NEWS SPRING 2023
FROM HIGHLIGHTS TO HEADLINES TONBRIDGE ONLY CONNECT
HEADMASTER’S WELCOME
We have enjoyed a very busy and creative finale to the Lent Term and it has been uplifting to reflect on the breadth and quality of all that the boys have achieved.
This has been an important time for university news at Tonbridge. More than 670 offers have been made to our Upper Sixth cohort so far, including 27 offers from Oxford and Cambridge and more than 40 offers from US universities including Princeton, Columbia and UCLA. The Lower Sixth, meanwhile, enjoyed a vibrant university fair and will have the opportunity to explore future careers in our Networking Evening in June. As ever, we have been encouraging the boys to participate in a wide range of super-curricular activities and have been delighted by the enthusiasm they have shown. In Modern Languages, for example, boys have performed French drama, winning awards in two festivals, as well as winning a national debating competition in Spanish.
FROM HIGHLIGHTS TO HE ADLINES SPRING 2023
A Tonbridge team won the Trinity Maths Competition, which attracted 150 schools from across the world including those in the US, UK and China. It is the first time that this prestigious competition has been won by a school from outside the US. A Physics team has returned from Israel, where it has been representing the UK in the World Championships of the Weizmann Safe Cracking Physics Challenge. We welcomed exciting speakers to the School in the term as well, including Professor Jenny Mann from New York University at the Shakespeare Day hosted by the English Department. Key speakers at our Science Conference, hosted in the Barton Science Centre, included Professor Lev Sarkisov, an expert in Chemical Engineering from the University of Manchester; Sophie Harker, Assistant Chief Engineer at BAE Systems; and Professor Sir Jim Smith, Director of Science at the Wellcome Trust and now President of the London Zoological Society. More than 50 student delegates impressed with presentations of their own on scientific research. As the term concluded, we were honoured to be presented with an Employer Champion award by Helen Gordon, CEO of the Science Council, recognising Tonbridge’s commitment to the professional development and registration of our science technicians and teachers. Tonbridge becomes the first school in the UK to be recognised by the Science Council in this way, joining organisations such as the Francis Crick Institute and Imperial College London. Boys have, as always, been making the most of the co-curricular opportunities available to them. Air Vice-Marshal Munro praised cadets and officers at the annual CCF Inspection, highlighting the excellence of the Honour Guard. We were also thrilled that the Guard was subsequently invited to perform at the presentation of colours
02 | 03
by the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment in the presence of Colonel in-Chief, HM The Queen of Denmark. While the cadets then experienced the thrill of taking off in a Chinook on the Fifty, the Whole School nobly took their seats in a trireme in Chapel for the premiere of Hywel Davies’ The Argo. With Symphony Orchestra, Chapel Choir, New Beacon Choir and Old Tonbridgian soloists involved, the Whole School formed the chorus of Heroes accompanying Jason on his magical quest. As many parents commented, it was spine-tingling to hear the power of the boys’ voices and wonderful to bring this new musical work to life. Highlights in sport in the most recent term included the 1st XI Hockey team securing a place in the final of the Frank Mason Cup. The Football Club enjoyed a vintage season with both the 1st and 2nd XIs winning their respective leagues. The 1st XI even went on to win the inaugural ISFA trophy in a compelling cup final. The U16 rugby team, meanwhile, won the National Plate competition at Rosslyn Park Sevens in a particularly muddy final. It is also good to applaud our tennis players for their fundraising efforts in support of the charity, Bright Ideas, following a 24-hour tennis marathon at the national centre in Roehampton. I hope this gives a flavour of just a few of our activities during a typical Tonbridge term. Our Admissions team will, of course, always be happy to answer your questions and to give you as much information as you need when making your choices. With all good wishes, James Priory Headmaster
FROM ALGORITHMS TO ARGONAUTS Tonbridge enters national ‘top ten’ in Sunday Times guide to top-performing schools Tonbridge was named as one of the best schools in the country in a new set of league tables published by the Sunday Times. The paper identified the UK’s highestachieving schools in its ‘Parent Power’ Schools Guide 2023, based on most recent A-level and GCSE results. Tonbridge was ranked eighth in the national table for independent senior schools, and top boys’ boarding school in the country. The School was placed third overall in the Parent Power regional table, which compared independent schools in the south-east. James Priory, Headmaster, said: “This excellent news reflects the quality of education and high level of continuity we were able to provide, academically and pastorally,
From Tonbridge to Oxbridge: Upper Sixth students celebrate offers
throughout the pandemic. It is also exciting to consider the positive impact made through our innovative Sixth Form Curriculum, for which we saw our first examination results last summer. “Above all, however, we know that boys at Tonbridge benefit from a wide range of experiences and co-curricular opportunities, all contributing to an outstanding, rounded education that extends well beyond the classroom and, indeed, beyond the measurement of any league table.”
