The Rochester Grammar School 2016 Alumni Newsletter*

*previously Old Girls Association

Welcome to the 2016 RGS Alumni Association Newsletter!

We hope that you continue to enjoy the new full colour format, which is once again bursting with news and information! Thank you to those of you who have responded to our ongoing request for email addresses and have kept in touch more generally this year; we are always delighted to hear from you, and enjoy reading news from alumni all year round. We do, however, always like to catch up face to face and thus, we would love for you to join us for the AGM and Annual Lunch on 17th September 2016 to see friends, share memories and see the school. Why not organise a table of friends from your year group? Forms for this, and to become a member of the Alumni Association, if you are not one already, can be found at the end of this newsletter. There has never been a better time to join us, and information on our new membership package is outlined in this newsletter.

This year’s newsletter features news of reunions, and we have also found some fascinating material in the archives, including student poetry, which we hope ignites memories and makes you laugh too!

RGS celebrates the retirement of one of its long-standing members of staff this summer, music teacher Andy Millest. It has been a pleasure and privilege to hear from old alumni via social media in recent weeks as we reflect together on his time and influence at the school. Some of their memories, and a short piece about Andy is included on page 8.

Now that we’re electronic, we encourage you to share this newsletter with as many RGS friends as you can, and encourage them to become members. If you (or they) have news or photographs you’d like to share, or any other questions, you can contact the Committee through all the usual channels, and Ann’s (Chairman) and Avril’s (Treasurer and Membership Secretary) details are at the end of the newsletter. In addition, you can email us at [email protected] or on twitter @RGSKentAlumni.

Enjoy! The Alumni Association Committee RGS Alumni AGM and Lunch 2016 The Rochester Grammar School Alumni Association invites you and your school friends to join us for our AGM, a tour and then lunch at the school on Saturday 17th September 2016.

Our annual lunch reunites we ‘Old Girls’ (and boys!), and offers the chance to catch up and hear about the school today. Following the success of last year’s guided tours of the Psychology and Science departments, this year we hope to visit two more areas of the school, including time to ask questions and reflect on how things have changed. We shall also visit the Alumni display cabinet, which houses a growing collection of memorabilia donated by alumni or retrieved from the school’s archive for current students to enjoy. Enjoying last year’s tour of Psychology AGM

Following the tour, we will hold our AGM, and we shall invite all to attend this to hear about our activities in 2015/16 and plans for the future. Members are reminded that they are entitled to vote on any matters raised at this meeting.

This year’s lunch will be catered by Orchids Catering, who served us a sumptuous lunch three years ago, and the menu for this year looks equally delicious. At the end of the lunch, our keynote speaker, Hanna McCloskey, founder and CEO of charity, Fearless Futures, will share her experiences of working to inspire young female leaders with a talk titled “Liberation for women: it’s time to connect the dots”.

Alongside this, there will be a raffle, and donations of prizes on the day are appreciated.

Why not contact friends from your year and organise a reunion? If you cannot join us for the whole day, please feel free just to come to the lunch. To attend, please complete the form at the end of this newsletter and return it to Sarah Earle by 1st September 2016.

2 MENU

Slow Roasted Honey & Spice Scented Ham

Three Tomato Salad with a Basil Dressing

Mixed Green Leaves Pine Nuts, Flakes of Parmesan Roasted Red Peppers & Shallots A Light Balsamic Dressing Timetable for the day: Hot New Potatoes 10.30 am Registration 11.00 am Guided tour of the school Cous Cous With Fresh Beans, Avocado, Almonds, Chick Peas, 12.00 pm AGM Olives & Sundried Tomatoes, Dressed With Herbs 1.00 pm Lunch 2.30 pm Keynote Speech and Salmon Fillet school update from the with a Light Spicy Crust and Cucumber Relish Executive Officers 4 - 4.30 pm Carriages

French Almond Chocolate Cake The Alumni Award – Service not Self Strawberry Mousse With Fresh Strawberries

Meringues With A Lemon Cream At the lunch we shall be asking for a £1 donation from each Served With Creme Fraiche person to finance a money prize to accompany the new Alumni Trophy. The student recipient will be able to purchase a book/music item Please bring something you would like to drink. and the Trophy will remain at school.

For more information on this award see page 7

Don’t forget your camera or your purse!

We would love to see and share your pictures of the lunch. Bring your camera along and send us any pictures with suggested captions afterwards; we shall include as many as we can in next year’s newsletter.

Alongside the collection for the Alumni Award, there will be an opportunity to buy the beautiful RGS pin badge (which was on sale last year). New members in 2015/16 will be awarded their pin badges at the lunch. 3 Keynote Speaker Biography Hanna Naima McCloskey, Founder and CEO of Fearless Futures

Daughter to an Algerian mother and a British father, Hanna grew up in Wembley in North West London. Over the last nine years, Hanna has worked for the United Nations, NGOs and the Royal Bank of Scotland, across communications, research and finance roles; and has lived, studied and worked in Israel- Palestine, Italy, USA, Sudan, Syria and the UK. She has a BA in English from the University of Cambridge and an MA in International Relations from the John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, with a specialism in Conflict Management. Most recently, Hanna worked in investment banking, and her time at RBS saw her focus, outside of infrastructure financing advisory, on bringing about diversity in the workplace. This culminated in her being shortlisted for the Women in Photo Credit: John Cassidy The Headshot Guy – www.theheadshotguy.co.uk the City Future Leader Award and Our practical and interactive programmes explore four concepts: received the Deloitte Chartered • Individual barriers to fulfilling our potential: understanding our fears and Banker’s Young banker of the Year challenging them; stepping out of our comfort zone; recognising our value Award with respect to this goal. and worth Hanna is an expert in gender and • Systemic barriers to women’s advancement in the UK and globally: leadership, having dedicated the last everything from the media through to political representation to unequal six years to researching, living and pay exploring the literature and practice • Understanding and disrupting gender stereotypes (as they pertain to career of creating socially just, empowered pathways, for example) and inclusive communities and • Actualising leadership: by teaching and empowering a community of workplaces. younger girls in their school Fearless Futures also supports and encourages participants to engage in Fearless Futures equips young additional projects. Previous alumna have spontaneously launched a research women with tools to understand project on the lack of girls studying Physics A Level in their school. They gender as well as individual and delivered a presentation on the completed project to the school governors societal barriers to women’s equality. and SLT with solution recommendations and are working with the school to Trailblazers support and train these implement a number of their ideas. young women to lead workshops with the same aim for groups of younger You may have seen Fearless Futures in the news, when Jessy McCabe, having girls in their schools. attended a Fearless Futures summer school, succeeded in her campaign to have female composers included on an A-level music syllabus from September 2017.

