Summer/AutumnClocktower 2015. Issue 8 R G S ALUMNI Keeping alumni in touch with and each other

RGS retains top school ‘Our wildlife ranking is precious’ Award-winning Human Planet director Mark Flowers tells his story

Former head girl NEW RGS BOARDING makes media history PLACES SCHOOL REPORTS REUNION NEWS CAREER STORIES 1 R G S ALUMNI A letter from your alumni Where are they now? society Have you ever wondered what happened to those old friends you lost touch with? We find out what some former RGS students are up to now

Mark Hills (left RGS in 1999) I am a computer programmer at a company called Framestore. We are a British visual effects company based in London. I was on the team for the film Gravity (starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney) for which we won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. There was a large team on the project, over 400 people, and I head up one of the software teams - we build custom software for doing the huge quantity of rendering on the film. Despite the job as a programmer, we can be quite 'hands on' when it comes to the actual film production and we have to solve a lot Dear former students and friends of of very different problems; I think that's RGS, what makes it a lot of fun. More recently, Nothing, it seems, ever stands still, we have also worked on the Tom Cruise particularly at Ripon Grammar School. The movie Edge of Tomorrow and the recent facilities which today’s pupils enjoy are a Paddington film (with Ben Whishaw, far cry from those when I was at RGS in the Nicole Kidman and Hugh Bonneville). Eighties, with more than £10m invested in When I was at RGS I used to make technology, buildings and sports facilities in short films, along with my friend recent years. Students continue to excel in Chris McAleese (who has gone on to so many different areas, a reflection on the be assistant cameraman in the film quality of teaching in a school which has industry). I also used to help out with much to be proud of. the technical work involved in school plays and DJ lower school discos. Back (left RGS in 1984) I studied law We feel privileged to have such a thriving Paul Winship then films like Toy Story had just been and engaged alumni community and, since at Leeds University then worked in London for a large plc as released and I had a vague idea that I'd technology has drastically reduced our a chartered secretary, moving to KPMG in Leeds to specialise like to work in computer animation, but running costs, we have recently been able to in corporation tax. Then I took a three year career break and it was something I didn't really think offer free membership, which means the Old worked as an overland expedition leader for an adventure would be possible. What I did know when Riponians’ Association is now truly universal travel company, which involved driving groups of tourists on I finished RGS was that I wanted to work Kerrang and Kiss FM. This got me a taste of the and inclusive. trips of three to six months from London to Katmandu, Tibet on computers in some way. So I went on technology and creativity that happens there. and China and around South America. Returning to the UK, I to a degree in Computer Science at the I loved working in radio but the film industry Former students can be inspiring role models settled in London working for Ernst & Young in corporate tax University of Nottingham, and actually is very strong in the UK and the technical and mentors and one of the aims of the Old and then as head of compliance for a US Bank in securitisation. ended up staying there for a total of challenges can be much bigger, so it was the Rips is to utilise this wealth of experience and More recently, I worked for more than two years as company six years to do a PhD as well. But it was logical next step! expertise by setting up a careers network for secretary for the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development during university I did my first 'real' the benefit of both past and current students. near Paris. My wife is Spanish and we have two daughters aged Many Old Rips have already been in touch to work; in a radio station called Galaxy 9 and 6 who attended school in Paris, making us a tri-lingual Oscar triumph: Mark Hills, above, and as a offer their help in launching this initiative so FM (now Capital FM). It was followed by household! Back in the UK now, I work for JP Morgan in Lon- schoolboy, right. Paddington in the recent film if you feel you may be able to help in some don. It’s been quite a year for us—new job, relocating and new way, no matter how small, please do get in team. I walk into the office each day house—and the girls are getting to grips with the UK curricu- (left RGS 2011) I touch. Emma Lister excited for the new challenges and lum. I have many great memories of my time in the sixth form left school with no idea about where I Paul Winship, today and as a schoolboy. Top, experiences I will face. Looking back, not at RGS and owe a great deal to the headmaster, Mr Stanley, and was heading or what I wanted to do with Our sincere thanks go to Ruth Savage for the going to uni was one of the best decisions my teachers, who were an inspiration. pictured front left in the 1st XV from 1983/4 my life. All I knew was that university immense work she puts into producing this I ever made. It gave me an opportunity wasn’t for me! magazine – we hope you enjoy it. to think about what I really wanted I started working for Pure Collection, a to do, I’ve made and retained some Please continue to send us your news and cashmere company based in , great friends and will finish my training views - we look forward to hearing from you. as a customer service advisor. While I next year as a fully qualified chartered knew this wasn’t my lifelong ambition COVER STORY accountant. With very best wishes, it was a step on the ladder in an ever competitive market. After 9 months of Mark Flowers, who got into trouble for bleaching his hair at RGS, has directed and Nicola Woolfenden (Richardson) “living my life” I started to consider produced a range of natural history programmes, including The Human Planet and where I wanted to go and I came back Ice Age Giants for the BBC. He loved being in school plays at RGS, he says, and RGS FACT President , Old Riponians’ Association to RGS to seek the advice of Mrs Wilson. one of his most abiding school memories is the sixth form ball: “It had an under In July 2012 I applied for a training sea theme and we had really old-fashioned ballroom dancing and people wore ball Our students have position at PricewaterhouseCoopers gowns and tuxedos. Pupils from all years made mobiles of undersea creatures CONTACT US in Leeds and despite the gruelling raised more than including killer whales, sharks and shoals of fish to decorate the hall. It was application process and to my surprise, £50,000 for charity over amazing.’ Editor: Ruth Savage I got the job! I started at PwC in Read his full story on pages 14-17 the past five years Deputy editor: Nicola Woolfenden September 2012 working in Business [email protected] Mark pictured at RGS in 1984 Main cover photograph by KIERAN DOHERTY Challenges: Recovery Services and have recently Emma Lister had the opportunity to undertake a secondment to the Corporate Finance

2 3 R G S ALUMNI

School wins top accolade for second year in a row and is placed 70th out of all English Where are they now? continued state secondary schools surveyed by , Ruth Savage reports.

(left RGS 2007) I studied geography at Anna Coles To find out more about Anna’s research group, Durham University and went on to take an MSc in risk and visit www.usask.ca/watershed/index.php environmental hazard at Durham. I now live in Saskatchewan in Canada, where I am a PhD student at the Global Institute for Water Security, a research institute at the University of Saskatchewan. It's a nice city, but RGS rated top state right now very cold! We're in the -30s at the moment, and due for pretty low wind chill temperatures (-50C!). It's definitely a different and exciting place to be living in. I started here in September 2012. My research is in hydrology, and is specifically looking at the drivers of surface runoff during rainstorms and snowmelt events, school in the North to try to understand and predict the timing and volume of flood events and the delivery of contaminants (such ipon Grammar School is as fertiliser chemicals) to streams during runoff events. celebrating being named My research involves a lot of fieldwork, mostly around the top performing state the Canadian prairies - measuring and monitoring soil secondary school in the North conditions, rainfall, snow amounts, and ultimately the Rin the latest Sunday Times Parent amount of water that runs off a landscape. I combine Power guide. this with data analysis and computer modelling to try to understand what's going on, and extend this to predicting The rankings in the secondary school future events. I also get to travel a fair amount - to Snow survey: league tables, which highlight academic conferences and events. In the last year, I've presented Anna, above, and right, excellence, are determined by the installing instrumentation research in San Francisco, Boston and Luxembourg, and percentage of entries gaining A* to B in a snowpack. done fieldwork in Arizona. Nice perks! grades at A level in the summer and returning A* and A grades at GCSE.

