The 1633 - Issue 14, Summer 2022

The 1633

The Exeter School Alumni Magazine

Exonians in the Antarctic

We are sending this issue of The 1633 by post to all Exonians we hold an address for, except those who have specifically requested to receive copies electronically. If you would like to receive future issues electronically, please visit the ‘update contact details’ page of the alumni section on the school website. Alternatively, contact the Alumni and Development office on alumni@exeterschool.org.uk or 01392 307080.

exeterschool.org.uk/alumni 01392 307080 alumni@exeterschool.org.uk

This publication is produced by Exeter School and printed by the Lavenham Press. We welcome stories for consideration. Contributions may be edited for content and length. In our next edition we will be offering the opportunity to advertise with us. Get in touch with the Alumni and Development office for further details.

Welcome from the Head

As I write, my second year as Head of Exeter School is swiftly drawing to a close. Time passes incredibly quickly here and I am very grateful for the opportunity The 1633 provides to reflect and celebrate.

When I last wrote to you, Covid-19 was still exerting a powerful influence over the school. I am overjoyed to report that we are now entirely free from restrictions and

The 1633

enjoying school life without limitations – I am hopeful that I may finally see a ‘normal’ academic year soon! I would like, once again, to take this opportunity to recognise and thank my colleagues who have gone above and beyond to support our pupils during this difficult time; our pupils and parents for the depth of their resilience and determination; and of course, you, our alumni, who have continued to support us and have patiently waited to be allowed ‘back to school’. It was a huge pleasure to meet so many of you at OE Day and the anniversary dinner in June and I look forward to meeting many more of you at future events.

This issue of The 1633 will celebrate many of the things that are so important to me about Exeter School. I am delighted to have the opportunity to share my vision for bursaries at school with you, to let you know about the direction we are taking in terms of character education, and to showcase the tremendous successes of our pupils, teachers and alumni. I was hugely inspired by the messages of tenacity and endeavour that you will find in this edition of The 1633. It will take you from Antarctica to the virtual world of Minecraft, update you on upcoming developments and lead you down memory lane. I hope you enjoy the following pages and that they take you one step closer to walking down lower corridor or crossing the sports pitches.

Once an Exonian, always an Exonian!

Louise Simpson –

Head

From the Alumni and Development office

Welcome to the fourteenth edition of The 1633. I hope you enjoy this celebration of our alumni community and update on the school today.

I am delighted to take this opportunity to properly introduce the Alumni and Development office team. Liz Johnson joined us earlier this year as Alumni Relations Officer. Liz manages our events programme, and is always pleased to hear from alumni with questions or enquiries. Lydia Veasey is our External Relations Assistant and divides her time between the Admissions and Marketing office. Lydia has been with the school since the start of the academic year and has exciting plans for our alumni

social media – watch this space! I am also pleased to let you know that from next academic year those alumni and friends for whom we hold email addresses for will receive

The Exonian and the school’s new publication, The Annual Review. So, update your details with us if you are interested in receiving these. Features such as our staff farewells will now be covered by these publications.

The most enjoyable part of my job is meeting and getting to know our alumni community and I never fail to be inspired by what you have achieved and your warmth towards the school. I look forward to our excitingly full events programme (further details on the back cover) bringing us closer together in the coming year.

Alice Holohan – Director of Development and Alumni Relations

Exonians in the Antarctic

Two historic expeditions, over a century apart

Earlier this year, Dr John Shears (1969-1980) led the Endurance22 expedition, which made the historic discovery of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance on 5 March 2022 at the bottom of the Weddell Sea. And he was not the first Exonian to sail in Antarctic waters. Just over a century earlier, Commander Harry Pennell RN (1892-1897) ventured on Captain Scott’s ship, Terra Nova, as part of the British Antarctic Expedition (1910-1913).

Now safely back from the Antarctic, John spoke to The 1633 about his historic expedition, and we learn more about his Antarctic Exonian predecessor Harry Pennell.

The 1633: John, tell us about your time at Exeter School.

John Shears: I was at Exeter School for 11 years, joining the junior school when I was seven. My favourite subject by far was geography. I will always remember lessons with Bob Jenner – he was so enthusiastic and energetic! Arms going like windmills, asking quick fire questions to the

class, and throwing all sorts of ideas up on the board. He was an inspiring teacher, and really motivated me to learn more about the natural world and protecting the environment. School also gave me my first taste of expeditions. I took part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, and remember well my Gold expedition trekking and camping in a freezing Snowdonia.

T1: Tell us more about your career.

JS: After school, I read geography at Southampton University graduating with a 1st class degree in 1984, and then continued at Southampton for my PhD research investigating the environmental impact of oil

pollution. In 1990, I joined the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) as their first ever Environmental Officer. I was at the BAS for 25 years, working in several senior roles, including Head of Environment and then Head of Operations and Engineering. While I was at BAS, I was also a senior polar advisor to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, a UK delegate to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, and an international Antarctic Treaty Inspector. I then had a short spell working at the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, before founding my own company, Shears Polar Limited, in 2017. My company provides expert consultancy advice for polar projects, including developing, organising and leading expeditions, such as the Weddell Sea Expedition in 2019 and Endurance22. In 2019, I was awarded the prestigious Polar Medal by Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of my ‘outstanding achievement and service to the UK in the field of polar research’. I’ve enjoyed a very successful and fulfilling career developed through my passion for geography and the environment. And it all started at

FALKLANDS MARITIME HERITAGE TRUST AND JAMES BLAKE © S.A. AGULHAS II

S.A. Agulhas II

Exeter School over 40 years ago!

T1: You were Expedition Leader on Endurance22 – what did that entail?

JS: It was my job as the Expedition Leader to plan, co-ordinate, manage and lead all of the various activities on the expedition, including the subsea search for the Endurance, educational outreach and social

media activity, and the scientific research. My top priority was health and safety. There is no coastguard or rescue service in Antarctica, and if we had had a serious accident in the Weddell Sea the nearest major hospital would have been in the Falkland Islands, about 1,800km away. I also had to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and put in place

all the necessary medical tests and precautions so that we didn’t have an outbreak onboard.

The expedition really started in May 2017 and took nearly five years of dedicated work. My first task was to find a ship. I went to Russia, Germany, Sweden and South Africa to look at specialised ice breakers, and eventually chose an excellent South African ship called S.A. Agulhas II. I then had to recruit a highly experienced and specialised 65-person expedition team of engineers, technicians, scientists, pilots, photographers and film makers. And at the same time, procure and provision the ship with all the equipment and material we would need, including state-of-the-art marine robots (also known as autonomous underwater vehicles, or AUVs), helicopters, field tents and camping equipment, and scientific instruments from across the world. During the expedition itself, I worked very closely with the Ship’s Master and the Ice Pilot to ensure we navigated the ship safely through the dense sea ice and onto the target area, and then managed all the surface operations once we started the underwater search for the wreck. The expedition still hasn’t

Dr John Shears

Research on the ice

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) in the sea

stopped – although we’ve found Endurance and we’re off the ship, there’s still a lot more work to do to process the amazing survey imagery of the wreck, and ensure the scientific results are analysed and published.

T1: What was the atmosphere like on Argulhas II?

JS: I’d say the atmosphere onboard was calm, friendly and focused on the wreck search. It was also hectic, with a lot of activity for me to manage. The subsea operations were taking place 24/7 in all weathers and scientists were out working on the sea ice every day. Onboard, there were livestreams to schools and colleges around the world, and the latest expedition news was broadcast live on TV and social media.

Towards the end of the expedition the atmosphere was getting pretty tense. We had spent 18 days searching for Endurance, but with no success. Time was fast running out. We had only a further three days before I would have to make the decision to abandon the search because of the approaching Antarctic winter, and I knew that at any moment the weather could turn for the worse.

T1: Tell us about the moment of finding Endurance.

JS: On the day we found her, Saturday 5 March, I was tired and feeling the pressure. I needed a break and decided to go out for an afternoon walk and explore the sea ice surrounding the ship. I took our Chief Marine Archaeologist with me, and together we walked out to look at a huge iceberg frozen into the pack, about 2km away. As soon as we got back on deck, I got an urgent call on the radio requesting that we go immediately to the ship’s bridge. I was very worried by the call and feared the worst: an accident or the AUV lost on the seafloor. The subsea manager was waiting for us on the bridge. He simply held up his iPhone and said “Gentlemen, let me introduce you to Endurance”, and showed us a beautiful high-resolution sonar image of the wreck. She had been discovered while we were out on the ice. I was absolutely stunned

‘The images of Endurance were, literally, breath-taking–I couldn’t speak for about ten minutes... we had no idea she would be in such pristine condition...’

by the news. Later I was shown live video film of the wreck. The images of Endurance were, literally, breath-taking – I couldn’t speak for about ten minutes. Endurance was extremely well-built for her time, so we thought she would be intact on the seafloor, but had no idea she would be in such pristine condition. You can still see the black paint on

her hull; masts, stays, ropes and rigging lie on the deck. The ship’s wheel is still in place on the aft well deck, and both anchors and chains visible at the bow. We could even see boots, pots, pans and crockery on the deck near the galley.

T1: What were the highlights of the expedition?

JS: For me the most amazing highlight was seeing the ship’s name – ENDURANCE – arched in gleaming brass across the stern, below the five-pointed star, Polaris, after which the ship was originally named. Incredible!

Another highlight was taking Agulhas II to South Georgia, a remote subantarctic island where Shackleton is buried in the cemetery at Grytviken whaling station. He was buried there on 5 March 1922 and exactly one hundred years later we found his ship Endurance. Visiting Shackleton’s grave and paying our respects was a fitting and proper way to finish such a momentous and historic expedition.

T1: What did finding Endurance mean to you?

JS: Finding Endurance was an incredible and epic adventure, and I

Exonians in the Antarctic

am very proud of our achievement. It was said that our expedition was an impossible search, so I am overjoyed to have found the wreck and achieved the impossible! It was the perfect expedition.

T1: What would you want our pupils to learn from this expedition?

