The Ronian ISSUE 57 - Summer 2014
Inside:
Leavers’ Programme • Two Gentlemen of Verona • SATIPS Art • OR News Special
w w w. s a i n t r o n a n s . c o . u k
The Headmaster writes... tremendous years, Dr Campbell leaves us to follow her husband, Jonathan, to Charterhouse, but I am thrilled that Mrs Gibson has stepped forward to run Drama (she is busy preparing to stage the Wizard of Oz next year). Tony Pape bows out of the Music Department after a lifetime in teaching and ten very successful post-retirement years at Saint Ronan’s, including a spell as acting Director of Music. I am a By any and every measure, Summer 2014 has been a
little envious of Katie Hampton, who has opted for the ‘Good
uniquely successful term for Saint Ronan’s and the editors
Life’ and she and her husband are doing what many of us
have tried hard to capture the energy, involvement and
think about but haven’t the courage to try, by taking to the
excitement of the term in the pages of the Ronian.
waterways on a narrow boat. We look forward to her tales from the riverbank! Finally, Ronan Shanahan heads off to St
I am incredibly proud of the children. Proud of them for opening doors, for smiling at visitors, for thanking every
Andrews to read Medieval History and Freddie Dakin to Exeter to read Economics.
teacher after their lessons, for looking smart in their uniform, for offering to help and, above all, for trying their best in
In September we welcome Matthew Bryan, who succeeds
whatever they are doing. There are those who have achieved
Goulwenn Vincendeau as Deputy Head (Academic), enabling
accolades in the academic sphere, on the sports fields, in
Goulwenn to concentrate on RE and the Chapel. We are
painting, playing, singing and performing. But there is also an
hugely grateful to Goulwenn and admire the remarkable
equally impressive group of young people, more numerous,
impact he has had during his eight years in post. We welcome
who gain awards for effort, not achievement. They turn up on
Teletha Tapper and Emma Preston to Year 3; Sylvie Arnaud to
time to their Music lessons, play every week for the 3rd or 4th
the French Department and Catherine Elliott to Year 1 (to
team, go to extra Maths or English lessons without complaint,
cover for Gemma Grierson Rickford during her maternity
who volunteer to help, who assist a younger child who has
leave). Finally, and in particular, we wish Robert Hill a speedy
fallen over or lost their kit, who raise money for charity and
and complete recovery from the stroke he suffered shortly
who support their peers. For some the academic rigour of CE
before the end of term.
is a mountain to climb. But those children set out, determined to scale that mountain, and they did. For that they have my deepest admiration.
There are not only new faces to look forward to seeing in the Autumn but also the completion of both Chapel Court and the all-weather pitch. We finally got confirmation from Tunbridge
A good Prep School education is not just about the tangibles,
Wells District Council about the ‘Astro’ planning on the last day
it’s about the indefinable intangibles: the things that help
of term and an excited Bursar slipped me a note with the good
children grow and develop into purposeful young adults, ready
news during Prep School Prizegiving (I thought I’d left my
to embrace the next stage of their education. The 2014
headlights on!). Everyone cheered when the announcement
Leavers have achieved just that. They are ready to move on
was made and we could not be more grateful to the many
and do so to a diverse range of sixteen different senior
generous parents, Old Ronians, staff and friends who have
schools; all having passed Common Entrance, all candidates
either already given or who have pledged donations.
having passed the Cranbrook test, and half of them winning scholarships or exhibitions (the last count was 34!) across a total of seven different disciplines. We ensured they had a good send-off at the Hollywood-themed Leavers’ Lunch! I am also incredibly proud of, and grateful to, the staff. Saint Ronan’s is blessed with an exceptional team, who work tirelessly and there are some special mentions. After six
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What a term, what a year and what a lot to look forward to!
In this issue...
OR NEW
S
Special E
dition
pp 18-21
Upper trip to Brittany
4
Leavers’ Programme
5
Two Gentlemen of Verona
6
Otters & Badgers on Safari
7
This term in... Selden
7
Astro Appeal
8
Forest School for Parents
8
Flix n’ Pics
9
Shiver me timbers
9
Drum Cafe
9
Shell Drama Display
10
Class 3 trip to Matilda
10
Sponsored Walk
11
Hitting the High Notes
11
Summer Term Prizes
12
Welcome to new staff
13
Nursery have a Great time at Dixter
14
Greenpower Goblin Race
14
SATIPS Art exhibition
15
Construction of Chapel Court begins
16
Sir Osbert Lancaster
16
Chapel Windows
17
OR News
18-21
WTV goes back to the beginning
22
Sport
22-24
Coming up... Next Term Term begins
4th September
Upper trip to ‘War Horse’
11th September
Upper trip to Herstmonceux
12th September
Dedication Service
12th September
Remove trip to Harry Potter Studios
15th September
Autumn Fayre
20th September
Year 2 trip to Maidstone Museum
24th September
Harvest Festival
26th September
Remove trip to Queen’s Hall
2nd October
Class 3 trip to Biddenden Vineyards
7th October
House Shout
17th October
Bonfire Night
5th November
Armistice Day & Opening of Chapel Court
11th November
Armistice Service
14th November
Top to bottom: Frank Gardner embedded with
Year 2 trip to Herstmonceaux
18th November
Colombian marines; John Price, master of the Merchant
Michaelmas Concert
28th November
Taylors company; Oscar Richards in the Durham 1st
The Feast
rowing VIII; Mima Yeats-Brown takes Commonwealth
N&PP Natitivies
12th December
Bronze in Glasgow.
Term ends & Carol Service
12th December
9th December
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Une semaine en Bretagne avec Upper What a lovely trip! The children’s diary will give details of our
heures et demie. Nous nous lavons à dix-huit heures et nous
programme whilst staying at the Manoir de la Vicomté. All I
avons le dîner à dix-neuf heures. J’ai des crêpes et de la
can say is that no one would have minded staying another few
salade, c’est délicieux. William Ashenden
days on the Dinard coast, not far from the Mont-St-Michel. Le lundi vingt-trois juin
Le jeudi vingt-six juin Je me réveille à huit heures. Je vais au marché et je mange la
Le voyage en car c’est long mais le soir nous nous relaxons et
pêche et le saucisson puis nous allons à Saint Malo acheter
jouons dans la piscine.
de la glace et les bonbons puis nous faisons la natation. Pour le dîner je mange un steak frites, il est très bon, puis je me
Le mardi vingt-quatre juin Je me lève à huit heures moins le quart. Je mange le
couche. Algie Pryke Le vendredi vingt-sept juin
pain et le fruit pour mon petit déjeuner. Je fais du kayak c’est amusant, j’adore le kayak. Je mange
Je me lève à huit heures avant Richie et je mange le petit
le sandwich pour le déjeuner, le soir je fais du pain,
déjeuner à huit heures et demie. Nous allons au Mont St
c’est fantastique ! Lily Marsh
Michel et nous mangeons sur la plage avec mes amis. Ce soir je me déguise en français avec Fred, c’est fantastique ! Olly
Le mercredi vingt-cinq juin Je me réveille à sept heures et demie et je
Addis Le samedi vingt-huit juin
me lève à huit heures puis nous avons le petit déjeuner à huit heures et quart. Je mange une brioche et un pain avec du
copains, c’est super. Dans le car je joue au Uno avec Guy.
beurre. C’est délicieux. Après le petit
Mon dessert préféré c’est le gâteau au chocolat avec la crème
déjeuner nous allons à la grimpe
chantilly. Will Fisher
d’arbre neuf heures et demie, c’est fantastique. Nous avons le déjeuner à treize
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Nous voyageons en car c’est fatigant. Je parle avec les
…nous voyageons en car, c’est fatigant. Nous arrivons à Saint Ronan’s à seize heures. Alexandra Erith
Leavers Programme 2014
Two Gentlemen of Verona
Never work with children and animals, so the saying goes.