The latest accolade comes after 68.5 per Liam Connolly (left RGS in 2010) I was Winner: cent of GCSEs awarded to RGS students one of the quiet students at RGS, more at home Jack were either A* or A, while 76 per cent of with my handful of friends in the library or A level grades were A* to B. Now in its Laugher 22nd year of publication, Parent Power computer room than on the field or the stage. I is widely acknowledged as the most have many treasured memories from those years authoritative survey of the country’s best and still regularly meet with the friends I shared schools. them with, but sixth form was a difficult time and, despite fantastic support from my teachers, I left Headmaster Martin Pearman said: “I am with slightly disappointing A-levels. Nevertheless, I delighted the school’s achievements have Leading from the front was able to take up a dream place at the University been recognised in the latest Parent HEADMASTER Martin Pearman was of York, reading archaeology, and graduated Power survey. This reflects the hard work By Sarah French last year with a first class honours. I am now at and commitment of our staff, as well as inspired by a pupil’s plight to enter the 26-mile London Marathon for the first Bradford University, undertaking an MSc in forensic the tremendous effort and determination time. archaeology and crime scene investigation and, of our students to do their very best at they’d never have the chance to do school.” again.” contrary to my younger, bookish self, compete as Last year, student Jenny Unwin broke a foilist with the men's 1st fencers. I'm thoroughly Although, he added, RGS, where every her back in an accident while cycling Calvert Trust, which operates entirely on enjoying my course, which has so far seen me home from her part-time job, just donations, runs three centres at Exmoor, fingerprinting, flying drones on the moors, and even pupil is expected to pursue at least one of the many and wide-ranging extra- weeks after completing her GCSE exams. Kielder and the Lake District where excavating suitcases in the night-time woods! curricular activities on offer, is about so Now Mr Pearman hopes to raise at least people can do climbing, horse riding, University has hugely improved my confidence much more than exam results: “These £1,500 for Calvert Trust, a charity that sailing and even abseiling down a cliff and blissfully afforded me time to work on my outstanding results have been achieved provides outdoor activities for people face in a wheelchair. writing, enabling me to move a step closer to an alongside excellence in many other areas with disabilities. eventual career as an author. My first book, In Full of school life, including music, drama A keen sportsman who plays cricket and Circle, was published online 18 months ago, and and sport.” “Jenny’s accident prompted me to five-a-side, Mr Pearman, 55, has also I'm now looking to engage an agent, whilst working do something for an organisation that completed the Great North Run three on my next one. My focus is on young adult, This is the second year in a row the she and other young people in similar times. His training route around the fantasy adventure novels, though I also still have a school, rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted situations can use to remain active and Fountains Abbey World Heritage Site and enjoy the outdoors,” he said. “The staff passion for poetry, some of which appeared in my inspectors, who praised its ‘well-rounded surrounding countryside is particularly of Calvert Trust work tremendously hard university's annual anthologies. and confident’ students, has come out inspirational, he says. To support Mr top. Girls' High School came to provide opportunities to help children Pearman’s fundraising effort, visit www. second in the list, followed by The North regain their confidence and take part justgiving.com/Martin-Pearman My book is available for download via Amazon. Blog: in activities that perhaps they thought amomentseized.wordpress.com; Halifax Grammar School and Ermysted’s Digging university: Email: [email protected]" Grammar School. Liam Connolly Baroque and roll: hair stylist Billy, above, enjoyed music One of only 38 state boarding schools Latest results show RGS has topped North taken by primary school pupils in year when he was at RGS, right in , where education is free ’s A level league tables for the 6, there are 13 additional places (4 but boarding is paid for, Ripon second year running. It was also the top boarding and 9 day) for entry into year Grammar School is also placed performing state school in the whole of 9. There are also around 30 additional Billy Burgin (left RGS 2006) I left school at 16 to study music (piano) at Leeds College, but I had worked in hairdressing part- 70th nationally in the newspaper’s Yorkshire last year. places available in sixth form, open to time since I was about 14 years old and always knew that that was what I wanted to do. My Mum was a hairdresser and my Nan had her survey of state secondary schools. both day and boarding students. own hairdressing salon in the village of Wath. I went on to do a two year hairdressing course at Intuitions School of Hairdressing and It comes 72nd in the Daily It is not widely known that students have Beauty Therapy, in Harrogate and worked in a number of salons in the Ripon and Leeds area. I won first place in a creative hairdressing Telegraph national secondary more than one chance at joining RGS. As Please visit www.ripongrammar. school league tables. well as the autumn term entrance exams co.uk for further details. competition for junior stylists throughout Leeds and York in 2011, with an avant-garde peacock feather inspired hair style. I have been working as ‘creative stylist’ at Baroque in Ripon for the best part of a year and love it here. As well as cutting and colouring, I have been trained to do neck and shoulder, scalp and head massages. It’s a really creative job and I’m busy all day. I love meeting new people and talking to clients. I couldn’t sit at a desk all day, I like to be active. I enjoyed music and maths at school and played a lot Do you have a local business that would benefit from advertising to RGS parents and alumni? of rugby, which I still do. I also played in a folk and a rock function band and played saxophone with the RGS Big Band, going on tours PARENTS’ DIRECTORY: to places like Amsterdam. I now play violin and dance with Ripon Morris Dancers. I enjoyed my time at school very much. It taught Please contact our Parents’ Association c/o Karen Williamson 01423 358189 [email protected] for information me to “crack on with life”.

4 5 R G S ALUMNI

The world of bespoke gentlemen’s tailoring used to be dominated by men. Ruth Savage talks to a former Ripon Grammar School head girl and chemistry graduate who is proving women can cut it here too

Suits you, Miss: A JOB THAT Alexandra Robinson outside Mullen & Mullen in York, where she says her chemistry degree has helped her master the complex mirror images involved in patterning: “It’s molecular chemistry in a different form.”

