AUTUMN WINTER 2020
OP
IN THIS ISSUE FEATURE THE PERSE IN SINGAPORE ARCHIVE WE (ALMOST) NEVER CLOSE CAREERS WORKSHOP CHANGING CAREER STAFF PROFILE GAIL HAGUE
CONTENTS 03
From the Head
06 FEATURE
04
School News
06
The Perse in Singapore
OPs living and working in Singapore
12 Archive We (almost) never close
13
13 Campaign Update
CAMPAIGN UPDATE The latest news of An Enduring Gift
14
campaign
Donor Lists
16 OP News
18 Careers Workshop
18
20 Staff Profile: Gail Hague
£ 21
Obituaries
24
Upcoming Events
ON THE COVER Grace Hutchinson (Year 7)
CAREERS WORKSHOP Time for a change?
20
won the 2020 Heller Prize
STAFF PROFILE
with her oil painting based
Hear from Gail Hague
on the competition theme of 'Buildings and Bloom'. Read more about her art work on page five.
FROM SCHOOL THENEWS HEAD
THE PERSE EXPLORATION SOCIETY IS BACK! YEAR 8 AND 9 PUPILS ENJOYED A SAFE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AT LITTLE ABINGTON IN OCTOBER, FOLLOWING ALL THE LATEST COVID-19 REGULATIONS.
From the Head
P
erspective is an essential human quality
meaning a pupil tested in period 1 can be back
that comes with life experience and as such
for period 3 assuming a negative result! Covid-19 has thrown us all challenges, and I am
can be lacking in the young. This coupled
with hormones and changes in the adolescent
delighted by The Perse response. Pupils and staff
brain explains why some teenagers can be prone
have adjusted their daily routines, our cleaners are
to over-reactions.
doing a wonderful job to keep us safe, and our caterers are producing excellent lunches in difficult
But if the youthful inexperience of students means they can lack perspective, the age of the school can
circumstances. We continue to deliver public benefit,
compensate by providing examples that put present-
albeit remotely, with staff and students producing
day challenges in their place. David Jones’s article
online learning material for the 23 primary and
on page 12 examines the occasions when in over
secondary schools in our outreach programme. And
400 years The Perse has closed. It is a short article
the generosity of Old Perseans has helped us fund
because there haven’t been many such times, but
emergency hardship bursaries so that families hit hard
bubonic plague in 1666 and the Luftwaffe in 1941 did
by the health and economic effects of the pandemic
force previous Heads to close the school.
can keep their children at The Perse. When life falls apart around children, the continuity and stability of
In 2020 The Perse never completely shut, and
their education are essential.
throughout the lockdown we were open to the
Despite the headwinds and the turbulence, The
children of key workers – many of whose parents
Perse continues to do what it has always
were busy on the neighbouring Addenbroke's hospital
done and focus on the academic, pastoral
site. We are now delighted to be fully re-open and enjoying the benefits of face-to-face (if socially
and the extra-curricular development
distant) teaching, ultra-clean classrooms (pupils
of pupils. We are well placed to survive and thrive, and if The Perse can see off
disinfect desks before and after use), and fresh air (classroom windows are wide open whatever
bubonic plague in 1666 it can overcome
the weather).
Covid-19 in 2020.
Alongside these traditional infection
With best wishes, Ed Elliott
control measures, we have acquired our own Samba II PCR testing machine with Covid-19 results in less than 90 minutes – 3
OLD PERSEANS
School News
SARAH WADDINGTON retires Staff, pupils and parents at The Pelican came together in July to wish Head Sarah Waddington
EXAM RESULTS 2020
all the best for her retirement after a decade of outstanding and inspirational leadership. The
The cancellation of public exams due to the Covid-19 pandemic
new Head, Francesca Heftman, took over in
means that 2020 I/GCSE,
September 2020.
A Level and Pre-U results were calculated using the higher of centre-assessed (teacher) grades or the exam board standardised grades. At A Level, 144 (83%) of Perse students achieved three or more grades at A or A* (or Pre U equivalent) and 75 Perse students obtained 3 or more A* grades (or Pre U equivalent). At GCSE, 87% of Perse entries were graded 9 or 8, which is broadly equivalent to the former GCSE A* grade. The 9–7 rate (broadly equivalent to A*A) was 97%, while 67% of entries were graded at 9. Congratulations to all students who have worked hard over many months in extremely trying circumstances. Final 2020 A Level and Pre U grades will not be known until January 2021, as students who are not satisfied with their exam board standardised grades were able to appeal and/or sit public exams this autumn.
BRITISH INDOOR ROWING records
COVID-19 TESTING at The Perse To reduce any further disruption to
broken by Perse student
Ed Gaskarth (Lower Sixth) has rowed his way to record-breaking brilliance – without taking to
teaching and learning at The Perse, we have acquired a Samba II testing machine, enabling us to test pupils and staff with Covid-19 symptoms. Pupils
the water. In April, he
and staff who test negative for Covid-19
clinched the British
symptoms are able to quickly return to
indoor rowing record
school, assuming they are well and no
for distance covered
one in their household has symptoms.
in 30 minutes in the men’s heavyweight (above 75kg) 17–18 age category. Using a machine with slides, in which the movement is more akin to regular
FUNDRAISING FOR Jamie's Wood
In October we held a non-uniform day to raise money for
rowing, Ed chalked up 8,257
Jamie's Wood – a
metres while competing in the virtual Concept 2 Spring VIII
rewilding project on
Series. Not content with setting one standard, Ed has since
the Glenlude Estate
added three more national records to his tally, including 1,290
on the Scottish
metres for distance covered in four minutes, rowing 10,000
borders planted
metres in 35min 25.6sec and 2,000 metres in 6min 20.2sec.
in memory of Jamie Gardiner (2013).
Ed, who rows for the Cambridge ’99 club, said: “I’ve used
Will Aitchison and other members of
trying to break the records more as motivation and goal-
the Class of 2013 put together a video
setting without the racing season rather than as a replacement
assembly about Jamie for pupils to
or consolation for not being able to go on the river. However,
watch, and the day raised £2,046.77. You
it is nice to be able to feel like I have pushed myself as
can find out more about the project, or
much as possible on a piece and records are a bonus.”
make a donation, at jamieswood.carrd.co. 4
SCHOOL NEWS
KIERAN GALVIN
LOCKDOWN music During lockdown, The Perse music department embarked on a number of virtual projects. The Lockdown Classical Choir performed the first and final movements of Vivaldi’s uplifting Gloria, whilst pupils from the Pelican, Prep and Upper schools joined with parents and OPs to create a 72-musician strong Lockdown Orchestra, performing Trepak (Russian Dance) from The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky. More modern
PERSE CRICKETER delighted to make Essex debut
ensembles performed
Talented cricketer Bella Howarth (Year 11) made her 1st XI debut for Essex
Coldplay’s Adventure of a
women’s team at the age of 15. Bella played for Essex as they lost by 10
Lifetime and Lovely Day in
wickets in their final London Championship match of the season, away to a
remembrance of the late Bill
strong Kent side featuring internationals such as England’s Tash Farrant and
Withers. You can watch all
Scotland star Sarah Bryce. Bella said: “Kent are probably the strongest side
of the performances online
in the country in women’s cricket and they definitely proved that on the day.
via The Perse’s YouTube
Playing against them showed me the standard I need to achieve if I want to go
Channel – youtube.com/
further. It was definitely a learning experience for me and I will try to take the
ThePerseSchoolCambridge.
professionalism that was shown on the day into age-group cricket.”
PERSE PUPIL has a brush with success Grace Hutchinson (Year 7) has double cause for celebration courtesy of her artistic talents. One of her paintings, Self Portrait: Me and the Blue-Footed Booby Chick, was chosen to feature in the Royal Academy of Arts’ Young Artists’ Summer Show, while another has won The Perse’s prestigious Heller Prize for Creative Arts. Grace, whose favourite artists include JMW Turner for “the incredible detail and vagueness of his paintings” and David Hockney for his use of “very cheerful and vibrant colours”, added that she had long had a passion for art. She said: “I love drawing and painting because it’s surprisingly calming. It’s really fun and I think it’s amazing when you get to see the final piece.”