Balfour). Alexandra Erith played a suitably sophisticated
Working at a school, the former is a given. The latter, however,
Sylvia, off-setting perfectly the rather more turbulent Julia,
was entirely optional so it was a relief when ‘Lottie Verschuur’
excellently acted by Sos Stevens. Finlay Carver brought great
(acting the part of Crab, Launce’s dog) behaved impeccably.
authority to his role as the Duke, whilst Fred Campbell-Wilson,
The sun shone, the cast knew their lines and with some frantic
replete with monocle and cane, made us laugh with his
jumping up and down on my part to keep the singers in time to
serenade as the foolish Sir Thurio. Adam Hsuan as Speed
music they couldn’t hear (please delete the video footage,
acted the part of the wily wide-boy well, complemented by
Simon!) all went well.
Sam Pope as a very comic Launce.
Set in the glamorous world of the 1920s, our production of
The Outlaws, Ursula, Lucetta, Panthino, Sir Eglamour, the
‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ explored the way young people try
Host and Antonio all provided a strong supporting cast and our
to juggle the competing demands of friendship and love and
toes were kept tapping to 20s hits by Max Chesters, Juliette,
find a balance between striking a pose and finding true
Daisy and Olivia.
affection. Nat Easton made a charming, forgive-able Proteus and was well matched by the good natured Valentine (Angus
My thanks to all involved!
BBC Young Musician of the Year in Concert We were delighted to play host to the Cranbrook Symphony Orchestra’s second Family Concert. Every one of the 200 seats was taken in advance by music lovers keen to hear the reigning BBC Young Musician of the Year: cellist Laura van der Heidjen. Laura played Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations and Dvorak’s Rondo for Cello and Orchestra. All were captivated by her tremendous stage presence and astonishing virtuosity. Laura then fielded questions from the audience before signing autographs and then jetting off to Germany. Right: Laura van der Heidjen with Mr Witham, who is Director of the CSO.
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Otters and Badgers on Safari at Port Lymne
The term in... SELDEN In a series of four articles, each house will take turns to showcase what they’ve been up to this term. In Selden we have achieved many academic and physical awards, so we would like to congratulate firstly all the scholars for receiving scholarships to their respective schools as well as achieving excellent results in their CE, like all of Selden’s Year 8s. The Year 8s have played a big part in Selden’s advancement
On a sunny morning in June, as part of our science topic, ‘Habitats’, the Otters and Badgers set off for a day at Port Lymne Wild Animal Park near Hythe. We started with an informative talk from the education team, who explained the conservation work of The Aspinall Foundation, both in the UK and overseas.
due to their academic efforts and their contributions to life at Saint Ronan’s, but we would also like to congratulate Ethan Richardson on his
The children were
music awards in the Hastings Festival, and J.P. Shaw for his
then delighted to
fantastic fencing.
board the safari vehicle at Basecamp and see the huge range of animals. The highlight of the safari was ‘The African
As we know, Selden won the Interhouse Poetry Competition last year. This term we came joint first (with Pembroke). We were able to win again thanks to Fraser McConachie who recited – “Basketball is My Favourite Sport”, and Max Chesters who sang (not really) the “Loch Ness Monster’s Song”! Thanks to all the other children in Selden who performed brilliantly.
Experience’ in
This term we had a very intriguing talk about deer by our
which we watched
wonderful House Captain, Henry Jones, when he talked about
African elephants,
all types of deer in the U.K. On sports day we came a
learned that they
resounding 2nd. Thank you especially to the relay teams but
have over 6,000
to everyone who competed. We ended the term by winning
muscles in their trunks and saw, right alongside the bus, a
the House Cup.
cheetah and her cubs. The cubs were the first to have been born at Port Lymne in over 30 years.
We would like to thank Mr Witham for being probably the best housemaster we have ever had here at Selden. Those of us
The safari continued to amaze us, with sightings of Grevy
who are leaving would like to say “thank you” to Selden and to
zebra, water buffalo, Przewalski horses, greater kudu,
St. Ronan’s, as well as farewell.
European bison and eastern black rhino, to name but a few. After a sunny picnic lunch we toured the big cats’ enclosures and were captivated by the grey wolves, barbary lions and
Written by Elliott Johnson and Henry Jones (House Captain of Selden 2014)
Siberian tigers. We returned to School with a large number of budding conservationists!
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Astro Appeal Target Reached! On 6th June the trustees met to make a final decision on the astro pitch project, based on the latest figures. Echoing Eisenhower, our Chairman said, ‘Okay, let’s go.’ As we knew from the outset, the Appeal was key. So this success is down to the many generous parents, Old Ronians, staff and friends who have either already given or who have pledged donations. We are so grateful, thank you! We finally got confirmation from Tunbridge Wells District Council about the planning on the last day of term and an excited Bursar slipped a note with the good news to WTV during the Prep School Prizegiving . Mr TV thought it was to say he’d left his car lights on! Everyone cheered when the announcement was made. Smiths Construction have now been instructed and we all look forward to celebrating the opening of the new pitch in the Autumn. In the meantime, thank you to all the donors and fund raisers for supporting us with this wonderful addition to Saint Ronan’s. There will be a photoblog of the construction on www.saintronans.co.uk/astro.
Not just Children... Parents get stuck in at Forest School The Forest School has been bathed in sunshine for much of the term and long gone are muddy puddles, at least for the time being. Spring and summer are such exciting times in nature and we have been so lucky to experience it first hand. We have seen and touched frogspawn, watched buzzards, heard pheasants, robins, chiffchaffs, woodpeckers and a coal tit or two. We even watched a nuthatch feeding her brood in a hole in a beech tree and found quite a few common toads and frogs under logs. The foxgloves have been beautiful and created a wonderful purple frame round the site, but the children have learned that these are toxic and treat them with care. We thought it high time we shared our fun with some of the long suffering grown ups and just before half term a group of N&PP parents made their way to the woods. After a short introduction to the history and ethos of Forest Schools, and why and how we do it at Saint Ronan’s, the fun started. We still have some wonderful clay tree spirits and hapa zomeinspired bunting on display at the Forest School site as a reminder of this lovely afternoon. Thank you to all involved.
8
Hawkhurst ‘Flix ‘n Pics’ Festival This term children in Midway watched ‘Le Petit Nicolas’, a French film with subtitles, which they thoroughly enjoyed. This was part of a community ‘Flix ‘n Pix’ initiative on behalf of the Hawkhurst Parish Partnership. The ‘schools’ aspect, organised by Saint Ronan’s, enabled over 350 children to attend and take part. Huge thanks must go to our maintenance team for the extra driving they did during the event. Many children entered the photographic side of ‘Flix ‘n Pix’ and Florence Faulkner gained 1st place in the 12-14 category with her cheetah photograph. Orlando Copplestone came 3rd in the U12 category with his Bentley picture. Well done and thanks to all those who took part.
Shiver me Timbers! The Rabbits and the Hedgehogs had a fabulous trip to Bewl Water this term. Dressed as pirates, they arrived and set sail upon the Jolly Roger with Captain Kellie and her crew. They spent an hour cruising the high seas and playing ‘pass the treasure’ and ‘stick the X on the treasure map’. Then each
Prize-winning photographs by Florence Faulkner (top) and Orlando Copplestone.
crew member had a go at steering the boat - Pirate Eddie made them all feel quite sea sick! Just before disembarking, Captain Kellie bought out the treasure and each child got to enjoy a piece!
Not just banging our drums... 300 chairs – check, 300 boom whackers – check, 300 drums check. Another peaceful day at Saint Ronan’s! As a thanks to all for a successful year and a well done to all the leavers for their great results, Year 2 and above met up on the penultimate day of term for a well-kept secret surprise in the Great Space, to be taught by Drum Café and enjoy the community spirit and togetherness such an activity creates. Teachers, bursars, office staff and matrons joined in too, to create a sound that was not just impressive, but inspiring.
