ODyssey The Newsletter for Old Dauntseians Summer 2017
Mark Lascelles (Head Master) The academic year is now drawing to a close and, as I write, large numbers of our pupils are sitting their public examination papers. It has been an exciting, rewarding year, with several memorable highlights and some excellent achievements. The performance of Billy Elliot at the Novello Theatre in the West End received huge acclaim, showcasing the talent of our pupils and staff in the Drama, Music and Dance departments – it was a very special day. The popular programme of Mercers’ Lectures finished on a high note, with Jeremy Bowen entertaining a packed audience with reflections on his many years as the BBC’s Middle East Correspondent. I am pleased to tell you that the School is in a healthy position, with a high level of interest from both boarding and day families. The January entrance test for Year 7 places attracted over 150 candidates for the 80 places. It is especially pleasing that a good number of ODs are choosing Dauntsey’s for their children’s education, nurturing second generation or even third generation Dauntseians. This summer will be busy with a Rugby Tour to Australia, a Girls’ Hockey Tour to Malaysia and the annual trip to the Romanian Orphanage that we support. Once again, Jolie Brise is competing in the Tall Ships’ Race, this time sailing across the Atlantic. It is always good to see Former Pupils and to hear your news. Do please come for a visit or attend one of our many OD events: you are always most welcome at Dauntsey’s.
Mark Neve (Head of Foundation) It has been a busy, successful year in the Foundation Office as we continue to establish stronger links with the OD community. Many ODs have enjoyed visiting the School, reminiscing on their schooldays and marvelling at today’s extensive, smart facilities. OD reunion events in Bristol and Cardiff were well-attended, enjoyable occasions and the 10-year anniversary party for the 2007 leavers was a truly splendid event. The Evans girls flocked to the party to mark the occasion of Nigel and Caron Yates stepping down after 21 years of houseparenting and, sadly, after an outstanding career as Deputy Head and Biology teacher, Jane Upton is calling it a day. Also leaving the teaching staff after long periods of service are: Glynn Parry, Jeff Plews and Linda Scrace. I would like to sincerely thank all ODs who have supported our Bursary Fund Appeal. The total raised is approaching an impressive £20,000 - a most pleasing outcome. I hope many of you will play in the OD Golf day on Friday September 1st and I look forward to seeing the 5-year leavers for their celebration dinner on Saturday September 16. I hope you reflect on your time at Dauntsey’s with fondness and affection. The unique, friendly atmosphere that we all cherish so much makes the School a very special place.
Tony Rowlands (ODA Chairman) The plans to modernise the ODA are continuing apace. I have received strong support for the proposed changes to membership and organisation which I outlined in my recent letter to ODs. I am pleased to report that those present at the recent ODA AGM gave unanimous support to the modernisation package. We are building a strong, active alumni community to support the needs of both young and old ODs. These are exciting times, with much scope to enhance our relationships and communication and build and develop our association with the School. I hope you will have the opportunity to attend some of the numerous OD events organised by the Foundation Office and please remember you are always welcome to drop in to School for a visit at any time.
School News Billy Elliot hits the West End A cast of 100 Dauntsey’s pupils, supported by our own technical crew and full orchestra, enjoyed a spectacular, sell-out performance of Billy Elliot at the Novello Theatre in the West End. It was a memorable night for the whole School community.
School News Holocaust Survivor: Freddie Knoller
Model United Nations
Pupils achieve splendid EPQ results
On Thursday 4 May 2017, we welcomed Holocaust Survivor Freddie Knoller back to Dauntsey’s for a sixth time. Two weeks after his 96th birthday, Freddie related his life story to the Third Form and an audience of parents and Sixth Formers. His absorbing, moving tales, his infectious optimism and zest for life left everyone spellbound.
Under the direction of Head of RS, Julian Holland, the School has formed a Model United Nations (MUN) group. This stimulating academic activity enables students to learn about diplomacy and international relations. The delegates attended their first conference and found the experience to be most thoughtprovoking and rewarding.
Sixth form students celebrated record grades in their Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) projects, with 11 pupils attaining an A* grade and 88% of candidates achieving grades A*- B. With a heavy emphasis on independent learning and research skills, the EPQ is a highly regarded qualification and excellent preparation for higher education.
Devizes to Westminster 2017
Shooting for England The shooting club at Dauntsey’s is thriving, with a great team spirit and really supportive, motivational coaching. Three pupils, Will Naylor, Jacob McBride and Nick Welch, were selected to shoot for the England team in the 2017 British Schools’ Small Bore Shooting Association home international match.
This 125 mile gruelling race is the epitome of adventure for our Lower Sixth pupils. This year fourteen youngsters and two staff members put themselves forward for the challenge. After three days of courage, fortitude and resilience, all competitors successfully reached the finish line at Westminster Bridge.
Dauntsey’s celebrates its 475th Anniversary On Saturday 11 March, the School commemorated the 475th anniversary of our founding by William Dauntsey. The Master of the Mercers’ Company joined the School community for a service of celebration led by The Venerable Alan Jeans.
Wild Water Racing success Grace and Georgiana were awarded the Hutchinson-Sheffield Shield for their resilience and determination.
