FROM SCHOOL HOUSE Warminster School 1

FROM SCHOOL HOUSE

Dear Old Verlucian,

It has been a pleasure to see so much Old Verlucian involvement this term. It has been our most important aim this year and we thank all those OVs who have given their support to various events on campus.

In May, the Headmaster hosted a lunch for the magnificent ‘MacDonald boys’, a charismatic group of Old Verlucians who went to Lord Weymouth’s Grammar School in the 1940s and 1950s. It was quite simply a wonderful occasion. This was followed by one of the highlights of the year when Dr Joy Odili, (OV89), gave an excellent speech as guest of honour at Speech Day. Most importantly the real beneficiaries were the pupils themselves. We look forward to other OVs following Joy’s example.

The Fives Court has become a sports field again rather than simply an artefact and those present will not forget the fixture with Marlborough College. It was important that Year 7 pupils were there to see the match and we hope to have reinvigorated one of the traditions that makes Warminster School special. A successful year ended with the splendid OV Black Tie Dinner, another great event.

We look forward to building on the successful foundations that have been laid this year and continuing to increase the involvement of the OV community in the life of the School.

GRAEME MCQUEEN HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI

STELLA ALDRIDGE DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI RELATIONS ADMINISTRATOR

01985 210251 [email protected]

Follow us on twitter @verlucians Warminster School 2

ON CAMPUS

A WARM WELCOME TO THE MAGNIFICENT Warminster School has a proud history and it was good ‘MACDONALD BOYS’ to recall and appreciate it on this occasion. The School motto is ‘J’ai bonne cause’ – I have good cause to be It was a great privilege to host a fascinating group most grateful for my time at Warminster.” of Old Verlucians from the early post war years to lunch recently. The group, collectively remembered The day was rounded off with a tour of School House, as the ‘MacDonald Boys’ spent their time at school which was also boarding accommodation in the during the Headship of Ian MacDonald (1940-1958), then Lord Weymouth Grammar School. Even the one of the great Headmasters of the past. It was most Headmaster lived there in a school which totaled just appropriate that one of the guests at lunch was Ian around 100 by the end of the MacDonald years. The MacDonald’s son Julian MacDonald who played a tour prompted more interesting and wonderful tales central role in organising the event. and even Mrs Mortimer was sworn to secrecy about times gone by! Hosted by members of the Sixth Form, the OVs took in a cricket match on the new pitches, many of them The Headmaster said “It was fascinating to hear their having represented the 1st XI over 65 years ago. They stories and memories of each other as young men, of were very complimentary about the quality of cricket their teachers and of the School as it was immediately on display and the grounds. Then came a splendid after the Second World War. In many ways it was a lunch in St Boniface Hall, hosted by the Headmaster very different school then. Much, much smaller, boys and his wife. The food was delicious and there was only and it even had a different name. All of the pupils much reminiscing about the past and much laughter and most of the staff slept in dorms and rooms in too, especially at OV John Baddeley’s wonderful vote School House and it was a lot spartan than it is now. of thanks to the Headmaster and School. Who will Two of our guests at the table were Head Boys here, forget his memories of a match against Clayesmore, one of them for two years. Another went onto be a delightfully told and in which he starred. It was no successful actor, another to be headmaster of two surprise to learn that John had prospered in his schools. And yet all they wanted to talk about was their career as an actor! time here at school. It was fascinating and humbling to hear them.” John Baddeley, remembering his time at Warminster remarked, “Returning to one’s alma mater after a It was our pleasure to meet these interesting and gap of sixty years was an emotional occasion. Having inspirational men, who have succeeded in a wide been at the School as a boarder during the dark days variety of careers all over the world and have lost of the Second World War, it was amazing to see how none of the camaraderie or sense of humour that it has risen like a phoenix from the ashes to be the still characterises the School to this day. It was an splendid place it now is. The celebratory lunch held in St enjoyable and highly entertaining afternoon and Boniface Hall meant not only a great deal to us elderly we are looking forward to next year already. Old Verlucians present but also, I believe, to the School. Warminster School 3

WELCOME VISITORS!

