THE Alumni Magazine of Exeter School
Aquatics vision
New state of the art indoor pool opens www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni
Issue 7 Summer 2017
Contents Feature: On the right path Feature: Swimming at Exeter School Alumni in focus School news
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Careers feature
Feature: A matter of medicine Memory lane News of Exonians OE Club
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Alumni in focus
18 Events
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Photo credits and captions: Front cover: Exeter School celebrates its new 25m, four-lane swimming pool. Contents: Top: Holly Griffin (2005- 2012) ran an interactive lesson on ocean life and its threats with Junior School pupils. Middle: Giles Humphries (1997 - 2004), Myles Hopper (1995 - 2006) and Rob Grieg-Gran (1998 - 2003) set up Mindful Chef to provide healthy food boxes using organic, locally sourced ingredients. Bottom: The 16th WaterAid concert was one of many events attended by alumni. Bob Griffin and John Davidson pictured with Jessica Hitt (2009 - 2016) and Harriet Jenner (2009 - 2016).
01392 458941 alumnisec@exeterschool.org.uk Exeter School Alumni Office Victoria Park Road Exeter EX2 4NS www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni Twitter: @ExeterSchoolUK Linkedin: Exeter School Alumni (Old Exonians) Facebook: Exeter School Alumni
Welcome
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ver the academic year 2016-2017, we have visited many parts of the country to meet Exonians of all ages at our regional events in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Oxford, Cambridge and London. In May, we hosted nearly 50 guests from seven decades at the London Dinner. At School, Exonians have returned to give many relevant and engaging careers talks, and run seminars and workshops across several subject areas. It was a great pleasure to welcome back past pupils and staff to events at School including the ‘Inspiring
Director of Alumni John Davidson with soloists Jonathan Schranz (2005 - 2012), tenor, and Bethany Partridge (2006 - 2011), soprano at the Choral Society performance of Haydn’s Nelson Mass in March. Landscapes’ exhibition in the Art Gallery featuring work by former Head of Art Dave Seddon, our special assembly commemorating the life of Victorian pupil Andrea Angel, and the Choral Society and WaterAid concerts. Do stay in touch and keep us up to date with your contact details and come and see us if you are in the area! Best wishes, John Davidson, Director of Alumni Relations
Welcome from the Headmaster
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t has been a pleasure to see many of you in Exeter TH PHOTO WEDNESDAY JUNE 7Your or at our COMING regional events in recent months. enthusiasm for what the School is currently doing and your generous support in various ways of its activities and its pupils are much appreciated. As I write, we are looking forward to three significant events: the opening of our wonderful new swimming pool on 28 June, the arrival of the first free place holders of the modern era in September and the celebration of the 20th year of full co-education in the coming year. I hope that you enjoy this magazine. You are always welcome to come to see the School in action. Headmaster Griffin with former teachers and With all goodBob wishes, poets Lawrence Sail and Harry Guest. Bob Griffin
Headmaster Bob Griffin with Governor Gillian Hodgetts (1984 - 1986) who chairs the Foundation Committee
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This publication is produced by Exeter School and printed by Brightsea Print Group. We welcome stories for consideration. Contributions may be edited for content and length.
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We are sending this issue of The 1633 by post to all Exonians whose addresses we have except those who have specifically requested to receive copies of publications electronically. If you would like to receive future issues electronically, then please visit the ‘update your details’ page on the contact us tab of the alumni pages of the School website, tick the drop box and ensure your email details are correct. Alternatively, telephone Karen Dart, the Alumni Secretary, on 01392 458941. This magazine and two other school publications, the annual Exonian and bi-annual Exeter School Life can be read on the alumni news section of the School website. www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 3
Careers
On the right path
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upils across the 7 - 18 age range have benefitted from presentations and workshops given by alumni in lessons and as part of our extensive careers programme. Some highlights of the last six months are
Subject talks and workshops
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any subjects have gained from past pupils running seminars and contributing to lessons. Kate Allen (2013) from the data analytics start-up City Science ran a seminar for Sixth Form Geographers with colleague Kerry Deacon on sustainable development in Exeter. Royal Geographical Society Ambassador Holly Griffin (2012) ran an interactive lesson focusing on ocean life and its threats with Upper One pupils, and gave a lecture to Upper Sixth Geographers on marine resources. Richard Reynolds (1995) (below left), aka the ‘Guerrilla Gardener’, gave an entertaining talk to the Crossing Club describing how he transformed neglected areas around his inner city housing estate, creating green spaces with flowers. GCSE Drama pupils enjoyed an improvisation workshop led by actor Imogen Butler-Cole (1995) (top left), learning useful techniques for their devised pieces of theatre. Chris Clay (2012) visited the Physics department and talked to pupils about studying Engineering at Oxford University and his current role at Rolls Royce.
summarised here, including National Careers Week and the annual Lower Sixth Careers Conference. Our pupils really appreciate hearing how Exonians have progressed from School to their current careers.
Lower Sixth Careers Conference
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he School welcomed 16 alumni, past parents and friends from a variety of career areas to our Lower Sixth Careers Conference in March. Luke Boxall (1983) from Robert Half Management Resources gave the opening talk on interview techniques. Pupils participated in two seminars of their choice and Adele Ruston from Bristol University concluded the event.
National Careers Week
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upils from the Middle Fifth to the Lower Sixth enjoyed career-related talks in March as part of National Careers Week. Clockwise from top left: Rowena Caine (2010) talked about her path into front-line journalism in the Middle East and the value of being fluent in languages; Jonathan Davidson (2011) led a seminar about his experience studying English at university and his
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current role with Ian Fleming Publications Ltd; Rob Pepper (1995) ran a creative art workshop and held a lunchtime discussion on becoming a professional artist; Sarah Trahair-Williams (2006) spoke about her job in construction management showing some of the innovative projects she had worked on and highlighted new opportunities to study an engineering degree whilst working at Dyson.
(2006) Senior Project Manager, Turner & Townsend; Rowena Caine (2010), Senior Reporter, Argus Media; Laura Robinson (1995), Professor (Earth Sciences), Bristol University; Simon Lewis (1997), Chartered Accountant, Thompson Jenner LLP; Jim Gilbert, Medical Director of Hospiscare (until December 2016); James Petherick (2002), Director, Residential Development, JLL.
