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Welcome to the Winter edition of the newsletter…

DearOldWheatleyan,

One of my most enjoyable and rewarding ‘duties’ over the last two years has beentowelcomeformerpupilsbacktoanincreasingnumberofreunions,aswe seek to celebrate certain milestones, to rekindle friendships and to sustain affectionforthe‘oldschool’.

Within these pages you will readabout occasions organised tomark40 years of co-education as well as a reunion for the Lincoln boys. I also have very fond memories ofthe 1960s reunion in the summer, and we look forward to the next decades reunion in May. It is indeed shared memories and anecdotes and the laughterofcomplicitywhichbringtheseeventstolife,whilstourOWsalsoenjoy meeting current pupils and hearing about today’s community. We have been delighted by some of the feedback, with some effusive e-mails and letters receivedbyusoversubsequentdays.

Thesereunionshave,aboveall,beenveryhappyoccasions,andweareoftentoldthattoday’sschoolcommunityis characterised bywarmth, friendlinessand happiness. That doesn’t mean wecan behappyall ofthetime, andit’s vital that we lookafterbothpupilsandstaffwhotraverse difficult periodsoftheirlives.We can,however,doour besttobeglass-half-fullpeople.Weknowhowimportantpositivethinkingisforusasindividualsandalsoforany organisationorcommunity–especiallywhendaysgrowdarkerandcolder,orwhenwe’refeelingthepressuresof workoranxiety.

Author and trainer Andy Cope, speaking at the recent Girls’ Schools Association conference, suggested some techniques to nurture a positive environment: he said the '10/5 principle', which requires participants to smile at anyonewhocomeswithin10feet-andsay'hello'toanyonewhocomeswithinfivefeet-wasagoodplacetostart. Healsohighlightedthe fourminute rule,whichencouragesotherstobetheir"bestselves"forfourminutes,asthis is apparently the amount of time it takes for people to catch how you are feeling. "If you're really happy and positive,theneverysinglepersonyoumeetduringthatdayisgoingtobeaminimumof16percenthappier."He added that "putting happiness off until the weekend, Christmas, or retirement" meant people risked letting momentspassthemby.

"Everyoneismanicbusyallthetime,weareallsinkingundertheweightofemails,"hesaid,"butallwehavegotis now, so enjoy the moment…..Happiness isn’t real, it’s not a thing that you can put in a wheelbarrow and cart around,it’sanemotion,it’sinyourhead,"hecontinued."Youareonlyeveronethoughtawayfromhappiness."

He added:"Oneofthe biggest things youcandotogetbacktobeinghappyagainis,first ofall,getout ofbedin themorningandappreciatethatyoudon’thavetoothache,secondly,list10thingsthatyouappreciatebutnormally takeforgranted……Inmanystateschools,clubsarebeingcutbackon,sportsteamsarebeingcutbackon,dance and music are beingcut backon," he warned."It’s because theyare not core subjects that can be measured,they justaddvaluetopeople'slives."

Myhope for you and for Bablakethis Christmas is that we shall brighteneach other’sdays, and that the warmth andpositivityofourfamiliesandourcommunitybothsustainandenrichusall.

Former Pupil

Alex T Smith - Class of 1996

Lights! Camera! Action! Alex, Claude and Coco prepare for a hectic August!

August looks set to be another exciting month for awardwinning former pupil, illustrator and author, Alex T Smith.

Since 'Claude: 'Lights! Camera! Action!' was chosen as Waterstones' Childrens Book of the Month for August, Alex will be heading off on tour across the UK to promote the edition. He began in Coventry's branch in August. Alex and Chihuahua Coco met his young fans and signed copies of his book.

Later that month as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations, 'a sumptuous, jacketed hardback edition' of Dodie Smith's classic 'The One Hundred and One Dalmatians' was published, complete with superb new illustrations from Alex. If there were ever to be a project micro-canine fanatic Alex would have paid very good money to be involved in, this would surely have been the one!

