Issuu

The Old

WACONIAN 51

Edition

Beyond the Green Door 2023

Students To Staff Meet the Old Wacs who came back

Humour, Investigation, And Criticism

The Boarding House, 30 Years On

OW, Jonathan Guthrie, shares his life as a writer

What are your memories?

Beyond the Green Door | Edition 51

WHERE THE WACONIANS ARE “As an Old Waconian myself, it was an obvious choice to send my girls to CHS. They represent the fourth generation to attend the School and are proud to be in the Marsh House - named after their Great Grandfather Cyril Marsh who, along with his 2 brothers, attended CHS prior to the First World War. The School has inspired them to enjoy learning.”

– Henry Marsh, Class of 1979

“As aa former former pupil pupil,I Iwas waskeen keentotosee seeififmy my “As children would exposed education children would bebe exposed to to anan education as as enriched as my own with thespectrum broad enriched as my own with the broad spectrum of opportunities that were to present of opportunities that were presented me. to me. Needless say, they andgone it has Needless to say to they are andare, it has gone beyond my expectations as a parent. beyond my expectations as a parent. My My favourite of day the day is pick-up favourite partpart of the is pick-up timetime to to hear exciting stories from theirday.” day.” hear their exciting stories of their

– Emma Gilligan, Class of 2000

Whole School Open House | Saturday 30 September 2023 Introduce the next generation of Waconians to your school and see how today’s CHS Experience suits your family - book a visit today. www.cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk | admissions@chschool.co.uk | 0161 488 3345

The Old

WACONIAN Features 07 / Farewell to The Jacksons 15 / From Students to Staff: the Old Wacs Who Came Back 18 / Humour, Investigation, And Criticism: My Life As A Writer | Jonathan Guthrie 20 / A Different Perspective on AI: From the Old Wacs Working With It 22 / A Career Inspired by a Creative Spark | Guy Swimer 24 / F amily Ties: The Goddard Family 26 / F ocus on: Professor Felicity Gavins 28 / 30 years on: Remembering the Boarding House 30 / Thank You For Your Support 32 / How Old Wacs Can Boost Your Career

Regulars 04 / Welcome 05 / S chool News 09 / Old Waconian News 11 / O ld Waconian Events 14 / O ld Waconian Awards 34 / F ondly Remembered 35 / CHS Shop

To receive future editions of The Old Waconian via email, contact us on er@chschool. co.uk so we can update your preferences.

Email: ER@chschool.co.uk Phone: 0161 488 3341 Cheadle Hulme School Claremont Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle SK8 6EF Old Waconians ‘Cheadle Hulme School’ @CheadleHulmeSch oldwaconians www.chscommunity.co.uk

Frances Kennedy

Charlotte Aspin

Patrick Robbins

Director of Development and External Relations

Alumni Relations Manager

Fundraising and Engagement Manager

0161 488 3338

0161 488 3341

0161 488 3330 ext. 3264

franceskennedy@chschool.co.uk

charlotteaspin@chschool.co.uk

patrickrobbins@chschool.co.uk

Beyond the Green Door | Edition 51

Welcome.

From the Head... Welcome to the 2023 edition of The Old Waconian. Dear Old Waconian Welcome to the latest issue of the Old Waconian magazine, just one of the ways we keep our OWs connected to each other and their former school. As I indicated during the fantastic OW London event at the Palace of Westminster back in March, life at CHS continues to be busy, with a keen focus on ensuring that our pupils can benefit from a broad educational experience while continuing to think longer-term about the challenges and opportunities which are likely to present themselves during the next 5-10 years. If you have not yet had the chance to do so, please take the time to read CHS2030 (accessible on the School website), which summarises the School’s main strategic priorities until 2030. It includes our ongoing commitment to opening access to CHS to more children, irrespective of their family circumstances. Thank you to those Old

Message From the Editor... Welcome to the latest edition of The Waconian. I hope you’ll enjoy keeping up to date with what’s happening at CHS and the news of success achieved by your fellow Old Waconians and our current pupils. As well as interviews with inspirational Old Waconians and a look back at our busy programme of events over the past year, we celebrate the life and times of the CHS Boarding House on the anniversary of its closing 30 years ago. We’re looking forward to welcoming our former Boarders back to CHS for a special reunion before our Annual Dinner in November. I want to thank all Old Waconians who have given up their time to share their experiences and advice with current pupils, staff, and the wider CHS community over the past year. Our students genuinely look to you for

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Waconians who support our Bursary Fund, and I look forward to sharing our updated plans with you and the broader CHS community in due course. During the last academic year, we continued to hold highly successful OW events, with many attending the annual dinner and the House of Lords event. It was lovely to see so many OWs and I hope they proved hugely enjoyable to everyone who attended. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the original publication of ‘The Waconian’ magazine, which you may remember from your school days. Whilst there had been a school magazine published prior to this date, it had not been as formal or regular as it became with the advent of The Waconian. The student editorial team was keen to mark this centenary by including elements of editions published since 1923, with a particular focus on years ending in a ‘3’. Reading through previous editions, it struck me that whilst much had changed during the last 100

years of the School, the importance of providing a broad, holistic education for all pupils has remained at the heart of all that we do, and I hope that the pages which follow and indeed the latest edition of the Waconian, which will be available in the autumn, reflect this. On behalf of the School, I would like to acknowledge and thank you for your ongoing support, and I look forward to seeing you in the coming year.

Neil Smith Head

inspiration, encouragement, and advice when considering their move beyond CHS. It has been fantastic to welcome so many of you back virtually or in person. Our recent Graduation for the Class of 2023 was a wonderful occasion as we welcomed 131 new Old Waconians to the alumni community and celebrated three inspirational alumni, Susan Bullock, OBE, Class of 1977, Neil Kellett, Class of 1957 and Haroon Munir, Class of 2018 who received the Old Waconian awards. Our Old Waconians and friends are an essential part of our community and play a key role in helping us inspire and empower the next generation of CHS pupils and create a sustainable future for the School. There are many fantastic ways to stay connected and get involved and I look forward to seeing you over the coming year. You are always welcome to come back and visit your old school. Best wishes from CHS Fran Kennedy Director of Development and External Relations

A Note From Your Alumni Relations Manager Having recently returned from maternity leave it’s been a pleasure to catch up with Old Wacs at events in London, Manchester and back at School. In the coming year I’m looking forward to working more closely with you to support the career aspirations of both our pupils and Old Waconians, through careers talks, work experience and the Old Waconian mentoring programme. If you’re interested in finding out more please drop me a line. I am also keen to share the successes, stories and memories of our Old Wacs so please send them to me, or share them with our social media accounts. I hope to hear from you soon. Charlotte Aspin Alumni Relations Manager

School News Introducing CHS 2030 Earlier this year saw the launch of CHS 2030, the new strategic plan which sets out our roadmap for the future. Our three strands of Empower, Inspire and Sustain reflect our priorities for the whole school community and drive our mission of providing a dynamic, holistic education for our young people. Find out more on the website here: https://www.cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk/ why-chs/our-mission/

Multicultural CHS Celebrations The rich cultural tapestry of the School was on show when CHS hosted its first ‘Multicultural CHS’ Celebration to mark World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Over 250 guests from the wider community enjoyed homemade snacks, workshops, talks and activities, celebrating different cultures within the School community and initiating conversation. Vibrant fusion music echoed from the speakers in Pentagon Yard and performances of Bhangra and Flamenco dancing caught the audience’s attention – with many joining in! In the drama studios, Manchester University’s Dr Leonie Gaiser spoke about her research into multilingualism in Manchester, and Manchester poet Zahid Hussain shared inspiring and informative words about the creation of his poem ‘Made in Manchester’. Event Leader, Mrs FoxPartridge said: “The Day really showcased the rich cultural diversity of our School Community. The event was utterly amazing and I won’t ever forget the strong sense of community, happiness and kindness that enveloped the whole day from start to end.“

Working Towards National Centre for Diversity Accreditation Our commitment to equality of experience is woven into our Waconian Values which underpin every aspect of life at CHS. To continue to build on our School values and founding principles, we are working towards accreditation with the National Centre for Diversity who is looking at our practices in relation to fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion and engagement. The National Centre for Diversity calls this “FREDIE” for short. All CHS policies are based on the principles of FREDIE and have reference to our Equality and Diversity policy.

Farewell to our Fantastic Foody After 18 years at CHS, Andy Willcox, Head Chef in the Sodexo Catering Team, is moving on to new ventures in the world of private catering. Andy has been part of the CHS Professional Services team for almost two decades - and with his passion for food being a real driving force - he has spearheaded the catering service to be what it is today. We wish him all the best for the next part of his food journey.

Top of the Class for Teacher Training For the third year running, CHS has officially been recognised as a regional hub for training senior school subject teachers through the national SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training) programmes in Maths, Physics and Modern Languages. The only schoolcentred provider in the local area, the year has had many highlights for its aspiring teachers, with 100% of the trainees becoming full-time qualified teachers in the state sector. CHS is also expanding its pool of partner state schools which offer placements around the country, enabling trainees to choose a setting to suit them. CHS’s Modern Languages curriculum is expanding to include Italian, broadening the opportunity for more trainee teachers to share their expertise via the SCITT programme in this subject. Find out more about the CHS SCITT online https://www. cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk/why-chs/teacher-trainingopportunities/

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School News CHS Widens Access to TEDxManchester 2023 This year CHS supported TEDxManchester’s Bursary programme making the event accessible to those who wouldn’t normally be able to attend via free and reduced price tickets. The independently organised conference showcases speakers from various fields who share ideas and inspire a wide audience of different ages, backgrounds and interests. Sixth Form students from CHS also swapped their blue blazers for red t-shirts to volunteer at the event at Bridgewater Hall.

