Vol. 115 2012 Vol. 115 2012

Olavian Editor: David Craig Old Olavian Editor: John Brown

Assistant Editor: Peter Leigh Design: William Dalton

450 Years The modern school hall

Front Cover: Opening of the Orpington school, 1968 Contents

Contents 3 Headmaster’s Introduction 4 Editor’s Notes 5

School Notes 6

Staff 2012 12 Creative Work 19 Prize Day 30 Sixth Form News 39 Leavers 2012 44

Clubs and Societies 49

Maths & ICT 57 Science 63 English & Drama 71 The Library 79 Music 81 Modern Foreign Languages 87 Humanities 97 Sports 111 Art & Design Technology 119

450th Anniversary Supplement 127

Old Olavian 139 From the Headmaster

he theme of my second year as Headmaster of St Olave’s Grammar School was dominated by theT celebrations to commemorate 450 years as one of England’s oldest schools. Our tributes to Henry Leeke, Queen Elizabeth I and other founders included a fine performance of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the formation of the 450 Parent Choir, a splendid Easter Anniversary Concert, the special Commemoration Service in Southwark Cathedral, and culminated with the fascinating exhibition, including Dr Carrington’s canes which stirred a few memories!

The year also concluded with the best public examination results in the school’s history at A level, AS level and GCSE, and a running total of nearly 90 Oxbridge successes over the last 3 years. It was pleasing, if not surprising, that we were ranked as the country’s No. 1 State school with mixed 6th Form at Advanced level, and the 2nd best Boys’ school at GCSE, by The Times and The Telegraph newspaper league tables.

Against a backdrop of some of the worst Public Sector funding cuts to hit education since the 1950s, we can be proud that our students have not only achieved these impressive levels of scholarship but have also engaged in international cultural activities from New York to Namibia, ancient Greece to Ecuador, as well as Chess, Fives, Music and Drama at National competitive levels.

My thanks go to our Latin Master, Mr Craig, for once again skilfully editing this magazine which, I hope, will provide you with much interesting and entertaining reading.

Aydın Önaç Headmaster

4 – Olavian 2012 am very conscious for the need for variety and this year’s Editorial magazine will represent a shift from the norm. What Ihowever has not changed is the constant achievements of our pupils both academically, theatrically, sportingly, forensically, artistically and in numerous other activities. Of these you will be able to read in abundance but there has been a real growth in terms of cultural enrichment especially in the Faculty of Modern Languages with new trips to Spain, Germany and France. It seems that our pupils have been kept very busy in places as far removed as Costa Rica and Botswana. This is not to distract from the very significant academic achievements here at the school but to stress that the school is not merely a place of academic preparation but a provider of vitally important opportunities to enrich their experiences through scholarship and cultural diversity. My hope is that Old Olavians will enjoy reading this magazine and the current students will give some time to reflection on how blessed they are to be at a school of such stature.

David Craig Editor

About the redesign

n September 2012, I was in the unusual position of up with my endless comments, suggestions, requests for being the Assistant Student Editor both for a second change and short deadlines, at the same time as remaining Iyear, and for the issue celebrating the year in which calm and amicable, and producing a brilliant design. the school’s long history was commemorated. When a Thanks are also due to Olly Plumstead, who very kindly friend reminded me that we had previously discussed took some of the photos at extremely short notice. And, re-designing the Olavian, I agreed that this should go finally, thanks are due to all my friends, various members ahead (unaware of quite how much work we would be of staff, and my family, who were, at some point over doing at A2). October, given chunks of the magazine whenever they saw me, and asked for an opinion. Thus it will be noted that this year’s Olavian has been refreshed and re-designed, the order shuffled slightly, and Peter Leigh generally (it is hoped) made more accessible. The photos Assistant Editor have increased in number, the articles span a yet wider range of subjects, we have enlarged the creative work N.B. It may be that some people reading this will section, and it is our hope that this edition will (whether consider that the design is not as much to their taste because of, or despite, the changes!) appeal to its wide as the previous was. The previewers, however, seemed to audience of school pupils, parents, staff, Governors, Old like it. De gustibus non est disputandum! Olavians and others.

Huge thanks are due to William Dalton, who has spent so many hours on the re-design of this magazine, putting

Olavian 2012 – 5 SCHOOL NOTES 2012

Admissions Olave’s Olympiad, 4 of our students – Antony Barker, Duncan 011-12 was a complicated year for admissions and, Bell, Alistair O’Neill and Thomas Saunders - were following changes to government legislation, we had awarded distinctions, with Duncan gaining a coveted 2to handle admissions for September 2012 as well as Gold medal and an invitation to join the training camp bringing forward the Open Day and application round in Budapest. In the Junior section 9 students progressed for the following year. However, all went smoothly with to the Olympiad round with Bilal Chughtai, Richard continued exceptionally high numbers applying for Moulange and Sachin Savur all gaining distinctions and places. 904 applications were received for Year 7, resulting Bronze medals. At Intermediate level the sheer numbers in an intake from 70 different Primary schools; 432 are impressive, with 92 Gold certificates in the UKMT; external applications to the 6th Form resulted in a total 39 of these progressed to the kangaroo competition and intake, including internal students, of 196. The result was 11 on to the Olympiad round. the maximum number on roll ever for the school of 966.

Scholarship Academic Olave’s he pursuit of real scholarship in greater breadth ugust can be a nerve-wracking time for students and depth, through wider intellectual inquiry and parents awaiting the outcomes of public andT subject societies, is an increasing focus. Societies examinations,A but it was smiles all round as St Olave’s in Classics, Politics, History and Film Club also gave excelled, even by its own very high standards, to produce opportunities for students to discover and try out new the best ever results at all levels. At A level 96% of grades ideas, with Jack Bradfield’s film clip featuring in BBC2’s were at A*/B with 34% at A*; 12 students emerged ‘Britain in a day’ and Theo Clifford’s essay being highly with 4A*grades. These results place the school as The commended in the Royal Society’s Young Economist Telegraph and The Times’ No. 1 state school nationally of the Year competition. 6 of our students, known with mixed 6th Form. Those in Year 12 taking AS levels collectively as German Jamboree, translated and self- achieved 87% AB grades – the best results since the published Wilhelm Busch’s Max und Moritz. Matthew examination was introduced a decade ago and up from Burns, Thomas Bridges, Peter Leigh, Christopher 82% the previous year. Self, Timothy Stickings and James Watson not only translated but also reworked each couplet to produce a At GCSE there was a similar story with 87.2% of grades full rhyming version in English. The chosen theme for at A*/A and 53.3% at A*, results which ranked the third issue of the History Magazine was Civil War, with articles on conflicts as long ago as AD69 and as St Olave’s as the 2nd best Boys’ state school nationally, recent as 2011. In addition, a special 450th Anniversary with 96% of the boys also qualifying for the new English supplement included interviews with Mr Burston as the Baccalaureate. 15 students gained at least 10 A* grades, longest-serving member of staff, a study of the school’s with top performer Timothy Adelani gaining 12 A* as artwork and biographies of famous Old Olavians. well as an A* in A level Italian and an A in AS French. Students of all ages have contributed to the production Built on the highest aspirations, all of these results of several issues of The Natural Sciences Society Journal represent a well-deserved outcome from the hard work with articles on Inter-galactic Space-travel, Darwin and of staff and students. Evolution, Vortexes, Climate Change, the Importance of insects and many others. These activities are encouraging An impressive number of students also furthered their our students to broaden their academic studies into areas interests in Mathematics and Science, gaining top of personal interest to levels well beyond the confines of awards in the senior National Olympiads. In the British examination syllabuses. Biology Olympiad 16 students sat the first round, with Thomas Watson emerging with a Gold Medal and 6 others gaining Silver. In the Physics there were 3 Gold certificates, including Duncan Bell and Alexander 6th Form and Oxbridge Grainger who were invited to sit the 2nd round for the top s a free Grammar School we continue to champion 50 students in the UK; Duncan was subsequently invited the idea of social mobility, supporting those from to a training a camp at Lincoln College, Oxford, for the areasA of high social disadvantage to aspire to the very best 15 in the UK. In the highly challenging Mathematics best universities and careers. The 89 students who have

6 – Olavian 2012 gained Oxbridge places over the last 3 years will be annual Prizegiving. The festive season burst into life joined by a further 24 this year and almost all of our with a dazzling Christmas Concert which gave the leavers will be going on to Russell Group universities; we packed audience an experience to warm the heart on a are, naturally, delighted for all of them. The table below cold December evening. We are fortunate to have John shows our leavers’ top 10 university destinations over Castle, Martin Bunce, Doug Blew and Nick Beston, as recent years, with Cambridge and Oxford in 1st and 2nd well as other dedicated peripatetic teachers, to inspire our places respectively. students, under the leadership of Matthew Price. Four members of the St Olave’s Chamber Choir were hand- We said farewell to Captain of School – Timothy picked to sing Parry’s anthem ‘I was glad’ in a special Munday and Vice Captains – Jennifer Cocke, Udit service in Westminster Abbey to commemorate the 200th Gadkary, Charlotte Gadsby, Frank Kibble and Jonathan Anniversary of the birth of Nathaniel Woodard, whilst Morris. Following extensive voting and interviewing, I Thomas Bridges, who won 1st Prize in the Woodard was delighted to appoint the new Senior Prefect team for Composer of the Year Award, was invited to read one of 2012-13: Captains of School – Mohammad Fallaha and the lessons. Other notable individual successes included Grace Boyle; Vice Captains – James Atkinson, Eleanor Stefan Beckett’s invitation to perform with the LPO and Goodman, William Pyle and James Watson. William Howarth and Thomas Steer’s 1st and 2nd places in the Woodard Musician of the Year. The Jazz Band – The 6th Form Prefects have been particularly effective one of our leading ‘ambassador’ groups - took to the stage this year in their roles as Ambassadors, Academic and at the Fairfield Halls to perform to a packed auditorium Sports Prefects, acting as superb role models for younger as the highlight of the Bromley Schools’ Prom 2012, students, promoting cultural activity and the House before rounding off the year by entertaining a packed System, being good ambassadors in the community as Great Hall at the annual St Olave’s Jazz Night. well as helping to maintain the tone and traditions of the school. Our links with The Queen’s Chapel of The Savoy have continued to flourish, further enhanced by the generous addition of another scholarship from the Duchy of Lancaster; the opportunity for our young choristers to Cultural Olave’s sing at such a high level, in such a unique setting, is quite t Olave’s prides itself on a broad education which is unique. rich in culture and based on a strong set of values. SFor many students, their outstanding academic results Drama saw 6th Formers perform ‘Our Country’s Good’, come at the end of a year in which they have participated Timberlake Wertenbaker’s dark thought provoking play in a wide range of cultural activities, committed about the transportation of criminals to Australia. The themselves to sports teams, musical ensembles or audience clearly enjoyed Playboy of the Western World, dramatic productions; taken responsibility as Prefects; a funny, dark comedy directed by students Fintan Calpin experienced foreign exchanges, sports tours, Field Trips and Caspar Smart, whilst following his own school as far apart as Malham and Iceland, Classical studies production, Max Kennedy’s original play ‘The Bistro’, in Greece, Political and Economic experiences in New was taken on and performed by professionals at the York and Washington, and World Challenge expeditions National Theatre. Debating continued to thrive with our to Botswana, Namibia or Ecuador. Senior team participating in the Oxford Union Schools’ competition and, following his victory in the South East For those wishing to develop or showcase their talents, round of the Jack Petchey ‘Speak Out’ public speaking there were ample opportunities, with impressive competition, Matthew Roberts was invited to a brilliant Christmas and Easter concerts, dazzling Cabaret and final at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Show-stoppers, alongside a number of entertaining and thought-provoking dramatic productions.

Richard Decker provided the individual highlight of European and World cultural enrichment the musical year, winning the BBC Young Chorister Olave’s of the Year 2011, in a live broadcast event hosted by f the world came to London for the 2012 Olympics, Aled Jones and composer John Rutter. In a busy year then our students certainly did the opposite, that followed, Richard had the honour of singing in the Iparticipating in a fascinating range of international Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Service at St Paul’s Cathedral. cultural experiences abroad. In support of the musical dimension we were pleased to welcome Old Olavian Dr Noël Tredinnick, Director The 6th Form trip to the United States coincided with a of Music at All Souls, Langham Place, and Professor heat-wave of Saharan proportions, with Washington the of Music at The Guildhall, as our guest speaker at the hottest city in world at 42C! Perhaps most intriguing

Olavian 2012 – 7 was the visit to the US Capitol Building and the chance groups ‘up close and personal’ with giraffes, elephants, to watch the House of Representatives in session. In hippos, ostriches and lions, before seeing 9 White Rhinos stark contrast was the hustle and bustle of New York together at a water hole whilst exploring the Etosha City, including Wall Street and the Federal Reserve, as National Park. At the same time as entertaining an well as the opportunity to go into the gold vaults and entire Kindergarten and teaching them new games, they handle real gold bars! managed to help paint their school buildings. Camping on the windy desert of the Skeleton Coast and a long Art students enjoyed the sights of Florence over a long day’s trek round the Spitzkoppe Mountain provided weekend in November, immersing themselves in the challenges in the final trek before the groups had a chance culture of this wonderful city, as well as stopping off to to enjoy dune boarding or relax and unwind with a seal view the Leaning tower at Pisa on the return journey. and dolphin cruise. The 3rd World Challenge group Florence is full of churches, galleries, statuary and Italian tackled Ecuador. After a cultural week living in a local life, and visits to the Academia, the Uffizi, Pitti Palace, community and digging trenches for new water pipes, the Cathedral Duomo and Boboli Gardens allowed they pushed themselves through a demanding trekking students to savour the full passion and creative impulse phase, ascending to a height of 5000m at the edge of the of the Renaissance. Cotopaxi glacier – still part of an active volcano. This was followed by a cloud forest phase, punctuated by rest European trips opened up new outlooks on international and relaxation with white water rafting, horse riding and culture and the importance of foreign language, with zip-wiring. Steaming in the thermal baths at Banos was students subsequently presenting the highlights of these rather timely as the Tungurahua volcano which provides experiences to an enthusiastic whole-school assembly. 44 the natural heating erupted one week later! After a boys travelled by coach to L’Etoile de la Mer, Normandy, long month away, students returned home from all 3 where highlights of the week included immersing expeditions exhausted, but having savoured thoroughly themselves in the native language in a French market, amazing experiences which they will never forget. an activities day at a château, and, naturally, sampling some French cuisine of snails and patisseries. Others visited a school in San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain, where they tried windsurfing and mud bathing (in which Sport and Outdoor Pursuits Olave’s they were all covered in warm, smelly mud, supposedly longside the impressive academic achievements the good for the skin!) before visiting the Roman theatre number and variety of sports and extra-curricular of Carthago Nova in Cartagena, especially interesting activitiesA was maintained despite all the pressures of for its cultural history. Exchange visits with German time and funding. Our rugby teams toured Devon and schools enabled our students to visit the famous castles North Wales, and a successful season culminated with in Mannheim and Heidelberg, as well as immersing the selection of 3 players – Matthew Holmes, Richard themselves in the language within their host families. Adenyi-Jones and Joseph Theuns for the Kent County squad, victory for the U14s in the Kent County Cup, A new 6th Form field trip to Iceland - the land of “ice and Abigail Pottier’s selection for the South East and fire” - encompassed the Blue Lagoon geothermal Division. Thanks to the commitment of not only the PE spa, the capital city Reykjavik, a geothermal power staff but also a significant number of those from other station, volcanic crater lakes, geysers, the fissure between departments, we continue to field around 12 rugby teams the Eurasian and North American plates, a volcanic every Saturday, enabling the school to participate in the beach with fascinating landforms and delightful top school leagues in the South East. puffins. Students of Classical Civilisation and Latin had a fabulous opportunity to visit Olympia, Mycenae, Our dominance in Fives shows no sign of waning thanks, Eleutheria, Athens and Delphi. An unexpected highlight in great measure, to the input from Old Olavian Howard was a sighting of the largest cricket imaginable whose Wiseman. His enthusiasm and the opportunity for our body plates were iridescent green and black and whose students to enjoy training in the Swiss Alps encourage photograph has been sent to the University of Oxford so many young players to take up this unique sport. Top Biology Faculty for identification. performances throughout the season against some of the other best schools in the country saw Christopher As the year concluded, two of our World Challenge Self became the first ever schoolboy to win the adult groups spent August in Africa. Despite initial misgivings Midlands championship, with Antony Barker and Harry over the meagre rations of rice and biltong (a type of dried Ravi reaching the semi-finals. Cricket rounded off the meat), an acclimatisation phase visiting the spectacular sports season with a thrilling victory for the Year 9s in Victoria Falls in Livingstone, Zambia, lifted spirits. the final of the Bromley Cup against Langley Park. Riding traditional mokoros down the river to a small island in the Okovango Delta in Botswana, brought the Chess also continues to flourish. In the Kent Junior Chess

8 – Olavian 2012 Association Grand Prix Tournament, the Schools’ Prize chose to donate £10K to the Kariandusi Trust to support for the day was won by St Olave’s, and, in a thrilling and the Woodard Foundation in the construction of a brand exciting finale to the Southern Counties Chess Union new school in rural Kenya, giving hope and opportunity Open U14 Tournament, Kent, including several of our to generations of students who, hitherto, never had players, also came out as Champions. 4 of our senior the chance of education beyond the age of 12. The players starred in the Kent U18s with Duncan Bell and Amnesty Group has also been active and hosted their Conrad Allison taking 1st and 2nd places in the Kent own “Freedom night” at the school, coinciding with Grand Prix. It was good to see Old Olavian Callum Amnesty’s 50th birthday. Kilpatrick become a Chess Master after taking 5th place in the Circolo Tournament in Italy.

The sheer scale of the numbers of students involved in Staffing Olave’s the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is becoming a challenge, very year brings with it some notable retirements with many staff giving up weekends and holiday time to and 2012 was no exception. John Burston arrived support groups out on expeditions. Ein April 1972 on a one term contract to teach History but ended up staying a further forty years! His career 8 teams completed their Gold final expeditions in the spanned Head of Economics to Deputy Head and he will Black Mountains, drawing praise from the assessors for be affectionately remembered as not only charismatic, their teamwork, leadership and potential for the future. but as one of the giants of the history of the School. As The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is held in high regard the longest serving member of staff, John now has the by many employers worldwide and I was pleased that the honour of a special plaque in the school Quad. London region presented us with our own Operating Licence Certificate – a recognition of the scale and Dr Frank Green also retired after 22 years as Deputy quality of the organisation of the scheme at St Olave’s. Headmaster, having organised the first Entrance Test, assessment, calendar, timetable and curriculum development. An outstanding Physics teacher, revered by The wider Olavian community students; a totally honest, always kind man, deservedly ur students’ successes would not be possible without respected as a leader for his wisdom, Frank, too, played the support of parents, particularly those who give his part in the history of this school. We wish them both Otheir time generously to the PA through a splendid rich and enjoyable retirements. Summer Ball, Family Fun Day and Quiz Nights that have provided much-needed additional finance. Their The year was also tinged with great sadness at the contributions this year have funded the new Fitness untimely death of Brian Phillips, the Head Groundsman, Suite, the Lost property Chalet, water coolers, new who sadly passed away. Brian had served St Olave’s for furniture for the 6th Form Common Room and new over 15 years keeping our grounds in tip-top shape. He Hymn books. took a real pride in his work, especially keeping the rugby pitches in first class condition for generations of boys to The Young Olavian Day saw the previous year’s leavers play on as well as tending the Headmaster’s garden. An return for friendly matches against the current 6th English oak tree has been planted in the school grounds Formers in a range of sports. The Old Olavians’ Annual in his memory. Luncheon, held at the RAF Club, was a good time for Old Olavians from as far back as the 1940s to catch up with former colleagues. The school also continues to benefit greatly from the financial support given by the Academy Status Old Olavians’ Society and I am working hard to keep t is a source of considerable frustration that we have them up-to-date with all that is happening at the school not yet been able to complete our conversion to by including them now in the email circulation of the IAcademy status. The intransigence of the Church of weekly Newsletter. England at Rochester and their insistence on trying to use the conversion to increase their corporate power over the Governing Body has, quite rightly, been deemed as totally unacceptable to the governors. Values Olave’s t Olave’s is rightly recognised as a centre of excellence, but there is another dimension – a sense of values Swhich we hope all of our students will acquire. In this Funding cuts respect, I was delighted when, following the Autumn e have now faced two years of the worst Public fundraising from Festival and Cabaret, our students WSector funding cuts for the last half century - and Olavian 2012 – 9 there are still worse to come. Grammar schools, like St local St Paul’s Cray Church of England Primary School, Olave’s, have been, and will be, particularly badly hit. where our students helped in the literacy drive, running Substantial savings have been made, especially in the a library bus and reading, with supervisors describing Senior Leadership Team and within the Support staff. them as excellent, polite, helpful, professional and always However, despite these, we have been able to: willing to help.

- Preserve the number of 6th Form lessons Two new weekly meetings were established this year - a Senior Christian Union, run by a group of 6th - Keep 6th Form class sizes to reasonable numbers Form students, and a Staff Prayer Meeting; these have run alongside the Chaplain’s Lower School discussion - Not increase teaching contact time group Firm Foundations, an opportunity to explore and debate matters of faith. One of the most popular events - Preserve all ‘minority’ subjects and new options, continues to be Roast the Reverend, where students are including Astronomy, Computing, Drama and given free rein to ask the Chaplain any questions of their Spanish choice. Some of the tougher offerings included ‘Why doesn’t God take all the bad people away?’ and ‘If Jesus - Make a substantial number of internal promotions was perfect, why did he get angry with religious people?’ and support colleagues’ personal aspirations Three students - James Byrne, Alexander Hutchinson and Gabriel Ide - were confirmed by the Rt Revd - Maintain all World Challenge opportunities and Michael Turnbull, former Bishop of Rochester. The boys Outdoor Pursuits also helped to lead aspects of the service such as Bible readings and prayers, while the music was led by the - Retain staffing for Sports’ coaching and funding for Chapel Choir, conducted by Eamonn Cox and Thomas fixtures and transport Steer.

In this respect we remain indebted to The Foundation for The annual Chapel weekend away at Carroty Wood its annual grant which supports a wide range of school Activities Centre near Tonbridge, led by Mr Maltman activity and to the Marshall’s Educational Foundation for and the Chaplain, included activities such as low ropes, the grant we receive. As university fees spiral and funding scavenger hunt, campfire and a forest wide game. Students cuts bite even deeper, these grants have a significant had the opportunity to consider aspects of the Christian impact on the overall enrichment at St Olave’s. Many faith such as the Old Testament story of Jonah, and how individuals, as well as groups of students, have benefitted God’s forgiveness is at the same time a comfort and a from Marshall’s Awards, enabling them to participate challenge to our society. in, for example: residential trips, music tuition, Woodard Master Classes, overseas exchanges, the Woodard It was fitting that the recent SIAS report commended Musician of the Year Competition, Outward Bound, the good work of the Chaplain as an ‘established strength’ restoration of artworks, leadership training, computer of the school. notebooks, Sports’ Leaders Awards, coaching, Summer Schools and sports tours, in addition to the valued grants for student leavers going on to university. On behalf of the school and the students, may I thank both organisations n conclusion it is an impossible task to describe for their on-going support and encouragement which is everything that contributes to a year in the life of a so greatly appreciated. Ischool like this and I apologise for the many things I may have omitted. I have not mentioned, for example, The next few years are going to be very challenging and the names of the 300 students to whom I was pleased to additional financial support, particularly from our Old award Colours for outstanding contribution, leadership, Olavian community, is going to be crucial. and conduct that brings credit to the school. It was, nevertheless, a fitting tribute to 450 years of this great school that 2011/12 was, academically and culturally, one of the most successful years in the history of St Chaplaincy Olave’s Olave’s Grammar School; I am proud and humbled to am pleased that the school’s community service be its Headmaster. programme known as the Le Chavetois Society I(named after a former member of staff ) has grown in Aydin Önaç size and scope, with over thirty Year 12 students taking part in a wide range of different projects from healthcare to charity fundraising. A large team were based at the

10 – Olavian 2012 Olavian 2012 – 11 Staffing 2011-12

Chairman of the Governors Elected Staff Governors

S. Hibberdine, Esq., B.Sc., F.R.I.C.S. C.E. Davies, Esq., B.A., A.T.D., M.A.

Vice-Chairman of the Governors Mrs K.S. Brooker

Mrs J. Bell, M.A., C.Eng. MIMMM. Local Authority Governor

Foundation Governors Councillor J. Grainger.

Appointed by the Lord Bishop of Rochester: Sponsor Governor St. Olave’s Foundation

R.P. Highmore, Esq., M.A M.F. Elvines, Esq., PhD, B.Sc.

M.H. Lovett, Esq., F.C.I.B. Associate Governor St. Olave’s Grammar School

Appointed by the Rochester Diocesan Board of Education: A. Stoneham, Esq.

The Revd H.A. Atherton, Ex Officio M.A., M.Th., B.Sc., F.G.S., Dip.Ed.

I. Ketchin, Esq. A.Önaç, Esq., B.Mus., BSc., ARCM, FRSA

Appointed by the Chapter of Southwark Cathedral: Clerk to the Governors

R.A.Watson, Esq., B.A., M.A., MIET, MBCS J. Ayles, Esq., B.Sc. (Econ)., A.C.M.A.

Appointed by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge acting jointly:

M.A. Edwards, Esq., M.A., M.Sc., A.C.A. Assistant Staff

Appointed by the Senate of the University of London: J.L. Burston, Esq., M.A., Jesus College, Cambridge The Revd Professor P. Galloway, R.N. Archer, Esq., B.Ed. (Hons), OBE, JP, PhD, DLitt, FSA. Loughborough University Appointed by the Dulwich Estate: A.T. Henley, Esq., B.Sc., M.Sc., C.Math, M.I.M.A., Univ. Coll. Cork & South Bank S. Hibberdine, Esq., B.Sc., F.R.I.C.S. University C.E. Davies, Esq., B.A., A.T.D., M.A., Appointed by the Special Trustees of Guy’s and St Universities of Wales, Bristol & London Thomas’ Hospitals acting jointly: D.M.G. Craig, Esq., B.A., M.Phil., Councillor N.R. Reddin, F.C.C.A. Bristol University & King’s College, London L.J. Ward, Esq., B.Sc., M.Sc., Elected Parent Governors University of Sussex & City University N. Maltman, Esq., M.A., Mrs J. Bell, M.A., C.Eng. MIMMM. Pembroke College, Cambridge

12 – Olavian 2012 A.M. Kenward, Esq., B.A.(Ed.) (Hons), J.A. Greenwood, Esq., B.Sc., University of Exeter University of Bradford Mrs H.C. Cooley, B.Ed. (Hons), Mrs K.A. Hodges, M.Eng., University of Sussex St. Catherine’s College, Oxford M.G. Price, Esq., M.A., D. Bowden, Esq., B.A., University of Lancaster Trinity College, Cambridge

Mrs. R. Maxwell, B.A., University of Manchester Miss P. Vasileva, B.Sc., University of Sussex Mrs M.T. Morinan, B.A., B.Sc., M.Sc., M.R.S.C., National University of Ireland & Open University. Miss M. Delage, Master 1, Universite de Limoges Ms C.E. Marwood, B.Sc., The Open University; L.R.A.M., Dip. R.A.M. Miss V.E. Duguid, B.A., University of Sussex

Mrs D.A. Ott, B.Sc., University of Sheffield L.D. Espejo, Esq., M.A., University of St. Andrews Miss M.F. Sullivan, B.A., Westfield College, London University Mrs E.A. Goodman, B.A., University of York Ms. S.K. Wilcox, B.A., J.R. Pendred, Esq., B.A., University of Bristol Goldsmiths’ College, London University J.K. Eyre, Esq., B.Sc., PhD, Mrs J.M.Cooke, B.Sc., University of Wales University of Glasgow & University of Liverpool R.M. Harvey, Esq., B.A., Mrs K.A. Martin, B.Sc., University of Ulster Royal Holloway College, London University B.P. Larkin, Esq., M.Sc., B.A., Mrs.P. Garton, B.Sc.,University of Kent University of Wales & University of Greenwich Mrs J. Upsdell, B.A., University of Surrey Miss N.C. McCartney, MMath., Trinity College, Oxford Ms. J. Bradley, B.Sc., PhD, King’s College & M.S. Cook, Esq., M.A., Royal Free School of Medicine, London St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge A.Pengilley, Esq., B.A., University of Nottingham Miss R.E. Hawley, B.A., Middlesex University

Mrs C. Johnson, B.Sc., University of Nottingham Miss A. Wilkie, M.A., B.A., University of Warwick & Goldsmiths’ College, London Mrs D.E. Lewis, B.Sc., University of Portsmouth Miss Z. Abrahams, M.Ed., Homerton College, Cambridge Mrs D.A. Storrs-Fox, B.A., University of Southampton Miss E. Amonoo-Kuofi, B.Eng., Aston University P.J. Charlton, Esq., B.Eng., University of Nottingham G. Buckley, Esq., B.Sc., University of Sheffield Ms G.C. Gardiner, M.A., D.J. Budds, Esq., M.A., Newnham College, Cambridge St. Peter’s College, Oxford Mrs E.J. Kite, B.Sc., B.A., Mrs C. Christie, B.A., M.Phil, King’s College, University of Birmingham & The Open University London & St. Edmund’s College, Cambridge Mrs S.J. Wallace, B.A., MPhil., PhD, University of A.R. Gyford, Esq., MSci., Lancaster & Christ’s College, Cambridge University College, London University Mrs G.M. Morgan, B.A., University of Exeter Miss S.L. Heraghty, B.A., Loughborough University Ms. B. Onifade, B.Sc., PhD, P.S. Holton, Esq., M.A., B.A., University of Shef- University of Central England field Hallam & University of Loughborough Mrs J.S. Penny, B.Sc., Ms. C.M.Knight, M.A., Royal Holloway College, London University Selwyn College, Cambridge

Olavian 2012 – 13 Mrs S.G. Latcham, B.A., University College, London University T.A McCurrach, Esq., MMath., Magdalen College, Oxford M. Patel, Esq., B.Sc., University College, London University H.J. Waddington, Esq., M.A., MPhil. St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge

J.R. White, Esq., B.Sc., University of Bath

Departing Teaching Staff, Summer 2012

14 – Olavian 2012 Valete

Dr. Frank Green results in the Physics department. We wish him the Dr Frank Green retired after 22 years as Deputy very best as he now ploughs his way through the forces, Headmaster. Frank joined St Olave’s in 1990, organising pressures and reactions of teaching in the far East. the first Entrance Test, assessment, calendar, timetable and curriculum development. An outstanding physics Paul Charlton teacher, revered by students, he was integrally involved Paul Charlton taught in the design of the science block. More recently he mathematics at the has organised Prize-givings, looked after new teachers, school for six years managed the Pastoral system and still found time for having entered the his favourite role, Health and Safety. A totally honest, common room first on always kind man, deservedly respected as a leader for the GTP scheme rising his wisdom, Frank has certainly played his part in the to become second in history of this school. We wish him a rich and enjoyable the department. The retirement. word commitment is one which we would John Burston all associate with Paul. John arrived in April 1972 on a one term contract to He was capable of teach History but ended up staying a further forty years! dedication to a whole range of activities from the hurdles He was appointed Head of Economics and Careers of trigonometry, to the church, to rugby, World Challenge in September 1972, setting up both departments. He in Africa and ski trips. He was at the school a deeply subsequently became Head of Middle School and then liked member of the staff whose persona will be difficult Deputy Head with responsibility for the Pastoral work to follow. An oenophile, extreme danger athlete, owner of the school, an area of activity which he was able to of serious photographic hardware and a bewitching sense embed into the culture of St. Olave’s. John became a of humour, we shall all miss him greatly as he proceeds part-time Economics teacher in 2006 and now “one of now to Saint Paul’s. Vale, mei amice ! the giants of the history of the School” moves forward to a well- earned and, hopefully, long retirement. Matthew Cook Matthew came to the Andrew Pengilley school armed with a Andrew Pengilley was Head of Geography for 8 years magnificent musical and Head of the Humanities Faculty for 3 years. His pedigree not least being enthusiasm for classroom teaching and fieldwork were an organ scholar. His unmistakable and he led the Geography department devotion to all aspects to be the only school department to perform above the of the school both in school average at GCSE and A2 in all of his 8 years. the classroom where he He has moved to King Edward VI School, Shakespeare’s was an excellent well- School, Stratford-upon-Avon, as Head of Geography to prepared practitioner, as continue his passion for Geography and to also continue a pastoral Head of Year his passion for rowing as one of their rowing coaches. and an athletic sportsman seemed to have no coda. His We wish Andy and his wife Sylvia and son Torin a very lively presence in the common room was permanently happy time in Stratford. noticed. He enriched the pupils’ musical knowledge, conducted orchestras, introduced assemblies, and took Dr. John Eyre enormous pride in everything he did. In his first year at Doctor Eyre came from Dartford Grammar school the school he coached the Under 12 X1 to success in the with a superlative reputation as an outstanding physics Bromley Cup and winning the coveted Kent Cup against teacher. He was a very quiet member of the common Skinners. He was always a flamboyant, tireless worker for room but like Van de Graaf ’s generator sparkled in the the school and his presence will be enormously missed. classroom with electrifying panache. He was equally at Our loss is Sevenoaks School’s gain. home running the renowned Celtic music group. His expertise brought to the school the accustomary brilliant

Olavian 2012 – 15 Kathryn Martin teacher of geography he achieved superlative results both Kathryn joined the department of design and technology at GCSE and at A level in the brilliant department that after completing teacher training in her home country is geography. He is the most well-mannered gentleman, of Ireland. With a traditional and disciplined attitude to beautifully dressed and the wearer of the most bespoke the delivery of technology, she was a well-accepted and of shoes .His sartorial elegance matched his acumen, flair valuable college during her three years at Saint Olave’s. and diligence in the classroom which both enthused and Whilst delivering excellent teaching and consistently delighted his pupils. Frequently he was to be seen working strong results with her GCSE and A-Level groups, it is the very long hours required to bring academic vigour to in her contributions to the wider school life where she the students and in so doing placing geography at the will be missed the most. Taking on the role of head of highest level of scholarship. He is an athlete of national Year 7, she was effective in supporting the transition of standard and his fitness and joy were permanently on pupils to secondary school, and helping to reinforce the display to the benefit of all who had the pleasure to meet school ethos of scholarship, culture, and values with this him. new cohort. Pupils will remember her for her active role in the World Challenge and D of E schemes run at the Zoe Abrahams school and notable successes in leading teams of young Zoe was Head of RE at the school albeit very briefly. designers to two commendations in the annual Design She made a very positive impact in the school and was a Ventura competition. She moves to American to teach superlative form tutor. We wish her the very best in her D&T and IT with our best wishes. new teaching post. Nicole McCartney Luke Harding My abiding memory of Nicole is her concerned interest Luke was on the staff for two years proving to be an in the pupils both academically and pastorally. She is the outstanding PE teacher and especially, a rugby coach. most kind, enduring and yet persuasive of form teachers. Small of stature but extremely strong and very fit, he She is also a brilliant mathematician to be seen in the was a role model for the students. In the course of his common room dealing with mathematics on the very time here he coached the under 14 XV to success as the highest level. When not storming her way through the winners of both of the Kent Cup and the Kent Sevens. mysteries of calculus or some such thing, she was also He was of the old school tolerating no nonsense; a man giving her time to the supporting of the chess team. She who did his job brilliantly and to which end he was was a superlative colleague whose company all enjoyed greatly admired by colleagues, staff and parents alike. We and she participated fully in the extra –currricular wish him the very best at his new school in Henley. activities offered at the school. It is no surprise therefore that when the opportunity arose Westminster had the Richard Harvey nous to seize her with open arms. We all wish her the Richard Harvey has left the Modern Languages Faculty very best in her new appointment. to pursue a new project. He has contributed a very great deal to the school with numerous trips overseas and James Pendred where possible has encouraged the teaching of German July 2012 saw the departure of Mr Pendred as he and to the very highest level. his young family moved to Bath. Mr Pendred joined the department in 2008-09 as an NQT and quickly Catherine Knight became an excellent teacher and the force behind the Catherine joined the Science Faculty albeit very briefly. History Society. His trademark enthusiasm for all areas In her short time at the school she made a very strong of History including Joe Chamberlain’s tariff reform and contribution. She has now left to train to become a Conservative party organiser W.B. Skene will be missed as member of the clergy. he continues his career at King Edwards School, Bath. Mitul Patel Brian Larkin Mitul joined the Biology Department for a year where he After three years at the school Brian left to join the staff made a positive contribution and helped out a great deal at Townley Grammar School. He made a huge impact with the Science Faculty’s links with primary schools. A on the school with contributions to the IT Department very flamboyant and jovial man, he has now decided to and started the very successful Computer Animations & train to become a dentist. Game Development Club. He was also a very firm but fair form tutor to years eight and nine. He will be much missed. Catherine Christie Catherine joined the Classics Department on a one Humphrey Waddington term contract from Putney High School for Girls. She Humphrey Waddington has left to join the staff at brought with her tremendous expertise especially in Merchant Taylors’ school in Watford. An outstanding the teaching of the very popular Art and Architecture

16 – Olavian 2012 module. She was an outstanding classroom practitioner pecuniarum.’ Alongside Elaine Vago she worked with at key stages three and five. The department achieved charisma, wit and panache. In between managing the a very laudable ninety percent A/B grade at A/S , a complexities of school finance she managed to fit in the percentage which was significantly above the national onerous tasks of doting grandmother, dog walker, motor average and her results in the Greek Tragedy module cyclist and remarry. We wish her the very best in her new were exceptional given the national disappointment at school, Townley Grammar. They will benefit much from the results in this area. As ever the department bucked her chrematistic acumen where no doubt she will plough the trend! A committed Christian, she made valuable a straight feer. contributions to the prayer group and to the Christian fellowship weekend. We extend our thanks. Jane May Jane May has now retired having run the school catering Headmaster’s P.A. – Joan Law with considerable flair and efficiency for some many years. The School said a sad farewell in September to Joan Law, A very competent and diligent woman she produced who retired after nineteen years as the Headmaster’s P.A. excellent fare for generations of school pupils and staff In addition to her inimitable professionalism and detailed alike. We wish her the very best in her retirement. knowledge of every aspect of school life, Joan had a great sense of fun and quite a reputation for dressing up as Rob Gardner a Christmas fairy, Hospital nurse or School Prefect for Rob has been on the staff for some many years and in charity fund-raising. Staff and Governors wish her every many guises. He has worked in the music faculty, and happiness in her retirement; she will be greatly missed at in computer support .He has sung with various choirs, St. Olave’s. he has been a cover assistant and put his knowledge to all things technical. Presently he is writing a history of Kerry Evans the men who attended this school and died during the Kerry worked in the Finance Department with First World War. He has had a very varied life from astonishing verve, tenacity and achievement. She working as a film projectionist in Brighton, to working seemed permanently to be preparing for the next wave for Olivetti in technical support. We wish him well in his of fiscal legislation or for her accounts to be inspected long retirement. by auditors. Not surprisingly she was always ‘ victor

In Memoriam Brian Phillips It was with great sadness that we had to inform staff, students and governors of the death of Brian Phillips, the Head Groundsman, who sadly passed away on Saturday 19th November following a long illness. Brian had served St. Olave’s for over 15 years keeping our grounds in tip-top shape. He took a real pride in his work, especially keeping the rugby pitches in first class condition for generations of boys to play on as well as tending the Headmaster’s garden. He will be remembered with affection and sadly missed by staff and students. A commemoration service was held to mark Brian’s contribution and length of service at the school, and an English oak tree planted in the school grounds. Tim Jarvis Staff, students, Old Olavians and Governors were all shocked and saddened by the tragic news of the accidental death of former student Tim Jarvis (St Olave’s 2004 – 2011) at his university hall of residence. A thoughtful young man, Tim took his passions seriously, showing dedication to his Mathematics and great commitment to Judo where he led classes for younger students. Polite, friendly and self-motivated, he was popular within his year group and well-liked by all staff.

Olavian 2012 – 17 18 – Olavian 2012 Creative Work This year’s creative work reaches out to many different subjects within the school, showing individual/group excellence within them. It is our hope that every reader will find some- thing to interest them within this section containing works from English, French, German, History and Science.

Max und Moritz Translation that the entire batch was bought up, and another lot had ndoubtedly, one of the outstanding academic to be ordered! I have to agree absolutely with the outside achievements of the Autumn term was the German reviewer who said ‘A wonderful example which will, I UJamboree’s translation and publication of Wilhem hope, inspire many others to enjoy the work of Wilhelm Busch’s Max und Moritz. This children’s story, a tale Busch and the talented St Olave’s students as much as of two young miscreants who play devious pranks on I have!’ Congratulations to all the boys for this classic their neighbours, is a darkly humorous tale, part and example of true scholarship, St Olave’s style. parcel of German‐speaking culture. Six of our students - Matthew Burns, Thomas Bridges, Peter Leigh, Chris Aydin Önaç Self, Tim Stickings and James Watson - supported by Frau Cooley and hungry for more advanced German, Below, we have reproduced the text (but unforutunately, took on this most challenging project of not just due to print costs, not the amusing pictures) of the Fünfter translating an entire book, but working through each Streich (Fifth Prank) from the book. If you are interested, couplet, to produce a full, rhyming version in English, and potentially want to buy a copy of the book, please see of the exquisite German verses. However the boys did http://germanjamboree.webege.com. This Streich will be not stop there and the idea of publishing their book was available on the site, complete with pictures, for you to conceived. Copies were in such demand on Open Day download free.

Fünfter Streich Fifth Prank

Wer im Dorfe oder Stadt He who in the town or village, Einen Onkel wohnen hat, Has an uncle living nearish, Der sei höflich und bescheiden, Always works hard to provide Denn das mag der Onkel leiden. — What will keep him satisfied. — Morgens sagt man: »Guten Morgen! In the morning says, “Hello!” Haben Sie was zu besorgen?« “Can I help you?” “There you go!” Bringt ihm, was er haben muß: Bring him what he’ll need or like, Zeitung, Pfeife, Fidibus. — Paper, lighter and his pipe. Oder sollt’ es wo im Rücken If there’s something on his back, Drücken, beißen oder zwicken, A biting, poking bug attack, Gleich ist man mit Freudigkeit One leaps, both swift and eager, up, Dienstbeflissen und bereit. — And brushes off the nasty grub. Oder sei’s nach einer Prise, Or maybe, with a pinch of snuff, Daß der Onkel heftig niese, He starts to sneeze and wheeze and huff, Ruft man: »Prosit!« allsogleich, One calls “bless you!” in half a tick, »Danke, wohl bekomm’ es euch!« — And checks at once if he is sick. Oder kommt er spät nach Haus, Or if, at night, he comes home late, Zieht man ihm die Stiefel aus, One scrambles to accommodate. Holt Pantoffel, Schlafrock, Mütze, Night cap, slippers, dressing gown, Daß er nicht im Kalten sitze, — To keep him warm are hurried down. Kurz, man ist darauf bedacht, To put it briefly, one will try, Was dem Onkel Freude macht. — To keep him happy, warm and dry. — Max und Moritz ihrerseits Max and Moritz, for their part, Fanden darin keinen Reiz. — Found this hard to take to heart. — Denkt euch nur, welch’ schlechten Witz Think yourselves, what kind of tricks, Machten sie mit Onkel Fritz! These two played on Uncle Fritz? Jeder weiß, was so ein Mai– We’re all aware what kind of brute, Käfer für ein Vogel sei. May Beetles are without dispute…

20 – Olavian 2012 In den Bäumen hin und her In trees and bushes here and there, Fliegt und kriecht und krabbelt er. It eats or buzzes through the air. Max und Moritz, immer munter, Max and Moritz, ever scheming, Schütteln sie vom Baum herunter. Shake these horrors from their sleeping. In die Tüte von Papiere Our awful boys in bags of paper, Sperren sie die Krabbeltiere. Put the beetles in for later.

Fort damit und in die Ecke These two, who really feel no guilt, Unter Onkel Fritzens Decke! Put beetles in their uncle’s quilt! Bald zu Bett geht Onkel Fritze Uncle Fritz comes up to bed, In der spitzen Zippelmütze; A pointed cap upon his head. Seine Augen macht er zu, He settles down and shuts his eyes, Hüllt sich ein und schläft in Ruh. Soon in restful sleep he lies.

Doch die Käfer, kritze, kratze! But the beetles, Scritter, Scratter, Kommen schnell aus der Matratze. Soon crawl up to spoil the latter. Schon faßt einer, der voran, Now the leader boldly goes, Onkel Fritzens Nase an. Up to Uncle Fritz’s nose… »Bau!« schreit er — »Was ist das hier?« “Ouch!” he screams, “What’s happening!?” Und erfaßt das Ungetier. And holds a monster dangling.

Und den Onkel voller Grausen And now the Uncle, full of horror, Sieht man aus dem Bette sausen. Leaps from bed and starts to holler, »Autsch!« — Schon wieder hat er einen “Ouch!” – more horrid bugs emerge, Im Genicke, an den Beinen; And on his neck and legs converge. Hin und her und rund herum Buzzing here and all around, Kriecht es, fliegt es mit Gebrumm. Poor Uncle Fritz they fiercely hound.

Onkel Fritz, in dieser Not, Despite this rumpus overhead, Haut und trampelt alles tot. He swats and tramples each one dead.

»Guckste wohl! Jetzt ist’s vorbei “There you are! I’ve killed the lot! Mit der Käferkrabbelei! There’s no more beetles here to swat!” Onkel Fritz hat wieder Ruh’ Now through the house, the silence fell, Und macht seine Augen zu. He settled down and soon slept well.

Dieses war der fünfte Streich, This prank you’ve read was their fifth one, Doch der sechste folgt sogleich. The sixth will shortly follow on.

Olavian 2012 – 21 Words got here but it feels like the seventh ring of hell, full of Matthew Roberts’ (Year 10) Speak Out! competition speech sorrow and boredom and lacking compassion. So why am I here, what did I do wrong to deserve this excruciating It’s something that we all use, on a daily basis. Something punishment, how many must I have slaughtered with immense power, perhaps the most powerful thing to generate this wrath. But maybe I can outlast my that humanity has at its disposal, the power to create, tormentor; maybe if I am patient they will falter and but also to destroy. I’m talking about language, but more decease in their attempt to destroy my consciousness. importantly words, words that we all use as mundane tools of our existence. Years! How have I lasted this long! I have awaited my release patiently but I feel as if my sanity is slipping away, When I speak of words and their effect I’m sure many oozing into the hands of my captor. Soon, nothing will of you will conjure images of uncomfortably warm be able to redeem me. Well, not my mind at least. For the afternoons spent in classrooms dissecting unintelligible worst of my torture is that I am deprived of those basic speeches by long dead politicians, but I tell you today human necessities; food, water and even sleep! It’s as if those words have power, power that you can harness in I have been constrained to never need such delights. A everyday life. What if I told you that just through use of lack of taste I can manage, but to be incapable of sleep, words you could evoke fear, anger, paranoia, anxiety but unable to dream, where the mind is set free to roam the equally joy, elation and most importantly hope. Every vastness of reality... I fear that if presented with a meal great conflict in history has been in at least part caused and a warm bed I would not know what to do. This is my by conflicting ideologies, ideologies, beliefs proliferated curse. This is my torture. by language. We all have this power at our fingertips on a daily basis but so often we let it go to waste. That’s it, I’m… I am done… no, I am not done! I will not give in to this inhumane deprivation. I will escape. There’s that old Adage: sticks and stones may break my But for the life of me, I must have been here a century bones but words alone can’t hurt me, this I’m sure we all and still I haven’t contemplated upon a feasible means of know is a fallacy, anyone who’s been at the sharp end of escape. I know I’ll think of something, and when I do, a cheap jibe or an offhand comment knows how painful it will lead me out into the everlasting light that gleams words can be. But equally every great achievement in through the window. Wait! How have I not noticed the human history has been facilitated by communication; window before! But now is not the time to question the pyramids could not have been built without words, myself, now is the time to act. I must jump; it is the only communication between engineers and builders. So I way to break free from this eternal prison. implore you, next time you speak, remember the words you use are the same words not necessarily, in the same It has been a long time since I concluded upon my escape order, or tone or even language but nonetheless the same plan and yet I cannot bring myself to attempt it. I can’t words that rose skyscrapers from the ground and sent even glance at the window, at what awaits me beyond. man into space. Equally they’re the words that convinced There’s no reason not to take a peek, yet I still cannot thousands of German fascists to commit the worst bring myself to do it. Is it fear that grips me or is there atrocity known to man. Words have power, use them some unknown force preventing me? But I will look, and wisely. damn the consequences. I walk hesitantly to the window. I feel as if I’m gliding towards it. I’m close, I’ve reached Trapped it. My eyes are closed, as if I’m not meant to look. Just Pablo Rose jump.

I arise from the bed. I look around, wondering where I will not succumb to the laws of this room, I may not I am. It’s a bleak, circular room with barely a feature. be able to look out of the window, but never will I leap How can a room have no features, the fact that it exists blindly into the abyss. I shall glide. I have devised a plan. means it must. My mind feels knotted; I stop thinking I shall use the wax from the candle to mould wings and and look around. As I look, I notice objects, features, that bind feathers from the pillow to them; I shall glide out weren’t there before. There’s an intricate wooden table of here. I will re-enter the free world with the grace of a stationed idly at the centre of the room, with a lit wax phoenix. I shall return to the land I first saw a millennium candle placed at the centre of it, waning in the hallowing ago. The world I have forgotten. breeze. There’s also a bed, with stale looking sheets and a yellowing feather pillow. They seem vaguely familiar The time has come. I’m standing by the window. A slight when I remember I had just been laying on them... breeze is tickling my face, drawing me closer and closer to the edge. I turn back to the room one last time to It’s been weeks since I observed those features, nothing gaze on the confinement that had driven me to the brink happened then and nothing since. I don’t know how I of madness. There’s the bed, the table, the candle and…

22 – Olavian 2012 and something else. Something lurking in the corner of During the fifth encirclement attempt in 1934, the KMT my eye, where I have never dared to look before, where troops built blockhouses every few miles to help the I never wanted to look before. I rotate my sight just one advance. The CCP troops took advantage of gaps in the degree to the left to see what it is. The door. It is ajar, lines of blockhouses, and escaped while the KMT forces with a slither of light shimmering through. I am not were preoccupied fighting the forces under CCP member going to turn back, I have worked too hard. I close my Zhang Guotao (who had a much larger force than Mao). eyes and jump. The massive retreat of Communist forces lasted a year and covered 12,500 km, in what was famously known as The Chinese Civil War (1927-49) the Long March. An article by Samuel Bentley (Year 12) from the school History Society magazine Although few troops arrived in Shaanxi at the end of the Long March, the destruction of Zhang Guotao’s army The Chinese Civil War was one of the most influential made him the undisputed leader of the CCP. wars of the twentieth century, and had enormous effects on the development of modern China and consequently The fighting continued into 1937, when the Japanese the modern world. invaded. Originally, Chiang Kai-Shek refused to consider an alliance with the CCP against the Japanese – China had been unstable since the collapse of the Qing this ended after two of his generals kidnapped him. The dynasty in 1911, and civil conflict never really stopped Second United Front, as the alliance became known, was between 1911 and 1949, lurching from civil war to an alliance in name only. The CCP engaged in guerrilla revolution and back again, with one interlude of foreign warfare against the Japanese, and there were still clashes invasion – The Japanese invaded China in 1937 under between the CCP and KMT. the guise of creating a ‘Greater East Asian Co-prosperity Sphere’, committing terrible atrocities such as the Rape The war proved beneficial to the CCP, whose guerrilla of Nanking. actions endeared them to the local populace, while the KMT were severely weakened as the Japanese assaulted In 1927, a split began between the KMT and the CCP, the coastal regions where the KMT were strongest. who were at the time allies, supported equally by Moscow, However, the war would only end when the US bombed trying to stop the warlords who ruled most of China, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and part of the US peace deal and thus unite the country once more. The country had a demanded the Japanese in China to surrender to the nominal government based in Beijing, but this had little KMT, not the CCP. The first peace negotiations occurred influence outside the city, despite being internationally in August-October 1945, when both sides stressed the recognised The split occurred over seemingly trivial need for a peaceful settlement but could not reach a reasons – the decision over where to move the capital deal. Fighting continued even as the negotiations were city to. However, the real issue at stake was the KMT’s occurring. anger at the CCP being too eager to follow the orders of the Soviet Union. What followed was a purge of left The fighting began again in earnest as soon as the peace leaning members of the KMT and CCP members in negotiations ended – except this time, the Communists Shanghai, the largest city in China at the time. had the upper hand, aided by the Soviet Union (in control of Manchuria) handing the region to CCP troops. The This massacre split the two groups, and there were CCP had captured a large amount of weapons and effectively three capitals in China: the KMT capital in vehicles from the Japanese, and were being supplied by Nanking, the CCP capital in Wuhan, and the republic’s the Soviets. In addition, their promises of land reform official capital in Beijing. The KMT promptly captured (taking land from landlords and redistributing it to Beijing and the rest of the East Coast, and was recognised peasants) gained them so much local support that they internationally. The CCP retreated into the countryside, had effectively limitless manpower and a strong logistical relying on the support of peasants, and gained control of base. several areas in Southern China. The KMT had been supplied and trained by the US, and Fighting continued until 1937, with a major escalation launched an all out offensive in July 1946. The CCP used in 1930 as the Central Plains Wars broke out. These a passive defence strategy, where they gave up territory to were part of an effort to encircle and enclose Communist preserve their forces while simultaneously wearing down forces. Five encirclement campaigns were launched, with the KMT troops as much as possible. By the time of their the first four failing as the advancing KMT columns counterattack in 1947, they had a numerical advantage, made swift progress but were overwhelmed by the size having wiped out 1.12 million KMT troops. Encircling of the countryside they were trying to hold. the KMT provided them with large numbers of tanks and artillery, and by late 1948 they had captured most

Olavian 2012 – 23 of the North-East of China. Their capture of the rest of la capitulation. L’Armistice représentait une triomphe Northern China in early 1949 resulted in the deaths or politique de Pétain, qui est devenu chef de l’État. capture of some 500,000 KMT troops. This effectively Donc, la bataille de France a terminé l’époque de la 3e wiped out the backbone of the KMT. République, et a inauguré le régime collaborationniste de Vichy. By the 23rd of April 1949 the CCP had captured the KMT capital of Nanjing, and was forcing them to retreat south En somme, le contexte de la défaite des soldats français across southern China. Eventually the KMT was forced par la supérieure armée hitlérienne a décidé le sort de la to relocate to Taiwan. At this, Mao Zedong proclaimed France pendant les prochaines années. the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Taiwan remained under the control of the Republic of China, Sociobiology despite PRC attempts to invade and capture it. An article by Asher Leeks (Year 12) from the school Natural Sciences Society journal The outcome of the Chinese Civil War had momentous effects on the world. The CCP controls China to this day, How the methodologies and theories of evolutionary and has presided over it’s emergence as a world power. biology inform sociology and other social science Although Mao’s attempts to industrialise resulted in tens disciplines of millions of deaths of starvation, later leaders presided The natural and social sciences, both applications of the over the rapid industrialisation of China, which is now scientific method, usually form distinct groupings with the world’s second largest economy. Had the KMT been little clear overlap. However, ever since the emergence of victorious, it is likely China would have remained a modern biology with the publication of the, “Origin of corrupt, warlord ridden third-world nation, although a Species,” in 1859, attempts at linking studies of human democratic one. Which was more beneficial for China society with knowledge of our biological origins and and the Chinese populace in the long run is highly of analogous societies throughout nature have been debatable. attempted. Sociobiology is the most recent and rigorous example of this, and as a discipline it bridges the divide La Bataille de France between the social and natural sciences. Understandably Tim Stickings’ (Year 12) essay in French, given the task politically loaded, sociobiology is nevertheless a field of ‘Choisissez un événement significatif pendant la période que biology with the potential for strong intellectual integrity vous avez étudiée et évaluez son importance’ : and high utility as well as being both intellectually stimulating and of great interest and importance to L’histoire sociale, économique et politique de la France many. pendant la deuxième guerre mondiale a été déterminée en grande partie par la Bataille de France en mai-juin In this article I will briefly outline the basic principles of 1940. Le soulagement de la plupart des Français après sociobiology and attempt to show how they can link to l’Armistice le 22 juin s’explique en considérant la human society, illustrated throughout with examples. To bataille. begin with I will give some background to the field and to finish with I will investigate some of the criticisms of L’État-Major français avait décidé avant l’attaque que la sociobiology. défense représentait la priorité. On a construit la ligne Maginot le long de la frontière française-allemande pour History of biological thinking in the social sciences protéger la France contre les soldats hitlériens, mais il n’y Whilst relatively new as a discipline in its own right, avait aucune stratégie offensive. Néanmoins les Français forays into how the accepted mechanism of natural faisaient confiance à la Ligne, donc l’arrivée de l’armée selection has affected the development of human society, allemande était un grand choc. En reconnaissant que la and indeed how the same processes may affect us in the seule stratégie défensive avait échoué, les Français ont future, have been made ever since the theory’s publication accepté l’Armistice comme une solution préférable à une in 1859. Indeed in the great book itself, Darwin wrote, répétition des horreurs de la Grande Guerre. “In the distant future I see open fields for far more important researches. Psychology will be based on a new Le souvenir de la Grande Guerre était aussi important foundation, that of the necessary acquirement of each au niveau politique. Maréchal Pétain, le héros de mental power and capacity by gradation.” Later on we Verdun en 1917, espérait éviter de créer une nouvelle will cover how evolutionary psychology has begun to « génération perdue ». Les Français ont montré leur take off as a field of study in its own right, over a century terreur en fuyant leurs maisons vers le Sud de la France after Darwin laid the path for it. - et le gouvernement les a suivis. Pétain avait besoin de rassurer la population, pour cesser le grand chaos de juin Moving into the second half of the 20th century, the 1940, et il s’est convaincu que les Français préféreraient fusion of sociology and biology was able to leave many

24 – Olavian 2012 of its political connotations behind. However, the ideas were still to be distorted, although this time by scientists themselves. In his 1967 book, “The Naked Ape,” Desmond Morris made one of the most famous attempts at explaining human society with evolutionary ideas, although whilst the book achieved great commercial success, it received heavy criticism from many angles. In general the book incorrectly portrayed evolutionary principles and lacked both evidence and suitably rigorous scientific explanations for its rather wild assertions. This, like its failed application in the form of Social Darwinism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, again generated distrust & some degree of scorn for the topic. This time, however, it was far less significant, as at the same time as Desmond Morris’s work was receiving criticism, his peers were ushering in rapid advances in our understanding of many aspects of biology, on paths which would ultimately lead them to again question sociology. Myrmecologist E.O. Wilson Sociobiology The 1930s and 40s saw one of the most important developments in the history of biology, with the neo-Darwinian synthesis. This was the fusion of Darwinian evolution with Mendelian genetics, incorporating the sciences of population genetics, taxonomy, palaeontology and more to create a more unified science of biology, with contradictions between disciplines resolved.

