Old Stops' Review
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OLD STOPS’ REVIEW ISSUE 8 2018 In this issue... PROFESSOR VIKAS SHAH MBE SPOTLIGHT ON WEST END STAR SARAH KATE HOWARTH SCHOOL NEWS OLD STOPS’ REVIEW OLD STOPS’ REVIEW A Year in Office Serving as President of The Old This is something I feel particularly Stopfordians’ Association over the associated with as a regular helper past year has been a privilege. and assessor. It takes me back to my Hardly a week seems to have gone trips to Wasdale Camps that nurtured Contents by without the chance to attend my love of the outdoors. Headmaster’s Welcome 2 an event at school displaying the wealth of talent and the breadth In November, the School of opportunity to demonstrate Remembrance Service was a fitting OSA President 3 pupils’ abilities. tribute to the former Stopfordians lost in conflict. This was followed by lunch From the Helm 4 Headmaster’s Welcome As the last academic year drew to in The Hallam Hall where all those Thanks to the support of all sections of that of opportunity. We are here – we a close, I attended the exhibition names are recorded. OSA President Tim Stretton (right) Digital Archives 5 the school community and The have always been here – to serve the displayed by the Art, Design and Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, children in our community. It isn’t Textile department and was amazed The Golf section remains active with with former President David Garrett Stockport Grammar School is now as tokenism; it’s what we do. Whilst Shaa’s by the variety and standard of work several competitions arranged Sarah Kate Howarth 6 successful as it has ever been – in the crest – the badge of his school – may on show. throughout the summer. I had the number of boys and girls we educate, be gilded in gold – the youth of his pleasure of participating in The Oppida Spotlight On… 8 in terms of academic results, in home town, historically, has not been. Featuring strongly throughout the year Cup held at Stockport Golf Club. The Annual Dinner was, as always, extracurricular sport, music and drama have been the number of drama, dance held on the evening of Founder’s Day The Association is in transition at the Where Are They Now? 10 and in the quality of facilities and In the medieval period of history much and musical performances which have in the Hallam Hall at school. This moment and progress is being made working relations which exist in the scientific knowledge was developed by impressed. The termly concerts in always makes for a very convivial to take the Old Stopfordian community school. We continue to build for future alchemists. Men who tried to find a particular include such a diversity of evening to catch up with old friends Professor Vikas Shah MBE 14 under the umbrella of the External generations not only in bricks and formula that would transform ordinary musical genres. and make new acquaintances. So too Relations Department. I would like to mortar but in more cerebral materials materials into gold. As a goldsmith is the reunion barbecue held in June. Mary Jane Wells 15 The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme express my thanks to Rachel Horsford – our academic curriculum and Shaa had, of course, punctured the at Stockport Grammar goes from and her team for their efforts and to I wish you all well. personal development programmes myth of alchemy – but we want his OS Sporting Highlights 16 strength to strength. It was the continued support of fellow are constantly developing to shape school to preserve it in human form. tremendous to see so many involved committee members. Tim Stretton (OS 1982) and meet the changing needs Winston Churchill put it this way: and it was a pleasure to be able to Announcements 17 of our pupils. ‘The further back you can look, the attend the Awards Evening. further forward you are likely to see.’ Tributes 18 Whilst we may know little of our Founder Edmond Shaa – we do know Schools are – in essence – about the that he had a sharp eye to shaping his future not the past, about people not Stopping By 19 own career. Adept at navigating the about buildings, about raising up not machinations of political patronage at levelling down, about removing SGS Highlights 20 the end of the Wars of the Roses, he barriers to progress, about opening was very careful to tie his colours to closed minds. The real task of Old Stops’ Events Round Up 22 the future – he was a survivor in a teachers is to encourage each pupil to dangerous world – managing to grow as an individual. Schools should be places where we can search Dates For Your Diary 24 maintain his influence with three, very different political masters, Edward IV, together for the secret of a successful Richard III and Henry VII. and happy