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FORMERLY THE OLD BLUES NEWS ISSUE 1 SPRING 2019 STEWART PARVIN Regarded as one of fashion’s best kept secrets MAKING A BIG IMPRESSION Josh Berry explains his journey from Reading Blue Coat to Dead Ringers BRASS FOR AFRICA: HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES Members of the Reading Blue Coat community on this exceptional charity 10 6 12 A MESSAGE FROM THE HEADMASTER A warm welcome to the first edition of1646 . This publication is a new one for the School and just one way in which we are trying to connect with our Old Blues community. We are in the fortunate position at Reading prominent role in the School. It is always being a Performing Arts Centre, which will Blue Coat of having a global network of a joy for me to meet Old Blues when they offer a new home for Music and Drama. almost 7,000 alumni, and one of my key return to Holme Park and share memories, This impressive space will also provide a aims as Headmaster has been to start and I hope to welcome many more of you concert and theatre venue for the local a programme of re-engagement with back to the School in the near future. community, and the plans for this are being Old Blues. The Old Blues Association finalised as I write. continues to run successfully and arranges an annual Old Blues Dinner, along with You may also notice that our crest has supporting other events, like the annual been updated thanks to some dedicated Fireworks Display. In the first few years work from our archivist, Peter van Went. of my headship the School has set up Peter and I visited the College of Arms a Development Office, with Victoria towards the end of last year to collect the Fangen-Hall leading as our Director of first official Coat of Arms in the history of Development, and Sarah Pyper as our the School. I discovered upon my arrival a Community Relations Co-ordinator. couple of years ago that we did not have Victoria and Sarah are working closely a formal Coat of Arms, but this has now with the Reading Old Blues Association, been rectified. As part of this you will supporting them with what has worked notice we are using the shield element well, and they are also working ambitiously for various publications and I’m sure you’ll to see what more we can do. In the If you haven’t visited us recently, I am agree, it looks very smart. coming terms you will see a programme of sure you will be delighted to hear that events and communications ranging from the School continues to flourish. At the Do enjoy the contents of this magazine, and reunions to business interest groups and moment we have almost 760 pupils on I am grateful to my Development Office for they, in turn, will be able to provide advice, roll, and this year we had a record number pulling it together. I hope to see many of mentoring and job opportunities to current of applications with over 450 pupils you at the School in the near future. students. The Old Blues are an inclusive applying to join the School; more than social and professional network and it three applicants per place. We continue to Jesse Elzinga is wonderful that they will play a more upgrade our facilities; the next big project Headmaster 20 ISSUE 1 SPRING 2019 4 Round-up 6 Royal Blue 10 Making a Big Impression 14 12 Rhythm and Old Blues 14 Brass for Africa: Hitting all the Right Notes 18 Interview with an Old Blue: Peter Bertram 20 Magazines are changing – let’s embrace it 22 News of Old Blues 25 A stroll around the School with…Kate Toogood 18 26 Line-up 28 Keeping you posted A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT Welcome to 1646, the renamed As I take on the role of Old Blues News. President for the Reading As you can see, the Old Blues magazine has had a bit of Old Blues Association, revamp and we are delighted with the new look and hope you I find myself reflecting on are too! The magazine is named after our Foundation year of 1646, and you will notice that we are taking a slightly more what Reading Blue Coat editorial approach with articles written by Old Blues about (RBC) means to me. their specialist subject (Becki Murray on page 20 writes about digital journalism) and we would like to continue this in future It helps me to remember the good in life, having the warm embrace publications. The Old Blues community is made up of people of a community around you and being open to changes that will with many different and interesting professions and we want to inevitably come. I am passionate about the School and have been showcase these in the hope that others will feel inspired, and part of the Reading Old Blues Association committee for 10 years proud to be an Old Blue. as a result. RBC is a place of such good memories, where I met the people who are still today my best friends, and is full of I have really enjoyed putting together the magazine. As a new opportunities – for staff, students, parents and alumni alike. member of staff, it has allowed me to interact with Old Blues and staff alike which has been a real joy and incredibly useful. I would From the outside RBC has transformed over the last decade – new like to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed buildings, new walkways, new plants and decorations – but at its to the magazine, particularly those who submitted articles. Thank core all of what I remember RBC to be has remained true. New you also to Marjie Thorne, former editor of the Old Blues News, friendships for life will be formed, new memories created, and the for all her help in setting up this first edition of 1646. community will continue to grow stronger each day. I will never forget my time at RBC, and now more than ever am able to reflect I hope you enjoy reading the magazine as much as I have enjoyed back and think of all the good that came from the experience. I hope putting it together. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are you can too – and, if nothing else, I hope it plants a seed of happiness interested in writing an article for next year’s edition or if you have where perhaps in life that can be more difficult to find. some news you would like to be included ([email protected]). I want to take a moment to thank Rob Sillitoe for his leadership As this is the first edition of the new magazine we are sending as President over the last two years. I also want to thank the it to everyone. If you would prefer to receive a digital copy committee for their endless hard work, and both Sarah Pyper and or would like to let us know about your contact preferences, Victoria Fangen-Hall in the Development Office who are at the tip please do not hesitate to contact me. of the spear as the Old Blues continue to develop. I am very much Sarah Pyper looking forward to seeing the change that takes place over the next Editor two years and beyond as the Old Blues continues to flourish. James Boyce ROBA President A MESSAGE FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE At Reading Blue Coat we are very lucky that our community extends far apology. We continue to work hard to ensure this doesn’t happen, but we do beyond the current pupils, parents and staff, and importantly includes former need your help to know if we have made a mistake. Conversely, if you have students, their families and friends of the School. Our alumni network alone a friend with whom we have lost contact, or if you no longer wish to receive extends to almost 7,000 members and stretches around the world. As an Old mail from the School, do let us know so we can ensure our records are as Blue you are never far from someone with a similar outlook and passion for true a reflection of the Old Blues community as can be. life, and with whom you share the defining bond of Reading Blue Coat. With an initial focus on bringing together our alumni, we will in time be Although it had been discussed by the Governors for a number of years, engaging with parents and friends. Working collaboratively as One Reading the decision to join the increasing number of schools investing in a Blue Coat, we can directly benefit the students, as well as create social and Development Office wasn’t made until November 2017 when the office business opportunities for all. was officially started. Now established, and working in partnership with the Reading Old Blues Association committee, the office aims to provide Yet again in 2018, Reading Blue Coat has been recognised by the Telegraph as a focal point to enable alumni to connect with each other and the School. one of the top ten independent schools offering the best value in the UK. We To ensure this can happen successfully, the first step has been to pull together want to keep it this way, not least because it holds true to the charitable values a comprehensive list of past students. Drawing from multiple sources, and ethos on which Richard Aldworth founded our School in 1646.

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