Visit www.fearlessfutures.org for more information and follow Hanna on twitter @Hnaima17 4 The Rochester Grammar School Alumni Association AGM 2015 Summary of the Annual General Meeting held on 17th October 2015

Apologies technological idea competition. The Committee continues to be Apologies were received from These students were given £2,500 delighted that life members are now Christine Holder, Gay Barker, to develop their idea into working able to receive the school termly Margaret Bowman, Pat Boyle, Carole software, creating an app called newsletter via email. This will help Moody and Sue Bushnell. Stimpler, designed to help improve to keep everyone up to date with lower reading ages. school affairs. All members are asked The Minutes of the last AGM were to inform the committee of email read agreed and signed off by Ann Twelve Year 8 and 9 students took addresses so that we can send the West and there were no matters part in the North Kent Science and newsletter electronically, saving the arising. Technology challenge in Canterbury school huge amounts in postage. where they competed with nine President’s Report other schools. RGS students won Ann expressed her thanks to the Ms Denise Shepherd (President) gave 1st prize in each of the four tasks, hardworking Committee, and to all a review of the school’s achievements therefore winning the overall trophy members. during the 2014/15 academic year. for 1st position. Two of the students The role of the Local Authority has went on to compete at the regional Treasurers Report changed, there has been a change of competition in the next stage. Avril Noble (Treasurer) reported that leadership in the governing of schools the balance of the account currently and there are to be changes in the Amrit Dhadwal in Year 13 has stands at £3,372.27. curriculum to increase challenge. progressed to writing for the Sunday The emphasis will be on a broader People, a national newspaper, and Other Business curriculum and higher targets for on 21st September 2014, her article The Curriculum Enrichment project schools enabling them to maintain “We’re the best of primates” was is proving very useful to students, higher academic standards. The published. providing access to work experience priorities for 2014/15 were to maintain and work shadowing. Members are outstanding academic standards in Chairman’s report encouraged to use the form included the context of a) significant curriculum Ann West (Chairman) reported at the end of the newsletter to be change and b) new accountability that the Alumni Association has involved in this. measures. experienced another different year. Ann welcomed Louisa Hallett as the Christie Ransom (Publicity Officer) Overall school performance was new staff link. Work has continued outlined the suggested plans for the outstanding, with Year 13 achieving with Mr. Ashley Wicken and our new life membership package, which 88% A*-B (the school’s best ever alumni skill database is strengthening, will include: performance at Key Stage 5) and Year for which Pat Stevens was thanked. • Awarding a RGS Pin badge at the 11 achieving 67% A*/A overall. Ann has continued to attend first members’ lunch after joining the Rochester Grammar School • Annual newsletter by email The average IB Diploma score was Association meeting (of parents and • School termly newsletters 36.27, a UCAS score equivalent to 2 staff of the school). This committee • Reduced ticket prices for Dance A*s and 2 A grades. works hard to raise funds for the and Drama productions school. Ann also attends the Trustees • Music events The average Higher Level grade was meetings overseeing funds for school • Sports events 5.9 (with 7 being the maximum score) use. • Summer Ball and 92% of all Higher Level grades between 5 and 7. This placed RGS Ann reported an incredible “Old Girls” Sheena Florence has come across above the world-wide average. hockey reunion, with ages ranging some old girls’ magazines and has from 75-96, who were able to share offered to photocopy them and Other events during the year included their great memories. perhaps offer them for sale at the the annual Carol Service, students next annual lunch. completing their Duke of Edinburgh The Committee continues to collect award, a school visit to Ypres and items for the alumni memorabilia Anyone wishing to join the committee the Year 11 trip to see “Wicked”. display cabinet in the school, and please contact Ann West. A highlight was the school’s thus members were encouraged to participation in the IDEA competition, contact us if they have anything that The meeting closed at 1.00pm. where three Year 12 students got might be suitable. into the top 20 teams of the new 5 The Thinking Schools Feature Academy Trust

Those of you who have kept up to date with the school in recent years will be aware that RGS is now a member of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust (TSAT). The current leadership of TSAT outline below what this means, and why WANTED this is an exciting time for RGS.

The Rochester Grammar School has continued to be at the centre of the work Are you an RGS hoarder, or of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust. The school itself was recently reviewed even just a hoarder? If so, then by Exeter University for the use of Thinking Skills and the cognitive approach please help us. to education. The school was described as a “unique” Thinking School with much to offer, and they are therefore recommending that Professor Rupert In its new Library the school visits as soon as possible to see the school in action. This is clear validation is planning to have a display of the outstanding way in which RGS has embedded the cognitive approach illustrating the history of the to education into everyday practice and the fact that the school is a national school and we are therefore leader in this approach. looking for any kind of memorabilia of your school We remain a very popular school and were over-subscribed again this year days you may have tucked with students wishing to join the school in Year 7 from September 2016. This away. It may be anything ongoing popularity is a result of the combination of the support for students to which illustrates the various achieve the very best in their academic studies combined with the outstanding aspects of your school life and pastoral care we provide during their time with us. This combination of care school’s history. It is down to and excellence also explains the very high proportion of students who choose we alumni to hunt around in to continue their studies at RGS from Year 11 into the Sixth Form. order to provide an interesting and comprehensive illustration As you know the RGS is now at the centre of a large family of schools of the evolution of all aspects including four secondary schools and seven primary schools across Medway of pupils’ lives at Rochester and Portsmouth. With support from RGS, Portsmouth Academy for Girls is Grammar School over its expecting to gain Thinking School status this summer and achieve some previous almost 130 years. It of their best ever academic results. Under the leadership of Stuart Gardner is hoped that we might have a (Headteacher at RGS 2010-2014), Chatham Grammar School for Boys (CGSB) sufficient variety of material so and The Victory Academy are expecting record results this summer with CGSB that the theme of the exhibition expecting to have doubled the proportion of A*/A grades to over 40%. This could be changed throughout clearly demonstrates the impact that the RGS is now having on transforming the year to illustrate different the life chances of students in a large number of schools. aspects of our formative school years: our achievements, As part of a wider Trust the RGS is now able to benefit from Trust funding for aspirations, trials and capital building projects. This year the Trust will be funding nearly half a million tribulations and the fun we had. pounds worth of site development at the RGS with the majority of this funding being used to upgrade the windows on the site. Please contact Lesley Homewood The RGS continues to move from strength to strength delivering outstanding 01634 847068 educational opportunities for the pupils who attend the school and supporting [email protected] the education of the wider community across both Medway and Portsmouth. 6 Memories of school Letters We were delighted to hear from old and we think this was due to the fact amongst other things. I have always girl, Barbara Brooker (née Waddams) that our father was headmaster of the been keen on keep fit and such like after our last newsletter, and some Maths School and that we were put and Tony has been a keen cricketer, extracts from her letter are included under some pressure due to this. hockey player and is still a golfer. below. I keep in touch with a number of However, after leaving school I did people from school and we try to I received the RGS 2015 Alumni a secretarial course and went on to meet up once a year, usually at a pub Newsletter recently and read it with work for a solicitors firm in London. In in Reading, which is quite a long way interest. 1968, I married Anthony Brooker, for me to travel for lunch! We are all whose mother, Jenny Brooker, was 70 this year and only started meeting I enjoy receiving news of past and the housekeeper at RGS for a number up about 14 or 15 years ago. present pupils although I cannot in all of years and then became head of the honesty say that I enjoyed my time Home Economics Department. We I ran the Old Girls’ hockey club for at the school. Nor, I am sure, did the moved “up north” to the Wirral a few years, probably because my staff enjoy my time at the school as I peninsular and have been here parents lived opposite the playing believe I was a pain in the neck! I do, ever since. We have four children, fields! however, keep in touch with a few of three boys and one girl, now in their my year (1956 to 1963 I think). My forties, and 9 grandchildren. Two Thank you for keeping in touch maiden name was Waddams and of our children live on the Wirral, and for all your hard work for the my father was then the headmaster one in Buckinghamshire and one in Association. of the Maths School. My two sisters Devon. I worked as a Conveyancer in also attended the school, Anne who solicitors’ offices until my retirement With kind regards, is 3 years older than me and Cellia, four years ago and thoroughly Barbara Brooker (née Waddams) who is 7 years younger. None of us enjoyed that job. We are now kept were particularly happy at the school busy looking after grandchildren A Wonderful Year for Miss Betty Trollope Headmistress, 1973 to 1988

