Cross Keys Old Peterite Magazine Spring 2022

CrossKeys A MAGAZINE FOR ALL OLD PETERITES

Spring 2022

Generations of

Old Peterites Page 36

Old Peterite

Five minutes with

Memories

Memorial Project

Neil Matkin

Our Oldest Peterite

Page 28

Page 38

Page 22

JEREMY WALKER

2022

Welcome St Peter’s School has witnessed many changes over the last 1,400 years, and there has been a very real sense of living through history since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. This edition of the Cross Keys Magazine celebrates our transition from lockdown to a more normal way of life.

We have once again had to change and adapt on so many occasions this year, from full lockdowns to different levels of restrictions in and out of school. Set against such a backdrop, the extraordinary achievements of the last year seem even more impressive than usual.

In April St Peter’s School received the TES Pre-Prep School of the Year Award, and to follow this up with the accolade of Independent School of the Year was an astonishing achievement.

On the academic front it has been a time of unprecedented change as we have moved between remote learning, learning at school and a hybrid version. This has required the teaching staff to be incredibly adaptable, but the progress of the pupils has been remarkable. Our Academic Extension offer now includes the Sirius Society for academic journals and discussion, and pupils from Third to Fifth Form have had a new approach to their personal development through the Lessons for Life programme. We have also seen the successful introduction of the Sixth Form Enrichment Programme designed to better prepare pupils for life after St Peter’s.

Outside of the classroom, there were restrictions to our usual co-curricular programme, but the breadth and depth has been remarkable. At one point there were over 167 different co-curricular sessions per week, requiring a tremendous amount of planning, coordination and communication.

My thanks go to pupils and staff who persevered to ensure the continuity of co-curricular activities such as the Duke of

Edinburgh Award and Combined Cadet Force against all the odds.

Our ESU Public Speaking team won the Regional Finals and were the youngest team to compete in the National Final. The Lower Sixth Young Enterprise Group reached the European finals of the Young Enterprise Company of the Year competition, whilst the latest edition of our school magazine Keystone won the ‘Rising Star’ award at the Shine School Media Awards. St Peter’s has also been awarded an Eco Schools Green Flag in recognition of the achievements of the Eco Committee.

For much of the last academic year, sports fixtures were not possible so House sport became more prominent with mixed competitions helping to boost the physical, social and psychological wellbeing of our pupils. Even with a limited programme it has been wonderful to see various teams progressing through national competitions in recent months, and the return of competitive fixtures.

Music continues to flourish and we have enjoyed a gradual return to live music this year, from Cabaret at the end of the summer term to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in York Minster. Pupils also returned to the stage in December 2021 with a mesmerising adaptation of Les Misérables involving over 50 pupils.

Our art pupils were thrilled to see their artwork on public display in Dean’s Park.

Of particular note, design and technology pupils created a striking set of silhouettes

representing members of the armed forces past and present for Remembrance Day in a project supported by the Old Peterite Club.

For much of last year, year group bubbles meant that the House system could not operate as normal and boarders have had additional challenges, with some of them not seeing their families for many months.

Despite these restrictions, our House system and pastoral care remains stronger than ever, including the introduction of a new pupilled Wellbeing and Mental Health Group.

Beyond school, we maintained our engagement with the York Independent State School Partnership and popular events including our Public Lecture series have also returned, a welcome opportunity to invite members of the local community back to St Peter’s.

OP Day made a triumphant return in September and a dinner in the evening gave the opportunity to celebrate with Sixth Formers who left St Peter’s in 2020 and 2021. We also welcomed Old Peterites in October for the opening of our new Boathouse, and a new Old Peterite mentoring programme has been launched for pupils in the Lower Sixth.

The challenges and restrictions we have faced over the last year have made us realise quite how lucky we are to be part of such a busy, varied and exciting community.

I would especially like to extend a warm welcome to the newest members of our Old Peterite community, those Upper Sixth pupils who left St Peter’s last year under the most challenging circumstances. I hope you enjoy reading this edition of The Cross Keys and please do keep in touch.

Jeremy Walker Head of St Peter’s School Keys for Life -2-

CONTENTS

A Note from The Editor We are delighted to be bringing you the Cross Keys Magazine for 2022! The aim for the magazine is to bring together news from the School, and the Old Peterite Community, and we really hope you enjoy reading what we have in store for you this year.

If you visit the links listed throughout the magazine, you may notice our new look website! We are delighted to have a special section just for Old Peterites, which you’ll find under the Community section. Don’t forget to check for upcoming events or read some of the Profiles of the Old Peterites taking part in our Mentoring Programme. We hope you’ll find the new site easier to navigate and to access everything OP related.

This is a great opportunity to celebrate our community and we hope you’ll enjoy this

In This Issue 2 4 5 6 7 8 13 14

Welcome Jeremy Walker St Peter’s 2-8 Phil Hardy St Peter’s 8-13 Andy Falconer Our Covid Diary Our News from the School Old Peterite Past Events Old Peterite Calender of Events Births, Marriages and Celebrations

thread running through the magazine: We are delighted to wish our oldest Old Peterite John Sleight a Happy 100th Birthday – he has written a very special piece for us on page 22.

Thanks to the Heads of School, who have shared their experiences at School over the last year with us on page 6.

We are so pleased we can have visitors back on site and look forward to welcoming you all back to School. If you want to visit, drop us a line and it would be

great to show you around. You are always welcome.

(For those of you who live further afield – you may want to check out our great 360 virtual tour: www.stpetersyork.org.uk/admissions/ virtual-tour)

Philippa Dunford-Jeffs Development and Alumni Manager

Thanks to Old Peterite Antonia Ryan- Briscoe (2021) who joined the Team on a temporary basis in November and has been helping support the work of the Development and Alumni Office!

15 16 17 18 20 22 24 25

In Memoriam In Memory of David Kirby In Memory of Malcolm Wilstrop Keys for Life The Old Peterite Club Committee Memories from our Oldest Peterite!

Old Peterite News Where are They Now

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26 28 30 32 33 34 36 38 39

Old Peterite Sports Reports Old Peterite Memorial Project Bursary Partnerships 627 Sudoku Welcome to the Class of 2021 Old Peterite Mentoring Old Peterite Generations Five Minutes with Neil Matkin Old Peterite Merchandise

ST PETER’S 2-8

Update from St Peter’s 2-8

In this ever-increasing digital world, ICT is integrated to enhance the children’s learning.

Children are adept at using programable robotics, VR Headsets, Augmented Reality, and the creation of digital content as a platform to share learning.

Our “classrooms without walls” approach means that much valuable learning takes place outdoors making use of not only our school grounds but of the city of York and environment beyond.

What a fantastic year we have had at St Peter’s 2-8, full of exciting adventures for children and staff, even for some of the parents! Although none of us could have predicted the challenges that we have been presented with, our children have proven themselves to be true Learning Superheroes, demonstrating collaboration, reflectiveness, resourcefulness and resilience against all odds. Their curiosity, adaptability and unbounded joy of learning has continued throughout the year, enabling them to embrace the new realities of remote learning when required.

The last couple of years have been difficult at times, and the staff at St Peter’s 2-8 have been sensational. The effort they make for the children is staggering and the children are incredibly fortunate to have them as their teachers, teaching assistants and support staff. Every single member of staff works incredibly hard to create such fabulous learning spaces and environments for the children, preparing exciting and innovative lessons that inspire then to learn. They have overcome so many unexpected challenges, changing their teaching methods and preparing the most amazing lessons on video that I am sure could be on TV, and while I have been nothing short of astounded by both the quality and imagination of the remote learning staff produced, I am pleased to see a return to face-to-face teaching with pupils back in school this year.

Never has wellbeing and resilience been more vital and focusing on this has enabled our children to thrive through a year of constant change and uncertainty. Pupils were fully

supported by an engaging remote learning programme during lockdown and our resilience and recovery curriculum on their return to school.

Themes were carefully chosen to provide opportunities for children to build their emotional literacy and address individual needs. Through the Learning Superheroes children develop resilience and selfawareness, working through challenges to manage the inevitable highs and lows that are inextricably woven into the learning process.

Children are taught that acts of kindness and care for the environment have positive impacts. Small actions collectively make a big difference to themselves and others. Led by the School Council and inspired by a theme on oceans, the children pursued a campaign to stop the use of single use plastic bottles at school. They have also made a difference in our local community, with intergenerational music workshops in care homes and a reverse advent calendar for the homeless.

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The possibilities are endless for children at St Peter’s, whether they are reflectively practising mindfulness, collaborating to light a fire at Forest School, using resourcefulness to explore the Amazon Rainforest through Virtual Reality, or showing resilience by designing working Stone Age tools. We aim to nurture happy, curious, motivated, bold and adventurous children, unafraid to embrace life and seek new adventures.

St Peter’s 2-8 was named Independent School of the Year at the TES Independent School Awards in April 2021, one of the biggest nights in the UK education calendar.

The judges felt that, in a competitive field, St Peter’s School stood out in exemplifying some of the best practice in the independent school sector. The judges praised the school’s use of a range of approaches to support pupils’ wellbeing and personal growth, whether through its Forest School, encouraging pupils to use ICT independently or helping pupils champion campaigns on a range of environmental issues. It was an honour to receive the Pre-Prep School of the Year Award for the second time in three years, and to follow this up with the accolade of Independent School of the Year is an astonishing achievement. These awards reflect the continued dedication of our amazing children, incredible colleagues, teaching, support staff, and the support of the wider school community including parents and governors. The awards have added poignancy this year as we reflect on all the challenges we have overcome as a school community in recent months.

Philip Hardy - Head of 2-8

ST PETER’S 8-13

Update from St Peter’s 8-13 Pupil numbers have continued to rise, reaching nearly 400 pupils, and the school has waiting lists in all year groups.

It has been wonderful to be able to get the school back to relative normality since the last edition of the Cross Keys Magazine a year ago. The staff and children were incredible at ensuring that we made the most of whatever Covid restrictions were in place. Year group bubbles in the summer term did mean that we could not do everything in the way we wished, but the staff were fantastic at adapting things to ensure the children could do as much as possible. We were able to finish the 2020/21 academic year gathered together outside as a school for the first time since Covid started for the end of year prize giving, which was a wonderful celebration of all that the pupils had achieved.

September saw us start the academic year with everything up and running as normal apart from whole school assemblies and

chapels. We have had full sporting fixture lists and been able to take part in sports tournaments again. The J3s performed ‘Bugsy Malone’ in front of an audience of parents rather than an online recorded performance, and the J5s performed ‘The Tempest’ at the Leeds Playhouse as part of the national Shakespeare Schools Festival.

There have been more music ensembles playing each week than ever before, with over 350 one to one instrumental lessons taking place each week. The York Minster choristers returned to singing their normal range of services each week, along with special services including Richard Shephard’s service of thanksgiving. Many children had to selfisolate at some point and so teachers were teaching hybrid lessons where most children were in the classroom but some at home online via a webcam. This was a very tiring

Keys for Life -5-

way to teach but they were able to ensure that the children at home were involved in lessons as much as possible – the teachers really have been heroes throughout the pandemic. We do continue to get quite cold as all the windows and doors have to be open for ventilation as part of our Covid precautions!

It was lovely to be short-listed for the TES Prep School of the Year for the second time in the last few years, in recognition of all that the teachers and pupils have been doing.

Andy Falconer Head of 8-13

THE SCHOOL YEAR

Our Covid Diary The School Year

As we embark upon our final, full-term at St Peter’s it brings a comforting nostalgia to reminisce over our latest memories formed here. As always, school life has been fast-paced and filled with a variety of opportunities to involve ourselves in, therefore bringing us plenty to share with you.

A popular controversy, emerging as a result of Covid restrictions separating the year groups, was the notorious “Tent” situated outside the Pascal building. Here, the Sixth Form was rehomed in a marquee, divided to effectively create a large common room for each year. The Lower Sixth half was furnished with blue carpet, an assortment of sofas (courtesy of Mrs Mallard), and the exciting addition of a coffee machine. Although our biscuits often conveniently went missing as the tent became too messy, to our relief the much-loved coffee machine remained, featuring the likes of espressos, flat whites, and hot chocolates. Inevitably, the Tent became filled with a variety of ball games, equipment ranging from tennis balls to oranges, with a favourite being the creatively named orange ball. This created a lively atmosphere and, to the Senior Leadership Team’s delight, a fair bit of noise. Although it had its ups and downs, mostly referring to the supposed heating in the winter months, the tent became a space that allowed us to interact all together as a year group, thus creating a strong bond that we have taken into our final year at St Peter’s.

