FROM STUDENT TO OLD TONBRIDGIAN THE LEAVERS’ GUIDE
WELCOME TO THE TONBRIDGE SOCIETY Join our Tonbridge Community
International Networks
As an Old Tonbridgian, you are part of a strong and truly global Tonbridge community of more than 15,000 Tonbridgians in more than 80 countries worldwide; a network you will be able to benefit from for life.
We have thriving international networks, such as our Hong Kong community, which offers OTs a chance to connect and socialise with local OT networks, and share advice and expertise.
We run many events at the School, in London, and venues across the UK and internationally, to bring our community together and create opportunities for you to reconnect, network, and collaborate.
Our networks are currently active in Australia, Canada, Dubai, Europe, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand the USA. We are expanding this further as OTs express their interest in arranging gatherings in new regions. The Tonbridge Community is active in over 80 countries worldwide, so there’s a good chance that if you’re moving abroad, we can put you in touch with some Old Tonbridgians in your new host country.
In this booklet, you can discover all the ways we’ll support you as you move on from Tonbridge, and onto the next exciting chapter of your life. You can stay in touch or get involved with all of our projects through Tonbridge Connect. A private, online platform for the Tonbridge community, Tonbridge Connect gives you access to our international network of Tonbridge professionals; our careers and mentoring scheme; and social opportunities such as events, clubs and news from our community and around the School. Please check your emails for invitations and keep us updated with any change of contact details.
You can also reach out to members of the Tonbridge Society community in your area on Tonbridge Connect. Simply search for members in your country or city and get in touch.
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
The Tonbridge community is active in over 80 countries around the world
Hong Kong
Toronto
Sydney
Singapore
Bangkok
Paris
EVENTS AND REUNIONS
Our mission is to keep Old Tonbridgians in touch with one another, as well as with the School, beyond your time at Tonbridge. We run a varied programme of events and reunions each year, in the UK and internationally for OTs of all ages, including our OT Dinner, which has been running since the 1860s. Do look out for our networking events which include sector-based drinks and our popular business breakfatss in London. We can also support you in organising a smaller reunion, and offer the opportunity to arrange a reunion for your former sports team at the School. If this is something you would be interested in, please contact the OT Relations Manager. If you have any thoughts or ideas for the OT events programme, we always value feedback from OTs and would be happy to hear from you. Browse or sign up to one of our upcoming events at:
tonbridgeconnect.org/events
“It has been great to see a growing number of young OTs attending events, especially the amazing OT Dinner” Old Tonbridgian
OLD TONBRIDGIAN NEWS
Lawrie Elsdon-Dew
We’ll be in touch soon after you leave, with regular news and updates from the Old Tonbridgian Community. If at any stage you’d like to share a story with your peers, OTs or the School’s wider community, just get in touch. Our annual OT communications alone reach a global audience of over 7,000 Old Tonbridgians. This could be a useful network to tap into to talk about your career, your recent achievements, or share your ideas.
Freddie Skarbeck
As an Old Tonbridgian, you’ll receive our annual OT Magazine, regular e-newsletters, and the School’s Impact Report. You can update your communications preferences at any time, on the settings tab of your Tonbridge Connect profile, or by contacting a member of our team at:
tonbridgesociety@tonbridge-school.org Ash Dodd
TONBRIDGE SCHOOL ARE STILL HERE FOR YOU, AND WE RATHER LIKE KEEPING IN TOUCH! As you start upon a new and exciting chapter, I would like to wish you luck, give you some advice and remind you that we are still here for you as a School.
I am sure you are settling in well and enjoying this new experience. You may however find that you are not receiving the help and support that you enjoyed at School. It is important that you and your parents acquaint yourselves with the relevant welfare section of the university or college website. Save the names and numbers into your phones and familiarise yourself with what support is available to you and your friends. See the Exeter example by scanning the QR code overleaf. Despite colleges and universities being reminded by the Information Commissioner (QR code overleaf), and UK Universities, many do not routinely share any difficulty you may be experiencing, with your parents or close contacts, but instead require you to opt in to allow this to happen. Check this out with your own university or college and opt-in as your parents remain the most important support to you. See the Bristol University example by scanning the QR code overleaf.
Please remember that we as a School remain available to you in practical ways: through the University and Careers Department and the Tonbridge Society, but also as someone you can talk to, share worries with, and get advice from. This can be anyone, a teacher, a sports coach, your Tutor, your Matron or your Housemaster. You can also speak to us about other OTs that you might be worried about; we remain here to help and support in any way we can. You can also pass any messages requesting contact through your OT Relations Manager, Tara Biddle.
The School Counsellor, Dr Shirley Lauryn, continues to provide her counselling skills to you if you need them. Advice from OTs is to: •
Have a daily and weekly routine and keep busy.
•
Find ‘your people or tribe’, they are out there but you might need to work to find them by joining lots of groups and societies.
•
Look after the basics of sleeping, eating and exercising well.
•
Not sit on worries, problems or anxieties but share them with family, friends, or us.
•
Lastly, if you are not enjoying the course or the university then speak to your parents, or us. It is better to change to something more suitable than struggle through.
I hope you are enjoying your start to life after Tonbridge and that you do stay in touch. Colin Swainson Deputy Head Pastoral
University of Exeter Welfare section of its website
Information Commissions Office Data sharing section of its website
UK Universities Website
Bristol University Example
Oxford
Edinburgh
St Andrews
Leeds, Sheffield and York
PASTORAL OUTREACH
“I am deeply touched by Tonbridge’s commitment to supporting its students, past and present, and its greater network.” Old Tonbridgian
Tonbridge School has a Pastoral Outreach programme in place where members of staff experienced in pastoral care visit universities around the country. The team meet with undergraduate OTs at a local pub to check in with them and to see how they and their peers are managing the transition from Tonbridge, and how they are adapting to university life in general. It also offers a great opportunity for OTs to catch up with each other and for the School to remind the boys that we are always there for them should they need practical or emotional support.
