Old Orwellian News

Winter 2016

Headmaster Adrian Brown, Nicole Brown and guests Half Century Club Lunch 2016

Leading Independent Coeducational boarding and day school 2½ to 13 Orwell Park, , , IP10 0ER Tel: 01473 659225 www.orwellpark.co.uk

2 Headmaster

Dear Old Orwellians, When we consider the achievements of our pupils last year, we can reflect on a very successful year academically. At the top of the school Year 8 again achieved 100% pass rate at Common Entrance and this is in the context of entry to a wide range of local and national schools, where competition for places is growing. In a year group of 43, 37 awards were achieved to senior schools, a record number of scholarships for the school. As I mentioned on Speech Day, this year we embark on a new 5 year strategic plan, which will look to take the school forward in a sustainable way. Pastoral care will be at the forefront, alongside teaching and learning. This duality is at the heart of the proposal to move the Middle School classes into area in the stable block, giving greater unity and coherence to that part of the school. The Governors have also agreed to invest in the refurbishment and development of our boarding accommodation; boarding is at the heart of the school and is key to our future success, whether it be flexi, weekly or full boarding. We are also looking at parking around the school site, a key area as we plan the future development of the school. In addition to these three areas (boarding, Middle School and parking) we have identified the educational need for an indoor swimming pool and a Performing Arts Centre and we will be developing our plans for these two projects in the near future. Last term saw the introduction of our core values: kindness, collaboration, courage, spirit and respect, under the overarching value of integrity. These core values have been derived from whole school discussion and we will be exploring these with the children in the terms ahead as we seek to embed them into the fabric of school life. The Autumn term also saw the arrival of iPads in school for every pupil in Years 3 to 8 and we have been developing their use in the classroom and beyond. We were delighted to see so many of you at Orwellian Day last June and again at the Half Century Club Luncheon at the school in November; many memories were rekindled for those Old Orwellians who attended the Act of Remembrance on the school field. We were sad to hear of the death of Lord Jim Prior, former pupil and distinguished Chair of Governors; Lord Prior attended the Lodge reunion at the Wentworth Hotel, Aldeburgh in August 2015, when he shared many stories of his time at school. Nicole and I very much look forward to seeing OOs from the 1990-2010 decades at the Reform Club in London in January.

Adrian Brown Headmaster

Contents: Word from the Headmaster Page 2 Sam Tuke Page 6 Lord Prior Page 3 History of Orwell Park Page 7 Memories Page 4 Future Events Page 8 Half Century Club Luncheon Page 5 Contacts Page 8 Hilary Cronin Page 6 2 3 Lord Jim Prior (OO 1936-1940)

During his time at Aldeburgh Lodge and then at Orwell Park, Lord Prior not only excelled on the field in both cricket and football, he was also a member of the debat-

ing society, receiving mentions in school magazines. He had a keen interest in natural history, winning the school botany prize in the summer of 1940 when Orwell Park was evacuated to . He also took part in school plays and was a keen shot. He was joint leader of the Labour Gang at Orwell Park, which involved coordinating and carrying out manual JML Prior is listed in the Aldeburgh Lodge magazine as jobs around the school and grounds. The Gang not only having joined the school in the Summer term 1936 and made and carted hay from the grounds but also helped left at the end of Spring term 1941. He was thus one of with harvesting at Home Farm. They laid cinder paths, that select band who attended all four locations – Alde- picked fruit for the school and rolled and marked tennis burgh Lodge, Orwell Park, Hembury Fort House and courts. Bedstone Court. Following Orwell Park, Lord Prior went to Charterhouse He was born in 1927 in Norfolk. His father was a law- and then did military service in the Royal Norfolk Regi- yer and a director of Norwich Football Club and Jim ment, serving in Germany and India before going on to was a keen supporter of the club. This was reflected in Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he earned a first st his career at school which saw him captaining the 1 XI. class honours degree in Estate Management. It is in the Autumn term 1936 magazine that he receives Lord Prior reputedly said that he fell into politics, hav- his first mention for his prowess on the football field, ing had it suggested to him that he stand for the Lowes- the editor being of the opinion that in due course he toft seat when he was sitting on his tractor. He became would be a sound footballer. In the Autumn 1940 mag- the MP for in 1959, and when the Suffolk azine, the editor goes as far as to say: seat changed, he became the Member for Waveney in JML Prior (Captain) – Inside left. Can shoot well with 1983 until 1987, when he was made a life peer. either foot and has excellent control. A most unselfish Lord Prior’s political career: player, who has fed his forwards judiciously. Already an outstanding footballer, he will undoubtedly shine at Vice Chair, Conservative Party (January 1965- Charterhouse. His captaincy of the XI has been most July 1965) successful. Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (June 1970-November 1972) Deputy Chair, Conservative Party (July 1972- March 1974)

Lord President of the Council and Leader of the

House of Lords (Privy Council Office) (November 1972-March 1974) Shadow Secretary of State (March 1974-May 1979) Secretary of State for Employment (May 1979- September 1981) Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (September 1981-September 1984)

