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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. 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

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. 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

Staff News – past and present

Marriages

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David Billings (Director of Sport) married Donna Ennis (History) in August 2007.

Samantha Kowhan (Geography) married Antosch in December 2006.

Births

Sam Dewhurst (Meadhurst Housemaster) and his wife Juliet had their third son Wilfred born on 30th May 2007.

Simon Tetlow (Classics) and his wife Katherine (English) welcomed their first child Rosie on May 24th 2007.

Mr and Mrs Gary Wright (Physics) had a baby boy called Sam on May 21st 2007.

Leavers

Alison Caswell (Spanish) Caroline Coggins (Biology) Sylvie Etienney (French) Rhys Kemp (Maths) Tim Montagnon (retiring from full time teaching) Kate Murray (Classics) Andrew Skailes (Maths) Whitney Spivey (American Fellow) Tony Webster (Maths)

Deaths

Gary Cooke - June 2007 All who knew him will be saddened to hear of the death of Gary Cooke who lost his battle with cancer in June.

Gary taught at Uppingham from 1978 until moving to Harrow School in 1999.

A dedicated and talented teacher of English, Geography and ICT, he was fully active in all areas of school life, and was a particularly valued tutor, most notably in Farleigh. After a short break from teaching, working in the ICT industry, Gary returned to the school as Director of ICT. He was a pioneer of computer use in education, from the first faltering steps introducing BBC computers then the first PCs. He was well placed to establish the system that we now have in school, and inspirational in overseeing its introduction to all aspects of teaching and administration. He moved to Harrow School to establish a similar system there, and was still in post when he died. Gary Cooke

A notable professional career and one to be proud of, but that is not the only way that he will be remembered. It was his unstinting generosity that touched people. As a teacher and tutor, musician, colleague, and friend – Gary was always prepared to help and went to great lengths to do so. He kept in touch with those that were drawn to him, by his booming laugh, warm embrace, enthusiasm, optimism and sheer zest for life, and it was no surprise that at his funeral in Harrow there were many friends from every part of his life, present and past. Physically he has left Corinne his wife and his son Richard, his family and many, many friends and colleagues but in truth he will never really leave any of us that knew him.

Kindly written by Andy Wilson.

The Reverend Ian Watts (Chaplain 1978 – 1983) - March 2007

Who? What? Where?

Niall Browne (former History & CCF) was a Housemaster at the Royal Hospital School in Suffolk, and is now reported to be in Bermuda.

Barbara Wright

Barbara retired from the post of OU Administrator in mid July after eight years of dedicated and efficient service to the Association. OUs in general, myself, and my predecessor Malcolm Bussey in particular, have cause to be grateful to her for her outstanding work over that period. She gave unstintingly of her time and it was difficult to realise on occasions that she was only part time.

OUs knew that any planning or organisation left in her capable hands would be sorted out to the letter. Her knowledge of the hotel and catering trade ensured that chefs and staff in leading clubs and hotels could get away with nothing less than the highest standards which she demanded of them. During her time she acquired a remarkable, almost encyclopaedic, knowledge of OUs and was always the welcoming, cheerful voice at the end of the phone.

She had, and has, a great sense of both humour and fun. Her leaving party at a local hostelry typified this as she livened up the evening by supplying large quantities of party poppers and balloons, the latter designed to make less than polite noises when released amongst the unsuspecting public!

Barbara is a great traveller and intends to put her retirement to good use by visiting exotic places, sunning herself and sipping the odd glass of wine.

We all wish her a long, travel packed and happy retirement. In recognition of her services to the Association, your Committee elected her an Honorary OU, only the second such accolade in recent times.

Richard Boston

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OU Magazine Issue 35 2007-2008