The Cheltonian 2024-5

The Cheltonian

2025

Floreat Cheltonia

Welcome from The Head

A friend bought me a book for my birthday this year; Cheltenham in 50 Buildings I have to admit, normally, I might not have been hugely excited by the choice of title as whodunnits and crime novels are my guilty pleasure, but in this, my final summer as Head of this great school, I was grateful to be reminded about the important part that College has played in the history and community of Cheltenham.

On the cover was one of our very own iconic buildings, the magnificent Thirlestaine House, once considered Cheltenham’s ‘noblest mansion’ and the only suitable abode in the town worthy of a second royal visit by William IV were he ever to return. I have spent many evenings in the magnificent Long Gallery, watching fantastic concerts, debates, Model United Nations general assemblies, and even a charity bakeoff. I have marvelled at the creativity of Cheltonians past and present, enjoying countless art exhibitions. Other parts of College that warrant a mention are the main building where my palatial office is situated, designed in 15th Century gothic style, and also the former College swimming baths. Sadly, this isn’t a College building anymore but in its day it held 100,000 gallons of water and could be filled in 10 hours from the two wells sunk beneath it. The water was even drinkable though I don’t think I would have liked to test that out after groups of pupils had taken a dip!

This book made me appreciate our wonderful buildings but more importantly it made a very tangible link for me between the present and the past. Our College values, our 5Cs, include community, and when I talk to pupils, that is always the value that they focus on first. We are above all, a community,

similar in all respects to a big, somewhat noisy family. We have multiple generations linked by shared experience, from the octogenarian OC to the three-year-old child in their very first term at the Nursery School. We pride ourselves on the journey being so much more than just the destination, and within this magazine you will see the sport, the music, the drama, the art, the academic achievements and the social activities, trips and fun that we have had in another very busy and productive year. I am always particularly thrilled to read the stories of our OCs – of whatever generation – who share the details of their journeys beyond College. School days can be the best days of your lives, but I am sure you will be pleased to see that in fact, this is just the start of the adventure, and as the world of work opens up for our young people across the globe, our Cheltonians of 2025 are going to be very well prepared to make the most of it.

To conclude, I would like to thank all those who make our community what it is. Our staff genuinely go ‘beyond and above’ every single day for our pupils, with generosity and creativity, and our pupils in turn make every day an inspiration. This year has been bittersweet as we bid a very sad farewell to our much-loved and valued colleague, Sebastian Bullock, known to so many in his 27 years as part of our community. If Sebastian has taught us anything, it is that we must seize every day and make the very most of every opportunity on offer. I am proud of all that College and our Cheltonians as a community have achieved in that respect, and I look forward to all that they will do in the years to come.

Mrs

Nicola Huggett

...we must seize every day and make the very most of every opportunity on offer.

News from The Prep

At last we have boats back on the lake! Thanks to the very generous contributions from the Old Cheltonian community our sparkly new rowing boats, resplendent in House colours, are a huge hit and we look forward to using them this coming year.

The Prep continues to push back boundaries so that the children have many amazing and memorable experiences. The learning that comes from outside the classroom is equally, and sometimes even more, important than that which happens inside.

You will see from The Prep’s pages in this magazine just how busy we have all been this year. The school is flying. It’s an incredible place to live and work. It really is magical, both for the children and the staff. We are all very lucky.

Please do come and visit us and see our brilliant children in action. They would love to tour you around and tell you all about their school - The Prep 2025 version!

Mr Tom O’Sullivan,

Head, Cheltenham Prep

Pre-Prep

We have enjoyed an incredible journey in the Nursery School and Pre-Prep this year. The autumn welcomed the start of school for Reception. New friendships, routines and experiences peppered all our days. As winter approached, excitement bubbled over with our pantomime visits to the theatre. The festive season continued with the warm glow of Christingle lights.

Spring brought new life and colour. Spring flowers popped up in the playground and in art projects, reminding us of growth and renewal.

We welcomed the Easter Bunny, who brought smiles, sweet treats, and some very fun egg hunts. Dinosaurs stomped through classrooms in a roar-some topic that captured everyone’s attention, with fossil hunts and dino facts galore.

The Summer Term saw excitement in every corner, from Nursery’s adventures in their space station play area, to Reception’s trip to Bristol Museum, where planets and stars sparked young imaginations in unforgettable ways.

Year 1’s trip to the beach was a sunsoaked day of discovery, sandcastles,

and seaweed treasures. Year 2 became master chefs, proudly creating their own pizzas; measuring, mixing, and munching! They also reached new heights on the hockey pitch, playing their first away hockey match with energy and team spirit.

The memories we have made are memories to last a lifetime.

Mrs Rebecca Hughes-Noon, Head of Pre-Prep

Lower School

A large academic focus every year with Year 3 and 4 is learning times tables. The progress has been incredible. When you get children who can answer 100 times tables questions at an average of 0.6 seconds per question, you know the hard work has paid off. Along with this key learning, the children have been challenged to become more competent with their maths fluency when using written methods

Middle School

As the saying goes – it is a ‘game of two halves’. That is true for Middle School! We take pupils coming into Year 5 and gently nurture and support them as they take their first steps in the top half of the school. This is a big step up for them, having moved from being more class teacher based in Lower School,

of calculation. Again, the progress has been impressive.

The Lower School Christmas Production is always a much-anticipated event, and this year did not disappoint, with the Grinch stealing the show, not Christmas. The chance to perform in front of an audience is always beneficial. This alongside the Presentation Weeks, ensure that the children learn how to speak in front of different audiences, preparing them for this key skill from an early age.

to moving around the school site for different subjects with different teachers. Year 6 is then spent consolidating this and starting to look forward and prepare them for life in Upper School.

Middle School is a fantastic section of the school, with amazing form staff who help support the children and give them the confidence they need to flourish in all aspects of school life.

Lower School continues to be full of happy children who enjoy learning and making the most of the opportunities on offer, whether it be in the classroom or otherwise. Priority is given to building strong relationships with each and every child to make sure they are happy day to day. After all, success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success!

Mr Andrew Theedom, Head of Lower School

The year has been full of wonderful experiences ranging from drama productions and music concerts to a huge range of sporting endeavours, and from Christmas parties and glow-in-the-dark dodgeball to brilliant residential trips –Croft Farm and Water Park for Year 5 and Trafford Hall in Chester for Year 6. What a wonderful way to conclude a brilliant year!

Dr Kit Perona-Wright, Head of Middle School

Upper School

We have enjoyed another year of challenges, activities and experiences both in and out of the classroom. We started the year welcoming our new Year 7 pupils and had a fantastic trip to the Lake District to enjoy team building, making new friends, campfire making and taking part in a wide range of activities from fell walks to paddle boarding. In the Spring term, our Upper School production of Oliver ! got underway. Upper School pupils threw themselves into all areas of the production and performance, bringing energy and ambition and impressing staff, parents and pupils. We also held the second Mud Run, raising money for our charities this year, RNLI and Heart Heroes. The Summer term saw a mix of examinations, and then opportunities for fun before the move to Senior School for our Year 8s. Year 7 enjoyed a week of walks, waterbased challenges, some CCF training and visits to galleries and Bristol. Year 8 threw themselves into their post Common Entrance programme, covering everything from a week away completing outdoor challenges through to cooking a formal dinner for family and staff. They finished their time at The Prep with their Leavers’ Dinner and Dance, a fitting farewell to a full and varied year and time at The Prep.

School

Ms Sarah Reid, Head of Upper

Cade House

It has been another action-packed year in Cade House which is an extended family for 42 full boarders and 42 flexi boarders. The boarders started the year with a splash at the Cotswold Water Park as well as testing their fear of heights on a mobile climbing wall. We also made the most of Cheltenham, and visited the cinema, Hollywood Bowl, laser tag and crazy golf. The boarders tested their culinary skills in the Great Boarders’ Bake Off, before celebrating in style at our annual Cade House Christmas Feast.

During the Spring Term boarders enjoyed zorbing, Ninja

Warrior, a graffiti workshop and escape rooms before we finished the term in true Cade House chaos with our Colour Rave! The Summer Term is always the best in a prep school boarding house and Cade House is no different. The boarders made the most of the incredible outdoor facilities, playing tennis, cricket, rounders and trampolining almost every night. We also visited the Cotswold Wildlife Park, The Lido and Thorpe park, to name but a few.

Thank you to all those that work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure Cade House remains a safe and happy home for all our boarders.

Mr Jack Avery, Head of Boarding

Valete - Our Fond Farewells

Kate Herbert

It’s hard to put into words and summarise the impact Kate has made on Cade House in her five years as Matron. Her tireless dedication to the sustainability initiatives in the boarding house has left an incredible mark on this community. From the thoughtful, everyday actions she has implemented to her passion for creating a greener future, she has not only improved the environment but also inspired all of us to think more carefully about our choices. Her vision has made such a difference, and it’s clear that her efforts will have had a lasting impact that will continue to guide us.

Beyond her work on sustainability, Kate has been a constant source of support for the boarders, always there in the mornings to greet them with a smile and in the evenings, offering encouragement and care. Her kindness and genuine interest in their well-being has meant the world to them and has made the boarding house feel like a second home.

Kate, your positive energy, compassion, and unwavering dedication will be missed. You’ve set a high standard for all of us, and we’ll continue to carry forward the values you’ve instilled. As you move on to new adventures, we wish you nothing but success and fulfilment. Thank you for everything and know that you will always be remembered with the utmost gratitude.

Jack Avery

Gill Barrett

Gill joined The Prep in 2005 as Head of Learning Support, a place to support pupils and assist them to achieve success and meet their potential. Gill was an extremely well qualified and experienced lead in this specialist area of education. During her role at The Prep, she was also Director of Learning, leading on Gifted and Talented provision, the Year 6 Independent Learning Project and was responsible for introducing a school-wide tutorial programme.

Having spent 16 years as Head of Learning Support it was time for a change. For the final four years of her career at school she became an invaluable member of the Lower School staff, working to support pupils in English and Maths lessons, but also to deliver specialist one-to-one and small group support sessions. She worked tirelessly to prepare

resources, plan her sessions and would ensure that she did everything possible to make learning a positive experience for all. Being a talented artist she also enjoyed helping to coordinate art mornings and Outdoor Learning experiences.

Gill is very much looking forward to enjoying her retirement and is clearly going to be very busy. Plans include looking after her young grandson and spending more time with her family. In addition, she will continue her passion for making art and selling art through her new online art business. She is also writing a craft book about hand-dyeing tissue paper for use in art projects. We wish Gill all the best and thank her for her considerable contributions to life at The Prep.

Andrew Theedom

Fiona Randell

We say a heartfelt goodbye to Fiona who is retiring after many years of outstanding and devoted service. Fiona has been an integral part of our Pre-Prep family for over two decades, and throughout that time, has demonstrated unwavering loyalty, honesty, and professionalism.

Fiona is the kind of person who notices everything, from the smallest detail in a classroom to the quietest child in need of encouragement. She is efficient, highly organised, and consistently pro-active, always anticipating what needs to be done and stepping in with tireless support. Whether helping a teacher prepare for a busy day or organising costumes for the many school plays and performances, Fiona has worked with commitment, never seeking the spotlight, but always making a difference.

Her dedication and team spirit have left a lasting mark on the life of the school. Fiona’s presence has been a steady, positive force. She can be relied upon without question and her commitment to the children and staff alike has made a genuine impact. Her legacy is truly woven into the fabric of Pre-Prep.

As Fiona moves on to a well-earned retirement, we offer our deepest thanks for all she has given to The Prep. Her years of service have touched countless lives and shaped many happy school days.

Thank you, Fiona. May your retirement be filled with joy, relaxation, and plenty of dog walks!

Rebecca Hughes-Noon

Scott Newson

Scott joined us in September 2015 as Head of Geography, having taught previously at Mayfield Grammar School in Kent. Scott was a Middle School form teacher with Year 6, moving into Upper School the following year as a Year 8 form teacher and eventually taking on the role of Head of Upper School during his time here. Scott has also been a valuable member of the boys’ games department, enjoying rugby, hockey and most recently rowing with our boys and girls, showing both a competitive and caring side to his coaching and work with the children.

Scott’s enthusiasm, love of subject and drive to see pupils succeed is reflected in his numerous roles and activities – taking pupils to compete in the Da Vinci decathlon for academic scholars in his role as Scholarship Co-ordinator, reaching third place nationally and participating in History and Modern Foreign Language trips to Canterbury and France with Year 7, as well as numerous day trips and activities. Scott has continued to teach Geography, and most recently taken on teaching Computing with Middle School, underlining his versatility and desire to keep learning new skills and attributes.

Scott leaves us after a full and involved 10 years, to pursue his love of educational research and to explore fresh challenges. We wish him, his wife Jen and their two daughters Iróna and Eva every happiness and success. Sarah Reid

Caty Stirling Lee

After many years of dedicated service, we bid a fond farewell to Caty, whose journey with College began when she was just 17 years old. Starting as a holiday camp activity leader, Caty quickly became a familiar and much-loved face across many areas of school life.

Her path has been one of continuous growth and impact - from her time in the sports centre, to her role as a coach, then as a graduate assistant in the boarding house, and most recently as our Prep Sports Pro. In the past year Caty also took on the role of Head of Girls’ Cricket at College, where she led with passion, skill, and an unwavering commitment to the pupils.

Caty’s energy and enthusiasm have been nothing short of infectious. Whether in PE lessons, swimming sessions, the boarding house, or out on the games field, her approachable and supportive nature has left a lasting impression on countless children.

Behind the scenes, Caty has been a pillar of reliability and forward-thinking. Her contributions have extended far beyond the pitch, and her presence will be deeply missed by staff and pupils alike.

As Caty moves on to Cheltenham Ladies’ College to pursue her teacher training and continue her career with secondary school pupils, we know she will continue to shine. We wish her every success in this exciting new chapter and thank her for the incredible legacy she leaves behind.

Nicki Gidman

Lower College Society

Members of Lower College Society (LCS) are always invited to single out their personal highlights and to lay down new directions for future meetings. The setting for this retrospective is the LCS Feast and, this year, Paddy G delivered an impromptu speech, echoing the idea that LCS is unique for providing a forum for creative discussion and ‘unstructured curiosity’. I think it was a compliment! This is very much a pupil-led society,

Upper College Society

Upper College Society (UCS), an academic, student-led society, started the year with an exciting University Challenge chaired by one of its presidents, Tristan. Different Houses competed against each other in this fun and intellectually demanding evening. A series of academic papers followed, encouraging students to communicate a topic to a broad range of students,

and it has been shaped successively by each cohort. Highlights this year included the interactive psychological experiment in Big C, the Christmas Quiz (always a favourite), an escaperoom mystery and the fantastic Pizza/ Philosophy night kindly laid on by Drs Adam Dunning, Adrian Samuel and Matthew Harris. An attempt to combine academic and sporting prowess in Knowledge Ball met with mixed reviews (‘needs some work, Sir’) but the request

developing confidence and public speaking skills. Papers ranged from Iona’s fascinating analysis of Hong Kong cinema’s history right through to Ishbel and Melissa’s impressive theoretical development of the monoclonal antibody drug Pneumixab. Next came the Model United Nations, chaired by Sophia and Ellen. The event focused on the political crisis in Sudan, with different Houses representing different countries, diplomatically negotiating a deal. The programme climaxed with a parliamentary debate, expertly hosted by Adam and Emily. Dressed in suits,

for more one-on-one challenges is certainly something to explore. As the conversation flowed, members were invited also to prepare some designs for a much-needed LCS tie and I look forward to seeing some preliminary sketches soon. Always enlivening and quite often enriching, the stalwarts and regular visitors of LCS continue to be joyful company. Long may they thrive!

Mr Dominic Nelder

our MPs sat opposite each other in Chapel, set out to closely imitate the structure of the House of Commons. The debate was both well-organised, intellectual and fiery, debating the taxing of private schools and prisoners’ rights to vote. Hector was particularly impressive as deputy prime minister. Our thanks go to all those who contributed to this year’s fantastic programme and to the Presidents who did so much to organise such engaging and stimulating evenings.

Ellen

Extended Project Qualification

As ever, the choice of topic for Extended Project Qualifications (EPQs) provides a fascinating insight into the prevailing concerns, interests and passions of Cheltonians. The economy was a

popular commodity on the share index of titles. Studies of North-South divides (Adam); the impacts of immigration internationally (Tilly) and regionally in Moldova (Emily); the dominance of oil in Nigeria (Sophia) and off-shore banking in Bermuda (Lewys) marked this definite trend. Even so, interests stretched

Of female composers

Foundation Project Qualification

Younger sibling to the EPQ, the Foundation Project Qualification (FPQ) for Third Form is no less lively or diverse in the range of subjects that capture pupils’ interests. This year we have seen a particular fascination around regional issues: Ampney St Mary’s handling of Covid 19; the tragedy of the forgotten city of Varosha in Cyprus; the mystery of Dyatlov Pass and the misery of gang crime in Haiti to name but a few. Reports around the legal ethics of music sampling, the true home of the Parthenon Marbles and the rights or wrongs of artificial sweeteners,

melatonin supplements and performance enhancing drugs, reflect a prevailing interest in the rights and wrongs of our times. Artefacts such as a design for a polo bridle and for crosscountry boots will test the ambition and ingenuity of their designers; a business start-up making and selling candles could see its author heading for The Apprentice in the not too-distant future. Awards went to Kitty C for her study of BookTok and to Henry B for a magisterial study of golf technology.

Mr Dominic Nelder

heart: Sapphic literature (Fliss); datingapp culture (Maya) and even the pursuit of love potions (Tamara)! More niche still were EPQs on the dehorning of rhinos, the preservation of axolotls, and curbing piracy on the high seas. Artefacts ranged from a sofa made from recycled bottles (Zara) to a German dirndl dress (Lilli). One of the highlights was the return of the Performance EPQ for the first time in several years. Sophia held a large audience captive with her evening dedicated to too long-neglected female composers. Her Chapel encore was rapturously received by a still larger audience. Next stop, Carnegie Hall!

Mr Dominic Nelder

Concert with Sophia Griffin

STEM Faculty

Dr James Copeland-Jordan

Now into its second year, the STEM Faculty goes from strength to strength. Bringing the Science, Design and Technology, Textiles, Computer Science and Mathematics Departments together is a continued passion of mine. As the Faculty model gains popularity at College, I am pleased to say that the interweaving of projects and strategies between departments is flourishing.

Nearly every STEM department has a 3D printer at its disposal for pupils and staff to print instantaneous representations of concepts covered in class, be it

Biology

Mr Alexander Ballentyne

This year our pupils have excelled in a range of competitions. Congratulations to Upper Sixth students Melissa, Ishbel and Xanthe who placed second in the Imperial College Medicine in Schools Prize with their novel proposed treatment for Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. Pupils were also invited to the International Biology Olympiad team selection following strong performances in the British competition. Many pupils enjoyed success in the Cambridge Biology Challenge achieving Distinctions

STEM Faculty: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

molecular orbitals, organs, mesh for the newly installed wind tunnel, or even an ocarina!

We have established a link with international engineering and defence company Babcock. The launch of this partnership saw two HEMS helicopters land on The Prep fields, with experts from Babcock and the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC) talking through not only the engineering involved in a helicopter engine but also how MAAC delivers life-saving treatment in the field. This partnership will allow a greater number of pupils

in each round of the competition. A special mention goes to Eric and Tanya, inaugural winners of the Department’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

The Upper College field day was another highlight, offering students the opportunity to engage in woodland conservation and deepen their understanding of the science behind rewilding and active land management.

We are immensely proud of our departing Upper Sixth Biologists, with

to gain hands-on experience in engineering, flight simulation, defence, and the real-life application of STEMbased careers.

We will also see a renewal of the Industrial Cadets programme, alongside ongoing involvement with F1 in Schools and the Mars Rover Project. With Mr Darren Fitzgerald’s addition to the Faculty as Director of Digital Learning, the future is exciting as we integrate tech into our classrooms and beyond.

nearly three-quarters progressing to study Biosciences or closely related degrees. Warmest congratulations to Ishbel and Linda for offers to study Medicine at the University of Oxford and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge respectively.

We bid farewell to Mrs Lucy O’Malley as she begins maternity leave, and to Mrs Jenni Lister. We welcome back Mrs Amy Lang from maternity leave and we welcome Miss Charlotte Robinson from the College Sport Department.

Chemistry

Dr Christine Oldham

Chemistry is a subject that conjures up images of Bunsen burners, lab coats and conical flasks filled with colourful solutions. Indeed, whilst we have been busy with countless experiments and demos to illustrate the underlying theory being taught in the classrooms, we have also enthused and inspired pupils through a variety of supra-curricular activities. These have included Our Life Scientific, talks exploring staff pathways through

Computer Science

Mr Darren Fitzgerald

We are all working and learning more online. With the growing trend toward remote work, it is essential to equip learners with the skills needed for lifelong learning in an ever-evolving workplace. Computing and digital skills are integral to learning at College and are crucial for preparing our pupils for success, both now and in the future.

their scientific careers and pupils’ experiences beyond the classroom; the annual Chemistry Spectacular with an array of new and exciting experiments; and a Lower Sixth trip for a Spectroscopy Workshop at the University of Bath.

In the Chemistry Olympiad for Upper Sixth, 10 students received a Bronze or Silver certificate (the top 32% and 25% of competitors respectively) while Georgina, Ishbel, Eric and Gareth achieved Gold (the top 8.2% nationally). For the second year running, 63 Fourth Form entered the National Scientific Thinking challenge.

This year, the first cohort completed the new GCSE in Computer Science, helping them develop and refine vital skills for a digital career, regardless of industry or employer. In the coming year, we will introduce a new qualification for Sixth Form: Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs). These provide a practical and applied approach to developing digital skills. Students who wish to deepen their cyber awareness - an increasingly essential skill across all careers - can also pursue the Cyber Extended Project Qualification (CyberEPQ) as well as earn

Special mention goes to those pupils who have received offers to study Chemistry and Chemistry related degrees. Eric and Thomas have offers to read Chemistry at Imperial College London and University College London respectively; Ellie and Felix have offers to read Chemical Engineering at the Universities of Sheffield and Leeds, whilst Gareth and Ryan have offers to read Biochemistry at Imperial and UCL.

We say a fond farewell to Miss Stephanie Ricketts.

industry-recognised credentials. These demonstrate proficiency in professionalstandard productivity, design, and programming tools, including Microsoft, Adobe, and Unity.

We say farewell to Mr Kevin Wise (Teacher of Computer Science) and Mr Jon Morton (Head of Computer Science). Mr Wise has expertly overseen the teaching of the highly successful CTEC qualification. Mr Morton was instrumental in setting up the Department and establishing its role as a central feature of the STEM Faculty.

Design and Technology

Mr Henry Franks

In an age defined by rapid technological advancements, Design and Technology (D&T) pupils have been embracing the future through cuttingedge software, using augmented reality and 3D printing to visualise their concepts. Pupils have developed a wide range of innovative GCSE outcomes in response to exam board themes of ‘How can products encourage participation in sport?’ and ‘How can products help pre-school children develop their capacity to learn?’ among other briefs. This research-led practical educational experience will stand them in good stead for creative problem solving in the future.

At A Level, students have taken creative freedom to the next level by writing their own design briefs and producing fully functioning prototypes for real clients. Projects this year have ranged from multifunctional dog-bed furniture and clay pigeon shooting tailors to expanding kitchen surface cooking furniture. The Lower Sixth have finished their practice projects learning a range of skills from welding to resin casting to enable them to manufacture any idea as they embark on their coursework journey.

Beyond the classroom, Sixth Form experienced real-world engineering in action visiting the Mini and Morgan Motor Company. Seeing high-tech

automation, where over 1,000 cars are produced daily by robotic arms at Mini, in contrast to Morgan where hand-built ash-framed sports cars were made in limited numbers gave pupils a fascinating insight into the range of production scales.

Pupils also had exclusive tours of Babcock’s helicopter facilities, including a live demonstration on casting custom composite materials used in rotor blades - an inspiring glimpse into highperformance engineering. From sketch to prototype, this year’s D&T pupils have combined creativity, ingenuity, and manufacturing resilience to design a better future.

Alexander

Jack

George D

Jerome

Emily

Daniel

Hermione

Elyssa

Miles

George G

Lewis

Ollie

Max

Oscar

Benjamin

Joanna

Fenella

Tom

Sam

Tommy Wills

Zac

Avi

Textiles

Mrs Sarah Tradgett

The Textiles Department continues to flourish, with creativity thriving under the guidance of Mrs Sarah Tradgett, Miss Noleen Farmer, and Mrs Rebecca Evely, ably supported by our expert technician, Mrs Sophie Cater.

Sustainability remains a core principle of our work, alongside an ambitious drive to elevate and exhibit pupils’ work more prominently across the College and on global platforms. We awarded our new DT ties to several pupils in recognition of their outstanding achievement and contribution to the Department, at both Apprentice and Master level.

Third Form pupils designed and created their own storage baskets and iPad sleeves, Fourth Form designed and produced bespoke bags and Fifth Form designed imaginative and original prototypes ranging from themed activity bags to interactive chore charts for children.

The Lower Sixth embraced the global stage through the Junk Kouture competition. Five students entered outstanding sustainable fashion designs and showcased their work as part of the College Sustainability Fashion Show. Notably, Zara L earned a place as a Junk Kouture London City Finalist.

Upper Sixth produced highly sophisticated final A Level outcomes, utilising advanced techniques ranging

from digital sublimation printing to hand-dyed silks.

Several pupils secured offers to study both Fashion and Textiles Design at leading universities, including the University of the Arts London (UAL), Edinburgh, and Loughborough.

Allegra, Lilli, Zara LH, and Blythe represented the Department in the Cheltenham Education Partnership Young Designers Competition, exploring the theme Man vs Nature. Their work, along with that of pupils from five other Cheltenham schools, was showcased in an inspiring exhibition at The Wilson Art Gallery.

As part of Futures Week, pupils visited the Superdry Head Office and engaged with artists at The Wilson.

Amelia

Jocelyn

Yasmeen

Pia

Ella M

India

Ava

Emma

Georgia

Ella G

Jiayi

Gwennie

Katie

Zara

Noel

Yvie

Poppy

Sophie

Izzy

Blythe

Ruqayyah

Sienna

Hattie

Mathematics

Dr Brendan Enright

The Department continues to enjoy success in national Mathematical competitions. Every year we enter the UKMT challenges. These papers are designed to test not only mathematical skills and knowledge but also ingenuity. At the senior level, 40 pupils received certificates for creditable performance, six pupils gained Gold for being placed in the top 6% nationally. Top place in Lower Sixth was achieved by

Physics

Mr Matthew Cole

This academic year has once again focused on pupil involvement and enjoyment in Physics. Over 100 pupils sat their respective age group’s British Physics Olympiad annual competition with several pupils even choosing to sit the paper for the academic year above them. Several earned very impressive results including a Silver Award for Eric in the Year 13 Olympiad and a Gold Award for Isabel in the Year 12 Challenge.

Jerry and in Upper Sixth by Eric, with a very impressive score of 120/125. At the intermediate level 88 pupils achieved recognition with the award of certificates, our second highest ever total. We received 24 Golds, our best ever. Particular credit and congratulations must go to Emile, Ella and Danila who were placed first in their year groups with scores which put them in the top 0.25% nationally. Furthermore 15 pupils were also invited to compete in the follow up rounds in which they did very well indeed.

The Engineering Elective team entered the F1 in Schools competition. They designed, made and raced a model F1 car as well as finding sponsorship and creating the brand behind the car. The team finished eighth in the regional finals, and they are already working on the enhancements for the competition next year.

Our Upper Sixth leavers have managed to secure offers to read Physics or Engineering at multiple universities

The College Mathematics Society, now in its 18th year, is doing extremely well. The highlight of the pupil presentations was the talk given by Jeff. I would like to thank Jeff for his leadership of the Society over the last year. Finally, a thank you to all pupils who attended or gave presentations.

including Oxford, Bristol and Bath. They are a group of very hardworking individuals who will go on to achieve great things.

We are extremely grateful for Mrs Lois Haddock who came back out of retirement to teach here again for a year and she, as well as her husband Mr David Haddock, have contributed so much to the Department.

Languages and Culture Faculty

Mr Tom Lambert

This year saw the inception of College’s new Languages and Culture Faculty encompassing Modern Foreign Languages and Classics. The Faculty offers French, Spanish, German, Latin, Classical Greek and Classical Civilisation as fully timetabled subjects to GCSE and A Level. We also support native speakers sitting Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Italian and Japanese.

Classics

Miss Elizabeth Rawkins

This academic year, Classics within and beyond the classroom has continued to thrive. Pupil numbers remain high, with eight students taking A Level Classical Civilisation and six taking A Level Latin. Nine pupils have opted to study GCSE Greek in the coming year.

Supra-curricular highlights include trips to the Cheltenham Literature festival; the attendance of Gloucestershire

The Faculty looks to promote a love of languages and of accessing and exploring cultures beyond our own. Colleagues work together to find cross-curricular links, identify common approaches to teaching, and share best practice. We aim to remain a school where all pupils expect to gain at least one linguistic qualification at GCSE, and where the brightest and most ambitious aspire to many.

Classical Association lectures; regular Classics Society meetings; an excellent Third Form Classical Civilisation interclass debate; 26 pupils achieving Pass, Merit or Distinction in their EMACT Greek certificate; 10 pupils preparing for Latin GCSE through the Cheltenham Education Partnership; and all A Level pupils preparing for the Sam Hood Translation Prize by translating Ovid’s Ars Amatoria into rap lyrics.

The Departments are led by Mrs Annabelle Million (French), Mr Keri Price (Spanish and German), and Miss Elizabeth Rawkins (Classics). Please contact me with any matters which cut across subjects or relate to languages and culture more broadly. We are always keen to hear from parents and pupils.

This summer, three Lower Sixth students will attend summer schools in preparation for their university applications next term. Two of our Upper Sixth students leave us to study Classics at university, having received offers from top academic institutions including the University of Cambridge, University of Durham, King’s College London, University of St Andrews, and the University of Edinburgh.

Modern Foreign Languages

Mrs Annabelle Million and Mr Keri Price

The Department has enjoyed another dynamic and eventful year.

In October 17 pupils in Fourth and Fifth Forms visited Valencia where pupils stayed with host families, enabling them to immerse themselves in the Spanish language. They participated in five hours per day of intensive lessons, and in their free time, they enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere, sites and culture in this stunning city. Upper College French students visited Toulouse where, to meet their aim of enhancing fluency and spoken confidence, the pupils stayed in host families. By day, the group attended French language lessons and enjoyed an enriching programme of cultural activities.

MFL Society events included a Crêpe and Kahoot! Night for Third Form. A cheese and wine tasting for Upper College included excellent presentations from Isa on French wine production, Lyra on the Las Fallas

festival, and Ademide and Wenlin on the film Güeros and the Panama Papers respectively. We held a cinema screening of Intouchables for Fourth and Fifth Form French pupils and Pétanque in the Park soirée for Lower Sixth language students to enjoy the French game of boules and learn more about French heritage through student presentations of their Mini IRP.

Our annual MFL debating competition at College hosted a record number of teams from other schools competing against each other and our Upper College debaters. In January, Lower Sixth French students Esmé, Adam, Kitty and Isa competed in the Joutes Oratoires debating competition at Marlborough College.

Eighteen pupils from Fifth Form and Upper College gained certificates for their participation in the Advanced UK Linguistics Olympiad. Congratulations to George L and Hendrie on achieving the Bronze Award in recognition of their scores within the top 35% of those competing nationally.

Our Lower Sixth French students have also had the opportunity to attend a French Film Day at Cheltenham Ladies’ College as well as the local Boulangerie Artisan to hear about the art and heritage of French baking. They have also been keen participants in the monthly Café Actu sessions led by Mme Geraldine Fryer, discussing topics ranging from the re-opening of the Notre Dame to the Bioéthique law. Six Fourth Form dual-linguists had the opportunity to take part in a Flair for International Fashion event, gaining insight into the multi-lingual industry.

Over the summer, a number of our Lower Sixth pupils went abroad to develop their language skills; Addison to Berlin, Ava and Hannah at a language school in Canada, Isa at a language school in Montpellier, and Maisy working as an au pair in Le Mans.

Congratulations to our departing Upper Sixth linguists, with a special mention to Zoë and Oscar, who have offers to study Modern Languages at university.

Art

Ms Jo Millar

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.”

Aristotle

This year we have exposed our pupils to a huge variety of experiences. Seminars with Aardman Animations, visits from universities including Savannah College of Art and Design, talks and workshops by leading local and international artists about their work, plus visits to galleries to view contemporary and traditional art and artefacts. These additional opportunities, beyond the day-to-day curriculum, offer a vital perspective and insight to lifelong learning that we hope our pupils develop in the

quest of development of curiosity and unique understanding of the world which they inherit. Highlights have been receiving Natasha Houseago for a workshop with Lower Sixth and listening to Gav Strange describe his own creative career and journey to his role as Creative Director of Aardman, and hosting PJ Crook as visiting artist and speaker for the opening night of our Summer Show.

Our Summer Art Exhibition showcased our pupils’ growth as individuals. Personal investigations in Sixth Form exemplify the philosophy and passion for individual development, reflected in several Upper Sixth pupils being offered places at prestigious art schools including: Pratt Institute of Art and Design (USA), IED Barcelona, Cardiff Metropolitan University, London College of Fashion, and the Universities

of Manchester and Edinburgh. Our congratulations to the inspiring Sonia, Zara, Emmie, Emma, Xanthe, Izzy, as others follow in their artistic footsteps! Izzy and Zara were awarded a fabulous opportunity to spend the day at the prestigious Jimmy Choo’s London Fashion Academy in London where they developed design concepts for fashion.

For the first time at College, Lower Sixth sculpture pupils built their own kiln for outdoor combustion firings, producing exciting and spontaneous results in ceramics work.

We welcomed two new team members: Mr Alex Naylor (Housemaster of Newick House) and Ms Young Melmoth, technician and artist.

Alba

Sophia

Sonia Sonia

Tilly B

EmmIe

Gabriella

Scarlet

Jiayi

Izzy

Alba

Matilda

Lottie

Natasha

Zara

Xanthe

Lottie

Lorien

Eden

Scarlet Hermione

Lower Sixth Ceramics

Emmie

Business

Mrs Holly Brooke

Our departmental mission has been ‘business beyond the classroom’. We took Lower Sixth CTEC students to Kingsholm Stadium to put their coursework on the Club into context. The students learned about the history of the Club as well as important ways Gloucester Rugby manage their communication with customers. As part of Futures Week Lower Sixth travelled to the University of Bristol to visit their impressive Business Building.

We welcomed some new faces to the Mini MBA including Shaun Uthup (SOZO Design), Alex Garfitt (BGF), Steve

Economics

The Department ran the CISI Fundamentals of Financial Services Qualification as an elective for Lower Sixth. This gave students an opportunity to gain an entry level qualification into the world of financial services. The CISI – Chartered Institute of Securities & Investments – is a global professional body who provide training and qualifications for the financial services industry. The qualification is an important first step in developing the essential basic knowledge required for working in financial services. Students learned about commonly used financial products, such as shares, bonds, derivatives, and insurance whilst learning maths skills enabling them to compare the equivalent annual

French (Holland Cooper) and Karen Ellis on ‘breaking the glass ceiling’. Thank you to our internal team, Mr Phil Attwell and Miss Ellie Ford, and external speakers who willingly volunteer every year; parent Hugo Harris, parent Oli Christie, OC Sam Clarke (Xt, 1999 and parent) and parent Catherine ColemanJinks. The highlight of the programme has been its reach to schools in the Cheltenham Education Partnership, and we have dedicated teams from All Saints’ Academy, Balcarras School and Bournside School.