Many congratulations to Lower Sixth pupil Jodie Ball who is the U18 National Sprint Champion in Wild Water Racing. Jodie’s goal is to compete for GB in the World Championships in Austria this summer.
OD Events Bristol Reunion
Cardiff Reunion
Class of 2007 Anniversary Party
OD Visitors
Crispin (86-88) and Caroline (née Small) (85-92) Haywood
Christopher Barlow (45-51)
Dan Wilkinson (06-11)
Gary Walker (73-80)
John Moxon (62-66)
Philip Nokes (64-70).
Octavia Chave (née Johnson) (89-96)
Panich Vikitsreth (78-80)
Tim (86-93) and Sophie (née Hancock) (91-93) Hitchens
Christopher Evans - Head Master (85-97)
David Champion (74-81) and James Wong (76-81)
James Nairne (37-42)
OD News
Congratulations to Will Christofi (08-13) who represented GB in the European CrossCountry Championships.
We send our best wishes to former Second Master, Barry Hughes, on his retirement as Head Master of Holy Trinity School, Ontario.
Chloe Tetlow (90-97) has lived in Sydney for the last 14 years. Thanks to Jolie Brise, she has a keen interest in sailing. Chloe works as an anaesthetist both in the Children’s Hospital and for the Ambulance Service in the flying doctor/helicopter retrieval unit.
Brendan Musgrave (05-12) became a freeman of the City of London, having completed his apprenticeship with Angus Macpherson (66-71), a past Master of the Guild of Mercers’ Scholars.
ODs Charlotte Howard (née Broadhurst) (8288) and William Beeny (93-98) enjoyed lunch together in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
OD News Chris Bridgett (53-60) was delighted to learn how to throw a pot with Jeremy Leach(54-58) sixty years ago at Dauntsey’s. In April this year he was with Jerry in Bovey Tracy to have another go!
Colin Berry (73-78) qualified as a doctor in 1984. He worked as a medical officer in the Royal Navy for six years before specialising as an anaesthetist. He is now on his second mission with the International Committee of the Red Cross in South Sudan, providing surgical services to the war wounded and civilian population in this desperate country.
Jim Morris (62-66) has been kayaking on the Chassahowitzka River in Florida. He sadly ran out of water in one of the small side creeks.
Selwyn Image (51-57) was awarded the RSA Albert Medal for “tackling homelessness through social enterprise”. His work for EMMAUS UK, the French social enterprise for homeless people he brought to this country in 1990, was recognised by an Honorary Doctorate from Anglia Ruskin University. He has also been made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.
Alastair Ronn (79-84) is putting his degree in Natural Science/Electronic Engineering to good use as Head of Science at Campus des Nations, International School of Geneva.
Torran Green (09-16) has been awarded an Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) Diamond Jubilee Scholarship. This prestigious award recognises talented youngsters studying STEM subjects in their first year at university. Torran, currently studying Engineering with Computer Science at Southampton University, is one of an elite set of students to receive an IET scholarship. He is destined to be a leader in the next generation of engineers. Officer Cadet, Rosie Wild (03-10), was presented with the Sword of Honour (the top cadet of her intake) at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Sovereigns Parade.
John Solsbury (42-48) is still enjoying his fencing thanks to Captain Keen who taught him so well.
Robert Mann (05-10) and Kirsten Roberts (04-11) successfully completed the London Marathon, with times of 2.32.32 and 4.13.23 respectively. Robert, an experienced runner with Exeter Harriers, was placed an impressive ninety-fourth overall.
Sam Starks (14-16) and Emily Sheppy (07-13) both played in the Welsh Rugby Varsity Match between Cardiff and Swansea.
Catherine Beale (née Lucas) (80-87) will be exhibiting her portraits at the Society of Women Artists’ Annual Show in London’s Mall Galleries from the 4th to 9th July. As well as teaching workshops and writing on contemporary water colour techniques, Catherine runs a studio in Bath.
Nicola Housby (00-02) successfully completed the twenty-four hour DW.
Kay Gretton (née Barcham) (73-75), one of the first girls to attend the School, is a talented artist. She has won a number of art prizes and regularly shows her work at exhibitions. She is exhibiting at the Old Mill Gallery, Worton, SN10 5SF in August. For further details, please see www.oldmillarts.co.uk/events.
OD News Annabel Batchelor-Wylam (née Menheneott) (95-00) was honoured to have one her paintings, Mellow Yellow, selected to be exhibited and auctioned at the Royal Academy, London. The painting raised £1000 for Marie Curie.
Nathaniel Greene (89-91) published his second book, Stop Guessing, in April. Amédée Turner (42-48) has published a book “All the Qur’an in 100 Pages by a nonMuslim for non-Muslims”. Hilary Tunstall-Behrens (42-44) was 90 in January on Mozart’s birthday. Some 45 years ago Hilary changed profession to musician and violinist. Subsequently, he founded the “International Musicians Seminar Prussia Cove” with the famous violinist Sandor Vegh. To celebrate his 90th birthday, the Professors of the Master Classes presented him with a marvellous London Wigmore Hall concert. Leo Goodall (06-13) had a very fulfilling GAP Year at a school in Argentina. He is now off to Portugal for a four-month placement with French bank, BNP Paribas, before returning to Nottingham for his final year.