Back on dry land, after a picnic pirate lunch, they set about solving the clues in a treasure hunt. ‘X’ marked the spot on
Drum Café are an international group who not only play at
the beach and they dug until they found the chest full of
occasions like the Olympics and major football events, but
yummy treasure. They had time to let off steam in the play
work with companies such as Microsoft and Google motivating
areas and the sandy beach before climbing back on to the
employees through music. This occasion ended with each
minibuses for the short journey back to school: “Oooh arrr!”
year group having their own picnic within the school grounds.
shouted one and all!
Fun was had by all!
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Class 3 trip to ‘Matilda’
On Wednesday 14th May we went to see ‘Matilda’ because we are studying Roald Dahl. It was quite a long coach journey so we talked about how good we thought ‘Matilda’ would be. We thought it would be To take advantage of the beautiful weather, M’Julie arranged a surprise for the boarders who were not jetting off to Bude or France. Children took their supper into the woods, sang, played games and toasted marshmallows. For many of them, a first ‘marshmallow’ experience but certainly not their last!
better than the film. After we had lunch we walked to the theatre; it was the Cambridge Theatre. We sat quite high up in the Dress Circle. We got really excited. There were big wooden letters all around the stage that spelt words. We spotted quite a few words like heat, ape, sang and acrobatics. We really liked
Shell Drama Display
the songs and dances and the
Theft, war, fortune telling and death were the dominant
special effects
themes in this rather dark series of sketches created and
were very
performed by Shell on the Friday before Founder’s Day.
impressive. They did a little stand-up show with Mr Wormwood and Michael
Borne out of improvisations starting with a ‘clap’, the aim of each sketch was to showcase some of the skills learned by the pupils in their Drama lessons this year. The absence of props and costumes meant that the children had to work hard
Wormwood after the Interval. We liked it when Mr Wormwood said, “Children, I am sorry about the awful behaviour, I mean by that reading books!” When we love to read books we found that a bit offensive!
to communicate their stories through use of space, gesture and characterisation. Projection was key and dramatic pause
If the children were really naughty, there was a horrible room
was evident in all the performances.
called the Choky and they would get put in there by the headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Miss Honey was a lovely
Each sketch was original and unique, and it was fantastic to see how the children have developed as young actors over
teacher but she was afraid of the headmistress. Matilda had a surprise in store for her. A magic one!
the course of the year. There is not room to list every child in turn, but special mention must be made of Tabitha Tweedie in The Rescue; Mathilda Deeney and Ella Balfour in The Crown Jewels; Bertie Lambert in The Sticky Bandits; Emily
We thought it was all marvellous! But unfortunately we had to go home. On the way back there was lots of traffic!
MacDonald in The Audition; Billy Powell in Dodgy Bread and Maddie Spence in Evacuate!
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By Poppy Barker, Bella King and Evie Sanderson
Three charities supported by Sponsored Walk To conclude Cross-Curricular week the children readily took on the annual challenge of walking around Bewl Water. This
Hitting the High Notes
year the children chose to raise money for Lancing’s Malawi Fund, World Wildlife Fund and Teenage Cancer Trust.
We have had a Bumper Crop of Grade 5 music awards at Saint Ronan’s and this year we have reached our highest
Raring to go, the minibus shuttle to Rosemary Lane started at
figure yet! 31 Grade 5 Certificates (or higher) are held by
9.30am. First to head out on their way were the Shell and
Saint Ronan’s pupils! Not every child chooses to do
Midway children, who had to walk the furthest, all 13 miles
exams. However, the value of exams is that pupils prepare
around Bewl. The Class 3 and 4 children were soon hot on
their pieces and scales to the highest level possible.
their heels, ready to walk approximately half the route from
‘Enjoyment through achievement’ is a phrase that sums up
Rosemary Lane to their pick up point at Wards Lane.
our philosophy in the Music Department and the following pupils have excelled in their various disciplines:
Walking in an anticlockwise direction, the children reached the Visitors Centre in time for lunch and an all-important ice cream to keep energy levels up. By 4pm the Class 3 and 4 children had successfully completed their part of the route and made their way back to School. The Shell and Midway children also
ALTO SAXOPHONE Freddie Campbell-Wilson Joe Dale BASSOON Tilly Hastilow Harry Trelawny-Vernon
made excellent time, with Mr Bright, Mr Clarke and Mrs Thompson setting the pace. They soon rattled through the various check points where they were encouraged on their way by Mrs Gossage and Mrs West, who had additional water and cake to fuel them. We were all home in time, with enough energy to enjoy ‘Drinks on the Terrace and Fun in the Park’, and excited about
CELLO Jamie Cubitt Ruairi Pringle Lucy Vincendeau CLARINET Charlie Chatterton Immy Macdonald DESCANT RECORDER Orlando Copplestone
welcoming new pupils and parents to School.
EUPHONIUM Freddie Campbell-Wilson
Well done to the children, who show great determination and
FLUTE Emmy Shaw
conviction when facing challenges to raise money to help others.
PIANO Ethan Richardson* Gus Statman
SINGING Max Chesters Jessamy Coulson Adam Hsuan Megan King Lucy Martin Lucy-Rose Stephenson* Lucie Vincendeau THEORY Freddie Campbell-Wilson George Campbell-Wilson Megan King Ethan Richardson Lucy-Rose Stephenson TROMBONE Edward de Winton TRUMPET Alex Bartleet George Campbell-Wilson* VIOLIN Megan King Ethan Richardson * = Grade 6
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Summer Term Prizes Senior Prefects
Attainment
Junior
Intermediate
Senior
Head Prefect
O. Addis
Art
L. Stewart
J. Beeching
S. Butt
Second Prefects
A. Balfour, S. Charlesworth
Classics
n/a
F. McConachie
A. Butler-Gallie
DT
E. Tapper
Z. Johnson
I. MacDonald
English
M. Peacock
F. McConachie
M. King
French
E. Moore
C. Cubitt
T. Hastilow
Geography
E. Marsh
J. Jordan
E. Shaw
History
J. Hancock
O. Skeet
G. Campbell-Wilson
ICT
n/a
n/a
W. Booth-Clibborn
Maths
M. Peacock
F. Cutler
H. Bluck
Music
M. Peacock
R. Pringle /
G. Campbell-Wilson
Heads of Houses Bicton
E. Sayers
Pembroke
C. Goodacre
Selden
B. Booth-Clibborn
Tongswood
E. Wilmoth
School Appointments Captain of Rugby
N. Easton
Captain of Football
Z. Barker
Captain of Netball
S. Charlesworth
RE
H. Taggart
O. Skeet
F. Carr
Captain of Girls’ Hockey
A. Erith
Science
K. Bottle
J. Rose
M. Simpson
Leader of the Orchestra
A. Statman
Senior Librarian
W. Ashenden
Contribution
Junior
Intermediate
Senior
Senior Chapel Chorister
A. Hsuan, C. Goodacre
Art
S. Wood
F. Cutler
K. Allinson
Technical Prefect
E. Wilmoth
Classics
n/a
A. Cotter
J. Cubitt
DT
S. Ford
R. Faulkner
D. Platt-Higgins
English
E. Marsh
R. Faulkner
H. Trelawny-
Headmaster’s Special Prizes
O. Copplestone
P. Hutton, E. Johnson, K. McEvoy-Gould, D. Platt-Higgins, G. SternbergAllen Most Shows Remove
S. McNeish
Upper
M. Chesters
Midway
O. Copplestone
Shell
E. Cooper
Class 4
A. MacLeod
Class 3
R. Balcombe
Vernon French
C. Millborne
J. Hamilton, J Rose J. Coulson
Geography
H. Taggart
O. Copplestone
F. Black
History
W. Forkes
A. Moore
E. de Winton
ICT
W. Forkes
O. Skeet
J. Gotts
Maths
M. McConachie A. Clapp
M. Dale
Music
n/a
J. Dale
C. Chatterton
RE
A. Macdonald
J. Jordan
W. Booth-Clibborn
Science
C. Milborne
M. Hopper
M. King
Music & Perfoming Arts Prizes Exams
Best Average
Most Improved
Remove
E. Shaw
Upper
A. Stevens
O. Hamilton
Midway
F. McConachie
L. Carnell
Shell
T. Tweedie
J.P. Shaw
Class 4
H. Taggart
Class 3
R. Redmayne
School Prizes
J. Lee
Acting Cup
H. Trelawny-Vernon
Ross Cup for Performing Arts
L. Stephenson
Most Improved Instrumentalist
A. Bartleet
Singing
J. Coulson
Aaron’s Cup
L. Vincendeau
Chapel Reading Prize
E. Shaw
Cricket Prizes
School Colours
F. Campbell-Wilson
Langer Cup
L. Watson
Scales Cup
H. Jones
Shaw Cup
O. Dent
Graham Langridge Prize
W. Honychurch
Roxburgh Cup
E. Shaw
Challenge Cup
T. Hastilow
Harris Cup
T. Hastilow
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Sight Reading
Bowling Prize
A. Balfour
Fielding Prize
O. Milborne
Batting Prize
Z. Barker
U13 Player of the Season 1st XI
A. Butler-Gallie
U13 Player of the Season 2nd XI
F. Joarder-White
U13 Most Improved
N. Easton
U11 Player of the Season
A. Moore
Summer Term Prizes U11 Most Improved
J. Jordan
Welcome to new staff A warm welcome to the four members of staff who are joining us in September.