Emerging from the neo-Darwinian synthesis was sociobiology, defined in 1975 by its principal founder, entomologist E.O. Wilson, as “the extension of population biology and evolutionary theory to social organization.” Seen as both the completion of the Darwinian revolution (which had already changed biology enormously) and the logical extension of Darwinian evolution, sociobiology is both highly influential and controversial. Many San Bushmen of Southern Africa still practise a hunter-gatherer lifestyle Myrmecologist E.O. Wilson One of the tasks of evolutionary biology is to examine observable features of organisms in nature and determine why they possess such features, i.e. what selective advantage they confer. Sociobiology differs somewhat in that instead of assessing physiological and anatomical traits, it examines behavioural traits. An example would be the behaviour of male lions which, when entering a new pride, eat the young lions present there. While this may seem an inexplicable behavioural feature since it confers such a disadvantage to the species as a whole, on a genetic level it makes good sense. Essentially, lions which display this behaviour will decrease the reproductive success of their competitors (other male lions) significantly, meaning that an increase in the allele/s for this behaviour will be observed relative to the frequency of the allele/s which does not result in this behaviour. The honeybee (Apis mellifera) is a typical eusocial insect

Olavian 2012 – 25 Sociobiologists thus observe aspects of behaviour The eusocial insect example is obviously not directly present in modern humans and relate them to a selective applicable to humans; however elements of it are relevant. advantage in the context of prehistoric conditions. For This would offer a strong explanation as to why humans instance, the human disposition towards enjoying the so readily sacrifice their own reproductive fitness for taste of refined sugar can be explained by the fact that their relatives; however it does not immediately explain fruit produces simpler forms of sugar when ripe. Thus why humans act in such a way towards individuals who individuals with a genetic tendency towards enjoying the are only very distantly related to them. At this point taste would be more likely to eat food when ripe rather we need to examine the make-up of society itself more than when unripe, thus their reproductive fitness would closely and in particular observe the social constructs increase as they would be less likely to become unwell. which influence human behaviour. It may be that the social construct of patriotism is left over from our Applications of sociobiology – altruism hunter-gatherer days, when sacrificing oneself for the Some of the most interesting applications of tribe would have obeyed the principles of kin selection sociobiology, however, stem from explaining the aspects due to how closely related individuals would have been. of human behaviour which apparently confer a selective However, cultural changes occur too rapidly to allow disadvantage, and thus shouldn’t have come about for this and it is more likely that social constructs such through natural selection. First among these is altruism, as nationalism, which result in individuals sacrificing the tendency of humans to act in a way that decreases themselves for unrelated individuals, have emerged their own relative reproductive fitness, for instance giving through other mechanisms. It has been suggested that money through charitable donations. There are several evolution occurs not just on a biological level but also explanations for altruism within evolutionary biology, on the level of ideas and social constructs themselves, as but I will focus here on just a few of them. the study of memetics investigates. While this science is treated with some disdain by many scientists, it may have The first and most obvious explanation for altruism is something to offer in this situation. If we consider that it reciprocity, hypothesised by Robert Trivers. This states is of selective advantage to the majority of individuals in that altruistic behaviour develops when a temporary a society if, for instance, their young males are strongly decrease in an individual’s reproductive fitness comes motivated to fight other societies for resources, it follows with the expectation that other organisms will act in the that societies with mechanisms for motivating their same way towards the organism at a later date, thus the young men to do so should prevail over ones which don’t. organism’s net reproductive fitness increases. While it In this way, social constructs which motivate individuals can be difficult to find clear examples of this in nature to act directly against their own and their inclusive (as is usually the way with sociobiology), many instances reproductive fitness may have come about through the of altruism in humans can be explained with this idea. same mechanisms that govern the natural world. Indeed Perhaps one of the most obvious examples is friendship, it follows that if individual imperatives can be explained where an individual may feel a moral obligation to through evolution, so too must larger scale societal ones. sacrifice resources or some other limited factor for a friend, with the expectation that the friend will Applications of sociobiology – sexuality reciprocate this activity in the future. In human terms Many aspects of human sexuality can also be usefully we would conceptualise this as the idea that friendship is explained through sociobiology. One of the first instances worth more than physical possessions (up to a limit), and of this came from Robert Trivers, who theorised the idea Sociobiologists (and indeed evolutionary psychologists) of parental investment and consequently developed the would assert that this is an emotional tendency brought idea of parent-offspring conflict. Parental investment is about directly through evolution. the idea that having offspring decreases the reproductive fitness of the parent in other ways, for instance by However, many aspects of altruism appear still to be decreasing its ability to care for other offspring, its left unexplained by this idea, for instance the occasions survivability or its inclusive fitness (as covered earlier). when individuals sacrifice their life for others (thus no reciprocity can be expected on an individual scale). The The way in which the parental investment disparity reciprocity principle may still apply here if we consider influences human society is more profound and that the individual can expect his close relatives to receive far-reaching than in other animals. This is essentially benefit for his/her death, for instance the families of because human parental investment is much more soldiers who sacrifice themselves in battle usually receive significant in humans, with childhood extending for some benefit (which may be of selective advantage if well over a decade and involving investment from not of advantage to their wellbeing). However, a better many members of the community. This is thought to explanation perhaps comes from the idea of kin selection, be because human strategies for finding food & other proponents of which have included J.B.S. Haldane, W.D. aspects of survival require significantly more knowledge Hamilton and George Price. and skill, which are passed down through society rather

26 – Olavian 2012 than instinct, which is passed down genetically.

The theories of parental investment and parent-offspring conflict may thus be able to explain many aspects of human sexuality and by extension explain the structures prevalent in human society. For instance, the reliance of pregnant females on males has led to many human societies being patriarchal, as well as perhaps the expectation that males should materially provide for females, which exists on many levels. Indeed it is interesting to note that human males who successfully reproduce with multiple females are generally looked favourably upon by society, whereas Two red deer rut for territory for females the same behaviour is frowned upon. In addition, long-standing marriages are generally looked favourably upon, whilst ‘cheating’ is often not, and have a genetic basis and by extension it should be in fact the notion that marriage favours women more possible to identify individuals’ future behavioural than men seems to be an undertone in society. There patterns and aptitudes from a genetic analysis. This are undoubtedly many reasons behind these perceived therefore supports the ‘nature’ side of the nature vs societal sentiments, but it nevertheless seems that the nurture argument which raged throughout the latter two evolutionary strategies adopted by men and women half of the 20th century in sociological and biological are, to some degree, approved of or disapproved of by academic circles. The nature side of the argument is society in accordance with their evolutionary suitability essentially deterministic in arguing that all, or nearly for each sex respectively. all, of an individual’s intelligence is determined by their genetic make-up and thus environmental factors One aspect of human sexuality which again appears play a less significant role. While the argument is not to contradict reasonable evolutionary predictions is yet concluded, the general compromise reached is that the prevalence of homosexuality within humans. It both genetic and environmental factors play significant goes without saying that homosexuality hinders the roles in the development of the individual, and each reproductive fitness of the individual on an evolutionary may contribute differently (e.g. genetics may provide the level significantly, and similarly to altruism it is not potential, whilst society determines the degree to which immediately apparent why it has come about. If we are the potential is fulfilled), and this article is not long to assume a genetic basis for homosexuality, and there enough to delve into too much depth on this issue. is a significant body of evidence to support this, then a biological explanation can be conceptualised, and there The significance of biological determinism is, as are currently two such arguments. The first is purely mentioned, that it places a far greater emphasis on genetic and asserts that there is some sort of gene complex pre-determined factors in deciding aspects of human coding for homosexuality, which, in a similar way to behaviour. In turn, this has been used to justify eugenics, sickle cell anaemia, is of reproductive advantage when intelligence testing and controversial welfare policies in heterozygous and homozygous dominant form and which place high emphasis on individualism. Thus for can thus proliferate. Some evidence appears to support many, accepting sociobiology means accepting contentious this in the form of female relatives of homosexual men political ideologies with far-reaching consequences. The reproducing more successfully than female relatives of involvement of politics in what is ultimately a scientific heterosexual men, perhaps suggesting some advantage issue has resulted in the facts becoming blurred and in terms of fertility. The other biological explanation for difficulty has arisen in understanding what are scientific homosexuality stems from kin selection, which has been criticisms of sociobiology and what are ethical and covered before, and asserts that homosexual individuals political criticisms. Indeed eminent scientists such as would have enabled their group to support its children Stephen Jay Gould have pointed out that historically, more successfully, thus homosexual individuals’ inclusive theories which have experienced such negative political fitness was increased. Of course, there could be a involvement as sociobiology have also been scientifically non-biological, societal explanation for the prevalence flawed. of homosexuality, although its prevalence in non-human species indicates otherwise. Other, more clear-cut scientific criticisms of sociobiology remain, however. Amongst these is the fact that Problems & controversies with socio-biology while palaeoanthropology is constantly improving, One of the underlying concepts in order for sociobiology our knowledge of the evolutionary period of human to be applicable is that features determining human development is still lacking as it is very difficult to behaviour must be heritable. Thus it follows that they determine what conditions were like so long ago. This

Olavian 2012 – 27 can make it difficult to judge many sociobiological claims specific hypotheses & theories it has produced. if they rely on specific conditions which may or may not have been present ~200,000 years ago. However, the explanations which sociobiology offers for societal phenomena are perhaps not just useful but can Another issue is that sociobiological hypotheses, like even be considered a logically necessary step following many pertaining to evolution, are fundamentally difficult the scientifically universal acceptance of Darwinian to test as it is very difficult to design valid experiments. ideas. Indeed whilst potentially reductionist in their own This leads to problems with sociobiological methodology, right, sociobiological ideas nevertheless contribute to a as science must necessarily be falsifiable and the way holistic understanding of the human condition which that is usually done is through experimental testing other branches of science are unable to offer, since they of hypotheses. Indeed due to the lack of testability of elucidate not just how but why human society is the way sociobiological hypotheses, it may be, as Gould points it is. out, nearly impossible to distinguish between which facets of human behaviour are spandrels, by-products Sources of selective processes carried along as they confer no http://darwin-online.org.uk/graphics/Darwin1881s. disadvantage, rather than selected-for adaptations. The jpg complexity of the human brain compounds this issue and threatens to undermine much of sociobiology. http://www.econ.tuwien.ac.at/hanappi/Lehre/ Classics/Wilson.pdf Conclusion To conclude, sociobiology is undoubtedly an area of http://scienceblogs.com/framing-science/Wilson.jpg great interest to many. With a troubled past, it is a field which evokes strong sentiments from many angles http://jeremylent.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/kung- and has experienced significant political interferences, bushmen.jpg which many consider to have hindered the science. Such involvement has led to prolific use of the straw man http://www.greensmiths.com/images/honey.7.jpg fallacy against sociobiology, in particular concerning what is necessary to the theory and what has come about http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pic as a result of the political uses of the theory covered tures/2009/11/9/1257793960593/deer-rut-001.jpg earlier. One line of thought follows that such political applications are another extension of sociobiology http://www.biography.com/imported/images/ necessary to attain logical consistency, and thus criticisms Biography/Images/Profiles/G/Stephen-Jay- of these political applications are valid as criticisms of Gould-9316907-1-402.jpg the science itself, however this line of thought relies on heavily subjective judgement of the relevance of the http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/sociobiology/ various political applications of sociobiology. Indeed many of the political arguments against sociobiology http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/sociobiology.html are based on the premise that humanity has ‘overcome’ the influence of natural selection and evolution, and www.wikipedia.org thus represent an overly anthropocentric view of nature which is unscientific and stems from a lack of genuine http://www.worldtransformation.com/freedom- understanding of the science. social-darwinism-sociobiology-and-evolutionary- psycholog/ Similarly, many of the criticisms of sociobiology are assertions that the science has ‘gone too far’ rather than being fundamental criticisms in their own right. This counterargument is obviously applicable to the political arguments against sociobiology, but also to those arguments which claim the science is invalid due to our lack of understanding of the evolutionary period of human history and that there is generally a lack of empirical evidence for sociobiological ideas. These arguments are based on the premise that there is currently not enough evidence to support sociobiology, so even if we accept them, they do not discredit the methodology of sociobiology itself, merely the evidence upon which it bases hypotheses and consequently the

28 – Olavian 2012 Prize Day Prize Day

The Headmaster’s Speech Against a backdrop of the worst public sector funding hairman, Mr Sims, Mr Mayor, Madam Mayoress, cuts of the last half century the number and variety of Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to welcome sports and extra-curricular activities was maintained, Cyou to this celebration of the achievements of our senior enabling our students to set their academic excellence in students as we look back on another excellent year. a wider cultural context.

A Headmaster was teaching his class one day. ‘In English Our rugby teams toured Devon and N Wales, and a and Maths,’ he said, ‘a double negative forms a positive. In successful season culminated with the selection of 3 some languages, though, like Russian, a double negative players – Matt Holmes, Richard Adenyi-Jones and Joe is still a negative. However, there is no language where Theuns for the Kent County squad, victory for the U14s a double positive can form a negative.’ A voice from the in the Kent County Cup, and Abigail Pottier’s selection back piped up: ‘Yeah, right.’ for the SE division. In Fives, Chris Self became the first ever schoolboy to win the adult Midlands championship, In education we are constantly faced with the challenges with Tony Barker and Harry Ravi reaching the semi- of change, whether in society, expectations, knowledge, finals, before 20 young Olavians set off for training in science or, as in my anecdote, the evolution of language the Swiss Alps. 4 of our chess team starred in the Kent through the influence of street or text talk. Whilst U18s with Duncan Bell and Conrad Allison taking 1st embracing the opportunities therein, it is good to hang and 2nd places in the Kent Grand Prix. It was good to on to some of our traditions and celebrating 450 years as see OO Callum Kilpatrick become a Chess Master after one of England’s oldest schools enabled us to do just that. taking 5th place in Circolo tournament in Italy. Cricket Our tributes to Henry Leeke, QE1 and other founders rounded off the sports season with a thrilling victory for included a fine performance of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the Y9s in the final of the Bromley Cup against Langley the formation of the 450 Parent Choir, a splendid Easter park. Anniversary Concert, the special Commemoration service in Southwark Cathedral, and culminated with At this school, the pursuit of real scholarship in greater the exhibition (including Dr Carrington’s canes which breadth and depth, through wider intellectual inquiry stirred a few memories!) and subject societies, is an increasing focus. From the impressive number of students gaining top awards in I hope that tonight’s prize-winners will build on this the Maths and Science Olympiads, there were Gold great heritage as they embark on life with optimism and medals in Biology for Tom Watson and in Maths & excitement for the future in a new and changing world. Physics for Duncan Bell who was subsequently invited to training camps in Budapest and at Lincoln College, Our Year 13 leavers produced the best A level results in Oxford, for the best 16 in the UK. Societies in Classics, the school’s history, and with 96% A*/B grades we were Politics, History and Film Club also gave opportunities ranked No.1 state school with mixed 6th Form by the for students to discover and try out new ideas, with Jack national press. 12 of our students gained 4 A* grades, and Bradfield’s film clip featuring in BBC2’s ‘Britain in a day’ 24 will take up Oxbridge places this Autumn to read a & Theo Clifford’s essay being highly commended in the wide range of subjects. The whole year-group, as well as Royal Soc’s Young Economist of the Year competition. staff and parents, can look back with great pride on these achievements. For those wishing to develop or showcase their talents, there were ample opportunities, with impressive Year 12 students also produced the best AS results for Christmas and Easter concerts, dazzling Cabaret and the last decade with 87% at A/B grade, a superb overall Showstoppers, alongside a number of entertaining and standard which augers well for next year. thought-provoking drama productions. Highlights of the musical year included Stefan Beckett’s invitation And to complete the ‘triple’, Y11 produced a record 87% to perform with the LPO, Richard Decker winning A*/A grades at GCSE, making them the 2nd best boys’ the BBC Young Musician of the Year, with the honour state school nationally. With 15 students gaining at least of singing in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee service 10 A* grades, led by Timothy Adelani (who also gained at St Paul’s; William Howarth and Tom Steer’s 1st A* in A level Italian and A in AS French), we have great and 2nd places in the Woodard Musician of the Year; confidence in a strong 6th Form intake this autumn. and Thomas Bridges who, following his success in the

30 – Olavian 2012 Woodard Composer of the Year, has now won First Prize be confident that they are part of its history; they have in the Eltham Choral Society’s Young Composer of the earned their prizes in another highly successful year and Olympic Year. Drama saw student-directed Playboy of deserve our warmest congratulations. the Western World, Max Kennedy’s play ‘The Bistro’ performed by professionals at the NT, Matthew Roberts Aydin Önaç in the final of the Jack Petchey Speak Out comp at the QEH, and mature performances from Michael Yates and Grace Boyle in Macbeth. It is easy to focus on the successes of a small number of individuals; but one The Head of Sixth Form’s Speech cannot overlook the huge number of talented students ood evening ladies and gentlemen. As you have at St O’s, as evidenced by the 300 colours I was pleased already heard it has been an excellent year for the to award for outstanding contribution, leadership, and GSixth Form with records being set both at A2 and AS conduct that brings credit to the school. Level.

None of our activities would flourish so effectively This is an outstanding achievement particularly as in without the valued support and commitment from the addition to these qualifications over one hundred students staff, for which I thank them greatly. Indeed the time successfully completed a range of first year degree level that they generously give has enabled a range of other modules as part of the Open University young applicants local and international trips that so enrich the cultural in schools scheme and at the beginning of March, 28 experiences for our students. Year 13 students completed their Extended Project Qualification with presentations of their 6000 word 8 teams completed their DoE Gold expeditions in the dissertations. EPQ topics ranged from ‘Is Time Travel Black Mountains, drawing praise from the assessors for Possible?’ to ‘Considering whether the British political their teamwork, leadership and potential for the future. system is truly democratic. 40 Econ and Hist students learned about the World Bank and the US political system in an exciting trip However, as a school we believe strongly that a key factor to Washington and NY. Trips to Paris and Boulogne, in this academic success is our students’ involvement in exchanges with Heidelberg, work experience and travel the wider aspects of school life. And this year was no in Segovia and Murcia opened up new outlooks on exception with members of the Sixth Form finding time international culture and the importance of foreign to get involved in a huge range of activities. language. A new field trip to Iceland, Classical studies in Greece and World Challenge summer expeditions to Starting with sport, in rugby, the First XV enjoyed an Namibia, Botswana and Ecuador saw students return excellent season, only losing one match after Christmas with new energy and a broader outlook on life. and with notable victories over Judd, Reigate and Hursterpierpoint. It was also an excellent season for These and our students’ successes would not be possible the 2nds often showing the strength and team spirit without the support of parents, particularly those who to overcome more powerful teams. Three of the Senior give their time generously to the PA through the splendid Team played for Kent U18 and one represented the Summer Ball, Family Fun Day, Quiz Nights etc. that Welsh Exiles. Not to be outdone, Abigail Pottier was have provided much-needed additional funding. nominated for the Women’s London and South East Divisional Squad after a number of strong performances St Olave’s is rightly recognised as a centre of excellence, for her club. The Netball squad enjoyed a very good but there is another dimension – a sense of values which season, gaining convincing victories at the Kent U 19 we hope they all acquire. In this respect, I was delighted tournament and beating rivals Charles Darwin and when, following the Autumn fundraising, our students Darrick Wood during the season. In Football, the First chose to donate £10K to the Kariandusi Trust to help XI and second XI enjoyed a wide range of fixtures, the building of a new school in rural Kenya, giving hope with the first XI progressing to the later stages of the to generations of students who, hitherto never had the English Schools’ Cup. The talent in the senior basketball chance of education beyond the age of 12. team augurs well for the future, despite losing some key players this year, and in fives among the many highlights Chairman – I believe that our prize-winners here tonight were the outstanding performances by members of the have built on tradition to embrace real educational Sixth Form at both school and senior level. The first enlightenment, but with a sense of balance. They have XI men’s hockey goes from strength to strength with combined glittering academic scholarship with rich fierce competition taking place against local Sixth Form cultural involvement, underpinned by true values, to colleges, a highlight this year being the win over Reigate become compassionate, well-rounded individuals. As Sixth Form College. Finally with sport, Chris Miles was we look back on 450 years of this great school, they can successful in the Kent County Swimming Competition

Olavian 2012 – 31 and less popular sports such as squash and badminton primary school to assist with their French day, Science continue to be established in the school due to the help Week and their Sport’s Day. The school was once again from the Sixth Form Prefects. host for the annual Mathematics and Science Challenge Day for Year 5 pupils from our partner primary schools Aside from Sport, the Sixth Form have enjoyed many with activities organised and led by the Year 12 Academic other proud achievements. In Chess, two Sixth Formers prefects. Student led societies continued to flourish fought it out for first and second in the Kent Junior highlighted, not only by St Olave’s Amnesty Group, Association Grand Prix. Drama continued to go from being joined by the Mayor of Bromley, when they hosted strength to strength with a range of productions, including a freedom night which coincided with Amnesty’s 50th the Great Hall being lit up by the world of musicals in birthday but also the scholarly periodicals being created Showstoppers and an impressive production of Macbeth by the Natural Sciences and History Societies. In Music, Tom Bridges won the Young Composer of the Year Competition, two students reached the finals It has also been a busy year for trips. The Historians of the Woodard Musician of the Year and Sixth Formers joined the Economists on the New York trip. The Art have continued to play a key role as performers in the Department visited Florence, the Classicists travelled Christmas and Easter concerts as well as through their to Greece and Biologists and Geographers enjoyed field involvement in orchestras, ensembles and choirs. trips to Flatford Mill and Malham respectively. Sixth Form students made their way to Paris on a French visit An astonishing 380 Senior Mathematicians competed and our German students took part in exchange with in the Senior Maths Challenge and after progressing students from Heidelberg. The World Challenge Trips onto the Olympiad stage of the competition, four of our have also recently returned from Namibia, Botswana and students gained distinctions, including a Bronze and Ecuador with students talking enthusiastically about Gold Medal. In the Science Olympiads, Tom Watson their experiences of different cultures. was selected to sit the second round paper in Biology after being awarded a Gold Medal, four students won And finally at the end of the academic year, following the certificates in Chemistry and Duncan Bell was placed end of the A level examinations, Year 13’s took time to in the top 16 in the country in Physics. The Duke of celebrate the end of their school careers, but hopefully not Edinburgh’s Award scheme saw Sixth Form students the end of their contact with the school, at the Leaver’s taking part in the Gold award and Senior Debators Ball held in the Westerham Golf Club, and the Leavers’ participated in the Oxford Union Schools’ Competition. Dinner where students, parents and staff enjoyed food The Young Enterprise Scheme once again proved to be and speeches in the Great Hall. extremely popular with one team getting even Boris Johnson, London Mayor to endorse their cufflinks This is truly a year of amazing achievements, with my report only really scratching the surface, and reflecting Senior students once again found themselves organising the hard work, talent and determination of our students. a wide range of events this year with probably the Students, your commitment, alongside the support of highlight for most being Festival with afternoon lessons your parents and a committed and dedicated staff have being suspended in order that students could enjoy the gone into making this yet another outstanding year various stalls run by form groups. Events ranged from for the School and for the Sixth Form. You have set a firm Festival favourites ‘Just a minute’ and ‘University fantastic example for the new Year 13 to follow and you Challenge’ to some new ones such as ‘Beat The Goalie’ have been a credit to the School and to your parents. which matched student against teacher. Over £10,000 Thank you, congratulations and very well done. was raised for the nominated charity the Kariandusi School’s Project. The finale of that week was Cabaret Andrew Rees held on the Friday night before the end of the Christmas term, and which showcased the extensive talent in the Sixth Form including a range of bands, singers and even a tap dancer. The generosity of our students for all Head of Year Eleven’s Speech charitable causes organised by the Sixth Form continues ne year ago, the previous incumbent of the role to be so pleasing. of Head of Year 11, Mr. Davies, stood in this Osame place and did me a very great favour. I had the The Sixth Form provides students with many privilege of taking over the responsibility for leading a opportunities to take on positions of leadership within group of remarkable young men from Miss Gulliford the school and our local community and this year was in September of 2011 and during the course of my first no exception. Numerous members of Year 12 took up year teaching and leading a year group at St. Olave’s, Mr. positions as form, duty, ambassador, sports and academic Davies was a consistent source of wisdom, patience and prefects. Sixth Form students visited St.Paul’s Cray good advice, but the best advice came as he stood at this

32 – Olavian 2012 podium and praised the achievements of his year group, support and good counsel which they offered me as ending with the words “Beat that, if you can.” Now I Head of Year. Subject teachers and the departments they can’t take much credit for what the young men of my represent have also provided these students with time year achieved, but it seems they did just that. They took and wisdom above and beyond the call of duty and the last year’s outstanding GCSE performance figure of students’ triumphs are also theirs. Some particularly 87% A*and A grades at GCSE and improved upon it, impressive results were achieved in terms of percentage albeit fractionally, raising that figure to 87.2%. Indeed A* and A in the following departments: 100% for DT for as you know 53.3% of the grades awarded were A*s and the resistant materials course, 96.6% for Maths, 96.1% 15 students achieved at least 10A*s. It is the best ever for History and 95.8% for both English Language and set of results which the school has achieved since the Biology. In addition, this year was the first occasion that qualification was first introduced in 1988. So, thank you our students were offered the opportunity of sitting for the advice, Mr. Davies, and, to the students of my iGCSE Physics, an opportunity which led to A*s for all year group, thank you for acting on it so spectacularly. students concerned and the Chemistry department also led a highly impressive inaugural cohort of students to Whilst the aggregated headline statistic is remarkable, it an iGCSE qualification. In the extra curricular sphere, can obscure the fact that this represents the achievements five students from the year group (Chiha Choi, Skanda of 119 individual students, and that the achievements Rajasundaram, Keir Bowater, Samuel Rowe and Charles of each of those students are aggregated across a range Jones) were awarded prestigious Arkwright scholarships of 9, 10, 11, sometimes even 12 subjects and that even for outstanding work in the field of Design Technology. within each of those constituent subjects there is always Also in that field, Keir Bowater, Daniel Dawson, Robert a broad range of topics, of information, of assessment Edghill, Ben Kwok and Max Legemah beat hundreds modes, of skills, disciplines and techniques which must of other teams in the London area to get through to be mastered, not the least of which is efficient time the finals of the Design Ventura competition in which management. The aggregated statistics in some sense they won a commendation for professionalism. In then are in danger of masking the incredibly diverse Duke of Edinburgh awards, 38 students accompanied range of personal battles and personal triumphs which Mr. Holland on an extremely damp expedition to the have been hard fought and hard won by the students of New Forest in order to progress to their Silver Award. last year’s Year 11. At one stage the range of different A range of sporting achievements continues to impress, disciplines and the coincidence of timing this year gave with three students from the under 16 rugby squad, me the idea that I might spend my speech bludgeoning Mitchel Fruin, Angus Dalgleish and Nicholas Colling you with an extended Olympic metaphor and, very often, winning promotion to the first XV this year. That same working in such a high performing school, whose motto under 16 rugby squad, even without three of their star may as well be citius, altius, fortius and where excellence players, won 12 out of 16 fixtures during the year. Angus is so consistently and broadly displayed, the temptation Dalgleish has also recently been promoted to the under- was huge. I felt, as an English teacher, that I ought to 17 Kent cricket team. There have been triumphs in a act to type and weave in some kind of flashy motif or diverse range of other sports as well including Timothy rhetorical flourishes. At one stage, before the Olympic Adelani’s accomplished performance in the Kent County idea lumbered into view, I was going to offer a speech Swimming Competition. In short our students are not based on characteristic Olavian virtues inspired by our only great at individual subjects and pursuits. They are namesake and patron saint, lauding the triumphant year great all rounders. The range of extra-curricular triumphs 11s as “Sons of Olaf ”, until I decided that the phrase and the astonishingly good English Baccaleureate “Sons of Olaf ” sounded like some kind of shadowy and statistics of 96% (again, up on last year’s 93%) suggest sinister paramilitary organisation. In the end, and for that the school not only has a maths specialism is also a once I decided, that perhaps ironically for an Olavian polymath specialist school. Rest assured, there will be no occasion, purple prose was inappropriate. Plain English further attempts at wordplay and the end of my speech and the results themselves are all that is required. The is rapidly approaching. Before I finish though, I wish to take home message is that this has been great year for share with you some of the most memorable moments of great students. the year from my perspective.

The lion’s share of the triumph rests with the young men Two of my proudest occasions as Head of Year sit outside of the year group, but the remarkable level of support of the academic realm and were as follows: Firstly when which they were offered by their form tutors Mr. I heard of the commendably great maturity, compassion Charlton, Mrs. Goodman, Ms. Wilcox, Mr Pengilley and presence of mind with which several members of and Mr Espejo will have proved of immeasurable benefit my year group behaved when they found themselves to the students and I know that I would like to thank my at the scene of a road traffic accident during a Duke of former tutor team as well for their consistent care and Edinburgh expedition. The boys concerned did not panic, efforts with the students and the unflinching reliability, they took control of an unfamiliar and potentially very

Olavian 2012 – 33 distressing situation to ensure that practical concerns I want, perhaps controversially, to end with a note were taken care of efficiently whilst offering the sort of disappointment and finally, some advice to my of care which one would wish for oneself if injured successor as Head of Year 11, Mrs. Johnson. My greatest in a similar circumstance. The other was watching a disappointment as Head of Year was to miss what I performance in the Lent Term of The Playboy of the gather was one of the highlights of last year’s school Western World, a magnificent production which was the assembly calendar, when one member of my year group, independent vision of two members of the year group, Skanda Rajasundaram, stood here and delivered what was Fintan Calpin and Caspar Smart, and in which several universally acclaimed to me as an incisive, impassioned members of the year group also performed: an enterprise and fascinating insight into the Sri Lankan civil war, an which characterised many of the Olavian virtues of achievement for which he will shortly be receiving a Jack diligence, ambition and extra-curricular breadth which Petchey award, including a sum of money which, with the school holds dear. Both events abundantly illustrate characteristic generosity of spirit, he has chosen to spend the point that this school is not merely some kind of on additional student printing facilities. I was absent incandescently high wattage scholastic hothouse, it is a from school on the day of this assembly owing to the place in which strong social and moral values are fostered birth of my son, Monty, who is now a robust ten months and celebrated and in which the triumph of independent old. The greatest compliment and salutation that I can cultural endeavour is not only an aspiration, but a reality pay to my year group is that I sincerely hope he grows and a form of communal recreation and a source of up to be a young man cut from the same cloth as that of inspiration to others as well. my Olavian students in last year’s Year 11. The Olavian qualities of diligence, modesty and aspiration shine The best individual moment of my time as their head of brightly through you as a body of young men and it has year was discovering that I would have the opportunity been my privilege to be your Head of Year. Now finally to continue working with the vast majority of these some heartfelt advice to my colleague, Mrs. Johnson, the remarkable young men until 2014. By nature a cautious current Head of Year 11 and her own remarkable young man, I reflected carefully on the opportunity, before men. It will be hard advice to follow, but it can be done. leaping on it with a sense of enthusiasm and great “Beat that, if you can.” privilege. David Budds

34 – Olavian 2012 Special Prizes Giles Pilcher Prize for Public Service L.W. White Prize for Sporting Activities (Awarded by The Old Olavians’ Lodge No.5758) Christopher Barnett Timothy Munday I.W. Kirk Prize for Sportsmanship Matthew Holmes John Marshall’s Educational Foundation Prizes Ben Read Trophy Matthew Holmes Jennifer Cocke Senior Victor Ludorum Oliver Taylor Udit Gadkary Sidney Tweedy Chess Cup Duncan Bell Charlotte Gadsby Douglas Keeble Prize for Fives Harry Ravi Frank Kibble Jonathan Morris Chambers Prize for Leadership Matthew Holmes Governors’ Awards The Anthony Jarvis Shield Isobel Eaton Angus Dalgleish Kent U17 Cricket Lydia Leather Suraj Sridhar Kent U17 Cricket The Woodard Board Prize Jonathan Morris Timothy Adelani Kent Swimming Michael Pugh Prize for Public Speaking Matthew Holmes Kent U18 Rugby Barney Holleran Richard Adeniyi-Jones London & South East The Renshaw Shield for Debating U18 Rugby Alexander Schymyck Abigail Pottier Kent U18 Rugby O.O Lodge Prize for Contribution to School Life Duncan Bell Outstanding achievement in National Robert Laidlow Mathematical Competition Cathedral Parish Prize for Voluntary Service William Howarth Woodard Musician of the Year Alistair ONeill Thomas Steer Leslie Sanders Prize for English Literature Woodard Musician of the Year runner – up Laurence Tennant Eamonn Cox French Prize Louis Vaughan-Williams Exceptional Contribution to School Music A.W. Walker Prize for German Matthew Edwards Spanish Prize Elizabeth Wood Matthew Holmes Prize for Classics William Dudley PRIZES FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS The Ashley Prize for History Jack Sutton Antiquarian Society Prize for a History Project H.G.Abel Prizes for A-Level Kate Richards Geography Prize Christopher Speller Michaela Agapiou Folu Awe Economics Prize Timothy Munday Tony Barker Michael Battle Harry Little Prize for Mathematics Duncan Bell Duncan Bell Payal Chheda Paul Slade Prize for Physics Alexander Grainger William Dudley Roy Edward Brian Ruth Memorial Prize for Physics Ahmed El-Hussein Udit Gadkary Thomas Saunders Charlotte Gadsby Alexander Grainger Gnaanachelvan Prize for Biology Matthew Waite Rebekah Grant Shubham Gupta Biology Project Prize Harriet Millar Jed Hemsley John Holden George Dyson Prize for Chemistry Matthew Wootten Matthew Holmes Daniel Hong Chemistry Project Prize Brian Wang Yibo Jin Priyanka Kulkarni Computing Prize Not awarded this year Phyllis Packer Prize for Practical Musicianship Zoe Liu Timothy Munday Robert Laidlow Alexander Robbins Tobi Rotimi An Old Olavian Prize for Music Thomas Saunders Evelina Russell Thomas Saunders Religious Studies Prize Molly Simpson Art Prize Aedryan Chklar Ginny Shooter Christopher Speller Graphics Prize Michael Battle Jack Sutton Eddie Vander Design Prize Not awarded this year Matthew Waite Brian Wang Susan Owen Medal for Drama Elizabeth Wood Tom Watson Matthew Wootten

Olavian 2012 – 35 PRIZES FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN PUBLIC GRANTS FOR OUTWARD BOUND, EXAMINATIONS (continued) TRAVEL & GAP YEAR PROJECTS

For G.C.S.E. The James Burdett Prize for Gap Year Travel: Michaela Agapiou Alexandros Adamoulas Lydia Leather. Timothy Adelani Gavin Benson Gap year placement for 5 months in a Law firm in Lucas Bertholdi-Saad Charlie Bishop Ghana. Fintan Calpin Anthony Cheuk The War Memorial Prize: Angus Dalgleish Arun Desouza-Edwards Matthew Edwards. Jordan Fisher Thomas Franks-Moore For travel to Germany to practice linguistic skills before Mitchel Fruin David Giles going to University. Max Hamilton-Jenkins Charlie Jones Zoe Liu. James Laing Max Legemah For travel to Hong Kong and Japan to experience Bennett Marcellus Kishan Ragutheeswaran culture and heritage before going to University. Skanda Rajasundaram Aleksandar Ristic-Smith Oliver Taylor. Dominic Robson Will Shanks For Gap year travel to Australasia. Caspar Smart Suraj Sridhar The Potto Hicks Award: James Wood Michaela Agapiou. For travel to Europe to experience the culture and to practice linguistic skills before going to University. FORM PRIZES The Witton/Newmarch Award: 11J Ben Cole, Timi Soyombo Jonathan Morris. 11K Nikhil Patel, William Ruiz For travel to several European cities to experience the 11L Isaac Muk, William Shanks culture and engineering marvels before commencing a 11M Jordan Fisher, Gap year placement with an Engineering Consultancy. Aleksandar Ristic-Smith The Lennie Award: 11N Joe Cox, Benjamin McKechnie Robert Laidlow 10J Joe Dudley, Janushanth Sritharan For travel to Germany to experience the musical culture 10K Matthew Allen, Teddy McAleer before going to University. 10L Jack Bradfield, Peter Debenham Anomitro Ash 10M Hao Zen Ho, Matthew Roberts Gap year placement in the London Audit sector with KPMG 10N Abhishek Patel, Gautham Reddiar

MARSHALL’S AWARDS LOWER SIXTH FORM PRIZES Grants were made towards expenses as follows:- for the Woodard Foundation Senior Prefects Course These are awarded by the Parents’ Association for for Woodard Foundation Masterclasses “enthusiasm,commitment and imagination in the use of the Lower Sixth year’. for the Woodard “Musician of the Year” finals for a JACT Ancient Greek Summer School Charlotte Flowers, Daniel Powell, Yasmin Razzaque, for entry to Mathematics Competitions Caroline Yuen, Jack Cordrey, Asher Leeks, Ben Fryza, for Fieldwork including Biology, Geography, History Katherine Shanahan, Abraham Siregar, and Languages Matthew Burns-Watkins for Senior Art and Design Project Installations

In addition a number of students received expenses in regard to music tuition. Awards were also made to a number of students at the start of their Higher EducationCourses last year. Marshall’s Grants were also awarded to assist in enabling students to go on field trips which families could not otherwise have funded.

36 – Olavian 2012 FULL COLOURS 2012

Senior Colours Amnesty International: Senior Prefect Colours for Commitment to the School: Lydia Leather, Harry Ravi, Harriet Sands, Timothy Munday, Jennifer Cocke, Udit Gadkary, Branan Sivanantha, Charlotte Gadsby, Frank Kibble, Jonathan Morris Medics Society: Harriet Millar, Kaushik Ramesh For contribution to the life of the School Community: MUNGA: Barney Holleran Isobel Eaton, Robert Laidlow, Lydia Leather, Udit Gadkary, Jonathan Morris, Jack Drabwell Intermediate Colours BADMINTON Eamonn Cox, Vincent Lam BASKETBALL Mitchel Fruin CHESS Justin Brown BASKETBALL Scott Johnson, Daniel O’Connor CRICKET Angus Dalgleish, Suraj Sridhar CHAPEL Eamonn Cox, Thomas Steer DESIGN VENTURA CHESS Duncan Bell, Udit Gadkary, Maximilian Legemah, John Holden, Casper Poole, Benjamin Kwok, Keir Bowater, James Side, Miles Thomas Daniel Dawson, Robert Edghill CRICKET Christopher Barnett DRAMA Fintan Calpin, Max Miller, DEBATING Barney Holleran Fergus Macdonald DRAMA Edward Barker, Eamonn Cox, FIVES: Samuel Fergusson, William Howarth Benjamin Kwok, Dominic Robson Louis Vaughan Williams, MUSIC: Sebastian Cook, Thomas Dean, Elizabeth Wood Anton Levi, Shunta Takino, Samuel Williams, Matthew Yau, FIVES Anthony Barker, Davin Chandra, Dominic Jelf, Fergus Macdonald Edmund Phillips, Harry Ravi, RUGBY: Angus Dalgleish, Nicholas Colling, Brian Wang Mitchel Fruin FOOTBALL Daniel Hickey, Declan Murphy, TENNIS Shunta Takino James Murphy, Callum Scotland

HOCKEY Shubham Gupta, Edmund Phillips Junior Colours MUSIC: Edward Barker, Finnuala Butler, RUGBY: William Adams, William Belsham, Eamonn Cox, Jonathan Essam, Ernie Chan, Tom Cordrey, William Howarth, Robert Laidlow, Micaiah Felix, Leo Henderson, Daniel Morland, Daniel Jenkins, Douglas Mathers, Timothy Munday, James Perera, Sean Seeds, Thomas Saunders, Thomas Steer, Javagar Selvarajah, Dylan Stewart, Madeleine Stein, Jack Sutton, James Wagstaff-Hall, Iwan Haines, Matthew Wootten Tom Willis, Samuel Wootten, NETBALL Eloise Andrews, Emma Simber FIVES: William Belsham, RUGBY Richard Adeniyi Jones, William Edmonds, Matthew Holmes Leo Henderson, Nathan Lewis, Harry Russell, Nicholas Wright, SQUASH Daniel Morland ATHLETICS: Benjamin Stanbury, TABLE TENNIS Cameron Sanders DRAMA: Oscar Ridout, OTHER CLUBS CHESS: Xavier Chitnavis, & SOCIETIES James Wagstaff-Hall, MUSIC: Mark Appiah, Peter Gibbs, Languages Clubs: Alexander Czepliewicz, Jonathan Lancaster, Shubham Gupta, Yibo Jin Thomas Miller, Oscar Ridout, Chemistry Club: Charlotte Gadsby, Laurence Squires, Iwan Haines, Vincent Pang, Kaushik Ramesh, Alexander Robbins, Matthew Waite,

Olavian 2012 – 37

Vi Form News VI Form News

Year 12 Team Building Day name of raising money for charity. Highlights included At the beginning of the term, the whole of Year 12 students and staff taking part in ‘Just a Minute’ and ‘Beat travelled to Blacklands Farm to take part in a variety the Goalie’. This year’s chosen charity is the Woodard of challenges in a variety of team-building activities. Schools Foundation charity initiative to complete the The day proved to be a fun-filled eggstravaganza [sic] building of a new Langalanga school in Kariandusi, culminating in the whole year turning out to watch the Kenya. A firm Festival favourite is Cabaret which this final test of their team’s ingenuity in creating a parachute year gave members of the Sixth Form the opportunity to to safely return their carefully guarded egg to terra firma show case their various talents and was attended by over from the abseil tower. two hundred people on Friday 9th December. Young Olavians’ Day Higher Education Evening On Wednesday 7th September, current students and The school’s annual Higher Education Evening was recent leavers enjoyed a day of sporting events as part held on Thursday 15th March for all Year 12 students of our annual Young Olavians’ Day (now occupying its and parent(s). Presentations provided an overview of the new, earlier time slot in the School’s calendar) There whole UCAS application process, including key dates were many close fought matches in rugby, football, and finance, with representatives from the universities hockey, basketball and fives and final results included a of Bristol, Queen Mary’s and Birmingham presenting 3-2 victory in the football for the 1st XI and a 19 -19 important information. This was followed by an Oxbridge draw in the rugby for the 1st XV. Many thanks to all the Evening on Thursday 29th March providing additional Young Olavians and parents who came along to support information specifically about applying to Oxford and the teams taking part. Cambridge. University Interview Preparation Day Extended Project Qualification Fifty Y13students took advantage of the Interview This year a record number of Year 13 students completed Preparation Day held on Saturday 19th November. the Extended Project Qualification, culminating with a David Vaiani of Aspire2oxbridge ran a debating skills Presentation Evening on the Monday 5th March. The workshop and as wellas mock interview practice for project involves writing a six thousand word dissertation Geographers and Historians. Dr Steffen van Bakel and on a topic chosen by the student linked often to what they Dr Maria Vigliotti of Imperial College,presented a are to study at university. There have been a number of seminar to those applying to read Mathematics and a interesting choices this year, including the sustainability variety of Science related degree courses. And Veterinary of energy, time travel, bankers’ bonuses and an assessment Scientists participated in discussion groups with our of the perception of the controversial Pope, Alexander Medics on top of gaining interview practice. VI and his family the Borgias. Prizegiving Prefect Teams The annual prize day was held in the Great Hall This year over a hundred and sixty applications were on Thursday September 15th when the prizes were submitted to be part of the Sixth Form Prefect Team presented by Old Olavian Dr Noël Tredinnick, Director and since February half-term the new prefects have been of Music at All Souls Langham Place and Professor in place helping with the smooth running of the school. of Music at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Students have been selected to carry out a number of As usual the Chairman of Governors, the Headmaster different roles ranging from form and academic prefects and the Heads of Year 11 and Sixth Form all provided to duty and sports prefects. a review of the year and the musical items concluded with a rousing rendition of Jerusalem conducted by Dr Traffic Education Course Tredinnick. At the end of the Spring Term, all Year 12 students attended an intensive PSHE session on Traffic Education Festival 2011 featuring accident causation analysis, hazard perception This year’s Festival took place on Thursday 15th skills, attitude to driving and road traffic rules. The sessions December and saw students enjoying an extended were delivered by the Casualty Reduction and Sustainable break and an afternoon off timetable running stalls and Travel Unit from Bromley and raised awareness of attending events such as ‘Boys vs Girls netball, all in the Road Safety as students begin to past their driving tests.

40 – Olavian 2012 Scottish Dancing On Thursday 10th May, Year 13 was collectively herded into the Great Hall to partake in a session of Scottish dancing, guided in part by some seasoned professionals. Students were shown their first dance move and were soon twirling and dancing around, making sure they knew the difference between a strathspey and a reel. interview Skills Workshop On Tuesday 17th July Year 12 took part in an interactive and practical conference to help prepare them for the inevitable interviews they will face in the coming month. The day gave students an insight into what universities look for in successful candidates, how to make an outstanding impression, how to handle interview questions and how to give an engaging presentation and get your message across. Senior Prefects Congratulations to the new Senior Prefect team for 2012 – 2013. School Captains are Mohammad Fallaha (12P) and Grace Boyle (12P) and are supported by Vice Captains James Atkinson (12Z), Eleanor Goodman (12P), William Pyle (12W) and James Watson (12W) The role of the School Captain(s) is to be the leading Mohammad Fallaha & Grace Boyle, role models and ambassadors for the School, playing Joint Captains of School, 2012-13 a key part in the ‘public face’, making speeches at important formal events such as Open Day, Prize- Headmaster, the Director of Sixth Form, and the Sixth giving, Leavers’ Dinner and Sixth Form Information Form Association. Their influence is wide-ranging, they Evening, welcoming and hosting visitors to the School. take their responsibilities very seriously and their value They respond to occasional events which require special to St Olave’s should not be underestimated. arrangements, attendance at Year Meetings or outside ceremonies, e.g. serious illness or death of a student or News of Recent Vi Formers member of staff. Old Olavians who reach 100 years of Luke Abraham has been awarded a First Class in his age are visited by the Captain of School, and there have university exams at Saint. John’s College Cambridge. been two in the last four years! With responsibility for He has been made a scholar of the college and has been managing the team of Senior Prefects, they promote a awarded a Leathem (Wright) College Prize and is the joint full involvement of the Sixth Form in School life, leading winner of the Johnston prize for Part 1A Mathematics. by example, and maintaining an ethos which is a credit both to individuals and the School. David Hewlett has attained a First Class at Emmanuel College Cambridge and has been elected into a Senior The responsibility of the Vice-Captains of School is also Scholarship. to make a very significant contribution to the ethos and day-to-day running of the School. They too represent Elizabeth Wilkins has gained a distinction in the the School at formal occasions and also lead by example first Public Examinations in Human Sciences at Saint as role models for the whole School in their various Catherine’s College, Oxford. daily activities and commitments. Their duties include supervising the Duty Prefects in charge of the break Rishi Dutta has attained a First Class in the Economics and lunch queues, organising House Competitions such Tripos, Part 11A at Fiztwilliam College Cambridge. as House Football, House Debating and the O-Factor, and overseeing the integration of new students, both Zubin Siganporia has gained a First Class Degree in the external and internal, into the Sixth Form through the Final Examinations in Mathematics at Saint Catherine’s Ambassador Prefects. College, Oxford.

To guide their work and involvement, as well as David Long was awarded with a MEng with First promoting opportunities for an exchange of views, the Class Honours degree in Aerospace Engineering at the whole Senior Prefect team meets regularly with the University of Bristol.

Olavian 2012 – 41 Benjamin Dixon has been awarded with a First Class Do one thing every day that scares you. Like doing a MEng Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering at bible reading in assembly or telling Mrs Updsell that the University Of Bristol. you’ve forgotten your homework.

Georgina and Elizabeth Dalgleish (2008 – 2010) have Sing. Whether it is by repeating some of the amazing both kept themselves busy since leaving St. Olave’s two performances we saw by both boys and girls in Cabaret, years ago. Having won places at Cambridge University, the heartfelt and tear jerking rendition of Jerusalem at both spent a year rowing for their colleges with both the 450th Anniversary Commemoration or even during winning the prestigious ‘blades’ for their performances. the high quality performances of the O Factor. I never They then returned to the netball court where they thought I would be hearing Year 13 students singing the participated in the varsity match against Oxford and, following lines from a Wham song: You put the boom- despite losing, both were awarded ‘Full Blues’, the highest boom into my heart You send my soulsky high when your sporting award that can be bestowed a university player. lovin’ starts Jitterbug into my brain Goes abang-bang-bang ‘til my feet do the same.

Leavers’ Weekend Floss. Floss daily. The Leavers’ weekend began on Friday 22nd June when Year 13 students dressed up in their dinner suits and ball Try not to be jealous of other people; sometimes you’re gowns to attend the Grand Leavers’ Ball at Westerham ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long, and in Golf Club. The students thoroughly enjoyed dancing the the end, you are only racing yourself. Surely, it is far too evening away and looking forward to the long break they time consuming running a race against yourself? so thoroughly deserved. This was then followed by the Leavers’ Dinner on Saturday 23rd June where students Keep your old school reports, throw away your old bank were joined by their parents for a formal meal and statements. Except the one which says that your student speeches, given by the Headmaster, Mr Rees, Director of loan has been paid off. Frame that one and stick it on your Sixth Form and Tim Munday (13I), Captain of School. wall! Wow – that’s going to be a long time coming!

Some of your old school reports may include words of Mr Rees’ speech at the Leavers’ Dinner wisdom of your ability in Mr Craig’s subject, Classics: Ladies and Gentlemen, Headmaster, parents, teachers and the class of 2012- be happy. On the one hand he is really a boy to whom I warm especially when he tries hard and really commits himself. At other times If I could offer Year 13 only one tip for the future, he becomes this boy who wants to give a running commentary happiness would be it. It was one of the things I said that on everything as though he were in the Royal Enclosure at I wanted you all to be when you joined the Sixth Form Ascot. I imagine that Dionysus was in his cups when he heard and I hope that happiness has followed you through and Jack singing Black Sabbath at Epidaurus! remains with you after you leave St Olave’s. He will need to go into the examination armed like Achilles The long term benefits of happiness have been proved to slay any question on the nature of the gods, the presentation by lots of research whereas the rest of the advice in my of war, the wreckage of human hope and the optimism of the speech has no basis more reliable than my own views. Golden Age.

I will share this advice with you now. Never pat an animal with sneaky eyes. I should have given this advice at the beginning of Year 12 to Isobel Enjoy the power of being young. In 20 years you’ll look who I recently spoke to about the state of her uniform back at photos and videos of yourself, such as wearing a only to be informed that the large rip in her tights and crown as King Duncan, Alex Ekong; racing Mr Craig at cut on her leg was due to a dog attacking her in the street. Olympia; wearing rabbit ears, Yahya; standing with your You will be pleased to know that the Isobel and the dog team mates on the Sydney Harbour Bridge; preparing eventually recovered. to dive off the coast of South Africa or even when you re-enacted the Apprentice for Festival and recall in a Don’t feel guilty if you still unsure about the course you way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before about to start at university or what you want to do when you. you leave university. The most interesting people I know, did not know at 22 what they might do with their lives, Don’t worry about the future; or worry, and know that and some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know worrying is as effective as trying to stop Julian Bell still don’t. playing his music too loud in the Common Room.

42 – Olavian 2012 Use plenty of sunscreen. Just look at how Bridgit Bardot school children never blocked residents’ driveways when has changed over the years. parking their cars.

Be kind to your bodies, rugby and netball injuries will ache Learn to play the banjo. when you are older. Think about Ilyas missing out on the Scottish Country Dancing and the Softball during the There are a number of people I would like to thank for all last few days of the Sixth Form to remind you of that. the hard work they have put in with you as a year group.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have The Senior Prefect Team, especially Tim, as School children, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, and Captain, for all your help running the school. I don’t know maybe you’ll mimicking the Rees hand dance’ as shown how it would be done without you. This team has been by the tutors and I during the Leavers’ Video’ or even tap the constantly looking for improvement in everything dancing like Eamonn on your 75th Wedding anniversary. they have been involved in. An overnight visit last year How did you persuade me to do that Chris Barnett? to Worksop College as part of their prefect training lead to Udit expressing concern on his evaluation form that Get to know your parents, talk to them about university, there were not enough mirrors in the toilets to ensure his include them in your decisions. You can then ask them hair was neat, gelled and tidy for breakfast. to visit you in late November when your student loan is running out and you’re in need of a good meal or some Your tutors have worked so hard all year, defending new clothes. you when things have not quite gone to plan, writing references, supporting you, and passing on messages Be nice to your brothers and sisters; they are your best when needed. link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. Mrs Johnson, for her work with Oxbridge and UCAS through interviews, workshops, advice and talks. Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few who you keep hold of. Right now most of Your teachers for the extra revision sessions, answering you maybe sitting by those precious few! Work hard to emails, patience, lots and lots of patience, feedback on bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the your homework, however late it was handed in and older you get, the more these people will be a gateway to their immense hard work to ensure that you get the best the past. When new doors open, never close the old ones. teaching possible.