Moving out of the Tent signified to us a move back to normality; one that we all looked forward to. Arising from this was a widespread appreciation for what previously we had considered routine. Now, we were once again able to gather in the chapel as a school, as opposed to in year groups bubbles, enjoying a much-missed St Peter’s tradition of belting out ‘Jerusalem’. The small things of returning to our Houses, bustling past younger years as we hurried to classrooms across campus, and even the chaos of the Monkey Cage have brought us a renewed gratitude for the simple things.

Throughout the last year, sport has been one of the most affected co-curricular opportunities, with intermittent lockdowns and the cancellation of many external fixtures. The Sports Department has had to adapt: we spent the majority of training sessions divided into year groups waiting for the time we could again play both with one another and against other schools. As restrictions eased, our extensive fixture list was able to resume once again with the bus journeys feeling even longer than before, especially travelling to our termly Sedbergh matches! Amidst the overload of matches a highlight for us has been the high-quality cricket from both the boys and girls during the previous summer term, which we all enjoyed watching from the pavilion with our ice pops, weather permitting! Aside from matches, training again with a variety of year groups has enabled skills to be shared and new bonds to be created throughout the school community. Yet, whilst external fixtures were at a halt, the depth and breadth of House events allowed us all to show our team camaraderie and House spirit. To our delight, cross country was postponed, however, we have been able to participate in many other events such as rugby, hockey, volleyball, badminton, debating, and House

challenge. These provided everyone in the House the opportunity to get involved and build connections with one another, especially important for the new pupils in a time where it was difficult to have physical connections.

In the midst of the lockdowns, music continued to thrive, as a vital part of life at St Peter’s. Through a computer screen, we were invited to take part in the 6-2-7 online concerts, where we could record a solo performance to be included in the online concert. These were enveloped with an air of excitement due to the secrecy surrounding who would be featured. The concerts brought a great sense of joy to the tedious days of lockdown, creating something to look forward to and work towards for both pupils and staff. Our terms lacked the usual live performances, carol services and choral events in the Minster, leaving a gap in the school community that highlighted to us the importance of music at Peter’s as it provides a chance to unify both staff and pupils, musical or not: whether it be listening to the angelic singing of the Chapel Choir or attempting to cover our ears listening to the entire school rendering ‘I vow thee to my country’, a favourite among our year group. Notably, we are still eagerly awaiting House singing with its superior song selections, tuneful notes, and even better dance moves that all Peterites are sure to have experienced.

Alongside this, many exciting events lie ahead in the musical calendar such as the Chapel Choir’s Evensong in Edinburgh Cathedral and the Duke Ellington Eucharist, and of course, the much anticipated Cabaret Concert that no doubt will be, for us, a musical highlight. As is tradition, a selection of Upper Sixth pupils will once again take to the stage to perform a solo with the much-loved swing band (and Mr MK) as a final farewell.

This year also saw the long-awaited return of the school production.

Heading across the channel, pupils of all year groups brought to life our rendition of Victor Hugo’s ‘Les Misérables’. Unencumbered by the restrictions of the previous year, the cast and crew enjoyed weekly Tuesday and Thursday rehearsals in which we all learned the classic musical numbers and routines and, for a lucky few, the opportunity to add a fairly haphazard version of the waltz to their repertoire. Many Upper Sixth were involved in the production both on and behind the scenes. Under the direction of Mr Leary, the cast were once again lucky enough to work alongside Mr MK, Mr Spencer, and Ms Burns, who were all able to bring the very best out of everyone and make it an extremely enjoyable few months of production. Not only was the performance a hit under the spotlight, but a huge amount of work was also put into the production by the tireless stage crew, who were able to turn the Mem Hall into a very convincing revolutionary France. Despite their rather strange pre-show ritual of, actually quite disturbingly, devouring a stick of celery, they put in a huge amount of work and the cast and audience couldn’t have been more grateful for their tremendous efforts.

Thus, despite the many challenges that the last 12 months have brought, this has been a year full of joy and friendships that will last with us after our time at St Peter’s.

Heads of School - Lucy and Toby Deputy Heads of School - Ellie and Will

Keys for Life -6-

School News Each year pupils and staff achieve wonderful things that it is great to share with the Old Peterite Community. Various lockdowns, and changes to the School routine haven’t deterred us. Here are just a few highlights from the School Year: Rachael Accepts Offer at Royal Northern College of Music We are absolutely delighted to announce that St Peter’s pupil, Rachael, has accepted an offer to study clarinet and saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music for September 2022, following auditions in December 2021.

Rachael has been at St Peter’s since the age of nine and has developed into a highly accomplished soloist and ensemble player.

Toby and Finlay qualify for the British Nationals in swimming Congratulations to both Toby and Finlay who have qualified for the short course British Nationals in swimming. Toby in 5 events (100 IM, 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 backstroke and 50 butterfly) and Finlay in 1 (400 IM). They will be representing York City Baths Club where they train 7 times a week as well as their school swimming commitments. Toby has also earnt himself a scholarship as an athlete starting in August 2022 at DI Canisius in Buffalo, NY. This is a testament to years of hard work and dedication, and we wish him the best of luck.

St Peter’s pupil wins International Film Award Fifth Form pupil Ava has won an international film award for her original film ‘Beth’. Ava was invited to New York as her film ‘Beth’ had been nominated for best film at the AllAmerican High School Film Festival. The Film Festival, which took place from 8-10 October, is the largest film competition in the USA for school students. Out of 2,500 films, Ava’s film ‘Beth’ won Best International Film. She was also nominated for Best Director, Best Drama and Best Overall Film.

Ava also created a short 3-minute film with local neighbours after the first lockdown in 2020. The micro-short film ‘Players’ has

earned Ava a global reputation. It has been screened at 17 Festivals in around 10 countries and has won numerous awards, including Best Young Filmmaker at the Bafta-qualifying Bolton Festival and Audience Choice at the Marcellus Movie Festival, New York. The film has also resulted in Ava being one of just five people shortlisted for the IMDb new Filmmaker Award 2020. She is the youngest ever person to be shortlisted in the history of this global and very prestigious award.

Debating Success Three pupils from St Peter’s School reached the Grand Final of the ESU Churchill Public Speaking Competition in 2021. Third Form pupils Victoria, Eliyah and Evie became Regional Champions following the regional round of the ESU Churchill Public Speaking Competition on Friday 19th March 2021. The regional round, which was hosted online via Zoom, featured six teams including two teams from St Peter’s School, and teams from schools across the North East.

Pupil Commended for Supreme Essay Writing Skills A Lower Sixth Form pupil has been awarded second place in The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom’s Essay Writing Competition. Justin submitted his essay in February 2021 with the focus on ‘Does the law do enough to balance the right to religious freedom against the possibility of unjustified discrimination?’

Justin developed a clear thesis focused on two relevant Supreme Court cases, Bull v Hall and Lee v Ashers Baking Company, and his essay was judged by the Judicial Assistants who work at the Court. Justin was commended for his well-structured essay and clear writing style. The judges were impressed by his strong understanding of the Court’s reasoning in both cases, and his explanation of the basis for the two, initially seemingly conflicting, decisions.

Katie trains a hearing dog for deaf people.

Over the past two years, Katie (Fourth Form) has helped to train, Alba, a golden Labrador, to be a hearing dog for deaf people. Alba has passed all her exams and is now an official Assistance Dog! Alba passed her exams with flying colours and has been nominated to become Keys for Life -7-

NEWS

a child’s dog, which has very stringent guidelines, so Katie and her family are doubly proud. Alba will go to an 11-year-old boy who is profoundly deaf.

Young Enterprise Group Progress European Finals Following their success in the North Yorkshire County Final in early May 2021, the Young Enterprise Group were crowned the North East and Yorkshire & Humber regional winners on Tuesday 25 May and represented the region in the UK finals in June. The pupils were awarded the Innovation and Technology Award in the National Finals and progressed to the European Finals after achevieing third place in the UK round of the competition.

The pupils launched Caring Through Cooking last September and the business has gone from strength to strength. The social enterprise seeks to bring generations together, with a cookbook designed to enable families of people affected by Dementiarelated diseases to participate in the simple act of cooking

Gordon Gatenby retires after 34 years at St Peter’s In October 2021 we said farewell to Gordon Gatenby, a muchloved and long-standing Groundsman at St Peter’s School, who started at St Peter’s in 1985. We wish him a long and happy retirement.

Five pupils secure places in National Children’s Orchestra Five children from St Peter’s School, York, have secured places in the prestigious National Children’s Orchestra (NCO).

Ethan and Tristan from St Peter’s 8-13 will join Fred, Danny and Ethan from St Peter’s 13-18 in the NCO, the only orchestral learning programme for younger children across the UK. The National Children’s Orchestra aims to give children an experience of the joy of orchestral playing and to help them realise their full potential. NCO currently comprises of over 700 children aged 7-14 years old, and places are highly sought after.

You can follow our School News on the website www.stpetersyork.org.uk or following St Peter’s School, York on Social Media.

OP PAST EVENTS

OP Past Events

Opening of the Boathouse St Peter’s School Boathouse was officially opened on Saturday 16 October 2021 by Olympic Rower Greg Searle MBE. After having to postpone the original date we were delighted to invite donors, guests and supporters of the Boat Club back to School for the afternoon. Those who had donated a brick to the Boathouse fundraising campaign saw their bricks unveiled, whilst those donors who had sponsored the naming of a boat were thanked with a special Boat Naming Ceremony.

The Boat Naming was followed by speeches from Head Master Jeremy Walker and Greg Searle and the event concluded with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, before the Boats were carried from the newly opened Boathouse and down to the River Ouse for a Row Past.

It was a great opportunity to showcase this wonderful facility and the investment in sport at St Peter’s.

OP PAST EVENTS

Thank you to everyone who supported the Boathouse appeal.

Greg delivered a morning Masterclass to pupils from the St Peter’s School Boat Club, which focused on the importance of making choices not sacrifices and inspiring the children to constantly adapt in order to improve and succeed. He answered questions from the pupils and gave them the opportunity to hold his three Olympic medals, before being presented with a Pennant by current Boathouse captains George Smith and Hannah Gowland.

OP PAST EVENTS

OP Past Events OP Day

4 September 2021 Our most recent Old Peterites from the Classes of 2020 and 2021 joined forces to play and compete against the Upper Sixth in squash, rowing, netball, hockey and rugby on our annual OP Day at the School in September 2021.

Due to the cancellation of OP Day in 2020 this was the first time that many Old Peterites and recent leavers had been able to come back to visit the School since March 2020. It was great to have the opportunity to bring the community back together.

As well as the chance to watch the annual OP V School retiring Captains’ sports matches, the day included tours of the school, a service in the Chapel and the opportunity for Old Peterites, parents and former staff to catch up with friends. We were able to make great use of the new courts opposite Queen’s with a play area for children, and this year we had face painting and a bouncy castle too for our younger guests. The catering team did a wonderful job of feeding people from the 2-8 Dining Room with a selection of curries and thanks also go to the current parents and Old Peterites who did a wonderful job of manning the bar for the afternoon.

For the first time on Old Peterite Day, the retiring Captains’ sports matches ended in a Draw with the trophy being presented to the Captains of the Old Peterite and School teams by Old Peterite President Harry Gration and Head Master Jeremy Walker.

London Drinks

- 21 October 2021

It was great to see so many Old Peterites join us for the London Drinks as we took over The Prince Regent, in Marylebone, London. The event was a great opportunity to bring together OPs (from 1959 through to those who left in 2021!) The Head Master Jeremy Walker and OP Present Harry Gration gave a brief update on the School and the OP Club, and there were lots of conversations over drinks that lasted long after the official end of the event! After having had to postpone this in 2020, it was wonderful to be able to hold this event and bring St Peter’s and OP events back to London! We look forward to bringing news of our next London event soon.

Newcastle Dinner -

12 November 2021

The annual Newcastle Dinner took place on Friday 12 November. Hosted by Michael Jobling in Café 21, the evening was a lovely opportunity for a small group of Old Peterites from across the North to catch-up with one another over excellent food and wine.