hen Alexandra Robinson ditched for family run Mullen & Mullen, which, while based her high-flying career in the in York, does most of its business in London. On a pharmaceutical industry in order to typical day, Alexandra will meet up to eight of her get a job in the world of bespoke company’s clients in prestigious locations all over Wmen’s tailoring, it seemed like a leap in the the city, including the Gherkin and the Shard. dark. Although much of her job involves sales and aspects of the company, picking it up as I go The favourite part of her Her love of tailoring began at a young age when her meeting with clients, Alexandra is also learning along. It’s great training,” says Alexandra, who job now is dealing with But the Newcastle University chemistry mother, a fashion-loving sales executive, the basics of tailoring: “I cut button holes and found the position while browsing local job customers: “Every day in graduate, who had always loved high quality, would dress Alexandra and her sister in beautiful do little tweaks but leave the highly skilled work boards. London I get to meet some traditional British clothing, felt that, at last, clothes: “My Mum always had us looking to the experienced cutting room staff,” she of the most successful and she was about to do immaculate. She’d says. “It is hard to get into and lots of people coming influential legal and business what she really wanted, say a nice jacket out of fashion college would love to be in my minds in some of the most rather than what was and a good pair of The 3D design skills involved in creating a suit to position. There are hundreds of applicants for luxurious offices and locations. expected of her. shoes would take us precisely the right measurements and shape are every place and I had no connections or idea Although they have quite exacting anywhere. complex, and when Alexandra first started, she how to get into fashion. Luckily, I was in the standards and expect a high level of So she swapped a was thrown in at the deep end but, surprisingly, right place at the right time.” perfection.” lucrative job with “There were always found her knowledge of chemistry helped. excellent prospects fashion magazines in She feels she benefited from what she learnt at She has recently been working on in London to return the house and when “They warned me Ripon Grammar a suit for multi-millionaire business home and live with my parents went to that mastering the School: “ I tycoon Sir Anthony Jolliffe: “I love her parents in North America, Mum would mirror images absolutely loved meeting people at the height of their Yorkshire, determined come back wearing involved in At RGS we were my profession, who are the best in the to land a job in this labels like DKNY. She patterning was time at RGS. We world at what they do. It’s good to highly competitive and bought me a lovely harder than brain had excellent pick up life lessons from them.” once all-male dominion. Jack Wills tailored surgery. This is encouraged to succeed, teachers, For Alexandra, 24, who jacket when I was where my passionate in After taking an order, Alexandra left Ripon Grammar young. I have loved chemistry degree but also to be polite their field and will meet with the head cutter to School in 2009, it’s a jackets ever since,” actually helped about our success go over measurements and create gamble that paid off. she says, confessing as a lot of it s and we wanted to a basic shape, held together by Having won a position that she has just based on mirror and kind individuals’ work hard and to ‘bastings’ or loose stitches. Then with a prestigious firm treated herself to a images. To me, it do well for them. she meets her client to do a first of bespoke tailors stunning red velvet was just molecular At RGS, there is fit, during which she will make within weeks, she is Dolce and Gabbana chemistry in a different form, so I actually found an in-built drive minor alterations to ensure there one of a new generation one. that bit easy.” to do well, work hard and succeed, but also to is no creasing or popping. Up to of women proving be well-grounded and polite, kind individuals.” four further fittings and cutting that she really can cut “The anatomy of Alexandra is also doing a part-time course in room meetings follow. it in a world full of a tailored suit is marketing at the London College of Fashion and Her advice to today’s students is to go with immaculately suited fascinating, the enjoys writing a men’s fashion blog – covering gut instincts about what they want to do in She loves working with the gentlemen. history and influence subjects like ‘the history of the dinner jacket’ life: “The secret of success is hard work and famous cloth merchants of behind it and the and ‘what to look for in brogues’ – for the a little bit of luck but you need to create Savile Row, such as Holland and She works as a tailor effort that goes into company website. “I’m getting a taste of all opportunities.” Sherry or Dormeuil: “There is such and account manager making it,” she says. a history to them. In one building, they keep 6 7 R G S ALUMNI Continued from page 7 sample books of original cloths dating back to the Ruth Savage reports on ’s first early 1800s. It’s fascinating.” But Mullen & Mullen also offers its own top quality house cloths, woven at ever female editor and the only woman at the top of Dugdale Bros & Co cloth merchants in Yorkshire, which work out better value. Suits typically cost from £650 a major daily newspaper in the UK to £2,000: “But if you want gold thread, the sky’s the A truly unique school limit.” As RGS expands to meet demand, headmaster Martin Pearman explains why state boarding is so popular With a staff of 30, including five tailors, the company makes 25 to 30 suits a week. Former head girl some are in rural areas, they are needs or perhaps don’t have sixth roud of their schools and “It’s a very traditional, old-fashioned operation,” academies and comprehensives, forms. says Alexandra. While it is still a male-dominated mindful of what makes co-ed and single sex. What we environment, she has noticed more women entering them special, many head the trade. In fact, Mullen & Mullen has just taken on makes the news have in common is the chance Others are attracted by the teachers will lay claim to for students to receive a state fact we offer an educational another female trainee. t comes as little surprise to those After leaving RGS in 1989, Katharine went theP uniqueness of their school. education with the bonus of being experience that’s at least on who knew Katharine Viner when she on to study English at Pembroke College, As headmaster of Ripon Grammar After years of being limited to finishing off button able to board - tuition comes a par with the independent was at Ripon Grammar School that Oxford,where, in her final year, she won School, I am in the privileged holes and linings in the workrooms of Savile Row, the former head girl has just been a student competition to work at the free, with only the weekly or sector, with school fees- since women are increasingly moving into the more position of being able to say appointed the first female editor in Guardian for a week, when she wrote a termly boarding paid for. only the boarding element has dynamic client-facing roles. Occasionally, there is that I lead a truly unique school the Guardian newspaper’s 194-year history piece titled ‘Storm in a D-cup’ about the to be paid for - substantially some prejudice: “I can still go for days without seeing I - Yorkshire's only state boarding As more parents juggle demanding lower. Certainly, at Ripon and is now the only female editor at the lack of sports bras for the well-endowed. school. another girl. And sometimes ‘old school’ chaps look careers, children with different Grammar School our annual shocked when I walk in. But being a female in this job head of a major UK national daily. needs or, as is often the case boarding fees of £10,000 compare has never bothered me. I have always been confident The school was re-founded in in , geography, very favourably with average with people,” says Alexandra. “And male clients often It was always clear that Her first job was with 1555 and has probably always had where the daily trek to school is a independent school fees of like a woman’s opinion,” she adds. Katharine, the first state- Cosmopolitan magazine and boarders throughout that time. challenge in itself, many families around £30,000 per year. educated editor at the she spent three years at Nevertheless, that such a school are looking for flexibility. Her greatest triumphs, she says, are when she finishes Guardian since 1956, was The Sunday Times before exists today is still a surprise a suit and a client reorders straight away because Students can board at Ripon from going to go far. joining the Guardian, to many, even in Ripon itself. they love it so much. The down side is the amount of We have parents who have to the age of 11, but demand for where she made her name Many believe boarding to be the time spent travelling: “I get a 7am train from York to travel with work, for whom sixth form boarding places has led The daughter of two in lifestyle coverage, and preserve of the independent London and arrive back at 7pm a couple of days later, boarding offers both continuity to us to extend our girls’ boarding teachers, she showed won a Newspaper Magazine sector, but Ripon is one of just getting to my front door about 10pm.” and stability for their children, in Johnson House by a further 15 journalistic promise in Editor of the Year award in 38 state boarding schools in the while other families have moved places from September. fifth form, when she had 2001. She rose through the whole of England. her first article—about ranks, going on to launch to the area and have no support network. The £1.2m development will My favourite teacher was Mr taking the last O level the paper’s Australian Not all are grammar schools, nor provide single rooms for sixth exams before the operation before taking the in wonderful cities like Ripon For some, the schools local to form girls, as well as freeing up Miller (biology) , he was really introduction of the new role of editor-in-chief of - some are inner city schools, A privilege to lead RGS: GCSE—published in the Guardian US. headmaster Martin Pearman their home may not meet their cool and had a nice balance between Continued on page 10 Guardian in 1987. the carrot and stick, making you want Inspiring leader: Viner As well as her journalism, she “I wonder how the O level compiled a play, My Name to work hard for him. I cried after my will be remembered,” she wrote. “Many is , with actor , last biology lesson. It got to me.’ would think what an unfair, elitist system about an American activist who died in Gaza RIPON GRAMMAR SCHOOL it was. After all, for some exams, five during a protest in 2003. It was performed Helping shape the future since 1555 years’ knowledge had to be crammed into at the Royal Court Theatre. As well as being CAN WE LET It’s incredibly tiring, she says: “It’s a very physical two and a half hours.” on the board of the Royal Court for 13 years, job and takes a lot of energy to get 15 suits to 15 Katharine was a judge in the Orange Prize locations around London over two days, making all the She described the RGS exam hall as usually for Fiction in 2006. appointments on time while maintaining composure containing ‘hay fever sneezes as well as and appearance. We have a team of bag carriers to a hundred sweaty bodies’ in summer and Widely viewed by Guardian staff as more YOU INTO help us. But it’s very intense.” recalls the moment all the approachable and left-wing lights went out during a than her predecessor, Alan Many of Mullen & Mullen’s customers in London have thunderstorm in the middle Rusbridger, who is standing Yorkshire connections, such as those City lawyers who of a German exam. That down after 20 years, Vine, A SECRET? trained at York Law School. But, increasingly, the company is attracting clients from further afield who was not the only hazard, 44, said she intends to make simply like the idea of good quality, reasonably priced she added: “Desks were the Guardian: “a home British-made garments. allocated in alphabetical for the most ambitious order, yet wherever I sat, journalism, ideas and events, The company is planning to expand to New York, I seemed to receive a desk reaching out to readers all where a number of clients are now based, and with three long legs and around the world.” Alexandra would eventually like to establish a one short one. But that’s women’s tailoring department. life, I suppose.” Dame Liz Forgan, one of the Guardian’s selection panel, Her role models are former Burberry boss Angela Katharine also shone as a said Vine had shown herself Ahrendts and award-winning British designer and member of the school’s Top to be ‘an inspiring and Savile Row tailor Patrick Grant. Both have been innovative and turned their businesses around: “Grant of the Form BBC national courageous leader.’ used to be an engineer and switched careers later radio quiz team in Headmaster Martin in life, so that’s particularly inspirational,” says 1986, when RGS lost Katharine at RGS in 1987 Pearman said everyone Alexandra. by just three points in at RGS was proud of the semi-final and former student and Katharine’s achievement and that she was She has no regrets about her career swap: “It took fashion designer Bruce Oldfield wrote to a particularly inspirational role model for courage. My parents were shocked at first and congratulate the team on their success. current students: “We warmly congratulate wondered what on earth I was doing. Katharine on her new appointment and wish In 1988, she and fellow student Simon her well with all the challenges that lie “But it has paid off. I absolutely loved the world of Stockill won the national final of the ahead. We are confident she will excel in men’s tailoring from the start. And, with most of our prestigious Observer Mace Schools her new role.” business based in London, it’s ideal for me as I get the Debating Competition in London, and buzz and young professional lifestyle of the city but Good state boarding schools are one of our education system’s best kept secrets. And one can still carry on living in my beloved Yorkshire.” were presented with their award by Lord Katharine will take up her new post in the Hailsham. summer. of the very best is in North Yorkshire. Want to know more? Mullen & Mullen, 16, High Petergate, York. T: 01904 633049 W: mullenandmullen.co.uk 8 9 R G S ALUMNI