Barney Goodall (04-11) has recently released a single, Golden Age, with music video.
Ben Mitchell (69-74) is on his bike again this time riding from Peru to Newfoundland.
Chloe Lockhart (02-09) is working for Weston Williamson and Partners, an architectural studio based in London. She is using her expertise in Urban Design and Infrastructure Projects to work on both the Paddington and Woolwich Crossrail stations.
Congratulations to Angus Macpherson (66-71) who has been made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to the community in Wiltshire. Archie Campbell (05-10) and Alex Morris (0611) have managed to raise £1.3 million for their technology company which continues to expand and grow internationally.
In May this year, Cordelia O’Neill’s (05-07) second play, No Place for a Woman, had a very successful run at Theatre503.
Fiona Morrison (73-75) is a partner in the actuarial firm Lane, Clark and Peacock. She has recently been President of the IFoA.
OD Shona O’Dwyer (14-16`) was selected for the U21 England netball team, taking part in the Netball Europe Competition.
We are delighted to announce that ODs Stuart Clayton (92-99) and Polly SinnettJones (94-99) were married in March this year. Both Stuart and Polly are teaching in Singapore.
ODyssey It’s thanks to you I would like to express huge gratitude to all our donors who have supported Dauntsey’s in the 2016-17 academic year. Old Dauntseians Jeremy James Paul Alex Philip Gordon Michael Simon Sally Mark John Robert Russell Martyn Nicholas Peter Michael John Nicholas Barnaby Richard Peter Caroline Crispin Michael
Anderson Baker Bancroft Barton Bentley Bowyer Brodie Buckley Bull Clenshaw Couzens Dunton Edmonds Evans Fickling Fielder George Gilmore Gosling Hannam Hargreaves Harraway Haywood Haywood Hillier
69-76 54-59 58-65 98-05 61-66 34-40 42-46 78-85 88-95 62-69 40-46 65-72 50-53 53-56 61-68 46-50 58-63 46-50 67-74 44-48 32-36 55-58 85-92 86-88 40-44
Parents and Friends Jessica Hsu 02-09 Timothy Illingworth 47-52 Richard Kidner 52-58 John Lambert 44-50 George Laverton 35-39 Duncan Lawson 56-61 David Linsay 69-77 Ice Lo 03-05 Michael Lynch 65-71 Euan Macfadyen 51-55 Aubrey Mitchell 38-42 James Nairne 37-42 Stephen Pang 78-80 Hugh Piggott 66-71 John Pike 37-42 Henry Reynolds 49-52 Allen Rutter 42-47 Trevor Shepherd 52-57 Richard Snook 58-62 John Tottenham 54-58 Robert Walden 65-68 Anthony Ward 52-57 Roger Whatley 46-53 11 donations from ODs who wish to remain anonymous
Breaking News Jolie Brise is currently taking part in the 2017 Tall Ships Regatta. In both of the first two race legs she came 1st in class and 1st overall on corrected time.
Dr & Mrs A J M Armstrong Mr R E J Bernays Mr & Mrs T Brady Mr Y K Chui & Ms C H Fung Mrs C Creed Dr & Mrs K R Daniels Mr & Mrs N Gooch Mr P Harvey Mr C W Herring Mr A M Jenkins Mr P L R Lane Mr K S Lo & Ms L S Yeung Mr & Mrs M Lovell Mr M A C Neve Mr & Mrs P O'Keeffe Mr & Mrs A Osinin Mr & Mrs J Parr Professor U & Dr S Platzbecker Mr & Mrs A Rawlings Mr & Mrs W A S Robertson Mrs J Romijn Mr & Mrs S Shepherd Mr & Mrs J Turner Mr & Mrs N J Vine Mr & Mrs A Webber Mr R Wing & Ms C Low
There are joint winners of this year’s ODA Richard Sandbrook Award. OD Charlotte Colquhoun (09-14) is undertaking a project - ‘Making Sustainable Development, Sustainable’ in Bolivia and Charlotte Wilks, a current Year 13 pupil, plans to study the former inner German border with the aim of creating a cross-curricular teaching resource for Key Stage 2 pupils. It’s time to man the barricades again as Les Misérables returns to School this December, fifteen years after our memorable first school production of this exhilarating show.
On the agenda...
We are planning a reunion event for the Class of 1978 on the weekend of May 18-19. OD Paul Carter is taking the lead and is happy to be contacted for further details: getcarterpc@gmail.com 07971 494901
Exeter Reunion: Date TBC
OD Golf Day: Friday 1 September 2017 5 Year Leavers’ Dinner: Saturday 16 September 2017 Olive Society `Lunch: Date Thursday 21 September 2017
Dauntsey’s West Lavington Devizes Wiltshire SN10 4HE 01380 814500 info@dauntseys.org
London Drinks: Date TBC Class of 1978 Reunion weekend : May 18-19 2018 Contact details:
Mark Neve: m.neve@dauntseys.org
Julie Romijn: j.romijn@dauntseys.org