5
OLD PERSEANS
THE PERSE IN SINGAPORE The Perse is an increasingly global community with OPs across the world radiating our core values. We hear from four OPs who are currently living and working in Singapore, followed by an update from The Perse School Singapore which opened its doors in January 2020.
6
SCHOOL FEATURE NEWS
MY GAINING A PLACE TO READ LAW AT CAMBRIDGE WAS REALLY A TEAM EFFORT. I AM THANKFUL TO MY PARENTS FOR CHOOSING THE PERSE AND I AM VERY PROUD TO CALL MYSELF AN OLD PERSEAN.
HIT1912 / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Mr Gant, Mrs Goodman and
client queries, discussing potential
Mr Elliott. Nigel Richardson was
remedies and strategies, replying
everything a headmaster should
to correspondence from opposing
be, a true leader who brought
counsel, drafting formal opinions,
out the best in everyone. He took
pleadings, or affidavits, attending
the three potential Oxbridge law
court hearings or negotiating
applicants under his wing that year,
settlements. Occasionally, a matter
and we were able to approach
will go to full trial. No two days
our interviews with confidence
are ever the same. I am fortunate
thanks to his guidance. I made
to be able to stay true to my inner
wonderful friends at The Perse, in
science geek, particularly when I
particular Debby [Fan] and Viktoria
am engaged in patent litigation
[Kibalchenko]. We attended
– some interesting cases have
each other’s weddings, we now
involved fire retardant clothing,
have children who are about the
refrigerants, petrochemicals and
same age. Incredibly, we have
pharmaceuticals. With seniority
managed to stay in touch even
came the responsibilities of client
though we live in separate corners
development, managing teams
of the globe. My gaining a place
and dealing with operations such
to read Law at Cambridge was
as IT, training, human resource
really a team effort. I am thankful
and finance. The upside of
to my parents for choosing The
working at a family firm is that
Perse and I am very proud to
operational decisions are always
call myself an Old Persean.
made taking into account the
My career path since has been
long-term best interests of the
part fate, part destiny, and much
firm. For example, lawyers tend
of it is still unwritten. My parents
to love their paper and physical
are both attorneys, specialising
files, but our firm invested in
in intellectual property law in
IT infrastructure to support a
Singapore and Malaysia. I chose to
paperless environment as early
train at another firm and practiced
as 2012. This was an incredible
commercial litigation and banking
advantage when Covid-19 hit
law. It was hard work and long
and we managed to seamlessly
hours but I was fortunate to receive
transition to working from home.
the best training under some
Singapore is a wonderful place
outstanding legal practitioners.
to live and work, and an incredibly
Eventually, I decided to join the
safe place for children to grow
family firm. 15 years later, working
up. It’s not just Crazy Rich Asians,
from home in Singapore amid the
shopping malls and skyscrapers!
global Covid-19 pandemic, I know I
There are lots of outdoor spaces in
WHEN I JOINED The Perse in
made the right call. My parents are
the form of parks, nature reserves
1997, the School had only recently
the real trailblazers, they have built
and hiking trails hidden in the
started admitting girls, and there
an amazing team of professionals
jungles. Singapore is where I met
were only very few of us. The
and a solid client base. We are
my husband, Jean-Christophe
Perse was particularly strong at
a boutique firm, so we are able
(JC). We are incredibly proud
the sciences, which suited me well.
to offer a more personalised
parents to our two boys, Nicolas
I spent many happy hours with
service while maintaining
and Hugo. Who knew my time at
some exceptional Teachers – Mrs
exceptionally high quality.
The Perse surrounded by boys was
Denise Mirandah (1999)
McFarlane, Mr Daniels, Dr Graham, Mrs Hague, Mr Kirby, Dr Welland,
On a given day I could be
a harbinger of things to come! I
receiving a new brief, answering
would not have it any other way.
7
OLD PERSEANS
training in Brazilian jiu jitsu at the largest martial arts gym in Singapore, Evolve MMA. I had covered many amateur martial arts events as a ringside doctor, and was then invited to cover larger professional mixed martial events held by One Championship in Singapore and across Asia. The hardest part of being a ringside doctor is making a snap judgement call whether or not to stop a fight in front of a live audience of thousands, and a televised audience of millions. Unconscious athletes and those with suspected
Alan Cheung (1995) I MOVED TO SINGAPORE six
it was a regret to give up my
spinal injury must be evacuated
arts subjects to pursue science
safely from a ring or cage which is
and eventually medicine.
four feet off the ground.
Outside of the classroom, I
As rugby injuries resemble
family in Asia. I am a Consultant
most enjoyed playing for Adrian
martial arts injuries, I also began
Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising
Roberts' invincible 4th XV Rugby
covering international rugby events
in robotic joint replacement
team, and expeditions with the
as a matchday doctor and became
and sports injuries. Outside of
5th Cambridge Scouts led by
a World Rugby educator. A recent
the operating theatre I am the
Richard Crabtree alongside my
highlight was representing the
team doctor for the Wrestling
good friend Richard Whittington.
Singapore Rugby Union medical
Federation of Singapore, ringside
Getting lost in Snowdonia and
team at the Rugby World Cup last
doctor for One Championship
camping in Churston Ferrers
year in Japan.
(Asian equivalent to the UFC
are cherished memories.
years ago to be closer to my
mixed martial arts franchise) and
In my mid-teens I dislocated
My advice to all students is that family comes first. Happiness
matchday doctor for events such
both shoulders playing for
tends not to come from wealth
as the HSBC Rugby Sevens and
Cambridge Rugby Club. This began
and a high flying career, but more
SuperRugby.
a lifelong interest in anatomy,
from the quality of relationships
sports medicine and injury.
that you have with friends and
immigrants who never finished
Applying for medicine was mostly
loved ones. Emotional intelligence
school and had a limited command
a process of trial and error with
is an important lifeskill that is not
of English. Working long hours in
no real advice given on interview
gained easily. Meeting people
the catering industry and making
technique, and I was amused and
from all backgrounds and learning
many sacrifices, they saved enough
impressed on a recent visit to The
their perspective helps. Working a
to send me to the best school in
Perse to see a whole department of
variety of summer jobs was useful
the region – The Perse, for which I
UCAS advisors in residence.
for me in that regard. Take time to
My parents were Hong Kong
After my first anatomy lesson at
educate yourself financially, and
University College London Medical
learn to save and invest from an
at The Perse Prep, with its unique
School I realised that I wanted to
early age. Don't always choose the
flora, under the excellent pastoral
become a surgeon, and eventually
safe option, you can afford to take
care of Miss Bedford, Mrs Halbert
specialised in Orthopaedics. I enjoy
some risks in life. The road that is
and Miss Hurst. The atmosphere
the technical aspects of a wide
less travelled is usually the most
was different at the Upper, where
range of surgeries in Orthopaedics
interesting. Finally, being educated
Martin Stephen informed us that
which generally yield excellent
at The Perse is like winning the
we were now small fish in a big
results. I also enjoy treating injured
lottery in life. It is your duty to help
pond. I found the Mummery system
patients of all ages and abilities who
those less fortunate than yourself.
(based on Elizabethan theatre
usually return to sports and have a
Qui facit per alium facit per se!
where students acted out plays)
high quality of life. I now specialise
a unique and enjoyable way of
in robotic joint replacement surgery
@dralancheung
learning English. I continued to
and sports injuries.
www.ioc-ortho.com
am eternally grateful. My happiest years were spent
enjoy English as taught by the indomitable Tony Porter, and
My involvement in ringside medicine began when I started 8
SCHOOL FEATURE NEWS
Edward Russell (2008)
of high school, I decided to do
when I first accepted the offer,
my undergrad at the University
but sharing bunk beds with fellow
I REMEMBER FONDLY my
of Western Australia and, given
models certainly wasn't part of
formative years revolving around
that I had very little idea what
it. What it did allow me though
The Perse, so much so that my
I actually wanted to pursue, I
was not just the opportunity to
family moved from London to
kept it as broad as possible by
travel – Bangkok, Hong Kong,
Cambridge just so I could attend
studying both a Bachelor of Arts
Thailand, Singapore, Taipei, just to
The Perse Prep and my sister, The
and a Bachelor of Commerce.
name a few of the cities I lived in
Pelican. I still recall making the
Five years and two degrees later,
– but also the opportunity to gain
move from Trumpington Road
inspiration was still unfortunately
experience in front of the camera.
to Hills Road to start First Form
yet to strike and so a couple more
and how in awe I was at the size
years passed as I completed
that experience was invaluable in
of the grounds – I had finally
my post-graduate thesis.
landing me a job as a TV presenter
arrived! The plan – in my head
By then all I wanted to do was
Fast forward a few years and
on Fox Sports Asia, based out of
at least – was to read history at
leave the books behind and travel.