five more places for boys, in a go running, play computer games newly-refurbished annex. enjoy exclusive use of the school In the last few years we’ve swimming pool and sports hall or Stefan Lewicki, former head of English at Ripon Grammar had to turn girls away so the to join one of the many sporting extension will not only meet clubs, before doing their prep. School, looks back on how school reports have changed over the current demand but allow us to grow our boarding provision At weekends they go home, or years, while former students share some of their teachers’ comments for the future. our termly boarders get to enjoy As well as the practical trips out to the cinema, bowling benefits of boarding, there is or shopping. Parents are always strong evidence of at the end of the telephone, of positive course, or, more academic typically these outcomes for Our days, contacted boarders. via Skype. ‘Tries hard expansion Boarding Another huge seems to will allow us advantage of sixth create an form boarding environment to grow our is the chance to that supports experience living hard work, boarding away from home but it all with both girls within the security and boys provision for of school. It means making the prospect of exceptional the future going to university progress. is far less daunting Boarders also and students feel ends in appreciate the better prepared. range of extra Boarders learn to curricular opportunities they be independent. They tend to be have outside school hours. As confident, self-assured, socially other students are journeying able individuals and make the home, our boarders are free to transition to higher education play a game of rounders (with easily. disaster ’ full teams!) on the fields, to Home from home: boarders typically thrive at RGS hortly after they had been Our boarding memories and WW1 features will appear in the next edition of Clocktower introduced to one another, Dr John Watson put together a sketch of his new colleague Sherlock Holmes, after the mannerS of a school report: RIPON GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1. Knowledge of Literature.—Nil. 2 Helping shape the future since 1555 Philosophy.—Nil. 3. Astronomy.—Nil. 4. Politics.—Feeble. Ripon Grammar School is the only state funded school with boarding 5. Botany.—Variable. Well up in belladonna, opium, and poisons generally. Knows nothing at a glance different soils from each other. in North Yorkshire, in fact between Lincolnshire and Northumberland of practical gardening. After walks has shown me splashes upon his student X, but not her parents. 6. Geology.—Practical, but limited. Tells trousers, and told me by their colour and consistence in what part of London he had And I could (in my own inimitable way!) NEW: 15 additional boarding places from September 2015 received them. tell student Y off for slouching in my lesson 7.Chemistry.—Profound. and looking like a 'lobotomised grapefruit' Art was not 8. Anatomy.—Accurate, but unsystematic. his subject: - it woke him up and he paid attention 9.Sensational Literature.—Immense. He thereafter! - but not send that comment Our students enjoy an outstanding education in the beautiful cathedral city setting of Ripon, former head appears to know every detail of every home in writing. where boarders are well cared for and nurtured in a comfortable, homely environment. boy Tim horror perpetrated in the century. Wolstencroft 10. Plays the violin well. I suppose I'm writing from a rather privileged Five good reasons to consider boarding at Ripon Grammar School left RGS in 11. Is an expert singlestick player, boxer, perspective, having been both a teacher 1964 and and swordsman. and a parent. Certainly, if you want the went on to 12. Has a good practical knowledge of truth, you need to be a fly on the wall in the RGS is the top state school in the North (The Sunday Times Parent Power guide) British law. become a staffroom, or have contacts at GCHQ. principal law That wouldn't pass muster in today's world Education comes free at RGS, with boarding fees offering exceptional value for money lecturer in In former times, reports were often cruel, of online reports, where one has to sum up crass and inaccurate, as well as terse, as you postgraduate a student's achievement in (last time I wrote can see from some of the examples I found, We have recently invested £10m in impressive modern facilities, including new boarding accommodation studies at the one) 800 characters. Your son or daughter in overleaf. But that doesn't mean untruthful. University of five and a half tweets! Of course, I, and any Students consistently achieve Yorkshire’s top exam results, with boarders’ outcomes ‘outstanding’ (Ofsted) Huddersfield. number of my colleagues could have done it My mother kept all my old school reports and Excerpts from in a single tweet, but again, it wouldn't have recently handed them over to me, and very his reports, been passed for publication. revealing they were. Teachers contradicted RGS has achieved the highest score in the country for student progress at A Level above and themselves from one term to the next. In I could get away with joking to a colleague the sixth form, I was regarded as having an below. that I'd met more intelligent Weetabix than Call 01765 602647 for a copy of our new Boarding Prospectus (please quote P2).

For more information visit www.ripongrammar.co.uk. Address: Clotherholme Road, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 2DG Email: [email protected]