future by offering the uniquely precious opportunity, the Shaa would, I am sure, be both expression of confidence which delighted and surprised, not only in fortifies self-belief and helps a child to the survival but by the strength and develop his or her own very special vigour of his creation today. He was, talents – whether in academic study, in many ways, the personification of in music, in art, in drama, in sport – social mobility. His intention was to so that they can realise and fulfil the provide opportunity to present and promise which lies in each of us. future generations of children in the Ultimately we compete against our town of his birth, to offer them an present selves rather than against education appropriate to their needs other people. and aspirations irrespective of social background, a journey which took I do hope that you will find enjoyment, Shaa himself from the valleys of the encouragement and inspiration in Pennines to the Guildhall of the City of reading this publication. London. The equality that matters is Andrew Chicken OSA President Tim Stretton addresses pupils, Content by Dawn Marsden. not that of outcome or provision, but Design by jacksonhammond.co.uk staff, Old Stops and Governors on Founder’s Day 2 3 OLD STOPS’ REVIEW OLD STOPS’ REVIEW Staff photograph from 1992. Do you recognise any of your teachers? Digital Archive From the Helm In celebration of the 100th anniversary Over recent years, Stopfordians have there was still a substantial shortfall. By 1912, the interest alone on the reflected on the life of Sir Edmond The balance of the cost was born by funds amounted to £18,500 and of Stockport Grammar School’s move to the Shaa and paid tribute to his vision in the Ephraim Hallam Charity. this sum, one of the first acts of the Hallam site in 1916, the Old Stopfordians’ Association founding Stockport Grammar School. charity, was given to the Governors pledged an initial generous donation enabling the school However, we should not forget a more Ephraim Hallam was born in Stockport of the Grammar School for the new to establish its archive materials through an online collection recent benefactor without whose in 1812 and, as a young man, quickly building. which is accessible through the school website. The site, which showed a determination to work Pupils on a camping trip in financial support the school might not is managed by SDS Group, contains all back copies of extremely long hours journeying The foundation stone was laid by the early 1950s. What was have survived the proposed move to The Stopfordian magazine, school publications and a selection daily by foot to Quay Street College Mr. W B Hodgkinson J.P., who was not your favourite school trip Mile End - Ephraim Hallam. of archive photographs. The balance of the whole school photographs in Manchester to study Latin and only the Chairman of Governors of the during your time at SGS? In the last quarter of the 19th century Chemistry. Ephraim Hallam Charity, but Hallam’s and a range of additional images of school life will follow shortly. the school endured fluctuating fortunes personal friend and Executor. We are very thankful to our Archivist, Mr Stuart Helm, in respect of numbers of pupils. In due course he abandoned the profession of Chemist and Druggist During the construction 1914 – 1916 for co-ordinating the project, and to the Old Stopfordians’ However, shortly after Mr A E Daniels upon his inheritance of a small a further interest of £4,000 was Association for their generous donation. was appointed Headmaster in 1903, cotton–waste business hitherto given so that in total the school demand for the liberal education the conducted by his father. Over time was a beneficiary to the extent of We hope that the online collection will be expanded as funds school provided increased he transformed this small concern into £22,500, some two-thirds of the total become available and we welcome the donation of photographs substantially. It soon became apparent a great factory at Heaviley where he building cost. and memorabilia from Old Stopfordians to add to the that the school had outgrown the soon amassed a handsome fortune. school archive. The School digital archive can be found possibilities of the site at Greek Street He was a member of the Board of The Hall was dedicated to the memory in the Alumni section of the school website at of Ephraim Hallam. His portrait and plans were submitted to move to School Governors from 1885. www.stockportgrammar.co.uk Mile End, one of three sites initially and that of his wife hang in the considered. After a long life distinguished by Governors’ Room. business success, private benefactions The cost of these new buildings was and municipal honours, Alderman By Archivist Stuart Helm (OS 1964) to be £30,000.