CHS Lightning are National Champions After an exciting weekend at the F1 in Schools 2023 National Final in Birmingham, beating 19 other teams in the coveted STEM competition’s Development Class, the team also won an array of awards to add to their Championship Title! The team’s wins included Best Pit Display, Best Verbal Presentation and Best Engineered Car!

Green Blazers and Green Fingers Visitors to RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park saw how CHS is ‘Opening Doors’ in sustainability by showcasing its pupil-built planter, The Secret Garden. Selected for inclusion as part of the RHS’s Campaign for School Gardening, CHS’s build used up-cycled materials and included magical mini bug hotels designed by Year 4 pupils, fairy doors, vintage keys, a wormery, recycled book planters and pupils’ bug creations. Commenting on the inspiration behind the wildlifefriendly design and the School’s chosen theme of ‘Opening Doors’, CHS Junior School Teacher and Eco coordinator, Mrs Lyng said: “The concept can be interpreted in two ways: finding a key to unlock the potential in a child’s imagination through reading, creativity and exploring the unknown, and also to unlock the door to sustainability.”

CHS Lightning’s Team Leader, Audrey, also won a new award from Girls on Track, an organisation which promotes women’s involvement in motorsport.

Welcome to the Class of 2023 The Class of 2023 joined the Old Waconian community at their Graduation ceremony in June. Before leaving the year group organised a Quiz night fundraiser for the Bursary Fund to help give a talented young person the opportunity to experience a CHS education. The event, named ‘Are you smarter than a Sixth Former?’ was a huge success, with 143 parents, pupils and staff taking part. The Head Pupils stepped up as hosts and the night raised £1755 for the Bursary Fund at CHS.

Image credit: Mark Tattersall Photography

The planter also featured a special collaboration with Old Waconian glass artist, Alex Blakey (Class of 2009), who produced glass impressions, from pupils’ clay artwork, to be used in a wind chime for the garden.

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s n o s k c a J the Farewell to

ABC More than just Since 1975, there has only been one academic year when you wouldn’t have bumped into either Jane or David Jackson in the classroom or playing fields of CHS. As they embark on their retirement we caught up with them to hear their memories and plans for the future.

Jane and David started CHS as pupils in 1975. After leaving CHS in 1979, to study at teacher training school, Jane returned in 1983 to teach in the Junior School, staying until 1994 when she left to have her daughter, Rebecca. David was a pupil until 1982, but despite being at school at the same time as Jane, it wasn’t until a Columbus Fellowship meeting in the School library in 1986 that the two actually met. Jane: “As well as teaching I did Boarding House duty and, when a female member of staff was needed, I was asked by Mr Thomson’s Form group to join them for a weekend in North

Wales. This was followed by a summer trip in 1984 and I was hooked for 10 more years.” David: “We ended up running the canal barge trips together. I went on the trip…” Jane: “...and I had to learn how to drive the school minibus, with a canoe strapped on top, a trailer on the back, and children inside going up to Loch Lomond. Do you remember when the canoe fell off on the M60? Your brother got out and strapped it back on in the middle of the motorway!” David: “Things that you don’t do now!”

What were your fondest memories as pupils? Jane: “I remember sitting on the Pavilion steps while the First team played cricket, keeping the scores, not very well.” David: “Because your boyfriend was on the team!” Jane: “On our last day of school the Sixth Form Council decided to make a pyramid out of breezeblocks outside the Holden Hall which everybody sat on. Another year group made a washing line between the Holden Hall and Miss Munroe’s office and hung up a load of

undergarments, pretending they were hers. Things were more laissez-faire then!” David: “It was our year that pupils somehow moved a car from the car park and put it somewhere weird. And of course, the Boarders were up all night decorating before the last day. But my fondest memories are of sports (cricket, lacrosse, swimming) and trips away.”

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What were your fondest memories as staff? In the Junior School, Jane taught Years 3 and 4. “I’ve got some great memories of Christmas parties in the classroom, sports’ days on the field, and children making daisy chains and bug hotels. On a Thursday afternoon it was Clubs Afternoon and I remember Mr Goodison took pupils to Cobb’s Copse to toast marshmallows. I also remember the one BBC computer that was on a rickety trolley - I was one of the youngest members of staff so was very tech savvy which people wouldn’t believe now!” David’s first role in the Juniors was as a Form Teacher, “I spent ten years in Year 4, two years with Year 3, and six years in Year 1, before Mrs Bottoms realised my skills were better suited to teaching outdoor learning, computing and PE. I’ve run cross country and athletics too, and have worked with pupils from the PreSchool through to the Seniors.”

“The most rewarding stuff is the little things that children pick up on. As a Year 1 teacher the difference between the beginning and end of the year was massive. For example, a child could go from writing 1 sentence at the beginning of the year, to two pages by the end. Working in the Infants, you also built a better, closer relationship with the pupils. I brought my experience as a father to the teaching, and now, to the Pre-Schoolers, I’m probably more of a grandad figure. You make friends with the children and you can have really good conversations with them. Helping them learn and have fun while they do it.”

Jane: “Returning as a teaching assistant in 2012 meant that I could work with the children without the stresses and strain of the full teaching role. I could talk to them and help them to grow in confidence.” David: “Giving confidence to a child is priceless. You see them going from being tearful and upset in a specific lesson to happy and enjoying it. And if a child is happy, then they’ll make better progress.” How does CHS run in the family? Jane: “The family connections to the school are unbelievable. Both my parents were Old Wacs.” David: “As were mine, plus two uncles, two brothers, and our daughter. Our son has also come in and helped with the ultimate frisbee club. During the holidays the children would come in while I was working and play on the field.” Jane: “They both learned to ride their bikes on the Junior School playground!”

Holden Hall and when it was assembly the sliding doors would be slid back and we’d stay in our seats to listen. I also remember Mr Weedon’s big, revolving blackboard in the Geography room.” What does retirement hold in store? David: “Doing more of what we enjoy, when we want to and when the sun is shining. We do a lot of walking in the Peak District already and we’re planning to do more but further afield, exploring more of the UK that we haven’t seen yet.” Jane: “For the first time since I was 4 I won’t be in education and can have a holiday in September, so we’ve booked to go to the Shropshire Hills.” David: “We enjoy watching cycling as well so we want to see the Spring Classics in Belgium and combine that with a trip to the battlefields. I also took up Crown Green bowling last year and, as the youngest member of the team, I’m in high demand!”

Jane: “I may become more of a lady that lunches occasionally too.” Will you keep in touch? Jane: “I started a Junior School walking group and am part of the book club so will keep involved with those. I also hope to come back for some dress rehearsals of plays.” David: “As the person who knows where all of the cones go, I’m sure I’ll be invited back to help with future sports days too!” Any final words?

“Would we do it all again? Yes! It’s been fantastic for our family and our lasting memory of CHS is the feeling of being in a happy, relaxed and encouraging place, where children can fulfil their potential, whatever that may be.”

What’s changed over the years? Jane: “When I started teaching there were only 9 members of staff, now there are 40!”

“And the buildings have changed. I remember doing Music in the Huts (42, 44, 46 and 48) where the Sixth Form (formerly Staff House) is now. In Year 11, our classroom was in room 6 across the back of

Th e H u ts

What’s kept you at CHS? David: “One of the great things is I’ve been able to develop into this role that I’m doing now. Most schools would have kept me as a class teacher which I would have struggled with after so many years, but I’ve been lucky enough to move into roles that have kept me enjoying my work up until retirement.”

198 5 - Th e e n t i r e a c a de m i c s ta f f i n t h e I n f a n t S c h o o l D i n i n g H a l l

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Old Waconian News Corrie Old Wac Recognised with Award

Chatting Careers Over Coffee and Croissants

Congratulations to Paddy Bever, Class of 2021, on winning the Rising Star Award at the National Television Awards in October. Paddy joined the Coronation Street cast as David Platt’s step-son, Max Turner, after he graduated from CHS.

Inspiring Creativity From Glastonbury beer tents to Glastonbury pizza delivery, Havas Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Mark Whelan, Class of 1985, shared insights from his creative career with our Year 10 Waconians during this year’s Enrichment Week.

Over the last academic year Old Waconians have been involved with our series of Future Self Breakfasts, allowing Senior and Sixth Form pupils at CHS to hear OW’s different career journeys, and gain valuable insight and advice about what it’s like to work in different sectors, broadening their understanding of the world of work. Thank you to everyone who has spoken to our pupils. Please contact Charlotte Aspin if you’d like to get involved.

Coronation Campout for Old Wacs

ONES TO WATCH

Sisters Penny Hubbard, Class of 1978, and Abigail Collins, Class of 1986 (both née Street), slept overnight in London this May to be in prime position to watch the Coronation of King Charles III unfold. We caught up with Penny, “Inspired by Abigail, who had slept out for the Queen’s funeral, I was determined to give it a go - and was delighted that she and her now infamous green tent decided to join me at the last minute on the front row opposite the Cenotaph at Whitehall. The night was dry with a huge moon and Big Ben resplendent in lights - I even slept for a couple of hours!”

own distribution business supplying home textiles for the apartments and hotels being built there.