She had a wonderful birthday with Thursday, the day before Good The white purse contained the many cards and presents and a Friday, a service similar to matins uniquely minted Maundy Money in marvellous dinner party. Her former but without a sermon followed by silver penny pieces, 1p, 2p, 3p, and Rochester Grammar staff also lunch at Windsor Castle. Transport 4p. So 90 pieces of silver in little organised another very special event. between the Chapel and the Castle packets of 10p, the real Maundy was by buggy, an interesting form of Money. In December 2015 she was delighted transport for Miss Trollope and her and surprised to receive a letter companion (known as her minder, the In this unique ceremony with saying that she had been nominated widow of a former Headmaster of The wonderful colourful Yeomen, the to receive Maundy Money. Kings School, Rochester). Queen approaches each recipient with her usual charming smile, no As the Queen also reached her 90th The Maundy ceremony started in words are spoken by Her Majesty but birthday in 2016, 4 people from each 1662. the recipient gives a little curtsy or Diocese were selected to make a bow and says thank you. total of 90 men and 90 women. This year the red purse contained a £5 coin commemorating the What a wonderful experience – we A man and a woman from Rochester Queen`s 90th birthday plus a 50p are so proud of you Miss Trollope and Cathedral were nominated by the coin commemorating the 950th so pleased that you also enjoyed 2 Bishop, the woman being Miss anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. nights in a Windsor hotel. Trollope, both were 90 years old, Both coins were minted this year and had been chairmen of stewards at were: Ann A West MBE JP DL, the cathedral and met the criterion • £3 for clothing. Alumni Chairman – “service to the church and the • £1.50 for provisions. community”. • £1 for the redemption of the Sovereign`s gown which before The ceremony was held at St. Tudor times was divided between George`s Chapel, Windsor on Maundy the recipients. 7 Andy Millest Feature RGS Teacher and Director of Music, 1990-2016

If you have attended a musical event at RGS in the last 26 years, you will have seen Mr Millest in action. A much loved teacher and friend, this summer, he retires from teaching and leaves the school. When the school approached me to ask whether any alumni might like to send messages or participate in a tribute performance, I posted this information on the Twitter feed and Facebook page. Within hours, I had been inundated with well wishes, which clearly shows that others consider Andy as dearly as I do. Below is a précis of Andy’s career and some of those alumni memories and messages.

Andy Millest grew up in Gillingham and attended Gillingham Grammar School for Boys. By the time he reached the sixth form, the school had merged with another local school becoming The Howard School in Rainham. Andy studied Music at Sheffield University before going on to teacher training at Cambridge University. He immediately returned to Kent where he was offered a teaching post back at The Howard School. There he taught music, some brass tuition and games from 1980 until 1987. Between 1987 and 1990 he was Head of Music at Oldborough Manor School in Maidstone. Since 1990 he has been Director of Music at The Rochester Grammar School. In 2004, RGS became one of the first two schools in the UK to gain specialist status for music.

Andy has enjoyed organising annual Carol Services and the school’s Founders’ Day celebrated in Rochester Cathedral. He has also directed many notable events including, in recent years, Faure’s Requiem, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and over the years numerous stage musicals from the early days of Oliver and Calamity Jane to Into the Woods, Girlfriends, Singin’ in the Rain, Little Women, The Wizard of OZ and many more. Prague, Venice (including Mass in San Marco), the Black Forest (including Mass at Strasbourg Cathedral), New Along with other RGS staff, Andy has had the privilege York, Barcelona (again), California, Poitiers, Toronto and of taking choir tours to Florence, Barcelona, Salzburg, Malta and Rome (Including Mass at St Peter’s)

Andy has been involved with several four-way international, EU-funded, Comenius projects with week- long music workshops in Traben-Trarbach Gymnasium (Germany), Lycee Armand Peugeot (Valentigney, France) and Liceo Immanuel Kant (Rome, Italy).

For a number of years he has worked with “Create’ on collaborations with professional musicians/artists and RGS students and autistic students from Grange Park School.

A highlight of Andy’s career was when the RGS chamber choir ‘Nchant’ directed by Carolynn Woodman, were finalists in the BBC ‘Songs of Praise’ choir of the year in 2014.

Andy has also been a conductor of the Kent County Junior Choir since 1999, he plays cornet in the Gillingham Salvation Army Band and conducts the Gillingham Songsters. 8 Dear Mr Millest,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the incredible gift of music. I will never forget one of my first music lessons in year 7 when you were encouraging girls to take up a musical instrument & you thought I would suit the flute! How right you were! My flute provided endless hours of enjoyment, fulfilment, distraction, I can honestly say without hesitation Hi Mr Millest, challenge & pure joy - and still does that every single memory I have to this day. I was sad to leave RGS of Mr Millest is happy. He taught You are the finest teacher I have ever for sixth form, but I can be certain me GCSE Music and I was in the had the pleasure of knowing. Your that without your unending energy, school orchestra and the school contribution and dedication to music enthusiasm & encouragement I choir. He had the patience of an utter and teaching is second to none and I would not have gained my place at saint and was always happy and am so grateful to you for all the hours Chetham’s School of Music. The incredibly kind-hearted. Even though of hard work you put in to school musical opportunities you provided he was very busy (demonstrated productions, choir, Founder’s Day me with are some of my happiest as he ran from the music block to and the many many other events memories of my school days: the the main school building with his tie that gave me a chance to learn concerts, choir tours, cathedral delicately drifting in the breeze over about myself, who I was and what I services, Priestfields 2000 to name his shoulder) he always had time to was really capable of; how to make but a few. stop and say hi. A wonderful man; it friends and to be part of something is a shame that he won’t inspire more wonderful. Leanne Ashmead (née Grimes) years as he inspired me. He was 1999-2004 definitely my favourite teacher by a With much love and fond memories... mile!!!

Kim Hall (née Goddard) 1996-2002 Emma Hooker (née Hardy) 1990-1997

Ex students and staff enjoyed a wonderful surprise tribute concert for Andy on Friday 10th June 2016. Tributes were paid by current students, Chair of Governors, Peter Martin and former Deputy Headteacher, Ges Hartley. Christie spoke on behalf of the alumni, sharing some of the memories shared on facebook and twitter. It was wonderful to see so many alumni and the massed choir was a highlight, conducted by the star of the show himself! Many who could not make it contributed to a tribute video, which you can find on our facebook page.

Christie Ransom (née Scates), 1994-2001 (student), 2007-2014 (teacher) 9 Literary Archives Feature 1954-55 These 1950s poetic offerings, reflecting school uniforms of the time, were passed ceremoniously by representatives of RGS and the Maths School, as, on Wednesday afternoons, the Maths School Sixth Form walked past Ravensworth, (the RGS Sixth Form House opposite the old school further down Maidstone Road), from their old building in Rochester High Street to their sports’ field on the site of the current Maths School.