10 11 School reports continued

Stefan Lewicki was head of English at attitude problem, issues with authority, True confessions and using too much bad language. No RGS from 1992 until his retirement in change there then, those who know me 2011. He was also head of sixth form Rebecca Russell, who left RGS in will say. from 2000-05. Before that he taught 1996, read English literature and Many feel that the world of the politically at and in Latin at the University of St An- correct is in danger of taking over London. Both his daughters attended drews and went on to work in jour- reporting, and emasculating it. In a data- RGS. nalism and communications, came mad world, numbers, marks and grades across her first form autumn report may be seen as more important than informed comment. He passed the 11+ and went to grammar in which headmaster, Mr Stanley, commented: ‘Rebecca seems to school in Stamford, Lincolnshire for Whilst I feel it’s a trend that RGS has enjoy life in the classroom. She will two years before moving to boarding rightly resisted, I know there are schools also have learned something about where teachers’ comments may have to school near Nottingham; he then went examinations. be taken from statement banks and have on to enjoy eight years as a student in in consequence become anodyne, verbose ‘This follows comments about good work in the classroom Liverpool, Lancaster and London. and have all the sincerity of a speak-your- but diligence somewhat lacking in exam revision and weight machine. There are those who consequent performance!’ says Rebecca. insist that reports shall always be positive Pictured in his early career as a form (or circumlocuitously negative). And the Charlie Savage, who left RGS in report will be proof-read to make sure tutor, below, and pre-university days, left An attitude that the language fits in with a particular 2011, studied English literature school’s self-image, and that it has been and philosophy at the University written and spelt correctly. of East Anglia, and now works as problem, issues with a business development manager I was always amused by how inputting for FC Business Intelligence in reports directly into a computer system London. Charlie was 14 when he with spellcheck facility produced a far received this summer report from higher level of inaccuracy than the old authority and too PE teacher Ashley Casey: “Charles fashioned methods, and demanded far more time for checking... has the ability but he often keeps his talents hidden or at least Quiz time: without thinking (too much) much bad language obscured by his preference for explain clearly the difference between tomfoolery. He is happy when he is performing to an a target grade, a forecast grade, a Stefan Lewicki gives us a glimpse of his old school reports audience and I am sorry to say that the wish to enter- predicted grade, a current grade and an from St Hugh’s College, Tollerton, which his mother kept in tain is not always conducive to good work in physical effort grade. Answers on the back of your ’ education. For a man of talents, he is not succeeding last report card, please. the attic until recently. Mr Lewicki found them ‘very revealing’: as he should; he needs to make a choice between his silliness and his progression in physical education.’ To be serious for a final few moments: , fifth form tutor’s report: when our daughters were at school - both School report Lent, 1970 ‘Works went through RGS - their reports were hard at whatever task he is doing, Always willing but Charlie says: ‘Mr Casey probably had a point, but my talent for tomfoolery has ended up coming in very useful in handwritten, and most of the time it was could be more careful in his choice of language. clear that the teachers knew the student life.’ Having completed his PhD in physical education and about whom they were writing; the report sport pedagogy, Dr Casey is now a lecturer in the School supplemented the more detailed picture Summer 1971, Lower sixth tutor’s report: ‘Stefan is a of Sport, Exercise and Health Science at Loughborough we were given at parents’ evenings. little too inclined to take the law into his own hands or University. consider himself above it, but he has had a reasonable Surely some Steve Smith, former head of Fashion designer Bruce Oldfield, OBE, left term and I have high hopes for him. Languages at RGS, recalls: ‘In my RGS in 1969. He went on to teacher training mistake? first form at Gillingham Grammar college before switching to fashion. He Nobel physicist Albert Lent 1972, sixth form, religious knowledge teacher: School my maths teacher Mr recalls : Einstein: “He will never ‘Stefan derives wicked pleasure from total non- Stokes wrote about me: "Steven is very conscientious, but should amount to anything.” participation. The headmaster, Mr said one of his experience no lasting difficulty". schoolmasters in 1895 ‘That's probably not what he meant Atkinson, known by Lent 1972 tutor’s report: ‘Stefan cannot be entirely to write. As it happens I was both Novelist Charlotte Brontë blamed if the educational system does not seem to conscientious and a little self-conscious,’ his initials RA, was an was told that she wrote demand much of him this year, but I feel his not working Anna Ferguson , who left RGS “indifferently” and “knew intimidating figure in his to capacity has had some bad effect on other boys. I in 1998 and went on to study nothing of grammar” academic gown, but he was also hope that he can grow out of his attitude of passive electrical and information sciences resistance to some aspects of life and study here in his at Cambridge University, is now kind to me and I made great Beatle John Lennon working as a chartered electrical was declared to be final term. power systems consultant friends with his daughter, “hopeless... rather a clown engineer in Manchester. She came in class... certainly on the Lent 1972 rector’s report: ‘Has carried his office of across a report from 1993, in Susan. His parting shot on my road to failure” which French teacher Miss Helen prefect well though perhaps a little over-zealous. While Alderson commented:‘ If Anna is final report was: "He expects a Poet Robert Graves: ‘Well, ensuring that others keep the rules he must remember to continue doing well she must lot from life. We shall miss him." goodbye, Graves and that he himself, although a prefect, is not ‘above’ these. adopt a slightly more serious remember that your best attitude toward her work, as well as chatting less!’ friend is the wastepaper Form four, 1965, age 9 years: ‘His work is very gratifying basket." - said his ‘Oops’ says Anna, ‘I blame my friend, that Dr Nicola Stock!’ housemaster in his report. but he does not always take kindly to criticism’

12 13 R G S ALUMNI On top of the world ward-winning documentary It was growing up in the magnificent landscape of the Yorkshire Dales that sparked off an award-winning maker Mark Flowers has played with lemurs in Madagascar, documentary maker’s love of the natural world. The globe-trotting director and producer, who left RGS in swum with river dolphins in the Amazon rainforest, joined in a 1985, tells Ruth Savage about his favourite place on the planet. Mali mud festival in the heat ofA Africa and tracked down giant fish in the turbulent rapids of Laos. But none of these exotic locations, he says, are a patch on his favourite place on the planet - Pen Hill, near Leyburn, in the Yorkshire Dales.

Producer and director Flowers, who has worked on a succession of high profile natural history programmes, from Human Planet to Iceage Giants and the Private Life of Plants, is constantly drawn back to this part of Wensleydale, where he grew up and where his interest in the natural world began.

And while his acclaimed big-budget documentaries, fronted by presenters like David Attenborough and Alice Roberts, may Mark, left, on have been watched by millions all over the world, his favourite piece of work lasts just location. filming the 20 seconds and cost only pennies to make. Human Planet It’s a film he made on his iPhone, capturing documentary in the drive out of Leyburn towards Pen Hill. Dubai, where Flowers, who studied biology at Nottingham keeping this modern University after leaving RGS in 1985, plays it city pigeon-free is a wherever he is in the world, if he’s feeling down or in need of inspiration. challenge. His team, which was “It follows the road just as it curves round to reveal the majesty of Pen Hill in front, it’s examining like the whole world opens out, a blast of mankind’s sense and reality.” relationship with

He describes the ancient landscape of nature, discovered this particular Dale as world class: “It is a an ancient Arabian fantastic mix of savage nature and gentle, solution to this tranquil order. The natural, terraced waterfalls on the River Ure are far more modern urban beautiful than anything I have seen in problem —falcons. the Amazon, the Andes or even along the Nature can’t be Mekong.” sparked the interest in plants and wildlife university: “I had big ideas about saving rare that was to drive his career. species from extinction,” he laughs. But he pushed away, says Those growing up and living in this part of didn’t take to life in the laboratory so got a Mark: “Even the world are incredibly lucky, he says: “In He recalls marvelling at the breeding job as a research journalist on a gardening futuristic Dubai North Yorkshire we are blessed with living in, kingfishers which he witnessed burrowing magazine: “This was my first big break as it by far and away, the most wild and beautiful into the side of the local beck: “We loved got me into finding and writing up stories,” would falter without part of the world – believe me, I have seen seeing the wildflowers and would go chasing he says. its falcons.” a lot of the rest of it.” Now 48, Flowers is waterfalls at nearby Redmire and Hardraw just back from New Zealand, where he has Force,” he says. His first job in TV found him working with his been working on a new natural history series hero, David Attenborough, as a researcher on about the surprising wildlife and spectacular When his younger brother Paul, now a the Private Life of Plants series. Flowers had landscapes there. Based at the BBC’s Natural professor of health at Glasgow Caledonian always dreamed of a career in TV: “I was 24, Above, Mark, History unit in Bristol, he spends about a University, got some tropical fish, the boys can you imagine how exciting it was to be pictured by a giant third of the year working abroad. started to take more of an interest in the working and talking with him directly? I felt wider world: “We read about where these like I had won the lottery. mammoth rock rub, “But no matter where I have been in exotic, colourful fish came from and learned filming Ice Age the world, I still keep coming back to about the Amazon, rainforests, mountain “I was just a lad in a small Yorkshire village Giants in Northern Wensleydale. As I get older, the pull back is streams and the great African lakes. It who had big dreams but never, ever thought stronger, it’s in the blood,” he says. inspired us to think about wildlife globally. they’d come true. I never imagined one day I California. might get to make my own series. The son of teachers Anne and Ernest, Flowers “We looked out on rooks in woods and walked grew up in a village outside Bedale. the dogs along nettle-lined lanes, yet by ”His advice to students at RGS today who It was the rambles with his mother. a science trying to give our tropical fish the best home might want a similar career is: “Don’t say ‘I teacher and biologist, along with brother and conditions we could, our imaginations want to be a presenter.’ If you are serious Falcon photographs Paul and sister Rachel, in the country lanes roamed the world.” He got a job as a about a career in media then watch film, left, and overleaf, by around the village of Crakehall, which first chromosomal parrot sexer after leaving pretend to be Simon Cowell and think about KIERAN DOHERTY