JS: I’d want pupils to take four things away from my expedition. First, if you’re really passionate about something then pursue it – you’ll always find a way. The school careers advisor told me ‘Shears, you will never get a job in geography!’ but I proved him very wrong. Second, don’t be afraid of failure. Sometimes you’ve got to fail in order to succeed. We failed to find Endurance on the Weddell Sea Expedition in 2019, and we lost a multi-million-dollar marine robot in the process. But we learnt some hard lessons and got the ice experience we needed, and this

Harry Pennell (1892-1897) was born on 22 December 1882 in Awliscombe, near Honiton, the youngest son in a military family. Pennell played for Exeter School Rugby 1st XV, the Cricket 1st XI and was also a good boxer. He left the school aged 15 to attend Britannia Naval College, passing out in 1899. He received the Queen’s Diploma of Honour and went to sea with the Royal Navy as a midshipman. In 1900 he was awarded the China Medal; in 1902 he was promoted to Sub Lieutenant and in 1903 to full Lieutenant.

led directly to our amazing success in 2022. Third, the vital importance of teamwork. You need to be able to work with others to achieve big goals. We could not have found Endurance without the expertise, dedication and hard work of many people: the subsea team, the ship’s crew, the scientists, the media team, as well as a great support team onshore. Fourth and finally, go out and explore the natural world. It always does me good to get outside, even if I’ve taken it to the extremes and walked in Shackleton’s footsteps across the frozen sea ice of the Weddell Sea!

For more information about Dr Shears and the Endurance22 expedition visit endurance22.org

Dr Shears will be joining us on 26 January 2023 to give our Exonian lecture – details to follow soon.

On his return home to England, Pennell was awarded the Antarctic Medal in 1913 by His Majesty the King, and given the Royal Geographical Society’s Murchison Award in 1914 for his services to the expedition. He was also promoted to the rank of Commander in 1913.

Exeter School Archivist Kevin White has put together an

Alongside his duties in the Royal Navy, Pennell helped in commissioning Captain Scott’s Terra Nova and captained the ship on the British Antarctic Expedition (1910-1913). In addition to his duties as Ship’s Master, Pennell was the navigator and responsible for conducting magnetic observations. He was a keen naturalist and also took every opportunity to assist the Chief Scientist, Dr Edward Wilson, in his studies of birds, seals and whales. Pennell took over command of the Terra Nova once Scott and the polar party had landed at Cape Evans on Ross Island. Captain Scott said of Pennell, ‘His work is truly excellent... He is invariably cheerful, increasingly watchful and continuously ready for emergencies. I have come to possess implicit confidence in him.’

Following a period on HMS Duke of Edinburgh, Pennell was appointed as Commander of HMS Queen Mary. During this time, he was married on 13 April 1915 to Miss Kate M. Hodson, daughter of the late Thomas Hodson, Rector of Oddington in Gloucester.

On 31 May 1916 HMS Queen Mary was torpedoed by two German battleships in the Battle of Jutland during WW1 and sank with all hands on board. Pennell was 33 years old.

The Pennell Coast in Victoria Land, Antarctica is named after him.

Alumni are welcome to visit the school and see Harry Pennell’s expedition skis, which he presented to his old school, hanging on the wall in the Exonian Centre. Alumni can also consult a book generously donated by Bearnes, Hampton and Littlewood auctioneers following a recent sale of Antarctic memorabilia which brought interest in Commander Pennell to light.

Adventurous Exonians

From cycling the length of the Hebrides to studying Arctic sea ice, Exonians have journeyed far and wide. The 1633 is delighted to share stories from just some of our adventurous Exonians along with an update on Ten Tors today.

Amy

Swiggs (2005-2016)

Amy studied for her BSc in geography and MSc(Res) in Polar and Alpine Change at the University of Sheffield, where she developed a passion for research into climate change and the polar regions. She graduated in 2021 and was ‘over the moon’ to secure a fully funded PhD at the Centre for Polar Observation

and Modelling at the University of Leeds.

In her PhD, she researches sea ice thickness using satellites. Sea ice thickness is vital for climate processes, habitats and reflecting incoming radiation. Sea ice in the Arctic is getting thinner whilst the melt season is getting longer, which will have serious implications for our climate and ecosystems in the future. Recent satellite developments have

Above

Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Left

Amy Swiggs

Opposite top Ten Tors 2022

Opposite bottom

Looking up to the Grossvenediger, Tyrol, Austria (Robyn on the left)

OEs at Large

advanced the accuracy of sea ice thickness measurements, and Amy has utilised this to study not only how Arctic sea ice thickness is changing but also what is driving this change. Amy’s research will help us better understand climate and more accurately forecast future ice loss.

Robyn Lockyer (2005-2012)

Robyn’s passion for adventure stems from two notable school trips – the school expedition to Peru in 2011 and a Duke of Edinburgh expedition to Switzerland.

Robyn went on to study geography at Cambridge University, where she sat on the Expedition Society committee. She spent her summer vacations undertaking

fieldwork in Norway, studying the retreat of the Tunsbergdalsbreen (Tunsberg Glacier). She also volunteered at the annual Royal Geographical Society Explore conference in London.

Upon graduating, Robyn spent time living and working in Nepal, seeking to understand water management challenges in the Kathmandu Valley and spent a month trekking in the Annapurna region, home to some of the world’s highest peaks. She subsequently worked as a summer guide in the Austrian Tyrol leading walking holidays.

Since returning to the UK, Robyn has enjoyed seeking out ‘wild’ places more locally. Whilst living and working in Edinburgh, she spent most weekends exploring the Scottish Highlands and islands, culminating in a 10-day trip cycling the length of the Outer Hebrides. Unable to travel much further than her front door for significant stretches of the last two years, adventure has become more of a mindset. Now based in North London, where she works as a sustainability analyst, Robyn took up trail running to actively explore places closer to home. She has

greatly enjoyed returning to Devon to explore many stunning sections of the South West Coast Path. Robyn is looking forward to getting back to the mountains this summer, following a hut-to-hut route through the French Alps and onto the Italian Dolomites.

Ten Tors

Many of our pupils aspire to take part in Ten Tors. Despite the many hours of training and the physical demands of the event itself, either a 35, 45, or 55 mile walk, those who complete the two-day expedition remember it fondly. Although strong navigation skills and fitness are crucial, it is teamwork and leadership that are the key to success.

Ben Hall, teacher of maths and Ten Tors Manager, shared with The 1633 that the Ten Tors training sees pupils grow in confidence and maturity and teaches them to love and appreciate Dartmoor: ‘I remember one pupil who began the programme with quite a relaxed approach, but by the end was a driving force in keeping their team together through encouragement and positivity.’

A large part of what pupils achieve in Ten Tors is the result of the assistance they receive from staff and volunteers, a team that Ben is proud to head up: ‘we really have a fantastic group helping us out on all the training weekends. Their experience, knowledge and level-headed approach makes all the difference to the pupils.’

The best moment for Ben, however, is the excitement at the end of the challenge as our teams gradually come over the horizon and arrive at the finish line: ‘pupils realise that all the hard work they have put in has been worth it. You can see that they have a real sense of achievement and a strong bond with their team. I know their experiences have set them up for lifelong adventures.’

The Alumni and Development office always wants to hear about Exonian adventures –please keep us updated.

ROBYN

LOCKYER

Computing then and now

In 1970 Exeter was one of only a handful of schools in the UK with a computer, thanks to an IBM initiative which saw schools with a particular focus on the sciences and technology receive a prototype school computer. Exeter School was selected in part because of its involvement in the School Mathematics Project. This emphasis on technology in classrooms remains strong at the school today.

The 1633 spoke to Andrew Thomas (19661972), Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, who remembers the IBM computer arriving at school and Siobhán Morgan, junior school computer science and DT coordinator (and a Minecraft Global Mentor), who filled us in on how our pupils start their journey with computing at Exeter School today.

The 1633: What did the IBM computer look like?

Andrew Thomas: It was pretty big –a large metal box about half a metre wide. It was connected to a black and white 22-inch television (which seemed enormous at the time) and had an exciting solid-state keyboard.

T1: How did you start using the computer?

AT: My teachers Brian Bolt and David Fenton showed me roughly

how to use it and then left me to get on with it. I don’t remember reading any instruction manual – you just had to get to grips with what it could do. It was pretty easy to understand because it only had 100 stores of memory. I used to go and use it after school and it was wonderful to have the freedom to play and do whatever seemed interesting to us. I programmed it to calculate square roots, and solve puzzles, amongst other things.

T1: What did the computer mean to you in the context of the early seventies?

AT: It gave me a feeling of its possibilities – the computer invited tinkering and developing new ideas. We learned how to write code and programme the computer ourselves, rather than just use a pre-written programme – it meant we understood the technology on a fundamental level. I don’t think my parents had any idea what I was doing!

T1: Today you’re an orthopaedic surgeon – how does computing intersect with your work?

AT: My special interest is joint replacement in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Such patients are more likely to get infections and so I became very interested in seeing whether improving air cleanliness in our operating theatres could reduce infection risk. I started working with the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, and a visiting researcher who was in the UK on a Marie Curie scholarship. We used an anemometer to measure the airflow

One outcome of the School Mathematics Project was the 1966 publication We Built Our Own Computers written by Exeter School sixth formers.

in one of the operating theatres I work in, and then modelled it, using computational fluid dynamics. The Blue Bear supercomputer that we use is probably well over a million times more powerful that the machine that I had in 1970, it enables us to look at the interaction between airflow and thermal effects, so we know what happens if you change the position of the people, instrument trolleys and lights, and we can now model the ideal configuration of an operating theatre.

T1: What advice would you give to our pupils today?

AT: I’d say be curious, design experiments, and find your own answers – don’t just listen to what other people say or claim, unless you can check that they know what they are talking about.

The 1633 was unable to find a photo of the IBM computer – if anyone has one please do send in a copy.

Junior School Minecraft

Last term The 1633 was lucky enough to be invited to the junior school Minecraft club. Siobhán Morgan, told us about some of the dizzying range of computing activities that take place.

The 1633: What’s your vision for computer science in the junior school?

Siobhán Morgan: I want everyone to enjoy learning with technology both in computer science and across the entire curriculum. Access to a range of exciting clubs and STEM days allows pupils to experience a wide range of software, apps and devices which helps to increase pupils’ confidence when exploring new technologies. Computer science lessons connect with other STEM subjects to help place pupils’ learning in real contexts.

T1: The energy and enthusiasm in Minecraft Club is fantastic – what are they doing and what skills are pupils developing here?

SM: We focus on different topics and uses of Minecraft throughout the year at the club. At the moment, our Minecraft Architects are rebuilding the school virtually. This is a longterm project that I expect will be ongoing over the next couple of years involving as many different pupils as possible. The eventual aim is to rebuild the entire school within the virtual world. This project has involved project management and measuring parts of the school (both in real life and through the measuring tools on Google Earth) before collaboratively deciding what scale to build at. It is going well but we have a long way to go!