The other speakers were Kris Sum, Director, Switch Systems Ltd (2000); Deborah Bazeley, (2008) Freelance Marketing Manager; Jonathan Davidson (2011), Publications Assistant, Ian Fleming Publications Ltd; Dominic Leaver (1992), Project Manager and Architect, Leaver Consultancy Limited; Mark Tyler (1982), Senior Communication, Public Affairs and Engagement Manager, Office of Police and Crime Commissioner (Devon and Cornwall); Natasha Bellinger, Barrister, Magdalen Chambers; Stephen Perring, (1981), Director, Diagnostic Path Solutions (Taunton); Sarah Trahair-Williams,
Full reports of these talks are on the news section of the alumni website. The School is very grateful to former pupils for sharing their experiences and insights. If you would like to be part of our Careers Network to help with an event or give a talk, please email alumnisec@exeterschool.org.uk www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 5
Feature 1910
2016
c.1962
1980s
Photo credit: Clive
Elliot
1975
Swimming at Exeter School - then and now
Exeter School has had a swimming pool since 1889; we look back on the history of the pool and forward to the future
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n June 2017, the first classes took the plunge into the new indoor swimming pool, made possible by a very generous donation from a benefactor. The pool will be used throughout the year for PE and Games lessons, clubs, aquarobics and fitness training, and five local primary schools will bring groups to learn how to swim. The 1889 pool cost £200 and was called the swimming bath. Exeter School was one of the first institutions in the UK to have its own swimming pool, at a time when Exeter had no public swimming facility. The Exonian magazines record swimming competitions taking place from the 1890s onwards and a diving board was added in 1898. 6 | The 1633 - Summer 2017
Long, rather narrow, unheated and with draughty wooden changing areas, the pool remained in this form until 1972. The water was frequently green in colour due to growth of algae. Many pupils recall being asked to fish out live frogs and other aquatic wildlife prior to lessons. A universal recollection was how cold it was, both in the water and in the changing rooms. On at least one occasion, the ice on the surface had to be broken before swimming took place. During the 1950s, pupils remember a rather primitive version of chlorination taking place during a lesson involving a teacher and a watering can! Despite these drawbacks, swimming galas were held regularly, pupils excelled in the swimming teams and from the 1920s onwards, lifesaving training began for RLSS awards.
2017
By 1970, the pool was over 80 years old. Money was found to rebuild it on the same site. The project took place from 1972-1973 at a cost of £6,000 opening in Summer 1973 with matches against Plymouth, and Hele’s School. The ‘new’ pool was a 20-metre, four-lane pool with a diving board. There was proper filtering and heating, although chlorine was still added by hand and levels varied considerably. It still featured six draughty wooden changing rooms with several gaps in the planks.
airborne, clearing the swimming pool wall and ending up upside down on the Paddock. It was irreparable, so winter swimming ceased.
In 1997, the wooden changing rooms were replaced by new brick facilities including toilets and hot showers, a new chlorination plant was installed and the surround of the pool renewed. Further improvements in the last ten years have included new gates, raised walls, increased security and a moveable lockable pool cover, effectively ending a long but risky tradition During the mid 1970s the pool was covered in winter of midnight swims by Old Exonians and St Luke’s by a large tent, and the air was heated with a blower, students. The nearby solar panels helped keep the enabling training to continue through the colder water at a comfortable temperature. months. This created a strange atmosphere inside, reminiscent of a sauna on full. Swimmers doing Now after 125 years of galas, sponsored swims, canoe lengths could be heard but not always seen through training and lifesaving classes in variable weather the dense fog over the water. During a storm in 1980 conditions, all pupils will be able to enjoy waterthe swimming pool cover broke free and became based sports and clubs all year round. www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 7
Alumni in focus languages. Now, just a few years on, I am a journalist writing about oil, politics and economics in Iraq and travelling the Middle East.
Journalism in the firing line
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It all began when an unexpected opportunity arose to study Arabic alongside Spanish and English Literature at Durham University. Encouraged by teachers from School, I accepted the challenge. I had no knowledge of Middle Eastern politics, nor had I considered how living as a blonde woman in an Arab country would be. I studied in Jordan for seven months of my year abroad, and worked with Syrian and Somalian refugees in my spare time. Once acclimatised to the staring so prevalent in the Middle East, I discovered a captivating culture. I knew then I wanted a career that would allow me to delve deeper. After an internship at Reuters, I joined Argus Media, writing news and analysis about Egypt and Iraq. Having languages helped me to develop contacts abroad. Soon I was able to report on the oil cartel OPEC, and interview oil ministers from Spanish speaking countries such as Venezuela, Middle Eastern States and Francophone North Africa.
Looking back on my career to date, I realise how much Rowena Caine (2003 - 2010), Senior Reporter I learnt at School by accepting challenges outside with Argus Media, studied English, French, my comfort zone from trudging up a mountain in Spanish, Economics and World Development Snowdonia tired and cold to desperately trying to get a at A Level and Modern Languages at Durham piece of music right before a performance. University. She gave presentations to Middle Fifth and Upper Fifth pupils as part of Developing inner confidence through surviving the National Careers Week, and led discussion little adversities encountered at School has often been groups on journalism as a career in the Lower every bit as important as academic achievement. Sixth Careers Conference.
he sound of gunfire erupts somewhere in the distance. I am standing with a few journalists on a hotel balcony in Baghdad, feeling slightly exposed without my bulletproof vest. We glance at one another nervously, ears pricked for the slightest sound. Someone suggests it’s celebratory gunfire - common in the Middle East. We fall silent and identify more than one weapon. It is not celebratory. We decide it is too far away to concern us. Suddenly a car backfires and we all jump, spooked, thinking it was a gunshot. We laugh again sheepishly, but hurriedly move inside. Sometimes it seems my career has taken a rather unexpected course. At Exeter School, I was involved in music and drama and studied European 8 | The 1633 - Summer 2017
Mind your health
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n 2014, Giles Humphries (1997 - 2004) worked in an advertising agency and Myles Hopper (1995 2006) as a nutritional coach and personal trainer. They both had stable jobs in London, working long hours and aware of their potentially unhealthy lifestyle, coming home late and settling for a ready-made meal of limited nutritional value. Around the same time, Rob Grieg-Gran (1998 - 2003) was taking a break from his work as an investment banker, helping on a Lympstone fishing boat. Inspired by people buying fish straight from the sea, he immediately saw how eating fresh, healthy food would appeal to busy city workers, especially if it was easy to access.
£1 million was raised through a Seedrs crowdsourcing appeal in just 12 days, West Country suppliers including Eversfield Organic and Langridge Organic were signed up and Louisa, a professional chef trained at Leith’s, joined the team. Her delicious recipes were initially tested on the team’s flatmates and friends including several OEs!
Since its launch in 2015, Mindful Chef has delivered over 500,000 meals across the country, to customers including the Beckhams, Victoria Pendleton and Sir Andy Murray. Initially operating from a small flat in South London designing recipes, visiting suppliers across the West Country, and delivering the boxes The vision to create a healthy food box containing a in a small van, they now have a dedicated HQ near recipe and everything needed to produce a nutritious Waterloo, an appealing and efficient website and a meal using organic, locally sourced ingredients robust delivery system using professional couriers. designed for one person, couples or families was pitched to his school friends Giles and Myles. They March 2017 saw the launch of their book Mindful combined their finance, marketing and nutrition skills Chef: Eat Well, Live Better with extracts in The Sunday and Mindful Chef was born. Times. The book includes 70 easy to make breakfasts, dinners and snacks, which can be made in 30 minutes and have a maximum of 10 ingredients. In June, Giles and Myles gave a presentation on the ethos and development of Mindful Chef to all the Lower Sixth as part of the Futures Programme and ran a seminar with pupils in the Young Enterprise scheme. See www.mindfulchef.com for more information.
www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 9
School news It’s a family affair!