As has been very much the case this year, we As the current Lower Sixth begin to tackle the have had several OVs on campus. In May, we were complexities of UCAS, they were helped out on Higher delighted to host Tom Newton (OV10) for lunch and Education Afternoon by a posse of young OVs who are a tour of the new facilities. Tom, who was Head Boy now at university. Hosted by Head of Sixth Form Dr in 2010, is now in his second year of work with a Horler- Underwood, alumni including former Head West Country company that specialises in trade Girl Emma Tizard, George Cooper, Coco Ma, Tommy with the Middle East. Morgan, all (OV15) and Jack Osborne (OV14) dealt brilliantly with the questions posed and did their bit to Tom who studied International Business at the prepare the Sixth Form for the complex UCAS journey University of Plymouth, with one year of study in the that lies ahead. Thanks for your support! east coast of the USA, spends a considerable amount of time in Alexandria in Egypt. His task is to focus on At the end of June, we were very pleased to welcome the successful delivery and distribution of millions back Kathy Whalley (OV97), Mike Mitchell (OV61) of pounds of commodities bound for Egypt and other and his wife Lynne and Chris Gomez (OV86) and his countries in the region. He has already spent time family from the USA. Kathy, a former Head of Stratton in Bahrain. House, is now an occupational therapist based in Southampton. She has lost none of her enthusiasm We look forward to another visit from Tom who is for the School over the years and we look forward to keen to speak to the Sixth Form about his experiences. welcoming her back as a mentor for health related Meanwhile his message to the current pupils was careers in the future. Mike was on holiday from clear; make the most of your opportunities at this France and was delighted to see the School in “such fabulous school. good heart”. He was pleased to hear of the restoration of Fives and was hugely impressed by the grounds. Adding a bit of sporting class to an otherwise damp Chris brought his wife and daughters with him from Wiltshire afternoon were the OV cricketers captained Virginia. He learnt to play cricket here and such was by Will Hams (OV10) who led his team to victory. Of his love of soccer instilled in him here, that that he the many highlights of the match, the favourite for the now coaches in the USA, including his daughters! OVs was the wicket of Director of Sport Chris Knight taken by all–rounder Nick Bourne (OV10). Revenge for the School next year? Warminster School 4

SCHOOL DELIGHTS IN WELCOMING ITS OLD VERLUCIANS

The School was delighted to welcome back Old Verlucians for the first formal dinner in over thirty years and with 150 guests, probably the largest in the School’s history. Attending were OVs from 1981 to 2015 and it was fantastic to have representatives spanning over 35 years of attendance. It was also a pleasure to welcome back so many former members of staff and honorary OVs who remain an essential part of our community.

Graeme McQueen, Head of Development and Alumni, introduced the evening to a packed Thomas Arnold Hall, by warmly welcoming back the OVs. He encouraged them to take an active part in the school community today and also reminded everyone just how important School Swap had been for reconnecting the School with its former pupils and providing Warminster a higher profile both locally and nationally. The Headmaster also spoke, via a pre- He thanked the Headmaster for his generosity and recorded video message as he was unable to attend hospitality and said “The OVs have been very much due to a visit to Kenya, emphasising how pleased on the backburner for the last couple of decades and he was at the level of interest and thanking those I know I speak for all of us when I thank the School gathered for supporting their school, which received a for all the hard work they have put in, to get the old long applause, even if he wasn’t there to hear it! pupils network going again. It truly is a wonderful thing to return to Warminster, and it stirs so many The Thomas Arnold Hall was then alive with laughter old memories. I am sure I am not alone in spending and stories all evening as those gathered enjoyed a much of the last week in some sort of warm, nostalgic splendid meal provide by our dedicated and talented haze, particularly given some of the less than flattering catering department, led by Alex Rall. The evening photos that have been doing the rounds on social was rounded off with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Tim media.” Lewis (OV 98), now a Deputy Head at Hall Grove Prep School in Surrey. Tim thanked the school for providing Tim ended by proposing a wonderful toast to the OVs with the opportunity to reunite and said that the School, ‘past, present and future’ and to all present looked forward to attending such events in teacher Maggie Frost and her “magnificent the future. 36-year innings” at Warminster. Warminster School 5