T1: Your classroom is full of incredible looking pieces of technology and looks very different to the one Andrew would have experienced in the seventies. What’s your favourite piece of technology?

SM: Anything that allows pupils to be involved with physical computing creates really memorable learning experiences. In the junior school, we have Micro:bits, Makey Makeys, Lego WeDo robots and Crumbles. I particularly like the Crumble controller which allows pupils to make clear links between computing and electronics. They make flashing disco lights in Form One and by Lower Two, they have progressed to making robotic vehicles which they navigate through mazes as part of their Robot Morning when some of the A Level electronics pupils come along to support the Lower Two pupils.

T1: What’s the best way to set children up to succeed in a rapidly developing digital world?

SM: Providing pupils with the knowledge that many of their skills are transferable and not limited to specific software or apps, which will inevitably change over time. Alongside this, encouraging pupils to be brave and to try new things; if things don’t work, keep trying to solve them rather than giving up.

Notes on...

What is the future for technology in classrooms at Exeter School? The 1633 asked members of staff to tell us how they believe technology is going to impact both teaching and learning within classrooms of the future.

will still have its fundamental need in the classroom.

With the continued advancements in technology and software, it is exciting to wonder what teachers and pupils will experience in future classrooms. For instance, AR could allow pupils to visit international art galleries, walk around Exeter in Roman times or even view anatomy in 4D.

I believe that the future classroom in Exeter School will be a hybrid of pupils both physically in the classroom but also with technology that allows us to bring pupils from further afield into the school community - extending our idea of what a ‘classroom’ even is.

Gareth McGrath, Computer Science Teacher

Soon, technology in classrooms will disappear… OK, I am being provocative here. What I mean to say is technology as we describe it today, will disappear in plain sight. Learning and teaching without this kind of technology in classrooms will soon be like learning without pens and paper: simply inconceivable. It will become so integrated as to be transparent to all.

There will be many new classroom opportunities afforded by new technologies, some of which we can see coming and are currently planning for, like AI (artificial intelligence) which will provide instantaneous and individualised pupil feedback and VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) which will enable more immersive learning experiences. This is in addition to new technologies we simply cannot imagine.

Graham Bone, Deputy Head (Co-curricular, compliance and ICT)

I don’t think the amount of technology in the classroom will massively increase in the near future. We now have quick and easy access to the internet and a range of apps, there is no need to ‘book a computer room’, a quiet technological revolution has already occurred in school. I think we are now more likely to be in a period of evolution where we learn which online resources and applications are genuinely useful and effective. There will continue to be new and interesting resources, but we will become more discerning about which resources can add genuine value to a pupil’s education.

Mark Schramm, Head of Electronics

I believe that technology has now become an integral aspect of the classroom which is here to stay with us. That being said - if A-Level and GCSE exams continue to be undertaken in the fashion that they have always done - the traditional pen and paper approach

The future of technology use must prepare pupils for their journey after Exeter School and the rapidly changing world around them. Our use of technology will continue to evolve and adapt; it is our responsibility to ensure that our pupils are fully equipped to hit the ground running as they embark on their own careers.

We are already utilising and experimenting with a wide array of exciting and potentially transformative applications. I’m confident that the use of these will continue to grow as features are enhanced by developers and teachers embed those that work best. Future possibilities could include pupils collaborating with others across the globe, pupils coding their own applications and having virtual reality to add another dimension to certain topics in the classroom.

Jade Seaton-Burn, Curriculum and Assessment Manager

What are your thoughts on the future of technology in classrooms and education more broadly? Let us know.

Tim Creswick ‘I learnt just as much outside

of the classroom’

Some of Tim Creswick’s (1996-2002) formative experiences at school involved lawnmowing, the language lab and lighting for school plays. The 1633 found out how Tim’s time at Exeter has shaped his career, and discovered that the roots of his company – Vorboss, the UK’s first high-capacity enterprise-focussed fibre network – can be traced back to cornering certain teachers at breaktime to quiz them about computer programming…

The 1633: Tell us about your time at school.

Tim Creswick: I joined Exeter School in the Fourth Form, coming from a small, mixed international school in Switzerland. I had an American accent and had never played rugby, so it was quite jarring to land in a school of 700 boys in uniform. I was certainly an outsider and it’s meant that I’ve always been careful with the way people in the minority are treated at Vorboss. When I moved up the school I became deputy head boy and made a point of learning every pupil’s name. My employees’ experience is really important to me today and I can trace my interest in the community-based aspects of an institution back to supervising the lunch queue and realising it made a difference that I knew everyone’s name.

T1: What was important to you at school?

TC: The experiences I value the most took place outside of the classroom – particularly, the opportunity to pick teachers’ brains about things that interested me, my involvement in tech and lighting for school plays, and the CCF. I owe a great deal to Richard Fryer who patiently taught me all about balanced and unbalanced feeds, three-phase power and different types of microphones. I was also interested in the business-side of school plays and would negotiate the purchase of new equipment with the Bursar. I was very proud of the fact that each production I was involved in broke a new budget record. On reflection, a lot of the skills I use today were honed in the drama productions.

Tim at his leavers’ dinner in 2002

Interview:

Tim Creswick

T1: What did you get up to outside of school?

TC: I started a number of businesses whilst I was still at school, including lawnmowing, freelance IT support and website building. I was really inspired by the programmes Richard Fryer wrote for the language lab, and was helped enormously through the loan of a huge book on computer programming. Helped greatly by the training opportunities provided by the CCF I qualified as a sailing instructor, and also, along with a number of other Exeter School pupils, had a job delivering hire cars for Avis. When I’m hiring today I really like to see early employment experience – the skills you learn through working in customer-facing roles in industries such as retail or hospitality are invaluable.

T1: What were your next steps after school?

TC: I left school in 2002 and went straight to Oxford, although in hindsight I should have taken a gap year. I was there for three years before deciding to leave without getting my degree. By then, I had managed to secure a position as an intern in the software department of an international law firm during a university vacation. I enjoyed the work, felt valued and managed to negotiate a frankly unbelievable day rate so decided I wasn’t going to go back to university.

T1: Tell us how you got from there to where you are today.

TC: I moved back to Devon in 2005 and worked in the school’s IT department for a while – sitting in the staffroom was a huge novelty! I founded Vorboss during this time, although back then it was a software building consultancy. The early days of the company, which I ran from my old bedroom, were really tough – I felt like an imposter and found it difficult to even pick up the phone and make calls.

But the business slowly grew. Eventually I moved onto the Matford business park and then into offices above Coolings wine bar in Gandy Street. By 2008 I had eight people working for me, but we

lost a huge amount of work in the financial crash. I decided to make the first of what would be a number of significant pivots for Vorboss, moving away from building software to providing hosted services as an infrastructure business. This in turn grew and I moved the company to London. It sounds straightforward now but none of this was easy - I wasn’t taking a salary and had to work part-time as CTO for other businesses to pay the bills. But by 2013 we were based in central London and Vorboss was growing steadily again.

In late 2018 we had to make a second significant pivot. A number of the US giants such as Amazon and Azure were arriving in the UK and

‘When I’m hiring today I really like to see early employment experience –the skills you learn through working in customerfacing roles... are invaluable’

we couldn’t compete with the services they provided. Instead, we developed a high-performance private cloud used by fintech startups. However, for businesses to use this effectively they needed reliable, fast broadband piped into their central London offices, so we set about developing that. We then made two decisions which were huge gambles at the time but ultimately enabled Vorboss to take a significant step forward. Firstly, we

anticipated a regulatory change that would enable access to Openreach infrastructure, and we invested heavily in preparing for this change before it had actually been finalised. And in early 2020 we decided to take a highly-cautious position in response to Covid-19, investing heavily again in trial lockdowns and resources which enabled staff to work from home effectively. These investments were a big risk but meant that, when the regulatory change did come about as we anticipated and Covid-19 proved to be even more disruptive than we predicted we had caught our competitors napping and were in an unparalleled position to go after the opportunity to build a superfast fibre network in London. We completed a hugely successful funding round and in the following year hired over 200 people. In 2005 I was alone in my bedroom and today Vorboss is a team of just under 300.

T1: What are you most proud of?

TC: Our training academy and the opportunities it has created for young people (the average age of a Vorboss apprentice is under 25, and a Vorboss employee under 29). We are one of only three accredited telecoms training centres in the UK and over 100 apprentices have now completed their training through us. We recruit from a wide variety of backgrounds – if your CV isn’t perfect that won’t stop us giving you a chance. I was also pleased to be able to give many people who had lost work in the retail and hospitality industries a new opportunity after Covid-19. Our apprentices have now helped lay hundreds of kilometres of network underground.

T1: You’ve said that you want to develop future leaders – what would you say to our pupils today?

TC: Invest in yourself – it’s the best and safest investment you’ll ever make. Get exposure to as much as possible and learn how and what to teach yourself.

Exonian Entrepreneurs

The

1633 caught

up with just a few of

Exeter

School’s enterprising alumni. And it’s not only our alumni with entrepreneurial flair – our current parents and pupils have it too.

Malcolm Brook (1949-1954)

Malcolm wanted to join the RAF after he left Exeter School in 1954, but his colour blindness meant a change in direction. He decided to make a career in business and flying remained a hobby. He settled on accountancy via a coin toss in the school library and became an articled clerk with a firm of Exeter accountants, qualifying in 1959. Malcolm soon discovered that accountancy wasn’t for him. However, combined with a flair for marketing and sales, his training provided an invaluable basis for his future career. In 1965, he borrowed £200 and founded Sparex Ltd, a tractor accessories business. Sparex was a rapid success; Malcolm’s focus on the export markets soon saw customers in more than 70 countries, along with the acquisition of the manufacturing subsidiary Spenco.

The success also enabled Malcolm to fulfil his dream of buying a plane, and he completed his first solo flight in 1973.

Malcolm sold his businesses in 1981 and retired at 44 – but it didn’t go quite to plan… Whilst it was fun at first he soon spotted a gap in the market for wood-burning stoves and founded Stovax Ltd along with his son, Guy. The success of Stovax quickly led to a gas-version subsidiary, Gazco, and then to a tile business – and Original Style Ltd was born. The Brook family retain ownership of Original Style which employs 240 staff worldwide, and has its main factories and warehouses on the Sowton Industrial Estate in Exeter.