Travel. Mr Heap keeps telling me constantly that Lastly, Mrs Updsell, your Head of Year who has Bermuda is very nice this time of year. defended you constantly, worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of the Year group and Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, Wales been a supportive ear, not just to students, but will never win the rugby world cup, although we were to me throughout your time in the Sixth Form. so close this year, England will never again win the football world cup, you too will get old, and when you do I thank all of you, but finally remember, trust me on the you’ll fantasize that when you were young, prices were happiness. reasonable, England had a fantastic football team and

24 students gained Oxbridge Offers

Olavian 2012 – 43 Leavers’ Destinations

Richard Olufemi Adeyemi University of Exeter Philosophy and Political Economy Adeniyi-Jones Mathematics, Operational Research, Sinclair Kweku Mensah Adu University of Warwick Statistics and Economics Biochemistry with Industrial/Professional Michaela Agapiou University of Manchester Experience Mohammad Salman Agha University of Nottingham Economics Eniola Alonge 2013 Application Eloise Andrews University of Durham History William Baguley University of Birmingham Chemistry Thomas Robert Ballaster University of York Philosophy, Politics and Economics Antony Barker Pembroke College - Cambridge Mathematics Edward Barker University of York Computer Science Christopher Barnett University of Manchester Management (Marketing) Computer Science and Management Freddie Barr-Smith University of Nottingham Studies Elliot Lawrence Bates University of Exeter Geography (Science) Michael Battle University of Bristol History Alexander Matthew Bear University College - London Medicine (6 years) Duncan Bell St. John’s College - Cambridge Mathematics Julian Bell London School of Economics Geography with Economics Jack Bint University of Exeter Geography (Science) Sean Alexander Paul Bossick University of York Politics Charles Bowen University of Exeter Classics Grace Boyle University of Nottingham American Studies and English Susan Bradford University of Glasgow English Literature Electronic and Electrical Engineering Jobie Budd University College - London (International Programme) Finnuala Hallett Butler 2013 Application Patrick Carter University of Leeds Graphic and Communication Design Taylor Cavendish University of Exeter Economics Davin Harish Chandra 2013 Application Ryan Charnock University of Bath Mathematics Payal Chheda University College - London Economics Aedryan Chklar University of Bristol Law Joseph Cobham University of Southampton Economics Jennifer Amy Cocke University of Bristol Mathematics Yinsu-Claire Collins University of Warwick Classical Civilisation Benedict Cook University of Bristol Ancient History Eamonn Cox 2013 Application Alexander Makoto Czepliewicz London School of Economics Economics and Economic History Deeya D’Souza 2013 Application Drew Davis University of Sussex Psychology 44 – Olavian 2012 Jack Drabwell University of Newcastle Classics William Dudley Brasenose College - Oxford Classics I English Literature, Creative Writing and David Duncan University of Lancaster Practice Isobel Eaton University of Newcastle Architecture Roy Edward 2013 Application Matty Edwards University of Bristol French and German (4 years) Conor Egan University of Loughborough Business Economics and Finance Jennifer Kenechi Ekere University of Birmingham Law Alexander Ekong University of Birmingham French Studies and History (4 years) Ahmed El-Hussein Queen’s College - Cambridge Medicine Mechanical Engineering (Year in Jonathan Essam University of Cardiff Industry) Dario Ferrari Royal Holloway - London Classical Studies Raphael Kumin Rothschild University of Bristol Economics Fischer Jennifer Flagg University of Reading Psychology Elizabeth Alice Foster University of Liverpool Mathematics Nicholas Mark Meredith Foster University of Bristol Biochemistry Udit Gadkary London School of Economics Economics Charlotte Jean Gadsby University of Bristol Medicine - MBChB Standard entry Alexander Grainger Wadham College - Oxford Physics (4 years) Rebekah Grant University of Edinburgh Veterinary Medicine Samuel Greenslade University of Lancaster Economics Shubham Gupta 2013 Application Rajvir Singh Guram 2013 Application Robert Haythorpe University of Exeter Mathematics with Economics Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Daniel John Hearn University of Sheffield Industry Jed Hemsley University of Warwick Economics Yvette Nicole Lifton Heslop University of Durham Geography Daniel Hickey University of Leeds Mathematics John Arthur Holden Downing College - Cambridge Land Economy Barney Holleran Hertford College - Oxford Philosophy, Politics and Economics Matthew James Holmes University of Durham Economics Daniel Peng Xiang Hong University of Durham Economics William Andrew Howarth 2013 Application Jack Howse Ravensbourne Digital Film Production James David Jackson University of Warwick Mechanical Engineering Yibo Jin Trinity College - Cambridge Natural Sciences Andrew Johns Imperial College - London Materials Science and Engineering Scott Andrew Johnson University of Loughborough International Relations James Hassan John Kenward University of Reading Film & Theatre Frank Kibble University of Exeter History Laura Kate Krywko University College - London Mathematics Priyanka Kulkarni Pembroke College - Cambridge Politics, Psychology and Sociology Robert Laidlow Emmanuel College - Cambridge Music

Olavian 2012 – 45 Mechanical Engineering/Sustainable Vincent Hei Man Lam University of Southampton Energy Systems Lydia Leather University of Nottingham Law Ryan Lok Wai Lee University of Reading Graphic Communication Lap Bon Leung University of Cardiff Biomedical Sciences (Standard Route) Callum Little 2013 Application Zoe Liu Clare College - Cambridge Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Politics with French (4 years including Hannaire Marion Mekaouar University of Warwick year abroad) Olga Mikhailovski 2013 Application Christopher Miles University of Loughborough Chemistry Harriet Olivia Blanche Millar University of Birmingham Medicine (5 years) Edward James Millard University of Warwick Physics Daniel Robert Morland University of Bath Civil Engineering Vanessa Moro Queen Mary - London Physics Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Jonathan Philip Morris University of Sheffield Industry Ilyas Morrison 2013 Application Frederick Morton University of Exeter Classics Timothy Munday Gonville&Caius Coll. -Cambridge Economics Declan Murphy University of Leeds Mechanical Engineering James Murphy Imperial College - London Biochemistry with Research Abroad Ryan Murphy University of Exeter Geography (Science) Navani Navaratnarajah Queen Mary - London Medical Engineering Ashaki Newton University of Manchester Modern History with Economics Harriet Noble Ravensbourne Animation Joseph Dominic Patrick O’Brien London School of Economics Law (Bachelor of Laws) Daniel O’Connor University of Nottingham American Studies and English Peter Kagame Ocen 2013 Application Daniel Oldham University of Southampton Environmental Sciences Alexander Patrick Openshaw University of Nottingham Geography Vincent Chun-Yip Pang University of Durham Combined Honours in Arts Mirej Patel 2013 Application Edmund Phillips University of Sussex Medical Neuroscience Simon Pimm University of Newcastle Mechanical Engineering Caspar Poole University of Bath Mathematics Abigail Victoria Frances Pottier Royal Veterinary College - London Veterinary Medicine Kiran Preddy University of Southampton Geography Luqman Randeree University of Newcastle Medicine (stage 1 entry) Harry Ravi University of Exeter Economics Kate Richards University of York History Marko Ristic-Smith University College - London Geography Alexander James Robbins Christ’s College - Cambridge Medicine Daniel Rogerson University of Exeter Biological Sciences Eliott Rooke University of Exeter Geography Oloruntobi Rotimi 2013 Application Joseph Runicles University of Leeds History and Roman Civilisation

46 – Olavian 2012 Evelina Russell University of Birmingham Medicine (5 years) Leonora Ryle University of Nottingham Mathematics and Philosophy Cameron Sanders University of York Economics Harriet Sands 2013 Application Thomas Saunders Gonville&Caius Coll.- Cambridge Mathematics Jacob Savage University of Warwick Physics Alexander Schymyck Trinity College - Oxford Philosophy, Politics and Economics Calum Scotland University of Nottingham Modern Languages with Business Abilasa Selladurai University of Leeds Dental Surgery Ginny Shooter University of Bath Physics James Side University of Durham Geography Emma Jane Simber University of Durham Geography Molly Simpson University of Bristol Philosophy Ramciyan Sivakumar 2013 Application Branan Aaron Sivanantha 2013 Application Sanadani Sivapalan 2013 Application Adam William Smith University of Birmingham Ancient History Liana Jade Smith University of Durham Classical Past Rosannah Smith University of Durham Natural Sciences Christopher Speller Mansfield College - Oxford Geography Madeleine Rebecca Stein Royal Veterinary College - London Veterinary Medicine Gabrielle Ami Harrison Stocker University of Bristol English Jack William Sutton Selwyn College - Cambridge History Jamie Taylor University of Exeter Economics Oliver Taylor University of Nottingham Veterinary Medicine Loren Emily Tearle University of Birmingham Biochemistry Laurence Tennant Gonville&Caius Coll. - Cambridge English Miles Douglas Thomas University of Bath Mathematics Shyam Kishorchandra Vadukul University College - London Economics Edward Vander University of Bath Civil Engineering Louis Oscar Vaughan Williams University of Leeds French and Mathematics Nahid Ahmed Wadud University of Bristol Mechanical Engineering Matthew Malcolm Andrew Waite Girton College - Cambridge Medicine Oscar Wallace University of Exeter Philosophy and Sociology Edward Wallis University of Southampton Archaeology and Geography Brian Wang Robinson College - Cambridge Medicine Jaideep Wasu University of Bristol Management Rebecca Watson University of Bristol Physics Thomas Watson King’s College - Cambridge Medicine Jonathan Webb University of Portsmouth Business Economics Ryan Kenneth Wilkinson University of Warwick Philosophy Elliot Williams-Fletcher University of Exeter Physics with Astrophysics James Wong 2013 Application Modern Languages and European Studies Elizabeth Wood University of Bath (Spanish and ab initio Italian) Matthew Makoto Wootten St. Catharine’s Coll. - Cambridge Natural Sciences Kevin Wing Yip University of Southampton Medicine (5 year) Olavian 2012 – 47 48 – Olavian 2012 Clubs & Societies Clubs & Societies

Chemistry Club throughout, the Natural Sciences Society strongly Last year, Chemistry Club remained as popular as ever reflects the sense of enthusiasm and affinity for science at Saint Olave’s. Great fun was had with old favourites which pervades Saint Olave’s, and we hope the Society such as the screaming jelly baby and elephant’s will continue its growth in coming years. tooth paste experiments, whilst Olavian ingenuity shone through when the Club improvised their own Chess 2011-2012 gunpowder recipe. Students enjoyed making their own ‘glow-worm’ fireworks and seeing who could produce Chess versus King’s School Canterbury the most vigorous sodium bicarbonate volcano, as well On Wednesday 18th January, the chess A team travelled as witnessing the usual complement of explosions. The to Kings School in Canterbury for the second round of lower school students who make up Chemistry Club the Yateley Manor chess competition. The team, made displayed impressive scientific curiosity throughout the up of Captain Duncan Bell (13M), John Holden (13G), year, taking advantage of this opportunity to extend Conrad Allison(12R), Raunak Rao (10L), Owen Messere their knowledge of practical science far beyond the (8L) and Rohan Shiatis (7H) performed brilliantly, each curriculum. The sixth form team involved in running the one winning his board on the way to a comprehensive 6 Club was responsible for designing and demonstrating – 0 win. The third Kent Junior Chess Association Grand each week’s experiment, and this provided a valuable Prix tournament was held at St. Olave’s on Saturday 21st opportunity both to apply our A level knowledge and January, with good representation by our own students to broaden our understanding of chemistry as a whole. in the U14 and U18 sections. Duncan Bell (13M) was We would like to thank Mrs Morinan for making these joint winner of the U18s, with Conrad Allison (12R) fantastic opportunities possible, and hope that the fun coming third. The Schools’ prize for the day was won will continue next year. by St. Olave’s, who are heading the GP table after three tournaments. Asher Leeks 13X Yateley Manor Chess Comp 03/02/12 Natural Sciences Society On Friday 3rd of February six students represented St. The Olavian Natural Sciences Society was founded by Olave’s against Eltham College in the Yateley Manor lower sixth science students at the start of last year’s chess competition. The match ended 3.5 – 2.5 in our autumn term, and has expanded substantially upon favour, but the victory went to Etham due to their its modest beginnings over the course of the past year. age advantage. A big well done to Duncan Bell, John Student-led contributions have taken the form of Holden, Conrad Allison, Raunak Rao, Nigel D’Souza weekly speeches and presentations, as well as articles and Owen Messere, who will now compete in the Plate written for the three journals which we have published Championship. to date, examples of which are included below. Of note for both the wide range of topics covered and the depth Chess v. Wilson’s Grammar School of understanding shown, these contributions represent On the 15th March 2012, St.Olave’s Chess Team faced valuable opportunities which Olavian scientists have a strong Wilson’s Grammar School B Team in the first taken to show-case their impressive academic ability and round of the Yateley Manor Plate Competition. commitment, valuable skills for life at University. The Society has also been pleased to welcome such external The team of Duncan Bell, Rohan Shiatis, John Holden, speakers as a representative from Mott MacDonald Conrad Allison, Raunak Rao and Owen Messere, were engineering firm and an old Olavian now studying able to win convincingly, with an almost perfect 5.5 Biological Sciences at Oxford University, and has also points out of the six matches played. enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the Natural History Museum’s Coleoptera department. On top of this, the Unfortunately, subsequently, the team played Wilson’s Society has attended Friday night science lectures at A and lost 4-2, thus being knocked out at the quarter University College London on a weekly basis, which finals. have effectively complemented the society’s own weekly speakers, and has travelled up to Cambridge University Russell Trophy’ Schools’ Jamboree on two occasions in order to attend lectures on topics The St. Olave’s U18 chess team achieved a very creditable within Biology and Chemistry. As a student-led society result in the Surrey ‘Russell Trophy’ Schools’ Jamboree

50 – Olavian 2012 held at Wilson’s School on Friday 16th September against was truly commendable. We were very proud to lift the twelve other teams from Surrey, Kent and Middlesex trophies. Hearty congratulations go to all the players and schools. There was some exciting chess played by John enormous thanks to the parents. Thank you to Sussex for Holden (13G), Duncan Bell (13M) Raunak Rao (10L), hosting the event and the magnificent organisation of Gautham Reddiar (10N), Owen Messère (8L), Conrad Anil Anilkumar. Allison (12R), Alex Tse (12Z) and Asher Leeks (12X). Final points were: Millfield 15th October 2011 Saint Olave’s A-team narrowly came second, behind Kent 13.5 (12 wins), Essex and Surrey 13.5 (10 wins), Winchester College, and Duncan Bell and Conrad Berkshire 12 and Sussex 7.5 Allison won board prizes, as did Robert Lobo in the B Team. Well done to all who took part. Rohan Shiatis Southern Counties Chess Union Open U14 Counties finals - National Youth Chess Tournament Association There is always that special story to tell with every hard St Olave’s provided half the membership of the Kent fought victory. Every county and virtually every player under 18 team which travelled to Telford on Saturday will talk about that elusive half point that evaded them or 24th September to compete in the National Youth Chess that they managed to grind out through sheer obstinacy, Association Inter - Counties finals. John Holden, Duncan or that victory which somehow turned to defeat or that Bell, Raunak Rao and Conrad Allison enjoyed some very win from a completely lost position. This tournament challenging games, with Raunak winning all four of his. had it all and more. The championship title, taken by Warwickshire (who did not have to endure such an early start!) eluded the Kent The counties entered were Kent, Essex, Surrey, Berkshire team by the narrowest of margins - just half a point. and Sussex and excitement mounted as all counties were still within a shout of winning going into the last round. ECF U18 inter-Counties Final The U18 Kent team, which included four St Olave’s Kent was equal first with Berkshire. Surrey was just a students (Duncan Bell (13M), Conrad Allison (12R), point behind and Essex a seemingly distant fourth. Then Gautham Reddiar (10N) and Raunak Rao (10L) were for Kent, three early losses in the last round started the very narrowly beaten by Hertfordshire in the English heart racing. Perhaps it was not to be our day after all. Chess Federation National Inter-counties final, held Berkshire was out in front, but Essex was churning out at Eton College on Saturday 30th June. Hertfordshire win after win and was soon leading the way. Surrey was finished with 18.5 out of a possible maximum 24, with quietly creeping up in the background. Kent finally Kent just half a point behind. It was a very exciting day’s rallied with three successive wins and nosed themselves chess. in front once more. Kent Junior Chess Association Grand Prixes It came down to the last five boards playing. I watched The third Kent Junior Chess Association Grand Prix anxiously as each game practically went the distance; tournament was held at St Olave’s on Saturday 21st with Kent locked in a must win game against a talented January, with good representation by our own students Berkshire player. in the under 14 and under 18 sections.

In order to lift the trophy, we needed the following to Duncan Bell was joint winner of the U18s, with Conrad happen in three of the remaining four games: Essex to Allison coming third. The schools’ prize for the day was beat Berkshire, Surrey to beat Berkshire and Sussex to at won by St Olave’s, who are heading the GP table after least avoid a defeat against Essex. Gradually, gradually three tournaments. the results started filtering through. Sussex attained the draw we needed, Essex had the win we needed, Surrey Duncan Bell and Conrad Allison had a very successful the win against Berkshire and finally Kent the win which day at the last Grand Prix event of the Kent Junior Chess ensured we came out as Champions; based on number Association on Sunday 1st July, held at Sevenoaks School, of wins after a three way tie on points with Surrey and with Duncan winning the Under 18 section and Conrad Essex. coming second. They also achieved these positions in the overall Grand Prix series for 2011 - 2012 and received A thrilling and exciting finale! ‘Managers’ Awards’ for their contributions to the Kent Under 18 teams over the past season. St Olave’s won the All players played exceptionally well and for a team which Schools’ Trophy. were all under 12 playing in a under 14 tournament this

Olavian 2012 – 51 Old Olavian becomes FiDE Chess Master This is an impressive achievement and we wish him The School is please to report on the recent achievement continued success. of Old Olavian, Callum Kilpatrick (2003 - 2010) During 12-18th September Callum competed in the “Circolo Raunak Rao Scacchisto Amos Cusini Livigno” chess tournament in Raunak Rao (year 10) came tenth out of 75 junior Italy, finishing in joint 5th place. This was a very strong players at the second English Junior Rapidplay, held International event, littered with many Grand Master’s at the London Chess Classic tournament on Saturday (GM). 10th December 2011. This tournament was attended by some of the best junior chess players in the country and Callum secured his 1st GM norm (in order to become a Raunak was also able to secure third place in the Under GM he needs to secure 3 such norms and have his Chess 16 section of the tournament. Well done! rating at GM level 2500). This is a fantastic achievement considering Callum was not even at master level prior to D of E Update the tournament. It is very rare for a player to make such A total of twenty seven awards have been presented in a leap in playing strength. As a result of this performance the Spring term which included sixteen bronze, six silver he has now become a FIDE Chess Master. and five gold awards. On Friday 30th March thirty two Year 13 students set off for the wild country of the Brecon We congratulate him on this fine achievement and wish Moorland to complete their Gold Qualifying expedition. him continued success. This involved four days of trekking as a self-sufficient team, covering around 80km and spending three nights Congratulations also go to Rohan Shiatis (7H) under canvas. The teams worked extremely hard in the who played in the Open Section at the Hampshire preparations for this expedition; congratulations on their Chess Congress winning the prize for best player. His success in this venture. performance was particularly notable because he was the youngest player in the entire competition, playing some World Challenge Expedition to Botswana, of the strongest adult players. Namibia and Zambia Last August, 19 students and Mr Gyford embarked on Adult County Chess a month-long World Challenge expedition to Botswana St Olave’s boys helped the adult Kent chess team to and Namibia. Over the course of a hugely enjoyable trip, a victory over arch rivals and neighbours Essex. They the team developed a wide range of new skills through were Rohan Shiatis, Duncan Bell and Raunak Rao. It coping with many unfamiliar situations, as well as is an honour to be selected as part of the adult team and building a strong sense of camaraderie along the way. indicative of the standards that these excellent juniors are capable of playing. The victory was secured by the The trip began in Orpington, when we convened in the slim margin of 1 point – particularly amazing as Kent Pavilion on the 31st July. After a final kit check and were out-gunned on grade across all the boards except discussion with our World Challenge leaders, Glyn one! and Josh, we left for Heathrow, with an 11-hour flight ahead of us. The flight was surprisingly enjoyable, largely Olavian Chess player selected for England thanks to the hospitality of South African Airways, Rohan Shiatis has been selected to play chess for and when we disembarked in Johannesburg, it was the England against Norway and India in the upcoming first time many of us had set foot outside Europe. With Internationals to be held at the London Chess Classic at spirits running high, we then boarded our transfer flight The Olympia Conference Centre, Kensington. to Windhoek airport, which was surprisingly windy, and not nearly as warm as we’d expected! The main tournament is one of the most prestigious chess tournaments in the world and the top four players in the Camping in a youth hostel for the first night, we cooked world will be arriving shortly in the UK to participate. on a Braai (a wide grill over an open fire), eating such Rohan will be rubbing shoulders (though not playing Namibian specialities as oryx and kudu steak. We left unfortunately!) with the likes of Magnus Carlsen GM, early the next morning after some supply shopping, and Vishy Anand GM, Nigel Short GM and Luke McShane arrived at Spitzkoppe in the early evening, cooking a GM. disastrous potato and kidney meal in our trangia stoves – not the first time we would miss home-cooked food! The matches which Rohan will be playing (as a member of The next day we spent trekking around Spitzkoppe the England junior team) will be part of all the off-shoot as our acclimatisation trek, led by a local guide who satellite activities taking place around the main event. showed us the famous rock art, whilst also explaining to us the differences between the click languages spoken by many the indigenous Bushmen. The scenery around

52 – Olavian 2012 Spitzkoppe was breath-taking, with wildlife to match. Etosha national park certainly impressed, with its Our guide also showed us his village, which was a magnitude blowing us away, despite the present-day thought-provoking experience, and we spent some time park only covering a quarter of the original 100,000km² buying provisions in the local shop, which doubled up conservancy. The park surrounds a central salt pan as the social centre of the village. This evening’s more 130km² long (and in some places as wide as 50km²), with successful meal, based around biltong (dried beef ) was many waterholes around the park making it a reserve preceded by a dusk walk, where we watched a spectacular of paramount importance. Our safari was self-driven, Namibian sunset. with our driver both spotting and identifying much of the wildlife of the park. The list of game we spotted Leaving early the next morning, we made a start for the is extensive, but highlights on the first day included Skeleton Coast, which was to be the location of our main elephant, martial eagle, giraffe, springbok, oryx, kudu, trek. So named due to the large number of shipwrecks to enormous herds of zebra and even the notoriously elusive be seen off-shore, unfortunately we saw no shipwrecks white rhino. The next day was spent driving to a camp in on our section, but seals (alive and dead) and even whale a different park of the national park, and on the way we skeletons were in abundance, whilst a penguin was also saw birdlife which included black bustard, kori bustard spotted. Although the sand and wind made for difficult and secretary bird, plus a number of lions. Visiting the walking conditions, it was impossible not to admire waterhole in the evening also proved very fruitful, with the scenery, which was desolate and uniquely beautiful. some touching views of elephants interacting with each After hiking for nearly 20km on the first day, we set up other and another rhino sighting. camp only to find out that our support vehicle was stuck in the sand, with the on-board water container empty The next stage of the expedition was our project phase. and no fuel left for the trangias. To compound the This was at Hippo primary school, near Gobabis, east of problem, darkness came quickly, with gale-force winds Windhoek. We arrived late after a long drive south, and and subsequent low temperatures. With attempts to dig were immediately struck by the enthusiastic greeting of our vehicle out failing, we excavated a large wind-break the children. Hippo school caters for children between for an open fire, cooking whatever we could without the ages of seven and thirteen and is a selective primary water. The next morning a relief vehicle arrived with school, offering full board and accommodation. Our water, and after refilling our water bottles, we set out project involved painting the walls of one of their for another 20km hike, terminating at the bizarre (and dormitory buildings and repairing a number of chairs. deserted) Cape Cross hotel complex. Camping wild for a We got stuck into the project quickly, and the interest second consecutive night, the next morning we drove to the children showed in us came as quite a shock! With Swakopmund and were immensely relieved to find out many of them writing letters to us, they were without that we would be staying in bedded accommodation for exception friendly, charming and impressively gifted, the next two nights. with most speaking several languages. This made working in the school a rather novel experience, with many of us Our day in Swakopmund was spent sand-boarding in engaging with the students enthusiastically and learning the morning – an activity developed in Swakopmund, much about Namibian culture this way. We also played involving jumping on thin sheets of cardboards and a St. Olave’s vs Hippo football match, where Hippo’s careering down sand dunes. After the morning’s approximately 10:1 numerical advantage on the pitch exhilaration, we boarded a small motor-boat for an helped them to beat us decisively. Unfortunately, the afternoon spent cruising the Western Atlantic just children went home four days into our project, but we off Walvis Bay. With endemic Benguela dolphins made the most of the remaining five days – although we accompanying our boat, we passed enormous seal did attempt to bring our transport forward, difficulties in colonies and even had one jump on the boat with us, communication meant that we were unable to arrange an whilst the luxury of eating oysters caught in the bay the earlier transfer into Botswana, where the next phase of same morning was in no way lost on us. the expedition started.

After Swakopmund, our next destination was to be the When our transport finally arrived, we waved goodbye renowned Etosha national park. On a stopover on the to Hippo primary school before a long coach journey way we visited a local Himba village, where our guide took us across the border into Botswana. The first detailed fascinating aspects of their culture and heritage. place we camped was a small game lodge near Ghanzi. These included a ‘Himba bath,’ a technique for washing Several kilometres off the main road along a dirt track, involving making use of the smoke from the leaves of a the lodge was quite isolated, and consequently we saw a particular tree, which is vital for saving water in such a sizeable herd of roan antelope by the watering hole in dry environment, plus the requirement for a man to own the morning. five heads of cattle before he can marry. Our next stop was Audi Camp, just north of Maun. This

Olavian 2012 – 53 was our base for exploring the Okavango river delta, the World Challenge Expedition to Ecuador largest inland river delta in the world and one of the 2012 – Ben Cole most important hotspots for biodiversity in Africa. The August 2012 saw twenty Olavians and two staff embark next morning we left for the Okavango, with an off-road on a once in lifetime opportunity, trekking through and drive through the flooded lowlands leading to the delta. engaging in the South American country of Ecuador. Once there we boarded mokoros, small dug-out canoes, The trip lasted for a month, but will stay in the memories which were poled by guides from a local village through of the challengers forever. the delta to our camp for the night. Being surrounded by such an extensive system of waterways made a stark The journey began from the school itself, with the contrast with the arid conditions we had previously students, Mme Delage and Mrs Smith sleeping overnight experienced, whilst the abundance of bird-life on the in the pavilion for a last kit check, before being woken delta was spectacular. After setting up a wild camp on up at three in the morning to get the coach to Heathrow one of the delta’s myriad islands, we were taken for a airport. The first flight to Miami took ten hours, followed dusk walk by one of the highly knowledgeable local by catching a three hour connection flight to Quito, the guides, seeing big game without being behind a vehicle capital city of Ecuador. The team then jumped in the for the first time, with hippos being the highlight of cabs to their first of many sites of accommodation in the the evening. We set out again before dawn the previous city centre. day, and this time we boarded the mokoros again to be taken to another island. The dawn walk was even more For the first four days the challengers stayed in Quito, successful than the walk the previous day, with sightings getting to grips with the “local cuisine” (Subway) and of hammerkop, blue wildebeest, and even spotted hyena the Spanish language. Whilst the area did not seem at an excitingly close distance. Once the walk was over, the most luxurious, it would become apparent that we returned to camp to pack our things, boarding the Quito was the most developed area we would be staying mokoros a final time to return to Audi camp, although in, and the quality of washing facilities would soon our passage was delayed by a herd of elephants crossing deteriorate. On two of the days, the team had their first in front of us. two acclimatisation treks, getting used to the 3000+m altitude. Everyone thankfully completed the climb, and The next stop after the Okavango was a campsite in were happy to get back to the hostel to rest. Kasane, on the border of Chobe national park, famed for having the highest game density of any national park in The next stop on the journey was San Clemente, the site the world, and overlooking the mighty river Chobe. We of the team’s project phase. For a week, the challengers booked a sunset cruise on the river for the next evening, had the experience of communicating and interacting which was a fantastic opportunity for wildlife spotting. with the villagers of the area, engaging in football and Giant kingfishers, monitor lizards and crocodiles made volleyball matches and other games. The team’s project for memorable viewing, as did the extraordinarily large was laying a pipeline for the community by digging a herds of elephant roaming the banks. Sunset over the trench, replacing a broken pipe, and refilling the trench. river was equally unforgettable. It was a tough physical strain, but with encouragement from the locals and the energy from the sugar canes The final stage of our expedition was a day spent the work was done with a day to spare. This gave them in Livingstone, Zambia. The principal attraction of the opportunity to have a rainforest tour with the host, Livingstone is the Victoria Falls which, despite it being José. While being drenched by the river, the team saw the height of the dry season, were spectacularly impressive the true beauty of the forest, spotting wildlife, and being and were a perfect way to round off the trip. On our informed of the medicinal benefits of some of the plants. final day we made many excursions into Livingstone’s As the week came to the end, the team had their last lively market, which was an eye-opening and certainly waterfall shower and freshened up for the leaving meal very practical lesson in haggling, with the remaining prepared by José’s wife (a woman whose name was never group kit being traded for some paintings to bring back mentioned). The food was incredible, even better than to school. the cuisine dished up by the nominated team chefs, finished off with chocolate cake and “unknown-fruit” It was finally time to return home after a truly exceptional crumble. After an emotional goodbye, the team ventured month. Thanks from all the team go out to Andy, Glyn back to the town of Tena for two nights in the Limon and Josh, for making such an unforgettable experience Cocha hostel. possible. In Tena, the challengers had their first taste of rest and Asher Lecks relaxation by going white water rafting down an Amazon tributary. The rapids were fast and rough, and everyone was pushed to the limit, working hard to row down.

54 – Olavian 2012 Perhaps more fun than the rafting itself was jumping out general consensus was it was very tasty, it was a very small of the boat and splashing other rafts, with some showing animal with not much meat, and so if you’re considering their acrobatic skills with back and front flips. Halfway trying one, make sure you get plenty. The day after the along the team were treated to burritos, one of the best team went to the market at Otavalo, trying their hand at lunches had on expedition. Everyone slept very well that haggling with the local people for souvenirs. night after an exhausting day’s activities. The team then started the Cloudforest Phase. After The team then travelled to tourist town of Baños, famed meeting the guide, Gabriel, the challengers learnt how for its volcano powers baths which the challengers to make chocolate, Ecuador style. After feasting upon submerged themselves in. After very careful budgeting, fruit and melted chocolate, the team went to bed in their there seemed to be incredible savings made somewhere “cabañas” (small cabins) to sleep. The following day the along the line that allowed everyone to have two meals team split into Year 12s and 13s to contest the highly worth of dinner that evening – resulting in a lot of competitive football match. For the first five seconds, very full people going back to the hostel and having a the game was pretty level, before the year 12s started very good night’s sleep (sleep that might not have been to dominate quite heavily, winning the game 11-1. enjoyed so much if they knew the volcano was to erupt Next, the teams trekked through the forest and swam a week later, fortunately the team were nowhere near it under the waterfalls there. The third and final day in the at the time). Cloudforest saw the team go to a fruit farm and gorge on some 32 tropical fruits, and also have the opportunity The challengers travelled to the village of El Chaupi the to make some jewellery from nuts. next day, staying in tents in the freezing cold. This was the first time that the team needed to take “Diamox” The next day, the team had the privilege of going to altitude sickness pills, or more commonly referred to zipwire through the Cloudforest canopy. This was one by many as “anti-height pills” courtesy of Fitch’s mum’s of the ultimate experiences for some of the adrenaline friend, as they were now going to be above 3000m for junkies on the team. The team then went back to their over a week. After seeking refuge in the warm lodge, and accommodation, drank wonderful coffee and ate excellent a game of poker or two, the team retreated to their tents chocolate, and then hit the hay. The following morning, to sleep. The following two days consisted of trekking the team went back to Quito for one final night before to the summit of the infamous “Mount Kundu” and getting a flight home, enjoying one last meal together. another peak. The next day was the start of the ascent of Cotopaxi – the ice-capped volcano. After meeting the Many were sad to leave a country they had lived in for guides Marco and Daniel, everyone wrapped up warm to a month, a country that almost felt like a second home, start the trek. These next four days owned the best views but everyone wanted to get back to England to see their seen all expedition: canyons, volcanoes, cliffs, rivers, families and share the stories that they had to tell. It was lakes, everything. A few had the experience of bathing in one of the greatest adventures anyone could go on, and the glacier sourced river which was absolutely freezing, the twenty-two came home changed by the sights they much to the delight of locals who thought those involved had witnessed, and experiences they’d had. were clinically insane. On the fourth day of trekking, the team reached the Cotopaxi glacier, standing at a modest 5000m above sea level. For many, it was the greatest achievement of their lives, and would go some to beat; but perhaps the following day could top it, for the team were to attempt to summit the volcano Rumiñahui. This was by far the steepest ascent, and most dangerous, as falling rocks were potentially lethal. However, the team managed to get to the top, rewarded with one of the most beautiful views in the world. But the fun part was to come, for the three hour ascent was followed by a ten minute run down the volcano-side, kicking up volcanic dust along the way. This was considered by many as one of the highlights of the trip.

This was to be the end of the trekking phase and the team were rewarded by horseback riding in El Chaupi, and many also managed to get internet access to get their examination results. This evening the team also had the chance to try the local dish – Guinea Pig. Whilst the

Olavian 2012 – 55 Word Challenge - Namibia & Botswana

56 – Olavian 2012 Mathematics & iCT Specialist Status The Faculty of Mathematics, iCT & Computer Science

he past year has seen the Faculty continue to These competitions have featured problem-solving often build upon the firm foundations of previous years’ linked to some running around between locations in the endeavours.T The traditional high levels of academic case of mathematics relays. Details of these can be found success have been augmented by the introduction of new below. House mathematics competitions. The propensity for Olavians to enjoy the challenge of a good mathematical Performances in national mathematics competitions problem never ceases to amaze and the skills that they have continued to be impressive with huge numbers develop in its solution will stand them in good stead in of certificates and many qualifiers for further rounds later life. de rigeur. In team competitions, our students continue to exhibit effective collaborative skills allied to genuine The Mathematics students in Year 13 achieved insight as to how to solve unfamiliar problems under another outstanding set of results with over 80% of pressure. A2 Mathematics and A2 Further Mathematics entries being awarded A* or A grades. As in previous years, a On the ICT front, Year 8 achieved impressive results healthy number of Olavian students are embarking in the ITQ course with all one hundred and fifteen upon mathematical degrees at a variety of universities. students entered achieving creditable passes. The ICT Among them are three students, Thomas Saunders, AS Level results were encouraging plus the Robotics Tony Barker and Duncan Bell, who secured their places and Computer Games Development Clubs were well- to study Mathematics at Cambridge, having met the supported. demanding requirements of the STEP papers. Indeed Duncan achieved an outstanding S grade in all three At the end of the year the Faculty bade farewell to STEP papers, probably a unique feat for an Olavian and three members of staff, namely Mr Paul Charlton, a testament to the effectiveness of Mr Henley’s after- Miss Nicolle McCartney and Mr Brian Larkin. Within school STEP classes. the Mathematics department, Mr Charlton will be remembered for his enthusiastic teaching allied to Not to be outdone, the largest-ever cohort of Year 12 some great story-telling, whilst Miss McCartney leaves Mathematicians achieved incredibly good results with memories of a caring, effective teacher with an astute over 80% of the 165 students achieving A grade in mathematical mind. Mr Larkin contributed significantly AS Level Mathematics and almost two-thirds of well to the running of the Computer Games Development over a hundred students achieving the top grade in AS Club plus the delivery of ICT throughout Key Stages 3 Further Mathematics. St Olave’s continues to have the and 4. We wish all three every success in their new posts. highest proportion of double mathematicians of any school in the country which indicates the willingness of In September the Mathematics department welcomed Olavians to take on an extra challenge when offered the two experienced new members of staff: Mrs Joanna opportunity. Munday who takes up the role of second in charge of the Faculty and Mr Ian Sanderson who has been Head The GCSE results were very encouraging with over of Mathematics at a school in Australia. We wish them three-quarters of students achieving an A* grade which, well in their time at St Olave’s. whilst not a record for the school, was in line with the year achieving their potential. A first for the department Finally, on behalf of all the Faculty and students, thanks was that every student in both of the top two sets must be expressed to Mr Michael Evans who has achieved an A* grade. These results bode well for future relinquished his role as Head of Faculty in order to focus achievement. upon his many responsibilities as Assistant Headteacher. Without his dedication, hard work and attention to In the lower years, alongside the regular features detail, the Faculty would not be in the immensely strong of the Mathematics in Motion Club, Mathematics position it finds itself at the beginning of the 2012-2013 Challenges, the Mathematics Clinics plus Mathematics academic year. Buddies, the major innovation this year has been inter- house Mathematics competitions that have been run Neil Maltman throughout the year. Head of Mathematics

58 – Olavian 2012 National Competitions

Senior Maths Challenge O’Rourke (11J) achieving the highest score in their year. A record three hundred and sixty-eight senior students Twelve students progressed for the prestigious Olympiad from Years 11, 12 and 13 sat the Senior Mathematical competition by achieving one of the top four hundred Challenge on Thursday 8th November. The logistics were scores nationally. Noteworthy performances included a daunting, but the students enjoyed testing their problem- certificate of distinction by Kush Banga (10L), a bronze solving skills. The results were, as ever, encouraging, with medal by William Edmonds (9H) and a silver medal, well over two hundred achieving a certificate, including placing him in the top thirty nationally, by Ian Chang (9L). twenty-six gold and seventy-eight silver certificates awarded. UKMT Junior Mathematics Team Challenge On Wednesday 22nd February, a selection of the brightest British Mathematical Olympiad mathematicians from thirty local schools arrived at St. The first round of the British Mathematical Olympiad Olave’s to compete in the regional final of the UKMT took place in December. This is a highly challenging Junior Team Challenge. Final honours went to the ‘A’ mathematical competition and it is most encouraging to Team of William Edmonds (9H), Kenneth Liu (9H), see that four of our students, Tony Barker (13L), Duncan Richard Moulange (8B) and Owen Messere (8L) who Bell (13M), Alistair O Neill (12Z) and Thomas Saunders pulled ahead of the crowd, including St. Olave’s ‘B’ team (13J) gained distinctions. Outstanding amongst these in second place, to win and progress to the National were Alistair who was awarded a bronze medal and Final. Duncan who gained a coveted gold medal. Both were invited to sit the second round, after which Duncan was On Monday 18th June, the same four students invited to further International Olympiad training. represented St. Olave’s in the national final of the UK Mathematics Trust Team Challenge in London. After UKMT Senior Team Challenge: spending the morning investigating the subject of National Final mathematical impossibility, they faced four rounds of Having qualified at the regional final at Ravens Wood fiendishly difficult tasks, designed to challenge even the School in November, Duncan Bell (13M), Tony Barker most able mathematicians. Pitted against ninety-five (13L), Alistair O Neill (12Z) and James Allen (12X) other teams from across the UK, the team performed competed in the UKMT Senior Team Challenge excellently throughout the day, finishing a creditable National Final in London against over sixty school tenth overall. teams from all over the UK, finishing an impressive sixth overall. intermediate Maths Challenge On Thursday 2nd February, students from Years 9 to 11 produced another impressive performance in the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge (IMC) for the UK Mathematics Trust. Almost ninety per cent of the students received recognition with ninety-two gold, eighty-eight silver and sixty-seven bronze certificates awarded. Best-in-School went jointly to Alistair Haig (10N) and Hoan Truong (10J). Thirty-nine students progressed to the Kangaroo competition (an international mathematical contest originally developed in Australia). Twelve boys did so well that they qualified for the Olympiad competitions. intermediate Maths Olympiad & Kangaroo Thirty-six students participated in the Kangaroo competitions, placing them in the top 1500 nationally. High-scoring Olympiad entrants: Ten students achieved certificates of merit with Sean William Edmonds (9H), Kush Banga (10L) Seeds (9H), Aran Sivapalan (10L) and Anthony and Ian Chiang (9L)

Maths & ICT – 59 Congratulations go to Bilal Chughtai (8H), Sachin Savur (8H) and Richard Moulange (8B). This is the first time for several years that St Olave’s students have achieved three medals. House Mathematics Competitions During the year various house competitions took place, pitting forms against each other in mathematical endeavour.

In November teams of four students from Year 8 competed in two rounds of competition consisting of a group problem-solving activity followed by a mathematical relay. The results of the competition were as follows : JMO Medallists: Bilal Chughtai (8H), Sachin Savur (8H) and Richard Moulange (8B) Round 1 Round 2 Total Form Position Score Score Score

8B 85 215 300 1st

8C 65 125 190 4th

8H 100 180 280 2nd

8L 80 190 270 3rd

Congratulations to the winning team of Ritwick Chatterji, Richard Decker, Tomas Gallagher and Richard Moulange.

During the two activity weeks, Years 8 and 9 each had mornings of competitive mathematical activities that involved problem-solving and sudokus plus for Year 9 designing racing cars. In Year 8, 8H emerged victorious whilst in Year 9, it was 9L who took the honours, narrowly defeating 9B.

The year of competition culminated on Monday 16th Y10s take part in the inaugural House Mathematics July, when nearly fifty students from Years 7 to 10 Competition contested the inaugural St Olave’s House Mathematics Competition which consisted of a problem-solving relay with students criss-crossing the quad between nine Junior Mathematical Challenge classrooms. On Thursday 26th April students from Years 7 and Year 8 sat the JMC paper. Another encouraging set of results After forty-five minutes of frantic mental and physical was achieved with 85% of entries gaining an award, which activity, the winning teams for each year were as follows: consisted of seventy-two gold, seventy-seven silver and Ali Mehmood, Henry Miller, forty-five bronze certificates. Adrian Santhiapillai (8H) Year 7 Bingham achieved the best in school and he joined eight other Tanay Vankayalapati Owen Messere, Coby Plews, Year 8 students in the Junior Mathematical Olympiad. Year 8 Leeke Anik Roy Junior Mathematical Olympiad William Edmonds, Bradley Year 9 Harvard Of the nine Year 8 Olavians who qualified for the Junior Sawyer, Sean Seeds Mathematical Olympiad, three performed so well that Kush Banga, Teddy Year 10 Cure they were awarded a bronze medal placing them in the McAleer, Anthony Tang top around two hundred students’ scores nationally.

60 – Olavian 2012 Other Activities & Clubs

Royal institute Mathematics Masterclass Maths in Motion Club During the autumn term, on eight Saturday mornings, The Jaguar Cars “Maths in Motion” club has continued Finn Duggan (9B), Rishil Patel (9B), Rowan Wright to be very competently run by Peter Leigh, Iain (9B), Tom Wang (9B), Mithiran Ravindran (9H), Qahir McGowan and Matthew Burns (Year 12). Students have Bandali (9H) and Samarth Tyagi (9C) took part in an opportunity to use mathematical skills to design and the RI Mathematical Masterclasses at Bromley High fine-tune their racing cars in order toseek places on the School. Topics under consideration included algorithms, podium in races around simulations of various formula probability, symmetry, algebra, trigonometry and various 1 race tracks. puzzles. All the sessions proved to be very mathematically challenging, yet rewarding. Mathematical Lecture Series The Olavian Mathematical Society continued its Maths in Action programme of lectures in 2011-12, with former student On Tuesday 15th November, a group of Year 12 James Munro, who is currently reading Mathematics Mathematicians travelled to the Institute of Education at Cambridge University, returning to provide a highly for the yearly ‘Maths in Action’ day. The lectures did entertaining talk on the subject of proof. This was not disappoint, encompassing a wide range of areas followed up later in the year with a presentation from of Mathematics, with pupils discovering how Barnes Niko Laaksonen, a PhD student from University College Wallis’ famous bouncing bomb was recently reproduced London, on Prime Number Theory. from scratch; measuring the age of the universe; finding that infinity is not necessarily the end; and learning that something can be true and yet impossible to prove.

All in all, the group had a fantastic time, with the acknowledged highlight of the day being the exploration of additional dimensions, including a 5D Rubik’s Cube.

Peter Leigh & James Allen (12X)

You may have solved it in 3D - now try to do so in 5D… UKMT Junior Team Challenge Regional Final hosted at St. Olave’s in the Great Hall

Maths & ICT – 61 62 – Olavian 2012 Science Specialist Status The Faculty of Science

ooking back over my first year as Head of the In addition, a group of gifted and talented year 6 students Science Faculty, I am struck by the continual search attended after-school sessions in the summer term, and Lfor improvement and understanding to be found in the traditional Year 5 Maths and Science Day involved the entire Science community. Teachers have worked more students than ever before and was a huge success. tirelessly to support and encourage their students while, at the same time, furthering their own subject knowledge Public exam results were our best ever. At A Level, in and seeking new ways in which to bring the curriculum Chemistry, 92% of students achieved A* to B grades, to life. Students have made their mark in many areas, with 91% and 98% in Physics and Biology respectively. most notably in the Friday lunchtime “buzz” of the newly The number of students achieving A* grades was also launched Natural Sciences Society and the establishment impressive with 43% gaining A* in Biology, 33% in of many valuable mentoring sessions between Sixth Form Chemistry and 12% in Physics. Similarly, at GCSE, students and boys in years 10 and 11. A group of year 13 students in Biology, Physics and Chemistry achieved an students planned and led the popular Chemistry Club average of 94% A/A* grades. for lower school students and the Biology club extended their indoor activities to include dissections of fish, At the end of the year, we said goodbye to two members earthworms and frogs. Year 12 biology students visited of the faculty staff who had been with us for just a short a range of institutions where they able to appreciate time, Mr Mitul Patel and Mrs Cathy Knight, who some of the work being done in the exciting world of the both move on to new challenges beyond the world of Biological Sciences, and Sixth Form students regularly teaching. Dr Frank Green, a long-standing and much attended lectures on all aspects of Science at UCL. Once venerated member of the Physics department, retired at again, students have been successful in a number of the end of the year and we wish him a long and very national competitions, including the Biology Challenge, happy retirement. Biology, Chemistry and Physics Olympiads and the Salters Festival of Chemistry. Caroline Marwood S___Head of Science Faculty The Faculty maintained its links with local primary schools this year, with Sixth Form students visiting St Paul’s Cray Primary School on several occasions.

VI Formers teaching science at St Paul’s Cray 7H at Colchester Zoo Primary School

64 – Olavian 2012 Year 7 Zoo Trip As traditional, Year 7 went a trip to Colchester Zoo. Firm favourites of the day included feeding times at the Giraffe and Elephant enclosures, with most of the boys happy to give a tasty, veggie treat to Tembo, Opal and Tanya the elephants, although some found the long, curly, purple tongues of Lili and Isha, the giraffes, a little disquieting. Students also had the opportunity to see the three young cheetah cubs, Milawi, Tatu and Savannah, as well as lots of other strange but interesting animals, including the sloths and komodo dragons. GCSE Science Live On Friday 25th November Year 10 pupils travelled to London to hear a set of lectures from some of the country’s leading scientists. After an interesting first talk on expanding populations and diminishing resources the boys were riled up by Professor Richard Dawkins’ views on re-evolution and some heated discussions ensued over lunch. The day was completed by a talk from a leading 8B at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich geneticist and some explosive chemistry, courtesy of Dr Andrea Sella. The boys left with plenty to ponder and some useful exam tips. Science and Engineering Week St. Olave’s celebrated National Science & Engineering Week in March with the early part of the week seeing Sixth Formers lend their hands to teaching science in a local primary school. Sound, habitats and rocks were creatively delivered to a captive audience of 9 year olds. Other events included a lecture from the school’s Natural Sciences Society; the Chemistry Club running special experiments; various quizzes and challenges for the Lower School; and ended in a non-uniform day in aid of ‘Jeans for Genes’.

Science in Activities’ Week 1 9L visit Tilbury Power Station During the first Activities’ week, Year 7 visited the Natural History Museum to visit the Cocoon and immerse themselves in the world of Darwin. The life- The day began with a talk about the power station, size dinosaurs proved a huge hit as did the miniature including: how they use biomass as their fuel (to be creepy crawlies. environmentally friendly); health and safety measures; electrical appliances in the home; and key parts of the Year 8 pupils travelled to the Royal Observatory in power station and what function they serve. We were Greenwich and got to see parts of the observatory that also given high visibility jackets and helmets with ear are not normally visible to the public. Meanwhile at defenders (which would prove to be very useful!). We school the Science department were on hand to provide were then taken on a guided tour of the power station, revision sessions to Year 10 who were about to sit the enabling us to see how Tilbury turns pellets of biomass GCSE examinations. into the fuel needed around the country. A particular highlight was being able to go into the furnace, the only Activities' Week 2: power station furnace in the world that people can go in. Year 9 trip to Tilbury Power Station However, with all that machinery constantly on the go there was a huge amount of noise! During Activities’ Week 2, Year 9 travelled to Tilbury Power Station for a trip to help us explore the “ins and After lunch, we did some work on water purification outs” of everyday power stations and how they generate at Tilbury and Tilbury pond. We were told how they our electricity. purify the water (by passing it through an assortment of

Science – 65 The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the day and the prefects were brilliant at organising and executing the events. Salters’ Festival of Chemistry On Wednesday 13th June, four Year 7 students, Eugene Lee (7H), Ammar Kisat (7L), John Bentas (7L), Cristiano Da Cruz (7C) and Mrs Morinan, took part in the Salters’ Festival of Chemistry at the London South Bank University. Four children from different schools participated in the festival.

We started off with a forensic experiment in which someone had been murdered and the body had been hidden behind some rocks. To solve the mystery, we had to split up into two pairs. One pair had to find out which person had the same salt on him/her self as the Y5s enjoy spray flame tests on victim, and the other pair had to use chromatography, Maths & Science Day a technique which separates the pigments in different colours which were found on the suspects clothing.

Once we had had lunch, we came back to try out the University Challenge: a challenge set out by the university teachers. We had to mix sodium chloride, distilled water and hydrochloric acid in a beaker on top of a tile marked with an X. When you couldn’t see the X from above, the reaction was over because the solution would be cloudy. We could vary the amounts hut had to finish the reaction in 2 minutes. For this task we did not have help from teachers, so it was harder than the previous task.

When everyone had completed the second task, a former Mrs Morinan and the Y7 team at the Salters’ pupil of the university came and did a chemical ‘magic’ Festival of Chemistry show. She showed us many different experiments; one was to prove that air actually existed. She put water in a cup and covered the top of the cup with some paper. minerals) so that it is suitable to be vaporised within the When she turned the cup upside down, the water didn’t furnace and prevent the furnace pipes from damage. At move. She also showed us some illusions, such as when Tilbury pond we used fishing nets to catch pond-dwelling you look at the centre point on a picture, then look at a life. After sorting the creatures into groups we took the white screen, you will see different columns replacing the plates of them back inside and used identification sheets ones on the picture. to see what sorts of creatures we’d found. We found plenty of minute fish, insects and even a newt! After the magic show, the judges presented the prizes for the winners of the two different tasks. Our team came Tilbury was a very interesting trip and helped to second in the Salter’s Challenge and received prizes for supplement our work on power stations in Science over our good work. Being our first Chemistry competition, the year. it was a memorable experience for all of us. Many thanks to Mrs. Morinan for giving us the opportunity to Year 5 Maths and Science Day participate at the Salter’s Festival of Chemistry. On 20th June, St. Olave’s held its annual Maths & Science Cristiano Da Cruz (7C) day for Year 5 pupils from neighbouring primary schools. 240 pupils descended onto the school on a bright sunny Year 13 Chemistry Olympiad 2012 day. The Science Prefects created and acted out a murder A number of students took part in the 2012 Olympiad. mystery scenario setting the scene for an explosive They were awarded two silver and two bronze certificates chemistry lesson that included chromatography, flame which is a great achievement considering that two of tests and a screaming jelly baby. Out in the sunshine those students are in Year 12. The silver certificates went the pupils were put through their paces on a speed to Duncan Bell (13M) and Alistair O Neill (12Z) and challenge which crossed over nicely into mathematics. the bronze to Yibo Jin (13N) and Sudhir Balaji (12W).

66 – Olavian 2012 Clockwise from left: Sampling the Mill Pond; Year 12 Biology field trip to Flatford Mill; Asher Leeks (12X) outside Willy Lott’s Cottage, featured in Constable’s ‘Haywain’.

Science - A Level Biology Trips Medical School), and the subjects ranged from new During November, all eighty Year 12 Biology students medicines and GM plants to genes, doping and the 2012 were given the opportunity to visit a range of sites where Olympics. scientists are working on important issues in Biological Sciences. Students were introduced to the work being Year 12 Biology field trip: Flatford Mill done, engaged in activities to enhance their understanding At the end of June, close to seventy year 12 biologists of the issues, and met some of the scientists involved. travelled to Flatford Mill in Suffolk for the annual week- Visits were made to the Sanger Institute, Howletts long biology field-trip. The trip took the form of a field- Animal Park, the Millenium Seedbank at Wakehurst course, which started with two days of teaching, both Place and the research laboratories of the Royal Free inside and outside the classroom, where we learnt many Medical School. recording & statistical techniques from the resident ecologists. These skills were vital for the second half of Biology Olympiad the week, which involved each student carrying out a In February sixteen Year 13 students sat the first round personal fieldwork investigation to form the basis of the of the British Biology Olympiad. One student, Tom A2 coursework module. Watson, (13K), gained a Gold medal and was invited to sit the second round paper. Six students, Yibo Jin (13N), Arriving at Flatford Mill after a long coach journey, Madeleine Stein (13K), Alex Robbins (13K), James we disembarked on a hot summer’s day in the heart of Wong (13K), Brian Wang (13K) and Edmund Phillips Constable Country. After being greeted by the centre (13L) were awarded Silver medals, and Bronze medals staff, we were handed the keys to our rooms, which were went to Jennifer Quan (13M), Oliver Taylor (13K) and split between Valley Farm, the Mill itself and Willy Matthew Waite (13K). Lott’s cottage. It was a novel experience for all students to be staying in such historical buildings, all of which are Biology Conference not only Grade I listed, but also feature in many of John Fourteen Year 13 Biology students attended an A level Constable’s most notable paintings, such as the world- conference in London where they were given a series famous ‘Haywain’. of exciting lectures by scientists at the cutting edge of Biological research. Speakers included Professor Steve Teaching began the night we arrived, with the first of Jones (UCL), Professor Austin Smith FRS (University many late-evening lessons. This enabled us quickly to get of Cambridge) and Professor Julian Ma (St George’s stuck into the course, with the next two days of hands-on

Science – 67 teaching covering many aspects of ecology. The teaching Duncan was not selected as one of the five-strong team to took the form of mini investigations, with supervised represent the UK in the International Physics Olympiad fieldwork and lab-based analysis being complemented by in Estonia, but he was subsequently invited to a special statistical testing and theoretical evaluation. By the end presentation ceremony, having been awarded a gold of the two days we had valuable experience in sampling medal, at The Royal Society. Surrounded by portraits of both freshwater and terrestrial habitats, learning how famous scientists, the award winners received their ‘Top to use a range of equipment and carry out a variety of Gold’ certificates and listened to two presentations by important statistical tests. This experience turned out practising physicists. Dr Kamal Hossain OBE, Research to be crucial over the next three days, as we decided on Director at the National Physical Laboratory, talked and carried out the fieldwork which would ultimately about metrology, the science of measurement; and account for 20% of our A2 grade. Professor Peter Wells CBE FRS, of University of Cardiff School of Engineering, described the development of The next stage of the fieldtrip comprised planning and medical ultrasound from early low-resolution imaging, then conducting a full investigation into the relationship through to the state of current research. It was a very between a chosen non-living factor and a related change stimulating and enjoyable afternoon. in one or more living organisms’ abundance, distribution or diversity. This involved the application of many of the skills we had developed earlier in the week, requiring a high degree of individual thought and motivation. With many original ideas, Olavians were to be seen all over the Mill & surrounding areas, taking all manner of recordings, often using equipment or techniques they had improvised themselves. Despite working tirelessly on their projects, many students also found time to engage with the never-ending steam of the curious visiting the Mill, and of course to appreciate the beauty of the English countryside. Natural Sciences Society The following are extracts from the introductions With the trip drawing to a close, there was still time for of articles written for the Natural Sciences Society’s the ever-popular traditional take-away meal, plus some journals. The full articles can be found within the last-minute collecting of results. On Friday afternoon, journals online, at tinyurl.com/scijournal1 and tinyurl. after what had been a highly eventful week, we returned com/scijournal to Orpington with fond memories and (hopefully!) successful results. The first half of the history of Science Asher Leeks, 12X Asher Leeks, Sam Bentley, Esme Chowdhry

In 1561, about 9 months prior to the first teaching at Physics Olympiad St Olave’s, Francis Bacon was born, a man who would This year has been a brilliantly successful year for the change the way science works forever. His specific Physics Olympiad, and congratulations must go to all achievements will be dealt with towards the end of the the students who have taken part. Results included five article; for now it suffices to say that he conceptualised Commendations, one Bronze, one Silver and three Gold the modern scientific method in a way that was unique certificates. Duncan Bell (13M) and Alexander Grainger at the time, ushering in a new scientific age. This article (13K) were in the top fifty students in the country and will attempt to cover very briefly the history of science sat the next round of the Olympiad. up to that point, including pre- and post-Roman science as well as advancements in both the Eastern and Duncan’s performance placed Western hemispheres. Ultimately we hope to illustrate him in the top sixteen in the the significance of Bacon’s philosophy and by extension UK and he was invited to attend the importance of the modern scientific method in the a training and selection camp light of the earlier history of science. held at Lincoln College, Oxford and at the University of Oxford’s Nanotechnology Clarendon Laboratories. This Fadil Nohur was very intensive, with some extremely challenging physics, Many people thinking of nanotechnology associate the but there was time for a tour of word with technology far in the future, and they’d be right; Oxford and some competitive table tennis. nanotechnology is a developing technology and its finest

68 – Olavian 2012 hour is a long way away. Unsurprisingly, nanotechnology of crucial unsolved questions in physics. Whilst our concerns itself with structures nanometres long. To current understanding of the universe is thought to be put this into context, 1 millimetre on your ruler is considerably more accurate than previously, it is still equivalent to 1,000,000 nanometres. Nanotechnology incomplete and inconsistent. is manipulation of matter on a very tiny scale, a scale so tiny that the world it is concerned about is not even The discovery of the Higgs Boson visible with a light microscope. In fact, the definition of Thomas Russell nanotechnology only means the manipulation of things on this very small scale: on a molecular scale. Such a On July 4th, 2012, a seminar held at CERN, the broad definition is used since nanotechnology may have prestigious nuclear research organisation, announced the ability to affect many different fields in the future. that they had gained enough data from two of their particle accelerators (ATLAS and CMS) to announce Sociobiology the discovery of a newly-found sub-atomic particle. The Asher Leeks particle was described as a boson with a mass region in the range 125-126 GeV/c2 (slightly below the mass- The natural and social sciences, both applications of the range expected for the Higgs boson), and the discovery scientific method, usually form distinct groupings with had been made with a statistical significance of 5σ (i.e. little clear overlap. However, ever since the emergence of with a 0.00006% chance that the data was simply a modern biology with the publication of the “Origin of statistical anomaly). Species,” in 1859, attempts at linking studies of human society with knowledge of our biological origins and The media, of course, instantly announced the discovery of analogous societies throughout nature have been of the previously elusive “God Particle”, despite no attempted. Sociobiology is the most recent and rigorous official confirmation that the new particle was in fact example of this, and as a discipline it bridges the divide the Higgs boson. This lead to wide-ranging discussion between the social and natural sciences. Understandably with regards to the meaning of the discovery, along politically loaded, sociobiology is nevertheless a field of with various politico-economic debates, such as the biology with the potential for strong intellectual integrity expenditure involved in running such experiments as and high utility as well as being both intellectually the LHC. This article is intended to help disambiguate stimulating and of great interest and importance to many. some of the explanations surrounding this new discovery, whilst also providing a historic and scientific background The edge of knowledge surrounding the Higgs field and associated boson. James Teoh Can Humans live forever? Physics has come an incredibly long way in the past Fadil Nohur century. Arguably, our knowledge about the universe has advanced more in the past 100 years than it has in all the For years, in reality and myth, people have longed to live time before the turn of the 20th century. In 1905 Einstein forever. Whether through joining a religion and praying published his revolutionary theory of special relativity to various gods or turning to science for a possible which transformed our view of space and time. With the solution, the reason why is simple. Many people are inclusion of gravity in general relativity in 1916 and the unafraid of death because of a belief that they will one redshift observations of Edwin Hubble, the stage was day live again after they die, while others fear the finality set for the Big Bang theory and we could finally begin of death and wish to find a way to avoid it. While many to answer empirically the ancient question of where the people who did actively try to stop death were ridiculed universe came from and what its fate will be. Physics for their actions, there are a number of educated people, has also massively advanced our understanding of the including doctors and scientists, who do believe that we atom, enabling us to harness nuclear energy. Perhaps will one day be able to find a cure for death. Can this even more important was the development of quantum really be done, or are we simply deluding ourselves? mechanics in the 1920s and 30s, which was crucial in the development of the transistor. In addition, quantum Global warming and carbon sequestration physics has shown how our knowledge of the universe is Mounif Kalawoun inherently limited by the uncertainty principle and has enabled physicists to formulate the standard model of We are all familiar with the major issue of global particles, drastically increasing our knowledge about the warming, which refers to the rising average temperature fundamental forces of nature. of Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. Temperatures started to increase significantly in the late 19th century and are However, with the advent of high energy physics, black projected to continue rising. Since the early 20th century, holes, the big bang theory etc, there are a number Earth’s average surface temperature has increased by

Science – 69 about 0.8 °C, with about two thirds of the increase evolving and natural selection no longer applies to us. occurring since 1980. Warming of the climate system is That everything we have built – our cities and our culture unambiguous, and scientists all over the world are more itself – was built with the same body and the same than 90% certain that most of it is caused by increasing brain. However, they are wrong. Over the last 10,000 concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human years data shows that human evolution has occurred a activities such as deforestation and the burning of fossil hundred times more quickly than in any other period in fuels. Carbon dioxide is seen as the main gas that has been our species’ history. Data shows that if anything, the rate causing and accelerating the greenhouse effect, released of human evolution is speeding up, not slowing down or by the combustion of fossil fuels. Global warming is stopping. itself a natural process, as it is widely acknowledged that we are moving out of the previous ice age, into a Food for life warmer, interglacial period. However the rapid release of Stanley Ho greenhouse gases has led to global warming happening at a much faster rate than it should be. It should take The idea of food as a life saver is not a new idea. However tens of thousands of years for earth to move to the next in recent times modern society has turned to drugs for interglacial period; however humans are speeding up the every illness when a simple diet change might be all process considerably, to the extent that it may be a matter that is needed. Food is the most-consumed cure out of centuries, not millennia. there, available at local grocery stores, supermarkets and produce barns. Certain foods can act as cancer-blockers, Are we still evolving? antidepressants, diuretics, anticoagulants, painkillers, Rahul Bagga antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, tranquilisers and so much more. And these foods in turn can ward When asked what people think humans might look like off headaches, arthritis, heart attacks & strokes, colds, millions of years into the future, one of two answers is influenza, ulcers, cancers of many types, gallstones, usually given. Either the old science-fiction vision of constipation and most other disorders and afflictions you a big-brained human with a high forehead and higher can think of. intellect (this doesn’t actually have any scientific backing) is given, or [most] people say that humans have stopped

70 – Olavian 2012 English & Drama The Faculty of English & Drama

he English Faculty has continued to raise its profile Western World’, and look forward to further contributions within the school, enjoying an excellent year in in the coming year from our students. Finally, in a joint termsT of student involvement and academic results. venture with the Music Faculty, Miss Wilkie directed Opportunities for drama have expanded throughout ‘Showstoppers’, song and dance from musicals staged both the taught curriculum and extra-curricular activities, in a sophisticated cabaret style setting, in February. with students across all year groups involved. The Olavian Theatre Society enjoyed another busy year. At Key Stage 3, students have all taken part in inter- Members saw ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’, ‘Saved’, ‘Posh’, house competitions as part of English Week. Year 7s ‘Noises Off ’ and ‘Love Song’. All were challenging were asked to prepare speeches for a ‘Balloon Debate’. productions that provided plenty of heart-searching They chose a person, dead or alive, and had to justify why and discussion. Meanwhile, half of Year 7 saw a special their subject should stay in a balloon that desperately ‘playing Shakespeare’ performance of ‘A Midsummer needed to lose ballast to stay airborne. There were some Night’s Dream’ at The Globe, as an introduction to amusing choices from business, politics, literature and Shakespeare in performance. entertainment. The best three speakers from each form battled for first place in a closely-contested competition Matthew Roberts (Year 10) followed Timmy Soyombo’s in the chapel. Meanwhile, Year 8 had to compose and victory last year in the Speak Out! Challenge with another present stories, and Year 9 wrote monologues which were impressive win and represented Bromley in the London learned and performed. James Patterson told his story final at the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank and David Van Egghen showcased his monologue at Centre. Olave’s hosted the Bromley Final, entertaining Open Morning in front of very large audiences. We also 18 schools from across the borough. An eminent judging had the Key Stage 4 Drama club perform a production panel included the Deputy Mayor and local business of ‘Frankenstein’ and in collaboration with the German people who, along with parents, provided a real audience department, the Key Stage 3 Drama club performed a for the young people to perform in front of. selection of German fairytales from Der Struwwelpeter. Our team was enhanced by the addition of Mr David English Week reached out to the whole school: students Budds, an Old Olavian, to our ranks. He has provided and staff were encouraged to dress up as a fictional many hours of erudite wisdom to his pupils and has been character and donate to a literacy charity. There were an invaluable Head of Year to Year 11. He moves with some impressive costumes that must have required quite them to the Sixth Form, from where he will continue to a lot of courage on the bus or train on the way to school. offer support to our university applicants for Literature. The Invisible Man, Arthur Dent and Willy Wonka were amongst the most popular choices. We raised nearly My thanks must be extended to all the staff and students £1500 and created quite a buzz of excitement on the day. for an exciting, fulfilling year.