Manav Thapar, Class of 2001 Co-founder of LoveRaw From Cheadle to Chocolate. Where did life take you after school? After studying Economics at Birmingham, I was keen to have a change of scenery. A friend in Spain invited me to come and work there so I packed my bags, and got a job selling off-plan properties to international clients in the Middle East and Asia. I then started my

You’re a co-founder of the plantbased chocolate brand LoveRaw. What’s the story of how LoveRaw came about? The inspiration for the brand came from the challenges that my wife and I encountered when we were living a plant based lifestyle. We did not want to compromise on the chocolate we ate and as there were no alternatives we had to create our own! LoveRaw is about making great tasting plant based versions of the nation’s favourite chocolates. Veganism is very vogue. Why are you so passionate about encouraging people to go plant-based? We want to provide products that are so delicious that they can be enjoyed by everyone, removing the stigma and proving that vegan food can taste even better than its traditional counterparts. We do not preach to be a certain way as

Send us your news, memories and photographs We are always interested in hearing what our alumni have gone on to do after leaving CHS. Share your news by email er@chschool.co.uk or call us on 0161 488 3341. You can also write to us at the usual School address.

everyone’s reason for going more plant based is personal to them. You’re a business owner and a parent. How do you balance work and life? It’s impossible. One thing that has made things better is that I plan my week’s schedule to include family time and I try to take 2 Sundays off a month too. Kids just want your time and attention so even though my time is limited I try to be present with them. LoveRaw is a certified B Corp. What does this mean and why is it important? We are proud to be a certified B Corp. The B Corp community represents global businesses across a broad cross section of industries and sizes that are responsible for balancing purpose and profit. We are committed to social and environmental practices as part of our mission to create the best-tasting plant-based choc.

Find out more at eatloveraw.com Follow @loveraw on Instagram

Beyond the Green Door | Edition 51

ONES TO WATCH

Oli Paterson, Class of 2015 Food content creator

You studied Maths at the University of Bath. How did you find the course and university life? At school, I loved maths and I had great teachers (like Mr Brackenbury!) so it seemed the logical choice. However a Maths degree wasn’t for me and I’d encourage pupils to research what they’ll be learning before choosing a course. At school I preferred mechanics so I’d have been better suited to Engineering, or Computer Science. University life was great though; I made amazing friends and it gave me a better perspective on the world.

You now go by “ElBurrito Monster”. What triggered the move to full-time content creation? I came out of uni not knowing what I wanted to do. Having a hyperactive brain, none of the conventional jobs were for me, and my current career didn’t exist! I worked an office job and applied to jobs in different sectors to see if anything stuck. Lockdown hit and I was working from home. I used to finish a day’s work in 2 hours so I downloaded the new app (TikTok) and made fun cooking tutorials to send to friends. They started to get traction so I started posting as much as I could. A year and a half, and a million views later, I was able to monetise it sufficiently to make a living. I handed my notice in and took the plunge! It was the best decision I ever made.

beneficial for our success. For newbies, speak to people already achieving success and ask for tips in that field. How can OWs turn their passion into a career? It’s important for anyone who’s got a bit of spare time on their hands to dedicate some to a side hobby that involves creating something new. Avoid the trap of getting home from work, switching your brain off and staring at a screen for the evening, and commit time to a little passion project on the side.

Follow @elburritomonster on Instagram

Over a million followers across all social platforms! What’s the key to your success? A combination of having a creative brain, a lot of hard work, and an openness to learn! Making engaging videos is no random process, and getting consistent views is down to the pacing, shareability, and quality of the content. Now, I have a network of people doing the same job as me and we talk about content strategy which is mutually

Oli’s Fu ll En gl Breakfast W ish el lington

Eleanor Herbert, Class of 2017 Co-founder of RAMP What’s your career path been since leaving CHS? I went to Bristol University to study Theatre and German, spending a year living in Germany. I assisted Robert Wilson, a renowned international theatre director, at the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, then moved to Cologne, to work as a production assistant on TV shows for some of Germany’s top channels. After university, I moved to London to work in Celebrity Acquisition at the UK’s largest celebrity engagement tech platform Thrillz, building a roster of over 1000 celebrities and creators, and negotiating influencer partnerships. We launched RAMP in 2022 and have already worked with some amazing brands. How did you come about co-founding a company, and what services do you provide? At Thrillz I saw early on the rise of the ‘everyday influencer’ and recognised the value that TikTok creators were bringing to brands through authentic partnerships. My RAMP co-founder Anjan, whose background is in Private Equity, and I noticed that businesses were slow

to grasp the full potential of this rapidly growing platform, which created a significant demand for our services. Now we support clients with: TikTok account management, TikTok influencer and gifting campaigns, and production of user-generated content ads for social media. Impressions. Likes. Comments. Shares. How is TikTok changing the world of marketing? With more than 40% of young people now favouring TikTok over Google as their primary search engine, brands are being forced to reassess their traditional marketing strategies. TikTok can be thought of

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as a modern-day billboard, offering brands increased chances of virality, reaching millions of users organically. It allows direct engagement with their target consumers in a way that other social media channels can’t. Brands no longer need to rely as heavily on glossy editorial shoots, and instead generate the same level of authenticity and creativity that resonates with TikTok users to capture consumers’ attention across the board. How did CHS set you up for success in the world of work? I give education seminars to private equity firms. It can be daunting being the youngest in a room of CMOs and business owners so the confidence and public speaking abilities developed through CHS productions has undoubtedly played a role. You also don’t get anywhere without getting out of your comfort zone. CHS really pushed you to work hard, enjoy learning and try new things.

Find out more at rampcollective.com Follow rampcollective on LinkedIn

Old Waconian Events Charlie Everton Memorial Match In October, more than 40 Old Waconians and friends of CHS took to the football field as part of our annual Charlie Everton Memorial Match.

Old Waconians’ Association AGM & Dinner In November, we welcomed back Old Waconians for the Annual Dinner, including those from the Classes of 1962, 1967, 1992 and 2002 who were celebrating special anniversary reunions. After hearing from the Head, Neil Smith, everyone joined together to wish him a very happy birthday, followed by a speech from our OWA President, Nik Basran, Class of 1998.

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Old Waconians at the House of Lords In March, we enjoyed a perfect Spring evening and welcomed more than 150 Old Waconians to the House of Lords for our annual London drinks reception. Lord Dubs, Class of 1951, was unable to join us but we are very grateful to Viscount Stansgate who stepped in to host us. It was a great evening with Old Waconians from across the decades represented.

Let’s CHat: City Careers In the heart of London’s banking district, our networking event, hosted by Oliver Chapman, Class of 2006, gave OWs a chance to find out more about the variety of jobs available in the city. Attendees shared their experiences of careers in finance, law, tech and management consultancy, and more experienced OWs were able to share advice with those in the process of career changes. If you’re interested in hosting a careers networking event, or would like to suggest which industry we should focus on next, please get in touch.

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Former Staff Afternoon Tea In March, we welcomed back Former Staff to catch up with colleagues over Afternoon Tea. Guests enjoyed food and friendly conversation in the School’s newly refurbished underpass.

Old Waconians’ Summer Social This year’s Summer Social gave Old Wacs an opportunity to get together for a drink and catch up under the arches of Manchester’s Deansgate Locks. OWs from the Class of 1960 to the Class of 2022 were represented.

EVENTS

26 September 2023

UPCOMING

Let’s CHat: Careers in Healthcare, 6-8pm, The Christie Education Centre A panel discussion with healthcare professionals in clinical and non-clinical roles, followed by networking. This event aims to support early career OWs and Sixth Form pupils with career choices. OWs who are more established in their careers are invited to attend and share their experiences.

10 November 2023

Service of Remembrance, CHS Join us for our annual whole school service and refreshments.

17-19 November 2023

White Circle Manchester Art Fair, Manchester Central Once again we’ll be exhibiting work by CHS artists work back at Manchester Art Fair

18 November 2023

Boarders’ Reunion, 3-4.30pm, CHS Old Waconians’ Dinner plus reunions for the Classes of 1963, 1973, 1983, 1993 and 2003, CHS

Do you have a raffle prize that you could donate to our Old Wacs’ Dinner raffle? All proceeds will support the Bursary Fund.

Reunions begin at 5.30pm. Pre-dinner drinks from 6pm.

Old Waconians’ Association Annual General Meeting, 7pm, CHS The AGM will take place at the start of the Old Wacs’ Dinner. The AGM agenda will be available online. If you have any questions or matters that you would like to raise please email er@chschool.co.uk or write to us at the school address by 4 November.

14 December 2023

First Reunion for the Class of 2023 and Class of 2022, 6pm, CHS

January 2024

OWs Catch Up in Australia, Perth and Melbourne Former OWA President, Paul Atherley, Class of 1974, is heading to Australia and will be hosting two informal meet ups for OWs who live nearby.

Would you like to join us?

Find out more event details, and register online, via CHS Community (https://www.chscommunity.co.uk/events). Alternatively, contact us by email er@chschool.co.uk or call 0161 448 3341.

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Old Waconian Awards 2023 The Cheadle Hulme School Old Waconian Awards recognise the accomplishments of our former pupils and the contributions they make to our CHS community. Each year they present an opportunity for the School to acknowledge alumni who are embodying our Waconian values in their careers, charity work and collaborations.

Distinguished Old Waconian Award Recognises an Old Waconian’s sustained achievement over a long career.

Susan Bullock CBE, Class of 1977 This award recognises Susan’s unique and outstanding career as an opera singer as well as her ongoing demonstration of the School’s Waconian values. Susan has developed an international career and has received accolades including the Royal Philharmonic Society’s award for best singer in 2009, role of the solo soprano at the 2011 Last Night of the Proms and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2014 for services to opera. She has also taken time out of her busy schedule to perform to CHS pupils and to co-host events for the Old Waconian community.

“I am absolutely delighted to receive this Old Waconian Award. It means an enormous amount to me because I only came to Cheadle Hulme School part way through the Lower Sixth, and yet in the 18 months or so that I was there, my life was transformed. I was encouraged to follow my dreams by wonderfully supportive teachers and I made lifelong friends. I learned very quickly that anything is achievable if you work hard, and had it not been for Cheadle Hulme School I certainly would not have had the career I am still enjoying today. Thank you SO much!”

