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The Reunion - September 2024

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The Reunion September 2024

Dilworth’s International Tour Becomes a Reality Finally, years of travel disruption and empty planes are distant memories! Seventy-one students and ten teaching staff from Dilworth have set off to see the world on Dilworth’s International Tour. This will be the trip of a lifetime for students, many of whom have never travelled overseas before. A huge effort has gone into getting this off the ground, and students, their families, Dilworth School and our Advancement team, have been fundraising since last year. This tour marks the first time three contingents are heading away— Choir, Rugby, and Basketball. They will all visit places relevant to their interests and talents before meeting in Northern Ireland on October 4th. The focal point of the tour will be a visit to the Royal School Dungannon (RSD). Established over 400 years ago, Dilworth has maintained strong ties with RSD for well over 100 of those years. Our relationship is intertwined due to our shared and significant history through our school’s founder, James Dilworth. The time at the Royal School Dungannon will be incredibly special. Dilworth’s Board Chair, Mr Aaron Snodgrass, and Headmaster, Mr Dan Reddiex, will meet with students, and together, they will spend the day at RSD, visiting sites of significance to James and Isabella Dilworth and watching a ‘friendly’ rugby game. Dilworth’s choir, Fortissimo, will perform at a celebratory dinner held in the evening. Recent RSD students who have served as Gap Tutors at Dilworth are invited to a ‘Rugby and Reunion’ event. This event promises to celebrate shared memories and camaraderie, strengthening the ties between RSD and Dilworth. Dilworth Old Boys living in the UK will have a chance to meet in London for the first time in a decade. Dilworth’s Director of Advancement, Emma Zigan, will jointly host a get-together with the President of the Dilworth Old Boys’ Association (DOBA), Mr Gerry Smutz, alongside, Mr Reddiex and, Mr Snodgrass.

Dilworth’s students have a wonderful tour to look forward to. Among the highlights, Fortissimo will sing in Austria with the Vienna Boys’ Choir. In London, they will experience a workshop with Welsh composer Paul Mealor, who famously composed the music for the Coronation of King Charles. Our rugby students’ big tour highlights will be visiting Twickenham the home of rugby - and Anfield FC in Liverpool. The rugby team will see more of Ireland as they travel to Dublin to play Blackrock College before going to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Director of Rugby Mr Gareth Pickering, who oversees the Rugby Tour, is thrilled his group will have this opportunity. “I can’t wait to see the joy in our boys, seeing what the world has to offer. I’ve coached and taught in many of these places and know what it will mean to them”. Dilworth’s basketballers will spend more time in Los Angeles, the ‘home’ of basketball. Over ten days, they will play in tournaments, games, and visit the LA High Performance Sports Academy. Acting Headmaster, Mr Tom Murdoch, summed up what this incredible experience will mean for Dilworth students: “What better chance for our students than to walk in other cultures, make friends and compete against other high-achieving schools, teams and singers.” We wish all our students a wonderful time and look forward to reconnecting with our Old Boys and alumni at the get-together in London and the Gap Tutor Reunion in Dungannon.

Dilworth Now What you need to know about the school of today BELONG | ENGAGE Page 3| CELEBRATE | SUPPORT |

Unstoppable Meet Andy Simpson, Class of 1966 Page 4

Meet Jon Chapman-Smith, Class of 1996 Page 6

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