Singapore. Each day we broadcast
Cambridge following Sixth Form.
On a recent holiday to Singapore I
to over 22 different countries and
My parents had other ideas
had been scouted by a modelling
territories across Asia, and I host
though, and just before the start
agency who offered me a contract
various live shows, from Formula 1
of Third Form they uprooted the
if I ever felt like a career change,
to MotoGP, to the Bundesliga, and
family to Australia for a new life
and it suddenly felt like the
Grand Slam Tennis.
in Perth. Hale School came highly
perfect time to throw caution to
recommended by the then Perse
the wind and take the plunge.
Headmaster (Nigel Richardson)
If I’m not in the studio, I’m lucky enough to be reporting live from
I could write a whole book
various sporting events across
who was well acquainted with
purely covering the two years
the globe, but I would have to say
Hale’s Head at the time John
I spent travelling around Asia
my favourite on-site destination
Inverarity – he himself would
modelling but suffice to say the
without a doubt is Wimbledon. I
go on to become chairman of
entire experience was nowhere
remember one evening after having
selectors for Australian Cricket.
near as glamorous as it might
just finished a sit-down interview
initially sound. Honestly I’m not
with Roger Federer, I took a couple
really sure what I had in mind
of minutes to watch the sunset over
Despite a yearning to return to Cambridge following the end
SW16 from our camera position and wondered how it was possible that I came to be there doing what I was doing. It certainly hasn’t been a straightforward career path, and not one that I could have ever envisaged, but I can confidently say that it all began with The Perse.
IT CERTAINLY HASN’T BEEN A STRAIGHT FORWARD CAREER PATH, AND NOT ONE THAT I COULD HAVE EVER ENVISAGED, BUT I CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY THAT IT ALL BEGAN WITH THE PERSE.
9
OLD PERSEANS
are) the preferred sport for me! I
other countries whilst undertaking
was interested in hockey, cricket
short-term projects. Travelling and
and squash as well as engaging in
meeting clients is a significant
several sporting events organised
part of my job, and has given me
by the boarding house. It certainly
many chances to see the world
was healthy to be outside and
and immerse in a diverse range of
breathing cool, crisp air.
local cultures. However, such an
When I graduated from The
international career presents its
Perse, I went to the University of
own challenges; business etiquette
Newcastle to study Mechanical
varies across the world, and you are
Engineering, followed by
constantly adapting to the differing
Brunel University in London to
needs and wishes depending on
complete my Masters. I decided
location. As expected, Covid-19 has
to study Mechanical Engineering
added to these challenges as the
WHEN THE REQUEST came
because of the immense scope
varying legislative and procedural
through to pen a few thoughts
of career options for those
responses to the pandemic
about my years at The Perse, many
with the qualification, including
have added to pre-existing
fond memories came flooding back.
manufacturing, robotics, electrics
differences across the globe.
I had the opportunity to study at
and automation! My career after
The Perse and live in its boarding
graduation started in the oil and
for the last 12 years with my wife
facilities. The boarding facilities
gas industry, which is where I
and children, but continue to
taught me very different things
have stayed. I started as a Project
travel for around 14 weeks every
to the school, nonetheless both
Engineer in the design and
year. Singapore is a multi-cultural
were instrumental to my academic,
installation of offshore platforms,
country with English being the
professional, and self-development.
FPSOs and subsea structures. My
official language for communication
Before joining The Perse, I had
work required a lot of travel, and
and correspondence. Singapore
spent most of my childhood either
there were certainly challenging and
is centrally located in Asia, and
at home in Sri Lanka or abroad,
unpleasant moments when I was
hence most residents tend to take
depending on the nature of my
offshore. This was mainly due to the
short breaks over the holidays
dad’s career. He was an engineer
unfavourable weather conditions,
to enjoy the diverse culture they
who specialised in highway and
as well as being in an environment
are surrounded by. The public
high-rise building construction.
with nothing more to do other than
transport system is immaculate
At that time, given the focus on
work, eat, and sleep. Fortunately, I
– easily accessible, cost effective,
improvement and new infrastructure
do not have to deal with the same
and efficient. The grocery stores
within many developing countries,
challenges now. Nevertheless, my
and supermarkets have ingredients
the demand and opportunity to
current role as Asset Manager
for various different cuisines – I
work abroad was a very exciting
for BWO Offshore in Singapore
can find Yorkshire puddings pretty
possibility for engineers like my dad
certainly presents new challenges to
easily here and they taste just fine!
and their families. Hence, when I
be managed and experiences to be
Singaporeans and residents of
arrived at The Perse, it was indeed
gained. Asset management involves
Singapore like their food, and eating
a new and interesting environment
systematically managing company
is practically a national pastime. The
for a teenager like myself. The
efficiency to benefit business
local cuisine is delicious – the Indian
learning (academic or otherwise)
productivity, and often involves
curries and the Malay rendangs
never stopped – lessons extended
making quick and bold decisions in
are a must try! Then there are the
beyond the walls of the classroom.
unpredictable circumstances which
famous Chilli Crabs which can be
The Perse is certainly where I learnt
are near-impossible to forecast.
eaten with rice or bread. You could
to be independent, confident, and
Whilst such a role can be stressful
try the famous Durian, the “King” of
gain the skills that would take me
and intermittently affect my work-
all Fruits, although they are not for
into the world of work. I made many
life balance, decisions which result
everyone – a love or hate delicacy
friends that came from a diverse
in productivity increases fill asset
for which I am personally not a fan.
range of different cultures and
managers with immense satisfaction
I do not want to spoil the adventure
backgrounds, offering me insight to
and makes my work very fulfilling.
by revealing all. I shall leave you with
Vijay Mahindran (1991)
I have now lived in Singapore
the above and trust it is enough to
the values that others hold true and
The industry I picked certainly
develop a sense of respect. Despite
gave me the global experience to
entice you to visit Singapore and
the disciplined routine I found
live and work in various countries
experience the colours, culture
time to engage in sports, although
(Scotland, Norway, Dubai, Qatar,
and creativity on which this special
chess and bridge were (and still
and Singapore) as well as travel to
island thrives.
10
SCHOOL FEATURE NEWS
Exciting times at The Perse School Singapore The Perse School Singapore opened its doors in January 2020 for pupils aged five to 11.
T
he school is in Upper Bukit Timah, a residential area in Singapore just at the foot of the Bukit Timah nature reserve which is Singapore’s
oldest virgin rainforest area and its highest peak. There are over 50 pupils at the school spanning across the year groups, with more starting in January 2021. The school in Singapore shares the same four core values of The Perse in Cambridge – intellectual curiosity and scholarship, endeavour, breadth and balance, and respect for one another and our environment. Just like The Perse Cambridge, it strives to nurture the children’s potential, build their confidence and prepare them for the future. We can already see that the supportive environment is helping ensure that Perse pupils are intellectually curious and emotionally intelligent thinkers, eager to engage in the world around them, sensitive to the needs and beliefs of others, but still with the courage of their own convictions.
due to the Covid-19 pandemic and The Perse
The broad and innovative curriculum closely follows
Singapore moved to online learning. Feedback
the Cambridge Primary programme, incorporating
from parents was very positive.
Singapore maths as well as daily Mandarin lessons.
In August pupils returned to school with great
Class sizes are small and lessons are delivered by
excitement. Since then, pupils and staff have been
subject-specific teaching staff. Another similarity with
having a very busy and fun term. Activities have
The Perse Prep includes regular sporting activities
ranged from Orientation Week 2020, celebrating
such as swimming, which takes place at the Rainforest
the Mid-Autumn Festival, playing hockey, to Book
Sports Hub, five minutes away from the site.