Old Waconian Contribution Award Recognises an individual’s service and contribution to CHS.

Neil Kellett, Class of 1957 This award recognises Neil’s long standing support of the Old Waconians’ Association and his ongoing efforts to ensure that former pupils remain in touch with the School and each other, particularly during recent difficult times. After leaving CHS Neil trained as an accountant, working at the same company until 2000. He joined the Old Waconians’ Association as a paid member and has been a key connection for Old Waconians from his year group ever since. Following a very successful reunion in 1997 he has helped to institute regular get togethers, 3 or 4 times per year, including ex-pat members visiting the UK when possible. During the pandemic Neil took the meet-ups online, including OWs from Australia, Greece, and all over the UK. A stoic effort to keep part of the Old Waconian network connected. Neil was presented with his award in front of other Old Waconians and supporters of the School at our Donor’s Lunch.

Old Waconian Early Career Award Recognises exceptional accomplishment early in the nominees’ post school career.

Haroon Munir, Class of 2018 The Alumni Board selected Haroon for this award due to his drive and commitment to charity work during his time at dental school and the way he has demonstrated the Waconian values of integrity and contribution through the projects he has supported. After graduating from CHS Haroon took a gap year to help deliver the message of the importance of oral hygiene in Third World countries. He also undertook training in how to work with children with special needs which he uses in his day to day training in dental school. Haroon has extensive input into several water charities scattered throughout Asia, helping to implement water wells into areas of need. Meanwhile, he is completing his final years of dental school alongside nearing the completion of his own fluoride toothpaste line.

“I am delighted to have been chosen for this award and am eagerly looking forward to accepting it in person at the school. Returning to the school that has played such an important role in my life will be a truly special experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this achievement with the Waconian community. I am humbled to be included among the esteemed group of past award recipients, and I am committed to continuing to make a positive impact in the world. This recognition has given me renewed energy and motivation to pursue my passions and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”

You can read more about the Old Waconian Awards on the website https://www.cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk/old-waconian-awards/

The Old WACONIAN | Edition 51

STUDENTS TO STAFF:

LIFE IN AND OUT OF THE GREEN BLAZER We often hear about the strong connections Old Waconians feel to CHS, so it’s no surprise that some alumni make their way back. Recently, we caught up with five staff members to discover what life is like at CHS – in and out of the green blazer.

HOW IT STARTED...

Jennie Johnson (née Boyd), Class of 1997 Purchase Ledger Administrator

Patrick Robbins, Class of 2017 Fundraising and Engagement Manager

Oli Abbott, Class of 2008 Head of French

Gabby Cohen (née Kingsley), Class of 2014 Head of Geography (temporary)

Emma Hayward, Class of 2013 Head of German Beyond the Green Door | Edition 51

CHS experience – as a pupil

CHS experience – as a staff member

We asked each staff member about their experiences as a pupil, and it was clear to see why they returned:

For Patrick, it was about the support he received in his studies, and the community around him:

All the Old Waconians found returning to be a strange experience – but a familiar and enjoyable one, which can be seen in Emma’s response:

“I made friends for life, and my experience was enjoyable and enriching – there were so many opportunities with co-curricular and trips.” – Emma Hayward

“CHS allowed me to grow academically, socially, and personally. The teachers and staff always encouraged us to pursue our passions and pushed us to achieve our best. The strong sense of community and lifelong friendships were truly invaluable.” – Patrick Robbins

Jennie and Gabby had a similar experience, finding CHS to be a happy, vibrant, and safe place whilst enjoying extracurricular activities:

“I don’t remember a morning where I didn’t want to come to school. I always felt that my contribution was valued; we were encouraged to discuss and share our opinions, and very much nurtured to be confident in ourselves as well as achieving successful grades. We enjoyed a wealth of opportunities outside the classroom too. There was always something we could be part of, such as the annual drama production or sporting events.” – Jennie Johnson “I look back so fondly on my time as a pupil. The staff were so supportive in both my academic and extracurricular endeavours. It really is an amazing place to come to school.” – Gabby Cohen

“It was strange but like going home at the same time. The strange feeling at the start didn’t last long and it has become totally normal now. It was weird calling staff members who taught me by their first name!” – Emma Hayward

For Patrick, coming back has been about giving back:

“Personally, the school gave me a lot and I had a great time here, which is why I wanted to come back in my role professionally. As the Fundraising Manager, I help to continue to widen access to CHS and expand our bursarial provision to help others access those same opportunities which I was able to benefit from.” – Patrick Robbins

I look back so fondly on my time as a pupil. The staff were so supportive in both my academic and extra-curricular endeavours. It really is an amazing place to come to school. Oli’s highlight was Sixth Form – especially because it was a safe space:

“Sixth Form in particular was an amazing time of growing independence. The other thing I loved was how safe and tolerant a space it seemed to be. Kids can be pretty brutal – but at CHS, everyone seemed to look out for each other. I bump into Old Wacs quite often, and they all just seem to be ‘good people’ – they have good values.” – Oli Abbott

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Both Gabby and Jennie shared why they loved working here – from the support, to how they’re contributing:

“It’s a great place to work in, the pupils are so hardworking which makes it a pleasure to teach, and my colleagues have been incredibly supportive.” – Gabby Cohen “I really enjoy working at CHS. I feel I’m adding some real value to a very special place, and look forward to being part of the school’s exciting future.” – Jennie Johnson

And Oli had many good words to share about the staff body and its impact on pupils:

“A new colleague recently said the staff body was the nicest, most welcoming and caring he’d ever worked with. There are a lot of good people in this institution who care about preserving its values and passing them on to the next generation. It reflects well on the school that people want to stay and continue to contribute to life at CHS.” – Oli Abbott

What’s stayed the same Some things at CHS have stayed the same since the Old Waconians left – and they bring back fond memories for them:

“With the exception of Mrs Shand (who hasn’t changed one bit), it has to be the library which remains exactly as I remember as a child. The Junior School building is also highly recognisable from my days spent there. I can still feel how it felt to sit in the little chairs in assembly in the hall or feed the rabbits in the old quad which now houses the ICT suite.” – Jennie Johnson Both Gabby and Emma pointed out how our strong ethos has remained:

“The ethos and the feel are still the same. It feels like the same school that I loved attending as a pupil. All the staff care in the same way.” – Emma Hayward “It has the same atmosphere walking around the site as it did when I was a pupil. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming, and I really do believe our motto ‘in loco parentis’ shines through.” – Gabby Cohen Similarly, Patrick and Oli were both glad that our focus on diversity remains:

“The strong sense of community and the inclusive environment are still prevalent. The school’s commitment to providing a solid education, fostering well-rounded individuals, and drawing a diverse student body continues to be a priority. The values and principles that shaped my CHS experience are still upheld and engrained very much in day-to-day school life.” – Patrick Robbins “The diversity of pupils is important. I like to think it’s something that is and was valued by lots of people at CHS, and it’s definitely something we can and should do even more of. I’ve been able to help a bit with the Bursary Fund campaign recently, and you can see that it’s the same now as it was then – that there’s a lot of difference. I had a few ‘characters’ in my form, and this was a positive thing at CHS. They found their tribe and flourished.” – Oli Abbott

Find out how it’s going for other OWs by following Old Waconians on Instagram (@ oldwaconians) and share your “How it started: How it’s going” with us.

What’s changed Plenty has also changed – and for the better. This includes the facilities, as noted by Emma:

“The pavilion was an old cold changing room which was only used for cross country really and everyone hated it. Now it’s such an outstanding facility which I would have loved to be able to use.” – Emma Hayward Gabby praised the House System, which was only just starting out when she was at CHS:

“I think it’s a brilliant opportunity for pupils to get involved in so many different activities and events that they otherwise wouldn’t have done through lessons and extra-curricular activities.” – Gabby Cohen Meanwhile, Oli and Jennie are pleased about the expansion and opportunities for noncurricular activities:

“The sport has gone to a different level. Since I started at CHS, the girls have won national netball titles and in that same year group, the boys won the ISFA Cup too.” – Oli Abbott

“Trips are numerous and venture to places as far as Costa Rica, Barbados, and Japan. Sporting activity is also huge now. There are always fixtures, events and trips being held.” – Jennie Johnson Lastly, Patrick noted how the curriculum has progressed, alongside our sustainability and bursary efforts to help tackle environmental and cost-of-living challenges:

“New technologies and teaching methods have enhanced the learning experience. The curriculum has evolved to cater to the changing needs of the pupils, and the world, with the introduction of the Waconian Diploma, HPQs, EPQs, and the ‘Big Questions’. There’s a greater focus on becoming more sustainable, with new plans and practices to reduce our carbon footprint. We’re also putting in a concerted effort to grow and expand our bursary provision, so we’ve created some ambitious plans to provide further financial assistance to families facing financial pressures.” – Patrick Robbins

HOW IT’S GOING... Beyond the Green Door | Edition 51

HUMOUR, INVESTIGATION AND CRITICISM:

er t i r w a s a e f i l My

Jonathan Guthrie, Class of 1982 Jonathan has worked at The Financial Times (FT) since 1993. Currently, he’s the Head of Lex (their flagship investment column) and an Associate Editor. 18

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Before university, I spent a year in India. I worked on development projects, and witnessed the lives of poor people surviving in difficult circumstances. It was a really eye-opening experience, and one I’m glad I had. My journalism career started in 1987 – though it really began at Nottingham University. I studied English and worked on the university newspaper, where I wrote columns and ran the film review section. I produced one page headed “Surrealist Film Festival”, the rest of which was a huge black rectangle. Readers thought this was meant to be a witty surrealist statement. In reality, I’d given the printer the wrong instructions.