CCF honours
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wenty-two families took part in the Choral Society concert this year alongside nearly 100 pupils, former staff and alumni. This annual event celebrated its 48th year and featured alumni soloists Bethany Partridge (2005 - 2017) and Jonathan Schranz (2005 - 2012) who performed the soprano and tenor solo parts in Haydn’s ‘Nelson’ Mass. Former staff singing included Dave Lee (1968 – 1998), Art teacher Molly Doyle (1986 – 2010), Geography teacher Sue Cloke (1987 – 2011), Matron Liz Searle (1995 – 2003) and Careers Adviser Lynne Barker-Privalova (2012 – 2014) while alumnus Richard Sharman (1970-1978) sang in the Choral Society concert for the first time since leaving School.
An adventure to remember
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xeter School was delighted to announce that eight pupils had been offered Oxbridge places, two unconditionally for entry in 2017. In the last six years, 35 pupils have received Oxbridge offers. Former pupils Andrew Doane (2005 – 2016) and Rebecca German (2011 – 2016) were offered places at Oxford. Andrew is to read PPE at Keble. Sammy Sargent scholar Rebecca has a place to read Music at University College with a Choral scholarship.
wenty-two pupils took part in the annual CCF adventure camp in Snowdonia this year. Each group tried their hand at canoeing, raft building, climbing and abseiling in a quarry with a sheer 30m wall. Day three of the activities was the highlight – scrambling up a gorge through streams, waterfalls and a range of obstacles. On day four, the three groups tackled Snowdon through a range of routes which avoided the tourist trail up the mountain and challenged the pupils.
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lt Sgt Finley Haddican of the RAF Section was presented with this year’s Jack Sadler Award consisting of the brass trophy of an artillery shell case and an engraved medal for his outstanding contribution to the Combined Cadet Force by contingent Commander Dr Geoff Chapman. Three Upper Sixth Formers gained CCF honours. Jenny Herring, coxswain and senior cadet in the Royal Navy Section, was selected as one of this year’s Lord Lieutenant’s cadets for Devon. James Knowles won a fully-funded Navigational Officer Cadet Sponsorship with RCL, who run Royal Caribbean Cruises. Maddie Roche was awarded a highly prestigious Army Scholarship, in the face of great competition, following in the footsteps of six pupils in the last three years. Contingent Commander Dr Geoff Chapman has been promoted to Commander Royal Navy Reserve (RNR) in recognition of his long service both as a regular and with the CCF.
National recognition for team
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xeter School is celebrating winning a prestigious national award at the F1 in Schools Final. The successful team, Vulcan, competed in the Development Class National Final at Silverstone on 29 March, where they were awarded the Innovative Thinking Award. The prize ceremony was followed by a lap of the track in the School minibus, led by the ex-Stig Ben Collins in a very shiny Ferrari. The competition challenges pupils aged 9-19 to build, test and race a model car they have designed from scratch on a multitude of industry standard computer programmes.
Architecture inspires art
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Competition. The winning design by Daisy Smith cleverly incorporated textural rubbings from around nspired by Exeter School’s historic buildings, the School site, and has been made into a notelet for the Middle Fifth pupils studying GCSE Art created Alumni Office. Other artwork from this year’s entries artwork using mixed media for the Alumni Art will feature in School Christmas cards.
Drama across the years
Concert makes a splash
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he 16th annual WaterAid concert in April raised over £1,000 for WaterAid. Supported by South West Water and On Tap Water, the concert featured six different School ensembles and performances from over 150 pupils at St Michael’s Church, Heavitree including a rousing performance of Rossini’s Overture from The Thieving Magpie.
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he popular musical Guys and Dolls returned to the School Hall 36 years since it was last staged in 1980. The innovative production in November showcased the musical, acting and dancing talents of over forty Senior School pupils. In February, pupils from the Third Form to the Middle Fifth performed Peter Hall’s stage adaptation of Animal Farm to two sell-out audiences. The actors appeared in masks made by pupils in the Art department, heightening the tension and the growing sense of unease as the story unfolded. www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 11
Feature
Dr Will Christian (1982 - 1988) Consultant Paediatrician
A matter of medicine
Exeter School has a long history of preparing pupils for careers in medicine and related professions with a record 38 medical offers made in the last 3 years
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xeter School alumni can be found working as GPs, surgeons, consultants, nurses, dentists, academics, researchers, policy makers, medical legal experts and vets. Over the years, pupils have been supported by consistent advice and encouragement from dedicated teachers, by work experience placements and links with the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
and, since 2005, through a thriving Medical Society. Recent issues of The 1633 have featured Exonians working in medical-related areas on the ‘News of OEs’ and ‘Careers’ pages. Here, we celebrate the record number of pupils gaining offers to study medicine and related subjects in last 3 years. From A & E to animal hospitals, we feature stories about seven of our alumni.
Main photo: Some of the 14 pupils who have received offers for medicine and related courses in 2017, pictured with Dr David Jenner, (1970 - 1977) and Peter Boddington, who runs the Medical Society. David ran a lunchtime seminar about his career working as a NHS GP in Cullompton.
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left Exeter school in 1988 and studied Medicine at St Bartholomew’s Medical College in London, but it was my elective in Fiji that first sparked my interest in paediatrics. I had gone for the sunshine and coral reefs but ended up working for a brilliant ex-pat paediatrician in the main hospital in Suva who ensured we learnt a lot of paediatrics! I then trained in London and the South West of England and spent two years working in Australia furthering my interest in my specialty, paediatric emergency medicine. I now work in Bristol, at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, as one of the consultants in the paediatric emergency department. We see around 40,000 children a year from all over the South West of England with conditions ranging from major trauma conditions to minor illnesses.
“Exeter School really challenged me academically and fostered a general fascination with the natural world.” Although I considered other careers, I always came back to medicine. Exeter School played a great part in this as it really challenged me academically and fostered a general fascination with the natural world. My teachers encouraged and supported me and I would like to thank them all. I particularly remember tales of Mr Browne’s days spent collecting seaweed for the iodine industry, political debates with Mr Ayres in Collins house, Mr Mollart’s amazing Biology lessons and Mr Pettifer helping me to develop my social conscience (as well as nearly blowing up the labs). I would encourage anyone thinking of pursuing a career in medicine to follow their instincts. It’s probably the most rewarding, humbling and enjoyable thing I could have done!