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OP PAST EVENTS

Linton Reunion 4 September 2021 This year, as part of the OP Day celebrations, we were finally able to hold the delayed reunion to celebrate 25 years of Linton House, somewhat later than originally planned. It was great to see Old Peterites return to visit their old house, have a tour and the chance to reminisce with current and former staff at the House, over a drink in the Linton garden.

Celebration Dinner 4 September 2021

OP Day was rounded off with a brand-new event for 2021!

The day finished with a Celebration Dinner for Old Peterites, including recent leavers from the Class of 2020 and 2021 and their parents, enjoy a special evening at St Peter’s.

Musical entertainment was provided by our very own Old Peterite Band before guests enjoyed a fantastic three-course dinner followed by speeches from the Head Master and Heads of School towards the end of the evening.

Guests enjoyed drinks on the grass, with a York Gin Bar and beers from the Wold Top Brewery, both with Old Peterite connections.

It was a great opportunity for so many people to come together and to celebrate their time at St Peter’s.

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OP EVENTS

OP Events OPs Online

Our Series of ‘OPs Online’ events were developed in lockdown as a way to continue our Old Peterite event programme, helping to keep our Old Peterite community in touch with the School and with each other.

The series was a great way to celebrate our Old Peterite Community and ranged from webinars broadcast from School to small groups of Old Peterites meeting online to take part in various events, some of which have been delivered by Old Peterites. If you’d be interested in taking part or even hosting an online event, we’d love to hear from you.

‘Here Come the Girls’

We celebrated International Women’s Day on Monday 8 March 2021 with a special online event, in conversation with the first five girls to be educated at St Peter’s School.

It was broadcast live on Zoom, and hosted

by Head Master Jeremy Walker and Old Peterite Victoria Inness, who left St Peter’s School in 1990 and was the first female Head of School.

Jeremy and Victoria were joined virtually

by Sue Miller (née Elston), Louise Denison (née Stansfield), Louise Morales (née Adams), Nicky Goodwin (née Jesper) and

Zoe Jones (née Jackson), the first five girls who joined St Peter’s for the Sixth Form in 1976.

They spoke about their first day at St Peter’s, the warm welcome they received from other pupils, society’s changing expectations, their subsequent careers, and their happy memories of St Peter’s School.

Speaking of their first day at school, Zoe Jones said “we all remember singing the first hymn, because our voices were so much higher than everyone else’s”, whilst Sue Miller remembers that “it was very daunting, walking into a school of boys.”

Louise Morales recalled: “We were on show, we were in the limelight, we were really conspicuous, we were really standing out.”

Louise also reflected on the opportunity to study at St Peter’s School: “It was a great opportunity, and it’s only now that we realise how lucky we were to be able to do it... St Peter’s has a sense of history that is so wonderful, and we were so privileged to be able to study there... St Peter’s gives you the foundation for a fulfilling life.”

The women also answered questions from the audience, including why they wanted to come to St Peter’s School, what surprised them the most, how they think they will be remembered, what advice they would give their 17-year-old selves, and what message would they give pupils on International Women’s Day. Louise Denison said: “Enjoy school, seize every opportunity, and if it takes you outside of your comfort zone just go for it!”

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Jeremy Walker, Head Master of St Peter’s School, commented on how the five women had blazed a trail for girls joining St Peter’s.

He said: ‘It can’t have been easy, but it is quite astonishing to look back and consider that you were the ones who opened the doors for all those generations of girls and women who followed you... You were the pioneers but now there is a great sense of legacy and history of girls being at the school.”

Today, St Peter’s School is fully coeducational and provides an outstanding day and boarding education for girls and boys aged 2-18. From just five girls in 1976, St Peter’s now educates over 500 girls!

The event was recorded and is available to view on the St Peter’s School YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/q3aBL44SS24

Save the date Do ‘Save the date’ for these events coming soon. Details of all our events, including how to register are shared by email. You can also register your interest in any events by contacting us at alumni@stpetersyork.org.uk or call 01904 527 363.

April

27th April - OP Business Breakfast, Avorium, York 29th April - West Riding Dinner, The Bridge Hotel, Wetherby

May

20th May - 61st East Riding Dinner, Driffield 2nd May - *New Event* Old Peterite drinks for current parents, St Peter’s School

June / July

29th June - Duke Ellington Eucharist, York Minster 7th & 8th July - OP Cricket, St Peter’s School 8th July - Commemoration

September

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

OP Calendar of Events 2022

Old Peterite Current Parent Breakfast

We are delighted to be launching a new event for 2022 to bring together Old Peterites who are current parents at St Peter’s! Taking place after drop-off on Monday 2nd May, join us for the chance to speak with other fellow Old Peterites who are also parents at the school!

Reunions 1982

- Discussions are underway to try and bring together the Class of 1982, for OP Day on 3rd Spetember, get in touch if you’d like to be involved!

1992

- Save the date for Saturday 1st October 2022 - Olly Gardner and Caroline Murphy have made sure the plans are beginning to take shape for their 30-year reunion. Make sure you have your details registered with us to hear about this event taking place at St Peter’s!

2012

- Register now for Saturday 16th July 2022 – Dom Shread now has over 30 people from the Class of 2012 who are planning to come along to school for dinner and drinks!

2nd September - OP Golf 3rd September - Old Peterite Day AGM 3rd September - OP Day Dinner, 7.30pm

New events for 2022

October

OP Business Breakfasts

21st October - London OP Event 29th October - The OP Collection

November

11th November - Newcastle Dinner

December

5th December - Advent Service 16th December - Old Peterite Christmas Lunch *back by popular demand! * Nine Lessons and Carols, York Minster Followed by mulled wine, Eagle and Child

2nd May

*We are looking for OP Businesses for our exciting new events!* We’d love to hear from you if you’d be happy to host a Business Breakfast - we want to help connect OPs in business with one another and visit your place of work! If you’d be happy to host (all locations considered!) we take care of all the organisation and finer details of these events. We are looking to share and celebrate all the wonderful businesses worked in and run by our OPs! Contact Philippa Dunford-Jeffs, for a conversation and to find out more.

The OP Collection

In a brand-new event for 2022 on Saturday 29th October Sarah Thomas, Old Peterite (2003) and founder of Clockface Beauty is hosting an exclusive OP event at St Peter’s that will include a fashion showcase of clothing and accessories, modelled by real-women, and will bring together a variety of OP run businesses for an afternoon of fashion, wellbeing, and fun. If you would like to be involved, or to pre-register for this event, we’d love to hear from you.

Please email alumni@stpetersyork.org.uk to find out more.

We always welcome enquiries for all types of reunions, Houses, sports, or for Clubs and activities. We’d be delighted to hear from you and are always happy to help alumni@stpetersyork.org.uk Keys for Life - 13 -

CELEBRATIONS

Births, Marriages and

Celebrations Philip Fawcett (The Rise 1961)

Michael, Megan and baby Harry

Andy, Cerise and baby Theo

Congratulations to Michael and Megan Miller who were delighted to welcome Harry Stephen Miller into the world on 30th May 2021. They are pictured here with Maggie the dog.

Congratulations to Old Peterite Andy Miller and his fiancé Cerise who welcomed baby Theo on 5 October 2021.

and his wife Jill celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary last year. They now have greatgrandchildren - twin girls living in Spain with their mother - their granddaughter and her Spanish husband. Philip retired as a solicitor 10 years ago and has been living in the same village Foxton, near Cambridge for almost 50 years. During his retirement Philip has attended the U3A at Cambridge and enjoyed reading Latin and Greek authors, building on the foundation in Classics he received at school from Mr Burgess and Mr Wiseman. He is hoping to be able to visit the School again soon.

Andy and Michael are twins and have had their sons 4 months apart! Hopefully one day Harry and Theo will be competing for the OP Golf Day Trophy!

Paul Burn (Queens) and his wife Mary celebrated

their Diamond wedding anniversary on 16th September 2021.

Paul and Mary have moved several times over the years, living in Birmingham, Bolton, Lancashire, Falmouth, Albaston, Exford, Dunsford and Exeter and finally Crowthorne Berkshire!

Paul would be pleased to hear from anyone from 1951 to 1956 looking to reconnect.

Professor Roderick MacLeod (The Rise 1970) was awarded the Royal Australasian

College of Physicians, College Medal - hominum servire saluti in 2021 for his outstanding contribution and leadership over many years in Palliative Medicine in Australasia, the Asia-Pacific Community and Internationally. Rod is a founding Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine (AChPM), has helped develop the Asia Pacific Hospice Network, and was appointed Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Professor in Palliative Care in 2003. He was involved in the development of the palliative medicine curriculum during his time on the AChPM Education Committee and provided his expertise to the College’s Supervisor Professional Development program.

During Rod’s career, he has been internationally recognised for his work in medical education, highlighting the importance of holistic end of life care. Rod’s Palliative Care Handbook remains a popular resource for clinicians and is now in its ninth edition.

His international collaborations led to the Textbook of Palliative Care that he co-edited in 2019. In recognition of his contribution to palliative care in Aotearoa New Zealand, Rod was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015.

Georgina Edwards (2019) Congratulations to Georgina who was awarded Undergraduate Female Engineer of the Year 2021 in May 2021.

Georgina is currently studying Product Design Engineering at Loughborough University. She is part of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) at Loughborough, who hold annual awards to celebrate female Engineers at the University and can demonstrate potential to become future leaders in the sector.

Georgina had to apply to be considered for the awards, and along with a written supporting case and CV, had to create a short video to showcase ‘Engineering at Home’. The video features Georgina demonstrating how to build a spaghetti and marshmallow tower, aimed at young children to introduce them to engineering principals and help inspire the engineers of the future!

Celebration of life for Guy Shuttleworth

On October 9th the Headmaster, Jeremy Walker, gave a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the life of Guy Shuttleworth, held in the School Chapel. The Service started with a recording of Nat King Cole singing ‘Unforgettable’. Harry Gration, President of the OP Club, Andrew Beadnall and Kevin McCarter spoke and there was music from the choir, including some of the choristers from York Minster. Afterwards ‘Tea’ was held in the Memorial Hall.

“He was a very special person. I thank God every day for giving me Guy. I know how blessed I have been to share sixty-five years with him. We both loved our life at St Peter’s.” Tanya Shuttleworth Tanya would like to thank all the Staff, Parents and Old Peterites who attended the Service, and for sharing their memories and their love for Guy.

Keys for Life - 14 -

IN MEMORIAM

In Memoriam Richard P Morris Richard Hobson Timothy J Casling Malcolm J McCallum Malcolm Willstrop Christian Lennox Peter D Perks David G Barton John O Armstrong John Murree E Walton David Kirby William J Bottomley George A W Heppell Richard M Davey Noel M Ward David A MacPherson Andrew Carr Simon Robinson David G M Young John Burdon David G Jesper Michael Collins Charles S McGregor Jeremy N T Howat Ian D Heddle Christoher J Vyle William G Huntley Colin Frank

1951 - 2021 1927 - 2021 1961 - 2021 1936 - 2021 1937 - 2021 1997 - 2021 1957 - 2021 1937 - 2021 1941 - 2021 1933 - 2021 1939 - 2021 1942 - 2021 1922 - 2021 1937 - 2021 1930 - 2021 1936 - 2021 1950 - 2021 1954 - 2021 1941 - 2021 1942 - 2022 1936 - 2021 1939 - 2022 1957 - 2022 1935 - 2022 1957 - 2022 1937 - 2022 1926 - 2022 1930 - 2022

(Dronfield 1968) (The Manor 1945) (The Grove 1979) (School House 1954) (School House 1955 and Former Staff) (Hope 2016) (Dronfield 1973) (Queen’s 1956) (The Manor 1960) (The Manor 1954) (The Grove 1958 and Former Staff) (The Grove 1961) (Temple 1938) (The Manor 1952) (Temple 1949) (School House 1956) (Temple 1963) (The Grove 1972) (The Grove 1959) (The Rise 1960) (Temple 1953) (School House 1956) (Dronfield 1976) (School House 1954) (Queen’s 1975) (Temple 1955) (The Rise 1943) (The Manor 1949)

Any obituaries submitted to us are always available in full on our website: www.stpetersyork.org.uk/obituaries

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IN MEMORY

In Memory of

David Kirby (1939-2021) David’s funeral was held at St Peter’s School on Friday 12th November 2021. Paddy Stephen included the following in his eulogy: “How is it possible to do this man real justice – in cricketing terms his record speaks for itself, 5 years in the 1st XI, 2 years as Captain where he was unbeaten in school matches, Captain of the Public Schools Team and at Cambridge University, where he captained both Tony Lewis and Mike Brierley, Captain of Leicestershire County Cricket Club and later in the 1960s York Cricket Club. Master of Cricket St Peter’s 1st XI until he retired in 2012, after sixty years’ service to the school. Housemaster of Queen’s and The Rise, Head of German, President and Treasurer of the OP Club.