Rounders Prizes Batting Prize
S. McNeish
Matthew Bryan has been appointed to succeed
Fielding Prize
G. Crawley, S. Knatchbull
Goulwenn Vincendeau as DHM (Academic).
U13 Player of the Season
L. Martin
U13 Most Improved
J. Coulson
U11 Player of the Season
P. Bennie
U11 Most Improved
J. Beeching
Mathew is in his mid 30s and currently Deputy Director of Studies and Head of Scholars at Summer Fields, Oxford. He has an MA in Classics from Cambridge and a PGCE, also
Sports Prizes
from Cambridge. He is currently studying for an
Bennet Cup for Cross Country
G. Crawley
MSc from Oxford in Education. He has
Overall Contribution - boys
A. Butler-Gallie
previously taught at Hampton and King's, Wimbledon (his
Overall Contribution - girls
F. Black
old school) before transferring to the younger age range around 4 years ago. He runs the golf at Summer Fields,
Extras Prizes
enjoys triathlon (if you can ever enjoy such a thing!) and is
Mountain Biking - best / improved
J. Cubitt / H. Franklin
Hutton Sword for Fencing
C. Powell, H. O’Reilly
Sailing Cup
K. Jordan, F. Black
His wife (Sophie) is a Barrister (also Cambridge) and is
Table Tennis
F. Dear
working in Kent courts. They have two young children -
Jordan Chicken for the Farm
I. Black
Amelia (4) and Alexander (7) who will join us too.
House and Form Prizes
musical.
Catherine Elliott graduated with a B.A (Hons.) in Modern
Senior Form
Midway RVS
History from Angela Ruskin University. After working for a
Junior Form
3 RT
number of years in Financial PR and raising her children
House Cup
Selden
(all four are teenagers !), she retrained as a teacher. She is
Bicton Prize
F. Campbell-Wilson
Pembroke Prize
L. Carnell
Selden Prize
S. McNeish
Teletha Tapper graduated from Nottingham
Tongswood Prize
E. de Winton
Trent University with a B.Sc. in Quantity
Best Effort
well known to the staff and children having been shadowing Year 1 during the last academic year.
Surveying and qualified as a chartered surveyor
Form Prizes
Tutor’s Prize
Remove GV
F. Ward
Remove KK
C. Powell, E. Shaw
Remove PG
H. Morris
Upper DB
O. Addis
E. Wilmoth
Upper BC
F. Joarder-White
A. Stevens
Midway SC
O. de Winton
J. Jordan
Midway RVS
O. Hancock
F. McConachie
Emma Preston graduated in 1995 from St
Midway IP
O. Skeet
O. Skeet
Mary’s Twickenham with a first class honours
Shell VC
W. Powell
C. Redmayne
degree. After completing her PGCE she has
Shell RH
E. Hills
T. Tweedie
taught across the Year 1-4 age range and joins
Shell NH
M. McDonald
M. McDonald
us from Holmewood House in Langton Green.
4 AW
M. MacLeay
M. MacLeay
She has two children and a particular interest all
4 EM
F. Dear
C. Milborne
things ‘sporty’ and competes in triathlon.
3 RB
T. Hills
R. Redmayne
3 RT
R. Stickney
R. Stickney
working in London and the Middle East. In 2007 she retrained as a teacher and joined us from Lunsford Primary. She has a particular interest in Drama and recently played the role of Cate Blanchett in the Cranbrook and Operatic (CODS) Summer shorts (pictured).
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Nursery have a Great time at Dixter
Greenpower Goblin Race
The trip to Great Dixter was one of our best ever trips. The
We took part in the Young Eco Engineers event at BAe
children were counting down how many sleeps until the
Systems in Rochester, competing against 20 other schools.
exciting day, so when the glorious sunny morning of the trip
The pupils, led by Imogen Macdonald, have spent the last few
dawned they knew just where they were going. At School the
terms putting together an electric-powered Greenpower Goblin
children watched out of the windows for the coach to arrive
to take part in this race. They designed an eco-friendly body
whilst the Mummy and Daddy helpers helped pack the
and built the car with the guidance of Sophie Letherby, a CNC
lunches, drinks, hats, sun cream, spare clothes, first aid kits,
engineer who also helps tune and race classic race cars.
spare pull ups, baby wipes and tissues!
The children drove exceptionally well with some great
We were in the safe hands of Catherine, the education officer
overtaking by Max Chesters and Maddie Spence. Ben BD
at Great Dixter, and her helper Elizabeth. And what a day they
drove really well despite being hit by another car on more than
had planned! Straight away they made us busy with a cooking
one occasion. William Ashenden also made the best use of
task, using unusual ingredients – a beetroot to grate, with
the car's speed by keeping it on line round the corners. Emily
eggs, flour, oil and cocoa powder. When we had mixed all
Cooper, who has worked so hard on the project, led the way
these together and put them in the oven, we went off to
with the first drive in the car and acquitted herself very well.
explore the garden while they cooked.
We are looking at resolving a lack of speed with Sophie’s help
After discovering birds’ nests, tiny pathways, enormous
to move the car further up the field as we have good handling
banana plants, poppies and garden mosaics we headed back
and corner speed but need to keep up on the straights.
for a snack and the cooked chocolate and beetroot cakes. Boy, they were really yummy! We ate these while listening to the story of ‘Oliver’s Vegetables’. After this we went bug-sweeping with butterfly nets and planted seeds, pond-dipped and after lunch had a walk to the woods, listening for the little people for whom we once made houses in a clearing. Time flew by and before we knew it we had to return to School. Some of us even had a well-earned snooze on the way back. Children from the Nursery to Year 2 along with some Prep School pupils produced poppies as part of the Chelsea Fringe at the Walled Nursery. 14
Over 1,000 visitors attend SATIPS Art Exhibition We were so pleased that we were able to host the national art
particular the range of emotions it evoked in him as a viewer;
exhibition for SATIPS.
the sadness of the war pictures, the joy of the more humorous
The venue for the Exhibition was the Great Space, and what a vast amount of space to fill. However, once the display boards had gone up (thank you the Maintenance team for the Forth Bridge equivalent of painting white boards), it began its transformation into rather a glorious and natural exhibition
pieces. He congratulated the artists and thanked the Art teachers for encouraging creativity. It was also a proud moment to see our own Class 3 and 4 children dancing and displaying their beautiful needle felted butterfly wing costumes that they had enjoyed making in Extra Art.
venue! Over 70 schools sent work to be exhibited and it was such a joy to receive the art through the post and see the creativity and vigour of the whole Prep School art world being revealed! There was an enormously wide range of Artwork, using a delightful spread of media. We saw some inspiring sculptures using unusual materials such as tights and wire to create delightful structural forms. We had painted heads, Monet umbrellas, some stunningly clever photographic work on perception of distance. Group projects helped fill large areas of space to provide mini installations. An exciting iPad animation art from a local school entertained and inspired.