Business beyond the classroom has extended strongly to Lower College and a special mention goes to Rex who during Monday Business Club created

rate of interest with any quoted rate when borrowing money, the impact of leverage on equity owners, and the ability to calculate both bond and dividend yields. This qualification enhances their UCAS personal statements and assists with work experience applications.

The pupil-led Cheltenham College Investment Society (CCIS) is now into its fourth year. Taking over the organisation of the society were Austin and Chris A. The CCIS is open to pupils in all year groups with the aim of helping to educate and inform all interested pupils in the world of investments and finance, whilst also giving them fun learning experiences to put their skills and instincts to the test.

Swell Design clothing, a website selling clothing with a unique sustainable twist. The Fourth Form have explored entrepreneurship and business startup themes. It has been interesting to hear their ideas on how to add value to a potato!

Student numbers for both A Level and CTEC are high, and Business Management continues to be a popular course at university. We have seen an encouraging number of students apply for Business related school leaver programmes.

Miss Stephanie Burns

English

Mr Tristram Hager

It has been another busy year in English, with highlights including two trips to Stratford on Avon to see two different productions of Hamlet, the first a visually stunning interpretation set on a ship reminiscent of the Titanic, featuring a stage that collapsed over time, and the second to explore the interplay between Hamlet and Radiohead’s album Hail to the Thief

Geography

Mr Fraser Dobney

Geography continues to engage College pupils with the contemporary issues of the day. The subject continues to be a hugely popular option and the Department has enjoyed another very successful year. We welcomed Professor Danny Dorling who gave a fascinating talk on his book Seven Children: Inequality and Britain’s Next Generation

Our popular half termly Bingen Society student presentation evenings continue to impress. Two presentations

Budding English graduates were able to tour Stratford on Avon whilst reading extracts from Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet and Joyce’s Ulysses

Dr Luke Davidson’s Literary Society was very well attended throughout the year by pupils from the Fifth and Sixth Forms, and featured talks ranging from the language of dystopian fiction to a celebration of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. There was a memorable studentled ‘wave and rave’, and a wonderful guest appearance by OC Annabelle

that have stuck with me was one by Ted and Thomas on the geopolitical situation in the Chagos Islands, and the talk from Adam and Emily on why the HS2 project is one of Britain’s greatest failures.

One of the great benefits of being a Geography teacher is being able to take our pupils out on field trips. This year’s included trips to the North Somerset Coast, river studies in the Forest of Dean, investigating the regeneration projects in Birmingham, urban studies in Cheltenham and an investigation into Bristol’s past and present role in a globalising world.

Wells (Q, 2021) who gave a lecture on the work of Katherine Mansfield.

There was also success for Avrille and Fliss who took first and second prize respectively in the Cheltenham Education Partnership Young Poets Slam competition; they were able to showcase their talents to Third Form in preparation for the end-of-year Hannam Clarke poetry competition, and to inspire their own composition work.

We wish Ollie, Max, Eleanor and Tiffany the very best of luck with their plans to take up offers to read Geography at a variety of Russell Group universities As always, my thanks go to Mr Will Bates, Miss Emily Hartley, Mr Owen Williams, Mrs Michelle Lucas Halliwell, Mrs Sue Anderson and Mrs Caroline Kirby for everything they have done to ensure that the Department continues to thrive.

History

Miss Jo Doidge-Harrison

Whatever Results Day may bring this year, the Upper Sixth have been stellar. Across three sets we have seen record levels of engagement, in and out of the classroom. One student voluntarily

explored Lyndon B Johnson’s historic (and of course crude) ‘discussion’ about ‘pants’, as barked down one of his many phones, to his poor benighted tailor! They have thoroughly critiqued Empire, striving for balance amidst ongoing and frequently furious ideological debate. Almost a quarter will go on to read History at university, despite a climate

History of Art

Mr Nick Nelson

It is with sadness that we bid farewell to such a large cohort in Upper Sixth of 19 students taking History of Art A Level. In fact, nationally the total number of students taking History of Art is 830, of which College represents 30 across our Sixth Form. We are delighted that Ademide was offered a coveted place to study the subject at Christ Church, Oxford, alongside an offer from the

prestigious Courtauld Institute of Art, London. Meanwhile, Xanthe and Sophia both secured generous offers from Edinburgh University to study History of Art as an MA.

Both Lower and Upper Sixth Form students have enjoyed trips to London’s National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain and The Imperial War Museum to further their studies in our two principal themes of War

where the Humanities face everincreasing pressure.

The Lower Sixth are shaping up just as strong, with half of them picking History, at Snowshill Manor, for Futures Week. Our residential Auschwitz trip saw Lower Sixth historians joining across disciplines to work together in combatting rising Holocaust denial. Morley was just one forum through which they fed back their experience. The great joy of the Society this year has been the number of Lower College not just attending but also contributing - with the Fourth Form’s Henry schooling a jaw-dropped Upper Sixth on Watergate… beginning with Nixon’s birth in Yorba Linda! The Third Form also returned, once more, unto the Battlefields, with an historic 80 out to Belgium and France in July. A fantastic History year has been had at all levels.

and Identities, alongside Renaissance and Baroque Art. Further stimulus has been provided in the form of an exciting lecture series focussing on our three artistic hubs in Italy, namely Florence, Rome and Venice, provided by Art History Abroad and Marlborough College lecturers. We are now planning for an exciting Sixth Form trip to Florence and Rome this coming year led by myself and Mr Dan Evans.

Music

Mr Shaun Perttijarvi

Results continue to be strong in Academic Music, with pupils gaining grades in line with expectations and going onto bigger and better things. Special mentions must go to OCs Georgie Hiscock (W, 2024) who is thriving at Laine Theatre Arts on the musical theatre programme and

Politics

Mrs Alexandra Eldred

The year began with Grace, Chris, Xander, and Max proudly representing the Department in the Talks for Our Times series. Their debate-style presentation tackled the thoughtprovoking question: ‘How will AI impact the lives of young people?’.

Dominykas Drungilas (NH, 2024) who is studying live sound engineering at Birmingham City University.

The Lower Sixth have brought personality and drive to lessons, a highlight being their forming of a vocal quartet Fourtissimo for the Paris Music Tour – luckily they have all four voice parts covered between them! Congratulations to Otto for being elected President of the Music Society,

Lower Sixth had an enlightening talk at Cheltenham Ladies’ College by Lady Brenda Hale, first female president of the UK Supreme Court. She spoke about her educational experience and the feeling of being a woman in a man’s world during the early part of her career.

Lower Sixth enjoyed a memorable visit to the Houses of Parliament on our annual trip. A guided tour of the historic Palace of Westminster was followed by a Q&A with Cheltenham MP Max Wilkinson. In the public gallery of the House of Commons, students were surprised by an unexpected appearance from the Prime Minister,

now named the Jackson Society.

The Upper Sixth have been a wonderful year group and hugely involved in many aspects of College music making. Hayden has been a distinguished Music Prefect and Leader of the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras this year. William has led the DJing culture at College in his inimitable style – a highlight was his MCing of Battle of the Bands!

The Fitzgerald Society, led by its President Wenlin, met six times during the year. Members gave talks on topics including musical theatre, jazz musicians, and global artists. Thank you to Wenlin for her superb leadership of the society this year.

who delivered a major statement announcing plans to raise the UK’s defence budget to 2.5% of GDP by 2030. Energised by witnessing politics in action, the group ended the trip with a tour of the Supreme Court and enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere of Whitehall, catching a glimpse of Downing Street on departure.

The Department was strongly represented at Morley Society this year, with excellent speeches and presentations from Upper and Lower Sixth students, many studying both History and Politics. The Spring Term concluded with the fantastic Morley Dinner, featuring some exceptional historical and political costumes.

Psychology

Ms Lissa Rogers

It has been an exciting and enriching year for the Department. Students showcased their talents at the Talks for Our Times series, with Tessa and Jocelyn exploring how AI may psychologically impact young people. In March, Ellie, Gursehaj, Chloe, Amelia, and Rose delved into the complex question: how do we understand criminality and violence? This crime theme continued

Sports Science

Mr Jordan Kontarines

Sports Science continues to go from strength to strength at College. Numbers are strong for the coming year’s Lower Sixth and Third Form cohorts.

This year’s Lower Sixth CTEC class were set to achieve strong grades by the

during a memorable trip to London for the Ecademi A Level Psychology and Criminology Conference. There, Upper Sixth students heard from renowned figures in the field, including Emeritus Professor David Wilson on serial murder, Dr Julia Shaw on false memory and criminal investigations, and BBC Reith 2025 lecturer Dr Gwen Adshead on childhood adversity and crime. A highlight was observing an interview with prolific bank robber Noel ‘Razor’ Smith.

end of the course. They impressed with their leadership skills on the Level 2 qualification in Community Sports Leadership and have done some excellent work at Naunton Park Primary School. The younger pupils benefitted greatly from the coaching received from our students. We will run this nationally recognised qualification as a Lower Sixth elective for the coming year.

This year also saw a thriving Psychology Society, thanks to our dynamic copresidents, Jocelyn and Tessa. Talks ranged from Lyra’s engaging discussion on procrastination to Liora’s analysis of crime in Netflix series’. Psychology continues to grow in popularity, and we are proud of our students, especially those going on to study Psychology at university. Congratulations to all, and best wishes for the future!

During Futures Week Lower Sixth visited Cardiff Metropolitan University and gained an insight into studying Sports Science at university. They also had the opportunity to undertake some physiological testing.

Lower College lessons have been packed with theory content and some practical sessions too for Fourth Form who have been developing their badminton skills and an individual sport.

The Department continues to seek ways of maximising success for the pupils and is going from strength to strength.

Theatre Studies

Mrs Sian McBride

It has been a tremendously busy year again in Drama with the usual trips, performances and the everyday task of preparing our GCSE and A Level pupils for public exams. A particular highlight was watching our Upper Sixth perform

extracts from a number of contemporary naturalistic plays such as Lucy Prebble’s The Effect influenced by the work of influential director Katie Mitchell. The Lower Sixth also produced highly innovative pieces exploring the role of women in society drawing upon the techniques of The Paper Birds theatre company. As always, we had a full programme of trips this year including a visit to see The History Boys and an innovative reworking of the film noir North by Northwest

Theology, Philosophy and Ethics

Dr Matthew Harris

TPE Society has remained popular, with Esmé and Saskia presenting on ‘Rationalism vs Empiricism.’ In the first half of the Spring Term, Dr Jim Ropner gave a talk on medical ethics. For a Lower College Society event in November, pupils were treated to a Taste of Philosophy in which they tackled a range of philosophical problems in small groups, all while eating pizza.

Eloise won the David Garlick GCSE and A Level video competition run by the University of Nottingham. She

created a video which interpreted the 2021 census data and its implications for religion. Eloise also came an incredible second in the highly prestigious Erasmus Essay Competition, facing off strong competition from much older pupils in schools such as Eton College, Westminster School and Brighton College. She wrote a 2,000-word essay on ‘The Ethics of Charity’. The competition was hosted by Dulwich College and judged by the philosopher Dr David Edmonds from the University of Oxford. Kitty C came first in the College Fourth Form Essay Competition, writing an essay on the ethics of artificial intelligence.

Speech Day Prizes

Lower Sixth Upper Sixth

Sport

CCF prizes

All-Round Contribution

Co-Curricular

Academic Excellence

Adams Prize Oliver

Duleepsinhji Cup (boys) Ed

Stidworthy Cup Max

The Cadbury Cup Eleanor

Adams Prize Charlie Gasson Cup (joint winners) Zoe and Ed

Duleepsinhji Cup (girls) Melissa Sloan Cup Alice

The John Bowes Cup Felix

The Galahad Cup Rory

The Army Leadership Prize Ishbel

The Millennium Trophy Jerome

Careers and Higher Education

Mrs Rebecca Evans

This year, the Higher Education and Careers Department submitted 166 UK university applications and 65 international university applications from Upper Sixth students. We welcomed over 190 Lower and Upper College pupils to career talks, career carousels and networking events covering industries as broad as law enforcement, science and technology and ‘careers that make the world a better place’. At the end of the Spring Term, we were delighted to see 55 aspiring doctors, vets, dentists and Oxbridge applicants from Lower College attend talks from our admission specialists: Mr John Jones, Dr Christina Oldham and Mrs Kate Coates who provided sage advice on how to start preparing to make competitive applications. In total, over 300 one-to-one career meetings were conducted with Fifth Form and Lower Sixth pupils.

Mrs Coates’ in-depth Oxbridge preparation programme supported 18 applications to Oxford and Cambridge in the Autumn Term, resulting in six offers, and she is now working closely with our Lower Sixth pupils, along with their subject Heads of Department, to ensure they are ready for admissions tests and interviews in the coming autumn. Mr Jones and Dr Oldham’s comprehensive weekly medicine and vet medicine programme assisted our pupils in gaining offers at both Oxford and Cambridge in their respective MDV subjects. Mr Nick Nelson’s international application programme has continued to support pupils in this growing area of interest.

This year applications were made to universities in the USA, Canada, Australia, Italy, Spain and Hong Kong with 19 pupils receiving financial scholarships.

We would like to thank Mr Nelson, as he steps down from his role as International University Coordinator, for his unwavering support of College pupils applying to universities overseas. His enthusiasm for all that an international university education can bring, is infectious, and has seen numbers of applications grow exponentially in the last 10 years. He leaves this role with an impressive legacy. We look forward to welcoming Mrs Sarah Dawson and Mr Luke Eddon into the role this coming year.

We have seen the introduction of the Upper Sixth apprenticeship mentoring scheme - an opportunity for Upper Sixth students to be guided by an industry specialist from the Cheltonian Society in their application journeys. Apprenticeship applications were made to many top employers including BAE Systems, Forvis Mazars, PwC, KPMG, Rolls Royce and Atkins Realis.

At the end of the Summer Term Lower Sixth Futures Week saw pupils engaging in four days of careers, higher education, apprenticeship and employability talks and workshops, alongside a year group visit to the UCAS conference in Birmingham, visits to employers, workshops in budgeting, first aid and cooking and a mock job interview for every pupil with an external volunteer from the Cheltonian Society.

Spotlight on Futures

College celebrates not only the diverse range of UK and international higher educational institutions and courses that our leavers receive offers from each year, but also those pupils who choose to take a less familiar route, pursuing their career and life ambitions directly after College. We gladly support all our pupils in exploring, discovering and pursuing their career aspirations following whichever pathway suits them.

Mrs Rebecca Evans

Bella Christie (A, 2024)

I’m currently studying at Oxford Media & Business School, on an intensive one-year course focused on Business, IT, Marketing, Events Management, and Personal Development. I always knew the traditional university route wasn’t for me, so finding a fast-paced, practical course felt right. The Careers Department at College really supported my decision. A highlight since leaving has been living in Oxford and applying everything I’m learning to my business, Bella Christie Jewellery. The experience has been empowering, and I’m excited to keep growing my brand, with real-world knowledge and confidence gained from my time at OMBS.

Jamie Edmonston (BH, 2023)

After leaving College, I began an apprenticeship at a residential sales agency. I’ve discovered a real passion for property and am now starting to take on valuations. College helped shape me into a confident, communicative person – skills I use every day. A highlight has been selling my first £1m+ listing, which was a huge milestone. I’m excited to keep learning and growing in the industry.

Georgie Hiscock (W, 2024)

I am studying Musical Theatre and Dance at Laine Theatre Arts, which I am thoroughly enjoying. At College, I was fully supported when taking part in my external dance commitments and the opportunity to choose co-curricular activities such as music provided me with the skills I needed to successfully audition. College prepared me for life outside of school and provided me with a stable education before entering a completely different industry. I always knew that I wanted to go into performing and am grateful to the College Careers Department for helping me finalise my decision.

Bhavya Jain (H, 2024)

I am studying Economics/Mathematics at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Participating in the UK Maths Trust Challenge at College, and being selected for the British Maths Olympiad, made me keen to pursue a higher education in maths. I am grateful to College for helping me navigate applications to US universities. I have always wanted to go into finance and have recently become interested in consulting – while I’m still unsure where my degree will take me, I am excited by the possibilities in the US.

Sky Jamieson (Ch, 2024)

I am currently working as a Gap Tutor at Harrow International School Hong Kong. I am in a familiar environment of a girls prep boarding house where I support the girls through all aspects of school and work alongside PE staff teaching years 1-13. When I was at College, I did not intend taking a gap year, however this changed after I saw the job advert for Harrow HK. My Tutor was very helpful, providing me options on deferring my university application and encouraging me to apply. I am now looking forward to university where I will be studying fashion design.

Ollie McGrath (NH, 2023)

I recently accepted a position as an international casualty broker with Marsh McLennan, following my two years at AJG Gallagher as a junior broker. At College, I was encouraged to gain practical work experience, which I pursued in the summer of my Lower Sixth year with a senior bloodstock broker in London. This opportunity gave me valuable insight into the insurance industry and introduced me to apprenticeship options available immediately after college. Since relocating to London, I have greatly enjoyed both my professional and social experiences, including the memorable opportunity to represent Gallagher in the Insurance Rugby 7s tournament. I am excited to continue growing and advancing my career.

Lily Nicholson (A, 2023)

I spent an unforgettable gap year travelling around New Zealand and Australia visiting family, which broadened my perspective and deepened my interest in global issues. I’m now studying Human Geography at the University of Exeter, where I’m exploring the current challenges of our world today. During my time at College, conversations with Mrs Evans (Head of Careers) and my Tutor, Mr Bates, were instrumental in shaping my ambitions and guiding my next steps. This summer, I’m looking forward to gaining hands-on experience through internships and work placements, and I’m excited to see where these opportunities will lead.

Bertie Parkes (S, 2024)

I’m studying Mathematics at Christ Church, Oxford. I am incredibly lucky to be able to say that right now I am doing exactly what I had hoped to do while at College, thanks in no small part to the amazing support and guidance I received. Coming to Oxford has been everything I hoped it would be, and I am loving every second. A big part of my time not spent studying is out on the river – I’m currently in the stroke seat of the Christ Church 1st VIII for the upcoming Summer Eights Campaign.

George Scurr (L, 2024)

I have been fortunate enough to undergo training at Skyborne Airlines Academy to become a commercial pilot. Currently, I am getting the basic commercial pilot’s license in Vero Beach, Florida, before returning to Gloucestershire for more advanced training. At College, I was split between the traditional route of university or pursuing pilot training. After speaking to Miss Hartley and Mrs Evans, I realised that going to university for the sake of going to university wasn’t the best use of my time, and I was better off going straight into pilot training. I can confidently say that this was the best decision.

Alice Wheatley (Q, 2024)

I am currently studying English Literature at the University of Reading, which helps me explore my passion for narratives and language. Studying Drama, TPE and English at College, I was certain I wanted to pursue creative storytelling and explore complex ideas. A moment that cemented my choice was being told that I had a knack for picking up details in texts that were often missed – it made me feel confident in my analytical ability. Encouragement from my teachers also helped me trust my voice as a writer. Outside of my degree, I am collaborating on short films and have taken an interest in screenwriting.

CO-CURRICULAR

Introduction

This year our pupils have once again thrown themselves into the wide range of co-curricular opportunities on offer. Whether it’s the buzz of teamwork on the sports fields each Saturday, the commitment behind a polished musical performance, or the leadership shown by our senior cadets in CCF, there’s an energy and purpose with activities beyond the classroom.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award continues to be a major highlight, with pupils embracing the challenge

The Wilson Diploma

At College we aim to support our pupils to fulfil their ‘Cheltenham Potential’ by developing and encouraging them toward the virtues of Character, Creativity, Curiosity, Community and Continuous Excellence. Through the Wilson Diploma, we seek to recognise the most ‘Cheltonian’ of pupils.

The current cohort of Fourth Form have made some unbelievable contributions throughout the Diploma. It is important to recognise both those that have excelled throughout and those that have shown the most growth over the two years. This year’s Platinum and Gold Award Winners, listed here, have

of the great outdoors, learning perseverance and self-reliance along the way. Meanwhile, drama productions have brought energy, creativity, and teamwork to the stage, showcasing incredible talent and hard work.

We’re proud of how our pupils push themselves - trying new activities, facing setbacks, and growing in confidence.

Our co-curricular programme is designed to develop resilience, leadership, and independence, qualities that stay with our pupils far beyond

all demonstrated the Cheltonian Spirit, some from day one but importantly some have found their way later in the cycle.

Pupils’ comments

“My proudest achievement this term is giving a Chapel talk to Upper College and Staff.”

their school years. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff, whose support and encouragement inspire pupils to aim high and stick with it when things get difficult. This edition of The Cheltonian gives a real taste of everything our pupils have achieved in 2024–25 and the extraordinary range of experiences open to every Cheltonian.

Mr Stephen McQuitty, Deputy Head (Co-Curricular)

“I am extremely motivated with my fitness due to not being able to even leave my house this time 1.5 years ago due to Long Covid.”

“I have embraced as many opportunities as I can and have really enjoyed it.”

2024 Platinum Award Winners

Henry, Perlie, Beatrice, Harry, Delilah and Sean 2024

Gold Award Winners

Thomas, Hattie, Nyambura, Tensie, Annabel, Fingal, Jayke, Jack, Hugo, Kitty, Tommy, Ted, Poppy, Jemima and Andrew

Mr Matthew Preston

Monday Activities

Every Monday after lessons, Third Form to Fifth Form pupils enjoy a range of activities including: art and craft; horse riding and sport: film making, drama and School of Rock; baking and coding; board games and Mahjong.

Electives

On Wednesday afternoons, all Lower Sixth students either take part in College’s extensive Community Action Programme or choose one of our inhouse Elective courses. Electives are run by College staff, giving students the opportunity to extend their learning

outside of the confines of their A Level courses. Available topics include Life Drawing (Mr Peter Lelliott), Practical Music (Mr Alex Fox), Philosophy (Dr Adrian Samuel), Global Debates (Mr Fraser Dobney), Mini MBA (Mrs Holly Brooke and Mrs Zoe La Valette-Cooper),

Securities and Investments (Miss Stephanie Burns), Sports Leadership (Mrs Kate Hornsby and Mr Jordan Kontarines), Engineering (Mr Matt Cole) and English as a Foreign Language (Miss Helen Davies).

Mr Luke Eddon

CCF

The academic year has once again proven to be a memorable and fulfilling chapter for the College Cadet Force. Cadet numbers remain strong, with pupils continuing to be drawn to the opportunities for leadership, adventure and personal growth that the Contingent offers. Whether building confidence on the parade ground or tackling challenges in the field, our cadets have embraced every opportunity to learn, contribute, and excel.

The vertical platoon structure, introduced last academic year, has been hugely successful, allowing younger recruits to benefit from the experience and example of our senior pupils. The three inter-platoon competitions in drill, tug-of-war and an endurance race were keenly contested, fostering both team spirit and a healthy competitive edge. Training throughout the year has

been both rigorous and rewarding. New Fourth Form cadets undertook a series of rotations focusing on navigation, first aid, leadership, drill, fieldcraft and military knowledge - essential skills that provide a firm foundation for future success. Spring Term’s field training day, led by Riflemen from 5 RIFLES down at Bulford Barracks, Wiltshire, added depth and realism to the cadets’ experiences, and we were most grateful for our affiliated Regiment’s help and support on that day.

Summer Camp was, as ever, a highlight. Cadets took part in three days of tactical exercises at Longmoor, followed by adventure training including canoeing on the River Wye and a multi-activity challenge in Northleach. The camp concluded with prize-giving and a day of reflection; an opportunity to recognise achievement and what skills have been learned throughout the year. Our senior cadets have

continued to show remarkable initiative and commitment, many of them incorporating their cadet service into their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award. Their dedication is also seen in their voluntary support of Remembrance Sunday, Year 5 Leadership Days and waitering service at the Sword of Honour Dinner Night.

The Sword of Honour Parade and Dinner Night was a fitting end to a year of excellence, with Brigadier Sam Cates inspecting the Contingent. It was a pleasure to welcome the families of our Upper Sixth cadets and to celebrate the lasting impact of their four years of service. The College Cadet Force continues to thrive. With engaging lessons and training, committed instructors and rich opportunities for leadership and adventure, it remains a cherished part of school life.

Major Steve McQuitty, Contingent Commander

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) at College broke new ground this year launching our Silver expedition to the Derbyshire Peak District, extending our range of UK locations.

We had a spectacularly successful venture with four determined groups of Fourth Form pupils setting off from Edale in June. Yes, there were navigational errors, some misdirection and weather challenges but our young people got themselves together as teams in their journeying skills and campcraft and showed both individual growth in their confidence and in their ability to bond with a common purpose. We enjoyed some great presentations

on the day after returning where the boys and girls presented images of their journeys, discussed their aims and talked about their highs and lows and what lessons they had learned as individuals. The Bronze Award continues to grow, and 75 Third Form pupils set out for the Forest of Dean early in June to compete with the mapwork and navigational challenges posed by green forest. As instructors it is watching the growth in young people as they come to terms with long days in the outdoors without recourse to shops, fridges, or outside assistance that is most rewarding. We have a well-established culture of techfree expeditions too and stand by our ethos of an expedition unconnected to blue screens and the outside world – we have found that the pupils themselves also value this greatly.Once again a large Gold cohort of 35 students embarked on a cold practice to the Brecon Beacons in March and headed to a

rather warmer Snowdonia in July for an arduous expedition with several wild camps thrown in for good measure. At College we are very strong believers in the ‘whole’ Award and put great value on the sections of Volunteering, Physical Recreation (which is, of course, central to College life) and to the development of wider skills. In the volunteering domain members of College DofE schemes collectively contributed 3,081 hours community or environment work, on which the Award Scheme places a social value of nearly £20,000. This year a special mention must be made of Mrs Kate Hornsby who has supported our expeditions as an instructor at Bronze, Silver and Gold, giving up long holiday hours too, for 15 years and who retires this year for a well-earned rest. Thank you!

Mr John Jones

Exchanges

The exchange programme at College is thriving with firmly established partnerships in Groton, USA, The Grange, Chile and Rhenish and Paul Roos, South Africa.

In the coming months Matilda, Rose, Jack and Jack will spend a month in Stellenbosch enjoying a hale mix of high-level sport and the South African curriculum; Charlie and Eme will spend a fortnight in Santiago at The Grange School founded in 1928 by OC John Jackson (H, 1917); and others will spend a month at Groton School near Boston MA - a prestigious private school founded in 1884 by OC Reverend Endicott Peabody (NH, 1876).

Mr Nick Nelson and Miss Flo Fletcher are also taking post-GCSE students to Dehradun, India, for a programme of Global Exchange over the course of one week. We will soon be welcoming four students from South Africa into Lower Sixth, with specialisms in hockey and rugby in particular.

Mr Nick Nelson

Groton School Exchange, USA

Hugo and Claudia travelled to Groton School, MA, USA for one month.

Claudia writes: My Groton experience was incredible and an amazing opportunity for my learning and adaptation skills. My favourite subject

in Groton was Global History with Ms Clements because I do not take History here in England, so it was an interesting change in my work environment. Interestingly, it was focused on ancient History, which linked to the Latin and Ancient Greek I am currently studying. I certainly did not expect the intense level of academic work over in Groton, as pupils were frequently given assessments which counted towards overall grades weekly. Even so, I enjoyed the academic intensity as it challenged me.

My favourite memory from Groton was the Halloween dance. Everyone creatively dressed up, attended the dance party after walking through the thrilling haunted house -which was terrifying but hilarious- and snacked on all the delicious Halloween treats!

Rugby Exchange to Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch, South Africa

In the past year Barney and Finn travelled to South Africa as part of a rugby exchange.

Barney writes: It soon became apparent, after a few days spent boarding at the school, that Paul Roos was not solely about rugby. Whether on the hockey pitch, in a chess match or at a debating competition it took pride in being ‘Semper Splendidior’ (always brighter/ always the best). The challenge and enjoyment for us, as exchange pupils, was about getting stuck in straight away and

immersing ourselves in a school steeped in history, pride, passion and tradition and to leave a strong legacy behind us for the next College exchange pupils to follow. With nine senior teams there was plenty of competition for places, but we were fortunate to be selected by Director of Rugby Corne Uys to train alongside the 1st, 2nd and 3rd XVs which was an amazing experience. The 1st XV contained many representative players including four Springbok U18s. We played five games in total for PRG during our stay, including playing in ‘Grey Week’ in front of huge crowds. It was an experience we will never forget.

Another highlight for me was the chance to do some community outreach rugby coaching at a local township school. The disparity in living conditions I witnessed enroute to the school was shocking. Despite many children playing barefooted and in their school trousers they picked up the skills quickly and had an amazing attitude. Everyone enjoyed the sessions.

Long may the exchange between our two schools continue.

Lower Sixth Holocaust Trip

In late February 2025, 14 Lower Sixth students, accompanied by Mrs Sarah Dawson, Mr Jonny Bass and Mrs Jane Moore, went on a short trip to Krakow, Poland. The trip was generously subsidised by the Chesterhill Charitable Trust whose aim is to ensure that people remember the atrocities and inhumanities suffered by the victims of the Holocaust. Students who attended the trip have an obligation to share their experiences within their community. We are very grateful to our tour guide Chuni Kahan for the time and passion he puts into ensuring experiences like this are both moving and memorable.

Mrs Sarah Dawson

Krakow

Craig writes: Our first experience was in the Polish town of Krakow and a visit to a kosher Jewish restaurant. As well as learning about the horrors of the Nazi occupation we were also keen to learn about the amazing long history of the Jewish culture in Poland.

We were then guided through the historic Kazimierz district by a local guide who was clearly passionate about the history of her people. Once a separate town, Kazimierz became a

Jewish cultural and religious centre from the 15th century onwards, and many of the synagogues, such as the Remuh Synagogue, were built during this period and are still in use today.

During the tour we were told that due to World War II and the Nazi invasion of Poland the Jewish population of the district (around 20,000) was forcibly removed from their quarter into a ghetto across the Vistula River. Conditions in the ghetto quickly deteriorated with overcrowding, starvation and disease rampant up until March 1943. At this point the ghetto was liquidated, and the Jewish population was shot, or sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau.

We travelled to Poland with an understanding of what we might learn in the camps, but many of us hadn’t expected the impact that the personal stories of the destruction of Jewish life in Krakow, well before the arrival at the camps, would have upon us.

Auschwitz

Emily writes: Our first visit was to Auschwitz–Birkenau, which was the concentration camp in which mass executions and genocide took place. Given the bleak weather conditions,

the atmosphere and environment of the camp was harrowing. We stood on the same railway tracks that brought millions of prisoners to their death sentence and witnessed the inhumane living conditions that they had to endure. The endless camp retreated into the woods, where the remains of gas chambers were at our feet.

We then visited Auschwitz concentration camp site 1. This consisted of accommodation where the interiors had either been preserved or converted into educational displays. Here, we viewed the delicate belongings of those who had suffered within the camp. This included seeing tens of thousands of shoes, the remains of the hair that had been shaved off upon arrival of prisoners, and the countless belongings that had been stolen from them.

Having visited both camps, we all had an overwhelming sense of poignancy and horror at an event that took place within the living memory of some people and allowed us to reflect on such a turning point in history.

Lower Sixth Travel Awards

Nineteen members of the Lower Sixth were in receipt of a ‘Travel Award’ from the Cheltonian Endowment Trust (CET) last Summer. The Trust supports student efforts in advancing their education through wider experience. Students took part in drama and engineering summer schools and even undertook a tour of the particle accelerator at CERN in Geneva. Two pupils were supported in taking part in the Vogue Summer School in New York and we also had future medical students gaining valuable experience in Ghanaian hospitals. College remains immensely grateful to CET for their ongoing support and the opportunities afforded to pupils. The programme is more popular than ever and is a great opportunity for students to build confidence for life after College.

Mr Dominic Faulkner

Hospital Programme, Ghana

Anna and Ishbel spent two weeks at a Ghanaian hospital. Anna writes: In our first week, we spent every day at the hospital and helped out where we could. We spent a day in a GP’s office, taking in how people get treated in Ghana. One thing that I noticed was that consultations seemed very much like an informal discussion which empowered the patients to go away and act on the advice given. The lack of state health care provision puts a lot of the onus on individual patients to implement medical advice themselves and therefore felt quite

2025 Award Recipients

different from my experiences in the NHS. We also spent a day in the malaria testing area, where we learned the procedure and got to test some patients ourselves. Other hospital experiences included spending a day in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), performing scheduled examinations on the premature babies; the women’s ward and the A&E room. During the last two days of our stay we spent more time in the school which was full of joy and laughter.

Vogue Summer School, New York

Zara and Gwennie attended the Vogue Summer School. They have since had the opportunity to work behind the scenes at London Fashion Week.

Zara writes: The Vogue Summer School was an amazing experience. We went to New York for two weeks for the Vogue styling course which was happening alongside two other Vogue courses of business and media. We had an amazing teacher called Ben Perreira who is a professional stylist and has worked with many celebrities and famous brands such as Kim Kardashian’s and Louis Vuitton, as well as another teacher who has worked in Vogue for many years alongside Anna Wintour. Every day we had guest speakers who were all professionals in different aspects of styling including directors, makeup artists, photographers and many more. We also went on visits to Vogue headquarters in the World Trade Centre which was incredible, and we even got to use the Vogue studios to style and produce photoshoots with models and professional photographers! My favourite experience was being inside Anna Wintour’s office within the Vogue headquarters as well as looking around the famous ‘Vogue closet’ where all the accessories for the photoshoots are held.

Adam and Thomas – Montserrat, William – Bali, Addison – Berlin, Sophia – Oxford, Aoife – Guildford, Hannah and Ava – Quebec, Canada, Katie – Imperial College, London, Otto – Boston, Isa – Montpellier, France, Sam – London, Lauren –Zimbabwe, Frankie and Lilli – New York and Elot and Jiren – New York.

Applications are open to all Lower Sixth students and awards are made following an interview process with a panel of three CET trustees. Alongside the Travel Awards, the principal activity of the CET is to provide hardship bursaries to students who are in danger of having to leave College suddenly, through no fault of their own. For more information about CET and its activities, please contact society@cheltenhamcollege.org to be put in touch.

Co-Curricular Drama

Mrs Sian McBride

High School Musical

We began the Drama calendar performing our first ever Lower College musical, High School Musical, which showcased the talents of nearly 100 Third, Fourth and Fifth Form pupils. The show was crewed and run entirely by these pupils, with a little help from some Sixth Form volunteers. It saw the whole cast dancing and singing along to Disney classics such as ‘We’re All in This Together’. It ran for four sold out nights and was seen by over 700 highly appreciative and supportive audience members.

A Monster Calls

This year’s Scholars’ Play, performed at the Cheltenham Playhouse, saw a talented cast of 12 award holders take on the creative challenge of staging an innovative adaption of Patrick Ness’s children’s classic A Monster Calls. The production employed an innovative blend of projections, ensemble movement and highly naturalistic performances to bring this moving tale to life.

Legally Blonde

A highlight of the school year is always the whole school musical and this year it did not disappoint as our pupils pulled out all the stops as they staged Legally Blonde. This mammoth undertaking saw pupils from all year groups and all Houses who contributed to bring the uplifting story of Elle Woods to the Big C stage. It took six months of dedicated rehearsal and planning to achieve what was a highly polished and engaging show that was enjoyed by pupils and parents alike.