I specialise in opinion writing. I’ve been an FT columnist since 2003. I often use humour as a means of delivering a serious message. At CHS, I started an alternative to the school’s Waconian Magazine with a friend – it was called ‘The Draconian’. This was very tongue-in-cheek and the school was quite worried about it, so they allocated an English teacher to be our censor. He didn’t really believe in censorship, though! He suggested jokes so hair-raising that we never published them. It was good fun and it made me realise journalism could be entertaining.

I joined the FT Group in 1993. At present, I run ‘Lex’, the flagship daily investment column. We write incisive commentary on global capital spiced with jokes and financial analysis. I lead a great team of smart people based in such financial centres as London, New York, San Francisco, and Seoul.

After university, I moved to London to write about finance. I started at the bottom as a humble editorial assistant. IT was primitive, and my jobs included glueing articles onto pages for optical reproduction. I wrote for a few publications, including The Economist, and ended up editing magazines.

I’ve covered wild economic swings. There have been five serious market crashes in my time. Much of what we write on Lex is driven by huge global trends: climate change, the technological revolution, and east-west political tensions.

My job involves numbers. That would amaze my old maths teachers at CHS. But numeracy is vital to financial writers. It allows us to sniff out exaggerations, evasions, and hard truths.

Journalism is tough to get into… but if you’re persistent and keep going, you’ll do fine Investigative journalism? Yes, I’ve done that too. I have exposed dubious dealings at a couple of big companies. As a result, they quit the London Stock Exchange. I also investigated the socalled “Gem of Tanzania” – a giant ruby supposedly valued at many millions. It was used as collateral for a takeover but was pretty well worthless. After exposing the scam, I tried to buy it from administrators as a memento for the FT newsroom. But a businessman I knew beat me to it with a bid of over £1,000!

The internet has been great for FT. From 2000, forecasters predicted every year that traditional media would be dead within five years. Well, 23 years on, we’re still here and doing brilliantly. The bulk of our distribution is online, which works well for our worldwide audience – finance, economics, and politics are global issues, after all. I write monthly natural history columns for the FT. These are all about wild animals and how people relate to them, which is an interest for me outside of work. I’m married with two grown-up kids, and my wife and I often travel overseas to see different animals. We’re keen gardeners too.

If you’re lucky at school, you have at least one inspirational teacher you hit it off with. Mine was Mr Scaife. He brought English history vividly alive, and that has informed my understanding of the UK and its politics ever since. I wrote a letter thanking him after I graduated. That’s a good way for old Waconians – or any former pupils of any school – to recognise the positive impact of great educators. I wasn’t the most diligent student. But teachers like him and a good group of friends meant I enjoyed school. My top tip for budding writers? You need to be determined and thick-skinned. Journalism is tough to get into and competitive once you’re there. But if you’re persistent and keep going, you’ll do fine.

Beyond the Green Door | Edition 51

A Different Perspective on AI: From the Old Wacs Working With It CHS Head, Neil Smith, recently spoke about AI’s impact on schooling. There are concerns, from rendering homework skills like researching, processing, and decision-making obsolete, to potentially removing teachers. But there are also benefits, like supporting with homework, research assistance, and personalised learning. When used correctly, it can supplement and enhance learning, shifting the education model from one based on acquiring knowledge, to assessing and evaluating it. As a result, schools can provide a broader education. To add a different perspective to the debate, we spoke to two Old Waconians who work in AIcritical industries. They share what AI means, for the economic and educational world.

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Nancy Roberts: AI – a source for good or bad in diversity and inclusion (D&I)? Nancy Roberts, Class of 1993, works in the SaaS/ HR industry as Founder and CEO of Umbrella Analytics. Our platform is all about inclusivity. It uses Natural Language Processing to identify and help correct exclusive language in corporate communications. There’s strong evidence that using certain types of language, lots of jargon, or having a hefty requirements list, deters specific candidates – like females or those from a low socio-economic background. So, we use AI to analyse text at scale, and establish how it can be re-written to attract a wider, more diverse talent pool. AI has a big part to play in D&I. The language around D&I changes rapidly. AI allows us to analyse vast amounts of linguistic data at a speed and scale that a human could never achieve. We also use it to objectively interrogate data without imposing our own biases on it. This is critical in challenging discriminatory structures and processes. There’s a lot of debate about the role of AI in improving D&I. AI engines have produced unpalatable results which actively discriminate against certain groups. The issue for my field is that humans are biased, so datasets have that bias encoded within them. We mitigate for these by using Human-in-theLoop AI to assess and lessen the likelihood of dataset bias.

Hans Smith-Wrinch: Will AI replace artists? Hans Smith-Wrinch, Class of 2018, is CTO and CoFounder of startup, A-Space, and works in generative AI. A-Space focuses on optimising the architect’s design process. This involves researching the latest generative machine learning methods, and finding ways to leverage these to the creative standard of a professional architect. Designing and creating require the understanding of nuanced principles. These can take years for a professional to learn and use in their work, and they’re very difficult to replicate through standard logical processes. Being a designer involves taking inspiration from a wide context that can be challenging to encode. By using AI, we can “train” networks to learn these intuitions using methods that (very loosely!) resemble neurological processes. I studied Computer Science, then Creative Computing. This urge to switch industries came from my dissertation titled “can a computer create art?”, which was a philosophical and technical work surrounding AI and its ability and place to create art. A lot of creatives fear that AI has the potential to replace artists, especially with the rise of models like

Like any technology, AI will be as good – or as bad – as the uses we put it to. With careful consideration, it can help us to mitigate biases and improve social justice outcomes. But done badly, there’s a risk that AI will perpetuate and solidify existing social issues. I believe AI has real potential. It can democratise knowledge, through increased access to sophisticated data analysis techniques for non-statisticians, and its ability to support a range of learning styles. I also think it has huge applications in medicine – we’re already seeing AI detecting cancer markers before humans. I’m hopeful for education too. It can support building personalised learning journeys for different types of learners, enabling those who aren’t traditionally “academic” to flourish. AI is a big part of my life outside Umbrella Analytics. I use it as a consultant to the academic publishing industry. It’s employed across the content life cycle, from exposing plagiarism, to performing basic language editing of articles. I also utilise it to manage my own time – it’s very important if you have a portfolio career. We and AI educates about its impact on our lives. I’m a member of the Board of Advisors. Our non-profit organisation provides resources to aid people. It can help them to understand issues like dataset bias and what we can do about it, plus learn how to encode social justice into the AI design process. The website is https://weandai.org/.

DALL·E 2, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion. It’s easier than ever to use these models and create photorealistic images of artworks in seconds. But it remains a topic of philosophical debate as to whether these can be considered artworks. To bring peace of mind, I think it’ll do no less than the camera. Before, most artworks focused on hyperrealism, which led many artists to suggest that art was over when the camera was invented. And what actually happened? Art took on an unprecedented direction, instead aiding the rise of more surrealist works. Of course, as with any creation, some jobs like portraitures became obsolete, but many more took its place. It’s exciting to see where the art and the creative industries can go next! Pupils can benefit from AI. They’ll be able to ask sophisticated large language models, like ChatGPT, for help. It’ll be a struggle to rework existing pedagogies, but we did it successfully with the internet. Pupils will learn so much more in a shorter space of time, and that’s only an advantage, once teaching evolves to utilise these tools. In my industry, AI is the next stage for art and creativity. AI will enhance and redirect many creative industries; I can’t wait for more artists to use these tools in their practice. It may also provide insights into philosophical discussion within questions such as “what is art?” and “what is consciousness?” since AI’s inception has blurred the lines.

Beyond the Green Door | Edition 51

Focus On

A CAREER IGNITED BY A CREATIVE SPARK 22

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Guy Swimer, Class of 1991, has worked in the advertising industry for around 25 years. He’s currently Executive Creative Director at McCann Health London where he’s widening access to the creative industries, resulting in a more diverse workforce. My career has been both linear and not. After CHS, I studied Philosophy and Politics at university, then moved to London and joined a graduate scheme at an advertising agency. I really wanted to get into advertising, but the role wasn’t creative, so I returned to education a few years later. It was a bit of a bootcamp. I gained a post-graduate diploma in Copywriting and Art Direction at Watford College, learning how to generate 40 advert ideas a day! Now, my role is to help other people create ideas. After the diploma, I worked as a creative. This involved developing ideas, usually in a pair. One would be responsible for design, and one for the copy – I was the latter. Then I progressed and became Creative Director, managing the teams who did this. Now, as Executive Creative Director, I manage the Creative Directors who manage teams. Advertising was my dream – but I had no idea how to enter the industry. My dad had the same dream but didn’t manage to achieve it – so that pushed me. He was limited by the geography equity, and although the media industry has expanded more to the north, it’s still very London-focused. It wasn’t accessible for my dad, and not for me either. I feel I got in by pure luck joining that graduate scheme.

When I took over my department, I realised the lack of diversity. We had one woman in a team of 25–30. There were ad campaigns around breast cancer awareness aimed at women in minority communities, but most of the people who created these were neither women nor minorities. It was elitist, in all honesty. To create highly personalised campaigns, we needed diverse teams that represented our many different audiences.

We needed to change the paradigm. So we reached out to Creative Access. They’ve built a space for underrepresented individuals to work specifically in the media.

To create highly personalised campaigns, we needed diverse teams that represented our many different audiences.