SCHOOL DELIGHTS IN WELCOMING ITS OLD VERLUCIANS

Jasper Matthews, (OVO6) and Head Boy enthused, “I cannot emphasise enough what a fantastic evening it was and I’d like to express my thanks to the Headmaster, Mark Mortimer for his hospitality and all the staff for what was, a wonderful evening. Can’t tell you what it meant to the OVs to be reuniting in the School grounds which, by the way, looked superb!”

Susie Parrack, teacher and former tutor to some of the OVs present commented, “The OV Inaugural Dinner was a fantastic evening. There was so much love, warmth and laughter - it really was magical and one of the happiest events I have attended anywhere in a long while. I was so thrilled to see so many Old Verlucians and incredibly moved and touched by their affection, generous words and fond memories.”

Graeme McQueen delighted with the success of the event said, “We are delighted with the level of support We look forward to the next OV event received for this event. Thank you to all OVs, honorary which will be a drinks evening in central OVs and staff who have supported this historic reunion, London on Friday 24 November. it really was an honour to welcome everyone back and Venue to be confirmed. we look forward to many more.” Please confirm your interest via Thanks to all who supported this historic reunion! [email protected] Warminster School 6

SCHOOL NEWS

A WONDERFUL SPEECH DAY The Headmaster continued the theme of progress in his speech and talked of his pride in Warminster’s The weather was kind on Saturday 28 of May and authenticity and warmth as a community. He also helped set the scene for a memorable Speech Day. paid tribute to Maggie Frost. Both the Headmaster and Chair of Governors highlighted the reconnection The grounds, always magnificent at this time of year, with the Old Verlucian community as a feature of the looked particularly beautiful and Graham Kitley, School’s growth and development this year. Head Groundsman deserves particular praise. We were particularly pleased to introduce Dr Joy Odili We were then entertained with a simply inspirational (OV89) as the guest speaker for the day. Joy, is now address by Joy Odili, whose composed yet warm a consultant plastic surgeon based at St George’s delivery focused the School’s attention. Having been hospital in London. educated largely in the USA before the decision to send her to Warminster, Joy pointed out that a vital The day began with a joyful commemoration service element of the selection of Warminster was that it was in the Minster Church, with the Vicar of St Denys, one of the few schools in the area that did not smell of Jacques Desrosier’s sermon celebrating the virtues manure! She reminisced about the qualities imparted of service. He concentrated on the theme of making to her in her time here, the opportunities provided for oneself of use in a society which increasingly ignores personal development and reflected on the warmth the importance of giving something back. We were of the community which she was delighted to see was also treated to excellent performances by the choir still a feature of Warminster life. Joy is a marvellous led by Director of Music, Caroline Robinson. example of a former pupil who although she has been very successful, has lost none of the affability and The prize giving ceremony commenced with a sense of loyalty that characterises many OVs. short address by Sir David Latham, Chairman of Governors, who celebrated the wonderful impact After the distribution of prizes, Head Boy and that the documentary School Swap has had on the Head Girl, Max Trusler and Esther Kirrage closed School’s profile both locally and nationally. He rightly proceedings with articulate, confident and heartfelt commended the Headmaster’s energetic and steadfast tributes to Joy and the teachers who had taught them. leadership which has led to the School moving It was quite simply a wonderful day. forward in so many ways. Warminster School 7

NARNIA HITS THE ‘BIG TOP’

