OF Update 2017

OF U P D AT E

2017

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Welcome to the 2017 OF Update and many thanks to all of you who have been in touch to let us know your news.

In this edition, we’ve collated some of your memories of your time at Frensham in honour of our 90th anniversary. It was wonderful to see so many OFs from every generation at the 90th celebrations in September 2015 - somewhere around 700 in total. It was a huge event and the feedback from OFs was overwhelmingly positive.

Helping the OF community to keep in touch is a priority for the OF office and we are conscious that, with social media being so much part of people’s lives, our own communication channels need a rethink. Please do let us know your thoughts about what would be useful and interesting for you. We look forward to hearing from you as we rework the way we share OF news.

If you would like to get in touch with any of this issue’s contributoers, please contact the OF office and we will pass your details on.

Happy reading!

PS – Don’t forget Founders’ Day! We hope to see as many OFs as possible on Saturday 1 July.

You may have seen the recent media coverage about Andrew’s epic camping adventure. At the time of printing he has raised an incredible £13,000 for our partner schools in Malawi. To see a short film about Frensham’s partnership or make a donation visit: www.frenshamheights.net/malawi

© Julian Simmonds / Telegraph Media Group Limited 2017

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Personal News

The latest news from Old Frenshamians sorted by the decade they joined Frensham.

1940s The following contributions have been sent to the OF office by Old Frenshamians from across the world. If you would like to get in touch with any of your old school friends, please call the OF Team on 01252 794959 and they’ll do their best to help.

Frank Peel 1938–1941 In May 2016, I gave a talk at Dartmouth House, the headquarters of the English-Speaking Union in London, based on my many years of working for both Democrats and Republicans in presidential elections.

Frensham is everywhere!

The title of my talk was: ’The Next President of the United States’.

book, or a shorter variation of it, is also likely to be translated into Chinese in 2017 working in conjunction with co-author Angel Xiao. I also had two journal articles in Chinese published last year covering the French occupation of KouangTchéou-Wan. Nancy Woods (née Caldecott) 1933–1945 Not much change. I chickened out of the 90th. I am organising my modest semi to make it moderately minimalist - out with all the old rubbish I have collected and starting again! My daughter lives opposite (lucky me) and my two sons and their families come to stay. Just bought a

Joel Montague 1946– 1949 All well and still very busy at 83! My book on KouangTchéou-Wan (a territory leased by China to France in 1898 until just after the Second World War) will be available through White Lotus Press in late 2017. The

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tri-walker with a basket on the front which I hate but is really good for shopping at the local Co-op. So my swallowed pride is only halfway down... Exciting!

Denise Altschul 1942– 1946 I have recently been on television over 100 times and I’m still showing! This is because my name was put forward to TV Ontario, who were producing a series called ‘Learning is For Ever’.

I made four vignettes: one for television and three for social media – whatever that is! My ‘performance’, which was based on the fact that ‘learning something new each year’ has long been a commitment of mine,

was a three-minute section shown between television programmes. It is now on YouTube – you’ll find it if you search Ontario Vignette Denise Altschul.

Frensham Heights was in my mind all the time during filming. I am shown ‘throwing a pot on the wheel’, which I learned at school, and my love of art and writing, subjects that were close to my heart at Frensham, were also mentioned.

I attend classes in art, (watercolour and acrylic) sculpture, aquafit and poetry. One of my poems, ‘Closer to 90- than 80’, was recently published online in The Guardian as part of a feature on ‘Finding Love in Later Life’. I dedicated the poem to the man in my life at present (me being closer to 90 and he being a few years younger!) Thanks to the art classes I attend, I was also approached recently by ‘Art for Cancer’, a voluntary organisation who are in the process of making a film, showing a few of my paintings and cards. I was interviewed too. The film will be shown on YouTube, but not TV.

strict conditions.

My son Simon Jacobs, now living in Quebec City, is also an OF. He has recently had a beautiful book published called ’Les Juifs de Quebec’ (The Jews of Quebec).

Luela Palmer 1940–1942 I’ve had a wonderful life and two very dear husbands.

I met my first husband in Afghanistan and we saw a lot of the world in the course of working for the World Health Organisation’s antimalaria projects. We also enjoyed growing vegetables in our garden. I then saw much of Britain together with my second husband, who died 14 years ago.

I am now nearly 92 but very active. I made some very good, close friends at Frensham but I have, alas, outlived them all. I don’t suppose there are any OFs who remember me but I would be pleased to hear from anyone who would like to get in touch. The OF office have my telephone number.