‘My career has given me enormous satisfaction; it has been so rewarding to create over 1,000 jobs and visit over 50 countries. I flew on Concorde to New York in 1977 (quite a change from the 1944 Auster of my first solo flight) and watched my companies become worldwide success stories. Exeter School has certainly played its part in all of those stories. The self-discipline and leadership skills learned in the CCF were particularly important, and the inspirational teaching of two marvellous geography teachers, Nigel Baines and Ernie Gates, encouraged me to travel. Looking back, I’m convinced that my time at Exeter School was an important foundation stone in building my successful career in business.’

Josephine Starsmore

(née Beckett 1999-2000)

Art was very important to Josephine when she was at Exeter School. ‘Both of my A-Level art teachers, Mr Seddon and Miss Doyle, encouraged me to challenge the status quo. They represented lives led by passion, which is a continued inspiration for me. And they taught respect for the Arts and for creativity.’

After leaving Exeter School Josephine Starsmore completed an art foundation course at Exeter College, specialising in sculpture, before reading journalism at Cardiff University. She is the Creative Director and Founder of N16 Vintage, which designs, develops and distributes clothing brands, selling over 600,000 items a year around the world. N16 Vintage has been responsible for some of the market’s

Malcolm in Red Square during a business trip to Moscow – proudly wearing his Old Exonian tie! (photo taken prior to the Russian occupation of Ukraine)

most recognisable vintage brands, including Reclaimed Vintage, Vintage Supply and Urban Renewal. Their design and sales teams work in London whilst their operational teams, as well as their own dyehouse, are based in Leicestershire. N16 Vintage has shops in London, Brighton and Nottingham.

Josephine started her first clothing brand in 2005 whilst at university and said that “I had a eureka moment when I first wore one of my own designs in public. By the end of the night, I had commissions from girls worth more than my next month’s earnings from my part time university baguette shop job. That’s when I realised, I loved business and the hustle.”

‘I had a eureka moment when I first wore one of my own designs in public.’

Ones to watch

Last term Upper Two pupils took part in the Virgin Money: Make £5 Grow Challenge.

Pupils were given £5 and formed small teams developing products to sell to the school community. We saw name plaques, bottle lights, wellbeing pebbles, earrings, bracelets, stickers, note pads, games, mystery boxes and more on sale. Pupils raised nearly £1,000 which was donated to the RNLI, The Orangutan Foundation and Children with Cancer. On top of all that hard work,

Tom de Pelet

A chance encounter with a successful businessman, and a niche idea that came to him whilst cycling in London led to current parent Tom de Pelet founding award-winning bike and accessory brand, Hornit. After leaving university Tom hit on the idea of selling flags to drivers stopped in traffic on Vauxhall Bridge during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Businessman Aggi Akhtar, also in the flag-industry, happened to drive past and told Tom he needed to source better flags. This investment paid off and in six days Tom sold enough flags to pay off four years of student loans. Tom then embarked on a career

seven out of the 15 teams were selected to take part in a Dragons’ Den-style competition to determine which teams had the best branding, displayed the best team-work, produced the best products and made

Entrepreneurs

as a solicitor and simultaneously developed the idea of creating the world’s loudest bike horn. After six years in London, Madrid and Tokyo he gambled that it was the right time to turn bike horns into a serious business.

It has rarely been plain-sailing. The term ‘learning the hard way’ came up a number of times when The 1633 spoke to Tom. The first order was 12 months late and 80% of the horns should not have passed quality control. All 3,000 units had to be unpacked and tested. Subsequently not one but two suppliers went bankrupt. There have been highs as well – Tom appeared on Dragons’ Den which raised a huge amount of publicity and Hornit is now an internationally-established brand, with distribution in 43 countries. And Hornit now offers a range of children’s bikes, highly innovative bike racks and helmets alongside its signature horns.

Tom said that starting a business from scratch ‘is probably the ultimate challenge. It takes a fair amount of grit to keep overcoming the challenges, an appetite for risk, an acceptance of failure, a talented team…and a slice of luck when you can get it! It’s really rewarding to spot a Hornit product being enjoyed out ‘in the wild’ now.’

the most profit – pupils presented with impressive confidence and poise. Adam Cunningham, Upper Two Form Tutor and Maths Coordinator who led the project said: ‘it was fantastic to watch the development of pupils’ ideas, their enthusiasm and passion throughout the project with it culminating in some remarkable presentations. Proud is an understatement.’

Matilda, (Upper Two W) reflected on the experience ‘I thoroughly enjoyed learning about marketing and how to promote our products to the target audience. By conducting market research, we certainly began to feel more entrepreneurial and the process of taking an idea all the way through to the sale was the highlight!’

Bursaries at Exeter School

Exeter School has a long tradition of inclusivity. For many years we were able to benefit from the governmentfunded assisted places scheme, with periods when 25% of pupils at school received free places. Today, just under 6% of pupils in the senior school receive a bursary and the school is keen to increase the financial support we award. The 1633 spoke to Head, Louise Simpson about her vision for bursaries at the school and one of our current parents on the impact bursaries have today.

A parent of one of our current bursary

Iwasn’t lucky enough to go to a school like Exeter. My comprehensive school was by no means terrible, but many pupils did not achieve anywhere near their potential. Only around 10% of our year group of 250 stayed on to sixth form. There were some outstanding members of staff but the offer in terms of co-curricular activities was sadly limited.

My first teaching post at an independent school was eye-opening. I couldn’t believe how engaged and involved the teachers and pupils were. There was an ambition there that seemed lacking in my own school, and every single child benefited from this. Staff were talented, they were committed, and

A parent of one of our current bursary recipients says...

My son is a very bright child and when I was looking into options for his secondary education I quickly realised that there were few schools where he would thrive that were also accessible to us. When I discovered that Exeter

In the 2021/22 academic year

8 Completely free places were available at Exeter School

Pupils in the senior school received a bursary 56

The school awarded in bursaries

£500,000

This equates to 3.7% of the value of gross fee income

Our immediate aim is to increase this to 5% of fee income

This would mean an additional per year £184,000

‘It is no exaggeration to say that bursaries have an enriching effect on society.’

gave their time and energy in abundance; because they believed in providing an academically rigorous education that developed pupils’ character. It’s an energy that I see every day at Exeter School, and one of the reasons that I moved to Exeter when offered this role.

I have witnessed the transformative impact that bursaries have on individual pupils, and the enriching effect they have

School offered full bursaries, I realised that an education that engaged and stretched him was, in fact, within our reach. He is thriving under the pace and expectations at school and making the most of all the opportunities an Exeter School education affords him. The full bursaries that Exeter School provides are truly transformational.

on the whole school community. At Exeter they will also increase the school’s accessibility to bright children in the local area. And their impact does not stop there – it is no exaggeration to say that bursaries contribute greatly to society.

An Exeter School education should not be left to chance – every child who has the tenacity and ability to thrive here should be given the opportunity to do so. We will all be the richer for it.

To find out more about our Bright Futures bursary fund and learn how you can support bursaries at Exeter School visit exeterschool.org.uk/alumni/ supporting-us/bright-futures-bursary-fund. If you would like further information, or a discussion about a gift to our bursary fund, please get in touch with Alice Holohan, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, at asah@exeterschool.org.uk

Interview

Memories of Exeter School

Kevin White (1953-1961), the school’s much-loved and incredibly dedicated archivist is a familiar face to many alumni. He has seen the school from all angles, as a pupil in the 1950s, as a parent, and now as a volunteer working to preserve the school’s history. Kevin sat down with The 1633 to share memories of his school days and reflect on how the school has changed over the years.

The 1633: Tell us what school life was like in the 1950s.

Kevin White: School life in the 1950s was very restrictive and discipline was the order of the day. Both the teaching and the curriculum were particularly rigid, with very few changes occurring from year to year. It wasn’t until the late 1950s that newer, younger masters came in with a more relaxed approach to teaching. This included people such as Basil Selley, Brian Bolt and Bob Jenner, with the latter two also giving up their own time to train us in athletics or crosscountry. We had to attend Saturday school from

8.50am to 12.55pm with prefect’s or master’s detention taking place in the afternoon. In those days, the punishment in detention was largely academic work; it wasn’t until Headmaster Geoff Goodall joined the school in 1979 that punishment involved community service type work around the school.

The food we ate was in stark contrast to the food that is served here today, the only similarity being that fish was served on Fridays. I remember stew and very stodgy puddings being a regular fixture on the menu. We dined in the Butterfield Hall and the food was brought up to the hall via a dumb waiter from the kitchens below [now girls’ changing rooms].

T1: What is your fondest memory of school?

KW: When I was at school, everybody had to join the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). In the Lower Fifth you joined the Army Section and after that you were given a choice of joining the RAF or the Navy Section, the latter of which was established by geography teacher Bob Jenner in 1958.

We had a very skilled band, taught by PE master John Ramsden, which led the parade at the annual CCF inspection. I clearly remember the CCF inspection in June 1955 when we were inspected by Field Marshal Sir John Harding, the most senior ranking officer to have ever visited us. He arrived in a manner most reflective of his rank by landing on the playing field in a

Kevin White

helicopter, much to the delight of the contingent, staff, and guests.

T1: Where did your career take you after leaving Exeter School?

KW: After leaving school I worked for the British Council in Libya, teaching English. I then joined the RAF education branch and was posted to Bahrain. After returning to the UK I joined Hele’s School as a teacher of geography and music, with special responsibility for sport. I then taught at Mount St Mary’s school before joining Exeter College to lecture in sport in the years prior to my retirement.

T1: What’s the most significant change to the school since your own time as a pupil?

KW: The approach to learning has become much more relaxed and more subjects have been introduced. Besides all the physical changes with new buildings, refurbishments and extensions, the biggest development has got to be the use of technology. In amongst all this change it is nice to think that the Chapel remains much as I remember it from my time as an Exeter School pupil.

Would you like to share your memories of Exeter School in a future edition of The 1633?

Right.

Field Marshal Sir John Harding, G.C.B., C.B.E., M.C., inspects the CCF

Left.

CCF RAF camp at RAF Upwood, August 1960. Sergeant K.A.S. White circled

Exeter School Transport Society

A recent donation to the school archive piqued The 1633 ’s interest in school clubs and societies. We found out more about the Exeter School Transport Society of the late fifties and early sixties, as well as the clubs and societies that are on offer to today’s pupils.