“A marvellous and incredibly loyal friend to so many of us - I will miss our chats on Friday nights more than I can possibly say. However, I shall always remember David as a family man, so at the end, even as he received that final unplayable delivery on the 7th Oct, it comes as no surprise that he was talking about his family, with such great affection, as he had to leave the crease that one final time.”

It’s quite difficult to be objective about the man I only ever knew as Dad … well, apart from the “Sir” and “Kirby” interaction that was part of my school life for several years way back when…

Dad was a pupil at St Peter’s between 1952 and 1958, before joining the staff in 1963 all the way through to his retirement from teaching in 2001. He was also masterin-charge of 1st XI cricket from 1969 to 2012, so his association with the school spanned seven decades; but it’s still impossible to imagine just how many people he would have encountered as a pupil, team mate, member of staff, colleague and friend during that time.

His passing on 7 October last year came as a shock to so many people, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to write a few words in his memory.

I don’t think there was ever any doubt that Dad was a strong disciplinarian – he did his job just the way he played many of his cricket strokes … with the straightest of bats. However, beneath the stern exterior was an unswervingly fair (he never once helped me with my homework!), kind, and generous man. He demanded that those in his care gave their best and in return he would support, encourage and nurture them to reach their potential whether that was in the classroom, as a Housemaster, or on the sports field.

Dad had actually been Housemaster of both Queen’s and The Rise – and he was always first to recognise the unwavering support he

received from Mum during their time in The Rise. Since leaving there in the mid-80s, Mum and Dad lived in two houses, each no more than a few minutes’ walk from the School – the attachment was simply too great.

I know that having the chance to continue running the cricket after his teaching career had ended meant so much to Dad. Shortly after he died, I spent a few minutes by the pavilion quietly contemplating just how many times he’d walked past the old steps, how many great knocks or bowling performances he’d seen … and how many times he’d shake his head ruefully when I went out to bat, telling Mum I’d see her in a minute!

Away from the cricket field, Dad was a devoted husband to my Mum, Anna, a wonderful father to Sue and I as well as a doting grandfather.

He had a wicked, dry sense of humour, and an amazing ability to recall cricket games and scores from his spell at Leicestershire and throughout his time at St Peter’s. He also used to ring me without fail every time there was a cricket question on “Pointless” – I still expect to get that call even now.

Those who knew him well will have their own memories and the sheer number of cards, calls and messages we received, as well as the remarkable gathering for his funeral suggests that he made a genuine difference to so many lives … and that is something very special.

The flying at half-mast of the flag next to the pavilion was a lovely gesture and seeing so many former players holding bats aloft to form a guard of honour for his coffin at the funeral was an incredibly emotional but beautiful moment that we will always treasure.

Dad gave so much to St Peter’s and when the time came to say farewell, the School gave him so much in return. I miss him so much, but I’m so very grateful to everyone who was part of his life.

Richard Kirby (1982)

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MALCOLM WILLSTROP

In Memory of

Malcolm Willstrop (1937-2021) On Monday 3rd May 2021 the squash world mourned the loss of probably one of its greatest coaches, Malcolm Willstrop.

lay the foundations for a squash playing career and so began the Malcolm Willstrop way. I am proud and honoured that I was by his admission the first international squash player he worked with.

Malcolm had a huge impact on the lives and careers of an incredible number of squash players, including both his son, James, and also Lee Beachill, both of whom he coached to World Number 1. Other squash players came to him and as a result of his coaching won more than 60 National titles between them, but of far more importance to him, were the younger players and most notably his 4 and 5 year olds who he worked with regularly, early on Sunday mornings, rewarding good behaviour and effort with an apple or an orange.

Malcolm was contacted by Abbeydale Squash Club in Sheffield (one of the premier clubs in the country) that was to change his life. There was an opening for a professional squash coach and so, he moved to Sheffield and not long after I joined him there. The first training group was formed and there were among others a young David Pearson who went on to play for England and became a very successful England National Coach.

Malcolm’s stock was rising, as his teaching career was now left behind in favour of his coaching.

I was lucky and privileged to meet Malcolm at St Peter’s where he was my English teacher.

He spotted me kicking a rugby ball to Peter Hall in our lunch break on the practice pitch and invited both of us to join his rugby squad and to attend his squash training sessions.

Through Malcolm’s extraordinary teaching, I never looked back and was hooked – he seemed to have that effect on many people he introduced to the sport.

Malcolm had only been in Sheffield for around 18 months when the Walton Hall Country Club came calling. Another training group was formed, this time with not only nationally ranked English players but one or two Australians finding their way to Wakefield as well – word was spreading.

Malcolm went to university and made the squash teams there outstandingly successful.

Towards the end of my time at St Peter’s, I received a letter from him re-establishing contact and inviting me to visit Gresham’s, where he was now teaching. He had been following my progress through junior squash and offered to help if I wanted to play more seriously in the senior game.

Malcolm was becoming ever more committed to coaching, so we spent a whole week together at Gresham’s, trying to develop training methods that would help

and efficient movement, but all based on certain standards of expected behaviour. It was required that all who came to Malcolm, aspired to that standard. The reward was that all his pupils seemed to hit the ball beautifully, quite how he successfully achieved this has always been a mystery. For Malcolm, it was always the holistic approach, the person and whether they were nice and how he could improve them in every sense.

Malcolm’s loss has hit all in the squash world particularly hard. It is a gaping hole to fill particularly at Pontefract. For me he was my English teacher initially, my squash coach (sports – rugby and cricket also), my mentor, and my lifelong friend. He was so influential in everything I did. I owe him a huge debt for the foundations he laid for me in not only my sport but also my life as well. The things I have achieved would not have been possible without the start and ongoing maintenance he gave me.

Thank you Malcolm – rest in peace.

Ian Robinson (Temple 1971)

The next move was the big one for Malcolm to Pontefract Squash Club. This was the final move for him as Malcolm spent the next 30 years at the club spanning the most successful coaching years of his life. Malcolm once said to me that he would be happiest to leave ‘his beloved squash club feet first’ and as it turned out he did.

Malcolm was the Number 1 coach in world squash for a long time, some say more than 60 years, but it certainly spanned the duration of his 3 clubs, probably longer.

There always seemed to be a constant stream of talent endowed with the Willstrop way, beautiful ball striking, freedom of expression in how the game should be played, easy

James and Malcolm with Ian and Logan Willstrop (James’ son) outside Betty’s tea rooms in York on the occasion of the York Squash Club’s 50th anniversary

Squash at St Peter’s We have just close to 70 pupils playing Squash regularly each week during daily mixed sessions. We offer Squash every day, with six sessions a week.

Squash continues to grow each school year and with the support of York Squash Club and the Railway Institute we have first class courts to train and play on.

The sessions are all mixed and we have all years and standards playing together.

The strong players are encouraged to join York Squash Club, to play more competitive Squash, mini-leagues and tournament Squash to continue their development.

During our last complete competitive season our record was Played 25, Won 21, Lost 4. The First Team were runners up in their division of the York and District Squash league and gained promotion. We also came third place in the North Area of the National School Finals.

A very competitive House squash tournament is played once a year. The Manor were crowned champions this year.

We hold yearly Squash Championships, for the newly named

Keys for Life Malcolm Willstrop Memorial Trophy.

- 17 -

TITLE

Keys for Life

Clive Kelday Smith OBE, Order of the Two Niles, MA (Cantab) (School House 1953) 1934 - 2021 With spectacular results, coming top of overall entrants that year and with exceptional Latin results Clive was awarded a scholarship to board at St Peter’s in 1948.

Clive’s nephew Martyn writes that Clive attributed St Peter’s with giving him direction, purpose, focus, selfesteem, and strong independence. He received excellent A Level results and following his period of National Service in Kenya, went on to read Classics at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

In 1959 Clive joined the Overseas Civil Service and returned to Kenya for another five years, before a year as Aide de Camp and Secretary to the Governor of Mauritius. This was followed by a new job in the British Council and the first of two tours to Libya from 1967 to 1970, completing them as Director. Clive was in Lebanon for six years until 1978, and the following year was awarded his OBE at the age of 44, for services in the British Council.

In 1984 after a four-year term in Sudan as a Director, Clive was awarded The Order of the Two Niles by the President of Sudan. An honour for which he had to ask permission from The Palace that he could accept, as it is one of the few honours that the Queen does not have and needed their approval, which he received.

His last posting was to Saudi Arabia until 1992, and Clive retired from the British Council in 1993 after 28 years. In addition to his gift to St Peter’s Clive has left a rich legacy of publications, writings and papers on subjects ranging from the Yemen and Kenya to Saudi Arabia and Ottoman campaigns and of course his two honours, the Order of the Two Niles and his OBE. With thanks to Clive’s nephew Martyn Roan

St Peter’s is built upon long-standing traditions of community and generosity.

In the last year alone, the School has been the beneficiary of several legacy donations of varying sizes, which have totalled over £350,000 in support of our Bursary Fund.

Together these gifts will have a significant impact on the bursary awards that can be made in the coming years.

As the School looks towards our 1400 Anniversary, which will take place in 2026-2027, we are considering ways in which we can ensure that more pupils can access the opportunities that come with a St Peter’s education. We are so thankful to all the Old Peterites and their families who have remembered St Peter’s in their will.

Nigel Thornton (The Grove 1961) 1942-2020 Nigel joined St Peter’s in 1956 and represented his House The Grove in several sports including rugby and fencing during his time at School. Following his A Levels he studied at the Leeds School of Architecture. Nigel recounted he had done his minor thesis on Bolton Abbey and was able to use his connections to York Minster, including recalling records in Latin because of his studies at School.

Nigel worked as an Architect and remained in regular contact with the school often sharing stories and memories from his time here, including sharing a birthday with former Head Master John Dronfield. Nigel had great pride in the School and was a Patron and founding Donor to the 627 Society, supporting bursaries and the Boathouse appeal in his lifetime.

Nigel’s passions included classic cars and he was also a long-term supporter of the RNLI.

It is wonderful that all the donors who have supported the school have shared the same vision, the hope that their legacy will help transform the lives of the pupils who otherwise would be unable to attend the School.

A DONATION

A Donation to Make A Difference

Guided by the wishes of their parents, one family were able to make a significant donation to the school that will help ensure that local pupils from York can access Sixth Form education.

“Our Parents were always delighted that we were offered places at the School, after St Peter’s was recommended to our parents by friends, who had a son in The Rise. We joined St Peter’s from a large comprehensive college (Desford in Leicestershire) in 1974 in to the Fourth Form. We were boarders in Dronfield, under the charge of the inestimable Keith & Margaret Coulthard.

Our Parents were very grateful for the role the School played in our development as young people.

Specifically for: The teaching team in its entirety Progressive leadership (Peter Gardner and Jack Cummins) The School (and its boarding) ethos Its sporting (David Hutt) and extracurricular activities The guidance/discipline of the Coulthard’s

It went without saying, but we also knew from our parents’ ‘wishes’, that they would have liked to have helped provide youngsters of the future with the same opportunity that we had.

Our parents would have been proud to be part of the School’s ‘Help with Fees’ programme, especially its proactivity in terms of pupil selection and their development once they were a Peterite.

In short, our parents would have wanted to make a legacy that might help ensure the School’s continued legacy of bringing educational achievement and development of life skills to young people from diverse backgrounds.”

This generous anonymous donation made in 2021 will help fund a total of five means-tested bursaries that will be awarded over the next ten years. These bursaries will be for day pupils and will cover their full tuition across Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth, allowing these pupils to undertake their A Level studies at St Peter’s. We are delighted that the first pupil will be joining the School in September 2022.