Club, and house activities. The Perse Singapore
The staff and pupils have coped well with the
has the same houses as The Perse Prep Cambridge
challenges of the last six months. During part of
(Barbarians, Foresters, Nomads and Corinthians)
the summer term, schools were closed in Singapore
which the children love, as they have a common goal with their counterparts in Cambridge. Pupils at The Perse Singapore have written to pupils at The Perse Cambridge. There has been much excitement when the children have written to a child the same age as them from the UK. Similarly, the pupils back in the UK have been eager to reply. This is a great opportunity for pupils to learn about the similarities in the schools, what the children’s favourite subjects are, and how life differs in each country. It is another great way to continue the connections between both schools. The Perse Singapore is owned by Chip Eng Seng, a Singapore based property development, construction and education company. The Perse School Cambridge International has worked with The Perse School Singapore to ensure the successful transfer of The Perse ethos, values, and curriculum, ensuring both schools have the same high standards. 11
OLD PERSEANS
Archivist’s Account
We (Almost) Never Close The partial closure of the school site during the summer term, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is almost without precedent in the school’s history.
B
ut not quite. The longest comparable shutdown came in the autumn of 1666, when the plague forced George Griffiths to close the school for up to two terms. The records are few, but deaths occurred in
the families of several pupils, and presumably some boys also died. The town experienced restrictions similar to the 2020 ‘lockdown’: Stourbridge Fair was cancelled, pest houses were set up on Coldham’s Common for the infected, armed watchmen prevented travellers from entering the town, public meetings were prohibited, and undergraduates were sent home. The Spanish ‘flu pandemic of 1919 had no observable impact on the
School; it is not even mentioned in the school magazine or the minutes of the governors’ meetings, and no precautions were thought necessary, beyond the already existing statement in the prospectus: ‘Boys who have suffered from, or who have been accidentally exposed to, infectious illness of any kind, cannot attend the School without the Head Master’s consent, for which a Medical Certificate is required.’ The outbreak of war on 3 September 1939 delayed the start of term by a week, while classrooms were reinforced to serve as air-raid shelters. Chairman of the Governors A.B. Ramsay announced: ‘The most patriotic thing you boys can do is to carry on as usual, as far as possible.’ He added that the coming months would be a test of the nation’s character. There was no evacuation, since sustained bombing of Cambridge was not expected; yet in January 1941, the night before the start of term, The Perse was hit by incendiary bombs. Astonishingly, Headmaster Hubert Wootton had the school open within three days, lessons taking place in the nearby Technical College. The school carried on through the severe winters of 1947 and 1963, when the country was snow- and ice-bound for months. But in 2002, and on subsequent occasions, relatively light falls of snow have closed the school: pupils now come from further afield, on busier roads, and it takes very little to impede travel. The ‘flu pandemic of 1957–8 killed children PHOTOGRAPHS
of school age in particular, and a new strain
FROM THE SCHOOL
of ‘flu in 1968 was also severe, but on
ARCHIVE CAPTURING
neither occasion was the school shut. The plague that caused the first closure
THE TREMENDOUS DAMAGE TO SCHOOL
of the School had been a regular visitor for
BUILDINGS CAUSED BY
decades, but we might find it reassuring
THE 1941 BOMBINGS.
to know that after 1667 it vanished, seemingly of its own accord. David Jones joined The Perse in 1974 as a history teacher and was House Tutor at School House until 1982. He retired from teaching in 2008, but has continued at the School in his role as Archivist. 12
SCHOOL DONORS NEWS
CAMPAIGN UPDATE 2019–20 THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, this year
WHAT DID YOU SUPPORT?
we have raised over £400,000 for the School’s An Enduring Gift campaign, which supports the School’s bursary and outreach programmes. Over 100 pupils are currently able to attend The Perse due to means-tested financial assistance. Two in three recipients are awarded a bursary of 50% or more of tuition fees, and may also receive support with lunches and curricular trips.
TOTAL
£402,168
As well as offering entrance bursaries, we also provide emergency hardship bursaries to support families through hard times. This year, as a result of Covid-19, we have awarded an additional 19 means-tested hardship bursaries so that children already at the School can continue to benefit from a Perse education in these challenging times. This year saw the launch of the third Upper Sixth Leavers’ Gift campaign, which raises money for the bursary and hardship fund. The Class of 2020 parents raised over £120,000, which will make a massive difference to the next generation of Perseans. Thank you to everyone who made a gift to the campaign, as well as to Sarah Black for organising this years’ effort.
Bursaries: 59% Buildings: 2% O utreach: 4% Unrestricted: 27% Other: 8%
HOW YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE IN 2019–2020 19 ADDITIONAL OVER 100 PUPILS attend
HARDSHIP
The Perse thanks to
BURSARIES as a
means-tested bursaries
result of Covid-19
Growing our annual FUNDING OUTREACH
Perse CODING TEAM
PROGRAMMES with
CHALLENGE, which
23 local schools
saw 3000+ participants
WHO GAVE TO THE PERSE? Philanthropic Donors 2019–2020
TOTAL
417 GIFTS
this year
PROVIDED RUGBY
Establishing a
PHOTOGRAPHS
fund to INCREASE
and memorabilia
ACCESS to the
OPs: 75%
to fill in gaps in
Perse Exploration
C urrent/former staff: 1%
the archive
Society
C urrent parents: 4% Past parents and Friends of The Perse: 17%
1615
Other: 3%
Volunteered over 200
14 NEW MEMBERS of the
HOURS of expertise and
1615 Society for donors
time, including careers
who have given £1,615 or
events and lunchtime
more to the School
lectures
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE A GIFT TO THE CAMPAIGN. 13
OLD PERSEANS
DONOR LIST 2019–20 The generosity of all those who have made a donation to The Perse during the past academic year is sincerely appreciated.
Donations are listed in alphabetical order by decade at the School. Donors who have given to the School for 10+ consecutive years* Donors who are members of the 1615 Society 1615 Class of 1940s Mr P T Armitstead* The late Mr R W Gray Major E G S Lachlan Class of 1950s Mr I R Alexander* Mr J W Ashman The late Mr M G Baker* The late Mr J F Bullen* Wing Commander E B Bywater* Mr J W Charles* Dr D C H Cheng Mr A S Crawford Mr S C Foster Mr R G Gee Mr C A Greenhill Mr J M Hammond* Dr B L Hunt*1615 The late Dr P J Islip Dr P G G Jackson* Mr M D C Johnson*1615 Mr J M Kidd*1615 Mr R L Kidd Mr R A Lanham* Mr T C Laurie Mr I G Lyon Mr R R Mansfield*1615 Mr P E Mills Mr R A Neaves Dr O M G Newman Mr R C Norris1615 The Reverend Canon D W Owen* Sir Mark Potter Mr M J A Powell*1615 Mr P J D Scarlett*1615 Mr R M Scott* Mr R L Shadbolt1615 Mr D E Sibson*1615 Mr T G W Sweeney Mr R J H Wheatley*1615 Professor J A Zetter1615 Class of 1960s Mr D J Alexander* Mr T Andrew Mr J S Andrews The Reverend G A Barber Mr M J Beloe*1615 Dr B C R Bertram* Mr J A Bishopp*1615 Dr J E Bradshaw* Colonel R M G Brooks* Mr C M Byrom Mr R A Camping Dr J Cheney Professor R C Cheng*1615
