First Form, remembers Chris as a great example of sportsmanship, leadership and teamwork – qualities which led to him being a Senior Prefect and Powell House Captain.

Openness about dealing with road bumps such as disappointment, injury and the pandemic framed Chris’ talk to the pupils. He highlighted three questions: “How do you feel?” “Who can you talk to?” “What is the route back to normal?” as lessons in life as well as in competitive sport and spoke movingly about the importance of finding a support network and asking for help. Understanding values, staying true to those values and failing fast are principles which have enabled Chris to overcome major injury and disappointment to become a champion.

Work as a Regional Pathway Manager for British Weightlifting lets Chris continue his training and also bring through the next generation of young weightlifters aspiring to follow in his success.

Next stop: win a medal in the European Championships and compete in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Bring it on!

FUN FACT: His 181kg lift is the equivalent of lifting five first formers above his head!

Quote in the gym where Chris trained

“What stands in the way becomes the way”

Chris with Giles Cover, RGS Director of Sport

PETER WHITE REFLECTS ON AN OPERA IN THE MAKING

The process of writing an opera is hugely complex and following advice from Michael Chance, director of Grange Festival Opera, not a note was written until the dramaturgy and libretto were essentially in place. Only then did Peter start the process of composition which was to take a little over two years.

The National Opera Studio provides a post-graduate course for about a dozen singers each year and is sponsored by The Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne and the English, Welsh and Scottish National Opera companies. This production was partly cast from past alumni of the Studio and Peter described it as ‘absolutely stellar’ ‘It was wonderful to hear your score being performed by such an amazing group of singers which included some of the most successful young opera singers of the moment. Notable were Alison Rose who sung the role of Rosalind who has recently appeared as a soloist with Glyndebourne, Garsington and ENO. In 2015 she won the prestigious Maggie Teyte Prize. The role of James Watson was sung by Gareth Brynmor John who won the Kathleen Ferrier Award in 2013 and has recently sung the title role of Eugene Onegin for WNO.’

Since going part time and stepping down from the role of Director of Music, Peter White has increasingly turned his attention to his work as a composer and during the first week of November a new CD including his music was released by German label Rondeau, and he was delighted that his opera Rosalind was given its first performance at the National Opera Studio in London.

The idea for a new opera about the life of scientist Rosalind Franklin came from long-time friend and librettist Dr Clare Heath, who was interested in telling the story of Rosalind not only because she felt the injustice of her treatment by the scientific world of the 1950s, but also because her own grandfather Sir Lawrence Bragg, the youngest ever Nobel Prize winner for science, had been a key witness to the events surrounding the discovery of the structure of DNA, as the director of the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge.

The story had already been on the London stage with Nicole Kidman in the role of Rosalind in the play Photograph 51 but whilst it received very positive reviews in the press, Rosalind’s sister Jenny had not liked the text of the play and never went to see it. Peter and Clare were very keen that the new opera should meet with her approval, and we’re delighted that following a meeting in Cambridge, she was completely behind the project even offering helpful adjustments to the libretto.

The process of getting an opera to a stage is long and drawn out and 99% of operas never actually get out of the starting blocks so Peter was thrilled that this first studio performance following a week’s intensive rehearsal allowed some VIP guests from the operatic world to hear the work. Inevitably, after the first run through, some changes to the score spring to mind but in general, the performance was hugely successful, and it went down

very well with the small but important guinea-pig audience.

Peter and Clare had invited Dame Kate Bingham who was responsible for the UK vaccination programme as she had chosen Rosalind Franklin as her ‘great life’ in the Radio 4 series. She so enjoyed the performance that the next day she offered a large sum of money to help bring the opera to stage. ‘It’s definitely a great boost for us’ said Peter, ‘but at the moment we’re really still only at base camp. Nevertheless our eyes are firmly on the summit if we can get further sponsorship to bring the project to fruition.’

The process of getting an opera to a stage is long and drawn out and 99% of operas never actually get out of the starting blocks

Rosalind opera rehearsal

Rosalind opera rehearsal

CONQUERING THE DRAGON’S BACK

DR GUY PEARSON OG 2010

The Montane Dragon’s Back Race is renowned as one of the world’s toughest mountain races and is an extraordinary feat of endurance and speed – a 380km, six-day race along the mountainous spiny ridge almost the entire length of central Wales from Conwy Castle to Cardiff Castle. It traverses the craggy heights of Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons and much more in between on wild, trackless terrain. Last September Dr Guy Pearson OG 2010 took on this challenge. Here is his story.

Guy joined the RGS in 2003 and is clear that he would not have achieved this without the RGS scouts. Run by inspirational Geography teacher Richard Bustin a major influence on Guy, scouting was his first real exposure to hiking and the outside world. “You had to choose it for a reason as it wasn’t really a cool option”. Trips started with Brecon and the Lake District, and also to Nepal and Zambia with the Surrey Scouts (he and schoolfriend Daniel O’Brien cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats in Year 5 to raise money to help build a school in Zambia). He learnt to understand that mountains are dangerous and can be fun and looks back with particular fondness on scouting for the huge impact on his future life.

He loved his time at RGS, though not really an athlete then, and counted OGs such as Angus Groom, Jonny Hay and Pete May-Miller as the stand-out sportsmen in his year. However, he was always mentally tough so if told he couldn’t do something, he was always determined to prove that he could, a quality which stood him in great stead in tough situations later on.

Mountains always held a special allure and on graduating from Oxford, adventure beckoned – the spectacular Appalachian Trail in the US. Hiking 530 miles continuously for 31 days with no rest days with 14kg backpack taught him tent craft, organisation, nutrition and the mental tricks to keep going. “How do you get yourself up and moving 17 days in?”

Ambitious self-sufficient expeditions off the beaten track followed with a friend from Oxford who had a similar quest for the outdoors. They explored the Great Himalayan Trail across most of Nepal into remote regions, the Manaslu circuit, the Annapurna circuit, the jungles of Malaysia and Indonesia, and became “increasingly comfortable in weird and wonderful terrain. Seeing people who are never exposed to Westerners is incredibly refreshing.” ➧

UK hiking challenges included the Welsh 3,000 – all 3,000 feet mountains in Wales in 24 hours which he attempted – and massively underestimated. Failing twice to complete the challenge (once through extreme heat, the other extreme fog), he recalled what RGS and Oxbridge taught him: “if you put your mind to something, you can do it”. Plus, the knowledge that the Everest expedition had prepared in Snowdonia with good reason. The Cape Wrath trail from Fort William to the very north-west of Scotland was an arduous yet magical three-week hike over Christmas 2021: wild camping, bothies and 40-mile hour wind at the remote lighthouse at Cape Wrath itself. It was here that he heard of Ourea, which organises the Dragon’s Back. Curiosity piqued as Day One was the Welsh 3000, he thought “I wonder if I could do that”.

So the ultra-training began. An experienced hiker but not a runner, Guy completed marathons, iron-mans and also played and trained with the OGs at Old Guildfordians Rugby Club such as Thomas Halsey Will Eves and recently-ex RGS teacher Sam Herman-Wilson Undiagnosed tendonitis in his knees became an issue that would haunt him to the finish line. The route is not waymarked so good navigation through check points with an electronic tag was key. Guy decided to recce the route over six weekends, a huge confidence boost; his strong memory of routes and maps, developed over years of not navigating with a smart phone, was a real asset. The race is run every day from 6am – 10pm through checkpoints; finishing one second after 10pm is automatic disqualification so the pressure was on. And for an additional challenge, Guy did the entire 380km route from memory rather than relying on a GPS watch like most runners.

Race Day 1 started as the sun came up over Conwy Castle. A Welsh Choir were singing and the 298 athletes felt trepidation as the massive clock counted down to 6am. The forecast was bad as he went rock climbing to the top of the Snowdonia peaks, navigating slippery boulder fields, Crib Gogh, the horseshoe and 40-mile hour winds. When weather changes the mountains become get dangerous quickly and the route was shut an hour after he went through. The highest elevation but not the hardest day.

Day 2. 59km over the Rhinogs, a notoriously difficult technical range. Storms had made it wet already with another due on Day 2. An early start meant he was through the worst before it hit and the scenery was beautiful despite the torrential rain. Another day was completed, tired but OK and a mental barrier passed.

Day 3. The first 70km day began in Dolgellau and up Cader Idris, a massive incredible mountain. Then a long run with lots of “out and back” to smaller mountains to ramp up the distance. Guy was starting to struggle with the downhills with hyper-extension on his knees. Tiredness was showing among the athletes by end of Day 3 as exertion took its toll which made it easier as he wasn’t the only one.

TO P TIP

Day 4. Last day, sort of as only Day 5 to go and then the last one (mental motivation again!). Guy had run the Day 4 route before and knew there was a wonderful little pub at the end. Still 70km but elevation was less and he managed to run all the flats to finish in time. The medics gave him the OK to continue despite acute shin tendon pain, like many other runners. By Day 3 sleeping became extremely difficult – the amount of muscle pain was “like having onset of cramp continuously for my entire lower body.” Race numbers were dropping every night at the camp, with many DNS by Day 4. “Look for little lifts –I’m still here.”

Day 5. The Big One. He overslept by an hour and, furious with himself, hurtled through daily checks to leave just 10 minutes late but anxious about the time pressure on the hardest day. Not having time for breakfast, he grabbed as much as he could and squashed everything into a mug to form a breakfast-like paste which he scooped out for the first hour or so. A 30km run towards the Brecon Beacons then took the race all over the Beacons in ferocious weather “like being in a washing machine in cold mode.” Nil visibility made it scary and without his mental mapping, Guy would have pulled out. But Day 5 was his proudest sporting achievement with so much mental resilience to keep running: the hardest thing he’s ever done by a substantial margin.

Day 6. The runners were unaware that the late Queen had died and that the race was almost halted, so the finish was appropriately low key in Cardiff City. The day itself was horrible as he had nothing left physically and mentally – just jog to a plant or tree and walk 10 paces. Seeing Cardiff was a huge lift but there were still 10 miles to go. At a certain point he really knew that he was going to finish, and the end was incredible – emotional, exhausting and proud.

What next

Academia and adventuring will continue side by side for Guy. He is a postdoctoral research scientist at The Francis Crick Institute and King’s College London, having studied Biological Sciences at Oxford and a PhD at Cambridge specialising in neuro-degenerative disease. His passion is Cell Biology, and he worked on a new soon-to-be-published SARS-CoV-2 project during the pandemic which maps the way the CoV-2 ion-channel protein ‘Envelope’ moves to different organelle compartments within the cell, with applicability for the entire coronaviridae family of viruses. Alongside this, Guy is funded by the Wellcome Trust in a cancer-related project that uses the cutting-edge in light and electron microscopy and proteomics to understand how the organelle, the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER), is faithfully inherited into daughter cells during mitotic cell division. The next step is funding for his own laboratory for further medical research in a career that he loves. “Scientific investigation is like trying to get between two points and mapping the route”, to use a hiking analogy. “It’s hard and characterised by repeated failure, but there is a route, you just need to discover it”.