14 15 R G S ALUMNI

what makes it good, what makes it bad, analyse Flower Show and directing Monty Don in Around it. Have an overview about what is on TV and the World in 80 Gardens. what is hot and what is not. Make stuff. It is easy to film stuff on iPhones, do simple edits, just Producing a film about wild orchids – one of his have a go. Think up ideas and try making films.” passions - was, he recalls, particularly thrilling: He was something of a non-conformist at school, “It involved filming some of the strangest he says: “I wasn’t the neatest or sportiest pollination mechanisms in the world and seeing student and was quite often in trouble for some of the most mysterious flowers in the world bleaching my hair and being a bit different,” he in their wild home.” says. If he could meet his 18-year-old self now, the one piece of advice he’d give is: “Don’t Filming a documentary about Wensleydale, the worry, the fact that you can’t throw a ball really landscape which inspired him in the first place, doesn’t matter.” Flowers discovered rare wild plants that had survived from the Ice Age. While making the He believes people need a degree of talent to half hour documentary, narrated by actor Robert get going and stand out from the crowd: “But Hardy, he even encountered a kingfisher at the the ones who fly the highest have the clearest same beck where he had first discovered them as vision of where they’re going and what they want a boy, 35 years before: “That was just magical.” to get out of something.” Most of his job, though, Flowers has been involves planning and managing, writing writing: “There are lots of and directing emails. The business side ground-breaking of making a programme individual involves a lot of financial, programmes and legal and team issues.” series for more than He spends hours working 20 years now. It has on scripts: “Most days I’m opened him up to sitting tapping away and the most amazing looking at my computer for experiences, he says. hours on end.” Personal highlights include sitting in a And it is only once all the hide in the middle detailed arrangements are of the Amazonian I was just a made to get crews to the Jungle and watching right place at the right flocking Macaws lad in a small time and with the right form a magnificent support that he can get technicolour cloud. back out into the wilds, he Yorkshire village says. While filming aerial shots in Dubai for who had big dreams. “When we go filming, we Human Planet, never really know what’s featuring the story of going to happen. In an an urban falconer, he RGS opened up office, life is predictable flew over the tallest but out in the wilds, it is all building in the world: my future.’ about making the most of No place like home: Mark strolls on the Green at Crakehall. Below, filming in Meghalaya, “I often see the shot the planning you have done north-east India, where he tasted local delicacies for the award-winning Human Planet we captured on TV, and then seeing what the documentary, and on location at a frozen river in Romania. Left, a falcon in Dubai used again and again, it looks like something weather, God, creatures from Star Wars.” and local people will give you. We just always hope it will result in wonderful images.” Capturing life in isolated, root tree hill villages in one of the remote areas of north-east India He is particularly enthusiastic about his latest Favourite teachers for the same series was like another world. And series, Wild New Zealand, which should be when the children living there saw Flowers and on our TV screens in autumn 2016: “It is the his colleagues, it was as if the circus had come to most isolated mini continent on earth, home “I have to thank David town, he says. to giant reptiles and the strangest birds,” he Postlethwaite for pushing me says. Now busy writing scripts about what he has “To these children, the arrival of a gangly bunch encountered there, he says “My aim is to tell into being the best I could of giant, pale-skinned strangers, brandishing the best stories and make them as appealing as be. Anne Carrick and Graham weird black boxes, screens and cables, was the possible. Finch, who led school drama most surprising thing to happen in a long while.” Flowers found himself acting as a children’s Looking back on his time at RGS, he says the main productions, inspired me.” entertainer: “Whenever we got the camera out, lesson he learnt was to be himself: “There is such we were mobbed,” he says. “If we were to get pressure in your teens to be part of the herd and I any shots that looked vaguely natural, the crowd didn’t really conform. I wasn’t especially good at of children had to be distracted.” rugby or winning academic prizes. But RGS really opened up my future and gave me a chance I’d He found it soul enhancing: “The biggest benefit never have had otherwise. of working on a Human Planet shoot is the people we encounter. It’s refreshing to step outside of “It taught me to try the best I could and strive a regulated, fast-paced and impersonal modern, for excellence. And I learnt to make the most of urban society and meet people who live in a opportunities. My deep ambition now is to play more open, communal and far more ‘human’ my part, however small, in helping to remind us way.” all how precious our world, and its wildlife, is.”

In a career largely driven by his love of plants, he has also enjoyed working on the Chelsea Main photograph: RICHARD DOUGHTY,. Meghalaya photographs RICHARD KIRKBY

16 17 R G S ALUMNI My career path

DRIVINGNick Chester, who left RGS in 1987, is now technical director at Lotus Formula 1. AMBITION finds out about his school days and discovers how he landed his dream job Peter Craddock I ick Chester has been interested in cars and their design since he was a 13- year-old pupil at Ripon Grammar School. But little did the teenage Hot wheels: schoolboy, who went on to study engineering at Cambridge University, ran an Chester realise that he would, one day, land such a dream job. After graduating, he with drivers Nworked on vehicle simulation projects with Research and when the company illicit Maldonado, launched its own F1 team, he was lucky enough to travel with them, analysing data Grosjean and at the track. Nick went on to work in suspension design before progressing to CEO Matthew tuck performance, race and test engineering, eventually taking up positions as head Carter in of performance systems and engineering director until, in May last year, he was Bahrain . shop Australian appointed ’s technical director. Grand Prix Melbourne, “I work and have worked with some great people, determined people. March 2015, I have had the pleasure of working with some great drivers, below including , Kimi Raikkonen and as his performance engineer when he won at Monaco,” says Nick.

He adds: “The current crop of drivers have enormous ability in their cars, are quick thinkers, fearless, whilst managing the technical aspects of tyres and fuel consumption.”

He looks back on his time at RGS with fondness: “There was a lovely culture in the school, working hard was a good thing to do, as was extra curricular activity, I sang in the school choir and played for the tennis team. I enjoyed every year and made some great friends including Stephen Lloyd and Tim Armitage, with whom I'm still in contact. I particularly remember Mr Ashworth, my maths teacher, he was really inspiring and my favourite teacher as a result.”

Nick who now lives near Solihull, from where he commutes to his Lotus F1 base in , recalls what it was that first drew him to motor racing in the first place: “It's obviously exciting. I wanted to get into racing via car design, and I knew I wanted to do that from around the age of 13.”

About to depart for Malaysia, his current lifestyle is a roving one, a real contrast to his anchored days at RGS, although things didn't always go to plan back then. There were some difficult times: 'Yes' recounts Nick, ' I recall the first year being From top, Chester talks to Lotus F1 team manager Paul quite tough, but I really got going in years 2 and Seaby in Bahrain, Australian Grand Prix, and trackside. 3.”