What a magical evening! From the picnics on the However, one person deserves an extra-special lawn under the warm evening sun, to the final mention – Aslan, himself. For anyone who had not appearance of Aslan as he paraded around the circus seen the giant lion patrolling the grounds in recent tent, Warminster School’s production of The Lion, The months, his appearance in the second half must Witch and The Wardrobe was a triumph. Certainly have caused their jaws to drop. With three operators it was a brave decision to bring the production ‘in plus the voice of Sixth Former, Lewis Tomlinson and house’ and perform in a circus big-top tent – after all, Year 11 pupil Rory Lomas, both royally commanding the British summer is not renowned for reliability. performances, he cut an immense figure as he entered However, the only issue the weather caused was the the tent. You can imagine the White Witch’s fear need for air conditioning in the tent! as he rose from the dead to lead the charge against her army. Aslan was excellently operated by Ben As for the production itself, the four children: Lucy Cook, Tommy Park and Freddie Mowbray and Harry (Thea Knight), Susan (Freya Smye), Edmund (Ben Langhorn on the Friday evening, ably supported by Pearson) and Peter (Alex Maclaren), were uniformly Miss Vickers. excellent; Freya and Ben, in particular, belying their youth and turning in strong, mature performances. Emily Harris, Head of Drama commented “As a new The White Witch (Lexie Drake) metamorphosed Head of Drama, I wanted to create a real experience into a really frightening creature who, I am sure, for the pupils. Turning this inherently wintry allegory will be cropping up in the nightmares of some of the into summer ‘event theatre’, with the hire of a big-top younger pupils! She was ably supported by her two and playing in the round, has been quite a learning vicious sidekicks, Lily Aldridge as Dwarf and Harrison experience for us all. We had to think about constant Kilminster as Maugrim, both of whom brought an movement and pace – a real challenge for a four and air of menace into the tent. To be honest, it is really half metre-long puppet! I am delighted with the result impossible to highlight some names and not others and I hope the audiences have thoroughly enjoyed as the entire cast contributed to this wonderful the show.” show. In fact, a number of roles were double-cast with Lucy played at some performances by Milly All-in-all, this was an astounding production and Morgan and the Witch by Alice Robinson, to name a particular congratulations must go to the Drama few. Alice Robinson enthralled the audience with her Department, Mrs Harris, Mr Bignell and Miss Vickers magnificent performance of the White Witch, Milly for directing and coordinating what was a very Morgan delighted a captive audience and Will Harris complex and entertaining production. terrified us as Maugrim. Warminster School 8

QUITE A MAGNIFICENT INNINGS...

On Speech Day the Headmaster spoke wonderfully It is also the case, and I frequently meet former about the career of Maggie Frost who leaves us after pupils who are quick to confirm it, that Maggie has 36 years. Maggie deservedly has been awarded the made a tremendous and lasting impression on the newly created status of honorary Old Verlucian by very significant number of boys and girls who have the Headmaster. been lucky enough to have been taught by her at the School. She won’t like to be reminded of the fact, Here are some excerpts from his address: but some of them are now well into their fifties! They, like the current crop of pupils, recognise that “In May 1980 Maggie Frost left teacher training college Maggie is someone who will always go out of her way and started work immediately here at Warminster. to help them. One of my predecessors wrote, quite She has worked at the School (in both prep and senior rightly, that ‘she is the kind of person to commit herself parts) primarily as a teacher of PE and games, with unstintingly... with almost limitless good humour and mathematics as a second subject. However, she has willingness.’ Those lines were penned many years also been, in those years, a boarding housemistress, ago now, but remain as pertinent today as they were head of a competition house, head of girls’ games and then. She is one of those rare and priceless teachers both a form and boarding house tutor. She has also who is able to dedicate her working life to one school coached a wide variety of sports at all levels across without, for one moment, losing her enthusiasm, her the School. At the same time, in her younger years, commitment and her willingness and ability to adapt she was an outstanding sportswoman, particularly to change. The School, particularly her colleagues, will at cricket, in which she won county and international miss Maggie greatly. Above all, she is a kind, energetic, recognition, as well as an active participant in a wide hard-working, unassuming and decent human being”. range of outdoor activities. This contributed to her excellence as a role model for all pupils, We look forward to keeping in touch with this especially girls. wonderful servant of the school in the years ahead.