“There was a young man from the Maths School In reply… Who felt such a fool in his tascool. For he caused such great mirth “Gentlemen! Hark to our woeful cries As he passed Ravensworth Tears are springing from pleading eyes. That he blushed, that poor boy from the Maths School.” You have been most unfairly cruel To the products of Rochester’s fairest jewel. “Oh, mother dear, please tell me What is this sight, this cause of mirth, You must admit , we’re not to blame As someone passes Ravensworth? For Rose Brown, cause of all our shame. The sounds of your convulsive giggles Ah, daughter dear, I’ll tell thee, Embarrass our seams into helpless wiggles. It is a tassle, gold and blue, Which gently flapping, looms in view! We’d rather freeze, like winter milk And wear creations of nylon and silk. Oh, mother dear, please tell me’ But Authority, with a cunning smile, Why does this pretty tassle flap Has firmly decided, ‘You will wear lisle!’ Upon a Maths School prefect’s cap? You say our legs are like hairy worms, Oh, daughter dear, I’ll tell thee. Have the growths received curlers or perms? It is to show that he has power Why do you mock our tortured limbs To make the poor wee juniors cower. The results of Governors sordid whims?

Dear Ma, I don’t believe thee!” But, some have seen your knees all bared, A joy of those most gleefully shared. So now we know male legs are hairy As the stockings of which you are so charry.

Now we have the consolation boys In the teeth of your unpleasant ploys. We take our horrors off at night. Yours, we fear, are a permanent blight. ”

Then, ladies of the fifties, do the names in this nonsense poem ring a bell? Members Reunited

We know that there are Old Girls out there trying to contact their old school friends and teachers. The Alumni Association is keen to help! Unfortunately, due to the Data Protection Act, we cannot give out personal information. However, if you are looking for someone please get in touch with us and we will do our best to link you up. If you are willing to be found, please become a member and we shall then help to put you in touch with others from your school days. Membership forms can be found on the Learning Platform or at the end of this newsletter.

10 The Saga of a singular species of Feature stocking Of course the new sack stockings did not sell, “Amid the filth of Sheffield’s smokey stacks As Egburt Brown and Co. soon perceived. There lay a stocking factory, low and squat, They changed to nylon stockings, which sold well, Where busy looms and toiling threading racks And thus were from financial ruin retrieved. Worked day and night, defying the dry rot While in a wapping warehouse they did stack, Whence sacking came, each working hour, by the pile, Ten thousand crates of stockings made of sack. And made old Egburt Brown, the owner smile. The old man’s understandable mistake But industry, alas, was growing less Had cost the firm much needed £.s.d. The profits fell – less cash was coming in! And Egburt Brown decided he would take The workers left, the workshop was a mess. Determined steps to find a remedy. The owner’s wife and daughter Rose grew thin. To all girls’ schools a circular he sent - New lines were needed, sacks were out of fashion, Including one in Rochester in Kent. The family was starving, In a passion All other schools of course were not deceived. Sweet Rose cried to her father, old and silly, Sack stockings! The idea was absurd - ‘O Papa! Father dear! I know its shocking – The circulars were all with scorn received But let’s sell the factory willy nilly Save one, which with deep respect was heard. And buy a firm that deals in nylon stocking! Only a moron to that ad. could yield. Let family tradition go to ...... ! Who yielded? Who? Why ‘twas Miss B...... We’ve got to make some goods that will sell well,’ (Butterfield)

Then down the old man’s cheek, a tear of joy So, when the snow lies thick upon the ground, Dropped slowly, forming new drops on his beard. Or brooding dark clouds auger hail, rain, sleet, ‘No more,’ he said, ‘shall things annoy – In all parts of the Medway Towns are found Oh, what a clever daughter I have reared!’ Young ladies wearing stockings on their feet But oh, alas, his senile brain so weak Two inches thick – abominable hose – Distorted her proposal mild and meek. Crude, ugly, ticklish – in a word, Brown Rose!

He did not sell the firm and buy another, These sackcloth stocking cause much viscious glee But used old stock on new machines, To certain prefects of the local Maths School, Resulting in much fume, stink, smoke and pather, Who during several weeks have darsed to see And STOCKINGS MADE OF SACKING, with thick seams, Young ladies laughing at their bright new tassles. Which new design, because he thought he oughter But henceforth, ladies, cease your vulgar sniggers. He called Rose Brown, the name of his fair daughter. At least our legs AINT HAIRY CATERPILLARS”.

Off to the moon

Miss Hulland flew off from a poker balanced on top of a chair, She flew to the moon in silence and who do you think was there? Miss Lintot clothed in a ballet dress that just showed her knobbly knees Waving a wand with a star on and bowing to – wow – who are these? Miss Seward in shell pink panties a brilliant hat on her head, Miss Burkett eating iced fancies from a dish made of brown ginger bread. Mrs Croucher flew round in her sari, Miss King wore her favourite combs, Miss Tyler rushed by in a hurry chased by two bloomin’ great bombs. Miss Sammons was going with Monica or Miss White to use her right name, While Miss Dickens chased by in a bikini and Miss Carter was doing the same. Miss Ede did gym in a crater, Miss Pond played hopscotch on the floor, Miss Palmer came in a bit later, dragging Madamoiselle in the door, Miss McIsaac was painting the passing clouds in delicate orange and mauve, Miss Harmer played tennis in football boots and Miss King sat eating thick porridge. Miss Parkes played hide and seek with Miss Southern, while Miss Burkett revised all her dates, She got in a bit of a muddle – said King George died in 1068. Miss Dear did the creep with Miss Barlow, while Miss Neale played the double bassoon. Miss Turner sang, ‘Roll out the barrel!, up there on that silly old moon!

Archived by Yvonne Atkinson (nėe Eastman) 1949-1956

11 Obituary

Jane Reid

Jake Reid contacted Ann to inform socialising in the Load of Hay and Sir her that his mother had died. Robert Steele pub. She completed a While clearing her house, one of degree in History and made money the final items he removed was a to pay her way proof reading, typing 1999 Rochester Grammar School and undertaking the odd article as newsletter, which he read with a freelance journalist. Following interest, sending the following words her graduation, she joined Hendon for inclusion this year, in memory of School as a teacher of History, Jane. remaining at the school until her retirement and then returned to Kent, My mum, Jane, left Rochester living for a few years in Sandwich, Grammar School determined not working initially a the Castle to fall into secretarial work. She left Community School in Deal before rural Kent (Sheerness was not cutting joining the immigration office in Dover edge at the time) and her boyfriend, supporting asylum seekers. Freddie, and went to the bright lights of London. During her time in the Following the death of her father, capital, she lived in numerous bedsits Jane moved back to London to be around Notting Hill, enjoying the close to me and her grandchildren. underground scene of Jazz in Soho. She never married but was never She was long legged, glamourous, lonely, having many friends and and I suspect a bit mischievous. many interests. She was a strong lady who had firm opinions. She She has a fun and exciting time was prepared to accept the ideas of working as a freelance journalist. others but needed evidence to be She was ambitious and worked hard convinced. She was highly intelligent to find a place in a man’s world. and had an incredible grasp of all She landed a job working for the matters global. Before I entered Birmingham Post and upped sticks. into any debate I always sought my Here she met and fell in love with a mum’s opinion first before offering colleague and fell pregnant with me. my own. She was sharp, and, at The relationship was not to last, and times, uncompromising. However, Jane left Birmingham and moved she knew a lot and, even if you didn’t back to be with her parents in Dover always agree, you listened because while I was an infant. her words were an education. I am not surprised she became a teacher. She then won a job with Reveille and Her students would have been very moved back to London as a working fortunate. single mum. She loved the job, but assignments to South Africa and My mum was very well versed in all others that required time away from matters. She loved reading, but ‘the home meant she left the career as a Girls’ School’ gave her the confidence journalist to provide a stable home for to use her knowledge to challenge me. We lived in Chalk Farm, Camden, the barriers to women. She benefited North West London in a flat in a large from a new age in thinking but made Victorian house. the most of it. She remembered her times in Rochester with fondness, her She made many, many friends, a life in Sheerness also, but less so the bohemian set of artists, actors, daily train journey across Sheppey to playwrights, musicians and others Rochester and back. She always left who spent much of their time a part of herself in Kent.