www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 13
Feature Dr Farbod Babolhavaeji (1994 - 2001)
Registrar in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
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am currently a Specialist Registrar in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend and am working towards consultant qualifications in both specialities. I did my speciality training in hospitals throughout Wales after qualifying from Cardiff University Medical School and was recently appointed Honorary Lecturer in Emergency Pre-Hospital and Immediate Care. My journey to a career in medicine was not straightforward. In 1980, the Iraqi invasion of Iran lead to a bitter eight-year war, and in 1982, I was born into a war zone. One of my first memories is hiding with my family in a small room during bombing raids when I was three. Shortly afterwards, my family were forced to flee to Turkey as refugees. With the help of the UN, our family of four were all able to join relatives in the UK, and we arrived with just a suitcase of clothes and £100. We settled in Devon where my father found work in my uncle’s fast food restaurant. I was very lucky Exeter School
Dr Noor Hamad (1996 - 1998)
General Practitioner
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studied Medicine at Cambridge and Oxford, and then worked as a junior doctor in Cornwall and Bath, a real initiation into a medical career with long busy hours and an active social life! My husband-to-be Steve Seale (1989 1996) and I then went to Australia to work in an emergency department in Sydney, gaining experience alongside surfing and travelling. When we returned to Cornwall, we thought carefully about which medical pathway would suit us best. Having never thought I would choose general practice, both Steve and I opted to give it a go, and we’ve never looked back. My training was all in Cornwall and as a locum I could try different practices, including providing emergency GP services for the out of hours service. My practice is in Perranporth, where I will return after maternity leave this summer. 14 | The 1633 - Summer 2017
saw my potential and offered me a scholarship for my secondary education after which I secured a place at Cardiff Medical School. I enjoyed School drama playing Sir Toby Welch in Twelfth Night and Argan in Moliere’s The Hypochondriac. I always wanted to be a doctor, although there is no family history of medicine. Working in the NHS is a public service and I have the chance to give back to the country that took us in.
“ One of my first memories is hiding with my family in a small room during bombing raids when I was three.” Lily Davies (2003 - 2010) Nursing Sister
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fter finishing School in 2010, I completed my degree in nurse training at the University of Birmingham and went into Critical Care at Charing Cross Hospital in London. Despite some very sad cases, I absolutely loved my time there. It was a busy environment with a great team, and I learnt a huge amount. After three years in critical care I sought more managerial and ward experience and am currently managing two neurology wards. However, having missed the critical care environment and the autonomy nurses get with such acutely unwell patients, I am moving to St Mary’s Hospital to set up a new Critical Care Unit, an exciting challenge with many changes to implement. It is the country’s busiest major trauma centre, and I will also be looking closely into the Major Incident Policy. I absolutely love nursing and would recommend it to anyone.
Charles Pidgeon (2002 - 2009) Dentist
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went to King’s College London, one of the leading UK and international Dental Schools, in 2009 to study Dentistry. In 2012/2013, I was elected President of the Dental Society and graduated in 2014, winning the Jelf Medal for outstanding undergraduate achievement, becoming the third generation of my family to have trained at Guy’s Hospital. I completed my foundation training year at a local Exeter dental practice, performing routine general dentistry. I then took up a post as a Senior House Officer performing and learning Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the RD&E Hospital. I continued working at the hospital as a trust grade doctor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. I have enjoyed returning to School to offer careers advice and am currently looking forward to the next stage of my career starting at the St Leonard’s Dental Practice in Exeter in September This practice, currently run by my parents, was started by my great grandfather Mr W. Selley and I will become the fourth generation of the family to be working here!
Dr Rob Foale (1982 - 1989) Veterinary Surgeon
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y journey to becoming a vet started in the Andrew’s Library on a Friday afternoon in L5B. English teacher Dr Finn demanded a book review by Monday, so I picked up It shouldn’t Happen To A Vet by James Herriott. What I loved was not just the humour but the description of his work. I was hooked and with my love of Biology at School, I decided this was the career for me. The journey was not straight forward due to my attention in Sixth Form being a little too focused on music and sport rather than academic work! I attended the Royal
Helen Wordsworth
(née Mahoney)
(2001-2008) Staff Nurse
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f all my A Levels, it was the very interesting, and always amusing, Biology lessons with Mr Boddington that inspired me to go into adult nursing! My choice of career has allowed me to follow both my passions for emergency care and human biology together. After graduating with a first class degree in adult nursing from Cardiff University, I moved to Bristol to work at the Royal Infirmary Medical Assessment Unit, which gave me a fantastic grounding in general medicine. It was a fast-paced environment with a high turnover of patients and prepared me well for the move to emergency nursing. I am now exposed to challenging trauma and medical cases, and an occasional inebriated student, on a daily basis. I am also a registered nurse in the RAF reserves, currently undertaking aeromedical evacuation training to enable me to provide medical support for injured military and civilian personnel around the world.
“The very interesting and always amusing Biology lessons with Mr Boddington inspired me!”
Veterinary College, University of London where I first completed a BSc in Physiology and Pharmacology at King’s College. I then spent four years in “mixed practice”, treating dogs, cats, cows, horses, sheep, pigs, rabbits, lions, snow leopards and even camels (!) before deciding that I wanted to specialise. I studied at Cambridge University and undertook a residency training in small animal internal medicine and oncology, obtaining my UK Diploma in 2003 and my European diploma in 2005. I then established the Internal Medicine Referral service at Dick White Referrals (DWR) in Cambridge. I am now Clinical Director of the UK’s largest private veterinary referral centre. DWR has a vibrant under-graduate and postgraduate teaching and research programmes, and I combine management work with my own research into the development of gene therapy for use in diabetes mellitus. www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 15
Memory lane Left: Martin Grossel, School Governor and Chemistry Tutor, Christ Church, with Upper Sixth Formers at the Christ Church Chemistry and the World Wars event. Lower Fifth artwork on the Silvertown explosion was on display.
THEN AND NOW:
Exeter Prep School Exeter Junior School c.1963
own when the factory blew up. Angel was awarded the highest civilian award for his bravery, The Edward Medal (replaced in 1941 by The George Cross). His name appears on the Exeter School War Memorial in the Chapel.
World War I hero remembered © The Senior Common Room, Christ Church, Oxford
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ndrea Angel (1890 - 1896) from Heavitree was an able scientist, gaining top marks in his public examinations and winning the School Science Prize. In the 1890s ‘Science’ was taught in a Chemistry laboratory understood to be in the brick building now occupied by the Art department. Angel won an exhibition to study Chemistry at Christ Church Oxford graduating with a First in 1899. Following research work in Oxford, he returned to Christ Church to run its laboratory as a Tutor and Lecturer in Chemistry. At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, he volunteered to go to the Western Front, but due to his knowledge and experience, he was sent to work in the Brunner-Mond Factory, London, as Chief Chemist and Manager. An old factory in Silvertown had been reopened to make explosives despite its location in the heart of London Docks. On 19 January 1917, a fire in the melt pot room led to the explosion of 50 tonnes of TNT. The ‘Silvertown Explosion’, totally destroyed 900 houses and damaged 70,000. Sadly, 69 people were killed outright and four died later of their injuries. The death toll would have undoubtedly been higher if it were not for the bravery of Andrea Angel. When the fire started, Angel stayed at his post directing the evacuation of workers and organising firefighting, knowing that the factory could explode at any minute. He helped save many lives, but lost his Left: Andrea Angel at Oxford. Right: Portrait of Andrea Angel.