FROM HIGHLIGHTS TO HE ADLINES SPRING 2023
04 | 05
Tonbridge Computer Scientists come top in British Algorithmic Olympiad Tonbridge has shown it is one of the country’s top schools for Computer Science following a national competition that tests students’ skills in programming. The British Algorithmic Olympiad (BAO) combines Mathematics and Computer Science in one exam based on problem-solving and logical thinking. Tonbridge was named the top school overall, with Alex Chui (CH2) achieving the highest score outright in the competition. A total of seven Tonbridge boys achieved Gold status, with two others being awarded Silver and two receiving Bronze.
Tonbridge students are celebrating receiving Oxbridge offers for the 2022-23 admissions cycle. A total of 27 students have received offers for places at either Oxford or Cambridge. The degree courses they will be taking include a range of arts and science subjects such as Classics, Mathematics, Engineering, Chemistry, French and Spanish, Music, Medicine, Geography, Computer Science, Biochemistry, History, Theology and PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics). The acceptances mean that Oxbridge offers have been made to 17 per cent of the School’s Upper Sixth cohort. Mark Weatheritt, Deputy Head Academic, said: “Competition from national and international candidates remains as strong as ever, making these achievements all the greater.” *M ore than 85 per cent of all A-level grades awarded last year were at A or A*, highlighting Tonbridge’s position as one of the leading schools in the country for academic achievement.
Tonbridge boys use Physics skills to win national safe-cracking competition A Tonbridge team has won the UK round of the Weizmann Get Cracking competition. Run by Weizmann Institute of Science, this contest requires teams of Lower Sixth boys to design and build their own safe, which can only be ‘cracked’ by solving various Physics puzzles. Teams from schools and colleges across the UK take it in turns to find a way to open each other’s safes. Two Tonbridge teams entered the UK round of the competition, with the winning team consisting of Justin Leung (HS4), Vir Mirchandani (FH4), Eden Cheung (FH4), Oliver Jamison (JH4) and Michael Nyamali (SH4). Adam Cooke, Teacher of Physics and Design Technology, said: “The competition was the climax of many months of hard work, mostly in the boys’ own time, and it was an exceptional achievement to win the competition.” The winners’ prize was an all-expenses-paid trip to the international stage of the contest, held at Weizmann Institute in Israel.
Number one in the world: Students win the Trinity Maths Competition A Tonbridge team has come ‘Top in the World’ in a global Maths competition. More than 150 teams from leading schools across the world, including those in China, the US and the UK, took part in the Trinity Maths Competition (Winter 2023), an annual online contest which tests students’ abilities under time pressure. The Tonbridge team, pictured right, was made up of Isaac King (CH4), Hayden Lam (FH5), Alex Chui (CH2), Catalin Botezat (Sc5), Justin Leung (HS4) and Sam Zang (FH3). The boys finished in first place in the entire world, beating the School’s previous best placing in the Trinity Maths Competition of 8th. A second team also did extremely well, achieving 21st place in the world rankings. James Ashton, Head of Maths, said: “By any measure, this was a remarkable achievement. Second and third places went to prestigious Maths schools in the US, and so this result, along with our excellent performances in other competitions, confirms Tonbridge’s reputation as one of the finest schools for Maths in the country and, quite possibly, in the world.”
Ten boys reach Gold standard in Physics Challenge Students put in strong performances in the BPhO Intermediate Physics Challenge, which saw more than 3,000 entrants competing from a total of 204 schools. Ten Tonbridge boys were awarded Gold medals, putting them in the top 9.8 per cent overall. Eight boys achieved Silver medals (top 16 per cent), and nine achieved Bronze I (top 21 per cent). This national problem-solving competition – another in which Tonbridge has a strong track record in recent years – encourages the study of the subject and recognises excellence in young physicists.
