The Old Waconian 2014

WHAT IS AT THE HEART OF CHS?

IN THIS ISSUE FOCUS ON LEILA HABIBI, CLASS OF 1987: PAGE 16 THE POWER OF THE OLD WACONIAN NETWORK: PAGE 18 CHEADLE HULME SCHOOL AND THE FIRST WORLD WAR: PAGE 20

OLD WACONIAN

noun (ould wa-kau-ni-an) The term ‘Old Waconian’ stems from the original name given to the School in 1855:

THE WAREHOUSEMEN AND CLERKS’ ORPHAN SCHOOL EVERY former student and member of staff becomes an Old Waconian when they leave Cheadle Hulme School.

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WELCOME

CONTENTS 4 From the Head…

6 School News 8 Whatever Happened To…?

10 Old Waconian Events

8 Whatever Happened To...?

14 Family Ties

12 Our House 13 Old Waconian Awards 14 Family Ties 16 Focus On: Leila Habibi, Class of 1987 18 The Old Waconian Network 20 CHS and the First World War 25 My Life in Books

22 Keeping Connected

16 Focus On: Leila Habibi

24 Co-Education by Tom Weardon, Class of 1948 25 My Life in Books: Nigel Westbrook 26 Fundraising at CHS 30 The Old Waconians’ Association 33 Fondly Remembered 34 Final Word: John Winter

10 Old Waconian Events

34 Final Word: John Winter

THE CHS DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IS…

Photographers’ Credits Front Cover: Damien Maguire and Jason Lock.

Pages 4, 6, 12, 13, 14, 17, 24, 25, 34: Jason Lock.

Page 29: Andy Corke.

Frances Kennedy Development Director 0161 488 3338 franceskennedy@chschool.co.uk

Philippa Dunford-Jeffs Development Manager (Maternity)

Katie Lees

Sally Clark

Development Officer Alumni Relations

Development Assistant

0161 488 3341 katielees@chschool.co.uk

0161 488 3330 ext. 3215 sallyclark@chschool.co.uk

Cheadle Hulme School Claremont Road · Cheadle Hulme · Cheadle · SK8 6EF Registered Company Number 3823129 Cheadle Hulme School is a registered charity, Number 1077017

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WELCOME

FROM THE HEAD...

Welcome to the 2014 edition of The Old Waconian.

Firstly, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been in touch with the School this year. I have been delighted to see many of you getting involved in so many different ways. Your warmth, enthusiasm and passion for all things CHS comes across loud and clear.

On behalf of all the students and staff, I would also like to thank those Old Waconians who have generously supported the appeal for the new Fitness Centre. The new building will mark a new phase in sport (and changing rooms!) at CHS and I am looking forward to showing you round the new building, which we expect to be complete in January 2016.

I hope you enjoy this edition of The Old Waconian: our feature on page 20 commemorates the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War as well as revealing what happened to CHS during

The Great War. It also gives an insight into the contribution Old Wacs and staff made to the war effort.

The Development Team caught up with former student Leila Habibi (Class of 1987), who is now Product Development Director for global retailer Agent Provocateur, and spoke to two families whose connections to the School go back generations. There is also all the usual news, views, events and information to keep you up-to-date with life at School and beyond.

Finally, I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone that has recently reconnected with the School, and to the Class of 2014, who graduated back in June.

I hope you enjoy being part of our vibrant alumni community.

As ever, I hope to see as many of you as possible over the coming year.

Lucy Pearson, Head

FROM THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR The lifelong affection for CHS which we hear about so often from Old Waconians has inspired the Development Team to think about exactly what it is that makes this School so special. Throughout the year, we’ve been asking our current students about their favourite aspects of School life, in an effort to discover the true ‘Heart of CHS’, and we’ve carried this theme into this magazine.

We’ve tried to identify the many and varied elements that combine to create CHS’ unique, dynamic and stimulating environment. Have we got it right? Feel free to contact us with your thoughts - you can tweet us @oldwaconians using the hashtag #iheartchs or email us at development@chschool.co.uk I hope you enjoy this edition of The Old Waconian.

Frances Kennedy Development Director P.S. Don’t forget to send us a picture of you reading your 2014 Magazine #OldWacsHowDoYouReadYours – see page 22 for more details!

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WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? STUDENTS

HOW CHS ADDS UP...

79

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

36 MUSIC CONCERTS & DRAMA PRODUCTIONS EVERY YEAR

950

LEARNING HOURS EACH YEAR

1

0

4

SPORTS TEAMS

3810

SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS TOOK PLACE IN THE SENIOR SCHOOL DURING THE LAST YEAR

12857 OLD WACONIANS

56%

BOYS

SENIOR SCHOOL TRIPS TO 15 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES EVERY YEAR

SENIOR SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE BURSARY ASSISTANCE

GIRLS

TEACHERS

STUDENTS

44%

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WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? STUDENTS

SCHOOL NEWS HATS OFF TO CHS STUDENTS Congratulations to the Class of 2014 who gained superb exam results this summer. An incredible 80% of students who applied for university this year gained a place at Russell Group / Top 20 universities – a fantastic achievement!

Head Boy, Brandon Few, who gained three As, is taking a year out to coach Hockey and travel around Australia before going to Newcastle University to study Architecture. Meanwhile, Head Girl, Gabby Kingsley, is now at Birmingham University studying Geography and Urban Regional Planning, and four other students are Oxford-bound to study Law, History and PPE. Well done!

In GCSE results this summer, students excelled with a 100% pass rate and more than 90% of exams graded A* to B.

“ I am so proud of all that the students have achieved this year.

With excellent teaching and a real determination to deliver their best, the students have flourished and achieved excellent results.” Lucy Pearson, Head THEATRICAL COLLABORATION Students from across the School community showed off their theatrical talents this year with successful productions of Animal Farm, Annie and Fumed Oak. Students of all ages worked extremely hard both on and off the stage to bring the shows to life. As well as impressive acting, singing and dancing from the Drama and Musical Theatre students, the Design and Technology Department built the Animal Farm windmill and the Art Department worked tirelessly on the set and costumes for Annie and Animal Farm.

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WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? STUDENTS

A GEOGRAPHICAL JOURNEY

MUSICAL MAESTROS

Budding Geographers enjoyed a fact-finding tour of Iceland, exploring its many fascinating geographical features, including the Svartifoss waterfall. Geography teacher Mrs Shallcross said that Iceland was the perfect field trip destination as it “is like the entire GCSE Geography syllabus in the shape of one small island.”

Several students have been recognised for their outstanding musical ability this year including Tom Adamson, a Year 10 cornet player, who was asked to join Foden’s Youth Band, and Year 11 trumpet player Sam Edwards, who won a place in the National Children’s Chamber Orchestra.

In addition, seven musicians from the Junior School played at a concert conducted by Chetham’s School of Music’s Director of Music, Stephan Threlfall.

STUDENTS ENTER THE DRAGON’S DEN Three Year 9 students have beaten the region’s best budding business brains to win the Greater Manchester Schools’ Young Enterprise Competition, supported

by Manchester Airport.

Show’s 80,000 visitors the opportunity to find their ideal holiday through a series of probing questions, and take home a souvenir photograph to match their dream destination.

Young Enterprise gives students the chance to gain business skills by setting up and running their own company. After several months of planning – and lots of selling – the teams took part in a Dragon’s Den style competition in which they had to produce a company report and give a presentation. The winning team then got to try out their concept with a trade stand at the popular Cheshire Show.

The enterprising girls are in good company. Their success adds to the School’s recent crop of business competition winners, including a Lower Sixth team that won the Best Company Report category in a Greater Manchester Schools competition, and a team of Year 9 boys and girls who reached the national finals of The Manufacturing Institute’s “Make It” Challenge.

Thirteen-year-olds Carla Enstone, Holly McInerney and Ella Partington wowed the judges with their idea which gave the

IT ALL ADDS UP FOR JUNIOR MATHEMATICIANS A gifted group of mathematical masterminds in Year 6 have taken part in the UK Mathematics Trust’s Junior Challenge - a competition usually aimed at Year 8 students.

Junior pupils Michael Greenwood and Harry Brown won gold and were in the top 6% of students nationally. Rami Kers, Alex Walker and Rebecca Nixon won two silvers and a bronze between them.

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WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? LIFELONG CONNECTION

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO...?

CLASS OF 1948

CLASS OF 1982

PETER SPILLER AND PAT SPILLER, NÉE ROBINSON

REVEREND ROSEMARY FAIRHURST

Pat and Peter celebrated their Diamond Wedding in June this year. They met at CHS in 1939 after Peter asked Pat to go to the Junior Christmas Party with him.