2017 marks the anniversary of Andrea Angel’s death, and a special event took place in his College in Oxford entitled Christ Church Chemistry and the World Wars, looking at the dilemmas posed by developments in chemistry in wartime. It featured a presentation by Exeter School Governor Dr Martin Grossel on Andrea Angel and the Explosion at the Brunner-Mond Factory, Silvertown. Headmaster Bob Griffin, Chair of Governors Andrew King (1960 - 1965), the Bursar, Commodore Richard Hawkins and Director of Alumni Relations John Davidson, attended the event, along with four scientists from the Upper Sixth and Chemistry teacher Dr Adrian Rowland. At School, the Lower Fifth used their art lessons to create work inspired by Andrea Angel and the story of the Silvertown explosion. Their work was displayed in both Christ Church and in a special assembly at School. The compositions encompassed imagery from a wide range of contextual sources, including the explosion itself, Andrea Angel’s life story and features from The Deluge by Winifred Knights who witnessed the Silvertown explosion.
2017
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he ‘Prep’ photo in the early 1960s shows either Miss Hammond’s or Miss Stribling’s classroom with the garden seen through the window. In 1949, the Prep School moved from the wooden huts to a Victorian residential house called Emsleigh. The area that became the playground was once a paddock with cows, chickens and pigs! At that time, bedrooms and reception rooms became the classrooms and the rest of the building provided flats for teachers. The bottom picture is the same form room, now called J5 and the base for Upper Two G with Mrs Goldsworthy. Outside can be seen the all-weather play areas. The classroom now has carpets, new desks and display boards, but many aspects of the Victorian building remain, particularly the large bay window, the ceiling rose and elaborate cornices. Are you in the 1960s picture? Please contact us if you can provide the exact year when it was taken! www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 17
Alumni events
David Evennett (1966) with organiser Eddie Trick (1972) enjoy the dinner following the annual OE Golf Day at the Exeter Golf and Country Club in April. Please see the OE Club section on page 25 to read a report of the day.
Teachers past and present at the ‘Inspiring Landscapes’ exhibition featuring field sketches and photos from 25 years of Geography trips celebrating the work of Head of Art David Seddon (1991-2006). (Left to right) John Spivey, John Davidson, Viv Stevens, Dave Seddon, Helen Sail, Laurence Hunt and Sue Cloke. (Left) Laurence with Philippa Smallwood.
Exonians from Cambridge and further afield joined the Headmaster Bob Griffin, Headmistress of the Junior School, Sue Marks, Governors and staff for the annual Cambridge Dinner at Downing College. Guests included Helen Sail and recently retired Richard Dawson (above) with 2014 alumni Jonty Bradley-Thrush (2014) and Michael Twomey (2014), and (right) Director of Music Peter Tamblyn with Allan Bennett (2013). The dinner was hosted by Dan Armstrong (2014).
Headmaster Bob Griffin welcomed undergraduates from four northern and Scottish universities and alumni from Scotland to Ciao Roma in historic Edinburgh in January. (Above) Annabelle Luce (2013), Alex Gwillam (2013), Daisy Waggett (2015) and Edward Dunstan (1986). (Right) 2014 leavers Sophie Gee, Anna Whittingslow, Ellie Sharman and Lucy Swiggs with John Davidson.
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(Above) Deputy Headmaster Martin Hughes, the Bursar, Commodore Richard Hawkins, Governor Gillian Hodgetts (1986) and staff were joined by Exonians from the 1950s to recent leavers at the 2017 reunion dinner at St Hilda’s College, Oxford, hosted by Gwyneth Everson (2014).
Enjoying the 2017 London Dinner at the Royal Thames Yacht Club were (top left) Rob Foale and Ross Saunders from 1989 with Kieran Whitehead (1987); (middle) 1972 leavers Adrian Symons, Anthony Barton and Mike Fish with retired Chemistry teacher and former Head of Crossing House John Allen; (bottom left) Jake McHugh (2015), Head of Sixth Form Ali Marsh, Charlie Holmes (2015) and David Hough (1956); and (above) Sally Chalk (2012), Headmaster Bob Griffin and Alice Tolson (2012).
Full reports of these events are on the news section of the alumni website. See www.exeterschool.org.uk.
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News of Exonians Harriet Helliar (2005 - 2012) and Emily Ackland (2008 - 2015) entered the record books this year as Harriet handed over the presidency of Reading University Ladies’ Hockey Club to Emily. This was the first time in the Club’s history that the retiring president welcomed the incoming president from the same school. Harriet leaves Reading University for the world of work managing property in Sussex later this year. Emily who is studying Marketing and Business Economics at Reading looks forward to welcoming other girls from School to the Hockey Club if they are studying at Reading.
Professor Jim Hurford (1950 - 1960) went to St John’s College, Cambridge. After graduating in 1963, he started teaching German at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), where he met and married his wife Sue 52 years ago. Moving to London Jim took a PhD in Phonetics at University College in 1967, writing a thesis on the pronunciation of three generations in a family of Cockneys. He returned to LA to a post-doctoral fellowship at Systems Development Corporation (SDC) in Santa Monica, which taught him the basics of computer coding and was then Assistant Professor at the University of California at Davis, teaching Linguistics. In 1972, he returned to the UK to a lectureship in Linguistics at the University of Lancaster. In 1979, Jim was appointed to the chair of General Linguistics at the University of Edinburgh, where he has remained ever since, retiring in 2009. He has written seven books on linguistic topics and many scholarly articles. Sue and Jim had two daughters. Eve made a success as a video and slide installation artist in Berlin, but sadly died of stomach cancer in 2013. Rosie is married and living in San Diego, working as a research manager on a group of coordinated projects on dementia and Alzheimers. Sue and Jim spend much of the winter in Southern California, but enjoy Edinburgh and their garden in the rest of the year.
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Harry Skinner (2013 – 2015) (second from right) has been selected for the GB Hockey Development programme, joining the England U21 squad members in a rigorous summer training and match schedule. He joined Bath University and won the Conference Hockey League with Bath Buccaneers last season. He is looking forward to the challenges of summer 2017 and aims to be selected for the Euros in Spain.
Reverend Paul Ellis, OE (1970 - 78) went from Exeter to a degree course at the University of Sheffield where he qualified as a Speech Therapist. He worked full-time in this role for the NHS for 25 years, spending nearly all of them in Torbay area, working in the community with both child and adult patients. He married his wife Jill Bainbridge in 1984 and has two daughters, Hannah and Rachel, and a son Mark, all now young adults. Paul has always been active in the Church, and was Secretary at Brixham United Reformed Church. He received a call to full-time ministry and was able to train locally, gaining a first class Theology degree through Exeter University and the South West Ministerial Training Course, based in Exeter. He was ordained at Witham United Reformed Church in mid-Essex in 2008 and served that large church, and also a tiny village chapel, until moving last year to his present post at Hutton & Shenfield Union Church in South Essex.