FROM HIGHLIGHTS TO HE ADLINES SPRING 2023
06 | 07
The Argo sets sail at Tonbridge The Whole School Concert, featuring the world premiere of the musical work The Argo, took place at the end of the Lent Term. Inspired by the legendary voyage of Jason and the Argonauts, the story followed Jason’s journey to Colchis after being challenged to prove his worth by bringing back the fleece of the Golden Ram. The Whole School Concert is a memorable experience for all Tonbridge boys, only occurring once during their time at the School. Every boy is involved, forming the Whole School Chorus, and during The Argo they performed alongside soloists, the Tonbridge School Symphony Orchestra, choristers from Hilden Grange and Yardley Court, and The New Beacon School Choir.
Performances took place over two nights in the School Chapel, with half of the School’s 12 Houses taking part on the first night, and the other six Houses the following night. Mark Forkgen, the School’s Director of Music and Conductor of The Argo, was proud that the boys performed “a work of complexity” to such acclaim from the audience. “The Whole School played the roles of the Sons of Iolcus, Heroes and the Argonauts, singing in different styles,” he said. “A sung narration told the story, with a solo cellist and other soloists playing named characters. The Symphony Orchestra accompanied the drama, adding a wealth of colour to proceedings”.
Chapel Choir performs in prestigious venues on ‘wonderful’ tour to Paris The School’s Chapel Choir performed concerts at two of the best-known churches in Paris, St Sulpice and St Etienne-du-Mont, during a half-term tour of the city. The boys sang an hour-long programme of choral music by composers including Mendelssohn, Bruckner, Guerrero, Parry and Mozart. The Choir was also invited to lead the main Sunday morning Mass at Eglise de la Madeleine, singing movements from Haydn’s Little Organ Mass and Grieg’s Ave Maris stella. Julian Thomas, Choirmaster, said: “It was wonderful to be singing in such prestigious venues. Performing familiar music in three very different buildings, adjusting to the acoustics and layout of each church, is a key part of why we go on tour, and the boys rose to the challenge superbly.” The boys also enjoyed various sightseeing trips, including a cruise along the River Seine.
Manor House won this year’s House Drama ‘Fifteens’ competition with an extract from 12 Angry Men. Three other houses made the final: Oakeshott with Dumb and Dumber, Welldon with The Lesson and Cowdrey with The Monkey Paw. The competition sets boys the challenge of producing their own pieces – a scene from a published play, an adaptation or an original piece of writing – which have to be no longer than 15 minutes.
Boys master art of reading for an audience as they compete for annual prize Boys practised the art of reading aloud for an audience during the Floyd Reading Prize, the English Department’s annual competition. Finalists competed in three categories, with boys reading one poem and one prose passage. The winners were Oscar Sanders (OH1), in the Novi category; Ethan Glucina (PS3), in the Intermediate; and Sam Edwards (PS4) in the Senior. Jonathan Reinhardt, Head of English, said: “The Floyd Reading Prize celebrates a true art, that of reading out loud for an audience. Masters at this art make poems, stories, and novels come alive and give them meaning.” This year’s judge was Francesca Bailey, the School’s Drama Director in Residence. Francesca has many years of experience both as an actor and an academic.
FROM HIGHLIGHTS TO HE ADLINES SPRING 2023
08 | 09
Les Mis, the School Play, receives rave reviews … and makes composer Schönberg ‘happy’ The School production of Les Misérables enjoyed a sell-out run of performances in the EM Forster Theatre. The cast featured students from three girls’ schools – Weald of Kent Grammar, Hillview School for Girls and Tonbridge Grammar – alongside those from Tonbridge. The creative team also featured a number of Tonbridge boys in roles such as Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager and Lighting and Sound Operators. The production was staged ‘in the round’, with the audience on either side of the stage, immersed in the ABC Café where students plan the Paris Uprising of 1832. Gavin Bruce, Director of Theatre, revealed he had received an email from Claude-Michel Schönberg, the show’s composer, who wrote: “When I learn about a school performing Les Mis I am always happy. I imagine that maybe one day I will meet one of the cast in the wings of a theatre, starting to work with us. It is difficult and requires a lot of will and determination, but it is a beautiful job!”
