“This Girl Can” In fact this Girl has! Ellie Kildunne (11-16) England Womens Rugby 2017 Made in Yorkshire - a product of GROVE SPORT Photographer - Bob Bradford / Camerasport The Newsletter of the Old Grovian Association Issue 28 Winter 2017 The main OGA objectives are: • To promote mutual acquaintances with former pupils and drive their interest in the School • Assist the academic and recreational life of the School • Further the interests and reputation of the School I have incredibly fond memories of my time at the Grove and, as a boarder, those memories are so much more than classrooms and lessons. 27 years later, the buildings may have changed, but there is a definite air of familiarity about the place and a surprising number of my old teachers working alongside Old Grovians that clearly couldn’t bear to leave the place. My own connection with the school is as strong as ever. Now a parent, with Archie in year 8 and Harry in year 6, I certainly have a vested interest in ensuring that the OGA benefits Grovians both past and present. The OGA already does far more than I realised. Most of us have read Xaipete or have perhaps attended a reunion, but the OGA also raises money, which is used to support the work of the Trustees of the Southerns Scholarship Fund and has even supported the OGRUFC recently. I know Roger would also wish for me to prompt you about the work of the newly formed Woodhouse Grove Foundation and its focus on raising funds to support bursaries enabling pupils to continue to access the opportunities so many of us enjoyed at the Grove. During my year as Chair, I would really like to draw from my experience as a consultant Civil and Structural Engineer to further those objectives. Like many other businesses, one of my biggest challenges is to continually develop new work streams and eectively communicate with clients and peers. Like me, I’m sure many of you will understand the benefits that a strong commercial network provides. It would be wonderful to create a similar network that covers all sectors with links to School Welcome From The at its core. A true “OG” network that provides mutual benefits to its members and also opportunities for career progression to the students in the form of career guidance, mentoring, work experience or Chair apprenticeships. On the 12th of November 2017, it was my honour and privilege to be elected as Chair of the Old Grovian Association. Principally this A link between school or university and the commercial world will involved taking charge of the hammer and gavel from Roger provide a crucial stepping stone for the students turning from full Howard and donning a rather fetching mayoral type chain! The time education to full time employment. I would encourage anyone process feels very ceremonial and is a nostalgic reminder of a with links to the School to join the network whether they be parents school steeped in tradition and history and one of the things I love or Grovians. so much about The Grove. The more diverse our network is, the better. The network is already I took the opportunity to thank Roger Howard on behalf of the set up as a group on LinkedIn under the name Old Grovian Business OGA, for everything he has done in his capacity as Chair for the last Network. If you would like to benefit from the OG Business Network, 2 years. He is certainly a tough act to follow and I am very grateful please take a moment to sign up. that he has agreed to stay on the committee oering support and guidance from the wings… especially when it comes to putting I am currently working closely with the OGA committee to organise together next year’s rugby team! our first networking event. Full details will be issued in due course and further information will soon be available through the usual As I glanced around the room, it was wonderful to see so many Old mediums and our new LinkedIn group. Grovians still attending the annual meeting and supporting the OGA. Many of those attending left school many years before I even One of the most pleasurable duties as Chair is to attend the various began my Grovian journey and it struck me as an incredible thing to reunions that are set up throughout the year and I look forward to still have such longstanding connections to your school (your renewing some old friendships and making new ones as I head to ‘family’) well after retirement age. Manchester, London, Leeds and Edinburgh. Please have a look at the Old Grovians Diary at the end of this edition for details of times I hope that next year we will see representatives of all ages and locations. attending the AGM. With that in mind, we are calling for year group ambassadors to come forward. I am hoping we can find a couple of Finally, it is important to stress that the OGA committee’s primary people from each year to act as a conduit between school and the focus is to serve its members, so I would urge you all to get in rest of their year group. It will not involve a huge commitment. touch, keep us up to date with any news and most importantly let Just a couple of hours to attend the Annual General Meeting in us know what you want from the Association. In this digital age that November and sharing OGA information with your year group couldn’t be easier. through social media or otherwise. If this is something you might be interested in, please email [email protected] Michelle Davison (86-91) 2 The Woodhouse Grove School Foundation The Foundation is a Charitable Trust formed and run by the School for the purpose of organising and coordinating our fundraising and development work. As a Trust, it is a Charitable Incorporated f Organisationf (CIO) developed by the Headmaster and Governors and overseen by an appointed i group of Trustees. Though in its infancy, the Foundation is seeking to enhance existing fundraising structures and develop relationships to broaden knowledge of the School’s immediate plans and d longer-term vision. e As a dynamic and forward-thinking establishment, constantly adapting to meet the demands of l educating young people in the 21st Century, we are anxious to retain our distinctive values and ethos i whilei adapting to the demands and requirements of the modern world. In this sense of heritage and continuity it is to our Alumni and wider group of friends that we shall be seeking to raise levels of s awareness. While our most immediate focus is to the requirements for bursary funding we shall remain constantly receptive of giving to specific School projects towards which potential donors dmight feel a particular anity and passion. Introduction to the Work of the Foundation For over 200 years, Woodhouse Grove School has embraced a Throughout its history, Woodhouse Grove has benefitted from strong sense of social responsibility, charity and care and has former pupils, parents and friends expressing their gratitude by remained true to the founding Methodist principles upon which the making gifts to the School. Through the achievements of both Schoole was created. Today, these values of giving back, Alumni and current pupils along with our role in the local community and mutual respect remain strong and fundamental to community and wider world we are strong, yet more than ever need the School. the support of our friends. Recent Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) judgements of Paying back to the School will, it is hoped, become firmly “Excellent” provide evidence that our School continues to entrenched in the principle of “Giving Forward”, facilitating the positivelyl evolve and develop. Present and former pupils have a continued development of and accessibility to Woodhouse Grove School in which they can feel justifiably proud. We have a School. This will enable prospective Grovians to benefit and prosper flourishing Alumni Association, confirmed by growing numbers from an excellent all-round education which lies at the heart of the attending events and reunions both at the School and in more School’s core values and ethos, securing our heritage for future distant locations. We now wish to engage greater numbers of Old generations. Building on the successful introduction of a legacy Grovians and Friends of the School to ensure even better giving programme at the time of the School’s Bicentenary, the wide opportunities for our pupils to flourish and develop within a culture range of fundraising options and ways to pledge your support will andi environment which is undeniably unique. now be embraced under the “Fidelis” banner. From making a simple donation through to a more diverse range of bequest, With excellent levels of attainment across the board being reached, legacy and other forms of charitable giving, it could not be easier the current generation of Grovians are doing their very best to to pledge your support. realise their full potential and ensure they are doing all they can to enhance the School’s reputation in academia, community work, the Please feel free to contact us at the Foundation Oce on artss and sport. Carrying the torch of legacy is a multi-generational 0113 250 2477 or email us at [email protected] consideration and we would like to be more proactive in recruiting to find out more. We would be delighted to hear your personal the support of the wider Woodhouse Grove family. story of how your time here at the Grove has influenced your life and shaped your character.