Josie Rodgers (2000 - 2006) returned to School as part of a multi-disciplinary team from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to collect data on food allergies in April. The team of consultants, doctors, dieticians and nurses set up a series of stands for a sample of 31 pupils from both the Junior and Senior School to blind test a range of foods. The data collected is part of a larger study on food allergies and diet involving young people across the region. Josie completed her training as a dietician in 2013 and has worked in London and Exeter. She had produced a range of food samples for the tests and will help with the analysis of the data.
Ellie Moore (2005 - 2011) returned to School in January to spend a week helping with teaching in the Chemistry department as part of her two-year Teach First post at the Priory School in Portsmouth. Ellie enjoyed her time working with various teachers and especially the Sixth Form work as her current job is in an 11-16 school. Ellie graduated with a degree in Chemistry from Jesus College Oxford in 2016 and hopes to share her Oxbridge experience with the Sixth Form on her next visit to Exeter.
Composer Noah Mosley (2002 – 2009) was commissioned by Bury Court Opera to create Mad King Suibhne, a one-act contemporary work. The inaugural performance took place at The Barn at Bury Court in Farnham, Surrey in March. After leaving School, Noah studied at King’s College London, graduating in 2012. He won the Cameron Mackintosh Award at the National Student Drama Festival conducting Mozart orchestral and opera extracts in the Edinburgh University Theatre Company’s production of Peter Schaffer’s Amadeus. Noah was Chorus Master in 2014 for Pimlico Opera at HMP Bronzefield and Assistant Music Director in 2015, when he was also Assistant Conductor at the Buxton Opera Festival working for Stephen Barlow and Stuart Stratford.
Many OEs watched Exeter Chiefs win their historic maiden Premiership title in May, beating Wasps 23-20. Pictured at Twickenham are six OEs, with two younger supporters: Dave Eveleigh (1976 - 1987), David “Pug” Richards (1980 - 1987), Phil Waggett (1979 - 1985), Richard Brackstone (1978 - 1985), Daisy Waggett (2013 - 2015) and Steve Owen (1978 - 1985). www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 21
In 2016, Edward Fisher (1953 - 1962), Simon Fisher (1987 - 1992) and James Fisher (1996 - 2003) ran the London Marathon together for Breast Cancer Care in support of James’s wife, and raised £10,500. After that challenge, James and his other brother, Adam (1992 - 1997) raised a further £4,000 also for Breast Cancer Care by completing the arduous the Three Peaks Challenge on very different terrain to the roads of London. Both events were incredible experiences. James says they are very proud that all the Exeter School alumni in the family took part in the challenges and that they managed to raise so much money from friends and supporters for a charity that is very important to them all. Edward retired in 2005 and converted the mill where he still lives into flats and a house. James lives and work in Bristol for Imperial Tobacco as a Compliance Systems Manager and is married with two children. Adam lives in Bradninch and is married with three children, and works as a Group Business Manager for Vospers. Simon, who lives in Topsham, is married with two children and teaches at Trinity School in Teignmouth. The new 25 yard .22 rifle range, was formally opened by Brigadier Steve Hodder (1969 - 1976) on 28 June and named The John Sampson Rifle Range, in the presence of John Sampson (1948 - 1955), his family, the Headmaster, Governors and guests. This honour recognises John’s long association with the shooting club which began when he was a pupil. John was awarded shooting colours for three years in succession and captained the very successful shooting club in 1955, that won the coveted Devon Shield. John’s career was in farming but he returned to School on OE Days to shoot for the Old Exonians team. John began helping Richard Donne (1970 - 1981) with shooting club in 1999, including accompanying teams to Bisley. In 2010, John stepped forward to run the club helping WO2 Fred Smith. Known affectionately by the pupils as “the Stig of shooting”, his calm advice enables them to improve their confidence and accuracy, as he shares his extensive experience of adjusting sights and firing positions. John enjoys taking part in shooting competitions at School and with the Devon Shooting Club. 22 | The 1633 - Summer 2017
Tara Davidson (2007 - 2014) (top row, second from right) was a founder member of the Wockey Football Club comprised of girls from the Sheffield University Women’s Hockey Club who won this year’s Female Higher Education category of the FA People’s Cup Finals. Wockey beat Nottingham Medics in an exciting game secured by penalty shots after a 3-3 draw, with Tara scoring one of the penalty goals. Wockey won tickets to the FA Cup final at Wembley where their trophy was presented to them as the first winners of the Women’s Higher Education People’s FA Cup.
Cambridge undergraduate Kate Marks (2013 - 2015) was selected to play in the 30th Women’s Varsity Match at Twickenham on Thursday 8 December, winning her Rugby Blue in her first term as an undergraduate. This was only the second time that the women’s rugby match has been played at the home of England Rugby. Nineteen-year-old Kate had the great honour of opening the game playing number 10, fly half. BBC sports commentator and broadcaster Sara Orchard (1998 - 2000) (left) covered the exciting match. Ian Wright (1970 - 2005) retired as Head of Politics twelve years ago and runs a photography business with his wife Kitty photographing weddings. He is also involved in projects for NGOs (in Palestine, Nepal and Serbia) and works on documentaries. He leads photographic tours to Asia, Africa and South America. He has returned many times to India and has worked with Will Harnden (1998 - 2005) on projects for Karen Hilltribes Trust. After 45 years in Exeter, Ian and Kitty moved back to his roots in North Lincolnshire in 2016, settling in a seventeenth century cottage. Ian’s son Chris (1988 - 1993) played a major role in student journalism while at Sussex University and was Vice President of the Students Union in charge of PR and student publications. He then worked in France and for a media PR company in London, Kazoo, handling the Microsoft Playstation account, before moving to Melbourne and setting up his own company, Surprise Attack, four years ago to market the work of independent games producers. Nick Wright (1993 - 1999) completed a post-graduate course at Cardiff in magazine journalism after Swansea University, and currently writes about poker both for magazines and on the web, living in London and travelling to tournaments all over the world.
Nigel Hook (1963 - 1971) retired in April 2017 after 46 years in the risk and insurance profession. He worked for the Royal Insurance Group from 1971 to 1987, becoming an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) in 1978, by examinations. He was appointed manager of a small office in Dorchester, enjoying the beautiful county of Dorset for 10 years before returning to Exeter and joining Commercial Union, now part of Aviva. For the next 13 years, he was a Business Account Manager, responsible for the protection programmes of inter alia, The Maynard School and the University of Exeter. In 1995 he achieved Chartered Insurer status with CII. From 2001, he became a self-employed consultant to Exeter CII, involved in delivering Continued Professional Development (CPD) events for insurance professionals in the South West, as well as managing the annual dinner held at Sandy Park for 250 diners. Nigel and his wife enjoy playing golf, walking and holidays, mainly in the Alps, and his legs still allow him to ski and play racketball! He keeps in touch with several OEs and the School, attending OE dinners, the annual Golf Day, and musical and cultural events.