Art Attack presenter Neil Buchanan with Head of Art Karen Stickney and the Headmaster
The standard of art was exceptional and it was lovely to see work from children as young as four had their work entered
On the Sunday Saint Ronan’s welcomed children who had
alongside Scholarship work.
work in the exhibition and their families to a traditional Saint Ronan’s afternoon tea and the opportunity to view the
It was a stroke of good fortune that an ex-Saint Ronan’s
exhibition. A staggering 600 guests arrived! What an occasion
parent, Neil Buchanan, formerly of Art Attack, and a great proponent of art for children was prepared to open the
It is therefore with less trepidation and even more excitement
Exhibition. Over 200 people had gathered to hear him speak
that we look forward to hosting the Exhibition in 2015 and I do
both inspirationally and emotionally about the artwork and in
hope that I can welcome you personally!
15
Construction of Chapel Court begins Thanks to the tremendous response from Old Ronians, current parents, staff and other friends, we successfully met the appeal target, with nearly a month to go before our 30th May deadline. The donors have been equally quick to redeem their pledges so, with planning permission already granted, we were able to get started soon after half term in creating “Chapel Court”. It has been wonderful that the children have been part of the transformation of this area as they gaze through the construction fencing on their way across to the Stable Block. The fine weather has meant that the builders have been able to make very good progress as recorded on the photoblog at www.saintronans.co.uk/chapelcourt . We have also decided not only to commission a bronze bust of WBH for the garden
Chapel Court will be formally opened by the Right Reverend
but also to erect a War Memorial to commemorate the 70 ORs
Michael Whinney after the Armistice Service in Tuesday 11th
who lost their lives in WWI and WWII. The original WWI
November. Michael’s father (also an OR) was the architect
memorial, which was on the side of the Fives Courts at
overseeing the Chapel’s move from Worthing in 1956. Robin
Worthing, was lost somehow in the move to Hawkhurst. This
Griffith has agreed to give the address. Robin’s father was
year of all years, we had a great opportunity to put things right,
killed in WWII. Robin and his father and son were all Old
so have been quick to do so.
Ronians. Robin is also the nephew of Lady Vass.
Sir Osbert Lancaster Sir Osbert Lancaster was educated at Saint Ronan's School and then at Charterhouse and Lincoln College, Oxford, where he became friends with John Betjeman, drew cartoons for the University magazine Cherwell, and developed his trademark upper-class persona. In 1939 he became cartoonist at the Daily Express and during
Sir Osbert at his desk and, right, in his Saint Ronan’s days
his career with the newspaper he drew some 10,000 cartoons over a period of 40 years. He died in 1986 and the Times obituary recorded that he was "the most polite and splenetic of cartoonists, he was never a crusader, remaining always a witty, civilized critic with a profound understanding of the vagaries of human nature". In 1989 Richard Boston’s biography A Portrait of Osbert Lancaster was published by Collins and Chapter 2 covers his Saint Ronan’s years (extract, right). In 1957, he illustrated C. Northcote Parkinson’s book ‘The Law’ which was republished 5 times to 1979. In 2014, Northcote Parkinson’s son, Christopher, kindly donated a copy to the school’s archives. Since retiring as Senior Master of Sutton Valance in 2006, Chris has led the Maintenance team here at Saint Ronan’s and is affectionately known as ‘Parky’. 16
‘Worthing Walk’ by Osbert Lancaster ‘In the last year of the war Osbert was sent to St Ronan’s preparatory school in Worthing, a seaside resort with considerably less charm than Littlehampton. It was winter, and the bleak sea-front sparsely populated. A few old ladies bravely shivered in the shelters. The occasional Bath chair struggled against the bitter east wind. There were convalescent soldiers, wounded or shell-shocked, in bright blue suits, and Sunday afternoons provided the spectacle of a crocodile of small boys from St Ronan’s, with a pipe puffing tweed-capped master striding out at the front and Lancaster a straggler at the back’. From Osbert: A Portrait Osbert Lancaster by Richard Boston, pub. Collins
Distractions abound in the Chapel: stained glass windows To be honest, we have all done it; let our minds wander, our
victim of high interest rates, high fuel costs and falling
attention drift and our gazes to fall on the stained glass
demand. Fortunately the company records and numerous
windows. On the eye-gazing stakes, however, this is
pieces of glassware were donated to the Museum of London
understandable. The windows are a treasured feature of the
for posterity and some of the records are available online for
Chapel, telling tales of King David and Jonathan, St George
research. These give the following dates for when windows
and the Dragon, St Paul, St Wilfred or St Ronan himself.
were supplied to Saint Ronan’s and, in some cases, identify which window.
Most of these windows were gifted to the School and many
1909
Christ, St Ronan and St Wilfred (The Altar window)
bear the distinctive Whitefriar
1910
Hope and Faith
marking. Whitefriars Glass
1918
St George, St Michael and the Altar tablet
was established in 1680, near
1923
Brigadier General Robert Bray memorial window
Temple in London, on the site
1927
SSH memorial window (St Gabriel and St Raphael)
of an ancient monastery
1929
Knight Memorial window (Jonathan)
where the monks were
1931
Clutterbuck window
dressed in white habits and
1935
Kidner Memorial window (King David)
known as the ‘White Friars’.
1957
Whitfield and Scroggs Memorial windows (St Peter)
The company was bought by
1960
Davidson window (St Nicholas)
James Powell (1774-1840),
1960
The Warrior Window - WBH memorial
who branched into stained
1960
RS Vintner Memorial (St Paul)
glass windows on the back of the Victorian church-building boom of the Gothic Revival. Between the Wars it experienced another ‘purple patch’, producing Art Deco-style stained glass for domestic housing. Its fortunes waned, post WWII, and the glass works, which
So, we have bible stories and church history, memorials expressing the sadness of loss, or the gratitude for life. The stained glass windows are part of the history of the School and of the social history of the particular glassworks which gave them life. All in all, I excuse the eye-gazers. Some things are pearls of wisdom in themselves! Enjoy them..
had moved to Wealdstone in 1923, were closed in 1980; the
Bear Grylls’ late grandfather inspires new books Bear Grylls has recently signed a £1m book deal for a series of novels inspired by the secret wartime exploits of his late grandfather, Brigadier Ted Grylls (OR 1913-16). The explorer hopes the trilogy of stories about a fictional former Special Forces soldier called Dan Ranger will resonate with fans of classic spy thrillers. Bear was inspired to put pen to paper when he began studying forgotten family files which detailed the work of his grandfather. Brigader Grylls was part of a crack unit tasked with capturing Nazi scientists before they fell into the hands of Stalin’s Red Army. Even at the 11th hour, Hitler hoped his scientists could
scientists were transported to Britain and America after 1945.
secure victory with a new range of missiles able to deliver
The first book in the series, Ghost Flight, will be published by
nerve gas to American cities. Government files declassified in
Orion in May next year. Bear Grylls’s father and great uncle
2006 revealed that such units ensured more than 1,500
were also at Saint Ronan’s.