She has been a quite wonderful servant of the School over many years and since I arrived as Headmaster on 1 January 2014, she has given me much support and shown me great kindness. I have no doubt that all of my predecessors with whom she has worked over the past 36 years would say the same. Warminster School 9

THE 1707 BURSARY FUND

The Headmaster and Head of Development and Alumni Relations, Graeme McQueen are pleased to announce the launch of The 1707 Bursary Fund and to pledge their monthly contributions.

The fund, which the Headmaster spoke about in his Speech Day address, has been to set up to help widen access to a Warminster education, and provide places for talented boys and girls from a variety of backgrounds.

Graeme McQueen expanded on the rationale behind the scheme: “Any money raised from this fund will enable us to offer the special environment that exists here to more children. This will help us maintain a strong and vibrant school community in the years ahead. The generous support for this fund is appreciated and valued.”

Thank you to the governors, parents, staff and Old Verlucians who have already kindly donated to this fund.

Download here: http://www.warminsterschool.org.uk/uploads/ docs/1707_Bursary_Fund.pdf

Warminster School

THE 1707 MARK MORTIMER Warminster School was There are several pupils currently BURSARY FUND established by Lord Weymouth in at the School who benefit from I have spent my whole teaching The money raised from this HEADMASTER 1707 as a ‘free school’, with up to this bursarial support, but we are career at Warminster and fund will widen the accessibility twenty free places for the boys of keen to support more. I believe I have been proud to see so of a Warminster education and the Longleat Estate workers. The that independent schools have many young men and women School has as a long-term goal help the School fulfil its heritage Here at Warminster we are proud of our tradition of offering a responsibility to promote and so positively influenced by their and ethos. It will also help us the ability to offer up to 100% support social mobility and to time here and then thrive in the THE 1707 means-tested bursaries to children who we know will thrive here; financial support to a number of to maintain a strong and vibrant help bridge the social divide. It years thereafter. Nothing would school community in the years however, we do need the means to continue this good work and children who would benefit from is undoubtedly in the interest give me greater pleasure than the education the School offers, ahead. Any support you can offer safeguard this principle for future generations. of all of us to do this, not just to develop a scheme that offers would be most appreciated. but could not otherwise afford from a moral, political and social the same opportunities to even to come. This benefit might be perspective, but also from a more young people, whether Your support is essential to help us widen access and enable primarily academic, but might GRAEME MCQUEEN BURSARY business and national perspective. their talents and potential lie in HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT also be in terms of pastoral pupils to come to Warminster who for financial reasons could academia, the arts or on the care, social learning, character sports field. not otherwise do so. It also helps pupils to remain at Warminster development or the co-curricular FUND in the event of an unforeseen change in family circumstances. (music, sport, drama). Our aim is to fund these places through charitable giving and maximise the Gift Aid we can apply to make the most of tax efficient donations. Generations of pupils have in other words, by providing benefited from the education financial support to those who provided at what is now would otherwise be unable to Warminster School. The afford the fees. Unlike many television programme ‘School schools, Warminster has no Swap’ underlined the enormous endowment funds to call on. advantages that boys and That support therefore has to be girls obtain from the special found out of fee income, and the environment created by the generosity of donors who share Warminster community, both the vision of a school which is There are several by the staff and the pupils able to make a real contribution themselves. However, pupils currently at the to the community. I hope that education such as that provided your experience at the School School who benefit at Warminster comes at a cost was such that you would like to from this bursarial and the Headmaster and the play a part in making this vision support, but we are Governors are determined to a reality. enable the School to offer as many keen to support more places as possible to deserving SIR DAVID LATHAM children on a needs-blinds basis, CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS

I feel Warminster is giving me all-round skills which will lead to a better future. I have been able to try Being educated at Warminster is a great different sports and sing in a choir which I have never experience. There is such a positive learning tried before. I also love being independent as a boarder environment with inspirational teachers and great and having to adapt has made me a better pupil. The friends. Small class sizes make it easier to learn. School prepares you well for the next stage of your life I volunteer in the local primary school – I like being Michelle Krasniqi able to help people Cheyenne Munroe-Williams Warminster School 10

SPOTLIGHT ON... DR JOY ODILI (OV89)

Dr Joy Odili (OV89) is a Consultant Plastic and skin oncology, Joy Odili has a special interest in Reconstructive Surgeon at St George’s NHS Foundation general plastic surgery, aesthetic and reconstructive Hospital, London and an Honorary Senior Clinical surgery of the ear and breast, vascular malformations, Lecturer St George’s University, with admitting and post-bariatric (weight loss) surgery. She sees both rights to the following London private hospitals: NHS and Private patients for both reconstructive the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth (in St John’s and Aesthetic / Cosmetic Surgery. She is also highly Wood), Parkside Hospital, Wimbledon, and the involved in the education of the undergraduate Portland Hospital (Great Portland Street London). students, and teaches them the plastic surgery Joy attended Warminster school from 1985 to 1989, curriculum. She is a member of the Plastic Surgery before attending Glasgow University Medical School. Training Committee, and is involved in the training She trained in a number of London’s prestigious and recruitment of junior doctors interested in plastic surgery units, before taking up a post as a Plastic Surgery. She is currently the Educational consultant at St Georges Hospital in 2009. As part of Lead Consultant for Plastic Surgery at St George’s her postgraduate training, she conducted 2 years of Hospital. She is actively involved in the Open days research looking at the detection and treatment of arranged by the Royal College of Surgeons (England) malignant melanoma. She was awarded an MD by the and the British Association of Plastic Surgeons, which University of London and has presented her research introduces school children and medical students nationally and internationally. She was awarded to Plastic Surgery as a career. She mentors female a Hunterian Professorship for her research into medical students interested in a career in surgery. malignant melanoma in 2002, by the Royal College She has been awarded a place on the Powerlist UK for of Surgeons. She remains active in the research 4 years in a row, which honours and acknowledges on melanoma and is part of the INSPECT group the UKs most influential black people. She is also a (formed by several European Hospitals looking at the wife and mother of two children. She remains close to treatment of skin cancers with electro chemotherapy). many of her classmates from Warminster School. She Whilst a large proportion of her practice deals with is a proud Old Verlucian. Warminster School 11

ON CAMPUS

REVIVAL OF AN ANCIENT GAME

It is probably at least forty years since the cries of The day was rounded off with a wonderful “daps”, “squi” and “skunk” were heard around the Warminster match tea, which is earning a justifiably grounds but these, and other words essential to the good reputation in the area. Both the teams, Year 7s ancient game of Fives, resounded around campus and many Sixth Form girls enjoyed both the game in June. and the refreshments. It was wonderful to hear new school prefect Tallulah Cope decide that she wants to The occasion for the revival of the game was an set up a girls’ team. Absolutely! exhibition match of Warminster Fives with the Marlborough College team, led by Master in Charge, “Skunk” by the way is not some ancient insult but Tom Kiggell. Marlborough gave the Warminster team, the name given to the player in the three-man team captained by new Head Boy Josh Haines, a quick who occupies the right of the court. If you want know demonstration and Marlborough then promptly more, get in touch and follow the development of the lost the first set! Experience told in the end and game at Warminster. Marlborough won the next two sets and the match. However, it was not victory that counted but merely the playing of the game on the 18th century court.

Both Marlborough and Warminster showed some excellent shot-making skills with Tom Kiggell playing the angles beautifully. The Warminster team playing in their first official match showed athleticism and a willingness to learn that will stand them in good stead in the future as they become more experienced in the game.