Mr C D Chitty Professor J Clarke*1615 Dr A E T Cook Mr W O Cook Mr R A Covill* Mr D G Crawford*1615 Dr J M Crossman Dr H M Davies1615 Mr G R Ditcham* Mr P N Draper1615 Mr R D Eastcott Mr A J Eden Mr D I H Field* Mr E E Gibbs Mr R S Gould*1615 Mr J M Green*1615 Dr N Hamson Mr M E Harper Mr C P Harrison Mr W G Hodges Mr J R Holy*1615 Dr R W Jeffery Mr M J Lott* Mr R K Loukes Mr P J Mahaffey Dr P G N Main Dr J T B Marshall Dr M G Mason1615 Professor J L Miller1615 Professor J A Mintz Dr R F Mitchell* Dr R Murphey Mr J R Neal Mr G Palmer*1615 Mr R F Perkins Mr S J Perrin Mr R J Pinney Mr M H Pitman Mr J J Reed Mr J H Sacks1615 Mr G L Sanderson* Mr T J Sanderson Mr G A M Sims Mr P J H Smith* The Honorable R S Smith Dr M A Spencer*1615 Mr R F Squibbs Mr S J Stanley1615 Mr R D Stearn*1615 Dr S M Stearn Sir Quentin Thomas* Mr P E Thompson Mr R J Thomson Mr C V T Walne Professor A K Wensley Mr H J Wiseman Class of 1970s The Reverend R J H Beard Mr C S Bell* Mr A J M Brookes1615 Mr R H Clarke1615 Mr A C Cook1615 Mr A Cuthbert Mr S V De Boo*1615 Mr G C J Dench Mr A P Donoghue1615 Mr T R Empson Captain J P English
Mr D A Farndale Dr A J France1615 Mr T C Freane Mr J E F Gibson Mr B C Gill Mr R P Grace Mr C P Hancock*1615 Dr W G Handley*1615 Mr P A Harlow1615 Mr D E Hart* Mr M T Hawkins Dr R C Hindmarsh Mr A R Homer Mr R W F Hutt1615 Mr P J Johnson*1615 Mr B D Lanaghan1615 Mr D J Lloyd* Mr M H Massy1615 Mr K A A McFarlane Mr R I Morgan*1615 Mr S W Pain*1615 Mr R D Partridge1615 Mr W M Pattison Dr H J Pearson1615 Dr D Ramasamy Mr C F Rushton*1615 Mr R D Russell* Mr S J Scarisbrick The Reverend R C Smail Dr L M V Smith Mr J P Stevens In memory of Commander and Mrs K G Sumnall OBE1615 Mr D J Thompson*1615 Mr W D L Thompson Mr J P Tunnicliffe* Dr G D Wattles*1615 Mr G Woo Mr D T Young Class of 1980s Mr P Ansell1615 Professor J M Birkinshaw Mr A W Bligh Mr N Brownlie Mr Y Chew1615 Mr J A Collins*1615 Mr D P Dorai Raj Dr L Drake Dr M R Echlin1615 Mr A J Finch*1615 Dr A R Gande Mr R G Gardiner1615 Mr S M Groom1615 Mr I M Handley- Schachler1615 Captain P J Haslam1615 Mr M J L Kapoor Mr S G Kelly1615 Mr M J Leake*1615 Mr J M Lello* Mr S A H Lello Professor S J Martin1615 Mr T R Matthews Mr M A Melford Dr F Moscuzza* Mr J L J Newman* Mr M P Newman* Mr O O Ojehomon1615
14
Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr
J R Pedley1615 P Peglar C P Ramsey S C Riley1615 N A J Tait N J Twitchett* N P E Weeds M A Wilkinson1615 S D Wright
Class of 1990s Mr N K Amery Mr H Borno Mr P J Brotton* Mr J J Butler* Mr P C Cave-Gibbs*1615 Mr R E Challis* Mr A T W Craster Professor G Csanyi Dr R J H Dunn Mr G C Dymott1615 Mr T G A Edgar Mr N J Elvidge Dr G A W Evans Mr A Farboud Mr A Farboud Mr D M Goodridge*1615 Dr W K Hage* Mr M A Hawkes Dr W B Henry* Mr A M Herriot1615 Dr A Kumar Mr C D Lauterpacht1615 Dr V I Lesk Mr M R F Lynn Mr V Mahindran1615 Dr H K Miller Mr A G Moir* Mr T Morfett Mr R N Oakeshott Mr J R Odell* Mr N D Owers Mr M R Peachey*1615 Mr A C M Rabarts Mr S J Radford Mr W F Reeve1615 Mrs K C Rodriguez Dr T Sivayokan Mr J E B Stobbs Mr V Sujendran1615 Mrs A H P Sutherland Mr J R Thiagarajah Mr J A Trevelyan Dr M J Whitaker1615 Mr D L Young Class of 2000s Miss R A Abulafia Mr E J Aston Mr J A Bell Miss G Brunt Mr O W Callington Mr C O Carter Mr L D Clayton Mr Q P P Croft Mr G E J Dean Mrs T F Doble Mr P J H Dunn Mr T R Eccles Mr T Fawehinmi
Mr E H Fray Mr B P T Freedman Miss C M Fryers Mr B J Gamble Mr J W S Hale Mr A D Harris1615 Miss C H Higson Mr J M D Holden Mr R P Jones1615 Mr S J Keen Mr T J Latimer Mr M C Loach Mr C J Lyon Mr D S C Meese Grove Mr A J Milne Miss K E Muir-Jones Mr J E Nichols1615 Miss S E Nolasco Mr P J Norton1615 Mrs J C Oldham Miss M Patel Mr N D M Paulson Mr J Pearson Mr O Pindar Mr A D Pooles Mr A Porter Mr C D Rogers Dr S D Smart Mr S F G Smith Mr M J C Swan Dr R Tharakan Miss M L Wadham Mr Y Wang Mr R S Whittle Mrs V A Windmill Class of 2010s Mr L Blackman Mr D Chapman Mr M H Du Mr A Fanourakis Miss A M Garrett-Sinclair Mr D B Graves Mr D J Jennings Miss M B H King Mr C Kingstone Miss H Knowles Mr P Miozzo Mr A J P North Mr E Racher Mr A Q Repa Mrs C F Ryden Mr A C Shore Mr H Spiers Miss C E Taylor Miss I S Wadham Mr D Worrall Parents and Friends of the School Professor D & Professor A Abulafia* Dr & Mrs C Anderson Mr J Barker & Dr C Hubbard Dr & Mrs B Bhardwaj1615 Mrs S Black Mr D Braben & Mrs W Irvin-Braben1615 Mr & Mrs N Brent1615
SCHOOL DONORS NEWS
Mr & Mrs D Brigstocke Dr K Buse & Dr S Hawkes1615 Dr & Mrs W Cai Mr & Mrs R Chandraker Mr & Mrs S Chintala Mr & Mrs P Clarke* Dr N Cox & Dr S Booth Dr N Crockett & Dr J Greenwood Mr & Mrs E Downey Mr & Mrs H Edmundson* Dr & Mrs K Edwards Mr E C & Dr S Elliott* Mrs J Ellis* Dr & Mrs O Fawehinmi Dr P & Dr N Forouhi1615 Mr A & Dr J Frost1615 Mr & Mrs T Fryers1615 Mr & Mrs R Gardiner1615 Mr & Mrs M Gaunt Mr & Mrs S Goddard Mrs S Gordon Dr & Mrs A Grace*
Mr & Mrs R Greensitt Mr A & Dr J Hartree1615 Dr & Mrs T Hesketh*1615 Professor H Markus & Mrs P Hird Mr & Mrs S Hirtzel Mr & Ms P Hobson Mr T Huang & Ms L Zhou1615 Mr & Mrs E Humbert1615 Dr C Hunt & Dr V Stephenson1615 Mrs S Hunter Mr C Ingram Mr & Mrs D Ison1615 Mr & Mrs P Iyengar Mr & Mrs T Jackson Ms M Jones Mr & Mrs T Joyce Professor R Kemp & Mrs R Rhodes-Kemp Mr S Kern Mr M & Dr K Kingstone Mr M Last & Ms J Kershaw
Mr & Mrs N Ley Mr J Li & Mrs L Chen Mr R & Dr A Lyon1615 Professor A MacGregor & Dr C Reavley1615 Dr P Martin Ms F Martin-Redman Mr & Mrs T Mawby Mr R Nolasco & Ms L Arthur1615 Dr & Mrs C Palmer Dr A Parton & Dr A Parton Dr N Peabody & Ms B Hare Mr & Mrs P Perkins Mr M Pidgeon & Mrs K Rodney Mr J Racher & Ms K Church Mrs R Rainey*1615 Mr A Robinson & Dr J Lockie Mr & Mrs S Rosen1615 Mr & Mrs D Rosenwold
Dr R & Dr S Sewell Mr & Mrs B Shannon Dr D & Dr M Shrimpton Mr & Mrs B Singh1615 Mr & Mrs G Smith Dr S Stewart1615 Professor C Swan & Mrs C Thornton-Swan Mrs L Tibbs* Mr & Mrs A Turner Ms E Waldron Mr & Mrs M West Mrs H Whiting Mr & Mrs D Wilkinson1615 Mr T Windsor Mrs K Wright Dr L Xu & Mrs J Wang Mr & Mrs R Yeoman Mr & Mrs M Zeitlyn Dr S & Dr A Zia Mr & Mrs N Zolman1615
Organisations Amazon Smile BP Foundation Easy Fundraising Ernst & Young Fawcett Charity Perse Parents Association TTP Group and 20 anonymous donors
DR PERSE SOCIETY MEMBERS The Dr Perse Society recognises those who have made provision for The Perse in their will. Society members are listed in alphabetical order. Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr
G Addison D I Alexander D J Alexander P T Armitstead P W Bogle D Bowley & Mrs T K Boyden A J M Brookes E J N Brookes I J Burton P R G Cannell P C Cave-Gibbs
Mr J P Cheffins Dr J Cheney Mr D A W Clark Mr J R S Cope Mr E A Copeland Mr T T Dingle Mr G R Ditcham Mr P N Draper Mr A J Eden Mr M A Edwards Mr E C Elliott Mr R C H Genochio Mr R W Goddin Mr & Mrs S W Graves Mr M C L Herring
Dr C R Hunt & Dr V Stephenson Dr P G G Jackson Mr M D C Johnson Mr P J Johnson Mr D J Jones Mr A Kemp The Reverend C M Kemp Mr S W Kemp Dr G S Kenyon Mr R S & Dr A Lyon Mr R R Mansfield Mr L G D Marr Dr L P Marsh Dr R J Marsh
Mr T J Marsh Captain P McLaren Mr O P J Metherell Professor D F Nixon Mr S W Pain Mr R D Partridge Professor D M Potts Mr W F Reeve Mr J W Roberts Professor J E Salzman Dr J A Sills Mr J L Smart Mr & Mrs A P J Smith Dr M A Spencer Mrs S H Stobbs
Mr R G Thomson Dr J C Thurman Mr D G Tomlinson Mr C V T Walne Mr D T Ward Dr A G Weeds Mr R J H Wheatley Commander D G M Wilkie (RN) Dr P M Williamson Mrs K Wright and 4 anonymous members
USING YOUR GIFTS RESPONSIBLY The Perse is honoured to be the beneficiary of financial support from so many members of our community, and takes its responsibility in stewarding those gifts seriously: All money raised goes to charitable endeavours,
All bursaries are means-tested – independent
the operating costs of the Development Office
financial checks are conducted annually for
are met entirely by the School.