With a 'Claude' activity book published in time for Christmas and another adventure 'Going for Gold' soon after, 2014's World Book Day illustrator is certainly not showing any signs of easing up on his prolific work-rate.

Joe Cashmore - Class of 2006

Enrichment photographers see another side of Bablake

Former pupil Joe Cashmore, member of the Class of 2006, offered our U6th Enrichment Photography club group a different view of Bablake via a DJI Inspired Quadcopter Drone. Joe, who is about to enter the third year of his Master's Degree in Electronic Engineering at Durham University, has developed his interest in photography, film -making and technology since enjoying his own Enrichment photography lessons. He has been using the quadcopter drone for promotional videos at university and is in the process of making a short film which will heavily involve aerial footage of Durham Cathedral.

He returned to Bablake to demonstrate the drone to our current sixth formers, who were able to experience piloting the drone themselves and taking photographs of the school and its surrounds. As well as being shown how to understand the differences in approach when taking photographs and video footage in the air compared with at ground level, they learnt how to pilot an unmanned aircraft safely.

If anyone is interested in commercial projects for the quadcopter or has any questions about drone photography, they may contact Joe via social media or school.

Former Pupil News cont…

Karen Fraser - Class of 1975 - Bablake’s ‘First Girl’

Prize Giving guest of honour leads twilight session on Advertising

Our 2015 Prize Giving guest of honour Ms Karen Fraser kindly led a twilight session after school one evening on advertising.

An eager group of U6th students took advantage of the opportunity to learn more about advertising from a leading expert in the profession. Karen Fraser is a director at the Advertising Association and has been instrumental in researching and producing clear, dynamic reports regarding the impact of this field.

Ms Fraser led a discussion about different roles in advertising: creative roles, media planning, strategy, research, IT, accounting, HR and programming, for example. She confirmed there are numerous entry routes but many opportunities can be created through drive and determination, not just what or whom you know.

The group was left with excellent pieces of advice to give those considering advertising a head start:

Ms Fraser also suggested that as well as working hard and learning as much as you can, 'you also need to be the person that people want to succeed'. Excellent advice from yet another highly impressive Bablake former pupil making a key impact on 21st century life.

Frank Walton - Class of 1966

The new President of the Royal Philatelic Society London

Frank Walton was elected as President of The Royal Philatelic Society London at its Annual General Meeting held in June. Frank will sign the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists during the Philatelic Congress of Great Britain in Leeds in August, and has for many years been Editor of The London Philatelist, journal of the Society.

Frank was at Bablake from 1966-73 before reading Maths at Liverpool and then pursued a career in IT for an international bank. He says...

“I have always been interested in stamp collecting – indeed I recall that in 1966-68 there was a small but very keen stamp club at Bablake – but this has now become a very significant part of my life. Last month I was elected a President of the Royal Philatelic Society London, the oldest and most prestigious society in the world.”

Frank Walton, the new President of The Royal Philatelic Society London.

Former Pupil News cont…

Lauren James - Class of 2008

Former pupil (2008-10) Lauren James launched her debut novel at Bablake with a book signing and audience with our Sixth Form. Keen scientist and Ogden Scholar Lauren was delighted to return to the school and answered questions set by Head of Sixth Form Mrs Alison Tumber in front of an eager, interested Sixth Form audience. She then enjoyed a book signing in our Main School Library that had been arranged by proud Senior Librarian Mrs Julie Needham.

Lauren was asked about writer's block by current Wheatleyan Deputy Editor Robbie Stowers, while earlier in the 'Audience with our Sixth Form'’ Mrs Tumber asked her when she first had an ambition to write and explored Lauren's earliest influences. As Lauren is a keen scientist, who took Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Physics at A Level, some of the audience may have been surprised to learn 'The Next Together' includes the 18th century Jacobite Rebellion and 19th century Crimean War. This only goes to prove how cross-curricular students can be with their interests and Lauren's Natural Sciences degree at the University of Nottingham still gave her time to write the novel.

Martine Croxall - Class of 1981

…..brings an exceptional level of journalistic professionalism to TV News

“In the worst of times, a star rises in the field of journalism…..