Double honours as Tonbridge teams achieve ISFA Football and Rugby Sevens success The School celebrated a remarkable sporting double at the end of the Lent Term as the First XI football team won the ISFA football trophy final and the Under 16s Rugby Sevens triumphed in the Colts Plate competition at Rosslyn Park. Following successful seasons for both the First and Second football XIs, each winning their respective titles in the Southern Independent School Lent Term League, attention turned to the inaugural ISFA Trophy Final against Cheadle Hulme, played at Burnham FC. Tonbridge won the final 3-1, which meant the First XI also earned the distinction of remaining unbeaten all season. Adam Sixsmith, Master in Charge of Football, said: “All credit must go to this talented squad for the entertaining football they have played as well as the resilience they have shown. We are all very proud of their achievements.” Tonbridge had several squads competing at the Rosslyn Park National School Sevens, with the U16s making it through to the Colts Plate final against Epsom College, a fixture they won 21-17. “The U16s finished their season on a high, taking four trophies from four tournaments,” Rhys Crane, Master in Charge of Rugby, said.
“Winning 22 out of 23 Sevens fixtures throughout the season is unheard of and the future is very bright as they now transition from red and white to the black and white of senior rugby.” The U14s, U15s and U18s Sevens teams also gave a good account of themselves at Rosslyn Park, with the latter reaching the Vase Quarter Final.
“All of our squads have put Tonbridge School Sevens on the map. The future looks very bright and we are excited to see how our players can now develop.” Rhys Crane Master in Charge of Rugby
FROM HIGHLIGHTS TO HE ADLINES SPRING 2023
10 | 11
Tonbridge cadets joined by a Chinook on an excellent CCF Inspection Day Almost 200 Tonbridge cadets took part in the School’s annual CCF Inspection Day. This year, an RAF-led parade attended by parents, staff, friends and the public, welcomed Air Vice-Marshal Ranald Munro CBE, Commandant General Royal Auxiliary Air Force, as Inspecting Officer. Guests included members of The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, the Royal Engineers, and Britannia Royal Naval College. There were also many returning Old Tonbridgians including Lt Tom Brown OT (PH 09-14), a past winner of the prestigious Sword of Honour at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. The Parade, which included a substantial display of continuity drill by the CCF Honour Guard, was commanded by the School’s Warrant Officer Class I Alex Peggie (HS5). It concluded with a spectacular low-level Chinook flypast. Cadets also had the opportunity to experience flying in the Chinook during a series of short flights around the local area. Other activities included a Royal Tournament-style Field Gun Run and a laser clay pigeon shoot.
Tonbridge’s Community Concert welcomes more than 200 guests Tonbridge’s Community Concert attracted its largest audience to date this year, with more than 200 local senior citizens welcomed to the School. Those attending were looked after by a team of 50 Third Year boys, who volunteer each week with Tonbridge Community Action. The evening was expertly compèred by Nick Samuel (WH5) and Siwei Han (PH5) and saw a variety of performances from more than 50 of the School’s musicians. Those entertaining the guests included Senior Strings, the Brass Quintet, the Vengerov String Quartet, a Piano Trio, the Perlman String Quartet, the Clarinet Quartet and the ever popular Big Band. Sarah Walker, Tonbridge Community Action Assistant, said: “It was such a heart-warming evening, with so many local people coming
together to enjoy each other’s company and to see young people making music. We’re grateful to the musicians, staff and parents who gave up their time to make this event such a memorable one for members of our community. For many of us it is one of the highlights of the School year.”
Young scientists share ideas and insights at Annual Science Conference More than 100 students from schools across the UK came together to present and share their research at Tonbridge’s Annual Science Conference. The programme included a total of 50 student presentation sessions and research-focused display stands, including those created by pupils from schools as far away as Los Altos High School in California. Student presentations, based on a ‘share and discuss’ format, covered areas as diverse as artificial intelligence, quantum mechanics and the influence of the internet on global democracy. Professor Sir Jim Smith, Director of Science at the Wellcome Trust, was among the keynote speakers: his talk, “Lessons from frogs help mend a broken heart”, demonstrated the potential for science to improve people’s lives. In his closing address, Tonbridge’s Headmaster, James Priory, thanked students for contributing to “a tremendous community
of thought, ideas and insight”. He added: “Throughout the day we’ve seen curiosity, creativity and the importance of divergent thinking.”