Summer Performance Evening

Our Summer Performance Evening offered a captivating evening of monologues and duologues, celebrating the talent and hard work of LAMDA pupils and Drama Club members. The showcase brimmed with drama, comedy, and tragedy, as pupils brought both classical and contemporary characters to life with impressive passion and skill. It was a truly memorable event, and a testament to the performers’ dedication and creativity.

Co-Curricular Music

Mr Shaun Pirttijarvi

As the academic year draws to a close, it is a fitting time to celebrate the extraordinary breadth and vitality of music making at College. At the heart of our ethos is a commitment to making music accessible and enriching for all. From classical to contemporary, choral to jazz, musical life here is both inclusive and vibrant.

This year saw over 75 performances take place across a variety of venues –within College, in the wider Cheltenham community, and further afield at Steinway Hall in London (not to mention venues in Paris!). Up to 20 ensembles rehearsed weekly, with more pupils than ever taking the initiative to form their own groups and bands. Over 200 pupils were involved in weekly musical activities (the whole school, if we include Chapel singing), and our 30 visiting music teachers delivered thousands of individual lessons. My second year as Director of Music has been one of reflection and consolidation, with exciting developments already planned for the coming year.

We began the year with the annual Fraser Graham Piano Competition. Congratulations go to Nyambura, Wenlin and Stepan, winners of the Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced classes respectively. During half term, several College musicians based in Hong Kong gave a recital at the Cheng Wai Piano Institute, a venture I hope will become an annual tradition.

Current pupils Ceci, Jocelyn, Hendrie, Gareth and Liam were joined by OC Samantha Wan (CL, 2021) for a varied programme performed to prospective parents and pupils.

House Singing returned in energetic style with a 1990s theme. Adjudicated by singer and conductor Bradley Barlow, this year’s competition was closely contested, but Queen’s took the trophy with their inventive take on Destiny Child’s ‘Bills, Bills, Bills.’ The next day, the College Choirs sang beautifully at the Remembrance Sunday service, including a moving performance of William Harris’s ‘Holy is the True Light’ by the Chamber Choir. Music Scholar Hayden gave an

impressive solo violin recital in Big C as part of her conservatoire audition preparation, and our Sixth Form Music Award Holders performed once again at Pittville Pump Room as part of the Lunchtime Concert series.

The College Concert in December, themed ‘Eventide’, featured choirs and large ensembles in a reflective and atmospheric programme. We closed the Autumn Term with a spectacular Carol Service at Gloucester Cathedral – the first time in many months the whole College community was able to gather together. The Symphony Orchestra opened with a pre-service concert, including Hayden giving a dazzling performance of the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, followed by the finale of Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony, making full use of the inspiring environment and cathedral organ. The orchestra also accompanied congregational carols and choral music throughout the service. Special mention goes to Melissa for her perfect rendition of the ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ solo

from high up in the organ loft.

The Spring Term brought fresh excitement, including preparations for the Paris Music Tour and the wholeschool production of Legally Blonde. In January, College’s senior string quartet, String T’ing, competed at the Pro Corda Festival at Warwick School. The newlyformed Paris Tour Choir also performed in the Cheltenham Festival of Singing, hosted by international singer James Gilchrist, at St Philip and St James Church in Leckhampton.

Just before we left for Paris, Jocelyn gave a fantastic cello recital in Big C in preparation for her Associate of the Royal Schools of Music (ARSM) diploma. Then, at 5am on the first day of half term, 37 pupils and five staff departed for our first international music tour since 2018. Performances in Paris included concerts at the Jardin du Luxembourg, FIAP (our residence), and the iconic La Madaleine. Of course, no tour would be complete without a group photo at the Eiffel Tower or a celebratory day at Disneyland!

Back at College, Battle of the Bands returned in full force, with more pupil

bands than ever. The GCSE and A Level Performance Evening in TLG followed shortly after, and the Spring Term culminated in the run of Legally Blonde –a joyful and slick production showcasing the musical and theatrical talents of pupils both on stage and in the band. Special mention must go to Oliver for being utterly professional on percussion. The final week of term saw our ‘Night at the Movies’ College Concert, featuring all of the major ensembles. Highlights included the Symphony Orchestra’s thrilling rendition of the Mission: Impossible theme – hear it on our YouTube channel!

The Summer Term began with the Big Band’s performance at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival on the newly-expanded Free Stage, attracting a huge crowd. The Upper Sixth Showcase Concert offered many leavers their final solo opportunity, and the Upper College Cabaret –organised by Jocelyn – delighted its audience with a relaxed evening of jazz, pop, and musical theatre. The Chamber Choir sang with great sensitivity at the memorial service for Sebastian Bullock, attended by many friends and family of Sebastian. The College Choir

sang Hubert Parry’s ‘I was Glad’ at the Speech Day service, accompanied by the College Brass Ensemble. Following half term, a flurry of events brought the musical year to a close: the Singing Competitions, the Chamber Ensembles Concert, and the return of CCFM (Cheltenham College Festival of Music). We ended on a high, with Fourth and Sixth Form musicians travelling to London for an Instagram Live recital from Steinway Hall in Marylebone.

Hayden achieved the ARSM diploma with Distinction on the violin, equivalent to a First Class first year conservatoire recital. Hayden was successful in winning places at music conservatoires and she plans to take up a place at the prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music this coming year.

There isn’t space here to capture every moment of what has been a truly exceptional year of music at College – but the music itself tells the story. Much of it has been shared on our social media platforms. Do follow our musical journey and join over 11,000 others on Instagram and YouTube: @cheltcolmusic.

CHARITY

Bellamy Cup Winners

The Bellamy Cup was established to recognise the House which has engaged most successfully with charitable endeavours.

Ashmead supported their adopted charity CoppaFeel through a House Fete, a Bubble Tea Sale, a Night at the Races and a Yogathon. These activities raised £2,910 for their charity.

Newick House raised £2,916 supporting Maggie’s Hospice Care through holding a House-wide swim of the English Channel twice (40 lengths each) and by the much-loved Newickeroo initiative –delivering home-made pizzas across the College campus.

College Lawn set a target of £1,500 which was met. The girls held a charity clothing and ice cream sale, a charity

bake, a quiz and bingo afternoon with family competitions and a Masked Singer competition.

This year’s winner of the Bellamy Cup, The Queen’s House, organised a charity tennis tournament, a cake auction, a charity swim and a gin tasting evening. Their showcase fundraising event was a performance evening. Individual fundraising brought together pupils and parents in various sponsored events.

The Teenage Cancer Trust received £14,000 and a team of girls and parents, running the London marathon, raised an outstanding £35,000 for Sue Ryder, a cause close to their hearts. Most impressively regular visits were made each month by different groups of five girls to the Queen’s adopted charity Secret Garden Hub. They donated a Canal boat memory book and are working with the charity to help produce a promotional video. In total, Queen’s House raised £2,865 for their

Matrons’ Big Dip

Mrs Becky Clarke

On a surprisingly sunny December Sunday afternoon, eight Matrons and support staff from College took the plunge into the chilly waters of the Cheltenham Lido and raised more than £1,400 for the Sue Ryder Hospice. This money will help provide expert end-of-life care from specialist doctors, nurses, and support workers for the only inpatient unit in Gloucestershire, ensuring that those in need receive the highest quality of care and support.

adopted charity and more than £54,000 for charitable causes.

Special mention goes to Hazelwell whose charitable endeavours give an insight into the commitment of pupils. Their chosen charity was MANUP? (Men’s Mental Health Charity). The boys committed to running 3,252km, a distance that poignantly represented the number of men in the UK that lost their lives to suicide last year. Hazelwell also continued to support the Cornerstone Centre, a thriving community hub five minutes down the road from the House which the boys have supported for over a decade.

Dr Adam Dunning

Whole School Charity

After much deliberation the Heads of School and the Pupil Leadership Team (PLT) decided upon Gloucestershire Young Carers (GYC) as College’s main charity. GYC supports local young people (aged six to 24) across the county who find themselves having to care for other family members, e.g., a parent with mental health or a disabled sibling. The Prefects set themselves the target of raising £15,000 and began their fund-raising drive with an obstacle run on a sunny day in October. The event involved laps of College Field, an obstacle course and concluded with a very much enjoyed water-slide.

In mid-November most of the College community were bussed to Kingsholm

stadium in Gloucester for the annual College vs Sir Thomas Rich’s rugby match. Though the first half was keenly fought by both teams, College’s defeat of 2023 was reversed with a very convincing win. The total attendance figure exceeded 3,000, with many spectators being members of the general public.

In December the Senior Leadership Team joined with the PLT in swimming the equivalent length of the English Channel in laps of the swimming pool.

The final event, in March, saw the College netball team playing Malvern College in the annual charity match. Over 800 spectators - with a sizeable contingent from Malvern - packed the Sports Hall and supported both teams with great passion. It was a closely fought match played with great spirit ended with a victory for College.

With additional donations from the Christmas Carol Services, Speech Day and Leavers’ Service, the total raised for Gloucestershire Young Carers was £30,000.

In response to this, Toni Collier of GYC said: “Your support is crucial in helping us facilitate group meetings that build resilience and lifelong friendships. These connections are vital for mental health, reducing anxiety and depression, and improving overall well-being. Additionally, the fun activities and much-needed respite you help provide offer young carers a break from their daily responsibilities, enhancing their quality of life and giving them the opportunity to just be children and have some Fun. Thank you for making such a meaningful impact and for making a difference.”

Dr Adam Dunning

COMMUNITY Sustainability

Sustainability has remained a central focus at College and Prep with pupils, staff, and the wider community working collectively to create a meaningful and lasting impact. Building upon the foundation established by our Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan 2024-2025, we have continued to integrate environmental responsibility into both our daily operations and long-term objectives. From energy saving initiatives to creative pupil led projects, this year has seen inspiring progress.

A particularly rewarding aspect of this year has been witnessing the tangible outcomes of our collective efforts. Ishbel, our Sustainability Prefect, has been instrumental in driving positive change within the school community, from initiating measures to reduce single use plastics to organising the Sustainable Fashion Event. This event

was a highlight of the year, offering pupils a unique opportunity to engage with sustainability while celebrating Cheltenham’s 5Cs. It featured OC Freddie Jones (Xt, 2022), a leader in sustainable fashion, and supported local charities through a shopping initiative, alongside showcasing the work of our textile pupils Junk Kouture masterpieces. It successfully promoted the values of reusing, reducing, and recycling, while encouraging more sustainable consumer habits

Behind the scenes, sustainability has been at the forefront of our operational decision making. We have made significant strides with our Building Management System, enabling more efficient control of heating, with ongoing adjustments to optimise performance. Additionally, we have initiated efforts to scrutinise our electricity consumption more effectively through the implementation of an online visualisation platform, which will enhance both monitoring

and pupil engagement. Early results show promise, with our KWH consumption already reduced by over 3% (from 2023 to 2024). A notable example of sustainability in action and part of operational decision making is the restoration of Dewerstone House, which now features a fully electric system and Passive Infra-Red technology for enhanced energy efficiency, alongside sustainable gardening practices to promote biodiversity and local ecosystems.

With many exciting projects still on the horizon, including the upcoming compost wormery at The Prep, we are delighted with the progress made and look forward to the future with enthusiasm.

Miss Olivia Spencer-Caseldine, Sustainability Lead and Administrator

Chapel

As is College tradition, The Head preached at the first Sunday Chapel service of the year. Reflecting on the themes of service, memory and gratitude, and calling to mind the many memorial trees planted around the College campus. Mrs Nicola Huggett focused on the story of OC Cyril Hillier (H, 1914), the youngest officer to be killed in action on the Western Front. Read more in the Cheltonian Society section.

The continuing imposition of restrictive fire-regulations has meant that once again the size of Chapel congregations was limited to no more than 500 worshippers. Because of these restrictions it was decided that we would at least celebrate the feast of Christmas together in Gloucester Cathedral. At the kind invitation of the Dean, the entire school was bussed to the Cathedral. Awaiting them in the splendour of the Mother Church of the diocese were the College Choirs and Symphony Orchestra - over 100 musicians in all – who had been rehearsing all day. The orchestra gave a pre-service concert of movements from Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor and Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No 3 ‘The Organ Symphony’ and went on to accompany several choral items and the congregational carols.

Over 30 pupils wrote and delivered Chapel talks. This year’s winner of the Jackson-Matthews Prize for the best Chapel address was Ellie who reflected on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Her talk is printed overleaf. I also led the civic act of remembrance in the local council chamber on National Holocaust Memorial Day.

The most arresting talk in Chapel was given by Dougie Blaxland, an antiracist campaigner, who has made it his mission to raise the profile of Walter Tull (recommended for an MC), a professional footballer (Spurs) and one of the first British army officers of AfroCaribbean descent who was killed in action in 1918 on the Western Front.

Chapel marked the death of Sebastian Bullock, Director of Development and one-time Housemaster of Boyne House. Seb’s family was joined by members of staff and the College Council. Three close colleagues of Seb shared their personal memories of a dear friend and, as we listened to an organ mediation, all those present stepped forward to light a candle on the altar in memory of Seb.

On Low Sunday, the Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Reverend Rachel Treweek, presided at our confirmation service which included 10 baptisms. Thirty pupils were confirmed into the Church of England and a further six Roman Catholic pupils were prayed for as they prepared for their own confirmation service in St Gregory’s Church. A couple of weeks later the Chapel hosted a grand memorial service for Sebastian Bullock. Five hundred OCs, friends and colleagues gathered to give thanks for Seb’s life and achievements.

The Dean of Gloucester the Reverend Andrew Zihni preached at Speech Day and the Leaver’s Service at the end of June premiered an anthem composed by Director of Music, Mr Shaun Pirttijarvi. ‘Walk on in Peace’ is a setting of the final verse of St Matthew’s Gospel, adapted for use as a final blessing, and was dedicated to the 2025 leavers.

Dr Adam Dunning

Ellie on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Muhammad Ali, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Stephen Hawking, and Elon Musk. You might be thinking what do these five random people have in common? At first glance, they all seem to have little in common, aside from being highly successful and influential people. However, each of them has a disability. Muhammad Ali had dyslexia, Elton John has epilepsy, Stevie Wonder is blind, Stephen Hawking lived with a form of motor neurone disease, and Elon Musk has spoken publicly about being on the autism spectrum.

What these remarkable individuals show us is that a disability doesn’t define a person’s potential. Yesterday marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day dedicated to raising awareness, advocating for equal rights, and celebrating the incredible achievements of people with disabilities. It’s a day to highlight the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and the potential of individuals who, despite facing challenges, achieve extraordinary things.

Disabilities can take many forms - physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional. And while they can create challenges, they don’t determine a person’s worth or limit their ability to achieve greatness. This international day is an opportunity to not only celebrate the achievements of those with disabilities but also to reflect on the barriers they still face. It’s a day to challenge the stereotypes, prejudices, and assumptions that too often surround disability, and to promote a world where people of all abilities are recognized for what they can do, rather than what they can’t.

One person who truly embodies this spirit is Jim Abbott a former Major League Baseball pitcher who became a role model for millions. Jim was born without a right hand, a condition called congenital limb deficiency. Growing up, he faced the kind of challenges that most people would think make it impossible to play sports - especially baseball, a game that requires fine hand-eye coordination.

But Jim didn’t let his disability define him. He loved baseball, and he found a way to make it work. He developed a unique technique. Usually in baseball you catch with a glove on one

hand and throw with your non-gloved hand, but as Jim only had one hand, he would take his glove off his hand to throw and put it back on to catch. Taking the glove on and off was time-consuming, but Jim was able to field the ball just as quickly as anyone else. His persistence and determination led to an incredible career. He played for several major teams, including the California Angels and the New York Yankees, and he was a key member of the 1992 US Olympic baseball team that won gold in Barcelona.

Jim Abbott’s story is just one of many that prove how much can be achieved when people refuse to let their disabilities limit them. His determination has inspired me personally, as I, too, have faced challenges because of my hearing loss. I have worn hearing aids since I was young, and this has come with its own set of struggles - especially in school and social situations. But like Jim, I haven’t let it define who I am. I’ve adapted in my own way, becoming skilled at lip-reading and relying on support from teachers, friends, and family. I’ve learned that with the right tools and mindset, anything is possible, even if it takes me a little longer or requires some extra effort.

My own experiences have taught me the importance of advocating for accessibility. Accessibility is key to breaking down the barriers that hold people back. It’s not just about physical access, like ramps or lifts, but about creating an environment where people of all abilities have the same opportunities to succeed, whether it’s in education, employment, or everyday life.

What can we do to make a difference? First, we need to challenge our assumptions. Disabilities do not define a person. People with disabilities, like Jim Abbott or anyone else, can achieve great things, and we need to recognise their potential, not just their limitations.

Second, we must advocate for improved accessibility. Whether it’s pushing for better accommodations in schools or supporting more inclusive technologies and spaces, every effort counts.

And lastly, we can all create a more inclusive environment by doing small things that make a big impact - whether it’s helping someone who needs assistance, being a friend to someone who might feel isolated, or standing up against discrimination and exclusion.

Every person, no matter their ability, deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling life. International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a day to celebrate success, but it’s also a call to action. It’s a reminder that we all have a role to play in building a world that is inclusive and accessible for everyone. Let’s take that step forward today, and every day, to ensure that people of all abilities have the chance to thrive.

Paul Hayes, Housemaster of Hazelwell on Legacy

Deep inside the Nordmarka Wilderness outside of Oslo stands a forest within the forest: 1000 Trees, 100 untold stories, a secret filled with hope and optimism, a time capsule, an artist’s legacy. Deep inside the Nordmarka Wilderness is the Future Library.

In 2014, Scottish artist Katie Paterson planted 1,000 Norwegian spruce trees outside of Norway’s Capital. The fate of these trees has been sealed a full century in advance. In the Year 2114, they are to serve as paper pulp for the printing of an anthology of 100 books. Each year, a new writer will contribute one unpublished text, its length and content to remain a secret until 2114.

All the manuscripts will be stored, some for almost a century, inside the Silent Room, a locked glass drawer in a hidden corner of Oslo’s public library. In 2114, the drawers will be unlocked, and the trees chopped down – and 100 stories, will finally be published in one go.

In 2014, Margaet Atwood wrote Scribbler Moon, the first book to enter the Future Library. David Mitchell, famed for his novel Cloud Atlas, followed in 2015. Since then, eight more writers from Norway, Korea, Turkey, Germany and Zimbabwe have added to the collection, giving it a true global mix.

Hearing about The Future Library reminded me of a quotation: ‘A Society Grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.’

And so, to legacy. For Nietzsche, a legacy was the result of a greatness. Great individuals create meaning that outlive them, thus leaving a lasting impact on humanity. Except that it is not that simple. Because Legacy is never universal. And it is never permanent. Edward Colston was a prominent English merchant known for his substantial contributions to the city of Bristol in the 17th and 18th Century. Records show that Colston was generous with his wealth, donating to local charities and parishes and his financial contributions were intended to improve the lives of the less fortunate in his community.

After his death, he was revered, for his philanthropy. In 1895, a statue of the man was erected in Bristol. Schools, streets, pubs and other venues were built in his name. He left a legacy – on his city and its people.

But in 1920, biographer H.J Wilkins highlighted Colston’s role as Deputy Governor of the Royal African Company. It’s believed that Colston sold around 84,000 African slaves in the Americas and it is estimated that 19,000 of those enslaved died enroute in squalid and inhumane conditions. His riches and the legacy were built upon slavery; it was built on the suffering of others.

For centuries, Colston’s involvement in the slave trade was ignored by society, in a way to protect his legacy. But in 2020, in the height of the Covid Pandemic and Black Lives Matter Movement, Colston’s statue was torn down during protests in Bristol. An iconic moment in British history, highlighting the progress that society has made. Streets, schools and venues have been subsequently renamed and Colston’s statue now sits in a museum, as an historical artefact.

And it triggers discussion about how we view the legacy of historical figures. If we look back at History and see those who have left an inedible legacy of greatness, we are likely to see a long list of wealthy, white men – not because of skill, talent or virtue, but because of the patriarchy of a generation.

Born in 1891, Alice Ball was an African American scientist whose research led her to develop the ‘Ball Method’ which was the best treatment for leprosy until the 1940s. She was both the first woman and the first African American to become a Professor at the University of Hawaii, an inspirational legacy in itself. But at the age of 24, she died before she could publish her treatment for leprosy. The President of the College of Hawaii, Arthur Dean, continued her research, claiming all credit and dismissing the work of Ball, renaming the process as the ‘Dean Method’ to forge his own scientific legacy at her expense.

And so to here at College, a school steeped in history and tradition, we are never far away from considering our legacy. The image of Edward Wilson etched into the stain glass of this Chapel, the memorials for who died in the World Wars. The names of former Masters, Heads of House, Prefects and captains. The carvings of boards. Where do I fit in? How will I be remembered?

Now I am under no illusion that my time in College will be forgotten. My impact and legacy will be on a small handful. There will be no statues or stained-glass windows, no Science blocks or libraries built in my name. And I am happy with that, in fact I am rather relieved. And here I am drawn to the words from one of the great philosophers of our time– Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder and Liverpool Legend, James Milner. At his departure from Liverpool, he said that ‘This is the fans’ club, we are just lucky enough to rent a shirt here for a few years.’

And this resonates with me. It is College that will leave a mark on your lives. I am simply lucky enough to rent a tie for a few years.

https://www.futurelibrary.no/

This year Dewerstone House has been brought back into use. It is a striking building with gothic revival styling and a striking design which has had a long association with College. It was built in 1862 and extended in 1871 for Reverend Thomas Allen Southwood.

Thomas Southwood (born December 1810) began his career working for the Ordnance Survey in Ireland. He attended Emanuel College, Cambridge (BA, 1843) and on graduating joined the newly-established Cheltenham College as Headmaster of the Military and Civil Department, the equivalent of a modern-day Deputy Head. In this role he worked under six different Principals and was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1852.

Under his guidance, the Military and Civil Department, the first department of its kind in a British school proved extremely successful at securing pupils’ places at Sandhurst, Woolwich, Addiscombe and Chatham. This was not least because of Southwood’s determination to see each boy do his utmost and not tolerating ‘lukewarmness’ from his young charges. Throughout his career at College Reverend Southwood was known for building a rapport with the boys, taking a keen

interest in cricket and the boys’ endeavours away from their studies. On his retirement from teaching in 1879, he continued to serve as Treasurer to the Cheltonian Society, remaining on excellent terms with Old Cheltonians across the world until his death on 19th September 1885.

His connection to Dewerstone House lives on. The window on the half-landing shows Southwood’s coat of arms and motto ‘Sic Itur Ad Astra’ (‘Thus one journeys to the stars’). When College was designing its own coat of arms it placed this star at the centre to reflect Reverend Southwood’s significant role in the development of College during his 42 years of service. His portrait with his wife Anne today hangs in Dewerstone House.

Miss Hannah Dale

Health Centre

Along with the day-to-day care and support of all our pupils aged from 2 years 9 months to 18+, the Health Centre Team continues to promote health education throughout College. The team is made up of seven nurses, two GPs who visit daily, two full time psychotherapists (one male and one female) and two full-time physios. Each House has an allocated nurse who visits regularly to build a rapport with pupils and support House staff. Regular training sessions have continued

Gogar Primary School, Kenya

Our strong connection with the Gogar Primary School in Kenya and the Vanessa Grant Trust continues to thrive. In February the Edward Wilson Learning and Innovation Classroom, which was started in October 2023, was finally completed. We are now fundraising for the provision of plates and cups, development of new pupil and staff toilet facilities, new netball, football and rugby goal posts and the provision of dugouts. Funds are also needed for the redesign and repair of seven further classrooms and the replacement of drainage and gutter systems. Our next expedition will take place this coming October. If you would like to help with fundraising please contact the trip leader, Miss Rebecca Norval at r.norval@cheltenhamcollege.org

for staff (from CPR to Anaphylaxis to Asthma) and pupil-talks are given in House to encourage relaxed conversation around topics such as healthy eating and vaping awareness for older pupils. At The Prep we make Pre-Prep visits to talk about ‘what nurses do’, we work on hand washing and keeping clean with Years 4,5 and 6 and deliver PSHE to Year 8s. This builds on our ongoing Restart A Heart Campaign which teaches pupils and staff lifesaving skills. Lower Sixth were trained during Futures Week.

Lead Nurse Fiona Parry

Cheltenham Education Partnerships

College remains deeply committed to partnership work with all the secondary schools in Cheltenham but especially with All Saints’ Academy. At the heart of our relationship with the Academy is the 7UP programme delivered by the Maths and English Departments at College. We believe in the principle that a school in a partnership is better than a school which isn’t.

Back in 2019 College was one of the founding members of Cheltenham Education Partnership (CEP). There are now 13 schools in this partnership together with the University of Gloucestershire as well as other local organisations such as Cheltenham Festivals and the National Cyber Security Centre. In 2024 the partnership became a legal charity. Dr Adam Dunning became the first Chair of Trustees, Mrs Kay Rackliff, Head of HR, also became one of the Trustees and Mrs Emma Hindle became the Clerk to Trustees. This marked a significant change in the life of the partnership.

This year College pupils worked collaboratively on an innovative wearable art piece for the CEP Young Designers initiative, responding to the theme ‘Man vs Nature’ with a powerful focus on sustainability. As part of a wider

collaboration involving six schools with visiting prop and costume designers and stylists, their work was showcased at The Wilson Gallery.

Throughout the year College pupils Fliss, Daisy and Avrille participated in CEP’s Poetry Showcase competition. In front of two poetry slam-winning judges, Avrille was judged to be the winner and Fliss the runner-up.

College teachers have also significantly contributed to CEP events. The Classics Department completed another successful Partnership Latin course with seven CEP pupils sitting their

Community Action

A large cohort of enthusiastic students this year has seen lots of volunteering in local primary schools. Staff find their support invaluable in classes, especially helping young pupils to continue developing social interaction and playbased learning. In a secondary school, pupils have designed and delivered their own lessons to younger age groups.

A new placement for this year was created at Cheltenham General Hospital. Students keen to pursue a career in medicine initially volunteered in a ward for elderly patients, and then moved on to a stroke rehab ward, helping patients working on regaining their speech and

motor skills through fun activities such as bingo, crafting and chair yoga!

We’ve partnered with a new care home too. Students love to organise themed events for residents. They have enjoyed participating in quizzes, craft activities and games, helping out in the gardens, as well as an opportunity to learn about dementia care during a seminar.

We continue to build great relationships with local charity shops, schools for pupils with special needs and Riding for the Disabled.

Mrs Emma Hindle

GCSE exam. Dr Luke Davidson and Dr Adam Dunning launched a new partnership course called ‘Brush up your Shakespeare’. More than 20 pupils visited College every fortnight for indepth study on one of Shakespeare’s’ famous monologues.

CEP schools were also invited to College’s newly-imagined Science Spectacular – a festival of experiments on a scale rarely seen elsewhere. Pupils from across the schools took part in a range of exciting and breath-taking demonstrations.

Dr Adam Dunning

Internationalism

International Induction 2024 in late August-early September saw an impressive influx of 60 international pupils joining College in Third, Fourth, and Lower Sixth Forms respectively. We were warmly hosted by Hazelwell and College Lawn this year, and ably supported by some 18 student helpers, mostly from our Sixth Form. Our new starters enjoyed a fulfilling and informative programme of EAL sessions, movie-making, campus and town orientation and various ice-breaker activities. This provided a really strong foundation for new overseas pupils, imbuing them with a sense of confidence in advance of day one of term.

As ever we celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinese culture with aplomb in September, followed by the Lunar New Year in January, replete with mooncake and culturally themed decorations. However, inevitably the highlight of our calendar was the International Dinner in March, celebrated

by 90 pupils in black tie or national dress. The introduction of the fun photo booth this year was most welcome, providing passport style strips of photos on the night, and access to a digital library after the event itself. It was also a great chance to pay our homages to those who keenly support internationalism at College.

This year we have been blessed with the leadership of two stalwarts in Jamie and Lucille who have led the international committee most ably and have both been instrumental in leading our various cultural celebrations accordingly. We would like to thank the EAL Department led by Miss Helen Davies, and in particular we wish Mrs Kate Hornsby a happy retirement following many years of service supporting international pupils at College. We have been well represented in Chapel this academic year, with culturally themed talks and presentations aimed at making our broader community increasingly aware of our cultural differences.

Mr Nick Nelson

Chatfeild-Roberts Library

From 8am to 9pm on weekdays, and throughout the weekend, this spacious and tranquil space serves as a welcoming environment for pupils and staff to read, research, revise, and relax.

Supporting pupils and staff in their reading development is central to our mission, with strong engagement in our Reading Diploma. Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards are presented to participants who read and review both fiction and non-fiction texts and pupils completing all three earn a tie.

Our diverse fiction collection continues to expand, with hundreds of new and popular titles added to the shelves. Themed and timely displays - such as Black History Month, LGBTQ+ History Month, Ramadan, Squid Games, Lunar New Year, and ‘Read the World’ for World Book Day - highlight excellent titles to enjoy.

A significant re-organisation has been undertaken to help pupils discover and access preferred genres with ease. From ‘Gothic: Suspense’ and ‘Fantasy: Romance’ to ‘Science Fiction: Space Opera’ and ‘Historical Fiction: Asia’, our genre offerings cater to a wide range of literary interests. Thrillers,

Fantasy, and Science Fiction remain especially popular.

The Third Form Paired Reading Programme connects teachers with pupils needing additional support, while our expansive collection of audiobooks and eBooks proves consistently popular. In collaboration with the EAL Department, we have significantly expanded our selection of world literature and translated works, spotlighting global authors.

To support pupils undertaking the Foundation and Extended Project Qualifications, the Library provides a vast array of digital research resources and hosted over 50 sessions focused on developing essential information literacy skills providing one-to-one support for pupil research.

During term time, the evening Sixth Form Prep sessions remain a favourite, and the Library once again proved a key revision hub during the Easter and May holidays for A Level and GCSE pupils.

The Library is a valued space for unwinding between lessons or connecting with friends. Jigsaws, chess, word puzzles, and colouring are always

available, while comfortable sofas and armchairs promote relaxation. The Zen Zone at Friday break provides a quiet space for pupils to find calm amongst their busy day.

We extend our sincere thanks to our dedicated Library Assistants and volunteers whose efforts ensure our busy Library runs seamlessly.

Mrs Andrea Kimball

We are very sad to be saying farewell to our Librarian Mrs Andrea Kimball. Please see a more fulsome farewell in our Valete section. Jamie writes: Mrs Kimball has transformed the Library into a warm and welcoming space for everyone. She always goes above and beyond in making it a fun, yet relaxing place where people want to be. From decorating the Library for world celebration days to constantly checking up on us, her dedication has not gone unnoticed! Her kindness, commitment, and continuous support has left a lasting impact on College and she will be deeply missed! Mrs Kimball has truly been the best librarian we could ever ask for, and I wish her all the best as she leaves College.

Pride and Allies

This year Pride and Allies launched a new online newsletter for staff and pupils - a written space to share, learn, and explore LGBTQ+ matters. From discussing current news stories to understanding inclusive terminology and promoting events, the newsletter has grown into a vibrant hub for open dialogue. It also features recommendations on what to watch, read, or listen to, as well as important tips on how to be a supportive ally.

We marked Valentine’s Day by celebrating love through all kinds of relationships. Pupils could buy rainbow laces or roses in a variety of colours, with all proceeds going to charity - a simple but powerful way to promote kindness and inclusion.

Anti-Racism Team

The A-R Team is now 75 strong! At the start of the year pupils orchestrated a ‘Nations Festival’ supervising stalls (from henna tattooing to quizzes) that celebrated the vast range of ethnicity and culture in the College.

The A-R team delivered powerful Racial Literacy training to House staff plus follow up Anti-Racism year group assemblies on being ‘upstanders’ and not just ‘bystanders’ to any form of racism. Sixth Form members gave an assembly at The Prep on micro-aggressions. All sessions were well received, and positively we have seen an increase in reports of incidents being dealt with successfully by pupils directly, but also an increase in pupils reporting micro-aggressions. If we know about it, we can act!

During Black History Month we had a theatre visit to see In Our Time produced by anti-racist campaigner Mr Dougie Blaxland. In the Spring Term Mr Blaxland then came to College to speak to the whole school about the courage and

At the heart of everything is our commitment to education and acceptance. We aim to create a safe, welcoming school environment where diversity is celebrated, and understanding is deepened. Newly trained staff wear their rainbow lanyards with pride, as do pupils with their new rainbow pin, showing visible support every day.

June saw pupils lead PRIDE celebrations with talks, live music, and colourful baking. Some joined Cheltenham PRIDE at Montpellier Gardens, proudly representing our school.

We are so proud of the passion and creativity shown by our community. With every voice and every action, we move closer to ensuring our school is a place where everyone feels seen, supported, and free to be themselves.

Mrs Wandrille Bates

brilliance and unjust treatment of Walter Tull, the first black professional footballer and commissioned British Army officer who was killed in action in 1918. It was a brilliant Chapel address with a very powerful message.

The Spring and Summer Terms saw a legacy and recruitment initiative, where the departing Upper Sixth explained to incoming new members in the Fifth Form about the aims and objectives of the A-R Team. They also handed out the all-important A-R Team badges! Meetings led by pupils in Houses, invited all comers to discuss issues and ideas they felt could be addressed by the A-R Team. We appointed Courtney as the first Anti-Racism College Prefect.

Mr Dan Evans

SPORT Introduction

Mr Tim Watts, Director of Sport

At College, sport is a vital part of school life - bringing fun, competition, team spirit, and excitement to every pupil’s journey. We believe sport helps to forge lasting friendships, build character, and foster a deep-rooted love for physical activity that extends far beyond school years.

Our aim is to challenge every pupil and those around them, no matter their level or ambition. Whether competing at the highest level or simply discovering a

new passion, we encourage all to step out of their comfort zone and explore just how good they can be. We want our pupils to wear the College crest with pride, knowing they’ve had every opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive through sport.

With over 900 fixtures played across 19 different sports this year, our pupils’ passion, commitment, and enthusiasm speak volumes. We have had over 670 pupils represent College in a competitive fixture, demonstrating the passion our pupils have for sport and physical activity. The following reports stand as testament to their hard work,

determination and desire to perform at their best.

A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who has supported our sporting programme - coaches, staff, parents, and volunteers alike. Without your dedication, none of this would be possible.

Talented Athlete Programme

Mr Matt Depledge

It was another successful year for the Talented Athlete Programme (TAP). With increased demand we were able to widen the scope of TAP enabling over 30 pupils to receive bespoke strength, conditioning and lifestyle support.

All deserve praise for their application and effort this year within sessions

and successfully juggling sporting commitments alongside their academic schedules.

Special mentions go to Zoe who captained Wales lacrosse U20s in the Easter Home Internationals against England, Scotland and the Czech Republic.

Oscar and Archie represented

Athletics and Sports Day

Mr Olly Morgan

The athletics season was one of energy and enjoyment!

Boys and girls from Fifth and Sixth Forms all came together to push each other in training and deliver individually at competitions around the South West.

Our first event was at the Marlborough Nitro Meet which allowed pupils to dust off the cobwebs and run, jump and throw in a team-based competition. Bromsgrove School then followed where we had some brilliant individual successes in the girls’ 100m with Emily G winning her final comfortably, and Anna

SJ in the girls’ long jump. Johnny C also won the boys’ 200m and Jack S jumped 1m 70 to win the senior high jump.

