A Message from the Headmaster One of the more challenging times in the year was the visit of not one but three inspection teams. The reports are available on the School website, but one telling comment in particular came from the Chief Boarding Inspector when asked to outline areas in which the School could do better – “we couldn’t find any” he replied as he snapped his file shut. We are never complacent so we know there is always room for improvement.
Richard Harman, Headmaster
It is hard to believe that a year has gone by since I arrived at Uppingham and if I give you just a small and personal cross section of memories from my first year at Uppingham, it will give you a sense of the wonderful delights I have enjoyed. I think of the standing ovations achieved by the stunning production of Les Misérables, quite brilliantly presented by a very large and superb cast and crew; I think of this year’s Routh, and I see myself running, slowly, being overtaken by at least half the field, some in proper lycra gear, some in house colours, some dressed as chickens and characters from Middle Earth;
Headmaster with Penny Rowell (Deputy Head) having run the Routh
there’s Friday morning team sheet ritual, when I hear from captains how teams have got on and what tactics they’ll employ in their next match; I remember the House Challenge and Debating finals and appearing on stage in ‘Just a Minute’; and particularly strong are memories of individual pupils leading Chapel services, making from a personal struggle a public event that builds respect and binds us closer together, and of course that inspiring, uplifting congregational singing.
What did the inspectors find during their visit? They found pastoral care which is as good as it gets and they found committed teachers who really engage their pupils in learning. They were lyrical in their praise of the breadth and depth of activities on offer. They were amazed not only by the quality of our music and all the creative arts, but also the depth of participation. One senior inspector remarked to me that although every great school has a group of excellent musicians at the top, Uppingham has a depth of musical engagement which is unparalleled. That excellence and depth was certainly evident on the wonderful Choir Tour to Hong Kong at Easter and also at the opening of the magnificent Paul David Music School. Not only did the Choir perform brilliantly in City Hall, Hong Kong, but a lucky few of us were also treated to an impromptu performance on the spur of the moment in a hilltop church in Macau. I wish I could replicate for you the look on the face of the bored Chinese attendant at the door. As our pupils, scattered through the chapel, broke into a rendition of ‘The Silver Swan’, she lit up with wonder and awe; a truly uplifting moment, another to add to the canon of golden memories during my first year. Following such glowing reports, OUs may well ask what it is I aim to do as guardian of their School. Well, there are plenty of challenges to meet, perhaps the most important of which is to sharpen and deepen the academic culture. I want us to focus on how pupils learn and teach them how to become independent learners and researchers, for that is what they will need most when they leave us and go on to the next stage. But it is not just how they learn which we must focus on. We need to have a culture of continuous improvement in all we do and to keep investing in our core strengths. We continue to invest some £1m a year in refurbishing boarding houses and we are developing a master plan to create a new focus on the Western side of the school’s
Messahe from the Headmaster OU
grounds, where currently there’s a mixed series of mostly disconnected buildings, some excellent, some less so. My vision for the first part of the 21st century is to transform this whole space into the ‘Western Quad’, a coherent and inspiring place where our commitment to the integration of the whole person – living, learning, creative, sporting – can be seen in beautiful stone, glass and green spaces, in the same way as Thring’s 19th century vision was built in the main Quad. It is early days, but the first steps towards this unfolding vision will involve the Sports Centre and a regenerated Science faculty. As Thring famously said ‘for the young, only the best is good enough’ and I’m determined to ensure that Uppingham continues to live up to his high standards. I look forward to sharing this vision with the OU community in the coming year.
Contents Message from the Headmaster OU News News from the Association and Foundation Who? What? Where? News of OUs
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4-10
Photo Call 2006/07 Pictures from some of the reunions and events in 2006/07
11-14
Announcements Births, engagements, marriages, obituaries and deaths
15-19
Staff News Announcements & news about staff, past and present
20
Memory Corner More memories of times gone by
21
OU Sports Societies & Clubs Golf, cricket, shooting, rugby, and sailing The London OU Dinner How to get your tickets
22-25
26
OU is the magazine for the Old Boys & Girls of Uppingham School, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9QE Tel: +44 (0)1572 820616 Email: nmt@uppingham.co.uk
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