Day 5 route is a fabulous ultra run!

“There is a route, you just need to discover it.”

THE HOUSE SYSTEM

By Karim Tayar Senior Housemaster, Religion & Philosophy Teacher and OG 1996

History

Throughout the rich history of the School, the RGS has undergone numerous changes, one of which was from housing boys in the Old Building as boarders, to becoming a day school. The House system has, however, stood the test of time and The Guildfordian magazine, which began in 1919, describes the reasoning and necessity of maintaining a House system:

“A Day School misses some of the advantages of a Boarding School, and in order to gain what we can of the corporate life of the latter, the Upper School is now organised as four houses. This, we trust, will lead to a healthy rivalry in esprit de corps and skill and success both in and out of School. House matches will in future be played in all games, and House competitions will be held at the Annual Sports. As each of the four Platoons in the O.T.C. is drawn from a House, the scheme fits in excellently with the organisation throughout. One outstanding advantage is that many boys unable to get into School 1st or 2nd XI, will have some real incentive to take a more vigorous share in out of school activities.”

(1919)

The initial focus was to introduce healthy rivalry during all school games, particularly for those students who were not selected to represent the School. It was hoped the boys would develop a sense of pride, community, and loyalty, by being in Houses, and above all would have the incentive to enjoy all that school life has to offer.

During the 1921/22 academic year, it was deemed more appropriate to name the houses after key benefactors who helped to establish and maintain the School. This was the start of our current House system:

“It has long been felt that a more satisfactory arrangement would be to assign definite names to them, particularly as we have already a number of honoured names from which to make a choice… [the former houses] will be known as the Hamonde, Nettles, Beckingham, and Austen Houses respectively. The old names still linger, but already one frequently hears discussions as to the chances of the Hamondites against the Nettlesites, and the possibilities of the Austenites proving victorious against the Beckinghamites.”

The first four Houses were given their colours, and badges were introduced to recognise awarding of House Colours. The early events of swimming, boxing, chess, football, rugby, cricket, OTC drill, fives, gymnastics, PT, and athletics, were keenly contested. Points for each of the inter-house events were awarded and this decided the overall House Championship title. Austen were the first victors! The following year, Messrs BE and SD Hardy donated a cup to be used for the inter-house championship. Yet again, Austen house were the winners of the Hardy Cup in 1923

The importance of the House system, as part of the holistic education, was explained in detail during his welcome speech in the 1922 Speech Day by the Headmaster at the time, Arthur Green:

“The Headmaster said he wished that when judgement was passed by parents on the School it would be passed not upon the class work, important as that was, and not upon the amount of activities only, important as they were, but on the work and play and discipline of the School as a whole, considered from the effect they were having in training the character and developing the mind of their sons. People came to a feeling of their manhood by very different roads, but one big step on the journey always was the discovery that there was something in this world that they could do well, and enjoy doing… That was why the principle upon which the School was run was that there should be as many activities as possible, that boys of very different physical and intellectual make-up should find something in which they could excel.”

The next couple of decades saw the inter-house events being keenly contested, reported by The Guildfordian in detail. There was a strong focus on each event, as well as the overall championship (see below image).

However, by the mid to late 40s, probably in part impacted by the global situation at the time, there was minimal mention of the overall championship, or indeed the Hardy Cup. The Guildfordian continued to be printed, and it contained reports on inter-house events, but the focus had shifted to competing for individual event cups. There was no mention of an overall winning house until the 1960s, when the House System saw significant changes. However, the late 50s/early 60s did see the introduction of ‘House Parties’! Each House had one party after school, usually around the festive period. The prefects of each House provided the entertainment for these events, which were described as popular and enjoyable, but controversial!

From 1962, editions of The Guildfordian contained House reports, as opposed to event reports, written by senior students from the respective Houses. It is from the Austen report that we see the first mention of a Cock House:

“There is no need to flatter ourselves with a lot of empty compliments about the House, for, after all, self-praise is not one of the characteristics of ‘Austenites’. We all say, and quite rightly so, that we are undoubtedly better than any of the other Houses, yet we say it with the modesty of true assurance. A glance at some of our achievements in the past year will be sufficient to dispel any doubts as to who is really ‘Cock House’: we are the joint house champions of cricket, and the sole champions of soccer, rugger, gym, chess, athletics, and swimming; in fact, the only sport we are not champions of are boxing and cross-country, but even in the former we have the senior champion!

I will not, however, accept the charge sometimes levelled at us that we are ‘All boot and no brain’. I could name at least five boys who in the last year have won outstanding scholastic achievements, whereas in the CCF, we hold most of the senior appointments, and moreover, won the annual drill competition, a fact which illustrates our integrity, competence and efficiency. I think therefore that you will all be with me in quoting the words of that immortal ballad: Hamonde, Nettles, Beckingham, They think they’re mighty fine, But best of all is Austen House, ‘Cos Austen House is mine.

It seems this was a more widely used term, particularly in schools at the time in which cock denoted confidence or dominance. Thus, the Cock House would be the dominant House, the one which won most of the individual events. Whilst the exact etymology of the term is unclear, the use of cock in this sense seems to have roots from the way a cock, or rooster, would strut around. Later, it became applied to ➧

First records of inter-house competitions

Bertrand Hardy (1903-88) had two sons at the School, one who was school captain – Wallis B Hardy. Bertrand and his brother, Stanley Hardy (1881-1962), owned a gentleman’s outfitters in Guildford. This shop also supplied school clothing for the RGS.

The late 50s/ early 60s did see the introduction of ‘House Parties’! ... described as popular and enjoyable, but controversial!

Karim Tayar (2nd left) with Nettles House Team

men, as a status term. Interestingly, in an article for the Journal of British Studies, J Middleton (2013) examines the cultural history of playground violence in Britain during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. He stated that through the frequent playground fights, children would compete for the title of cock of the school, the term attached to the best fighter. Therefore, by the mid-twentieth century, this term had evolved into the House systems of many schools in Britain.

With the expansion of the School, both in terms of the number of students and building space, the 1964/65 year saw the introduction of two new Houses: Valpy and Powell. Furthermore, the First Forms were not yet brought into the system. Although this was a disruptive time for some students who had to switch allegiance and move House, it was hoped that this would provide more opportunities for all students to get involved with the activities. It was also at this time that a renewed focus on the overall championship was reported in editions of The Guildfordian with the winning House being awarded the Cock House Cup.

1969 saw the introduction of Tutors being attached to Houses, as well as House assemblies. It was hoped that through the assemblies, boys who were less inclined to be involved in the various events, would know more about them, be more willing to support their House, and hopefully more encouraged to take part. Sadly, it does seem that the House System was reaching a low point, in terms of engagement, and fifty years on from the institution of our current House System, The Guildfordian contained the following extract (1971):

“The general lack of real enthusiasm by members of any House is a disappointing aspect of the House system, which aims at providing a stimulus for creative competitive activity. Perhaps the over-emphasis on sport is unattractive to many, and the introduction of House drama competitions or Craft exhibitions might involve more House members than at present. In fact, the School as a whole, as well as the Houses, would benefit considerably from anything that will replace the deadness of spirit that is so lamentably evident in the School now.”

Several passionate House reports over the intervening years detailed various House strengths and successes, and desires to achieve top spot. The reports also spoke fondly of the dedication and support given by the Housemasters and other House staff, without whom there would be no House System.

The House System Today

Following two years of lockdown disruption caused by COVID, the centenary anniversary during the 2021-22 academic year afforded the opportunity to celebrate the successes of our House System, and ensure it was meeting its original aims by affording all students the opportunities to “take a more vigorous share in out of school activities.” New events of golf and art were added to the calendar, whilst music and debating made a welcome comeback. With 23 events to choose from, there really is something for everyone! However, the House System has been, and continues to be, more than just a competition. As a convenient way of grouping students and fostering vertical integration, it also supports the promotion of outreach and charitable works. Houses in the 80s and 90s sponsored Thai children through their education, whilst recent times have seen wide-ranging House charity days.

HOUSE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

THE FIRST 100 YEARS

Housemasters and deputies, 2021

This low time for the School may be, in part, attributable to the fire that destroyed much of the Old Building. However, it is safe to say that since this low point, engagement with, and enjoyment for the House System significantly improved.

The Hardy Cup

Considering the origins of the term ‘cock house’ (above), the centenary year provided an appropriate time to mark a return to our historical origins. The name of our House trophy should not be rooted in power, dominance, and winning – rather, the very ethos, central to the system, is about respect, teamwork, and fun. Therefore, as a tribute to the kind donors of the original trophy, Bertrand and Stanley Hardy, students at the RGS Guildford will resume the tradition and compete, once again, in 2021-22, for the Hardy Cup.

June 2022

Nettles’ charity day November 2019 – gunge the teacher

The House trophy is about respect, teamwork, and fun. From 2021 students will compete, once again, for the Hardy Cup

OG EVENTS

OG UNDERGRADUATE & STAFF DRINKS

19 April 2022

OG undergrads and staff enjoyed a great evening in The Albany Pub in Guildford, swapping stories and catching up on university and school news.

Peter Dunscombe, Director of Careers & Higher Education (right), Nuria Wilson, Spanish (below), Tom Owens, History & Head of Politics (top right) and Ian Wilkes PE & Head of First Form (bottom right) with OG undergrads

OG EVENTS

CLASSES OF 1971 & ’72 REUNION

21 May 2022

Great to welcome OGs from the Classes of 1971 & ’72 back to the RGS for their 50-year celebration. Lunch in Big School was followed by a tour of the school and segued into drinks at the Three Pigeons, dinner at the Thai Terrace and a late night out. Another reunion is being planned for 2024 so let us know if you would like to join in.

HEADMASTER’S XI V OGS CRICKET MATCH

Sunday 19 June 2022

The popular annual cricket match between OG XI and the Headmaster’s team took place at Bradstone Brook. The Headmaster’s XI captained by Tom Vickers won the toss and elected to bat, posting a score of 214 in their 40 over innings. After a delicious lunch, the OGs (expertly captained by Alexander Sweet 2016) came into bat and went on to win with a well-struck 4, taking them to victory on 216 for 9 wickets. Umpires Tim Drake OG 1975 and Mattie Sutton, then U6 oversaw a very enjoyable, closely contested match played with great spirit and good nature from both sides. Thank you also to the friends, families and staff who came to support.