Leaving a gift to St Peter’s in this way allows for you to plan your donation. Any gift in your Will is tax efficient. Such gifts are deducted from your estate before inheritance tax is calculated and can reduce the liability to your beneficiaries.

For those who hold St Peter’s School in their affections, remembering us in your Will is one of the most personal and significant ways in which you can help give the Keys for Life to future generations.

If you would like a copy of our legacy information pack or to discuss leaving a gift in your Will please contact Philippa Dunford-Jeffs, Development and Alumni Manager 01904 527363 p.dunfordjeffs@stpetersyork.org.uk Keys for Life - 19 -

OLD PETERITE CLUB

The Old Peterite Club All Old Peterites are members of the ‘Old Peterite Club’.

The Club is run by a committee which consists of Old Peterites, the Head Master and the School’s Development & Alumni Manager, who acts as the Secretary to the Club.

The Club holds three meetings a year, and it works with the School to support and advise on the annual programme of OP events and activities. Committee members also volunteer at events such as OP Day.

Meet the Committee

Harry Gration Old Peterite President 20202022 (1969)

Ellie Binks (2011)

Anthony Dixon (1981)

Graham Todd (1964)

Peter Emsley (1964)

President of the Old Peterite Club Harry Gration (1969)

Victoria Bradley-Inness (1990)

Mark Hepworth (1971)

Susanna Dale-Simmonds (2000)

It is wonderful that we’ve started to make some inroads into a return to normality and the start to 2021 at School, the return of our annual OP Day really showed that. It was great to see people back at the School and to be able to give the Class of 2020 and 2021 a proper welcome to the Old Peterite Community, with the addition of the Celebration Dinner in the evening in September 2021.

Robert Hudson (1974)

It makes such a difference to have events filling the diary and to see so many Old Peterites in person again. We had a great time in London at the drinks and it’s lovely to finally be planning even more events for 2022 and beyond!

Especially after an unexpectedly quiet start to my time as OP President!

Our regular Committee meetings have been filled with great discussions, as we are keen to make sure that we do all we can to bring together the Old Peterite Community. Please get in touch if you’ve got ideas you want to share or things you want to see!

I want to commend the School on how well they have handled the challenges over the last couple of years- and still come away with wonderful achievements such as The TES awards- as Old Peterites and the parent of Old Peterites – I am very proud.

Bill Hudson (1964)

Peter Netherwood Linden Richardson (1957) (1964)

The Committee would like to publicly express its thanks to Committee Members Mike Jobling (1966) and Anthony Robinson (1973) for the time and commitment they have shown the OP Club Committee over the years. They are both stepping down from their roles, after both having made significant contributions to the Club. Both Mike and Anthony will continue to support the School and Club, Mike will continue to organise events in Newcastle and Anthony is continuing his role as a volunteer supporting the Archive Department.

I look forward to meeting you at an OP event in the near future, ‘Once a Peterite, always a Peterite’.

Harry Gration Old Peterite President 2020-2022

Comments and suggestions from the OP Community are always welcome. You can contact any member of the Committee by contacting the OP Club Secretary, Philippa Dunford-Jeffs who will forward your enquiry: p.dunfordjeffs@stpetersyork.org.uk Keys for Life - 20 -

OP CLUB COMMITTEE

OP Club Committee

Ellie Binks I went along with an OP friend that I am very much still in touch with and we both had a great time meeting OPs who had left the school a few years before us, or in some cases, decades before us and reconnecting with people that we hadn’t seen since Sixth Form. The energy in the room was great and although this will sound very schmaltzy there is something special about shared connections and memories. Of course, it is always interesting to find out what people are up to now– sometimes it is exactly what you would have imagined someone would grow up to be when you were queuing up for lunch in the Monkey Cage ten or so years ago or on a coach journey enroute to a regatta somewhere, others are completely different. Either way though, reconnecting and catching up is lovely.

It is now just over a year since I first got involved in the OP Committee and the time has flown by. In the ten years since I left the school (again that has gone quickly too - not sure how a decade has come and gone so swiftly!) I’ve been back a few times; for a careers event, an OP vs current Peterite debate and the Rise Centenary celebration in 2018. Just a guess, but I imagine most people average a similar number of visits in the decade since they left, but probably through OP days.

I’ve always enjoyed reading the Cross-Keys magazine (even more so now it’s available online so I’m not just reading it when I visit my parents because I haven’t kept my address information up to date...) but other than that I hadn’t been involved in the OP Club.

Flash forward to deepest darkest Tier 4 Lockdown in London in the December of 2020, and the suggestion that I might want to get involved more formally than the odd event came when I had time to properly consider it.

Ironically, I haven’t been back to St Peter’s since joining the OP Committee as the group has entirely embraced hybrid meetings. This is great for me – I live and work in London and my journeys up to Yorkshire tend to be focused on family events, hen dos and weddings.

One of the first OP Club events I joined as a Committee member was the online gin tasting with York Gin. It was a great evening and I really enjoyed the fact that it was a total mix of year groups who joined the event (and of course the excellent quantity of gin provided). The ‘In Conversation with...’ series is a great idea – the OP Club has run these events for a while, but the virtual one held with the women who made up the first intake of girls was the first one I joined.

Whether you’ve been back to St Peter’s ten times or never since you left, and no matter where in the world you’re based, I’d really recommend staying in touch. Fellow Committee members and I are actively trying to make the Committee as diverse and representative of the OP Club as possible and we’re keen to develop the events offered throughout the year. If I am totally honest, I don’t think 18 year old me left the school thinking that the OP Club was for me (or at least that it wouldn’t be for quite a few years), but things are changing and I hope that as the next generations of OPs walk out of the big doors of the Minster at the end of Commem, they start to feel that there is something in the OP Club for them. Being involved in the OP Club doesn’t have to mean being on the Committee (although if you want to, there will be opportunities later this year), it can just be coming along to some of our events (in person or virtual - we’re planning on keeping both and making them as easy to attend as possible). We’re always keen to hear your suggestions for events and things you would like to see in Cross-Keys, so do let us know your thoughts.

Ellie Binks (Rise, 2011)

I’m really enjoying being part of the Committee and shaping OP Club plans for the next couple of years – the school has some exciting anniversaries coming up and it’ll be great to be part of the celebrations in some way. As much as I’ve enjoyed the virtual events, and I’m so grateful to have been welcomed by the long-standing Committee so warmly, the thing that has really shown me the value in being part of the OP Club was the first in person OP event I attended.

This was the London OP Drinks held last October in Marylebone.

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OUR OLDEST OLD PETERITE

One Hundred Years

Memories from our oldest Old Peterite!

We are privileged to be celebrating our oldest OP John Sleight (School House 1940) in this edition of the Cross Keys as he celebrates his 100th Birthday on 25th April! Happy Birthday John!

Like many a batsman’s time at the crease, there are usually escapes on the way to compiling a century.

At the age of 9, the story could have withered under the surgeon’s knife, where a very advanced stage of peritonitis threatened his life. A considerable length of bowel had to be removed which had consequences down the line.

Attending Wakefield Grammar School, his parents made the decision for him to continue his education at St Peter’s in 1935.

He was a scholar in School House attaining rugby and cricket colours and enjoyed hockey and boxing.

Leaving St Peter’s in 1939 with war clouds looming, John volunteered for the RAF hoping to enlist as a flyer. Unfortunately, he failed the medical because of his boyhood trauma, but was selected to be part of radar, which was to play an important role in the defeat of Nazi Germany.

He entered active service in 1942 during the invasion of North Africa as part of the mobile radar detection unit. A new detection system called “The Light Warning Set” recently invented by Scottish pioneer Watson-Watt was employed.

After suffering extensive burns to the neck and arms, he returned to England and served out the rest of the war on radar stations.

Post-war John began a long career in journalism and television. It all started in sleepy Falmouth in Cornwall, where he broke the story of the sinking of the “Flying Enterprise” an American freighter carrying a mysterious cargo.

This quickly became an international story on both sides of the Atlantic. The nature of the cargo only came to light many years later, after the captain revealed there were components for the first American nuclear submarine carried inside the ‘Flying Enterprise’.

Returning to the North East of England in the fifties, he joined the local paper “The Evening Chronicle” which usually published eight editions every day!

The switch to television occurred in the early sixties, when he was head hunted by the relatively new “Tyne Tees Television Channel”.

For many years he was Political Editor and Senior Producer, and a member of the Parliamentary press corps. During this time, he gained an extensive insight into the workings of Parliament, rubbing shoulders with ministers and at one party conference he enjoyed dinning with Margaret Thatcher.

He was integral in creating a new programme called “Challenge” which invited politicians, celebrity stars and leading sports people to be interviewed in front of a studio audience. This proved to be very successful, and one highlight was were Jack Charlton revealing his “Black Book” of footballers with whom he intended to settle scores.

Another coup for the programme was Group Captain Peter Townsend, who had recently split up from his relationship with Princess Margaret.

Retiring in the 1980s didn’t diminish John’s work ethic, attaining a certificate in local history at Newcastle University.

Keys for Life - 22 -

Five books quickly flowed from his journalistic pen; “One Way Ticket to Epsom” investigates the heroine of the Suffragette movement; Emily Davison, the most militant suffragette to give up her life to the cause. “Women on the March” features the biographies of North East women MPs from 1920 – 1970. The RAF connection with aviation is documented by the history of Newcastle Airport and “70 Years of Flying 1925 – 1995” with reference to Newcastle Aero Club which was the oldest aero club in continuous existence in England, now sadly defunct.

Well grounded in his formative years at St Peter’s, he attained a golf handicap of 11 and is a member of the “City of Newcastle Golf Club”, past captain and long-serving member of the senior team. Enjoying their centenary in 1991, he wrote the club history.

He has fond memories of his time at St Peter’s and in particular his classics master F H Barnby. As fate would have it, their paths crossed again after the war. While honeymooning at St Mawes in Cornwall, the newly-weds were able to rekindle their relationship with Mr Barnby who had retired to the area. This led to a long-rewarding relationship.

Although he had to leave the family house in 2021, he still enjoys sport, days to the coast and meals out and is looking forward to his centenary birthday in April.

OUR OLDEST OLD PETERITE

Memories: St Peter’s School Flyer Only two public schools were chosen to be named on the newly built Gresley V2 locomotive. One was St Peter’s, the other Durham School. The St Peter’s nameplate reads ‘St Peter’s School, York A.D.627’. The year of commission was 1939 as war clouds gathered over Great Britain. No-one then knew how the latest Gresley locomotive was destined to play an outstanding part in the forthcoming World War. Although not as famous as the ‘Flying Scotsman’, the St Peter’s engine was held in huge esteem by the rail industry calling it the ‘Prairie’ express: “the loco that helped to win the war”. It earned that reputation by pulling long troops trains and mixed traffic cargo at the highest speed on wartime tracks. Records show it once pulled 24 carriages with a weight of 30 tons each!

I remember the day – April 3rd 1939 when the whole school and others were jampacked into historic York station to witness the official naming of the engine by J.T. Brochbank, Head Boy. There was a hush as the latest ‘Gresley’ shining in green livery, slowly steamed in on the platform before us. Its official title was ‘Gresley V2, 2-6-2 (Prairie) Express Mixed Traffic Steam Locomotive’.

A sad day in 1969, LNER withdrew the V2 from service. If any steam titan deserves a commemoration, it will be this one.

By John Sleight, with thanks to Chis and Robin Irving Sleight

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OLD PETERITE NEWS

Old Peterite News We are delighted to share Old Peterite news, stories and information with the Old Peterite Community….

Old Peterite attends 75th Commemoration Old Peterite, Richard Harding (1966) made his 75th Commemoration even more special by presenting two kneelers to Rev Daniel Jones, for the Chapel at St Peter’s.

The kneelers feature the Cross Keys and were designed to commemorate his 75th consecutive year of attendance at St Peter’s School’s annual commemoration.

Richard is a former Governor, was President of the Old Peterite Club from 2012-2014 and Secretary of the OP Club from 1980 – 1991. Richard is also a regular donor to the 627 Society, which supports bursaries at St Peter’s School. Son of Robert Harding (former Member of staff and Houseparent of The Grove), Richard enjoys sharing that he attended his first Commemoration in his pram, aged 6 months!

Richard was confirmed in the Chapel in March 1961 by the Archbishop of York, Dr Michael Ramsey, and his two eldest daughters were christened in the Chapel.