There is a longstanding tradition of co-curricular activities at Exeter School. Some of the very first, such as the Archery Club and Debating Society, can be traced back as far as the 1880s and are frequently mentioned within some of the earliest copies of The Exonian. Since then, their growth has been exponential. This academic year alone, the school is offering over 50 clubs and societies in addition to lectures, masterclasses, trips and performances. Despite packed academic schedules, pupils continue to form clubs and societies to explore their hobbies and interests together. Over the years, some of the school’s clubs have retained a popular following, whilst others have sadly been disbanded. One such society, previously unknown to The 1633,

came to light after alumnus Stephen Derek (1954-1959) got in touch with the Alumni and Development office to donate an assortment of fascinating society documents to the school’s archive.

The society in question began with the formation of the Exeter School Transport Society on 21 October 1957. Members met after school on a Tuesday evening in Room 16, which at the time was in the old huts. The society was divided into four sections: road, rail, sea and air and each section was limited to 15 members in addition to the Steam and Model Railway Club. This club, a pre-cursor to the Transport Society, had been formed in the mid1950s and was led by the late John Marsden, Master of School House and languages teacher.

The purpose of the Transport Society was to learn about and

discuss all forms of transport, and the society published a journal called Transport Review. As time progressed, the founding members left the school, but their passion for the Transport Society remained strong. In a bid to continue their efforts, the society gained permission from the Headmaster, Francis Kinnier Paul, to found the Exonian Transport Association, which was set up in 1960 to further enhance and share knowledge of general transport matters between Old Exonians and current pupils.

Stephen Derek, who in 1960 had started working within British Railways Southern Region, became involved in the Exonian Transport Association in 1961. Stephen joined the association as the Assistant Secretary and Editor of The Exonian Transport News Bulletin which covered topical national and local transport related subjects, in addition to traced drawings of trains, boats, ships and planes. The bulletin was initially issued monthly at the price of a penny. Stephen’s contemporaries included; K.G. Ilet (1952-1960) as Chairman, I.C. Smith (1954-1958) as Treasurer, R. Hortop (1954-1959) as Secretary and D.E. Blackmore

(1954-1960) as Typist. In addition to producing publications, the society also organised a variety of outings, events and film presentations before winding up in 1963. Stephen’s copies of publications and related paperwork as recorded and published by the group over the years have been kindly donated to the school’s archive.

The Transport Society ran for seven years and became of such importance to its members that it

remained an integral part of their lives, even after leaving school. With such a vast range of cocurricular activities available to current pupils at Exeter School today, The 1633 thought it would be interesting to share a list of clubs active at school during the past academic year. We hope many will be familiar to you and that you also enjoy seeing the new additions.

Societies

Amnesty International Group, Art Club, Board Game Club, Catalyst Club, Chess Club, Christian Union, Cipher Club, Creative Writing Club, Crossing Club, Debating Society, Drama Club, Eco Soc, Economics Society, Electronics Club, Equalities Forum, The Exonian Editorial Team, F1 in Schools, Geography Society, Greenaway, Greenpower, History Society, The I Am Me Club, IFS Proshare, Italian Club, Library Club and Reading Groups, Carnegie Shadowing Group Literary Society, Lower School Science Club, Mathematical Problem Solving Club, Maxi-brass, Marvel Medical Society, Model Railway Club, Model United Nations, Music (multiple), Oxbridge/Tuesday Forum, Planet Protectors, Politics Society, Psychology Society, Sports (multiple), South East Asia Society, Software Surgery, Target Shooting Club, Warhammer, Young Enterprise …and probably more The 1633 hasn’t come across yet!

We would love to hear your memories of clubs and societies at school, and the archive is always grateful for donations of materials relating to school activities.

Right. An early copy of Transport Review Left.

Stephen Derek (1954-1959)

Vice President of the World Pheasant Association

John Corder (1955-1962)

Ihave some knowledge and experience of reintroducing endangered species to reinforce diminishing wild populations, so I often get to travel around the world (mainly in Asia) offering advice to various projects. I am an advisor to programmes in China, Malaysia, Vietnam and India, so I work in these countries quite frequently. I also breed some of the world’s most endangered pheasant species at my home. These include the Bornean peacock-pheasant (the only birds of this species ever to have been seen in Europe), the Malaysian peacock-pheasant, Cabot’s Tragopan and Brown eared-pheasants.

All of these species have international studbooks and are part of international reintroduction programmes. We have successfully returned six different pheasant species to the wild. Our birds have featured regularly in wildlife documentaries, including at least six of those by Sir David Attenborough.

If I’m at home, much of my day is involved in caring for the pheasants, preparing food, cleaning the aviaries and working to provide the best possible environment which will encourage the birds to breed naturally. I’m extremely fortunate that my wife is equally committed to conservation, and she manages the birds when I am working away from home. A couple of our threatened species lay just one egg a year so expanding their very limited population is slow and can be quite time-consuming. We try to maintain the aviaries so that they provide an environment which is as similar as possible to the home range of the birds. I believe it is vital that expertise in breeding and conserving endangered species should be developed within the countries where these species exist. So, we often provide training opportunities at our home and aviaries for people who have direct involvement in the conservation programmes in which we are involved.

Covid-19 restrictions over the last two years have resulted in frequent Zoom meetings to keep in touch with colleagues and projects where travel is limited. If I am working abroad, this usually involves either lecturing at universities, discussions with government officers on the practicalities of reintroductions or working in the field with those who will manage releases. I can be working in the mountains of Sichuan in China, the Himalayas in India, or the forests of Vietnam or Malaysia.

I also attend international conferences to present papers, particularly for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Reintroduction Specialist Group and the Conservation Planning Specialist Group. In the two months prior to the imposition of Covid-19 restrictions, I worked in China, Vietnam, Hungary, The Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and France.

I was always interested in wildlife and conservation from an early age; after leaving school and university I gradually became more and more involved in various conservation programmes. Being a head teacher with quite long school holidays allowed time to visit and work with projects and my wife and I gradually acquired the skills to hand-raise endangered species in conjunction with our local zoo. This included involvement in projects to return handreared orangutans in Sumatra and a tiger to the wild in India.

A Day in the Life

Bursary Manager

Lisa Stewart

Ihave a very busy start to the day – the Bursary is usually full of parents dropping off children or pupils who have lost or forgotten various items. We’re all go until registration starts. One of the best things about working in the Bursary is that there isn’t a ‘typical’ day – you never know what is going to happen and I feel very lucky that my role is so varied. It’s a really fun place to work and there’s always something to make you laugh – whether that’s a pupil or a colleague.

As Bursary Manager I run the Bursary office and am involved in much of the non-academic activity at school. I work on events such as the leavers’ dinner and I’m responsible for first aid training, school minibuses and display screen equipment assessment. But all this work is punctuated by the phone ringing and pupils, staff and parents dropping into the Bursary.

I’ve worked at the school for 15 years now, in several roles. I started as a receptionist in

the Bursary before becoming the administrator to the senior management team [now senior leadership team] and worked closely with Paul Šljivic in this role. I then worked with my husband Craig, the school’s Operations Manager, on the compliance and health and safety aspects of school life, before making the move downstairs to run the Bursary office.

Craig’s role means we live on site, so it’s a very short commute at the end of the day! In the spring term I’ll often be found on the netball courts after school. Netball is my passion and I’m a qualified umpire and coach. For the past 12 years I’ve run the senior second team and it’s fantastic to see the pupils in a different environment to the Bursary! I love travelling to Saturday fixtures with the team and getting to know the girls.

There are some real high points in the school year. I love the open evenings and the opportunity they provide to take a step back and celebrate the school’s successes. And I’m always blown away by the talent on show at

‘It’s a real privilege to see children come into the junior school and move all the way up through the senior school’

school concerts and plays – there was a fantastic production of Anything Goes a few years ago which was spectacular. I’ve also been lucky enough to go on school sports tours to Sri Lanka, Argentina and Canada. My children Ellie and Oscar were on some of these tours and having the opportunity to experience these wonderful trips with them was really special.

It’s a real privilege to see children come into the junior school and move all the way up through the senior school, eventually emerging as such good, well-rounded young people. My advice is always to make the most of all the school has to offer – sometimes the most meaningful school experiences actually happen outside of the classroom so enjoy everything you are able to do at school. You never know where it might take you!

School Developments

Exeter School is always striving to improve, aiming to enhance the experience of every pupil and supporting them to make the best of their school career. The 1633 has put together just some of the recent exciting developments that have been taking place around our school.

Pedestrianisation

As part of our long-term project to pedestrianise the centre of the school site, the Admissions and Marketing office, formerly the swimming pool changing rooms, is being extended to form a new, main school reception with a drop-off and parking area for visitors.

Butterfield Hall refurbishment

The Butterfield Hall has been refurbished, receiving a fresh coat of paint, new flooring, lighting and acoustic treatment.

The New School

The New School has been part of the Exeter School family for a year which means that the pupil experience now spans the ages 3-18.

Values and purpose

We are reflecting on our values and purpose through a redevelopment of our school strategy. More on this to come next academic year.

Room three

Room three has become the heart of pastoral care in the school. It is a safe space that any of

Developments

our pupils can go to if they have any issues or

Music and drama returns

After two years of Covid-19 putting a stop to music and drama performances, we are pleased to have returned to a full programme of concerts, shows and much more.

New Senior Leadership Team positions

With character education now underpinning much of our activity at school, a new Senior Leadership Team (SLT) position has been created to support this; Assistant Head (Character). We will also be joined by a new Head of Sixth Form in September, a new SLT position.

School week under review

Members of the school community have been reviewing the shape of the week at Exeter School, reflecting on the structure of the daily and weekly timetables, the length and number of lessons and how these impact learning.

The introduction of Heads of School

Specific roles for senior prefects.

We have introduced specific roles for each of our senior prefects. They now hold responsibility for areas such as alumni, science, diversity and the junior school.

Free violin or cello lessons for Form One

We now offer free violin or cello lessons to all pupils in Form One.

First ever girls’ 1st XI cricket match

Exeter School history was made earlier in the summer term when the school fielded its first ever girls’ 1st XI cricket match. The growth of girls’ cricket has been amazing in recent years and Exeter School has several outstanding prospects for the future, with two of our pupils playing for professional clubs.