OR N E W S 2010 Alex Lindsay is now 6'6" and rowed for GB last year in the GB France match in the docklands which they won in a coxed IV. This year he stroked the Eton 1st VIII to victory in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley in an epic final against St Edward’s, Oxford. 2006 Oscar Richards writes: I took to the water following a coincidental french exchange when I was 15 with the national sculling champion. I followed this up at school and got into the Radley 1st VIII in 2009/10/11. In my final year I was captain of boats and we broke the course record in the semi-final at Henley Royal Regatta (I think Pinsent, who was umpiring, described it as the finest schoolboy race he had ever seen). In 2010 I competed for England at the Home Nations Regatta and won gold in the junior men's eight. I have been rowing in the Durham 1st VIII for 3 years, having been British University Champions for the duration and am now captain of the Men's squad. Last year I trialled for the GB U23 squad as a lightweight and am trialling again this year as a heavyweight. Mima Yeats-Brown fought her way to Bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after a late call to join the England Judo squad. She trains full time at the British Judo Centre of Excellence in Walsall, and received just two days’ notice of her call up to replace an injured player.
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2005 William Brown rowed six for Goldie in the 2014 Boat Race. After having completed her degree in Classics at Warwick University, Jasmine Langlay-Smith did a TEFL course and moved to Japan in March, where she is teaching English in 5 schools in a city called Hamamatsu. 1995 Nick Drewe’s company, Market Dojo, has just received a third round of government funding which is being used to develop a eprocurement platform for energy suppliers. 1993 Nick Watson is a timber frame carpenter. He has built a house for himself at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, where he spends the winter. 1992 David Vassar-Smith married his bride Suzanne in Antiquerra, Spain. They are currently living in Bogotá. 1991 Richard Bingham is happily married, living near Rye, working as an Associate for Batcheller Monkhouse in Battle, and acting as a best man along with Peter Ward at William Milling's wedding! 1990 Eric Thwaite is running his own IT recruitment firm, Initi8, based in Holborn, London.
Alex Lindsay rows for the Eton 1st VIII
1986 Alexander Hall-Taylor is in a Civil Partnership with William BanksBlaney (May 2011). He lives between London Bridge, Borough and Battle, East Sussex. His brother, Mike Hall-Taylor, is well and lives in New Zealand. Edward de Vere Hunt and Edward Rogers have been reunited 25 years later as colleagues at stockbrokers JM Finn & Co in the City of London where they both manage private clients’ investment portfolios. 1985 Nicholas Titchener (Titch Mi) has three children and lives in Abu Dhabi. 1984 William Nourse is currently living in Hong Kong with his wife and two young children. He has been working for Deutsche Bank for the last ten years as a Managing Director in Corporate Finance Mark Husey and Patrick Milne, both living in Mayfield, had known each other socially for a good six months before, on seeing each other’s email address and surname, realised the St. Ronans connection. Obviously these two forty somethings now greet each other as Hus Mus and Millimetre... 1983 Edmund Nourse is living in London with his wife and two daughters. He is working as a barrister at One Essex Court.
1980 Peter Dunham has been living in Los Angeles for 17 years after 15 years in New York, After a career in property he moved into interior design, as well as running two related companies “Hollywood at Home” and “Peter Dunham Textiles”. 1979 Charles Lovibond writes: After Wellington, I studied Chemical Engineering at Bath University before starting work for BP. I was there for 5 years, during which time I married Caroline, and then left to study for an MBA at Ashridge Management College. The next 15 years or so were spent in a variety of commercial activities including owning several businesses, starting up one or two and helping other small business owners to make progress. I also had time to coach rugby at Youth level for my local club, Oxford Harlequins, as well as being a Community Coach for London Wasps and a Coach Developer for the RFU. In 2010, I decided to quit the commercial world and retrained as a Teacher, studying for my PGCE at Reading University. I have been teaching Chemistry and Business at an independent girls school in Reading for three years now and loving every minute of it. In between marking, I spend time ferrying my four children (two boys 17 & 14 and twin girls 12) around Oxfordshire to their various activities – something I am sure all other parents will sympathise with.
William Brown rowed six for Goldie in the 2014 Boat Race
1978 Richard Noel, married to Zarina, is moving to East Bergholt, Suffolk and now has a baby daughter Cecilia born 2013 as well as William aged 6. 1977 Richard Nourse is living in Gloucestershire with his wife and two children. He is Managing Partner of Greencoat Capital, one of the UK's largest renewable energy fund managers. 1974 Having retired in 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Fairbanks Weston (aka ‘Westy Ma’) is continuing his involvement with the Army having been appointed ViceChairman and Chairman Designate of the Suffolk Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.
Anthony Fairbanks Weston
Nick Watson’s self-built house in Guatemala
Frank Gardner, BBC Security Correspondent, has been embedded with the Colombian Marines deep in the Amazon jungle onboard a British hovercraft hunting rebels and drug smugglers. He says the sandfly bites on his arms have now finally faded! His book Blood and Sand has just been updated and republished, describing his adventures in the Middle East. 1972 Alastair Jessel and his local company ‘Taywell Ice Creams’ has successfully created the UK’s first ‘No added sugar’ range of ice creams and sorbets and has very recently won a contract to supply a supermarket chain in the Middle East. He has already started to export the Kent-made ice creams to Hong Kong (this range does contain sugar!) and 2013 saw the company win The Grocer’s ‘Best New
Frank Gardner’s updated book
David Jones was High Sheriff of London for 2012-14
Product’ award against Ben & Jerry’s, Cadbury’s, Magnum and Vimto.
corner of my heart with the irreplaceable Lady Vass' being front and centre. Vivat St Ronan's.
1971 David “Dai” Jones was High Sheriff of Greater London for 201214. He is a partner of investment firm Oldfield Partners, Chairman of New Model School Company and married with three children living in Chiswick.
1969 Christian Brodie is currently working with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills as Co-Chair of the Partnership Organisations forum. He is also Chairman of a number of organisations including the Student Loans Company.
1970 Charles Crookenden writes: I have been living in the US for 20 years, am married to an American with three children, Patrick (13), Oliver (13) and Grace (9). Currently, we live in New Canaan CT although a work related move may take us to the West Coast, next year. American life is a whirl of kids' activities for which parents are free chauffeurs. Think lacrosse, basketball, soccer, music lessons, riding etc. However, I find time for regular games of tennis and during the winter, paddle tennis which continues in sub zero temperatures. After various careers in banking, Venture Capital and line marketing, I became an entrepreneur in 1999 as a headhunter on Wall St. My partner and I recruited much of the senior corporate team......at Lehman! In 2006, I acquired Microscope.com and have been happily selling microscopes online, since then. We are currently evolving into exciting new ventures that will offer a credible alternative to existing marketplaces such as Amazon and Alibaba. St Ronan's retains a valued
1968 Sir Laurie Magnus has been Chairman of English Heritage since 2013. Previously he was Deputy Chairman of The National Trust from 2005-2013. He is Director of various Investment Trusts, having been an Investment Banker since 1977 in various firms (currently Deputy Chairman (Europe) of Evercore Partners). He is a Charity Trustee of: All Churches Trust, Landmark Trust, and Windsor Leadership Trust. After St Ronan’s he went to Eton and then Oxford University. He is now Fellow of the School of Reputation Investment at Oxford University. He is married to Jocelyn with 2 sons (28 & 23) and 1 daughter (26). 1967 John Sherlock read one of the lessons in Westminster Abbey at the service of Consecration of the Bishop of Lewes on 14th May 2014. John is currently Stewardship Officer for the Diocese of Chichester.
