Old Peterites

It has been wonderful to return to regular Old Peterite events and activities, and to meet face-to-face at last. The year was both busy and lively, with our talented OPs back in school to share their news and wisdom and network with our recent leavers. We celebrate the diverse achievements of OPs below.

It was also a very sad year where we said goodbye to OP President Harry Gration –a regular visitor and great friend to our school – as well as friends and OPs, David Kirby and Peter Whitaker, among others.

A full calendar saw memorable events including London Drinks, the Newcastle Dinner, the Breakfast Meeting and the OP Parents’ Dinner, to name a few. All were well attended with OPs keen to get back in touch after the pandemic stole opportunities to gather as a school community.

Old Peterite Day and Celebration Dinner

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. 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 to catch up with friends. With a play area for children, face painting and a bouncy castle, guests of all ages and Old Peterites and their families were able to join us.

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.

We were also finally able to hold the delayed reunion to celebrate 25 years of Linton House. It was great to see Old Peterites, and current and former staff at the House, for a catch-up and a drink. The day was rounded off with a Celebration Dinner which saw Old Peterites, including recent leavers, enjoy a special evening at St Peter’s.

Boathouse Opening

St Peter’s School Boathouse was officially opened on 16 October by Olympic Rower Greg Searle MBE. Greg delivered a morning masterclass to pupils from our Boat Club, which focused on the importance of making choices, not sacrifices, and adapting in order to improve and succeed. Greg answered questions from pupils and gave them the opportunity to hold his three Olympic medals, before being presented with a pennant by Boathouse captains George Smith and Hannah Gowland.

In the afternoon, invited guests gathered for the official opening. Those who had donated a brick to the Boathouse fundraising campaign saw their bricks unveiled, while those who had sponsored the naming of a boat were thanked in a special boat-naming ceremony. Head Master, Jeremy Walker, and Greg Searle delivered inspiring speeches and the event finished with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony before the boats were carried down to the River Ouse for a row past.

Old Peterites Updates

Flying Colours for OP Ed Roebuck

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 then joined three Rifles in Edinburgh for a year as Platoon Commander before starting University. Ed’s Platoon Commander, said: “Mr Roebuck is an absolute credit to his CCF. He was Platoon Commander on our most recent field exercise and was the best I’ve seen in my time at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst so far. Knowledgeable, calm and a great leader on the battlefield despite his young age, he’ll go far!” Ed said: “I’m delighted to have received best intern at Sandhurst. The course was difficult but enjoyable and I’d love to go back after university to attend the Regular Commissioning Course.”

Talented Max, OP, is a Musical Master

OP Max McLeish graduated from the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) with distinction in his MA in jazz trombone. Max who started in St Peter’s 8-13, and continued to flourish in 1318, won the St Peter’s Award in 2016 as one of our very best musicians. Max then excelled at University of Cambridge, graduating with a first in his music degree, before starting at RAM. Max’s course comprised a mixture of ensemble projects led by world-renowned jazz artists including Bill Laurence and Gareth Lockrane. Max formed a band to play his music which culminated in performing at the well-known 606 jazz club in Chelsea. His father, Professor Tom McLeish, kindly donates his time as a Governor at our school. Max said: “I’m always very grateful for my musical experience at St Peter’s.”

Phoebe’s Musical Acclaim and Festival Appearance

Talented OP Phoebe Hall (2018) was shortlisted from over 10,000 entries to be featured in the BBC Introducing Live Lounge Competition, selected to represent North Yorkshire as one of the top 72 artists. Studying Philosophy and Theology at the University of Edinburgh, Phoebe wrote music with a friend, including one song, Just The Same, which her sister encouraged her to enter the competition. The rest is history, with Phoebe performing at the esteemed Latitude music festival and going from strength to strength. Phoebe credits St Peter’s School with helping develop her love of music; she was in all three choirs in Sixth Form and sang with the Barbershop. Phoebe started writing her own material in Sixth Form and sharing her music on Instagram and YouTube. Phoebe is delighted with how supportive the school and Mr Paul Miles-Kingston has been letting her use the Music Department’s expertise to help record her winning entry.

Commonwealth Gold Victory for OP, Sam Dickinson

“I was so proud on the podium, singing Jerusalem. I was the only one who knew the words, my St Peter’s education shining through!” Old Peterite, Sam Dickinson, achieved gold in the Mixed Relay Triathlon at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Head of Manor in 2015, Sam’s success is testament to his hard work throughout school. Sam telephoned to share his huge appreciation for several staff members who saw his potential and encouraged him to excel. “I was so lucky I had people on my side at school. I was absolutely buzzing when I managed to achieve something like this. It makes you look back on everything and everyone who helped you in the past.” Sam also acknowledged the recent success of our school rugby teams – which he follows on social media – and hopes his gold medal will showcase future prospects for other St Peter’s sportspeople. We will welcome Sam to school soon to recognise his achievements and celebrate as a school community. Look out for Sam’s European Duathlon Championships 2015 tri suit, proudly displayed inside school, his very first GBR representation while still at St Peter’s.

Jonny Strikes Again

Cricketing living legend and Old Peterite, Jonny Bairstow, scored the second-fastest 100 by an English player in test cricket against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in Nottingham in mid-June. Talented Bairstow reached the three-digit mark off 77 balls, missing Gilbert Jessop’s record by a whisker (Jessop scored a 76-ball hundred against Australia in 1902). In a sensational spree of clean-hitting, Bairstow struck 14 fours and seven sixes for his 92-ball 136. After England was struggling at 93 for four, chasing 299 on the final day, Bairstow and Ben Stokes took England within touching distance with a scorching 179-run stand off 121 balls for the fifth wicket. Inspirational stuff. Huge congratulations!

For all of the Old Peterite news, please read our Cross Keys Magazine.