Then came IGNITE, and it’s a completely open process. Our programme is a fully paid internship in line with the London Living Wage, as many can’t get into advertising due to financial constraints. Plus, they don’t need a portfolio. We find candidates in the most diverse ways – from former chefs, to engineers, to hairdressers. All they need to do is complete a form on our website, and provide a flavour of their potential. We understand some are shy as they don’t know anyone in the industry, so our interviewers are trained to be totally neutral.

A lot of people had doubts – but it succeeded. Advertising is fast-moving, and people really have to hit the ground running. Many didn’t have faith in the IGNITE programme, but now, half of my department is from IGNITE, and we have an equal gender split too. The programme is a great opportunity, giving people experience and a taste for the industry. It’s been a lot of work, but our team is much more diverse and we produce greater results. They work on campaigns for big names like Just Eat and L’Oréal, with their ideas splashed online, on buses, and on trains. Thank you to those at CHS who nurtured my creative side. From my Drama teacher Mr Allen, to my Religious Studies teacher, Mr Whittaker, I thank them for helping me excel creatively. I wasn’t hugely enamoured with my education and was a pretty average student, but when I got into the creative stuff, I thrived. I enjoyed literature, Shakespeare, drama, and music. In fact, I played in bands at school and in CHS music competitions. I even took a career break to be a musician. This involved songwriting and winning the Festival of Benidorm in Spain, a competition similar to the UK’s Pop Idol. Advertising requires resilience. I’ve had to tell team members to put their ideas to the side, and generate new ones. They hadn’t quite cracked it, and I knew they could do better. Great ideas take time, but you can’t give up; you have to keep going and be resilient. We’re trying to make the advertising industry more open and representative, but you still need to force your way through the doors and compete with others for opportunities. It’s about resilience, and having that creative spark.

Beyond the Green Door | Edition 51

Family Ties The Goddard Family In June, Emily Goddard, Class of 2003, returned to Cheadle with some of her family to remember her Grandma who would have been 100 this year. They wanted to visit places that were important to her, and as a proud Old Waconian CHS was top of the list. Her Grandma, Beryl Goddard (née Ainsworth), was a pupil from 1934 until 1938 and loved it so much that she sent all three of her children there. This started a trend as her two sons chose Cheadle as the school for their daughters too.

Beryl Goddard née Ainsworth, Class of 1940 Passed away in July 2021, aged 98

Hilary Goddard

John Goddard

Roger Goddard

Class of 1967

Class of 1969

Class of 1971

Passed away in July 2008

Jemma

Roger Goddard Class of 1971 After leaving CHS, Roger went to Cambridge University to read Economics. While there he played Lacrosse for the University alongside fellow Old Wac Steff Nash, Class of 1970, and in his final year played hockey for the University Wanderers team (2nds). He returned to the Northwest to join Deloitte & Co (later PwC) as a trainee Chartered Accountant in Manchester. Qualifying in 1974 he spent 18 months in Chicago

Zoe

Hannah Goddard

Laura Edmends née Goddard

Emily Goddard

Class of 2000

Class of 1998

Class of 2003

on secondment. In 1985, he became an audit partner and, after working on the UK and global firm’s strategy, led the audit practice in the North West. In 2002, he was headhunted to become Finance Director of a very large private business with interests in the UK, Europe, America and Australia.

“My favourite time at CHS was in the Sixth form when I could specialise in the subjects that really interested me. Peter Chapman taught me Economics and we had great fun debating

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the economic issues of the day. An enthusiastic and supportive teacher really helps bring out the best in their pupils. We also had great fun playing (and usually beating) men’s lacrosse teams who couldn’t match our youthful energy! When looking at schools for our daughter, Emily, we wanted her to have the all round experience of sports, academic and artistic life that CHS provides. She joined in the Junior School so once she moved up to the Seniors she already had friendships

built, and was familiar with the place and the size of the pupil population, which helped her to settle in quickly. It’s always interesting to return and stir memories of the School. Whilst the building structures are essentially the same, their condition and the facilities have moved on a lot since my day! With three generations of our family having passed through, we have seen it grow and develop over many years.”

Emily Goddard Class of 2003 After leaving CHS, Emily studied Psychology at UCL before joining a graduate scheme at a social and political research business called BMRB. She was trained as a market researcher focusing on campaign effectiveness in public advertising, including campaigns like THINK! and Change4Life. As a music fan her next move was to a Brand Strategy agency called Sparkler, where she worked with media and entertainment clients, such as Universal Music, MTV, Facebook and The FA on Women’s Football. She is now a

John Goddard Class of 1969 In his career John has been Chief Financial Officer at ICI, Zeneca and Astra Zeneca. When it came to choosing a school for his daughters, the family connection ruled the way.

freelancer and currently works for a small business called Rebel Book Club, a global community of nonfiction fans, on marketing, events and content production.

“It’s really hard to choose one favourite CHS memory since I was there from age 7 to 18! For me, it was always about the friends I made and the sports I played. The School always felt very friendly to me and, as someone who wasn’t especially confident when I joined, the emphasis on a mix of academia, sports, music and drama really helped everyone find their natural strengths. A real highlight was being part of

the 1XI hockey squad in 2000 that went on the tour to Australia and New Zealand. You can’t beat the feeling of travelling with your teammates and it gave me the bug to do more of that. Strangely, when I returned to CHS this year it felt like I’d never left. I’d walked the loops around those buildings so many times for 11 years, that I think the site is deeply ingrained in my bones! Though it’s definitely had a glow-up since we left - the sports facilities especially. I wish I could have experienced those. No more muddy showers before trying to put a pair of tights back on.

The School has played a huge role in not just my life, but my Grandma’s, Dad’s, Aunt’s, Uncle’s, and my cousins. My Grandma frequently talked about how much she loved going to CHS and how it was some of the best days of her life, so I guess the family connection is really profound for me. It’s also really lovely to see what’s going on with people who are part of the alumni community and I really like to cheer on the kids who are doing amazing things in sports from afar, because I know how hard they have to work for it and it’s amazing to see them shine.”

Laura chose it. She loved knowing her Grandma was nearby and the family history attached to the school.

Laura Edmends née Goddard Class of 1998 After leaving CHS Laura went to Manchester Metropolitan Uni to study Geography. She then moved to London and worked as an events manager and then a PA. She now works in a school, has 3 boys and has been married for 15 years.

“My whole CHS journey was positive and I often hope my children have as much fun at school as I did. Hannah and I left CHS in 1998. I had finished my A-Levels and had naturally come to the end of my time at CHS. Boarding had stopped at CHS by then so, as my parents moved to America, Hannah moved to Rugby to attend boarding school there. Boarding at CHS was amazing fun. I remember loads of days playing on the fields. I remember movies in the TV den. I remember Fuddy, my housemistress, Miss Newman who was deaf and had a Jack Russell, and Miss Webster.

I remember trips to go ice skating and horse riding. I loved post day and waiting for airmail letters from my parents. I loved everything.” The Goddard family generously donated to the building fund for the new Sports pavilion which opened in 2016.

“We wanted to support the new pavilion because all of our family had been active sports players. It was a common focal point for us and we all had an awareness of the dire need to improve the old building. In my day we succeeded at sport despite the facilities but it is clear that nowadays pupils succeed because of them. I feel strongly that the great strength of the School is not focussing solely on academic success. The skills that are built up through sports, music and drama, and the confidence gained by participating in them, provide essential building blocks for success in adult life on top of academic qualifications.” - Roger Goddard

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Focus On

I help repurpose drugs. Pharmacology is the study of drugs and how they act in the body. In my line of work I find new drugs that people can take to protect their immune system, or identify drugs that are already on the market to treat one condition, like high blood pressure, that can also be used to treat another condition, like stroke. I’ve always wanted to do something in science. At school I kept my options open with my subject choices, but knew I was interested in science. I thought about medicine but wasn’t sure I wanted to work with patients all the time. I enjoyed learning about the body and so started planning a career in pharmacy, starting with a degree in pharmacology at the University of Sunderland.

Professor

FELICITY N.E.

GAVINS In 2019, Felicity Gavins, Class of 1996, joined Brunel University as Professor of Pharmacology and Royal Society Wolfson Fellow. She is the Director of The Centre for Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine and her scientific career to date has spanned the UK and the U.S.

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I strongly encourage my students to have as many experiences as possible. During my degree I did an industrial placement at Bayer Pharmaceuticals in Slough. This was life-changing. I isolated neutrophils (a type of white blood cells) from human blood every day and tested the effects of different drugs on them. My boss at Bayer (Dr Vince Russell) was instrumental in shaping my career and instead of pursuing pharmacy I went back to university knowing I wanted to do a PhD. Funded by the British Heart Foundation, my PhD focused on cardiovascular disease and it took me to Queen Mary’s University, London, and to the U.S. where I learned new techniques to apply to my research. You’ve got to put your hat in the ring. After my PhD, I was awarded a postdoctoral research fellowship from the British Heart Foundation. After completing this, I considered moving to the U.S. to complete a second Postdoc, but an advert came up for a Lectureship at Imperial College London, so I applied and got it. It was a very exciting time, as I was one of four new lecturers at a brand new centre, all starting our academic careers. Nothing prepares you for being an academic. Suddenly, you’re in charge of a sort of mini business - you’re responsible for people and their development, and the grants you apply for are supporting your team’s livelihoods and mortgages.

My advice to anyone looking to progress in academia is to have confidence and be honest with yourself. If you get somewhere and realise it’s no longer an interest or it’s just not right for you, then change your path.