Katie Quinn (1993 - 1995) is a Year 5 Teacher in St Leonard’s School in Exeter. She visited Exeter School in June with pupils from her class to take part in a Primary Schools’ Science Day. Her pupils enjoyed the activities set up by the Science department with teachers including Manoj Chitnavis. Katie joined the staff of St Leonard’s School in 2014. Please send us your news and photos. See the School website and Facebook page for more stories and galleries. www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni | 23
OE Club
New additions to the archive
I
an Ferguson (1936 - 1944) has generously donated a selection of mementoes from his time at School to the archive including caps, scarves, badges and hat bands which will bring back memories for those at School in the 1940s and 1950s. Items will be on display on OE Day, Saturday 16 September. Visitors can visit the archive collection as part of a personal tour of the School by appointment with the Alumni Secretary.
OE SPORTS:
OE Grant supports medical journey Lauren Clark (2007 - 2012), Student Nurse
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auren travelled to Tanzania in Summer 2016, on an elective medical placement as part of her Kingston University BSc Hons Adult Nursing degree. She organised the trip through an agency called ‘International Volunteer HQ’, supported by a generous financial contribution from Old Exonian Club. Upon arrival at the somewhat unsophisticated airport, she endured a bumpy road trip to join 40 fellow volunteers of all ages and backgrounds from around the globe in the volunteer accommodation. During her time in Tanzania, she worked alongside nurses and doctors in three different government-run hospitals. She spent most of her time assisting childbirth and caring for acutely unwell women, but she also ran pop-up clinics giving basic vaccinations to infants, and delivering antenatal and post-natal care. Lauren said that nothing could have fully prepared her for the experience. She was trusted entirely by the staff to be both skilled and competent, and it was assumed that despite her complete lack of previous experience in maternity care, she knew what to do for the best! Lauren’s trip included opportunities in her free time to visit children at local orphanages, and teach Maths and English to children and teachers in nearby schools as well joining with other volunteers 24 | The 1633 - Summer 2017
going on safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Tarangire and immersing themselves in the Masai Tribal culture. Lauren is now undertaking her final 12 week placement in the Emergency Department at St George’s Hospital, a major trauma centre serving a large area of London. In Autumn 2017, she starts her career as a registered nurse at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in Chelsea, working in Haemato-oncology. Lauren says it a privilege to have been accepted to work at such a prestigious centre of excellence in cancer care, and she is very grateful for her education at School which helped her develop her confidence and abilities, and was valuable preparation for her degree course and recent job interviews.
Jago Over 55 Trophy and Domville Cup both went to Nigel Hook (1971). The overall team winners were OE v School Golf Tim Davies (1971), Martin Davies (1980) and Nigel Hook, with Matthew Reynolds (1997), Andrew Neligan n Thursday 13 April, the sunlit greens of the (1996), Paul Scoble (1997) and Mark Scoble (1996) in Exeter Golf and Country Club were once again second place (pictured left to right below). the venue for the annual OE Golf Day organised The other players this year were Julien Harrison (1951), John by Eddie Trick (1972). Twenty-seven OEs plus Mike Billett (1960), Dave Evennett (1966), Adrian Knight (1963), Wilcock and four pupils enjoyed an excellent day of golf, John Osborne (1968), Peter German (1972), Mark Bonningwith the greens proving challenging for some, especially Snook (1980), Rupert Pratt (1984), Mark Dixie (1984), Richard the semi-obscured deep pond on the 18th. John Davidson Cousins (1987), Gary Dixie (1987), Greg Crosse (1994), Peter joined the OEs at the end of the match. The day finished Grubb (1999), Myles Hopper (2006), Andy Shepherd (2003) with a high quality evening meal and presentation of and Harry Trick (2003). the awards. Mike Wilcock said the pupils played very well. Their aggregate score was higher than the OEs resulting in a win for the School. He enjoyed catching up with several recent leavers and his playing partners Myles Hopper (2006) and Harry Trick (2003). Chris Taylor (1972) won the Nigel Hook trophy for the morning 9 hole with Mike Wilcock coming joint second with Robert Blackmore (1985), and Sixth Form pupil Charlie Goodfellow won the ‘nearest the pin on the 4th’. Tim Lee (2005) won the longest drive on the 18th and the John
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OE Club
Obituaries Fred Metcalf - 1941 - 2017
OE SPORTS: OE v School Hockey Match
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he annual OE v School 1st XI Boys’ Hockey Match in March saw a strong squad of twelve experienced OE players, many of whom play for University clubs. From the outset, they showed their strength and skill, dominating much of the play in the first third with co-ordinated passing and effective attacks. Despite good defence by the School and some brave goalkeeping, the OEs led 3 – 0 after 20 minutes with a cheeky goal flicked in by Anthony Dibble. The School rallied in the second third, keeping much of the play in the OE half and levelling the score 3 - 3. In the final third, the School scored an impressive goal taking the lead 4-3, but the OEs showed some great midfield play by Tom and Paddy Poustie. Tom Edgington, Will Marsh, Sam Boddington and Harry Skinner kept the pressure on with both long shots at goal and three short corners, taking the score to 6 - 4. Then Tom Counsell drove the final goal in completing his hatrick in front of an admiring crowd of Junior School players securing a win by the OEs 7 - 4. Many thanks go to referees Ed Jones and Graham Skinner and to Tom Poustie for coordinating the OE squad. This year’s OE players were Sam Boddington (2015), Tom Counsell (2016), Anthony Dibble (2014), Tom Edgington (2016),
Josh Hanna (2016), Marcus Hoddinott (2015), Will Marsh (2015), Robin Parr (2015), Paddy Poustie (2016), Tom Poustie (2014), Chris Richardson (2016), and Harry Skinner (2015).
OE v School Football Match In December 2016, the OE v School’s 1st XI football match took place on the astroturf. This year the OE team included four former captains as well as the 1st XI’s leading goal scorer of all time, making for a very competitive fixture as they faced a strong School team coached by Giles Ashman (1987)! Strong attacking moves were matched by vigorous defensive play and the goalkeepers on both sides made impressive saves; the half-time score was 0 - 0. In the second half, the 1st XI made several fast runs down the pitch, but Graeme Martin (2004) secured the only goal to give the OE side a 1 - 0 victory shortly before the final whistle. The game was again ably referred by pupil Harvey Edwards. Regular OE football players are very welcome to return for next year’s match against the School. This will take place on Monday 26 March 2018, on the new allweather pitch, at the same time as the OE hockey match, with a social event in School after the game. The OE side comprised Graeme Martin (2004), Tom Stokes (2015), Jacob Towl (2015), Matt Booth (2004), Ben Stone (2014), Ollie Ody (2004), Harry Ody (2011), Luke Stitson (2013), Nick Horne (2009), Dan Armstrong (2014), Sam Elstub (2004) and Tom Boother (2012).