OG TEAM

Alexander Sweet (captain) 2016

Duncan Ashworth 2016

Henry Ashworth 2014

Jonny Andrews 2018

Harvey Brooks 2020

Zach Burrage 2016

Harry Foster 2020

Tom Hartley 2016

George Kemkers 2021

Ben Shaw 2017

Benji Thomas (wk) 2018

Charlie Vincent 2020

OG EVENTS

CLASS OF 1992 REUNION

12 November 2022

Welcome back to the Class of 1992! It was excellent to see so many OGs at their 30-year Reunion Dinner and joined by their (now retired) teachers Ted Badham, Peter Clark John Saxton and Alan Thorn

OG QUIZ

2 February 2023

Hosted by Quizmaster extraordinaire Matt Bailey OG 2003, DT Teacher and Head of 3rd Form, this online quiz is becoming a firm favourite in the calendar. OGs, staff and families fielded teams in an entertaining evening of lateral thinking, knowledge and fun. Join us online for the next one!

Mr Thorn’s 1992 Further Maths set

Bottom centre: Team Captains Alexander Sweet and Tom Vickers. Middle right: Grounds Managers present and past Russell King and Trevor Bradley

Mrs McIntyre’s 1992 Tutor Group

OG EVENTS

DURHAM REUNION

18 February 2023

Our inaugural OG Undergraduate and Staff event in the northeast took place at the Head of Steam in Durham.

OG students currently at Durham and Newcastle universities gathered to catch up and reminisce with Dr Jon Cox, Headmaster and RGS staff Stephen Black, Philippa Green, Liz McEwan, Jimmy Pressley, Kathryn Sweet and Nick Wild throughout a very convivial evening of food, beers and laughter.

RGS Connect is our online platform for all the RGS community. As well as alumni and school news, and details of all our events and reunions, the directory allows you to find classmates or possible mentors. You can search by graduation year, location, profession and industry. Whatever the stage of your career RGS Connect is the best way to get ahead.

RGS Connect Facts:

• Nearly 2,500 registered users.

• 70% (1,737) users willing to help and offer career guidance.

• Members include graduates from the Class of 1940 all the way through to Class of 2023 who are about to join us.

• 181 universities worldwide.

• 37 different countries.

• Mentoring opportunities.

453

members offering internships and work experience

676

happy to explore an ongoing mentor/mentee relationship

CHAMBER CHOIR SING CHORAL EVENSONG

4 March 2023

Choral Evensong sung by the RGS/GHS Chamber Choir at Clare College, Cambridge was a real treat; beautiful, uplifting music from a choir in wonderful voice. Sam Jones OG 2019 and current Organ Scholar at Clare College played for the service and gave a great talk to the choir about the application and interview process for choral and organ scholarships. Excellent to see OG undergraduates in attendance too.

1078 users have shared their experience of their current employer

674 members are willing to review CVs

666 members are willing to advise on interview techniques

RGS Connect Top 5 Industries: HEALTHCARE 11% EDUCATION 10% LAW

Sam Orchard, RGS Director of Music, Sam Jones OG 2019, Hugh Jones OG 2021, Andrew Florescu OG 2021, Salvatore Nigrelli 2021 and Alex Thow OG 2021

OG s BACK AT SCHOOL

It is always great to see OGs back at school, offering support, sharing their expertise and just enjoying being at the RGS again. Many thanks to you all!

The King’s Lecture with Simon Lazenby OG 1993

We were delighted to welcome Simon Lazenby OG 1993 as guest speaker in our King’s Lecture series in November 2022. Simon was an RGS pupil from 1988 to 1993 – still proud to this day of being a member of Valpy House during one of the less successful periods of the House’s history! – and then went to Durham University where he read Biological Sciences. After an early career covering rugby union and cricket for Sky Sports from 2002, Simon became the main anchor for Sky Sports Formula 1 coverage. Fresh from the USA and Mexico, Simon’s infectious knowledge, love and passion for all things F1 were very much in evidence. Now broadcast to 83 countries to an audience of over 30 million people globally, the popularity and profile of the sport have grown exponentially. Simon told the story of his early experiences of public speaking when he was given a

Saturday Detention at the RGS for delivering a rugby dinner speech which was too racey [pun intended], to the moment when, wearing his father’s suit, the camera light went red and he broadcast live for the first time, with little preparation and a sink or swim mentality. Simon provided a fascinating insight into the controversy of last season’s finale and then in an honest and candid Q&A provided his reflections on many aspects of the sport from sustainability to gender equality, from finances to social media. At its root, however, Simon kept returning to the fact that the RGS had instilled in him core values: loyalty, honesty, and an ability to work as a team, all elements which are so translatable and transferable to all walks of life. As he concluded, to an appreciative audience: “Friendship and teamwork – that’s what I learned here – we are only as good as the sum of our parts.”

Nigel Gillingham OG 1972 OBE came to support the RGS rugby fixture against Wimbledon on Saturday 17 September. As current RFU President and former Leicester Tigers lock with 145 first-team appearances, Nigel is a major ambassador for the sport from grassroots to international level. He spoke to the boys individually and as a team pre-match and encouraged them, most of all, to enjoy their rugby.

He also found time to catch up on the touchline with Steve Shore, fellow Loughborough alumnus and former RGS English & PE teacher in charge of cricket for many years. Nigel was also guest of honour at the Old Guildfordians Rugby Club lunch earlier in the year. “Rugby has given me many things – rugby’s core values, tremendous friendships, and lots of enjoyment. Wherever you are, you always receive the warmest of welcomes in a rugby club from the countless numbers of rugby people who give so much for the good of our game and their communities.”

Simon Lazenby OG 1993

Simon with F1 fans

Simon with Monica Popa, RGS Development Director

Nigel with School Captain Louis

BACK AT SCHOOL

Charlie Hubbard OG 2019 is an Ambassador for Oddballs, a charity raising awareness of testicular cancer. He visits many schools, giving talks to raise awareness of testicular cancer as the age profile of 15-49 is the most likely demographic and there is a high success rate if caught early.

Charlie came back to the RGS in October 2022 to give an excellent, engaging talk to the students and staff about checking themselves, talking to friends about it and how to seek medical help. His message, and the checking process, is simple and effective.

Oddballs has very “loud” underwear promoting testicular cancer awareness and is worn by lots of premier sports teams and players (Saracens, the English and Welsh rugby teams, the Lions and Spurs to name but a few) and also has vibrant cushions with a similar logo which are found in relaxing, social spaces all over the country. The charity also places simple self-help guides in public spaces, and this is all aimed at increasing the conversation, awareness and survival.

Charlie asked the boys to think about becoming ambassadors for the charity either now or in the future: by chatting with friends and colleagues at school or university, sharing on social media

and fundraising. His visit coincided with National Mental Health Day, which provided an excellent moment to consider opening up about this topic too.

He played rugby and was involved with the CCF as a pupil at school, took a gap year and is now at Birmingham University. He undertook a Reserve Commission at Sandhurst last summer and plans to complete it on graduating.

Huge thanks to Charlie for building an understanding of this important cause amongst our students and staff alike in such a relatable and open way. If you would like to find out more about Oddballs, its great promotional merchandise or becoming an ambassador, please visit their website myoddballs.com or email og@rgsg.co.uk

13 June 2022.

Paul Kerensa (Young) OG 1997, comedian and writer, hosted the hilarious annual RGS Stand-Up Comedy Evening on 3 Nov 2022 with comedians Rachel Creeger and Otiz Cannelloni, raising over £1,500 for the School’s nominated charities.

Bob Howell OG 1957 and friend of the School for many years laid the wreath on behalf of our Old Guildfordians at the School Remembrance Service on Friday 11 November. Bob served a Short Service Commission from 1959-1962 and five years on Army Emergency Reserve (AER).

his gratitude for the opportunities the RGS gave him. While not a bursary boy, he is proud of the School’s bursary ambition and very aware of the long history of the School as a “free schole for boys” in Guildford.

Angus Groom OG 2010, double Olympian and winner in the 2022 Boat Race for Oxford gave an inspiring Assembly to the whole school on 12 September 2022. He talked of his introduction to rowing, life lessons, his Olympic silver medal-winning race and concluded with the message to find something you love doing and throw yourself into it.

Nathan Janmohamed OG 2019 spoke at our Supporters Reception about

George Peterkin OG 2008 and MD of Mind Your Health Ltd delivered a series of thought-provoking and relevant practical workshops to L6 students and staff about mental health awareness and intervention on

Photo: Steve Yetman Contingent Commander CCF, Bob Howell OG 1957, Dr Jon Cox Headmaster and Chris Mansfield CCF School Staff Instructor

Jack Bardoe (Morris) OG 2014, famed for Belgravia (2020), Screw (2022) & Twisted Tales of Love (2019), came back to judge the House Drama competition in June 2022 alongside Roger Meadowcroft, Head of Religion & Philosophy and Nancy McClean, Head of Drama

BACK AT SCHOOL

Harry Grieve OG 2019, IM elect and current British Chess Champion delivered a chess masterclass to a group of students and teachers in November 2022. He returned the following week to take on 10 challengers simultaneously, emerging with a 10-0 victory, as befits a British champion!

If you would like to get involved in the Careers Programme at the RGS, please email og@rgsg.co.uk and we would be delighted to hear from you. Our pupils benefit hugely from your knowledge and experience, and it is great to find out where your careers are taking you.

OGs Richard Bottomley 2008, Oliver Stentiford 2019 and Sebastian Morton 2015 were joined by Venessa Holt, current parent and Peter Dunscombe, Director of Careers & Higher Education at our Careers Seminar specialising in Law. They shared valuable expertise and insights into the wide variety of opportunities in Law, ranging from corporate law, the Bar, graduate and junior solicitor training, medical defence work and more.

Alastair Reid OG 2002 joined Field Day in November 2022, investigating the world of journalism with the 1509 6th formers. Alastair has built a career as a journalist, firstly as a reporter, then with the Press Association and is now Digital Editor for The Big Issue. He spent the day with them sharing excellent insights into how to research, gather and produce news stories.

George Tench OG 2019 joined the Religion & Philosophy Department in January 2023 for the rest of the academic year. Welcome back!

Lucas Savage OG 2020 and currently studying at The Dyson Institute gave an insightful talk at RGS Engineering Week in November 2022 to 5th & 6th formers, about degree apprenticeships and the fun of working at Dyson.

Tom Perceval OG 2019 and current architecture undergraduate gave an online talk to our students about becoming an architect, discussing applications to university, his studies and on towards preparing to become a fully chartered architect.

Ollie Shorthose OG 2014 returned for British Science Week at the RGS to give a fascinating talk about the robotic hand he has developed through his PhD studies. Its application in the world of prosthetics will be extraordinary, thanks to its potential for multiple functions and uses.

Rodney Buckton OG 1960 back at the School with his donated outdoor chess set.

OG s BACK AT SCHOOL

OGs Will Phipps 2014, Peter May-Miller 2010, Kasper Wiltshire 2021, Ollie Hurdle 2018 and Sam McKeown 2016 joined Peter Dunscombe, Director of Careers & Higher Education for a riveting, insightful & very honest seminar about Careers in Medicine on Thursday 9 March. The evening was essentially an informative open conversation, chaired by PJD with questions from the audience, about everything from training as an undergrad medic, how to apply to medical school, daily life studying and working with patients, the stresses and the enormous variety of areas (medical and geographical) encountered as they become doctors.