Highlights of the season included Anna SJ breaking the senior girls’ triple jump record, Jessica C breaking the junior girls’ 800m record, Jack P just missing out by 0.5 second in the junior boys’ 1500m, and Boyne House breaking the senior boys’ 4x100m record.

Locally we had over 20 pupils compete at the District Championships with a staggering 12 going through to the Counties. Jack P won his 1500m and progressed through to the Southwest Regional Championships (SRC) in Exeter

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and Melissa played for Worcestershire CCC.

Josh, Daniel, Zach, William, Bear, Harry and Jack represented Gloucester Rugby Academy (u16s-U18s) while Lawrence, Maddie, Izzy, Katie and Farah were selected for the England hockey pathway (Talent Academy).

where he ran a personal best of 4:16. In Counties Troy came second in shot put (securing a place at the Southwest Regionals), Emily G ran a PB in her 100m final and Theo came third in a nail biting 200m final. Rufus, Jack S, Rhodri and Gabe all performed admirably in their events.

Well done to all those involved in what has been a thoroughly enjoyable season.

Sports Day Winners

Junior Boys Winners: Newick House

Junior Girls Winners: Queen’s

Senior Boys Winners: Leconfield

Senior Girls Winners: Ashmead

Junior Boys Athlete: Noah O

Junior Girls Athlete : Beatrice S

Senior Boys Athlete: Max H

Senior Girls Athlete: Anna SJ

Cricket

The Club enjoyed another very productive term, making full use of the extended period of fantastic weather.

We played 102 competitive fixtures across our boys’ and girls’ teams, winning 57% of the matches completed.

The boys’ 1st XI fought hard throughout the term, and despite not registering as many wins as they would like, they worked tirelessly to improve their technical ability with bat and ball. With many of the squad returning next year there are positive signs for the future.

Oscar captained the side in his Lower Sixth year and played his 50th game for the XI. He was also the leading batsman with 432 runs at an average of 39. Herbie and Monty W also scored 430 and 425 runs respectively. Max D took his 50th wicket for the XI. Oscar has joined the Gloucestershire Academy and

played some 2nd XI cricket for the full County side. Max D also represented the Gloucestershire U18 side, Archie is in the Gloucestershire U16 squad, Bear is in the Wiltshire U16 squad and Justin is in the Buckinghamshire U16 squad.

Our senior cricketers worked hard to strike a balance between their academic pursuits, external exams and playing cricket. Regular block fixtures including a 2nd and 3rd XI along with some 4th XI fixtures continued to take place.

Highlights were the centuries for the 2nd XI for Hector and Caspar along with Jack’s 94. Freddie led the team scoring 70 and 58 in the games against Abingdon School and St Edward’s School, Oxford. Michael produced a fine innings of 73 against Marlborough College for the 3rd XI. Justin took 4 for 17 against Bloxham School.

Our Lower College sides enjoyed plenty of success. The Yearlings’ A won nine of their 14 games, including the County

U14 T20 final. They will now represent Gloucestershire in the National U15 Cup next year. Ethan led the way with the bat scoring 533 runs, including 105 against Sherborne School and Monty F took 20 wickets and scored two half centuries. Max F, Jacob and George all scored half centuries for the Junior Colts’ A and Flynn and Max H took 7 wickets between them for just 8 runs in the cup game against Bournside School. Other notable individual performances include Josh’s 144 for the Junior Colts’ B and Hugo’s 105 not out for the Junior Colts’ C. Josh, Cal and Max F are in the Gloucestershire U15 squad and Ethan is in the Gloucestershire U14 squad. Freddie is in the Oxfordshire Cricket Board U14s.

Full Colours: Max D

Half Colours: Barney, Max H, Hector, Herbie, Monty W, Jack Mr Matt Coley

Girls’ cricket got off to a fantastic start this year. After the hours of cold, dark preseason sessions this winter, the girls relished the opportunity to show off all their hard work and preparation.

While the weather stayed kind to us, we were able to go ahead with all the early fixtures. The list included many familiar names such as Clifton College, St Edward’s School, Oxford, Stowe School, Bristol Grammar School and Marlborough College.

The U14 girls won their fixtures against Clifton, Stowe and St Edward’s convincingly. Despite being in their first year at College, they are an extremely promising cohort, to the extent that many girls have been regularly playing up an age group.

The U15 girls also had some fantastic fixtures, narrowly losing to Clifton in a

close-run match. However, it was in The Cricket Paper National 100 Ball Cup that the girls really stood out. Having won all their regional games, they progressed to the Final 16 Round against Repton School. They played fantastically but came up short against a very strong team.

Our 1st XI has had some great performances, including beating Clifton by 1 wicket, and closely losing to St Edward’s by 5 runs. These results reflect just how far girls’ cricket has come, with all team members contributing towards some fantastic overall performances.

A standout moment was our annual fixture on Speech Day against Cheltenham Cricket Club. It was a fantastic day; we had a wonderful ground set up with tents and supporters, gathered to watch both the

boys’ 1st XI and girls’ 1st XI play side by side. The match was tightly contested, with our girls eventually taking the win. Yet again, the girls’ performance highlighted their growth as cricketers and their competitive spirit.

After a fantastic term full of cricket, the girls’ squads have all had brilliant seasons. Their resilience, dedication, and skills have shone through, leading to a series of memorable matches and significant achievements. They are already looking forward to this coming year’s prospects with great excitement and anticipation.

Half Colours: Eleanor, Maddie, Emily, Hannah

Miss Caty Stirling Lee

Badminton

Mr Sol Griffiths and Dr Luke Davidson

Our College badminton squad have enjoyed a strong and rewarding season. Our girls’ teams have delivered a string of excellent performances winning eight of their 12 matches, showing great consistency, teamwork, and determination. The boys’ team faced tough opposition but secured four

Basketball

Mr Michael Higgins

With 30 - 40 pupils training regularly the Club is going from strength to strength. We were especially pleased to see good representation from girls and we held the first ever girls’ House Pots which was won by Ashmead. Penny was named Most Valuable Player for the tournament.

wins from 11 matches. Their progress over the season was evident, and their commitment never wavered.

Our most memorable moment came with a hard-fought victory over Bromsgrove School – a team we had not beaten in three years.

A special mention goes to our

Boys’ House Pots was highlighted by a hotly contested final between Leconfield and Hazelwell. Leconfield was victorious and Curtis was named Most Valuable Player.

It was a remarkably successful season with several great wins including those against Wycliffe College, Malvern College, Pate’s Grammar School and Prior Park College.

captains William D, Jerome, Rex and Bethany who have led from the front throughout. We look forward to the new season in September.

Full Colours: Bethany, William D, Jerome

Half Colours: Max M, Natasha, Tiffany, Prang

We entered our first ever tournament against eight teams including Charterhouse, Eton College and Harrow School. We won three games and lost in the semi-finals to the eventual winners Charterhouse. Special thanks go to captain Thomas W. We’ll be back again this coming year.

Big thanks go to coach Mr Scott Edwards.

Equestrian

Mrs Jenny O’Brien

Equestrian has gone from strength to strength this year with a total of 38 riders in College. Our weekly Monday training sessions at Rectory Farm continue to pay dividends. This training is the very bedrock of College equestrian and we thank Jo Lees and Jenna Jewitt for their weekly inspiration, even during the coldest of months!

Those seeking Schoolmaster lessons have also been well served by Prestige Equestrian whose horses are a joy and enable so much skill progression.

In March we ran two days of Eventer Challenge competition at Rectory Farm which was very well supported and

resulted in our teams qualifying for the Hickstead Championships at 85cm,95cm and 105cm level.

We had a bumper team of eight who made the long journey down to Hickstead, South of Gatwick! They acquitted themselves so well in a Championship environment and the standout performance came from Amalfi who competed in dressage and three different heights achieving hard to come by clear rounds in every one!

In October we went to the National Schools Equestrian Association Championships held at Addington. Hattie, Tamara, Willow and Fenella earned a fantastic fifth place in the 1m show jumping.

The highlight of the year was show jumping in June at Hickstead, where

the team of Willow, Fenella, Tamara and Hattie were accompanied by Bella entered as an individual rider. Three pupils graced the hallowed turf of the International Arena which is the most amazing experience. We managed a creditable 11th place nationally but left hungry for more!

In British Eventing Fenella had a great experience at the Badminton Grassroots Competition. She is hoping to represent the Central Region in the National Youth Championships over the summer break.

An enormous thank you to all parents for your continued support which enables our students to achieve so well and most importantly enjoy their horses.

Full Colours: Tamara

Half Colours: Fenella

Fitness

Mrs Rebecca Faulkner

The girls’ fitness programme continues to be a popular and varied choice for the Upper College girls. The sessions include strength and mobility work, Pilates and mat work and an exciting selection of Zumba, yoga, boxercise and circuit work. The girls can relax and have fun whilst working hard to improve flexibility, strength and balance. The combination of classes has allowed them to gain

a greater understanding of the body systems and learn to connect to each movement with their breathing which helps to develop both the body and mind. The skills learned are important and instil an interest in physical activity which encourages them to maintain strength and health throughout their lives. On sunnier days the girls have enjoyed sessions in the sunshine and these classes with nature have been

Golf

Mr Simon Conner

The season started with a loss to Malvern College at home but then the team got into their stride beating Cheltenham Ladies’ College and Bloxham School in away matches. A great day was then had by seven pupils who played a round of golf with the OCs in The Old Cheltonian Golf Society annual golf day at Denham Golf Club. Charlie D won the best pupil score on

particularly well received by the exam year groups. We are now in our third year of running Pilates-specific sessions and it is with sadness we say our goodbyes to Miss Emily Hartley who has led these sessions with expertise and professionalism. We also wish a happy and healthy maternity leave to Mrs Lucy O’Malley and our warmest of wishes to Miss Stephanie Burns who moves on to pastures new.

the day. The next event was the West of England Golf Competition at Burnham. After losing the first match, the boys played well and were pipped in the Plate final by only one point. The rest of the season saw close matches with a loss against Dean Close School and another win against Bloxham. These matches sandwiched the Cheltonian Day at Cleeve Hill. Raif narrowly won the Prospect Cup from Alvin. It was fitting

to see the incoming captain of golf Raif and the outgoing captain Alvin setting the highest standards. A thoroughly enjoyable season saw many boys play golf and all of them improved, helped by lessons from Mr James Latham, the pro at Cotswold Hills Golf Club.

Full Colours: Alvin

Half Colours: Raif

Football

Mr Stuart Greer

The girls’ season was a mixed success with lots of enjoyable games and great spirit even if some of the results didn’t go our way. The pick of the teams was the girls’ 2nd XI, led by rising stars Emily G and Alya as they won an impressive five of their seven games. Our 1st XI, captained by Ava played in two tournaments and completed 10 fixtures including three against our local rivals Cheltenham Ladies’ College where they drew two and won the final fixture of the season.

The boys’ season had its usual ups and downs with some close games. Two of our best games saw the 1st XI, led by captain Max M and talisman Matthieu, down by two goals in

each game only for us to show great heart to come back for an impressive 2-2 draw with Bristol Grammar School and a 3-2 win against Dean Close School. The 3rd XI also set a new scoring record with 15 goals in one game with Archie scoring ‘lots of them’. All the teams can hold their heads high for the way they played and their positive approaches to games.

The annual House Pots tournaments were as successful as ever with Newick House winning the boys’ trophy and Ashmead taking the girls’.

Finally, well done to Penny, Freddie, Max M and Emma for their Players’ Player and Club Player of the Year Awards.

Full Colours: Ava, Emma, Matthieu, Max M

Half Colours: Alba, Ellen, Freddie, Liora, Max CH, Penny, Ronan

Hockey

Mr Gwyn Williams

We fielded 15 girls’ teams this year, and over 225 Cheltonians represented College in 105 fixtures. Of these the teams managed to win or draw in 70% of these matches scoring 251 goals in the process.

The 1st XI was captained by Alice D in her third year of being in this squad and it was an incredible season for them as a group. They only suffered three losses, one of which was to Canford School in the National U18 Cup Quarter Final. Along the way the girls secured wins over Bromsgrove School, Rugby School, Bristol Grammar School, Redmaids’ High School whilst drawing with Blundells School, St Edward’s School, Oxford and Cheltenham Ladies’ College which saw them retain the Emily Sumaria Memorial Trophy.

The fiercely contested House Pots saw Queen’s do the double in senior and juniors.

The first block fixture of the season was Bromsgrove School and of the 13 matches College won eight and drew one. The momentum continued into

Two Terms, Two Finals…

the Rugby block with College securing eight wins and one draw in 14 matches. Against Blundells the teams managed six wins. It was a superb day against Bristol Grammar School with seven wins and one draw out of eight matches. St Edward’s School, Oxford saw College teams take seven wins and three draws in 11 fixtures.

A special mention goes to the Yearlings’ C team under the guidance of Mrs Kate Hornsby who managed to secure an unbeaten season.

Outside of College there were several individuals who have gained representative honours in either the Gloucestershire County squads or as part of England’s hockey Talent Academy centres. We currently have 12 members in the TA system.

Full Colours: Alice D, Melissa W, Tilda B, Matilda M

Half Colours: Eme, Ava R, Ellen B, Izzy B, Rose M, Evie H, Liv P

Player of the Year: Rose M

Players’ Player: Melissa W

Club Players of the Year: Alice D, Matilda M

It has been a phenomenal term for boys’ hockey. The Club put out 12 weekly teams and then also had teams representing in the U14, U16 and U18 cup competitions. Of the 85 fixtures played College won or drew 78% of them and won 66% of all matches, scoring in total 225 goals.

The 1st XI under the captaincy of Max H set the tone by winning their first seven games on the bounce, these included wins over Bradfield College, Bromsgrove School, Collegiate School, Bristol Grammar School, King’s School Gloucester and Clifton College.

They progressed to Round 4 of the National Cup only to lose out by one goal to Kingswood School. In the other cup competitions, the U14s progressed to the quarter finals stage.

House Pots saw Newick House win the seniors, and Southwood, the juniors.

Within the Saturday fixtures there have been some amazing results. In the main fixture blocks the College teams produced some impressive performances.

With Bradfield, College won six and drew three of the 11 matches. Against

This season has produced an incredible achievement for College with both girls and boys U16s making it through to the National Plate Finals at Lee Valley Hockey Centre. The U16s, made up of pupils from Fourth and Fifth Forms, demonstrated the real depth we have in our teams. Both gender teams displayed a great sense of determination in their style of play but more importantly a great sense of enjoyment in playing together and being able to showcase their learning. Both finals, against Rugby School for the girls and against St Lawrence College for the boys, presented a fabulous occasion and experience for them to be able to play a National Final at the home of Great Britain hockey. Although it was not our day, each member of both squads can be immensely proud of their achievement and the future looks extremely bright for College hockey.

Bromsgrove they won 10 and drew two out of 12 and managed to win all seven with Collegiate.

The Marlborough College fixture saw five wins and two draws from 11 games and against Bloxham School, College secured seven wins out of 11.

There have also been some incredible highlights for the individual teams

and year groups this term. A huge congratulations goes to the Junior Colts where all four teams remained unbeaten, winning 20 and drawing two of their 22 games.

There are several of the boys playing local representative and club hockey, but a special mention goes to Hugo VM, Ethan, Sam E and Lawrence who

have been selected into England hockey Talent Academies.

Full Colours: Max H, Tor, Bryn

Half Colours: Herbie, Lawrence, Johannes, Felix, Oscar M, Max C

Player of the Year: Max H

Players’ Player: Johannes

Club Players of the Year: Charlie Q, Max D

Netball

Mrs Kate Mears

We were delighted to welcome 25 netballers from the Fifth Form to Upper Sixth for a pre-season overnight camp. It was a busy two days which included team building activities and netball unit work. We had some friendly matches against Hucclecote Netball Club which was a fantastic opener to the season and a chance for our girls to play in several different combinations to strengthen our connections through court. The girls’ effort, intensity and team cohesion over the camp was excellent.

It was an exciting season with some tougher fixtures scheduled, and of 104 matches we secured 61 wins and scored 2,126 goals. Mention goes to the 2nd team. They only lost one match and had some incredibly exciting games, including a 23-20 victory over Marlborough College and a 21-19 win over Royal Grammar School Worcester. Our U15As only lost one match and our

U15Bs had an excellent win over Wycliffe College’s A team winning 18-16. Our U14D team beat Bloxham School U14C team by just one goal!

Our senior 1st team have had some outstanding performances, and their unit work and structures developed significantly after each match. They scored 278 goals - a big step up from last season’s 167.

Our annual Charity Netball Match against Malvern College was spectacular. Last year, College closed the game with a two-goal lead, so we were expecting another tough battle. Before the match the senior 1st team arrived at the sports hall to cheer the U13As in the curtain raiser against Denmark Road High School and congratulated them on their victory. All 800 seats in the hall were filled with many banners being waved to support the girls. College won the first centre pass but it was intercepted. Once the

nerves began to settle College got themselves on the score board and worked hard to steal the lead finishing the first quarter 10-5.

We began the second quarter with the same line up, to allow players to settle and then roll on fresh legs as the quarter progressed. Malvern reminded us that they would not take a loss without a fight. The end of the quarter score was 15-16, with Malvern ahead.

We came out firing into the third quarter and with pure focus from the squad and all seven players on the court ensuring they maintained our defensive structure, we went on to score a run of 10 goals, gaining a strong lead for the first time in the game, finishing the quarter 26-19.

The last quarter was a battle, with fatigue beginning to show but College had done enough to see the game through to the end and were able to lift the trophy!

The triumphant squad included captain Hebe, vice captain Alice D, Tilda B, Katie J, Tilly C, Maddie A, Eme, Gabriella W, Matilda M and Connie.

A busy final week in the calendar saw the return of the annual House Pots. We enjoyed a very exciting junior and senior competition. The sun was shining for the junior competition, and pupils turned up adorned with House glitter and war paint. Both the junior and senior competitions were run in the same format, with all teams entering an A and a B team. Scores from both competitions were then put together to see who our overall house winners were.

A particular highlight of the day was the senior B competition. We had to play an additional match of two minutes each way (with a golden goal if needed) between Ashmead and Westal who were battling it out for fourth place. They had finished on the same number of points, the same goals for, the same goals against and their result against each other was a draw. It was a very exciting game with Westal just pinching fourth place.

Congratulations to all teams for the excellent House spirit but particularly to Queen’s who were our overall winners  for both the junior and the senior competitions.

Thank you to all the staff and spectators who joined us on the day!

Our final event of the season saw the mixed staff VII take on the 1st VII girls. It was another thrilling and tightly fought game of end-to-end netball with the pupils winning in the last few minutes by just one goal, 27-26.

A huge thank you for 1st VII captain Hebe and vice captain Alice D, who led their team brilliantly over the season and were superb role models for College netball.

Full Colours: Tilly C, Alice D, Hebe H

Half Colours: Tilda B, Maddie A, Gabriella W

Polo

Mrs Sarah Hayden Polo goes from strength to strength. With 18 active players across all levels, it’s been a year of depth, development and determination. Huge thanks go to the parents and of course, the players themselves. Their attitude has been nothing short of exemplary. Talent matters, yes - but so does attitude. After practice, regardless of year group, they all pile into the dining room, together. That, more than anything, makes me proud. It has been a joy to spend Mondays and Thursdays with George C, Max CH, George L, Hector, Hari, Darcey, Zara, Tensie, Raffy, Will D, Wilf, Phia, Will N, Myer, Elizabeth and subsequent new recruits.

An early highlight was SUPA at Oxford Polo, where our Open team secured a well-earned win, Hari picked up MVP and the Intermediates and Beginners gave strong performances. At the

February meet, the Open team missed the title by just one goal, and the Intermediates were narrowly edged out on penalties. But we stood tall as the only school to field teams at every levelsometimes two!

Over Easter, many players headed to Argentina to train at Las Hermanas, Longdole’s sister club. An intensive week proved invaluable as we hit the ground running for the summer.

We returned to the Copenhagen Cup after a 10-year absence. Guards Polo Club, glowing in the sunshine with Windsor Great Park in bloom, provided the perfect backdrop. Facing stiff competition from Harrow School, Eton College, Wellington College, Radley College and Millfield School, our team - George C, Hari, Hector and Wilf - were simply outstanding.

A commanding win over Radley set the tone, and though we lost a dramatic final to Stowe School, our grit,

professionalism and sportsmanship were on full display.

We returned to Guards for a friendly against Eton and although Eton clinched it, the match was full of individual brilliance and clear signs of growth. It’s a fixture we’ll hold on to - especially as the long-lost College Polo Trophy, last awarded in 2015, magically resurfaced the next day.

I want to thank my leavers. Although Oscar F hasn’t played this year, he’s the reason I ended up in this role. His casual, ‘Mrs H, you can drive a minibus - fancy taking us to Longdole?’ was the start of something wonderful. George L, natural sportsman, quiet force, and reliable as the day is long, Max CH, my voice of reason, and George C, this year’s captain, poised, calm and brave he plays with such composure and leads in the quietest but most effective of ways.

Full Colours: Hector

Half Colours: Darcey, Max CH, Zara, Wilf

Rackets

Mr Mark Briers

It has been another busy season for the Club with 40 boys and 30 girls representing College in school fixtures. Over 50 of those represented College at the National Schools Championships at The Queen’s Club in December and March.

The boys were led by captain Noah and Spencer who had their fair share of wins at 1st Pair. The 2nd Pairs were shared between Oscar M, Caspar C and Felix who played their part with some good performances across the season.

The Colts, with Lewis M and William B had a very solid season and narrowly lost to Eton College three games to two, losing the fifth and deciding game 14/17 in the National Colts Final at The Queen’s Club in March.

The standard of girls’ rackets continues to improve and although some results

didn’t quite go in our favour, the pupils improved and put in some impressive performances at the National Schoolgirls’ Championships both in the singles and doubles competitions.

Poppy B and Ellie H played at 1st Pair reaching the semi-finals of the National Doubles whilst Ellie H and Tilly C reached the quarter-finals of the National Singles with Poppy B reaching the semi-final.

It was also a busy season internally with the various College competitions. Spencer beat his brother Lewis in the Dick Bridgeman College singles and Poppy B won the Lily Owen Girls’ singles.

Ted McQ and Olivia D won their Lower College singles tournaments respectively. In the House Pots doubles it was a strong showing from Christowe with Noah and Spencer beating Christowe II in the final. The girls’ House Pots doubles was won by Ashmead with Ellie H and Lulu P who defeated Tilly C and Maddie A from Queen’s.

We wish our Upper Sixth leavers all the best in the future and hope they will continue to play this wonderful sport. Noah and Spencer will be off to do Fellowships at Chicago and Montreal respectfully and we hope they do themselves and College proud. Both were awarded their rackets Full Colours.

A huge thank you to Mr Matt Coley who does so much behind the scenes and helps run the Club smoothly alongside professional Mr Mark Briers who continues to develop the pupils’ skills, understanding and enthusiasm for the sport.

Finally, a massive thank you to Mr Sam Matthews who will be leaving College to take up the role as Head Rackets Professional at Charterhouse School. We wish him every success with his energy and passion for the sport.

Full Colours: Noah, Spencer

Rugby

Mr Olly Morgan

The 2024/25 season has been a very enjoyable one with many team and individual successes.

The Club welcomed back many new and old faces and there was much excitement and anticipation ahead of what was arguably our toughest fixture list to date. The introduction of Wellington College, coupled with the likes of Millfield School and Rugby School, our pupils certainly faced some challenging opposition.

The season saw close to 300 boys represent College at various levels with over 100 fixtures during a 16-week term. The pleasing aspect and something all pupils and coaches should be proud of, is that almost 60% of our matches were successful which just highlights the strength of the programme.

The first half of term saw some fantastic victories for the U16 year group against Kingswood School, Haberdasher’s Monmouth School and Marlborough College. The seniors followed suit as well with the 1st XV producing an emphatic 62-7 win against Blundell’s School. Perhaps the toughest challenge during this block of games was against Wellington College, where every team would need to be at their best. The seniors and U16s ran them close but unfortunately the opposition proved too much in the final quarter.

As the season went on, the formations started to click and both U14B and U15B showed their class throughout. It was also pleasing to see the U15s progress to the quarter finals of the National Plate competition, with some comprehensive victories over the King’s School, Worcester and Bablake School. After half term, it didn’t get much bigger than Millfield School and with

a two-week break, the boys really showed how we can compete with the best, producing some brilliant performances and results with all year groups. This then followed into Sherborne School where the U15 and U16 year groups showed their class with some nail-biting victories.

Kingsholm and a crowd of almost 2,500, will live long in the memory for many, and the rugby on display showcased how exciting school sport can be with the score changing hands a number of times. Although the win against Sir Thomas Rich’s was deserving, it was great to raise almost £15,000 for Gloucestershire Young Carers.

Full Colours: Ed C, William S, Charlie H, Finn T, Ed RD, Wilf

Half Colours: Josh H, Barney C, Ben R, Fergus, Jack Sa, Daniel J, Jack Sh

Sevens

The U18 sevens programme, being largely fitness based, meant there were some gruelling sessions along the way! That said, the pupils really bought into it and put some very impressive performances. Triangulars with Wellington College and Clifton College were extremely rewarding and prepared us for four upcoming tournaments. Success followed in reaching the final of the Millfield Sevens, cup winners of the Cardiff Floodlit Sevens, the final of the prestigious Solihull Sevens and the final of the West of England Sevens.

The U18s entered Rosslyn Park in fine form. With 224 schools in attendance, it is just as much a mental challenge as it is physical to reach the final stages, and the boys started off brilliantly winning the group. Perhaps the game of the tournament was the elimination game against King’s College Taunton going into extra time with Ben R dotting

down and winning the golden point. The quarter and semi-final games were very close relying heavily on the squad depth to get over the line. Down to the final two teams and the game had everything; a wonderful showpiece of schoolboy sevens where no team wanted to give up. Unfortunately, College just came up short in the dying moments. A brilliant campaign for the U18s and one where their performances across the season has matched them with some of the best in the country.

In summary having played 30 fixtures winning 26 and losing four and reaching the final of every tournament we have played, just highlights the strength, talent, work ethic and resilience of this special group.

The U16s also had a very successful season reaching finals in all tournaments they entered and playing a total of 23 matches, losing only four. Reaching the final of the Wycliffe Sevens, winning the plate final at the Prior Park sevens and

winning the final at the West of England sevens, are just a few highlights. At Rosslyn Park the U16s got off to a brilliant start beating the likes of Abingdon School and Bristol Grammar School. The quality of the group shone through, and the team progressed to a showpiece game against George Watson’s College. The game was end-to-end with Zach pulling the strings and Theo A finishing brilliantly but a last-minute score for the Scottish outfit progressed them through to the final eight.

The U14s had a triangular against Clifton and Marlborough and the West of England Sevens followed for their first tournament. It was a great performance beating Monmouth, Blundell’s and Collegiate. A close semi-final loss to Whitchurch ended their impressive run. At Rosslyn Park the U14s started off well against Bournemouth however came unstuck against a strong Clifton outfit who went on to win the group.

Rowing

Mr Mark Trotman

Every race we had planned in the Autumn Term coincided with a period of bad weather and all competitions were cancelled. The House Pots indoor competition went full steam ahead though with honours eventually going to College Lawn and Leconfield.

Our first event of the year was the annual indoor competition at Kings Worcester. We left with a total of 10 medals across all events. February saw us at Worcester Head where the J15 and J16 quads finished second and third respectively with the WJ16 girl’s quad finishing a very creditable fifth considering three of them were racing up one year. For Avon County Head we entered one boat with Delilah, Kitty, Ella, Elke and Tensie proudly taking Gold.

At the Junior Sculling Head on the Olympic Lake at Eton Dorney our three boats raced hard. The J15 boy’s quad was selected to represent the regional

rowing squad at the Junior InterRegional Regatta in Nottingham. Here, Seb H, Will J, Ralph, Henry H and Sean finished fifth in their final, racing against the best crews from all regional squads.

Evesham Regatta saw us put in a large entry. Our 11 boats made six finals, three semi-finals and two quarterfinals. Outright wins went to Eden and Georgia B, Will G and Joshua W in doubles and Reuben, Arthur, Jack, Tibault and Sean along with the J15 boys winning in coxed quads.

At Shrewsbury Regatta all our boats made either the final or semi-final of their event with our J15 boys once again taking the outright win.

The biggest event is the three-day National Schools Regatta at the National Water Sports Centre. Friday saw us racing the J15 boys and girls, with the boys taking second place in a thrilling final. Unfortunately, our nemesis, the weather, returned and conditions on the Sunday were judged too dangerous for racing so none of the other crews got to race.

Hereford Regatta saw Isla and Martha win the WJ14 double sculls in their first term of racing. This was despite having to race the semi-final twice after their opposition caused a collision. Bridgnorth is our busiest regatta of the year, and it often gives our less experienced rowers their first taste of racing. We entered 15 crews and achieved four wins, nine seconds, one third and one fourth place. The wins went to the Third and Fourth Form boys’ quads, Henry H in a single and, in their last race together, Eden and Georgia in a double.

The season finished at a very picturesque Stratford-upon-Avon where we added another two wins to the season’s tally. Emilie Z stepped into the Third Form boys’ quad as a lastminute substitution and helped them to victory. It was also another win for the Fourth Form boys’ quad.

Shooting – clays

Mr Tim Watts

The Club has enjoyed another year of continued growth and success, with a dedicated group of 12 boys regularly training at Ian Coley’s Sporting. Under the expert guidance of coach Mr Matt Venner, the standard of shooting has significantly improved, thanks to his commitment and expertise.

Elliot led the team as captain steering the squad through a packed and competitive fixture list. Highlights included matches against top schools such as Rugby School, Millfield School, Marlborough College and Harrow School, as well as competing at the UK Independent Schools Championships against the best the UK has to offer including Scottish teams Glenalmond

Squash

The squash team has had an exhilarating season, full of determination, teamwork, and thrilling fixtures. From the first session to the last, our players have demonstrated not only technical skill but also resilience and sportsmanship.

This year’s Player of the Year is Arav A, who showed great commitment to the sport, trained consistently throughout the year and worked hard

College and Strathallan School.

Throughout the Autumn and Spring Terms, the squad continued to develop with the goal of making a strong showing at the 2025 UK Independent Schools Championships, held at our very own Coley’s Ground - an event where home advantage proved an asset. College entered a senior team of Elliot, Oscar, Wills, Alfie and Chris, and a Colts team made up of Harry, Cameron, Tom and Hugh.

The seniors placed a respectable 12th out of 21 schools, while the Colts impressed with a fifth place finish and an outstanding win in the Flush competition.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our Upper Sixth leavers, whose dedication

to improve all aspects of his game which has reflected in his fixtures results. A big congratulations goes to our girls’ U18 and U16 teams for winning their respective sections in the Cheltenham Ladies’ College Girls Schools Tournament.

As the season concludes, all squash players can be proud of their progress and achievements. Both on and off the court, the enthusiasm and spirit

and enthusiasm have helped shape the Club’s identity and achievements. The boys also wish to extend a sincere thank you to Mr Chris Reid for his unwavering commitment and support. His leadership and organisation have been instrumental in the success and development of the Club.

Full Colours: Oscar, Chris, Alfie, Wills

Half Colours: Harry, Cameron, Tom, Hugh, Freddie, William

from the players has been indisputable creating a positive environment for all. With continued training and the same fighting spirit, next season looks even more promising.

Congratulations to all players – you’ve truly served up a winning season!

Half Colours: Aarav A, Arav A, Max S, Adam KJ, Wenlin, Lawson, Maya, Scarlet, Lily R

Miss Noel Lee

Swimming

Mrs Zoe La Valette-Cooper

This year we have enjoyed success across a range of competitions, with swimmers of all ages. We have more swimming sessions available than ever before and renewed interest from swimmers training with us in addition to their first choice of sport.

Internally, Queen’s were victorious in both senior and junior girls’ House Pots, with Boyne House winning the senior competition and Southwood the junior event in the boys’ House Pots.

In external competitions this year, the girls’ swim team have won a gala against

Marlborough College, come second in the Cheltenham Challenge Cup, qualified for the ESSA National finals in Sandwell, won a Bronze medal at the National Schools ‘Otters’ Medley relay and brought home the prestigious Webb Relay at the Regional Swimming Gala at Cheltenham Ladies’ College. These are magnificent achievements with a small squad of girls, so congratulations to Evie W, Evie H, Millie G, Isla and Boon.

The boys’ squad has also had a great season, with a win against Dean Close School and some tremendous times swum at the Otters. More recently they too brought home the very sizable, Webb Relay trophy at the Regional

Swimming Gala. Congratulations to Josh H, Tarick, William M and Max H. Incredibly, we have also seen 17 College records broken in the last year, which is a testament to our amazing swimmers and our great captains Emma B and Matthew W.

A massive thank you goes to our fantastic Head Coach Mr Andy Osborne, without whom we would be lost.

Full Colours: Matthew W and Emma B

Half Colours: Ava B, Hannah LVC, Chun Yu, Evie W, Evie H, William S, Tarick, Boon, Otto

Tennis

Mr Tim Lang

Having endured a long, wet, and windy winter out on the tennis courts the pupils and coaches were all in need of some fairer weather as the competitive tennis season commenced. Our committed players trained hard throughout the year, and it was great to see them finally get the sunshine and conditions that made for good tennis and great entertainment for parents and staff alike.

The winter programme once again proved beneficial, and players hit the ground running. in the first fixture a comprehensive victory across all teams was just reward for the preparation that had been done prior to the term commencing.

It was extremely pleasing to see doubles played in such a coordinated way where

pupils who have played with each other before in previous years were able to rekindle and build upon their combinations.

Adding a new Third Form group into the fold was great, and to see the depth of this talent is encouraging for future years. They will no doubt join forces with the years above as they mature. Our Junior Colts’ teams continue to be competitive and have enjoyed success despite the recent inclement weather disrupting training and matches.

The Senior Girls worked diligently at their competitive spirit and ambition. The way they diversified their style depending on what surface they were playing was encouraging. Whether it be on acrylic, hard courts, or Astro turf they have shown keen interest in forming a plan to play in all conditions. I have been pleased with the strong commitment and drive they have demonstrated.

The Senior Boys can be very proud. They worked hard and should be impressed by their own personal development. Special mention goes to Tommy, Max and Lewis who consistently demonstrated a high level of ambition on the tennis courts this year.

House Pots was a highly competitive encounter with Ashmead triumphant in the junior competition while Westal won senior glory.

Thanks go to Mr Chris Warner for his drive, spirit and ambition in the coaching team and for his stellar efforts throughout the winter to provide excellent coaching and tuition to our budding tennis players. College tennis would not be the same without him.

Full Colours: Ellie, Poppy, Arabella H, Rose, Max CH, Lewis

Half Colours: Lucia, Wenlin, Tommy

Ashmead

House Events

This has been yet another remarkable year for Ashmead, welcoming our new Third Form and Lower Sixth. At the start of the year we introduced the newcomers to Ashmead with the Family Olympiad which included apple bobbing, human pyramids and multiple fun relays. Miss Seager, our new Resident Tutor, has made her mark with her mouth-watering Toastie Tuesday. On the topic of food, we also love Mrs Leach’s brand-new Milkshake Mondays, and Miss Burns’ Fish Finger Fridays. There was more food in the annual Ashmead and Leconfield (Ashfield) Christmas Dinner, followed by a groovy disco getting us into the spirit. The Ashmead staff team worked hard to coordinate some fantastic socials, with the Invitational Dinner, champagne tasting, aerobics and acrobatics workshops. One of the highlights was our loudest and most enthusiastic event of the year: House Singing, with Sienna pioneering our performance of ‘Wonderwall’, inspiring us with her hot new look as Liam Gallagher, which won Best Dressed Conductor. She was so determined to win she even forged Liam’s signature to ‘bribe’ the judges.