Durham
You are welcome, and encouraged to reach out to us in between our visits: For Pastoral Outreach, contact: Will Biddle Pastoral Outreach Coordinator Will.Biddle@tonbridge-school.org +44 (0) 7769 339092
Cambridge
GLOBAL FUTURES
“Phenomenal careers department”
The School’s Global Futures Department is here to support you as you progress through university and as you navigate your first jobs. Simply get in touch if you feel you could benefit from some advice. We encourage you to take part in our mentoring scheme, and also become a member of one of our many industry-based clubs to benefit from the expertise of our global alumni and parent community. For Universities and Careers support, contact: Ruth Davis Director of Global Futures Ruth.Davis@tonbridge-school.org +44 (0) 1732 304286 Portia King Global Futures Careers Coordinator Portia.King@tonbridge-school.org +44 (0) 1732 304245
HMC Transition to University Toolkit
From left to right: James Campin, Investment Manager; Adrian Ballard, Director of the Tonbridge Society and Ben Jeffries; Influencer
INDUSTRY CLUBS AND NETWORKING We focus on strengthening professional connections across the Old Tonbridgian network and it is hugely rewarding to see such a diverse, interesting and accomplished community of individuals. Our Old Tonbridgians LinkedIn group continues to grow, now with over 1,350 members and engagement with our posts has increased by more than 1000% over the past year. We feel strongly that our network is about you and we are working hard to make those personal connections that really matter. The launch of our inaugural OT Graduates & Professionals Networking event was a great testimony to the number of OTs who are willing to give up their time and share their experience and knowledge with our younger OTs.
Andrew Morgan, Commercial Diver
Central to the evening was the extraordinary depth of talent in the room. Our Industry Experts generously shared their career journeys and professional insights with those at the start of their careers. One participant reflected: “The evening offered unprecedented access to such high achievers across so many industries. Great relationships were made that will hopefully be built on. I absolutely loved it and would be a huge advocate for more similar events.”
Tristram Mayhew, MBE, Go Ape
BUSINESS BREAKFASTS AND NETWORKING EVENTS
“The Tonbridge Society offers great networking opportunities and great exposure to a number of OTs across the generations.” Old Tonbridgian
Our popular Business Breakfasts are held in London and you are invited to hear an eminent OT or a Tonbridge Parent speak about their field of expertise and to network with other OTs – all before the working day begins. We launched our inaugural OT Graduates and Professionals Networking event where we saw experienced OTs inspire and support younger OTs. Following its success, we are planning to host another event in 2027 and have more sector-focused networking opportunities in the future.
SPORTS CLUBS
“I really enjoy OT Football. The team plays to a great standard and is even more fun off pitch!” Old Tonbridgian
If sport was a big part of your time at Tonbridge, you might like to join one of our many OT-led sports clubs. Our existing clubs include Climbing, Cricket, Fives, Football, Golf, Hockey, Rackets, Real Tennis, Tennis, Rifle, Sailing, Squash and Ultimate Frisbee. If you are interested in creating a club that doesn’t already exist, just get in touch. Each of our OT sports clubs coordinate a busy schedule of social events and play matches throughout the year. You can find out more about each club, including when they play and how to become part of the team by visiting their club page on Tonbridge Connect. You’ll find contact details of the club manager on each page. By clicking ‘join’ on the club page, you’ll also receive news from the Tonbridge Society relating to your sport, including major upcoming matches and results, and success stories from OT sports professionals. Find out more at:
tonbridgeconnect.org/clubs
OTHER BENEFITS
Old Tonbridgians have the opportunity to join the Lansdowne Club and East India Club at a reduced rate. A completed application form should be sent to the OT Relations Manager, who will forward this, together with the Headmaster’s letter of support, to the relevant Club.
Lansdowne Club
To find out more, contact: Tara Biddle OT Relations Manager Tara.Biddle@tonbridge-school.org +44 (0) 1732 304253 Old Tonbridgians are also eligible for discounted membership at the Tonbridge School Centre for your first three years since leaving the School, if you remain at university. Your three-year membership is offered at just £100, with no joining fee. To find out more, contact: Tonbridge School Centre tsc@tonbridge-school.org +44 (0) 1732 304111
East India Club
GET IN TOUCH In order to keep you updated with the latest OT news and events, we rely on having up to date information from OTs. If your contact information changes, let us know, and we’ll be sure to keep in touch.
The Old Tonbridgian LinkedIn group is open to all alumni of Tonbridge School.
For general enquiries, contact: Tara Biddle OT Relations Manager Tara.Biddle@tonbridge-school.org +44 (0) 1732 304253
The group aims to help OTs connect with one another, both professionally and socially, and communicate news about the OT Society. To join the group, please scan the QR below. Alternatively, you can search for Tonbridge School Alumni-Old Tobridgians on LinkedIn.
Tonbridge School Alumni LinkedIn
To speak to our Director, contact: Adrian Ballard Director of the Tonbridge Society Adrian.Ballard@tonbridge-school.org +44 (0) 1732 304253
Tonbridge School High Street Tonbridge Kent TN9 1JP +44 (0) 1732 304253 tonbridgesociety@tonbridge-school.org tonbridgesociety.co.uk tonbridgeconnect.org Tonbridge School Foundation is a registered charity No. 1099162