May 2022 saw the return of the RGS Careers Convention and it was great to see OGs back and talking to RGS pupils and students from local schools about their careers, routes into work, subject choices and working life.

Catch up with OGs from across the generations and around the globe.

Fascinated by this rocky coastline, Leon was determined to find a less figurative and more authentic response to its unique mixture of Mesolithic geology, quarrying, natural rock fall and erosion. Form was for him the dominant feature, and colour would be minimized to black, white and brown, with the blues behind changing with the weather and the seasons.

Explaining his process, Leon says “Once decided on a particular view I try to let the painting take its own course in response to the rock, rejecting all influences encountered in my last 50 years of painting. The texture of the rock varies greatly, as does the size. Sometimes an enormous slab

can be revealed at low tide with a small beach below of a mixture of large boulders and smaller pebbles. The surface of a slab can be pitted with potholes, or smooth where a constant flow has done its work. Caves and arches have seemingly been gouged out and channels carved into the land. Some areas have masses of smooth, stark white slabs and boulders; some cliff faces are made up of a threatening dark brown series of horizontal layers – each of these demanding a different reaction from the viewer and painter.” Not surprisingly, Leon found that each coastal visit provided a unique experience. As he puts it, “Sometimes the sea roars and throws white spume high into the air as it hits the rocks. On other days there can be a stillness and mirror-like sea surface in bright sparkling sunshine. Always there is an hourly change in the shape of the cliffs as the tide climbs its way up, hiding prominent features which are revealed again later in the day.”

RICHARD TILBROOK OG 1979 and Clerk to the Privy Council took part in the Accession Council, the formal proclamation of the sovereignty of King Charles III, in St James’ Palace on 10 September 2022. It was the first time the ceremony had been televised and Richard read the text of the proclamation.

1 Jake O’Connell OG 2010

2 Calvin Ngwena OG 2015

3 Alex Osborne OG 2016 with Philippa Green

4 Ollie Shorthose 2014 (right)

5 Oliver Bazin OG 2007

6 Arjun Odedra OG 2010

LEON DORE OG 1965 Lyme Regis Museum’s Rotunda Gallery hosted an exhibition of recent work by Dorset artist Leon Dore called Portland Coast.

A GROUP OF OGS WHO JOINED THE RGS IN 1962 enjoyed a reunion lunch at the Weyside Inn in Guildford in April 2022, following on from their reunion at School back in 2019.

Left to right: Robin Snell, Patrick Begley, Mike Crawford, Nick Edwards, Terry Gale, John Bullen, Pete Loveland, Stephen Hurdle, Paul Hendley, Jeremy Chruscikowski, Glyn Paton, Paul Dobsen, Erwin Flick behind Nick Halton, Chris Harris, Dave Brown, John Riddell, and seated, Mike Sinfield, Pete Sheppard and Rob Griffiths.

BOB MILTON OG 1968 welcomed fellow OG FRIENDS ROGER MATTHEWS, ALAN ATTRIDGE and ROB KELLOW and their wives to his farm in October 2022.

JIM PEARCE OG 1991 has published his first novel, Cold Written during lockdown about the near future, a world in which scientists and their AI got it wrong, it has been published by Troubador and is available in Waterstones and online. The local area features in the book – here is Jim at the book signing in Guildford.

PAUL KERENSA (YOUNG) OG 1997 writer and comedian has published his first novel, Auntie and Uncles: the bizarre birth of the BBC Available from April 2023.

Autumn 2022. Patrick (who has previously featured in The Crown, One Man, Two Guvnors and The Play That Goes Wrong) played Peter Sellers in Spike, a play by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman.

OG LONDON MARATHON 2022 SUCCESS! JOE MORWOOD

OG 2009 ran an outstanding race, coming 3rd in the mass start and 19th overall (2:20:33), a huge achievement in such a competitive and high-profile event. “As always it was a brilliant experience – nothing quite like running down a totally empty embankment, nearly comatose and barely upright, like a strange dream where you’re trying to get somewhere but can’t quite remember why and your legs have stopped working.”

Many congratulations also to WILL PHIPPS OG 2014 (4:37:31) and NATHAN JANMOHAMED OG 2019 (2:47) who achieved their times and fundraising goals.

Patrick Warner (left) in Spike

PATRICK WARNER OG 2006 actor, writer and voice over specialist was spotted gooning around in Spike at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford and then on tour round UK with the play in

Nathan Janmohamed during the London Marathon

Will Phipps

Joe Morwood

ANGUS GROOM OG 2010 in the victorious Oxford Boat Race Team 2023.

WILL PICKERING OG 2015 competed in the British Powerlifting Senior Mens World Classic Championships 2022 in South Africa in the U93kg category.

DANIEL INNES OG 2014 and architect is a Rising Stars 2022 award winner chosen by RIBA Journal. A campaigner and activist for LGBT+ architects, Dan set up Architecture LGBT+ Life Drawing a travelling life-drawing programme which aims to foster crosspractice dialogue among LGBT+ architects by providing monthly free life drawing sessions as a space to network and socialise. Dan studied at the University of Bath and the Royal College of Art and is part way through his Part 3 while working at Dominic McKenzie Architects. He also participated in the Invisible Tales event at the London Festival of Architecture. Co-organised by fellow Rising Star Jordan Whitewood-Neal, this aimed to amplify the voices of disabled architects and designers in the UK. Dan is particularly interested in how architectural education could do more to help support them and pursues this discussion in a RIBA Future Architects in Conversation podcast.

Read more about Dan’s story via www.ribaj.com/intelligence/ rising-stars-2022-daniel-innesdominic-mckenzie-architects-lgbt.

SEB CHAUMETON OG 2015 exhibited his new solo show Little Palette at the Maddox Gallery in London.

A contemporary re-imagination of the history of art, Little Palette encompasses painting and sculpture. Focusing on established British artists, Seb challenges both his and our learned affinities to art, and deconstructs his artistic taste in a humorous, yet thought-provoking manner. By anthropomorphising historic art movements and representing notable artists, he dismantles our predisposed prejudices of what we consider to be ‘good’ art. We know that certain artists are good, but why are they good? The exhibition is a reminder that the natural evolution of art history is based upon the visual dialogue which artists from different times engage in through their work and Seb’s works give an identity to artistic concepts using acrylic, oils and watercolour, and he explores pointillism, abstract expressionism, and others.

Seb also welcomed RGS 5th and 6th formers to the Gallery to talk about his work and share ideas about the creative process.

HENRY ROTH OG 2014 and his brother launched 84 Acres Canine Country Club in May 2022. Situated at the exclusive private estate of Minley Manor in Surrey, it provides doggy day care for all breeds and sizes. www.84acres.co.uk.

SAM BICKERDIKE OG 2015 has been selected to be part of the latest Ice Warrior flagship expedition to the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility in the Arctic, keeping climate change at the forefront of international policy making. Their task is to travel as much as possible in 20 days, skiing for 10 hours a day, dodging hungry polar bears and travel across an ever-diminishing layer of ice between their skis and the Arctic Ocean… AND complete a crucial scientific transect. We look forward to giving his full story in the next edition.

CALLUM CHAMPION

OG 2017 gave a lunchtime recital at Holy Trinity Church in June 2022; music including Chopin Polonaises was drawn from his end of year programme following a Masters at Guildhall School of Music.

Seb with 6th formers and Ruth Shepherd RGS Head of Art

“If someone makes work that is honest and true to themselves, that’s what I see as good art.”

Seb Chaumeton

OLIVER WHITE OG 2015 took part in University Challenge as one of the Courtauld Institute of Art Team.

JACK BARDOE (MORRIS) OG 2014 starred in the National Theatre production of Othello in January 2023, playing Roderigo (left in picture) to excellent reviews.

OGS DEWI EBURNE 2014, NATHAN JANMOHAMED 2019 and JOE FIELD 2021 at Buckingham Palace in May 2022 to receive their Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards from Prince Edward.

HARRY GRIEVE OG 2019 won the British Chess Championships in August 2022, beating two Grandmasters and drawing with a further three Grandmasters, a remarkable achievement of “truly spectacular” chess, to quote an OG chess afficionado. It was the 108th British Chess Championship in a series which has run almost unbroken since 1904. The Championship event, a 9-round Swiss tournament, saw a major sensation as 16th-rated FM Harry scored a fantastic 7.5/9 to win. Harry completed his final IM, first GM norm and picked up 59 rating points.

The enduring memory of ALEX EWART OG 2003 has had a profound impact upon Bhu Pu School in Besishahar, Nepal as the RGS and our OGs continue to take every opportunity to get actively involved in the school. OGS FROM 2021 GEORGE KEMKERS, CHRISTIAN MOODY and OLLIE JANSEN received a warm welcome from CAPTAIN RAN BAHADUR GURUNG the founder of Bhu Pu School, and got to know the Sixth Form pupils.

WILL BARNICOAT OG 2021 stormed to victory in the men’s U20 5.7km race in December 2022 at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in PiemonteLa Mandria Park.

GARETH FURLONG, FORMER RGS HOCKEY COACH, scored four goals for Wales in their 5-1 victory over Canada at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

SHIRLEY PERRETT, FORMER RGS MATHS TEACHER AND MARATHON RUNNER EXTRAORDINAIRE , was nominated for Sports’ Personality of the Year by her running club (Farnham Runners) and, along with all the other shortlisted finalists, went to an awards ceremony at Farnham Rugby Club. She was awarded a Mayor’s Special Award for her successes in running and fundraising.

Rupert Shipperley former RGS Geography teacher and GB hockey player, Chris Murray OG 2017 and weightlifting gold medallist with Gareth Furlong (right)

George Kemkers, Christian Moody and Ollie Jansen with Captain Ran Bahadur Gurung

OG s AND PHILANTHROPY

OGs have embarked on a wide variety of charitable projects and endeavours over the last year, giving their time, energy and commitment to deserving causes close to their hearts. Here are a few of their stories and links where you can show your support.

“It was one of the worst things I’ve personally ever done compared to any fitness test, session, match – anything. I was very close to throwing the bike in but when you meet kids who you can make a bit of a difference to, it makes it a lot nicer, a lot easier and it made it all a lot more worthwhile. If you can do a little thing for someone, even the smallest thing that’ll make things better for them, then it makes the sitting on a saddle for eight hours a day worthwhile.”

Jack Clifford

JACK DOYLE and MATTHEW LOVELL

OGS 2022 and university students decided to raise funds for the Max Windle Memorial Trust in memory of their school friend. On a chilly November day, they set off to walk 100km in 24 hours, non-stop, along the Thames Path ending at Tower Bridge. Jack wrote “In light of it being ‘Movember’ and the importance of men taking care of their mental health being more significant than ever, we thought we’d go for it and give ourselves a big challenge. And because of the memories Matt and I shared with Max on the rugby pitch, we’ve decided to walk whilst passing a rugby ball! Max was a class bloke who we knew well on and off the field, and through this challenge, we hope to raise as much as possible for this incredible organisation, founded in his memory to fund mental health professionals to work with boys and young men at crisis point.