Tibor Fischer, author of ‘Under the Frog’, visited the Liz Goodman school in the same week to give a reading from his novel S___Head of English Faculty and answer questions about being a writer. At the end of the week Max Kennedy’s play ‘The Bistro’, which he had written as part of a school playwriting scheme supported by the National Theatre, was performed in the chapel. Max became one of ten finalists whose plays were given professional ‘read throughs’ in June at the National.

Productions burgeoned, starting with ‘Our Country’s Good’, a Sixth Form play in November, followed by a whole school performance of ‘Macbeth’ in March and finishing with a lower school piece, ‘Grimm Tales’, in July. We were delighted to welcome two Year 11 student directors, Finn Calpin and Caspar Smart, to the stage with a witty production of John Synge’s ‘The Playboy of the

72 – Olavian 2012 School Productions 2011-12

Showstoppers Showstoppers saw St. Olave’s spend a February evening in the world of song and dance with a sensational showcase of hits from the musicals. Sixth Formers, Years 7 to 11 and the whole of year 8 combined song and dance to produce a stellar show that dazzled a sold-out audience. Draped fabric, tea lights, gold confetti and embossed tablecloths transformed the Great Hall into a sophisticated, intimate setting. On such an evening anything was possible… James Watson proved to be a professional Master of the House starting off proceedings with wit. Finn Butler and Jen Cocke demonstrated their strong, sweet voices with a superb performance of ‘I know him so well’ from ‘Chess’. Tom Hadden’s ‘Maria’ captured the charm and passion of Tony from ‘West Side Story’ while Mike Yates’ ‘Mack the Knife’ was smooth. Olivia Jenkins gave a passionate performance from the rock opera ‘Aida’. Grace Boyle and Lucy Clarke transported us to the magical Land of Oz performing a dramatic duet from ‘Wicked’, relying on perfect timing, pitch, green face paint and pink paper. James Bowman, Alex Ekong and George Mesure presented a wonderful and lively rendition of ‘Fugue Showstoppers - My Fair Lady for Tin Horns’. A touching, romantic scene from ‘My Fair Lady’ was created by Charlotte Flowers affecting a convincing cockney accent and George Mesure providing sensitive support. The vocal highlight came from Richard Decker, BBC Young Chorister of the Year, singing ‘Bring him home’ from ‘Les Miserables’. A medley from ‘Oliver!’ opened the second half. Will Howarth created a confident, strong and unnerving portrayal of Fagin against Jack Bradfield’s cunning Dodger and Oliver Thompson’s engaging Oliver. The entire year 8 gave a rousing chorus of ‘Consider Yourself’ dressed as ragamuffins. Dance completed the show. An ensemble of Sixth Form girls leapt to ‘Fame’, choreographed by Shannon Lavender and Georgia Amos, and Kezia Mithra Johnson choreographed a sharp shoe shuffle from ‘We Will Rock You’. Eamonn Cox punctuated a suave rendition of ‘Luck be a Lady’ with just enough tantalising tippy tappy toes. A jazzy troupe brought ‘All That Jazz’ to life with energetic vocals and choreography. ‘Jets’ and ‘Cell Block Tango’ brought together musical talent and vivid characterisation for the jaunty jets and menacing murderesses. The unanimous view was that this was a fabulous occasion, held together by Ed Barker’s slick lighting transitions and an impressively accomplished band. The evening oozed talent and flowed seamlessly thanks to Mr Price, Mr Cook and Miss Wilkie for direction. Showstoppers - Jets Long may such events continue!

English & Drama – 73 Our Country’s Good During the last week of November, Sixth Formers performed ‘Our Country’s Good’, Timberlake Wertenbaker’s dark, thought-provoking play about the transportation of criminals to Australia. Written in the 1990s, the play tells of how the convicts and officers struggle to cope with their new home, facing starvation, loneliness and brutality. The convicts and officers put on a play which blurs the boundaries between them and challenges the audience to ask questions about the penal system and humanity. A strong cast was supported by ingenious set design and atmospheric audio-visual effects. Macbeth To recognise the links that the original school had with Shakespeare, a production of ‘Macbeth’ was staged at the end of March for the 450th Commemoration year. Michael Yates (12O) and Grace Boyle (12P) gave powerful performances as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, showing how their initially intimate relationship was torn apart by the murder of King Duncan. In this sinister portrayal, the witches were clearly in control of events as they manipulated the Macbeths, who were themselves terrifying at some times and at others clearly lost. Congratulations to the whole cast, directors and technical team for a job extremely well done. VI Form Production – Our Country’s Good Playboy of the Western World Congratulations to Fintan Calpin (11J), Caspar Smart (11J) and their cast for their fantastic production of ‘Playboy of the Western World’. The audience clearly enjoyed this very funny, dark comedy. Particularly memorable moments included Emily O’Malley’s (12O) scathing tongue as Samuel Luker Brown (10N) cowered, Skanda Rajansundarum’s (11N) unravelling of his head bandages to reveal a slight scratch, Alex Tate (11K) and that pesky line, Jordan Butt’s (10M) drunken father, Colm McElligott (10J) being dragged along by a rope, the comedy duo that was Timmy Soyombo (11J) and Daniel Finucane (10N) and the flirtatious tactics of James Laing’s (11L) widow Quinn. ‘New Views’ Playwriting course & The Bistro Students from Year 12 and 13 participated in a playwriting course designed and supported by The National Theatre. Following workshops and theatre visits, William Howarth (13F), Marko Ristic-Smith (13J), William Dudley (13J), Grace Boyle (12P), Michael Yates (12O), Max Kennedy (12O) and Eleanor Goodman (12P) completed the first draft of their own plays. They then had individual meetings with the playwright Matt Hartley to discuss their plays.

Then, on Friday 20th April, senior students performed ‘The Bistro’, the hilarious comedy written and directed by Max Kennedy, following his involvement in the ‘New Playboy of the Western World Views’ scheme. The play focussed on two Irish brothers

74 – Olavian 2012 working in France, and their bet to see who could make the most money in one evening. Congratulations to the cast for their fantastic performances and to Max for his witty writing. Lower School Drama At the beginning of July, Lower School students performed in a production of ‘Grimm Tales’ based on adaptations by Carol Ann Duffy.

Public SPeaking & Debating

Speak Out! Challenge Following last year’s success in the “Speak Out” Challenge, St. Olave’s hosted the regional final, for the first time, on Wednesday 21st March. Grace Boyle (12P) plays Lady Macbeth; The competition, sponsored by Jack Petchey and created Michael Yates (12O) as Macbeth to promote confidence in public speaking, attracted hundreds of entrants from schools all over the borough. In front of a large, enthusiastic audience in the Great Hall, the 18 finalists each spoke for 3 minutes on a topic of their own. The judges were drawn from the realms of local business and education and our own Timmy Soyombo, the winner from last year, joined the panel.

Congratulations to Matthew Roberts, of St Olave’s, Year 10, who won the regional final! Matthew’s winning speech “Words” focussed on the power and importance of language. Professionally delivered, it was creative and sophisticated in its use of vocabulary, and fully deserved the first prize. Matthew therefore went on to represent Bromley in the London final at the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre. The cast from the premiere of ‘The Bistro’

The standard of performance was thoroughly impressive and it was delightful to see the Year 10 students effortlessly build rapport with their audience. Well done also to Samuel Luker Brown who stepped in as a reserve to deliver a witty and charming speech entitled “The Astronaut inside us all”. SpeakersBank Last December saw the fourth annual public speaking day for Years 9 and 10. Led by an expert practitioner, students honed their presentational skills as they progressed throughout the day culminating in a three minute speech. The topics chosen were diverse, ranging from euthanasia and weapons of mass destruction to resilience and being optimistic. Each of the students enjoyed the experience and learned some valuable tips and strategies, as well as having fun. Senior Debating The Senior Debating team travelled to Wilson’s School in the Autumn term to take part in a regional heat of the Cambridge Schools’ Debating Competition. They ‘Speak Out!’ challenge – Matthew Roberts (Year 10) turned in a creditable performance on the prepared topic

English & Drama – 75 arounD School and argued convincingly that sports clubs should not be penalised for the behaviour of their fans. This was a Book Character Day valuable experience for the team. On Friday 20th April St. Olave’s was filled with literary characters with a ‘dress up as a book character’ day. At In February, the school then took part in the Oxford break and lunch time, corridors were filled with Gandalph, Union Schools’ competition at Whitgift School. Well Willy Wonka and Oliver. Lessons were taught to James done to the team, which comprised William Pyle (12W), Bond, Gatsby, Jekyll and Hyde, and a whole host of Ashaki Newton Alkebulan (13H), Alexander Schymyck other characters. Students were impressive in their (13F) and Barney Holleran (13G). imagination and creativity and raised around £1500, which was split between the National Literacy Trust and During March the new year 12 team then organised an the UK based charity ‘The Book Bus’, which supports senior school inter-house competition where teams were a mobile library travelling around Africa and India. able to flex their intellectual muscles and use their guile on such topics as the necessity of exploiting child labour English and Drama Week in developing countries, assisted suicide and compulsory At the beginning of the Summer term, students enjoyed contraception. an English and Drama week which included, amongst other things, a Year 7 inter-house ‘balloon debate’ as Then, on Monday 16th April, the final of the Inter- well as a Year 8 inter-house competition where students House Senior Debating competition was held as part of were asked to write their own story subverting our the English and Drama week. Harvard, the opposition, expectations about a mythical character. These included emerged as winners in an exciting and close debate on the misunderstood Bogeyman, the overworked Tooth the motion “This House believes that the ICC should use Fairy and the Easter Bunny who was anything but bounty hunters to capture and, if necessary, kill indicted sweet. On the Wednesday afternoon, local author Tibor war criminals.” Congratulations go to Aish Pai (12V), Fischer spoke to Sixth Form students about his own James Watson (12W) and Conrad Allison (12R), who writing and how they might progress further in their own carried the day with confident and persuasive arguments. work. To round off the week, there was a Lower School production of German Tales from Der Struwwelpeter, in Junior Debating collaboration with the German Jamboree, and Year 10 and The Junior House Debating Competition was won 11 presented Mary Shelley’s classic tale, ‘Frankenstein.’ this year by Cure House which won in both the Year 7 and 8 finals. Congratulations to the winning teams Budding Film Maker of 7C (Michael Damoah, Tom Lambourne and Ken Congratulations to budding film-maker Jack Bradfield Yanagida), 8C (Nathaniel Amos, Finn Robinson and (10L) whose film clip was selected to be part of ‘Britain Miles Gulliford) and 9H (Sean Seeds, Matt Simpson in a Day’, a unique documentary which offers remarkable and Conor Watson); well done also to all participants insight into the lives, loves, fears and hopes of people who represented their forms. living in Britain. The final product, which included shortlisted extracts from nearly 12,000 entries, was given Snails and Sonnets in White City its first showing at the British Film Institute and was And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel broadcast on BBC 2 in June. And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school.

But we weren’t going to school! Sam Luker Brown, Peter Debenham and I were off on the Central Line to the BBC to participate in the regional heats of “Off By Heart Shakespeare”. We had each memorised a speech from one of The Bard’s great works and were anxiously muttering them under our breaths as we entered the auditions. There was more drama around us, as Peter aptly put it, “than you could shake-a-speare at.”

Despite our best attempts at luvvie-dom, other budding thespians stole our thunder and the game was up. We resolved to return to fight another day: “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more”! ‘Off By Heart Shakespeare’ – Peter Debenham, Sam Jack Bradfield (Yr 10) Luker Brown and Jack Bradfield (Y10)

76 – Olavian 2012 curriculum extenSion The most striking aspect of the production was the way Year 9 Drama that Prospero and Ariel had an identical appearance in On Thursday 8th of March, the company ‘Tender’ came both looks and clothing. This provided a sense of Ariel to school to work with the whole of Year 9 exploring and Prospero learning from each other as they assumed with each form for two and half hours, through the use aspects of each other’s characters. It also meant that the of drama and dialogue, the nature of both healthy and audience was never quite sure which of the two was being unhealthy relationships. watched, as events unfolded, giving the impression that they were omnipresent – a clever device. The army of spirits Off-stage choices at the Churchill Theatre doing Prospero/Ariel’s bidding all wore similar clothing GCSE students recently visited the Churchill for a too, creating the effect of livery-clad servants, almost as behind-the-scenes tour and some hands-on experience of if anticipating Prospero’s return to his palace in Milan. working in the theatre. This formed a valuable introduction to their course and gave them a taste of work-related Towards the end, the duke and his sprite reversed roles: learning, as well as helping them plan future productions. Ariel dressed Prospero in his formal suit as he prepared to assume his dukedom, while, a few minutes later, The Tempest at the Roundhouse Prospero unbuttoned Ariel’s jacket as the spirit finally Year 12 English students enjoyed an intriguing achieved his long-sought freedom. performance of ‘The Tempest’ at Chalk Farm as an introduction to their A2 set text. They left the auditorium Stephano’s and Trinculo’s double-act was genuinely funny convinced, if they weren’t already, by this spectacular and the transparent box that served as both Prospero’s show that Shakespeare is magical, funny and retains his cell and the stricken ship was a neat idea. topical relevance. Year 13 Workshop - The Chaucer Man One of Shakespeare’s last plays, The Tempest is a drama Year 13 enjoyed a workshop from Trevor Eaton, the about redemption. Jonathan Slinger played a tender- Chaucer Man, who brought to life ‘The Pardoner’s Tale’ hearted Prospero, full of care towards his daughter and helped them compare it with Dr Faustus, putting Miranda, choked up with emotion when recalling his both into context. He offered a gritty, fascinating wife and outwardly tender towards Ariel. rendition that made a lively end to the term.

Clockwise from left: Year 12 at Chalk Farm to see ‘The Tempest’; Senior Debating Society; and ‘Playboy of the Western World’

English & Drama – 77 Macbeth

78 – Olavian 2012 Library Library News

ith a stock of more than 14,000 books, both libraries continue to thrive and be at the heart of StW Olave’s. New stock has been bought to keep abreast of changing curriculum and to ensure that we meet the needs of our highly academic school.

Both libraries are in constant use. Throughout the day there are lessons in the Main School Library and it is always busy at break and lunch time, with students browsing, borrowing, reading, and studying. As well as the wealth of books that are available, there is always a wide choice of newspapers and magazines available for pupils. “How It Works” is a popular new addition to our collection, kindly donated on a regular basis by Sean Gebbett (7H). The most popular author amongst Olavians is Robert Muchamore, with his CHERUB series catching the imagination of wannabe spies; our most prolific reader this year has been Jonathan Joel (8B) followed by Advik Chaudhary (8C) and Jordan Adesina (7B).

For the first time this year we introduced a Reading Bingo to Year 7’s as part of their library induction lessons, where they were encouraged to broaden their reading habits. Murder in the Library! – World Book Day They acquired stickers, bookmarks and erasers along the competition way, as well as discovering different genres that they may not have otherwise selected. the common room, or in the pavilion or elsewhere in We also expanded our shelves to include graphic novels the school but the Sixth Form Library is the one place in response to requests from Year 10’s and these have they can go where they know that they can focus on proven popular. Students are able to relax in the alcove on their essay, revision or research without being disturbed. the new stools that have also been provided for them. It is often packed with pupils and of course this is excellent preparation for future independent study at World Book Day heralded a library competition with a university. The library is well equipped with books and difference! The crime scene in the library was cordoned periodicals that take them beyond the curriculum and off where a “murder” had taken place. For three weeks the give them the extra knowledge that the top universities library was abuzz with amateur detectives, as every week are looking for, and we continue to subscribe to daily brought a different set of tricky clues about books and newspapers and Private Eye, as well as to New Scientist authors that would help pupils solve the crime. The three and The Economist amongst others. We also updated successful sleuths and lucky winners of the competition our collection of DVD resources. were Finnian Robinson (8C) who won a £15 cinema voucher, along with runners up Kai Smith (9C) and Both libraries are managed by two part-time staff and Abishek Patel (10N) who each won Easter eggs. They this year would not have been successful without the correctly deduced that the poor victim was Mr Kenward support of Peter Leigh (12X) who organised our student (P.E.).and the fiendish murderer was Mr Davies (Art). library monitors. We are enormously grateful to them The appropriate authorities were informed about this all. heinous crime! Jackie Humphries The Sixth Form Library is an integral part of our S___Senior Librarian academic success. Sixth formers can choose to study in

80 – Olavian 2012 Music A Year of Music

ighting off the effects of a global economic crisis place respectively in the Woodard Schools Musician doesn’t sound as though it has much to do with the of the Year Competition in the school’s first year of Fremit of a school’s Music Faculty, but seemingly few in the entering the contest. Thomas Bridges did it again this world are exempted from having to tackle this challenge. year, by winning the Eltham Choral Society Composer’s That said, in spite of what could still be the most difficult Competition, which was judged by none other than the of financial conditions this country we’ll ever see, it’s choral world’s international favourite John Rutter CBE. good to know that the family of St Olave’s is determined (You’ll no doubt remember that Tom impressed choral to battle on. Those student, parent and staff members composing heavyweight Bob Chilcott in the Woodard connected with the various musical events this year will Schools competition previously.) be able to testify that not only are we continuing to offer the regular programme, but we are also still managing to It is hard to imagine how such achievements can be develop. For everyone else in the wider Olavian family I topped. One thing is certain: I am sure the next generation hope we have helped in some way boost your spirits with of musicians is not going to take that challenge lying our music-making! Of course we also now welcome Mr down. Many thanks, as always, are extended to those Geoghegan to the fold, following the departure of Mr who support the activities of the Music Faculty in any Cook in the summer. We look forward to discovering big or small way… Long may they continue! the many talents that Mr Geoghegan will share with the Faculty in his time at the school. Matthew Price S___Head of Music Highlights for me of the calendar to date have included the Commemorative Concert in April, which had a warm and enthusiastic reception from the audience. The ensembles were sounding as good as I’ve ever heard them and the atmosphere was truly exciting, everyone there present to celebrate the long history of St Olave’s. With William Howarth’s composition finding its way onto the music stands of our mighty Symphony Orchestra and the swelling of our choral and instrumental forces by parents and friends, the whole evening had a genuine community-spirited feel.

Year 8 enjoyed (endured?!) a spot of additional musical attention this year, with almost everyone in the cohort singing “Consider Yourself” from Oliver! at our Showstoppers evening. This is also now amongst my favourite memories of the year. The variety of solo and group talent seen that night was inspiring and it was a privilege to collaborate with the Drama Department on this one, to make it such an all-round memorable event. The very same Year 8 group also featured prominently in ‘O-Factor’, as well as the Samba Competition at the Summer Fun Day. Future Year 8 students have much to live up to in order to better the standards set.

There were some impressive individual achievements during the year, gaining for those concerned and for the school very high regard nationally. Richard Decker won the title of BBC Young Chorister of the Year – a title which has been a springboard for many of his predecessors into the professional world of music. William Howarth and Tom Steer won first and second Richard Decker, BBC Young Chorister of the Year

82 – Olavian 2012 BBC Young Chorister of the Year 2011 2nd place with his performance of the Gregson Tuba Having distinguished himself in two earlier rounds, Concerto. Both William and Thomas have played a Olavian Richard Decker, (8B) won the final of the BBC huge part in music at St Olave’s for the last 7 years and Young Chorister of the Year competition on Monday 24th these prizes are a fitting tribute to all they have done. October at St Martin-in-the-fields, London. Aled Jones hosted the evening, with composer John Rutter, media The Norman Trotman Music Competition marketing specialist Simon Abbott and professional The Norman Trotman Music Competition final took singer and former YCOTY winner Laura Wright on the place at BYMT’s Southborough Centre on Saturday 28th judging panel. Richard then had a busy year, carrying his January and this year not one but two current Olavians well-earned title and all that arrives with such prestige. were among the nine finalists from across Bromley Borough. William Howarth (13F) stunned everyone Woodard Bicentenary Commemoration with the virtuosic first movement of Phil Woods’ ‘Sonata A group of over thirty students representing all year for Alto Saxophone’, followed by stylish interpretations groups attended a special service in Westminster Abbey of classics ‘My Funny Valentine’ and ‘Have you met Miss on Thursday 24th November to commemorate the Jones?’ James Watson (12W) then performed charming 200th anniversary of the birth of Nathaniel Woodard, an pieces on the French horn by Carr, Strauss and Cooke Anglican clergyman who founded eleven schools. with great flair.

Four members of the St Olave’s Chamber Choir were The competition was judged by Jo Cole, Head of Strings hand-picked to sing in a combined Woodard choir, at the Royal Academy of Music. She made a particular which performed Parry’s anthem ‘I was glad’ as well as point of saying how amazed she was at the standard Stanford’s setting of Psalm 150. Thomas Bridges (12W), displayed throughout the evening. From someone so who last year won the Woodard Composer of the Year highly regarded in their field, and who must see very many Award, read one of the lessons. talented performers come through the conservatoire, this was praise indeed for William and James. Woodard Schools’ Musician of the Year 2012 William Howarth (13F) and Thomas Steer (13F) In the end, the trophy was taken by another worthy reached the final of the Woodard Schools’ Musician contender, Claudia Fuller from Newstead Wood of the Year Competition 2012, held on Saturday School, on the violin. However, for all nine who took 5th May at St John’s, Smith Square. Against strong part, it was a major triumph to have reached the final, opposition from 15 other accomplished senior finalists, distinguishing themselves out of more than sixty already St Olave’s swept the board, taking the top 2 prizes. very talented candidates. All of these students no doubt Congratulations go both to William who took 1st Prize have bright futures ahead of them in various musical with a splendid performance of the Woods’ Sonata for circles. Congratulations go to both William and James Alto Saxophone and Piano, and to Thomas who took for highly impressive performances.

Will Howarth (above) and James Watson (left) in the Norman Trotman Music Competition

Music – 83 Olavian in the Olympics It was the moment at which one could suddenly impress one’s hosts (if one was on holiday) by saying, ‘I know someone in that choir [on the television screen]!’. We were delighted to see Oscar Ridout (9L), one of the Savoy Choristers, singing in the Dockhead Choir, which comprised forty children and teenagers, in the Olympic opening ceremony.

You can listen to Caliban’s Dream, the Underworld song involving the choir which many will undoubtedly remember (as well as Jerusalem) at youtu.be/ Oscar Ridout (9L) was part of the Dockhead choir, Mec8GZkEpD4. which sang in the Olympic Opening Ceremony. concertS

Recital Week Held in October, the school’s first Recital Week for some years saw a showcase of the school’s musical talent in a series of lunchtime recitals. Performances included a sparkling rendering of Matthew Wootten’s (13J) A-level composition, saxophonists Will Howarth (13F) and Rob Laidlow (13F), Ms Marwood wowing the audience with a stirring Oboe solo and The Jazz Professors. Wednesday saw chamber music from Tom Saunders (13J), Eamonn Cox (13J) and Finn Butler (13F), and Thursday’s brass spectacular featured a quartet of Jack Sutton (13J), Eamonn Cox (13J), Tom Steer (13F) and Tim Munday (13I), followed by James Watson (12W) performing ‘Maria’ from ‘West Side Story.’ Tom Steer rounded off Junior Jazz Ensemble at the Mid-Term concert on the tuba with two impressive Bach Suites and the week ended in style with a Jazz marathon. Autumn Mid-Term Concert The Autumn term’s mid-term concert once again showcased the wide-ranging talents of the school’s soloists and junior ensembles. As parents, friends and teachers gathered in the chapel on a crisp November night, they were impressed by the standard of all involved, notably the Jazz Ensemble and the Intermediate Strings. Meanwhile, the Intermediate Wind Band graced the audience with their contemporary interpretation of the Largo from Vivaldi’s ‘Winter’. Performances from Guitar Group and Percussion Ensemble were enjoyed by all, in addition to those from soloists across the school, ranging from Harry Haynes (7C) to Eamonn Cox (13J). Christmas Concert The festive season burst into life with a dazzling Christmas Concert which gave the packed audience an experience to warm the heart on a cold December evening. There were particularly beautiful vocal solos from Richard Decker and Eamonn Cox, and an impressive piano solo from Matthew Wootten. The choirs, including the new 450 Parent Choir, Bands and Orchestras gave spirited and moving performances, with the inimitable Jazz Christmas Concert 2011 Band rounding off the evening in style. We are indeed

84 – Olavian 2012 fortunate to have John Castle, Martin Bunce, Doug Blew and Nick Beston, as well as other dedicated peripatetic teachers, to inspire our students, under the leadership of Music Faculty teachers.

Showstoppers An outstanding event of the school year was the Showstoppers evening in February, a collaboration between the Music and English & Drama faculties. A more detailed description is contained within the latter’s section of this edition of The Olavian. Bromley Schools’ Prom 2012 The Jazz Band, the jazz ambassadors of St Olave’s, took to the stage at Fairfield Halls on the evening of Monday 5 March to perform to a packed auditorium. The audience (mainly consisting of parents of the young musicians in the borough’s schools) was very enthusiastic and supportive, giving our students a real lift as they played the theme from “Family Guy” and the classic “What is ‘Oliver!’ from Showstopppers hip?” in our fourth appearance at this biannual event. The group represented St Olave’s very favourably, under the capable direction of Old Olavian Nick Beston. There was a buzz about the performance, with literally thousands unable to stop themselves tapping toes, nodding heads and hand-jiving to our beat – well done to all involved. 450th Anniversary Easter Concert Wednesday 29 April: a packed audience was treated to a splendid concert in the Great Hall at St Olave’s. For the school’s flagship musical ensembles, weeks of rehearsal came to a head under the banner of celebration for this special anniversary year. As well as the stalwarts of the annual concert line-up, there were some new inclusions in this programme to mark the occasion. The Symphony Orchestra as an ensemble gave possibly its best performance in recent memory. It was obvious that a student’s own composition, written especially for our Jazz Band at the Bromley Schools’ Prom musicians at the time, captured the imagination of all the performers and also of those listening. William Howarth’s Migration, tailored to St Olave’s Symphony Orchestra’s own quirky configuration, took everyone on a journey from quiet, reflective beginning, through some good-humoured moments and on to a rousing, earth-shuddering finale.

After the echoes of both the piece and the applause had died away, the newly-formed Byrd Choir, a small group of 7 soloists (Richard Decker, Ollie Morrell, Thomas Bridges, Oscar Ridout, Peter Leigh, Tom Saunders, Eamonn Cox) directed by student Peter Leigh, stepped onto the stage. The quality of the singing particularly stood out in terms of the confidence, excellent pitch and range of timbre with which they tackled Haec Dies, a motet in six parts. Symphonic Wind Band was on fine form, as usual, with Gordon Jacobs’ suite. All players really gelled to perform this great piece, with both its The Symphony Orchestra in the proud and more lyrical passages. 450th Anniversary Concert

Music – 85 Thomas Saunders deserves special mention also, for his spirited playing in Telemann’s Viola Concerto with the Chamber Orchestra. The four movements of the work give a rarely-heard instrument the chance to express the heights and depths of emotion and Thomas controlled all of these with great command.

Highlight for a number in the audience was the Choir, which included the new 450 Parent Choir, and that magical moment as they hit, with a power that filled the Great Hall, that first note of Handel’s Zadok the Priest. A small semi-chorus of students (Oscar Ridout, Thomas Bridges, Finn Butler, Peter Leigh, Seb Cook, Tom Saunders, Eamonn Cox and Daniel Morland) also had moments to shine out during Purcell’s Rejoice in the Lord Alway. There was also no mistaking the energy with which the Brass Band and Jazz Band rounded off the evening’s musical entertainment. Capturing all the vitality and ‘cool’ Jazz Night – The Dixieland Band needed, both groups swung with gusto and completed the picture of a fantastic night of music-making for all concerned. Without exception, every musician leaving the Hall that night should have had a sense of great accomplishment and every audience member will have the memory of what was a truly first-rate St Olave’s concert, worthy of the name it was commemorating. Jazz Night Wednesday 2nd May saw the return of the annual St. Olave’s Jazz Night. A packed Great Hall was host to the magnificent St Olave’s Jazz Band, The Dixieland Band and the Junior Jazz Ensemble. A highlight of the evening was the performance from renowned jazz trumpeter, Paul Eshelby, accompanied by his pianist Cliff Hall. This 8C were victorious, becoming the St. Olave’s Samba was the final Jazz Night for many of the Jazz Band, and Band of the Year was a fitting send-off for the Year 13 Leavers. Summer Mid-Term Concert Thursday 21st June saw the final Mid Term Concert of Each group had their own unique ‘style’, shall we say, and the academic year. A wide-ranging programme included each performance was met with cheers and thunderous soloists on a variety of instruments as well as the Junior applause from the family and friends gathered in Jazz Ensemble, the Guitar Ensemble and the Summer support. A tense atmosphere descended as voting took Strings. Performances included Samuel Wootten (9L) place. Bingham’s sambistas had clearly brought along the playing ‘Autumn Leaves’ on the piano, Richard Decker most support, Harvard’s performance had real finesse to (8B) giving a sensitive interpretation of Verdi’s ‘Volta la it, Leeke’s musicians were energetic and enthusiastic. Terrea’ and a superb performance of Kabalevsky’s Presto Who would win? Well, with a particularly high turn-out, by Abhishek Patel (10N). excellent public support and a solid musical performance, the sambistas of Cure House reigned victorious and Year 8 Samba Band of the Year retained for themselves the trophy again this year. The second year of the Inter-House Samba Band of the Year competition took place at the Summer Fun Day on Saturday 7 July. There was a good turn-out from each Year 8 form to compete and everyone’s spirits were high, despite the rain-dodging going on! The public’s excitement was unmistakeably building as Cure were the first House to take to the Sambarena. They were followed (in chronological order) by Harvard and Leeke, with Bingham House rounding off the musical entertainment.

86 – Olavian 2012 Modern Foreign Languages Modern Foreign Languages

The Department of French Paris Trip On Friday 24th October, Mlle. Delage, Mr. Evans and «Le français est une langue à vocation universelle, de 20 students from the St. Olave’s Sixth Form converged gentillesse et d’honnêteté, et il nous a fait don de ces mots on St. Pancras International with sleep still lining their abstraits si rares dans nos langues.» Léopold Sédar Senghor eyes, packed and ready to embark on a 4 day trip to Paris. After buying some last minute supplies and a surprisingly he department has, as ever, lit up like the Bastille! uneventful Eurostar journey for the Year 13s, we arrived There has been understandably a huge enthusiasm at the Gare du Nord in the French capital. forT the French, which has been underpinned by ever more trips overseas to France which have been experienced by A short Metro journey brought us to our hostel in the most tranches of the year groups. There have been trips vibrant community of Le Marais, only a stone’s throw to Boulogne, Paris and Normandy. These have been a away from the Hotel De Ville and the church of Notre great success engendering a real want for a command of Dame. The hostel itself was of beautiful 17th Century the French tongue not only in grammatical acuity but in architecture, with a courtyard and restaurant on site, idiom too. Several excellent assemblies highlighting the something that none of us were expecting. We checked pleasures and benefits of these trips have emphasised to in our bags and set off for our first destination, the Stade pupils the importance of learning French, and the sense de France. of endearment to France was palpable - both in these assemblies and in the classroom as a whole - throughout Here, two lucky students had the chance to lead two the academic year. We look forward to our continuing to carefully selected teams out of players’ tunnel, the first make French language, culture and learning ever-more highlight of the trip. Following dinner and a walking exciting over the coming year. tour of the district led by Mlle. Delage which included the former site of the Bastille we retired to bed, anxious Marjorie Delage to see what tomorrow brought. S___Head of French The next drizzly morning, we began seemingly endless train ride, marred with accordion players, to the Palace of Versailles and we were justly rewarded with striking architecture, stunning gardens, and one of a kind artwork. After we had eaten lunch and got out of the cold, the sun made an appearance and we went for some free time in a park, met some charismatic ducks, and ate crepes. We ambled leisurely along the Seine back to the hostel and, after eating dinner, visiting the surrounding area of the Pompidou centre, which contained some ingenious fountain sculptures and extremely talented street performers. We then indulged our immature sides at the cinema, watching an animated film called “Le Monstre À Paris”; it was full of laughs and an excellent way to close out the night.

Although we spent the first part of the morning at the beautifully designed Saint-Chappelle (literally ‘holy chapel’), many minds in the group were on the Rugby World Cup final between France and New Zealand, so afterward we jostled for space in the Hotel de Ville square to watch it on the big screen. France lost the game by one point, much to Mr. Evans’ approval, but it gave us the opportunity to mingle with the locals, learn some French chants (and swear words!), and make some cameo A-Level French Pupils in Paris appearances on French national television. After Mlle.

88 – Olavian 2012 Delage solemnly wiped away her Tricolore face paint, she led us to Chartier, a favourite restaurant on last year’s trip, for a hearty lunch. We would then burn all of this off during the exhausting uphill trek to Montmartre, where we took in the sights and bought various souvenirs. After trudging back to the centre of Paris and experiencing a stunning view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe, we strolled down the Champs Elysée and got the Metro to the Hostel for dinner. We spent our last night in Paris in style with a sublime after-dark view of the Eiffel Tower and the surrounding area from Trocadero.

After the customary breakfast of a croissant, a pain-au- chocolat and a glass of orange juice, we spent the day visiting the Louvre, the gardens of the Tuilleries and French Christmas Cookery with the Lower Sixth the Musée d’Orangeries. In the former, many of us laid eyes on the Mona Lisa and the statue of Venus de Milo in person for the first time, but some people found However, the two remaining (more competent!) teams it impossible not to get lost inside the vastness of the battled it out; following the original French instructions, Louvre. When we’d rounded up the group; counted and slowly but surely, the “Bûche de Noël”s began to take double-counted, we said our final goodbyes to Le Marais shape and after some rolling-out and chocolate stealing and to Paris and boarded the train home. We will always (!), both teams had managed to produce some delicious be thankful for this opportunity to integrate with people looking cakes. from the other half of the 6th form, practice our spoken French in the proper environment and have fun whilst After some “expert” piping by Mlle Delage and a doing it. Special thanks to Mlle. Delage and Mr. Evans discussion of how delicious “Crème de Marrons”, a for making it possible. typical French ingredient, never to really trouble British shores, is, we finally sat down to eat our delicious French Christmas Cookery creations accompanied by some French squash, which Excitement (and a delicious chocolaty smell) filled the could have won the award for “Most Diluted Squash air on Wednesday 7th December, as Mlle Delage led Ever.” A tie was announced between the two groups and her A-Level French group in a masterclass of traditional the two “logs” were quickly devoured, with many of us French Christmas cookery. The students saw both their returning for seconds, and extra chocolate! This proved language and culinary skills pushed their absolute limit to be an innovative new way of learning vocabulary for as the usually serene Mlle Delage became a tough all involved and we all had a fantastic time. A huge ‘thank taskmaster in the kitchen, instructing them to create you’ to Mlle Delage for making this possible by assisting “une bûche”, the French take on a Christmas Yule log in, critiquing and introducing us to this lovely dessert! and cornerstone of their festive celebrations, from a foreign recipe. We were guided under the watchful eye Matthew Burns-Watkins & Alex Ekong of Mlle Delage to make sure our tasty treats turned to perfection! French Day at St. Paul’s Cray Primary School On the Friday 3rd of February the St. Olave’s Year 13 Blazers came off, aprons put on and we were soon beating French class were again invited to St. Paul’s Cray Primary eggs and getting straight into the thick of things. The School to help out at their annual French Day. Separated assignment required concentration, dexterity and good into small groups and assigned a year group, the Sixth translation skills – only one of which the students been Formers worked on preparing different activities suitable taught in an A-Level French class – so needless to say for their year group, with activities ranging from flash there were occasional mishaps. Luckily, Mlle Delage and card number games to French animal bingo. The day also Mr Arnold were there every step of the way to bring the gave students the chance to visit the ‘French Café’ set recipes back on track. up in the school for everyone to enjoy both a croissant and a drink, before enjoying the Year 4’s performance of To add a bit of friendly competition, we were quickly “Boucles d’or et les Trois Ours”. divided into two teams of 4 and one of 3, each of us set the task to make one. Unfortunately, one of the teams French Conference got off to a bad start and after an incident concerning a On Tuesday 21st February twenty five Year 11 French broken egg and flour, they were quickly out the running students attended a day conference with the aim of and made to watch. improving their skills before the summer reading

French – 89 and listening exams. Various sessions included work on their French orals, a writing session and in the afternoon reading and listening tests. Both of the day’s competitions were won by Olavians Jamie Cawley (11J) and Tomas Dean (11K) for their excellent contributions and questions. Europa French Trip In March, Year 7 travelled to the Europa Centre in Essex where they had the opportunity to walk around French shops including clothes shops, a much-frequented bakery and a butcher’s asking for various items in French. Students also had to ask about a missing person using their French vocabulary to describe eye colour, height, 7L at the Europa Centre age and so on. French Film Society In the autumn and spring terms this year, Sixth Form students were invited to join the French film society which aimed at meeting up regularly at the Cinéma Lumière in South Kensington. This was the opportunity for our linguists to watch films with subtitles in order to gain some insight in both French culture and society as well as develop a greater understanding of the ‘l’exception culturelle française’. Over the two terms, they all thoroughly enjoyed a wide range of films from La Conquête to Les Adoptés. Year 8 Boulogne Trip On Wednesday 30th May, the whole of Year 8 went to Boulogne in France for a day trip. We all had great fun and it was a very enjoyable experience.

We met at school at 5:30am before setting off in our coaches to the Euro Tunnel. Once in France, we drove from Calais to Boulogne and arrived there at 10:15 French time. To start off, we all went round the old town and the ramparts. This was an opportunity to take a lot of lovely pictures of the amazing views and beautiful buildings. We then went into the Basilique Notre- Dame, a lovely, old cathedral where we saw fascinating Year 8 in Boulogne, home of Nausicaa paintings.

Next, we had to put our French skills to the test in the Boulogne market where the majority of us bought fancy hats and stylish shades. People also bought baguettes and other French delicacies, and someone even bought 3 kilos of onions!

At 12:30, we left the market and had a refreshing walk along the sea front before reaching the beach for our lunch. We ate our food quickly and all ran onto the warm sand where we played tag and messed around; we enjoyed the beach.

After lunch we visited Nausicaa, an interesting sea-life centre. We saw many stunning sharks and fascinating fish Year 10 French Pupils in Normandy

90 – Olavian 2012 in the centre, as well as shells and under-water plants. We The Department of German also saw a sea-lion show which was very interesting and fun, even though it was hard to understand the French The German Jamboree & Max und Moritz speaker. The tricks that the animals pulled off were Lower School pupils, and a teacher, in school on a day extremely impressive and really showed the intelligence during the summer holidays? Unheard of! of these creatures. We all found it a fun experience. Nevertheless, for a day in the August of 2010, this was Once we had finished spending our final cents in the what took place, as the German Jamboree met up to Nausicaa gift shop, we went and played games on the put the finishing touches to the first stage of what was beach. We played a wide range of games such as football undoubtedly our most ambitious project yet. and cricket, and some of us still hadn’t lost the pleasure of pushing others over. The German Jamboree is a German extension club which was started by Frau Cooley to satisfy the six pupils’ At 17:20 we departed for the Euro tunnel and had (Tim Stickings, Peter Leigh, Matthew Burns, Thomas another pleasurable journey home. We arrived back at Bridges, James Watson, and Chris Self ) hunger for more school with our hats and shades on (and a little bit of advanced German, only in their second year of learning sunburn) at 19:30 (English time) and all went home the language. We had looked at word puzzles, moved on weary yet very satisfied. to history and culture - learning about Die Weiße Rose - and now, having translated several German children’s All in all it was a very enjoyable and memorable experience. songs, we decided to start our most challenging project We particularly enjoyed playing on the beach and yet. Not just a translation of a entire book, but one in spending time with our friends. Thank you to Mr Bowden verse, and not just any book, but a book whose stories and all the staff for making it a great day for all of us! every German child probably knows by heart: Wilhelm Busch’s Max und Moritz. Jonathan Buchanan (8H) Max und Moritz is a children’s story, a tale of two young Year 10 Normandy trip miscreants who play devious pranks on their neighbours, On the 9th of July, 44 boys, Mr Evans, Mademoiselle and is a darkly humorous tale, part and parcel of German- Delage, Mrs Goodman and Madame Storrs-Fox set speaking culture, firmly embedded in the minds of almost out for Normandy at an ungodly hour of the morning. 100 million people and often referenced in literature and Travelling by coach, they reached L’Etoile de la Mer, common parlance. which was to be their home for the next five days. A variety of activities included a riveting visit to Le Mont Within a few months, and with many hours spent St Michel, which they left with much lighter pockets. bent over Frau Cooley’s yellowing copy of the original, Alongside this, the group ventured to a 360 cinema, the group had literally translated all of the Sieben where there was a film on the D-Day landings. Streichen, the seven pranks which Max und Moritz play on people. But the literal translation, finished on that Other highlights included a visit to a French market, summer’s afternoon, was only the easy part: while it was where students immersed themselves in the native a translation, it didn’t work in English – At this point language, and an activity day at a château. A memorable goes with a plate/Widow Bolte into the cellar/That from the afternoon was spent playing on the beach, in torrential Sauerkraut/She could fetch a portion for herself/Of which she rain. They rounded off a fantastic trip with some French was a fan/When it had been re-heated – may perhaps work cuisine, including snails and various pâtisseries. All of for a cookery book, but did not match Busch’s exquisitely the boys had a brilliant time, and thanks must go to all rhyming German. the dedicated teachers who made this trip happen. But instead of giving up and descending into gloom, with the start of their Year 11, the group started immediately a task which would take us several months, as we painstakingly worked through each couplet, with the original side by side with the literal translation, and slowly but steadily produced a full, rhyming translation in English, of the German book. - Widow Bolte then went down/Into the cellar underground,/Where she kept her favourite snack/(Sauerkraut – her lips did smack!)/And with exceeding great desire/Did warm a little at the fire. - Then, we came to GCSEs, and, for the moment, the translation was forgotten about.

German – 91 Coming back to Year 12, now Sixth Formers, we ax und Moritz aside, the trips were, once again, pondered how German Jamboree would work, and came the highlights of a very busy year in the German back to the translation. Surely, we though, it did not Mdepartment. We took part in two exchanges, the superbly seem right that such a project should remain as a dusty subscribed sixth form exchange with Heidelberg (62.5% stapled booklet in the deep archives of MFL. And it was participation) and the year 10 exchange with Starnberg. at this point that the idea of publishing our own book Both were thoroughly enjoyed by all participants, was conceived. Undeterred by our teachers’ reminding English and German, and many new friendships were us that we should be spending an equal amount of forged and horizons widened. Many thanks to parents time outside lessons studying the subjects that we were who supported, ferried, organised and, hopefully, also spending studying them in school, we began to meet enjoyed the experience. My thanks go to the students, several times a week, as we strove to produce a book in who enjoyed themselves greatly and impressed with 3 weeks, to ensure that we could present it to the world their openness, pleasantness and generally excellent on Open Day. We agreed on a format, of German on the behaviour. left page, and English on the right. Then, the text had to be formatted, a cover designed by a friend, and the entire Hanna Cooley book manuscript printed out in A4, as we checked every S___Head of German page for errors, and changed lines of translation that seemed slightly off, before producing a final manuscript. Aachen Christkindlmarkt Trip Within a week, a copy had arrived, printed for us by a On Thursday 8th December, Olavians had the self-publishing company. We gathered round it excitedly, opportunity to visit the charming, twinkly and wonderful and, with a check-through, ordered the first copies, Christmas Market in Aachen. They enjoyed Kaffee und ready for our table on Open Day, where they were in Kuchen, stocked up on Christmas presents, visited the such demand that our entire batch was bought up, and cathedral, which was the first monument in Germany to so many staff also wanted a copy that another batch had be included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage list, and to be ordered! the gothic City Hall in which thirty two German kings celebrated their coronations, all in the heart of Aachen’s In just over a year and a half ’s solid work, we had old city centre. produced a piece of work of which the outside reviewer said ‘A wonderful example of what today’s much maligned Sixth Form German Exchange - Heidelberg youth is capable and which, I hope, will inspire many others On Thursday evening, 9th February, 11 intrepid travellers to knuckle down to their studies. Reader, I hope you will (10 VIth form German students and Mrs Cooley) set off enjoy the work of Wilhelm Busch and the talented St Olave’s from London to take a coach via Frankfurt to Heidelberg students as much as I have!’. in Germany, where the temperatures were below -100C. We were hoping to get some sleep on our 15½ hour Our translation is not the first, nor is it the most journey, but for many of us the opportunities in a fully professional. But it seems, given people’s reactions, that booked coach and with stops on the way, were rather it has lost none of its ability to entertain. scarce. As the hosts had been forewarned that we might arrive rather tired, they let most of us have a good nap Peter Leigh & Tim Stickings in the afternoon after our arrival, so that the welcome- celebrations on Friday evening could be enjoyed to the full.

The weekend was spent with the host families, some joined up in groups to do and see a number of things; and then there was a full programme for the week.

On Monday morning, after a reception by the headmistress of the school, the students shadowed their partners for the 6 morning lessons. The reward was a visit to the Heidelberg brewery, a very popular item on our itinerary as it included free refreshments. On Tuesday, all of us – the German partners and teacher included- spent a day in Frankfurt. By now the weather had warmed up a little, to about – 3, and it was snowing.

The roads were slushy and it was a little too unpleasant to appreciate fully our guided tour through Frankfurt,

92 – Olavian 2012 but we thoroughly enjoyed lunch in the ‘Ebbelwoikneip’ (Apple wine pub for the uninitiated) in Sachsenhausen; it was warm, friendly and the food was very reasonably priced. Both the following visit to the art gallery ‘Städel’ and the shopping time on the ‘Zeil’ went very quickly, giving us just a taste of what Frankfurt has to offer.

On Wednesday we had a guided tour through old Heidelberg, a small town dominated by the university, the oldest within the present boundaries of Germany. The highlight here was the ‘Studentenkarzer’, the student prison, where the university, which had an independent judicial and penal system, incarcerated students for wrong-doings, from the early 18th century up to the First World War.

In the afternoon we went ice-skating, which we thoroughly enjoyed, although it left one or two of us with aches and pains for the rest of the day/week.

Thursday saw us in Mannheim, a more industrial town and a stark contrast to the romantic Heidelberg.

We loved the dressing up in historic costume for the guided tour through the castle in Mannheim and, Visting the German Wine Vat having recharged our batteries with sausages, crepes etc from a kiosk, we took a tram to the technology museum where we spent a couple of hours doing lots of hand-on experiments.

The next morning, the morning after the last night of the exchange (!!!), saw us at the school with all our luggage. We left it there for the morning, while we climbed up to the famous romantic castle ruins of Heidelberg.

By now the weather had warmed up to above zero, causing a lot of chilly mist across the town and the river Neckar, which rather spoilt the splendid views from the castle and caused us to take refuge in the vaults near the huge wine vat, thoroughly appreciating the warming powers of hot chocolate! The VI Form Germanists in Mannheim

After picking up the luggage from the school we took a bus to the station where there were many tearful good-byes.

In spite of a train delay caused by a fire in Stuttgart, we arrived at Frankfurt station in time to have some lunch, get food supplies for the journey and be at the coach stop early enough to get the best seats at the back of the coach and on the ferry quickly enough to get comfortable seats.

We arrived early in London, 5 am in the morning, ready for some sleep (or a music lesson in the case of Tom Steer!) at the end of a great week.

Then, in May, it was time for our German Exchanges to enjoy some English culture. Ten students from the VI Formers and their German Exchanges, Heidelberg

German – 93 Hölderlin Gymnasium in Heidelberg came on their enjoy it. We spent two days in Munich, seeing the return visit of the 6th form exchange, having what they historic centre, the Olympic Park and the Bavaria film described as ‘the best week of their year!’ A glimpse of the studios; we had two great days in the Alps, one walking Queen caused great excitement as she left Buckingham through an amazing ravine cut by a river, the other to the Palace in her coach and, again, on her return later, fairy tale castle ‘Neuschwanstein’; a day at school and on virtually at arm’s length! Not surprisingly, pictures galore a boat trip round Lake Starnberg and lots of free time flew to Germany; what a stroke of luck! During a day with our German friends. at school they enthusiastically took part in the Scottish dancing laid on for Year 13 students. A hearty meal, We thoroughly enjoyed the times out with our partners accompanied by bilingual conversations, drew to a close and even the food-faddies among us found German fare a week that was declared a great success, in which we had rather better than feared! The Germans’ hospitality and an excellent time with fun to be had all round. friendliness was thoroughly appreciated and we have deepened our existing friendships and forged new ones. The German Exchange was a brilliant experience and The week passed far too quickly. one that has developed the pupils’ passion for German language and culture. GCSE Rhineland Trip In Activitiy Week 2, those Germanists not on the GCSE German Exchange – Starnberg Starnberg exchange went on a trip to the Rhineland, At the beginning of May Olavians and their families one of the most scenic areas of Europe. The group was very much enjoyed the company of the Starnberg group based in Boppard, a charming market town to the south on the first leg of the exchange. of Koblenz in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz, and made trips from there each day. Excursions included a boat Then, on Saturday 7th July, the beginning of activities trip along the Rhine to St Goarhausen followed by a week 2, six Year 10 students set off with Frau Cooley cable car ride up to a viewpoint at Rüdesheim; a day at on the return leg of the Starnberg exchange. We were Phantasialand, one of Europe’s largest theme parks; and looking forward to seeing our friends again who had trips to Marksburg and Koblenz to see the confluence of spent a week here after Easter. It turned out to be as the Rhine and Moselle. The pupils engaged in a range of great as we had hoped. activities in the local area: there was an opportunity to take part in a bowling evening, an afternoon of swimming and Although the weather was not brilliant it was good trips to ice cream parlours, and shopping and sightseeing enough for us to do everything we had planned and in Cochem was also part of the programme.

Starnberg Exchange (clockwise from top-left): Olympic Park, Munich; outside the Universität (street named after students Hans and Sophie Scholl, of Die Weiße Rose); Neuschwanstein (albeit in scafolding); and a rather misty Bavaria.

94 – Olavian 2012 The Department of Spanish Tapas as well as cakes and biscuits and non-alcoholic sangria to help them get through the hard work in the he Spanish department has changed a great deal kitchen. in the last five years, from only teaching a one year sixthT form AS course for external students, to being taught in every year of the school.

Students understandably wanted to carry on studying the subject to A2, so some went to other centres for the necessary lessons although most were examined at St Olave’s. Eventually, we were able to run an A2 course in school.

Students in year 12 are strongly encouraged to undertake a period of work experience in Spain, and always find it very beneficial. Selina Li has written about her work experience below. We may also be able to organise a year 13 visit to Andalucía, our area of special study for the A2 course. Clearly, seeing the places and smelling the At the end they were joined by A2 Spanish students for air will help us understand what it is really like to live in a tasting session, along with other members of the Sixth the region. Form and Mr Buckley.

Four short years ago, two year 8 form groups started Year 12 Work Experience in Segovia, Spain learning Spanish, while their peers started on German. Every year the school offers language students in Year 12 Having chosen Spanish for GCSE, most of those students and 13 the opportunity to do work experience in Spain, are now heading for their GCSE examinations, having France or Germany, which is organized by Halsbury already done some controlled assessments towards their Work Experience. Taking advantage of this exciting final grade. Classes in year 8, 9 and 10 are following the offer, our Spanish class travelled to Segovia, a small, same pattern. picturesque and historically rich town situated to the north of Madrid. These Spanish students went on an amazing visit to Murcia in South East Spain during activities week 2, At Stanstead Airport, we met other Spanish students and Callum Urwin of 11O has written about it below. from different schools all over the country who were We had a wonderful time, as well as learning a surprising also going to Segovia. It was refreshing and inspiring to amount of Spanish. meet people who were so eager and passionate to learn Spanish. The flight lasted only around two and a half This year, two year 7 tutor groups have started Spanish, hours. When we landed in Madrid, we took a coach to while their peers have started French. There will also be Segovia which didn’t take long either. Looking at the more students from the same cohort opting for Spanish unfamiliar scenery out of the window, we were desperate when they reach year 8, although these students will to get out and step into Spain! Soon enough, we arrived have given up Latin and the chance to study German if at Hotel Corregidor, which was a very pleasant and they do so. comfortable place to stay. The rooms were of a decent size, and it was within close reach to our work placements The Spanish department is an exiting place to work, and Segovia’s many shops and restaurants. with many new developments still working their way through the school. We will welcome our first internal Our work placements varied, with Harriet working in a AS students to the sixth form in September 2013. primary school teaching Spanish children English, Lucy answering the telephone in a tourist office, Ria selling Gillian Gardiner shirts in a Men’s Clothes Shop and Becky and I serving S___Head of Spanish food in a Spanish restaurant. We were given a great choice as to where we wanted to work: in retail, hotel or restaurant management, in education, or even in the field Annual Spanish Cookery Extravaganza of medicine or law. Once again, Ms Gardiner and her Year 12 Spanish class took over the main school kitchens for an afternoon to Being a small and not very industrialized town, very few produce a range of South American specialities including people in Segovia spoke English, which was all the better Fajitas, Traditional Spanish Paella, Tortilla Española and as we had to communicate solely in Spanish! Talking to

Spanish – 95 people at work and outside of work was great speaking practice. Being a waitress, I learnt the names of many Spanish dishes on the menu which I had never come across before. My tasks involved greeting and serving the customers, and helping with the daily running of the restaurant. I really loved talking to the customers there, many of whom were regulars. I was also lucky enough to receive free lunch every day, where I was served Spanish cuisine - a delicious three-course meal of the day.

After work, we were free to explore the culture of Segovia. Segovia is without doubt a unique and beautiful town with its snowy mountains and historic castles. I will always remember vividly walking down the streets, watching the light snow fall down on the town, and Year 12 Spanish Students in Segovia thinking that Segovia was a fairy-tale land in an olden- day romance movie. Despite the chilly weather, we managed to warm ourselves up with a trip to the café and ‘churros con chocolate caliente’ – thick hot chocolate with warm, chewy, fried sweet bread. Heaven. At night, we danced away, enjoying a taste of Spanish night life.

All in all, the trip was an unforgettable experience for all of us. By the end of the week, which had seemed to pass incredibly fast, we had made many new friends and felt sad saying goodbye to our colleagues who we had got to know at work. We would strongly recommend taking up this opportunity if you take a modern foreign language at A level, or wish to study languages at university (working in a foreign country is a great way to develop employment skills, like communication and the ability to adapt to a Year 10 in the theatre of Carthago Novo new environment). It is certainly an extremely valuable and rewarding experience, and most importantly, a lot of fun!