I was invited to work in the U.S. During my time at Imperial, I was approached by the Head of the Physiology Department from Louisiana State University with whom I worked during my PhD. He wanted me to join his Department in the U.S. and so, after a lot of deliberation, I decided to make the move! I lived in Louisiana for six and a half years and really enjoyed it. I sat on lots of local and national committees (including the National Institutes for Health [NIH]) and from a scientific point of view it was a really useful and richly rewarding experience. “This grant is too British!” That’s one piece of feedback I received when working in the U.S. I had to learn that there was a different way to package grant applications, to do the hard sell, but in the end I got the grant! It was a good life lesson! I was headhunted by Brunel. In 2019, I was awarded a Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship. This allowed me to fast track my return to the UK to accept a position at Brunel as a Professor. The Fellowship also supports a project I’m working on about sickle cell disease, the fastestgrowing genetic disease in the UK. Affected patients have a very proinflammatory immune response, in other words their blood is very activated and they are more susceptible to risks such as heart attacks or strokes. We’re looking at neutrophil function in relation to this disease and other conditions such as cardiovascular disease.

Miss Ottway was a tour de force! I enjoyed my time at CHS very much and return to the area frequently to visit my parents. Certain teachers stood out to me. I liked the structured way that Mr Chicken taught us to approach exam questions in his history lessons, and from a chemistry point of view I really enjoyed lessons with Miss Ottway (later Mrs Sparrow). She was a formidable person with a strong character and I admired that.

I made Professor before I was 40. From an academic point of view becoming a Professor is the top of the academic tree and for me, it’s one of my greatest achievements. You’ve got to do it on your own, but it takes a lot of support from friends, family, and teachers. Similarly, in my current role I really enjoy supporting Early Career Researchers and seeing them develop. Women in academia need to support each other. The further up the ladder you go, there are unfortunately, fewer women in senior positions for various reasons. Support networks have certainly grown over the years and the increased acceptance of flexible working post-Covid is helping, but we need to continue to be respectful, supportive, and realistic about our expectations in order to benefit all colleagues.

Trust your gut feeling and be positive. My advice to anyone looking to progress in academia is to have confidence and be honest with yourself. If you get somewhere and realise it’s no longer an interest or it’s just not right for you, then change your path. It takes courage and determination, but in the long run it’s empowering knowing that you made the right choices. As you journey through your academic career, you will have to accept a lot of grant rejections and you have to dig deep to move forward. In all positions though be enthusiastic (a glass half full kind of attitude!) - you’re working in a team and a great attitude has a positive impact on everyone.

To learn more about the work we do in our lab, visit our website: www.gavins-lab.com

Beyond the Green Door | Edition 51

Date for the Diary Join us for our Boarders’ Reunion on Saturday 18th November 2023 at 3pm. Enjoy light refreshments followed by a tour of the School including the old Boarding House.

30 YEARS ON:

REMEMBERING THE BOARDING HOUSE Can you believe it’s been 30 years since the Boarding House at CHS closed? To mark this occasion we are collecting memories and photos from our Old Waconian Boarders to share as part of an anniversary film. We would also like to invite you to return to CHS to see how the School has changed since 1993. 28

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John Britcliffe, Class of 1954, reflects on his time in the Boarding House: “I was a Boarder (B29) from 1946 to 1954, 8 of the happiest years of my life. So was my elder brother Edward (B62) and my cousins Bobby and David Walkden. The closure of the Boarding House was, in my opinion, a sad event. The Boarding House provided a platform for young boys and girls to grow up together! On Sundays we all went off to the nearby Anglican Church for matins and later in the day evensong was held in the refectory. A person from Junior School delivered the first reading followed by a Senior School delivering the second reading. Being born in Accrington I had a strong Lancashire accent and at the end of my reading T.T.R. Lockhart, the Headmaster, a Scotsman with a strong Scottish accent, announced that I had a dreadful accent and I was sent off to elocution lessons. I often reflect on my Happy Days at Chintz and thank goodness I was there when the Boarding House was open.”

Share your memories If you have photos of your time as a Boarder please share them with us via email (er@chschool.co.uk) or send them to the School address (FAO Charlotte Aspin, Cheadle Hulme School, Claremont Road, Cheadle SK8 6EF). We would also love to include your memories in a film about the Boarding House. If you’re happy to, please film or record yourself answering one, or all, of the following questions and send your video/ audio file to us via email (er@chschool.co.uk): - When were you a boarder at CHS? - What was your fondest memory of living at CHS? - The School’s motto is in loco parentis (in the place of a parent). How important was this to you as a boarder?

Beyond the Green Door | Edition 51

Thank You For Your Support Thank you for being part of our mission to transform lives and widen access to CHS. The past few years have been filled with unprecedented challenges. Yet, your remarkable commitment and incredible generosity have made a significant impact on our community. As we look forward, we are determined to uphold the School’s core values and stay true to the philanthropic vision of our founders and countless Old Waconians.

The Numbers

Regular Donors

260 Total Don rs 2022 - 2023

193 1,401 DONATIONS 2022-2023

75% £5.5 MILLION

Old Waconians account for

of our gifts received

£860,000 Bursary Endowment investment income 2008 - 2022

Fund

What your gifts mean: 250 Old Wacs giving £10 per month would raise £30,000, funding a student through two years of Sixth Form on a Transformational Bursary

£350

Full uniform and sports kit

£400

One digital device

70 28

Bursary applications this year

£1,000 One educational trip abroad

Bursary offers made

Bursary acceptances

Total £1,275,000

£250

A place on the Year 7 residential

£4,864 One term of education

365 £14,592 One year of education

BURSARY FUND CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHS 2007 - 2023

Where do donations go? Every penny you contribute to bursaries at CHS makes a lasting impact. The Bursary Trust carefully invests the funds to support pupils in need. Investments are entrusted to Rathbones Investment Managers and CCLA (COIF Charities Ethical Investment Fund) - industry leading experts in charitable funds. Our Trustees, made up of alumni, parents, current and former staff, and governors, continually review policies and procedures to ensure your donation is in safe hands. How does it work? Income from investments combined with capital from the Trust forms an annual contribution to CHS. This, with direct investment from the School, helps provide financial support for fees, uniforms, lunches, educational equipment, trips and transport.

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Building a lasting impact We are grateful that 95 Old Waconians have expressed their intention to leave a lasting legacy at CHS. This year, we have been humbled to receive £205,000 (and a new piano) from legacy gifts. To find out how you can create a meaningful gift for CHS in your will, please email patrickrobbins@chschool.co.uk.

Bursary Stories: Your Journey, Future Inspiration

As part of our ongoing efforts to celebrate and recognise Old Waconian donors, we have installed two handmade oak honours boards in the Head’s Corridor, naming 95 members of our School community, including OWs from the Class of 1934 to 2009.

We’re on the lookout for stories to showcase; if you received financial support at CHS, helped fundraise for bursaries, or have an inspirational story to share about a Bursary recipient, we want to hear from you!

One is dedicated to donors who have given regularly for a decade or more, the other recognises supporters whose cumulative gifts have reached £50,000 or more.

Let’s shine a spotlight on the impact of bursaries at CHS email patrickrobbins@chschool. co.uk to share your story.

Donor Boards Unveiled

Donor Roll Our Donor Roll can be found here.

We were also delighted to reintroduce our Chair’s Circle Dinner and Donor Lunch this year, where we had the privilege of hosting 85 members of our community on site. Your thoughtful contributions, regardless of size, have collectively made a significant impact and enriched the educational journey of deserving young people.

Or visit: www.cheadlehulmeschool .co.uk/our-donors/

Your Impact “I definitely wouldn’t be where I was without the Bursary Fund. I live with my mum and my dad is in West Africa, so growing up it was a very different environment. The state school I had been allocated to was classed as inadequate but thanks to CHS I received an offer from Cambridge University. I definitely would not have considered Cambridge or the career pathways I’m researching if not for the opportunities that CHS has given.” - CHS Pupil Bursary Recipient

“CHS supported my 3 children with bursaries when our circumstances changed. I am eternally grateful for the wonderful education they received and the opportunities provided. Thank you.” - Parent of 3 Bursary recipients

“I grew up in a single parent family, it was my mum and my two brothers. I felt a sense of pride when I got to CHS. The moment I walked through the gates was a recognition of the journey that it had taken to get there. At CHS I loved Model United Nations, and the first broadsheet newspaper I ever read was in the common room. CHS really helped me gain the right values. One of the ways we can make the world a better place is to widen access to education.” - Michael Heaven Junior, Class of 2008

Building Partnerships, Supporting our Community At CHS we actively engage in outreach efforts and maintain partnerships with our 5 local partner state primary schools to create a positive difference in our area. This year, we have taken steps to create further meaningful partnerships to not only benefit our community but to also widen access to CHS via the Bursary Fund. Stockport County FC: Acknowledging the value of CHS’s green spaces and top-notch facilities, we collaborated with Stockport County to host football camps for local state primary schools during Summer 2023. CHS provided transport and lunch for every participant, and families attending had the opportunity to learn about the Bursary Fund.

To find out more about the Bursary Fund please email patrickrobbins@ chschool.co.uk or call us on 0161 488 3341

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Mentoring is about unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance - it is helping them to learn rather than teaching them.

How Old Wacs Can Boost Your Career Launch of our Old Waconian Mentoring Programme We are thrilled to announce that applications for our Old Waconian mentoring programme are now open. The programme will run in 3 month cycles and additional programme dates will be released later in the year. The aim of this programme is to tap into the knowledge, experience and expertise of our Old Waconian community, and to facilitate a culture of sharing and support among our alumni.

The focus is on helping less experienced OWs to explore their career options and to feel more prepared for their next career move. At the same, giving more experienced alumni the chance to give back to their community, make new connections with emerging talent and develop their professional skills.