Morale was high and the pace we were going at made us feel very optimistic about the difficulty of this challenge. That optimism was shattered 60km in when

walking between Richmond and Kew in the dark and rain, with both of us conceding that reaching Tower Bridge would be very difficult. As the blisters began to form our pace slowed, but fortunately we had plenty of moral support from friends on social media and our parents who met us every now and then with food and words of encouragement. Reaching Tower Bridge, 100km in, was a huge feeling of relief and pride. And waking up, after a much-needed sleep, and seeing all the donations has been incredible. Thank you to all who have donated and shared the fundraiser, it means a massive amount to me and Matt.” Follow their walk through the photos.

If you would like to support the Max Windle Memorial Trust or seek help, please go to www.mwmt.org

JACK CLIFFORD OG 2011 completed a marathon 750-mile cycle ride in seven days to raise money for rugby’s children’s charity, Wooden Spoon. The organisation funds life-changing projects across the UK & Ireland that support vulnerable children and young people. As an ambassador for the charity, Jack was keen to show his support and was full of admiration for the work they do. In 2021 they funded 43 charitable projects supporting 100,000 vulnerable children and young people.

Gallagher’s Road to Twickenham bike ride is built upon Wooden Spoon’s core values of Passion, Integrity, Teamwork and Fun.

As one of several core riders, former professionals and rugby internationals, Jack joined ex Scotland international Nathan Hines, GB ParaTri Athlete Louis Rolfe, Jonny Arr, Will Hurrell and Charlie Sharples on the gruelling trek, taking time to stop off at 11 of the 13 Gallagher Premiership Rugby clubs along the way to raise awareness and support for the charitable causes, before the challenge culminated in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby trophy being ridden into Twickenham on the day of the 2022 Final. www.justgiving.com/campaign/gallaghers bikeride and woodenspoon.org.uk

WILL PHIPPS OG 2014 completed the London Marathon 2022, raising money for Heart UK – a cholesterol charity which works to prevent premature deaths from high cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. The money funds much needed Public Health awareness of inherited conditions such as Familial Hypercholesterolaemia, increasing testing and will save lives.

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ william-phipps

MARCUS PILLINGER OG 2012 along with his friend Oli, decided two years ago to cycle around the world for their chosen charity, School in a Bag, which provides educational materials for children in disadvantaged parts of the world. After months of planning, training, preparing their bikes and amassing all the necessary spare parts and camping gear, they set off in May 2022, with the ride expected to take the best part of a year. Their trip should take them through 25 countries and they should cover at least 18,000 miles (~29,000km). We’ll report in full when they return.

If you would like to support their fundraising adventure, please go to www.schoolinabag.org

Jack Clifford (left) with teammates and the Gallagher Premiership Trophy

Oli and Marcus (right) prepare for their adventure

OGs continue to get involved in and enjoy sport, together and back here back at the School. It is great to see such enthusiasm, and these are always very sociable occasions too. Here are some highlights from the last year. Everyone is welcome so if you would like to take part, set up a team or a fixture please do email og@rgsg.co.uk.

OG SPORTING NEWS

OGs have relished several fixtures against RGS teams, and it was great to see so many recent leavers coming back to take part. In June summer sunshine, we welcomed back a wide range of OG Footballers from 2018 – 2021 to play against a mixed RGS U16 and U17 side at Surrey Sports Park. Colours were presented to OGs Matthew Dodds 2020 and Luke Turner 2020 and a highly enjoyable game followed against a well organised OG XI. However, the U17-M side grabbed a late 4-3 win.

OG FOOTBALL

An OG XI from 2014 and 2015 took on a mixed RGS senior XI in September 2022, resulting in a very competitive 1-1 draw.

An OG XI made up of 1st XI footballers from 2017-2020 joined RGS mid-season training on 2 January 2023 for a floodlit friendly match at Surrey Sports Park. Excellent to see lots of familiar faces, in great shape…and still playing football. 3-3 was a fair result.

On Saturday 7 January 2023, the 2nd half of the 2022-23 season kicked off with Old Guildfordians FC mens’ teams playing against the RGS 1st XI and 2nd XI. In what can only be described as very wintry conditions, the RGS 1st and 2nd XIs put on impressive attacking displays to win both matches.

OG RIFLE CLUB

Congratulations to the Rifle Club for another year of success in the Bisley meeting in July 2022, winning the Public Schools’ Veterans’ Shield and plenty of other trophies.

Thank you to our outgoing Rifle Club captain of 20+ years and one of our regular shooting coaches at the RGS, Archie Whicher OG 1984, for his tremendous service and ongoing input to both School and OG shooting. Welcome and good luck to incoming captain Liam Cheek OG 2012

We look forward to another significant year with OGs competing for Great Britain in March and August 2023.

The traditional Christmas shoot between OGs and the current RGS team took place on 7 January 2023, and it was fantastic to see fourteen OGs attend the match with David Woolcott, former Master in charge Shooting also coming back to join in and officially open the Woolcott Range. The match took the form of a slightly curtailed Country Life shoot where the competitors are marked on their ability to shoot grouping, rapid and snap. To add an element of uncertainty, bonus points were given to those that

decided to shoot their snap target “blind” (with the target turned the wrong way round). It seemed that Miles HortonBaker OG 2019 would end the day on top with a seemingly unassailable score of 144. Two details later, however, newcomer to the RGS team, Ayaan, beat him by two points. They both received a medal for being top scorers for the OGs and RGS respectively. After a couple of unavoidable deductions from the original scores the day ended with the OGs scoring 1,380 and the RGS winning with 1,423.

17 September 2022 saw an OG team compete at the annual Thames Alumni Race at Wimbledon Common. A reduced team meant no team trophies this time, but the OGs achieved excellent results in the individual competition. Great to see Nathan competing for the first time; everyone is most welcome so if you’d like to take part next year, please email og@rgsg.co.uk

As part of the senior hockey pre-season in January 2023, a mostly U6th 1st XI took on an OG XI. The OGs snuck in with a 2-1 victory. It was pleasing to hear that the majority are still playing sport beyond their time at the RGS.

Fantastic to see OGs Thomas Goodbourn 2015 and Patrick Croghan 2017 in January 2023 at the RYA Winter Match Racing with James Witts RGS Geography, Head of Middle School and Master in charge of sailing (second from right). 2nd place was an excellent showing.

Back row (left to right): Stephen Black (teacher), Liam Cheek, Will Livesey, Pete Savage, David Crawforth, Archie Whicher, David Armstrong, David Woolcott (former shooting master), Jon Underwood Middle row (left to right): Dan Taylor, Rupert Fitzsimmons, Miles Horton-Baker, Alistair Hopwood, Luca O’Flynn, Harry Main, Oliver Woolcott

Archie Whicher

Liam Cheek

OG HOCKEY

OG CROSS COUNTRY

Left to right: 5th Richard Ollington 2012, 51st Adam Hewitt 2002, 4th Nathan Janmohamed 2019

OG SAILING

OG Rifle Club Team with trophies

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Fire engulfs the old building in December 1962

One of the more dramatic moments in the history of the RGS was the night that fire swept through the Old Building. “During the early hours of Sunday, the 2nd day of December 1962, the School buildings were severely damaged by fire which was, it is believed, caused by an electrical fault in a cupboard under the stairs leading to the Big School Room.

The most devastation was in the East Wing, the Hamonde Room being the worst affected. In the Big School Room beams were scorched and the room damaged when the roof collapsed. The Austen Room was also damaged, but to a lesser degree. Numerous desks and textbooks were destroyed. Damage was also caused to other parts of the building by water, including the Chained Library. The valuable books in the Library, although affected by water, were saved by the prompt action of the London Salvage Corps who quickly responded to a call for assistance.” From the typed note inserted into the Governors’ minute book.

Photographic records show the wreckage of rubble and gaping holes after six appliances from the fire brigade brought the blaze under control. Boys rushed to the school to help, and a steady procession passed and carried the water-damaged remnants of the school library to the old school gym (now the auditorium) where they were re-sorted. Ron Smoothey, former Art Teacher, went into the building to rescue books and was injured when a water-filled

One boy noted that the fire was top billing on the television news that evening ahead of India, China, the UN Secretary General, Khrushchev and the draw for the European Cup.

light fitting collapsed on top of him. Fortunately, there were no other casualties, and he was not seriously hurt.

Over the years we have heard memories from OGs who were there: one talked of being the last person in the Chained Library, gathering books off the shelves before he was evacuated for safety. If you have recollections of your own, please do share them via og@rgsg.co.uk

Some of you will recall the bitter winter weather that followed (the Big Freeze of 1962-63) and the disruption to lessons for months afterwards as the New Building

neared completion and renovation work took place around the Old Building.

On 9 June 1965 the Old Building was formally reopened by the Duchess of Gloucester, and a service of thanks was held at Guildford Cathedral the following day. Today the Old Building still stands strong, the roof and brickwork restored with traditional tiles, the frontage now painted white, and the old beams with our benefactors’ names and the historic Chained Library collection preserved for posterity.

Acknowledgement: Nigel Watson, RGS An Illustrated History

LEAVE YOUR LEGACY

The RGS Guildford is built on the legacy of its founders and benefactors who have supported the School for over 500 years. For over half a millennium we have forged new relationships with benefactors and discovered new friendships across the generations.

Our School was established in 1509 when Robert Beckingham, a Freeman of the City of London, left a bequest in his will to establish a ‘free schole’ in the historic town of Guildford. The School they built on the High Street stands strong today, offering a challenging education to the brightest local boys.

The Headmaster, Dr Jon Cox, created The Beckingham Society nearly 15 years ago to celebrate this founding principle, and as a way for our community to remember the School and the future education of boys in their wills.

The Beckingham Society members meet once a year in School at a special lunch and on many other occasions. Members of the Beckingham Society include Old Guildfordians, parents, former teachers and staff members alike.

We were all deeply saddened by the loss of one of the Beckingham Society’s first and most treasured members last year.

Robert Watson (1938-2022) won a scholarship to the RGS in 1949 and his relationship with School truly lasted a lifetime. He was a School prefect, awarded school and house sporting

The School they built on the High Street stands strong today, offering a challenging education to the brightest local boys.

colours and was Treasurer of the School magazine. After graduating he travelled widely, spending over 30 years in Hong Kong, but he kept in touch and, when we launched the Bursary Campaign, he became one of our most encouraging and generous supporters. A kind man who was incredibly proud of his education and who wanted to pass on that most valuable of gifts through his support to the School.