Since leaving School Peter completed his national service and Pat undertook a Social Administration Degree at Manchester University before training as a Junior School teacher. The Spillers have four children and eight grandchildren.

They still relish the time they had at CHS and the great start in life they were given.

Rosy has recently become Canon Chancellor of Leicester Cathedral. She was ordained priest in the first year of women’s ordination in the Church of England in 1994.

CLASS OF 1996 CAROLINE BROWNLIE, NÉE BAKER

Caroline is a professional athlete who has competed in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

She started shooting at university and began competing in the 10m air pistol and 25m sport pistol.

CLASS OF 1977 SIBYL RUTH NÉE LEWIS

Sibyl, formerly Ruth Lewis, recently set up an art business: Sigmund & Jocelyn Fine Art. SUSAN BULLOCK

British soprano Susan (below left) was appointed CBE in the 2014 Birthday Honours list for her services to opera.

CLASS OF 2006 ANDY TOTTEN

Andy (right) has completed police officer training with the Metropolitan Police Service and this year marched up the Horse Guards Parade in central London.

JAMIE WALLWORK

Jamie is currently directing his own short film, The Fig Tree. He appeared in A Thousand Empty Glasses, which was nominated for Best British Short Film at the Raindance Film Festival as well as being shown at several other prestigious festivals around the world, including Palm Springs.

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A DEGREE OF SUCCESS! JANE HIGGINBOTTOM, CLASS OF 1983

MA in Fine Art, University of the Arts London JAMES GILL, CLASS OF 2008

2.1 BSc in Aeronautical Engineering, University of Brighton BEN SOLOMONS, CLASS OF 2008

First in Chemistry, Manchester University CHARLOTTE EATON, CLASS OF 2009

First with distinction in Spanish, Bath University HELEN BRASS, CLASS OF 2010

2.1 in French, University of Liverpool ANNA BOOTH, CLASS OF 2010

2.1 in Modern Languages, Durham University

WHAT IS AT THE

CLASS OF 2009 ALEX BLAKEY

Alex has started her own business, Alx Creations, as a glass artist. This year, Alex won the commission to create a memorial for the First World War to be installed at Tatton Park. Alex is pictured (below) with George Osbourne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, who officially unveiled the memorial.

OF CHS? LIFELONG CONNECTION

THEO CLEARY

Having gained an MA in Performance Costume at Edinburgh University, Theo’s work has been used as publicity for the Edinburgh College of Art’s Masters Festival 2014. He is about to undertake an Artist’s Residency at the MeetFactory in Prague.

DAN PARR

Dan has recently appeared in the BBC1 drama series The Crimson Field, the Library Theatre’s Christmas show, Wanted: Robin Hood, at The Lowry and took the lead role in Britannia Waves The Rules at the Royal Exchange Theatre in July 2014.

KATIE WORTHINGTON

Old Waconian Ambassador Katie is currently working as an Audit Assistant at KPMG in Manchester. In June, she gained first place and the Railton Prize

for Business Strategy in the International Subject Orders of Merit for the ICAEW Professional Assessments.

CLASS OF 2010 BETH HOLMES

Beth has won the Judges’ Prize for her performance of Louise, Molly, Mrs Bald and Scotch Girl in Road at this year’s National Student Drama Festival.

CLASS OF 2011 JACK SHEEN

Jack (below) has been accepted onto the London Symphony Orchestra’s Panufnik Young Composers Scheme, an exciting initiative offering six emerging composers each year the opportunity to write for a world-class symphony orchestra.

WELCOME TO THE CLASS OF 2014 A very warm welcome to our newest group of Old Waconians from the Class of 2014.

We would like to wish them all lots of luck as they go off into the world - some to work, some to enjoy gap year experiences ranging from charity work to being a wakeboarding instructor, and others to university.

We look forward to welcoming you all back for your first Old Waconian Reunion on Thursday 18 December 2014!

JAMES ALEXANDER CAMERON CHORLEY, CLASS OF 2010

KATHERINE REYNOLDS, CLASS OF 2011

2.1 in Maths, Newcastle University

CLASS OF 2012

2.1 in Biomedical Sciences, Aberdeen University

FIELDING RONSHAUGEN, CLASS OF 2011

GEORGE POWELL

SIMON FALK, CLASS OF 2010

2.1 in English, York University

2.1 in German and Business, Leeds University

ABBEY STONES, CLASS OF 2011

PATRICK FAWCETT, CLASS OF 2010

2.2 in Environmental Science, Leeds University

First in Biomedical Science, Birmingham University

CLARINDA GRUNDY, CLASS OF 2010

HUGO WILLIAMS, CLASS OF 2011

2.1 in Chemistry, Durham University

First in History, Leeds University

ANGELA PLATTS, CLASS OF 2010

DAVE OLSEN, CLASS OF 2011

CLASS OF 2013

2.1 in Maths, Leeds University

2.1 in Politics and History, Leeds University

BRONTE LAW

HELEN SANDFORD, CLASS OF 2010

TOM SHARKETT, CLASS OF 2011

First in Biological Sciences, Bath University

First in Politics, Leeds University

Currently a student at the University of California, Los Angeles, Bronte became the new English women’s amateur golf champion over the summer.

WILL JONES, CLASS OF 2011

First in Economics, Bristol University

Keep up to date with Old Wacs throughout the year: cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk/WHT

George is currently interning at the world famous Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin Star restaurant.

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OLD WAC EVENTS NEWS

EVENTS ROUNDUP

OLD WACONIANS AT THE V&A DATE:

Thursday 6 March 2014 OVERVIEW:

An exclusive Old Waconian drinks reception at the Victoria and Albert Museum More than 70 Old Waconians were reunited in central London, within the fantastic setting of the Dorothy and Michael Hintze Sculpture Galleries. Guests ranged from the Class of 1948 to the Class of 2013, with one Old Wac travelling all the way from America for the event.

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OLD WAC EVENTS

CLASS OF 2013 REUNION DATE:

Friday 20 December 2013 OVERVIEW:

The Class of 2013 reunited as Old Waconians for the first time since leaving School.

The Class of 2013 came back to School for a pre-Christmas reunion in the School Dining Hall - their first ever event as alumni. As well as catching up with each other and members of staff they enjoyed nibbles and special festive drinks, including ‘Santa Baby’ and ‘The Grinch’.

CLASS OF 2004 TEN YEAR REUNION DATE:

Saturday 5 July 2014 OVERVIEW:

The Class of 2004’s 10th anniversary reunion Former Head Girl and Boy, Charlotte Eva and Rob Marcall, welcomed 20 members of the Class of 2004 to a special reunion to celebrate ten years since leaving School. The Class of 2004 caught up over cake and tea in the School Library before enjoying a tour of the School.

CLASS OF 1994 20 YEAR REUNION

DATE:

Saturday 8 November 2014 OVERVIEW:

A reunion event marking 20 years since the Class of 1994 left CHS

The Class of 1994 enjoyed a drinks reception in the School Library followed by tours of the School before heading out for dinner and drinks for an eagerly anticipated catch up and a chance to reminisce about their schooldays.

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OLD WAC NEWS

Cyril Marsh (Class of 1914) during the First World War

OUR HOUSE The name Marsh is heard on a daily basis at CHS after the House system was re-introduced in 2012. Old Waconian Cyril Marsh was chosen to represent one of the four Houses in recognition of his academic abilities at the School.

Cyril, along with his brothers Walter and Desmond, arrived at CHS in 1907 as a Foundationer. When Cyril left the School in 1914 he served in the Army during the First World War before enjoying a varied and long career. In 1943 he joined the Executive Committee of the Governing Body and became Trustee of the School, Honorary Treasurer, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and a Governor.

Cyril’s children Roger (Class of 1947) and Nancy (Class of 1956) followed in their father’s footsteps, beginning a long and proud connection with CHS that continues to this day.

Cyril’s grandson Henry (Class of 1979) has kept the tradition in the family as his daughter Charlotte started at the School this September in Year 7. We spoke to him recently about his family history, his own School days and how it feels to be part of a CHS dynasty.

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WHAT WAS IT LIKE COMING TO A SCHOOL THAT SO MANY OF YOUR FAMILY HAD ATTENDED?

It always felt very familiar. Many teachers had also taught my father and my aunt, plus my grandfather was a Governor while I was there. There were several children in my year whose parents had been to school with my father, so we were like the next generation; it seemed inevitable that we would go too.