Selina Li (Year 12) Spanish trip to Murcia On the 9th of July, a group of year 10 students departed from Southend airport, finally on their way to Spain after a lot of waiting and preparation. When they arrived at the school where they were staying, they managed to find the energy to go for a splash in the pool despite being tired after the flight. Over the course of the week in Spain, they tried a variety of activities, including Visiting the local market (and speaking Spanish) samba drumming, sailing kayaking and windsurfing, mud bathing, in which they were all covered in warm, smelly mud (supposedly good for the skin!). They also to speak Spanish if they wanted to be able to taste the visited the Roman theatre of Carthago Nova, in the town local food. On the final evening of the trip, the students of Cartagena. This visit was especially interesting as it were given awards, ranging from “best samba drummer”, allowed them to learn about the past, as well as giving to “dormouse award for sleeping anywhere”. It was a them the chance to practise their Spanish reading skills. memorable visit which none of them will forget. The teachers accompanying them on the trip to Spain were also very helpful, especially the Chaplain, who Callum Urwin (11O) earned the nickname “Bantersaurus” from some of the boys. On one of the days the boys took the opportunity to visit the local market, where they had no choice but

96 – Olavian 2012 Humanities The Humanities Faculty

he year 2011-12 was one of transition for the Minister” in September 2012. The department also Humanities Faculty. As the departments within ventured into central London for a production of “Three theT old Humanities GCE (Geography, Classics and Days in May”, which detailed the intense deliberations Economics) and HR (History and RS) Faculties merged, which took place in the British cabinet as the sceptre of they sought to emphasise their common links. These defeat at the hands of the German Wehrmacht hung over were drawn out during the first “Utopia Day” for Year Winston Churchill in May 1940. These visits, alongside 7 pupils in November 2011. Pupils were set the task of the now-traditional crossings to the battlefields in designing their own ‘utopian society’. Having studied a France and Belgium - including a detour to Dunkirk for variety of case studies they worked in small groups from the first time - and the Sixth Form trip to Washington across the year group to consider the features required and New York, were the highpoints in a packed year to create their own utopia! Needless to say, concepts of of extra-curricular activities. The History Society also what a utopian society might look like were divergent, continued to flourish, producing an excellent magazine with several identifying the need for a single strong ruler based around the theme of “Civil War”, and this was against others who saw the need for anarchy at the heart accompanied by a special supplement to commemorate of their vision. the school’s 450th anniversary. These truly impressive endeavours were complimented by the best results in the The Humanities Faculty continued to run a wide range department’s history at both GCSE and A-Level. of trips and extra-curricular activities. Visits were paid to Greece, Washington & New York and Iceland with year 2012-12 promises to be another year of action for 12 at the end of the summer-term. This alongside the the History department, with new extra-curricular well-established Political Economy and History societies opportunities, including a return to the Normandy means that pupils have ample opportunity to indulge beaches for Year 9, available for pupils to enjoy and their interests in the Humanities beyond the bounds of enrich their understanding. the curriculum. These will supplemented by the newly founded Classics and Geographical societies as 2012-13 Daniel Espejo promises to be an exciting year for the faculty. Head of History Daniel Espejo Year 8 Rochester Visit Head of Humanities On a mild October day, Year 8 visited Rochester Castle and Cathedral as part of the Humanities’ curriculum – a combination of History and Religious Studies. Pupils had the opportunity to explore the castle, learn about the monks who once resided at the (no longer existent) abbey and at the end of the day, they went the cathedral The History Department for a service led by the school chaplain. “Yes, yes, yes, I do see that there is a real dilemma here. In that, while it has been government policy to regard policy Year 13 History Theatre trip – Yes, Prime as a responsibility of Ministers and administration as a Minister responsibility of Officials, the questions of administrative Soon after the start of the Autumn Term, Year 13 policy can cause confusion between the policy of History students were lucky enough to see the staged administration and the administration of policy, especially version of the popular TV political sitcom ‘Yes Prime when responsibility for the administration of the policy of Minister’ in its final week in the West End on Tuesday administration conflicts, or overlaps with, responsibility for 13th September. Jim Hacker, the sweaty, dithering Prime the policy of the administration of policy.” Minister, Sir Humphrey Appleby, the devious public- school civil servant and Bernard the naive cabinet private A characteristically long and convoluted sentence from secretary, with a steadfast moral compass entertained Sir Humphrey Appleby provided one of the highlights students whilst they observed features of the British of the History Department’s visit with Year 13 pupils political system which will inform their essay writing for to see the acclaimed stage production of “Yes, Prime the Development of Democracy course.

98 – Olavian 2012 Year 13 History Trip to the Houses of Parliament Later in the term, the Year 13 Historians spent a day at the Houses of Parliament. Their tour included the impressive atrium of Portcullis House, the Central Lobby and the House of Commons and the House of Lords. They then got the opportunity to link up with several other schools to have a go at mock coalition building and Mr. Pendred soon revealed himself to be a budding Nick Clegg, throwing principle aside with an eye for the top job. Overall it was a brilliant trip, which taught students a lot about the democratic system in Britain and its nuances. Year 8 visit Rochester Cathedral Sixth Form History Theatre Trip – Three Days in May On Tuesday 10th of January a group of Year 12 and Year 13 historians visited Trafalgar Studios in central London, to watch a performance of the critically acclaimed play, ‘Three Days in May’, a play exposing in great historical detail the little known events of the 26th, 27th and 28th of May 1940. The play was a fantastic night out and has brought a fascinating area of our history course into sharp focus. History Society Magazine The chosen theme for the third issue of the History Magazine was Civil War, and articles were submitted on conflicts as long ago as AD69 and as recent as 2011 with contributions from almost every year group. In addition Year 13 Historians visit the Houses of Parliament a special 450th Anniversary supplement was issued, including interviews with a former student and Mr Burston as the longest-serving member of staff. Articles Private George Dancox, a latrine attendant who won the ranged from a study of the school’s artwork to biography Victoria Cross having run ahead on into the German of famous Old Olavians. Both magazines can be found bunkers at Langemark. He captured an entire bunker at tinyurl.com/olaveshistory . having crossed no-man’s-land by bursting into it armed only with a live grenade in his hand. The German soldiers Year 9 Battlefields trip all knew what this meant; if they shot him they would all During the Year 9 battlefields trip in Activities’ Week 1, die from the grenade explosion. He made them surrender we visited the Somme, Ypres and Dunkirk. Our visits to and his company subsequently captured the surrounding Ypres and the Somme focused on World War 1. bunkers all thanks to his bravery and luck to not getting shot. He spent the next two weeks telling his story and We visited a variety of different WW1 cemeteries around recruiting new soldiers back in England before returning Ypres. In Lijssentheok, at the Commonwealth cemetery to the trenches and unsuccessfully trying to recreate his we learnt about the way in which those who lost their lives feat of heroism! have been commemorated. We also visited Langemark, a German war cemetery, with over 44,000 war dead At the preserved German trench system at Bayernwald, buried. This was very different in many ways. Instead of it was great fun running around in them and climbing having individual head stones there are plaques on the into the bunkers and tunnels. They did, however, make floor with up to twenty war dead buried underneath and you think what it would have been like when shells were several much larger mass graves. There were also a lot dropping all around you and machine guns hitting the of oak trees, the national tree of Germany, which kept mud an inch above your head. It gave us the idea of how the cemetery in shade and made the atmosphere very the soldiers must have felt. It must have been absolutely sombre making you think about them in a different light terrifying. than Lijssentheok. On the last day we travelled towards Dunkirk as the At Langemark we also learnt the exhilarating story of British Army had in 1940 during WW2. On the way

Olavian 2012 – 99 we visited Cassel and heard stories of the gallantry performed by men to hold off the Nazi advance so that their friends on the beaches could be evacuated. It was interesting to learn about the things they did to stop the Nazi war machine steam-rolling them. They used mines, Molotov cocktails, grenades and in one case a JCB to block the entrance to a nearby village which halted the Germans for days. The stories were fascinating but sad as most of the men died.

Overall we learned that if those men hadn’t sacrificed their lives during WW1 and WW2 then the world wouldn’t be what it is today. We also learned that their sacrifice wasn’t quite what it has been glorified to be. Often they were running straight into machine gun fire with shells exploding around them and wading through barbed wire. It was truly barbaric. I think that the one thing we took from it was that if must have been petrifying to be standing in that trench before you ‘went over the top’ yet those brave men still did it. They were truly courageous and should be remembered and respected as long as the memory lives on - which should be forever.

Alex Mulroy (Y9) Washington & New York Trip - Economics and History trip 7th-14th July Activities week 2 saw over forty Economists and Historians brave the blistering heat in Washington and New York to develop their knowledge and understanding of the history of the United States and its economy. Visits to the World Bank and US Capitol in Washington proved to be particularly useful in highlighting the role played by the bank in funding capital programs in developing countries and in developing an understanding of the machinations of the US political system.

Despite the searing heat everyone enjoyed the trip and Above: photographs from the Year 9 Battlefields trip the cultural and educational opportunities provided by two of the USA’s most vibrant and hottest cities!

The Geography Department eography is going places” is certainly an appropriate summary of the department’s activity “Gthis year. Fieldtrips in years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12, including exciting and inspiring residential trips to Malham Tarn and our first superb trip to Iceland, have occurred alongside another extremely successful year in terms of examination results. 90% of students at GCSE achieved A*/A and 100% of students at A2 level achieved A*/B, the eighth year that the department has been above the school’s results average. The continually updated VLE in Grand Central Station, NYC Geography allows students to remain up to date with

100 – Olavian 2012 contemporary issues on a variety of scales, essential when the topics and case studies covered in class are continually updating. We wish our students leaving St. Olave’s to study Geography at university all the best and look forward to the development of the newly formed Geography Society and another exciting year!

Victoria Duguid Head of Geography Year 7 Geography & RE fieldtrip: Farningham and Eynsford During their first Activities Week, Year 7 were taken on the traditional Geography & RE field trip to a number of locations in the Darent Valley, visiting the villages of Farningham and Eynsford, the hamlet of Hulberry and Year 7 Geography & RE fieldtrip to Farningham the Roman Villa at Lullingstone. and Eynsford

The aim of the RS part of the trip was to visit and learn about parish churches and the role they play in the local community. During the course of the day, the groups visited the parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul’s in Farningham, and the parish church of St. Martin’s in Eynsford. On arrival at St. Peter and St. Paul’s, everyone received a small booklet with questions regarding the churches to complete over the course of the day. Some of the questions required the boys to observe the features of the church and grounds; others asked for thoughts and opinions.

The well known Roman villa at Lullingstone was also visited, allowing the boys to see the house chapel, one of the first recorded pieces of evidence of Christianity coming to Britain.

Having walked back to Eynsford, and avoided falling Year 8 Fieldtrip to Ashdown Forest into the river by the ford, Year 7s were to be seen all around the village, carrying out a count of pedestrian and traffic activity (low in both cases!), before returning to river! After that we took a break – lunch! - before the school at the end of an exhausting, but satisfying, day. hard team work began. Having eaten and arrived at our assigned sections of the river, it was hard to get going, as Year 8 Fieldtrip: Ashdown Forest the team roles and actions were hard to adapt to as some During activity week 1, Year 8 travelled to the River of us were in the wrong place or carrying the wrong Warren so that we could complete our IPM’s as well as equipment! Eventually the teams set off like steam trains having a great time. During our activity week the standard all trying to collect all the data we possibly could in the of the activities was very high, as we had recently visited amount of time we were given. Boulogne, France, the day before and this trip was no let down. Soon the day came to a close and we all sat back on the coach exhausted from the day’s tasks but everyone Firstly we set off on a coach to our destination. When would agree that it was a fantastic day out. Thank you we arrived we walked a fair distance so that we could see to everyone that helped and organised this amazing day the source of the River Warren and drew a field sketch out, especially to all the staff that accompanied us on of the area. Many great sketches were drawn from the the trip. Without these people this day would not have two forms. Next we strolled down towards our location happened! where we would collect the information for our IPM’s, taking a quick stop to learn how to complete some of the Michael Jacobs (8L) tasks, it made us very eager to complete the tasks in the

Olavian 2012 – 101 Year 9 Fieldtrip: Walton on the Naze & Clacton on Sea During Activities Week 2, Year 9 went on a fieldtrip to Clacton on Sea and Walton on the Naze in Essex. After a two hour coach journey, we arrived at Clacton and proceeded to examine the myriad of sea defences employed along the coast there. Clacton has been considered so worth saving that over £270 million has been spent on the sea defences there. The defences include a re-curved seawall, fishtail breakwaters, rock armour groynes and revetments. We walked along the defences as they were explained to us. The beach, although appearing to be sandy, is in reality a muddy beach. The sand is brought there by trucks to attract tourists and act as a barrier against the sea. Year 9 Fieldtrip to Clacton on Sea and Walton on the Naze We then drove to Walton on the Naze, a few miles up the coast. We had lunch on the grass outside the tower which overlooks the beach. We then went down to examine the defences. At Walton, only the south side has been protected, mainly to save the tower from falling into the sea. The defences employed are a stepped sea wall, a revetment, rock armour and an A-frame groyne, which consists of a wooden frame with rock armour inside. This prevents long shore drift as well as defending from the sea. Although the south side of the Naze has been well defended from the sea, the north side has largely been left to nature. This can be seen by the fact that the cliffs on the south side of the Naze are stable and have plants growing on them, whereas the cliffs on the north side are slumped and are relatively bare of vegetation. Frequent landslides can be seen in the cliffs, caused by the combination of the permeable Red Crag overlying the impermeable London Clay beneath. This causes water to seep down through the Crag until it reaches the impermeable clay. The build-up of water causes rotational landslips in the cliffs.

Year 12 Fieldtrip to Malham Tarn As it was a bright sunny day in Essex, we went on a walk along the beach until we reached the end of the spit. We then walked back to the tower and took the coach back to school. Naturally it started raining as soon as we reached Kent!

During this fieldtrip we had an opportunity to appreciate the geography and geology of the sites as well as the man made defences employed. Our thanks are to Mr Pengilley and the teachers who helped to run the trip.

Thomas Miller (Year 9) Year 12 Fieldtrip: Malham Tarn On the 16th of October 40 Geography students from Year 12 made their way to Kings Cross for their AS Level Fieldtrip to Malham in the Yorkshire Dales. A 3 hour train journey took them to Settle, a small town in Year 12 Geographers in Iceland North Yorkshire. A “short” 3.5 km trek followed as the

102 – Olavian 2012 students walked past Malham Cove, a location which In the morning we set off to the Svartsengi Geothermal made up one of the CGI back drops in Harry Potter and Power Station in the south-west of the country. the Deathly Hallows. Geothermal Power is very significant in Iceland, supplying ninety percent of its power and much of its hot water, After catching their breath and taking in the scenery, the making it largely self dependent. From there we visited a group continued up to Malham Tarn, which the Field volcanic crater lake, and climbed down the banks to the Work Centre overlooked. With luggage dropped off centre of the caldera where the water was crystal clear. and beds claimed everyone met for dinner and later an Equally impressive was Gullfoss, a spectacular two-tiered introductory lesson. After a long day everyone headed to waterfall and the most powerful one in Europe. We were their rooms to get some much needed rest. able to wander right out onto a ledge from which we could really hear the power of the water. Later we went Early the next morning some dedicated Geographers got to see some geysers. One in particular was erupting every up at the crack of dawn to head off to Gordale Scar. They five minutes, sending super-heated water up to thirty arrived just before sunrise, seeing the stunning waterfall metres in the air, thoroughly drenching those standing by the light of a misty dawn. Soon after they walked downwind of it! From the geysers we went on to see the further downstream to see Janet’s Foss, an example of a fissure that marked the boundary between the Eurasian waterfall that had been taught in previous lessons. and North American plates before ending our day at the site where the first Icelandic Parliament, the world’s After breakfast half of the group got into their waterproofs oldest, convened over a thousand years ago. and wellies in preparation for a day measuring the river channel characteristics of Cowside Beck. This is a small Our third day began with a visit to a stunning sixty metre tributary stream situated just north of Malham Tarn. high waterfall called Skogafoss. The more adventurous This took almost 6 hours, with most people arriving back ones among us were able to climb right to the top, from with a soggy clipboard and wet feet. where the views were amazing. After that we took a walk on the Solheimajokull glacier! Not the clean white mass The other half travelled to three settlements, investigating of ice we had imagined but instead a raw and rugged how their population characteristics changed according glacial tongue covered with black volcanic ash. Our next to their location. The groups then swapped over the stop was Reynisfjara beach, famous for its black volcanic following day. Unfortunately due to bad weather the sands, stunning basalt rocks, which were excellent for sunrise trek was cancelled on the second morning. climbing, and the delightful puffins. Our third and final waterfall was called Seljalandsfoss, which was special After three longs days everyone got up on Wednesday because you could walk behind it, an opportunity for ready for the 5 hour journey home, anticipating warmer some really great photos. weather and less rain back in the south east. The fieldwork was then be written up over the next month to On our final day we began with a short tour of Reykjavik, help prepare for the Paper 2 Geographical Skills exam learning much about Iceland’s proud Viking heritage. in January. This was followed by a visit to an interesting but rather smelly sulphur spring! Finally, we visited a bridge over Olly Plumstead (Year 12) the scar of the constructive plate boundary that allowed us to stand with one foot in Europe and one in North inaugural Year 12 iceland Trip America. From there, we said goodbye to our tour guide, On Sunday 15th July twenty nine sixth form geography whose singing and tales of elves and trolls had kept us students, accompanied by Mr. Pengilley, Miss Duguid and thoroughly entertained throughout coach journeys. Mr Waddington arrived at Heathrow for the school’s first Everybody really enjoyed the trip. An extraordinary ever trip to Iceland. From the moment that we first saw experience to the “land of ice and fire”, which has helped the country through the clouds it was clear that we would to prepare us for both our studies of Tectonic Activity in be experiencing a very unique and dramatic landscape, Year 13, and for university. seemingly quite barren in places. Our first stop was the beautiful Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa, renowned for Ben Fryza the therapeutic qualities of its rich minerals and for the steamy water temperatures, averaging between thirty seven and thirty nine degrees Celsius. Having relaxed in there for a while we went to Perlan in Reykjavik, a very popular tourist attraction due to the spectacular views that it provides of the capital. There was plenty of time left to find our hotel as the sun didn’t set until after midnight!

Olavian 2012 – 103 Iceland: Puffin & Skogafoss Waterfall 104 – Olavian 2012 The Classics Department so much to offer for the Classicist is not the safest place Bassae, Brasenose and brilliance! to visit in these dire economic times. It is very disarming when on arrival at the hotel of choice that the first thing he Classics Department had a rather excellent year you are told about is the large number of streets which with two Oxbridge candidates William Dudley and are not to be trod. Marie-ClareT Doran attaining their places at Brasenose and Trinity respectively. The latter was strictly speaking We were accompanied on this sojourn by my new and a Newstead Wood girl but did all her Latin here at the excellent colleague, Mrs Sarah Latcham whose support, school. Many of the this year’s Upper Sixth Classical knowledge and enthusiasm were wholly invaluable. Students who garnered 95% A/B grades have gone on to It was the first time that she had been to the city and read Classics at University which has been a trend now for indeed to Greece. This year as ever we tried very hard some years. It is very warming to think that they want to to see all the main sites and do something different too. further their understanding of this subject at tertiary level. For those who have long read my ramblings, you may There were highlights too at AS with several candidates be assured that there is something new to discover here: scoring the maximum points available, namely Eleanor new pictures to see and a new dog. You will recall that Goodman, Thomas Silver, Alex Rodker and Emily O’ in the past Olavians have had their encounters with the Malley. The indefatigable and wholly exceptional Peter ubiquitous Greek museum dog! Miss Gemma Gulliford Leigh scored full marks in his Greek GCSE. In all of this was especially keen on one on the Acropolis. This time I have been superbly assisted, advised and aided by my we met one who was most inappropriately christened two colleagues Mrs Sarah Latcham and Mrs Catherine Cerberus at Nemea and not on the banks of the Styx. Christie. Mrs Latcham had particularly difficult shoes to fill after the departure of Greg Cook but has more Athens in its sweltering heat still had the draw it has than amply done her task. She is a brilliant classroom always had for me and by visiting the Acropolis on the practitioner, a demon cricketer and is partial to DoE. Sunday, after having seen the New Acropolis Museum Sadly Mrs Christie left to re-join her old school Putney on the Saturday, the Parthenon was relatively quiet High but performed her duties with equal aplomb and and singularly lacking the whistle-blowing guards. We was especially effective in her teaching of the Art and managed to discuss the architecture, the frieze and the Architecture course. fact that the Parthenon was a statement of Athenian power and a celebration of the victory over the Persians. The year saw an excellent trip back to our old stamping There was much enthusiasm for the Erechtheum, its ground of Portchester and to the Greek mainland. As asymmetry, its oddly placed porticoes and its split-level ever we tried some new sites some of which were simply design. staggeringly good such as Bassae and some not so good such as Tegea and Tripolis. For any readers out there Escaping the heat and the noise of Athens we embarked contemplating a trip to Greece I advise a strong detour in the afternoon for Delphi via Eleutheria, a Fourth of Tripolis! This coming year we are doing a similar trip Century BC hill fort. Every time we visit this site in its but trying out Orchomenos and Rhamnous. beautiful setting the pupils are inspired to become the inner warrior with great zest to reach the top and man The Department is as ever fighting fit and like the well- the battlements. trained Spartan ready to take on the new challenges which lie ahead of us. Unlike Leonidas content to fight What is so important about Eleutheria is its position in the shade while grooming his flaxen locks, we will not on the road to Delphi bringing to our attention once wait in readiness but go forth in full preparedness. again that the pilgrimage to the Pythia was arduous. All who went there went by terrible roads, in frightful heat David Craig or indeed in snow. It is no surprise that Oedipus was Head of Classics waiting so long for the return of Creon. Its remoteness adds to its mystique, its overhanging Mountains The 2012 Greece Trip of Parnassus, its site crammed full of objects of Mad dog and English folk go out in the midday sun extraordinary wealth never fail to astound. There could be seen a colossal Sphynx, a bronze replica of the Trojan Why had I never thought of it before? “Take the Horse, huge cauldrons, shields , treasuries , a race track underground”, the hotelier advised, and for once I and a theatre. The visitor in the Fifth Century must have agreed. The walk from the Hotel Achilles which we have been overawed by the utter glitziness of the place. The used on several occasions is an unpleasant one to the heat here was overpowering and the normally stalwart Acropolis and yet until this trip I had never taken the Olavian did not all manage the ascent to the race track at underground. In future I will always; it is much easier the top. I like Dephi the small town too. It is safe, car free and safer. It is also very cheap. Athens, a city which has mostly and full of rather quaint shops. I have been there

Olavian 2012 – 105 so frequently that I was even greeted as a long lost friend In her case it was how to remove Biro ink from her by one of the shopkeepers. The greeting was somewhat handbag, but Asher is a bit of a Gussy Finknottle when marred by a strong dialogue about the economic crisis it comes to locusts and there we saw the most enormous which I had already had with another shopkeeper earlier variety ever. I could not help thinking of the irony as the in the evening. Money or lack of it is at the forefront temple was built to thank Apollo for keeping away the of the Greek. Nonetheless I managed to buy an antique plague. acroterion which past students of mine will be delighted to know sits in my garden along with other Classical The final days ran their normal course with excursions ‘objets d’art.’ Sadly however because of the economic to Mycenae, Argos, Nemea, Nafplion and Epidauros. recession the magnificent eco-train has now gone out Every year I make a small mistake and think that visiting of service. somewhere entirely different will be a good idea and this year was the site of Tegea. We found it but it was very The journey to Olympia was not quite as successful small but enlivened by an archaeologist from Sweden as in previous years. Before we had crossed the sea in who was so astounded that anyone would wish to visit some style on a beautiful ferry but this year because of the site he had mostly excavated in recent years that he the single-mindedness of a truculent driver we went on actually gave the site a great deal of meaning. Equally another crossing which was rather unpleasant. It was every year we have the tradition of giving a singing particularly poignant that we should be visiting the performance at the theatre at Epidauros. On the trip we site of the original games in the year of the London had the delightful Peter Leigh who surely must share Olympics. The site was as every year very crowded with the title of the ‘boy who knows everything’ with Asher. people heading in droves off the cruise ships to the Peter is a complete joy and a musical supremo who sang ‘dromos’ missing the key temple of Hera and Zeus and a piece from Handel’s ‘Semele’ to almost as much rapture apparently not appreciating the significance of the place as James Robinson two years earlier. As ever too we had as being primarily of religious importance. Away from a sprint race at Nemea which I in my accustomed mode the masses we really enjoyed looking hard at the Roman lost with grace even though Cerberus the museum dog bath house complex and I hope now that all my students chased me all the way. Watched by a British family who will be able to tell their children and grandchildren how were staying in the same hotel as us, the mother said to spot a Roman site. ‘Gosh your pupils are beautifully behaved!’

The gem of this site is its wholly wonderful museum. This trip as in previous years was a complete joy with the This contains the pediments from the Temple of Zeus, pupils being a standard of how to behave on a school and the metopes depicting the labours of Herakles. One trip. The first thing I did on my return was to e-mail the of the pediments depicts the chariot race of Oenomaeus Head of Sixth with the message that I was very proud of and Pelops, the founder of the Peloponnese. It is about them. Indeed the word proud is inadequate. They were the perils of cheating, about hubris and above all a dire completely hilarious with the traditional last night mini warning to the competing athletes. It was a joy to hear cabaret being an utter success with this year seeing the so many of the pupils enthuse about the sculptures first use of a bullet point comedy sketch. I will never which had formed so much part of their work during the forget the normally cerebral Asher evolving into a very course of the year. This is what teaching is about, helping naughty Zeus! The trip’s success though mostly down children to see and learn for themselves. to the glorious behaviour of the pupils owes much to my colleague Sarah Latcham and to my wife Julia. My For many years my colleague and dear friend Greg Cook thanks go to both of them for enduring the heat and had enthused about the Temple of Apollo Epikouros me! at Bassae though we had never managed to persuade a coach driver to go the summit. It is an extremely remote David Craig temple at the summit of a mountain. It had been erected by the Phigalians and may have been designed by the Year 12 Classics Trip to the British architect of the Parthenon, Iktinos. It is reached after the Museum most beautiful but hair-raising journey. Although only Year 12 Classical Civilisation students visited the British twenty miles from Olympia,the journey took two and a Museum for a study day. A highlight was the challenge half hours. It is as though the architect was playing with to the students by one of the curators of Greek sculpture design and its strange inner naos walls and window are to analyse and comment on a range of marble body parts, bewildering. One of the great joys of teaching Classical some dating back over 2500 years. The group also admired Civilisation students is their depth of their knowledge the vast scope of the Parthenon sculptures, brought to and on this trip we had the wonderful Asher Leeks, who, Britain by Lord Elgin, and listened to academic and as one of the girls, Anna Chadwick, said at Heathrow on TV documentary presenter, Dr Michael Scott, on the the way out, ‘Asher, I’ll ask Asher, he knows everything!’ significance of the sites of Delphi and Olympia.

106 – Olavian 2012 Greece Trip 2012

Olavian 2012 – 107 Year 9 Classics Trip to the British Museum taking the exam at the end of Year 10. Religious Studies Later in the year, as part of the enrichment programme, has benefitted from the demise of modular GCSEs in all of Year Nine - though fatigued by the visit to First that RS will now be the only exam being taken in Year World War Battle sites – also spent some of a day in 10 this year, which will, I’m sure, allow the boys to devote Activities’ Week 1 at the British Museum, where they to it the laser-like intensity of their undivided attention. enjoyed studying the Elgin Marbles. In the school year 2011-2012, the department introduced They learnt about the symbolism of the marbles with a new A Level course for Year 12, covering Philosophy particular reference to the metopes, the Great Panatheniac and Ethics from Plato to the present. The current group Frieze and the West Pediments. Their superb attention of Year 13s will be the first year group to complete the to the detail meant that they understood the context of course, no doubt blazing a trail for others to follow. the marbles within the political and military milieu of the last quarter of the fifth century and were able to posit Back at St Olave’s for the second time, the suit fits slightly some sensible analogies to conflicts being waged today. better, the hairline is receding, but the knowledge has been re-affirmed that for today’s students it remains a wonderful thing to be an Olavian.

Andrew Lake Head of Religious Studies The Department of Religious Studies ver 20 years ago, I entered St Olave’s with an More Questions than Answers ill-fitting uniform, a heavy bag and a vague sense On Friday 27th January, the Religious Studies AS Oof good fortune. 7 years later, I left with a tasteless suit, level students went to Bloomsbury Baptist Church for a dodgy haircut and a certainty that it is a rare privilege a fascinating Philosophy and Ethics conference which to be an Olavian. Nevertheless, I must admit to being included talks on the philosophical and ethical issues a little surprised to find myself back here, this time as surrounding the embryo, Religion and Relativism and Head of Religious Studies. how recent developments in quantum physics affect philosophical issues. In the afternoon speakers and Seeing the whole thing from a fresh perspective, it has participating students hotly debated whether Kant’s been entirely apparent that what I had always thought moral argument and ethical theory were a ‘miserable of as ‘just the way it is’ at St Olave’s is in fact quite failure.’ Philosophy is a fascinating subject and, as the extraordinary. Students demonstrate a remarkable depth day showed, well worth exploring. of thought and willingness to engage with difficult concepts. Year 10 Philosophy and Ethics Conference On Thursday 9th February, ten students from Year 10 Accordingly, the department offers a stretching and went to Newstead Wood School for a Philosophy and challenging curriculum that gives students scope to Ethics Conference led by Sixth Form students on topics synthesise, evaluate or tear to shreds ideas from a range covered in the GCSE course. During the day, the boys of secular and religious sources. went to various workshops where they discussed topics such as arguments for design, the existence of God, and Years 9 and 10 continue to take the Short Course GCSE, the soul. Year 9 RS trip to Jewish museum Despite being exhausted after a jam packed and rewarding History trip, Year 9 were on excellent form when they visited The Jewish Museum during Activity Week. The visit was designed to complement their GCSE course and allowed them to discover the different practices in the home and the synagogue according to the various strands of Judaism. The visit began with a general introduction during which the boys answered questions with aplomb and asked interesting questions to the delight of our hosts. In smaller groups they then participated in different workshops which allowed them the opportunity to explore items found in synagogues and Jewish homes as Year 9 visit the Jewish Museum well as attempt to write Hebrew with a quill. The day was

108 – Olavian 2012 a great success and many thanks are due to the boys for Young Enterprise their excellent behaviour and enthusiastic participation. In September Year 12 students formed two companies to represent the school; Resolve and Skyline. Both companies have made excellent progress this term. Having raised sufficient funds, Resolve are beginning large scale production of innovative stationary solutions and in the future look to expand their range of ‘intelligent’ The Department of Economics stationery. SkyLine enterprises has focused on two main he Economics department has had another products; personalised USB memory sticks, which will successful year. This success has taken many forms be pre-loaded with school material, and personalised whichT include: 40% of A level candidates receiving an cufflinks. A*,competing in the national final of the BASE Charted accounts challenge and competing in the London final Following further development, ‘Resolve’ made swift of the Bank of England’s target 2.0 competition. progress continuing to sell leaflet advertising space to local businesses as well as creating an innovative design This success encapsulated John Burston’s fortieth and for a folder with an integrated hole punch. ‘Skyline’ final year in the department before retirement. He will be specialised in designing and manufacturing personalized solely missed. His replacement is Dominique Ellis who ‘sustainable’ products, including cufflinks made from joins us after working in the city. Dominique is a graduate wood, and has received orders from many high-end of Economics from Pembroke College Cambridge. clients, including the Mayor of London.

John Greenwood The two teams then represented the School at the south Head of Economics & Work Related London final on Friday 18th May. Resolve did very well Learning to win best company report, with the judges indicating that the team had written the report to 100% of the Young Economist of the Year criteria used for judging. Title: Theo Clifford’s essay was highly commended in the Royal Economics Society competition Political Economics Society So popular have the weekly meetings been this year that The annual Royal Economics Society essay writing the society has had to move to a larger room. There have competition takes place between February and May. This been excellent presentations and lively debates on the year a number in Year 12 entered the competition which on-going economic crisis of recession, sovereign debt, involved writing a 2500 word essay. This year’s topics the euro and the failure of government policy. Broader included how to solve youth unemployment in the UK social and political issues have included the role of the ; whether sustainable development is best for Africa; and UN and NATO, the class war, poverty, the environment whether the Eurozone should be broken up. One essay and a ban on smoking. that was highly commended by the Royal Economic Society was written by Theo Clifford (12T) which Target 2.0 debated whether there is a better way to solve the debt On Wednesday 30th November Udit Gadkary (13G), crisis than austerity. The competition enriches university Barney Holleran (13G), Payal Chheda (13N) and Deeya applications and allows the students to undertake D’Souza (13K) took part in the Bank of England’s Target independent research in an area of Economic Interest. 2.0 Inflation Challenge. In the presentation the team had to consider the factors affecting the UK’s economic and CEO of B&Q’s National Youth Board inflation outlook and then decide what rate of interest Jaideep Wasu (13H) has recently been announced CEO should be set. After outlining the main economic issues of B&Q’s first ever national Youth Board. Its task is to and giving their decision, the team was then questioned provide the youth perspective to re-think, re-design and by a judging panel. The team performed very well on the shape the future of the company. Over four thousand day and it was enjoyed by all. individuals applied 4 months ago and the judging panel consisted of B&Q’s senior executives and main board Economics Conference members. Since his appointment, Jaideep has chaired On Monday 5th December thirty Year 13Economists a Youth Board meeting and represented B&Q at a attended the annual Economics conference in London. reception in the House of Commons where he discussed The students were treated to talks from Alistair Darling B&Q’s work with government ministers and MP’s of all MP, Hugh Pym, Larry Elliott, Tim Harford and Douglas parties. Carswell MP. The conference provided a valuable insight into current economic events and areas of debate which link to the theories being studied within the classroom.

Olavian 2012 – 109 The BASE Chartered Accountants team

BASE Chartered Accountants Challenge After last year’s success in the competition when the school achieved the prize of national runners up, six students represented the school in the London Heat of the challenge on Thursday 4th February at the Chartered Accountants Hall London. James Narula, James Allen, Michael Le Guillou, Ben Fryza, Kathryn Deegan and Lorraine Li were selected from 42 in year 12 based on their solving of a business problem and interview.

At the London heat the students had to solve a business problem for a company producing magazines based on profitability and ethical issues. In doing this the students had to analyse lots if data and make a presentation to a large audience. The team came first and therefore went through to the national final.

Then, on Thursday 28th and Friday 29th June the team took part in the national final in Birmingham. The team had to analyse accounts and make a presentation to a large audience as part of the process. This involved coupling the Economic climate with that of a set of business accounts. Despite not winning, the challenge was enjoyed by all. Work Related Learning and Enterprise Days On Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th July Year 10 visited the Bank of England as part of a work related and enterprise day. Students learned about how monetary policy is used to control inflation within the economy and the day also involved playing an enterprise game which involved running their own pizza business.

110 – Olavian 2012 Sports The Sports Faculty

he PE Faculty has continued to develop its softball and table tennis. The results have been added programme and add to the activities available. One to the House totals and more activities for other year excitingT development is the fitness suite (mainly funded groups were played during Activity Week 2. Well done by the PA) which opens officially in September 2012. to everyone who participated in these events. Sport’s Prefects and staff continue to provide a range of oppotunities for the students which all support the Marshall’s Educational Foundation Faculty in its aim for every student to find an activity It was a pleasure to host the annual meeting of this that they will continue to be involved in at university charitable organisation which, each year, gives grants to and beyond. St Olave’s and to the Stamford Schools in Lincolnshire. These are used to support students’ attendance on school Andy Kenward trips where families are experiencing financial hardship, as well as providing small grants to our Year 13 leavers S___Director of Sport to help them with initial university expenses. The day included rugby and netball matches between the schools and, although St Olave’s emerged as the losers on this occasion, the matches were highly competitive and London Youth Games played in good spirit. Congratulations to David Johansen(8H), Michael Jacobs (8L), Theo Haslam (9H) and Thomas Hart (9H) Rugby for being selected to represent Bromley in the London Youth Games, which were held on Saturday 30th June. U18 London & SE Rugby Squad Congratulations to Abigail Pottier (13M) who was Sports Leadership nominated for the London and South East under-18 The Sports prefects continue to raise the bar in terms of Divisional rugby Squad, following her performances at their input into various sporting ventures at the school. County level. Given that England is split into only four They have run many practices, helped coach teams, Divisional squads, Abigail was really pleased to have organised fixtures and competitions as well as celebrating been invited to the trials. these successes in assemblies. Year 9 have undertaken sports’ leadership sessions course in their PE lessons Kent County Squad and the Year 11 have completed their JSLA course. The Congratulations to Matt Holmes (13H), Richard students’ input into developing sport and physical activity Deniyi-Jones (13H) and Joe Theuns (12W) who, is recognised and valued by the school. following trials, were all selected for the Kent County U18 squad. It is something of a record to have three Sports Dinners Olavians playing at this level and could be a step towards The traditional Sports Dinners to celebrate the end of possible representation at an even higher level. season for the various winter sports continue to be a huge success. Hosted by those on the next senior rugby Welsh Exiles Call-Up tour (South America, 2013) the evenings consisted of Kiran Preddy (13N), a member of St. Olave’s First XV dinner, speeches from the captains and various staff, as squad, has been selected to play for the Welsh Exiles well as the presentations of the awards as voted for by the U18 Squad. It includes a number of Welsh schoolboy players. The quality of the speeches from the boys was internationals in a team compromising of boys of again spectacular and matched the quality of the food Welsh origin attending schools in England. Kiran provided by Head Chef, Jane May, and her staff. Thanks played at scrum-half in a narrow loss to the Newport go to Mr Archer who has organised these evenings for us Gwent Dragons Academy. all to enjoy, and to all those who came to them. U15 Rugby Tour Games Days During October half-term, the U14 squad headed off to The Games Days during the Activities Weeks were, Torquay to play matches against Torquay Athletic RFC, as ever, keenly contested with both Year 7 and Year 10 where they eventually ran out 57-10 winners, and Brixham competing in House matches in AW1. A wide range RFC, where they produced an impressive performance of activities were undertaken including cricket, tennis, against some physically stronger players to finish with

112 – Olavian 2012 a final score of 51-0. The team were well hosted both after the matches and at the hotel and the players and coaches all enjoyed another successful tour to Devon. U13 Rugby Tour October half-term also once again saw the Year 8 Rugby squad troop off to North Wales to take on the might of Llangefni and Bangor RFC. The squad of twenty two players and three staff had a great time as always with some strong fixtures, excellent hospitality, and the usual array of weather that North Wales could throw at them. Results included a narrow loss to a very large Llangefni side and a last minute try against Bangor to secure a win. U14 Kent Cup Winners Kent Cup Winners The St Olave’s U14 A team defeated an extremely physical King’s School Canterbury team in the Kent Cup final on 23rd November. Playing under floodlights for the first time, the players stuck together as a squad and this was proved by the commitment they put into their defence. Great solo tries from Douglas Mathers (9B) and Tom Willis (9C) put St Olaves into an early lead. King’s Canterbury hit back with some quick pick- and-goes and finished with their Centre powering over the line. St Olaves spirit did not drop and after a nerve racking second half, they went on to achieve a 14-7 victory, earning them the title Kent Champions. The 1st XVI, 2011-12 1st XV Rugby The St. Olave’s 1st XV enjoyed an encouraging start to the season. Following a few disappointing results early on, impressive victories against Trinity and Beths produced some of the best flowing rugby of the season and were followed by a further win against Wallington. After a disappointing early exit from the Daily Mail Cup at the hands of Langley, the return fixture resulted in a more than convincing win. The highlight of the season however was the later 25-19 win over a strong Hurstpierpoint College team which set us up for a strong finish to the season, resulting in a successful year for the 1st XV. Impressive victories over Reigate The 2nd XVI, 2011-12 (25-22) and Judd (29-0) followed on in the lead up to Christmas. This form was continued after the break with only a singular loss against a strong Brighton College half of the season included the game against Langley and team. Victories against Robert Clack (50-17) and local the 48-0 drubbing of Dartford. However, the heart the rivals Chislehurst and Sidcup (15-14) in a nail-biting team showed in the home fixture against Hurstpierpoint encounter rounded off the season in winning style and College was undoubtedly the highlight of the season for the team then looked forward to continuing such success many of the players. in the rugby sevens season. Under 16s Rugby 2nd XV Rugby The current U16s have been a promising year group The 2nd XV had a successful season, often showing the all through their school careers and, this season, the strength and team spirit to win against more powerful squad has not disappointed. The team won eleven of teams. The season opened with a win against a strong their regular fixtures, losing seven, although many of Colfe’s side. Other notable games included a closely these losses came after three players, Mitchel Fruin fought defeat against Skinners and an emphatic win (11M), Angus Dalgleish (11M) and Nicholas Colling against a big Trinity side. The highlights of the second (11L) were promoted to the 1st XV. They are a squad

Sports – 113 who have developed great depth, and with an improved sophistication to their level of attack, the team were able to record notable wins over Skinner’s, Langley Park and Eltham College. Under 15s Rugby This was a very good season for the U15s with a series of good wins over some excellent opposition. The season started well with some solid victories. However after losing a couple of important matches in the Kent cup and the Daily Mail the season looked a little fragile. After the half term tour to Torquay normal service was resumed with some excellent wins over Brighton College, Under-15 A, 2011-12 Langley Park and Hurstpierpoint. The squad should be very proud of their season with particular mentions to Joshua Searby (10J) and Teddy McAleer (10K) for captaining and leading from the front. Under 14s Rugby The U14s have had an extremely successful season with notable wins against Dulwich College and Kings School Canterbury in the final of the Kent Cup. The season’s success has been down to a squad effort with noticeable changes throughout the two teams. The B team only lost two games all season allowing the winning atmosphere to flourish through the age group. Particular thanks go to the parents for their continuing support on and off the pitch. Under-12 A, 2011-12 Under 13s Rugby The U13 squad is one with much potential as demonstrated by their wins over Eltham College, St. Dunstan’s and Brighton College. They have shown that they can play an exciting brand of running rugby, with a robust set of forwards and creative backs who have been well-orchestrated by captain Oliver Tomkins (8B) and fly-half Alex Lamberti (8B). Well done to everyone who worked hard through the season to improve their game. Under 12s Rugby The U12s enjoyed an excellent season and the players were committed and trained hard. The ‘A’ team had a very good win against Brighton College, but the performance of the season came at the unbeaten Trinity where only one score separated the teams. They also reached the semi-final of the Tiffin Tens Trophy, losing Under-13 7s, 2011-12 to John Fisher. The ‘B’ team are currently ranked fourth nationally. the semi-finals of the Kent and Tiffin tournaments respectively. With several more tournaments to go there Rugby 7s is much anticipation of further success. The Sevens season started brightly for the school with many tournaments and successes. Firstly the U13 CRiCket attended the Judd tournament and secured a place in the final, for the first time since 2004, and were narrowly Kent Cricketers beaten by John Fisher. The U14 squad managed to return Congratulations go to Angus Dalgleish and Suraj with the silverware after beating Colfe’s in the final of Sridhar who have both been selected for the U17 Kent the Beths’ 7s, while the U15 and U12 squads reached Cricket squad.

114 – Olavian 2012 U15 Cricket The cricket season is a busy time of the year with so many fixtures and such little time to fit them in. St. Olave’s struggled in their first two matches losing to Sevenoaks on the last ball of the game and Ravens Wood the same way on the next fixture. After that they found their feet with good wins against Langley, Wilsons and Skinners. U14 Cricket The U14 XI have played eight games to date, winning five and losing three. The most notable game was against Dartford when the opposition were bowled out for just fifteen runs, the captain Prabu Sathananthan (9C) taking five for five and Daniel Briscoe (9L) taking four for five. The team then reached the Bromley Cup final, after beating Ravens Wood, which will be played at the Kent County ground at Beckenham. Under-15 Team, 2012 U13 Cricket The U13 1st XI has gone from strength to strength since winning the Kent Cup last year. There is some exceptional talent in this team, both with bat and ball and, at the time of writing, they are currently unbeaten in both the Bromley Cup and the Kent Cup, hoping for a place in both finals during the last week of term. The boys also had an excellent tour away to Devon during the recent half term, securing an emphatic 100-run win against a local team, Shaldon Optimists; unfortunately, the persistent bad weather forced Torquay CC to cancel our two other tour matches. This team has great potential and will hopefully be crowned Champions of the two 20/20 tournaments! Under-13 Team, 2012 U12 Cricket Devon Cricket Tour 2012 The Year 7 cricketers hit the ground running thanks to Can a tour ever have been run in worse weather? Probably, the pre-season nets in the Spring Term and they have but spirits were not dampened as the Year 8 cricketers continued on a high through the season. They have only embarked on a five day tour to Devon. Students got lost two matches, and have won their last seven. This has to enjoy Exeter University’s new cricket centre and included progressing through to the semi-final of the unfortunately were only able to play one fixture against Kent Cup after a thrilling 1-run victory over Skinner’s. Shaldon, a match they won easily, posting 143 for 3 Joint captains Matthew Lane (7H) and Sohayl Ujoodia and then dismissing them for 31. A frustrating tour in (7C) have led the squad well and have been well-backed cricketing terms, but so much more than just cricket is up by a very talented and committed group of boys. learned on such a tour, and so the experience was very worthwhile and enjoyable. Fives Cricket Dinner Eton Fives: Autumn Term As always this evening was well-attended and a fitting There were thirty five fixtures and tournaments in the event to reflect on the season. Director of Sport, Mr term in which over one hundred Olavians competed. Kenward, and Deputy Headmaster Dr Green both spoke All matches were won or drawn with the 3-0 win over about the history of Cricket at St. Olave’s given that Cambridge University being a particular highlight. this event also celebrated the 450th Anniversary of the Harry Ravi (13I), Tony Barker (13L), Brian Wang school. An enjoyable evening was had by all, noting the (13K), Ross Henderson (10M), Josh Ravi (10M) and many cricketing successes that school has had this year, Alexander Weeks (10L) dominated the Rossall Schools’ including three players being selected for Kent, Sohayl Championships winning Singles and Doubles Titles in Ujoodia, Angus Dalgleish and Suraj Sridhar. both the Open and Colts categories. Harry Russell (9L)

Sports – 115 won a major U14 individual event held at Eton College U15 Fives whilst Morgan Pugh (8H) also reached the final. Chris Jonathan Leech (10N) and Nirjithan Sivapalan (10L) Self (12P) became the first schoolboy player to win took part in the Turnbull Trophy and reached the Semi- the adult Midlands Championships, in which Barker Final. This is a prestigious event in which partnerships and Ravi also reached the Semi-Finals. The enormous are a school boy with an Old Boy from the same school. and very talented year 7 squad also started to feature in William Phillips (10K) and Josh Ravi (10M) reached matches and to benefit from additional coaching support the 3rd round of the Senior U18’s in the National from the Senior Team members. Championships – an outstanding achievement. Swiss Fives Tour 2012 U14 Fives Twenty young Olavians from the Lower School travelled Harry Russell (9L) enjoyed an outstanding season in to Zuoz in the Engadine Swiss Alps for a week of non-stop which he won both regional Individual Competitions activity! Fives training took place every morning, with held at Eton College. William Edmonds (9H), Nathan mountain hikes, cricket matches, basketball challenges, Lewis (9H), Leo Henderson (9L), Nick Wright (9B) football matches, tennis tournaments and waterfall visits and Billy Belsham (9H) were all key players in the squad all adding variety during the afternoons. Every evening and their game benefited enormously from the extra was Fives Club-night, all mixed in with the girls and training they attended. boys from the Lyceum Zuoz, the Host school. U13 Fives Eton Fives: Spring Term Kosi Nwuba (8B) was the rising star of the entire school This was a great term with wins over Berkhamsted, team, having worked especially hard and with great Eton, Harrow, Ipswich, Emanuel, QEB, Westminster dedication in the evening “Top 16” training. He joined and a number of adult sides. The juniors performed Thomas Gallagher (8B) and Morgan Pugh (8H) as particularly well to defeat Ipswich 15-1. The seniors players who could represent the School at the highest and U16s travelled to Shrewsbury to combine a fixture level at U13 age. Thomas Gallagher and Morgan Pugh against Shrewsbury School and the Adult Northern won the REFCA U 13’s Championship held at Eton Championships. Sanjay Kundu (12Q), Christopher Self College and then a few weeks later, Morgan and Kosi (12P), Tony Barker (13L) and Harry Ravi (13I) were paired up for the National U13’s. They played brilliantly outstanding performers at both school and adult level to reach the semi-final in which their three-hour epic and their seedings in the National Championships will match was lost on sudden death in the fifth set after a be very high this year. great come-back from 0-2 down in sets. This is the best result achieved in the U13’s by any Olavian pair. Senior Fives Tony Barker (13L) and Harry Ravi (13I) won the U12 Fives “Pepper Pot” trophy for the second year in a row; this A fantastic Year 7 squad recruited by the sixth Form have is the “Plate” of the Men’s National Championships. been working very hard at Fives training. Kieran Walton They remain the only school pair to have ever won it! (7L) and James Tate (7C) performed especially well to Christopher Self (12P) became the first schoolboy to reach the fourth round of the U12 Nationals. James Tate ever win the adult Midlands Championships. Sanjay and Josh Limbrey (7C) also reached the U12 Individual Kundu (12Q), Tony Barker, Harry Ravi and Christopher Final. William Carew (7L) and Sohayl Ujoodia (7C) Self all played in the Adult First Division, competed in travelled to Wolverhampton where they won the all major adult weekend tournaments and were seeded Midlands Schools U14s Plate competition. The Team second and fourth in the School’s Nationals. Both pairs enjoyed great results, including wins over Berkhamsted featured in the National Semi-Finals, a superb testament and Emanuel School. to their level of play. U16 Fives Netball Dominic Robson (11L) was the outstanding figure The Netball Squad started the season with a fixture for the U16’s. Often playing in the Senior squad and against old rivals, Colfe’s. An encouraging draw for outside school with the Old Olavians, he has become a the A team promised well for the new season with the very intimidating and effective force on the Fives court! team benefiting from new Year 12 talent. The B team Dominic stepped up and partnered Brian Wang (13K) showed a level of enthusiasm and commitment which in the U18 National Championships. Ben Kwok (11K) was maintained throughout the term, and the skills of also played well for the Team and there were always all these players were nurtured through the enthusiasm determined performances from Sam Fergusson (11M) of captains, Emma Simber (13N) and Eloise Andrews and Ben McKechnie (11N). (13G). Losses against strong teams from Newstead

116 – Olavian 2012 The Intermediate boys also performed well and Jon Pairman (10L) scored over twenty one points in the High Jump saw St Olave’s win this event overall. High Jump Congratulations to Benjamin Stanbury, Year 9, who won the Kent School’s Junior High Jump competition with an exceptional jump of 1.67m. Sports’ Day 2012 Fortunately the weather improved enough so that this year’s Sports’ Day can be remembered for one of excellent achievements from several of the competitors. Though Netball 1st VII (A Team), 2011-12 no records were broken, the standard was extremely impressive in many events, with several closely-fought races and field events. The winner of the Junior Victor Wood and Stamford were balanced by convincing Ludorum, beating Tom Willis (9C) by just one point, was wins against Darrick Wood and Charles Darwin, and Ben Stanbury (9L) who was particularly awe-inspiring the A team performed strongly at the Kent Under 19 in the High Jump. Tournament. Overall the results were as follows: Lent term then saw the final A team league match against a strong Colfe’s team with St. Olave’s starting the 1st – Bingham (1093 points) game strongly and gaining an early lead. Unfortunately, a better performance by Colfe’s in the latter half edged 2nd- Harvard (1027 points) them ahead and the final score was 12-16. The B team game also resulted in another loss but there was some 3rd – Cure (995 points) very promising play and some wonderful shooting from the St. Olave’s team which bodes well for the future. 4th – Leeke (928 points) Thanks go to the captains Eloise Andrews (13G) and Emma Simber (13N) for their excellent leadership. Well done and thank you to everyone who took part or helped with the organisation of this occasion. Football Fantastic results in the England Schools Football Association Cup and the Kent Under 19’s White Cup saw the 1st XI progress through the early stages of each Hockey competition with ease. Great team performances against The 1st XI first had to rebuild, as must happen every St. Gregory’s and Phoenix High School were highs autumn, with the influx of new Year 12 players. Teamwork for the team, whilst dogged and sterling performances was good, with players supporting each other positively. against Alleyn’s School and Dane Court School showed Indoor practice took place on Mondays in the Sports grit and character despite losses. Stars of the squad Hall. On Wednesdays, when the team did not have a included James Narula (12T), a new joiner and individual match, they were able to use Darrick Wood school’s with flair and an eye for goal, James Bowman (13J) and Astroturf pitch. This was a great advantage as all games Declan Murphy (13G), new and old captains of the are now played on Astroturf. Results included a 2-1win squad and two of the hardest workers on the pitch, the against Reigate Sixth Form College and an away loss industrious team man Joe Coleman (12S), and the ever against a strong Notre Dame side. The traditional hockey reliable goalkeeper Callum Scotland (13I), to name just season for schools started seriously after Christmas and a few of a talented and successful team who this season the squad enjoyed the Sixth Form Colleges’ cup as well have represented the school to the highest standard. as friendly fixtures.

AthletiCs & spoRts DAy Captain Ed Phillips (13L) led the team on the field by his exemplary play and conduct. Meanwhile, the best goals ESAA English Schools Track & Field Cup of the year were put in by Ryan Lee (13L). Cameron This is one of the premier events of the athletics Saunders was splendid in goal and John Holden (13G) calendar and so it was encouraging to see so many fine the best defender. It is unfair to pick out players for performances. In the juniors both Tito Adesanya (8B) special mention as the whole team put in tremendous and Kosi Nwuba (8B) gave noteworthy performances. effort against very strong and experienced opposition.

Sports – 117 Badminton Kent County Swimming With the new Sports and Drama Hall in full operation Theo Haslam (9H) competed in the Kent County badminton has emerged as a very popular sport. The Swimming Championship swimming in fourteen weekly clubs are well attended and skill levels of the individual events. players are developing significantly. House matches have been played by the younger years and there is a real He achieved the following: eight gold medals in 200m hunger for more. Matches against other schools have butterfly, 100m butterfly, 50m butterfly (gaining the Kent been restricted but nonetheless those who have played all time record in his age group), 100m freestyle, 50m have performed very well, only just losing to Sevenoaks freestyle, 100m breast, 50m breast (gaining the Kent all earlier in the year: most of the games were won or lost time record in his age group) and 100m individual medley by just a few points and eventually Sevenoaks ran out (gaining the Kent all time record in his age group); two winners by sixteen games to ten. silver medals in 400m individual medley and 200m freestyle; two bronze medals in 200m individual medley Squash and 50m backstroke; and two fourth place medals 200m Squash has proved a popular sport this year with several breast and 100m backstroke. He also swam in the 13/14 players taking advantage of the well-attended weekly age group 4 x 100m medley and freestyle relay teams, clubs now running. The first team travelled to Sevenoaks both of which reached the finals. In terms of his overall School to play some fixtures and, despite losing overall, position he came second in Kent in the 13-year-old age played very well and gained valuable experience. Many group. thanks to Daniel Morland (13I), squash prefect, for the time he put into organising teams and practices. Well done also to Michael Jacobs, Year 8, who came also 2nd overall for his age group in the Kent Swimming Basketball Championships, setting four event best performances The senior basketball teams have gone from strength to and gaining many medals. Michael also gained three strength, with tightly contested games against the St. national qualifying times in the Regional Championships Olaves’ Old boys, a decisive victory against the Bromley and then competed against some of the top swimmers in Men’s team and an impressive score line against Newstead Great Britain in Sheffield at the end of July. Wood highlighted the school’s basketball superiority. Even with the impending departure of veterans Scott St. Olave’s also entered the Kent County Swimming Johnson (13I) and Daniel O’Connor (13H), the future Competition with much success. Timothy Adelani (11L) still looks bright for the squad, with senior starting came second in the intermediate 100m freestyle, Michael members found in year 12 and 11 as well. The Year 11 Jacobs (8L) came first in the junior 100m backstroke and recently beat Coopers’ School in a tournament with our David Johansen (8H) took bronze in the junior 100m teams finishing first and second. Basketball remains an freestyle. The seniors also did well with Chris Miles important part of the curriculum and is also a popular (13K) winning the 200m individual medley. extra-curricular activity. The younger year groups have competed in House basketball matches organised by the Fencing Sports’ Prefects, as well as playing in local competitions. Congratulations to Adam Whitelaw (9B) who has been selected to represent his country in the England U15 Tennis Epée Fencing team. Adam has been competing all over Tennis remains a very popular summer sport and this the country for the last year to build up points towards year there have been increased opportunities for the this selection. We wish him luck as he joins eleven pupils to get involved. The Sports Prefects have run other boys and twelve girls for a major international extra-curricular sessions and a professional coach has competition in Poland in March. helped at lunch-times and during Games. Years 8 and 10 as well as the Sixth Form entered the AEGON National On Monday 7th May Adam won a bronze medal in Championships. The senior team lost their first match the final of the U14 Epee British Championships in but the Year 8 and Year 10 teams were both undefeated Sheffield. Adam had already competed earlier in the and looked likely to top their pools. year to gain one of the four places to fence on behalf of south east England (Kent, Surrey and Sussex). This is the In addition, table tennis is one of our most popular biggest annual competition and, as usual, all regions of sports throughout the year, with many pupils playing Great Britain were represented. either recreationally or in matches against other schools. A professional coach comes in on a Monday to help support this programme and those that attend have been fitted hugely and improved their skill level significantly.

118 – Olavian 2012 Art, Design & Technology Art, Design & Technology

The Department of Design Technology Design Ventura o be successful in the modern world, pupils need For the second year running, a team of aspiring to be able to engage with, apply and learn new and designers from the department developed a unique and evolvingT technologies. The pace of our world is dictated innovative concept product for the Design Museums by the devices we rely on, the social networks we are annual competition. This year saw Year 11 once again addicted to and the structures and vehicles which shape outshine teams from lower year groups to represent the our environment. Whilst the D&T of old could be called school, with a product called Sixty, a set of tiles which wood tech without a second thought, modern design slot together as a toy or installation, meeting the brief and technology is about conceptual and innovative of “fun” set by the competition sponsors, Deutshe Bank. design, using new and aspiring technologies, and looking The group consisted of Keir Bowater, Max Legemah, for opportunities to improve the way we live our lives Robert Edghill, Daniel Dawson and Benjamin Kwok. through unique products and solutions. Once again the team from Saint Olaves came close to winning, attending the awards evening for the top ten The philosophy of the department is wherever possible teams in the country, and receiving a commendation to provide our pupils with access to modern design and for professionalism, placing them fourth from over 900 manufacturing techniques, to develop creative problem schools. A fantastic result for the team, with a product solvers, and to helping those who study with us at GCSE which has since been queried for commercial production and A-Level to move into careers in engineering and by a local manufacturer. product design at the top Universities in the country.

The department continues to grow in strength and size through the hard work and dedication of the staff in the department, and pupils who study in our workshops; prefects and Arkwright scholars demonstrate excellence in the subject both in the classroom and in the running of extra-curricular pursuits.

2012 promises to eclipse 2011 with the department becoming a centre of excellence in D&T teaching, offering training to local D&T teachers. New additive manufacturing equipment compliments the laser cutting and Dye Sublimation facilities that are available to pupils, and new Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths challenges will help pupils link their learning of The Lower VI Arkwright Scholars core subjects to the modern practical projects D&T now offer. Philip Holton

S___Head of Design & Technology

Arkwright Scholarships (currently 11 between Year 12 and 13) The department remains the strongest provider of candidates for the prestigious scholarship scheme in the UK, with 5 new scholars in Year 12 joining 6 in Year 13. With more applicants than ever for the award each year, and greater expectations on those looking to enter the world of Design and Engineering, those lucky enough to now have sponsors are in a fantastic position to realise The Year 11 ‘Design Ventura’ Team their career aspirations.

120 – Olavian 2012 D&T Thorpe Park Trip Year 10 pupils went to Thorpe Park for the third year running, an educational visit to discover what career opportunities were available in the field of engineering and design at the theme park. The whole day trip provides pupils with first-hand knowledge of engineering, marketing and the electronics associated with ride development, as well as ample time to experience some of the most exhilarating rides in the UK today. Whilst the pupils thoroughly enjoyed the weather and the quiet park, all left wanting to become designers, structural engineers, or any of the other fantastic and inspirational roles that make the parks attractions the cutting edge thrill rides they are today.