Like Robert, you can also become a part of our history and join the Beckingham Society. Members enjoy an annual society lunch with the Headmaster and are invited to many exclusive School events.

If you would like to join our Beckingham Society and build a lasting legacy, do please contact us. Your gift will be exempt from inheritance tax and will benefit future generations of RGS boys.

Please contact Monica Popa Development Director

 + 44 (0)1483 880665

 mpo@rgsg.co.uk

RGS Guildford Foundation

High Street, Guildford Surrey, GU1 3BB

Registered charity number 1089955

First Formers on their first day at the RGS. You can keep open the door to a great RGS education by leaving your legacy

Below: Robert Watson as an RGS prefect in 1958

Right: Robert Watson at our Golden Garden Party 2019

OBITUARIES

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Staff and Old Guildfordians from the RGS community. We rely on information coming to us from across the OG and RGS community and every possible endeavour is made to ensure accuracy. Wherever possible we have included valete information from our School records.

Old Guildfordians

David Jones, Director of Music 1963-1979

David was Director of Music at the RGS from 1963-1979 and regularly attended Emmanuel Church, Stoughton, where he was sometimes the pianist at services. “David was a fine singer, a countertenor in the famous Chapel choir of St John’s College, Cambridge, where he was a Choral Scholar. He was a hard-working teacher, who ran his department almost singlehandedly. He never took a proper lunch break. Every day when morning school ended, he would snatch a hurried and incomplete meal and within fifteen minutes be back to rehearse one or other section of the school choir. Despite the lack of resources, David built up a fine choir which, during my time at the RGS, gave notable performances of Handel’s Messiah, a Haydn Mass, Faure’s Requiem and Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury.” From John Burrell OG 1974 who gave a moving, eloquent eulogy at David’s funeral, one of three of David’s First Form Tutor Group from 1967 to attend. Died 17 July 2022.

Barbara Gutkind, Head of German 1976-1989

Barbara Gutkind, RGS Head of German from 1976-1989 was herself German, having left Germany in 1938 with her family, fleeing the Nazis, and they settled in Guildford. She was a student at Girton College, Cambridge and started teaching after first working in an office job. Barbara joined the RGS as Head of German at a time when the school was going through major changes, and she built up a strong department with an excellent academic record of success. She was devoted to the study of German and gave a generation of boys a wonderful insight into its language and literature through her conscientious, careful teaching, patience and gentle insistence on perfection, which led to a high level of scholarship. Many boys owed their discovery of the joys of German language and literature to her, enabling them to achieve far more than they had ever imagined. She would throw a great end of year party for her A Level groups and gave unstintingly of her time to her students. Barbara contributed widely to school life and launched the highly successful German exchange with a school in Freiberg. She also began the hiking group on Monday period eight with Jack Lauder. Barbara retired in 1989 and continued to keep in touch with staff and friends throughout the School, and always enjoyed hearing news about her OGs. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Died 3 October 2022.

Tony Jenkins, Governor 1979-2010

Tony Jenkins was a Governor at the RGS from 1979-2010. He was also Clerk to the Governors, a member of both F&GP and the Nominations Committees and served on the Foundation Board from 20012003. Tony and his sister Penny Martin bought one of the Big School Chairs in 2009 in memory of their father, Ronald Jenkins, OG 1926 & also a former Governor of the School and it is in constant use today. Tony was an excellent member of the Governing Body, dedicating many years of service to the School and as a true gentleman, he proved to be a valuable friend across the generations. The most intense time of his relationship with the School was during the move to independence, when he was Clerk to the Governors rather than a Governor, working very closely with John Brown who was then Chairman of the Governors. It was a strong feature of his daughter Kate’s childhood, with much working in the evenings. His wife Pat loved the link with the RGS and always felt part of the community. Much loved and missed by his family, friends and all who knew him. Died 28 October 2022.

Peter Peel, Governor, Foundation Board, Parent and Friend Peter was a wonderful supporter and friend of the RGS for many years. He and Caroline’s sons, Duncan and Stuart, were both pupils here and Peter joined the Governing Board in 2004 after serving on the Foundation Board from 2002-2004. He was the current Chairman of the F&GP Committee when he passed away and was a much loved and valued friend, source of wisdom and dedication to the School, greatly missed by all who knew him. Died 20 November 2022.

Graham Hawkett OG 1937. 1932-37

Hamonde. Cert “A” part 1 1936. OTC L/Cpl 1937. Empire Marksman 1935. School Certificate 1937. “He rarely spoke much about his childhood, but it was apparent that winning a scholarship to the RGS had a major impact on his life. Neither of his parents had much formal education, but a grammar school education for him led on to becoming a Naval Officer in World War 2, and eventually to ordination in the Church of England.” From his son, David. He was a loyal supporter who always enjoyed news of the School, and was one of our oldest Guildfordians. Died on 4 February 2022 aged 101.

Michael Gardner OG 1943. 1936-43

Beckingham Michael lived in Australia for many years but made a point of visiting the RGS whenever he was back in the UK. He corresponded regularly with us, sharing news of life in Australia and memories of his school days, one particular occasion being when his form “was sent to Guildford High School to be filmed in a M O I war film where the guys and girls had to perform various sports to represent war workers at play”. Died July 2022.

was a very active man. Throughout his life he was very involved in the community, organising and running clubs, events and youth groups from an early age and was a tireless contributor to the community life of Shamley Green and Cranleigh. He was involved in many local groups throughout his life including the Rotary Club and the village church in which he was an active member for almost 65 years. Donald worked as an industrial chemist at the same facility all his life although the facility changed hands several times. A few years before his retirement the facility was converted to a brick manufacturing plant to take advantage of materials available on site. He retrained and managed the brick plant until his retirement in the early 90s. After retiring he and Daphne, his wife, spent many years traveling to visit family and friends in the USA, Australia and New Zealand. They went on many cruises visiting many different countries until the Covid pandemic bought an end to their adventures, but they still enjoyed going out to lunch, visiting family and attending Rotary dinners, History Society talks and Garden Club.

Nettles. Cert “A” 1944. Empire 1st Class Shot 1943-44; Scout Patrol Leader 1943. 2nd Class Scout 1942. Member “Gordon Whale” Cup PT team 1943. House Colours: Football 1943, Rugby 1944, Cricket 1944, Gymnastics 1944, Swimming 1944. House PT Team 1941-4243-44. His son Paul writes: “Our father

Donald was renowned for his love of barn dance calling, something he did from his late teens until it became too tiring in his 80s. He travelled the southeast running barn dances for private and public events and organised many dances to raise money for charities especially for Cranleigh Rotary and their support of the Shelter Box appeal.” Died 26 July 2022.

RGS Staff

Donald Nunneley OG 1944. 1936-44

Derek Smith OG 1944. 1943-44 Nettles. Cert “A” 1942. Empire 1st Class Shot 1944. House Colours: Rugby 1944, Athletics 1944. House PT Team 1943-44. Derek was a generous donor for many years, and he was always so proud to have been an Old Guildfordian. Died 9 March 2022.

Peter Hamshere OG 1946. 1939-1946 Hamonde. School Prefect 1944-46. JTC L/Sgt 1946. Cert “A” 1945. Empire 1st Class Shot 1945. Asst Scoutmaster 1944. Member “Gordon Whale” Cup PT Team 1942. “Powell” English Prize (junior) 1944. “Magnus” Maths Prize 1944. “Powell” English Prize (senior) 1945. “Magnus” Advanced Maths Prize 1946. School Colours: Rugby 1944-46, Capt 1946. House Colours: Football 1943-44-45; Rugby 1943; Athletics 1943-44-45. Member of Committees: General Games 1944-46, Debating Society 1945-46. Assistant School Librarian 1942-46.

“Peter, who died in 2021 aged 93, was a committed educationalist and mathematician throughout his adult life. He believed passionately in the transformative power of good teachers and good schools and gave his best years to what he saw as a great cause. This driving belief in the power of education to transform was founded on his experience in schools in Guildford when he was a boy.

Peter was born in Guildford and was a working-class boy who became a teacher, teacher trainer, educational innovator, university lecturer and finally School Maths Inspector. Peter’s father, Leonard, was a plumber who had been a professional soldier in the 7th Dragoon Guards, becoming a farrier working with the horses. An injury he suffered on the Somme in the First World War affected him for the rest of his life. Peter’s mother, Violet, was a cleaner and had been in domestic service as a cook. Although loving and well intentioned, they knew little of how to guide their son into a good education, but Violet was a resourceful woman and made it her business to find out about the local schools. She discovered that children who went to Sandfield Preparatory School seemed to do better

than others and she managed to secure him a place there. It soon became clear to staff at Sandfield, that here was a clever boy. Thanks to the advice of one teacher there, Violet entered Peter for the Scholarship Examinations for The Royal Grammar School, Guildford. He was successful, entering the RGS in 1939.

Peter played a full part in the life of the school and books and rugby became lifelong interests. Towards the end of his school years, he prepared to serve in the Second World War by joining the Junior Training Corps becoming L/Sergeant and winning the Empire First Class Shot in 1945. Peter could have taken a route into either the arts or the sciences, but he chose to study at the latter at King’s College, London.

During these war time schooldays Peter met Gwynneth Williams and they would recall sitting on a hillside together watching London burn during the blitz in 1941. They stayed together until Gwyn died in 2018, having married in 1950.

Peter joined the army before university, becoming a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery. His officer potential had been noticed and he was sent on a course which he described as aimed at “changing him

from working class to officer class”. Peter was a lifelong socialist and never forgot his working class roots, but at times he found that this did not sit easily with his professional success and material progress into the middle classes.

Peter took a combined degree in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry at King’s and then trained to be a maths teacher. Peter took up his first post at Trinity Grammar School, Wood Green, London in 1952, where he was active in the Mathematical Society and House Master for St Andrew’s House. In 1957 Peter moved to Ashlyns School in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire and here he demonstrated another of his lifelong interests, classical music, through The School Record Club, including staging one ‘concert’ to mark the bicentenary of Handel’s death that was “remarkably well attended” according to the School magazine attracting an audience of 70 people. Peter collected records from shellac 78s and vinyl LPs to CDs although his enjoyment was affected as his hearing declined.

In 1963 he took up a post training maths teachers at the City of Birmingham College of Education. Alongside his teaching

position, Peter, with his young family, took on the role of ‘live-in’ warden for a student residence occupying a grand Victorian house which still had its servants’ bells. He then did the same with a rambling Edwardian former hotel. These six years were very exciting for the children and Peter and Gwyn made many friends through their pastoral care.

In the 1970s Peter was appointed as the Director of the new and innovative Birmingham Structured Mathematics Scheme, which was created to enable non-specialists to teach maths at a time of a shortage of trained maths teachers. Peter built a successful scheme and his subsequent long career in Birmingham took in many changes in the world of education, some of which Peter believed in and many of which he did not. However, he always ‘did his best’, a guiding phrase of his, whatever the prevailing political whim or new orthodoxy.