Despite the unspeakable carnage and utter chaos across central Paris, a no-nonsense BBC World News presenter brought level-headed clarity to the attacks and horror in Paris with an understated, professional style that was a reflection, I believe, of television’s great news anchors, like Walter Cronkite, Peter Jennings, and Dan Rather. Her name is Martine Croxall, whose regular shift is to present late-night newscasts for BBC News. But, Friday, November 13 was different.

As BBC’s massive global series of networks – largest in the world –were harnessed together, Ms. Croxall calmly yet credibly informed us from BBC studios in London of the fast-developing events in Paris. She was live to a global television audience of millions … nonstop, for two and a half hours. Her demeanour was extraordinary, free of the drama, showbiz hype and tawdry behaviour we endure from many television newscasters in America.

She listened intently to remote reports from BBC News correspondents on the scene in Paris, and on occasion, politely corrected something said that could be misunderstood as speculation or not substantiated.

It’s been decades since I’ve witnessed such a high level of journalistic professionalism. Downright exciting. And, I have every hope and belief that Martine Croxall’s star will shine even more brightly at BBC News. And, here’s a most interesting caveat - not once did Ms. Croxall tell us her name, not once did BBC World News state her name during the hours she was on camera. She and they made it about communicating a world event.”

This extract taken from the journalist David Hendersons blog DAVIDHENDERSON.COM http://www.davidhenderson.com/blog/2015/11/17/in-the-worst-of-times-a-star-rises-in-the-field-ofjournalism/

“A tremendous endorsement for Martine Croxall's professionalism in times of adversity... nothing we did not know already, but great to read! “….. Mark Woodward, Bablake.

Former Pupil News cont…

Keisha Simms - Class of 2008

Cambridge bursary success for for Keisha

Former pupil and school captain, Keisha Simms, is one of ten high achieving students from across the West Midlands who have been awarded a bursary towards their studies at the University of Cambridge by UK exam body OCR.

Recipients of OCR bursaries receive £3,000 for each year of their undergraduate studies which can be used for living or tuition costs, or a combination of both. The award fund, arising from OCR’s historical association with the West Midlands Exam Board, helps talented students in the region make the most of their studies at the University of Cambridge. This is the 11th year that OCR has funded the bursary scheme.

Keisha, joined by her Mum, Grandma and Alison Tumber, Head of Sixth Form, was presented with her bursary award on Friday 26 September by Liam Sammon, OCR Director of Education and Commercial Services, at a ceremony in Coventry.

Liam Sammon said: “Our 2014 bursary award winners have once again shown what incredible talent there is within schools and colleges in the West Midlands and we are delighted to fund part of their undergraduate studies at the University of Cambridge. The OCR bursary scheme is in its 11th year and our ten winners richly deserve their prizes. They have all demonstrated extremely high academic achievement, often in the face of adversity and challenges. They can now progress to Cambridge without having to worry unduly about financial constraints and make the most of their time there.”

Head of Sixth Form, Alison Tumber, commented "I was delighted to hear that Keisha has been awarded an OCR bursary to support her undergraduate degree to read Economics at Cambridge. Keisha is an exceptional young lady of great intellect, independence, maturity and humility. Coming from a modest background, Keisha made the most of every opportunity afforded to her both inside and outside of the classroom and as School Captain ensured that others flourished whilst at Bablake. In the wider community Keisha has had a very positive influence and I am sure that she will continue to develop as a fine intellectual and inspirational role model during her time at Cambridge."

We are very proud of Keisha’s fantastic achievements and wish her all the best in her Economics degree at Jesus College.

Former Pupil Events

Celebration of 40 years of coeducation begins with netball and hockey tournament

The new academic year is very special for the Bablake community as we celebrate 40 years of co-education. Our celebrations began with a Netball and Hockey tournament for former and current pupils on our refurbished courts and recently relaid Astro pitches. Headmaster Mr John Watson introduced the day's celebrations before former Deputy Head and Head of Girls' PE Mrs Gill Thomas officially declared the newly expanded Netball and Tennis courts open.