Richard produced and updated the chronology of St Peter’s in 1982, which is an amazing resource for all and contains a huge variety of facts and useful information about the School and the Old Peterite Club.

We are delighted that Richard was able to attend his 75th Commemoration in the Chapel and look forward to celebrating his 76th year, which we hope will be back in York Minster next year. A special thanks to Richard for his ongoing support of St Peter’s and for these commemorative kneelers, which will be cherished by the School.

Old Peterite is Master of the Merchant Taylors Anthony Dixon (1981) was made Master of the Merchant Taylors in June 2021. He joins Old Peterite Alastair Barron (1976) as Governor of the Merchant Adventurers in the same year, both of whom were members of Queen’s House in their time at St Peter’s School.

The Company of Merchant Taylors is one of seven guilds in York whose origins date back to the 13th Century. Pictured: Alastair (left) and Anthony (right) wearing badges of office at Merchant Taylors Charter Day in the Hall at Merchant Taylors.

Phoebe Hall shortlisted to BBC Introducing Live Lounge Competition Old Peterite Phoebe (2018) was shortlisted from over 10,000 entries to the BBC Introducing Live Lounge Competition in 2021 and she was picked to represent North Yorkshire as one of the top 72 artists.

Having spent the previous year in and out of lockdown at the University of Edinburgh, where she is studying Philosophy and Theology, Phoebe had been working on writing music with a friend and one song in particular “Just the same”. She was encouraged by her sister to enter the BBC Introducing competition with this song. You can listen to her BBC Music Introducing York interview and her single on BBC Sounds.

Sandhurst Success for Old Peterite Ed Roebuck (2021) Old Peterite Ed Roebuck (2021) passed off the Commissioning Course Short 213 at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on Saturday 20 November. Ed was named the best Officer Cadet on the Army Internship Scheme and marched out to receive his Cane. He is now joining 3 Rifles in Edinburgh for a year as Platoon Commander before starting University where he hopes to study History.

Old Peterite Siblings Open New Business in York

Toby Simpson (2014) cycles to raise thousands for charity Old Peterite Toby committed himself to a cycle challenge in summer 2021 and raised thousands for cancer and mental health charities.

Initially Toby had planned to cycle the White Rose of Yorkshire to the Black Sea and Asia, a total of 4,400 kilometers. Toby had to reorganise his route due to the pandemic but was happy that visiting National Parks around the UK, would offer numerous additional benefits including; friends and family being able to join him for various legs of the journey and utilising friends and family for occasional sleepovers.

Toby started his journey on the 1st June and had a 40-day window to compete his challenge, with the aim of cycling through York on 9th July to coincide with his sister (and former Head Girl) Hope’s final day at St Peter’s.

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Founded in 2021 by OPs Tom (2014), Georgia (2015) and Olivia (2017) Calvert, Avorium is the newest addition to York’s vibrant retail scene. Avorium sells luxury desk accessories that match, allowing you to design your dream workspace! From mugs and plant pots to notebooks and pens, Avorium is the perfect one stop shop for all your desk requirements!

A key commitment of Avorium is sustainability, so together Tom, Georgia and Olivia have taken every step to ensure it is as environmentally sustainable as possible and have even participated in three tree planting projects on three continents!

The products are designed to the highest specification and are made to last as well as look great. With the highest quality paper and vegan leather, their aim is the stationery will be a delight to use and durable. Made in eight gorgeous pastel colours, you can mix and match or buy a full set for a unified look. Avorium can personalise your desk accessories, so they also make the perfect gifts!

You can visit Avorium on Colliergate in York or visit their website at Avorium.co.uk. They have some colourful and stylish accounts on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, so why not give them a follow!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW

Where are they now?

Richard Kirby - (The Grove 1982) - 40 years I live in Middlesbrough with my wife Elaine and have worked in the NHS for the past 20 years. I have two daughters aged 36 and 32 - but sadly no grandchildren yet - and two grown-up stepsons.

When I turned 50, I began a series of over 100 “challenges” to raise mental

Olly Gardner (1992) 30 years So Olly, what have you been up since you left St Peter’s in 1992?

It’s amazing to think that 30 years has passed since I was at school. For those who knew me well at school, it will come as no surprise that post school, I’ve continued to play lots of sport and I still turn my arm over in the Old Peterite annual cricket match against the school 1st XI. Other than sport, I got married to my childhood sweetheart (not an OP), who I met when I was in the fourth year and we have 1 son, Charles, who is now in the Lower Sixth at St Peter’s. Just like me, he has had the great fortune to have been taught and guided by the great Paddy Stephen.

Work wise, post university I had a short stint as a lawyer for a firm in West Yorkshire before a complete career change when I joined the Army. The Army was a perfect fit for me, where I served a very happy 17 years.

Post Army I have had 3 senior management roles and I am currently the Chief Operating Officer for a company, who develop and manufacture lateral flow tests, including the UK’s antibody lateral flow test.

Tell me more about the Army: what did you do and why did you leave?

To be honest I joined the Army on a bit of a whim; I wasn’t enjoying my current legal case that I felt was compromising my morals, so I just enquired about the Army.

Before I knew it, I had resigned from my law firm and I was entering the gates of the Royal Military Academy

We have contacted a number of Old Peterites to ask them to share where they are now. Here is what they told us!

health awareness and, should it ever be updated, my CV would now include being a published author (“Today Just Like Yesterday” being published in 2018), as well as stand-up comedian, recording artist and long-distance indoor rower, although I do need to stress that enthusiasm is never a substitute for ability.

I have maintained a connection with St Peter’s and a number of Old Peterites through my love of cricket (which I continued to play up until 2004) and will hopefully have the chance to return to the School and stroll round the boundary again this summer.

Sandhurst. On commissioning I joined the Royal Signals, where I took an ‘unconventional’ path serving with the Paras, the Gurkhas and finished off doing intelligence work, which I could tell you more about, but I’d have to kill you! And of course I played lots and lots of sport for the Army, including tennis at Wimbledon, squash in the Amsterdam squash open, rugby against Fuji and elephant polo in Nepal.

Richard Sharp (School House 1978) I attended St Peter’s in School House from 1974 to 1978, following in the footsteps of my father and grandfather (both also called Richard Sharp).

I spent most of my career working in the field of corporate events, primarily focussing on creative approaches to conferences and meetings for many blue-chip clients both throughout the UK and internationally.

I subsequently established a property business which I’ve run for the last fifteen years or so.

Aside of work, I’ve always been a bit of a writer and am delighted to have just published my first book - This Must Be The Place which is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09TF3ZB15 I live in the Lake District and am now semiretired, dividing my time between work, skiing, motorcycling, and writing.

Why did I leave? If I’m honest, the thrill of being shot at was outweighed by the implications of dying! Perhaps that’s a little dramatic, but I’d reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and the thought of going on operations (which had always been the pinnacle of my ambitions) started to fill me with dread, both being away from home and also that my son may end up without a dad. I guess when you feel like that, it’s time to get a proper job.

What does the future hold for Olly Gardner?

Hhhmm. Good question, not sure, but it will certainly involve retirement (hopefully sooner rather than later) and of course sport. I am currently coaching the Colts rugby team at York rugby club and I think as I am less and less able to actually play the sport I love, I’ll coach it.

You are organising the Class of ’92 OP 30 year reunion, aren’t you?

Hahaha well … it certainly looks that way.

Caroline Murphy called me a few months ago to ask if I would help her organise it, but I think what she actually meant to say was will you organise it and I will organise you!! (only joking Murph!)

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Yes we have a reunion planned for 1 October this year and will include a meal in the school dining room and then a disco in the Memorial Hall. School have been great and are pulling the event together and I just can’t wait to catch up with everyone, 30 years on. There are quite a few OPs, busy trawling Facebook, Instagram and the internet, trying to get back in touch with OPs from our year to inform them of the event. If you are reading this and you are in touch with any OPs from our year, please will you tell them about the function: the theme is ‘Class of ’92: 30 years on from the prom’ and more details will follow soon.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with me at Oliver.Gardner@FusionGroupConsulting.co.uk

OP SPORTS REPORTS

Old Peterite

Sports Reports OP Squash

Old Peterite Cricket Club

If anyone is interested in playing in the OP Squash match in September 2022, or joining for OP squash at another point in the year, it would be great to gauge the interest from the OP Community and we’d love to hear from you. Please email alumni@stpetersyork.org.uk and it would be great to get an email group going.

Another strange year all round with cricket very We now have our own kit, nearly 70 members on much strangled with Covid, but it was another very our WhatsApp group and new players joining all successful building year for OP Cricket. the time. I’m delighted that Charlie Elliot (2014) has become co-captain from this season onwards to We had our first ever away fixtures against Old help move the club forward and establishing local Ampleforth and the Yorkshire Gentlemen as well links with clubs. as the usual 2-day game against the school.

Looking forward to this season it is looking very The Ampleforth game was played in a stunning likely that we will be having fixtures every month backdrop with St Peter’s managing 207 in their during the season, as well as the 2-day game against allotted overs with Alex Liley and some brute force the school and we are looking at the possibility of hitting from Richard Musgrave at the end giving having a tour in September 2022. us a respectable total, however the lack of bowlers cost us and we ended up with a 4 wicket defeat.

This really is a great time to join OPCC – we have players The school game had its usual mix of excellent ranging from 18 to well into cricket and wonderful sportsmanship, we were their 50s, the standard of very happy at the ¾ point leaving the school a cricket is still pretty good so challenging but gettable 225 to win, and they did if anyone (men or women) just that with the loss of 5 wickets. The lack of would like any more details bowlers cost the OPs, but it should be noted that please don’t hesitate to get in the school played exceptionally well given their touch - peterrivis@hotmail.com lack of cricket over the last 2 years.

Pete Rivis (1999) OPCC Captain

It was great for OPs to be able to play against pupils on OP Day on 4 September 2021, which resulted in a 7-4 win to the pupils!

Jamie Dunsmore (2019)

school team, recent leavers and older heads. York brought a strong line up consisting of players from their 1st XI and a cross section of players from other sides in the club. The game was again fast paced (for a Boxing Day) and most players managed to avoid cramp or serious injury, the full-time whistle again left Pandas wanting; going down 3-2 knowing that a few good chances were missed.

Many thanks to the school for the use of the excellent Hubbard astroturf and especially to JJ and Paddy for organising players for us in both of the games so far; the club is certainly in rude health with the influx of new talent.

Pandas Hockey

Pandas have played 2 fixtures this season so far against a Harrogate HC Select XI and against a City of York HC Select XI. A pre-Christmas game vs Harrogate was played at their club and saw the current school first XI provide the majority of players, “aided” by six old Peterites including Matt Todd the current club President, Andy Kay the club treasurer, past president Julian Rich and club captain in waiting Greg Bowler. A very well fought and lively game saw plenty of action at both ends of the pitch with Harrogate turning out narrow victors at 4-3. We thank Harrogate for again hosting this game which has become a firm favourite in the fixture list and a great antidote to Christmas shopping!

On Boxing Day the annual game versus City of York HC was played at the school and was again very well attended both by players and spectators alike looking to blow off the Christmas cobwebs and witness some first class hockey being played. Well, hockey was certainly played and the drinks reception back at Clifton Park was first class. The Pandas side was again very well supported by the current

Looking ahead we are touring to the spiritual second home of the club – Bridlington! At the start of the Easter school holidays we have planned games against Driffield HC and Scarborough HC on Friday 1 April and Saturday 2 April respectively.

Finally, 2022 is a huge year for the Pandas hockey club as we celebrate 60 years of Old Peterite hockey, and we will commemorate this with a formal dinner at the historic Bedern Hall in the early summer. We will welcome players from the original Pandas team, current members of the club and the school 1st XI for an extraordinary evening that will be as glamorous as it will be hard to remember the following day.

If anyone reading this would like to be more involved with the club please do get in touch with our secretary Nick Kay - kaybo79@hotmail.com Matt Todd (1993) Pandas President

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OP SPORTS REPORTS

Old Peterite

Golf Grafton Morrish National Finals In May the OP Team qualified for the Grafton Morrish National Finals held at Hunstanton & Royal West Norfolk Golf Club, which took place in October 2021.