12 Obituary

Gladys Harmer 1932-1939

Gladys Lilian Doris Harmer: ‘The most wonderful, generous and kind lady I’ve known.’

Ruth Morley submitted the following numerous other friends. When Gladys After Gladys passed away we closed in memory of her aunt, Gladys could no longer write Christmas cards down standing orders to 30 charities, Harmer, who passed away in August she would ring up everyone in her she had already closed others in the 2014. Gladys was an avid reader of address book for a Christmas chat previous weeks. Gladys gave away this newsletter, so it seemed fitting to instead. every spare penny with delight to help include this tribute. others and more charities benefited After qualifying as a dietician Gladys from her wonderful generosity at her Gladys attended Rochester Grammar was sole dietician at Medway passing. Gladys was a role model to School from 1932 to 1939 and Hospital; she took a downgrading so all. My daughter meant it when she wanted to train as a dietician, but the that the two newly qualified dieticians said it was a privilege to be related to war in 1939 prevented this, so Gladys did not have to start on the lowest Gladys. went on to train as a teacher. From pay grade. Gladys kept in touch 1949-1964 some of you may have with her ex-colleagues all her life. Gladys had a strong Christian faith known Gladys as Miss Harmer, as she Gladys kept up with over 100 people, and many commented how she became Domestic Science Teacher at corresponding and exchanging had helped them to find faith for Rochester Grammar School. photos of friends, children and places themselves through Bible studies visited. There were many letters and chatting; two people became Gladys wrote down that as a pupil thanking her for acts of kindness. ministers after knowing Gladys; her she remembers the Hall Window, Gladys treated residents of her faith was infectious. At one time that she loved all the schooling, and sheltered accommodation to go on Gladys ran a Youth Group too. playing the violin in the orchestra. outings, provided a wheelchair and As a teacher Gladys remembers acted as an unofficial chaplain (she Gladys joined Guides while at school, how kind the staff were to the first trained in Medway to be a pastoral then became a Sea Ranger, and then year pupils … unfortunately the next assistant). a Guide Captain (leader). Gladys page of her memories is missing, but loved adventure and took her Guides knowing Gladys she will have written Gladys lived in Kent all of her life into adventures too, such as Our so many positive things about you. (except when evacuated temporarily Chalet in Switzerland a Guiding World with her parents to Brockworth in Centre. Gladys was a member of the Gladys was the kindest person I’ve Gloucester in 1939), until she moved Trefoil Guild (the Guiding Section for ever known. For much of her life she to Swindon in 1997. Prior to this adults) right up to her death. suffered Rheumatoid Arthritis which Gladys had been a Chaplin to ‘The was very painful; her hands and feet Shrubbery’ of the Langley House Gladys showed a keen interest in were very deformed, but she never Trust, which offers homes to ex- Rochester Cathedral Friends as well complained - Gladys kept a thank you prisoners; helping them learn job and as her interest in Rochester Grammar letter from her consultant for coming home skills so they do not reoffend School which she and my mother- in to be questioned by trainee doctors and travelling to other homes up and in-law Margaret Morley (nee Harmer) and the hospital had sent flowers down the country. had attended. At least two ex- another time at her birthday. Grammar school pupils wrote to us Gladys attended a club for adults with after Gladys passed away: - Brenda Gladys attended Bath Road learning difficulties right up to her final Farmer and Anita Aldridge. Methodist Church in Swindon after hospital stay, helping with games like moving from Strood Methodist. She ‘Snakes and Ladders’ and ‘Bingo’, sent every child in both churches providing milk for refreshments (which birthday cards up to the age of 18 mysteriously still arrived until she with a pound coin Sellotaped inside; died). Gladys sang, organised plays, one child brought a card sent to her danced (even on wooden benches only the week before Gladys died to with really deformed feet), and always the Celebration of Gladys’ life. Many had a smile or a cheeky grin on her ex-Sunday School pupils of hers were face. Gladys loved Puffins identifying still corresponding with her from all with their awkward movements round the world when she died, as because of her own disability. was her hairdresser in Strood and

13 Ann Hoskin Joanna Obituary (née Quelch) Bowring 5th May 1939 – 2nd May 2016 1994-2001

Ann Hoskin died peacefully on 2nd May 2016 at Barty Joanna Bowring died on 1st June last year at the age House Nursing home in Bearsted. Until October 2015, Ann of 32 in tragic circumstances. Joanna was fun loving was fit and healthy leading an active life, socially through and a perfectionist; every hair had to be in place! She her art classes and quiz nights and volunteering with the was a R.I.B.A. qualified architect living in Chelsea where League of Friends at her local hospital. She really enjoyed she had worked for several years including being the the Annual School reunion lunches and always had project Architect for a building in Cheapside opposite St something amusing to recount after each one! Paul’s Cathedral. Latterly she worked as a developer at the Olympic Site. She is sadly missed by her family and Unfortunately, she underwent an emergency operation for friends. bowel cancer in October, followed by a series of setbacks, which meant that she never fully recovered. Joanna’s nephew Medi died in a tragic riding accident at the age of 11 just one year before Joanna. Joanna’s However, it is testament to the strength of her relationships sister Maryanne, Medi’s mother, has set up a charity, The with her school friends that, even some 60 years after Medi Oliver Foundation, which seeks to benefit others leaving Rochester Grammar School, she still had regular who do not have the advantages that Joanna and Medi visits from school friends during her time in hospital and experienced. The charity is now in the names of both many encouraging cards and letters from those that could Joanna and Medi. not visit . These visits and letters really kept her spirits up during difficult times and for that we thank everyone. The charity’s first project is to bring a water supply to 18 000 people in Gey (Ethiopia) where the family were Heather Quelch sponsoring 2 children. Children here walk 12km through the night to collect water every day. This adversely affects their schooling. A recent sponsored Walk for Water was held at Hampstead Heath to raise funds to install the pipeline. The nearest water supply is 5 miles away so the project is costly. So far £108,000 has been raise of the £138,000 required. It is being done in conjunction with World Vision who arranged for Maryanne and her husband to go out to see what was the greatest need.

If you’d like to give to the project in memory of Joanna, money can be donated via the website www.medioliver.co.uk

Constance Young (née Andrews)

Connie Young passed away peacefully at Frindsbury Hall Nursing Home on Monday 25th May 2015 aged 87 years.

14 Feature

Medway Memories Alumni spotted in the Medway Messenger!