Roger Marsh (Class of 1947), son of Cyril

I don’t feel it moulded me into a captain or anything but it was good for developing friendships and learning to be part of a team.

DID YOU ALWAYS PLAN ON CHARLOTTE ATTENDING THE SCHOOL?

It was always something I wanted.

Charlotte comes home each night and tells us all the new things she is doing, which brings back lots of memories.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR CHS EXPERIENCE AND CHARLOTTE’S?

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ONE OF THE HOUSES BEING NAMED AFTER YOUR GRANDFATHER?

The School has changed a lot since my brother John (Class of 1982) and I were here. It’s a lot bigger and busier now. There have been lots of physical changes and new buildings but I think the ethos is still the same.

I am very proud of it. Looking into our family history has made me realise how much he did at School and how well he did.

WHAT DOES BEING AN OLD WACONIAN MEAN TO YOU?

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT CHS GAVE YOU?

It gave me a broad insight into education and a love of sport. I wasn’t that academic but I enjoyed sport at School.

I suppose it is being proud of the School and being the third generation of my family to go there. Now I am both an Old Waconian and a parent the family connection is even stronger.

Main picture: Charlotte and Henry Marsh

OLD WAC AWARDS

OLD WACONIAN AWARDS Each year we celebrate the many and varied achievements of our Old Wacs with two awards that recognise their contribution to the School.

And the winners are…

DISTINGUISHED OLD WACONIAN AWARD 2014 Jim Gardner, Class of 1938

“ I don’t feel I deserve this award.

I am deeply honoured and never expected it.”

A wonderful supporter of CHS who has continued to attend numerous Old Waconian and School events throughout the years.

Jim lived at School for eight years, only leaving for church parade on a Sunday and the School holidays. He left school in 1938 and went to work at Guardian Assurance as a Junior, before joining the Air Force in 1941.

Jim’s outstanding service with the Bomber Command during the Second World War led to him being awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for 'gallantry during active operations against the enemy'. He bravely served his country during 37 operations with Bomber Command, flying Halifax aircrafts over targets in France and Germany.

After the war, Jim returned to his job at Guardian Insurance where he worked until his retirement in 1981. Jim is an associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute and

was a Committee member of Guardian Royal Exchange Assurance (Pensioners).

He gives up his time to offer talks, with all proceeds going to Bury Hospice and CHS. YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD 2014 Lucy Nuttall, Class of 2006

“ I am delighted to have won the Young Alumni Award. I was a pupil at CHS from Junior School right the way through to Sixth Form and cherished every minute of it. CHS challenged me academically but also developed me personally, teaching me to strive for success and further opportunities.”

If you would like to nominate someone (or yourself!) for the 2015 Old Waconian Awards, visit our website: www.cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk/OWAwards2015

A successful entrepreneur and businesswoman with a promising future – a great ambassador for the School.

After gaining a 2:1 in Business and Marketing from Sheffield Hallam University, Lucy went on to found her own business, Frontline Forensics, in 2010. Frontline Forensics redesigns outdated equipment used in forensics and is already recognised as a leading innovator in the forensics industry both in the UK and overseas.

In 2012 Lucy received a Shell LiveWire Grand Idea Award, which is awarded to young entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas. With plans for further expansion and product development, Lucy hopes to see Frontline Forensics become a global innovator and supplier of forensic and law enforcement products.

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WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? FAMILY

FAMILY TIES The Lieberman, Farley and Dee families came together at Cheadle Hulme School in the 1980s.

Today, through marriage, lifelong friendships and their own children, they are still part of a close group of Old Waconians with a strong connection to each other and the School.

Natasha Dee was one of three siblings to study at CHS. She went on to marry Ilan Lieberman whose siblings all attended CHS. Their elder three children are now the second generation to enjoy the benefits of a CHS education.

NATASHA LIEBERMAN NÉE DEE (CLASS OF 1987)

I definitely gained a lot from CHS. I had the opportunity to try so many new things and go on school trips to some amazing places. The best thing about the School for me, though, was that it gave you the confidence to be yourself.

When it came to choosing a school for my own children, I was also keen for them to go to CHS. It had a really good academic reputation but, if I’m honest, my reasons were mainly based on my own positive memories of the School. I wanted them to have the same well-rounded experience I had. At the open day we all felt it had the right spirit – it still felt like a very happy school – so we were delighted when they all passed the entrance exams.

Some of their teachers, like Mr Westbrook and Mrs Williams, also taught me which makes parents’ evening feel a bit strange, but in some ways that just adds to the close-knit feel of the School.

I am probably more involved with the School as a parent than I was as a student. I am delighted that my children make the most of all the sporting and extra curricular activities that the School has to offer. It keeps me connected with the School and gives me plenty of opportunities to go back and relive my own School days.

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WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? FAMILY

ANNA LIEBERMAN (LOWER SIXTH)

TANYA FARLEY NÉE DEE (CLASS OF 1986)

It’s nice to think that I’m at the same school my mum went to.

I even have the same Chemistry teacher, Mrs Hoverstadt, as she did. It gives us a kind of shared experience.

I met my husband, Andrew Farley (Class of 1986), at School and Natasha’s husband’s brother, Gidon was also in my year, so I suppose the School has had a big impact on our lives and social circles. The three families – the Dees, Liebermans and Farleys – are very close and lots of our classmates are still our friends today, so we still have a strong connection to the School.

I knew my mum thought a lot of CHS and was keen for me to come here and at the open day I could see what she meant. The School had a lovely atmosphere and great facilities for sport, which really appealed to me as I play a lot of netball. Even if there hadn’t been a family connection I would still have wanted to come to CHS. A lot has changed since my mum’s time – I think physically the buildings are in better shape than they were and we have more facilities. There are also more opportunities to travel as part of your education; I have just returned from Washington on a History and Politics trip and I have been to South Africa on a netball and hockey tour – both trips have enabled me to visit places and take part in activities that I would otherwise not have been able to on a family holiday.

I really enjoy School and try to make the most of every opportunity. I love the fact that you’re encouraged to try a variety of different things beyond the classroom and are supported in whatever you want to do. I’m hoping to go to university to study Medicine and I think CHS has given me a good foundation for the future.

THE FARLEYS Andrew (Class of 1986)

I always loved the rural setting of the School grounds, and I remember the sense of freedom I felt having so much space to run about in. The teachers were very inspiring – more like friends than teachers – and we always had a great relationship with them. We used to perform skits about them and they always took it in good spirit!

I now run a national autism conference (Autism: A Hands On Approach) held every November at Stepping Hill Hospital. I think my early experience at CHS gave me a sense of empathy and the belief that I could make a difference. I always enjoyed taking part in charity hikes and fundraising concerts and that probably started me off on the charity path. The School always had a strong charitable ethos and instilled in all students a desire to give something back. From what I hear from my nieces and nephew, this is still the case today.

I think what CHS gave me, above anything else, was resilience, an ability to get on with people from all walks of life and a positive attitude, and this has stood me in good stead throughout my life. The School just seems to bring out whatever talent you have and helps you maximise your potential.

THE DEES

THE LIEBERMANS

THE GABBIES

Tanya (Class of 1986) Natasha (Class of 1987) Richard (Class of 2002)

Gidon (Class of 1986) The late Eli Lipman (Class of 1991) Gemma (Class of 1998) Ilan (Current Parent)

Nadia (Class of 1987)

NATASHA & ILAN MARRIED

ANDREW & TANYA MARRIED

GIDON & NADIA MARRIED

MORE LIEBERMANS!

Anna (Lower Sixth) · Liora (Year 10) · Lev (Year 8) 15

WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? PREPARATION FOR LIFE

FOCUS ON She has been headhunted by Vivienne Westwood’s son, worked with celebrities and launched a £500 bra. Now Product Development Director at luxury lingerie brand Agent Provocateur, Leila Habibi (Class of 1987) puts her success down to strong self-belief and a ‘can-do’ attitude that was nurtured during her time at CHS. The Old Waconian had a brief chat to Leila about her School days, her career in one of the world’s most glamorous companies and the impact CHS has had on her life.

What was your first impression of the School?

I was the first person in my family to go to private school so it was all very exciting.

I vividly remember the open day – CHS seemed to have such a lovely, friendly atmosphere and there was lots of scope to try new things beyond your academic studies.

Do you have fond memories of your time at CHS? I do. I was into everything, especially sports.

I loved the camaraderie of Saturday match days – the boys would come and cheer on the girls’ teams if they finished first, and vice versa. Everyone was very supportive of each other and we all socialised together.

Sport was a really big deal for all of us at that time.

I also have very fond memories of the teachers – there were a lot of characters!

