The Silhillian 2019 P E I A R S T E V E R A N A I T N A R E E V P E R S Solihull c1936 THE SILHILLIAN 1 Welcome to the new look Silhillian From the Chairman of the OSA Committee, Barry Allen (Windsor 1968-1975) At school, I always seemed to be answering exam questions on the topic of “revolution or evolution?” The production of this Silhillian magazine in conjunction with the school’s Development and Old Silhillians’ Office might seem like a revolution, but it is really a natural evolution of the Association’s relationship with the school. We are indebted to the school for the increasing energy which is being put into widening contacts within the Old Silhillian community and between Old Silhillians and the school. That can only make us a more inclusive organization – to the benefit of a much wider group – and it is reflected in the varied content of this magazine. Enjoy it, and please provide feedback on what you would like to see in future editions. Ultimately, we all share a common – perhaps short, but often very significant – period in our lives. The Association exists to maintain links between us and to help, where we can, the pupils to face a challenging world. Please get involved if you are able to. Barry Allen (Windsor 1968-1975). Finally, we are looking forward to our centenary in 2021. That will be a special year in the history of the Association. Barry Allen, Chairman of the OSA Committee Barry’s first year in the 1st XV during the 1972/73 season 2 THE SILHILLIAN THE SILHILLIAN 3 The President’s Letter Contents OSA President 2019 Simon Griffiths (Pole 1990-1998) Regulars Features 1 The Chairman’s Welcome 10 The Retiring Malcolm Lawrie A warm welcome from Barry Allen to the new look Silhillian Reflections on the previous editor and his nineteen years I am pleased to report that my year as President has 2 The President’s Letter in post Retiring president Simon Griffiths looks back on his year 27 Alumni Memories been as varied and enjoyable as I had hoped. in office David Roberts looks back on his school days 4 The Headmaster’s Report 29 Solihull in the ’60s David Lloyd on news from the school Jonathan Wearing wonders if it ever swung First, a thank you to the clubs and societies that have extended 12 Retiring Staff 30 From Solihull to the Far East such a warm welcome to me over the course of the year. It has Thank you and goodbye to staff leaving the school Hugh Peyman’s journey to becoming a world expert been a great privilege to represent the alumni at these events 23 OSA Trust Update on China and to report back on the activities of the Old Silhillians. With an update from the Shenstonian Lodge 33 Life After May 24 Thank you Alumni Ed de Minckwitz on a turbulent year in No 10 Gratitude to former pupils for volunteering in school 34 The Auster Cricket Match Similarly, my gratitude goes to the Thirty-six years of a family and friends summer fixture school for the many opportunities to 28 Alumni News attend and participate in Solihull life. 36 Celebrating Silhillian Families 38 The Alumna Interview Despite my loyalty to Harry Rickman’s Three generations of The Levengers Current pupil Georgie Hart talks to award winning Sixth Form musicals in Big School, one TV Producer Karen Steyn 44 Past OSA Presidents could not help but be blown away by the 40 A Sense of Purpose spectacle and professionalism of Made in 55 Births, Engagements and Marriages Fleet Street Editor Ian MacGregor returns to school for Dagenham, whilst performing a reading News of alumni’s life events Speeches at the Nine Lessons and Carols will 56 In Memoriam remain a memory to cherish. 42 In Conversation with… Obituaries of staff and alumni Guy Cuthbertson talks to former teacher and recipient of the Croix de Guerre, John Jammes The formation of the Old Silhillians and Alumni Committee, and my involvement Updates 54 The Dubai Rugby 7’s with it, has been one of the most Solihull School Greyhounds 7’s interesting parts of my year. It was a 6 Meet the Team 61 The Silhillian Fund logical step that the school and the Old The staff of the Development and Old Silhillians Office What it is, what it does and how you can help future Silhillians, having worked with each other 7 The OSA President Elect generations thrive at Solihull for so long, should amalgamate in this Peter Earl looks forward to his coming year in office way. United by our common interest in ensuring the school community extends 8 News from the Bursary beyond those days spent at Solihull, A campus update from Richard Bate Old Silhillians Association Limited Officers this combined approach is set to