applicants and existing recipients of financial support, to ensure a transparent allocation system which awards bursaries to the families
If you would like to find out more about giving
most in need of support.
to The Perse, please contact the Alumni and Development Office at perseado@perse.co.uk.
15
OLD PERSEANS
OP News Seth Fletcher (2020) earned a scholarship to
Matt Timmiss (2011) has
the University of St Andrews after winning an
just released the trailer for
essay competition organised by St Andrews’
his first feature length
New Visions in Theological Anthropology
film, City of Queens. The
programme, with the title ‘How might the
film takes an explosive
science of addiction and habit formation inform
look at the real lives
the Christian belief that everyone is a sinner?’.
of seven London drag queens. The documentary champions difference and resilience, contrasting the glamour, fun and sharp-tongued humour you might expect from drag queens with stories of abuse, attacks, and past trauma dealt with through unrelenting resilience. This film goes behind the makeup to tell the unfiltered gritty human truth of their lives. You can see the trailer online here: youtube.com/matttimmiss
David Palmer (2019) had his plans for a gap year cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. In a creative re-imagination of plans, he instead embarked on a six-week ‘trip’ to six countries in which charity Tearfund is doing humanitarian work, and ‘climbed’ the highest mountain from each country, all from his own staircase. Throughout the course of the challenge, he climbed over 10,000m (equivalent to 90 times up his staircase every day for six weeks), whilst learning about the countries he was visiting and raising over £3,000 in support of Tearfund.
Zaman Akhter (2017) was named Sportsman of the Year for Oxford Brookes University for his role in the 1st XI and Oxford MCCU Cricket team. He also represented Cambridgeshire & Suffolk v Essex 2nd XI over a two-day match in August, playing alongside current Perse pupil Nikhil Gorantla (Y13) and against former Perse teammate Michael Pepper (2016).
16
SCHOOL OP NEWS NEWS
This year a number of Old Perseans were awarded university colours. Congratulations go to Zaman Akhter (2017, Cricket – Oxford Brookes), Sofia Baldelli (2018, Hockey – University of Oxford), Jasper Dix (2017, Rugby – University of Oxford), Tommy Goldberg
Ethan Aho (2020)
(2017, Hockey – University of Oxford), Dilip
won the 2020
Goyal (2015, Hockey – University of Oxford),
Cromwell Association
Henry Hackett (2017, Rugby – University of
A Level Essay Prize.
Oxford), Nick Taylor (2014, Cricket – University of Cambridge). We would love to hear from any OPs who have also received colours recently.
Donna Landy (1981) fulfilled a lifelong ambition during lockdown, by becoming a stand-up comic. After enrolling on a course with Laughing Horse Comedy in London, she undertook two days of training before her first performance, all via Zoom. Since starting in June, she has done over 50 virtual gigs, all around the world.
The Original Theatre Company, including Artistic Director Alastair Whatley (2002), have reinvented their touring productions and created ‘Original Theatre Online’ to create and share their work digitally. Since March 2020 they have streamed their 2020 productions The Habit of Art and The Croft, as well as three ‘made for online’ productions of Birdsong, Watching Rosie (starring Miriam Margolyes) and Apollo 13: The Dark Side of the Moon to over 18,000 households in 32 countries. The productions have employed over 60 freelance
Alex Coles (2018) signed a
theatre and film workers, as well
three-year contract extension
as raising money for the Royal
with Northampton Saints in
British Legion and Dementia UK.
June, moving up from the
originaltheatreonline.com
club’s academy set-up into his first senior contract.
17
OLD PERSEANS
REERS W A C O
RK SHO P £
Changing Careers A ‘career for life’ is increasingly a thing of the past, with research from the Association of Accounting Technicians showing that 46% of Britons will change careers during their working life. In this article, Tim Moule (1981) shares his personal experiences of a career change after redundancy.
H
aving been taught maths at The Perse by Mr Whittaker, Mr Pinhey, Mrs McFarlane and Mr Bradford, I went on to study maths at
Oxford University. I had planned to train as a maths teacher afterwards, and got as far as applying, but after some rejections questioned whether I had the maturity to handle a class. After a high score in a computer aptitude test (and having relevant experience in a job between school and university), I reconsidered and decided to pursue a career in IT. I duly spent 23 years working in computing. Most of the first ten years was with a major pharmaceutical
18
SCHOOL CAREERS NEWS
kindly gave me a practice interview and feedback. I also
IF YOU ARE MADE REDUNDANT MID-CAREER, TRYING TO CONTINUE IN THE SAME INDUSTRY IS OFTEN VIEWED NEGATIVELY, WHEREAS BRANCHING OUT IN A NEW CAREER IS OFTEN SEEN AS A POSITIVE MOVE.
realised that the important thing was to get a place at a nearby university; whether it was prestigious was secondary; any such place would provide competent training. It probably would have been helpful to have spoken to recently qualified teachers about the full-on nature of the course, particularly how to handle things if your mentor makes life difficult for you. There are books on being a student teacher, which I probably
company; when I was made redundant from that
should have taken the time to read long before I
I advertised myself in the user magazine for an IT
started the course. The course itself was very intensive, as well as a real
package I had used in that role. I then spent almost 13 years with a small company that provided drug
shock to the system – pupil misbehaviour took a lot
testing to companies wishing to ensure their employees
of getting used to and was very stressful. I remember
were not working under the influence of performance-
back to my time at The Perse, hearing teachers
degrading recreational drugs for safety reasons. The
discussing how they managed their classes, and
switch to a much smaller company was quite a culture
can now empathise with them! I survived the course
shock – major decisions (such as expensive purchases,
(unlike more than a third of my colleagues), and I view
or disciplinary matters) were made far more quickly.
reaching qualified teacher status as the achievement
I moved from being a small cog in a large wheel to a
of my career. By the end of it I was suffering from total
large cog in a very small wheel, and was single-handedly
exhaustion (made much worse by the 100-mile daily
responsible for the company critical system used to
round trip to and from my second teaching placement). Having trained in secondary schools, I was fortunate
store and process information about samples, which was
to be given a job at a post-16 school. The greater
much more stressful, and I was on-call even on holiday.
maturity of the pupils meant fewer behavioural
However competent you may be at your job, if you stay there long enough you are likely to be made
problems, and far more opportunities for A Level
redundant, and this happened to me in both these roles
teaching. I also did a lot of GCSE maths resit teaching,
due to site relocation; both times I decided not to move
and the impact on a pupil’s career prospects of
but to take redundancy. IT is (or certainly was then)
obtaining a grade C (now grade 4) is huge – results day
quite an ageist career, in that it is often difficult to find
can be very rewarding. After ten years in teaching (and feeling completely
another job when you are over forty, and it is easy for your IT skills to become outdated. If you are made
worn out) my finances enabled me to semi-retire, and I
redundant mid-career, trying to continue in the same
now just do some part-time tuition.
industry is often viewed negatively, whereas branching out in a new career is often seen as a positive move.