The one that had the most effect on me was Mr Bullock. He was instrumental in helping me grow up, keeping me on the straight and narrow and making science fun. He was the first teacher to see potential in me.

Apart from academic qualifications, what’s the most important thing you gained from CHS? I think it’s a belief that you will succeed no matter what. I was never a genius academically but I was never made to feel

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like I wouldn’t succeed. I was allowed to find my own niche and encouraged to be an individual by really supportive teachers. I grew up with a belief in myself and my own abilities and that has stayed with me to this day. CHS teaches you to always expect more from yourself.

How did you get into the fashion industry?

I’ve always loved fashion and knew that I wanted to work in retail from a young age.

My dad worked in textile manufacturing so I suppose there was something in the blood. I did a degree in Textile and Knitwear Technology at Leicester De Montford University which focused on the management side of the industry, and got my first job with Courtaulds Textiles, working on their Marks and Spencer menswear account. I was part of their Graduate Training scheme, so as well as learning on the job I also went on all their courses which gave me a good overview of the industry.

Did School prepare you for working life at all?

I learnt how to deal confidently with all sorts of different people at CHS so that was good preparation. As a graduate trainee I was working with designers, factory managers and the buyers at M&S to produce their menswear range, which was challenging but great fun too. Within six months my boss left and I was given his job. It was completely terrifying as I was 23 years old with very little experience and a £13 million account to manage.

Even though I was thrown in at the deep end, I somehow knew I would be OK.

How did you make the move from manufacturing to retail?

I’d always wanted to be the person who picked the designs and decided what was going to be in the collection, rather than the one who just got the clothes made, but it’s quite unusual to move from one area to the other. I was very lucky as I was headhunted by House of Fraser to help them launch their own clothing brand. On my very first day I was flown out to Hong Kong to meet my new team – it was crazy.

Again, I felt out of my depth at first, but the old CHS self-belief kicked in and I knew I could cope with whatever was thrown at me.

You were also headhunted by Joseph Corre, son of Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm Maclaren, to work at the fledgling Agent Provocateur – is it as glamorous as it sounds?

There are plenty of unglamorous bits like factory visits but, yes, it can be very glamorous and always a lot of fun. In the early days, we had models like Kate Moss and Kylie and there were a lot of amazing celebrity parties. It was very rock ‘n’ roll.

It’s lovely to be surrounded by beautiful things in your job. I really love putting the collections together and seeing the final product in our amazing advertising campaigns. I still get a thrill from selling a £500 bra! Who wouldn’t?

You’ve been there 12 years, what keeps you interested?

There’s always something new, another challenge to deal with. When I joined the company there were six shops in two countries; now we have 98 shops in 30 countries. We’ve launched new products

WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? PREPARATION FOR LIFE

like perfumes and shoes to complement the lingerie; a new premium collection Soiree with hand beading and Swarovski crystals and a new high street brand L’Agent in collaboration with Penelope Cruz. It’s a challenging industry and I’m still learning every day. I always say I don’t go to work to work; I go because it’s fun. If it wasn’t fun I’d move on.

Finally, what does being an Old Waconian mean to you?

I didn’t think about it for a long time, but I’ve recently reconnected with the School and been to a reunion event. I guess we all get more nostalgic as we get older! It was really nice to see all my old friends from my year and to see how we’ve all become successful in our own ways. It’s good to have that link that keeps us all together.

“ I felt out of my depth at first, but the old CHS self-belief kicked in and I knew I could cope with whatever was thrown at me...”

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WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? OPPORTUNITY

HOW MANY OLD WACONIANS DOES IT TAKE TO OPEN A DOOR? Traditionally, alumni of schools and universities were seen, first and foremost, in terms of their potential as benefactors.

While this will always be a driver behind alumni engagement programmes for educational institutions, the game is certainly changing.

Today alumni have an increasingly important role to play in how institutions are responding to and meeting the changing expectations of both their current students and their young alumni community.

The depth and power of a social network, in the more traditional “human” sense and more recently through digital networks, is extremely valuable. The understanding

EZEKIEL BROWNE

In the early 1830s Ezekiel Browne chaired a committee which endeavored to ensure that ordinary warehousemen and clerks’ children would be ‘educated, maintained and clothed’ should they die.

that alumni networks really do open doors is being utilised now not just by schools and universities but also in the largest professional services companies throughout the world.

With over 12,000 Old Waconians around the world working in a wide range of industries and professions and at various levels, the Old Waconian network is stronger than ever.

12,857

OLD WACONIANS TO DATE

Their foresight opened the very first door for Foundationers to join a school which would later become Cheadle Hulme School.

OW ENGAGEMENT 57 OWs currently with children at CHS 4009 OWs currently receive

Development News via email 33% of OWs who responded to the OW

Questionnaire offered to mentor current students or young alumni Since Old Wac Wisdom talks were introduced in September 2013, 8 OWs have been back to deliver talks

Old Wac Wisdom: Douglas McGeorge (Class of 1975)

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820 OWs have attended events in the past two years

WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? OPPORTUNITY

THE OLD WACONIAN NETWORK LOCATION UK

5847

Continental Europe N. America

94 103

S. America Africa

HOW CAN THE ALUMNI NETWORK HELP?

We recently carried out a short young alumni survey. The five following areas were identified as being the most valuable as they start to make waves in their chosen careers:

INSIGHT

2 12

Asia

21

Australia

71

EDUCATION

Insider acumen in their chosen industry OPPORTUNITIES

Access and networking with people within their chosen industry ASSISTANCE

Job application and interview techniques ADVICE

Career progression – what is the next step?

POSITIVE INFLUENCE

A voice of experience from someone with the same educational background

OUR TOP FIVE UNIVERSITY DESINATIONS FOR LEAVERS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAVE BEEN:

Birmingham · Leeds Sheffield · Newcastle Bristol

SO, HOW MANY OLD WACONIANS DOES IT TAKE TO OPEN A DOOR? It just takes one person within the Old Waconian network to make an introduction, have a chat over a coffee, review a job application, etc. Could you be that one person that enables a fellow Old Waconian to further their career? Please get in touch and email us: development@chschool.co.uk Similarly, please get in touch if you feel that there may be a fellow Old Waconian who could provide you with advice or expertise as you progress in your career.

More information on the Old Waconian network and how you can get more involved is available on our website: development.cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk/Networking 19

WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? HERITAGE

CHS AND THE GREAT WAR The centenary of the outbreak of war in 1914 gave CHS the perfect opportunity to look back into the archives and discover what happened to the School and its students and staff during The Great War.

Every effort was made to keep the soldiers away from the students, particularly the girls. Gates were locked, windows were fastened to stop men leaning out and a canvas screen was put up to obscure the view of the girls’ playing field. Overall, however, the soldiers were welcomed into the School community.

battalions, made up of groups of friends who enlisted at the same time with the promise of being able to serve together.

By May 1917, 210 Old Wacs had enlisted, many in the 2nd and 4th ‘Pals’ Battalions, Manchester Regiment. While this ensured they stayed together and fought together, it also meant many of them died together too.

In 1915, the School took on its most important wartime role, becoming home to the Cheadle Hulme Red Cross Military

The students coped well with the School’s new double life, donating clothes, making gifts, or ‘comforts’, for the patients and putting on shows to entertain them, although the presence of wounded soldiers served as a constant reminder

The personal scale of the tragedy is highlighted by the story of three Old Wac brothers, Arthur, Wilfred and William Chester Yates, who were all wounded at Gallipoli.

Arthur died in hospital, Wilfred was invalided out of the Army but William returned to his regiment. Soon after, he was listed as Missing in Action and was officially declared dead in 1916. He was 18 years old.

Hospital, the 48th building in Cheshire to be requisitioned by the Red Cross.

Although the hospital eventually took over most of the School, lessons continued and staff worked hard to maintain a sense of normality for the children.

that the country was at war.

Like many young men, the School’s former students were eager to enlist in the armed forces, and many saw it as an opportunity for excitement and adventure. This was fuelled by the introduction of ‘Pals’

The war had an immense impact on Cheadle Hulme School, changing all aspects of School life from the curriculum to the physical fabric of the buildings and grounds.

Many staff and former students signed up to fight for their country, leaving the remaining staff with the difficult task of providing continuity of education in extremely challenging circumstances, often without lighting or power, and sometimes without enough to eat.

20

WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? HERITAGE

some were ill-equipped for the job and turnover of staff was high. Some subjects, such as Science, disappeared from the curriculum altogether.

