|
|
|
|
Dear <<First Name>>
Plenty of news this month plus a little housekeeping!
Founder's Weekend was huge success starting with the 6th Form Awards night on Friday. The School Hall was packed, and for those who arrived late as they'd been in the pub, it was standing room only. (We've uploaded some photos on our Facebook page.)
Congratulations to everyone who won prizes; our own little shout-out is to Sadie Kemper who won the Old Tamensians President's Prize for Mentoring.
The impact of the evening can perhaps be summed up when an 11-year old in the audience remarked that seeing all the students gaining recognition for their achievements inspired him to do well at his own work.
Then on to Saturday morning: Founder's Day started in St Mary's Church. Here we were treated to beautiful music from the Willie Howe Scholars - a reminder that the music tradition at the school is still thriving. This was followed by another thought-provoking address from the Reverend Alan Garrett.
The AGM was short and to the point; and after tours of the school led by current students, everyone retired to the School Hall for lunch: beef wellington with rich red wine jus or vegetable roulade with brandy cream sauce. Puddings included a white chocolate pavlova and cheese and biscuits.
In the Hall, Derek Turner had mounted a comprehensive exhibition about the role of the school and OTs in the Great War; and sixth form students played a medley of music. Finally, Thame Remembers showed a film and gave a presentation about their work.
One last Christmas plea - please send us your news.
Graham - please e-mail news and comments here.
|
|
Alumni Update - and e-mail us your own news!
Howard Goodall was commissioned to write a choral work, involving both English and German 1st World War poems, to be performed at the Mons Cemetery on the evening of 4th August by a joint English and German Choir in the presence of the German President, the King & Queen of Belgium, William, Kate and Harry, and David Cameron and a specially invited congregation of relatives of the fallen.
The whole occasion was televised on BBC2 on August 4th. Howard said it was a most moving occasion and he felt very privileged to be there and to meet all the royals.
More news on recent LWS students and their further education studies: Victoria Bird (Education and English Bedfordshire), Antonia Cundy (Psychology Birmingham), Tim Gaultney (Engineering, Southampton), Charlie Key (Marine Biology, Bangor), Jess MacIvor (Theology Chichester), Quarat Al Ann Mirza (Linguistics, Oxford) Daniel Pickering (Economics, Swansea), Hannah Pickering (Veterinary Studies, Nottingham)
Hannah is following the same course in life as a number of alumni who have become vets including Derek Stoakes who leads a practice in Ledbury.
Do you remember Chris Walters? Head of Drama in the 1980s. He now teaches Drama at Stowe School. (Some may remember when LWS lost to Stowe 49-0 in the DM Hockey Cup.)
Want to know about chocolate then read Rheology of chocolate: rheological studies of chocolate in relation to their flow and mixing properties during manufacture by Sandra Mary Ruston who was at the school from 1976 - 83.
Kier Thorogood is still working in event management and has a web-site up and running.
Tony Yates 1969-75 is currently Acting Director and Chief Technical Officer of the Computer Centre at Brunel University. Tony’s career as an IT professional has seen significant periods of service across the Higher Education, Corporate and Voluntary sectors extending back some 30 years. This has included a couple of innings as Head of IT for Friends of the Earth.
Andy Lambert is still working for Visa in Singapore before joining them he worked for Saatchi & Saatchi in Singapore when the CEO was Graham Thomas - another alumni.
F Reed Cutting who taught at the school in the mid 80s died recently aged 79. After graduating from Wesleyan University in 1955, Reed then received a Master of Education degree from Colgate University. Reed was a science teacher for over 35 years beginning in the Nantucket school system in 1956. In 1960 the family moved to Marblehead where he helped introduce and pilot the Introduction to Physical Science (IPS) course which he taught until his retirement in 1993. The IPS curriculum that he co- developed is still taught in Marblehead and nationally today. Reed also did advanced graduate work at the University of Colorado in Boulder. In 1984 he was awarded the opportunity to participate in the Fulbright program in Oxford, which was when he came to LWS.
The oldest OT to attend Founder's Day this year was Arthur Wood who was at the school from 1942-46. This was when Arthur Dyer was Headmaster and by coincidence we were recently contacted by Sarah Dyer his grand-daughter: Her father David Dyer moved to Australia (and this is where she writes from as she now lives in Melbourne) and he too became an educationist and was principal of schools in Victoria (he is now 88.) She wanted some information about two refugee pupils who were at the school in the 1940s and we were happy to pass this on. (And will write about the Aris brothers next time.)
|
|
An appreciation of Founder's Day
Just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed Founder’s Day last Saturday. The early start is a bit of a problem for me although I was surprised that I reached Thame after an hour and a quarter only – having started from Horn church at 6.45 to make sure that I got to the church on time. Congratulations to all the present pupils who took part.
The luncheon was superb and I particularly liked the accompanying music. I imagine that the trio must have chosen music which roughly tied in with the majority of us who were present. And the display from the archives I found fascinating and informative. I guess that I never thought that a school would have or be able to obtain such interesting and detailed material about individuals of 100 or more years ago. The “Thame Remembers” talk was equally fascinating – there has been nothing like it in my area as far as I am aware.
But we do have the marvellous memorial display at the Tower of London for a few more days – I went to see it yesterday and, crowded as it was (“crowded” doesn’t adequately describe the crush!) it was a very worthwhile and humbling experience. The friendliness of people – 3 ladies worked hard to find and show me how to take pictures on my phone – was great.
I know I’ve digressed. Sorry for that. But I must finish by thanking you and all those involved in organising Saturday’s event and in keeping us in touch. I’ll be there again next year, I hope.
Jon
|
|
Please make sure you tell Mailchimp or us of change of address
It is possible to change your email address directly with us via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. If not e-mail us and we will change it. There - that's the housekeeping part.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