Current Head of Girls' PE, herself a former pupil, Mrs Sue Smith said: 'It was lovely to see so many young women, ranging across the 40 years of girls at Bablake, still enjoying playing netball and hockey. It was very touching that Mrs Gill Thomas opened the fantastic improved and extended netball and tennis courts, as she knew all those present and taught netball throughout her 36 years at Bablake. The old girls were most impressed with Bablake's sports facilities and particularly enamoured with the dramatic changes to our Sports Hall when they saw its new gym and dance studio.'

This first event celebrating coeducation at Bablake saw competitive sport played at its best in the warmest of spirits. Friendships were renewed and for many returning to Bablake there was the chance to continue the reunion over the weekend.

2015-16 promises to be a super celebration of coeducation at one of the Midlands' leading independent schools.

Former Pupil Events

Celebration of 40 years of coeducation continues with an Afternoon Tea and Reception

Our afternoon tea to help celebrate 40 years of girls being educated at Bablake was a resounding success.

We are also pleased to report that almost all 'the girls of the Class of 1975' attended the reunion.

Following tours around the school, the day concluded with some of the boys from the same year joining everyone for a light supper and a few short speeches.

We also received some lovely feedback from our guests:

“As always you captured the warmth of Bablake in the welcome and care of us all…”

“I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to roam around the school unaccompanied – re visiting our old haunts with my classmates was like revisiting my youth and has left me feeling 30 years younger!”

“It was a great idea to have the prefects showing us around - what terrific young people they are! They were confident and polite, with lots of other qualities too, I am sure; exactly what Bablake is about!”

“The school put on a great show for us all, so please thank all the staff and pupils involved.”

“As I sat and listened to the current Head and pupils, I felt so proud to have been a part of Bablake's history and also so privileged. What a great place it was and very clearly still is!”

“What a huge treat it was to be back in our amazing school! How wonderfully it has developed and blended old with new - both in its physical resources and buildings, and in the capturing of the wonderful community feel in the 21st century.”

Restored Compton Organ is the star of the show

The inaugural concert to celebrate the re-installation of our Compton organ took place in the Main Hall.

The programme included Albinoni’s famous Adagio for organ and strings, a Sammartini organ concerto, Widor’s Toccata and a showcase for the new trumpet stops, C. S. Lang’s ‘Tuba Tune’. Dr Nicholas ScottBurt ARCO not only played the instrument, but also explained many of the alterations and improvements that had taken place; Dr Scott-Burt is also now teaching some lucky Bablake pupils to play our wonderful new addition! The strings for the concert, directed by Mrs Cathy Scott-Burt (Music), were made up of Bablake’s Senior String Ensemble and the senior string players from our sister school, King Henry VIII, directed by their Director of Instrumental Studies Mr Alistair Kennedy.

Over the summer, the Music department has been eagerly watching the restoration and reconstruction of the splendid Compton organ. The John Compton organ builders of London specialised in electronic remote console organs, of which our organ is a fine example, and the company is famous for building cinema organs, one of which can still be heard at the Odeon Leicester Square, as well as many church organs, including the four manual instrument in Derby Cathedral.

Our instrument was originally given by Old Wheatleyans and other friends of the school in 1947 as a memorial to the fallen of both World Wars, and the restoration and expansion of the instrument have been made possible through a grant from the estate of the late John Phipps.

Mr Tim Crompton, Director of Music, said: 'It was about one year ago that I received a phone call from Mr John Hill inviting me to a meeting to discuss the possibility of generating a new generation of young organists, which led to the school being the very fortunate recipients of funds from the estate of the late John Phipps, former headmaster of Coventry Preparatory School. It was the express wish of Mr Phipps that his estate should be spent exclusively on the renovation and provision of pipe organs and the furtherance of church choral music, and it has been my pleasure to work with Mr John Hill and Mr Miles Barker-Davis (co-executors of the John Phipps estate) on bringing these wishes to life. We have been delighted to work with Mr Trevor Tipple and his team of organ builders throughout this project who have been very excited about renovating and enhancing our organ so that it is now a versatile instrument suitable for a range of purposes. The instrument is now very suitable for student organists and can be used for examinations and performances. We have six students who have recently commenced lessons on the new instrument and look forward to providing a flow of young organists from Bablake in years to come.'