In the early 1980s Peter took a sabbatical to study for a Masters Degree in Education at Birmingham University, graduating in 1984 when he was awarded the Clarence Greig Prize. He became a university lecturer when he was asked to stay on for a year to

cover for another’s sabbatical. Peter retired in 1990, when his final position was as a School Maths Inspector realising an ambition and in many ways ending his career in his ideal role, bringing together his twin passions of both mathematics and education. It was a position he enjoyed enormously. He had served the City of Birmingham for 27 years.

In life beyond the career Peter and Gwyn loved canoeing and camping, with one of their fondest and oft recalled memories being of an early canoeing expedition exploring the River Wye, but their greatest adventure was canoeing through the Scottish lochs from Lairg to Loch Laxford in 1955, going on to explore the Outer Hebrides. Later the whole family would go for adventurous month long wild camping holidays in the New Forest in the 1960s. Peter and Gwyn continued camping until well into their mid 70s. In retirement, Peter and Gwyn became avid collectors, visiting numerous book fairs, antique fairs and car boot sales. Peter was interested in mathematical instruments from slide rules to weights and measures, amassing a wideranging collection and particularly enjoying a Fitzroy Barometer which he kept with him until the end. Peter was also able to indulge his lifelong love of books, spending his retirement years relishing the life of a bibliophile. Amongst the many and varied areas of collecting encompassing the literary and scientific worlds, Peter built three specific collections: 17th to 19th century antiquarian mathematics and science books; 17th to 19th century pupil’s mathematical Copy Books, full of beautiful calligraphy, diagrams and illustrations; and books by and about the extraordinary Powys family of authors sparked by an initial interest in John Cowper Powys. There was nothing Peter enjoyed more than disappearing into the depths of an antiquarian bookshop or book fair and emerging triumphant with an obscure volume about an erudite branch of mathematics, or an equally recondite signed first edition by a scion of the Powys family.

Peter’s breadth of interests and depth of knowledge made him fascinating company

and his mind remained sharp until the end. He enjoyed his grandchildren enormously, talking to them and hearing of how their lives were developing. He is survived by his sons Nigel and his children Tom and Kate; John and his children Joseph and Jacob, and his daughter Sarah.” From Nigel Hamshere.

James Harrison OG 1946. 1940-46 Nettles. Matric 1945. “Magnus” Prize for Mathematics 1945. King’s Scholarship 1941. Cert “A” 1945. JTC L/Cpl 1945. Empire 1st Class Shot 1944, Empire Marksman 1945-46. House Colours: Gymnastics 1946. House PT Team1945. Died 24 December 2021.

Leonard Skinner OG 1949. 1943-49 Nettles. Matric 1948. Cert “A” 1948. Empire 1st Class Shot 1948. 2nd Class Scout 1945. Died 2022.

Reginald Wright OG 1949. 1943-49 Austen. Matric 1948. Empire Marksman 1946-47-48. Cert “A” Part 1 1947. House Colours: Gymnastics 1947-48. House PT Team 1946-47-48. Died January 2023.

Christopher Halliwell OG 1951. 1946-51 Austen. He was a generous and loyal supporter of the School over many years. Died 14 February 2023.

Ernie Roberts OG 1953. Nettles 1946-53. Entrance to Southampton University, Special Exhibition, Sandwich Scholarship, “RO Griffiths Memorial Prize” 1953. CCF L/Sgt 1952; Asst Instructor 1951. 1st Class Shot 1948-53. School Colours: Rugby 1952; Football 1953. House Colours: Rugby 1950-51; Football 1950-52; Swimming 1951; Boxing 1952; Gymnastics 1952-53. General Games Committee 1953. House PT Team 1952-53. Ernie lived in the US for many years and kept in touch with OG friends in North America and the UK, as well as the OG Rugby Club in Guildford. He shared wonderful sporting and other memories with us over the years, collections of

Peter, third from left with RGS friends. Aged c17 Peter Hamshere (centre front row seated) as Captain of the School Rugby Team 1946

rugby photos and a vivid depiction of the erstwhile Top Court Soccer Competition and trophy. Died February 2022.

Surrey and beyond. Teammates included Richard Haskell, Bob Orchard and Eric Hawkins and we won many competitions or were well-placed. Of note, Phil organised an inter school cross-country relay race around Stoke Park. This was for a challenge cup, named in honour of Dag Hammerschal (United Nations President at that time), following Phil’s political interests. The inaugural race was won by the RGS. Phil was an outstanding runner in middle distances and cross-country and competed to a high standard after school with Exeter University and Guildford and Godalming AC. He organised the inaugural Hog’s Back Road Race, Farnham to Guildford. This race, I believe, is still taking place.” Died 24 March 2022.

Philip Nash OG 1955. 1951-55 Beckingham. House Captain 1954-55. School Colours: Athletics 1953-55, Captain 1954-55; CrossCountry 1953-55, Captain 1954-55; Surrey Schools mile record holder 1954. House Colours: Athletics 1951-55, Captain 1953-55; Cross-Country 1952-55, Captain 1953-55; Football 1954-55; Rugby 1954. Committees: Magazine, Editor 1954; General Games. He always enjoyed reading all the school sports programmes and was very happy to see the Haskell Cup return to the School after he arranged the first meeting in Stoke Park in the 1950s.

David Bucke OG 1955 writes: “Phil was a particular friend of mine at school and I kept in touch with him throughout his life.

Phil joined the RGS in 1951 and I came into contact with him through cross-country running. Previously, he was London Schools 1 mile champion. Phil was a great motivator and encouraged a group of like-minded boys, including me, to train and take part in cross-country and athletic events outside of school. At that time there was no master involved with cross-country running. Phil’s future wife was our team manager and she designed the RGS black singlet with the School motif. Sometimes we ran with Guildford and Godalming AC or competed in races between other grammar schools and public schools in

won a scholarship to the RGS at eleven years old, which transformed his life through the educational opportunities it opened up for him. This led to his total commitment to the Bursary programme, and he was a very generous benefactor for many years and pledged a legacy to support future Bursaries. He also sponsored a boy and a girl throughout their education in Nepal. When Robert retired, he returned to UK and became involved in many local activities as a volunteer. He ran Duke of Edinburgh courses and was qualified to assess outdoor expeditions. He was a volunteer, curator and supporter at Wanborough Great Barn, a place of significant historical interest. Robert also worked tirelessly and enthusiastically for the Tilford Rural Life Centre on woodland maintenance and conservation. He was a wonderful supporter of the RGS for many years and loved the music at the School –he was a regular guest at all our concerts from Market Day performances, Musician of the Year, recitals and more, popping into our office for a welcome chat, and it was always a true delight to see him at OG events too. A talented gardener and cook, Robert was always ready for a wideranging conversation complete with dry wit and a twinkle in the eye. He was a gentle man who lived life to the full and we are forever grateful for his friendship.

Died 25 July 2022.

Robert Watson OG 1957. 1949-57 Austen. School Prefect 1955-57. CCF Sgt 1956. 1st Class Shot 1952-55; Empire Marksman 1955-57. School Colours: Cross-Country 1957; Badminton 1957, Hon Treasurer 1956-57.

House Colours: Athletics 1952; Fives 1952; Rugby 1956-57; Swimming 1957; Chess 1957; Cross-Country 1953-54, 1956-57, Captain 1956-57. Royal Life Saving Society Bronze Medal. Hon Treasurer School Magazine 1956-57. General Games Committee. On leaving the RGS Robert undertook military service in Norway and travelled the world widely throughout his life. He spent over 30 years in Hong Kong as a Telecomms engineer and was fully immersed in local life there, making lifelong friends. Robert

Derek Pheby OG 1963. 1956-63 Nettles. School Prefect 1962-63. Boys Scout 1956-60, 1st Class Scout 1959, Patrol Leader 1960, Senior Scout 1960-62, Junior ASM 1962-63. House Colours: Chess 1959. U14, U16 and School 1st Chess teams. Founder Natural History Society 1961, President 1961-63. Christian Union, History, Literary and Debating Societies, Badminton Club. “Professor Derek Pheby BSc, MB, BS, LLM, MPhil, FFPH was a Visiting Professor of Epidemiology at Buckinghamshire New University. With degrees in Medicine (University College London) and Law (University College Cardiff), Derek furthered his education by completing Masters’ degrees in Social Policy and in Law. He had held a Membership of The Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS), a Fellowship of the Faculty of Public Health (FFPH) and was a Member of the Institute of Healthcare Management (MIHM). Derek was part of a group of academics in the UK who have worked tirelessly to improve research on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), including epidemiologic studies in the UK, in collaboration with colleagues at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. He was also the co-creator of an initiative to bring together ME/CFS researchers and health professionals from the UK and Europe, the EUROMENE network. In the most recent EUROMENE project, he headed the

Socioeconomics working group, that aimed to assess the burden of ME/CFS to society and provide long-term trend estimates for societal impact related to ME/CFS. Derek will be sorely missed by his colleagues worldwide. He will be remembered not only for his camaraderie, cleverness, eagerness to help and witty sense of humour but also for his determination for evidencing the devastating effects of ME/ CFS on the lives of those affected by this disease. He will always be present in our minds. His family stated that he was a wonderful and loving man, husband, dad, and grandpa. He is survived by his wife, Anita, three children and three grandchildren.” From EUROMEME. Derek also worked at St Thomas’ Hospital and Southampton University and was founding chair of the UK Association of Cancer Registries. He also found time to be chairman of Age UK Salisbury District. He worked to the end, bringing out a book just before he died. Derek was a loyal supporter of the RGS and, with Anita, a frequent guest at musical, social and intellectual activities at the School over the years. We treasured his company and will miss him greatly. Died early November 2022.

Alexander ‘Henry’ Morgan OG 1967. Henry stayed in touch with OG friends and the School across the years and is much missed. Died June 2022.

Graeme Attridge OG 1968. One of four brothers who all attended the RGS, as did their father. Died 22 May 2022.

Alan ‘Paddy’ Taylor OG 1968. Paddy was an exceptionally talented all-round sportsman and played for the 1st XV rugby team. He was also 1st XI cricket captain in 1968 – with Bob Willis as his vice-captain – and was widely known and respected across all the years because of his outstanding cricketing talents. In one match alone he finished with 138 not out, scoring 5 sixes and 19 fours. He was a

member of Buckingham Golf Club for 37 years and his family especially recall his love of sport, overseas travel and socialising. Paddy was a regular supporter of OG events and a great friend to many OGs who he continued to see across the decades. Much missed by all whose lives he touched. Died 6 February 2023.

Julian Thorpe OG 1970. He was a gifted cricketer at school and played for the OGs cricket and football teams. Julian was a biological electron microscopist by training and his working life was spent at Sussex University where he was responsible for the electron microscopy facilities in the ‘Sussex Centre for Advanced Microscopy’ in the School of Life Sciences. Died 26 July 2022.