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The Japan National Cricket team, visiting Lord’s for a match against MCC on the Nursery Ground, organised by Patrick Macartney
1966 John Price is coming to the end of his mastership of the Merchant Taylors company. He is the 4th OR to hold the post, the others being Lord Newall, Dr Christopher Nourse and Johny Armstrong. In the course of my year I ran into Hugh Garforth Bless who was master Furniture Maker a couple of years back and Philip Remnant who is a court member of the Salters Company. Charles Saumarez Smith, the Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal Academy, has just celebrated his sixtieth birthday. Amongst the guests was Tim Milling, who taught him maths at St. Ronan’s. 1965 Duncan Bridge was with the Royal Navy until 1984 where he was in charge of the deep, helium diving operation to recover the former HM Submarine Holland 1 that is now on display at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport. Thereafter at British Petroleum in the offshore oil industry and international oil techology businesses. Retired at a relatively young age to support the British Americas Cup Team. Nowadays drives private yachts of the larger variety, but more on a friendship than business basis. Robin Clutterbuck writes: I followed by father and brother on the well-trodden St. Ronan’s path to Pembroke College, Cambridge,
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where I did a History of Art degree. After teaching History for eight years in a comprehensive school I moved into ‘heritage education’ – working in historic sites, museums, archives and galleries to turn them into centres for learning, not just repositories for dusty collections. I am now a consultant in this field. From 2014-2016, as part of the centenary of the First World War, I am running a project to do with the disastrous 1915 Gallipoli campaign, bringing together schools and museums in the UK, Commonwealth countries, France and Turkey to explore the history of Gallipoli in places which sent soldiers to the campaign, and the impact of the campaign on national identities across the globe. Any ORs with Gallipoli connections are welcome to get in touch to find out how to get involved. David Tennant writes: After over thiry years of teaching at Tonbridge l am beginning to think about retirement, but it is going to be quite a wrench. After six years in the City I decided to become a schoolmaster and it has been a wonderful job. I often think about my very happy years at St Ronan's and I am so pleased it continues to thrive. I know this because we have had such good boys from the school. 1962 Patrick Macartney helped to arrange a match last year (28th April, a bit chilly!) on the Nursery Ground at Lord’s between the Japan national cricket team (in the
The Japan National Cricket team, visiting Lord’s for a match against MCC on the Nursery Ground, organised by Patrick Macartney
photo) and MCC. Sadly, Japan lost but the Japanese Ambassador and over 1000 Japanese spectators enjoyed a great day at the home of cricket. He is now arranging for a party of 100 Japanese business people and families to attend the T20 Middlesex v Surrey match on 24 July! 1959 Clive Digby-Jones has been appointed first US Practitioner for iMA Communication Systems developing high performing teams and individuals. He also welcomed his third grandchild Harry James Digby-Jones on May 27th 2014. 1958 Herry Lawford, as a liveryman of the Drapers' Livery Company, with which his family has been associated for over 250 years, is involved with the Company's celebration of the 650th anniversary of the grant of it's first Charter from Edward III (though the guild was formed in the C12th). In April, the Company held a lunch for it's 200 almshouse residents at Drapers' Hall. Co-incidentally, it was close to the 450th anniversary of the founding of the first Drapers' almshouses. 1957 Nigel Whinney writes: The Whinney clan have been well represented at St Ronans for many years. My father was there in the days of Stanley Harris and I was there with WBH and Sir Richard and Lady Dawn. Since leaving, I
continued my education at Charterhouse - a tremendous change from the family atmosphere of St Ronan’s. I entered the Royal Navy at BRNC Dartmouth in 1962 as a seaman officer but after completing my training, I joined the Fleet Air Arm as a helicopter pilot flying from aircraft carriers, cruisers and frigates serving all over the world. On promotion to Commander, I started collected acronyms; SNONI = Senior Naval Officer Northern Ireland, SNOFI = Senior Naval Officer Falkland Islands and SOHKS = Senior Officer Hong Kong Squadron! I was fortunate enough to command one of the largest Naval Air Squadrons of the time and a ship in the Far East. I retired in 1995 and was ordained into the Church of England in 1997 serving as a non-stipendiary Rural Dean of 60 parishes for 6 years. We downsized on retirement and moved to join our daughter in New Zealand where I am still at work this time with the Church of New Zealand. Our son is now living and working in Canada. 1956 Robert Jagger is currently Honorary Consul General for the Republic of Costa Rica in the Bahamas. Representative for the Financial Times for the Caribbean, Bermuda and Venezuela. 1954 Barry Campbell is retired and living in Parsons Green. He and his wife recently stayed with Robert Jagger in the Bahamas and he is also in
OBITUARIES
Sir William Benyon (OR 1939-43) Sir William Richard Benyon died on 2nd May 2014. He was 84. At Saint Ronan’s, his surname was Shelley but when his father inherited the Englefield estate from his second cousin, Sir Henry Benyon, a condition of the bequest was that the family change their name to Benyon. HMS Royal Arthur class of ‘75 including Ian Graham Orlebar (3rd from right, front row)
At the time of inheritance William Benyon’s father was in ill health and the management of the estate fell to Bill. The estate, which includes a large portfolio of properties in de
regular contact with Robin Bray. Roger Martin is a diplomat-turnedenvironmentalist, now Chair of 'Population Matters'. 1949 Richard Smith Wright recently returned from a trip to Latvia, Estonia and St Petersburg. 1947 James Harris recently returned from trips to Italy, Sicily and France. He is chair of the Somerset Gardens Trust and is organising a tour of the gardens of Somerset and Dorset in aid of The International Dendrology Society. 1946 In his retirement Gos Home is busy as Chairman of the Hugenot Heritage Centre Appeal Committee to fund Britain's first ever museum about the Hugentots. He is also Chairman of the Trustees of Home Castle in Berwickshire and Chariman of the Governors of the Clan Home Association. He is also President of the 1st Battalion Royal Fusilliers Old Comrades Assocation. Tim Scroggs writes: On this day, or shortly after, 70 years ago Mr Poole, our maths master (Mr Vinter was the maths master) took us out of the classroom by the balustrade at Bicton and said "listen", and there was a distant rumbling like thunder from the south-east. He then said, "Boys, you are listening to history being made!" How true those words were. This coming August our younger daughter Lydia, who is in
the PMRAFNS, is going for the second time to serve in Afghanistan. A few years ago she also served in the Iraq war. 1942 Christopher Dunn went to Stowe after St Ronan’s before moving up to Cambridge to read medicine. He joined the RAF and was stationed near Andover. At Cambridge, Christopher became a Christian; he spent two years at Oak Hill Theological College, after which he did curacies in Tunbridge Wells and Worthing. He then moved on to parishes in Wiltshire, then Tiverton, Devon. He married Elizabeth in 1963 and is now retired to Blandford. He has three children. 1939 Ian Graham-Orlebar recently presented to the school a copy of his anthology Poems to Ponder which he has added to all his life. Ian explained that his interest in poetry began at Saint Ronan’s in about 1938 because of Harry’s enthusiasm for the subject, and in particular for introducing him to J.F. Roxburgh’s (Stowe’s founding Headmaster and lifelong friend of WBH) book, The Poetic Procession. Ian also sent a copy of a photograph of the ‘class’ at HMS Royal Arthur in 1944, which was the main intake establishment for the Navy. By strange coincidence, in the same class was an Old St Ronan’s boy, A.N.C. Bruce.
Beauvoir Town, was in a run down state and saddled with 80% death duties; Bill succeeded in paying off the debt as well as modernising and expanding the estate. Bill Benyon was also a respected Conservative MP, who chaired a group known as ‘One Nation’, which stood in opposition to many of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s policies including the Poll Tax. Benyon held the post of Deputy Lieutenant for Berkshire in 1970 and High Sherrif in 1995. He received his knighthood in 1994. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, two sons and three daugters.