Local newspaper, the Medway Messenger, regularly The RGS connection took centre stage in the article: reports on local history and avid readers spot the following articles which feature RGS alumni. The articles are Of course a major event of this kind demands a sprinkling summarised below (all italics are direct quotes from Peter of stardust and Dame Sybil Thordike... performed as The Cook’s writing). Spirit of Rochester declaiming the prologue:

--- And still I call thee, stranger, to my home Here where the uplands fold their sweet embrace On Friday 18th March 2016, Peter Cook reported on the And questing tides forget to rage and foam Rochester Pageant, held in midsummer 1931, to mark Here where the ages trace 2000 years of the city’s history. With mellow eyes the marks of man’s ascent And peeping years foresee He writes: His onward search - with love, with blandishment With hope I call! On the neatly manicured lawns of the Castle Gardens, Grave on thy heart my plea. Roman centurions appeared together with Norman knights, pre-conquest Jutish villagers, Queen Elizabeth I --- in all her glory, Charles II in his and a host of Dickensian characters. Medway Memories also featured alumna Sheena Florence, who shared her own memories and those of her neighbour To get an idea of the scale of this event, think of the (and we noted that the Old Girls’ reunion even got a ceremony that took place before the London Olympic mention!). Sheena, having agreed to sort out an old Games. neighbour’s estate after his death, found an old artillery fuse case, unopened since the end of WW2. In opening The Pageant was opened by Prince George, Duke of Kent, it, Sheena unearthed an archive of letters, documents whose entrance was marked with a peal of the cathedral and photographs which told of a wartime romance and bells and a flypast of RAF aircraft. The Pageant also the courage of women soldiers who helped protect the welcomed the Mayor of London and at least one mayor Medway towns from the Luftwaffe. from Calais, and business leaders including Sir Herbert Austin, head of the Austin motor car company. The notes found told tales of Gibraltar Farm, where the couple had met when both served with 244 Battery, More than 5000 local people took part and it was operating heavy anti-aircraft guns. covered in most of the national newspapers. Series of re-enactments and scenes were played out to depict Sheena described how she and her family had moved to historical events that has occurred in Rochester. The Canada when her father, a master mariner, was seconded celebration also included dance, song and a display of to the RAF to help train pilots in navigation. Travelling falconry. across the Atlantic in the Nerissa was a dangerous journey and on the ship’s return journey, she was struck by a The article features Ewart Rayner, who was an 8 year torpedo fired from a U boat just 200 miles from Liverpool, old resident at the time and took part in the Pageant. He and only 84 survivors were rescued (at least 145 Canadian recalled “it was a wonderful and happy fortnight for the troops had been on board). community in times of economic depression and remained one of my mother’s happiest memories.”

15 Life since RGS Feature Georgina Hinchliffe (2007-2014), recent graduate of RGS, updates us on her adventures since leaving school.

same villages that I had visited during mapping my way to semester two my time in Ghana. It both confirmed success - 1/5 of a doctor already my vocation and taught me that (don’t worry – I’m terrified about that the boundaries of a medical degree prospect too). I got my place into stretched further than I think – and I medical school after my year abroad plan to revisit Ghana on an elective and have been on the steepest study once I am (finally!) qualified. learning curve of my life so far. Coupling this with a couple of charity A direct contrast to this experience 10K runs (and the marathon next was my time working in Medway year!) I have come a long way since Hospital in an acute medical ward. I sixth form idleness. When people said was eager to gain as much medical that medical school was ‘challenging’, experience as I can, and throwing they were definitely not joking. I look myself untrained and terrified into forward to qualifying and returning to an acute medical ward for a year the places that taught me so much seemed like an excellent idea. I on my gap year. Two of my greatest grew from a quaking clinical support successes to date though are finally worker, terrified of offering tea to the convincing my parents to get dogs, of idlest patients to assisting in medical which I spent most of these two years emergencies and learning the most teaching to roll over. It seems like both weeks and years important lessons in my year out. since we were huddled in Café 6 I learnt that despite the effects of planning a memorable final day illness on patients and families, a at RGS. Since then, my perfectly friendly approach and a warm cup executed five-year plan, organised to of tea are better than probably any the hour, hasn’t since gone exactly medication. Obviously a lesson I to schedule, but has provided two will not take directly to heart when I years of excellent experiences am again a terrified junior doctor on that make me feel (almost) like a wards, but an idea that will underpin real adult – after all, I do now have most of my practice. a Filofax. Deciding on one of the most competitive degrees provided That brings me to where I am now, me with ample setbacks before I sitting in the university library, mind had even left RGS, and having not secured a place in a medical school after my first application I opted to take a gap year and reapply the following September. In hindsight, my fourfold rejection from medical schools across the UK was probably the best thing to have happened to me.

Since RGS, I have volunteered in West Africa on the medical frontlines, testing and providing medication for tiny communities in Ghana suffering with Malaria and HIV outbreaks. During my time there, despite being almost quarantined in the midst of the Ebola outbreak, I was taught how privileged we are to have such an advanced healthcare system such as the NHS, and it put my complaints about being delayed one year in the pursuit of ‘doctor’ really into perspective. A role of a doctor doesn’t necessarily just encompass your local hospital, but potentially the 16 Rochester REUNIONS Grammar School Be in next Old Girls Hockey year’s Club newsletter! Here are three easy ways to feature in the Rochester Grammar School 2017 Alumni Newsletter!

Come to the Alumni Annual Lunch on Saturday September 17th 2016, £25/6 (see p2-3 for details)! Come along to the lunch, meet up with friends, reminisce and revisit your old school. You’re bound to have a smile on your face and if we catch that smile on camera, you might be beaming from next year’s first few pages. Book now using the form at the end of this newsletter!

Send us a Profile! We alumni love to hear how our old classmates are faring. Answer the three short questions on the form at the end of this newsletter and pop it in the post, or email The Hockey Club’s latest reunion took place on 27th June 2015. This was its [email protected] third reunion. The first was in 1977 and the second in 2002, and two of our (you may even include a school reunions have now been reported by the Medway Messenger (as shown in the photo if you’d like!). photographs). Feature in a Feature! The latest meeting was instigated by Enid Bradley (née Arnott) and organised Although compiling this by Margaret Bowman (née Hitches) with the help of Ann West (née Grubb), newsletter happens in the late Wendy Williams (née Noyes) and Ann Botterill (née Medhurst), in whose spring, we are thrilled to receive magnificent garden the occasion was held. A buffet lunch and liquid your news all year round. If refreshments together with a celebration cake were enjoyed. you run a small business, or are involved in a charity, There were seven ex-players present and apologies received from two others. write a short piece, including some photos, and send it our Enid Bradley and Joyce Beard were ex secretaries when the club was in action way. If you have something in the 1950’s and 60’s. Enid had driven to and from Gloucestershire, while to celebrate or something to Elizabeth Cordone (née Styles) had flown from her home in Italy to attend. promote, write a short piece and we’d love to include it. If It is hoped that this might become an annual occasion due to our advancing you’ve recently reconnected or years. reunited with school friends, let us know how you got on, and If you would be interested in attending, please contact Ann West on the memories you shared. [email protected]. 17 The Feature Butterfield Cup This year’s recipient of the Butterfield Cup was outgoing Head Girl, Bethan Firmin, awarded for “Commitment to School”. Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Clare Brinklow, writes:

What can I say about Bethan – I remember teaching her lower down the school and I remember thinking how modest and humble she was despite her obvious academic talents. She was described to me once as a real mother hen; she is someone all the students from Year 7 to 13 like and respect. She genuinely cares about the students in the school and takes her role very seriously. We have asked a lot of Bethan this year and I have lost count of the number of times I have grabbed her around school at the last minute with something that needed organising and Bethan has never let me or anyone else down. Bethan has got nerves of steel and a real ambition to success. When paired with her warm and welcoming nature, I am sure you will agree she will go far and we look forward to hearing about her future successes. A huge thank you to her from all of us for being a very inspirational Head Girl. The Alumni Award This year’s Alumni Award for current RGS students, founded to celebrate the many ways in which RGS girls and boys serve others (“Service not Self”) was awarded to Katie and Molly Hergest (Y9 and Y11, pictured with the award). Both girls were commended for their service to the wider community, as they have been fundraising for King’s College Hospital, and have so far raised £24,314.96 with friends in memory of their mother. The money raised went to the Critical Care Charitable Fund at King’s College Hospital.