Food Technology Year 11 discover the Food Technology room The ADT faculty has benefited this year from the addition of the Food Technology room. Year 7 pupils can now study food as part of the curriculum, developing skills and techniques to design and create tasty meals and snacks alongside their design and make projects in the workshops. Pupils in Years 10 and 11 also have access to the room as part of the PSHE rotation as well as Year 12 students as part of the Elective programme. Spring Board Cooking Competition 2011 For the first time ever, Saint Olave’s pupils entered cooking competitions on the back of the launch of the new food room in the department. Competing against local food colleges and academies with dedicated rooms and staffing, pupils at the school excelled in the school heats of the Spring Board competition, producing delicious main courses such as butternut squash risotto, pan-fried chicken and bacon in a creamed leek sauce, and roasted vegetable pasta. Alexander Hutchinson from 7H shone above his peers, and went on to represent the school in the regional heats. The MasterChef-style cook off took place at Croydon College in a professional kitchen. Alex excelled despite his competition all being 5 years his elder, and in the end came second for the South of England. Professional chefs judging the competition challenged him to return next year having demonstrated ability and maturity above his years. Alex Hutchinson (7H) represented the school in the Kent Young Chef Competition Spring Board cooking competition As a Kent school, Saint Olaves pupils were invited to compete in the annual young chef competition. The challenge was to develop a new dish using locally sourced Year 8 Food Challenge Days ingredients. Pupils from across Year 7 entered, with As part of the 2nd Activity week, all year 8 pupils dishes such as Kentish roast pork and apricot salad, and were introduced to the new food room and took on a Kentish shepherd’s pie the highlights of another strong the creative challenge of making Pizzas from scratch. school based heat. Despite the excellence demonstrated Despite some sticky dough and a few too many handfuls in both technique and professional presentation, the boys of cheese being stuffed into the crust, all pupils learnt failed to make the local heats, but were pre-registered how to create a dough mixture, prepare ingredients and to enter again next year due to the quality and level of make a delicious home-made meal. The pupils certainly application from such a young group of pupils. enjoyed it, even if the staff were a little bored of seeing pizzas all day!

D&T – 121 Olavian Design Company establishing her unique and individual, more ‘fine art’ With so many talented creatives in the sixth form this approach. and next year, the department set up their own design practice, offering custom made designs for every day The department continues to put students through to products with an Olavian brand. Whilst the website is higher education in art, fashion, graphics, animation, film still in development, pupils met every week to design and architecture. In a highly academic institution such as their company logo, build a portfolio of products from St Olave’s, it is good to see the success of our students phone stands to toys and cufflinks, before planning and in what is a highly lucrative sector of the economy – the launching the sale of their first product, a travel chess creative sector. set commemorating the 450th anniversary of the school. Next year the company is hoping to grow, providing GCSE examination results were improved and the A products to sell at annual school events and as an levels grades excellent with a wide variety of sculpture, enrichment club for GCSE and A-Level pupils. paintings, photographs, films and prints produced by the 6th Form artists. One highlight was the selection Year 12 Seymour Powell enrichment day of Aedryan Chklar’s computer drawing ‘Owl’ for the Pupils studying Product Design at AS level were lucky Royal Academy online exhibition. Another was Oliver enough to be able to work one to one with some of the Plumstead’s timelapse film of a day in the life of London. most talented creatives and designers from the UK’s The standard gets higher every year. number one design firm. The challenge of the day at the Victoria and Albert Museum was simple, gather together The Royal Academy came to the school with a tutor and inspirational images by exploring the miles of design and model for the regular life drawing day for the 6th Form. art based collections the museum had to offer, before They worked hard all day, producing creative outcomes conjuring up a new brand or concept technology for a useful for coursework and portfolios. product. Taking our extremely talented technologist out of their comfort zone for the first time was a fantastic Curriculum trips included galleries, Greenwich and experience for the group, who all came up with brilliant London, and the 6th Form trip to Florence. This involved and innovative product concepts for a “Retro-sexual” a guided tour and visits to all the wonderful cultural male, and “Future-dreamer” female. highlights of this fascinating city.

Guest Speakers inspiring engineers A large part of this year in the Art department was Taking a day out of their busy careers, guest speakers organising the 450th exhibition, commemorating the from the South Bank University Product Design degree school’s anniversary of the granting of the Elizabethan and Engineering software company Autodesk provided charter of 1562. We borrowed a range of fascinating engaging talks to sixth form pupils with a keen interest artefacts from Southwark library, which houses much of in becoming engineers and CAD designers in the future. the school’s historical papers, documents, photographs Learning about how Autodesk software shapes the and objects. cutting edge blockbuster movies we see in the cinemas was enough for some to start using the new software This was combined with other items from the school’s long suite in the ADT computer room straight away. history, and paintings and prints from the Governors’ art collection. The chapel was converted into a gallery for a week, housing what was seen as a stimulating exhibition and an insight into life of the school through the ages. Notable items included the original royal charters from the reigns of Elizabeth 1, Charles II, and George III, and The Department of Art an old school algebra exercise book from 16th century. he Art department is now separate from Design Technology, but it continues to thrive and develop. Additionally we were fascinated by photographs of FollowingT the departure of Joel Fayers after family school camps from the 1930s and the activities planned relocation, Siobhan Heraghty was appointed as an NQT for the evenings, school reports, the clock donated by in September 2011. Joel had great strengths particularly the family of Matthew Le Chavetois in memory of this in graphics and printmaking and served the school both Olavian pupil and later teacher killed in 1st World War, within the department and in the wider school setting and canes from the period of the extraordinary but also in sport and as a Head of Year. He was also instrumental notorious Dr Carrington. This headmaster oversaw the in helping to organise the very successful New York Art school being evacuated to Sussex and then Torquay trips. during the 2nd World War, and then the whole school from Southwark to the green fields of Orpington in the Siobhan has settled in well, passing her NQT year and 1960s.

122 – Olavian 2012 Thanks must go to Mrs Karen Smith who spent hours organising and cataloguing items for this tremendous exhibition. Chris Davies S___Head of Art

Yr 10 Art Trip to London Year 10 artists enjoyed a trip to London on Thursday 6th October taking in sights, transport, buildings and people. The group recorded their journey through drawings, photographs, film and notes, including visits to Greenwich Park, the Observatory, the Painted Hall, Trinity Hospital, the Island Gardens, Tower Bridge and City Hall. Although exhausted, the group recorded many images and ideas for their London project. Year 10 artists in London Royal Academy Outreach Life Drawing Workshop On Tuesday 15th November a tutor and model from the Royal Academy Outreach programme came to the school. Year 12 and Year 13 Art students spent all day on an intensive exploration of drawing, visualising, discussing and discovering many aspects of the drawing of the human form. Sixth Form Art Trip On the afternoon of Friday 3rd February, the Year 13 Art group travelled to Beckenham to visit the archive collection and gallery of the Bethlem Royal Hospital. Students were treated to a fascinating brief history of the hospital and the part that art and photography have played in mental health.

OpinionARTed Competition Year 13 Art students visit the Bethlem Royal This year’s exhibition of art from all Bromley schools was Hospital held at Darrick Wood School. Adryan Chklar (13H) submitted fantasy figures drawn by hand and on the computer. Joanne Maure (12P) entered her tree against a sunset fabricated using the new Laser cutter. Oliver Plumstead (12P) created nine photographs around the theme of illusion, with light paintings and Photoshop manipulations. Art Club Art club has been thriving this year under new management. It takes place every Tuesday and involves pupils from Year 7 to 9. In one set of sessions, the links between food and art were explored during these sessions with icing biscuits and a gingerbread house. Thanks to the Art prefects for their organisation and enthusiasm. Olavian Artwork shortlisted Congratulations to Aedryan Chklar (13H) who was shortlisted for the Royal Academy of Arts online ’A-Level Summer Exhibition Online 2012’ Aedryan’s OpinionARTed participants at Darrick Wood School

Art – 123 was one of over 1,450 submissions made from students across the UK, and the judging panel commented on the high quality of work received.across the UK, and the judging panel commented on the high quality of work received. Year 12 Florence Art Trip Year 12 and 13 Art students, accompanied by Mr Davies and Mrs Smith, enjoyed the artistic sights of Florence over the long weekend of 10-13th November. There is so much for everyone to see and enjoy in this fantastic city, but particularly for those studying art.

The weather was beautiful and sunny which meant that the whole experience was very enjoyable. Visits to the Academia, the Uffizi, Pitti Palace, the Cathedral Duomo and Boboli gardens were all stimulating. Florence is a city full of churches, galleries, statuary and Italian life, and the group ended up immersed in the culture of this wonderful place.

On the return journey we stopped off to view the Leaning tower at Pisa.

It was, in everyone’s view, a brilliant trip.

Chris Davies

Year 12 Art students in Florence

124 – Olavian 2012 Olavian 2012 – 125

450th Anniversary: 1561 – 2011 450 Years: A brief context A packed audience was treated to a splendid In 1013 (almost 1000 years ago) King Olaf of 450th Commemoration Concert which Norway sailed his Viking long-ships up the included the full Symphony Orchestra, Jazz, river Thames, tied ropes to the wooden piers Wind and Symphonic Wind Bands. The Byrd of London bridge, then sailed back down river Choir, a small group of eight soloists, directed again so that the bridge collapsed, throwing by Peter Leigh, stood out for the excellent pitch the occupying Danish army into the water, and and range of timbre with which they tackled ensuring victory for the English King Ethelred. the very difficult Haec Dies. The highlight This most spectacular event was commemorated was the massed Choir, including the new 450 by the poet Ottar Svarte in the 13th century Parent Choir, and that magical moment as they King Olaf ’s Saga: hit, with a power that filled the Great Hall, that first note of Handel’s Zadok the Priest. London Bridge is broken down, Gold is won and bright renown. The magnificent setting of Southwark Cathedral Shields resounding, war horns sounding, played host to the 450th Commemoration Arrows singing, mail coats ringing, Service for St Olave’s, as well as for the Odin makes our Olaf win! Foundation and the original St Saviour’s Grammar School, allowing us to retain our and gave rise to the children’s nursery rhyme. annual link with the borough in which the school Olaf was later made a saint and part of his was founded. This was a very special event with legacy was the naming of a number of churches contributions from students from both schools. and, of course, our school. It was almost 550 It was good to see so many Old Olavians and years later that Henry Leeke, a Southwark parents in attendance at this historic event. A brewer, with property on both sides of Borough special Commemorative Dinner rounded off High Street, left a will in 1560 giving £8 a the day for invited guests at The Athenaeum. year from the rents towards “the finding and erection and maintaining of a Free school in The 450th Exhibition and Celebration started the parish of Southwark.” The conditions stated in the Great Hall with an entertaining history that the parish of St Olave had to create “1 free of society and the School given by myself, school within the space of 2 years” and that former Head of History, Mr Alan Evans “all the children and scholars dwelling in the and former Deputy Head, Mr John Burston, parish should pay nothing.” This was done by before the departing School Captain Timothy Michaelmas Day, 29th September, 1561, when Munday and Vice-Captain Jennifer Cocke the first schoolmaster, one Richard Marlow, brought things right up to date. The exhibition, took up office, on an annual salary of £13 16s. organised by Head of Art, Mr Davies, displayed 8d. The legacy of Henry Leeke is our very own, a fascinating collection of manuscripts, paintings St Olave’s Grammar school – still free, and and artefacts, some dating right back to the thriving to this day after 450 years as one of school’s origins, including original Charters England’s oldest schools. Ten years later in from Queen Elizabeth I dated 1562, and from 1571, that amazing lady, Queen Elizabeth I, King Charles II, dated 1674. secured the continued existence of our school by the conferment of the Royal Charter as a Other highlights included an Art Poster Grammar school. competition; a ‘Find the missing St Olave’s Steam Engine Name-plate’ essay competition; It was fitting, therefore, that we should celebrate and a splendid Cricket Dinner. Drama too and commemorate our 450th Anniversary in played its part, recognising the links that the style, reflecting on some of the traditions that original school had with Shakespeare by a fine we still hold dear. The founding of the 450 production of ‘Macbeth’, including powerful Parent Choir will, I hope, be a lasting legacy; performances from Michael Yates and Grace there is now a core of parents, friends and Boyle as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Old Olavians who rehearse weekly and whose inclusion in the Christmas and Easter concerts Aydin Önaç provided a new dynamism.

128 – 450th Anniversary Supplement – Olavian 2012 The 450 Exhibition

Olavian 2012 – 450th Anniversary Supplement – 129 th 450 Anniversary Poster Competition and Jen Cocke, Vice Captain, gave their views The two winners of the poster competition for on being students at the school in 2012. Food the 450th Anniversary of the school were Leon and refreshments were provided by the PA. An Brown (11N) and Thomas Miller (9L). Both amazing 450th cake baked by Karen Smith received iTunes vouchers which were awarded in and iced by Clare Slyfield was the spectacular an Art Assembly, which also showcased some of centerpiece. No-one dared to cut the cake, but the wide variety of work produced by the Sixth it was then consumed at the Governors’ garden Form, from paintings to sculptures, graphics, party! photographs and filmmaking. Thomas’s and Leon’s posters form the divider for this section A good time was had by all, and much of the Magazine. appreciation expressed by the audience.

450th Anniversary Celebration: C E Davies (Head of Art) Full Report To help celebrate the school’s 450th Anniversary 450 Creative Writing Competition: celebrations, there was an exhibition of historical St Olave’s Steam Train (30938) artefacts gleaned from Southwark Library, but Nameplate mostly from the school itself. This made a One of the interesting features of the 450 year fascinating display of times past at the school, history of the school is the fact that it has a from the 1698 bible, to the bundle of canes steam engine named after it. The “Schools” from the 1960s, from the original 1562 charter class consisted of 40 engines all named after of Queen Elizabeth 1st, complete with hand- “Independent” schools. A combination of short drawn portrait, to an 1851 book of calligraphy frame length (4, 4, 0 wheel arrangement) and exercises. high tractive effort (Power Class V) made the engines ideal for the Tonbridge/Hastings line Probably one of the most moving items was with its tight curves and narrow tunnels. All the ‘Handbook of algebra and geometry for of the class probably spent significant time at schoolboys’. This had the name “Hosier” both London Bridge and Orpington Stations. written in the front, dated 1840. It was then St Olave’s (938) was the 39th in the class built left to the school in 1917, having belonged to at Eastleigh Works in 1934. It was renumbered another student named Brown who was killed 30938 post the 1948 nationalisation of the in the First World War, inscribed by his father. railways. This meant that this one book had been used by schoolboys for over 60 years! St Olave’s is the only school in the class which is now in the state sector but many still feature As well as the historical items, on display were on our Rugby/Fives/Chess fixture list – notably maps, paintings, prints and drawings associated Eton (900), Dulwich (907), Whitgift (916), with the school that belong to the Governors. Hurstpierpoint (918), Harrow (919) and King’s To complete the exhibition current 6th Form Canterbury (933). Only three engines still exist artists displayed their A level work from this in preservation Cheltenham (925), Repton (926) year’s examinations. and Stowe (928). The rest, including St Olave’s, were withdrawn in 1961/62, as diesel/electric On the evening of Thursday 28th June in the traction became the norm, and subsequently Great Hall, the audience of over 200 were broken up for scrap metal. A nameplate was treated to a talk by Alan Evans, previous Head presented to the school and is on display by the of History, on the school over 400 years. This entrance to the Great Hall. was followed by John Burston, teacher at the school for 40 years, giving his impressions of the Having been given this information, the school since it moved to Orpington in 1967. competition asked boys for a piece of creative writing that included more specific details of Music was provided by Eamonn Cox, Finn the St Olave’s engine – any distinctive features Butler and Tom Saunders. Songs given by or unusual stories about it – and addressed the Richard Decker. Tim Munday, School Captain question – “Where is the other nameplate?”

130 – 450th Anniversary Supplement – Olavian 2012 (There would have been two nameplates (one were 8 ft. 6 in (2.16m) wide stock. Designed by for each side of the engine). It is likely that R.E.L. Maunsell, these trains had been known the other one was melted down but we do not as ‘Schools Class’ trains because each one of the know.) forty of them produced belonged to a different independent school and at that time, one of Congratulations to the six winners who wrote them, now the only one of these schools in engaging, well crafted stories to solve the the state sector, was St Olave’s. The St Olave’s mystery of where the second nameplate – the was the 39th ‘Schools Class’ train, built in the partner to the one outside the Great hall - is now. Eastleigh railway works in 1934.

It was Dr Green who inspired this competition, It had been a cold, wet day, in November 1961. and who kindly provided the prizes. The St. Olave’s train had made its last trip, and was due to be sold for scrap metal. This Two entries from each year group were chosen as was because of the new British Rail Class 201 winners. They were each awarded a book token diesel-electric multiple units, which took over and had the promise of having their stories the line from 1957 and the completion of the published in the Olavian Magazine, which electrification of the South Eastern Main Line they are,* immediately below this article. Well in 1961. One of its nameplates had already done to each of them and all who took part. been given to St Olave’s, but the other was to be scrapped with the rest of the train. The winners were: Sam Caine 7B When it was driven in to be scrapped, he had Henry Miller 7B been working at the scrapyard. As he was Kayo Kufeji 8H taking it apart for scrap metal, he had noticed Lucas Golding Yee 8H a nicely-curved piece of metal amidst the rest Matthew Simpson 9H of the scrap. Intrigued by its shape, he had Bradley Sawyer 9H taken it home because he knew that with its strange shape that it could have some purpose, * Unfortunately, as we went to press, oblivious to the fact that it was actually the Sam Caine’s piece could not be located. second nameplate for the St Olave’s train. He had taken it home that day and had used it as Where is the Missing Nameplate? a shelf, with the flat back of the nameplate on The old man sat on the bench, watching the top, for his tools in his shed. However, that had rabble of schoolchildren rush past. As they not been the end of the nameplate… ran, something fell out of one of their pockets. When they had gone, the old man bent down When he had had a child, he had taken down and picked the paper up. Squinting at the small the shelf, polished it and used the plate as letters, he read, a small bench for his son when he was little. When his son, after a few years, had grown out St. Olave’s Train Competition - Where is the of it, he stored the bench, with the rest of the Missing Nameplate? baby things in the attic and forgot all about them. He smiled. He knew where the nameplate was, unlike all these people. It had belonged to the Now the school were looking for it. He 30938 St. Olave’s train, one of the SR V class, wondered if the nameplate was still there. also known as ‘Schools Class’ trains. Apparently, Tucking the sheet of paper into his pocket, he they had been the most powerful 4-4-0s in rose onto his old, shaky legs and returned home, Europe, perfectly designed to navigate the to check on the nameplate. twists and turns of the Tonbridge-Hastings line. It had been based on the existing ‘King When he got home, he hurried, as fast as his Arthur’ trains, which were 4-6-0s, but were not weary legs would allow him, up to the attic. suitable to this railway line, due to a building Opening the trapdoor, he climbed up and he error in one of the bridges. Most of the trains searched for it. There it was, under a thick coat

Olavian 2012 – 450th Anniversary Supplement – 131 of dust. Excitedly, he brushed away the dust. window. A single bolt was rattling out of place The nameplate sat there, freed from its dusty on the name plate which hung on the outside prison, gleaming in the light. He smiled. He of the train. He quickly tapped on Edward’s had found the nameplate. shoulder. Abruptly, Edward awoke, blinking to regain his focus. “Look!” John said. “That bolt’s Henry Miller (7B) unscrewed. That plate’s going to come off.”

The Saint Olave’s Steam Engine “Go get it then! I dare you,” Edward snapped. The Saint Olave’s steam engine lazily puffed its And so John came to his final decision. way out of the station, leaving behind it a trail of billowing cloud. It was six fifteen in the morning “Well, I do need a bit of action today.” He and for the boys, it was a routine schedule. They grinned to himself. Edward raised an eyebrow. munched away in the carriages, tucking into their favourite snacks and treats whilst chatting John stealthily opened the window and climbed amongst themselves as they shared the latest out, using the railings at the top of the train copies of ‘The Daily Mail.’ The rhythmic sound for the little support he could get. Immediately of coal being flung into the hearth gave the he was shocked by the force of the wind which train a rather busy atmosphere. Ms. Fleemon, rapped ferociously around his ears and almost the supervisor for the boys and notorious Latin took him off balance. John was nervous. He teacher, sat away in the corner, submerged in was well known for doing crazy things, but this the eerie darkness. For some reason it seemed by far was the stupidest thing he had done so to fit her as her beady eyes darted swiftly from far. The train roared across the railway tracks, side to side. She looked shattered already. The leaving endless fields of British countryside day hadn’t even started. behind it. As John looked down, he gulped nervously at the blur of track that would mean In carriage four on the left hand side sat the imminent death if he fell onto it. Slowly he four boys of this story, Edward, John, Blake and edged himself over to where the name plate Joseph. They were a mischievous bunch who had hung. It took him a good five minutes, and by a thing for getting themselves into an awful lot the end of it his muscles were burning, almost of trouble. They were eagerly discussing weird crying out for help. The bolt was an arm’s length and wacky news stories. “Hey guys, come look away. All he had to do was stretch an inch more, at this!” Edward said as he gingerly popped the just a tiny space away. He had it! But suddenly last Skittle sweet of the packet in his mouth. the light was cut out as the train eased itself “What is it, mate?” Joseph replied. He leant over around a sharp corner. It had gone underneath and stared quizzically at the newspaper. “Can a tunnel! John lost his grip and the plate slipped you believe it? Those blasted Germans have onto the track, pinging off his shoulder and attacked again!” It was indeed true. On the page, landing on the track with an almighty screech. a headline read, ‘WWII HAS REACHED A There was a rain of glaring white sparks before NEW LEVEL AS V2 BOMB KILLS 470 IN it disappeared in seconds. John shrieked out COVENTRY.’ The headline was as striking as the pain kicked in. Blood gushed profusely as it was clear. “Wow,” Blake whispered. “Now from his shoulder and his legs suddenly gave we’ve got a fight.” way underneath his weight. He heard a brief knock and a few cries coming from the carriage * * * window. John screamed his final scream as he fell, further and further down below, before They were well past halfway of the journey landing with a thud on the tracks. He was dead as the clock struck seven o’clock. Noise still within seconds and a streak of blood splattered remained in the carriage but at a mellower tone. onto the steam engine’s wheels. The four were quiet and calm for once. As the others began to shut their eyes, John, the most The driver heard something, shrugged his mischievous of all the boys noticed a faint but shoulders and continued on into the early undeniable ringing sound. He slowly lifted his morning light… head and peered out of the cramped and dusty Kayo Kufeji (8H)

132 – 450th Anniversary Supplement – Olavian 2012 The St. Olave’s Steam Engine 12th January 1956 Nameplate “Lets see if this new technology actually works for a change, “ says Gerald Brown, fiddling 16th June 1940 around with the state of the art item finder. “Come on guys, let’s do the final check. Make “It’s already programmed to track down the sure absolutely everything is turned off and microchip, so all I need to do is search these locked up, we don’t want anyone finding this.” areas.” Says Brown to himself; studying the Jeff Carter shouts to his employees as they map he was given. “Well this can’t be too hard.” secure the now dormant MI5 base. With the Brown and a number of others were tracking war going on, the government want every able down the lost passcode for the secret MI5 base operative to be working as spies. The top-secret in Devon. This was lost 16 years ago by a man MI5 base is no longer needed and is being used named Jeff Carter, who has now devoted his life as storage for England’s most precious goods. to finding it. Gerald, and some others, had been hired by him to help find it, although they had “All systems shut down sir,” shouts military no idea as to where it might be. The only clue officer John Wood. “Looks like we can lock up they had was that a German aircraft had crash this place for good. landed near it and it was now scrap metal. They had searched that entire sight but they hadn’t “Great,” Says Jeff, “I can’t wait to get out of found a trace of it. Now they were searching here. With all this ancient junk, it’s made nearby towns for it in case it had been made this base seem like a dusty old attic.” Then he into a car or something. bellowed, “Alright then, everyone out! We are now locking up! You don’t want to be trapped “That’s it for this town,” he said as he heads here for who knows how long.” After everyone towards the train station. “The next city is 14 evacuated, Jeff closed the thick steel doors miles north, in a town called Moontown. This and locked them with the automatic lock on train should take me there, the St Olave’s steam the door. This could only be opened by the engine 30938” He climbed aboard, and bought passcode that not even Jeff knew, which was a ticket. He decided to explore the train to pass stored in the database of a microchip Jeff put time. As he approached the engine, his tracking in his pocket. “Okay everyone, that’s it for now, device started beeping uncontrollably. so run off and do whatever you need to do. Jeff went to his car, and tried to open the locked “Excuse me,” shouted a middle-aged man, door. “Damn.” He said. “Where are my keys?” trying to be heard over the noise, “but could you He reached into his trouser pockets and pulled turn that racket off!” out a set of keys. Unknown to him, the small microchip came out with it and fell onto the “Sorry sir,” said Brown, “but this is government tarmac road. Unfortunately nobody seemed to order.” The man grunted and went to sit in the notice and Jeff drove off in his car, followed by next carriage while Brown tried to work out the volunteer soldiers. the problem. He eventually blamed it on the government. “They should always test these 21st August 1943 things before sending them out. Or they will Harvey Stuntel tried to maintain balance in always break!.” his jet. The English were on his tail, rapidly gaining speed. He tried to shoot them down, When he got off the train, the noise finally but they’d taken off half of his jet and Stuntel stopped. “What a relief.” Gerald said. Then the was going to crash-land. He was dimly aware truth dawned on him. “Oh God.” He said. “I of his engine exploding to his left. He cursed. must get back on that train!” As quickly as he His plane was now on fire, and he knew he only could, he stopped a car and flashed his card. had a few seconds to live. As his jet went down “This is the governments orders. I need to he aimed for the seemingly open space with a borrow your car, and it will be returned to you slim hope of survival. As his vehicle exploded, in top condition.” a few pieces of debris ricocheted off the once MI5 secret base. He was soon on the highway, in pursuit of

Olavian 2012 – 450th Anniversary Supplement – 133 the Steam train. As he drives along, he gets through the cabin, screaming at the other ready to jump onto the train. He jumps, and passengers to run for their lives. Behind him then misses, distracted by the car smashing the carriage door flew open and a man jumped into the tree and then exploding. ‘So much for across. His heart beating like a drum on parade returning it’ he thought. As the train speeds day, Flynn ran even harder. He ripped open past him, he quickly throws a grappling hook, the door at the other end of the carriage. Cold, which gets caught on the last carriage just in country air tore at his skin and clothes and time. “Phew” he says. But as he hit the track he his eyes began to water. Flynn froze. The gap starts shouting with pain as he gets thrown into between carriages seemed huge. More shouts the air after every bump. As he is dragged along rang from the man back in the carriage. Gritting the ground he reached and took a young boys his teeth, Flynn jumped. sledge, which he used to save him from the pain. He slides along the snow until he reached Only as his boots connected with the other a steep hill where he starts overtaking the carriage did Flynn realize his mistake. The door steam engine. With skill, Brown jumps into the on this side did not open. Flynn’s blood seemed carriage where he comes face to face with the almost to turn to ice. Turning back was out of middle-aged man from earlier. “Hello again.” the question- the gunman was too close. With He says and then rushes to the engine. Brown horror, Flynn realized what he would have to whips out his device and searches from top to do. Holding back a sob, Flynn slung his leg bottom, until he comes to a nameplate with the around the side of the train, and began to pull words Saint Olave’s on it. “This is it!” Gerald himself onto the roof. exclaims. “What everyone has been waiting for. I’ve found it! The passcode!” He gently removes Within seconds of Flynn slumping on the roof the nameplate and holds it in his hands, staring of the train, he had been spotted. The man yelled at it. Then he goes to sit in the carriage to await something at him, but it was snatched away by his journey home. the wind. Then, the man began to climb up. Adrenaline filling his system, Flynn scrambled Lucas Golding Yee (8H) backwards. The man followed. As he gained his balance, the man took aim at Flynn and fired. Steam Engine and Olavian The momentum of the train threw the shot His hands in his pockets, the young boy made off wildly, and it ricocheted off the side of the his way down the train, weaving in between train. Another shot. This one struck the train’s his fellow passengers. Flynn stopped at the nameplate, punching straight through the weak end of the carriage he was in and leant against metal. The man took aim once more. Flynn took the door. Train journeys bored the young boy a deep breath. And the train rounded a corner. immensely. Flynn gazed through the door’s window, searching for something to alleviate The man was pitched from the train like a sack his boredom. To his dismay, the other carriage of rocks, his gun flying through the air. Flynn seemed as dull as this one. himself was thrown sidewards, and off the top of the train. Instinct prompted him to grab the Suddenly, a scream rent the air. Flynn’s breath closest thing possible- as luck would have it, caught in his throat, and his heart began to the carriage’s nameplate, now hanging from the pound violently in his chest. In the carriage train by one bolt. Yet even as Flynn clung to it across from him, a man had come to his feet. with all his strength, he knew it would not be He was dressed in rags, with a dirty face and enough. The plate was loosening- a screw that desperate eyes- no different than any of the had been designed to hold a sheet of metal was beggars and miscreants Flynn had seen on this now holding a teenaged boy. It could not hold train. But it wasn’t the man’s choice of clothing for long. Flynn closed his eyes, and waited for that shocked Flynn- it was the gun he held in the end. his hand- and how casually he had just put a bullet through the head of a passenger. His body was discovered by the tracks less than a day later, the nameplate clasped in his hands. Terrified, Flynn broke and ran. He stormed The boy was given a hero’s funeral, and laid to

134 – 450th Anniversary Supplement – Olavian 2012 rest in a beautiful grave. Below the gravestone’s the engine yard. The carriages were detached inscription was affixed the nameplate Flynn had and taken away. The sky seemed to turn from died clinging to. Even now, his grave stands- a a bright blue to a murky grey as the train was monument to Flynn Preaker; hero and Olavian. pushed slowly forward by another engine. The points changed, and the train was wheeled Matthew Simpson (9H) down the line. The lantern beneath the boiler swayed in the wind, a cold breeze that had not The Saint Olave’s Train blown before this fateful hour. Its light shone The Tonbridge/Hastings line. Miles and miles upon a sign, and two words. ‘Smelter’s Yard’. of metal rails separated by thousands of sleepers. The lantern, a sign of the burning light of the Winding tracks and an eternity of narrow, sooty train, flickered, and died. Just days later, the tunnels. Not fit for any normal train – but this once amazing engine was now a pile of scrap. train was far from normal. The ground starts to The only two parts that stood out from the pile shake. The tracks rattle, and a speck emerges of dull, broken metal were the nameplates. They from a line of trees in the distance. Smoke were removed from the pile, and the only two bellows from the top, and a tremendous noise reminders of the former glory were separated. is heard. The speck grows larger and enters the One was sent away and presented to the school, tunnel. The train - small yet strong - powers but the other could not be saved. through, unaffected by the tunnels that are too narrow for most other trains. At the end, the One of the very last parts of the very special engine erupts from a cloud of smoke and soot. train was melted down, and became part of Up ahead the track curves sharply, a problem some very special gates, for a very special school. for the larger trains. The short frame means The nameplate isn’t as far away as we think. the train thunders round at a high speed. The track suddenly gets a lot steeper, but the train Bradley Sawyer (9H) carries on going, pushed up the hill by the brute force behind the machine. Ahead – a station. In seconds the train transforms from a savage animal to a dignified beauty. It stops in the station, and the steam shoots out onto the platform. Now, before the passengers stood a glorious marvel. A wonderful spectacle. The sun glinted off the perfect, shiny boiler, and on the sides were the two nameplates with the words – Saint Olaves. For many more years the train ruled the rails. Constantly travelling backwards and forwards down the line, the train never failed to surpass its rivals. Whether it was about power or looks, the Saint Olaves train always came out on top.

The train carried on going strong for years and years. The engine had no weakness, but nothing can last forever. The old tracks the train would navigate, with their winding rails and beautiful landscape, had changed. The line now ran past houses and buildings, the natural beauty ruined. Also, as the train sped along, diesel and electric trains would pass in the other direction. The once classical, wonderful scene now gave way to an industrial horror. For this new, advanced world, the Saint Olaves train just wasn’t good enough. For the last time, the train arrived at

Olavian 2012 – 450th Anniversary Supplement – 135 Top & Top left: The St. Olave’s Schools Class locomotive, No. 30938 Left: Royal Train arriving at Tattenham Corner station on Derby Day. View southward, towards Purley and London; ex-SE Purley - Tattenham Corner branch. The Station is all prepared for HM the Queen to attend the primary horse-race of the year. Her Pullman train is hauled by a resplendant SR Maunsell class V ‘Schools’ 4-4-No. 30938 ‘St Olaves (built 7/35)

Archive footage of the organ at Tooley Street

136 – 450th Anniversary Supplement – Olavian 2012 Top: The Orpington school in its original shape Above: 1967/8 ( Just before the school move), Boys sketching in London Left & Above left: Moving from Tooley Street to Orpington

Olavian 2012 – 450th Anniversary Supplement – 137

Old Olavian Co n t e n t s

Editor’s Notes

Chairman’s Report Chris Harris 142 Annual General Meeting Chris Harris 143 Annual Lunch Kit Harris 144 History of the Old Olavians Fives Club, Pt 2 John Brown 145 STOGS in the Fifties Robin Dadson 149 David Gould’s Leave – May to June 1943 David Gould 155 Life on the troopship Mooltan – 1944 Alan Wright 163

Clubs and Societies Old Olavian’s Lodge Peter Hudson 168 Cricket Club Tour 2012 Lance Giles 168 Eton Fives Club Howard Wiseman 172

Old Boys’ Notes 1950-2004 John Brown 173 1940-49 Leslie Watmore 173

In Memoriam 174

140 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 Editor’s Notes In past years I have often asked for contributions from 2012 – what a wonderful year that has been and how my readers – this year three of them have responded privileged we are to have been able to live through magnificently, and I hope that you will enjoy what they it. I am sure that there will be many of my older have written. I would especially recommend Robin readers who, like me, will have been reminded of Dadson’s submission. He remembers, in fascinating events during their youth: there was the spectacular detail, the way life was for those of us who attended celebration of the Queen’s diamond jubilee and this STOGS before the momentous move to Orpington brought memories of my mother taking me and my in 1968. I attended the school a few years before brother to sit all night on the edge of the pavement Robin, but his article brought back so many memories in The Mall to watch the coronation procession on of those days, upon which I suspect that the majority 2nd June 1953. I also remember the special assembly of us look back more fondly than we did while we held during the afternoon early in 1952 when Dr were living through them. I especially remember, as Carrington told the whole school of the death of the does Robin, many good Sundays on the north Kent king. marshes and other exotic places with Geoff Chapman and Aubrey Buck who jointly ran the Field Club for The jubilee celebrations were followed by the Olympics many years. and Paralympics when we were all reminded of the way in which sport can bring countries together in peaceful I would also commend two further fascinating competition, and we wondered at the supreme effort contributions, both recalling events during WWII – and achievements of the many athletes from around David Gould kept a detailed diary of his extraordinary the world. I thought back to the Olympic Games of adventures in the Himalayas while on leave, and Alan 1948 when I, as an eleven year old, first became aware Wright has reminisced on his wartime experiences in of international sport. Those games were held in the navy. Both of these are thoroughly good reads, and London, only three years after the war, and they were I am sure my readers would find them worthwhile. necessarily on a much smaller and less extravagant scale than the modern version. I still remember the I am pleased to report that Robin has written a names of Fanny Blankers-Koen and Arthur Wint second instalment of his recollections, and that this who must have made some sort of impression on me will appear in next year’s edition of this magazine. at that tender age. I hope that some other of my readers will think to themselves something along the lines of, “I could do Although those two major events were celebrated that”, and then sit down and do it. I look forward to across the whole country and around the world, I receiving many more contributions next year. must admit that my own most special day came at a much more local level. Regular readers of these As always, I give my special editorial thanks to Jane notes will know that I have for the past thirteen years Wells who has given me so much help and support in been privileged to be the official scorer for Derbyshire producing our section of the magazine. County Cricket Club, and those who follow cricket will also know that Derbyshire have been one of the John Brown less affluent and less successful teams in the county Editor, Old Olavian championship during that time. So, when, on Friday 14th September, Derbyshire beat Hampshire and sealed, not only promotion to the First Division of the championship, but first place in the Second Division by the narrowest of margins, this was a very special occasion in my own personal calendar.

When I was a boy at St Olave’s and living barely a mile from Kennington Oval, I used to watch and support Surrey, at that time one of the greatest county sides of all time, as they won seven successive championships during the fifties. Now, however, my allegiance has shifted entirely to Derbyshire, and I would suggest, in what is no doubt a somewhat biased way, that Derbyshire’s, with its limited resources, is almost as great an achievement as that of Surrey all those years ago.

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 141 Chairman’s Report and at the school for 36 years) and Mr John Burston Sadly the year started with the news of Derek Standen’s (former Deputy Head, and a teacher at the school for passing in October 2011. Derek was instrumental in 40 years), as well as from the Headmaster. setting up the Forties Group of the Old Olavians. He arranged their reunions and kept everyone in touch. This evening included a musical interlude from a In Derek’s absence, a lunch was booked for the 40s student Chamber trio, and the BBC Young Chorister group at the RAF in April. It was very well attended, of the year, Olavian Richard Decker aged 13, who and he was, and is, much missed. sings at The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy.

I attended Remembrance Service, which took place on Following the presentations, there was a chance November 11th in the Great Hall and, as ever, it was to look round a fascinating collection of splendid good to see Old Olavians attending, especially from pictures and significant artefacts in the Exhibition The Old Olavians Lodge who are always represented put together by Chris Davies, Head of Art. It was a at this service. I would encourage those local enough wide-ranging display of times past at the school, from to be at the school at about 8.30am to try to come the 1698 bible, to the bundle of canes from the 1960s, along in 2013. It is a solemn, but uplifting experience, from the original 1562 charter of Queen Elizabeth and provides another opportunity to reflect on the 1st, complete with hand-drawn portrait, to an 1851 sacrifices made, often by ones so young. The date is book of calligraphy exercises. There was so much announced quite early in the winter term, and it will to see and so little time, that I am hopeful that the be in the newsletters. exhibition can be put on again in the not too distant future. The 450th Anniversary of the school was celebrated in fine style last year with some excellent events. After 40 years John Burston, my 6th form tutor, retired, and now only one member of staff from my time at the I am told by a reliable source that the Anniversary school remains - Mr Archer. So it was good that they Concert in April in the Great Hall was possibly the were both able to attend the Old Olavians’ reunion best performance that he had witnessed at the school just a week or so ago, in September. Replying to to date. the Headmaster’s toast to the Old Olavians this year, our guest speaker was Sir Roger Sims. He attended The following day was the annual commemoration the school in the 40s, served in the RAF, travelled service at Southwark Cathedral. Old Olavians met and then settled into a life in politics, serving as MP up in the morning to relive memories of days spent for Chislehurst in Margaret Thatcher’s government. in the Tooley Street school buildings. More than He has been a governor of the school and still sings a dozen spent perhaps an hour or more travelling at the school from time to time. His recollections through the building and sharing or just listening to from his school days, travelling in Africa, and from recounted stories of Dr Carrington, Aubrey Buck, his time as an MP kept us both attentive and amused. Geoff Chapman and ‘Butch’ Howell to name but a I certainly didn’t know that a three line whip was few. We then adjourned for a quick bite to eat at the simply indicated by underlining the debate/session Bridge, some with their partners, before walking the on the letter from the party whip three times. short distance to Southwark Cathedral. It is likely that we will return to the RAF Club in This year, of course, was very special being 450 years Piccadilly for the 2013 reunion. since the school was founded. Although we will be able to celebrate another 450th anniversary in just 9 And so that brings us to the beginning of a new year. years, that being the anniversary of the signing of the Charter by Queen Elizabeth I, establishing the school The Society, and ultimately the school, is grateful to as a free grammar school. Sixth formers from St those who remember this great institution in their Saviour’s joined the school for the commemoration own wills. No matter the amount, the funds can service, as the establishment of the St Olave’s & St always be put to very good use. Saviour’s Foundation is their history also. Last year the society donated about £10,000 to the The Celebration and Exhibition in the Great Hall and school and, amongst many other things, in these Chapel in June took us back through the history of straitened times, it went to maintaining the services the school and included interesting and entertaining of an instructor for the school chess club. The results talks from Mr Alan Evans (former Head of History can be seen earlier in this edition of The Olavian.

142 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 Previous donations have helped kit out the kitchen 3. Chairman’s Report area for Domestic Science, which is not only used for meeting the National Curriculum requirements, 3.1 Membership but also provides for the much-needed education of Old Olavians on Web Database – 6928, of which the Sixth-formers about to embark upon University 2204 have provided their email addresses. 440, existences. including 25 sponsorship members, have paid full membership of £20, entitling them to The And finally, I’d still like to know what else you would Olavian, with a further 498 paying something. like from the Old Olavians Society, preferably with a suggestion of how it can be achieved. Write or 3.2 Society Administration email via our administrator at the school, Jane This continues to be managed entirely by the Wells at HYPERLINK “mailto:jwells@saintolaves. school’s OO Administrator ( Jane Wells). Audit net”[email protected]. & Magazine – managed by the committee pro tem. Looking forward to serving, and hearing from, you. 3.3 Magazine Chris Harris (1970-77) 2011 edition distributed to 452 members – thanks again to the OO’s section editor, John Brown. Can be contacted via OOs Administrator hyperlink, [email protected] 4. Finance Report

4.1 Accounts 2011 2010

Old Olavians’ Society Annual General General Fund Meeting, 6th March 2012 Income £18,204 £19,312 Expenditure £25,523 £ 9,318 1. Minutes of Last Meeting Agreed Profit/(Loss) £ (7,319) £ 9,994 Balance Sheet £36,213 £43,532 2. Matters Arising Benevolent Fund Income £ 2,677 £ 1,873 2.1 Licence to sell alcohol Expenditure £ 0 £ 1,725 With no regular usage of the Holyoak room as Profit/(Loss) £ 2,677 £ 145 licensed premises, the licence was not renewed Balance Sheet £58,519 £55,842 in November. This saves the society £350 per annum. Reinstatement cost is estimated at £500 4.2 Notes – General Fund - £1,000 should we require it; however special Income – Subs and sponsorship were up over licences are available for about £25. These cover £1500, and investment income was also up by 96-hour periods and only require 2 weeks’ notice £180. to be given to the borough council. Expenditure – The donation made to the school of 2.2 Next AGM £13,352, a correction of £1,157 between General It was agreed last year that the committee would Fund and the Benevolent Fund, and a restocking aim to hold the AGM closer to the financial year of OOs ties £1,298 during the financial year end, and would aim for November. This was accounted for most of the increase in costs not possible as the accounts were not completed in time. The meeting was reminded that only 4.3 The cost of maintaining the investments with our subscription members are eligible to vote. It broker is becoming prohibitive. They have informally is still preferable to get notice of the meeting advised us that each account with them is likely to to all members if possible, however not even all attract a management fee of £1,000 per annum. subscription members have an email address. The meeting agreed that the committee would look Notice will still be given by email, and if the date is into other options. Our rules simply state that any known by the date of publication of The Olavian, investments must be in fully quoted stocks. The then it will be included in that mailing also. meeting also agreed that the committee should act, once a suitable alternative way of holding the stocks had been found.

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 143 4.4 It was agreed that the donation to the school term investment accounts/bonds. This money would be £9,618, in order to maintain a reduced will be held for the purpose of setting up a new balance sheet of about £25,000. This includes the Rugby Football Club in the future. If the funds Sponsorship Income totalling £2,118. It was felt have not been used for that purpose by 1st January that £25,000 will leave more than sufficient cash to 2037, then the funds can be paid to another Old meet the outgoings of the Society, without having Olavians Sports Club or to the school for projects to sell any investments. Most of our income that support sporting activities. occurs in the first two months of the year. 6.2 Cricket Club 4.5 Notes – Benevolent Fund Ian Giles reported another successful tour, which There were no requests for funds received during has been in existence since 1908. The £500 the year. Discussions would take place again with donation was agreed for another year. These funds the Headmaster, regarding finding suitable uses are used to assist with travel and accommodation for these funds, remembering that the objects are costs for the more junior members of the tour. summarised as: In order to promote the tour, and bring new “TO ASSIST NECESSITOUS OLAVIANS, players to the club, a match against the school, WHICH TERM SHALL INCLUDE BOTH either in the evening or on a weekend has been CURRENT AND PAST PUPILS AND suggested. STAFF OF SAINT OLAVE’S AND SAINT SAVIOUR’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, BY 7. Election Of Officers PECUNIARY GRANTS OR IN SUCH OTHER MANNER AS MAY BE DEEMED 7.1 There were no resignations, and the Committee APPROPRIATE.” members remained in office:

4.6 Following the demise of the Old Olavians Rugby Committee Football Club, the OORFC committee have Chairman Chris Harris asked the Old Olavians Society to maintain their 3 Ex-Officio Members remaining funds in a separate bank account. The Paul Ouseley, Bill Prouse, Trevor Read money will be invested in short term investment accounts/bonds. This money will be held for the 8. Other Business purpose of setting up a new Rugby Football Club in the future. If the funds have not been used for 8.1 Promoting Old Olavians Society that purpose by 1st January 2037, then the funds In order to make the current Olavians aware of can be paid to another Old Olavians Sports Club what we do for them, the Chairman will discuss or to the school for projects that support sporting with the Headmaster ways of making the Society activities. more visible. Where we have provided funds, then perhaps there should be a visible acknowledgement 5. Functions Report that it was paid for by Old Olavians. The reunion dinner at RAF Club – 16th September Chris Harris (1970-77) was attended by 72. Three headmasters attended, and a good time was had by all. The 2012 reunion ANNUAL LUNCH is scheduled to be a lunch at the school on 22nd As a recent leaver, I was pleased to attend my first September. Old Olavians’ lunch. Joining in the meal excellently prepared by the catering staff and smartly served by 6. Club Reports members of the rugby squad, were current students and staff, ex-staff and leavers across eight decades. 6.1 Rugby Club During the meal, old friends shared stories of old and The club will continue to exist in a ‘hibernated’ new – of shared lives at the school and events in recent state. £500 will not be paid to the Rugby Club years, and before and after it a wider reunion took this year. Old Olavians Rugby Football Club place. People who attended the school in different committee have asked the Old Olavians Society to eras were drawn together by a shared memory and maintain their remaining funds in a separate bank it was fascinating to listen to Olavians contrasting account. The money will be invested in short- experiences in the 1940s, 1960s, 1970s and the present day.

144 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 In 1952-53, for the first time in the club’s history, one of our own pairs reached the third round of the Kinnaird Cup competition. Indeed in all our years, although at least one pair, and sometimes as many as five pairs, had been entered for this competition, not one of them had managed a win. Our first members to enter the Kinnaird Cup had been AHP Holyoak and AW Thompson, and RA Bodey and JG Ward, both of which pairs had drawn a bye in the first round in January 1932 and both of which pairs were defeated 3-0 at the Queen’s Club. In 1953-54 Jim Biggs reached the semi-final in partnership with Old Reptonian Philip Curtis; in the next two years he went one better and reached the final, and, in 1957, went on to win the cup. Biggs and Curtis reached the Following the meal, keynote speaker Sir Roger Sims, final again but in 1961 the Kinnaird Cup was won by MP for Chislehurst for 23 years, gave an energetic our own two Jims, Biggs and Wallis, and they went on account of his travels and career as well as his to repeat this twice in the next three years. There can experience at Tooley Street in the 1940s. The school’s be little doubt that the club’s stock rose in the Fives’ current headmaster highlighted the latest successes in world as a result of their success. individual and overall achievement at St Olave’s and encouraged the Old Olavians’ to support the school’s Jim Biggs had always shown a talent for the game work today. As the chairman (aka Dad) said at Grace, from his earliest playing days at school and for those let us be thankful for what we have. who had followed his progress his eventual success Kit Harris (2004-2011) was really no surprise though nonetheless pleasing for that. Jim Wallis, on the other hand, left school young A brief history of The Old Olavians without having reached a particularly high standard Fives Club of play. By application to the game, coupled with his extraordinary ability to keep the ball in play, even 1928-1971 with the most ungainly of styles, he managed to reach Fives: A game of handball played in a roomy court against the top flight in Fives. It is worth remembering that a wall, chiefly at the great public schools of England (origin he first reached the Kinnaird Cup final some ten obscure). [Chambers 20th Century Dictionary] years after leaving school, and now ten years later the same two Jims are still one of the top two pairs in the As promised in last year’s edition of The Olavian, here country. is the second part of the history of the early years of the Old Olavians Eton Fives Club (written in 1971): In June 1958 a dinner was held to celebrate the club’s it continues from shortly after the Second World War twenty-first playing season and Jim Biggs’ success until 1971, when the Olavians won the Alan Barber in winning the Kinnaird Cup. This occasion was Cup for the first time: so successful that it was decided to hold another dinner to celebrate the thirtieth year since the club’s Chapter 6 inauguration. Thereafter it was decided that we need Maturity seek no reason to hold a dinner: the dinner itself was The revival after the war had been a slow one, but reason enough. Every year since then, therefore, the roots had been so well established before 1939 there have been some most enjoyable evenings in that there was little doubt that the club would grow Westminster, Tooley Street or the Petts Wood area. again. As early as 1951 RA Bodey, the captain, had prophesied that the club would attain a higher R.A. ‘Bo’ Bodey resigned as captain in 1958 after standard in Old Boys’ Fives than we had ever reached ten years which had seen the club achieve a greater before the war if the present school team were to join standing than that reached at any time earlier in the us. Jim Biggs and Ian Stuart were the school first pair club’s life. Much of the credit for this must go to at the time: they did join us and there is little doubt Bodey for his enthusiastic approach. He was well that we can now be numbered among the strongest of supported during the greater part of this period by all club sides. Doug Keeble, the secretary, who was particularly good at persuading the young talent at school to come

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 145 and sample old boys’ Fives. Bodey was succeeded as Tribute has already been paid to Jim Biggs’ playing captain by Jim Biggs who had contributed so much ability: to his captaincy he brought almost as much by his ability on court to help to achieve the club’s energy and certainly as much enthusiasm. As well as improved standing. It was during his six years as developing the tours he was keen to see the fixtures captain that tours were revived as a regular feature. increased in number and widened in scope. More teams were invited to play on our courts at Tower There had been two earlier tours, one in 1955 when Bridge and gradually the number of matches and four bachelors played Berkhamsted one Saturday and distances travelled became larger. In every season but King Edward’s School, Birmingham, the next day; two, 1929-30 and 1935-36, the club had won more and a second in the following year when, in atrocious games than it had lost, but now the proportion of weather, two stalwarts, Doug Keeble and John Harvey, games won to games lost began to rise almost yearly. visited and lost to King Edward’s School and Repton. The first of the new tours was a visit to Stratford- It is interesting to trace the development of the on-Avon with matches against Old Edwardians and fixture list in the post-war years. All three of the Old Berkhamstedians, both of which were drawn. schools which were played in 1948-49, St Olave’s, This tour took place in 1959 just a week after the first Charterhouse and City of London have been “ever- stretch of the M1 had been opened. There was no present” opponents except that Charterhouse missed speed limit in force then and Jim Wallis frightened one season, 1951-52. The Old Citizens have been the life out of the writer of this article by driving at played twice every year since 1949-50 and have over 120 mph most of the way. always provided us with the sternest opposition, until in 1967-68 a third match was arranged with them. In 1960-61 a second tour was added to the fixture list when we stayed at Worthing following a match The Old Chigwellians have played us regularly every at Charterhouse and one of Mark Cregeen’s meals in year since 1950-51 apart from a two-year lapse in the Godalming: we played pitch and putt at Worthing mid-fifties. The Old Aldenhamians, too, played us before travelling on to Lancing for another match in that season, but did not appear regularly on our list on Sunday afternoon. This last-named tour has until 1956-57. Mill Hill School were played in 1951 continued ever since with variations only in hotels but the game has never been regarded as a major one and the number of players, while the Midlands there and their name has appeared only four times tour underwent several changes, both of opponents since, the last occasion being 1967. and resting-places. The most popular “hotel” was certainly that provided by Jack Sayers who lived in The 1951-52 season saw the introduction of five Sutton Coldfield for a few years and provided us with new matches: Old Cholmeleians, amongst our most superb beds and breakfasts. When he moved south regular and best-liked opponents; the Jesters, a “must” again the taste for Fives in the Midlands was not so on the fixture list of any self-respecting club; Old strong, and this tour, which later included Repton, Harrovians, who beat us easily and did not play us was not continued. regularly until 1956-57; Old Reptonians who have played us in at least one evening match in every year For a short time three tours were run: in 1964-65, for since then; and Old Westminsters who arranged example, four pairs visited Charterhouse and Lancing matches with us throughout the fifties and again in October, four pairs played against Old Edwardians twice in the mid-sixties, but who found it increasingly and Old Berkhamstedians in November, and two difficult to raise teams as no young men joined them. pairs went to King Edward’s and Repton in January. By 1967, however, the Birmingham tour had lost In 1953-54 new games were played with Old its popularity, although with better cars and roads a Carthusians, who have been with us ever since, and really long-distance tour to Shrewsbury and Repton Harrow who have provided regular opposition since was introduced in the same year and this too is a tour 1956-57. which is still going. Eton were played for the first time in 1954-55, but There can be little doubt that one of the reasons that only for three seasons, until the fixture was renewed the club has been able to extend its fixture list has for two further years in 1962-63 and again in 1967- been the advent of the motor car. Over the years the 68. Repton, too, were played this year and the next, club has been blessed by a succession of wealthy and though not again until 1963-64. willing car-owners who have transported members to all parts of the country for the sake of a game of Our first visit to Oxford came in 1956-57 when two Fives. pairs played the University, but Oxford was not visited

146 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 again until 1961-62 when two pairs met the Peppers, for four years starting in 1964-65 including a visit to the University’s second team. The full Oxford side their courts in 1967. was not played again until 1965-66. Two pairs from King Edward’s School, Birmingham, visited us in The full Cambridge University team was first played January 1957, again in 1961, and every year since in 1965-66 which is the same year that saw the 1963. We took three pairs to Berkhamsted in 1956- reformation of Old Emanuel Fives Club. In 1966-67 57 and have been there every year since then, usually the Old Ipswichians were started and are now playing with five or six pairs. regularly at home and away, while Imperial College made a brief and ineffective appearance on the scene. In 1957-58 we went to Marlborough, an excursion to the west which we repeated in the following six 1967-68 provided us with our first sight of Shrewsbury; years and once more in 1967-68. The game is only we played Emanuel School for the first time post-war played by one house at Marlborough and they seldom in 1968-69; in 1969-70, thanks to the Barber Cup provided us with worthwhile opposition so the fixture draw, we came face to face with the Old Etonians at has lapsed. For the first few years of this fixture Larry long last; and in 1970-71 we played Highgate and West would join us at Hungerford and, after playing Aldenham schools for the first time. in the match, take us all to his home near Newbury for drinks and snacks. This much appreciated event In July 1960 Dick Spooner and Neil Davenport left was brought to an end by the untimely death of school and started playing regularly for the club. They Larry in 1961. For a short time there was an Old were the first of several good players to join the club Marlburian Fives club which met us at Marlborough during the sixties, and the strength of all pairs began and in London, but this too was unable to continue to improve considerably. after 1965-66. When Jim Biggs resigned as captain in 1964 after six There was one remarkable afternoon towards the end successful years, his place was taken by Dick Spooner of the 1958-59 season, when the Old Citizens, Old who applied a fresh and enthusiastic mind to the job. Cholmeleians and Old Olavians all met at Highgate For Dick Spooner, Fives is not a game which provides to play in a Triangular Tournament organised by gentle exercise and enjoyment, but one in which every Gordon Stringer, that celebrated Old Citizen. Six opponent, ledge or ball is seen as an instrument of pairs from each club played against their opposite destruction which must be destroyed before they are numbers from the other two clubs, the result being able to do their own destroying. Not a smile will chaotic but enjoyable. The idea has never been be seen or a kind word heard on a court on which repeated. Dick Spooner is playing. Off the court, however, he is almost normal and he has spent many hours in The Old Berkhamstedians came into being in 1959- thinking of ways in which the lot of members and 60 and have developed into one of our more respected the results of the club can be improved. Much of and reliable opponents, while we went north to play his waking life since his election as captain has been the Old Edwardians at Edgbaston for the first time spent in thinking of ways in which the Old Boys’ in this season, and they too have always been strong knockout competition, later known as The Alan opponents until the last two or three years. Barber Cup, could be won. The club has had a series of misfortunes in this competition, however, and our There were five new fixtures in the 1960-61 season hopes have always been cruelly dashed. when we met Cambridge University Penguins at home and Cambridge, the Old Salopians, Lancing College, The first inter-club knockout competition took place Stowe and Westminster City School. We have played in 1936-37, but the Old Olavians were beaten 3-0 by the first three named every year since then, and Stowe the Old Citizens in the first round; in 1937-38 they in most years, while Westminster City were regular lost 1-2 to The Wyverns in the second round, having opponents until 1968-69, since when their interest in had a bye in the first round. The war brought an the game seems to have died. untimely end to this competition and it was not until the 1964-65 season that the idea was revived by the Old Stoics joined the ever-increasing ranks EFA. Our results in these games can be read in full of opponents in the 1961-62 season and Old in the appendix. Westminster Citizens followed them in the next year as did Lancing Old Boys and Old Uppinghamians The first club tournament took place on 17th March in 1963-64. Old Cranleighans appear on the card 1934. Fourteen players entered and were divided