An influx of young low handicap golfers, Joe Copley, Tom Lloyd, Charles Murray and Matt Roberts joining Matt Stephenson and Jon Stone in representing St Peter’s School at the Qualifying round at Huddersfield G.C. earlier in the year, had resulted in the School qualifying to play in the Finals for the first time for 15 years and exactly 30 years after they had won The Committee Bowl, (beating Harrow in the Semis and KCS Wimboldon in the Final). The team, strengthened by the addition of Kevin Miller and with Bob Elliott as acting Captain, assembled in Norfolk for serious practice on both courses.

48 Schools with teams of 6 players, playing Match-Play Foursomes off scratch qualified for the Finals. St Peter’s were given a Bye in the 1st round and were drawn against Woodbridge, a Suffolk School, at Hunstanton in the 2nd round.

In foul conditions the School put up a creditable performance. Charles & Joe scoring 30pts, Tom & Matthew got 25pts and Matt Roberts stole the show by holing in one at 14th with his 6 iron, for which he received a large bar bill and was presented with a momento by the Club. He and his partner John Stone, substituting for Kevin, got 27pts and the team score of 82pts being 9th out of the 32 schools competing.

The experience will no doubt help the team to better things in future and hopefully to regular qualification. Congratulations to Matt for his “hole in one” and to Matthew Stephenson for organising the team’s stay in Norfolk.

OP Golf Day OP Golf day took place on Friday 3 September at York Golf Club. It was great to welcome some new faces to the event as well as catching up with those who attend regularly.

Once again Strensall was in immaculate condition providing a tough test and the hospitality was equally as good with delicious food served in the evening. Congratulations to this year’s winners: The team prize went to Mike Wright, Jon Stone and Chris Brockbank.

The Burrnett Trophy was hotly contested. Andrew Powell emerged as this year’s winner with 37 points and winning on a count back.

The Founder’s trophy was won by Joe Copley with a score of 75.

Credible mentions must go to Matthew Roberts with a 78 and Jon Stone 79.

As always if you know of anyone who would like to take part in future OP golf events, please feel free to pass on my email, we are open to all OPs and would particularly like to encourage females to come and play.

We also have an OP Golf WhatsApp group which I update regularly with details of fixtures and so if you wish to join, you can message me on Andy Miller (2005) ajmiller1986@hotmail.co.uk

We are particularly keen to hear from OPs of any year of leaving who would be interested in playing matches of OP netball or OP tennis.

We have people who would like to play some friendly OP games and it would be great if we could make an afternoon of this for anyone to come along and play and make the most of our great facilities on site in the Summer months!

Matty, scored a hole in one at Grafton Morrish Finals Grafton Morrish Team Keys for Life - 27 -

Get in touch: alumni@stpetersyork.org.uk

MEMORIAL PROJECT

Old Peterite

Memorial Project In November 2020 a competition was launched for pupils to design a Remembrance Day Memorial for the campus. In recent years, wooden crosses have been displayed in the horseshoe to remember those Old Peterites who gave their lives for our country. The aim of the project was to design a longer lasting and weather-proof memorial to honour our former pupils, who have served across all Forces.

Pupils from across the school submitted designs, and the winning concept was submitted by Old Peterites Hannah Costin and Hope Simpson (at the time in Upper Sixth): a striking set of silhouettes, which were adapted to represent members of the Armed Forces past and present.

Eleven pupils volunteered and worked together to design the figures, as part of the Design & Technology Department’s co-curricular club MAKERSPACE throughout the last year. The final design and manufacture of the silhouettes were supported and overseen by Old Peterites Arthur Holmes (1969) and his son Tom Holmes (1995) of C&O Powder Coatings Ltd. along with their industry contacts from Davies Fabrication Ltd.

The silhouettes were displayed throughout the month of November, and were located around the school campus, and the figures and plaques were lit each evening. Each of the silhouettes display the name, unit and rank of our Old Peterites. The plaques and stands for each of the silhouettes were produced in School.

The project has been made possible thanks to the generous support of C&O Powder Coatings and the Old Peterite Club. This project has been a great collaboration which has brought together current and Old Peterites to collaborate on this poignant memorial, which we look forward to displaying each November for years to come.

New Boards for Ante-Chapel In addition to the Memorial Project, new boards have also been produced and are now displayed in the AnteChapel. The boards remember the names of Old Peterites who gave their lives in World War I, World War II and other conflicts.

The board for World War I remains in the Chapel, and the new board provides corrected information that has come to light, since the original board was produced.

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TITLE

Can you help? We would be grateful if you could share with us the names of any Old Peterites who lost their lives in conflicts, other than WWI and WWII. We are delighted to welcome questions and queries about the School and its history as well as receive items to the Archives including photographs (high-quality copies or originals), examples of uniform, essays, reports and memorabilia. Please do also contact us if you are happy to record any history or memories of your time at School.

Our Archive volunteers John Armstrong or Anthony Robinson can be contacted at archives@stpetersyork.org.uk

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BURSARIES

Bursary Partnerships at St Peter’s

Whilst most of the bursary support at St Peter’s is focused on local, day places, we work in two partnerships which help us to provide life changing boarding bursaries every year.

Royal Springboard is the UK’s largest boarding school bursary charity, providing life-transforming opportunities for disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people in 90 state and independent boarding schools.

Our Commitment to Bursaries

The ‘627 Society’ was established as a way for Old Peterites, parents and supporters to make regular donations to the School in support of bursaries. The School awards a significant proportion of funds each year to provide opportunities for pupils, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to access a St Peter’s education and all the experiences we can offer.

For the last four years, St Peter’s has provided a full boarding bursary to one Sixth Form pupil per year referred to us by Royal Springboard, who work through the Hope Opportunity Trust based in Liverpool and Chester. Each academic year they help us to identify our candidate for the following September and then work with us to support that pupil as they settle into boarding life.

Total number of 627 Bursaries awarded in 2020-21

As well as providing a bursary each year, St Peter’s hosts all of the applicants from the Hope Opportunity Trust for an open event each September regardless of whether they will be placed at our school. This is an opportunity for them to see a boarding school in action, to meet some of our staff and pupils and to ask questions to help them prepare for the application process. St Peter’s is a key partner for Royal Springboard in the north and we are also in dialogue with them on their plans to provide day places at independent schools for children in foster care.

St Peter’s also has a longstanding relationship with the Archbishop Sentamu Academy (ASA) in Hull, having been connected through our governing bodies over a number of years. For the last five years we have provided a full boarding bursary to one or two Sixth Form pupils per year, working with the Academy in the autumn term to recruit the candidate for the following September. We have built up strong links with ASA and now are exploring other ways to work in partnership, such as offering support for their own Sixth Formers as they prepare for their university applications.

2

Number of 627 Donors

133

Amount raised by 627 Society in 2020-21

£24,691

Total funding awarded by St Peter’s School 2020-21

£478,000

Total number of pupils receiving ‘Help With Fees’ in 2020-21

25

120% 25%

The bursaries awarded range from 25%-120% - ensuring we cover those added extras including essentials such as uniform and funding for trips.

Head Master, Jeremy Walker says “We are very proud to work with two great organisations in this way and it has been a privilege to see the relationship go from strength to strength.

The boarding bursaries provide life changing opportunities to individual pupils but just as importantly, St Peter’s benefits from having sparky and engaged pupils joining us through Springboard and ASA who go on to make a positive impact on their world”.

Giving a regular donation of £20.22 each month would pay for the uniform for a pupil to attend the Sixth Form for a year.

At what age can children apply?

Simply complete and return the form on the following page to make your donation. When you make a regular donation you will receive annual updates on the progress of pupils who have benefited directly as a result of your support, recognition on our 627 Society Donor board, invitations to donor events and a 627 Society pin badge.

Year 7

Year 9

Sixth Form

Help with fees is usually only available to pupils entering Year 7, Year 9 or Sixth Form.

We are so thankful to our donors who have continued to support the 627 Society, and with your help we can do even more!

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Help With Fees

TITLE

Your Gift Originators Identification Number

Thank you for choosing to support Help With Fees at St Peter’s School. Your donation can help transform the lives of pupils, who otherwise would not have access to a St Peter’s School education.

691213 CAF, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4TA

�

The 627 Society- making a regular donation

Instruction to your bank or building society

By giving a regular gift you become a member of the 627 Society, the Society was established in 2007 to recognise those donors who make an ongoing commitment to support fee assistance at St Peter’s School. 627 Society members receive annual updates on the progress of pupils who have benefited directly as a result of their support, recognition on our 627 Society donor board in School, and a 627 Society pin badge. Membership of the 627 society starts from £6.27 each month.

Please pay CAF re St Peter’s School Foundation Direct Debits from the account detailed in this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with CAF re St Peter’s School Foundation and if so, details will be passed electronically to my bank/ building society.

Signature Date

I would like to give a donation of

Single gifts

£

I would like to gift £30 £50 £100 £200 other: £

Monthly/ Quarterly /Annually

First payment to be made on 1st of the Month

I have enclosed a cheque payable to St Peter’s School �

I will make a bank transfer -St Peter’s School, sort code: 05-09-94, account no. 25301968 (please use your surname as your reference)

15th of the month

�

Instruction to your bank or building society to pay by Direct Debit �

Please complete the whole form in BLOCK CAPITALS and send to: St Peter’s School Foundation Clifton York YO30 6AB

Alternatively donate online at www.stpetersyork.org.uk/foundation

Names(s) and address of account holder

Are you a UK taxpayer? If so, every £1 you give could be worth an extra 25p to us, at no cost to you. (Please note if you are making a regular donation to St Peter’s School and would like to Gift Aid your donations- please tick both of the boxes below for us to apply Gift Aid to all your donations)

Please call me to make my donation by card on:

Title �

Yes, Gift Aid this donation �

Please Gift Aid this donation and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years. I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that year, it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

Name Address Postcode Bank/Building Society Account Number

Please notify us if you want to cancel this declaration, change your name or home address

Branch sort code

Title Name

Name and full postal address of your bank/building society To The Manager

Address

Address

Postcode

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Signed Date I’d like more information on leaving a legacy

Carefully tear perforation

St Peters School, York is a registered charity: number 1141329.

Please keep my donation anonymous

THIS GUARANTEE SHOULD BE DETACHED AND RETAINED BY THE PAYER

Foundation will notify you at least ten working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.

The Direct Debit Guarantee

 If an error is made by CAF re St Peter’s School Foundation or your bank or building society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your branch or the amount paid.

This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that take part in the Direct Debit Scheme. The efficiency and security of the Scheme is monitored and protected by your own bank or building society.

If the amounts to be paid or the payment dates change, CAF re St Peter’s School

You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by writing to your bank or building society. Please also send a copy of your letter to us.

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COMPETITION

Sudoku

627 Competition

Complete and return your 627 sudoku by 5 September 2022 to be entered into the draw to win ‘A Mug Full of History’, from our Old Peterite Merchandise collection.

Or you can email a copy to alumni@stpetersyork.org.uk

3

4 5

7

3

8

8

4

9

6 4 2

2

6

6

3

7

4

8

2

1

6

7

9

3

8 6

8

2

7

5 Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 squares.

Within the rows and columns are 9 squares made up of 3 x 3 spaces.

Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with only the numbers 1-9.

Good Luck!

ENTER to WIN Keys for Life - 32 -

Carefully tear perforation

Each of the numbers 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column and square.

CLASS OF 2021

Welcome to the Class of 2021 our newest Old Peterites

Former Head Girl Hope Simpson and Former Head Boy Ben Dunsmore share an update on their next steps after St Peter’s and reflect on their last few months of School, before joining the Class of 2021.

Once I finished school last summer, I decided to defer my university place and take a gap year. I’d been keen to improve my language skills for a while and this seemed like a good opportunity to do so. Therefore, after finishing two months at a summer job, I moved to Bordeaux to live as an au pair in a large French family. This was initially a shock to the system given that I hadn’t learnt French since GCSE, but I attended a language school each morning and it soon improved. Having spent slightly more than two months there during the autumn, I’m hoping to return this summer to improve my French some more.

Bordeaux itself has been a great place to live.

Quite apart from the beautiful architecture

and interesting history, the people there were very welcoming (perhaps because Bordeaux was in fact English many years ago!) There was also the unexpected bonus of finding out there was a piano festival while I was there. Lasting through November and into some of December, this involved a series of concerts by some world-renowned pianists – all of which I could attend for only 15 euros a month thanks to a youth pass!

