The Magazine for the Old Vigornians of the King's School, Worcester
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Winter 2020 Issue 49 The magazine for the Old Vigornians of The King’s School, Worcester Connect 49 I 1 Contents 2 A Letter from the 15 OV Weddings Acting Headmaster 17 Archives 3 OV Visits 21 Features on Teachers 8 Barnabas 22 Where are they now? 9 Fastnet Race 24 Foundation Development 11 King’s Today and Alumni Relations 13 OV Filmstars 26 A Picture Paints a Thousand Words 14 Remembrance Day A Letter from the Headmaster online teaching platform that means no Cumming QC back for Barnabas Day, and one ever misses lessons due to either illness, also meeting other OVs during the course isolation, or snow days. We have also utilised of the term, especially the great Nicholas some graduate OVs who have overseen Cleobury, and Rupert Monkhouse, who now lessons in School when staff have needed practices as a dentist here in Worcester. to isolate, and their support, experience and guidance to pupils has been invaluable. As we look ahead to 2021 we can see a vaccine on the horizon, a new development A frustration throughout the term has been plan in consultation for the Foundation, that we have not witnessed any competitive a new Head at Hawford, Jennie Phillips, sports fixtures, as I resolutely wanted to see ready to take over from Jim Turner, and the King’s beat RGS in every field, especially at prospect of the Kings Foundation returning the Modus Cup which this year has had to to normal. Frankly, I cannot wait to see the be postponed. However, COVID has not three schools in regular operation! dampened our sporting enthusiasm, and I am delighted to welcome you to this through the first term of the 2020 – 2021 Any OV who finds him or herself near to edition of Connect Magazine. session we have managed to spend nine King’s is always very welcome to pop in to Saturdays on Chapter Meadows playing say hello. I’d very much like to meet as many Arriving in September 2020 as the new cricket, netball, rugby and football, with OVs as possible, sharing memories and we Headmaster was an interesting experience, hockey also taking place and a plethora of can give you a tour of your old school. And having to navigate the School through other sports. I would encourage you all to come to as COVID and deal with the issues hanging over many events as possible when the post- from the exam challenges of the summer. There have been a number of highlights vaccine nirvana arrives. We have much to However, from my arrival I was bowled over this term for me. Speaking for the first time talk about and much to celebrate. by the spirit, warmth and love that King’s in College Hall to the School exuded, and since then I haven’t been let was incredibly moving, and down! My two children, Humph and Persie, standing next to the board attend St Alban’s, and across the Foundation listing the Headmasters they – as well as my wife, Jess and I – have of King’s from 1541 was a been given a wonderful welcome into the humbling experience. In family that is the King’s community. addition, Remembrance Day was especially memorable The School is in fine shape, and despite – with a poignant address all the challenges, morale amongst the delivered remotely by Major staff and pupils is excellent. Much of James Scott - as was the Carol this is because of the can-do attitude of Service that we recorded the pupils and staff; we have learnt new for the end of term. This can methods of teaching and learning, and due be found on the School’s to some excellent leadership by the two Facebook page, and I would Junior School Heads and my Deputy Head encourage you to watch it. I New Hawford Head - Jennie Phillips and family Academic, Katie Beever, we have a hybrid- enjoyed welcoming Edward 2 I Connect 49 OV Visits OV Dentist returns with teeth top tips OV Rupert Monkhouse (Ch 01-12) is a In the Autumn Term, we were as delighted After King’s, Rupert studied Dentistry at wonderful supporter of King’s and has been as ever to see Rupert in School and we took King’s College London and he is now into School on a number of occasions, either the opportunity to introduce him to King’s working as a dentist at two private practices: talking to the youngsters at St Alban’s about new Headmaster, Gareth Doodes. Gareth one in Reading and one in Worcester. Rupert looking after their teeth or taking part in was interested to hear about Rupert’s explained to Gareth how complicated life careers discussions with some of the older experience of King’s, which he had attended has become operating as