While the original specification for our Compton had no reed stops, it has been greatly expanded by the addition of a range of trumpet pipes, giving a fuller sound and a far greater range of timbres to the instrument. Other additions include a grilled panel to enable better access for tuning and some complex electronics which have been installed to run the key and piston systems. Mr Trevor Tipple MBE, a renowned organ builder, led his able team that initially removed the original internal workings and pipework for cleaning and maintenance, then in the summer holiday returned to put back the new improved instrument with its additions. Scaffolding went up in the hall almost as soon as the summer term was over, and Bablake’s DT department was called upon a few times for workshop facilities and a few last-minute adjustments!

The ‘new’ organ has a wonderful tone and is now beautifully voiced. The Bablake community, especially the Music department, would like to extend its very grateful thanks to Trevor and his team for their care and skill, and of course the estate of Mr Phipps for financing the renovation.

Take a trip down Memory Lane….

Prefect’s Dinner - Summer 1980

From left to right:

Front Row: Peter Bush, ?, John Malin, Steve Plumber, Mr Cooke, Ron Fewtrell, Martin Barker,Grayson, Steve Hall

Second Row: Juliet Williams, Alison Hemsley, John Beecham, Peter Hourihan, Trudy Jackson, Paul Jackson, Paul Horrell, Dai Rees.

Third Row: Kate Fitzsimmons, (above Kate) Greg Haywood, Martin Thornton, Russ Murden,?, St John Flynn, Duncan Green, Satchwell,

Back Row: Martyn Shakespeare, Mark Illsley, Chaz Oakley, Ben Wishart, Andrew Kaye, Dave Plattten, Ken Went

Under 15 Coventry School Champions - circa 79/80!

Photo taken from Facebook supplied by Clive Barber: “The match was due to be played at Coventry's ground, but we ended up playing on our own field as the Coventry pitch was waterlogged I think !”

Can you name the team?

The following names have been put forward already (in no particular order):

Rob Jones, Paul Hardisty, Jonathan Duckett, Gerald Featherstone, Stuart Curtis, Andrew Hartley, Greg Jennings, Adam Glaznieks, Ian Lole, Toby Moore (?), Mark Franklin, Gerald F, Nick Rogan, Stuart C, Andrew Bath, Adam G , Tim Ward, Nick Rogan

Class of 1976 - Shell R

Same Class (Shell R) now in the Fifth Form

Sixth Form - 1977 (Mr Hayes)

2D - 1977 (Mr John Drury)

Let’s hear from the Archives……..

My usual routine as Archivist is to call in at Bablake on Monday morning to deal with any emails or post, then to spend much of Thursday in school. This often remains my pattern even during school holidays, unless I am away or the school is closed.

This summer the major task was to thin out former pupil files. The first priority was to make room for the 2011 leavers to move up to the tower and the 2015 leavers to go into my office. That bit I have achieved, though on the more general undertaking there is still much to do. More recently the Learning Support department has passed on to me records of pupils they have supported over the last two decades or so. These came in the shape of some 230 large envelopes and it has been surprisingly time-consuming to stow all of them in the appropriate files.

In the last few months I have had the privilege of showing several former pupils around Bablake. I was especially delighted to play host to Professor Ray Lund. I first heard of Ray when I was doing research for “The Lion and the Stars” and discovered that in the fifties he had been awarded special prizes for courage and determination after a most unfortunate injury on the rugby field. I later discovered that he had not only excelled academically in his youth but gone on to a glittering career as a neuroscientist, culminating in professorships both at Cambridge and in the United States. A remarkably friendly and modest man he is too.