Charity

Ashmead girls have played a huge part in the local community through various charitable events. Kicking off the year, Ashmead’s Head of House Pia swam the equivalent of the Channel with other College Prefects, raising funds for breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel and Gloucestershire Young Carers. With CoppaFeel as Ashmead’s chosen charity, the House teamed up with Christowe to host a thrilling Night at the Races, where pupils, parents, and staff raised a significant sum through bets and auctions. A whole-House yogathon followed, welcoming friends from beyond Ashmead for a therapeutic session, topped off with much-deserved boba. Supporting other Houses, Ashmead joined Hazelwell in a colour run for Man Up a suicide awareness charity, by doing laps around The Prep field. The year ended on a high with the charity netball match, where Ashmead cheered on our own Katie, securing a brilliant victory over Malvern College.

Academic

Ashmead’s academic success has been shown through Olympiads, Maths Challenges and lots more, with many girls taking part. Ivy and Ada both received Gold Awards in the Maths Challenge. Delilah and Lilli displayed their outstanding textiles ability in a sustainable fashion show, with models showcasing their wonderful coursework designs. In addition to this, Emily hosted a well-received parliamentary debate in Chapel discussing the issues of today. Ellen received Full Academic Colours.

Drama and Music

The year started with an impressive Battle of the Bands where we saw outstanding performances from Natalie, Ivy, Joie and Penny. Sophie, Annabelle and Natalie then took to the stage in the whole school play Legally Blonde. Behind the scenes, Ashmead played a key role, with Delilah and Lilli designing costumes, while Marina and Joie ensured a flawless production as part of the stage crew.

Sport

Leading on from Katie’s terrific performance in the charity netball match, many of the girls participated in hockey House Pots, coming a close second place. We then bettered this result winning badminton House Pots, football House Pots, basketball House Pots and then Ellie and Lulu secured the rackets House Pots win. To top off a wonderful year of sport, the senior Ashmead girls won the trophy on Sports Day for the second year running. Beyond House competitions, Ellie showcased her talent not only in doubles but also individually, finishing second in the whole-school rackets competition. She, alongside Lulu and Katie went on to represent College at the prestigious National Schools Rackets Competition at The Queen’s Club.

Farewells

After all the fun and games, we come to the year’s sad conclusion, but with years of happy memories. Nina and Kathy, Ashmead’s finest cleaners are moving on from us alongside beloved Tutor Miss Brodigan who not only brightened the English Department but also filled Ashmead’s corridors with laughter and happiness. We also wish a farewell to another of our Tutors, Miss Hartley, who made her mark here by sharing her love for Eurovision and Pilates! Our Upper Sixth, on an apple tree of the many girls who came before them, leave a new apple containing their own special memories. Though it is sad to see our girls take new paths of their own, we wish them the best of luck and I’m sure they will leave new marks on others just as they have to us. To finish this year’s Ashmead news, we have a very sad goodbye to our much-loved Resident Tutor, Miss Burns after five wonderful years with us.

Speech Day Prizes

Lower College

Attainment: Sophie, Eleanor, Charlotte

Upper College

Tanner Biology: Maryam

Spanish: Emily G

Extended Project Qualification (Artefact): Lilli

Head’s Award for Outstanding Commitment: Pia

Allen Divinity: Lulu LF

Cheltonian Endowment

Trust Prizes

Business: Amelia

Design (Resistant Materials): Emily T

Design (Textiles): Blythe

House Editors: Chloe and Delilah

Boyne House

House Events

This year has been a great one for Boyne, with many achievements from academic and sporting to charitable and musical: Boyne has done it all. As many know Clans is a major part of the Boyne experience, with House prefects proposing and executing all sorts of events on a Thursday night for the whole House. Many events that involve a range of different activities, from talent shows to scavenger hunts around House. Clans is loved by everyone. One event that takes place at the start of the year is the much-anticipated Leckhampton Hill walk. This involves each Clan making their way from Boyne to the top of Leckhampton Hill, while getting to know the new pupils. Traditionally, one Clan must lug a log all the way up the hill, which is decided by a tug of war in the garden. The unlucky (aka weakest) Clan (this year the Saints) had the honour. Another event is Clans NFL, started only a few years ago, battled out on Reeve’s Field to see who takes home the coveted trophy. This year the finals presented an excellent showcase of what Boyne is all about, with Upper Sixth Wilf passing the ball to Monty in Third Form in double overtime to score the winning touchdown for the Chiefs.

Charity

Boyne prides itself in its charitable events and participation. Our chosen charity is the James Hopkins Trust, a great charity supporting life limited and life threatened young children. This year Boyne decided to do a sunrise to sunset run around College Field. This involved boys running as far as they wanted when they wanted between 6.30am to 6.30pm. There were many diligent efforts with multiple boys running marathons all day and others running half marathons and everything in between. The distances were not limited to the field however, with William T walking a marathon back to Cirencester and William W cycling 180km in the balcony gym. These efforts managed to raise nearly £4,000 for the very worthy and noble cause.

Sport

This sporting year has been a remarkable success for Boyne, winning the senior swimming Pots, senior rowing House Pots and the squash challenge cup played by Lawson, Dylan, Oscar and Henry H. Football House Pots went well, having the winning goal in one game scored by none other than Mr Straiton himself, against Leconfield. Furthermore, many boys made it into the 1st XV (Finn, Charlie H, Wilf and Rufus), the cricket 1st XI (Hector, Oscar, Edward C and Bear) and hockey 1st XI (Oscar). These boys have represented the House and school all over the country, partaking in a number of wildly successful matches.

Drama and Music

Boyne have spread their wings when it comes to music with boys going international to spread our musical expertise with the French. Otto, Ethan and Michael W travelled to Paris to sing and show their incredible talents to the fortunate population in the French capital. William T received his Music Full Colours and Hugh N and Liam T received Music Half Colours. In House Singing, Boyne sang a near perfect rendition of ‘Angels’ by Robbie Williams, sounding like the man himself was singing right alongside us. We were rudely robbed of first place, having to settle for a modest third, despite the collective, concert worthy efforts of the whole of Boyne. Huge thanks are owed to William T and Charlie H for their excellent leadership, organisation, choreography, and dedication to the House. Boyne was proud to host the third Boynefest this summer term, having an excellent display of DJ mastery from William T. The silent disco was enjoyed by all, with the whole of the Sixth Form gathering in the garden. Boynefest is now a must have and is looked forward to by everyone.

Farewells and Thank Yous

As a collective, Boyne are incredibly sad to say farewell to a new addition to the House, Mr Hager. Over the year he has been in Boyne he has been an important asset to the House as a Tutor and a friendly face to talk to and ask for advice. Mr Hager will be sorely missed by everyone, and we hope that all at St Paul’s School, London welcomes him with open arms. Boyne also joined the whole College community in saying farewell to a great, former Housemaster Mr Sebastian Bullock (Housemaster 2002 to 2014). Mr Bullock made a profound impact on the House in his time at Boyne and was loved by all pupils under his care. He set up initiatives that are still an important part of Boyne’s core values, with pictures of some of his great endeavours and mottos still on our walls today. We thank him for all that he did to make Boyne the House it is today.

Speech Day Prizes

Lower College

Attainment: William G, Michael

Upper College

Endeavour: Lucas, Matthew

Business: Otto

Design (Resistant Materials): Dylan

Head’s Award for Outstanding

Commitment: Charlie

Davenport Musical Theatre: Otto

IT – Cambridge Technical: Elliot

Borchardt Mathematics: Rory

Cheltonian Endowment Trust Prize!

Music: William T

Galahad Academic Prize: Rory

House Editor: William W

Chandos

House Events

Chandos kickstarted the year with a trip to Roxy Lanes for some bowling and pool to help the new pupils settle in. This is only one example of how thoughtful our House staff have been about organising fun activities both in, and outside House. Others include relaxed Saturday night activities like jewellery making with bubble tea and a pamper night with hot chocolate.

We finished the first term with the annual Christmas Dinner at the Storyteller in Cheltenham, followed by the much-anticipated House roasts and a House gingerbread competition which saw the inventive construction and design of some surprisingly stable gingerbread houses. Among other things, Head and Deputy Head of House, Alice and Liora organised a series of family challenges and a whole House game of Cluedo which made for an entertaining week. In the last two terms Chandos also visited Mulligans for some crazy golf and enjoyed the delights of a chicken van as well as multiple delicious barbecue nights held by Mr Henocq. These will soon feature pizza after the Chandos pizza oven is built!

Charity

This year, College Prefects Zoe, Lucille, Iona, Thea and Alice achieved the impressive goal of swimming the length of the Channel with other College Prefects to raise money for Gloucestershire Young Carers. Later in the term, some of our Prefects took part in raising awareness for CoppaFeel! on Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Additionally, on a sunny day, the entirety of Chandos set out to collectively walk, run, row or cycle 1,000km in support of the House charity Linc, starting from the Sports Hall, with some even walking up Leckhampton Hill. The girls in House also made great signs for the charity netball match thus supporting Connie and Alice who were playing. The signs did a brilliant job advertising the event and then the College team went on to win the match.

Academic

Congratulations to Sophia for being awarded the position of Deputy Head Girl for the coming academic year, as well

as the six Lower Sixth girls who were awarded scholarships and exhibition titles at the beginning of the year. Three of the Fifth Form also went to Valencia on a Spanish trip in advance of their GCSE speaking exams. Academic Full Colours were awarded to Thea, Isabel and Ellen. We were absolutely proud beyond belief when, at Speech Day, our Upper College girls received the much coveted Lladarin Shield for girls’ House academic achievement. Everyone worked so hard for this. Congratulations.

Sport

Over the year we had lots of our girls competing in riding and polo competitions with many proud successes! Well done to Isla who played in the National hockey quarter final for Cheltenham Hockey Club as well as Boon who won Half Colours for swimming and placed in a relay at a national competition in the Olympic pool. Chandos girls also took home an impressive second place in netball Pots and most girls represented Chandos either in House Pots or at the selfdefence session run in Big C. A friendly but competitive wholeHouse rounders game was also enjoyed by the girls during the weekend following a picnic on The Prep field.

Drama and Music

This academic year has seen a huge amount of success for our talented performers in the Music and Drama Departments. After a lot of practice, Chandos performed a tuneful rendition of ‘Spice Up Your Life’, conducted by Tulliah and Claudia in House Singing. Following this, five of the Chandos girls joined the Music Department on a tour to Paris during the February half term where they performed in several amazing venues including La Madeleine in central Paris. Throughout the year many of our girls have performed in lunchtime concerts, end of term concerts, musical theatre workshops and the incredible production of Legally Blonde! A special mention is owed to Hayden who organised her own violin recital and played a stunning solo in the Christmas Concert as well as Isa who performed with the National Youth Choir over the Easter holidays. Daisy, Lyra and Sophia gave very stirring performances in the LAMDA showcase and many of our other girls have also seen successes in their Trinity and ABRSM music and drama grades. Isabel received her Music Full Colours.

Farewells and Thank Yous

Thank you Mr Henocq, Mrs Edgington, Ms Robinson, Mrs Howard, Dr K and all the House team for looking after us in House and being so supportive, as well as for our really delicious breaks. We truly would be lost without you! This year we’re saying goodbye to our amazing Upper Sixth as well as all the German exchange girls in Lower Sixth who have made House such a fun place to be. Some of the Fifth Form are moving on too and will be greatly missed!

Speech Day Prizes

Lower College

Attainment: Bella , Annie, Astrid

Endeavour: Perlie, Evelyn

Upper College

Endeavour: Emmie

Design (Textiles): Zara

Rea English Literature: Isa

Ronald Guthrie Bedford

History: Sophia M

Physics: Isabel C

Politics: Ariadne

Psychology: Ellen

Head’s Award for Outstanding

Commitment: Lucille

Macroeconomics Prize: Eniiyi

Hannan Clark Orchestra

Prize: Hayden

Marcan Prize for Music: Hayden

History of Art: Thea

Cheltonian Endowment

Trust Prizes

Economics: Claudia

German: Zoe

Shield Winners!

We are proud to say that our Upper College also won The Lladarin Shield for girls’ House academic achievement

House Editor: Isa

Christowe

House Events

Christowe has enjoyed yet another successful and actionpacked year with a wide variety of events taking place. As always, our Christmas Dinner, held at The Frogmill, was a particular highlight of the year with all year groups and staff coming together to celebrate. We had many successful trips from paintballing, where the teachers received their fair share of friendly fire, to raft-building, both of which were immensely fun and great opportunities to build bonds between years. Clan nights, taking place every Thursday, have seen a great level of enthusiasm and fun this year, especially Clan Cooking. Another highlight was House Singing, where we belted out ‘Iris’ by the Goo Goo Dolls. Yet again we were robbed of glory and despite leaving feeling rather bitter, it was a brilliant night and the whole process of learning and rehearsing really brought us all closer as a House.

Charity

We have collectively made a great effort to raise as much money for our incredible House charity, Incourage, supporting and raising awareness for men’s mental health. One of the highlights of the year was our Christowe ‘Hour of Power’, where in our Clans we underwent a gruelling hour of fitness, involving running laps of the College field with additional challenges, such as carrying a teammate on a stretcher. It was a brilliant cause but also helped to bond the House as it was very much a team event. Christowe also took part in Movember, with a number of the Upper Sixth attempting to grow moustaches (some more successfully than others). Mr Bunn also rallied the Third Form for early morning running before school, with all boys taking part. Special mention must go to Max who went next level on the running front, running a staggering 100 miles across the month (putting us all to shame) and raising over £1,000; an incredible achievement both physically and mentally. In other charitable news, Christowe, with Ashmead, held a Night at the Races for the Sixth Form and parents. The evening was a huge success.

Sport

It has been a hugely busy and successful year on the sports front. We excelled in House Pots throughout the year, featuring in the final for the seniors across rugby, hockey and cricket and winning the Upper College rugby. Christowe had great representation in the 1st XV, with vice captain and fly half Ed being awarded his Full Colours. Ben, Barney and Jack received Half Colours. We were also very fortunate to have the two South African exchange students from Paul Roos, who contributed tremendously both on and off the pitch. The juniors also saw large success, coming runners up in the rugby and hockey Pots. Christowe dominated the House A rackets, with four Christowe pairs featuring in the competition and an all-Christowe final, with Noah and Spencer winning. Both Noah and Spencer, as the 1st Pair, were awarded Full Colours for rackets. Special mention goes to Lewis who reached the final of the National Schools Doubles Championships at The Queen’s Club, narrowly missing out on victory. Herbie and Lawrence were awarded their Half Colours for hockey. Max has been selected for the Wales U18s Euro squad while Sean D was selected to row for Wales as the cox.

Academic

Boyceites have been working incredibly hard this year. The Upper Sixth as a year have received some hugely exciting offers to top universities both in the UK and abroad. Caspar received an Academic Exhibition. A huge congratulations must go to Charlie who has been named the coming year’s Head Boy.

Drama and Music

Freddie played in the Cheltenham Jazz Festival while Stepan received first place in the Fraser Graham piano competition, following on from his success in the Gloucestershire Young Musician of the Year competition. George and Sean both featured in High School Musical and Legally Blonde, with George taking on leading roles in both, showing incredible commitment to the Drama Department.

Farewells and Thank Yous

As a House we want to say a massive thank you to our two amazing Matrons Jenni and Claire, who attend to our every need with love and care, and to our incredible House staff, particularly our Resident Tutors, who work tirelessly for us. A special thanks must go to Mr Paynter, who gives his all to the House and has nurtured the perfect balance in the House between endeavour and fun. We are very sad to say goodbye to Mr Bunn, who will be leaving us at the end of the year as part of the resident team, but we are delighted that he will be remaining in the House as a Tutor. We also say goodbye and say a huge thanks to Mr Campion, who has been with us both as a Resident and Tutor.

Speech Day Prizes

Lower College

Attainment: Sunny

Endeavour: Theo, George L

Elmslie Drama: George L

Upper College

Endeavour: Ben K, Chris

Abbot Mathematics for Science: Stepan

Ronald Guthrie Bedford

Economics: Elot

Head’s Award for Outstanding Commitment: Freddie

Sir Frederick Page Fellowship of Engineering: William

House Editors: Caspar and Charlie Q

College Lawn

House Events

This year began with a wonderful House trip to Gifford Circus, where the girls bonded across year groups and enjoyed getting to know all the new pupils. This was followed by the fun and delicious Christmas Dinner at Zizzi’s. Formal balls for Upper College and Fifth Form have been greatly enjoyed. Socials this year have also been very successful, with Upper College taking part in the Spooky Social and finishing off the year with the annual BoyneFest held in Big C. Lower College enjoyed a Safari Social as well as larger events such as the outdoor sensation Westival and the infamous Fourth Form sit down supper in College Lawn CCR.

Charity

This year our charity events have been a huge success. The College Lawn Masked Singer event was our main fundraising highlight. Several pupils, Mr P and Mr Coxon took part as performers. Annie impressed everyone and won overall. We all participated in the Fun Run, organised by the College Prefects, and we enjoyed a delicious Bake Sale organised by Zlata, Tilly and Katie. All funds that were raised have gone to our House charity Cheltenham Open Door which is a place for people experiencing homelessness, housing issues, addiction, mental health issues and isolation.

Academic

The College Lawn community has had an extremely successful year of academic accomplishments with pupils across year groups demonstrating their abilities. Towards the beginning of the year Ishbel, Melissa and Xanthe secured second place in a National Science competition, winning the Imperial College Science in Medicine School Teams Prize for their proposal of a hypothetical drug to cure a lung disease. Additionally, Ishbel, Gigi and Melissa received awards in the Chemistry Olympiad, while Ishbel, Melissa and Katie achieved Gold Awards in the Biology Olympiad. Jocelyn and Tessa have been leading Psychology Society as co-presidents and have succeeded in sharing their love of the subject with the College community. In other academic fields Delilah received Silver Award for the National Maths Challenge, and both Kitty and Tensie obtained the Reading Diploma. Academic Full Colours were awarded to Bella, Ishbel and Nastasia.

Sport

This year we have participated in numerous House Pots events, and we were triumphant in rowing House Pots, winning all categories. In hockey, our greatest success was a 0-0 draw with Chandos and for netball our senior B team came first in the category and overall our seniors came third. Sophie played hockey in the National Plate Final at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre, home to Great Britain hockey while Georgia took home the win at the Evesham Regatta rowing event. Saffron qualified for the Hickstead National Championship in dressage which is a huge riding achievement!

Drama and Music

At the start of the year we performed ‘Everybody’ by the Backstreet Boys at House Singing and were overjoyed to come in second place. During the Autumn Term we had the College Concerts Eventide and Night at the Musicals, and at Christmas Melissa performed her amazing solo of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ at Gloucester Cathedral. Eleanor and Xanthe performed in the Legally Blonde band, while Rykiel and Flo performed at Battle of the Bands. Huge congratulations go to Jocelyn for her ASRM Music Award and her Co-Curricular Blazer for Music. Wenlin co-led the last ever congregational practice for the current Upper Sixth and Music Full Colours were awarded to Xanthe, Wenlin and Jocelyn. Eleanor also received the coveted Blazer for Drama – her performance in the Scholars’ Play, A Monster Calls, was outstanding.

Farewells and Thank Yous

Sadly, it is time to say goodbye to our incredible Upper Sixth. Their hard work, dedication, and spirit is inspiring to us all and although they will be greatly missed, we are confident that they will go on to achieve amazing things in the next chapter of their lives. We thank them for the multitude of contributions that they have made to the College Lawn community and wish them the best of luck with all that is to come and look forward to them coming back to visit as alumni. A heartfelt thank you goes to our lovely Housemistress Mrs Kirby. In her first year here, she has already brought so much warmth to the House and her guidance, support, and care have been invaluable. Our Resident Tutors, Mr Pirttijarvi and Mrs McBride, and all the House staff also deserve our thanks for their tireless efforts to support us. As well as this, our wonderful House could not function smoothly without the presence of our two brilliant Matrons, Becky and Lucy, who’s compassion and kindness is greatly appreciated by us all. A final acknowledgement must go to Mrs Hornsby who retires this year - she has been a Tutor in College Lawn since the House was founded in 2017 and was also a Resident Tutor in College Lawn’s infancy. Finally, we would like to thank all the College Lawn pupils who have made our House truly feel like home.

Speech Day Prizes

Lower College

Attainment: Belle, Kitty C, Saffron

Endeavour: Ella F, Sophie

Upper College

Endeavour: Gigi

Chemistry: Katie

Bingen Human Geography: Greta

Head’s Award for Outstanding Commitment: Tessa

Dagley Morris Prize (for Chapel Music): Melissa

Marcan Prize for Music: Jocelyn, Eleanor

Anthony James Art: Xanthe

Tanner Biology: Melissa

Applied Psychology: Sophia

Cheltonian Endowment

Trust Prizes

English: Bella

Geography: Eleanor

Psychology: Jocelyn

Science: Ishbel

House Editors: Ava and Tilly

Hazelwell

House Events

Hazelwell pupils have performed and excelled in all parts of College. House Singing brought all the Greenites together in a massive sing-along to The Backstreet Boys’ ‘I Want It That Way’ with Head of House Tristan leading the ‘pack’ in style into the atmospheric Chapel. After all the countless practices and planning the boys put on an outstanding show for both the audience and judges. There was also the yearly Battle of the Bands. Our Hazelwell representatives Cyrus, Thomas, Tristan, Rex and Xander created the band No Strings Attached and went toe to toe with rival bands. Their amazing and harmonious performance was heavily applauded by the jampacked crowd. Last, but not least, there was the Dragon Team Games, as each of the five dragon colour teams (each team made up of pupils from year 9-13) were put up against each other in fast-paced, fun mini games. These included balloon volleyball, rope race, and a rapid King of the Hill Ping Pong Tournament. When it comes to winning a box of chocolates, our determination is unmatched, which proves we want to achieve great things as individuals, as a team, and as a House.

Charity

This year we had two charity events. We completed a charity run of 3,252km to support the charity male mental health charity ManUp?, to raise awareness of the 3,252 men who committed suicide last year, and to promote healthy mental health habits across the House. Alongside this challenge, we remained committed to our local Charity, the Cornerstone Centre. We’ve held quiz nights at the Centre and this year hosted the members and volunteers of the Cornerstone at College for a quiz and music night. Across all our charitable ventures this year we raised more than £5,000.

Leadership

Greenites continue to be leaders around College with our Upper Sixth cohort setting a high standard for our Lower College pupils to follow. Tristan was appointed Head of House with Edward C and Sebastian B as Deputy Heads of House. Gareth was a College Prefect in charge of Co-Curricular as well as President of the Science Society. Xander was Keeper of Chapel. Thomas W was captain of the basketball squad and Rex captain of badminton. Max CH was Deputy Head Boy of College.

Academic

As a house, we continue to thrive academically. This year saw the return of an Academic Shield sitting in the Hazelwell front room with the Upper College boys winning the Marsden Shield at Speech Day.

Sport

We have excelled across the full sporting programme. Rex, Arav, Ryan and Vanij secured this year’s badminton House Pots, retaining the cup for the fourth year in a row. There were some excellent performances at Sports Day with Ewan winning the Lower College 200m, Max F winning triple jump and Noah O winning the 800m in some style. Noah was awarded Victor Ludorum on the day. In the seniors, Max CH won the senior 1500m and Zach N won the 800m with Harry K coming second. Squash and polo continue to thrive. Arav and Freddie B represented the squash 1st team and Raffy, Max CH and George L represented College at polo. Will S continues to lead from the front, winning Player of the Season for the 1st XV and being awarded his Blazer as well as Colours in swimming. Greenites were dominant in the U16 rugby team with Sam H, Seb MT, George S, Zach N and Jack E all playing A Team. George, Zach and Jack excelled in the 7s season, winning the West of England Sevens where Zach was awarded Player of the Tournament. Max F and Noah continue to excel across all sports at U15 level, particularly in hockey where they also had success for their club sides. Finally, congratulations to Ed C who has been selected to represent Great Britain in the summer’s European Championships for shooting. Ed was also joint winner of the coveted Co-Curricular Gasson Cup.

Drama and Music

Ryan, Cyrus, Gareth, Joseph and Johnny have been involved in multiple big music events across College including the Christmas Concert, Spring Concert, the Variety Show, and the Battle of the Bands. In Drama Greenites made contributions in Legally Blonde where Myles, Jack, Sebastian, Fingal, Oliver, Thomas, Max and Joseph performed, bringing life to each of the characters they brilliantly enacted. Alongside them, Rueben, Sebby, Andrew, Vanij and Arav helped with backstage, lighting and tech. Their contributions and long practices paid off during the three nights the show was performed. Ryan was awarded his Music Full Colours.

Farewells and Thank Yous

As always, we are really grateful to have such a brilliant team and community in House. Special thank you to our Resident Tutors Ms Vaughan and Mr Million as well as other Tutors. Massive thank you to our matrons Mrs Julie Alder and Mrs Helen Bloxham. This year, we must wave our goodbyes to Mrs Bloxham, who is leaving Hazelwell after 12 years of impeccable and indispensable service. Her charming and comforting presence in House will be missed dearly. She has been a crucial pillar in Hazelwell, supporting us, and helping us tirelessly over such a long period of time. Again, we thank her for her service and everything she has done for the House. We wish her all the very best.

Speech Day Prizes Lower College

Attainment: Lochlan

Endeavour: Sebby, Angus

Elmslie Theatre Performance: Sebastian M-T

Upper College

Endeavour: Gareth

Extended Project

Qualification: William C

Head’s Award for Outstanding Commitment: Tristan

Marcan Prize for Music: Ryan

Business – Cambridge

Technical: Thomas WG

Cheltonian Endowment

Trust Prizes

History: Xander

Politics: Max CH

Shield Winners!

We are proud to say that our Upper College also won The Marsden Shield for boys’ House academic achievement.

House Editors: Arav and Johnny

Leconfield

House Events

Leconfield has had a fantastic year of events, with many memorable moments throughout the academic terms. On the first weekend of the school year, the House participated in the highly anticipated Combat Splat paintballing event. A further highlight was the Ashfield Christmas Dinner, held for the fifth year running, which was a memorable evening shared with Ashmead and filled with lively dancing and delicious food at the Leonardo Hotel. Recent House improvements include the creation of a new laundry room plus the Matrons’ office has been relocated to a more central part of the House, improving accessibility and support for pupils.

Charity

The incredible fundraising efforts were made possible by a range of activities, including the Upper Sixth boys’ unforgettable Movember moustache campaign, the beloved Leconfield Tennis Tournament, and the exciting Leconfield Casino Night. The Anchor Challenge on Leckhampton Hill was a brilliant example of teamwork and House spirit, with pupils from all year groups working together to tackle the course. It was not only a fun and physically active event but also contributed to the House’s ongoing charitable fundraising efforts. We are proud that more than £1,700 pounds was raised for the British Heart Foundation and the Barefoot Project. Luca and Matthieu went the extra mile, by completing the Bath half marathon and raised more than £1,200 for a pancreatic cancer charity. Meanwhile, Max and Jim took on a remarkable feat by participating in the Gloucestershire Young Carers Channel Swim Challenge, alongside all the other College Prefects.

Academic

Leconfield also saw some impressive academic accomplishments this year. Academic Full Colours were awarded to Jerry and Curtis, recognising their exceptional academic efforts at College. Jerry was also named Deputy Head of School.

Drama and Music

Joshua took to the stage in the High School Musical production

during the Autumn Term, setting the tone for a strong year in performance. Leconfield’s flair for drama continued to shine through the talents of Oliver who had a leading role in the Scholars’ Play, A Monster Calls. Matthieu, Jack and Monty all played roles in the vibrant and energetic production of Legally Blonde. Musical talent across the House remained equally impressive with Felix and Curtis proudly representing Leconfield at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival as members of the College’s JIG Band. One of the standout moments of the year was the College Carol Service, held for the first time at the beautiful Gloucester Cathedral. Leconfield also brought strong energy to the annual Battle of the Bands, with multiple pupils including Curtis, Jerry and Oliver showcasing their creativity and stage presence in a fun and competitive evening of live music.

Sport

Leconfield’s sporting achievements have been outstanding this year. The House rowing team brought home House Pots, showcasing the House’s dedication and competitive spirit. Thanks to Harry, Thomas, River, Adam, Sam, Danila, Max, Anirudh, William, Joshua, Star and Morgan. The hockey 1st XI, including Felix and Max C, enjoyed a solid season, winning eight matches and losing four. The U16s made the National Plate Final at Lee Valley with Harry, Fynn, Joshua and Edward playing a part. The rugby 1st XV featured Ed, Fergus and Jack. The highlight of the season was the victory over Sir Thomas Rich’s School in the Kingsholm charity event. All three Porcherites scored tries and Fergus was named Man of the Match. The football 1st XI including Matthieu and Luca played exceptionally well throughout the season with Matthieu achieving his Full Colours. Our boys also made a significant mark in racket sports, with Justin, Monty and Rufus performing admirably at The Queen’s Club. Finally, we had great success in the basketball House Pots with Tom, Lev, Curtis, Henry H, Jerry and Danila bringing home the win for Leconfield. Their teamwork, energy, and determination truly stood out and made the victory well deserved.

Farewells and Thank Yous

As the year draws to a close, we bid a fond farewell to our Head of House, Jim. Our gratitude extends to our Matrons Mrs Groves and Mrs Booth, as well as all our amazing Tutors and staff. Special thanks go to Houseman Rob and Housekeepers Agnes, Emilia and Adrienne, who have done an exceptional job of keeping Leconfield running smoothly and looking pristine despite housing over 70 teenage boys. Our deepest thanks go to Mrs O’Malley for her unwavering commitment to Leconfield’s success and well-being. We wish her the best for maternity leave. We were delighted to welcome Tutors Mr Robinson and Mr Edwards to Leconfield this year. A heartfelt thank you must also go to Mr and Mrs Evans for their unwavering support, tireless commitment, and the countless ways they go above and beyond for the House.

Speech Day Prizes Lower College

Attainment: Sam E, Joshua P

Elmslie Theatre

Performance: Joshua W

FPQ Prize: Henry B

Upper College

Abott Mathematics: Jerry

Music: Curtis

Sports Science CTEC: Jack S

Marcan Prize for Music: Felix

Davenport Drama Award: Oliver

Davenport Theatre

Performance: Matthieu

Saville Classics: Max C

Cheltonian Endowment

Trust Prizes

French: Harry R

Mathematics: Aaden

Shield Winners!

We are proud to say that our Lower College also won The Hart Shield for boys’ House academic achievement.

House Editor: Henry J

Newick House

House Events

As always, Newick House has had a lively year filled with memorable moments. A highlight was the thrilling paintballing trip which provided a fantastic bonding experience, particularly for the new pupils into House. Upper College and Lower College, respectively, enjoyed the Feasts which took place in the Dining Hall and were followed by a buzzing social in Big C. Burns Night was also celebrated by the Upper Sixth and their families who scrubbed up well into black tie and who loved the live bagpipe performance.

Charity

This year saw incredible commitment from the House to charitable causes. The whole House participated in a charity fun run, as part of an entire school event, which showed a tremendous effort towards the school’s chosen charity, Gloucestershire Young Carers. One of the standout moments was the Newick House charity pizza night, raising money for Maggie’s, a cancer support charity based in Cheltenham, where an impressive 100 pizzas were delivered by the Upper Sixth to all Houses around College in a spirited effort to raise funds. Meanwhile, every single member of Newick swam 44 lengths each as part of our House charity swim for Maggie’s. These all contributed to a grand total of £2,916. The annual charity rugby match against Sir Thomas Rich’s at Kingsholm resulted in a thrilling 44-28 win for College. There were standout performances from Ronan, Toby, Dan, and Archie, who proudly represented Newick.

Academic

Newick pupils continued to show resilience and dedication across all academic years. The House maintained a strong support and academic excellence ethos from exam preparation to project work. Pupils balanced their studies with an active House life, contributing fully to all aspects of Newick.

Sport

We celebrated significant sporting achievements this year. The Third and Fourth Forms dominated rugby to win their House Pots, which hopefully will reinstate the winning traditions. Upper College secured victory in the football House Pots with impressive teamwork and commitment during the final

against Hazelwell. Success continued in the hockey House Pots with Newick retaining the trophy. Bryn and Max held the team together and Johannes scored some sensational goals. It was a close shave for Newick’s squash team, who sadly lost out on victory in House Pots with Aarav putting up a good fight and winning all his games. In the water, four Newick Prefects Jamie, Max, Bryn and Oscar F showed outstanding stamina and perseverance by collectively swimming the length of the English Channel - a monumental effort with the other College Prefects. Sport continues to be a significant part of the House, and we are confident the success will continue with the upcoming talent in Newick.

Drama and Music

While we didn’t take home the top spot in House Singing, our rendition of ‘Lovefool’ by the Cardigans was a heartfelt and energetic performance where the whole House was entirely committed. Every member gave their all, especially with all the Upper Sixth who wore their finest cardigans and wigs, and the atmosphere was one of pride and enthusiasm. We are confident this coming year will be our year to win. A special mention goes to Jamie, Hendrie, Karson, Ben, Cliff, and Rocky, who represented Newick in the choir and orchestra at the College Carol Service at Gloucester Cathedral.

Farewells and Thank Yous

As we come to the end of another year, we say goodbye to our fantastic Upper Sixth. Your enthusiasm and humour has left a lasting mark on Newick, and your combined efforts have set a fine example for all to follow. We thank you for almost everything and wish you all the best for what lies ahead. A special thank you goes to our Head of House, Oscar F, for his leadership and constant support throughout the year. He was well supported by his brilliant deputies Edward A, Max M and Ronan. Their combined efforts have helped Newick House excel and reach its full potential, bringing energy to every aspect of House life. We also say goodbye to Mr Matthews, our brilliant Resident Tutor and Assistant Housemaster. We wish you the very best of luck as you move on to Charterhouse. From day one, you’ve been a cornerstone of Newick life. Your presence in the House has been felt everywhere, whether offering advice, organising activities, or lighting up the common room with your dart skills. Not to mention that you’re Newick’s very own Luke Littler lookalike. Thank you for everything you’ve done for the House - your character, humour, and dedication have made a real impact, and you’ll be sorely missed. We would also like to say a big thank you to our Matrons who have kept Newick in order throughout the year, which is far from an easy task. Both Mr Naylor and Mr Ballentyne have settled in well and look forward to the years ahead. We look forward to seeing them thrive over the coming years. Our special House Cornflower Tie, the highest honour of the House, presented in recognition of years of dedicated service and unwavering commitment to the House, went to Oscar F, Edward A and Ronan.

Speech Day Prizes

Lower College

Attainment: Jason, Thomas C

Elmslie Musical Theatre: Benjamin

Upper College

IT – Cambridge Technical: William

History of Art: Caspar

Head’s Award for Outstanding

Commitment: Edward A

Dagley Morris Prize (for Chapel Music): Hendrie

Ian Marsden Chemistry: Eric

Computer Science: Jamie

Lionel Wells Physics: Bryn

Cheltonian Endowment

Trust Prize

Theatre Studies: Max H

House Editors: Caspar and William

The Queen’s House

House Events

Queen’s as a whole House has worked together to succeed in all aspects of school life while managing individual commitments. This year a few of us attended a self-defence class which was truly empowering. From the glory of being crowned House Singing winners with ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’ to fun family competitions, werewolf games, Easter egg hunt, Halloween party, Galentines invite and our wonderful Christmas Dinner with Christowe. We like to come together, and we celebrate weekly successes and praise each other as much as possible in-House assemblies with ‘sweetie Saturdays’. We also shared an evening with our biggest supporters (the parents) for a pub quiz night.