Lord Prior was Chairman of the Board of Governors at

Orwell Park from 1985 to 1991. During his chairman- ship the sports hall and new block were built, a signifi- 1938 Orwell Park Football team—Lord Prior front right cant development project at the school. 3 4

LORD PRIOR CONT:

Current Waveney MP Peter Aldous has said Lord Prior had strong values of compassionate Conservatism. Mr Aldous said his death was the “end of an era”, as before his death Lord Prior was one of the few surviv- ing politicians to have served in both the Heath and Thatcher governments. “He was, to me personally, a great help and support - since I was a candidate right the way through to being an MP. When I needed his advice and guidance, he was always there to provide it. He was never critical and always helpful. The best tribute that I can give to him is that even though he left office in 1987, still when I go around the constituency there are a lot of people who speak very fondly about him. He was a very popular person, in- credibly approachable and he treated everyone exactly Aldeburgh Lodge reunion August 2015 the same. He was a real character - he had a presence, he filled a room and everyone was terribly fond of him.”

Memories

I was sorry to read in the Old Orwellian News of The mention of the museum in “Ghosts” brings back PJCooper’s death. Although I was a contemporary of mixed memories. On a wet Sunday it was a wonderful his my OP career was hardly in his league. However, I Aladdins cave for lonely boarders to visit. The Tibetan remember Noel Wilkinson calling him “the harbour prayer wheels, oriental armour and curious flexible master’s friend”, as P.J’s loud voice might be heard stones etc helped to stimulate the interests of genera- across the river at Pin Mill! In the 1950s small, rectan- tions. Many of us think that the loss of these treasures gular glass-topped box puzzles were the rage at Orwell is the single saddest episode in OP’s history. Park. Inside were ball bearings, or small shapes that The major educational omission at OP in the 1950s was had to be positioned to complete a picture or pattern. Science, although Mr Akenhead (Music and Maths) did On the base of the box was a long sentence with every his best to interest us in Physics after Common En- word starting with a “P”, as in “Popular, perplexing trance with magnets, mirrors and particularly pulleys. puzzles.” However, on the first of floor of the buildings near Before the days of Health and Safety we had Jet-X fuel Chandler’s workshop was Steady’s Laboratory (named for use in various toys. During a cricket match, I think after a former teacher, Mr Steadman). Inside were test against Old Buckenham Hall, there was a memorable tubes and bottles of who knows what, which we illicit- explosion in the Round Pond when an expensive model ly, and probably dangerously, played with. Incidentally Vesper launch disintegrated, injuring its owner (Cohen we were never caught! mi) and causing “stumps to be drawn”. Nat Barnardiston, 1951-1955

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Half Century Club Luncheon

On 11th November we were pleased to welcome back to Orwell Park over 40 members of the Half Century Club. We were also delighted that several members of the HCC were able to join the school for the Act of Remembrance at the Ha-Ha.

After a super lunch, guests were entertained by pupils with a short music recital. The Headmaster then gave guests a brief overview of the most recent develop- ments at the school, which included his recent visit to Mayo College in India. Tours of the school, including the Observatory, were then conducted for those who wished, and to the delight of some former pupils the “mythical” tunnel’s location was revealed, the exist- ence of which having been a subject of conjecture for many during their time at school!

Act of Remembrance at the Ha-Ha

The new Common Room in the Girls’ Boarding House

5 6 Hilary Cronin 1999-2004

Soprano Hilary programme earlier this year and has sung with ensem- Cronin studied at bles such as Siglo de Oro, Renaissance, Illuminare, Trinity Laban Britten Sinfonia Voices and The Portrait Choir. Conservatoire of Music and Dance Hilary’s operatic roles have included Belinda (Dido under the tutelage and Aeneas - Purcell), Noemie (Cendrillon – Masse- of Teresa Cahill net), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel – Humperdinck) and Helen Yorke. and Cunegonde (Candide – Bernstein). She completed a In Operatic Scenes, Hilary has performed the roles Postgraduate Di- of Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni - Mozart), La Mu- ploma and an sique (Les Plaisirs de Versailles - Charpen- FTCL Diploma tier), Rosmene (Imeneo - Handel), Lisette (La Ron- thanks to generous support from Trinity College Lon- dine – Puccini), Vitellia (La Clemenza di Tito - Mo- don, Dame Susan Morden and Robinson Hearn. zart), Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance – Sullivan) and Yum-Yum (The Mikado - Sullivan). Experience Prior to this, Hilary read Music at Royal Holloway, of contemporary opera includes Susan (A Dinner En- University of London and, in her final year, she was gagement– Berkeley) with Opera awarded the Driver Prize for Excellence in Perfor- Dinamica, Tina (Flight – Dove) in Trinity’s Postgrad- mance and The Dame Felicity Lott Bursary to help uate Opera Scenes andNance (Banished - McNeff) in with postgraduate studies. She was a Choral Scholar Trinity's 2016 summer opera. Hilary covered the role of The Choir of Royal Holloway and performed solos of Minerva inUlysses' Homecoming by Monteverdi on Hyperion discs and live BBC Radio 3 Broadcasts. and Diana in La Calisto by Cavalli for English Tour- ing Opera's 2016 Autumn Season. Choral singing plays a prominent role in Hilary's life and she has also held choral scholarships at St Martin- Hilary has sung in Masterclasses with Dame Emma in-the-Fields and the Old Royal Naval College Chapel Kirkby, Michael Chance, Janis Kelly and, in August in Greenwich. She sings with St Martin’s Voices, for 2014, she took part in a Competitive Masterclass with whom she is a regular soloist. Previous engagements Dame Felicity Lott at The Three Choirs Festival in include Mozart’s Requiem, Vivaldi’s Ostro Picta and Worcester. Bach's St John Passion. Hilary now sings at St Bar- Hilary has just been awarded a Fellowship of Trinity tholomew-the-Great and St Sepulchre-without- College, London. Newgate. Hilary completed the Genesis Sixteen choral Sam Tuke 1993-1999