...I VIEW REACHING QUALIFIED TEACHER STATUS AS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF MY CAREER.
So whilst first time round I took the pay cut and leapt straight into another job, I had long realised that this would not be so easy the second time. Being aware of the possibility of redundancy was key, and I had felt for several years that my job with the drug-testing laboratory would come to an end sooner or later. I had been discussing options with my wife for some five years before it happened, and we had decided that I would prepare to switch to teaching, which I had looked at more than twenty years earlier. I spent a few days observing lessons in two very different schools, including one very badly behaved lesson, giving me much food for thought. I had friends from church who were teachers at these schools who helped arrange the observations, however I understand most schools will respond positively to such requests from prospective student teachers. I applied for a teacher training course, and was duly accepted (using the redundancy payment to fund it). With greater maturity and life experience I had learnt
Tim left The Perse in 1981 to study a BA in
from mistakes I had made at interviews first time round,
Mathematics at the University of Oxford.
and the general manager of the laboratory I worked for 19
OLD PERSEANS
STAFF PROFILE
Gail Hague
I
joined The Perse in September
that The Perse has allowed me
1995, the first year we took girls
to have a variety of roles, from
NAME: Gail Hague
in the Sixth Form. Before that
chemistry teacher to careers
JOINED THE PERSE: 1995
I had been Head of Chemistry
advisor, from Head of Sixth Form
SUBJECT: Chemistry
and Assistant Head of Science
girls, to Senior Tutor (overseeing
ALSO KNOWN FOR:
at Samuel Ward (now academy)
the move to co-education), then
Establishing girls’ sport
in Haverhill and then I worked at
to Assistant Head (Welfare and
and making great jam.
Parkside College in Cambridge.
Admissions) and now Registrar.
I was also Director of the Salters Chemistry Club for a while.
There are so many great aspects to teaching, but over the last 37
I have too many happy
years, the best ones for me are
memories over my 25 years at
teacher because of the teachers I
those ‘light bulb moments’ when
The Perse to mention here, but
had at school and their enthusiasm
children who have struggled with
the first girls’ hockey team (we
for what they were doing. I actually
a difficult chemistry concept
had to play on Parker’s Piece
wanted to become a PE teacher
just suddenly ‘get it’; to see their
in the old 3rd XI boys’ kit!), my
because I loved sport, but decided
confidence immediately grow is
brilliant forms/tutor groups (from
to do a chemistry degree first,
such a great feeling. Working with
the 6GFHs to the first 7N in 2010
knowing that I would be able to
children too, to build their belief in
– they know who they are), and
teach some sport as well but soon
themselves and getting them to
the laughs I have had with them,
realised that not everyone enjoyed
realise that they can do it (and that
have to stand out, as well as
sport in the same way as I did
can sometimes take a few years)
that very first charity cabaret…
so mainly stuck to the chemistry
and then seeing them really do well
teaching after that!
at the end of their school career is
teaching and pastoral roles, I
also something that has given me
am looking forward to spending
part time chemistry teacher, as
enormous pleasure over the years.
more time in my garden, walking
my children Tom and Rosie (both
The worst bits of teaching have to
and going to the gym. I’m still
OPs) were still young. Over the
be the marking and writing reports –
staying on as part time Registrar
years I have been really fortunate
give me a parents’ evening any time!
and am delighted to be able to
I was inspired to become a
I initially joined The Perse as a
Now I have retired from my
spend my school days showing
I WAS INSPIRED TO BECOME A TEACHER BECAUSE OF THE TEACHERS I HAD AT SCHOOL AND THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR WHAT THEY WERE DOING. 20
prospective students and their families around The Perse and letting them see for themselves what a very special place it is!
SCHOOL OBITUARIES NEWS
hospital, Governor of Anglia Ruskin
Obituaries
University and Norwich University of the Arts.
We are saddened to report the
He was one of the key
death of the following OPs:
businessmen in the establishment of the ‘Cambridge cluster’, which aimed to bridge the benefits from
Richard A King (1947)
the brains of the University with Gary King (1976) writes:
industry. Coming out of this the
Richard was born in 1929 and was
technology companies on the Cambridge Science Park helped
brought up at the Garden House Economics and Geography but
Cambridge become Europe’s
At school, he was a fine 800m
failed the Latin exam so events took
largest technology cluster.
athlete, captain of athletics and
a different course. He answered an
He was involved in some of
later ran for the Army. The only
advertisement in The Sunday Times
these start-ups, some floundered,
acting role he spoke about was
for management trainees with ‘fire
and some succeeded – perhaps the most notable being AVEVA, an
Hotel (now the Cambridge Hotel).
his delight when he was chosen
in their bellies’ and so his career in
to play a role in one of Peter Hall’s
the exciting world of broadcasting
information technology company
productions. Sir Peter Hall told him
began. From his first week delivering
who now are the UK’s largest
years afterwards he had only been
post, he progressed to become Sales
software company and a major
and Marketing Director of Pye Group
global player.
chosen as he had great knees! Just before he left The Perse
Television. Following an advanced
He confessed he never really
in 1947, he was called into the
management programme at Harvard
understood the technology of most
Headmasters' Office and told he
he ran Pye TVT – the world of
of the businesses he was involved
won a National English Speaking
television and outside broadcast
with but clearly knew how to build
Travelling Scholarship to America
vehicles was growing rapidly. He
and lead a good team around
with three boys from other schools.
was then asked to run 24 of the
him. He avidly supported the
Off he went on the Queen Mary,
Pye companies forming Cambridge
development and nurturing of young talent and always had great vision.
on its first trip after serving as a
Electronic Industries, which was
‘hospital’ during the war. Amongst
the first company he floated on the
other adventures he pushed a
London Stock Exchange.
trolley with $20m of gold bullion at
He was always determined to
He was proud to become an Emeritus fellow at Darwin College, Cambridge, and was awarded a CBE
Fort Knox, broadcast from the CBS
retire from whatever he was doing at
studios in the Empire State building,
60 but then wanted to devote some
and ended up having tea with
time to public service so amongst
his wife, three children, seven
President Truman in the Oval Office!
other appointments became Chair
grandchildren and seven great
of Cambridge Health authority,
grandchildren and fondly
and Vice Chair of Addenbrooke’s
remembered by many others.
Richard H Grove (1973)
secretary of the Historical Society.
Rohan D'Souza and Tom Empson
time making a harpsichord for the
(1973) write:
school, alongside Rupert Limentani.