New level 3 vocational course

The BTEC sport qualification is a welcome addition to the A Level courses we offer.

(Top left) Exeter School girls’ 1st XI (Top) The new main school reception (Above) Choral Society concert (Left) The New School

Character Education

with Head, Louise Simpson

Current Lower Sixth pupil Charlotte interviewed Head, Louise Simpson for The Exonian and has kindly shared her piece with The 1633. You will be able to read more pupil journalism later in the year when we share The Exonian, electronically, with alumni for the first time.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Ms Simpson for The Exonian concerning the concept of character education and how she hopes to introduce it into the school. We learned about important aspects of the new programmes and roles within the school, as well as discussing her degree on the same topic [MA Character Education].

If you could summarise for the readers, what exactly is character education?

Character education is essentially provision made available through uniformed and academic-affiliated organisations that seek to develop the character traits of young people and prepare them for life beyond school, shaping them to be flourishing individuals who contribute to society. Although it’s a programme at school, it’s not something you’d ever have to do an exam in; it’s what is referred to as the ‘co-curricular’ or ‘enrichment’ activities, which envelop the core academic work. The theory goes that to have a full character, you have to develop ‘virtues’ in four different areas – intellectual, moral, civic and performance – based on Aristotle’s teachings, so there’s a bit of philosophy that sits beneath it all.

Would you have a favourite virtue?

That’s really interesting, because here at school, we’re busy developing our strategic plan for the next five years or so, and we’ve talked about the virtues we think Exeter School develops. You’ll have to wait and see what they are!

Do I have a favourite? I agree with Aristotle. He talked about the ‘golden mean’, where you’re not too over virtuous and not too vicious, but you’re somewhere in between, and you need it in the whole range. To me, it’s about balance in all of them.

What is your argument against the idea that there is little evidence of character education being effective?

It is hard to measure [where it is effective]! Research says that if you have a report card for character, that can be counterproductive because then all people do is try and get a high grade in the report rather than think about the overarching development of character. For me, the value comes in the quality of the contributions to society that people make when they leave school, perhaps by gaining a bit more of an understanding

TEACHER’S NOTEBOOK

of being a good person. ‘Good’ is a word we underestimate sometimes – doing something that’s very much focused on a particular virtue.

What is the role of the new assistant head of character education?

Ms Rose is joining us in September – I’m very excited about that, and I hope she is too! She’s going to be our character lead, and that means she’s going to be responsible for making sure that we have provision of all those various programmes (like the CCF, sport, music, dance, drama), and there’s plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved in a range of enrichment activities to help develop their character. She’s also going to be responsible for keeping an eye on how they participate, so people don’t just do one thing, and she’s going to be involved in a lot of partnership work with local schools and organisations, as well as being our inclusion and diversity lead. On top of this, she’s going to help with things like PSHE, the assembly and pastoral programme and oversee school trips. So, she’s going to be quite a busy lady!

Do you think certain values of character education would be viewed differently in other cultures?

Character education exists in all cultures, but sometimes the root of it is quite different. I remember, when the pandemic first hit, the idea of wearing a mask was alien to anyone in Brazil, whereas some people in far eastern cultures have worn masks when they’re unwell because there’s a community sense of protecting others. Could they be interpreted in different ways? Most definitely. That might be something that Ms Rose will look to do. It may be that we end up teaching character education and morals in an explicit sense, perhaps having a look at why we have particular expectations and other cultures have different ones, and where they come together.

What are the implications of character education for world citizens?

Even in my lifetime – and I’m very young –I’ve felt that society has become much less concerned about other people and much more individualised, perhaps being much more selfish and focused on consumerism, and I think that’s very worrying. It would be lovely to think that by having some good moral virtues and teaching character development in school we could potentially encourage people to be more concerned about society in general and less concerned about ‘doing the best for me’.

Teacher’s Notebook

‘I’ve felt that society has become much less concerned about other people... and focused on consumerism.’

What would you say was the most challenging part of your Masters degree? Finding the time, actually. It’s a threeyear course. Initially, the biggest challenge was that I haven’t done any independent academic study for a long time, and suddenly we had to argue about philosophical ideas, and it blew my mind. I had to learn how to learn again, and I also had to learn in this very different way. Then came the pandemic, which made life quite difficult for all sorts of practical reasons. Now my project is much more flexible and I’m feeling a bit more in control of my studies and balancing them with working and family life.

Exonian News

We are keen to share news from right across the Exonian community. Please get in touch if you left 60 seconds or 60 years ago – we want to hear from everyone.

Oliver Stephenson (2004-2011)

Oliver as just been appointed as the 2022-2023 William L. Fisher Congressional Geoscience Fellow by the American Geosciences Institute (AGI). The Fisher Fellowship offers geoscientists the unique opportunity to spend a year in Washington, D.C., working as a staff member in the office of a member of Congress or with a congressional committee. Having studied maths and science at A level, Oliver credits the fantastic teaching of James Wilson and David Beckwith for igniting his passion. Oliver said: ‘I want to ensure that the best science is used to address the global problems we face, in a just and equitable way. I am fortunate to have received an amazing education and scientific training, and I think it’s important that I give back to society. I am grateful for the opportunity this fellowship will give me to learn firsthand how policy is made by working directly for a member of Congress or congressional committee.’ The 1633 would like to congratulate Oliver on behalf of the school and the alumni community.

Matthew Cox (2008-2019)

Matthew is currently studying physics at the University of York and has recently launched AI Artwork. Matthew has always been a keen photographer and is fascinated by the application of machine learning. Matthew’s art is created by combining these two passions and as a result a machine learning

Peter Simcock (1967-1978)

Peter studied medicine at Leicester University before specialising in ophthalmic surgery at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. He always wished to return to Devon and obtained a consultant post as the first vitreo-retinal surgeon at the

technique called neural style transfer is achieved. Matthew said: ‘Style transfers are a type of algorithm capable of transforming one image so that it resembles another. I aim to create a wide variety of styles so that I can provide custom creations’. Matthew aspires to have his artwork featured in an exhibition and hopes to work within the field of machine learning following university.

Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital where he still works. He obtained fellowship diplomas in medicine, surgery, and ophthalmology (FRCP, FRCS, FRCOphth) and is the only ophthalmic surgeon in the southwest to have all three post-graduate qualifications. He enjoys teaching and training and has published three books as well as numerous clinical papers. He spent time performing charity work at St John’s hospital in Jerusalem looking after patients from the West Bank. He lives with his wife Sarah, son Harry and daughter Charlotte in Budleigh Salterton and loves being by the coast. Peter and his family enjoy water sports and sailing, and he took part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers in 2004.

UPDATES & SUCCESSES

Roger Lester (1956-1962)

Had a chance meeting with Bob Griffin and three other Exonians at the Angel of the North in October 2021, during a shore excursion from Cunards’ Queen Elizabeth.

George Nightingale (1995-2003)

George has recently opened Quayside, a new distillery and gin bar on Exeter Quay. After leaving school, George stayed local and completed a MSc at Exeter University in international business with entrepreneurship and innovation. An opportunity arose to take on a premises in Exmouth, where Spoken was born – a café bar which quickly turned into a bar and restaurant. Spoken received the accolade of the UK’s best spirit bar in 2017 which opened many doors within the drinks industry. It currently stocks over 1,200 spirits. From here, George set about launching his own brand of gin. Quick Gin, named after the ‘quick gin and tonic’ often requested by customers, has featured in the Wetherspoons and ALDI’s summer gin festivals with over 20,000 bottles sold. George has now entered the non-alcoholic spirits market with his company Quick Liquids and is now a supplier to ALDI. George is about to launch the UK’s first ever black sambuca!

James Clay (2006-2013)

Is a Business Jet Pilot at Nalijets and has recently become a Captain. Congratulations, James!

Robert Guyver (1957-1964)

Robert recently edited a book in which a Ukrainian university-based history educator and a Russian history teacher jointly wrote a chapter with a Dutch Euroclio facilitator about their hopes and fears for the future. Since then and very recently the Ukrainian author has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Robert also recently helped to organise an event for the Exeter & District Branch of the Historical Association which was a local heat of the HA’s Great Debate and Exeter School took part with two sixth formers talking about events and changes in the 70 year long reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Oliver Wannell (1999-2010)

Completed his PhD in Law and Technology in February 2021, passing his viva with no corrections. He starts a training contract with a commercial law firm in September.

Nick Treble (1966-1972)

On leaving Exeter School Nick studied medicine in Liverpool, qualifying in 1977. After his orthopaedic training he was appointed to the position of Consultant in North Devon and the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital in Exeter in 1990. He retired in 2017 and still lives in North Devon. Nick has three children, two step-children and four grand children.

Exonians catching up and sharing news at OE Day

Obituaries

Peter Hacking

(Raleigh, 1942-1947) 1929-2021

Peter was born on 1 May 1929, in Hendon, North London. He was evacuated to Exeter with his mother and brother David, after his father joined the Royal Army Service Corps on the outbreak of war in 1939. He attended Exeter School and gained a scholarship to St. John’s College, Cambridge, in 1949, and then an Oxford and Cambridge scholarship to the Middlesex Hospital, London W1, in 1950. In 1953 while at the Middlesex he was awarded the Lyell Gold medal in surgical anatomy.

After two house jobs at the Middlesex Hospital, Peter had to do his National Service, which had been deferred. He was appointed O.C. to the Army Apprentice School in Harrogate, Yorkshire for two years. He married Helen Mary Wellings, at St. Nicholas Church, Bathampton, on 27 June 1953. Julie Elizabeth was born on 29 May 1954, Christopher Nigel arrived on 20 January 1956, and Jeremy Charles was born on 8 June 1960.

After his National Service, Peter decided to train as a radiologist, and moved with his family to Newcastle upon Tyne, where he started

his training at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. He was appointed a consultant in 1962, and Administrator in Charge in 1977. He spent a year working in the USA at the Massachusetts General Hospital in 1960-61.

He became very fond of Northumberland and of walking on the moors there, and also in Scotland. With his wife and young family, he enjoyed weekends in the Cheviot Hills, firstly at a rented gamekeeper’s cottage in Glanton and then in Wooler, where he purchased a cottage with a large garden.

He was associated with the Royal College of Radiologists, firstly as a member of the Faculty Board from 1978 to 1981, then as a member of council from 1981 to 1984. He was an Examiner of the Part II FRCR both in London and Hong Kong between 1979 and 1985.