Brian Raggett OG 1973 was one of four Old Guildfordian past Presidents of the Royal Town Planning Institute. Died May 2022.

Paul Messerschmidt OG 1975. “My friend Paul Messerschmidt, who has died aged 66, was a photographer who used his camera to hold the modern world at bay. Distrusting digital manipulation, he practised old-fashioned photography using 35mm colour negative film, then scanned the images at the local public library and uploaded them to Flickr, where his

Robert Watson in his school days

portfolio has had a million views (www. flickr.com/people/paulmdt/).

He took traditional optical photography to its limits. Using a hand-held light meter and working only with available light, he might plan a shot for months and then wait hours for the right conditions. The resulting images have a refreshing honesty and deceptive simplicity. He used a 180-degree fish-eye lens for architectural studies and can sometimes be seen in the corner of his own shots, wearing a floppy sunhat and concealing the remote trigger in his folded arms.

Paul was born in Fetcham, Surrey, the first child of an English mother, Joyce (née Elliott), and a Danish father, Helge (known in the UK as Louis), an insurance clerk. He passed the 11-plus and went to the Royal Grammar School, Guildford, at the same time as travelling on Saturdays to the Royal College of Music on a cello scholarship. He studied psychology and modern languages at the University at Leicester and acquired a PGCE. A true European, he then spent many years

working as an English teacher in a series of cities across the continent. He was a remarkable linguist, at ease in five languages.

In the late 1990s he gave up travelling and retreated to the family home in Fetcham to live a life of monastic simplicity, engaging with the world only through his photography and a laptop on his knees. He enjoyed interacting with other photographers online, and in 2008 struck up a professional dialogue with Marina Frasca-Spada, a university teacher, who became his most loyal friend.

He photographed for his own pleasure and never sought a commercial profit. He gave images away to be used as book illustrations, and then gave away the complimentary copies of the books themselves to charity shops.

Paul was an outsider artist who lived by his own rules and found visual beauty in commonplace things. He loved this world but did not want to grow old in it, and took his own life at the end of last year. He is survived by his sister Anne.”

Quentin Shaw OG 1975

THE GAMES ROOM

Chess Puzzle Challenge Your Community

completed crossword entries will receive a prize.

Richard Oliver OG 1975. On leaving the RGS he went to St George’s Hospital Medical School, receiving the William Brown entrance scholarship in 1975, and also undertook an elective placement at Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA. He specialised in cardiology and in 1987 was appointed as a clinical research fellow in cardiology and cardiovascular medicine at the University of Southampton. In 1993 Richard was appointed as a consultant interventional cardiologist at the Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust in Suffolk, where his arrival had an immediate impact on cardiological services across east Suffolk and north Essex. He was instrumental in establishing the rapid assessment cardiac chest pain clinic and the thrombolysis pathway after acute myocardial infarction, and in delivering invasive techniques including coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention, permanent pacemaker implantation, and nuclear cardiac imaging. In 2003 he joined the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Here he helped launch the new cardiology unit at Castle Hill Hospital. He remained active in both research and education throughout his career, publishing numerous scientific papers, several book chapters, and acting as principal investigator for an array of multicentre research studies. When not working, Richard enjoyed gardening and watching sport, particularly golf and Formula 1 motor racing. Died 13 February 2022.

Across

1 Ivy, teacher’s pet, little hesitation (7)

5 Ridge where one hundred take breather (5)

7 Topping in cake is not gooey initially (5)

8 Unusual niche in training college at first for practical skill (7)

9 Begins like a Dad to young man?

10 Propose a whirl around the capital of Vietnam (7)

12 Entertain a Greek Goddess (5)

14 Person singing some forgotten oratorio (5)

17 Person hoping for major promotion (7)

20 Sample from feral period (3)

21 Where one learns to play the cello, e.g. (7)

22 Medley of pasta snacks (5)

23 Value reversed in retirement (5)

To submit an obituary or notice of death, please contact Philippa Green on +44 (0)1483 880665 / og@rgsg.co.uk

24 Fantastic and bizarre; almost sure it’s genuine (7)

Down

2 Log on string (6)

3 Farm animal and one disturbed bird (6)

4 Unnerve snake (6)

5 Bug rogue planted in American agency (6)

6 These horses are often found pulling in the country (6)

11 A party – making fuss (3)

13 Rug friend shortened (3)

15 Article revealing scandal with former model (6)

16 Regret about writer, bankrupt, ultimately (6)

17 Larks to provide pickled food (6)

18 Mug wept around Queen (6)

19 Car leaving Nicaragua shattered lizard (6)

Solution on p79

This year’s chess puzzle comes from one of Harry’s lesser-known games from the British Championships 2022, Harry Grieve – Nigel Davies in Round 4.

Black has just played d4-d3 to create counterplay, how can white safely reach a winning endgame?

Solution on p79

Interested in setting your own puzzle in the next edition? Bridge? Maths? Sudoku? Something else? Let us know!

by Harry Grieve OG 2019 and winner of the British Chess Championships 2022

First three correctly

Email og@rgsg.co.uk or post to Royal Grammar School, High Street, Guildford GU1 3BB marked DARO Puzzles.

Paul’s photo of himself in the doorway of the Old Building at a reunion in 2014

James Smythe OG 1988. Died April 2022.

Miles Dawson OG 2018 tragically died in a hiking accident in the Peruvian Andes in July 2022.

TUD OR COLLECTION

The Tudor Collection offers merchandise that is exclusive to the RGS Guildford. Timeless gifts and accessories designed to appeal to everyone who has a connection with the School or the town of Guildford.

All profits contribute to our Bursary Campaign to support a bright local boy through his 7-years education or provide emergency fee support to families already part of the RGS family.

Items in the collection include RGS cufflinks, ties and bowties, rugby and footballs, umbrellas, and a range of specially commissioned prints of the School.

To browse the full collection, please visit our online shop at rgsg.co.uk/rgs-community/ rgs-merchandise/

THE GAMES ROOM SOLUTIONS

Chess puzzle solution 1.Rxd3! (not 1.cxd3? Nc5 when black has the double threat of ...Nxb7 and ...Rxe1! followed by ...Nxd3+). The point of 1.Rxd3 is revealed after 1...Nc5 when all of white’s pieces are under attack, but 2.Re3! Rxe3 3.Rb8+! Kh7 4.fxe3 saves the material and leaves white two clear pawns up with a winning position.

OG

Every purchase supports the education of a promising RGS boy.

FAREWELL AND THANK YOU

The RGS is so fortunate to have staff who give their expertise, knowledge and care so willingly and far beyond expectation, in pursuit of excellence in so many aspects of school life.

They have a lasting and profound impact on the education of our students; time and again we hear from OGs of all generations about the teachers who helped shape their lives through the love of a subject or extra-curricular topic –beyond the classroom and into careers, life-choices and activities inspired through school.

We say farewell and thank you to eight staff who have left after many years’ dedicated service to the RGS:

Tony Dubois (Biology and Housemaster of Austen), Ann Mortimer (Accounts Assistant), Alastair Rozier (Head of Art), Charlotte Smith (Modern Languages), Debbie Whitehead (Physics), Fiona Wimblett (Mathematics) and Helen Way (Biology Technician) Mary Buylla (Headmaster’s PA) has returned as School Archivist.

DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI TEAM

We help alumni stay connected with the School and each other. With over 5000 OGs in over 40 countries, we are your first point of call for alumni reunions, enquiries and ideas. Through our close relationship with the RGS community we work to raise funds for our bursary programme, supporting the next generation of RGS students.

Alastair Rozier Head of Art

As the Headmaster Dr Jon Cox commented: “The School is indebted to each one of our leaving staff and their impact upon the RGS cannot, for a second, be underestimated. Although being very different personalities, each of them has been united by an innate loyalty to the School and steadfast devotion to our community. We wish them all the very best for the future”.

If you would like to support the development of current and future RGS students through the Bursary Campaign please contact Monica

 mpo@rgsg.co.uk

 +44 (0)1483 887144

Helen is responsible for all our communications and manages the online community site, rgsconnect.com

 hsd@rgsg.co.uk

 +44 (0)1483 887361

A former parent, Philippa is responsible for our relationship with you beyond your RGS years, organising many reunions and events.

 pmg@rgsg.co.uk

 +44 (0)1483 887143

Database & Alumni Administrator

Responsible for all our data, Lucy manages and governs how we communicate with our alumni.

 les@rgsg.co.uk

 +44 (0)1483 880665

Development & Alumni Office

RGS Guildford High Street Guildford Surrey GU1 3BB

rgsg.co.uk rgsconnect.com

Monica Popa Development Director

Lucy Shires

Helen Dixon Marketing Manager

Philippa Green Alumni Manager

Ann Mortimer Accounts Assistant

Charlotte Smith Modern Languages

Debbie Whitehead Physics

Fiona Wimblett Mathematics

EVENTS 2023

We host a number of events for recent school leavers to long-standing members of the OG community. So whether you’re an Old Guildfordian, former or current parent or staff, do join us. Most events are free to turn up to, but please email og@rgsg.co.uk or call us on 01483 880665 if you have any questions. There are further school events at which guests are very welcome, so please see the school calendar online or our termly news for more information about these.

TRINITY TERM

Life after the RGS: Class of 2023

Thursday 18 May 6.30pm

Big School (by invitation only)

Supporters’ Reception

Thursday 8 June 6.30-9.00pm

Old Building (by invitation only)

Reunion for Classes of 1993/94

Saturday 10 June 5.00-9.00pm

Big School

Reunion for Classes of 1973/74

Wednesday 14 June 12.30-4.30pm

Big School

Headmaster’s XI v OG XI Cricket

Sunday 18 June 11am-5pm

Bradstone Brook

Class of 2016 OG Cricket Match

Sunday 18 June 11am-5pm

Bradstone Brook

Undergraduate and Staff Social

Tuesday 20 June 5.00pm

The Guildford Tup

Royal Grammar Schools Cricket Festival

Monday 3-Friday 7 July

Market Day

Tuesday 4 July 1.15-1.50pm

Concert Holy Trinity Church Guildford

MICHAELMAS TERM

Thames Hare & Hounds Alumni Race

Saturday 16 September 3.00pm

Wimbledon Common Email og@rgsg.co.uk to participate.

Beckingham Society Lunch

Wednesday 11 October 12.00-2.30pm

Big School (by invitation only)

Reunion for Classes of 2000/01/02

Saturday 11 November 5.00-9.00pm

Big School

Advent Service

Wednesday 15 November 7.00pm

Holy Trinity Church Guildford

RGS Christmas Fair

Saturday 2 December 1.00-4.00pm

OG Rifle Club Christmas Shoot

Date tbc

Email og@rgsg.co.uk for more information

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

South East Asia Reunion

Thursday 25 May 7.30pm

1880, Singapore

North America Reunion

Thursday 13 July

New York. Email og@rgsg.co.uk for details