reap 14 Alumni Events benefits for the school and the alumni for Catch up on all the events this year and Committee for 2019 years to come. 22 Forthcoming Events President: Simon Griffiths Yet, if you will indulge me, my happiest Dates for your diary and proudest moment at Solihull this 26 Careers President Elect: Peter Earl year was not in my capacity as President. Rhian Chillcott explains how you can help current pupils This September, twenty years (well, Immediate Past President: Jamie Clapham 45 Solihull School Community twenty-one in my case) since my wife Stay in touch online and reconnect with school and and I walked out of Solihull as pupils, Chairman: Barry Allen your friends we walked back in with our eldest as Treasurer: Steve Urry he started his first day in J1. He will 46 The Merger journey through the school as it goes Chairman of Governors, Mark Hopton explains our future Secretary: Peter Davies through one of the most exciting times with Saint Martin’s in its history. Like you, I look forward to 48 This Sporting Life Facilities Director: Max Levenger welcoming him to the alumni, and seeing News of some of our alumni who are forging ahead in their Communications Director: Harry Morgan how much they have developed, when sporting careers he joins them in eleven years. 50 News from the Club House Headmaster: David Lloyd Peter Davies on the Memorial Clubhouse and Grounds General members: Simon Westwood, Rupert Young, 51 Sports Clubs John Harrison, Laurence White, Graham Loader, Dan Super, Reports from John Harrison and Martyn Hurdley Peter Earl, Aoife Mannion Simon and his wife Amy (née Harris, Pole 1997-1999) with their son Harry 4 THE SILHILLIAN THE SILHILLIAN 5 I would like to offer my most grateful thanks to Malcolm Lawrie for almost two decades of service to the Silhillian magazine and the management of the OSA. Editing the magazine for The Headmaster’s report nineteen years was a true labour of love, demonstrating Malcolm’s unquestionable dedication to the school community. David EJJ Lloyd, Headmaster September 2019 will go down in the school’s history as a most significant date – one to rival the admission of girls into the Sixth Form in 1973 and throughout the school in 2005. Following considerable research, for staff, with over 70 teachers and discussion and professional advice, support staff qualified, and Wellbeing we took the decision to merge with and Personal Development. We fully Saint Martin’s School, with the new intend to maintain strong momentum in combined school opening its doors for this crucial area. One of our three aims the first time in September 2020. This is “community,” and maintaining a sense is a very exciting change: together we of family and exemplary levels of care hope to create the region’s leading 3-18 remain our uppermost concerns. It is coeducational day school. my belief that the best of two historic and successful schools will combine to So, what will the school look like in offer an outstanding education to current approximately twelve months’ time? pupils and to those in the future. My strong expectation is that the school, called Solihull and with me as In all of this we recognise that change its Headmaster, will begin with about of this magnitude will be challenging. 1,500 pupils split across two sites. There will be stumbling blocks and Infants and juniors will be based on the questions, moments of rethinking and Saint Martin’s Campus and seniors here learning. Sometimes it will be stressful on the Warwick Road Campus. Day and sometimes we will struggle, but it care provision will also be a feature of will also be exciting and our legacy will the new school. It will encompass the be the school we create. It will bring new ethos, values, traditions and Christian conversations and new ways of working, foundations of both the existing schools, it will make us ask questions we haven’t and we have a unique opportunity previously considered, and we will to broaden the curriculum and co- become even better and even stronger curriculum by combining the best of with a school that stands front and centre both. I anticipate increased opportunities in the West Midlands region. for pupils and staff and a school to be immensely proud of. In changing times, and with the economic, political and educational Our academic and pastoral priorities will landscape increasingly uncertain, it is not change. Thus far, we have invested my hope that this merger will secure the heavily in school nursing, counselling, future of the new school for the next 460 Mental Health Youth First Aid training years.