It wasn’t just academic continuity that was affected by the war. As well as the addition of the hospital, the School playing fields were dug up to grow crops and the swimming pool was out of bounds and kept half full in case of fires from incendiary devices.

Despite the two farms in the School grounds, there were food shortages and hardship; there is even a record of a groundsman being sacked for stealing a loaf of bread. By the end of the war, CHS was reduced to hanging a ‘begging’ sign on the fence asking for donations to cope with the post-war influx of orphaned children of serving warehousemen and clerks.

Several OWs were recognised for their efforts during the war. Among them was John Carr Ewen, who left CHS in 1907, emigrated to Australia and joined the Australian Imperial Force in 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal in 1916, the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1917, and the Military Cross in 1918 – a very rare combination of individual bravery medals.

John downplayed his gallantry saying in a letter to his future wife: “I haven’t told them at home about it yet for I suppose it would give them an idea I was in a bit of danger sometimes and I tell them yarns I’m never in any; in fact they think I’m having a good holiday.”

This reluctance to dwell on the harsh reality of war was not confined to the men on the front line. A sense of national pride and optimism pervaded the early editions of The Magazine, the School’s newsletter which was launched in May 1914, a few months before the outbreak of war.

Articles about sporting achievements, reviews of School productions and warnings of mild illness outbreaks soon gave way to essays on patriotism and proud notices of staff and former students who had ‘joined up’. By May 1915, however, a sense of the

THE LEGEND OF STEP DRAG More than 1,400 soldiers were treated at CHS yet, surprisingly, there was only one recorded death – an Australian soldier who succumbed to gas poisoning. The story of this unnamed ANZAC has become part of CHS folklore and many believe him to be the infamous ‘Step Drag’, the ghost that wanders the School’s corridors dragging his injured leg behind him!

horror and futility of the war had crept in to the editorial, and the Old Boys’ Column, which had previously detailed sporting or employment successes, grimly listed Old Wacs that had lost their lives in battle.

The Magazine gives a clear indication of the war’s impact on CHS and its staff and students. Throughout 1915-16, alongside progress of the hospital, the newsletter carried stories of cancelled fetes and sporting activities, and comments on the pitfalls of living in enforced semi-darkness to protect the School and save money.

By 1916 the majority of the male members of staff had signed up for duty or been conscripted. The School attempted to gain exemptions for key Masters but was refused and academic standards began to decline.

While most of the female teachers who stepped in were adequate replacements,

In total, 60 Old Waconians and one Master died during World War I. The Roll of Honour in Main Reception and the memorial sundial outside Staff House are physical reminders of the School’s contribution to the war, and current staff and students, some whose ancestors were serving Old Waconians, continue to remember the war dead at an annual memorial service.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the start of The Great War, Cheadle Hulme School is hosting an exhibition that charts the life of the School and its students during the war. Featuring a wealth of artefacts, photographs and historic information gathered by staff, students, parents and Old Wacs, the exhibition runs until November 2018.

If you would like to come in and have a look around the exhibition, please get in touch with the Development Office. You can email development@chschool.co.uk or phone us on 0161 488 3341 If you would like to come in and have a look around the exhibition, please get in touch with the Development Office.

You can email development@chschool.co.uk or phone us on 0161 488 3341.

21

KEEPING CONNECTED

“LOST” OLD WACONIANS We hope to keep in touch with as many Old Waconians as possible. In order to do this, over the past year, we have input the details of over 6,000 Old Waconians using old records from the School archive.

Once this was complete, we began an alumni retrieval project to gain as many new contact details for those we have previously lost contact with.

We are thrilled to say that this project has been a great success and we have gained new home addresses for over 800 Old Waconians who we previously did not hold a valid address for!

OLD WACONIANS ADDED TO THE ALUMNI DATABASE

HOME ADDRESSES FOUND FOR THOSE WE WERE PREVIOUSLY OUT OF TOUCH WITH

If you know someone who has lost contact with the School over the years, please do ask them to get in touch – we would love to hear from them: development@chschool.co.uk

TWITTER @oldwaconians

It was brilliant to see so many of you join in with #OldWacsHowDoYouReadYours.

We received photos from far and wide – it was great to see where The Old Waconian 2013 ended up! Check out some of our favourites…

173 NEW FOLLOWERS IN THE PAST YEAR 433 FOLLOWERS IN TOTAL

22

Don’t forget to show us where the 2014 edition of The Old Waconian turns up – tweet us @OldWaconians using #OldWacsHowDoYouReadYours

KEEPING CONNECTED

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/OldWaconians You may have noticed that we have changed our weekly posts from Where Am I Wednesday and Turn Back Time Tuesday to two new weekly posts testing both your memory and your knowledge!

BLAST FROM THE PAST! For #ThrowbackThursday we post three form photos from the archive and ask you if you can spot yourself….

QUESTION TIME Each Wednesday, current CHS teachers set you some homework for over the weekend, asking you to answer an exam question in time for Monday morning…

Could you answer the following? If so, get on over to the Facebook page!

THE THRESHOLD OF HEARING IS 1.0 × 1012 W M2.

EXPLAIN WHAT IS MEANT BY THE THRESHOLD OF HEARING?

Set by Mr Ahmed in Physics WHAT IS AN ALGORITHM?

Set by Ms Hayes in Computing EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING GLACIATION TERMS (A) ABRASION, (B) PLUCKING, (C) FREEZE THAW

357 NEW ‘LIKES’ IN THE PAST YEAR 1256 LIKES IN TOTAL

Set by Mr Sparrow in Geography 23

WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? CO-EDUCATION

CO-EDUCATION From its early days as the Manchester Warehousemen and Clerks’ Orphan School, CHS has always welcomed both boys and girls through its gates, providing the same excellent education and horizonexpanding co-curricular activities to all students, regardless of gender.

This commitment to educational equality remains at the heart of CHS, and is one of the many things that has made us one of the top independent schools in the North West.

Tom Wearden (Class of 1948) believes that the School’s inclusive approach not only makes for a well rounded, interesting and fun learning experience, it also teaches students to value diversity, which is as valuable in the workplace as it is in the classroom.

I had the great good fortu ne to attend Cheadle Hulm e School from 1938 to 1948. In those days, the co-educati onal, forwa rd looki ng CHS was decades ahead of many other schoo ls that I have since encou ntered with two sons and six gran dchildren.

The attitudes and values of so many schools and the people they produce seem, to me, to be almost anted iluvia n compared with the education I received at CHS. Nowhere has this been more appa rent than in the approach to gender equa lity.

My recol lection is of equa lity between girls and boys at every stage and in every way. The top positions were conte sted by girls and boys. Many girls decided to study on the ‘science side’.

Co-educational participation in drama and other shared ‘extra mura l’ activ ities was a delight. And in the lower sixth we were taught ballroom dancing which has proved to be a brilliant asset!

Throughout my career I have worked easily with many fema le collea gues, for whom I have had a practical respe ct gained during my formative CHS education. However, over the years I have realised that so many males, from less adva nced, same sex schools, have not been able to establish easy going work ing relationsh ips with women. Many men seem unable to understand, appreciate and work with the comp lementary attributes that fema les bring to the work ing envir onment.

Perhaps this is why so many women feel they encou nter a glass ceiling which halts their career?

There are many other ways in which I have reali sed that CHS was decades in advance of its time. Attitudes durin g my education were broad minded and encou raged all points of view.

As the years have ticked by – I’m 83 now – I have never forgotten my schooldays. My education at CHS was a privi lege for which I rema in deeply grateful to my late paren ts.

TOM WEARDEN

Tom Wearden, Class of 1948

• Attended CHS from 1938 – 1948 where he was a Prefect, Secretary of the Science Society and Head Boy. • Studied Electrical Engineering at Manchester University having been awarded the Edmund Mills Harwood Memorial Scholarship.

• Joined the Royal Navy as an Electrical Officer where he met his wife Margaret, a Petty Officer Wren.

• Enjoyed a long and successful career in the electronics industry.

24

• C urrently a full-time carer for Margaret, who has Alzheimer’s. Tom regards caring as his ‘fifth profession’.

His experiences over 16 years as a carer are recorded in his book, Front Line Alzheimer’s, published by Harina & Co, London.

WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? INSPIRING TEACHERS

MY LIFE IN BOOKS Nigel Westbrook, Head of English THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD BY AGATHA CHRISTIE

One of my first reading obsessions was to fall for the appeal of the classic whodunit, especially the books of Agatha Christie. From the age of about 10 to 13 I devoured well over 40 of them, learning to immerse myself totally in a world of intricate puzzles ultimately solved by the ingenuity of a Poirot or a Miss Marple. This one contains one of her most famous twists. It also expanded my vocabulary as a child, at least with the names of obscure poisons!