Charity

Everyone in Queen’s has contributed towards our House charity, the Secret Garden Hub, which is part of the Lilian Faithfull Homes supporting those who are living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, recovering from strokes and other head injuries. We love our monthly visits and have grown to know them quite well. We have raised a lot of money again this year, as a third of their residents and guests have little or no means of personally funding their care. Ava M and Ava R hosted our charity performance evening. It was so much fun with lots of girls and parents on stage. Huge congratulations to Maddie and her grandfather and Livvie and her dad on winning the Charity tennis tournament as well as the Pearl family for their win of the rounders tournament. Our House Prefects Ava, Ellie and Isabella swam in aid of Gloucestershire Young Carers. Upper Sixth also showcased their fabulous pink bras and jumpers in Chapel to spread awareness of CoppaFeel! The whole House then took part in a swimming competition to raise further funds. Lucy S’s parents ran the London marathon in support of Sue Ryder, for the triplets’ mum and raised £35,000. Milly also took on her own charity challenge, running the Bristol half marathon with her mum for her brother, so far raising over £14,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. She inspires us all. We are so proud that all these charitable endeavours led to the House being awarded The Bellamy Cup at Speech Day.

Academic

The Queen’s girls continue to work exceptionally hard in the world of academics. Eloise came second in the Erasmus Essay competition. She wrote about the ethics of charity and was one of the youngest participants. She also won the Viva Cheltonia prize for her essay on what makes a good leader, comparing Henry VIII and Elizabeth I through Machiavelli and Plato’s theories. The variety of societies offered by College have been well attended by many with Florence and Hannah presenting in the Morley Society on Owain Glyndŵr. Lily ran many events for UC society such as quizzes and the Model UN debate. Flo presented in the Bingen Society about the controversies surrounding Nestlé. Rose and Amelie also gave an interesting psychology presentation at Talk for our Times on Criminology and Violence.

Sport

This year the girls have excelled in all House Pots, winning most competitions for the main sports. To start the year off, both our junior and senior teams won hockey House Pots captained by Darcey and Rose. Next, the girls took on rowing House Pots and secured third place. Then, Maddie and Tilly came second in rackets House Pots. In the Spring Term, the junior team captained by Tilly and senior team captained by Tula won both junior and senior netball Pots again. Not long after, Queen’s were victorious again in swimming House Pots where the junior team led by Millie and the senior team led by Evie both secured wins. There’s no stopping us!

Drama, Music and Art

Eighteen Queen’s girls were involved in the Legally Blonde cast and crew. It was an amazing performance, and we are so proud of everyone who took part. We also had many girls on stage for High School Musical with many taking on lead roles, as well as playing a crucial part in the ensemble cast or backstage. In addition to this, we had Kate, Isabella B-B, Lily and Aoife moving us in the poignant Scholars’ Play, A Monster Calls which was a great success. Isabella B-B was awarded her Music Full Colours. Sophia sang in a concert for her EPQ showcasing how segregation affected female composers’ ability to share their music with the world. In terms of Art and Textiles, Gwennie and Zara attended the Vogue Summer School, Yvie and Amara got their Art Half Colours, while Allegra and Florence got their textiles Half Colours after their fantastic contributions to this Department especially to the Junk Kouture fashion show.

Farewells and Thank Yous

We say a temporary goodbye to Mrs Price who goes on maternity leave. We warmly welcomed Mrs Saunders as her replacement. We were sad to say goodbye to Mrs Hamilton, our little Scottish delight, but we have also loved having Miss Steed as our new Matron and hope she is enjoying all the chats with the girls. We wish all the Upper Sixth the best of luck on their journeys and to the Fifth Form whom we can’t wait to see in their Sixth Form uniform in September.

Speech Day Prizes

Lower College

Endeavour: Abbey, Olivia D, Isabella W

Elmslie Musical Theatre: Helena, Emma

Upper College

Endeavour: Sophia G, Hannah, Livvie, Ava M

Applied Psychology – BTEC: Liv P

Art: Lorien

Business CTEC: Allegra

Physical Geography (John Morse): Lily

Sports Science: Tilly C

Theatre Studies: Aoife

Jackson-Matthews Chapel Prize (for best Address): Ellie

Marcan Prize for Music: Isabella B-B

Davenport Drama Award: Isabella B-B

Davenport Theatre

Performance: Lily

Cheltonian Endowment

Trust Prize

Spanish: Ollie

Cup Winners!

We are proud to say that as a House Queen’s won The Bellamy Cup for Charitable Endeavour.

House Editors: Darcey C and Tilly C

Southwood

House Events

This year has been a particularly active one for events going on in House. In the early Spring Term, Southwood hosted a charity casino night for Sixth Form alongside Westal and Leconfield, where parents were welcome to get involved. Mr Orchard set up a movie night later in the term, where the whole House got to watch the cinematic brilliance that is Step Brothers (2012) starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, whilst enjoying the catering of Woozy Pig. To cap off an eventful Spring Term was the annual Band of Brothers Football tournament, with an action-packed final ending 2-1 with a last gasp winner from Harry ending a historic night and giving the Schryver clan their first victory in the tournament’s history against Harrison, who had also managed to earn their ticket into their first final in the competition’s history.

Charity

The Casino Night raised more than £1,000 for College’s whole school charity, Gloucestershire Young Carers. The House also managed to collect several non-perishable foods for The Trussell Trust food bank, with the boys donating what they could in a valiant effort for the charity and the House.

Academic

Several members of the Lower College have been frequent attendees of College’s various societies, including the Morley Society, run by one of our tutors Mrs Eldred, who is the Head of Politics for College. We are very proud that Charles received his Academic Full Colours, as well as picking up an Academic Attainment award earlier in the year. Congratulations also to Ted M for his address to Geography’s Bingen Society.

Sport

What a year! Max SJ, Josh H, Harry D, Troy, Rhodri and Jack have had the pleasure of representing College for the 1st XV, where the boys had an impressive season for their team (and individually) as they took on the toughest schools in the country and put in resilient and valiant displays across the whole season for College. Josh H received his rugby Half Colours for his excellence and his continued involvement in

the Gloucester U18 development setup (a testament to his commitment to the sport). Max, Harry D, Troy, and Rhodri reached the Rosslyn Park 7s Vase Final. Raif became the Golf Captain for College this year, and won his Half Colours, too. Senior House Pots was a seriously competitive area for Southwood this year, where we reached the senior House Rugby final, unfortunately losing. However, the juniors managed to capture hockey glory in a big win for the House as they were crowned champions yet again, both in the cup and the bowl. The juniors also managed to dominate the junior House Pots Swimming title with an unbeaten display in the pool. Both William M and Max H were electric and both boys swam for more senior teams in College fixtures. Southwood continues to dominate rowing: Hamish won the 500m race at Worcester, with Tibault coming third. The boys’ relay team, including Hamish, Tibault and Henry W finished second, while the mixed relay team, including Rory and Arthur finished on the podium. As well, Henry H and Seb H picked up medals. The whole House is immensely proud of Archie in Fifth Form, who not only played 1st XI hockey this year, but also plays for the 1st XI cricket team. Theo’s selection for the 1st XI hockey team, whilst in the Fourth Form, is also an honour for Southwood, and bodes well for future success.

Drama, Music and DofE

The House, particularly Fourth Form, has had many keen participants in the worlds of DofE, music and drama. Jayke, Jasper, Oliver and Jack P are a few notable names who have played their parts in Legally Blonde and High School Musical Henry B was awarded his Drama Full Colours, recognising his unstinting efforts in various College productions. Alongside Andika, Henry B also won Battle of the Bands. Many Southwood boys are involved in the College Choir, with Edward and Jayke keen stalwarts. Craig was awarded his Music Half Colours and we are all grateful for his outstanding Last Posts. Bronze Awards for DofE went to William B, George B, Tristan, Sam D, Henry H, Ted M, Oliver M, Harry V, Jack P and Jasper S.

Farewells and Thank Yous

Alongside the happiness of the year comes some sadness as we see one of our amazing Matrons, Sally, leave the House to join Hazelwell. Thanks must go to her fellow Matrons, Jules and Cathie for being ever-present all year for Southwood and to Mr Orchard and Mr Williams for being consistently amazing leaders of Southwood. Thank you, too, to our Tutors Mrs White, Mrs Coates, Ms Eldred, Mr Franks and Mrs Baker for the evenings they give to Southwood’s night owls. Another farewell must go to an outstanding Upper Sixth who have been nothing short of incredible in their time here at Southwood. Thank you, Josh, Max, Oscar and Head of House, Will. You will all be sorely missed.

Speech Day Prizes

Lower College

Attainment: Max H

Endeavour: Reuben, Alex, Jack P, Ted M, Benjamin W

Hannam Clark Orchestra: Oliver Mo

Elmslie Drama: Henry B

Upper College

Endeavour: Charles, Craig

Computer Science: Ollie W

House Editor: Gabe

Westal

House Events

The year began with us welcoming our Third Form and new Lower Sixth pupils. In Westal, we pride ourselves on our sisterly community – starting with our annual Huddle Olympics and continuing throughout the year in events such as foodie challenges and bowling trips. Our House Singing rendition of Destiny’s Child’s ‘Say My Name’ was expertly conducted by Ademide and Keona. We shone in silver outfits and celebrated with pizza! The Lower College Social Westival was a huge hit once again. Our Christmas Dinner at Brasserie Blanc was a fantastic night bringing the whole House together, followed by a Secret Santa with presents bought solely from charity shops.

Charity

A highlight has been our Wilson Walk where Westal came together to walk 19.34km – stopping at special places and monuments related to OC Edward Wilson (Day Boy, 1891). Adorned with blue penguin headbands, we conducted the walk with enthusiasm and determination, raising more than £1,000. Westal girls have been involved in numerous charitable events over the year, including the infamous Casino Night and Cookie for a Cause. Extraordinarily, Matilda M ran the Bristol Half Marathon for our Westal Charity, A Life for a Cure. Anna ran the Robin Hood Half Marathon for a school and hospital in Ghana. Moreover, Tilly B and Sophia’s business selling College pinstriped pyjama bottoms recently sold out for the charity National Star. Such amazing displays of creativity and talent!

Academic

This year has been full of phenomenal academic achievements. Esmé and Maisy were awarded their Academic Full Colours. Congratulations to girls involved in various events such as the Cambridge Biology Challenge, the Linguistics Olympiad, the UK Maths Trust challenges and the Literature Festival Poetry Slam that saw Fliss performing an original poem.

Sport

Westal has been justly represented on the sports pitches through many fixtures and House Pots events – including

coming second in the football and hockey competitions. In hockey, Tilda B and Matilda M achieved their Full Colours, and Eme her Half Colours. In netball, we saw Westal girls Tilda Barter, Eme, Matilda M and captain Hebe play in the annual charity netball match. The tremendous season earned Hebe her Full Colours and Tilda B her Half Colours. Additionally, Scarlet earned her squash Half Colours. Poppy, Florence and Beatrice played fantastically at The Queen’s Club rackets tournament, while Eme and Lucia proudly played at England’s hockey Talent Academy. Maddie played for Gloucestershire County Cricket, and Florence played for both Gloucestershire Cricket and Hockey. Well done girls!

Drama, Music and DofE

Westal girls have been involved in numerous drama productions this year. Firstly, the Lower College High School Musical saw 10 girls performing and choreographing. At the Cheltenham Playhouse for the Scholars’ Play we were transported into the world of A Monster Calls with Carys, Matilda Makin and Ademide performing beautifully. Finally, the upbeat whole school musical of Legally Blonde showcased the talents of many Westal girls, with Keona, Matilda M, Ademide and Maisy taking on lead roles. Their commitments to the department earned Carys and Keona their Full Colours. Furthermore, Carys, Keona, Florence and Maisy earned outstanding LAMDA exam results. The musicians of Westal have been busy in various rehearsals, competitions and performances – with 12 girls in the choirs. We are extremely proud of Nyambura who came first in the Beginner category of the Piano competition in September, going on to take her Piano and Theory exams. Matilda Makin completed her Musical Theatre Grade 8, and Ruby her Piano Grade 2. The tremendous achievement of Gold DofE was earned by Emily, Eme, Ngoni, Courtney and Scarlet. Ava completed her Silver Award, and seven girls their Bronze. We commend these girls for displaying such dedication.

Farewells and Thank Yous

Unfortunately, the time has come to say goodbye to our amazing Upper Sixth. We wish them all the best with their endeavours. Huge thanks go to our committed Head of House Hebe, assisted closely by her Deputies Tilly B and Keona. Ngoni has been the most fantastic representative of Westal in the role of Head Girl, which she passes on to Maisy. Additionally, we bid farewell to Mrs Brooke who has been instrumental in our successes. We would like to thank Mr Lang for stepping in so efficiently as Houseparent. His creativity paired with Miss Norval’s enthusiasm has been a winning combination for the House. We are incredibly thankful for Mrs Matthews and Mrs Wright’s continued supportiveness and care as our Matrons, and to Miss Jones for stepping in to become part of our Westal family.

Speech Day Prizes

Lower College

Endeavour: Rachel, Milly

Upper College

Classical Civilisation: Fliss

Hornsby French: Maisy

Theology, Philosophy and Ethics: Esmé

Davenport Musical Theatre: Keona, Maisy

Ronald Marsden Classics: Ngoni

Sports Science: Hebe

Cheltonian Endowment

Trust Prizes

Classical Civilisation: Ademide

Shield Winners!

We are proud to say that our Lower College also won The Robertson

Shield for girls’ House academic achievement

House Editor: Maisy

Valete – Our Fond Farewells

Jane Brodigan

It is with a heavy heart that the College community bids farewell to Jane following her 14 and a half years of stalwart commitment to the school.

A thorough and dedicated 2 i/c of the English Department, Jane’s detailed guidance and timely, kindly words of support will be much missed by her colleagues. An unsung hero in her dedication to glamourous tasks such as moderation, examining and data entry, Jane leaves a colossal hole to be filled. In the classroom itself, countless pupils, over the years, have benefitted richly from the expertise, charisma, care, empathy, understanding and dedication which characterise Jane’s approach to education. There is no one quite like Miss Brod and there is no classroom in College quite like the heady lavender-filled pseudo spacome-arboretum that is H1.

Beyond academia, Jane is unparalleled in the commitment to diversity and inclusion at College which she has lived out over the years. Not only a passionate member of the Inclusion Committee, and a dedicated supporter of the Pride & Allies group and the Anti-Racism Team, Jane has also pioneered the ‘Girl Up’ group, Vagina Monologues performance and Diversity Society. Jane’s sincere care for others also finds clear expression in her longstanding commitment to the Charities Commission, and to College’s partnerships with Gogar Primary School, Brădet Residential School for Children with Special Needs, and The Milestone School.

In addition, a deeply caring Tutor in Ashmead, facilitator of Debating Society and the Model United Nations competitions, and editor of The Cheltonian magazine, Jane’s impact has certainly been far-reaching and deeply felt.

Common Room has lost a loyal friend and colleague who cares for others like no one else. We wish her all the very best as she moves on to pastures new.

Elizabeth Rawkins

Holly Brooke and Peter Campion

Holly has been the Head of A Level and CTEC Business for five years. Arriving during Covid brought its challenges but Holly has always been prepared to adapt, adjust and move forward with a can-do attitude and unflappable resolve. Holly came from The Crypt School in Gloucester, where she was Head of Year and so brought a plethora of skills with her in terms of classroom management, classroom craft and a fundamental understanding

of the importance of making lessons accessible and purposeful for all. Pupils and colleagues alike have benefitted from her insight. Holly has not only managed two Departments, but also been a Resident Tutor in Westal, where she has helped to support and care for the girls as well as tutoring Lower College pupils. She brings a sense of fun to all aspects of involvement in College life. She is straight talking, extremely generous and loyal to those she works with and we will all miss her terribly. She is moving back to her home near Chepstow with her husband and two lovely children and we wish her every happiness as she takes up a part-time teaching role in Monmouth School.

Zoe La Valette-Cooper

Peter joined College in September 2021, after returning from a four-year teaching stint at the 21st Century International School in Beijing. He has been a well-liked and respected teacher of both A Level and CTEC Business during his time in College. Not satisfied with classroom craft alone, Peter has added more strings to his bow examining externally for AQA Business and working on a Coaching Qualification. All of this has enabled him to secure his upcoming role as Head of Economics and Business at St Benedict’s School in Ealing.

Peter has been a valuable member of the House team, firstly as a Resident Tutor in Christowe and previously tutoring in Southwood. In addition, Peter has coached netball, tennis and run a Business Club activity too.

Peter is tremendous fun; always smiling, with an ease and willingness to talk to absolutely anyone. He has always held pupils to high account, and he will be greatly missed not just by them but by all of us that have had the pleasure of working with him. We wish him every success and happiness in future.

Zoe La Valette-Cooper

Sara Epsley

It is with great sadness that the Music Department says a fond farewell to Sara. Having started at College in 1981, and worked under six Directors of Music, she has taught many hundreds of budding pianists and guitarists. Enjoying teaching all levels and abilities and expertly helping them to achieve their musical goals, she even coached one pianist to achieve his Rock School Diploma – a first for College. Sara, in her more recent role as Head of Examinations and Performance has also helped many other pupils prepare for concerts and enhance their examination grades.

Sara also enjoyed her time as a Tutor in Leconfield, finding it very rewarding to work with the pupils in a completely different role. She is also well known throughout College to both staff and pupils and has many friends in different departments.

Whilst working at College Sara has also raised two sons and now has four grandchildren. She has recently retired as a Trinity

College, London examiner, having examined on both home and numerous overseas tours for them. Sara also has a special interest in mathematics and was accepted into MENSA in 2013. I also remember going to watch her take part in a charity abseil, apparently without fear, from the Whitbread building a few years ago.

Together with caring for her cat Stanley, entertaining her grandchildren and playing the baritone saxophone in The Cotswold Big Band, I’m confident that Sara is going to enjoy a busy and fulfilling retirement.

Sam Wills

Tristram Hager

Tris joined College with extensive expertise as English Head of Department having worked previously at Charterhouse, St Paul’s and most recently King Edward’s. His sharp scrutiny and insight ensured he quickly assimilated the systems and myriad maze of College acronyms, enabling clear consistency for the team with his vigorous data overview of pupil progress in Literacy. Undaunted by the implementation of a new IGCSE English Language course, his previous experience of the syllabus has been invaluable in training the team in ideal exam technique for the pupils and provided a seamless transition.

His kindness and care as a manager, combined with his innate, spontaneous wit has ensured smiles and comradery whist the team delivered the demands of term. Generous to a fault, his gifts to those leaving of limited-edition texts tailored to their literary loves is indicative of his thoughtfulness. His inspirational eloquence has been of most benefit to his pupils. Having studied at Cambridge, Tris’ breadth of reading and recall is remarkable and his passion for the subject contagious: He has inspired a love for Larkin, Ibsen and American Literature in his A Level classes and led the Fourth and Fifth Forms through poetry with aplomb. The pupils have valued his expertise and ability to not only stretch, but scaffold and support their learning.

Outside the classroom, he has bonded with the boys at Boyne as Tutor, run with the athletics team and wielded a rake rigorously regulating long jump. He has provided the opportunity of two English trips to productions of Shakespeare’s Hamlet at the RSC, with visits to Shakespeare’s school and Anne Hathaway’s cottage, enabling pupils to experience the vibrancy of the infamous lines on stage. He will be greatly missed as he departs to return to St Paul’s, London and we thank him in Larkin’s words for promoting potential in pupils and ‘the unfailing sense of being young, spread out like a Spring woken tree.’

Kate Dodds

Emily Hartley

I t’s hard to put into words just how much Emily has meant to this place, and to all of us lucky enough to work alongside her over the past 13 years. From day one, Emily has thrown herself into College life with heart, humour, and a quiet determination that’s made her the backbone of so many teams, departments, and friendship circles.

In all academic roles held within Geography, she’s brought energy and depth to the subject, making topics on river systems and human rights come alive. But it’s never just been about the curriculum with Em. It’s always been about the pupils. Supporting, guiding, listening, cheering them on. Whether in the classroom, as a Tutor in both Lower and Upper College, or just on a cold lunchtime duty, she’s always shown up fully committed to supporting them in any way she can.

Outside the classroom, she’s been everywhere, quite literally. Coaching hockey and netball, leading Pilates, coordinating the Bingen Society, leading trips to Iceland, swimming for charity, and forming the ever-reliable support crew at countless charity events. There are few people who can go from a 6am swim in freezing water to leading a calm Pilates session with such ease (and usually with a smile and a story to tell).

Emily is one of those rare people who makes things happen, often behind the scenes, never seeking the spotlight, but always there when you need her. Thoughtful, fiercely loyal, and with a quiet kindness that appears just when you need it the most.

We’re so proud of her as she heads off on her next big adventure to Kenya, where we know she’ll make just as big an impact as she has here. Braeburn School is very lucky to have Emily join their team. We’ll miss you so much, Em. Thank you for everything - the laughs, the hard work, your support, and above all, the friendship. Go well and don’t forget us when you’re sipping sundowners under the African skies.

Fraser Dobney

Kate Hornsby

After 14 years at College, we are sad to be saying our goodbyes to Kate. Throughout her time here she has been nothing other than professional, dedicated and hard working. She arrived as a maternity cover in 2010 teaching Sports Science and coaching girls’ games. After several years, she split her time between Sports Science and the EAL Department. Since then she has dabbled in almost every corner of College life including Resident Tutor, DofE assessor and Junior Sports Leader Examiner. In every single one of these roles Kate always puts the pupil first.

She is known to the pupil body as “The GOAT”, an acronym that stands for Greatest Of All Time and this is testimony to just how much Kate’s efforts are recognised and appreciated by the pupils and staff.

Her calm and kind persona brings a warmth and friendliness to her classroom and the pupils know that at any time of the day she will always be there to offer additional help, a listening ear or go through a mind map example to guide them through an

exam question. They know she believes in them and eventually she brings them round to believing in themselves so they can go on and produce work or sporting performances or life goals in which they can succeed. Coaching sports across all three terms Kate will be remembered for her positivity and the way she championed and cheered on every girl. She has celebrated numerous unbeaten seasons and still holds the podium place for the top goal scorer in the staff v leavers hockey game – she may find an invite in the post next year!

Kate is a wonderful colleague and a special friend to so many. She will be sorely missed by all and really is one of College’s greatest. We wish her safe travels as she sets off travelling the globe in her caravan with Nige. We know she will enjoy spending more time with family (especially her granddaughter Francesca) but we know too that it is with a heavy heart that she leaves the classrooms of College retiring from a profession to which she has given so much.

Rebecca Faulkner

Andrea Kimball

When Andrea joined College in September 2023, we learned just how vibrant and exciting a place a library can be. Already a gracious and pleasing physical space, Andrea has transformed the ambiance in the Library and the user experience. Everyone entering the Library is warmly welcomed and genuine interest is demonstrated in each enquiry, thus ensuring that those who use the Library continue to return in order to benefit further from what is on offer.

Andrea has invigorated the Reading Diploma, created creative displays and weeded out books that are no longer being read, to provide space and visibility to the great collection of which College can be so proud.

Andrea has made the Library an inclusive space; through her work with the Prefect for Inclusion, the Zen Zone has come into being, a safe, calm environment for those who enjoy quiet ‘time out’. The Library has become a place for both work and relaxation, with board games, puzzles and colouring available for recreation as well as being an important space for focused work and productivity.

The holiday revision weeks that Andrea has run have proved very attractive to pupils preparing for public exams. That Andrea makes all of this appear effortless is testament to her consummate skill as a librarian and her generosity of spirit. We have been very fortunate indeed to experience some of the very special magic she has brought to College and wish her well as she takes up her new appointment.

Mary Plint

Sam Matthews

Sam joined Newick House in 2023, moving over from The Prep and has since become a hugely valued and well-loved member of the House team as Resident Tutor and Assistant Housemaster. Always keen to offer support where needed, he consistently gives his best to both the House and the boys within it. From the very start, Sam has been a pillar of

support for me personally, going above and beyond to help me settle in, and he has remained an enthusiastic and dedicated presence ever since. He is greatly admired by the boys, not only for his sports talk and darts skills but also for his recent brilliance in our Ready Steady Cook challenge.

Sam has also been a hardworking and enthusiastic sports trainee for the past two years.

He has coached with energy and passion on the rackets court and cricket field working to improve the pupils’ skills no matter what level and ability. He has never been short on engagement in conversation with pupils, staff and the OCs. He loves a pint of Guinness and takes his karaoke very seriously.

We will miss his personality around the racket courts and office as well as his spread sheet obsessiveness, but we wish him and his amazing marking skills all the best at Charterhouse School as Head Rackets Professional - and cleaning two courts a day.

Alex Naylor and Mark Briers

Stephanie Ricketts

It has been lovely getting to know Stephanie over the last year. She joined us from Rugby School in Bangkok and now leaves us to continue her career in South Wales. We are sorry to see Stephanie leave, however, she is looking forward to returning home to teach, enjoy quality time with family and to play golf. With her sense of adventure and joy of travel, it would not come as surprise to those that know her, that she will head back abroad for a Chemistry post at a new international school in the Bahamas the following year.

Stephanie is both a thoughtful and compassionate teacher and colleague. This is personified in the level of commitment and dedication she has shown to her classes and her Lower Sixth Tutor group, whom I know will be very sad to say goodbye.

Stephanie has taught a variety of Chemistry abilities this year ranging from two Third Form sets to the Upper Sixth. Stephanie is always willing to help and share resources or ideas to help improve the Department, enjoying the practical element of Chemistry.

Outside of the Department, Stephanie has integrated herself into College life. She freely gives her time to support pupils both pastorally in Chandos and in academic one-to-one tutorials. She has thrown herself wholeheartedly into the sports programme, developing new netball and hockey skills despite her preferred past time being golf!

Her warm and cheerful personality together with her mum’s fantastic Welsh cakes will be sorely missed in the Department. We wish Stephanie every success in the future.

Christina Oldham

Meet the Council of Cheltenham College

Members of the Council of Cheltenham College (our governing body) typically serve terms of office between three and nine years. Here we introduce the Council member whose association with College far exceeds this...Peter Brettell.

When did your association with College begin?

Way back in 1966! I arrived as a boarder at Boyne House, following a long family tradition. My great-grandfather, grandfather, and father all went there, and later, so did my two sons. The Headmaster at the time was David Ashcroft (Head from 1959 to 1978) and, for reasons I still don’t quite understand, he made me Senior Prefect in my final year.

What’s your earliest memory of College?

That’s easy - being too nervous to enter Boyne House alone in Third Form, worried about a Fifth Form ambush! The trick was to wait in the quad until there were at least three of us, then make a run for it.

What was your time as a pupil like? Were you a model Cheltonian?

Not exactly. Academically, I lived in the shadow of my cousin Richard Brettell (BH, 1971), who had a scholarship and was annoyingly brilliant. But I held my own on the rugby pitch and played in a strong 1st XV. We only lost two matches.

Did College influence your career path?

I always wanted to be a water engineer... designing dams! I studied Civil Engineering at the University of Newcastle and later joined Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners, where the senior partner was an Old Cheltonian - Sir Angus Paton (Xt, 1922). While College didn’t directly steer my career, it gave me the education I needed, and Alan Greenwood, ex-President of Council, introduced me to Sir Angus.

What’s your connection to College been since your school days?

In 1992, my son Jeremy Brettell (BH, 1977) came to College, followed by his brother, Angus Brettell (BH, 2000). While they were still here, in 1996, I became President of the Cheltonian Society which led to a seat on Council as a nominated member. Then, in 2000, I became President of Council, stepping down in 2003 when my company moved me to the U.S. I’ve returned to Council a couple of times since then.

How does Council support the College?

What makes Council so valuable is its diversity. Members bring a wide range of skills and experience. We hold the Executive to account but also provide support across key areas: safeguarding, education standards, finances, community relationships, and making sure pupil numbers remain strong.

What are the biggest changes you’ve seen over the years?

Going co-ed was the most transformative change. I was proud to be President when we decided to build Ashmead and then later to expand with the original Westal. Those decisions helped set the foundation for College’s continued success. And of course, appointing our first female Head, Mrs Nicola Huggett, was another milestone - and a brilliant one at that.

Cheltenham International Schools

Cheltenham Muscat, Oman, continues to thrive. With around 750 pupils and growing, the school has firmly established itself as a leader in the region. Under the leadership of Headmaster Richard Snape, the school has set new benchmarks for academic excellence. The forthcoming addition of a stateof-the-art building will further enhance the school’s already impressive facilities, providing a bespoke learning environment that enables our senior pupils to fully realise their ‘Cheltenham Potential’. In January, Head Mrs Nicola Huggett and Mr James Bass, Head of Upper School, visited Muscat for a series of seminars and meetings with staff, parents and children at the school. We are looking forward to welcoming Cheltenham Muscat staff back to College this summer and talks are underway for possible sports exchange trips in the future. To find out more, visit: www.cheltenhammuscat.com

Cheltenham Malaysia opens in central Kuala Lumpur in 2025, offering exceptional education for pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is owned by Edumaax, a well-established Malaysian company led by OC Tunku Dato’ Yaacob Khyra (H, 1979). With a long-standing legacy of successfully operating highquality schools and colleges across Malaysia, Edumaax is the perfect partner for Cheltenham College’s expansion into Southeast Asia.

Cheltenham Lombardy, Italy. A new Cheltenham International School will open in Lombardy in the coming academic year, offering both day and boarding options for pupils aged 11 to 18. Lombardy is an ideal location, situated just 5 km from the vibrant city of Varese, in the charming town of Induno Olona, between Lake Varese and Lake Lugano. This unique setting offers an inspiring environment for learning.

New Horizons

We continue to explore exciting opportunities in new regions around the world, seeking partnerships with organisations of the highest quality that align with our values. Our goal is to bring Cheltenham’s standards of academic excellence, culture, and ethos to pupils in diverse global communities, fostering connections that enrich both our institution and the communities with which we engage.

Mr Alan Etherton, Head of Overseas Education

CHELTONIAN SOCIETY

The Cheltonian Society aims to connect the Cheltenham College and Cheltenham Prep worldwide community through social events and reunions, professional networking opportunities, sharing news and an online network.

Membership of the Cheltonian Society is free and automatic for Old Cheltonians, College and Prep parents (both current and former), and College and Prep staff (both current and former).

President of the Cheltonian Society

Welcome to the Cheltonian Society section of The Cheltonian 2024-25

You will see from this publication that the College community continues to thrive across multiple dimensions. Yes, we live in changing times, inside and outside College, which, though challenging, also represent opportunity moving forward.

Whilst the Society has lots to celebrate in terms of success, this has been dampened by great sadness at the loss of Sebastian Bullock, the central pillar and leader for the Society for so many years. Seb’s positive impact throughout life as a friend, colleague, teacher and amazing human being is enormous, as the tribute on pages 130-131 and his moving memorial service both amply demonstrate. On behalf of all the Society and its many members, I offer not only our deepest sympathy to Katherine, Xander, Jago and Claudie for their loss, but also our recognition of and thanks for Seb’s massive and permanent positive contribution to the College and the Society over his 27 years of service.

Cheltonian Society Committee

The Society outreach continues to accelerate thanks to the effective team of Fiona, Kate, Nick and Mimi, and the level of engagement is growing. The Professional Networking events continue to be highly popular, this year including the Creative and Hospitality sectors. I encourage you to check out www.cheltoniansociety.org for the growing scope of opportunity to be involved in and support the Society and College.

And whilst you are on the site, if you are one of the Cheltonians who receive this publication but have not completed your online profile, please take five minutes to do so. This will help make the Cheltonian community even more effective for you and its members.

Best wishes and enjoy the read

David Stewart (H, 1978, past parent, current Council member and President of the Cheltonian Society)

The work of the Cheltonian Society is supported by members of the Committee. Current members of the Cheltonian Society Committee are:

David Stewart , President (H, 1978, past parent, current Council member)

Ben Burch (BH, 1997, current parent)

Lucy Caines (W, 2010)

Heidi Callon Hine (past parent)

Abi Coley (Prep staff, current parent)

Georgina Gardner (Q, 2015)

Rich Hine (H, 2011)

Anthony Holt (Xt, 1994)

Darawati Hussain (past parent)

Paul Mourton (S, 1996, current parent, Chair of CET)

Piers Norton (S, 2016)

Alayne Parsley (Prep staff, past parent)

Dan Paynter (College staff)

George Smith (BH, 2010, past staff)

Tim Swainson (Xt, 2001)

Andrew Thomson (Xt, 1992, past parent)

Charles Wyn-Davies (BH, 2008)

Ivan Yuen (H, 1986)

Cheltonian Society Events

Thank you to all Society members who have joined us for any of our reunion, professional networking or social events. Visit www.cheltoniansociety.org/events for photo galleries from the events held throughout the year.

Professional Networking Events

2024-25

Hospitality Networking

19 November 2024: At The Lansdowne Club, London, a panel of OC speakers from across the hospitality sector shared their stories and insights, followed by time for conversations and making connections.

“I really enjoyed the speakers’ session –so interesting and inspirational.”

Creatives Networking

20 March 2025: Held at the immersive experience studio of Pixel Artworks in London, with four inspiring OC speakers from the Creatives industries, allowing Society members to share experiences and think about what’s coming next for this sector.

OC Reunions 2024-25

5-Year Drinks for Class of 2020

5 February 2025

Held at the Cadogan Arms, King’s Road, London.

“It was such a lovely evening and so great to catch up with so many people, some of whom I hadn’t seen since leaving

College!”

10-Year Reunion for Class of 2014

5 October 2024

20-30-Year Reunion for Classes of 1995-2005

14 June 2025

Held at College, reunion guests enjoy House tours, Chapel service, buffet lunch in Dining Hall, and the chance to reminisce with their peers.

“From the Chapel service to lunch to watching the cricket match, it was a brilliant trip down memory lane!”

Society Social Events 2024-25

Christmas Eve Carol Service

8 December 2024

Traditional Lessons and Carols service in College Chapel, sung by the College Chamber Choir, followed by mulled wine and mince pies. All proceeds went to College’s current supported charities, Gloucestershire Young Carers and Langa Township Pre -School Trust.

Cheltonian Golf Day

10 May 2025

The annual Golf Day, held at Cleeve Hill Golf Club, saw 35 players from across the Society take part. Ed Kennedy (S, 2007) won the Michael Andrews-Jones Tankard and current student Raif won the Prospect Cup.

Rowing BBQ at the Boat House

17 May 2025

Society members gathered at the College Boat House in Tewkesbury for a delicious BBQ and picnic alongside the river, with crew training, rowing activities and an Erg ‘Sprint’ competition.

Cheltonian Society Polo Day

1 June 2025

A fantastic day at Cirencester Park Polo Club, with two polo matches of College and Old Cheltonian teams, retail stalls, gourmet burger horsebox, and several great prizes. Our thanks to headline sponsor Infinox Capital Limited (FCA Regulated), founded by OCs Gus Roberts (Xt, 2018) and Denis Antonov (Xt, 2019).

Cheltenham Cricket Festival Event

20 July 2025

Guests enjoyed a gourmet BBQ in the Cheltonian Society marquee at the 2025 Cheltenham Cricket Festival, before watching an exciting Vitality Blast T20 between Gloucestershire and Middlesex Women. It was a nail-biting finish, with Middlesex winning by just one run.