Richard had a place at Gonville and Caius College to read
in 1991 for services to broadcasting. He will be greatly missed by
He also spent much of his free
Richard Hugh Grove, historian,
Richard undertook a BA in
geographer, environmental
Geography at Hertford College,
campaigner and advocate for
Oxford, and followed it up with
interdisciplinary environmentalism,
an MSc in Conservation Science
passed away in the early hours of the
at University College, London. It is
25th of June in Brighton, just a month
tempting, however, to see his formal
short of his 65th birthday.
academic studies as interruptions
Richard joined the Perse Prep
or supplements to an unfolding
in 1962, and left the Upper in 1973.
and wide-ranging programme of
Throughout his time at school he was
personal research, which saw him
involved in many societies, including
immersing himself in various short-
the choir, Perse Players, and was
term and far-flung projects, working
21
OLD PERSEANS
as a field-survey ornithologist
the journal Environment and
in Malawi, for instance, or as an
History and along with wife Vinita
While it is only expected that a great and brilliant mind such as
employee of UNEP, studying soil
Damodaran set the ball rolling for
Richard will be remembered for his
science in the former Yugoslavia.
starting what in later years became
many academic contributions and
a frontline research network, the
that his intellectual legacy will be
His enthusiasm for interdisciplinary environmentalism
Centre for World Environment
kept alive through interpretation
and activism intensified as he
History at Sussex University.
and interest, I believe the other
enrolled for his PhD at Cambridge,
It was also the decade when
side of the coin will actually hold more true: like the scientists,
where, even before submitting
Richard was increasingly alarmed
his thesis in 1988, he co-edited
by what the science on climate
naturalists and explorers from
with David Anderson the volume
change was indicating. He
the 17th and 19th centuries, who
Conservation in Africa – a seminal
became ever more convinced of
he so assiduously studied and
collection of path-breaking essays.
the urgency to develop narrative
documented, we will be greatly
Between 1988–92, as a British
strategies that could meaningfully
imperilled if we fail to grasp the
Academy postdoctoral fellow and
incorporate climate and weather
importance of Richard’s quest for
Director of Studies in Geography
data for explaining long term
interdisciplinary environmentalism.
at Churchill College, Cambridge,
historical and social change.
As for me, if there is a 2am knock
Between 2002 and 2006,
on my door and Richard saunters
Richard energetically joined forces with those critiquing the
Richard and Vinita organised a
in, slouches on the sofa and, once
‘diffusionist model’, which was the
series of conferences in England
again, asks for a cup of tea, I might
standard model for explaining
and India. The effort was to
be tired but not surprised. With
the transmission of scientific and
shake and reorient the field of
him, anything is still possible.
environmental ideas from Europe
environmental history in the context
to the colonies.
of climate change concerns. The
Richard’s magisterial Green
emphasis, in particular, was not only
Imperialism: Colonial Expansion,
to take stock of the rapidly growing
Tropical Island Edens and the
research output in the field but to
Origins of Environmentalism
ambitiously work towards evolving
We remember
1600–1860 published in 1995,
the idea of a ‘global synthesis’ that
John R Gerrish (Former Staff) died 17 February 2020,
received wide praise for its
went beyond national borders and
aged 83 years
exhaustive account of the impact
nationalist frameworks. Sadly, in
of colonialism on environments
December of 2006 Richard met
David K Grant (1944)
in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean
with a near fatal car accident that
died 2020, aged 94 years
and the shaping of the European
left him severely disabled.
environmental imagination through
After several painful years in
Michael R H Jeffries (1951)
ideas about the botanic garden and
which Richard was moved between
died 16 April 2020, aged
colonial conservation. More critically,
different rehabilitation centres and
88 years
Richard was able to persuasively
often hung between life and death
argue that the origins of modern
with infections and other ailments,
Maurice W Markham (1963)
western environmentalism were
he was finally able to return to his
died 6 April 2020, aged
not borne out of the European
house at Lewes under the loving
75 years
encounter with their immediate
care of Vinita and his son Edwin.
natural surroundings as much as
Despite the immeasurably tragic
Donald C Papworth (1935)
derived from their rich and varied
setback, Vinita along with some of
died 14 January 2020, aged
experiences in distant island
Richard’s friends and well-wishers
103 years
ecologies and tropical environments.
took on the near difficult task of collecting, organising and editing
Alan Saggars (1950) died
the early years of 2000, Richard
the voluminous conference outputs.
July 2020, aged 88 years
From the 1990s and well into went on to win, almost at will,
The result was the publication
academic fellowships, grants,
of the first edited volume British
John M Sellers (1960)
short-term tenures and a string
Empire and the Natural World
died 3 August 2020, aged
of research awards from some of
(2011) and the second, which
78 years
the most prestigious universities
Richard was able to gingerly
and institutes in the world. He
hold onto to acknowledge and
Norman Sofier (1949)
travelled incessantly, published
celebrate, was an edited collection
died 8 January 2020,
prolifically, sparkled at conferences,
titled Commonwealth Forestry and
aged 89 years
became a founding member of
Environmental History (2020). 22
SCHOOL OBITUARIES NEWS
Willoughby ‘Will’ Percival (1948) Mal Percival writes:
He retired in 1990 and spent
Will started at The Perse
many happy times at his holiday
Preparatory School in Bateman
home on the east coast where the
Street in 1934, at the age of
rest of the family could also stay.
four. This was very early and a
Until his late seventies he was able
concession as his father Hugh
to go on family holidays walking in
Percival was a member of staff
North Wales and the Lake District
teaching Classics and games in
with his children and grandchildren. He was interested in all sports,
the main school. He progressed through the school winning many
married in 1957, moved to Enfield
especially rugby, cricket, tennis
school prizes and becoming
and started working for Thorn
and athletics. He took his young
Head Boy in his final year. A keen
Lighting. He attended evening
daughter to the Moscow Olympics
sportsman, he was vice captain of
classes to gain the necessary
in 1980.
rugby and cricket and in the first
accountancy qualifications. He
He will be remembered for the
teams for hockey and tennis.
remained with Thorn Lighting
pleasure he took in reading, debate,
and was made Financial Director
discussion and argument. He
read Classics at Emmanuel College
of the company in 1980. For the
loved to engage anyone who was
Cambridge, following this with
next ten years he travelled widely
game in discussions of big issues
a teaching diploma at Bristol
on company business all over the
such as religion, politics, literature,
University. After a brief spell
British Isles, and to India, South
philosophy, economics and science.
teaching Classics he decided to
Korea, Australia, New Zealand and
He leaves a widow, two sons, a
make a career in business. He got
Hong Kong.
daughter and six grandchildren.
After National Service, Will
John C Pope (1950) Chris Pope writes:
John took an active role in
John was born in Cambridge in
various conservation societies and
February 1932 and attended The
was passionate about conserving
Perse between the years of 1938
both the built and natural
and 1948. He made several life-long
environments. He also had a love of
friends at the School and one of his
music and theatre, with opera being
recollections of his time there was
a particular favourite and of which
breeding rabbits with Peter Hall.
he had a deep knowledge. John
On departure from the School,
was also a very keen gardener and
John spent his two years’ National
created several magnificent gardens
Service with the RAF at White
from scratch upon moving to a new
Waltham, Maidenhead. During
home, latterly in Northiam, East
this time he met his wife Sylvia, to
Sussex, where he and Sylvia spent
whom he was married for 65 years
the last 13 years of their retirement.
until her death in 2019. John chose a career in pensions
John was always actively involved with local communities
and his first job was with the
and was volunteering for the Rye
Norwich Union for whom he
Harbour Nature Reserve until
worked in London and Manchester.
shortly before his death.
He then joined a small pension
John died on 8 May 2020 after
advisory firm in which he became a
a short illness and will be sadly
partner and where he worked until
missed by his two sons, David and
his retirement in 1992.
Chris and their respective families.
This list was up-to-date when we went to print. Obituaries may be read in full on our website: perse.co.uk/obituaries 23
OLD PERSEANS
Dates for your diary Upcoming Reunion Dinners 2020/21: Classes of 2005–2010 (to be rescheduled) 2020/21: Class of 1980s 2021/22: Class of 1990s Due to the ever-changing situation regarding Covid-19 we have had to cancel/postpone a number of our events. For the latest information about upcoming events, including our programme of virtual events, please visit perse.co.uk/alumni/events For more information Please visit perse.co.uk/alumni/events or contact the Alumni & Development Office by telephone on +44 (0)1223 403 808 or email PerseADO@perse.co.uk.
Getting involved We are always delighted to welcome OPs back to The Perse to help with our careers programme, or to deliver a lunchtime talk to pupils as part of our 42 Society lecture series. If you would like to find out more about ways to get involved, please contact PerseADO@perse.co.uk.
Staying in touch Old Perseans and Friends @OldPerseans Old Perseans The Perse School
ALUMNI & DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WWW.PERSE.CO.UK/ALUMNI THE PERSE SCHOOL HILLS ROAD CAMBRIDGE, UK, CB2 8QF TEL: +44(0)1223 403 808 PERSEADO@PERSE.CO.UK
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