While studying for his A-Levels Sam founded his first company building customised computers for clients in Suffolk. He graduated from the University of London's specialist Philosophy and Theology College, where he become devoted to collaborative Open Source technol- ogies, which he has worked with ever since. For five years he advocated for a German-based NGO, work- ing throughout Europe as a public speaker and cam- paign organiser, before moving into Open Source pro- ject management and marketing.

He was recently awarded the Entrepreneurial Scholar- ship from Tagesspiegel (a German national newspa- per) to complete an Executive MBA degree at the Eu- ropean School of Management and Technology, Ber- lin. While studying he leads Open Source email mar- keting firm phpList Ltd. as Chief Executive. 6 7 History of Orwell Park

The Foundation of Orwell Park School is producing a history of Orwell Park School. This hard backed coffee table sized publication will cover the years from Eaton House, Crespigny House, Aldeburgh Lodge and the war years, all the way through to the move to Orwell Park and to the present day. There will be sponsorship oppor- tunities which will secure a mention in the book. The book is being written by Edwina Langley (below). If anyone has any memorabilia or archive material that they would be willing to either donate or lend to the school please could they, in the first instance, get in touch with Sarah Kirby-Smith. Edwina Langley is a journalist based in London. She started her career at The Lady, England's longest running women's weekly. Over four years, she worked across editorial, PR and Market- ing, interviewing such figures as Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave, singer Katherine Jenkins and chef Clarissa Dickson Wright. From there, she moved on to edit luxury lifestyle magazine, Absolutely Chelsea. Under her editorship, the magazine featured interviews with a diverse range of high profile individuals, from explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes to gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh, footballer Frank Lampard and model Jodie Kidd. Two years later, she went freelance, and has since contributed to publications including Grazia, STYLIST, Mail on Sunday's You magazine and London Evening Stand- ard online. Edwina’s grandfather, James Langley, and uncle, Roderick Langley, attended Aldeburgh Lodge and Orwell Park School respectively.

View of the Ha-Ha from c.1876 showing Colonel Tomline’s Tower 7 8 10k and Fun Run for Charity

We will be hosting the second 10k Race and Fun Run on Saturday 18th March 2017 at 2.00pm. This event is open to all friends and family of Orwell Park and is in aid of our three chosen charities this year (St Elizabeth Hos- pice, Meningitis Research Foundation and Facing the World). We are inviting Old Orwellians to join us for the Fun Run or the 10k. If anyone would like more information, please contact Caroline Brunt on [email protected]. The 10k was won last year by Old Orwellian Harry Golding. Every pupil in Years 4 to 8 will once again have the opportunity to participate in the 3k Fun Run and to dress up in fancy dress, if they wish. Children aged 8 and under are welcome to run but must be accompanied by an adult. The 3km route is entirely on school grounds and this year we have added a 1.5k run (one lap of the 3k route), which may be more suitable for very young participants. Adults are very welcome to run any of the three distances! Can you help? We are again looking for sponsorship for this big event to help with the organisational costs and possibly to pro- vide goody bags should appropriate items become available. If you are able to contribute in any way, please can you let Caroline Brunt know as soon as possible. For ease of communication it would help us enormously if we were able to keep in touch with as many Old Or- wellians as possible by email. We are building a programme of events for Old Orwellians throughout the year, and communication by email would not only keep administrative costs down but would also make a difference environmentally. If any Old Orwellian would like to receive communications from school by email in the future please do let me know by email on [email protected]. We do understand that this might not be possible or convenient for some OOs, so hard copies will still be sent as required.

Future Events

19th January 2017 24th June 2017 Two decade OO Drinks Party (1990-2010), Old Orwellian Day, Orwell Park The Reform Club, London

7th May 2017 10th November 2017 OO Golf Day Half Century Club Lunch, London Contacts Adrian Brown, Headmaster Sarah Kirby-Smith, Old Orwellian Secretary Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01473 659225 Tel: 01473 653274

Bernadette Ross-Smith, Registrar Sally Webber, Headmaster’s PA Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01473 653224 Telephone: 01473 653297 8