The mentoring relationship will typically last for 3 months, with communication mostly via email, and will involve a time commitment for the mentor of between 1 and 2 hours per month. Objectives will be mutually agreed and a named contact from the CHS External Relations team will be available to provide support throughout.

Next steps Looking for a mentor? Please complete a short application form to help us match you with a mentor who has the most suitable experience to support your aspirations. To ensure the best support we will limit the number of mentoring matches in each cycle operating on a first come first served basis.

Ready to support a mentee? To express interest in becoming a mentor please first sign up to our online CHS Community [https:// www.chscommunity.co.uk/]. Once registered head to the Careers page [https://www.chscommunity.co.uk/ careers] and check the “Mentoring relationship” box in the “Volunteer to help” section. We will be in touch if we identify a suitable mentee for you. Find out more in our Old Waconian Mentoring SCANHandbook. ME Find out more in our Old Waconian Mentoring Handbook.

When choosing between graduate role offers, I sought advice from an Old Waconian who works at JP Morgan Chase, a company similar to those I was applying to. Having guidance from someone who was in a similar industry to me, but further along their career path, was invaluable in helping me feel more confident in my decision making. Lily Danson, Class of 2019

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The Young Alumni Employability Board Our strategy for CHS 2030 is centred on how we can best support our young people to navigate their next steps beyond CHS, both in education and the world of work. An action from our Alumni Board meeting was to get feedback from young alumni about how we can best develop the CHS careers programme. The temporary Young Alumni Employability Board gives young OWs a platform to share with us their experiences of university applications, internships, work experience, graduate recruitment schemes, and everything else they wish they’d known before starting their career.

There is ever more pressure on young people to make career decisions early on in their life. As a result, it is becoming ever more difficult for young people to get good, fulfilling jobs once they leave school/university. I’ve joined the Young Alumni Employability Board to help ensure that Waconians and Old Waconians are even better prepared to take on the world! James Whelan, Class of 2021

The Apprenticeship Approach The School is keen to provide more information about apprenticeship opportunities, and to showcase Old Waconians who have opted for this career path. If you are a current or graduate apprentice we would love to hear from you. Old Waconian, Grace Woosey, Class of 2022, shared with us her apprenticeship experience: You started your Civil Engineering Degree Apprentice at Atkins in September 2022. Why did you opt for this route over a traditional university degree? After completing work experience with Atkins in 2019, I was told about the degree apprenticeship and began to research this route. For me, it was important to still attend a top university and, with the number of available degree apprenticeships growing every year, I found out Warwick, my top choice, had recently started a Civil program. By taking this route, I do not have to pay any University fees, have a salary that increases every year, and will finish my course with my first professional qualification and with 5 years more experience than a graduate. As I am on block release, and have moved to live near the university, I still experience some of the University lifestyle many worry about missing. What has been your highlight during your first year? My appointment as Assistant Apprentice Lead for UK&I as it has exposed me to the running of the company and has given me many opportunities to interact with other early careers staff from around the country. As a young employee, how have you been supported to feel part of a community in the company? I have a dedicated early careers line manager

Work Experience: July 2024

who gives tailored advice and ensures I am integrating fully into the company and its community. Atkins also has many communities you can join to enhance the culture of the company.

Each July our Year 12 students spend a week finding out more about possible career paths. We would love to offer them opportunities to work alongside Old Waconians, especially for those students who struggle to find placements due to a limited network of contacts. If you, or your company, would be able to host a student/s please email er@chschool.co.uk.

When I speak to OWs I’m always impressed by the range of careers that CHS alumni span and the varied pathways taken to get there. Through our mentoring programme I’m excited about helping to foster meaningful connections between OWs. So, please take a moment to think about how it felt to apply for your first graduate scheme, to prepare for your first job interview, or to attend your first networking event, and get in touch to help early career OWs who are stepping into those same shoes. Charlotte Aspin, Alumni Relations Manager

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Fondly Remembered CHS is sad to report the deaths of the following Old Waconians: Jane Ashton, Class of 1994

Henry Hochland, Class of 1973

Peter Spiller, Class of 1948

Elizabeth Bloomer (née Gerrard), Class of 1957

Anne Johnson (née Eastwood), Class of 1950

Anthony Stimson, Class of 1950

John Burgess, Class of 1984

Caroline Law (née Wrinch), Class of 1987

Jim Carpenter, Class of 1963 Margaret Collett (née Royle), Class of 1955

Pat Law (née Bower), Class of 1945 Lucy Nuttall, Class of 1987

Caroline Emmons, Class of 1969

Carl Postles, Class of 1958

Gill Fraser (née Cohen), Class of 1985

Ilse Ryder (née Stein), Former Staff 1956-1961

Patricia Gore, Class of 1966

John Simpson, Class of 1951

Bryan Hammans, Class of 1959

Geoffrey Snowdon, Class of 1951

Rob Trueblood, Class of 1967 Richard Gareth Vaughan-Hughes, Class of 1953 Brenda Wetton, Former Staff 1960-1990 Lindsay Wilson (née Hooley), Class of 1978 Frank Womby, Class of 1949 Roger Worthington, Class of 1964

Ilse Ryder (née Stein)

15 July 1919 - 26 May 2022 Maths teacher Ilse started working at CHS in 1956 but her early life as a refugee had been full of travel and uncertainty. Born in Brüx, Czechoslovakia, to a mathematician mother, she moved to Prague in 1938. In January 1939 she was airlifted, with other Jewish children, to Croydon airport in London, followed later by her mother. She was raised by missionaries and attended church schools before winning a scholarship to Oxford University, graduating with a degree in mathematics. At CHS she met fellow teacher and future husband, Leslie. In the late 60s they moved to London where Ilse taught at Wandsworth School and then Kingston College of Further Education where she worked until retirement. In her later years she still travelled extensively and even relearned Czech. Leslie died in 2007 and Ilse is survived by their two sons.

Peter Spiller

7 May 1930 - 5 Jan 2023 After leaving CHS in 1948 Peter completed his national service in the army. After initial training he was sent to Hong Kong and proceeded to play Rugby all over the Far East. He married fellow Old Waconian, Pat, in June 1954. They originally met in 1939 when Peter asked Pat to go to the junior Christmas party with him. Their family grew with four children and many grandchildren. Peter’s job in textiles took him all over the world and on retirement the couple continued to travel extensively all over the world. Peter has kept his connection with the School as an Old Waconian and will be missed by all who met him.

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If you would like to notify us of a death please get in touch. Phone: 0161 488 3341 Email: er@chschool.co.uk

Jane Ashton

3 Dec 1975 - 13 Dec 2022 Jane joined CHS as a 1st year in 1987 and left before Sixth Form in 1991. Her classmates shared some of their memories about her: “Jane had the capacity to look beyond herself and help others whatever her situation - whether that was pulling people out of bogs on one of Mr Sparrow’s geography field trips, loading up her car and feeding the homeless in Manchester or simply her huge love for her three girls. When Jane embarked on a degree at Man Met as a mature student, it said everything about her resilient stubbornness, bounce back ability and incredible intelligence that she chose to study aeronautical engineering. She was outstandingly and effortlessly clever at CHS but Jane would have been the first to say she often preferred to have fun rather than hit the books and this rebellious streak was also fondly remembered.”

Brenda Wetton 16 Jan 1932 26 Jan 2023

Former member of staff Maggie Evans reminisces about Brenda’s continued connection with her CHS colleagues, “The retired ladies from CHS have always kept closely in touch. Brenda was the founder of our group, which dates back over 30 years. I met Brenda in 1980, when I joined CHS, and she was the least selfish person I ever met at school. She would cover any duty and never ask for recompense. She always had a kind word of encouragement and understood so well the challenges of managing a family and a demanding job. We both taught a particularly challenging group of Juniors in her last year, and we would often remember how awful some of them were and laugh about them in hindsight. Brenda will always be in our group, whether at our monthly coffee meetings, our twiceyearly lunches, or our annual tea party in Vera Moore’s beautiful garden. We will miss her, but be forever grateful that she made our continuing fellowship possible.”

CHS Shop Head to https://www.chscommunity.co.uk/shop to purchase your official CHS merchandise. All proceeds go directly to the CHS Bursary Fund.

Organic Cotton ‘CHS’ spell-out T-shirts

Limited Edition Framed Prints by Urban Colours

We have limited stock of our grey/green ‘CHS’ spell-out T-shirts. New colourways coming soon...

Jamie Edwards, the artist behind Urban Colours, has recreated the Main Building of CHS in his distinctive style. Limited stock so order yours fast!

Designer Silk Ties A luxury silk tie designed by Founder and Creative Director of Lord Willy’s (New York), Alex Wilcox, Class of 1982. Each tie is delivered in a branded CHS gift box.

100% Silk Scarves This beautiful 100% silk scarf in black and cream shows off the iconic CHS crest and keys motif.

Cheadle Hulme School: A History This beautifully illustrated book brings the history of the School to life. Suitable for children aged 11 upwards. Why not share your school’s story with a family member today?

Heads and Tales: The 150 Year Story of Cheadle Hulme School The story of Cheadle Hulme School, retold by Melanie Richardson, Class of 1980, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the School’s foundation.

Beyond the Green Door | Edition 51

OLD WACONIAN noun (ould wa-kau-ni-an) The term ‘Old Waconian’ stems from the original name given to the School in 1855:

THE WAREHOUSEMEN AND CLERKS’ ORPHAN SCHOOLS Every former pupil and member of staff becomes an Old Waconian when they leave Cheadle Hulme School.

Head - Neil Smith Claremont Road · Cheadle Hulme · Cheadle · Cheshire · SK8 6EF Tel 0161 488 3330 · Email head@chschool.co.uk cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk Registered Company Number 3823129 Registered Charity Number 1077017 36

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