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 147 into two sections, the strong and not so strong: pairs the files between the secretary, the Headmaster, the were formed by drawing one player from each section. Education Officer and Norwood Technical College The pairs then played a knockout tournament, each which tells the story of how we tried to keep the use match being decided by the best of three games. The of the courts at Tower Bridge, but in vain. The chief score in the final which was between Bodey and SC difficulty from the running-of-the-club point of view Edwards and Waring and Norkett was 14-17, 15-12 was that no-one could give a definite date for when when fading light brought play to an end for the day. the courts at Orpington would be ready. We were The match was finished one Thursday evening four told they would be ready by September 1967, then weeks later when Waring and Norkett emerged as October, then the middle of January, then the end of winners. They were presented with Silver Spoons February, then an indefinite date in the future, and after the Match with The School on 14th April. The then by May. It was not until 11th June 1968 that we club continued to hold a tournament twice a year (in first hit the ball on these courts. All this meant that April and October) until the war, and it was revived we were never sure where our next home game was to as an annual competition in April 1948. The system be played. We had to leave Tower Bridge at Christmas was changed in April 1952 to an ‘American System’ 1967, and for the rest of the season played our home where everyone remains in the competition for about matches on other courts in London - at Westminster, five rounds until the four with the best records are Wandsworth and Highgate: even Spoonsday had to discovered and put into a final round. This method take place at Highgate. has continued with only slight variations until the present day. The spoons are now known as the However our earliest fears about the move to Orpington Cregeen Spoons since Mark Cregeen first generously proved to be unjustified: the courts are much cleaner presented the club with enough silver spoons to last and provide good playing conditions in all weathers, for over a dozen years (first presented in 1963). while there can be no courts in the country (world?) which provide better viewing facilities for spectators. In April 1968 the first of our Invitation matches was The number of midweek fixtures actually increased as to have taken place: this was originally the brainchild more matches were arranged on the Westminster and of Neil Davenport who had suggested that we should Emanuel School courts. arrange a match against chosen and well-liked individuals from several clubs who should provide us Several times during the club’s history there has been with stiff opposition on our new courts at Orpington talk of how to instil more urgency into the play at and then with friendly company at a dinner afterwards. practice sessions. One method which was tried but Our first efforts to arrange this seemed doomed to soon faded was the “November Handicap” of 1959 in failure. First it was difficult to find twelve guests who which players were given a plus or minus score according were all able to play on the appointed day, but once to their ability, and they started each game with a credit this had been done, we found that the courts were not or debit score. In 1970 it was agreed to play, for a trial going to be ready in time, and the project had to be period, only set fours who could then proceed to play a cancelled until the following season when the whole proper match, best of five games. This too had a mixed procedure had to be gone through again. When the reception, but the experiment continues. first of these matches was played in October 1968 it was so successful, however, that it has been repeated The most important match in the history of the Old each year since and looks likely to be a regular feature Olavians’ Fives Club so far came on Sunday 25th April of the Fives calendar. 1971. This was the final of the Barber Cup and was to be played on the Eton College courts against the Another club tournament for the Joe Ward Tankards Old Edwardians. The Old Eds had won four recent was introduced in season 1971/72 in recognition of finals so they were clear favourites on the day, but the the services rendered by this much-loved President of Olavian team of Jim Biggs, Jim Wallis, Dick Spooner, the club. Neil Davenport, Ray Toomey and Roland Williams all excelled themselves and the match was won 3-0. The move of the school from Tower Bridge to This was a fine performance which delighted the Old Orpington was viewed with some apprehension Olavian supporters. One feels that our founder, Bert by club members. It meant the loss of the courts Holyoak, would have been proud of them; the Old on which the club had played its best Fives, and it Olavians’ Fives Club had come a long way since that seemed likely that we would be unable to keep many day in November 1928 when Holyoak waited alone of our popular midweek fixtures since our opponents on the courts for another three players to join him in would not want to travel to Orpington after a hard a game of Fives. day in the City. There is much correspondence on John Brown (1948-55)

148 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 STOGS in the Fifties On a typical early September morning in 1954 I stood, with approximately ninety-nine other boys of a similar age, behind the gates of the somewhat imposing red brick building which still stands to this day adjacent to the southern end of Tower Bridge. We were, of course, the latest annual intake of students to St Olave’s and St Saviour’s Grammar School for Boys and I think it is fair to say we all awaited our fate with a certain nervousness. I remember quite clearly the first boy that I spoke to as we stood in that group, and those few words we exchanged led to a lifelong friendship. We kept in touch for somewhere in the region of fifty years until, unhappily, I had the sad honour of composing a tribute to him which was published in The Olavian following his sudden death about five years ago when in his early sixties. those days, the Pool of London was still an extremely busy dockland area. The main recruitment area for the school lay in the south-eastern suburbs of London stretching as far out In no time at all the newcomers were split up and as Eltham and Bexley although a few ‘foreigners’ did allocated their individual forms which were entitled come from the other side of the river and had to cross 1A, 1B and 1C. There was no consideration of ability that busy waterway in order to get to and from school at this early stage; this would come later, and I was each day. delighted to find that my newly-found friend whom I had met by gates had been allocated to 1C along Before very long we were all instructed to enter the with myself. By sheer coincidence there was another building through the main entrance. This was the young lad allocated to my form that I already knew last time a boy would enter through this door for as we had previously been in the same Cub-Scout several years, maybe never again, as it was reserved for pack in Denmark Hill where we both lived. We staff and the most senior monitors. Other monitors were also allocated to our individual school ‘Houses’ and sixth form students were permitted to gain access all of which were named after former benefactors of through ‘the covered playground’ which was under the school as follows: Bingham, Cure, Harvard and the building to the left of the school and was used as Leeke. There was a short phrase circulating in order a car park by those few staff members that had a car or to help new recruits remember the four house names motor cycle. Any boy below this level was required to – Dr Harvard Cured Mrs Bingham’s Leeke. I found walk along the front of the school and enter through a myself in Harvard house which was allocated green side door. We were directed into the main hall which, as the house colour whilst the other three carried with its panelled walls and beamed ceiling, seemed to red, yellow and blue as far as I can recall. This led resemble the great hall of an Elizabethan nobleman to two very healthy, separate reasons for rivalry in complete with an upper gallery running around three sporting events and other competitions. Each form sides of the hall at first floor level. This was actually had loyalty from its members in inter-form events known as the balcony but it was as good as a gallery. but, equally, members of the same form could become The fourth side of the main hall was formed by a deadly rivals when inter-house events were involved. number of long windows built on top of an outer wall, perhaps eight feet in height, and stretched from the During the 1940s and 1950s very popular reading top of this wall up past the first floor to upper ceiling for boys were books featuring fictitious schools - who level and looked out onto Tooley Street. No doubt, hasn’t at least heard of Billy Bunter and Greyfriars or as Good Queen Bess herself had placed her seal on Tom Merry and St Jim’s? St Jim’s had two houses, the foundation document of the school nearly 400 namely School House and New House, which were years earlier, this was the whole intention but it all always depicted as great rivals. Although St Olave’s seemed very grand to boys that had grown up in south had no such houses there was a ‘New Building’ and London. There were a number of classrooms leading I regarded this as putting STOGS on a par with the off the balcony which had windows on their opposite famous, all though fictitious, St Jim’s. side facing north towards the river. Little could be seen, however, due to an extremely high wall which Every boy had already met the headmaster of the day, formed part of a then very active warehouse as, in the formidable Doctor Roger Clifford Carrington,

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 149 when interviewed for a place at St Olave’s and they of an opening and closing hymn and the reading of a were now introduced to his very strict rules which lesson from a large bible, which resided on a lectern were applicable from the very start without any to one side of the dais, by one of the monitors. The relaxation whatsoever. hymns were sung to the sounds of the school organ which was accessed from the first floor balcony, sited Late arrival at school in the morning was a very immediately above the dais and usually played by serious offence and the outer gates were closed each the music master. After the religious aspect of the day precisely at a certain time. A boy might be seen assembly had been concluded the boys of other faiths running as fast as possible down Tooley Street and would return before proceedings ended. Carrington be but a hundred yards or so from the school but would dismiss the monitors first with a curt nod the gates would be shut at the appointed hour and followed by each form in turn being given permission he was deemed late. This resulted in an interview to leave in the same manner. The only real difference with Dr Carrington but it was no use making up between the morning and evening assemblies was that excuses such as a train being late as he would ring the after the morning gathering Carrington would make railway authorities to verify the story and, if the train any relevant announcements concerning the school. had been on time, there would be dire consequences. As Carrington himself commuted to London Bridge On reflection the whole procedures could be likened Station from Penge he had a fair idea of what was going to a Royal Navy warship in the Napoleonic era with on with the train services so you had to be very wary. the captain being initially piped on board before A genuine problem on the railway would, however, conducting prayers and then addressing his officers be accepted. If the few boys that lived north of the and crew from an upper foredeck. river found that Tower Bridge had been raised and they were obliged to divert over London Bridge and Lunchtimes were taken in two separate sessions at arrive late at the school as a result, this was deemed no folding tables which were set up in the main hall. excuse. Carrington maintained that they should never A long line of tables placed immediately under the have relied on Tower Bridge in the first place and the windows was reserved for the staff and monitors and offence of laziness would be added to their late arrival was mainly occupied during the first dining session and the penalty calculated accordingly. with Dr Carrington sitting at the head. It was made very clear on day one that first-form boys were strictly There were both morning and evening religious forbidden to talk at the dinner table until such times assemblies every day in the great hall which followed a as Dr Carrington, commonly referred to as ‘The Old time honoured ritual. Each form had its own allocated Man’, gave his permission for them to do so. This position in the hall with the more junior forms at the rule normally stretched right through the first term front and the higher forms positioned to their rear so it meant around a hundred eleven-and twelve-year in progressive ranks until the most senior forms were old boys had to sit in absolute silence as they dined reached at the very back. A long open space was for three months. Some found this impossible and, reserved down the middle of the hall and it was here if caught by Carrington, they would be introduced the school monitors (prefects) stood with the school to his ‘magic wand’ which turned naughty boys into captain at the front and the lesser monitors lined up in good ones, in theory that is. The meals were served single file behind him. There the entire school would by boys from the middle school forms acting as stand, staff and students alike, awaiting the entry of waiters on a rota basis and the food was dished out by Dr Carrington. His arrival would be announced by ‘dinner ladies’ who stood at long tables in one corner the ringing of a hand-bell by the school janitor as the of the hall. Seated boys awaiting food were required headmaster entered through a door which was faced to order their meal from the ‘waiter’ allocated to their by the whole assembly. He would then proceed to table who would then fetch the required meal from climb a few steps in order to take his place on a fairly the dinner ladies. Occasionally a ‘waiter’ might get large dais from whence he conducted the service. an order wrong and fetch something a boy did not There was always a group of boys lined up before this like, maybe cabbage for instance, but every boy had dais and Carrington would give them a curt nod of to eat whatever was on his plate come what may. dismissal at which they would file out of the hall and This most likely came from the immediate post-war thus not participate in the forthcoming service. These situation when many food items had been rationed few boys were of other faiths and I recall at the time and it was frowned upon to waste anything at all. wondering how such students had got into St Olave’s Two or three masters officiated at each meal session in the first place as it was very much a Christian school and a boy was obliged to obtain a master’s permission with close connections to Southwark Cathedral. The before his plate could be passed down the table and service would commence and consisted of the singing placed in a pile to be carried away and washed. A

150 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 more lenient master might nod his head to indicate grey flannel trousers, black shoes and grey or black that a boy was permitted to leave a little on his plate, socks. I distinctly remember how parents remarked but any individual who had misbehaved in class could on the extortionate cost of those items they were forced well find such permission was not forthcoming and to obtain from this outlet although black blazers, he had to stomach whatever was before him. The trousers, shoes and socks which complied with the hall was a hive of activity at lunchtimes which could rules could be purchased from alternative suppliers at lead to unfortunate situations. On one occasion a half the cost. Outer coats were required to be black ‘waiter’ carrying several full dishes turned away from or grey in colour and conform to the rules and duffle- the dinner lady serving sweets and either tripped or coats of any kind were strictly forbidden. Now the collided with another boy. The sum result was the mid-1950s were not so very long after world war two plates spilled all over the unfortunate waiter leaving and there was a great deal of army surplus stock on him dripping in custard from head to toe. On another sale at very reasonable prices. Duffle-coats had been occasion a group of boys became quite rowdy on the very popular with the Royal Navy and were worn in first-floor balcony and engaged in a bit of pushing abundance by all sorts of civilians when they became and shoving. Sadly for them they were immediately readily available. It was only a matter of time before above the dinner ladies’ serving area in the hall below some boys started to wear them to school on freezing and a satchel fell from the balcony and landed in a winter days and, as nothing was said, the practice large container of custard. Only the most senior boys spread. Please remember at the time efficient central were allowed to remain in the school buildings during heating was a rarity and it was virtually unknown in the lunch period unless given special permission so private households many of which still relied on open the thunder was going to roll. The storm broke after coal fires. Things came to a head one particularly assembly that evening when Carrington announced cold winter’s day when the thermometer had fallen to the names of several boys whom he wished to interview well below zero and it was snowing. After evening the following morning. The whole school knew assembly all boys went to the cloakroom to collect exactly what that meant, six apiece, and the culprits their coats before returning home only to find every had around eighteen hours to contemplate their fate. duffle coat had been confiscated. In his wisdom Dr There was a large concreted playground around the Carrington refused to return them that evening so all school building together with some fives courts and the lads that had worn them to school in the morning those boys not dining played various games either had to travel home with just their blazers and flannels before or after their lunchtime meal. Boys allocated for warmth. There was a subsequent outcry by parents to the second dining session were required to queue but this came to nothing as school rules, of which they up along the warehouse wall until they were allowed were completely aware, had been broken. The duffle to take their seats in order to eat. The rule forbidding coats were handed back after a short time but were access to the school building during lunchtimes applied never seen again on a pupil commuting to St Olave’s. even during the most adverse weather conditions so, in winter time, unless it was pouring down or snowing There were no sporting facilities as such at the Tooley heavily, you were outside for an hour or more, no Street site apart from a gymnasium, four fives courts matter how cold it became. and, of course, the tarmac playground. Swimming lessons were held at Grange Road public baths which To illustrate the sort of thing that was quite acceptable were about a fifteen-minute walk away and cricket, during my time at St Olave’s I would like to mention rugby, tennis, athletics and the like took place on the an incident which I am certain would have caused school playing fields at Dulwich some three miles or absolute uproar in 2012 and may well have been so distant. Most boys participated in some sort of brought to the attention of their MPs by irate parents. sporting activities on the tarmac playground during It should be made clear that there was a very strict their daily lunchtime break which ranged from dress code with regard to what was worn to school and ‘football’ using a tennis ball, ‘cricket’ which was played the official supplier of the school uniform had a small with a tennis ball and using a hymn book as a bat with outfitters shop in London Bridge Station Approach. a wicket consisting of a bin, crate, box or anything Parents were directed to this establishment and I else that came to hand. There were also games of believe I am correct in saying it was the only place ‘tag’ using a tennis ball to hit any one of the many where the school badge, cap, scarf and tie could be opponents involved who then took over with the ball. purchased along with a rugby shirt in the appropriate Being boys the idea was to fling the ball at someone as house colour, in my case green, and a school rugby hard as possible in the hope of knocking his head off. shirt which was black. Every pupil was obliged to Conkers were very popular in the autumn and nobody have all of these along with regulation black blazers, ever seemed to get hurt. The only ‘game’ I ever recall

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 151 being banned was called something like ‘High Jimmy school rule that no more than two boys should occupy Nacker’. A team of about eight boys would bend an individual train compartment and, on occasions over from the waist in the fashion of a rugby scrum the normal eight-coach trains could be reduced to using a convenient wall as a support and the opposing four. It was not unknown for Carrington to appear team would then run at the ‘scrum’ one at a time at London Bridge and join the Dulwich-bound train and leap onto the backs of those bent over against in order to ensure rules were observed. the wall. The idea was to collapse the ‘scrum’ with as few of your team as was possible but quite often this In many ways the grounds at Dulwich were quite had not been achieved with all eight aboard. It was magnificent compared to the facilities enjoyed by then quite acceptable to bounce up and down until many other Inner London schools of the era but there the ‘scrum’ had collapsed and all sixteen boys were were also marked disadvantages which would not be in a struggling heap on the ground. The thought of tolerated in 2012 and I will come to these later. I broken backs, necks or injured skulls through going seem to recall there were four individual pitches, clean over the ‘scrum’ and hitting the wall never so four separate games of either cricket or rugby seemed to occur to anybody and there was quite a lot could be played out simultaneously. Unfortunately, of resentment when Carrington, quite rightly, banned to the north of the grounds was a gradual slope the ‘game’. There was another traditional activity at beyond which lay Denmark Hill and, as a result of St Olave’s when newly enrolled first-formers, known this terrain, the grounds could become waterlogged as ‘the weeds’, were cordially invited to come and view following heavy rain or snow. Fear not, however, the famous St Olave’s tadpoles. Such invitations for the boys of St Olave’s were not deprived of their came predominantly from the newly-promoted weekly sporting activities as, at such times, they were second-year students who, of course, were no longer despatched on a circular cross-country run which ‘weeds’. The actual dastardly game involved enticing took them through Dulwich Village, round the park an unsuspecting ‘weed’ into an isolated washroom and and back. Alternatively they could be directed to run then sticking his head under a tap which was turned up Greendale, which was an unmade muddy track on covering the victim in cold water. A very unlucky leading up the northern slope, where it joined a tarmac ‘weed’ might suffer the indignity of being shown the road and took you to Denmark Hill then back past ‘tadpoles’ that lived in the toilets which involved the East Dulwich station. The latter route was shorter flushing of the loo but I will say no more!!!! The but did involve the climbing of the slope as opposed practice was officially frowned upon but nobody to the flatter route around Dulwich Park. Masters did very much about it provided there had been no positioned themselves at intervals along the chosen aggressive bullying as the monitors had suffered the route and, if any boy was caught cutting the distance same fate perhaps seven or eight years earlier and so short, at the very best he would be sent off to do the turned a blind eye. whole run for a second time. As I have said every able-bodied boy was required to actively participate One day each week all the forms of a given year were in sports which could lead to amusing situations. I required to make their own way to the sports ground myself have always been very short-sighted and thus at Dulwich after lunch for a sporting afternoon. obliged to wear spectacles. This was not so bad in On their sports day pupils would all have attended summer when cricket was on the agenda nor was it a the first-session at lunchtime and then spend the problem with cross-country running, but rugby and afternoon participating in the sporting activity of glasses simply do not mix. In spite of this Robin was the season. This really meant cricket in the summer going to be made to learn to play the noble game of months and rugby during the winter and nobody rugby come what may, and I can still recall looking was excused unless there was a valid medical reason. up at this huge games master named Mr Howell and There were a number of ways of getting to Dulwich being told so in no uncertain terms. The said Mr from Tooley Street which were as follows - by train to Howell had earned the nickname of Butch from us either West Dulwich, East Dulwich or Denmark Hill juniors for obvious reasons. A very funny incident then walk the mile or so to the grounds or alternatively occurred some years later as a result of this eyesight by taking a number 78 bus to Peckham then changing of mine. I was wandering around one cold winter’s to a number 37 which dropped you off within a few afternoon in my capacity as one of the wingers in an hundred yards of your destination. It sounds easy, but inter-form rugby match. Blinking upwards at the all routes were fraught with danger. True to style Dr fuzzy-looking sky, which was completely out of focus, Carrington required every boy to present himself at I spotted the ball sailing high above me. Clearly Dulwich in good time but trains could be cancelled or someone had given it a hefty boot and it was rapidly Tower Bridge could be raised thus causing unforeseen heading for the opposition’s goal-line. For some delays to the buses. Over and above this it was a inexplicable reason everyone else was slow off the mark

152 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 after the mighty kick and I was the only one chasing match - I wonder why? it. Eventually it dropped to earth a few feet from the goal line. This was going to be a certain try for yours I have few memories of the annual sports day as truly, and right between the posts as well. I rushed athletics were never really one of my skills. The two forward to gather the ball when, to my astonishment, things I do recall were one boy having to be taken it flew away. Damn thing was actually a pigeon. The to hospital after he had wandered into the shot- best bit was walking back down the whole pitch to putt area and had one bounce off his head. To the astonished looks of twenty-nine other players plus everyone’s amusement the sports master who had the the master who was acting as referee. responsibility of driving him to hospital was more concerned about blood dripping onto the upholstery There was another more serious incident on the rugby of his new car than the severity of the injuries. field when one chap, who had the notorious reputation Fortunately these were by no means severe although, of always running in the opposite direction to the ball, being head wounds, they bled profusely. Another inadvertently caught it one afternoon when he got in highlight was assisting Mr PG Ramm, maths master, the way of a misplaced kick. ‘Edmondson’s got the to get his ancient car going. He was a very pleasant ball’ came the cry (name changed for obvious reasons) young man, possibly on his first appointment, who and all twenty-nine other players immediately flung had immediately been awarded the nickname ‘Piggie’ themselves on the fictitious Edmondson who was as a result of his initials. Judging by its looks his car flattened to the ground. When the refereeing master might well have qualified for the London to Brighton got us all off poor Edmondson he could not walk and Rally and seldom started without trouble but, at the was immediately carted off to Dulwich Hospital where annual sports day, there were always plenty of eager it later transpired he had multiple fractures in one leg. boys anxious to volunteer to give it a push. Once But, as I have said, we were all going to learn rugby. the thing got rolling everybody was treated to a series of grunts, rattles and bangs until the engine literally The disadvantages I mentioned earlier were the exploded into life and ‘Piggie’ trundled off followed changing facilities which consisted of two wooden by clouds of smoke to the sound of rousing cheers. structures, one of which was about half the size of the other, and I cannot recall either having any sort of We also had an annual swimming gala at Grange heating installed. I suspect they were left over from Road Baths which is when I came more into my own WW2 and may have housed troops or anti-aircraft as I had been a regular swimmer since teaching myself crews during that conflict as they were both adjacent at Camberwell Baths from about the age of seven or to the railway line which formed the southern border eight. No glasses again, of course, but that didn’t of the grounds. Alternatively they may have been matter in a swimming pool and I enjoyed representing purchased after the war and re-sited at Dulwich in my house on several occasions. order to provide some sort of changing facility. Snacks and drinks could be purchased at a small tuck-shop There were a number of out-of-school-hours activities which was housed in the larger hut, but showering such as a chess club, an RAF cadets squadron and facilities were minimal and, even then, hot water many others. I joined The Field Club which was run virtually unknown. With around a hundred boys by Geoff Chapman, a geography master, and Aubrey attending every sports afternoon it was usually quite (Michael) Buck who taught biology. Mr Chapman difficult to get to have even a cold shower and not was a keen ornithologist and led groups of boys on infrequently I remember washing down the muddy bird-watching expeditions at weekends, mainly to bits that showed at a standpipe out in the open air. the north Kent marshes. Mr Buck, who was very diminutive in stature but a giant amongst men, oversaw There were two highlights of the year consisting of the various weekend expeditions when we participated Masters v Boys cricket match and the school sports in fossil-hunting at various disused quarries and day. In actual fact the masters could field a pretty clay-pits scattered around the home counties and good cricket team and never disgraced themselves also visited other venues such as the River Lea and when playing against the school’s first eleven. the River Mole where we studied fresh water-life. It was all very educational and I was surprised just Basil Taylor, who was of Anglo-Indian descent, was a how easy it is to find fossils if you know what you are damned good batsman and Geoff Chapman a steady looking for. It also gave boys from Inner London the medium fast bowler. If I remember correctly Butch opportunity to enjoy a day out in the fresh air - there Howell was a useful all-rounder, but other names were frequent smogs in London in those days - and escape me. There was never a Masters v Boys rugby was also great fun. I do recall chugging back one

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 153 winter’s evening just before Christmas from the North achieve a series of levels of proficiency in very Kent area behind an ancient steam-engine heading worthwhile skills. for Gravesend where we would pick up the train for London Bridge. I think we had been out to a place Dr Carrington had always carried an air of absolute called Cliffe on the old Sheerness branch where we authority and he would only have to appear on the had been fossil-hunting all day in a disused chalk-pit balcony and overlook the hall for it to fall into absolute under the supervision of Mr Buck. The train was silence in seconds. Years after I had left school I limited to just a few very old coaches which were bumped into ‘Butch’ Howell, the giant of a man who quite crowded so we boys sat in the corridor in order had taught me rugby. As I shook his hand I looked to allow adult travellers the limited number of seats. down upon his medium-sized frame from my own 6’ We were all very tired but started up a sing-song and 3” and things suddenly fell into perspective. I also were delighted when several other passengers joined kept in touch with Basil Taylor, the talented batsman, in including Mr. Buck and we had a most enjoyable but said a final goodbye to him in a nursing home in journey as we rattled merrily on our way. Sydenham where he was suffering from Alzheimer’s some fifteen years ago. So sad. Geoff Chapman and Yet again occasional amusing events occurred whilst Aubrey Buck also stayed within my list of contacts and out on these expeditions. There was one time when I they both lived to a ripe old age. Geoff retired to his believe Geoff Chapman came very close to throwing home town of Axminster, but we spoke on the ’phone one youth, whom I shall call George for the purposes for many years. Sadly, for a person so interested in of this narrative, into the Thames Estuary. We had bird life, he lost his sight in his latter years and finally gathered at London Bridge Station to catch a train for passed away in his nineties. Dear old Aubrey - I Gravesend where we changed onto the branch line for looked him up by chance at his address in Edgware the North Kent marshes and a day of bird-watching when I was in the area on business some twenty years when George suddenly realised he had failed to pack ago. We had exchanged Christmas cards for decades anything to drink. After a bit of faffing around I but the look on his face when I introduced myself was think Geoff lent him some money to enable him to amazing. I was invited in for a cup of tea, met his buy something from the station buffet. All was well wife, and when I left he had tears in his eyes from until George realised he needed a bottle-opener to get realising I had remembered him for so long. One at the contents of his bottle and he then proceeded very interesting fact came to light, however, during to drive everyone barmy by worrying about finding our conversations which was that the entire staff one as none of us had brought along such an item. were all as terrified of Carrington as the boys were!! Once at our destination George was ordered to stay Aubrey passed away some four years ago, a few days well to the rear of our little party where his constant short of his hundredth birthday. worryings could not be heard. Some hours later we all stopped to eat our packed lunches and George kept My final observation is on just how much the world ranting on about opening his bottle. In the end Geoff has shrunk since the 1950s. Field trips were available told him to go away in no uncertain terms and leave during some school holidays and groups of students the rest of us in peace. George vanished accordingly. from St. Olave’s went as far afield as Flatford Mill in We munched away in silence for fear of frightening East Anglia and Slapton Ley in Devonshire. Very few off the bird-life when Geoff shushed us into being boys had actually been abroad and some had not even even further silent. ‘It can’t be’, he whispered – ‘Boys seen the sea. There were no numerous jet-airliners, I do think that over there is the very rare North Kent, and package holidays to places like Spain were just lesser-spotted oohmegoolie bird which has only been starting to be marketed. I myself did not cross the seen on two occasions since 1931. I’ll just adjust my channel until I was in my early twenties and it took binoculars to confirm my suspicions’. Before poor until I had retired in 2008 to get any further than old Geoff could raise his glasses to his eyes there was Florida although I had seen the wonders of ancient an almighty crash and the distant bird took off at a Greece. I have since made up for those earlier years rate of knots. George then appeared from behind and have now been all around the world, but I find it some bushes with a wide grin on his face, a large rock interesting to read in The Olavian of present school in one hand and a bottle with the neck missing in the expeditions to South Africa and other distant shores other. ‘Opened it,’ he announced happily as Geoff we could only dream of sixty-odd years ago. Are visibly fumed, totally speechless. present students luckier than we were? I think not, for what is normal to them may seem very run-of- I also joined the Life Saving Society and practised the-mill to those attending St Olave’s in 2100 as they at Grange Road Baths under the supervision of Mr return from their Easter scientific trip to the moon. Wilby, Physical Training Instructor. Boys could

154 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 All I can say is that in the Great Hall in Tooley Street two years had elapsed since I had last seen him as a in the 1950s there hung two framed editions of the Guardsman in the Welsh Guards. He had become school songs. One, of course, was Olaf to Right the much thinner as a result of living in the heat of Delhi. Wrong and the other was entitled Forty Years On. He described me as strong and brown and compared I remember discussing the implications of the latter himself with Da Vinci’s pale scholar bent-of-back. We with my teenage contemporaries and they seemed reminisced about the Welsh Guards securely laughing beyond belief. Well here I am nearly sixty years at the far-off unhappy days of humble servitude. on, wondering where the hell they all went, and still The train for Bareilly was packed to suffocation and remembering so vividly that typical early September people in the 3rd Class carriages were standing and morning way back in 1954. Such is what STOGS sitting on the running boards. A Parsee 2nd Class is made of. passenger ousted from the compartment into which Robin A Dadson (1954-59) he had climbed, sought asylum with us and promised to retire on reaching the next station where he hoped David Gould’s Leave: May - June 1943 that with a policeman’s help, he would obtain justice In last year’s edition Tony Gould, son of David against the scoundrel who had thrown him out and (1923-32), wrote to tell us of the death of his father then ungraciously encumbered us with his goods in February 2011 at the age of 98. He sent us a and chattels. At the next station, the gentleman, copy of the diary which his father had kept during a having meanwhile contrasted the amicability of our month-long period of leave while he was serving in compartment with the hostility of the one next door, India during the war. We feel that this is well worth leaned out of the window, poured abuse on deaf ears, reproducing for younger generations of Olavians to proclaimed that he had been outraged and that justice share. would prevail, then thinking that this display of injured innocence would enlist our sympathies and lull to Tuesday 11th May, Karachi - After 18 months’ sleep our memory of his promise to retire, he relapsed continuous service, interrupted by three days’ casual into the comfort of his seat, indignantly mopping leave, my 31 days’ war leave in India began. Alladin from his brow the perspiration which his mimic anger awakened me at 05:00hrs and, having put the final had caused. He further displayed his gratitude to touches to the packing, we left the mess and caught our kindness by stumbling over our luggage to the the 07:30 train for Lahore at the Cantonment station. compartment door at every halt throughout the night This journey to Lahore, running relentlessly through and shouting with a stentorian voice “Koi barf wala the heart of the Indian Desert is probably the hottest hai?”, “Barf Wala kahan hai?” (Where’s the fellow and dustiest in India and, having already completed it with the ice?) Though, repeatedly awakened and three times before, I steeled my heart to twenty five very resentful, I kept my patience and endeavoured hours’ monotony and discomfort. The windows never to sleep. There was one pleasant feature in a journey fit exactly and through the interstices the dust pours that was otherwise tedious. About an hour’s journey in just as if a March wind has blown over a pile of from Delhi, we saw frequently in the long grass ashes. beautifully feathered peacocks in twos and threes enjoying the liberty afforded by the veneration of the Wednesday 12th May - I arrived in Lahore at 08:30hrs local inhabitants. and spent twelve hours at Faletti’s Hotel, impatiently awaiting the departure of my train to Delhi. My only Friday 14th May, Bareilly - We arrived at Bareilly travelling companion was an R.I.A.S.C. Major who at about 05:00hrs. After wending our way through taciturnly contented himself with a ‘Good Evening’ the sleeping bodies on the platform, we found the and thereafter held his peace. 1st Class waiting-room and drank tea and shaved. Wilfred had discovered that the bulk of our luggage Thursday 13th May, Delhi - On reaching Delhi at which had been put into the brake at Delhi, had gone 08:30hrs, I proceeded by a horse-drawn carriage to astray. He had made a frantic effort to telephone the Cecil Hotel, where Wilfred had booked me a back and a railway official, on receiving a handsome room for the day, warning me that this was the last tip, had given Wilfred an assurance that all would taste of luxury that I might expect for a month. There be well. We were, however, very anxious when we I breakfasted in royal ease and bathed in one of the took our seats on the narrow-gauge railway. About two bathrooms inside my room. The rest of the day I thirty miles from Kathgodam, we were refreshed by spent swimming and sunbathing in the pool pleasantly the first sight of the hills. As our luggage did not situated in the grounds of the Cecil. Wilfred called at arrive with us, at Kathgodam we decided that Wilfred tea-time having come straight from his office. Over should proceed with the first bus to Ranikhet to make

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 155 preliminary preparations for our expedition and that Sunday 16th May, Ranikhet - At 06:30hrs, a rickety I with Alladin should await the arrival of the next bus containing two officers, eight porters and at least train. We waited in vain for the first train and, as the 800lbs of luggage bounced and jolted out of the DAK next train was not due until the morrow, Alladin and I bungalow. Our five hours’ journey was thrilling and took the bus to Ranikhet. After three days’ travelling, precarious. The engine roared as we climbed steeply in the plains in May, I was much relieved to be driven and the chassis rattled as we plunged downhill; repeated up a serpentine road, partly sunlit and partly shaded, blasts on the horn echoed in the hills as we rounded which promised to bring me to a cool place, but my hairpin bends; now we looked down valleys 1500ft expectations were dampened when some British below into which we might plunge precipitously, soldiers on leave from the Eastern Army declared if there were any mechanical defect in the steering that there was nothing to do in Ranikhet. On arrival and now we could descry in the distance Kamet, at Ranikhet, I went straight to Mrs Browne’s - here Nandadevi and the snow-plumed crest of Trisul. On I found Wilfred as I had hoped. Mrs Browne is the our arrival at Garud, the villagers swarmed around local secretary of the Himalayan Club, and the widow our bus and so great was the multitude of onlookers of an Indian Army Officer. Though in the evening when I gave instructions to the booking clerk that I of her life, she is young in mind, enthusiastic about felt I was addressing my Company. When we left climbing and characteristically wears slacks. She saw Garud, at 12:00 hrs, we adopted the following order that we were tired, offered us tea and soon dispelled of march. Wilfred led, followed by the eight porters our gloomy forebodings by assuring us that our kit and I brought up the rear. Wilfred and I carried would arrive the next day. She indicated where we rucksacks in the orthodox European manner over might buy stores, how we might engage porters and our shoulders whereas the porters bore the main from whom we should obtain small change. Although weight of their loads on their foreheads by means we often had to accept a row of ten stamps as change of a strap. This method restricts the movement of in railway stations, buses and restaurants, we could the head and compels them to lean forward, but they scarcely expect the porters to accept stamps. go with amazing speed and energy up and down the steepest mountain paths. Barefooted they never slip, Saturday 15th May, Ranikhet - In order to intercept and never complain of gravel, rocks, mud or thorns. our luggage at the DAK bungalow where we were After five and a half hours marching in the heat of the staying, we undertook to act as sentries and stop afternoon we arrived at Gwaldam (7,000ft). We had every bus as it came up. Wilfred and I did a couple covered eight miles only, but as we had gone up and of hours each and Alladin did the next. Wing down continuously I felt more tired than I used to feel Commander Smyth who was to join the expedition, after a twenty-mile route march in the Welsh Guards. arrived suffering from high fever and stated that he After our evening meal, which the porters prepared, would have to spend a fortnight in hospital. Wilfred, we distributed a handful of cigarettes. Contentment Tony and I held a conference; Wilfred stressed the reigned around the camp fires until night fell. We importance of our leaving the next day. Tony had crawled into our tents and were soon asleep. brought equipment and food for a month for three, fearing that we might be inexperienced in preparing Monday 17th May, Gwaldam - Having risen at for a Himalayan trip. He gave us sleeping bags, 05:30hrs we drank some tea and ate a slice of bread. ice-picks, wind-proof suits, rope, climbing boots We arrived at Debal (4,200ft) at 11:00hrs after an and many kinds of tinned foods. From his stock of easy journey that was mainly downhill. We chose a 6,000 cigarettes, he gave us 2,000 for the coolies. I delightful camping ground on a sward at the river’s volunteered to go and order the bus for 05:30hrs next edge and spent the rest of the day swimming in morning and I was overjoyed on inspecting a newly ice-cold water and sunbathing. Some boys attracted arrived bus to find that all our lost luggage had arrived. by our caravan, the tents and the tins of food, gathered When I reached the DAK bungalow, I saw Wilfred round and I spoke to them. Two boys aged about negotiating with the porter contractor and weighing 14 revealed that they wished to join the Army and out our luggage in 80 lb loads. As there were just enquired whether I could enlist them. They were eight loads, we engaged eight Dothial porters. These so eager that they professed to be 18. Later a man come seasonally from the mountains of Nepal and came bringing gifts of milk, potatoes and onions. work for one to four rupees a day. They are hardy, He informed us that his son was sick, so we gave willing, bare-footed and wear the same clothes in the him two pills from Wilfrid’s medical box. He was cool of the morning as in the heat of midday. As apparently so satisfied with the success of the pills I was doubtful whether Alladin was capable of the that he afterwards sent us a fish that he had caught physical exertion which I had anticipated, I decided in the river. to leave him behind in Ranikhet.

156 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 Tuesday 18th May, Debal - We were up at 06:00hrs, the path had been a consistent gradient we should struck camp and were away by 06:40hrs. We marched have had to take over sixteen thousand steps to reach up the valley for three hours and then breakfasted the summit of the pass. As a matter of fact, the path from fish, chapattis and onions. The porters always goes up and down and all you lose in height has to be made our chapattis. They take a quantity of flour, add made up later. As we encountered no streams for the a little water, and knead the dough in a bowl. Then first three hours of climbing, we offered our thirsty they detach a lump, roll it into a ball and throw it porters water from our flasks, but being Hindus they from one hand to the other, until it assumes the shape refused. They were not rewarded for their strict of a pancake. This is then thrown on a hot flat metal adherence to their religious customs until an hour disc as big as a meat plate. After baking both sides later, when we chanced upon a trickle of water on they remove it from the disc and drop it among the the mountainside. As we ascended beyond 11,000ft burning logs. Having brushed off some of the ash, I became increasingly weary and took two steps for they hand it to you piping hot. We could not eat every breath. My disappointment grew with every butter or dripping with these as the butter immediately bend I turned when I saw the path winding up another melted, but quince jam was delicious. Owing to a mountain slope ahead. Finally, having passed the lack of water at Lohajang (8,200ft) we pushed on tree line, we reached the summit of the pass and were until we came to a mountain stream (7,300ft). Our rewarded by a magnificent view of Trisul, snow-clad site commanded a magnificent view over miles and and resplendent in the westering sun, and to the left miles of mountain forest. The Sherpas included in thirty miles away the Kamst and Badrinath group of our evening meal the ferns they had collected during mountains perfectly clear in outline, towering above the day. us at a height of 25,000ft. We were enraptured by the vision of this majestic range of mountains rising Wednesday 19th May, Lohajang - When a Sherpa above intervening clouds, like a heavenly castle. called me at 05:30hrs with a cup of tea, I discovered that I had been bitten ferociously during the night. As we descended toward Bhuna, 1,200ft below the I was constantly being stung whereas Wilfred was summit of the pass, every step I took was accompanied rarely troubled. As we rolled up the tents, so the by a dull ache at the back of my head. I ascribe smell of the nettles we had crushed became pungent. this weakness and discomfort to inadequate eating Having earlier discovered the value of marching in arrangements. Up at 05:30hrs I had marched four the cool of the day we set off at 06:10hrs in order hours on a cup of tea and then another seven miles to have breakfast at Wan (8,200ft) about eight miles climbing to 12,200ft with one moderate meal taken distant. As we went we reminisced about the Welsh at 11:00hrs. The combined effect of the altitude and Guards and saw the sun rise over the hills at an the empty stomach produced the feeling of fatigue elevation of about 30o. En route we met Mr Davies and sickness. My heart, breathing labouredly and who suggested that we might go to Bhuna where feeling that there was little blood in my head, I was there was excellent hut accommodation and whence very thankful when I reached the Forest Department an excursion to Trisul would be possible. When we bungalow at about 19:00hrs. After eating half a arrived at Wan the Sherpas had our breakfast ready. chapatti which I could scarcely swallow and drinking a Wilfred and I bathed in a pool of pellucid water cup of water I felt a little restored. When the Sherpas and afterwards gazed at the hills which rose sharply brought the porridge I ate about half my ration. I to heights ranging from 10,000ft to 13,000ft all of fancied some tinned grapes, but although I recognised which except the very highest were thickly grown the excellence of the flavour I could not really relish with pine. them. With few words, I raked over some straw, unrolled my sleeping bag and slipped in. I vaguely At about 14:00hrs we continued our journey to wish that I were in the valley below, but soon sleep put Bhuna. As the porters, who had already marched my troubles to rest. eight miles, could reasonably consider their day’s work over, we decided to distribute cigarettes and Thursday 20th May, Bhuna - I was awakened at money as baksheesh. The track to Bhuna rises to a about 07:30hrs having almost slept the clock round height of 12,200ft, over 4,000ft above Wan. It goes and enjoyed breakfast in my sleeping bag. Wilfred through magnificent country and at about 10,000ft and our porters went down the valley to Sataul to buy rhododendron trees grow in great profusion, the vegetables and to have clinkers put into my boots to flowers of which were in full blossom, and spread make them safe for rock climbing. I washed socks, on the ground was a velvet carpet of mauve peonies. took photographs and decided to make up my diary, Every step we took, we climbed three inches and if but horse-flies and ordinary flies so pestered me that

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 157 to keep them off my body was a full-time job. My go beyond a height that I could conveniently stand. legs had already been savagely bitten by a small blood- Angfourba and I climbed one of the lower ridges sucking fly that seems the most obnoxious. General (14,000ft) of Trisul. At this height I soon began to Bruce regretted that the anatomical structure of flies feel weak and with a splitting headache it was as almost was such that they did not squeal when he killed them. as much as I could do to reach the camp. Above the I was exasperated to the degree of vindictiveness. vegetation line there was neither tree nor bush to give When I had the good fortune to strike down one a moment’s relief from the glare of the sun. Having of these brutes as it hovered around me I had the arrived back at camp I placed a groundsheet over the great delight in hearing the crackle as I focused my tent roof, and a gas cape over the tent pole and guy magnifying glass on its convulsing body. The marvel ropes, and crept in under the shade, preferring to suffer was that there should be so many flies at this height. the heat of the oven rather than the glare of the sun through one thickness of canvas. While I lay with In the afternoon Brigadier Williams, a Lieutenant my eyes closed listening to the constant roar of the Colonel and his wife arrived with a vast train of mountain stream as it plunged down the rocky gulleys porters. I was diffident about meeting the lady as my to the valleys below, a member of Piccadilly Circus beard was about a week old. When I told Wilfred came to invite me to dinner thinking that Wilfred on his return, he regretted the arrival of ‘Piccadilly would not return. I thanked him but assured him Circus’. that Wilfred did intend to return and would expect me to dine with him. Wilfred attained 18,000ft on Friday 21st May, Bhuna - We set off early for Bagchor the pyramids of Trisul. Gialjin declared the climbing Karak (12,300ft) taking the two Sherpas and four more difficult than on Everest. I was envious of their porters. As we intended to live two days in the snow exploits and disappointed, but nevertheless thought it above the tree-line, we all collected huge bundles of wiser to return to Ranikhet a fit man, having achieved firewood, which, clumsily strung over our rucksacks, a height of 14,000ft rather than to return triumphant encumbered us especially when passing through but exhausted. Balls of hail, the size of marbles, fell narrow ravines. After about four hours climb, during during supper and before we went to bed the whole which we rose 2,000ft, I began to tire. On and on mountain and valley were enveloped in a huge inky over boulders and snow we went. My Sherpa would cloud. go forward over the snow and make footsteps. Often however, treading in his footsteps with my greater Monday 24th May, Bagchor - Wilfred got up at weight I would sink into the snow up to my knees 07:00hrs. The Sherpas brought in tea, chapattis and and sometimes, when the snow covered a hollow, up porridge, in which they had thrown the remainder to my thighs. I began to discern which snow would of the monkey-nuts. Three porters arrived about hold me and which would not, and I soon learned to 09:00hrs and, to prevent their waiting in the rain, I handle my ice-pick to prevent my slipping hundreds got up. Loaded with 80 lbs each and barefooted, they of yards down the icy slopes. The exertion and glare made as good progress over snow, grass and boulders of the sun gave me a slight headache. as I did. Their footwork is excellent over boulders which may slip or crack when they bear the weight Saturday 22nd May, Bagchor - Wilfred and Gialjin, of a man’s body over huge tufts of grass which may the Sherpa who had been up to the North Col conceal stones or gaps and along the flinty paths as (24,000ft) Everest, set out about 06:00hrs to do some we dropped steeply into the Bhuna. From there I high altitude climbing on Trisul. They took the Meade watched a storm six miles away over towards Nanda tent and pitched at 16,600ft. Wilfred wrote his diary Ghunti. From the clouds were falling dark columns and regretted that he had brought neither tobacco nor of rain which, caught at a lower altitude by wind, reading matter. I arose at a more gentlemanly hour fanned out like the folds of a vast curtain drawn to and greatly improved my technique in crossing snow. one side. In about an hour and a half I reached a local summit some 1,000ft above the camp and could not refrain In a talk with the Dhotials after lunch I learned that from gazing at the majesty of the dazzling snow- they came from their native Nepal for as long as four capped mountains. After about an hour the glare years to act as porters before going back. I enquired gave me so severe a headache that the descent was their names and ages: Nagia, head man, tough and purgatory. That evening Piccadilly Circus arrived. reliable, 26; Jogia, young, strong and cheerful, 24; Arzan, wizened, skinny but hardworking, shyly Sunday 23rd May, Bagchor - I had agreed to climb laughed when addressed, 32; Doljit, big but declining, and meet Wilfred on his way down, but after the 39; Shiv Mal, average good type, 24; Kora Singh, ill-effects of the previous day I determined not to understudy to Nagia, 34; Dollu & Gutia, unobtrusive

158 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 hard workers, 30, 25. That afternoon I filled my led by the guide, who despite his unprepossessing water-bottle, flask and kettle with hot water and had appearance and incomprehensible language, knew a complete bath, the first since Wan. As the Sherpas the mountain jungle as a bus driver knows his route; were due to leave the next day we had to discuss their then followed our eight porters and I brought up the pay. They asked for five rupees each a day. As they rear. At an extremely difficult obstacle we would had been up Everest and we did not know their rates close like a concertina, then as each man surmounted of pay, we gave them all they asked for and wrote off the obstacle we spread out. Once I was left behind the amount as an unnecessary luxury. and for trees and undergrowth I could not see ahead and for the roar of the torrent and the booming notes Tuesday 25th May, Bhuna - The next day an of the coppersmith bird my voice did not reach my unimpressive and self-appointed guide took us down companions. to an ex-Subedar’s farm in Sutol. Anticipating our arrival the Subedar had made preparations. A blue A second difficulty was to remain on one’s feet. The quilt had been placed on a big seat made of earth. guide would cut the bamboos 1-5 feet from the On the quilt was a bowl of bilberries and more flies ground. Many of them were 12-15 feet long. If per square foot than I have ever seen before. From they fell parallel to the line of advance one tended to the door and windows of a mud house five yards away slip forward or backward according to the slope of the there peeped from time to time modest women and hill, whereas if they fell athwart one would slip to the shy children. The Subedar gave us milk and butter, right or left. I kept thinking of the prayer, “If we have spinach and fruit. His conception of duty as a host slipped, permit us not to fall”. As a matter of fact as was not confined to gifts of fresh farm produce. He we were never on level ground but always climbing stayed with us all day long. I feigned interest in the or descending or skirting hills we were all falling – Hindi version of Fauji Akhbar and suffered him to go Sahibs and porters and Mana the sheep. painstakingly through every Battalion of the Baluch Regiment reading the number, rank and name of every A third torment was the danger from low overhanging sepoy NCO, VCO and officer killed or wounded or trees. The more protection a topi gives from the sun, taken prisoner. Next he related his exploits in the the less the field of view it affords, and mine was last war; he had been to France and Egypt and could certainly designed to protect me from the sun. The take an interest in the Tunisian victory, which had result was that as I was groping my way forward just been celebrated. The latest news that he could studying the ground for my next footstep so with a give me was that of the 16th of that day I had left shuddering crash my head would collide with the Ranikhet. He had married four wives, because the branch of a tree or else a bamboo suddenly released first, then the second, then the third had failed to give by the preceding man asserting all its malevolent him male issue. His fourth union had been no more resilience would strike my face with a vicious swish. blessed than the others. On his mountain farmstead Shiv Mal’s eye was cut in this way. he had six buffaloes, six cows, thirty sheep and some goats. The cultivation of the land was the province Fourthly we were ever apprehensive that if we slipped of the women. He spent his time at the manly we might fall foul of the bamboos cut at three feet occupation of spinning and in conformity with the pointed like spears at our bellies or else become rest of the farmers and shepherds he carried, wherever impaled on the bayonets cut at one foot. he went, his spindle and coarse wool. Ex-Subedar Umaat Singh’s kind consideration finally culminated Finally compelled by the density of the jungle we in negotiating the purchase of a sheep for us, and he made our way along a path skirting a precipice, about used his influence to persuade an unwilling shepherd 6ins wide, consisting of loose earth held together by to accept rupee notes. The shepherd complained that bamboo roots. he had nowhere to put them except in his hand. I felt too that the shepherd thought notes were a suspicious For six hours we struggled and battled, crawled and abstraction to be avoided if tangible coins could be kneeled, pushed through undergrowth back first, given in their stead. sweated and shed blood, and finally having covered four or five miles, we halted in sheer exhaustion and Wednesday 26th May, Sutol - Accompanied by our pitched camp. Our sheep Mana lay down too tired self-appointed mountain guide, we set out next day to move. One hour later all gathered in a circle for along a valley to approach Trisul from the south- the ceremonial slaughter. A sacerdotal atmosphere west. We travelled six hours through untrodden was created when the Hindus took pieces of burning jungles. I experienced the following difficulties: charcoal from a blazing log fire to placate their deity.

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 159 Dollu slipped off his jodhpurs, sharpened his curved almost perpendicular, we pitched our tent on a ridge knife, seized the sheep between his legs, gripped its (13,900ft). We had left all trees behind at our base camp mouth and hacked at the jugular vein. The spurting and were now living on the confines of the snowline. blood was caught in a bowl and offered steaming to When the porters had returned to the base camp, I the sahibs. I dissuaded Wilfred from drinking. The tried to light a fire with juniper wood, but it was so head was chopped off and the sheep’s body, wool and damp that I had no success. That afternoon Wilfred all, was cast into the fire. Jogia directed operations made an excursion to a glacier a thousand yards below. at the fireside. He broke legs in twain, cut them off, From our tent there was a magnificent panorama. washed them, ripped open the belly, extracted the On the left rose the twin peaks of Nanda Ghanti, heart, liver and kidneys, using his hands and one small then slightly to the right a high pass some 15,000ft knife. Two men tore out the entrails with the same on which two porters had recently died of exposure to nonchalance as they might collect firewood. Each the cold, and then in front of us beyond the glacier the man had now lighted his own little fire. Some placed vast mass of TRISUL surmounted by its snow plume, on their fires bowls of saltwater in which they threw towered 10,000ft above us. Throughout that day and heterogeneous parts such as eyes or bits of entrails, night avalanches came grating and rattling down the the appendix or a chunk of tongue, while others as mountainside and, as frozen masses of snow and ice, the work progressed, fling titbits according to their stones and rocks gathered momentum, so the roaring fancy into the burning embers, then, rummaging with crescendo was taken up and reverberated among the their bare fingers in the fire, they would extract and mountains like thunder. eat their tasty morsel covered in charcoal and ashes. Saturday 29th May, 2nd camp point above glacier That evening, as Wilfred and I sat in the setting sun 13,900 ft - Wilfred awakened me at 06:00hrs asking in our clearing overarched with pine trees enjoying me to cooperate as he wanted to light the primus in heart, liver and kidneys, we agreed that we had never the tent. We warmed up some bully and potatoes eaten sweeter or tenderer meat. which he had cooked the day before, but, when he reached for something outside the tent, he upset the Thursday 24th May, Jungle - We journeyed for five saucepan of cocoa. Our blankets were inundated hours through even more difficult country, forcing and we had little to drink that morning. We set our way over ground overgrown with rhododendron off at 07:00hrs over stunted juniper bushes and snow. bushes and bushes of the prickly variety. Once on I felt in good form but could have wished that my a hillside I slipped and fell octopus-like and my legs boots, like Wilfrid’s, had clinker nails. By 08:30hrs and arms and head became entangled in the branches. he had already begun kick-stepping and zigzagging The gradient was so steep and the ground so slippery over the snow which was variously one to two feet that I could not use my legs. Around my head the deep. About halfway up the peak Shananian Shankar branches and undergrowth were so thick that, far our route lay over a series of boiler-plate slabs on the from being able to move forward, I could not extract edge of a precipice. These boiler-plate slabs are fairly my arms to resume a position consonant with human smooth convex rocks encrusted in ice but, where the dignity. By dint of careful easing here and a judicious sun has melted the ice, they are bare and of a crumbly tug there I was able to disentangle myself. None the texture. On such a surface I had little confidence in worse except for a few scratches I pushed on in the my boots unfitted with clinkers. Wilfred proceeded wake of the others. over the first in a masterly fashion, taking 15-inch steps and slipping back three or four inches at every We arrived at a clearing suitable for camping at step. Having reached the top, he laid onto the rope 13:00hrs and Wilfred and I regaled ourselves with and I went up rather against my better judgement, chine. In the afternoon Wilfred displayed abounding but exhilarated that I was doing things that I had energy by making a four hours’ reconnaissance of the never dreamed of. The next was much more difficult. next day’s route. Realising that I was on the eve Wilfred went up as if he had been a fly on a wall. of my last chance to climb a creditable height and Then I began securely fastened by the rope. My boots mindful of my disappointment at Bagchor, I decided would not grip, and, when I tried to crawl forward on to conserve my energy and read “The Mill on the hands and knees, I slipped back towards the precipice. Floss” until Wilfred returned. In the evening, amid I could maintain my position only by the contact of the serenity of the Himalayas, I bathed naked in an my whole body with the rock. icy mountain stream. Having somehow manoeuvred into a new starting- Friday 28th May, Base Camp, 11,500 ft - After point, I began desperately to move up using hands, climbing up a steep rock-face, parts of which were belly, knees and feet on the little purchase there

160 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 was, while Wilfred tugged at the rope with might of descending. Sometimes, if I thought there was and main. After that we had half an hour’s kick- little likelihood of my feet striking a submerged rock, stepping and zigzagging up a snow-covered slope. I I would allow my speed to increase to ten miles an kept retarding Wilfred as, less experienced than he, I hour. Then I would lose hold of my pick, flounder, kept sinking knee-deep and waist-deep into the soft stop and make my painful way 50 yards uphill to snow. I became so tired that I could hardly extricate recover the pick. We halted together once and rested, myself and scarcely wanted to, but Wilfred plodded then glissaded another 400 yards. To my anguish I ruthlessly on and on, and, as I was fastened to him by discovered I had left my woollen gloves behind at the the rope, I was determined to go on until I dropped. last halt, Wilfrid chivalrously went back for them as The elevation attacked me violently. At last I had to I would rather have paid for them than climb all the ask Wilfred to halt. We sat down and he consulted way back. At 14:00hrs we reached camp No 2 and his altimeter. Owing to some barometric interference were greeted by the porters. We had reached the it read 15,850 ft. I was completely exhausted and summit at 12:00hrs, and had taken only two hours confessed to Wilfred that I could not manage another to come down in contrast to the five it had taken 700ft. Not willing to let me be defeated he offered to climb. I attributed my success to a combination me some bully, but I had not the strength to bite and of three factors (i) Wilfred’s moral support; (ii) my masticate. I let a cube of sugar melt in my mouth. increased acclimatization; (iii) the fact that on the two Seeing that I was unlikely to improve, even if he could days preceding the climb I had eaten meat. Before we afford to give me an hour’s rest, he decided to climb left this high camp I dropped my pack inadvertently the peak alone. When he had departed, I felt cynical on the ground and it rolled downhill and by virtue about my fond ambition to climb a point higher than of its rotundity kept rolling. To my consternation any in Europe without previous mountaineering I noticed my camera bounce out. At last it came to experience. I had set that as the culminating physical rest about 600ft below. Gutia dashed after it and achievement of the expedition. Within ten minutes retrieved both pack and camera. The view-finder Wilfred was back and to my astonishment claimed to window was broken and the snap release missing, but have reached the peak. He estimated the peak to be otherwise all was well. about 150 ft higher just above a false crest. Surely I could reach it. There was no need of a rope. Wilfred decided that he would look for the snap release, not so much for its intrinsic value, as for its I accepted the challenge, resolved at any cost to make usefulness and irreplaceability. Among the juniper the effort. bushes he might have searched a week in vain, but fortunately discovered it within two minutes after In five minutes I was standing on the summit of arriving at the spot which we had noted. We arrived Shananian Shankar 16,586ft above sea-level. This is at our base camp at 17:30hrs feeling fit and strong. a triangulated height and we corrected the altimeter. I took out “The Mill on the Floss” and for half an We could see Bhuna some 6,000 ft below, but the hour lived in the domestic simplicity of 19th century view began to be restricted by approaching cloud. I England. was thrilled to have reached the summit, thought of Mont Blanc 15,780 ft, then I decided that I must face Sunday 30th May, Base camp 11,500 ft - We left the the problem of the descent. The elation at having base camp for the return journey through the jungle achieved my objective somewhat offset the effect of my at 09:00 hrs. The heavens opened and drenching tiredness. From the summit northwards the mountain rain fell. At first the deciduous trees gave us some slopes down gradually until it meets the glacier. The protection, but soon the merest contact with a bush or whole way is covered with snow. Wilfred decided bough released a shower of rain upon our heads. After that glissading down this slope would be the quickest an hour I was soaked to the skin. Water collected and least fatiguing method of making for camp. He between my pack and the back of my battledress and stood on the surface of the snow, dug his ice-pick in slipped down through my shirt and was partly caught behind and slipped gracefully down on the surface for by the waist belt of the battledress and partly in the about 500 yards. I was not so successful with the turn-ups of my trousers. Everybody was slipping standing position so adopted equally good results in about uncontrollably; our sodden clothes made us cold the sitting position. To stop I had merely to press and our spirits fell. After three hours unremitting heavily on the pick. After three minutes glissade I rain we chanced upon a huge rock in a clearing in the would stop to recuperate my strength and in that time jungle, the face of which was overhanging a shelter I would cover some 600 yards. If I had felt strong some ten yards long and two yards wide. With the I should have been fascinated by this novel method dry leaves we found under the rock we lighted a fire,