He had a mischievous side too. 'I ran an illicit Formula tuck shop in the physics lessons, not appreciated Favourite teacher: Mr Ashworth by the officious teacher, Jock Wallace, but I for managed to get away with it. I remember also success: RGS FACT “I particularly remember Mr Ashworth, my maths being chased around on a bike by one of the Nick games masters, Harry Locke, who with another teacher, he was really inspiring and my favourite games master Andy Ebbage, struck up a real Chester, Half of all our sixth teacher as a result. My physics teacher, who was comedy duo act, great times,” he recalls with right, and, amusement formers do voluntary deeply offended by the tuck shop I ran, was 'Jock' left, as a work and all benefite schoolboy Wallace. Both the head, Mr Stanley, and deputy His advice to current students is: “Be aware of from one week’s formal the possibilities out there, there are so many pictured work experienc head, Mr Postlethwaite, were feared and respected.” great careers available. If you are fired up about in 1987 the possibilities, that's when the enthusiasm starts. Believe in yourself and be tenacious. For me that was about getting a good engineering degree and it went from there.” 18 19 R G S ALUMNI Old Rips’ RGS alumni reunion

The victors: George Owram’s Over-21 team celebrate their hard fought win

Former students returned to RGS to challenge current pupils on the school playing fields. eW report on the exciting football and hockey matches that ensued We are the champions Here come his year it was different. The the shootout with poise, tucking away their first the girls: (l-r) overwhelming popularity of the annual By Toby Kinread couple of penalties whilst the older boys struck Laura Old Rips vs Current Rips football match wide and over the bar. McCarthy, RGS FACT meant that last year’s Old Rips’ team texts had to be sent to gather some substitutes. Hannah hadT twice as many players as it needed. The conditions were perfect and the boggy right Perhaps complacency set in though and, sadly for Waddington, side of the pitch made for some interesting this author who organised the Under-21s penalty Mabel Our popular student-led So this time it changed. 2014 saw the Under- manoeuvres on the wing. takers, some good goalkeeping and poor striking Ellerker and clubs include the 21s vs the Over-21s, in a match played with helped the Over-21s to draw level and then win Georgi such emotion that Mr Auger could hardly Although scrappy at times, glimpses of quality the shootout. Sanderson medical, philosophy and contain himself on the sidelines. The Over- 21s football came through and the goals kept on set off for the feminist societies looked prepared. Complete with manager and coming. With a tight 3-all score after the final Good is not how this game should be described. second half a substitute’s bench, George Owram’s boys whistle the boys knew that history would repeat But good fun should suffice and good luck next of the hockey came to play. The Under-21s team was just itself and like last year the game would be year to the Over-21s, because we’ll be back with match, report about a team, although several last minute decided on penalties. The Under-21s started vengeance. overleaf More over 20 21 R G S ALUMNI Old Rips’ reunion continued Old Rips on a winning streak he annual Old Riponians’ hockey match in By Hannah Hale December 2014 was as much anticipated as ever. With the Old Rips’ team ranging from Carolyn Allen of the Old Rips, setting them from the more recent leavers from just up for an easy win. However, the current RGS Tlast year to the 1992 North Yorkshire champions. first XI fought back with vigour, putting the Old The match began with a few early goals, many Rips under pressure and providing the crowd with some great hockey to witness. By half-time the score was almost equal and the effects were certainly showing on some of the more recent RGS FACT leavers of RGS. The Old Rips’ team started the second half More than 30 students determined to reach Miss Bottomley’s ‘magic from other schools number 6’ for a second year running. This goal throughout Yorkshire was achieved with a full-time score of 7-5 to the Old Rips. Thanks to all who were able to make join our sixth form it this year, both players and spectators. Let’s every year continue our winning streak next year.

Magic: the Old Rips’ hockey team hit Miss Bottomley’s ‘number six’, plus one Congratulations to Old Rip who was the first non-Chinese winner of a orldW Series event in 2015 when he won the 3m springboard diving gold medal in Dubai in March.

They’ll be back with a vengeance next year: the Under-21s football team with PE teacher Mr Garvey

22 23 Old Rips’ reunion continued

Former students travelled from as far as Japan and Australia for this RGS reunion. Nicola Woolfenden caught up with them in the school library after the games. MEMORIES are made of RGS