FROM HIGHLIGHTS TO HE ADLINES SPRING 2023
12 | 13
Tonbridge teams win National Spanish Debating Competition Two Tonbridge debating teams took part in the National Spanish Debating Competition for the first time, in an event which saw 24 teams, from 15 schools, debate a range of motions. The School was represented by four Sixth Form students: Konstantin Mamkhegov (PH5), Henry Collins (FH5), Tobé Onyia (FH5) and Johnnie Averdieck (WW4). The boys worked together to prepare materials ahead of the debate but delivered arguments as two teams. Debates covered a variety of topics, from the monarchy and artificial intelligence to zoos and the economy. Konstantin and Henry emerged as winners, impressing the judges with their use of language, arguments and teamwork. Their prize is a week-long residential trip to Salamanca this summer.
Climate change speech carries James to ‘Inspire Like Churchill’ victory A Tonbridge Lower Sixth student succeeded in invoking the spirit of Britain’s greatest wartime leader in a competition held by the International Churchill Society. James Tam (MH4) was selected as one of three winners of the Inspire Like Churchill competition, which set students from around the world the challenge of recording a stirring speech of determination and hope in response to current global challenges. Entries, consisting of a one-minute video, were judged by a panel which featured Emma Soames, granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill, and several renowned historians and writers. James chose climate change as his theme. He said: “Sir Winston Churchill was able to unite the country through his speeches, urging everyone to put their differences aside to fight for a common cause. I believe the same kind of unity is necessary if we want to find an effective solution to the climate crisis.” Entrants were encouraged to develop their public speaking and speech-writing skills, as well as to use their knowledge of history when tackling contemporary issues.
FROM THE CHALKFACE...
KURT SEECHARAN HOUSEMASTER OF SCHOOL HOUSE
“The genuine interest boys display in the classroom is remarkable” Kurt Seecharan joined Tonbridge as a pupil in the 1980s, returning 38 years later as Housemaster of School House and Teacher of Social Sciences. His teaching career has seen him become Head of Politics, Master in Charge of Rugby and Cricket, and a Housemaster at four different schools. Here, he reflects on his first term at Tonbridge and the experience of rejoining his alma mater.
“Is it strange being back?” is the standard question I have had to negotiate, whether with boys, parents or colleagues. The simple answer is “no, not at all.” It is not only the names and faces, but the School itself as an institution that is unrecognisable from the Tonbridge of my experience between 1982 and 1987. At face value, there are some simple demographic changes: ten Houses are now 12. The split between Houses is now seven Boarding and five Day, which seems to suggest a significant shift – even to my limited mathematical prowess. Boarders are as likely to spend the weekend at home as at School, though, as I write, 14 of the 16 boys in the School House Upper Sixth are spending the weekend here as they prepare for the final week of their A-level exams. These boarders come from Kent, Sussex and Surrey as before, but also London and further afield, and from the likes of Bucks and Berkshire too. This means that boys have the opportunity
to relax at home overnight at the weekend, usually after a fixture that their parents have attended. Parents are as likely to be in School during the week now for concerts, plays and Parents’ Arts Society events. Academically, the School flourishes in extraordinary fashion. The simple truth is that boys in Tonbridge are, on the whole, much brighter and work much harder than their OT fathers – or maybe that is just me? OTs spluttering over their coffee in indignation will no doubt point to the academic prowess of individuals in their year – but, whilst these academic giants were few and far between then, we are now constantly regaled with tales and reports of Maths Olympiad and GCSE triumphs placing Tonbridgians amongst the finest brains in the country and, on several occasions, in the world. The range of questions they ask and genuine interest they display, not only in the classroom but at the many seminar lectures, projects and presentations they become involved in, is remarkable.