He wrote many publications and finally retired in 1990, moving with Helen to a house in Long Hanborough, Oxfordshire. In retirement he worked for many years with Oxford Archaeology and then with the Oxford Geology Group. He studied geology with the Open University and was appointed one of two Vice-Presidents of the Oxford Geology Group. He was a Parish Councillor for 12 years, and on his retirement from the council he and his wife presented the village with a Milestone, carved by the noted sculptor Alec Peever. He was also a member of the Parish Council and the Benefice Parochial Church Council, recording payments for the celebration of the 900th Anniversary of the Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.

He enjoyed the cultural life of Oxford, being a regular attender at concerts at the Sheldonian Theatre and at the Ashmolean Museum, where Helen was a member of the Friends of the Ashmolean, membership committee. He and Helen regularly attended performances at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon, and at the National Theatre and Royal Opera House in London.

His great love was travel and, together with Helen, he visited most of the important historic archaeological sites and international art centres around the world.

He became a proud grandfather to Stephanie, Jonathan, Alexander, Fred and James, and two great grandchildren, Marna and Rupert.

By 2021 his Parkinson’s disease had led to increasing frailty and he and Helen moved to Salisbury to be closer to their children. His last months were spent at Milford House care home, where he passed away peacefully on 25 November 2021.

Clive Apsey (School House, 1951-1957)

Paul Bush (Buller, 1938-1942)

Michael Curnow (Crossing, 1969-1976)

Colin Laskey

James Daborn (Crossing, 1990-1995)

Jeffrey Davis (Drake, 1942-1950)

Kenneth Hartley (Drake, 1956-1963)

(Buller, 1947-1957) 1939-2021

Colin Laskey was born in September 1939. He joined Exeter School in the junior school, before moving up to the senior school in 1951. When he left school, he went to work for the National Provincial Bank in Exeter. This job took him to Blandford Forum in Dorset before he moved to Hounslow, London. Not wanting to live in London despite the bank’s request, Colin left his job and opened a stamp shop. Colin was an avid collector and all round enthusiast. Following his retirement Colin joined the local history society and became chairman for a short period. Colin died on 6 December 2021.

David Revill

(Staff, 1965-1998)

On 21 February the school held a memorial service for David Revill, which saw many family, friends and alumni come together and remember David’s many contributions to the life of Exeter School. A full obituary will be published next year

Francis Jones (School House, 1941-1946)

John Oda-Burns (Drake, 1941-1948)

Alastair Mew (Acland, 1990-1995)

John

Marsden

(Staff, 1953-1969)

John Marsden joined the staff of Exeter School in 1953. His modern language studies at Cambridge had been interrupted by War Service in the RAF as a navigator on Lancaster bombers. He returned to Cambridge

‘John made wide-ranging contributions to the life of the school. As a keen and accomplished tennis player he introduced tennis as an official sport.’

Andrew Phillips (Buller, 1959-1967)

Leslie Taylor (Raleigh, 1953-1958)

in 1947 and stayed on for a PGCE in 1951.

In addition to his French lessons, John made wide-ranging contributions to the life of the school. As a keen and accomplished tennis player he introduced tennis as an official school sport. A steam enthusiast he set up the Railway Society and took parties of members to work on the South Devon Railway. In the mid-1950s he dusted off his uniform and joined the nascent RAF section of the CCF. The Gilbert and Sullivan operas which he produced with his great friend Ivan Cole, the school’s music (and classics) teacher, were of an almost professional standard, and much enjoyed by both audience and performers.

None of this distracted him from his classroom work. He was a born teacher whose love of French, and of France, was communicated to all those who passed through Room 13.

For many years he was a respected Housemaster of School House, living ‘on the job’ with his wife Doreen and their children Nicola and Hugh. On retirement they moved to the south of France, but sadly Doreen fell ill and died shortly afterwards.

John returned to the UK where he taught himself Italian. He continued teaching groups of adult students both French and Italian, subsequently moving to Dunsford where he married Christine. They spent many happy and productive years together in the appropriately named ‘Old School Cottage’, she with her music, he with his French and Italian courses.

Christine writes, ‘he taught all his life, and continued teaching to a high level, including people with degrees in the subject, until he lost his sight six years ago’.

He died at the age of 96 at his home in Dunsford on Christmas Day 2021.

Obituaries Michael West Guy Ralph

(Drake, 1941-1947) 1929-2021

Michael West was born in Coulsdon, London, and came to live in Newton Abbot from Bexhill when invasion threatened in 1940. He travelled by train daily to Exeter School along the scenic Teign and Exe estuaries which inspired in him an enduring love of railways, in particular the Southern Railway. Michael was in Drake House, his Housemaster being R.W. Bell. At school the only prize he was awarded was the Goff Prize for French Pronunciation. The presentation was by the local MP, Mr Maude, who said to him ‘Oh! I thought this was a sports prize!’ His principle sporting interest was shooting, and he was a member of the Shooting Eight, and much enjoyed belonging to the Junior Training Corps Army Cadet Force, eventually becoming Company Sergeant Major.

On leaving school, two years of National Service was mandatory. He joined the Royal Engineers and was asked to choose where he would like to be posted, having three choices from a list of options. He chose 1) Egypt 2) Kenya 3) Cyprus. He was sent to Maidstone! The highlight of the two years was being in charge of the building of a bailey bridge over

the A20 near Folkestone which went without a hitch.

He then studied Law, qualifying in 1956 and joining BP in London, before being posted to Tehran in 1961. He constructed a golf course there, and played with a handicap of four. He married in 1964 but returned to London in 1967 with his children after the death of his wife. He then joined Burmah Oil and spent two years in Australia before returning to England. He remarried, and travelled extensively for Burmah Oil, and also subsequent companies, particularly Monsanto Oil Company (UK and Europe) of which he was Managing Director. Monsanto found oil in the North Sea and named two oil fields ‘Ivanhoe’ and ‘Rob Roy’. Countries visited included Ecuador, Tierra del Fuego, Morocco, Kenya, India and Australia; later, in retirement, he visited Borneo and many European countries, especially France.

Classical music was a lifelong passion, hence holidays to Leipzig, Vienna, Salzburg and others, plus annual visits to Glyndebourne Opera. Also in retirement he was very involved with his local National Trust members support group for 13 years, organising a programme of year-round events and holidays which were keenly supported. He enjoyed visiting Exeter School and attending OE Day and various dinners, and much appreciated the generosity of the school.

He is sadly missed by all who knew him and will remember his kindness, good humour, patience, enthusiasm and wit. He was very much a gentleman.

He had four children and ten grandchildren, of whom he was very proud.

(Townsend, 1981-1992) 1973-2022

Guy was born on 30 August 1973 in Newton Abbot, and passed away on 23 May 2022 in a tragic accident on a farm he managed in New Zealand.

Guy attended Bovey Tracey Primary School before joining the then Prep School, moving up to the senior school in 1985 and joining Townsend House, under the watchful eye of John Davidson. John shared that:

‘Guy was a real character, and it was a great experience having him in Townsend House. He was very likeable, and I enjoyed teaching him. He had a minimalist approach to schoolwork, and particularly homework, which he perfected with all his teachers. However, he really enjoyed a good discussion in lessons and his ideas were always based on sound understanding. His explanations for not having completed work, and on some occasions not having started it, were always very plausible, and occasionally quite imaginative. Guy was also very enterprising whilst at school. He ran a successful business providing fresh game meat to teachers and friends, including rabbits, pheasants and I believe the

occasional deer.’

Manoj Chitnavis also shared his memories of Guy’s enterprising nature writing,

‘I was a newcomer to the school and wondered why he approached me at the end of the day. He said ‘Sir if you need any Game or fish do let me know I can get it fresh for you’ and gave me a flyer as well, saying ‘I can really get the stuff at a very reasonable price.’ I thought what a cheeky chappie – a young boy who seems to have his head screwed on! So I mentioned his name and the incident/encounter in the science common room during a coffee break and my colleagues informed me that I had been “Ralphed” and assured me that the products he supplied were of good quality .... so that’s where we became associated...’

It was during his school days Guy was introduced to game shooting. By the time Guy reached his teenage years we had taken over the farming of arable crops on the Ugbrooke Estate (just outside Chudleigh), the seat of Lord Clifford. This was Guy’s dream, a large estate with a pheasant shoot, complete with gamekeeper, who was always a constant source of advice as Guy pursued this passion throughout the rest of his life. It was also at school Guy started his first business, the Guy Ralph Game Meat Company. He would beat on a Saturday, bring home as many pheasants as he could, pluck them on Sunday and take them to school on Monday and sell them. This grew to such an extent that he was supplying pubs and restaurants and had to employ people to pluck them. He even once sold a brace to the former UK Prime Minister Ted Heath!

At 18, Guy took a gap year and headed to New Zealand. He was welcomed by our friends the Fullerton family where he worked on their farms. Following his gap year experience Guy studied at the University of London’s Agricultural Wye College in Kent. He got his BSc Hons in agricultural business management and then returned to New Zealand to work for the Fullertons on their dairy farm.

In 1999, along with my parents Guy bought a dairy farm in Candy

‘As an uncle to Kyle and Kip he will also be remembered as the ‘cool adventurer’ uncle who provided them with experiences second to none, including milking the cows at Wyebrook Farm, riding quad bikes, clay pigeon shooting and introducing them to farm life.’

Road, Te Awamutu, New Zealand and Guy turned this into a very successful business. However, he also couldn’t resist creating duck ponds and pheasant covers to pursue his passion!

Having settled down on the farm it was not long before Rachel, his university girlfriend, came over and became involved with his farming and shooting interests. They married in 2008 in the UK. It was then they established a shoot under his company Driven Shooting. Guy and Rachel sadly split up in 2014.

Guy found himself torn between the farm and developing his shooting business and so, along with his parents, decided to sell the farm and move on. Guy then took some time out exploring and expanding the shooting business in the UK and New Zealand. It was whilst on his travels in Europe he met his beloved Siggi on a wild boar hunt in Germany.

Guy decided to return to New Zealand where he went into partnership on the Lighthouse Station, Manukau Heads, New Zealand, to develop a farming estate and sustainable shoot.

Guy has been responsible for developing the sport of Driven Shooting within New Zealand and built a strong following along with educating the New Zealanders on wearing the mandatory tweeds!