The Award is a beautiful trophy (pictured) which will be given annually. As the trophy remains in school, it is accompanied by a gift voucher. This is funded by voluntary donations of £1 from those who attend the annual Alumni lunch.

18 Radio Silence NEWS What’s your story?

Could you complete a profile for the next newsletter?

If so, please email the following information (and a current and/ or school days photo if you can) to [email protected] or send to the school FAO Christie Ransom, Alumni Association Newsletter.

Name, maiden name, years at RGS, plus short answers to the following questions: What did you do when you left school?

What have you done since then?

What are your thoughts about school?

What events have stayed in your memory?

Ex-RGS student Alice Oseman published her second novel, Radio Silence, in February 2016. The novel, published by Harper Collins Children’s Books, is a young adult drama about a group of sixth formers obsessed with getting into prestigious universities. The official blurb reads: Do you have any Photos? What if everything you set yourself up to be was wrong?

Frances has always been a study machine with one goal, elite university. Do you have any photos of Nothing will stand in her way; not friends, not a guilty secret – not even the school days which you’d person she is on the inside. be willing to share with the Alumni Association? Now that But when Frances meets Aled, the shy genius behind her favourite podcast, we can include photographs she discovers a new freedom. He unlocks the door to Real Frances and for in our newsletter at no extra the first time she experiences true friendship, unafraid to be herself. Then the cost, we would love to see podcast goes viral and the fragile trust between them is broken. any that you can offer, and share them with our readers. Caught between who she was and who she longs to be, Frances’ dreams come If you’re able, you can scan crashing down. Suffocating with guilt, she knows that she has to confront her and send your photographs to past… She has to confess why Carys disappeared… [email protected]. Include a bit of information Meanwhile at uni, Aled is alone, fighting even darker secrets. about what or who is pictured and when, and we shall publish It’s only by facing up to your fears that you can overcome them. And it’s only by it in next year’s newsletter. This being your true self that you can find happiness. could be a great way to share your story and, you never know, Frances is going to need every bit of courage she has. you might spot yourself in here next year! Alice’s first novel, Solitaire, came out in the summer of 2014, and she published two short stories, Nick and Charlie and This Winter, in 2015. 19 REUNIONS Class of 1970/72 As far as I know, the happy band of eager young faces, brought together for the first time in 1965, have never been part of the official “Old Girls’” Association formally, but held class reunions when we were in our 45th and 50th year. We all expected “something” to happen in our 60th year but that milestone came and went unheeded.

It was in 2014, on a visit by Jane Cook (née Ruggles) as a surprise for my two regular ex RGS lunch friends, that the subject came up again. Jane took up the baton with great enthusiasm and, with my promise of what help I could give from a distance, she set about finding out who would be interested in getting together once more.

The first hurdle was that the contact list we held was 10 years out of date! However, with a great deal of effort on Jane’s part, the use of other friends’ The date of November 7th 2015 was set and with the help of Jan Blease (née contacts and the information available Stuart), Jane found a suitable venue in Rochester, as a fair number still live in on Facebook, just over half of the Kent. On the day, about 22 people came to have lunch, reminisce on the good year were contacted. Our friends had times at school - and the bad! - and share life experiences. Everyone appeared spread far and wide, from Australia to enjoy themselves and plans are being made to repeat the exercise when we and New Zealand to America and are 65 in 2019. Canada, not forgetting South Africa as well. Sadly, we have found along the way that there are a few of our number who are no longer with us, losing one very recently as I write this; and others whom have disappeared seemingly without trace. I am sure we will always remember them. Here’s looking forward to 2019!

Yvonne Hales-Hunt (née Crookes)

Twitter

The following on twitter grows year by year – please follow us @RGSKentAlumni. The account is used to share ideas and help people stay in touch with school. It is also a great way for us to hear your news, and we have enjoyed celebrating examination success, new babies, charity achievements and more with you in 2015/16. Famous alumni following or followed by us include Charlotte Evans, gold medal winning Paralympic skier, Kat Driscoll, Olympic trampolinist, Sophia Webster, world renowned shoe designer, and Caroline Feraday, BBC journalist. Some of our members also run small businesses or charities promoted on twitter, including Making Miracles, a charity founded by an alumna, which works to support care for families who suffer high risk pregnancy or miscarriage. Find out more @MM1158233.

20 NEWS RGS Alumni Association Membership Following our discussion at last • Members are invited to purchase year’s AGM regarding membership, any memorabilia offered by the we can announce that the proposals school (books about the history for member benefits were agreed. of the school, music recordings Therefore, from now on all new and etc.) at a reduced rate. existing members will be entitled to • New members will, from now, the following: receive an attractive RGS pin • Members will receive the annual badge, awarded at their first newsletter by email or post. members’ event, and we look • Members will be invited to attend forward to starting this tradition at the AGM, where they will be this year’s annual lunch. entitled to vote on any motions. • Members will be invited to attend If you are not yet a member, the annual lunch at a reduced remember that life membership price. costs only £25, and entitles you to • In addition to the annual all the above! A membership form is newsletter, members will receive included at the end of this newsletter interim communication regarding - sign up today! important school events and news (current members have However, non-members, do not started benefiting from this fear, you will still receive the annual already with the termly school newsletter if you have requested to newsletter). do so, and any email communication • Members are invited to attend promoting member events of school functions, for example relevance. You will be invited to dance and drama productions, attend the annual lunch and AGM (but Advertise sports fixture finals, music you will not be able to vote). in this concerts and charity events free of charge or at a reduced ticket Help us raise our profile and connect Newsletter! price. alumni by suggesting membership to your school friends. In order to supplement membership funds, it has been suggested that companies, organisations and events associated with or of interest to members be invited to advertise in this newsletter. We would like to explore this and so welcome your thoughts, particularly on the suggested pricing below. We plan to commit at most four pages to advertising.

This newsletter has a broad national and international distribution, and thus, provides prime advertising space. Please promote this opportunity and email [email protected] if you would like to enquire about this.

21 Upcoming opportunities to participate in current school activities

Summer Events As in previous years, the School would be thrilled to welcome any alumni who are interested in getting involved in the summer events. At the end of every school year, the summer brings the highlights of the annual calendar – Sports, Arts and Olympiad Days! Any alumni who are willing and able to attend one of our end-of-year events:

Sports Day runs much the same as you may remember from your school days – a fun-filled afternoon of sporting activities, brimming with House spirit!

In line with RGS’s world reputation as an Advanced Thinking School, we also have the Olympiad, a Crystal Maze type day of events which involve problem solving in House teams.

Not wanting to be outdone by the PE department, the Performing Arts are also represented at House Arts Day, a day full of competitive events in drama, music, art, dance, speech and much more. Last year even saw the launch of a new ‘bake off’ category to put our beautiful cookery rooms to work! All students are encouraged to participate in the day, and winners perform a show for the school as the climax of the event.

The Sports, Olympiad and Arts days are calendared this year for 12th, 13th and 14th July 2016 respectively (subject to swapping depending on weather).