FROM HIGHLIGHTS TO HE ADLINES SPRING 2023
There might be some concern that this has happened at the expense of the breadth of the co-curriculum. But this is readily and easily put to bed by a glimpse at the School calendar. The absolute confirmation of this, for me, came in the performance of Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony, the Eroica, in the School Chapel, which was simply outstanding. The Director of Music had promised playing and musicianship that was “really quite something”, and how correct he was. This was in the week before boys went off to perform impressively at the Rosslyn Park Sevens and Queen’s rackets in the Easter holidays, take their ABRSM music exams, attend House theatre trips and travel to the South Downs for their Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. Oh, and did I mention the English Schools Cross Country, Public School Fencing, Fives, Football, Hockey, Basketball, Bath Cup Swimming at the Olympic pool in Stratford, the astonishing CCF Inspection Day parade, Feva Sailing training for
14 | 15
the World Team event, the Sixth Form Bake Off Final and House General Knowledge, all in the final few weeks of the Lent Term? Tonbridge is an astonishing place. The glossy magazines and prospectuses hint at the scale of the “production” but the reality is that we are still a relatively unknown gem hidden in the Weald. One thing that appears fully consistent with the School I knew is the nature and quality of the relationships within our community. It seems to me that parents are largely willing to trust Tonbridge to do what it does so well, as my parents did, even while variously resident and working in Zambia and the USA while I was a pupil here, only writing to my Housemaster to apologise for my various failings. Boys and staff co-operate and collaborate relentlessly, whether as seen in the co-curricular list above or at the very fundamental level of the day-to-day grind of lessons and activities. So, is it strange to be back? I can honestly say no, it is not strange, it is fantastic to be back.
TO THE PUPIL PERSPECTIVE KONSTANTIN UPPER SIXTH, PARK HOUSE
Konstantin joined us at aged 13 as a boarder in Park House, having previously attended an international school in his native Moscow. As a member of the Upper Sixth, and with his time at the School nearly complete, Konstantin looks back upon his five years and picks out some of the highlights.
Do you recall when you decided Tonbridge was the right school for you? I remember going to Pizza Express in the High Street before my first set of common entrance exams. As I was walking back across campus, I saw the sunshine sparkling on the cricket pitch (known as The Head), which is right in the middle of the School. I was keen to pursue both sport and academia, and so an amazing pitch in such a prominent place was a good sign and made Tonbridge seem like the perfect choice! What subjects have you studied at A-level? Spanish, English Literature, Religious Studies and (of course) Russian!
FROM HIGHLIGHTS TO HE ADLINES SPRING 2023
This is your last year. How would you sum it all up? Being far away from home I initially feared being homesick, but Tonbridge never really left me with that option. I was constantly involved in all sorts of activities, from Spanish drama to chess. This meant that I did not look back too much because there was just so much to try. However, I could never have imagined that I would fall in love with the School in the way that I have. To sum up the five years, I would say that I have found a second home here. What I mean by ‘second home’ is that I am able to pursue whatever interests me and I have lots of support, just like I would back at home in Moscow. What have been your stand-out moments at Tonbridge? The best moment has definitely been winning the English Schools Spanish Debating Competition. This was truly a reflection on the amazing Modern Languages Department at the School, and an experience I will never forget. Something else I will cherish forever is being part of the Football 1st XI in my Upper Sixth year: we won the league and then the ISFA Trophy. Throughout the season, what stood out to me was the professionalism of the whole set-up surrounding the first team. Being in love with football from a very young age, the Lent Term of my Upper Sixth was as close to being a professional footballer as one could get without pursuing the career full-time. At least, it felt like that. What would you say is Tonbridge’s best kept secret? When joining, I wasn’t aware that Tonbridge boarders were allowed to go home at weekends to see family and friends. If I had known that, it would have made my decision even easier than it was. What will you miss most? Being able to spend evenings in the company of my closest friends in my boarding house, and also the time we have with our tutors in the coffee room.
16 | 17
What have you chosen to study after Tonbridge, and why? Spanish and Philosophy at UCL (University College London), meaning that I am not moving so far away from Tonbridge! My time at the School has highlighted these two subjects as my favourite areas. University is now such an exciting prospect. What has Tonbridge taught you? To always have an open mind in everything I do. At the outset I would never have thought I would be applying for a Spanish and Philosophy degree course, for example, or playing Ultimate Frisbee as a sport in my last term. Trying new things is part of the Tonbridge experience. Furthermore, it has taught me the importance of building good relationships with fellow students, teachers and other members of staff – something that will be crucial at university and in the working world. What advice would you give to a boy just starting out at Tonbridge? My advice is simple – don’t be intimidated. At first I found it daunting having lessons in English Literature with boys for whom English was their first language, but five years on I am doing an English Literature A-Level and I even considered pursuing it at university. Tonbridge has given me lots of self-belief.