As an uncle to Kyle and Kip he

will also be remembered as the ‘cool adventurer’ uncle who provided them with experiences second to none, including milking the cows at Wyebrook Farm, riding quad bikes, clay pigeon shooting and introducing them to farm life. All so different to the city life they have grown up with in Singapore. Guy had a great way with children, getting them interested in country life through his passion for outdoor pursuits and his fun-loving persona.

Since the news of his passing, we have received a number of messages from old school friends of Guy’s, all with one common theme of how much fun they had experiencing our family farm in the UK through Guy and how he would also get them to do activities which bordered on being illegal, were mostly dangerous but always hilarious!

Guy was a loving son, brother and uncle. A life cut too short – he will be sorely missed.

Oli Ralph (1984-1995 – Guy’s brother)

Events

Events

The Alumni and Development office is looking forward to the 2022/23 academic year when (hopefully!) the school can enjoy a full events programme without any of the limitations and uncertainty we have endured in recent years. In the meantime, The 1633 looks back at some of the alumni events enjoyed this year.

2020 and 2021 leavers’ celebration

The newest members of the Exeter School alumni community came back to school just before Christmas to catch up with friends and teachers. It was a great opportunity to swap university and gap year experiences and to enjoy being together in school again – particularly important for the classes of 2020 and 2021 who had to spend so much time away from school during the pandemic.

Futures Conference

13 alumni and current parents generously gave up an afternoon in March to share their expertise with our Lower Sixth as part of our annual Futures Conference. Each Lower Sixth pupil had the opportunity to attend three talks and ask our professionals questions

about their careers. Thanks go to Mark Wells (1979-1985), Steve Hodder (1969-1976), Adam Hardy (1990-1997), Anthony Clarke (19972004), Tom Bradley (2002-2008), Ashley Frayling (1999-2005), Peter Gilpin (1969-1976), Kris Sum (19942000), Jonathan Rodney-Jones and Shannon Ridd, Simon Irvin (19821993), Nicola Solly, Robin Thomas (1964-1971) and Rupert Irons. Lower Sixth pupil Toby commented, ‘I got a

clear insight into three very different areas of work – not only the job itself but also the work/life balance that comes with different careers.’

Alumni talks

This past year we have been delighted to welcome alumni back to school to give talks and run sessions for our pupils, covering a wide range of topics from self-care to their career journeys. Thanks go to Emilia Giles (1999-2010), Hector Newman (20072014), Maia Thomas (2010-2017), Henry Cross (2001-2009), Anna Johannson (2007-2018), Sam Hayes (2011-2021), Sam Moudiotis (20112021), Kit Seale (2015-2020), Martha Halse (2010-2020), Ella O’Brien (2015-2021), Dunstan Lowe (19921999) and others for sharing their time and expertise with us.

OE Day and anniversary dinner

It was wonderful, after a threeyear hiatus, to see the school full of Exonains and their families on OE Day. A highlight was welcoming the family of Andrea Angel (18901896) to school to unveil a plaque in recognition of Angel’s heroism during the Silvertown explosion in 1917. The anniversary dinner in the evening was a huge success and we look forward to this becoming a regular part of the alumni events programme. The day was kindly sponsored by Westexe Forklifts Ltd.

OE Sports

OE Sports

The school has also missed its usual busy programme of OE sports events, and The 1633 has taken a look at those sports events that did go ahead.

OE Football

Giles Ashman (1982-1987) retired as Upper Two Form Tutor, Junior Games Coordinator and Head of Cricket at the end of last academic year. He has stayed on at school as Head of Football and filled The 1633 in on the OE vs 1st XI match which took place in March.

‘It’s been three years since OEs last had the opportunity to set foot on the Exeter School football pitch and, as ever, they assembled a strong squad, including a number of former captains of the school’s 1st XI. They were also bolstered by the presence of current pupil Jack Fanning who has been unable to play for the school this year owing to his Exeter City FC commitments. The OEs came up against a 1st XI who won the Isca League and had been unbeaten since November. The school team dominated the first half, scoring twice. As is often the case, it takes the OEs time to gel but in the second half they utilised their extra physicality in

and around the box. George Halse rose to head the winner into the net with about ten minutes to go from a set piece. It was a pleasure to host this game, as it provides the 1st XI with a different sort of challenge and the opportunity for OEs to play on our excellent surface. Tea was a convivial affair, with plenty of reminiscing. We have provisionally booked the date for our 2023 match – Monday 27 March.’

The final score was Exeter School 2 (Toby Richards) – Old Exonians 3 (Ed Lister, Jacob Towl, George Halse) and the OE team was made up of: James Horler (2009-2020), Joel Seaward (2009-2020), Peter Holding (1975-1982), George Halse (20102018), Freddie Crowley (2008-2014), Luke Stitson (2006-2013), Jacob Towl (2008-2015), Tom Boother (20052012), Sam Elstub (1999-2004), Viv Carton (2002-2007), Rob Stoyle (2019-2020), Ed Lister (2015-2020), Jack [present pupil].

OE Golf

On Thursday 26 May, 17 OEs headed to the Exeter Golf and Country Club for an enjoyable day of golf and a fantastic dinner in the evening. Thank you to Chris Taylor (1977-1984) for organising the day.

OE Cross Country

By the time you read this our annual cross-country cliff path race fought between Old Exonians, Exeter School and Old Heleans will have taken place on Saturday 11 June. The four-mile race starts in Exmouth, just behind the seafront and climbs steeply from sea level to the Geoneedle at Orcombe Point. Further climbing leads to the High Land at Orcombe before runners drop down into Sandy Bay. A steep path leads the runners out of Sandy Bay to a wooded coombe leading down to the summit at West Down. The final section of the run involves tackling a steep pebble shute before descending to the finish line located at the bench across the open grass lawn of Jubilee Field above Budleigh Salterton. Information regarding winners will be published in the alumni eNewsletter and on our social media pages.

If you are interested in taking part in OE sports matches, please get in touch with the Alumni and Development office to register your interest and receive further details.

Alumni Benefits

Alumni Benefits

The Alumni and Development office are always interested in hearing what you are up to and will support you however we can. The 1633 has rounded up some of the many benefits of being an Exonian below. To take full advantage, make sure we have your current contact details – you can update them via our website or by contacting the office.

Career support

There are Exonians all over the world with expertise in many different fields. If you need career advice, the Alumni and Development office will happily try and connect you with an Exonian who might be able to help.

OE Grant

If there’s something that could benefit your studies, or you are involved in a project that helps others but needs a boost then consider applying for an OE Grant. These awards of up to £250 are explored in further detail on the school website at exeterschool.org.uk/alumni/youralumni-community/oe-grants

Events

Join old and new friends at alumni events – there’s a wide range: broaden your mind at a lecture or quiz, enjoy socialising with old classmates at a formal dinner, or perhaps set foot on our sports pitches again.

Keep up to date

Find out how your old school is looking today via our half-termly eNewsletter and social media channels.

Networking

The Exeter School Alumni (Old Exonians) Linkedin page is a closed group for Exeter alumni. Feel free to pose questions, post job adverts or share an update.

Lost friends and teachers

Is there someone from school you would like to reconnect with? Let us know and we’ll try and put you back in touch.

Archive and WhoZatFace

Get in touch to request details for the school digital archive and WhoZatFace to explore resources about the school’s history. New resources are regularly added by the Alumni and Development office.

Advertise your business

The 1633 is thrilled to launch magazine advertising. Please get in touch if you would like to see your business featured in the next edition. We have a circulation of over 6,000 readers worldwide.

Give back

Making a donation to our bursary fund or coming back to the school to share your time and expertise with our pupils can be an incredibly meaningful experience. Get in touch to find out how you can be involved.

OE Grants

OE Grants of up to £250 are available to Exonians to support projects you are involved in which help others in local, national or international communities. They can also be used to benefit your own studies. The 1633 spoke to Maia Thomas (2010-2017), an equality, diversity and inclusion consultant, auditor, international speaker and anti-racism strategist, about how she used her OE Grant.

Maia founded the Feed Our Community project in early 2021 in response to the food poverty and food waste crisis exacerbated by the pandemic. Feed Our Community provides free food packages delivered discreetly to low-income households and those struggling financially across Devon. The project has so far delivered over 40,000 free food packages and, with the cost-of-living crisis, need is only increasing. The packages contain a mixture of fresh fruit and vegetables, non-perishable items, toiletries and more. Through a partnership with FareShare, food from supermarkets that would otherwise be wasted finds a new use. Maia is keen to stress, however, that this certainly doesn’t mean the packages are second best. ‘Something important to me when setting up Feed Our Community

was the question of dignity – our packages aren’t back-of-the-cupboard or unwanted items. They look like a ‘normal’ shopping basket.’

Feed Our Community also runs free workshops on Zoom. These include tips on shopping smarter, managing finances and deals of the week at local supermarkets. Maia also supports those in need of assistance when applying for grants, helping to complete applications for those who struggle to do so. Feed Our Community provides gas and electricity top-ups for people in the community who find themselves in emergency situations. Local businesses have supported the project in several ways, including gifting experiences such as a photography course, a trip away, plus restaurant and clothing vouchers.

If you are undertaking any form of further study, or are involved in a project which benefits the community then consider applying for an OE Grant. Full details on the school website.

Dates for your diary

Upcoming Events

We look forward to seeing you at one of our events this year. Further details, including information on how to book, can be found on the school website. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Alumni and Development office – contact details on the inside front cover.

Class of 2021 and 2022 celebration

Friday 9 September 2022

Class of 1952 anniversary

Tuesday 13 September 2022

Open Day

Saturday 1 October 2022

OE Quiz

Friday 7 October 2022

Exonians in Cambridge

Wednesday 16 November 2022

National Trust Christmas concert

Tuesday 6 December

Exonian Lecture: Dr John Shears and class of 1962 anniversary

Thursday 26 January 2023

Festival of Education

Monday 20 February 2023

London Drinks and class of 2013 anniversary

Thursday 23 February 2023

St Margaret’s and Mount St Mary celebration

Wednesday 8 March 2023

Futures Conference

Tuesday 14 March 2023

Choral Society concert

Thursday 16 March 2023

Donors’ lunch

Saturday 22 April 2023

Exonians in Bristol

Wednesday 17 May 2023 London Dinner

Wednesday 24 May 2023

OE Day and anniversary dinner

(’63, ’73, ’83, ’93, ’03)

Saturday 17 June 2023

Exonian Lecture: Dr John Shears