Upcoming Society Events

Please note dates and timings can change for some events. Please check online for updated information and booking details: www.cheltoniansociety.org/events

OC Reunions

10-Year Reunion for Class of 2015: 11 October 2025

50+ Year OC Reunion for Leavers 1976 and earlier: 16 May 2026

Held at College. Enjoy a Chapel service, lunch in Dining Hall and House visits with your peers.

5-Year OC London Drinks for Class of 2021: 5 February 2026

Join us for drinks in a London pub.

Fashion Pop-Up

25 September 2025

Dearly PreLoved, the luxury pre-loved shopping experience, will be holding a pop-up at College for all Society members. Expect brands such as Rixo, Reformation and Brora. Founder Polly explains, ‘We offer a carefully curated collection of unique clothing and accessories, allowing you to experience fashion in person with friends and drinks.’

Entrepreneurs Professional Forum

2 October 2025

Drinks reception and networking/mixer event for all Society members and age ranges (including those currently at university) who are entrepreneurs or would-be entrepreneurs, interested in making useful connections and sharing knowledge. To be held at the rooftop offices of JM Finn in London.

Christmas Wreath-Making Event

27 November 2025

Make your own unique wreath to hang this Christmas. Led by a professional florist, held at College and accompanied by mulled wine and mince pies.

Cheltonian Society Christmas Carol Service

7 December 2025

Traditional Carol Service with College Choir in Chapel followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the Chatfeild-Roberts Library.

Cheltonian Society Gold Cup Race Breakfast

13 March 2026

Join us for a glass of champagne and light breakfast ahead of Cheltenham Festival’s Gold Cup action.

Announcements

Our fond wishes to all Society members who have recently got married or had a baby. Please send us your news by completing the form on our website: www.cheltoniansociety.org/pages/marriages-births

Weddings

Oli Soames (BH, 2014) married Rebecca Bristow at Dargle Forest Lodge, South Africa on 14 December 2024.

Clementine Hickman (Ch, 2013) married Frederick Tongue at Nancarrow Farm, Truro, Cornwall on 7 September 2024.

Amelia Handy (A, 2013) was Maid of Honour and Maddy Burgess (Ch, 2013) was Bridesmaid. Also in attendance were Georgie Gunn (Q, 2013), Olivia Schofield (A, 2013), Olivia Burt (A, 2013), Ellen Arthur (Ch, 2013) and Izzie Claridge (A, 2013).

Births

Ruta Drungilaite (W, 2014) and Jacques Sharam (NH, 2014) started dating in Cheltenham College back in 2013 and got married at the Chelsea Old Town Hall on 6 September 2024.

Rachel Owen (Ch, 2008) married Will Hudson on 3 June 2023. Phoebe Owen (Ch, 2006), Lily Owen (Q, 2013), Tash Price (W, 2008), Georgia Messer (A, 2008) and Pip Mitchell (A, 2008) were Bridesmaids.

Emma Sherborne (Q, 2012) and her partner Matthew welcomed a baby girl, Matilda, on 12 March 2025.

Clare Aulakh (née Oliver, Q, 2009) and her husband Zachary are delighted to announce the birth of their son Alfred (known as Freddie), born on 28 November 2024 at Gloucester Royal.

Kimberley Lewis (née Ferguson, A, 2008) and Jeremy Lewis (Xt, 2008) welcomed a second baby boy into the family.

William Lewis was born in September 2024 and is already keen to keep up with his older brother, Albert (Bertie) Lewis.

Rachel Hudson (née Owen, Ch, 2008) and her husband Will welcomed their daughter Juno on 14 July 2024.

OC Sporting Successes

We are proud that several OC athletes achieve outstanding success in their sporting careers. Congratulations to these OCs for their achievements during the 2024-25 academic year. Please let us know of any other OCs sporting achievements: society@cheltenhamcollege.org

Tom McEwen (H, 2009) was awarded FEI Eventing World Number One in 2024. In April 2025, Tom and Brookfield Quality came fifth at the Lexington Kentucky CCI5* (the highest level of eventing).

Flora Peel (A, 2015) played for England Senior Women’s Hockey, captaining the team at the FIH Hockey Pro League in June 2025. Photo @GBHockey

Emily Drysdale (W, 2019) has played for Wales Senior Women’s hockey squad.

Jonjo O’Neill Jr (NH, 2016) had a fantastic season with several first-place wins, including the JCB Triumph Hurdle and the TrustATrader Plate at the Cheltenham Festival 2025. Photo @NigelKirbyPhotography

Nikita Prothero (CL, 2019) signed with Sale Sharks in the women’s rugby premiership until 2027.

Jamie Chadwick (Ch, 2016) and her IDEC Sport team came first at the 2025 European Le Mans Series LMP2 class. In February, Jamie was announced to remain with Williams Driver Academy as one of their driver ambassadors.

Zak O’Sullivan (Prep, 2018) has been signed by Kondo Racing for 2025 to drive in Super Formula, Japan, as well as by Envision Racing as a sim support driver, with participation in the rookie tests at Jeddah and Berlin.

Richard Owen (L, 2011) is the current World No.3 for Rackets. Richard won the British Amateur Singles Rackets Championship 2024, the Brown Advisory British Open Singles Championships 2025, and the US Open Racquets Championship 2025.

Alex Duncliffe-Vines (NH, 2013) is the current World No.4 for Rackets. He played against Richard Owen (L, 2011) in the final of the US Open Racquets Championship 2025.

Maria Cowing (CL, 2022) and her Oxford Brookes University crew won the Academic 8+ category at the 2025 Henley Women’s Regatta.

Will Goodrick-Clarke (L, 2014) played with Exeter Chiefs rugby club, having made over 50 club appearances for London Irish.

Charlie Worrall (NH, 2024) has been selected for the Junior GBR team for ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) Skeet, and the Senior England team for the 2025 Home International.

Chris Coley ( Thirlestaine, 1963) received a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year’s Honours List 2025, for his services to Sports Administration and to the community in Gloucestershire.

Seb Blake (BH, 2020), Jack Clement (S, 2019), Louis Hillman-Cooper (S, 2020) and Ollie Thorley (BH, 2015) all played for Gloucester Rugby, with Seb Blake captaining in the Premiership Cup and Jack Clement on the short-list for 2025 player of the season.

Cheltonian Society Clubs

Cheltonian Society Clubs are a great way to connect with other Society members.

All clubs are keen to have new members. Visit the Society website for details of clubs currently running, as well as news and match reports: www.cheltoniansociety.org/pages/society-clubs

Club highlights from the last year include:

Golf

The Golf Society, open to all ages and abilities, enjoyed several meetings throughout the year, including the annual autumn meeting at Denham GC and the annual Golf Day at Cleeve Hill GC.

Rackets

The 23rd Gold Racket tournament in March 2025 saw a fantastic 58 matches played across the ladies’, men’s and mixed doubles, and included the traditional black-tie dinner.

Hockey

The Men’s OC Hockey team played several fixtures, including against the College 1st XI, and took bronze at the Haileybury Old Boys hockey tournament in September 2024.

Football

The Football Club continued to play in the Arthurian League, with games across London on Saturdays. New members, of all abilities and ages, are very welcome.

Sailing

Old Cheltonians entered the Arrow Trophy Regatta at Cowes for the ninth time in October 2024, coming third overall.

Rowing

The Caterpillar Rowing Club, which has brought rowers together since 1958, launched a new website this year to celebrate and strengthen its community: www.caterpillar-club.co.uk

We are keen to expand the range of clubs on offer, initially focusing on location-based clubs in countries where a number of Society members live and work. We hope to support the strong networks that already exist in, for example, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Kenya, and establish new clubs. If you would like to be involved, we’d love to hear from you.

Our thanks to the many Society members who are involved in running a club. If you would like to join a club, or to discuss creating a new club, please get in touch: society@cheltenhamcollege.org

Fundraising

While we celebrate some significant fundraising achievements this year, notably meeting the target for the Guy Dodd Bursary Endowment Fund, we also grieve the loss of Sebastian Bullock. Sebastian’s contributions to Cheltenham College were great and wide ranging, as shown in the tribute on pages 130-131, and in recent years were devoted to fundraising as Development Director.

Bursary Funds

Particularly close to Seb’s heart, as a keen adventurer himself, was the Edward Wilson Bursary Endowment Fund, launched this year with Wilson’s great-nephew David Wilson, to honour the enduring legacy of Antarctic explorer Dr Edward Wilson (Day Boy, 1886-1891). College remains committed to growing this fund, which aims to generate sufficient income to provide a fully funded bursary place at Cheltenham College each year, in perpetuity (as well as to continue to grow the fund to keep up with inflation).

We are delighted that the Guy Dodd Bursary Endowment Fund reached its target of £1million just before Christmas and will fund its first bursary place for a pupil starting at College in September. Thank you to all Old Cheltonians who generously contributed to this fund.

In September we also welcome our first cricket scholar, entering the Sixth Form as the inaugural Chris Coley Cricket Scholar. We are hugely grateful to Chris Coley (Thirlestaine, 1963) for funding this programme for an initial two-year period.

Annual Funds

A new campaign has been launched with current parents to garner support for the College, with an invitation for them to get behind small, medium and large projects that will add value to the school and have an immediate benefit to pupils.

We are also soon to launch our first Carbon Reduction campaign. With support from Cheltonian Society members, we hope to replace all lightbulbs with LEDs, install solar panels and batteries at the Sports Centre, and improve the insulation in our old buildings. This will reduce the volume of electricity and gas needed, our carbon footprint and the cost of our utility bills.

Legacy Gifts

Legacy bequests are one of most meaningful, flexible and tax-efficient ways of supporting Cheltenham College. We were honoured to receive two legacy gifts this academic year, which enable us to add value to the experience of current pupils, support pupil hardship, and increase the value of our bursary endowment funds.

If you would like further information or to discuss any aspect of our fundraising, please get in touch: development@cheltenhamcollege.org

The Fortitude Window by James Hogan in Cheltenham College Chapel, depicting Dr Edward Adrian Wilson (Day Boy, 1886-1891).

The Youngest Cheltonian lost on the Western Front – Cyril Hillier (H, 1914)

Excerpt from a Chapel Talk given by Mrs Nicola Huggett, Head

Just above where Chandos are sitting in Chapel, College remembers the youngest Cheltonian lost on the Western Front in World War One – Cyril Hillier, who was in Hazelwell between 1911 and 1914. Hillier was part of a particularly successful 1st XI Cricket team in the summer of 1914, and he will have walked those same paths and looked up at the trees around the boundary just as we do today. He was only 17 in the summer he made it into the 1st XI.

He had already earned a place at Caius College, Cambridge but he, along with the rest of that 1st XI, all volunteered to join the army as early enlisters at the end of their summer term. Imagine playing your last cricket match and knowing you were off to army training just a few weeks later.

Hillier was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and he left for France on 7 November 1914. He witnessed the Christmas truce – the famous event where soldiers on both sides of the war agreed to put down their weapons and play a game of football on Christmas Day.

Two months after that, on 26 Jan 1915, Hillier was in very waterlogged trenches at Le Bizet. The Battalion Diary records that, ‘the Trenches were very wet and requiring continual pumping to keep the water down below the soldiers’ knees.’ You can only imagine what standing in knee deep mud and water for days on end with no waterproof clothing would have been like.

It was very difficult to stay hidden and protected from enemy fire in the trenches beneath the parapet and, whilst moving up to the front line in a communications trench, Hillier was shot in the right shoulder.

He was evacuated back to England to recover but, as happened a lot in those days without antibiotics, his wounds got infected and he died a month later, just four weeks short of his 18th birthday. He was the youngest Cheltonian in the Army to die in World War One, and the youngest commissioned officer to die on the Western Front.

It is amazing to think that we are sitting on the very same benches where he and the rest of his cricket team and his House sat. Of the XI who joined up, three were wounded, three were killed but five survived the war.

The 1914 1st XI Cricket team.

Page from Cheltenham College War Memorial

From Plaster Casts to Purpose

Jonathan Brooker (H, 1999)

My early teenage years began with a curious mix of triumph and total chaos. I arrived at Cheltenham College as the proud recipient of the Duleepsinghi Scholarship – ready to embrace opportunity – only to spend much of my early tenure navigating the College grounds with both legs in plaster. A promising start, I thought. Somewhere between being selected for county-level cricket with Warwickshire and experiencing a violent armed robbery at our family home –followed by a particularly unwelcome brush with the national press – I became intimately familiar with life’s capacity to surprise, unsettle, and shape.

Some of these moments could have cast long shadows. But with the unwavering support of an extraordinary family and a solid tribe of fellow Greenites, I learned that adversity doesn’t define you – your response to it does. The positives inspired me; the negatives taught me. I discovered that resilience is not merely survival, but the quiet determination to endure, adapt, and come through it all a little wiser, a little tougher, and – if you’re lucky – still able to laugh at yourself.

What followed was an unforgettable chapter of my life as a Cheltonian. There was theatre, music, CCF, school tours, rugby, rackets, and of course, those legendary (and unsanctioned) inter-house football matches – complete with the now-mythical leap over the famous lane behind Hazelwell to retrieve a ball from an irate neighbour’s garden. It all culminated in the privilege of captaining the College XI Cricket team through a distinguished and memorable season.

By the time I left College, I knew one thing with certainty: I wanted a life of purpose, challenge, and responsibility. That intention led me across continents and conflict zones – working with the United Nations, NGOs, international media, and legal institutions, responding to natural disasters, human rights violations, humanitarian crises, and the complexities of war.

It’s been a privilege to do this work: to witness history firsthand, lead remarkable teams, and form enduring friendships in some of the most challenging environments on earth. But eventually, even the most purposeful journey must come to an end. With a growing young family and an evolving perspective, the time came for a new chapter –quieter, perhaps, but no less meaningful.

In 2022, we became the proud owners of La Chartreuse, Thénac, a stunning country property in Southwest France. Now reimagined as an elegant wedding and events venue, it has brought us back to creativity, community, and celebration. We look forward to welcoming many guests –and who knows, perhaps a few Cheltonians too.

www.la-chartreuse.org

Jonathan undertaking international law and human rights violations investigation work in Chad.

Jonathan with Nigerian peacekeepers where he lived and worked in Darfur, Sudan. Jonathan working on the floor at the back of a newsagents in Lebanon during the 2006 war.

Jonathan at College Jonathan recently

The Great Escape to Cardiff Arms Park

Tim Richards (H, 1965)

At College from 1960 onwards, because I was Welsh, there was a presumption that I’d be a great fly half. I’m so sorry but I was not able to oblige. Certainly Jim Greenwood – former Scotland rugby captain and a 1955 British Lion with Cliff Morgan – coaching the 1st XV, said I had the safest pair of hands he’d seen since he played with Cliff! ‘The shame is Tim,’ said the warm and wise Greenwood in his rich Dundee accent, ‘you don’t seem too keen on tackling.’

But the real fun linking Cheltenham College and Welsh rugby came from mastering the art of sneaking away from College and down to Cardiff for rugby internationals in our sixth-form years. This involved simply vanishing – because there was no way in 1964-65 that your housemaster was going to OK an unaccompanied trip to Cardiff on a February Saturday.

There was a small core of us from South Wales who had enough cash for a return train ticket and could muster the balls to try it without fearing the caning which might result. You also had to have the contacts back in Wales to post you a ticket before the big breakout day! So there would be Chris Talbot (BH, 1965) from Swansea, Rich Phipps (H, 1963) from Bridgend, and a few others who came at different times.

We knew we needed to be at Cheltenham St James station to catch the 09.30 Birmingham to Cardiff. But the very first time we sneaked away…. Oh God! There was the College Chaplain, the Rev Jenkins – another Welshman – also waiting for the Cardiff train! The Rev ‘Eli’ (obvious for Under Milk Wood reasons) had probably seen us, but he wasn’t in an officious mood and he helpfully walked the other way along the platform.

The train left and within five minutes, the Rev Jenkins walked into our carriage. ‘Hello boys! Wales going to beat Ireland today?’ Friendly as you like. He departed (having counted that there were six of us) and came back ten minutes later with cans of Worthington E. Hours and many pints and points later he would buy us a round on the train on our way back to College, discuss the match with us, but slip away once we passed Gloucester.

Back in Cheltenham we pedalled back to school scared our bottoms were about to be tanned. But we never got caught.

Unless of course our Housemasters knew perfectly well what was going on but were happy to turn a blind eye. You never can know the answer to questions like that. Either way, they were always great adventures.

Tim at College Tim recently

Tim (front row, second from right) as Captain with the Cross Country team 1965.

Cardiff Arms Park in the 1960s.

By Tuesday, London

Q&A with Tuesday Roberts (Ch, 2020)

What led to you setting up your business, By Tuesday? I come from a family of entrepreneurs

– it’s ingrained into me – and I wanted to use this to create something independently. The idea for By Tuesday was formed when I was at College; I sketched the initial drawings for my jerseys in my final term of Upper Sixth. I resurrected the idea in my final year at Edinburgh University, where I studied Art. Perhaps being a poor student was the impetus but by then I had told so many people about my plans that I had to make it happen!

Did your time at College influence how you run your business?

I am grateful to College for instilling such a strong work ethic in me. I learnt not only how to work hard, but how to work efficiently. College taught me you can always find that extra time and energy when you need to. I have also applied so much of what I learnt in Business A Level and GCSE Textiles to setting up and growing my business.

How do you juggle running By Tuesday with your day job?

Managing a fledgling business alongside my day job at INFINOX takes a lot of organisation and planning. Luckily, much of the marketing and growing of the business is through social media, which can be scheduled in advance. The biggest challenge is maintaining the motivation to keep it up – it takes a lot of energy, especially as I’m doing it by myself so don’t have a team to use as a sounding board.

What do you love about running your business?

It genuinely makes me happy. Growing my own company continues to give me insights into the business world and I’ve met incredible people through it – influencers, art directors, other small business owners, marketing gurus, people just starting out on their career who I know will go far. It’s really exciting.

What’s next for you?

With By Tuesday, I’m planning a collaboration with another small business, have started supplying some schools with sportswear for trips, and have a meeting with a large stock manufacturer about bringing out some new, creative lines.

As a family, we often get excited about new projects round the dinner table. We’re currently exploring a couple of family business ideas, which could perhaps be the next big thing in my life.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Sit and listen – I think the greatest skill taught to me was to listen more than you speak. Learn your strengths and play to them – being sociable and approachable has been so helpful for me. Don’t worry if academic achievements don’t come naturally – there can be so much more to success than this.

Your years at College really are the best years. I am so grateful for everything I learnt. I have kept amazing friendships and continue to meet OCs of all ages all over the place – often in the most unexpected situations!

www.tuesdaylimited.com

By Tuesday is a unisex clothing brand, inspired by a life spent outdoors.

Tuesday at College Tuesday recently

Behind the Lens on Springwatch

Philip Edwards (S, 2017)

From a young age, I have always had an insatiable passion for wildlife, nature and the environment, inspired by growing up surrounded by the wildlife and animals of the Cotswolds.

As an Art Scholar, the art room of the Junior School was where I first started developing my artistic eye, combining this with my passion for wildlife through wildlife photography, drawings and paintings. This only grew when I moved over the road to College where, with the support of the Art Department, I focused more on photography, culminating in sitting my GCSE Art exam solely in this speciality.

Studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Marine and Natural History Photography at Falmouth University, with the stunning coastline and wildlife of Cornwall on my doorstep, I developed my photographic and camera skills into moving image and production work. After three brilliant years at Falmouth, I graduated with First Class Honours into a difficult world

shutting down at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fortuitously, in the final week of my degree, I received a phone call from a senior producer at the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol, asking me to work on an expanded lockdown production of Springwatch. I jumped at the chance to join a programme that I had watched and adored my entire life. My first week involved intense but enjoyable production days, followed by late nights completing my final deadline at Falmouth – an exhausting combination but one I would never change, especially when it resulted in us being awarded the 2021 BAFTA for Live Event.

Over the last six rewarding years, I have continued to work with the BBC on their Watches brand, travelling to remarkable locations across the country and covering over 150 episodes of Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch. My day-today is usually spent in one of the outside broadcast trucks, remotely operating the wildlife cameras and streaming live to the BBC’s many platforms. We have captured moments never filmed before and even moments completely new to science – during Springwatch 2023, we were stunned to witness the nightjar nest camera capture the female nightjar cannibalise its own chick alive! A moment that sent shockwaves through the ornithology world.

I also film my own wildlife pieces for the show (often being trusted with camera and long lens setups that cost more than a brand-new Ferrari!) and, as the official BBC press photographer for the Watches, work closely with the presenters to create promotional material for use across the BBC and partner organisations.

Although my stint in the industry has only been short so far, it has been an extremely exciting journey and I am eager to see where the future takes me.

www.philipedwardsphotography.com

Philip at College Philip recently

A short-eared owl glides over a field at last light in the Cotswolds on the hunt for voles.

Philip photographing presenters Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan.

Philip filming dragonflies for BBC Springwatch with a Canon CN20 50-1000mm lens.

Pitch to Performance Coach

Mark Hopkins (NH, 1997)

When my 15-year-old son recently asked about my time at College, I struggled to capture it in a simple answer. Yes, there were incredible highlights: hockey tours to the Far East, playing cricket against future West Indian legends in Barbados, an unbeaten hockey season, and taking a wicket with the very first ball of the cricket season. But College gave me something far more valuable than sporting achievements – it taught me life lessons that continue to shape my journey today.

College showed me what success truly requires: the resilience to push through when giving up feels easier, the understanding that tough times make the good times sweeter, and the realisation that being part of a team makes everything more achievable and enjoyable. Most importantly, it demonstrated how crucial having an incredible support network is – in my case, the Stovold Family, who became my foundation.

Leaving College in 1997, I embarked on a gap year to South Africa through the school’s exchange programme with

Cape Town schools. This experience changed everything. I secured my first hockey coaching opportunity, which led me to Holland and eventually saw me become the youngest coach to lead the South Africa Men’s Hockey team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and World Cup in India – twenty years after leaving school.

College also ignited my fascination with high performance. How do you unite people from different backgrounds, with varying motivators and values, to execute a strategy under immense pressure? This passion shaped my corporate career, taking me between London and Hong Kong, through three years in Vietnam, and seven years consulting in South African financial services.

The most magical moments at College occurred during sport – when hours felt like minutes, distractions disappeared, and I was completely ‘in the zone.’ Those experiences of peak performance became my life’s work.

Today, I guide senior leaders and teams worldwide to create these same moments in their professional lives. My mission is helping people enjoy their work, achieve their full potential, and still have energy for what truly matters outside the office.

College didn’t just educate me – it set me on a path of discovery that continues to unfold. The lessons learned on those playing fields, in those classrooms, and through that incredible community remain as relevant today as they were all those years ago.

Mark at College Mark recently

Mark giving a team talk to the South Africa Men’s Hockey team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.

Mark at the Commonwealth Games.

Mark being mobbed by the press on arrival at Bhubaneswar airport for the 2018 World Cup, dealing with more questions about politics than about the team.

Sebastian Bullock (College staff 1998-2025, Boyne House Housemaster 2002-2014)

Sebastian Bullock died peacefully on 19 February 2025 from pancreatic cancer, at home and surrounded by his loving family.

Sebastian was part of our community for nearly 30 years. He was hugely well-respected in the many different roles he fulfilled at College, especially as Housemaster of Boyne House, teacher and Head of Economics, Duke of Edinburgh leader, rowing enthusiast, and latterly, Cheltonian Society & Development Director. His loss is felt deeply by us all.

The following are abridged versions of tributes from two colleagues.

Jim Walton (Cheltenham Prep teacher and Houseparent 2001-2013)

Abridged tribute given at Sebastian’s Memorial Service in College Chapel on 18 May.

Each of us joining Sebastian’s wonderful family today will have our own memories of Baz, Sebastian, Seb, Mr Bullock, Sir. Baz would hate being the centre of attention and we all wish it was not the case. Here are a few words about a man of few words.

Modest

Sebastian never spoke of his own achievements but they were many, from the moment of his birth and his adoption by Mr and Mrs Bullock, to serving with the SAS, gaining his British Military Parachute Wings, and climbing Mount Everest. Along the way he married the wonderful Katherine and they welcomed Xander, Jago and Claudie into the world.

He was so very competent at so many things but you never knew until you saw it. Lighting fires, building houses, climbing mountains, teaching – all done calmly without fanfare. In the world today such modesty is very rare to find.

Brave

Bravery comes in many forms and the quiet inner strength and resolve that Sebastian possessed has passed to his children. Baz loved the adrenaline rush of risk taking. Not simply jumping out of aeroplanes and balloons but buying properties at auction without having seen them and, in the last months of his life, heading to Greece in October to

skipper a yacht with his family – without insurance.

Kind

I first met Sebastian when he was Housemaster of Boyne House. His kindness towards the boys who were lucky enough to be in his House was not so much the hot chocolate and marshmallows type of kindness, as the ‘you’ll feel better after a run on the Cotswold Way’ type of kindness. A kindness that prepared the boys for life beyond the warmth and happiness of Boyne House but a very genuine kindness indeed.

He brought out the individual strengths of the quieter characters in his care. He always put others first. Sometimes this was in high stakes situations on Everest but more often in daily life and in every moment and every interaction.

Adventurous

Sebastian was a man of action who led by example. He led numerous running adventures on the Cotswold Way and many Duke of Edinburgh expeditions over the years.

I joined several exhibitions to Mull in the early days of getting to know Sebastian. We would leave Boyne House at 6am, each with a minibus of sixth formers. Baz would load up and leave me to follow with the words, ‘See you in Oban.’ Nine or so hours later, on arrival in Oban, the joining instructions would be, ‘Bikes or food?’ I would collect the mountain bikes and Baz would take the boys shopping for a week’s supplies. The following morning, we would cross on the CalMac ferry from Oban to Mull. On arrival Baz would ask me, ‘North or South?’ That was often the extent of the conversation for a week.

Sebastian was a man of few words, yet his actions and values say so much about the man he was and the people he has shown us we can be. Words that can never do justice to the actions and values that Sebastian lived by but words that can allow us to reflect on how he continues to enrich each of our lives:

Modest, brave, kind and adventurous.

Dominic Faulkner (College staff 2000-present)

Abridged tribute given at a reflection service for current staff held in Chapel on 7 March.

Thirty years ago, Sebastian and I passed the same selection course into our Army regiment. I didn’t know him well at the time but was soon in awe of his ability and speed in the hills. He was an enigmatic character, rarely giving anything away

and modest in the extreme. In those early days I never recall seeing him tire. Just as with Everest, he was drawn to the most demanding of challenges and completed them with typical understatement and humility. I learnt a huge amount from him when I joined College a couple of years after he did. It has been a privilege to travel and climb with him in Norway, Peru, the French Alps, Nepal, Tibet and of course those countless days in Snowdonia and the Beacons.

One of our first College trips together was to Norway. I had planned a suitably arduous trek in the Hardanger with a dozen pupils and on the first night we camped in a remote spot. I had struggled more than usual with my weighty rucksack and, feeling exhausted, collapsed into my tent for an hour. On emerging, Seb was nowhere to be found. One of the boys pointed toward the mountain on the far ridgeline. ‘Sir, Mr Bullock said to tell you that he thought the day had been quite light and he was going for a run to stretch his legs.’ Later that evening, I didn’t know whether to be annoyed or relieved when I unpacked my bag to find a midsized boulder placed at the bottom. He loved a practical joke and had a great sense of humour.

On Sebastian’s Everest summit day in 2006, I was in basecamp, watching events unfold. He and his climbing partner Chris had set off from the top camp the previous night, timing their ascent to reach the summit for dawn. Their pace was such that they arrived in the dark – after all that effort I’m not sure they had much of a view. Their

descent was more eventful. Not far below the summit, Chris suffered with a blocked oxygen mask and resulting hypoxia. This scenario, in the so-called death zone, is every climber’s worst nightmare. I can still recall the strain in Seb’s voice on the radio, followed by an hour of agonising silence. Three thousand metres below there was little we could do to help. Later, with the mask cleared and Chris revived, Seb’s follow up call referred only to ‘a spot of bother.’ He never again mentioned the incident. He did not warm to being labelled a hero.

‘If only fighting cancer was like climbing a mountain,’ he wrote to me in a letter last summer. For a man used to meeting challenges head on, he was confronted very cruelly with something insurmountable. Even then he maintained his characteristic dignity and his legendary work ethic never left him. Here in Chapel, we sit beneath the fortitude window and the famous depiction of Edward Wilson. Fortitude is a quality that very much describes both men. Edward Wilson and Sebastian Bullock held a deep reverence for the outdoors, both driven by conviction in the path they followed, both defined by their integrity and fierce loyalty to family and colleagues. Both were great Cheltonians.

I can only echo Scott’s words in a final letter to Edward Wilson’s wife Oriana; they are every bit as relevant to Sebastian Bullock as they were to Edward Wilson:

‘He died as he lived, a brave, true man – the best of comrades and the staunchest of friends.’

Sebastian and his family in the Boyne House garden in 2005.

Obituaries

Brenda Shelmerdine (Junior School staff, 1984-1997)

Brenda Shelmerdine passed away peacefully on 15 January 2025, aged 87.

Brenda was appointed as a Lower School teacher at Cheltenham College Junior School in 1984, before soon becoming Head of Athens House and later Assistant Head of the Junior.

The following is an abridged version of the eulogy given at Brenda’s funeral, written by her family.

On Thursday 17 June 1937 two baby girls were born – one at Orterley Farm in the North Yorkshire Moors and the other in Huntington, York. Members of the same family, both were named Brenda. The first was a fine shire horse and the second was Brenda Elizabeth Hopwood, later Shelmerdine – history does not relate who was named after who!

Brenda was the daughter of Yorkshire farmer Charles and his wife Marjorie, younger sister to Peter and older sister to Trevor. Keen on dancing from a young age, she attended lessons at the Three Graces dance school, causing one of her brothers to remark that she was the little known fourth Grace – the dis-grace!

During the War, Brenda’s mother was seriously ill with tuberculosis and Brenda went to live with her aunt and uncle, Vera and Harold, and her cousins Derek, Brian and Keith with whom she formed a lifelong close bond. The family farm was always at the heart of life growing up – everyone pitched in but Brenda’s tractor driving wasn’t perhaps her best skill! She was involved in the Church in Huntington from an early age, spent many happy years in the Girl Guides (eventually becoming a Queen’s Guide) and at school discovered she had a passion for hockey.

Perhaps the most life-changing experience came in 1955 when Brenda went off to Lady Mabel College of Physical Education where she spent three wonderful years training to be a teacher at Wentworth Woodhouse and where, known as Hoppy, she formed lifelong friendships.

Brenda’s first teaching post was at Tadcaster Grammar School where, in the PE department, she met a handsome young

chap called Bob Shelmerdine. Bob and Brenda were soon ‘walking out’ – even though Bob was from the other side of the Pennines! They married in August 1960 and, after a honeymoon on the French Riviera, Brenda and Bob moved to Nottingham. Brenda was appointed Head of Games at Carleton-le-Willows Grammar School. She continued her love of hockey, playing for the county, and embarked on new sporting activities, ice skating and skiing – bravely leading school ski trips to Austria and Norway.

After four happy years in Nottingham, Bob was appointed to a lectureship at St Paul’s College in Cheltenham. So, in August 1964, Brenda and Bob moved to Gotherington. They threw themselves into village life, creating friendships which have endured to this day. Over the years Brenda became a stalwart of the WI, the amateur dramatic society, Gotherington Ladies Choir, the wine club, village horticultural shows, and the local parish church. In December 1966 Fiona was born, followed in 1969 by Juliet. Brenda was always very proud of their achievements and loved and supported them unconditionally, always putting her family before herself.

Brenda taught in a number of schools before joining The Richard Pate School in Cheltenham in 1978. Alongside her class teaching, she coached hockey, gymnastics and cycling proficiency and particularly enjoyed taking pupils on trips to the Three Counties Show.

Then, in 1984, Brenda moved to Cheltenham College Junior School. She immersed herself in boarding school life and soon became Head of Athens House. Proud to be the first woman to become a Head of House, she was known to pupils and parents alike as ‘Athene.’ Brenda later became Assistant Head of the Junior and head of both Lower School and Middle School.

In her thirteen years at Cheltenham College Junior School, Brenda had a huge impact on pupils and colleagues alike. She had great skill and vision as a teacher and school leader; her warmth and keen sense of humour were loved by the pupils in her care and their parents; and her contributions to the wider life of the Junior were exemplary – from masterminding various House commitments to instilling cycling proficiency and maypole dancing.

Brenda retired in 1997. Among her new enthusiasms were golf, examining for the English Speaking Board, and hand bell ringing. She and Bob joined the congregation in Tewkesbury Abbey. During retirement, Brenda was also able to indulge her love of travel and discovery. She had many adventures

across the globe with Bob and also with Juliet – travelling as far afield as Peru, Kenya, India and China. One of her most memorable trips was the Abbey Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

In recent years Brenda continued her involvement in village life, particularly supporting Gotherington Old Chapel and its new role in the community. Despite developing Parkinson’s disease, she refused to let this restrict her life and carried on much as normal until very recently. It was while she was in respite care that sadly her health suddenly declined and she passed away peacefully on the 15th of January.

The many touching messages received have consistently described Brenda as: practical, pragmatic and no-nonsense; exacting with high standards, inspiring awe and love in equal measure; fiercely loyal and faithful; generous, kind and considerate; deeply caring and loving, with a keen sense of humour and a cheeky smile.

Brenda’s humility and unwavering Christian faith sat at the heart of who she was and everything she did, whether as a teacher, friend, sister, cousin, aunt, wife, mother or grandmother.

David Christopher Price (College staff, 1962-1990)

David Price died on 16 November 2024, aged 93. The following has been written by David’s colleague Barry Wild (College staff, 1982-2010).

David came to Cheltenham College in 1962 after teaching at Bristol Grammar School, having read Chemistry at Imperial College, London. He proved himself to be a chemist and teacher of high calibre and, as Head of the Chemistry Department, did much to build up the subject in College. His particular strengths lay in Oxbridge teaching, practical chemistry and the preparation of teaching materials.

When I followed him as Head of Chemistry in 1982, I was astounded at the range of chemicals, some very unusual, that he had collected over the years. He had also developed some very spectacular demonstration experiments which are still performed by today’s department. One of these was a low-temperature lecture in which rubber objects were placed in liquid nitrogen, rendering them rock hard. In the old lecture room in the Quad area, David froze a tennis ball but instead of smashing it to pieces on the floor he suddenly decided to throw it against the blackboard. He didn’t realise that the blackboard was made of glass and the result was mayhem! Apart from that, all the Chemistry staff learned a huge amount from him.

In the early 1980s his teaching interests became equally divided between chemistry and computing, and he was one of the pioneers of the use of computers in chemistry teaching. His thorough and precise mind was ideally suited to this developing field.

His other major role was master in charge of O-Level and GCSE; legend has it that he never made a mistake in the thousands of exam entries he made and the exam sessions he organised.

A man of wide intellectual interests, he was an outstanding Upper College tutor. His tutees benefited from his real concern and the excellent advice he always gave.

After retirement, David kept himself very active by walking and cycling around the Cotswolds. I remember meeting him one summer’s day, walking on Cleeve Hill and instantly recognisable in his characteristic jacket and tie!

David leaves his wife, Jill, and two daughters, Susie and Sarah. Meeting his extended family at his funeral it was very evident that the chemistry gene ran throughout his relatives.