I had an odd moment with another Old Boy who was over from Canada, where he has lived for thirty-odd years. All went well until we were walking around the back of the school. He suddenly turned to me and said brightly “I suppose now that you are bisexual you have to teach cookery and things.” I guess this may be a normal Canadian way of referring to coeducation, but it did throw me for a moment! Come to think of it, people certainly travel long distances to get to Bablake, as the last person I showed round was over from Australia and wanted to see where her grandfather had been at school just over a century ago.

I have, of course, met former pupils on other occasions in rather larger gatherings. It was good to encounter former pupils at the splendid concert held to launch the newly rebuilt organ and, as is customary now, at our Remembrance assembly on November 11th. Both the Lincoln Reunion and the Reunion to mark forty years of Bablake girls seem to have been enjoyed as much by our visitors as they certainly were by me. At the latter the “girls” were out in force and it was good to see quite a number of former colleagues too, including Martin Barker and Michael Millard. With the “boys” we did less well, though of course the quality was there. It is always a joy to find that someone who has stayed in the memory as a delightful eighteen-year-old remains just as delightful at fifty-one! Both Reunions had sad postscripts. Mrs Wheat told me that my invitation to her husband Bernard arrived on the very day of his death. A few days after the 1975 Reunion we heard that Egons Ruskulis from that year group had succumbed to leukaemia.

I continue to be struck by the oddities that surface when so many former pupils are in question. Recently Sylvia O’Sullivan, our Alumni Relations Officer, asked me to confirm whether Brian Brookes had started at the School in 1973 or 1975 as there seemed some inconsistency in our records. Neither of us was expecting the answer: that Brian Anthony Brookes started in 1973 and Brian Paul Brookes two years later. How likely is that? Less likely, I would have thought, than that there should have been seven Matthew Smiths, I think, during my time on the teaching staff. Mind you, I did teach two different David Skidmores at Bablake.

Cont……..

I suppose it is hardly surprising that so often these days people are interested in seeing whether relatives of theirs are recorded on our war memorial board or in the book of honour. Sometimes they are naturally put out if they do not find those names on the board. Most often it is simply that they are looking in the wrong place. The central section lists those Old Boys who died in the war, the sections around that, those who served. The lists are both alphabetical but a few names have been added later at the end of the list. The tablet was unveiled in 1922 and relates only to the First World War. The book of honour, kept at the foot of the lectern on the stage, commemorates the dead of both world wars and those who served in the second.

I mentioned “The Lion and the Stars” earlier. It now looks likely that we will be going ahead with the planning of a second edition of this history of Bablake. It is startling to me that we have just passed, in October, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the launch of the original. Watch this space.

From Left to Right:

Peter Amery

John Print

David Amery

Geof Eames

James Sherlock

Tim Lenton

John Greenhill placing the Bomber Command Cross

From Left to Right:

Peter Burden - Archivist

David Amery

Tim Lenton

Peter Amery

James Sherlock

Rev’d S Slavic

John Greenhill

John Print

Geof Eames

John Watson - Headmaster:

Sylvia O’SullivanAlumni Relations Officer:

The Lincoln Boys

The Blitz on Coventry 14th November 1940

The first provincial Blitz of the war was on Coventry. Among the many buildings damaged was Bablake School where the library was completely burnt out. The air-raid shelter suffered a direct hit and several members of the public were killed.

The school was closed for a few days until plans were made for the future. One of the teachers, Horace Curt, went home to Lincoln where he happened to meet the Lincoln Director of Education who offered them the use of the old school on South Park which had eight classrooms available.

On November 23rd 297 boys and the staff arrived in Lincoln by train and were welcome by the Mayor and the Director of Education. Buses took the boys to the City School where billets were allocated to them throughout Lincoln. The furniture arrived on December 3rd and school work was stated 6 days later. A maximum of 358 pupils attended.

Tony Averns was one of a group of Bablake ex-pupils who visited Lincoln in 1990 on the 50th anniversary of the evacuation. He said he really enjoyed his wartime stay there; he was billeted in Rookery Lane for a year or so and then on Skellingthorpe Road at Swanpool. The Bablake boys used the facilities (including the pool) at South Part Girls High School and the laboratories at the City School on Monks Road and the Grammar School on Wragby Road. He remembers the Westwick Estate bombing in May 1941 and a British plane being shot down near Lincoln.