isitors came from as far as Japan and Australia to support the time- honoured hockey and football matches, and to enjoy guided Vtours of the school and its new facilities, at our latest Old Rips’ winter reunion, The secret of held on Saturday, December 20. Rovers return: (l-r) Colin Yarker and wife Taiko, Philip Jackson and Clive Butterworth. At school, below my success Following the games, refreshments were held in the school library and there was a RAISED by a single wonderful atmosphere as former pupils, friends and families came together to mother on benefits share a cup of coffee or glass of wine, to and unable to afford a reminisce about school days and to catch university education, up on news since leaving RGS. this former RGS student Amongst the visitors was Colin Yarker left school at 16 to start (1961-68) who had travelled from Japan with his wife, Taiko, to meet work. Now retired aged up with four old school friends – Clive 34, having sold his IT Butterworth, Ann Dangerfield (formerly business for £23m, he Davison), Philip Jackson and Howard Perry. “It is the first time in 46 years,” tells how being a student says Colin, “that the five of us have met at RGS helped give him up. Starting only a few years ago, I have the confidence to turn managed to make contact with 30 of my peers – who are scattered around the Blast from the past: (l-r) Emma Holden, Charlotte Mosley and Louise Holden. Pictured with deputy head his life around. four corners of the globe.” Colin has KevinAuger, below, are (l-r) James Riley, Peter Marsden, Hannah Hale and Naomi Smith lived and worked in Japan since 1979, Lower sixth, 1967 (l to r): Colin, Clive and Philip . Also pictured, physics master Michael Wallace establishing his own company in Tokyo in 1985, which, he says, will continue to keep his mind occupied for a few years yet. Of his former school friends, Colin goes on to say :“Ann Dangerfield, an accomplished violinist, was a music teacher for many years and now lives in Liverpool. Since retiring, she has continued working as a private teacher and regularly performs with several orchestras. Clive Butterworth is a retired civil engineer currently living in Ripon. Riponians’ Association, and girls His wife Helen is known to many at RGS. were able to access the library’s IT network Philip Jackson is a chemistry teacher to search the archive for items of general who, since the official retirement age of or personal interest. Everybody marvelled 60, has ‘retired’ three times! He enjoys at the quality of school photographs from his job so much that he inevitably ends decades ago, ranging from pictures of up accepting offers of work at different school plays, speech days, form groups and schools – he currently works in London team line-ups. For anybody wishing to track Girl power and lives there during term time. down a long-lost photograph, please email Howard Perry’s official residence is in the Old Rips at [email protected]. THIS former student, Australia, where he has lived and worked uk and we will do our best to provide you now a top female since 1989 but is currently working on with a digital copy. engineer working in a project in Paris. He is particularly interested in environmental protection The success of this annual event rests very electrical power and has been responsible for replanting much with the people who visit and thanks systems, is urging large areas of forest in Australia”. must go to all those who joined us this year more women to enter in helping to make it such an enjoyable For the first time, thanks to a and memorable day. We look forward to the profession. comprehensive digitisation and welcoming many more of you in December One family search through the school archives for old photographs. Pictures by Nicola Woolfenden cataloguing of school records by the Old 2015. Sharing memories over coffee and wine in a packed RGS library 24 25 Obituaries A love of Helping to make history Tireless MISS Denton was appointed history mistress of Ripon High School for Girls in 1953. She found herself, Jean Denton nine years later, thrust into the making of a kind of sport and a history when that school and this one were merged energy and and she, with many of her colleagues, came to help Jean first taught at a school in Weston–Super-Mare, establish our co-educational system of teaching. then in Rotherham before moving to Ripon. As head of history at Ripon Grammar School, zest for life Miss Denton established and maintained the new Jean had a lifelong interest in and concern for the commitment department with patient planning and a tenacious trade union movement. She worked hard for her care for the principles of the subject until her professional association and for many years served retirement in 1982. with distinction on its national council. Philip Miles THERE was standing room only at Christ Tony Hill Church, Harrogate, for the funeral of Jean was born in Wakefield and attended Thornes In retirement, Jean continued to use her expertise Tony Hill, the middle of three brothers House Grammar School, where she was head girl, in writing and editing articles for the Ripon for life that matched his size. He who attended RGS in the 1950s. from 1934 to 1940. She then went on to read history Historical Society. gained a reputation as an exacting DC PHILIP H Miles was appointed music master At school he excelled at sport. Playing and English at London University. After graduating, of Ripon Grammar School in January 1960. Mr cricket and rugby for the first teams and meticulous surveyor and had a Miles joined us after teaching at Wellingborough marked the beginning of his lifelong successful practice. School, where he was also a pupil. He graduated love of both games. He was a founder member of Nidderdale from Trinity College of Music and was an Tony trained as a quantity surveyor with Round Table, later a Rotarian and associate of the Royal College of Music and the Messrs Jackson & Calvert in Harrogate. Masonic Lodge member. He devoted Outstanding Royal College of Organists. After qualification and marriage to his much of his life to charitable causes, childhood sweetheart Gilli, he started largely through these organisations, A gentle and genial personality but with as a sole practitioner in Harrogate in where he held high office. Devoted service considerable determination, Mr Miles will be 1968. Around the same time he returned If he took on a post he always brought values and remembered by numerous music students for his to his passion for rugby and was a his considerable energy, knowledge and commitment and tireless energy, developing the constant presence in the second row for experience to the job. Tony, pictured school orchestra, choirs and chamber music and Harrogate RUFC until retirement in 1974 above, died on December 20, aged 73, to our schools delivering musical productions of the highest whereupon he worked tirelessly behind He was a charming and positive friend, achievements standard. During his time at RGS, the school the scenes. a loving husband, father and acquired a considerable reputation for music, Tony was a big man with a zest grandfather who will be sadly missed. producing no fewer than eight members of DC Simon Fogden BOTH Ripon Girls’ High School and later the National Youth Orchestra and many more Ripon Grammar School were fortunate Marguerite Terry members of the West Riding Schools Orchestra. in the devotion shown them over 38 Several pupils went on to become professional I FIRST met Simon in Autumn 1957. RGS and years of service by their secretary Miss headmistresses Miss M. W. Johnson musicians and are its boarding house provided the foundations Terry, pictured above in 1984. Staff, and Miss J. Cullingworth. In 1962, on still performing with A loyal colleague for more than 57 years of friendship. governors, pupils past and present, the amalgamation of the Girls’ High orchestras around the parents and even those who only knew School with the Boys’ Grammar School, country. He made it Prominent in school life were our her briefly as a voice on the phone Marguerite moved to the grammar his mission to ensure SUE was born in Gillingham in Kent. enthusiastic representation of RGS in winter could not fail to be impressed by her school where she was appointed every pupil was After leaving school she trained as a Sue Wordsworth and summer sports teams at every age calm, quiet efficiency and her friendly, secretary and bursar by the headmaster encouraged to develop nursery nurse and worked in Canterbury’s group, involvement in the Combined Cadet helpful attitude. Mr Atkinson. an understanding and maternity unit before moving to the Force and the annual camps, and bouts appreciation of great paediatric unit in Bath. in her cottage in Copt Hewick and was of self importance and power as school Marguerite was a Riponian born and The Old Riponians’ Association also music. He made sure a supporter of many local activities. prefects. bred. As a girl she attended the Ripon benefited from Marguerite’s energy in any members of staff In 1966 she moved to Scotland to work At her funeral, in Copt Hewick Church, Girls’ High School, and in 1941 entered her almost 40 years on the committees, who could sing or as a nanny and for the next 20 years she a display of her work was held in the Compulsory outdoor exercise before the Women's Technical Service as a for many years as secretary. play instruments were worked as matron in Ripon village hall, including a beautiful kneeler breakfast,homework, exams, sports injuries trainee draughtswoman. She began involved in the school’s musical activities and Cathedral Choir School and then at the for the church. and the headmaster’s work in the drawing office of Firth Miss Terry also acted as a cathedral he even organised annual carol singing evenings boys’ , cane sometimes Brown in Sheffield and later moved to guide for five years, and as a member of around Ripon which will still be remembered Ramillies Hall, in When Sue retired from the school, interrupted this very Octavious Atkinson, remaining there the Ripon Cathedral Drama Group was by many for their quality as well as their Cheadle. In 1986 she Johnson House senior housemistress pleasant existence. until 1946. involved in seven St. Wilfrid’s pageants. enthusiasm. returned to Ripon and Ruth Smith, a good friend, wrote Marguerite passed away on March 12, settled in the boys’ in the RGS News: “Whether In our later RGS In 1946 Marguerite returned to the 2014, peacefully in a Ripon nursing Mr Miles took great delight in his involvement boarding house at upholstering chairs, making years amalgamation Ripon Girls’ High School as the first home, aged 90 years. with music in the local community, working Ripon Grammar School curtains, countless summer dresses, with the High full time school secretary, under the DC closely with many other music teachers in until her retirement or costumes for many school plays, School presented the area and acting as accompanist for Ripon in 2008. her work is outstanding. She was an agreeable new Choral Society for several years, then serving always ready to take pupils to as its conductor for several more. He became a dimension to school From an early age she hospital, help with invigilating, close friend of the cathedral organist, Dr Philip life. Pocklington School - one of our rugby year. The legacy of Simon's outstanding values had an aptitude for assist with cricket teas, entertain Marshall, and together they built a new organ opponents in the RGS days. and achievements will always reach far into needlework and her parents, deal with workmen and for the school, housed at the rear of the stage. Subsequently Simon had an incredibly the lives of his family, friends and colleagues. interest in crafts numerous other jobs in school and His wife, Elizabeth, also taught piano to a great successful military career. He was a colonel In all that he achieved in his working life became a lifelong boarding houses She was a loyal and many local young musicians. In 1975, Mr. Miles in the Army Air Corps (AAC) where he was a Simon was supported by his wife, Lyn. Without any doubt the RGS experience was hobby. As a talented stalwart colleague in all parts of left the school to become a lecturer at Leeds helicopter pilot. He served for 34 years in He was rightly proud of the development very significant in shaping his character. needlewoman she was the school.” College of Music. In retirement, he maintained a valued member of Northern Ireland, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, and achievements of their children and TW his connection with Ripon and he and Elizabeth Falkland Islands, Germany and across the grandchildren. Fishing and the restoration of several sewing groups, including the She didn’t have a long retirement but frequently attended concerts given by the school, UK. He lived in 27 different houses in total. old cars provided retirement challenges and Cathedral Stitchers, with whom she it was a busy and purposeful one. Sue the Choral Society, the Cathedral Concert Society A highlight was leading 3 Regiment AAC in achievements in equal measure. worked on the millennium cushion can be summed up by the following Contributions from: and the St Cecilia Orchestra. Philip passed away Soest, Germany. project and the production of kneelers motto that she embroidered on a small Tim Wolstencroft, in January 2015, he will be greatly missed. Simon, who was born on November 9, 1946, for the Justice and Peace Chapel in the plaque: “The best man for the job is...a Xenophon Kelsey cathedral. On her retirement she settled Subsequently he became the bursar at died after a short illness on February 2 this and Jenny Bellamy DC and XK woman.” JB

26 27 Clocktower reader offer

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