I was also able to spend some time at the Bassin d’Arcachon and around Saint-Émilion so overall I’ve been quite lucky.

At the moment (start of February) I am back in York, doing music practice, an English short course and preparing for a three-week trip to Ecuador which will hopefully take in some of the Andes, Amazon and Galapagos islands.

Thinking back to the end of term, I’m glad that Cabaret managed to go ahead on stage and that we could mark the transition into Old Peterites in September. I thought the leaving dinner was a great event and I’m relieved my speech didn’t detract from it!

Ben Dunsmore (2021)

With over half a year passed since leaving school and becoming an Old Peterite, looking back on our time at St Peter’s already has a great sense of nostalgia.

When busy in new surroundings, whether that be at university, at work or on a gap year, it often feels like our school days are far-gone despite it only being months since we received our A Level results. Since then, much has changed with all of us moving on to new chapters in our lives.

In early September I moved to the University of St Andrews, unfortunately just missing out on the summer ball for the Classes of 2020 and 2021. I quickly settled in, with the small community of St Andrews reminding me a lot of St Peter’s, and Halls much like Boarding Houses without the teachers! My studies so far have consisted of modules in art history, management, and maths thanks to the flexible Scottish module system – with my intention to take the first two subjects to honours level. Unfortunately, most of my teaching has remained online due to stricter Scottish Covid restrictions, though after two terms of virtual teaching at A Levels most of us are fully accustomed to the nuances of Teams. Luckily there has still been lots of opportunity for socialising through sports, societies and Halls along with balls and many beach walks. Outside of academic work, I have spent lots of my time travelling around Scotland to play rugby matches as well as involving myself in art classes and publications to keep up the art education I loved so much at St Peter’s.

On my return home at Christmas, it was lovely to see friends from St Peter’s again and visit Dronfield when passing by. It is bittersweet to think of how our school days came to an end so quickly, but I am so grateful for all the wonderful memories and friendships I created at St Peter’s. Over the past few months, I have realised change is a natural progression in which we get the opportunity to experience new things and that even if we leave places and people behind, the most important aspects of them always stay with us. This is most certainly true for St Peter’s. I wish all the Class of 2021 the best for their own next steps, and I hope to see you again soon.

Hope Simpson (2021) Image supplied courtesy of KL Photographers York

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MENTORING PROGRAMME

The Old Peterite

Mentoring Programme In conjunction with the Careers Department, the Development and Alumni Team have been able to formalise an Old Peterite Mentoring Scheme, to help support pupils as they consider their next steps after St Peter’s.

After the successful pilot held in early 2020, the Old Peterite Mentoring Programme has now been rolled out for all pupils in the Lower Sixth Form. The first of three 5-week programmes launched on Wednesday 10 November, one 5-week programme will take place each term over the academic year. The sessions take place each Thursday from 8.30am-9.00am with around 40 pupils and seven Old Peterite Mentors meeting on Zoom or in person. Each week they discuss a different topic from interview skills to decision making and future planning to help in their next steps after St Peter’s.

At the time of going to print the second set of pupils will have benefitted from the mentoring scheme in the Easter term, and the remaining pupils will participate in the scheme in the summer term.

All Lower Sixth pupils will have been mentored by the end of this year.

Pupils who took part have shared the advice they will take away from the mentoring programme:

“Don’t be afraid to try something a bit different in order to stand out.”

“How to be confident and create a good first impression.”

“Before I hadn’t really thought about interviews. They helped to clarify the key qualities that are good to try and communicate during an interview.”

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MENTORING PROGRAMME

Our mentoring programme has really taken off and it has been wonderful to share the experiences of the Old Peterite Community with our pupils.

If you can spare a few hours over the space of 5 weeks on a Thursday morning, we’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions or you’d like to know more first, please email us alumni@stpetersyork.org.uk

DUNDEE

Andrew Paterson (1983) Dentist, NHS Dental Consultant and Senior Clinical Lecturer

YORK

Sarah Thomas née Horsley (2003) CEO and Founder of Clockface Beauty Harry Cooke (2001) Director and co-founder - York Gin Sara Foster née Chapman (Clifton 1999) Client Relationship Manager - Apleona Workspace Emma Noble née Pope (1995) Performance Leader - KPMG apprenticeship programmes Alice Tickle née Sweet (Dronfield 2002) Senior In-House Counsel - Eversheds Sutherland

We are delighted to share with you the names of OP Mentors that have generously given their time to share their experiences with the pupils

EVESHAM

Philip Brown (1990) Founder, The Negotiation Club

LONDON

Edward Frost (Temple 2011) Aerospace Engineer - BAE Systems Felicity Halstead (2013) Freelance Business Consultant and Non-Profit Founder Claudia Goss (2009) Creative Event Producer Jordan Kay (Clifton 2011) Investment Manager - Sandton Capital Partners Ellie Naismith (School 2011) Account Director - Public affairs and communications agency, specialising in health

Read the full profiles of our mentors online at: www.stpetersyork.org.uk/old-peterites

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OP GENERATION STORIES

Old Peterite

Generations

The Todd Family

Meet three generations of the Todd Family who all attended or are currently at St Peter’s School.

Graham Todd (Queen’s 1964) President of the OP Club 2016-2018, OP Club Committee Member, Captain Panda’s Hockey Club, then President of Panda’s Hockey Club, and has also served as Captain of the OP Tennis Club.

Graham is father of Matt Todd (School 1993) Captain Panda’s Hockey Club, current President of Panda’s Hockey Club, David Todd (Linton 1995) Former OP Club Committee Member and Jane Bentley nee Todd (School 2001) living in Edinburgh.

And his grandchildren who are at St Peter’s 2-8, St Peter’s 8-13 and St Peter’s 13-18.

Jane Bentley nee Todd Keys for Life - 36 -

OP GENERATIONAL STORIES

The Foster Family

Sara Foster née Chapman (Clifton 1999), pictured with her daughter who attends St Peter’s 2-8. Sara is an Old Peterite Mentor.

The Thomas Family

Sarah Thomas née Horsley (Queen’s 2003), pictured with her sons who attend St Peter’s 2-8. Sarah is an Old Peterite Mentor and is also hosting the The Old Peterite Collection event on 29th Octboer 2022.

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FIVE MINUTES WITH...

Five minutes with…

Neil Matkin

By Flora Watson, Upper Sixth What is your role at St Peter’s?

I am the Director of Academic Administration; what it means in practice is that I build the school timetable. I also work fairly closely with Mr Gillies and Mrs Hynde in running all of the internal and public exams. So, overall I deal with constructing the timetables and making sure exams run ahead, as well of course as being a maths teacher.

What do you enjoy most about your everyday life at St Peter’s?

It might seem a little bit obvious and dull, but I am happiest when I enter my maths classroom and start teaching. Whether this be with the lower years or older years I feel as though I come alive and that’s what I like to do and never cease to enjoy.

Do you feel the Pascal building is different to the previous building you have taught in, if so, how?

Yes, anyone will agree that the Pascal building is a real jewel in the crown as a teaching space. From day one, when we had pupils coming into the building, they could see that it was light and bright and spacious. It feels like a place to do serious work, not that I’m suggesting that pupils at this school are naughty or badly behaved elsewhere! The previous building, the Scott block, was a nice building with four nice classrooms, but that was the problem, we needed more space. It is a lovely environment to work in.

How does it feel to be out of lockdown and back to supposedly ‘normal’ teaching?

I think, as I’m sure is the case for the pupils, it’s massively better and a big relief. I spent a lot of time talking to blank screens, which was the most bizarre experience. It was around this time last year that the school decided we could come and work from school, which is what I did and would not see a soul, except Mr Spencer occasionally.

However, I always come back to think about how hard the young people must have found it with missing out key years. So yes, it is nice to be back to something that is ‘supposedly’ normal.

What is your favourite part about teaching maths at St Peter’s?

extraordinary years I have reached that point of getting pupils that find maths fairly difficult on board with it. Especially, in maths it is very easy for people who do not enjoy maths to say they can’t do it.

However, there comes a point in the teaching course where gradually more and more pupils start to realise that what I am saying is starting to make sense. So, then you sort of see people begin to believe that they can do it. I had a lovely experience a while back where one of my pupils who I had taught for five years and really struggled with maths, was advised not to take it as an A Level but was adamant that was what he wanted to do. He got the A grade, which was what he needed, which surpassed what I thought and even more lovely his mother had come to visit him on the day of getting his results. That’s a special moment for me, helping young people fulfil what they want to do.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

How many am I allowed? Well Mrs Matkin is always telling me I mustn’t be a grumpy old man. One thing I do not like is waste, and what I mean by that is pupils wasting fabulous opportunities that they will later regret in life. The other things that annoy me, because I am quite old fashioned, are fundamentals like timekeeping and appearance. Because of my seven-year background in the Royal Navy I think things like appearance are so important to me as that is how my brain works. Overall, I think that we as a school should be celebrating what we are about and be proud of it.

What has been your favourite moment at St Peter’s?

One of my favourite moments has to be 20 years ago, when the then Head of Drama in November emailed around asking the teachers if they wanted to be part of a teacher pantomime. I said yes I’ll give it a go, and we all gathered for two lunchtime sessions in the drama centre. It was the last week before Christmas and an announcement came out saying that the whole school had to gather in The Memorial Hall. The kids just about knew what was going to happen. The pantomime was ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and I was cast as the Princess with Mr Hall being cast as my handsome Prince. We had about 20 staff taking part, the hall was full, it was just one of the things that we haven’t had for the last two years. This special feeling of community, which is something that I liked from day one. It might have been easy for the pupils to laugh at us but instead they laughed with us and I think that is something really special.

My favourite part about teaching maths can be seen from my Fifth Form group that are in the lower end of ability. After two and a half Keys for Life - 38 -

MERCHANDISE

Old Peterite Merchandise

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17 It is also possible to purchase striped OP cloth which can be made into a blazer, or any other item requiring fabric.

The fabric is available at £30.00 per metre

Price List

Ties and Socks 1 OP Club Tie (Silk) 2 OP Club Tie (Polyester) 3 OP Club Bow Tie (Silk) 4 OP Club Bow Tie (Polyester) 5 Broad Stripe Tie (Silk) 6 Broad Stripe Tie (Polyester) 7 Broad Stripe Bow Tie (Silk) 8 OP Stripe Socks *Back In Stock*

To order please contact us on alumni@stpetersyork.org.uk or on 01904 527 363

£35.00 £12.00 £25.00 £12.00 £32.00 £10.00 £25.00 £13.00

Jewellery 9 OP Cufflinks £25.00 10 Signet Ring from £45.00 (silver, gold, rose gold) 11 Silver Tie Clip £25.00 12 Silver Charm Bracelet £25.00 13 Silver Charm Necklace £35.00 14 Crest Earrings £30.00 (silver stud or silver drop) 15 OP Lapel Pins £6.00

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Mugs 16 Mug (Crossed Keys- Black) 17 NEW - Mug (China -’Mug full of History’ of Our School) Miscellaneous 18 Umbrella (Crossed Keys—Black) 19 Water Bottle 20 Hand painted Old Peterite Crest 21 Limited Edition Print of St Peter’s School, York by Ken Howard R.A, R.W.S. (unframed)

£3.00 £16.00

£20.00 £5.00 £35.00 £25.00

Keys for Life

Visit our new website: www.stpetersyork.org.uk Check out our new pages for Old Peterites under ‘Our Community’.

You can also find our events in the calendar.

Find us on Social

LinkedIn

Did you know you can now officially add St Peter’s to your education history?

Go to your ‘Education’ and search ‘St Peter’s School, York’ You can also follow us at St Peter’s School, York.

Keep up to date with School and Old Peterite news by joining or following our social media channels:

Facebook

St Peter’s School OPs @StPetersOPs

Twitter

St Peter’s OPs @OldPeterite

Instagram

St Peter’s School @OldPeterites

St Peter’s School, York, YO30 6AB T 01904 527300 F 01904 527302 E alumni@stpetersyork.org.uk W www.stpetersyork.org.uk St Peter’s School, York is a registered charity: number 1141329

For more School news visit our new look and feel ‘Peterite Magazine’ and ‘Peterite Review’.

Both can be accessed online via ISSUU and are the best way to keep up to date with news from the School!

Visit www.stpetersyork.org.uk ‘Our Stories’ then ‘Publications’.