a dentist under pupils at King’s Senior. through St Alban’s until he left at sixth form COVID and how he needs specific PPE in 2012. equipment to ensure both his safety as well as that of his patients. After his meeting with the Headmaster, Rupert then went across to St Alban’s where he talked to the pupils in Year 3 about teeth as part of their topic. They talked about the different types of teeth and what they are used for, the properties of teeth and discussed how to look after their teeth. They A Letter from the Headmaster also talked about what foods were good or bad for their teeth. Rupert loves coming back to School and is pleased to be in a position where he can give something back, which is what King’s family is all about. Art Department welcomes back OVs In the Autumn Term, the Art department In other OV news, Lily Stringer (Br 13- was pleased to welcome back a number of 20)’s sculpture, ‘Wrapped’, is currently on OVs. display at the Royal Academy in the Young Artists’ Summer Show. The sculpture was Lockdown prevented the annual end of year part of her Lower Sixth artwork in which she Upper Sixth exhibition in the summer term, explored how objects are altered when they but we have been able to display some of are repaired, wrapped and tied, and was one the work by last year’s leavers in the Sir Terry of the few pieces chosen from over 17,700 entries. Frost Gallery in the art department. Izzy Jamous Alex Ward (Cl 13-20), Ollie Berlet (W 13-20) and Ellen Copeman (Cr 13- 20) all came in to view their own personal exhibitions and, although it wasn’t the usual full-scale exhibition, their work still looked very impressive and reflects the maturity and ambition with which they approached their personal projects. OV Izzy Jamous (Br 06-13) has also been in the department, helping out with Art lessons. After completing a degree Ellen Copeman Alex Ward in Business, Marketing and Branding at Copenhagen University, Izzy worked as a Publishing Manager for Raconteur, working exclusively for The Times newspaper in London. She is now exploring a change of career and wants to move into teaching, so some work experience in the department has given her a useful insight into the profession and has also been much appreciated by the Art staff. Lily Stringer’s art work Ollie Berlet Connect 49 I 3 OV Engineers attend virtual Careers Evening Something we are very grateful to our OV Our thanks go to OVs Chris Crabtree community for is the advice and support (W 03-05), Ben Alexander (Ch 06- they regularly give to our current pupils. 13) and Jon Feldman (Ch 96-05) and also in November, Helen Airdrie, Head of to Adam Jones from Costain for sharing Careers arranged an evening session on their insight and expertise. Engineering is Engineering. Over 25 students from the a very varied field which can lead to many Upper Remove to the Lower Sixth joined different paths via both university and online to hear four guests, including three apprentice routes, and there is flexibility to OVs, speak about their experiences within move between different industries within the fields of Mechanical, Robotic, Civil, the sector. The audience was offered good Aerospace and Chemical Engineering in advice including, “Work is about the skills both technical, management and business which you bring to the role, not just about Ben Alexander development roles. knowledge”. Claire Milligan visit to King’s with her mother During the School half term break in Diamond and Hon OV Stephan Le numerous trips to Everest Base camp, October it was a real pleasure to welcome Marchand as being two of her inspirational Kilimanjaro and the Zambezi River and has Claire Milligan (Co 90-92) and her mother, teachers for English, as well as Hon OV Tim been fortunate to work with both Comic Mrs Milligan back to King’s. The School site Hickson, who taught her Physics. She was Relief and the BBC. was very quiet, which, given the current delighted that Hon OVs Cara and John Covid restrictions, was the perfect time for Roslington were also in School on the Claire attended The King’s School during Claire and her mother to visit and Director of day of her visit, meeting with Caroline from the period of the Assisted Place Scheme Development, Liz Elliott, was able to show the Alumni Relations team. Cara and John and she was an Honorary Scholar. She and them many of the buildings with which were Claire’s house parents during her time her mother were keen to learn about the Claire was very familiar from her time at at School and they shared some amusing current Bursary Programme at King’s and the King’s.