FROM TONBRIDGE TO THE CLOTH FERGUS BUTLER-GALLIE
Former pupil Fergus Butler-Gallie (PS 05-10) returned to the School in 2022 in the role of Assistant Chaplain. He teaches in the Divinity Department and sometimes finds enough hours in the day to fit in some rugby coaching too. Fergus is also a published author. Here he reflects on the lasting impact of his Tonbridge education.
The train was somewhere between Yekaterinburg and Irkutsk when I learned the value of my time at Tonbridge. An arm-wrestling match with members of the Russian Armed Services had gone south. It provided me with enough Russian to strike up a conversation with them, enough History to know the areas of shared heritage between our two nations and enough misplaced confidence to believe that a conversation about Peter III’s change of sides in the Seven Years War would somehow help. It also provided me with the friendship of the great hulking second row from the First XV that year, who wasn’t a bad person to have onside in such an event. It was, in fact, just after I had left the School and was travelling across Russia with five other ‘Old Tonbridgians’. Despite the memorability of the episode in the Siberian dining car, more generally the trip crystallised what had become clear over the previous five years – in the classroom, games field, boarding house and chapel. Namely that Tonbridge didn’t so much give me an education in ‘what’– although even
“Tonbridge didn’t so much give me an education in ‘what’, but rather equipped me with the ‘how’”
eight years later, in the midst of post graduate study, I was recalling and utilising knowledge I had learned courtesy of the superlative Mr Dobson. Rather, Tonbridge equipped me with the ‘how’: how to talk to anybody in a room, how to react to a crisis, how to be part of a team. More crucially, perhaps, it had taught me how to think and how to be, both in modes authentic to who I was and to the founding values of the School. The School motto is ‘Deus Dat Incrementum’– ‘God Giveth the Increase’. So it turned out to be. Tonbridge gave me an increase in myriad small ways – whether it was through fierce debates over something totally anodyne over supper in house, reading Austen or Swift in those long summer afternoons or, perhaps above all else, the almost imperceptible atmosphere of steady inspiration exuded by the members of the Common Room who taught me. An increase in what? Well, knowledge I am sure; decency, I hope; but above all, a sense of how and who it was I wanted to be.
FROM HIGHLIGHTS TO HE ADLINES SPRING 2023
Surprisingly, perhaps, for someone who had often spent chapel fidgeting, I was led, after a degree in History and Czech/Slovak at Oxford and postgraduate study in Theology at Cambridge, to ordination in the Church of England. The central ethos of Holy Orders is to decrease in self, but to enable the increase of others: of grace, beauty and truth and above all of the love of Christ. That had been modelled for me; subtly, cleverly, and often with a smile, by Fathers Beaumont and Peters at Tonbridge. For that I remain deeply grateful. Even more surprisingly, given my resolutely unstellar career in the English Department, it also led to a career in writing things. It has been enormous fun to write for national newspapers, global magazines and produce three books to date; but no matter what the next commission Penguin throw my way might be, I don’t think I shall ever top publication in both Viz and Waitrose Magazine. Tonbridge undoubtedly taught me a lesson which has been as crucial in navigating the sometimes cut-throat world of publishing as
18 | 19
it has been in discerning the path of priesthood: Tonbridgians are excellent, in my experience, in working out what not to take too seriously. Most surprisingly of all, I have returned to Tonbridge. As I take in the vista of the School from The Head and The Fifty on my walk to work every morning, I often think back to my time studying my A-levels and recall the wise Lancastrian intonations of John Taylor, in the top of the Classics tower, reminding us of the necessary circularity of so much Greek and Roman myth. What makes myth interesting is not where it is fantastical but where, despite its fantasy, it remains true. The circular patterns of a life is one such truth. So it is I find myself back in this endlessly compelling place, teaching and, still, learning alongside a new generation of Tonbridgians. One of the other truths of myth is that learning is no finite process: I am still learning how to be in this place. How to increase. Deus Dat Incrementum indeed.
Tonbridge School High Street Tonbridge Kent TN9 1JP +44 (0)1732 304297 admissions@tonbridge-school.org TONBRIDGE-SCHOOL.CO.UK
instagram Tonbridge School is a registered charity No. 1097977 The information contained in the brochure is accurate at the time of going to press