Fred grew up in Yorkshire and Newcastle. He joined Exeter School on a scholarship in 1952 when his family moved south and his friends remember him drawing cartoons, collecting jokes, and enjoying playing for the 1st XV and cross country, but he also escaped from watching School sport on Saturday afternoons to support Exeter City FC. After School, he worked in advertising but kept in touch with School friends at University, claiming on one occasion to be “reading satire at Balliol”. He spent his distinguished career writing jokes for politicians, comedians, and after dinner speakers, and producing numerous books including The Penguin Dictionary of Modern Humorous Quotations (1984). He wrote scripts for Sir David Frost, jokes for Morecombe and Wise, and helped John Major to add humour to speeches. Fred never married and lived at various times in London, Australia, Los Angeles and Somerset. In retirement, he moved to Limousin, France where, suffering from Parkinson’s disease, he sadly passed away after a busy lifetime of working with famous clients.
Rob J Gayton - 1946 - 2017 Rob sadly passed away in February 2017 after suffering a stroke. He was an academic neuroscientist and lecturer in Physiology who worked at Birmingham and latterly Liverpool Universities before retiring to Devon. At School, he was Treasurer of the Music Club, a member of the successful shooting VIII and House Prefect in Raleigh House. Rob attended two recent OE days in 2015 and 2016 and was pleased to reconnect with the School and his local friends. He is much missed by his wife Liz, sons Edward and Richard, and all who knew him.
Adrian Perry - 1949 - 2014 Adrian was in Crossing House from 1960 – 1967. He gained a 1st in Physics at King’s College London, and a DPhil from Oxford in 1973, completing Medical Physics clinical training in Glasgow. After working in Saudi Arabia, he moved to Perth, Australia in 1985, becoming one of the senior statesmen of medical physics, his favourite aspect being stereotactic radiosurgery. He loved training doctors and physicists and was a strong advocate of professional certification. Adrian’s greatest professional contribution was that, during his time as Head of Radiotherapy Physics at the Royal Perth Hospital, he was responsible for the provision of safe and effective radiotherapy to over 60,000 West Australian cancer patients. He enjoyed four years of retirement in the company of his wife, Anchor, before his untimely death in 2014 whilst on one of their regular holidays in Malaysia. He is much missed by everyone who knew him.
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Tim Pidsley - 1963 - 2017
Tim joined the Prep School in 1971, becoming the undisputed champion of the annual sack race, but in the main school, his career was somewhat more distinguished, serving as Head Boy and captaining the 1st XV Devon Cup winning side in 1982. He was an enthusiastic Ten Tors participant, and cycled to Norway with Rob Wendover. Following his Geography degree at Birmingham, he ran outdoor pursuits and teambuilding courses in Wales before establishing his career as a management consultant, delivering skills valued by companies around the world, including Google. In 2005, he moved to Christchurch, New Zealand working with the Health Board and University and later helping to coordinate the work of civic leaders following the 2010 earthquakes. His leisure interests included running, cycling and mountain treks in Iceland and up Mt Blanc. In the week before his untimely death, he successfully completed the Wellington to Auckland National Cycling Challenge. One of his friends wrote: “I believe that Tim lived his 52 years as well as it is possible to live. He loved life, loved his work and loved his colleagues. Tim was a Christian and his faith was strong and pure, it guided his actions and I think it was part of his greatness.” Tim’s life was remembered in services of thanksgiving in Christchurch and Torquay.
Eldon Sandys - 1929 - 2017 Eldon joined the School as an 11+ scholarship student from John Stocker, after his family moved from Lancashire at the outbreak of WW2. Despite the wartime restrictions, he enjoyed his time at School, was very fond of rugby and the Army Cadets and was a School Prefect. He went on to pursue a successful career in local Government gaining Fellowship and later Chairmanship of the Institute of Trading Standards. He retired in 1990 and continued to enjoy sport, notable playing bowls for Devon. He moved to Leicestershire when his first wife passed away, and after remarrying, added travel to his many interests. His second wife Jenny, three sons and four grandchildren survive him. Meeting the Headmaster at a recent School Founders’ Day service in the Cathedral was a great pleasure. In his day, Founders’ Day took place in the Chapel!
Frederick Smale - 1937 - 2017 Fred passed away in January at Herne Bay in Kent. At School, he was Prefect, second XI Cricket Captain and a Sergeant in the CCF. He graduated in Theology at King’s College London, and was ordained in Canterbury Cathedral. After a curacy at St Mary’s Bristol, he spent his whole ministry in the Diocese of Canterbury. Fred was a regular attendee at OE Dinners, most recently in 2014. His wife Leonora, two sons Andrew and Martin and his wider family and friends sadly miss him.
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Alumni noticeboard
OE Day and Dinner Come back and see your School! The annual Old Exonian Day and Dinner is on Saturday 16 September. Come for the day! OEs and their partners are very welcome to come to the events during the day including the buffet lunch, tours of the School, displays of photos, the annual Chapel Concert performed by current pupils and a cream tea.
Join us in the evening! The Old Exonian Dinner is at 7pm. This year there will be a short after dinner talk by local historian Dr Todd Gray on “The Great Fire of Exeter”. All ages are welcome. Book tickets using the booking form on the back of the magazine address sheet, or by contacting the Alumni Secretary.
The School is most grateful for the various legacies and donations made by alumni over the past year. Details of how to donate to the Foundation Bursary Fund are on the alumni pages of the School website under Make a Donation. If you would like to discuss giving to the fund or leaving a legacy, please contact the Headmaster or Director of Alumni.
Forthcoming events
A selection of alumni events is shown below. Details of 2018 events will be published in the next issue of The 1633 in November. The full list of alumni events can be found on the School website or via the Alumni Secretary, Karen Dart. Tickets are available from the School Box Office: www.exeterschool.org.uk/box-office. Friday 8 September Tuesday 12 September
Drinks Reception for Leavers from 2016 and 2017, 5pm to 7.30pm, School Pavilion. OE v School Girls’ Hockey and Netball matches at 4.30pm Exeter Careers Networking evening, 6pm, Music School Hall
Saturday 16 September
Old Exonian Day and Annual OE Dinner, Exeter School
Thursday 21 September
Speech Day. Guest of Honour Dr Paul Cosford OE (1974-1981), Medical Director & Director of Health Protection, Public Health England Nottingham and Midlands Buffet and Drinks Reception, Central Nottingham London Over 60s Buffet Lunch, Central London London Exonians Careers Networking event, Central London
Friday 13 October Tuesday 17 October Wednesday 8 November Thursday 23 Saturday 25 November Tuesday 5 December Thursday 14 December
Senior School Play: Julius Caesar and Henry V, School Hall, 7.30pm National Trust Christmas Concert, Exeter Cathedral Christmas Concert in the School Hall, 7.30pm
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We would like to keep in touch with past pupils and staff. You can update your details on the School website by visiting the alumni pages and completing the on-line form under ‘Contact Us’ or via the Alumni Secretary.
Alumni Magazine of Exeter School
01392 458941 alumnisec@exeterschool.org.uk Exeter School Alumni Office Victoria Park Road Exeter EX2 4NS www.exeterschool.org.uk/alumni Twitter: @ExeterSchoolUK Facebook: Exeter School Alumni LinkedIn: Exeter School Alumni (Old Exonians)