Mark Shand (OR 1959-64) Mark Roland Shand was a British travel writer and conservationist, and the brother of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. He was chairman of Elephant Family, a wildlife foundation. Mark died on 23rd April 2014 following a serious head injury. He was the author of Travels on My Elephant, River Dog and other books, and winner of the Prix Litteraire d'Amis. “Shandy-ba” was actively involved in the conservation of the Asian elephant and co-founded a charity called Elephant Family. He also wrote a book about his adventure with "Tara"
alumni@saintronans.co.uk
(his elephant) in India
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WTV goes back to the beginning
The sun shines on Saint Ronan’s athletes The sun beat down brightly on all three of our Athletics fixtures this term, making it hot work for the Saint Ronan’s athletes. Competing in a track meeting at Dulwich in May, and the Skipper’s Hill Pentathlon and IAPs Kent Championship in Ashford in June, the children recorded some excellent performances. Highlights of the season include: Guy Pryke, who recorded 1:09 for the 400m at Dulwich, and qualified for the IAPs Nationals with a jump of 4.15m at Ashford. Lily Stewart and Connor Gorman, who won the U12 Pentathlon at Skipper’s Hill. Georgiana Crawley, who ran 31.25s in the 200m Heat to qualify for the finals at Ashford, where she finished just outside
In January 1883 the Revd. Philip Crick, with his wife
the medals.
(Antoinette) and seven-week old son (also called Philip) took up residence at a house was called Pen-y-arth on Selden Road, East Worthing with the intention of opening a new school the following September. Pen-y-arth did not seem a convenient name for a school so a change was decided upon. In the bustle and excitement of the move, however, no decision had been made, and the painter waited, brush in hand, for the point to be settled. Mrs Crick Snr., was reading the Waverley novel, ‘St Ronan’s Well’, at the time and her suggestion that the School should be called Saint Ronan’s was adopted. The school colours (light and dark blue) were adapted from Philip Crick’s Cambridge College, Pembroke which,
James Crawley had a fantastic season, finishing second in the 400m at Dulwich (1:09); second in the Skipper’s Hill Pentathlon, and qualifying for the 200m final at Ashford, where he ran 30.36. James met the standard for the Nationals but, finishing fourth, just missed out on selection. Freddie JoarderWhite took silver in the U13 Boys’ Javelin at Ashford, with a throw of 23.47m, and George Campbell-Wilson discovered a hitherto unknown ability to High Jump, clearing 1.30m in his first attempt at the event! Carlos Nieto-Parr and Lizzie Wooff, competing at the bottom of their age-group, ran superbly in the 800m at both Dulwich and Ashford, showing real potential for the future.
coincidently, was the same College as Saint Ronan’s second,
There were many more plucky performances, too numerous to
third and fourth Headmasters. The school crest, too, was an
mention, but congratulations to all athletes who represented
adaptation of Pembroke’s.
the school this summer.
The school opened in September 1883 with just five boys and six small desks. The names of the first boys were: Angel F., Angel C., Abbott R., Amey A., and Warmsley J. In 1886, the first assistant master (Howell Gwynne who later became the editor of the Morning News and the Standard) was appointed and the first school magazine published. In September 1887, the school, which now had 18 boys, moved into a new purpose built building on the corner of Mill Road and Down View Road in the Heene district of West Worthing where it remained until war time evacuation to Devon in 1939. Having tracked it down on ‘Google Maps’, WTV left earlier than needed for a meeting at Brighton College in June to be able to get over to East Worthing to take this picture of the original school building. The house is now called ‘Terceira’.
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The IAPS team
Sport Saint Ronan’s Another Smashing Rounders season – U10A Team Unbeaten!
The girls have enjoyed another successful season on the
the final where they sadly lost to the Benenden U13A team by
Rounders pitches, demonstrating great skills and tactical play.
just 2 rounders. Our Silver medals were still worn with great
Despite the occasional downpour, and a thunderstorm in one
pride.
case, we won 27 and drew 6 of the 54 matches played, scoring 495 rounders in total.
The 2nd and 3rd IX teams also played well. Charlotte Goodacre, Sos Stevens, Sophie Charlesworth, Eva Sayers
The strongest team performance came from the U10As, who
and Alexandra Erith are all emerging as strong players ready
were unbeaten, winning 9/9 matches against tough opposition.
to carry the sport forward next year. Likewise, in the U11 team,
They were also the highest-scoring team, with 91.5 rounders
Phoebe Bennie, Alice Durtnell, Issy Bolton-Ferrett, Matilda
(Lily Simpson being the highest scorer of the season),
Clarke, Olivia Hancock and Jade Beeching are all showing
showing massive potential for the future. Congratulations to
promise.
the whole team: Daisy Dent, Maddie McDonald, Emily Cooper, Maisie Kirby, Louisa Hudson, Rosie Honychurch, Olive Clarke, Maddy Spence, Lily Simpson, Lizzie Wooff and Catherine Redmayne.
Lower down the school, the U8 and U9 girls are also flourishing. Unfortunately Thursday matches were hit by some terrible weather and although we did attempt to play through one thunderstorm, many matches had to be cancelled.
The U13 1st IX were also successful in 8 of their 10 matches,
Despite this, the U8s won 3 of their 4 games and showed
scoring 85.5 rounders. They remain the most slick and
excellent promise, with particularly notable performances from
tactically-minded team in the field and are quite a sight to
Poppy Barker, Ruby Balcombe, Bella King and Jemima
behold when in action. The bowler (Savannah Knatchbull),
Spence. The U9 teams thoroughly enjoyed the couple of
backstop (Lucy Martin) and 1st base (Lucy Rose Stephenson)
games they did get to play. Grace Bartleet should be
combination has been superb, stumping out huge numbers of
congratulated for her bowling and Grace Easton and Caitlin
batters. Jessamy Coulson has been reliable at 2nd and in the
Milborne for their all-rounder performance in bat and on the
deep, Charlie Chatterton, Freya Black, Georgiana Crawley,
field.
Tilly Hastilow and Sabina McNeish have all worked tirelessly to retrieve and field the ball back into the posts. At the IAPS tournament they finished 2nd in their group, 5th out of 12, and overall runners-up in the plate. At the Benenden tournament they won all eight of their group matches, winning a place in
All the girls demonstrated great team spirit in the recent InterHouse competitions. Bicton and Selden tied in first place. Once the rounders had been counted, it was Selden who took the trophy. A most enjoyable season. Well done to everyone.
23
Sport Saint Ronan’s
A highly promising season
First XIi in their new caps, presented by Martin Pryke
This summer there have been some very exciting games of
52 not out by George Campbell-Wilson against Hilden
cricket throughout all the age groups. The 1st XI, led by Archie
Grange.
Butler-Gallie, had moments of inspiration however they came up against some strong sides and were unlucky not to clinch more victories. With the majority of the side being in Year 7 they have gained some valuable experience ready for next season. A lack of runs was the issue at the start of the summer, although Zach Barker batted very well, the other top
Anik Moore was player of the season for the Colts A and he also hit an impressive 58 not out as they won 5 out of 8 matches. Jamie Jordan and Freddie Dear along with Anik also bowled very well restricting the opposing batsmen forcing them into wild shots.
order batsmen despite getting some good starts were unable
The U10 team played at a very high tempo with some
to go on and make a big score. Nevertheless it was really
excellent batting and running between the wickets from Finn
pleasing to see these boys develop their composure and
Kirkland, Sam Thompson and Wilf Wyatt while Sam Holden
confidence at the crease and Archie B-G and Nat Easton both
Craufurd, Archie Rutter, Tayen Tapper all bowled some
scored their first 50s for the school in the final two games. The
impressive overs.
bowling attack led by George Jones and Angus Balfour was very lively and they were well supported by Olly Addis, Oli Chatterton and the spin of Nat Easton. The fielding was also of a very high level which was very intimidating for the opposing batsmen.
The boys in the U9 and U8 sides also showed a lot of promise and it has been pleasing to see many of the children, throughout all the age groups, being recognised at district level with a couple of the boys, Angus Balfour and Zach Barker, making it through to the final trials of the Kent U12
The 2nd XI played some good cricket with the highlight being
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selection process. © Saint Ronan’s School 2014. Editor: Ben Clarke.