Many of the Coventry boys had bicycles and visited local aerodromes to see the aircraft being prepared for flights. Usually they went to RAD Skellingthorpe (Birchwood), but also went as far as Waddington and Swinderby,

The Lincoln Boys’ Reunion

It was Tony Averns who first put the idea in my head that perhaps we might hold a reunion at the School for those Bablake boys who were evacuated to Lincoln with the School from 1940 to 1943, as we drew near to the seventy-fifth anniversary of that memorable departure. He referred to it as a last reunion, though I tended to avoid that gloomy description in publicising the event. Some there were who were sceptical about how many would make it back. I must admit that I worried at how many families we would upset by sending invitations to Old Boys who had died without our knowing that. Peter Amery, though, went to great lengths to provide me with information and I largely concentrated on those who had attended a previous reunion. It seemed a little unlikely that the first three Old Boys to say they were definitely coming along were Peter Adams, Peter Amery and Peter Arnatt. We didn’t do so well with people later in the alphabet!

In the end it was a select group but a highly appreciative one who met in the library, toured the school if they wished and convened in the gym that had morphed into a dining hall for lunch. A display of items from the archives elicited many memories, especially a contemporary map of Lincoln and a register of who was billeted where. Mollie O’Sullivan’s (current 5th year pupil) excellent photographs of the occasion provided a most welcome souvenir.

Forthcoming events…. 1970s - Decade Reunion

We have two reunions planned for the Summer Term 2016; the 1970s Decade on Saturday 25thJune 2016 and the Classes of 1995/96 on Saturday 21stMay 2016. The main aim of this gathering is to get as many of you as we can together so that you can renew acquaintances and also see again some of those who taught you and the school itself. Partners and/or children will also be very welcome! More details about the events will be sent out in the new year. However, in the meantime if you were in either of these year groups and would like to attend the event, please contact me with your details asap. Photographs are already being sent and posted on Facebook

sosullivan@bablake.coventry.sch.uk

Obituaries

We were extremely saddened to hear that the following former pupils have died:

Years at Bablake

Paul ASH 1953-61

Cameron GRANT 2005-12

Robert HANCOX 1960-65

Laurence KIMBERLEY 1942-46

Brian MOORE 1941-49

Lisa PENDRY 2003-08

Bernard RAFTERY 1936-41

Ken REAVES 1951-58

Egon USKULIS 1975-83

Introducing…

Kayleigh Lacey - Class 1998

Years at Bablake

William John SHELDON 1920s

Leon TOMLINSON 1940-45

Philip TOWNSHEND 1969-76

James WANKLING 1941

Philip WEBB 1969-73

Trevor WEBB 1938-41

Barnard WHEAT 1937-42

Peter WHITTLE 1937-42

HayleyWILKINSON 1994-97

Trivia…

This historic photograph was recently sent to me after being spotted on Amazon ! It depicts some plans for the new Bablake school in November 1889……. How different the landscape would be today if they had chosen this design… I quite like it !

Formally introducing the newest member of the Alumni Team... Mrs Kayleigh Lacey, herself a former pupil who left in 2005. Kayleigh joins us as Alumni Database Clerk and will also be liaising with the Careers Department. Welcome back to Bablake! At the moment Kayleigh is trying to locate former pupils from the 1970s and from the classes of 1995/96 in readiness for the upcoming reunions. Contact Kayleigh on klacey@bablake.coventry.sch.uk

Other School Publications

You can now read Bablake publications online. Visit the publications section of the school website using the following link: http://www.bablake.com/547/information/publications and simply click on the cover to view in an interactive PDF viewer.

Published annually, the Wheatleyan is Bablake's official school magazine. Each issue celebrates the best of the preceding academic year.

Stretch appears once a year and is edited by a small group of L6th students in their work experience week. We believe it is student journalism at its best!