If anyone has a particular interest in adjudicating on Sports Day, judging on Arts Day or supporting the ‘Crystal Maze’ Challenge Day and The RGS Olympiad, RGS would love to hear from you.

Please send information regarding your availability, preference for involvement and contact details to Ms Jennifer Ryan at the school on 01634 843049 or e-mail her [email protected]

Other Events The school calendar includes many events which you are welcome to attend should you wish to visit us. These include the annual school production, lower school production, music concerts (including the RGS Young Musician), sports fixtures, the annual charity dance show, the Christmas Carol Service and Founders’ Day celebrations (coming up on 8th July), alongside other smaller, house-led events.

In addition, we are also keen to inspire our students with stories from alumni. RGS welcomes offers to speak to students at certificate evenings and special occasions, or in smaller classroom seminars on career pathways or to share subject knowledge. In return they would be delighted to show you the school and how it is growing and developing so that it continues to provide outstanding education for students in Medway.

If you are interested in coming to visit us or getting involved in current school life, please contact Miss Louisa Hallett at the school on 01634 843049 or e-mail her [email protected] 22 NEWS RGS Cultural Fashion Show Rochester Grammar School would like to formally invite alumni to attend the school’s first ever Cultural Fashion Show, taking place on Thursday 23rd June 2016. The event aims to bring together the variety of talents and rich cultures of the many students and staff at our school.

In addition to promoting cultural diversity through fashion, the evening will also showcase the many talents of the current student population, with cultural song and dance intervals from around the World. We are pleased to announce that a finalist of Miss Nigeria UK will be making an appearance and participating in the evening’s events to further enrich the celebrations. Over the course of the evening, caterers will also be providing a wide selection of foods that are traditionally associated with the many cultures that the evening will display.

This event will begin at 6pm and will take place in the school’s main hall – tickets can be purchased from the school office at the reduced rate of £5 for alumni. All money raised will be donated to this year’s whole school charity, AV UK.

This event is the culmination of detailed planning by a team of students from all year groups led by the executive officers. It would be wonderful if as many of you as possible could join us on the evening.

Year 12 Careers Day

The RGS Sixth Form Team are Accountancy • Interesting experiences you have organising a Year 12 Careers day Engineering had in your career on the 14th of July and are looking Performing Arts and Music • What you find enjoyable and for guest speakers who would be Physiotherapy challenging willing to come and speak to the Veterinary/working with animals • Any other useful information students. The school is looking for Police about the career such as hours, speakers who have a real passion for Criminology lifestyle, work environment, their career who can be honest and travel, potential salary, additional realistic while also being positive and We would also like speakers benefits etc. inspiring. The aim is to get students with careers related to Art, ICT, thinking about the potential careers Psychology and History. If you are interested in taking part in they could pursue beyond education. the Careers Day please contact me. Anyone who is interested should Each session would be about 30 read the information below, and then minutes but this includes time for Kind regards, contact Jess Moore on Q&A. Some potential topics to cover Miss Jess Moore [email protected] as could be: [email protected] soon as possible. • The route you took – courses, We would like guests from the training, university, work following sectors of work so that we experience etc. as well as can give students a comprehensive alternative routes into your choice of talks to attend related to the profession subjects they might like to study at • Career progression university: • An insight into the work you do day to day 23 Reservation for Alumni Lunch 17th September 2016

Number of tickets required ...... totalling £......

Please join us for a delicious lunch. For the menu, please see pages 2 and 3 (Tickets are £26 per head, with a reduced rate of £25 for Alumni Association members) Please make cheques payable to: Rochester Grammar School Old Girls Association (RGSOGA) and send them with your reservation form to Mrs Sarah Earle, 62 Kingfisher Drive, Greenhithe, Kent, DA9 9RT 01322 423413 [email protected]

Deadline for making a reservation is 1st September (Please ring 01322 423413 if you have a problem with this date)

Current Name & Address ......

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Maiden Name ......

School Years ......

Telephone Number ......

Email Address ......

If you should like to be seated with particular I should like the vegetarian option Yes / No friends, please let us know who they are and we shall endeavour to organise seating I shall be coming to the AGM Yes / No arrangements in advance. It would help us keep costs down if you would I should like to be seated with friends. include a stamped addressed envelope for your tickets when you return this form. Thank you. They are ...... There are members of the Alumni who no longer ...... drive and who would be grateful for a lift to the lunch. If you are prepared to offer a lift or if you ...... would like a lift, please tick the appropriate box below...... I would be happy to offer a lift ...... I would like a lift...... I need wheel chair access ...... Please bring your own wine or preferred ...... libation. QUESTIONNAIRE SEEKING ALUMNI SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AND STaFF AT THE ROCHESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Name & School Dates ......

Telephone Number ......

Email Address ......

Have you a particular interest or expertise in any of these areas? Please tick as appropriate

Art Business Geography Music Studies Graphics Philosophy Dance History Physical Education (PE) Drama ICT Religious Education (RE) English Mathematics Film Studies Modern Foreign Languages Any aspect of the Sciences Any aspect of Technology

Please outline any particular aspects of the above subjects or others which you could offer, e.g. work at degree level, particular areas of expertise, work experience, mentoring, areas of particular interest.

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Can you recommend any firms, organisations or voluntary groups with whom you work or have worked, who might be approached to offer advice, work shadowing or work experience to a current student interested in their particular area.

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Please continue on a separate sheet if appropriate. Some people enclose CVs, which give very useful information.

Thank you! Please return to Mrs Pat Stevens, 19 Culverlands Close, Green Lane, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 3AG E-mail: [email protected] ROCHESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL ALUMNI MEMBERSHIP ENROLMENT FORM

Surname ......

First Name(s) ......

Address ......

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School Years ......

Maiden Name ......

Telephone Number ......

Email Address ......

Life Membership: £25 – cheque made payable to RGSOGA please

We know that there are alumni out there trying to contact their old school friends. Unfortunately, due to the Data Protection Act, we cannot give out your personal information without your permission. However, if you are willing for your details to be shared with other members of the Alumni Association, please indicate here:

I am happy for you to pass on my details to Alumni trying to get in touch with me: Yes / No

Signature ...... Date ......

Please return to: Mrs Avril Noble, 176 City Way, Rochester, Kent, ME1 2AU Phone: 01634 849032 Email: [email protected] Member details and profile

Please fill in this little profile for us - we know that there are people out there trying to contact their old school friends and they are really interested to hear how you are faring. If you are willing for the information to be published and shared with other members of the Alumni Association please complete the form below and return it to:

Mrs Avril Noble, 176 City Way, Rochester, Kent, ME1 2AU or why not email me at [email protected] Surname ......

First Name(s) ......

Current Address ......

......

School Years ......

Maiden Name ......

Telephone Number ......

Email Address ......

What did you do when you left school? What are your thoughts about school, what “events” have stayed in your memory? ...... What have you done since then e.g. work, family, interests, travels......

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...... Don’t stop here if you have more to tell, just carry on ...... overleaf. The Rochester Grammar School

The Rochester Grammar School Maidstone Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3BY, United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0) 1634 843 049 Facsimile: +44 (0) 1634 818 340 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rochestergrammar.medway.sch.uk

Chairman Treasurer and Membership Secretary Mrs Ann West Mrs Avril Noble

273 Walderslade Road 176 City Way Chatham Rochester Kent Kent ME5 0HN ME1 2AU

Telephone: 01634 864163 Telephone: 01634 849032 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]