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 161 then pitched the tents tying the guys onto branches bereaved. This feeling seemed even to be shared of trees, removed jackets and pullovers, massaged our by the porters, for we had all been happy together damp bodies to restore the circulation, aired shirts, participating in the same joys and the same difficulties. shorts and stockings torn impatiently from the It was as if we had all been in action and our party rucksacks and handed round to the porters windproof alone had survived. Wilfred had taken the best of the suits, pullovers and scarves. That afternoon we read equipment and the youngest men as he had another in our rock cave while our trousers, socks and sleeping week before he need return. That night I slept with bags were airing. We had hung them on a rack formed my porter companions in the big bell tent. by two small uprooted firs lodged against the face of the rock. Night fell before the airing was complete. Thursday 3rd June, Lohajang - We set off at 06:45hrs and our route lay along beautiful fresh valleys. The Monday 31st May, rock SW of Trisul - The Dhotials lower we went the more extensive was the cultivation. awakened us at 06:00hrs next morning. They gave One of the greatest problems in Indian agriculture is us our breakfast and sat around ostensibly packing the soil erosion. Torrential rains rapidly wash away and doing odd jobs. They were in fact so familiar the topsoil which is carried by the river current to that they had gathered round for a kind of dressing- form alluvial plains hundreds of miles away. All the parade. One would hold my socks over the fire for rivers of the Punjab are red in the monsoon season, the last minutes’ airing before handing them to me, saturated with particles of soil. To counteract erosion while another would singe my trousers endeavouring the system of terracing has been adopted. All down to be equally helpful. It was a fine morning and after the sides of the lower mountains in Garhwal terrace three hours’ delightful journey we arrived at Sataul. succeeds terrace, each sown with different crops We noticed from Sataul that the snow now lay on the and each contained and demarcated by rock walls. mountains as low as 11,000ft. Before lunch I had a The rains fall and the water percolates from terrace bathe in the rushing mountain torrent and washed all to terrace, irrigating all and carrying no soil away. our socks, handkerchiefs and towels and then spread Standing on one side of the valley and contemplating all the damp clothing in the sun. After lunch we the other side I was struck at once by the ingenuity of had our clinic – a not infrequent performance when man’s organisation and the picturesque fairyland he the villagers got wind of our coming - and Wilfrid has created. At 1500hrs I stopped at a ford and being distributed medicines according to the ailments of weary decided to have tea made for the porters and our patients. After this we were forced to retire to myself. Gradually the inevitable little crowd gathered our tents to wait the dispersal of the multitude. The round and among them a party of boys. One about Subedar gave us more fresh butter, milk, vegetables twelve was wearing a Gandhi cap, an immaculate dhoti and rice, and we in exchange gave him a tin of coffee. and a fine tailored coat. He immediately aroused my After smoking a cigarette in the light of our dying fire interest and on my enquiring who he might be, he he departed and we went severally to our tents. told me in pure Hindi that he was learning Sanskrit as he hoped to become a pundit. The purity of his Tuesday 1st June, Sataul - The Subedar saw us off language, his intelligence and education contrasted and gave us his blessing. As we went through the strongly with the illiteracy and gibberish of the mountain forest one of us happened to turn back Nepalese porters, who only knew enough of the lingua and then we both beheld Trisul appear as a celestial franca of India to enable them to call me at the right mountain. Set between dark ominous cloud and the time and supply me with the necessities of life. The black foreground of the pine forest with its lower slopes boy was so cultured and handsome that I called him apparelled in white mist Trisul shone resplendent in Pundit Jawarhar Lal Nehru and he was pleased with the morning sun. Our path then lay through fine the epithet. When I arrived at Gwaldam, I found parkland reminiscent of the downs of Surrey. We Piccadilly Circus in occupation. Brigadier Williams had no sooner arrived at Wan and pitched our tents insisted upon my having tea and dinner with them. on a lawn beneath the shade of some magnificent 800 Despite my unkempt and hirsute appearance, they year old cypresses than heavy rain and hail enveloped treated me charmingly and we compared notes. the whole valley. As on the morrow Wilfred and I were to part company, we celebrated that night by Friday 4th June, Gwaldam - To let Piccadilly Circus regaling ourselves with our best tinned pears. get well clear, I started late at 08:30hrs. I met Tony and the two Sherpas coming from the other direction. Wednesday 2nd June, Wan - After bidding farewell He gave me the latest news about the destruction of to Wilfred at 07:30 hrs, I set out with the four oldest two important German dams and declared that he men, Arzankara, Singh, Jogia and Doljit. I had a was daily expecting an invasion of Sicily. I gave him melancholy feeling of separation as if I had been a short account of our expedition. That evening I

162 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 visited a temple of Vishnu, but was not allowed to go Preface inside. A young priest however gave me a bouquet of 1. Ship’s Permanent Staff a rose and three marguerites. As it was very warm in 2. Lay-out of Mooltan the valley we all five slept in the open. 3. Accommodation for Other Ranks 4. Feeding Arrangements for Other Ranks Saturday 5th June, Jayghnath - I was called at 5. General Conditions for Other Ranks 05:00hrs, drank a cup of tea and was swimming in a 6. The Mechanical Condition of the Mooltan nearby river before six. We reached the bus terminus 7. Safety and Emergency Equipment by 07:00hrs. Many distressed sepoys came to me 8. The Ship’s Armament with the complaint that there was no accommodation 9. The make-up of the Convoy and its Escort on the bus and if they were left behind they would unavoidably overstay their leave. For each one I Preface wrote a certificate to their commanding officers I travelled from Liverpool to Bombay in His Majesty’s explaining the circumstances. The journey was hot Troopship Mooltan between 17 July and 20 August and noteworthy by virtue of an hour’s breakdown. At 1944. She was of about 22,000 tons. Prewar she had 17:00hrs we reached Ranikhet and Alladin greeted been a Pacific and Orient Liner on the UK to India me. He was so disgusted with my beard that I shaved run. She was driven by steam-reciprocating engines, it off immediately. I went to Mrs Browne’s and read and was built about 1922. She and her sister ship sixteen letters that had accumulated. Maloja were among the last liners of this size to be built with such engines. Sunday 6th June, Monday 7th June, Ranikhet - I spent the day in Mrs Browne’s bungalow, reading The route was Liverpool, Gibraltar, Port Said, Suez from cover to cover all the “Statesmans” from the Canal, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Bombay. None 16th onwards. She treated me handsomely, giving me of the troops carried were allowed ashore at any tea at mid-morning and throwing open her house to intermediate point. enable me to answer letters and read the newspapers. I much appreciated the comfort of her house and her There were no Service Policemen on the draft, and I bounteous generosity after the rough life I had been was one of the RAF sergeants detailed to act as police leading. in the first two weeks of the voyage. These duties necessitated me visiting, especially at night, parts of Tuesday 8th June, Wednesday 9th June, Karachi - the ship which were out of bounds to Other Ranks, As the heat, dust and noise of the next three days and and parts outside the Officers’ areas. I chatted at night night spent in trains on my way back to Karachi were to the gunners and the crewmen who served on the a grim anticlimax to the purity and serenity of the Bridge. This enables me to make these notes more Himalayas, I realised that I must bid farewell to the fully than would otherwise have been possible. spiritual company of Mallory and Smythe and take my place once again in the prosaic task of winning 1. The Ship’s Permanent Staff. the war. She was an RAF Troopship - that meant that the Ship’s David L Gould (1923-32) permanent staff, including the Officer Commanding troops and the Ship’s Warrant Officer were RAF.men. The Captain was a Merchant Navy Officer and the crew mainly lascars, but the helmsmen were English. Life on the Troopship “MOOLTAN” in We sailed in convoy and the Commodore of the summer 1944 convoy, a Merchant Navy Officer, was on the Mooltan, notes made in 2005 by Alan John Wright (1936-42) notwithstanding there were more prestigious ships (former Sergeant in the RAF) (the Strathaird and her five sisters) in the convoy. I remember seeing the Senior Naval Officer (a Royal I travelled on the Troopship “Mooltan” in July and Navy Commodore) on the Mooltan when we were in August 1944 as an RAF Sergeant. There will soon be port in Aden, but I cannot be sure he travelled with no survivors left of those who travelled on troopships us all the time. of this pattern — those used later were less crowded and had better feeding and sleeping arrangements. I The Gunners on the ship were Royal Marine and am therefore making this record in 2005 before all Royal Navy, but may have included merchant seamen survivors are dead. I have dealt with the matter under - some dressed so casually that it was not possible to the following headings:— tell. The gunners slept by their guns and never paraded

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 163 formally, so I cannot tell who commanded them. The the portholes were never opened: the bottom main highest-ranking gunner I saw was a Royal Maritime troop deck was below that, was partly below the water Sergeant, and he served on the stern guns. line and had no portholes. Each of the main troop decks was divided laterally by a partition into a port So far as I recollect there were no females among the and a starboard Section. permanent staff. There must have been one or two small mess decks 2) Lay-out of the Mooltan when used as a either fore or aft or even below the main troop decks Troopship — the Chief Petty Officers, for instance, were not in The Mooltan for housing other ranks had three main the main mess decks. There were prison cells at the troop decks below the principal open deck (which I stern of the ship1 - these may have been lower than will call ‘the promenade deck’). The boundaries of the third troop deck. each mess deck consisted of the plates of the ship’s sides, one of the ship’s main bulkheads at the fore- The permanent staff were housed separately. I cannot end, and a similar bulkhead at the aft end. The remember whether they all had cabins, or whether bulkheads had watertight doors which were normally some were in mess decks. left open. Each troop deck was divided into a Port and a Starboard Mess deck. There were cabins for There was a large hold towards the prow of the ship, Officers and Indian Army Officer Cadets, some on the and a large hold towards the stern. One RAF corporal promenade deck and others on the deck above (which who had survived the sinking of the Lancastria was I will call ‘the boat deck’). The open promenade deck housed in a cabin. was used for exercise and sleeping by other ranks: the open part of the boat deck was out of bounds to other Each port and each starboard mess deck was equipped ranks and was used for exercise by officers. with mess tables running from the side of the ship towards, but not touching, the centre dividing On our trip the numbers carried were approximately partition. Each table took nine men per side. On as follows: both sides of each table was a bench. The tables were, but the benches were not, fixed to the floor. The 3,300 RAF Other ranks (Sergeants and below) - all centre dividing partition was about 10 feet wide, and ground staff. contained the stairs to the deck above, ship’s trunking and a limited number of lavatories (part of the peace- 40 RN Chief Petty Officers, time equipment). There were gaps in the partition for reaching the opposite mess deck. 150 RN Petty Officers and The mess tables seated 18 men, nine each side. On 100 Commandos (either Army or Royal Marine) one side of the top troop deck were over 400 RAF Sergeants - on the other (in which I was housed) (Later we picked up 100 Jewish Troops in were 250 RAF Sergeants and 150 RN Petty Officers. the Mediterranean and dropped them before Above the tables were hooks so that hammocks entering the Arabian Sea). could be slung fore and aft. Above the hooks was trunking, ventilation tubes and wiring. Everyone There were about 250 RAF Ground Staff Officers, was issued with a hammock and a blanket for the and about 50 Indian Army Officer Cadets. trip. There were only hooks for two out of every There were no females carried on this voyage. three men - the rest had to sleep on or under the table or on the promenade deck. When all the hammocks As seen from the side in silhouette the Mooltan as a were slung the deck above could no longer be seen. troopship was very much the same as the model in the The hammocks had to be rolled (making a bundle 24 Maritime Museum at Greenwich, except that at the inches long and 18 inches in diameter) and slung in stern there were the temporary screens which hid the an allocated place by day. Some of the Petty Officers guns and the temporary latrines and ablutions. made theirs into a Zeppelin-shaped roll eight feet long — this apparently made a life-raft in emergency. 3) Accommodation for Other Ranks There were small lavatories and washrooms on the

The majority of the other ranks were quartered in the 1 three main troop decks. The top one was below the Prisoners were carried on the boat. These were British men who had committed a military or promenade dock and had its portholes normally open civilian crime, or men who had tried to evade being by day: the middle main troop was below that, and drafted. Habeas corpus did not apply. 164 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 troop decks, and these were left over from the days enough to fill each of the 18 tea mugs. when there had been cabins below the promenade deck. They were quite inadequate for the number of The bread was cooked on board and was better than men housed below the open deck. I describe below any bread obtainable in wartime Britain. The rest the temporary washroom and set of latrines which of the food was not very appetizing. The meat was had been installed on the promenade deck between normally of poor quality, was tough and stringy and the rearmost cabins and the rear gun position. This was served in a stew-form with fat floating on the made it nearly impossible to do a complete walk right surface. The custard was watery, and tasted as though round the open deck. The temporary structure was it was made with dried milk. The vegetables arrived surrounded by canvas walls. with some of the cooking water and were overcooked and tasteless. The washroom consisted of three or four long tables athwart-ships with hot and cold saltwater taps above The worst meal I remember was reconstituted them. On the tables were wash basins. The latrine dehydrated cod. This had been cooked in the same section consisted of four or more planks athwart-ships water in which it had been reconstituted; ammonia each 18 inches wide which were fixed about 15 inches had been formed and the meal was probably poisonous above the deck. They had egg-shaped holes spaced - certainly nobody ate it. about 30 inches apart. These were for defecating - there was no privacy and no distinction for Senior After each meal the orderlies collected half a dixie NCOs. Under each plank there was a trough which of hot water (I cannot remember whether salt or sloped gently towards one side of the ship: through sweet) from the galley for washing up. There was a the trough ran a stream of salt water, and this went 50-gallon tank with a tap providing hot salt water on straight over the side of the ship into the sea, carrying the promenade deck. with it the excreta. In rough weather the stream and all it carried could slop over the sides of the trough. A small can of unsweetened lime juice was provided When we met bad weather part of the canvas walls each day for each table. Each Sergeant and Petty was blown down and there was even less privacy. All Officer was given a measure of rum, and corporals and were given a Board of Trade lifejacket, a torch, and a airmen a portion of grog each day. This was meant tinned emergency ration. I describe these more fully to be drunk at once, but some of the Petty Officers in the Safety and Emergency Section below. stored their portions until they had a larger quantity.

4. Feeding Arrangements for other ranks Every morning all had to queue at a sweet water tap Each mess deck had 36 plates, 18 pint mugs and two and were allowed to fill their regulation two-pint dixies (oval shallow buckets of 2½ gallon capacity water-bottle once with water. Other than this, fresh with a lid) and a tea dixie. Each table for Sergeants water was not available. Most used some of their was provided with two orderlies, who came from one water for brushing teeth, and some for shaving, either of the decks below. Members of other messes had daily or occasionally - it is almost impossible to shave to appoint two orderlies from among their number. satisfactorily with salt water. All were provided with There were three meals a day: - Breakfast consisting one bar of salt water soap (more could be bought) for of porridge, bread, butter and egg or bacon or fish and washing. The soap was poor for laundry use: when tea. used for personal washing one never felt really clean as the soap left the skin feeling slimy. There was a Mid-day meal consisting of a meat (normally stew) canteen open for a short time each day - each table or fish dish with potatoes and vegetables and a sweet, had a specified time. Orders were given to the table such as tinned fruit or roly-poly pudding or rice with orderly; he brought back the goods and was paid by custard, and tea. the recipient. Cigarettes, and tobacco, soap, thread, buttons and so forth were available. Chocolate was Tea consisting of bread, butter, jam and tea. available but rationed. Virginian cigarettes were not available from the canteen - only inferior Indian ones. An extra mug of tea was sometimes provided between Officers were able to get Virginian cigarettes from the mid-day and the tea time. Officers’ shop.

The food was collected by the orderlies from the galley 5) General Conditions for Other Ranks. in the dixies and the tea dixie, and was divided at the Most other ranks found the conditions unpleasant - mess table. The tea dixie contained 18 pints - just worse than any they normally encountered in England

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 165 or abroad (other than in the field or in action). not as unpleasant as the conditions I was later to meet in the jungle. The cumulative effect of the conditions Both by day and by night the air was always of poor (poor food, insanitary conditions, overcrowding, poor quality in the middle and lowest mess decks. This was air, lack of exercise, repeated dehydration and lack of made worse at night when large blanket-like cloths personal cleanliness) was such that the men were not were put across the stairways to prevent light being in a good ‘battle-worthy’ state when they left the ship, shown. At night and in danger spots (such as passing and the men’s resistance to germs was lowered. I was Crete) the top mess deck became equally short of good subsequently hospitalized with many of the Mooltan’s air because the portholes were closed. There were ‘passengers’ and was told by the medical staff that the air-ducts which forced air into the mess decks, but personnel from this ship suffered an above average this was inadequate for the numbers housed below. rate of diarrhea, dysentery and other stomach illness The forced air system was very noisy and kept people after landing. The debilitating effect of overcrowding awake until they got used to it. Such conditions led on troopships was known to the authorities. When a to more than half the other ranks seeking to sleep on trip lasted eight weeks or more as when going east via the open deck. Some felt more secure on deck rather the Cape, they sought to give the troops a fortnight’s than below in view of the risk of being torpedoed. As leave ashore in mid-trip. The two troopships I space on the promenade deck was limited, a ‘rationing travelled on later in the war had been fitted out later scheme’ was enforced - each man could only sleep than the Mooltan, and were much less crowded, and on the open decks every third night. The shortage had cots and the troops on each deck were fed by shift of hammock hooks and the rationing of open deck on a cafeteria system in a dining mess-room. space meant that some had to sleep on or under the mess tables. The mess decks below were warm when 6) The Mechanical State of the Ship. we went through the Atlantic. Once we reached the The RN Petty Officers who were with us were very Mediterranean the heat became unpleasant. In the critical of the state of the ship and it appeared to me Red Sea it became very oppressive below. Men were (as a landlubber) that the ship was in urgent need of sweating a pint or more each, and with over 400 men a refit. There were three major visible defects that to in my mess deck, there was moisture in the scuppers. me seemed a hazard to all on board. We were encouraged to take extra salt with our food and salt tablets were available. Firstly, each main troop deck was ended fore and aft by a waterproof bulkhead, with waterproof doors In order to keep the air clearer, smoking was which were normally left open and unlocked. Each discouraged after dark in the mess decks. Smoking door was equipped with six or eight bolts. Some of was banned after dark on the open deck on all ships the bolts were broken short and others were bent so in convoy, in order to prevent the glow being visible to that the hasp could not be engaged or so that that the the enemy, and an important part of police duties was thread was distorted and useless. The worst-equipped the enforcement of this ban. I was surprised to find door had only two working bolts. One could not see that on clear nights one could see a cigarette glow one how it could withstand a pressure of thousands of tons mile away on other ships when the ban vas ignored . if the adjoining compartment were full of water. The So far as I recollect a blind eye was turned to smoking watertight doors had brass seals - some were damaged in the mass latrines at the stern of the ship. Some and would have allowed a slow leak. men found this ban on smoking at night very irksome, and smoked under their blanket on deck. Some men Secondly, there was something audibly wrong with found the absence of shower or bathing facilities for one of the bearings on the propeller shaft at the five weeks irksome. We had fairly good weather until stern of the ship. It had an irregular moan at each we entered the Arabian Sea. There was then a lot of revolution, so clear that one could count the number sea-sickness, there were insufficient lavatory bowls and of revolutions per minute. When she tried to go the floors of the small lavatories below deck became faster than 10 knots, the defective bearing caused a awash with sick matter, and a small amount of this shudder throughout the ship. The Germans already overflowed. There was also sick matter on the stairs were using acoustic torpedoes - this noise was an when men could not reach the open deck in time. The obvious target. RN Petty Officers said the conditions on the mess decks were a little worse than what would normally be Thirdly, the steering gear failed twice during the expected in a Royal Navy Ship. There was insufficient voyage. When the convoy was in mid-Atlantic open deck space, and the police had trouble enforcing doing zigzags the rudder seized up. This steering a ban on the dangerous practice of lying on the hatch failure caused the ship to go round uncontrollably covers. In short the conditions were unpleasant, but in a large circle. The escort and most of the convoy

166 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 had vanished over the horizon before the fault was 8. The Ship’s Armament repaired; and we then had to catch up. Most of the At the start of the war the Mooltan had been troops were asleep and were unaware of the crisis. A commandeered and converted to become an armed further failure occurred when we were going down merchant cruiser. She was a slow ship and when the Suez Canal: they put us to one side and let the she exceeded 10 knots she made heavy smoke, and rest of the convoy go through. We followed after the was thus not suitable for this role. She had been steering was repaired converted to a troopship about three years previously (as had most of the other armed merchant cruisers). Ships were still being sunk by submarines regularly, so skilled ship-workers were needed for new ships. This By reason of her previous role she was relatively may explain the absence of proper maintenance. well armed. She had at the stern of the promenade deck a pair of 6 inch naval guns: this was unusual 7) Safety and Emergency Arrangements in a troopship. They were largely hidden by canvas Boat Drill was held from time to time - everybody screens, and were out of bounds. I was shown them knew their boat station. The ship had all the pre-war by the Royal Marine Sergeant who commanded the lifeboats of whaler pattern suspended from davits. gun crews. When the whole convoy had gun practice They had water tanks - I don’t know if any food was in mid Atlantic, all our guns other than the 6 inch stowed. There were, I believe, two or four of the guns were fired. The Marine Sergeant told me that war-pattern flat-bottomed type lifeboats on ramps the blast on firing them would have destroyed all the sloping at 45 degrees. All were at the boat deck canvas around them and around the promenade deck level, that is to say, out of bounds to other ranks. In washroom and lavatories. my night patrols I did a rough calculation and found there were lifeboat places for no more than 600 to At boat deck level there were several 3 inch quick 1000 men. There were two stacks of Carley floats, firing guns - probably about nine or ten of them. about ten floats in total divided into sections by the Each was surrounded by a thick steel circular wall usual watertight bulkheads with watertight doors. I about 3 feet high. A gap on the inboard side allowed have already mentioned the poor state of some of the access. The crews stayed with them, night and day. fastenings. Hot cocoa was provided in stainless steel buckets for those manning the guns at night. All men were given a Board of Trade jacket. This was two kapok-filled pillows joined side to side with The policemen on night duty brought the cocoa to the a hole in the middle for the head, and with tapes at gunners to ensure the guns were fully manned. the corners for tying so it could be worn as a sort of short vest. All were also given a small red-lensed There were several Bofors guns, and also several torch on a string that lit when immersed in water and Oerlikon guns. I have no recollection of bringing also an emergency ration consisting of an airtight tin cocoa to them - I assume they were not manned by containing 250 grams of cocoa powder and dried milk night. powder held together with the minimum of water. I remember several small signal guns in an ‘out of It was self-evident that there could well be chaos if bounds’ forepart of the ship - they looked like small we were hit. I could understand the disorder which naval ships’ cannon from the Napoleonic age. In had arisen on troopships, allied or enemy, when they addition, above the boat deck, there was a mass of sank. I think we, as policemen, may have been given framing of the sort used for firing anti-aircraft rockets. revolvers but if so I do not think we carried them on This looked rusty and disused, and was certainly not our rounds. My personal rifle and the side-arms of used when we had gun practice. all troops had been collected and put in the ship’s armoury when we boarded. At times the ship used paravanes - anti-mine floats at the end of lines fixed to the prow of the ship. When Security was excellent. Weapon instruction at we passed Crete, we did so at night, and all the ships Blackpool had been solely on German anti-personnel in the convoy put up barrage balloons. weapons. I and two colleagues knew our destination. No other ranker knew it - most hoped we were going 9) The Make-up of the Convoy and its Escort to Italy and the Mediterranean. There were seven P and 0 liners in the convoy: the Mooltan, the Strathaird and its five sister ships. In addition there were three other liners, a Dutch liner,

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 167 a French liner and a pre-1914 steam-driven liner. cancer. London Masonry’s next endeavour will be to There were also about twelve medium-size freight raise funds in order to put several millions of pounds ships, some of which made clouds of smoke when at the disposal of the Royal College of Surgeons for maximum speed was called for. It was a slow convoy vital research. and averaged about 10 knots. The convoy remained in Bombay at least two weeks after arriving. The Interested in learning more? Contact Peter Hudson, ships in it were held together as a group - when I our Secretary on 01689 858583? spoke to Canon Gordon Davies who had been sent to Peter Hudson Bombay at the end of that year it was apparent that his convoy had substantially the same composition as Old Olavian Cricket Tour - South Devon 2012 the July convoy. OO tour 2012 was hit by a couple of bracing revelations a few days before the first game. The first was that The convoy went far west into the Atlantic and we there had been a date mix-up and we had been double- took eight days to reach Gibraltar. The escort for booked out of our hotel. The second was that our first this part of the voyage consisted of a small number fixture opponents, Barton, had been stricken with an of cruisers, some destroyers and corvettes (we were a (apparently emergency) christening and couldn’t get slow convoy) and a ‘Woolworth Carrier’ (merchant a side out to face us. Not an ideal start to the week, ship with a landing deck) with one or two observation but people rallied round and we soon found ourselves biplanes. An American Cruiser was apparent for part with a new hotel and new opponents for the Sunday. of the Atlantic journey - I don’t know whether this Many tourists remembered Babbacombe from when was part of the escort. we had played there a few years previously. They’re a very friendly bunch and have a lovely rustic ground After a two-day stop in Gibraltar - Patton had been with some charming contours. Anyone who thinks crossing the Mediterranean to invade France - we Lords has a bit of a slope has obviously never seen picked up a new, much smaller escort. This included Babbacombe, where if you are fielding at deep square two Italian ‘co-belligerent’ destroyers which were fast, leg or sweeping the cover boundary your feet are but much smaller than any British ones, and which considerably higher than the batsmen’s heads. had orange patches on the sides. Sister ships were working for the Germans - it was necessary to identify Due partly to the last-minute tour changes the OOs the co-belligerent ones. A small part of the convoy only had nine men on hand at the start of play, but left us, with part of the escort and made for Italy. I since we had agreed with the opposition that we were believe the escort changed again between entering the probably the stronger side on paper this didn’t perturb Suez Canal and entering the Arabian Sea. It was not Babbacombe at all. In fact they tried to even things a big escort. out even more by having twelve or thirteen players while they were fielding, which we only noticed about Clubs and Societies half-way through our innings. The rules of the game were as unique as the pitch - two hours for the first Old Olavians’ Lodge No. 5051 innings and an hour and twenty overs for the second, An influx of young men, several of whom were former with batsmen retiring on 50 (although they can return students at our school, has revitalised the Masonic if their side is all out). Tyrell Duberry opened the Lodge during the last year. batting with Sanjay Ranasinghe and hit a boisterous 34, before skipper for the day, Lance Giles, contrived The older members are particularly pleased that our to be dropped five times and hit four sixes on the way links with their old school remain strong - even to 50 and early retirement. Mike Mitchell and Tom though some friendly banter about which is the real Parsons waved the willow vigorously and perished for School Song is always a good subject for debate! the good of the team run-rate, and then the innings suddenly became becalmed. New tourist Tom Gallop We are always ready to meet and welcome men with was next in to bat but hadn’t twigged it yet and was an interest in exploring Freemasonry. still sitting in his civvies admiring the scenery. Dave Golbey, perhaps not realising the implications of being We are a really open group nowadays, primarily two men short, was in the pavilion keenly messing existing in order to raise funds for charity. Visitors to around with a new scoring program he’d bought for the Lord Mayor’s Show will have seen us ‘on parade’ his laptop and didn’t seem to realise that play had celebrating with St Bart’s Hospital the success of our ground to a halt. Since Golbey hadn’t got changed fund-raising which has put some really wonderful either, the skipper had to grab his kit again and head machinery into the hospital’s front-line battle with back to the crease to keep things ticking over until

168 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 one of them was fit to take the field. Perhaps it is bowled a fullish one and L Bess (brother of Z) latched just as well that John Brown had been sadly unable onto it, sending it screaming towards the sea. Chris to tour this year, because he would no doubt have had Swadkin at shortish mid-wicket leapt a foot in the a few things to say about proceedings. Throughout air and intercepted it cleanly with both hands, arms all of this it should be noted that the official scorer fully extended, as if he was doing his early morning remained completely serene and with a neat and stretches. You couldn’t hope to see a better catch. Jay accurate sheet, which was a very respectable effort then joined the party by bowling S Szobchak (who considering it was Tom P’s girlfriend and first-time had got 95 against us a couple of years ago.) Could tourist, Laura Pangbourne, who had never scored in the OOs keep it up? Yes they could! A couple of her life before. overs later Miles dollied up a far easier catch off Ian to Swaddy at midwicket and Sidmouth were five wickets At the end of their two hours, the tourists had reached down and reeling, and Ian wasn’t quite finished yet. 169 for 7. To defend this total, Tom Gallop and In his next over he swung another one away late and Mitch opened the bowling and both proved all but Lawrence took the catch behind the stumps to leave unplayable, taking two wickets apiece and going for the home team stunned at 74 for 6. Ty Duberry and nine runs between them from ten overs. Tom P (3 Mitch came on to see us through to the end, and for 35) and Sanjay continued the good work, spinning both bowled exceptionally well too, Ty giving away the ball opposite ways in most wily fashion. Kenny only twelve runs in six overs and taking the wicket Maxwell chipped in with his first wicket in his first of W Szobchak (who had got 70 opening the batting game in Devon, and Ty ‘Turn is over-rated’ Duberry against us two years ago), and Mitch picking up 3 for even showed us an over of spin as Babbacombe were 24 with a catch and stumping from Roots. Sidmouth bowled out for 114 with only S Lewis (52) showing finished on 140 from 38 overs and the Old Olavians much resistance. were effervescing as they left the field.

In high spirits and full of confidence we headed to Everyone was so keen to see how our batsmen Sidmouth the next day eager to put on a better show would fare that we didn’t even have to extricate our this year than last, when they had got the better end umpires Stephen Parsons and Jasper Gundry-White of a draw and one Zac Bess scored 154no against (enthusiastically taking to the white coat after hanging us. It had been raining that morning and conditions up his pads for good last season) from the Sidmouth were still pretty fresh as OO captain Ian ‘Jonty’ Giles tea area with heavy artillery. T Parsons (20) and D chatted with the Sidmouth skipper. Apparently they Golbey (30) were first up, and put on a nice 46 opening were fielding five first-team batsmen that day, and stand to settle the nerves. Tom Gallop (26) carried so everyone agreed we’d let them go out and get as on the good work before being bowled by a straight many as they could and we’d try to chase the target one pitched up (apparently they don’t bowl many of down (when things had dried out a little, we added to them in Australia), and despite a little wobble with a ourselves.) Lawrence Roots had arrived to take over couple of quick wickets, Jay (24) and Mitch (14) saw keeping duties from Dave Golbey, who had managed us through to complete a terrific team performance it with some poise the day before, so Dave opened the and a very satisfying win. bowling instead, along with Tom Gallop. Marching out to face them came Z Bess (who had been playing After a pleasant spot of pitch and putt at the Torquay for Somerset 2s this season) and A Griffith (who had ornamental gardens the next morning we headed smashed us for four of the biggest sixes you’re likely to north to take on the might of our old friends at see during a thumping they had given us a couple of Sandford. After winning the toss in a forty-over years before.) Despite it being his first bowl all season, game, skipper Swadkin confidently elected to bat. Golbey immediately hit a length with some movement Although Golbey (29) continued his good form, we and had both batsmen looking uncomfortable. lost three quick wickets, and then another two to With Gallop providing good tight support from leave us on 84 for 5. Our run-rate was good, but the other end, the OOs had taken the initiative and could anyone stick around long enough to see out the were rewarded when Dave clean-bowled Griffith in overs? Enter Jay Patel. For the third year on the his fourth over. It was vital we didn’t let their star trot he strolled to the crease and casually proceeded batsmen settle, and Ian Giles brought himself and Jay to biff the Sandford bowling to all parts as if he was Patel on to keep up the pressure, which they managed switching the heads off dandelions during a wander admirably. In either over-confidence or impatience down a country lane. Mitch provided elegant and at being shackled Bess walked across his stumps to assured support with a very well-paced innings of 40. scoop Gilesy down to fine leg, but was deceived in the By the time Jay was out for 69, caught at the long-on air and bowled middle and leg. In his next over Jonty boundary down the long Sandford hill, the pair had

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 169 taken us to 168. With further quick runs by Swaddy, out Terry had one surprise left. His revelatory red Roots and Ty, the OOs ended their innings on 217 to card mechanism included variable points deductions complete a first-rate rearguard attack. for scale of offence. Totting each team’s cards up, it transpired that the quiz was a dead heat between Despite the rousing finish to our innings, the tourists every single team in it. What a coincidence! were under no illusions that it would not be a stiff task to defend their total against the locals on their As a side-note, during the quiz we were treated to home patch. Sandford started their reply aggressively, this memorably surreal exchange between Stephen but the OO bowlers refused to wilt. Coming on first Parsons and Dave Golbey. change, Jay Patel wasn’t content with his achievements with the bat and also removed both opening batsmen DG: “My phone’s a bit loud, isn’t it? I’m going to clean bowled. At the halfway stage, Sandford turn it off.” were 104 for 3 and game was balanced very evenly. Mitch put in a classy spell of tight spin, taking two SP, from across the room: “We can still hear you.” vital wickets and holding everything together. Jay returned for a few overs and decided to give spin a DG, rather pointedly: “I’m not a phone.” try too, and he took two wickets in his first over back. The required run-rate was rising to seven an over, but If that doesn’t look that funny on paper, well you just it would only take a few sixes from the new batsman, had to be there. the big-hitting Matt Theedom, to swing things back in Sandford’s favour. Swadkin brought himself on The weather was pretty gloomy on Thursday morning, and kept things under control well in the face of some but we headed off to Newton Abbot as optimistically desperate hitting from Sandford. Coming into the as possible. Opposition skipper Conrad said he had last few overs it could still go either way, but Golbey quite a young side and thought it would be best to let caught Theedom out off Jay’s bowling to give him his us have a bat first, so Mitch and Derek Birmingham fifth wicket of the match and capped a superb personal opened the innings for the tourists. Derek had been effort. Swaddy picked up a couple of wickets too, and putting a tremendous effort into the social side of tour Sandford were all out for 199. Another fine win for during the week so far, and being last to bed every the OOs. night sadly can’t have helped his reactions much to one of South Devon’s notorious scuttling deliveries The forecast for Wednesday had been bleak all which kept low and disturbed his timberwork. week, and for once the weathermen had it right. Mitch played some nice shots in his 29, and Chris Wellington boots or possibly a small rubber dinghy Swadkin looked in fine fettle during his 41, which would have been required by fielders at Torquay’s included two excellent sixes, one of which “went like sea-level ground. In place of cricket some tourists a tracer bullet!” according to the proud and seemingly played golf at Starcross, where the sun came out and it surprised man himself. As play progressed the skies actually turned into a very fine day, and where the tour were darkening, and then a light drizzle started that party was bolstered by the arrival of a car of Colloffs gradually grew heavier, making the already slippery - Janet, Amanda and Dave - who had made a little ground even trickier to negotiate. Play was halted unexpected detour towards Wales on the way down for rain once, and the young men of Newton Abbot from London. We found a lovely new pub called showed the gumption of barnacled sea sailors to the Anchor on the edge of Starcross harbour to have manoeuvre the covers over the wicket in a fierce and lunch in. chilly squall as everyone else hoofed it for the shelter of the pavilion. The game was eventually restarted in Since James Hubbard and family were regrettably not a reduced 20-over format. Stuart ‘Captain Incredible’ able to tour this year (having just had a new addition Taylor, all the way over from America, came a cropper to their ranks) and Jo Swadkin had unfortunately had on a muddy patch and pulled a hamstring and had to return home earlier in the week, Terry Smith took to retire. Dave Colloff had already changed clothes up the challenge of being Master of the Wednesday four times as he thought the game was off and on, and Quiz. Perhaps taking inspiration from his footballing seemed rather exasperated as he had to quickly buckle days, Tel kept everyone in line by brandishing red on some pads once more and stride to the crease. One cards at teams for any infringement of quiz discipline, ball later his stumps were out of formation and he was real or imagined. The tension was high as the final striding back again with a wry grin to some ebullient round was completed, and after the scores were read applause. As conditions worsened again Conrad had a chat with the batsmen in the middle and graciously offered to finish up this innings and then call it a day,

170 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 to which the batsmen resignedly agreed. We played any of the spinner’s angled deliveries. On the very out the remaining overs and trudged off to the warm last ball Stephen swung again and middled the ball bar. Quite a while later we realised nobody had told straight back at the bowler. Vinny swiftly pouched Jay that we weren’t coming out for the second innings, the chance and immediately threw the ball to the floor and he was still in the scorebox at the opposite side in a gesture of final triumph (no doubt a bit annoyed of the ground. that his side had conceded so many runs). Seeing the ball on the ground, Stephen called “Yes!” confidently, That night we had the tour dinner which was ably and set off for a run towards the bowler’s end. A few orchestrated by Brian Cantle, who, in the absence moments of general pandemonium ensued as some of the usual incumbents, took on the role of master fielders scampered for the ball while others clamoured of ceremonies in addition to his regular entertaining that it was actually out, until the umpire agreed that report of the week’s cricketing ups and downs and Vinny had had control of the ball long enough for giving out awards for achievements cricketing and it to be judged a catch, and off we went to one of otherwise. Kenn’s gorgeous teas with Kenn needing a round 200 to win. And so to the last day. Several tourists bade their fond farewells and headed back to the big smoke, Dave Colloff and Grant Ward, a friend of Lawrence’s but the rest of us had time for lunch in the Ship on living locally, opened the bowling and couldn’t seem Teignmouth’s back harbour before heading up into to bowl a bad ball. DC got a wicket and Grant got the hills for the last game against the friendly village two, including Vinny with his very last ball, which was of Kenn. We were greeted with the sight of their a slower one cunningly disguised with a loud grunt of spankingly fine new pavilion, finished at last and apparent effort. Mr Incredible Stuart Taylor came lovingly varnished and with hot showers to boot. on first change, and despite not bowling since his last The pitch was almost as damp as Newton Abbot’s tour three years ago hit a length immediately. He had been, but delaying the start and reducing the also took two wickets, spinning it up the slope and game to 30 overs a-side gave it just time to dry out varying his flight beautifully. Derek Birmingham enough to become playable. We also had to play on showed no ill effects from his social exploits and put the highest strip on the square, which meant that the in a good spell from the other end, before Stephen boundary up the hill was a scant thirty yards away Parsons came on to tease with his leg-spin. 14-year- from the batsmen. Sanjay (17) and Lawrence (34) old Jimmy Gosling, who many tourists had seen grow got the batting off to a nice speedy start. Jay the up from a bouncing baby, had opened the bowling for skipper moseyed up to the wicket and creamed a Kenn very well earlier, and now showed he had also couple of pleasing fours and seemed all set to carry on developed some incredible hitting power during the from his Sandford heroics. Then he prodded one out last year. Walking to the crease with his team on 54 towards Kenn’s overseas pro Vinny and set off on the for 5, he walloped six sixes to all parts of the ground gentlest of jogs towards the other end. Vinny picked and ended up on 67 not out. Although Kenn finished up the ball and threw the stumps down, running well short of their target it had been a very enjoyable out Jay by a good couple of yards. Jay carried his game and we were just happy to be able to play at walk on towards the pavilion and sat down. After a all, given the weather conditions. In fact, in light of few minutes unusually stunned silence he remarked the terrible season for rain, we had been exceedingly that he had quite forgotten that he could be run out. lucky to only lose one and a half games all week to Swaddy succeeded in continuing his good form from the elements. It had been another brilliant tour, the day before and smashed 43 including five sixes, made all the more so by the contributions of everyone although he did blot his copy book a tad by calling not mentioned here already, such as Ray and Linda Derek through for a single that Usain Bolt would Michael, Ed Davey, Jim and Pauline Edwards, Jackie, have thought twice about, and Lance also chipped a Penny Cantle and Pennie Giles, Dani Hewitt (and few into the nearby field in scoring 63 not out. With Ralph the dog) and Margaret Roots, who it was so the score on 199 and four balls of the innings left, lovely to see on tour again after the awful loss of her Stephen Parsons arrived at the crease. The last over husband and enthusiastic tourist Ken. Many thanks of an Old Olavian innings at Kenn always seems to to everyone who scored during the week, particularly generate unusual events, and having scored 31 on Jim and Ray, and also to Sanjay for handling all the both his highly entertaining previous two knocks at match fees and tea money. Kenn the crowd’s attention was glued to Stephen as he took guard. Vinny the pro was bowling left-arm The last words for this year’s report go to Penny round, and although he had mighty swings at the first Cantle. On the Saturday morning after the last game, three balls Mr Parsons was unable to connect with when everyone was packing and settling their hotel

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 171 bills, Brian was relaxing in an armchair surrounded by Fixtures 2013 (all 2pm starts; all to be confirmed): OO memorabilia with his feet-up, recalling past tours and landladies he had known. Penny appeared in the Sunday 11th August v tba doorway looking slightly exasperated. Monday 12th August v Sidmouth Tuesday 13th August v Sandford Penny: “Have you got the keys, I’m just popping down Wednesday 14th August v Torquay to the car.” Thursday 15th August v South Devon Friday 16th August v Kenn Brian - pausing briefly in mid-flow: “Certainly, here you are.” Old Olavians’ Eton Fives Club Another spectacular year for the Old Olavians Men’s Penny: “I don’t want them - that was what you said and Ladies’ Fives club! As the season opened last half an hour ago!” September, eight of the top ten nationally ranked men were Old Olavians, and two of the top four If anyone reading this thinks they may fancy a few ranked ladies were also ours! The season that days’ cricket in Devon next year, don’t hesitate to get followed reflected this amazing strength in depth. in touch and join the party. The three major Men’s events all featured three Old Lance Giles (1988-95) Olavians in each Final – the London, The Northerns and the Kinnaird (Men’s National Championships). Results Matthew Wiseman, James Toop, Peter Cohen, Sun 12th August v Babbacombe Howard Wiseman and Seb Cooley all featured in at (2 hours v 1 hour and 20 overs) WON by 55 runs least one final each. Congratulation to Seb Cooley OOs 169 for 7 (30 overs) for winning them all – his second outstanding season (L Giles 64*, T Duberry 34) in a row. As a Team, the Old Olavians convincingly Babbacombe 114 (32 overs) won the prestigious three-pair club knock-out event: (T Parsons 3 for 35) the Barber Cup, for the twelfth time in the last thirteen years. The Midlands Championships was Mon 13th August v Sidmouth WON by 5 wickets well populated with Old Olavians who had chosen to Sidmouth 140 (38 overs) pair up with the top players from the school. Chris (I Giles 4 for 26, M Mitchell 3 for 24) Self (lower 6th), became the youngest-ever winner of OOs 141 for 5 (34 overs) the Midlands in partnership with Seb Cooley. (D Golbey 30, T Gallop 26) Peter White, Luke Stradwick, Peter Cohen, Anita Tues 14th August v Sandford (40 overs) Ganguly and Marianne Rees continued to play a very WON by 19 runs active role in the England International Handball OOs 217 for 8 (40 overs) Team, competing in Italy, Spain, USA and Ireland. ( J Patel 69, M Mitchell 40, D Golbey 29) Sandford 198 (39 overs) The Old Olavian Ladies also enjoyed a fantastic ( J Patel 5 for 32, C Swadkin 2 for 28, season, winning the Richard Black Cup – the ladies M Mitchell 2 for 29) three-pair club knock-out event. Charlotta Cooley, Marrianne Rees, Emma Wells, Anita Ganguly, Anna Wed 15th August v Torquay (40 overs) Shelley and Sharon Greaves (guest player), all played Match Abandoned brilliantly to win the event – it was especially pleasing Rain – no play to have back with us Anna Shelley who had travelled from the other end of the country to complete the Thurs 16th August v South Devon (20 overs) team line-up! DRAWN - Rain OOs 137 for 5 (20 overs) (C Swadkin 41) The Club also piloted a number of Saturday morning South Devon did not bat club meets at the School which were really successful and will become a weekly event in the 2012-2013 Fri 17th August v Kenn (30 overs) season. Almost 200 fives-playing ex-pupils from WON by 53 runs St.Olave’s have been kept in regular contact, through OOs 199 for 8 (30 overs) Facebook, with what is going on with the Fives (L Giles 63*, C Swadkin 43, L Roots 34) club. The main aim of the club going forward is to Kenn 146 for 6 (30 overs) (G Ward 2 for 13, encourage as many past leavers to come back and join S Taylor 2 for 14) in on court! Many faces re-appeared through the

172 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 season and the number is growing fast! A number of players based abroad such as David Haydon, Ed Sanderson, David Eames and Chris Cooley still all manage to get some matches in whenever they visit England!! Howard Wiseman (1980-87) OLD OLAViANS’ NEWS

OLAVIANS 1940-1949 assigned us to a smaller banqueting suite but this had the advantage of a long oval table around which we The rebirth of the 40s all sat with Jane as our guest of honour. The table In 1999 Derek Standen (1941-46) conceived the enabled us to talk across it thereby facilitating general idea of bringing together OOs who joined the school conversation and turning the meal into a light-hearted in 1940-42 to an annual luncheon in the centre of symposium. This was further enlivened after the meal London. Probably he had in mind the shared when the eldest among us, Eric Hibbs, who joined the experience which we would all have had in Torquay school in 1936 and remembered RCC’s predecessor, during the war years. To succeed he had three hurdles HG Abel, began the post-prandial reminiscences by to overcome: to find a suitable venue, to trace a set of regaling us with some entertaining memories of his elderly gentlemen who had left the school over fifty days in Torquay. A ready succession of contributions years earlier, and then to persuade them to join the then followed from most people round the table, lunch table. the final word coming from one member generously offering to buy us all a drink at the bar afterwards. Though he had very few takers it reflected the Michael Pugh (1940-48) kindly helped him over bonhomie felt by us all as we set off for home. the first hurdle by using his membership of the RAF Club Piccadilly to host the meal. Derek overcame Leslie J Watmore (1940-47) the other two with the assistance of the OOs’ records and his quiet persuasiveness in writing to each of OLAVIANS 1950-2012 us from his home in Oxfordshire to urge us to join Ron CORK (1962 to 1968) has written the following in. Gradually our numbers increased until by 2008, very welcome brief report on his life since leaving when the Headmaster Tony Jarvis came as our guest STOGS more than forty years ago: he started his and speaker, we had up to forty OOs attending, and school career at the Tooley Street building and moved our reward was a fascinating lecture contrasting the from there to the new school building in Orpington. classrooms and lessons as we knew them long ago with present day classrooms equipped with (to us) I was not a success academically (unlike the majority mind-boggling modern technology. of my contemporaries) and I left St Olave’s after my O levels. Careerwise, I started work (in February Then in 2009/10 Derek became too ill to arrange the 1968) as an office junior at Lambeth Borough Council lunches for 2010 and 2011 and in those years no 40s and continued working in Local Government in lunches took place. Sadly, on 16th October 2011 London until I retired in 2010 at the age of 59 as Derek died, greatly missed by all of us for his personal Head of Cabinet, Committee & Member Services at qualities and for his efforts to foster the Olavian Westminster City Council. spirit. I was brought up in Tulse Hill, South London, I By the best of good fortune as the 40s lunch was married in 1972 and moved to Guildford, Surrey being consigned to history, a deus ex machine (or in 1973. Now I am seriously enjoying my leisure rather dea ex machine) came forth in the person of time - heavily engaged in voluntary work locally, Jane Wells, the excellent and universally popular OOs’ and travelling (I have a second home in Paris), with administrator, who volunteered to try to revive the occasional short-term work on local authority election annual lunch using her records to do so. She was now duties. of course dealing with octogenarians whose numbers must have been depleted by the passage of time, At St Olave’s, my house was Bingham, and names from but for this year she managed to obtain seventeen my year included, S. Ahmedzai, Robin Hood-Leader, acceptances although on the day (25th April) only Fokias, Malcolm Peach, Burgess, Ross, Upshaw, Callendar, Godwin, Savage, Norman Cockett, Fraser, fourteen were able to attend. Bennett, Hardy, Nelson, Evan-Cook, Graham DeRoy, With a smaller than usual group the RAF club

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 173 Nick Turner, Gilbert, Mann, Davis, Darrell, Baulch, of the worldwide BDO organisation. Unfortunately, Beaman, Winchester. or fortunately in Jim’s case, the war interrupted his accountancy exams, and, through a connection Masters included Wimpenny, Renshaw, Newmarch – with one of his firm’s clients, in November 1939 he please excuse me for not remembering all forenames. volunteered to become a Paymaster Midshipman on I would welcome any contact to catch up on the last HMS Derbyshire, an armed merchant cruiser being forty plus years! ([email protected] ) commissioned on the Clyde. During the war, and now a Lieutenant, he served on three ships, being involved Ross PENNELL (1989-1996) has written the in protecting North Atlantic and Mediterranean following contribution about his life during the last convoys, supporting landings in Salerno and Southern fifteen years: Life after STOGS began with furthering France and in various actions in the Far East. my education, rugby and social skills at Loughborough University where I gained weight and my BSc (Hons) When the war ended, he returned to his studies and in Business Economics & Finance. qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1947, being appointed Partner shortly afterwards. He spent his Post-graduation, having sworn I would never write leisure time playing club cricket and developed into a another exam in my life, I qualified as an accountant useful leg-spin bowler. Having now met and married with ACCA (of which I am now a Fellow), and am also his wife, Sheena, in 1950 he moved to Glasgow to a Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities run the firm’s office there. He loved life in Glasgow, & Investment. On the work front, my career in and the Scots, and learned to play golf, becoming a financial services in London comprised working for member of the Glasgow Golf Club. The firm’s clients global investment banks, inter alia, Nomura, Barclays in Scotland included wealthy estate owners and Jim’s Capital and RBS. specific areas of expertise were farming and forestry, tax planning and wealth management. He was a very It was at RBS in 2007 where, although I was astute investment adviser, and his clients had reason to powerless to help avert the bank’s near financial be grateful for his expertise. collapse, I happened to meet my now wife Lisa, who soon persuaded me to leave behind the grey skies of In 1969 Jim moved back down south, to Berkhamsted, London and emigrate to the perpetual blue skies of and became Senior Partner a few years later, remaining South Africa, the country of her birth. So I now live so until 1983. When he retired he spent many years in Cape Town and work as an Independent Financial as Treasurer of the seniors’ section at Ashridge Golf Adviser, with views of Table Mountain and the ocean Club. When not golfing, he was in the garden, where from my office window. I guess every cloud has a the lawn was his pride and joy and his roses a subject silver lining, hey? of great admiration. It is fair to say that Saffas love their sport, as do I, Jim was a calm, patient, modest, self-effacing and and the numerous England v SA encounters in rugby gentle, in the true sense of the word, man. He was and cricket keep the banter flowing. I no longer play also a wise head and always gave sound advice, both rugby for fear of doing myself a nasty injury given professionally and privately; his command of the the size of some of the locals; instead I run and cycle English language was second to none. Let me quote competitively, racing in the local league at weekends. from a letter I received from a member of staff at BDO, “While I believe that I only met your father once, I Lisa and I have a young son, Kristian Thomas Pennell, heard his name many times and it was always with who was born in October 2011 and keeps us very busy both love and respect. He was from the generation and amused! of Accountants when senior partners were exactly that and both the other partners and the staff looked up to Ross finishes by adding that he is happy to be contacted them for guidance and assistance and this was exactly either by e-mail ([email protected]), or he can what they received. He will be missed by whomever be found on social media websites Linkedin, Twitter he came in contact with”. and Facebook (search Ross Pennell). Jim, who died peacefully on 6th April 2012, is survived in Memoriam by his wife, Sheena, two children and five grandsons. James ( Jim) R ANDREWS (1930-36) died in April 2012 at the age of 92: his son, Colin has sent Raymond W COOPER (1949-54) – Derek W us the following tribute, an abridged version of the Burgess (1949-54) has sent the following tribute to his eulogy he gave at his father’s funeral: “Jim, who was old school friend: I was saddened to hear of the sudden born in Sheffield in December 1919, spent his early death of Raymond Cooper on August 29th 2012 in childhood in Hither Green, Lewisham. On leaving Canada. He had recently been diagnosed with cancer school, his father introduced him to the senior partner but was responding well to treatment. Unfortunately of a small firm of Scottish Chartered Accountants in he caught an infection which his weakened immune London, Finnie, Ross, Welch & Co, these days part system could not cope with and his body gave up.

174 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012 I first met Ray in 1949 at Tooley Street when we both Corps, mostly in Italy, where he interviewed joined St. Olave’s. We became friends but drifted prospective Italian brides of British servicemen. At apart when we left school in 1954. Ray was a south- a Christmas party in Rome he met and fell in love east London boy, as I was, and was intensely proud of with Anita Garibaldi when she was sixteen. In being accepted into St Olave’s. We next met in 1957 1947 he brought her as his wife to Oxford, where he at Inkerman Barracks, near Woking, when we were read PPE at The Queen’s College. He subsequently both training to be Military Policemen during our joined the Civil Service and worked with Christopher National Service days. Our reunion was short lived Soames in Paris before becoming Private Secretary to as Ray was posted to Cyprus and I went to Germany. Julian Amery when he was Minister of Aviation. He Ray signed on for an extra year and rose to the dizzy clearly had a promising future but unfortunately, the heights of Corporal. night before he was due to fly to Moscow to discuss aviation policy with the Russians, he was thwarted by We totally lost touch then until about five or six a cerebral haemorrhage caused by a previously occult, years ago when Ray contacted me through Friends congenitally-abnormal blood vessel in his brain. This Reunited from Canada. He lived in Canada for many tempered his further promotion to high office. He years where he had his family. Four years ago Ray lived out his retirement, firstly in the Canary Islands, came to England and we met up for the brunch before and then quietly with his daughter in Dulwich. the Annual Commemoration Service at Southwark Cathedral. Ray was with his partner, Toni, and my Raymond and Anita and their family of six children wife was with me. We had plenty to talk about and lived for many years in Dulwich. I well remember enjoyed the company of other Tooley Street veterans. having dinner there but was not allowed to help with Last year we met again, this time at the school in the washing up because there was only one comparable Orpington where we were shown around the premises dinner service and that was in the Vatican, belonging by a young student. Toni was with Ray and two of to the Pope. his grandchildren were with him. During their visit to England Ray proudly showed the Tooley Street Sadly, I believe that I was the only Old Olavian at his building. funeral in January last year. I enjoyed our long-distance friendship and was shocked Kenneth Anthony Reginald ROOTS (1955-1962) and saddened to hear of his death. On behalf of all – Ray Michael (1955-63) has written the following Old Olavians, especially those that knew him, I send tribute: Ken died in March of pancreatic cancer aged sincere condolences to Toni and all of Ray’s family in 68. He played a wide range of sports at school and for Canada. the Old Olavians – including cricket, rugby and fives, but he excelled at athletics. He was an outstanding The editor remembers that Ray wrote a very full report sprint hurdler and was not only school champion but on his visit to the school for Commemoration Day in also set the school record which stood for many years. May 2010 – this report appeared in The Olavian for He was also South London Schools hurdles champion that year, together with a photograph of Ray and a few for many years. As a cricketer he was a stylish batsman friends. with a textbook forward defensive stroke but with a penchant for the sweep shot, which often got him into Peter John GODDARD (Staff c1970)died suddenly trouble! On the Fives court he was a reliable and on Sunday 6th May 2012 at the age of 73. Jonathan enthusiastic player who always played the game with a Hinton (1966-72) has sent us the sad news. He tells smile. He won the Joe Ward Tankard in the club pairs us that Peter taught Geography at St Olaves, I believe competition in four successive years from 1973-1976. around the late 1960s until the early 1970s before moving on to Homewood School in Tenterden where After leaving school Ken began his working career as he taught until his retirement. On his retirement he a Trainee Hospital Administrator at Guy’s Hospital served as Councillor for the Tenterden South Ward moving into Sterile Services management which he on Ashford Borough Council for 10 years up until his specialised in for the rest of his working life. Although death. he remained connected with Guy’s for twenty-nine years he took on wider management responsibilities Raymond HIBBERT (1938-1945) – Dr Geoffrey within Lewisham and North Southwark Health Hatcher has sent the following tribute to his old Authority. He moved to the Royal United Hospital, friend and contemporary, Raymond Hibbert who died Bath from where he took early retirement and then in 2011. Raymond left St Olave’s from the Classical worked as a management consultant for various health Sixth in 1945, having been School Captain for the trusts, commercial companies and NHS Estates. previous year. In Torquay he had broken the school He was a member of various national standard mile record with four minutes and twenty-one seconds committees and was elected as a Fellow of the Institute on a grass track and had represented the school in of Decontamination Science in recognition of his athletics, boxing, cricket and soccer. contribution to the Institute and his profession for He spent his time in National Service in the Intelligence over forty years.

Olavian 2012 – Old Olavian – 175 He spent his latter years with his wife, Margaret, and THE OLD OLAViANS children in Colerne, Wiltshire, where he indulged his HONORARY OFFiCERS 2012 great love of horticulture and developed a passion for PRESIDENT cooking (particularly his own produce). He was a Aydin Önaç, Headmaster cheerful and well-liked friend to many Old Olavians The Headmaster’s House, St Olave’s Grammar and he will be sadly missed. School, Goddington Lane, Orpington, Kent BR6 9SH John SWINDELL (1941-46) died on 5th November Tel: 01689 820101 2011. His friend, George Parslow (1939-46), has written the following tribute. John was born with CHAIRMAN a twin sister on 9/10 January 1930 - a surprise to his Chris Harris, parents who thought they were having only one baby! [email protected] He lived in south-east London for his whole life - from Greenwich to Charlton, Eltham and Charlton again. COMMITTEE MEMBERS In 1939 he was part of the mass evacuation at the start Bill Prouse of the war. He lived in the village of Trottiscliffe in Paul Ouseley Kent in a farm labourer’s cottage where he was given Trevor Read the job of collecting eggs from the farm’s free-range chickens. He passed the Scholarship, as it was then EDITOR OF THE OLD OLAVIAN called, and joined St.Olave’s Grammar School which John Brown, 60 The Lawns, Rolleston-on-Dove, was evacuated to Torquay. He was practically starved Staffordshire, DE13 9DB at one ‘billet’ as they were called. Tel: 01283 813976 He returned to Eltham in 1944 when the School e-mail: [email protected] returned to Tooley Street. His school reports show that he was a good scholar. He left STOGS in 1946 OLD OLAVIANS’ ADMINISTRATOR and joined Hulton Press where he worked in the dark Jane Wells room and developed his lasting interest in photography. Tel: 01689 820101 extn 161 He belonged to the local Sea Cadets where he won email: [email protected] an award for best cadet of the year. In 1948, he was called up for his two years National Service and joined SECRETARiES OF AFFiLiATED CLUBS the Royal Navy where he became a meteorological AND SOCiETiES observer on HMS Vengeance, travelling as far afield as South Africa and the Arctic. In 1950 he returned to Hulton Press, where he played a part in establishing CRICKET CLUB the Eagle comic. In his spare time he captained a Lance Giles, c/o 44 Harwood Avenue, Bromley, Kent, men’s hockey team and did some private wedding BR1 3DU photography. In 1957 he had a change of career Tel: 07891 725488 e-mail: [email protected] and joined Ascots Camera Shops, who were later taken over by Dixons, where he won the Chairman’s FIVES CLUB Shield as the most successful shop manager. In Howard Wiseman, 7 Genoa Road, Anerley SE20 1971, he made another partial career change when 8ES Tel: 020 8778 0752 he joined the ILEA as a Media Resources Officer, a position he held until retirement. He then enrolled OLD OLAVIANS’ LODGE (No. 5758) on a Greenwich Guide Course and became one of the Peter G Hudson OBE official Greenwich Guides, something he continued to 9 Downs View Close, Pratts Bottom do until last year. He was an active member of the Greenwich Historical Society, producing the annual Orpington, Kent, BR6 7SU newsletter, was a committed Mason, holding several Tel: 01689 858583 Offices and was Treasurer of the local Parkinson’s e-mail: [email protected] Group which he supported. He married his wife Jean in 1957 and they had a son Robert. Sadly Jean died RUGBY CLUB two years ago but John enjoyed his two grandchildren, Phil Grayson, Anna and Ruth. John had contracted prostate 57, Byrne Road, Balham, London SW12 7JB cancer in 1999, but had dealt with it with his usual Tel: 07971 878750 good humour until recently, when it became suddenly more aggressive. He died quietly in Greenwich and HOLYOAK ROOM Bexley Community Hospice on 5th November 2011. St Olave’s School, Goddington Lane, Orpington, John was a member of the OO’s Forties Group and Kent, BR6 9SH attended many reunions taking group photographs which appeared in the magazine.

176 – Old Olavian – Olavian 2012