WAR AND PEACE BY LEO TOLSTOY

When I was 14 I remember watching an epic, two-part Russian film adaptation of this giant novel that thrilled me principally by its hour-long re-enactment of the Battle of Borodino in 1812, but it stimulated me enough to take the plunge and read the book, all 1400 pages of it. This was probably my first attempt to read “real” literature, rather than the boys’ adventure stories by the likes of Alistair Maclean which had previously been enough for me. The complex Russian names were at first a challenge –why did they all seem to have several alternative versions?—but I became immersed in the vast world Tolstoy created, and was awed by his genius for understanding what makes us who we are.

OUR MUTUAL FRIEND

BY CHARLES DICKENS

One of the set texts I had to study for A Level, this convinced me that Dickens might not be the greatest novelist (compared to Tolstoy’s Natasha Rostova his female characters seem

feebly two-dimensional) but he was certainly the most endlessly inventive: Mr Boffin and Silas Wegg, the Veneerings, Podsnap and Fascination Fledgeby… The bizarre names and outrageous characters just kept coming, chapter after chapter, and even if the plot was impossibly complicated, his skill at describing people and manipulating language for comic effect was a regular delight.

ULYSSES BY JAMES JOYCE

At university I was required to read through all of the major works in the canon of English literature: some could seem a chore, or even not worth the time you had to spend on them, but if there was one novel that stunned me from the first, and that continues to amaze every time I start to read it, it must be Joyce’s story of one June day in Dublin, in which he interweaves the thoughts and memories of his characters while showing off his expertise at writing in every conceivable form and style. He makes most other writers seem tiny in comparison.

VERY GOOD, JEEVES BY PG WODEHOUSE

When I was younger I never quite “got” PG Wodehouse: I could see he was amusing, but the relentless idiocy of his narrator, Bertie Wooster, and the impossibly privileged social class to which he belongs used to grate on me after a while. Now, I admire completely his ability to sustain that unique comic style (such as in his description of “a tubby little chap who looked as if he had been poured into his clothes and forgotten to say ‘When!’”), and his skill at creating elaborate farcical plots is pure genius.

A good way to unwind at the end of a busy week!

25

WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? PHILANTHROPY

FITNESS CENTRE APPEAL Last year the Cheadle Hulme School community came together in support of the Fitness Centre Appeal, raising £416,360.56 against a goal of £300,000.

We are tremendously grateful for the generosity of those Old Waconians and parents who came forward to support the appeal by making a financial gift. The new Centre will be the flagship building for Sport and will benefit students across the School for many years to come. We look forward to updating you on the build over the year ahead.

SEPTEMBER 2012 JANUARY 2014

FEBRUARY 2014

MARCH 2014

PLANNING AND QUIET PHASE OF APPEAL

LAUNCH OF I HEART CHS CAMPAIGN

LAUNCH OF PUBLIC APPEAL TO CHS COMMUNITY

£352,099.66 TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED IN CASH AND PLEDGES

26

WHAT IS AT THE

SPORTS NEWS Here are just a few of our sporting highlights from the past year

OF CHS? PHILANTHROPY

GIRLS’ FOOTBALL at CHS went from strength to strength this year, with the School becoming home to the first ever Independent Schools’ Football Association Northern Girls’ Squad and launching its first ever girls’ team. Year 11 students, Hafsa Maududi and Charlotte Wright, who currently play for the CHS U15 team, will star in the regional team.

NETBALL: Success all round for our talented netballers. The U11 team secured second place at the AJIS Netball Tournament, the U13s were County Runners-Up in the Greater Manchester Schools’ Tournament, the U15A team won this year’s Stockport Schools’ Tournament, while the U15B team finished second in their group.

The U12B RUGBY Team won all of their games this year, scoring 319 points over eight matches and only conceding 12. The similarly impressive U12A team lost just two matches in the season.

Two Year 10 students, Michael Elstone and James Scott, have also been selected to represent the Cheshire Rugby Football Union Club’s U15 team.

HOCKEY: The girls’ U18 Hockey Team won the 2014 Manchester County Championship, while a mixed team joined Oxford Hockey Team captain, Old Waconian Lizzie Totten (Class of 2010), in the “Curtains” game before the 114th Varsity Hockey event between Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

ATHLETICS: Junior School athletes gained prime podium positions in two major athletics competitions last academic year, with several others securing fourth or fifth places. One Year 6 pupil, Matthew Houlden, was selected to represent Greater Manchester at the North West Fun in Athletics Sportshall Championships.

BOYS’ FOOTBALL: CHS’s footballers returned victorious after taking part in Manchester Grammar School’s 8-a-side 2nd XI tournament.

The U13 team also celebrated reaching the Quarter Finals of the Investec Independent Schools’ Football Association Cup.

APRIL 2014

AUGUST 2014

PARENT TELEPHONE CAMPAIGN AND END OF APPEAL

TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED IN CASH & PLEDGES

£416,360.56

BUILDING WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ON THE FITNESS CENTRE THIS ACADEMIC YEAR

OWs: 11% OTHERS: 9% PARENTS: 80%

PARTICIPATION

BY OWs, PARENTS & OTHERS

265 TOTAL NUMBER OF DONORS

27

WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? PHILANTHROPY

THE BURSARY FUND Contributing to the CHS Bursary Fund is a gift that can last a lifetime.

The tradition of philanthropy at CHS began with its foundation in 1855 as the ‘Manchester Warehousemen and Clerks Orphan School’. Over the last 159 years many generous philanthropists have helped CHS in many ways: providing funding for School buildings, new equipment and opening up a CHS education to deserving students through the creation of the Bursary Fund.

Central to our ethos is a vibrant and diverse community of students, for whom financial circumstances do not stand in the way of ability and potential.

Currently around 1 in 10 of our students receive some form of bursarial support but, unfortunately, we regularly have to turn down requests from talented students.

We want to give more young people the chance to change their lives with a CHS education.

This year we hope to raise just over £500,000 for the Bursary Fund.

This will put the Fund at £3 million. The public appeal will begin in February.

Your support will help more young people reach their full potential, regardless of their background.

To discuss the Bursary Fund in more detail, please contact Frances Kennedy, Development Director either by phone 0161 488 3338 or email franceskennedy@chschool.co.uk Alternatively, you can find out more information online: development.cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk/CHSBursaryFund

JULY 2005

SEPTEMBER 2010

JULY 2012

LAUNCH OF BURSARY FUND

LUCY PEARSON JOINED CHS – BURSARY FUND HIGHLIGHTED AS A PRIORITY IN THE TEN YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN

FIRST OLD WACONIAN TELEPHONE CAMPAIGN – THE TOTAL FUND AT

Ten Year Strategic Plan 2011 - 2021

28

£1.6MILLION

WHAT IS AT THE

OF CHS? PHILANTHROPY

“ There is nothing better than the gift of a CHS education to a young person.

If the Bursary Fund didn’t exist I wouldn’t have developed into the person I am today. It’s so important that the School can continue to offer this opportunity to more and more deserving young people.”

Molly Pipping, current student

“ We feel privileged that Liam has been able to enjoy this life-changing experience due to the benevolence of others who recognise the value of educational opportunity. There are many aspects of CHS life which, although not as easy to quantify as academic results, play a vital role in a well-rounded education. We have watched Liam grow and develop at CHS in a way we feel sure would not have been possible elsewhere.”

Parent of current student, Liam Charles

AUGUST 2014 TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED IN ACADEMIC YEAR 2013-14:

£467,863.58

SEPTEMBER 2014 ONWARDS PRIORITY FUNDRAISING PROJECT FOR 2014/2015

69

3481

THE NUMBER OF CURRENT REGULAR DONORS TO THE BURSARY FUND

NUMBER OF GIFTS TO THE BURSARY FUND SINCE 2005

OUR AIM IS TO INCREASE THE FUND TO £3 MILLION

29

OLD WACS ASSOCIATION

OLD WACONIANS’ ASSOCIATION 121st ANNUAL DINNER TOAST TO CHEADLE HULME SCHOOL By guest of honour David Cairns, Class of 1964 This has led me and many of my contemporaries to question whether we would have been able to come to Cheadle Hulme School, and hence would be here tonight, if the current arrangements had applied in the 1950s. A few weeks ago, I met one of my CHS contemporaries for the first time in over 50 years. As well as seven years at Cheadle Hulme School, we also shared several years at Cheadle Heath Primary School. He posed a question which sums up what many of us have in our minds:

Almost a third of those present at tonight’s dinner are 1964 leavers who are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their leaving Cheadle Hulme School. Many of them have told me how their CHS education prepared them for the next stage of their education, created career opportunities and served them in good stead for over 50 years. This is evidenced in many ways, for example: by the careers they have followed; by the contributions they continue to make to society, to their communities and to the environment; by the family and other relationships they have built. The benefits are also reflected in the way in which they relate to one another irrespective of how they got on at school.