Robert Malcolm Aickin (Cheltondale, 1967)

Malcolm Aickin, father of Gordon Aickin (H, 1995), died on 9 December 2024, aged 75.

Ian Herbert Maxwell Burns-Thomson (Day Boy, 1951)

Ian Burns-Thomson, brother of Alistair Burns-Thomson (Day Boy, 1956) and the late Neil Burns-Thomson (Day Boy, 1956), died on 28 December 2023, aged 89.

Timothy Julian Churchill Christie (BH, 1952)

Tim Christie, son of Brigadier W.D.M. Christie (NH, 1909), died peacefully on 17 January 2025, aged 90.

The following is a heavily abridged version of the eulogy given at Tim Christie’s funeral by his nephew, Tom Price, followed by a note from Angus Dodd (H, 1985). A longer version of Tom Price’s eulogy can be read at: www.cheltoniansociety.org/news/obituaries

Tim was born in Cheltenham in March 1934 to a military family – his father Brigadier W.D.M. Christie (NH, 1909) was in the Royal Engineers. In 1936 his father was posted to Quetta to rebuild the city after the devastating earthquake. Tim, with his mother and sisters, followed him soon thereafter. Then the war came and so Tim spent the war years and his early childhood in various parts of India including in the summer capital Simla. I recall Tim saying he particularly remembered and enjoyed playing with the local boys in Simla and spending the walk home from school each day overturning every stone he came across looking for scorpions despite being told not to.

The family returned to England at the end of the war and Tim went to Cheltenham College in 1947. He was in Boyne House and played rugby and cricket and began a lifelong passion for mountaineering and the outdoors. In 1953 he did his National Service in 53 Squadron Royal Engineers and was posted to Korea just as that war was coming to an end.

Back home and to Emmanuel College, Cambridge University where Tim read Engineering, but travel and adventure were never far away. Tim went to live and work in Tasmania from 1962-67, where he spent most of his free time exploring the wilderness, naming various peaks and lakes. Some of the modern-day names in Tasmania’s backcountry are Tim’s: the Ellerwey Valley is so-called because Tim and colleagues said whilst there, ‘Where the hell are we?’

On one expedition, Tim was piloting a light aircraft (I had no idea he even flew planes) with a couple of passengers on board in a very remote part of the country. Disaster struck and the plane crashed. Amazingly all three walked away unharmed. They were miles from anywhere with little or no provisions. If the crash didn’t finish them off, they were now lost in the wilderness. Yet by some miracle a passing helicopter spotted them and they were saved. He never told his mother that story.

Back in London, Tim recalled that one particularly wet and miserable day in 1969 he saw an advert in the paper placed by British Antarctic Survey. They were looking for surveyors and his great friend and Cheltenham College Physics teacher, David George, had just returned from the Antarctic. Tim spent the next three years in Antarctica mapping parts of it - the Christie Peaks in Palmer Land are named after him. As a child at the time, this is how Tim came to be defined at least in my mind.

Tim kept a very detailed diary in Antarctica. He describes the frustrations of the equipment they were using: the theodolites designed for tropical conditions that froze up so you couldn’t see the thing you were trying to survey or the countless times they had to repeat their readings because the wind blew everything over. On base on 21 June 1970, Midwinter’s Day, Tim wrote,

‘…had a shower and changed into a suit. Couldn’t find my shoes. Think I left them on the Endurance last February. Had to wear my shirt inside out as so dirty. Pea soup in this environment tasted superb and though the steak was so tough it was inedible, one felt one was at a real banquet.’

After Antarctica, Tim continued his career as a civil engineer living in Bristol and specialising in engineering design of bridges. Colleagues refer to him as ‘a legend,’ ‘a lovely guy,’ and ‘a brilliant mind and a man of real integrity and compassion.’ Away from work, though, expeditions were never far away: Arctic Norway, Alaska, the Caucasus, the Atlas and other remote places, often with his partner in crime, David George. Love of the outdoors and exploring lasted well into his old age.

The outdoors and the young – that was Tim. As we had our own family, we took Anna and Megan on several camping trips with Tim in Wales when they were young. But more importantly, Tim gave so much of his time working in various youth clubs in Bristol inspiring many with his love of the outdoors and how there were no barriers to what they could achieve.

What a wonderful, interesting, exciting and full life Tim had. He will be greatly missed.

Angus Dodd (H, 1985) adds:

Tim Christie was well-known to many OCs after his return from Antarctica in 1973 right through to the early 1990s. The Mountaineering Club was established in the early 1970s by Guy Dodd and David George (D.B.G.) and supported by numerous other members of staff during that period – and Tim.

Almost every Cheltonian magazine during that period mentions him as a participant in climbing trips at home and overseas. In the winter he regularly showed his slides of Antarctica and Tasmania to the Mountaineering Club and the Photographic Society (also run by D.B.G.). In the 1992 Cheltonian, D.B.G. wrote about a trip over the Mingbo La pass in the Himalayas, ‘At least I had got higher than my old friend…Tim Christie O.C., but we were a geriatric mob and weren’t really fit.’

Tim’s quiet but immense hardiness and deep experience of the mountains and the wilderness in many ways aligned him more closely to the era of Edward Wilson (Day Boy, 1891) than modern day climbers and explorers. Many OCs who continued to climb after College would credit Tim with some of their enthusiasm and skill. We will remember his willingness to give his time without any expectation of reward, his enthusiasm for the success and exploits of others and his unassuming guidance and advice.

On a personal note, he was very much part of the Dodd family and we shared many of the experiences Tom Price mentions in his excellent eulogy. In the summer of 1987, he inspired

and encouraged me and a student friend to spend six weeks exploring and climbing in the islands, mountains and fjords of Arctic Norway, repeating a trip that Tim had undertaken with Cambridge friends in the 1950s. Tim and I were still exchanging photos of those wild places until the day he died.

William Neville Dibben (Xt, 1955)

William Dibben, brother of the late Richard Dibben (Xt, 1952) and father of David Dibben (Xt, 1978), died on 23 June 2024, aged 87.

The following has been provided by William’s family.

William – known as Bill in his early years and into his 30s, after which it has been William – was the third child of Clifford Dibben, an architect of note, and Violeta Dibben, AngloRussian by birth and a firm yet fair-minded matriarch. With his older siblings Anne and Richard, home was a large house in Chilworth, a village just north of Southampton.

Education

When old enough, he joined his brother Richard at Oakmount Preparatory School, Southampton where he excelled at school but not naturally. It was some 40 years later that he was diagnosed as dyslexic; he had to have worked exceptionally hard at school to get anywhere. But this he did, obtaining a music scholarship to Cheltenham College Junior School in 1948, playing the violin and piano, and moving up into the College in 1950.

William loved the great outdoors. He thrived playing rugby in the 2nd XV and rowing in the 1st VIII boat and was awarded both Christowe and College colours for sporting prowess. College’s Boat House at Tewkesbury became his default place to be whenever his studies allowed for it. He was rewarded by becoming Captain of Boats in the 1955 season. In his summer 1953 College report, he was described as, ‘A very consistent and quite a sterling fellow … I do not know of any other boy about whom this phrase ‘Sterling Quality’ comes at once to mind. His genuine and shining sincerity has made his mark on me.’

Although offered a place at Emmanual College, Cambridge to

read Religious Studies, after consultation with his parents, Bill decided to take forward a London University offer of a degree course in Estate Management including chartered surveying. There, he became a member of the London University Boat Club, rowing on the Thames.

Our ’sterling fellow’ goes forth

On graduation, William joined his father and brother at Chilworth Estates Ltd, and became Director responsible for building and estate management. With the demand for private housing rising in the 1960s, the company focused on large housing estate developments. His side of the business was to source the manpower and materials, deliver the build, and support the sales process with local estate agents. When their father retired, the two brothers became joint Managing Directors. Three of Chilworth Estates’ most notable developments from the 1960s to 1980s were Holly Hill, Bassett Avenue, Southampton; Colden Common, Winchester; and Wanderwell, Bridport.

In the 1970s, as the building business was starting to look susceptible to a slow down, William wanted to diversify his activities and reduce Chilworth Estates’ dependence on the building business, with all its fluctuations. Some initiatives struggled to get airborne, others flew well. For instance, when demand slowed down, the in-house joinery shop with its experienced team of joiners/carpenters could sell their skills and capacity to other builders, developers or other industries.

Another diversification was joining forces with David Morris in 1974 to create Morris Dibben Estate Agents, with a keen focus on Chilworth Estates developments. Establishing Morris Dibben enabled the brothers to step back from the detailed selling of houses and return to focusing on designing (Richard) and building (William), and for the parting of business company with Richard. William and his wife Mary retained the Chilworth Estates business and brand, still in operation today. Morris Dibben Estate Agents is also still going strong to this day – an unexpected legacy of the last 50 years.

Family and sailing

In September 1959, William married Rosemary Locke, moving into a new family home in Southampton built by Chilworth Estates. Their son David was born in 1960, followed in 1964 by son Peter. Sadly, the marriage with Rosemary did not last and they divorced in the early 1970s.

William married Mary in 1974, and they moved to a house near Lyndhurst which required considerable renovation, before welcoming sons James in 1976 and Charlie in 1979.

For many years, the Dibbens enjoyed skiing in the Alps during the spring holidays, mainly at Wengen in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. William also immensely enjoyed sailing. He and brother Richard built their first dinghy when they were

about 12, enjoyed dinghy racing from the Hamble River Sailing Club, and frequently raced, with their father, at Cowes. In 1969 the brothers commissioned the 28-foot Twister, Hummer of Hamble

Politics and education governance

In the early 1960s, William was elected as a Conservative Councillor for the Shirley ward of Southampton City Council (SCC). His remits included transport, public works and education, and for quite some time he chaired the SCC Education Committee. William was also elected to the Hampshire County Council.

One of William’s special legacies came to fruition in 1972. As Chair of the Public Works Committee on SCC, he successfully pushed through the Itchen Bridge project, that was needed to replace the overwhelmed chain ferry service. Securing this result was no mean feat and needed an Act of Parliament. He was particularly pleased to be asked to place a time capsule in its foundations.

William was a strong believer in education and was a longtime member and chair of governing board of Southampton’s Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, also he served on Cheltenham College’s Council from 1990 to 1997. When William was approaching 50, he returned to his own education, getting up at 4am to study, obtaining membership of the Chartered Institute for Arbitrators and Expert Witness qualification.

Around the same time, he joined Eastleigh Housing Association on a voluntary basis where he was soon to become Chair of their Working Committee. We know how much he enjoyed these activities and the value his efforts gave to others. He was always passionate about houses.

Living at Stable End with Mary for almost 50 years, William was by now a father of four sons and grandfather of eight grandchildren. He enjoyed family and friends dropping in for a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit. In the last few years William became increasingly unwell. He stayed at home with Mary looking after him right up to the end.

William Neville Dibben – our ‘sterling fellow.’

John Allan Farrington (Xt, 1961)

John Farrington died on 15 June 2025, aged 82. We hope to publish a full obituary in the next edition of The Cheltonian

John Fryer (Cheltondale, 1942)

John Fryer, son of Charles Henry Barr Fryer (Cheltondale, 1902) and brother of Anthony Charles Fryer (Cheltondale, 1936), died on 9 November 2023, aged 98.

The following tribute has been provided by John’s daughter, Philippa Blois-Brooke.

John was brought up in Wargrave, the youngest of four children. His recollection of his school years was that he was no good at either lessons or sport. Aged 10 he contracted double bronchial pneumonia and, after some days in the home of the Junior School Headmaster and his wife, Mr & Mrs Johnston, was sent home where he spent the next 18 months in bed. The doctor put him on M&B, a forerunner of penicillin, and then a relatively untried drug which his parents were warned would probably cause him to grow up to be a weakling. The M&B worked and John grew to 6ft4, but he missed a lot of schooling.

The Headmaster at Cheltenham College was persuaded to take John without a CE pass and he joined Cheltondale House in September 1938. He was very fond of his Housemaster, Ronnie Juckes, a ‘very understanding and forgiving person.’ John took up the trumpet, ending up as lead trumpeter in the College Army Cadet Force Band and the orchestra. He also loved Chapel and singing in the choir.

John recalled how, when the young masters were called up at the start of the war and older teachers were brought out of retirement to replace them, they ended up with ‘some very funny teachers, such as the swimming master who could not swim!’ Groundsmen were also in short supply, and John would help with the mowing of the playing fields and rolling the cricket pitch. The elderly master in charge of Engineering Drawing and the workshop taught him everything he ever learnt on the subject, and he also learnt to make parts in the machine-shop, to keep the College equipment in running order. He enjoyed the carpentry shop where he began a lifetime of making furniture, shelves and so on.

Having scraped through the School Certificate at the second attempt, John was moved with three others into Remove

where he was taught by Percy Fletcher, the Deputy Head. He was the first person who related academic learning to practical life, and maths suddenly became interesting. Next came a place as a Government Engineering Student, and John believed that the folder of drawings that the College engineering master had helped him make up went a long way to getting him past the interview board.

He enlisted in the regular army in 1944, having been accepted into the 60th Rifles despite his dreadful eyesight. He was part of a team that supervised the transport of thousands of German prisoners of war back home after the Allied victory. He was made adjutant, he thought mainly due to his height and loud voice! His job was to repatriate German prisoners, mainly by train, but his main task was to bring the trains back as the Russians liked stealing them, using all kinds of incentives to get the Brits away from the trains at night. They met their match in John who was both resourceful and determined to fend them off.

In 1946 he was demobbed and joined his father at precision engineers Allen & Simmonds in Reading, initially in the drawing office. They made mainly agricultural rotavators, as well as parts for the comet aeroplane, then the latest thing in jet passenger planes, and Rolls Royce engines.

John married Maureen Swoffer, a Guernsey girl, in 1950, and they had two children, Simon and Philippa. In 1955 he became Reading Borough Council’s then youngest elected councillor, and when he left in 1965, was chairman of Transport, chair of Civil Defence, vice chair of Highways and a governor of five schools. The family enjoyed their holidays with a caravan, initially at Mudeford where he had a dinghy, then towing the caravan, in the days before motorways, down to the South of France each year.

After some years in Caversham, John and Maureen moved to Peppard Common, and finally back to Wargrave in 1984. By now they had four grandsons and a busy social life in Wargrave with many good friends, both old and new.

John retired fully aged 65 but continued to be busy, having taken up cooking, tapestry and fly fishing, which became his passion and which he still enjoyed in his 90s. He also became a parish councillor aged 90, was an active member of the local branches of the Royal British Legion and RNLI, mowed the village green for 25 years and still drove ‘old’ people to hospital, many of them considerably younger than him!

He was initially very lonely without Maureen, who died in 2017 after 67 years of happy marriage, but like so many of his generation he had an extremely positive approach to life, and a year or so ago he told his family that he had no regrets as he had lived a long and happy life. He died peacefully at home in Wargrave, as he had wished, aged 98.

Barry Lancelot Hawkins (NH, 1955)

Barry Hawkins, son of the late Paul Hawkins (NH, 1930), brother of Charles Hawkins (NH, 1963) and father of the late Thomas Hawkins (NH, 1980), died peacefully at home on 2 December 2024, aged 86.

The following are abridged versions of a published obituary and a tribute written by Barry’s son, Marcus.

Excerpts from Barry’s obituary in the Eastern Daily Press, 11 February 2025

In a highly contested field, [Barry] was perhaps Norfolk’s most flamboyant auctioneer. From appearing multiple times on the BBC to becoming a well-known face among those working in agriculture, he would go on to leave a legacy that remains today.

He was born in west Norfolk on May 31, 1938. When he reached school age, Barry became one of the first pupils to attend Beeston Hall Preparatory School on the north Norfolk coast. His education took him to Cheltenham College before went on to study at the College of Estate Management in London and Reading to become a chartered surveyor.

When he returned to Norfolk in the 1950s, he joined the family firm Charles Hawkins & Sons, becoming senior partner. In 1986, Barry established his own auctioneers and land agents Barry L Hawkins.

He appeared on the BBC numerous times, from selling classic cars to the Top Gear team in 2009 to showing off his lightning-speed selling on Antiques Road Trip.

Arguably it may be his involvement in Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse Museum that he will be most remembered for. He was instrumental in establishing the museum near Dereham. In fact, he would go on to advise many charitable organisations and trusts throughout East Anglia.

Excerpts from a tribute written by Barry’s son, Marcus

We are here to say our final goodbye to a legend, my father –Barry – who has left an indelible mark on all our lives. With affection, Mum and I often called him a stubborn

old bugger but to the rest of the world, he was tenacious and determined, in many ways. We are both very proud of him, for who he was and how he lived, the many letters we received are a testament to that. We didn’t quite appreciate how much so whilst he was with us, but the extensive letters mum received touched our hearts and made us realise how he influenced everyone he knew.

Dad was the embodiment of resilience and tenacity. He certainly showed that when courting Mum, she wasn’t sure of him to start with but his tenacity and the charm of his trusty cocker spaniel won her heart with a love that endured. He worked tirelessly to the very end, juggling work and life, enduring long hours, all to ensure that our family never knew the hardships he faced. But never once did he let the strains of life dull his humour or dampen his spirit. His laughter and bad jokes were our daily soundtrack, a reminder that joy could be found even amidst chaos.

Despite the hardships he and mum faced, losing my brother and sister Tom and Louise to their respective fights to cancer, Mum and Dad struggled through it together and became a stronger couple for it. His maxim to life was: ‘Face your troubles and recover.’ This is something that we all should learn.

He was a humble man, but he took pride in the smallest achievements. He taught me that real success is not measured in wealth or accolades but in the love we give and receive, and the lives we touch. Dad was not only a devoted father but also a loving husband. The love he shared with my mum was the epitome of partnership and mutual respect enduring for 64 years.

Dad was truly a man of substance in many forms, and his legacy will live on through all of us. We remember his laughter, his wisdom, and most importantly, his unwavering love.

David Treharne Dillon Hughes (L, 1949)

David Hughes died on 18 June 2025, aged 93. We hope to publish a full obituary in the next edition of The Cheltonian.

Peter Richard Lawrance (Cheltondale, 1968)

Peter Lawrance died on 5 December 2024, aged 74. The following tribute has been provided by Peter’s daughter, Clare.

Peter spent his early life in Sarawak and was sent to Cheltenham, aged 8. After many years of sports and summer holidays home to the Far East, Peter left to read Geography at Durham. He then joined Coopers Brothers in London and not long later left, with his wife Jane, for a job in Lusaka, Zambia. Following that and a short time in South Africa, Peter joined the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) and was posted to Malawi where he worked with smallholder tobacco, tea and coffee farmers.

Now with three girls, Peter and Jane enjoyed the challenge and beauty of bringing up their young family with further postings to Solomon Islands and then back to Malawi and Tanzania. Having left CDC, Peter set up his own consultancy business and spent the rest of his working life travelling all over the Pacific, Caribbean and the European Union.

After retiring he carried on using his expertise, experience and quiet efficiency to help run two charities – the Friends of Malawi Association (FOMA) and Nyika-Vwasa Trust (NVT Malawi) – as their Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. He was also a proud grandfather, enjoying family holidays and supporting school events.

He leaves a quiet legacy but a world better for it, and he is missed enormously.

David Richard Marsh (Cheltondale, 1953)

Gordon Richardson Mellor (H, 1947)

Gordon Mellor, father of Anthony Mellor (H, 1974), Philip Mellor (H, 1979) and Christopher Mellor (Junior, 1977), passed away peacefully at his home in France on 4 July 2024, aged 94.

The following tribute has been compiled by Gordon’s son, Nicholas Mellor.

Gordon was the beloved father of Anthony, Philip, Christopher and Nicholas with his late first wife June, husband to Fiona, stepfather to Emma and Sophie, grandfather to eleven and great grandfather to Evie. His funeral was held at Cannes Crematorium on 11 July 2024 and was well attended by family and friends who shared tributes and warm memories.

Born to Tom and Helen Mellor in 1929 in Salford, Gordon was a keen painter from the age of 12. He later held numerous exhibitions of his work and was also inspired by his friendship with L.S. Lowry. Gordon left Cheltenham College in 1947 to join the family business, Tom Mellor Ford, and was instrumental in bringing Hertz Car Rental to the UK from America.

Gordon loved socialising and entertaining, with frequent visits to his clubs including The Buck’s Club, The East India Club and the Royal Thames Yacht Club, and indulged his enjoyment of golf as a member at Delamere and The Berkshire and later Zermatt/Tasch golf clubs. He shared many a round capped off with a whisky in the clubhouse and reached a respectable handicap of 8.

David Marsh died on 5 June 2025, aged 90. We hope to publish a full obituary in the next edition of The Cheltonian

Gordon was also a lover of jazz and spent many hours enjoying music from the greats including Benny Goodman and Chet Baker. He was a great admirer of Frank Sinatra who, to Gordon’s delight, he met by chance on the Front at Blackpool in 1953.

After learning to sail in Salcombe in a GP14, Gordon soon acquired one at the boat show, swiftly followed by a ‘Dragon’ keelboat. He then joined the international regatta circuit. Although based in Abersoch in Wales, where he raced for many years, he also competed across Europe, ably assisted

by Fiona as crew through storm force winds and racing tides. Their competition were skilled helmsmen and professional tacticians including, amongst many, King Juan Carlos of Spain. Later, Gordon embarked on sailing adventures with his family on the French Riviera, based in Le Lavandou, and spent time skiing in Zermatt. He created hundreds of paintings and poems, recently collected in a beautiful anthology of his works. His last years were filled with poetry and chess challenges, notwithstanding his battle with Parkinson’s disease, a condition he met with unwavering dignity, stoicism and a wry sense of humour, a humour which also fuelled many contributions to local radio shows on the French Riviera.

Thomas Oliver Bruce Morris (NH, 1996)

Tom Morris, brother of Philippa Damant (née Morris, Ch, 1987), died on 26 November 2024, aged 46. At College, Tom was Deputy Head of House and excelled at sports – rugby, hockey, golf and particularly cricket, playing on the 1st XI for two years.

The following is an abridged version of a tribute to Tom read at his funeral, written by his wife Jo Morris.

In celebration of Tom Morris, a man whose spirit was as dynamic as his many roles: a devoted dad, loving husband, cherished son, loyal brother, and steadfast friend. His life was a lesson in his passions, and his passions helped create a unique and remarkable individual.

Tom’s love for rugby was unparalleled, a true fanatic whose fervour for the game was infectious. His parents played a crucial role in nurturing his passion, ferrying him around to countless rugby and golf events during his younger years. He was a talented golfer, displaying a knack for the sport that many admired – and some were annoyed by, as he was so good without really trying. Eventually, he was winning junior competitions around the county. He moved to Cheltenham College, where his academic prowess did not improve, but his love for rugby and cricket was supercharged.

Tom’s quick comebacks and dark humour were legendary, always ready with a witty remark that could lighten the heaviest of moods. His fondness for Blackadder was a

testament to his appreciation for clever, satirical humour. One of his best friends Tim and he mostly communicated in Blackadder quotes, adding an extra layer of humour and camaraderie to their friendship.

Tom was always looking out for others, often the first to check in and offer a helping hand. He had a way of taking people under his wing, providing support and friendship to those who needed it most. Tom always championed the underdog, whether it was a friend or a rugby player.

At Winchester, he learned to party and make many friends, completing an English degree but famously only reading one book. His nights out with his rugby mates, ‘exploring’ the many statues in Winchester, became the source of many stories. His other best friend, Nick, shared his passion for rugby to the point that our group WhatsApp is called ‘Rugby Obsessives and Widows.’

Tom’s journalistic career started with the local paper The Echo and then on to the Western Daily Press, followed by The Bristol Post. He also often reported on Gloucester games, sharing his insights and passion for the sport. Tom later joined the Ministry of Defence, a case of poacher turned gamekeeper. It is a testament to his character and ability to make friends that so many of his friends and colleagues are here today.

Travel was another of Tom’s loves. He often had the grand idea of where to go but was quick to pass the buck when it came to organizing the details. He was frequently heard asking, ‘Where are we going again?’ Rather than Rome or Venice, I was treated to Tallinn, Riga and Bratislava as he wanted to experience them before they became too touristy.

At home, Tom found joy in the little moments, like playing Barbie with [daughter] Maisie and dancing around to Taylor Swift. Tom was born to be a dad. There are reams of photos of Tom and Maisie taking selfies, pulling the most ridiculous faces.

Tom was passionate about the future of rugby, always striving to make the sport better and safer for future generations. His dedication to this cause knew no boundaries (to my annoyance), but was a testament to his love for the game and his desire to ensure it could be enjoyed by many more to come. He was an active supporter of Progressive Rugby, an organization committed to improving player welfare and safety in the sport.

Tom was a man of many talents, passions, annoying habits, and endearing quirks. His legacy is one of love, humour, and a spirit that embraced life with all its imperfections. He will be deeply missed, but his memory will forever inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Ian Arthur Benjamin Parnall (H, 1945)

Ian Parnall died on 12 January 2025, aged 96.

Rodney Lang Pell (Cheltondale, 1952)

Rodney Pell passed away on 19 November 2024, aged 88.

Rodney attended Cheltenham Junior School just after the Second World War, where he boarded in a long dormitory during the severe winter of 1947. Following the mantra, ‘Fresh air is good for you,’ every window had to be open at night and Rodney remembered waking to snow on his bedside chair and ice on his pillow. This, he acknowledged, was a tough time for the young boarders but he felt it meant they ‘grew all the stronger, became more tolerant, more understanding and more able to appreciate and indeed to treasure life itself.’

Rodney entered Cheltenham College senior school in 1949, where he stayed for three years before a change of school to Millfield. He went on to study medicine at the Royal London Hospital, where he was invited to take part in the 1954 Acton Scientific Expedition to Mt Blanc (surviving both being struck by lightning and falling down a crevasse).

His career in orthopaedic surgery was varied and accomplished. He was involved in some of the first usage of diagnostic ultrasound, was the Founding Director of research companies, held various patents, was the inventor of a hip fracture fixator device, and took a particular interest in dockworker’s often unusual and neglected injuries.

Later, Rodney became one of the country’s foremost medicolegal experts, leading teams that dealt with the evidence associated with the Townsend Thorson disaster, Lockerbie and Hillsborough, to name but a few.

In his spare time Rodney was a keen sailor. He spent his retirement restoring a beloved historic motor yacht, Sheemaun, which was awarded the status of ‘Flagship of the United Kingdom Historic Fleet’ in 2010. Rodney subsequently wrote a book about her, Little Ship, Big Story

Rodney is deeply missed by his wife Maura, sister Dinah, six children Richard, Joanna, Rodney, Susanna, Geoffrey and James, and eleven grandchildren. He had a wonderful life and passed away without knowing a thing about it, in front of his own fire in his own home.

Anthony Petgrave-Johnson (NH, 1953)

Anthony Petgrave-Johnson, father of Giles Johnson (NH, 1987), died on 10 January 2025, aged 89.

Cemaes Merfyn Phillips (Cheltondale, 1952)

Merfyn Phillips, brother of the late Ioan Phillips (Cheltondale, 1942) and late Hywel Phillips (Cheltondale, 1947), and uncle of the late Ioan Phillips (Cheltondale, 1969), Huw Phillips (Cheltondale, 1971), Ifor Phillips (Cheltondale, 1975) and Alun Phillips (Cheltondale, 1983), died on 16 November 2021, aged 87.

The following is an abridged version of the eulogy given at Merfyn’s funeral by his nephew Ifor.

Merfyn was born on 4 May 1934 in Taiping in the state of Perak, Malaya, the third son of Robert (Robin) and Eluned Phillips. The family returned home to Wales the following year when Robin retired as a major, from the Indian Army.

Merfyn followed his brothers to Hillstone Prep School, in Malvern, and then on to Cheltenham College. He was awarded a place at Oxford University, which he did not take up. Instead, after National Service, he came home to The Briars in St Dogmaels.

His father died unexpectedly three weeks before Merfyn’s 22nd birthday. Merfyn took up farming at The Briars, which had been built for his Great Grandfather Evan Phillips and his wife Margaret.

Living there with his mother, Merfyn, a natural linguist, learned and perfected his Welsh. In the ‘60s and ‘70s he took up the challenge of learning several other Celtic languages

as well as Dutch. The interest in Dutch was triggered by what became a lifelong friendship with Eelke Muller who first came to St Dogmaels, from Holland, to help out on the farm in 1964 aged about 18. The day after he died Eelke wrote to me of Merfyn, ‘Such a lion of a man, intelligent and erudite.’ I would add fun and mischievous.

Merfyn immersed himself in Welsh and Celtic history and culture as well as the languages. The Briars became Parc y Ffrier, he joined Plaid Cymru and The Celtic League, he translated a book from Erse into Welsh, he never missed an Eisteddfod, he campaigned for bilingual road signs and even constructed, in the colours of the Welsh flag, the first Llandudoch sign, which he erected opposite Parc y Ffrier on the Cardigan side of Ty Johnny.

We, his nephews and niece, have very fond and varied memories of helping, or hindering, Merfyn around the farm when we visited every summer.

My very first memory of Merfyn is of him chasing me with a hissing gander called Gwilym tucked under his arm. I was aged four and it made such an impression on me that I named my son after that goose. I remember bringing the cows in for milking; there was brindled Marged, Jane who was scarred from falling down a well when she was a calf, Iris the beautiful Jersey and her daughter Blodwen.

My brother, Huw, has memories of milking being finished too late to catch the milk lorry and then having to chase it with Merfyn driving the churns in his Morris 8 at breakneck speed along the country roads.

My cousin Veronica recalls travelling to market in Merfyn’s grey Land Rover and feasting on the self-seeded nasturtiums growing along its back window. She also remembers the small flock of Ryeland sheep. I’m not surprised; I can still picture her screaming as Charlie the ram chased her across Parc Gwyn.

There were pigs and there were bees and of course there were dogs; Sara, Rhodri, Baksheesh and lastly Jack. There were ghost stories mischievously told to unsettle guests new to the house. There was laughter and none could compete with the sound of Merfyn and his brothers laughing together. It was a truly wonderful sound and we miss it.

Merfyn was loyal to his mother and cared for her at Parc y Ffrier until just before her death, in Cardigan Hospital, at the age of 96. Parc y Ffrier was sold after Mamgu died and Merfyn emigrated to Cornwall to do his bit to help preserve the Cornish language. During his twenty years there he made some great friends. The Reverend Canon Alan Rowell who was vicar of Pendeen, where Merfyn lived from 1981 to 2015, wrote, ‘Merfyn coming to live in Pendeen was one of the best things that happened to me in my time there.’ Merfyn returned to Cardigan from Cornwall in 2018.

Merfyn loved swimming, any day of the year and particularly with his dogs, but he had a lucky escape in his early days in Cornwall when he was caught in dreadful swell and was battered against the rocks.

He loved railways, particularly Brunel’s Great Western and most times he came to see us in Oxfordshire would include a visit to either the Swindon or the Didcot Railway Museum.

Merfyn was a Welshman proud of his background and by choice he lived without modern innovations such as television, computers and mobile phones, he loved books, but never read novels.

He lived a simple and uncomplicated life.

Keith Edwin Pow (Xt, 1948)

Keith Pow died suddenly but peacefully in Salisbury District Hospital on 6 July 2024, aged 93. Much loved and adored father, inspiring and devoted grandfather and great grandfather.

Robert Christopher Springett Sanders (Xt, 1958)

Robert Sanders died on 22 February 2022, aged 81.

John Richard Eliot Warburton (H, 1952)

John Warburton, brother of the late Piers Warburton (H, 1948) and father of Kate Warburton (Ch, 1994), died on 19 January 2025, aged 90.

John Nicholas Wood (BH, 1971)

Nick Wood died of pancreatic cancer on 24 November 2024, aged 70.

The following tributes have been written by Nick’s friend Nigel Williams (L, 1971) and Nick’s sister Venetia Howes. Nigel Williams (L, 1971):

Woody and I first met at Cheltenham College in the 60s. We both played for the 3rds Rugby Team where I was the Captain and Woody would alternate between the relatively gentlemanly 3rds and the 2nds – which was in a different league of physicality. You certainly didn’t want to get in Nick’s way at full tilt as he was solid muscle and you’d likely bounce off him. Fortunately, we were on the same side.

In 1967, the film If.... was being made at College. Amongst others, Nick, Douglas Cole (NH, 1972) and I were extras, paid £1 each for our acting skills and captured on celluloid for posterity. Malcolm MacDowell was a rising star and Linsday Anderson (Cheltondale, 1941) was the Director. He told our Headmaster it would be good for the school, but it wasn’t!

If.... was about a time of anarchy at a generic public school. In the last scene, during Speech Day, our rebellious heroes machine-gunned defenceless masters, parents and pupils in cold blood. As you can imagine, some local newspapers took the opportunity to have a pop at College – because it confirmed their suspicions!!

Venetia Howes:

Nick spent his professional life in the worlds of shipping and insurance, but his true loves were dogs, guns, motors, girls and family – not necessarily in that order. Friendships filled him with joy, whether in a City pub or among the dogwalking community of Wimbledon Common.

Nick was generous, kind, interested, loyal, good-humoured, brave and very much loved by the many people whose lives he touched, as described in letters sent to the family:

‘Nick was part of the group that kick-started my social life when I moved to London. I shall never forget how warm and welcoming he was when I first met him at an 18th birthday party – so many years ago.’

‘Nick was incredibly welcoming to me in the market as a young underwriter and for that I was always very grateful, because some of the older Brokers weren’t that welcoming!’

‘I have so many happy memories of a friendship that goes back 50 years – the ski holidays, rugby matches, picnics, beer festivals, point to points, barbecues, dinner parties, swimming pool parties, playing cricket and even the occasional visit to a pub.’

‘Nick was an extremely good friend to me and lots of others for many, many decades. Always very loyal, always a lovely sense of humour, always willing to give so much. Always generous, kind, soft-hearted – a true gentleman.’

Nick was married twice, and was immensely proud of his two sons, who both survive him.

Obituaries are also published throughout the year on the Cheltonian Society website: www.cheltoniansociety.org/pages/obituaries

These tributes have been provided by family members or those who knew the deceased very well.

We are extremely grateful to Hannah Dale, Archives Manager, for the research she has carried out and for providing many of the College photographs.

Please get in touch to let us know of any obituaries or notices for our website and the next edition of The Cheltonian society@cheltenhamcollege.org 01242 265694

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Acknowledgements

The editor would like to thank the following for allowing the use of their images in this publication:

Gillman & Soame photographers. The photographs of Speech Day Prizes and staff Valete have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers and can be ordered online at https://www.gsimagebank.co.uk/ cheltenhamcollege/t/knb9iu2025

Editorial Notes

Old Houses will be named in full. The following abbreviations are used for current Houses:

A Ashmead

BH Boyne House

Ch Chandos

CL College Lawn

Xt Christowe

H Hazelwell

L Leconfield

NH Newick House

Q The Queen’s House

S Southwood

W Westal

Our thanks

Too many to list here, but many thanks go to the great number of pupils, teachers, support staff, OCs and Housemasters and Housemistresses who have kindly provided articles, information and images for this edition.

The editor, Laurette Thomas, would like to thank: Kate Human for her excellent content from the Cheltonian Society; Ellie Ford and Rachel Hellier for their amazing work with images; Spencer Huggett and Dion Douglas for their excellent photography; Tessa Gingell for her expert input; Hannah Dale for her research and information from the College Archive; and College Office, in particular Helen Price, for their invaluable support.

On behalf of Cheltenham College, the editor would like to express the school’s gratitude to Mat Jolly of Jolly Good Design for the graphic design.

The Cheltonian team

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