When we first came to Cheadle Hulme School in the 1950s, the education system was very different. Then, the vast majority of new pupils came from local primary schools having passed their local 11+ and funded by the Cheshire, Manchester and Stockport education authorities under the direct-grant scheme. However, Cheadle Hulme School is now an independent, fee-paying school which creates a barrier to entry to many state primary school pupils who have the necessary ability and aptitude to benefit from a CHS education.

30

“Would a boy from Edgeley now make it to Cheadle Hulme School?”

He could also have asked whether a boy from Edgeley would now make it as a leading scientist in one of our largest companies. Many of us could ask similar questions, substituting girl for boy, other locations for Edgeley, and other skills and careers for science and technology.

I’m glad to say there is a simple answer to the Cheadle Hulme School question – a resounding yes. The school’s bursary scheme is the major means by which boys and girls with the necessary ability and aptitude can make it to Cheadle Hulme

School irrespective of their primary school, where they live, what their parents do and what their parents earn.

Yesterday I had the immense pleasure of meeting a very bright and articulate girl who had attended my primary school and who is now at CHS but who was able to take the opportunity of a place at CHS only because of the bursary scheme.

Today I met her mother. The dedication, commitment and appreciation of both mother and daughter was something which I wish you had all seen.

The CHS bursary scheme makes it possible for some of today’s 11 year olds in state primary schools to start on the path that many of us started on in the 1950s - the only differences are that that they are starting on a bright and inspiring 2014 path rather than a dull and grey 1950s path and that they have had a bright and inspiring 2014 primary school education rather than the dull primary school education we might have had. I saw evidence of that change yesterday when I also visited my former primary school - I was highly impressed with the professionalism, skills and caring of the staff – by the enthusiasm and hard

work of its pupils – and by the bright and motivating surroundings.

The CHS bursary scheme does, however, have its limitations, not least in the number of pupils it can support. In the 1950s, the direct-grant scheme provided over 60 free places a year for pupils from local primary schools. At the moment, the bursary scheme does not reach as far so there are undoubtedly children with the necessary ability and aptitude who are being deprived of the opportunities and, I dare say the luck, that we had. One solution is to extend the bursary scheme and every one of us here tonight can choose to play a part in helping that happen.

On the third Saturday in November, former pupils, former staff and current staff gathered together in the School Dining Room, which was almost unrecognisable from ‘school dinner’ and ‘boarder meals’ days, to enjoy the 121st Annual Dinner of the Old Waconians’ Association. This year there were reunion groups from the Class of 1974 and the Class of 1964, who managed a grand turnout of 52 people.

The dinner was a sell-out even before the usual dinner mailing, so do book early next year if you’d like to join us. 156 guests came from around the UK and indeed from across the world, with former pupils travelling from Hong Kong, China, France, South Africa, Australia and the USA. We didn’t forget those abroad who could not be with us, and, in time-honoured tradition, we paused from dining at 9pm,

2015 DINNER DATE

I am proud to support Cheadle Hulme School’s bursary scheme because it is one way I can give something back so that today’s children can receive the same opportunities I benefited from. I am also proud to support my former primary school.

I do both things not through some mistyeyed nostalgia for the grey 1950s but with the recognition that I have been very lucky in so many ways and want, therefore, to do my bit to ensure that today’s children have the same opportunities that I had. Cheadle Hulme School helped me understand this responsibility.

It gives me great pleasure, therefore, to propose the toast to Cheadle Hulme School. to remember them with the toast to Old Scholars Abroad.

As always, we had guests who had been at School from across the years ranging from pupils from the 1940s to the School’s current Head Boy and Girl. Our thanks go to the Head Boy and Girl who worked hard all evening selling raffle tickets. Together with help from Prisca Wharton, a recipient of an Educational Fund Award, their ticket sales, less disbursements, raised an amazing £826.08, for the Old Waconians’ Educational Fund.

Thanks too must go to our speakers for the evening – David Cairns, Class of 1964, who proposed the toast to the School and to the Head, Lucy Pearson, who made the response. David gave us a thoughtprovoking talk about the importance of

Next year’s Dinner will take place on Saturday 14 November 2015 at the School.

access to the education CHS provides, and Lucy updated us on the school’s continuing success and the focus of the work of the Development Office.

Our gratitude as ever goes to Sodexo for providing yet another delicious meal.

My personal appreciation also goes to Carol Leather, Secretary of the Old Wacs Association, to the Development Office and to Kay Moore, Library Resource Centre Manager, for all their hard work organising the Dinner and for the archive displays.

I would also like to say how very much we appreciate all the time that the Head devotes to Old Waconians.

Our final rousing rendition of Jerusalem seemed a fitting end to a lovely evening that was filled with renewed friendships and shared memories.

By Chairman of the OWA, Cathy Beavis née Simpson (Class of 1972) 31

OLD WACS ASSOCIATION

THE OLD WACONIANS’ ASSOCIATION Annual General Meeting: 28 June 2014 Eighteen members of the Association attended the 2014 AGM, together with Officers, the Head and the Development Director. The treasurer, John King, presented his report, as did the Chairman, Melanie Richardson, who was presenting her final report after serving for four years as Chairman. The main concern of the Officers and Committee has been to

continue to work on finding the best way to move forward the agreement made with School in 2010 and to update the OWA Constitution, and this has involved various meetings and discussions among the Working Party, as well as advice from Lawyers. It is still a work in progress and we will come back to our members with our suggestions as soon as we can.

Kay Moore (Librarian and Archivist) was thanked for all the help she gives the Association, and was elected as a VicePresident to mark this, as was Melanie Richardson, retiring Chairman. Other elections took place and the President, Vice-Presidents, Officers and Committee members are as listed on this page.

Lucy Pearson addressed the meeting.

OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION, 2014-15 President: Sheila Kenyon née Binns.

THE OLD WACONIANS’ ASSOCIATION EDUCATIONAL FUND The Educational Fund was set up in 1973 and exists principally to assist students who have left the School in the furtherance of their education.

This year, support from the Educational Fund enabled Vicky Johyn (Class of 2009), a current fifth year medical student, to undertake a six-week medical elective to Vanuatu.

“Over the six weeks, I became aware of many of the difficulties faced by doctors in the country, which we take for granted in UK hospitals, meaning doctors have to place more trust in simple history and examination. A problem facing the NiVans (the people of Vanuatu) is the logistics of getting to the hospital in the first place.

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Some patients would arrive, by boat, up to two weeks after they set out from their island to receive help. Health education is also limited among the NiVan population, meaning many only come to hospital after “custom” treatments such as massage and herbs have been tried. Unfortunately, this means that medical intervention is sometimes too late, and I saw some sad cases which could have been avoided with earlier treatment.

I am very pleased to have had this experience, and would like to thank the Old Waconians’ Association for their contribution towards my trip. Returning home, I have now seen a different side to OLD WACONIANS’ ASSOCIATION SPORTS PRIZE The annual sports prizes were awarded by the Association to Hana Nasser and Teddy Baines at the Leavers Ceremony in July.

The prizes are made to the pupils in Upper Sixth Form who have contributed significantly to sport at the school throughout the time they have been pupils.

Vice-Presidents: Cathy Beavis née Simpson; Patricia Bisset née Schofield; Paul Dixon; Chris Emsley; David James; Liz Jones née Plucker; Stanley Marsden; Vera Moore née Sullivan; Thelma Newman; Olga Odabashian née Kirkham; Pauline Parfitt née Cragg; Bill Parker; Michael Scaife; Roy Seaton; Carole Taylor née Huddart; Margaret Williams née Ratcliffe; Melanie Richardson née Jones; Kay Moore.

Chairman: Cathy Beavis née Simpson Joint Vice-Chairmen: Paula Rayson, Melanie Richardson née Jones Treasurer: Dr. John King Secretary: Carol Leather née Scott (carolleather@chschool.co.uk) Committee Members: Vera Moore née Sullivan, Ann Birch née Simpson, Susan Barratt née Josiffe, Mike Perring, Alexandra Severn, Chris Savill née Scott, David Riley.

medicine. I greatly appreciate the standard of healthcare offered in this country, as well as the opportunity to study amid our evolving field of science and research. I have also learnt many other valuable lessons from living among such happy people, who have so much less than us in materialistic measure, but certainly no less in life.”

FONDLY REMEMBERED

FONDLY REMEMBERED HELEN BELLHOUSE, CLASS OF 1971 Died April 2014 Helen joined Cheadle Hulme School in the Sixth Form.

While at the School, Helen took an active role in the Choir and other clubs. Helen joined the Old Waconians’ Association (OWA) and Committee in 1976. In recognition of all the work she had done for the OWA, including being on the Magazine Committee and being Treasurer from 1980 –1999, she was made a Vice-President of the OWA in 2000.

Helen was a stalwart member of the Committee. Her sudden death in April after a short but severe illness was a shock to all of us who knew her. We will miss her at our meetings and thank her for all the time she gave the OWA. Carol Leather, Secretary of the OWA

CHEADLE HULME SCHOOL IS SAD TO REPORT THE DEATHS OF THE FOLLOWING OLD WACONIANS: HERBERT MELLOR (CLASS OF 1931)

Died January 2014 MARGARET (LYNNE) ROBERTS, NÉE SLATER (CLASS OF 1978)

Died January 2014 JOCK HOLLAND (CLASS OF 1942)

Died February 2014 MARK HANCOCK (CLASS OF 1990)

Died February 2014 RONALD (RON) BROWN (CLASS OF 1943)

Died February 2014 NEVILLE (BRIAN) SIMPSON (CLASS OF 1947)

Died February 2014 ROGER MARSH (CLASS OF 1947)

Died March 2014

HARRY DUBOIS, CLASS OF 2014 Died April 2014 The last academic year was marked out by the sudden and tragic death of Upper Sixth Student, Harry Dubois in April. Harry’s death from a rare heart condition shocked us all and his loss was felt throughout the School. Harry’s passions were his singing and drama; earlier in the year he had starred in both Fumed Oak and Annie, as well as being central to Encore and numerous other singing groups. Harry was passionate about CHS; it was a place he loved and was proud to be a part of. The way in which students from across the year groups came together to commemorate Harry was testament to his personality and influence. Over the summer, a memorial garden was established in his honour – a place for students to enjoy chatting with friends.

STELLA MAUDE, NÉE HODGES (CLASS OF 1957)

Died March 2014 ANN OVERFIELD, NÉE THOMAS (CLASS OF 1956)

Died April 2014 ALASTAIR GIBSON (CLASS OF 1959)

Died April 2014 JOYCE (LINDA) FITCH, NÉE SMITH (CLASS OF 1958)

Died April 2014 BARBARA OWEN (CLASS OF 1946)

Died May 2014 BARBARA MOTTERSHEAD (CLASS OF 1970)

Died May 2014 RUTH WHITELAW, NÉE MAYNARD (CLASS OF 1951)

IRENE LAWTON, CLASS OF 1934 Died August 2014 Irene, known as Renee to many, was born in Manchester into a loving family. Irene and her sisters Peggy and Dorothy attended CHS as Boarders where she was very happy.

She met Norman at the age of 18 at a dance and at 21 she was engaged and then married at 23 in St. Anne’s Parish Church. Irene and Norman had two daughters, Janet and Margaret who she often told “you are my world”. Irene showed great affection for CHS and was made a Vice President of the Old Waconians’ Association. She often attended Dinners and other events where she had many friends. Irene was a sensitive, shy and anxious person, but also loving, kind, friendly, cheerful, generous and brave.

Her passions in life were her family and friends and her school and she loved music, poetry, writing, reading, swimming and dancing. Irene has been an inspiration to us all with her kindness and caring for others, and will never be forgotten. It was a privilege to have known her.

Janet Lawton and Margaret Owen, Irene’s daughters

Died June 2014 ZARA TAYLOR (CLASS OF 1986)

Died July 2014 NORAH HORTON, NÉE CONOLLY (CLASS OF 1935)

Died July 2014 ISLA BUTTAR (CLASS OF 1946)

Died July 2014 EMILY (LUCIE) GREEN, NÉE STRONG (CLASS OF 1939)

Died August 2014 JOHN HILEY, (CLASS OF 1963)

Died October 2014 MURIEL ENGLAND (CLASS OF 1951)

Died 2014 JOHN BOURNE (CLASS OF 1957)

Died November 2014

For full obituaries of some of the Old Waconians remembered here, please visit the school website at: www.cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk/WHT

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FINAL WORD 11:00

MY SCHOOL DAY John Winter, Senior Deputy Head

I sit on the First World War Committee and we meet regularly to discuss the School’s contribution to the anniversary commemorations. The group includes students, staff, Old Waconians and local residents; between us we have devised a programme of events over the next four years that will tell an important part of the story of CHS during the war and show our respect for those OWs and staff who lost their lives.

12:00

I grab some lunch in the Dining Hall before heading back to my office to catch up on more voicemails and emails. I do enjoy reading emails from former students or staff telling me what they are now up to and I am always happy to write references for them. I am also often on duty over lunchtime which gives me the chance to chat to students and staff. Most of them are pretty happy to talk to me – the students that is! It is very rare to find any child misbehaving during break and so it is generally another very pleasant part of my working day.

13:30

05:00

I have always been an early riser. I enjoy the peace and quiet of the house at this time of the morning; it gives me time to think about the day ahead or catch up on important things like reading for 20 minutes on my Kindle – whether this is German crime fiction, the latest biography on Louis Van Gaal or this week’s edition of Die Zeit. I get a lift to School at around 6.30 with the Head, Lucy Pearson. This gives us an ideal opportunity to discuss work – but we usually end up talking about travel, literature or sport.

The afternoon is generally taken up with meetings with members of staff. I meet regularly with the other Deputies and also have one-to-one sessions with the five Heads of Department. These meetings encompass anything and everything in the sphere of personal and professional issues.

14:00

07:00

Mid-afternoon sees another of those top five moments in my day with the arrival of a cup of tea made by my brilliant secretary, Mrs Pauline Morris. She constantly seeks to bring order to my busy schedule and makes sure that I am where I should be, armed with everything that I need. She also makes a great cup of tea!

Every Monday I chair a whole-school staff briefing. This is a good opportunity at the start of the week to share any news or operational information and discuss the key issues that affect us all, such as safeguarding, which is certainly a hot topic for all schools right now.

16:00

My working day invariably begins with reading and responding to overnight emails and preparation for the day’s meetings. I sometimes have pre-school meetings with members of staff or students, as this is a good time to catch me before things get more hectic.

08:15

I always find some time each day to work on the various projects I am currently involved in, either as a sponsor or project team member. At the moment, I am part of a team working on implementing a Year 7 ‘Bring your own device to School’ project, which would see the students using their own tablets within the classroom to enhance their learning.

09:00

I still love teaching and these lessons are some of my favourite hours of the week. I am teaching German GCSE this morning which allows me to share my passion for the German language and culture. Today’s theme is for them to talk about their work experience and career aspirations, almost entirely in German.

09:45

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Most days I take part in lesson observations to support our Newly Qualified Teachers. I really enjoy this mentoring side to my role. As well as having the chance to share my experience with them and offer them feedback and guidance, I can also ‘nick’ their excellent new ideas for my own teaching! I take as much pride in the progress of our young teachers as I do in the progress and achievements of students.

15:00

There is usually something going on in the evening at School, whether it is an Oxbridge Information Evening or Parents Evening. Tonight it is the weekly Senior Leadership Team meeting.

On the agenda is the School Development Plan, focusing on our progress against our goals, and more discussion on our preparation for the forthcoming ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) Inspection.

18:00

Discussion in the staff room among some of the male members of staff today has revolved around a couple of glaring goal-mouth misses by one of the Heads of the Science Departments in last Friday’s kick-around after school.

Playing football with the staff team is a great way to keep fit and spend some less formal time with my colleagues - though it does mean that I am occasionally limping even on Monday evening!

21:00

Finally home to spend a bit of time with the family and maybe even check the cricket and football scores before it all starts again tomorrow with the next chapter on my Kindle.

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ALUMNI noun (pl. alumni/ ; fem. alumna/, pl. alumnae)

A FORMER PUPIL OR STUDENT OF A PARTICULAR SCHOOL, COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

Head Lucy Pearson, B.A. (Oxon) Claremont Road · Cheadle Hulme · Cheadle · Cheshire · SK8 6EF Tel 0161 488 3330 · Email head@chschool.co.uk cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk

Registered Company Number 3823129 Registered Charity Number 1077017