I am now 87 and not slowing down yet. I’m in my sixteenth year as a volunteer docent (guide) for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and I’m training to be a Speaker for Dying with Dignity, which is a key topic in the Canadian media, with 84% of Canadians in favour of Physician Assisted Suicide – obviously under extremely

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1950s

Keith Biles 1951–1958 I retired from the family business three years ago to be the full time carer for my wife after her stroke and this year downsized to a more suitable home. At the age of 70, I regretfully gave up motorcycling, due to my responsibilities not my ability, and miss it greatly.

far away so I get to see them often.

Last year, my sister and I returned to Frensham and I must say it brought back wonderful memories. It was during the summer so hardly anyone was there but a member of staff was kind enough to take us around and everything looked pretty much the same.

My elder brother, Graham Biles (OF 1947–53), died two years ago after a very short illness.

My time at Frensham was a fulfilling experience and, although I live in the United States, I have brought both my wives and my children to visit. This speaks for itself.

Rolf Kane 1952–1958 The golden years have finally arrived. I retired from medicine five years ago and happily moved into a new phase of my life, which includes travelling, tennis and cycling. My grandchildren don’t live too

Sue Slade (Benny) (née Benario) 1952–1958 We had very privileged and for me, happy school days.

Life has been kind to me. I

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became a speech therapist and piano teacher, married an Air Force officer and enjoyed living in different places. I have been living in rural Somerset with Glastonbury in my address for more than 30 years.

Much of my life now is taken up with selling and promoting Fairtrade. I have three children and six grandchildren.

I would love to hear from the twins, Adrienne and Jenny (Knowland).

Sue also sent in some specific memories of her time at Frensham Heights.

These appear under ‘Frensham remembered’ on page 17.

at the University of California in San Francisco in 2014 and I now teach part time at the University of California in Berkeley. I work shorter hours and I receive my pension plus a teaching salary so I have more money and time to enjoy my life as a senior citizen.

I have made many visits to Kathmandu, Nepal, to visit my brother and three sisters and also to attend my niece’s wedding near Darjeeling. I plan to go back to Kathmandu in early 2017.

1960s Clive Gillinson 1955–1963 Clive has signed a contract extending his stay as Executive and Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall through to June 30 2020.

In his words: “Glutton for punishment, but on the basis that it’s the most extraordinary job I could ever imagine doing, not a hard decision to make!”

Not content with being just about the only one of his cohort still to be working full-time, Clive has also found time to co-author a book with Robert Rimm, entitled ‘Better to Speak of It: Fostering Relationships

and Results through Creativity’.

at the 90th Anniversary celebrations. He has set up a Facebook page for ‘Old Frenshamians from 50s and 60s’ and it is being vigorously used by OFs from that period. He did not want the reunion to be a one-off and, after discussion, Jane Lawrence kindly agreed to be the contact to arrange a London and South-East group who meet up for a lunch and a reminisce.

This has already happened three times, two of which were arranged especially to coincide with OFs who visit from abroad.

Michael Stickland 1955– 1960 Mike and Stella finally managed to sell their house in Battle and have downsized into a small house in Little Common, Bexhill-on-Sea. This they are renting for 6–12 months while they look for a property they can buy and do up. That will be more manageable and will give them the opportunity of more leisure time, for holidays and travelling, as well as pursuing their many other interests.

Uttam Manandhar 1956–1962 I retired from my full-time position as finance manager

Mike very much enjoyed meeting up with about 16 old friends from Frensham

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I travel often, something I enjoyed a lot when I was growing up and my father was serving as an ambassador to various countries all over the world.

I am considering retiring full time in three to four years’ time so I do not have to worry about work of any kind, whatever that may mean.

Even after all these years I still have the fondest memories of the time I spent as a child at Frensham Heights. I am thankful for the six years I spent at the school as it made it possible for me to become the best person I could be.

Michael Rendell 1956– 1965 I continue to spend half the year in Spain and the other half on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. However, almost all my time is spent researching for a number of books on life in the Georgian era. Next up is ‘In Bed with the Georgians: Sex, Scandal and Satire in the 18th

Paul and Cheryl on the BBC’s The One Show

Century’ which looks at how satirists commented on the way the courtesans were actually the fashion icons of the era. Lots of James Gillray and Thomas Rowlandson prints... Then, I’ll move on to ‘Petticoat Pioneers’ looking at the paradigm shifters of the 18th Century, the women who succeeded in a man’s world. Then another book on Georgian inventors is due out in 2017. Meanwhile I am busy doing lecture tours including on cruise ships this history lark sure beats the hell out of retirement!

Jane Read (née Pomerance) 1958–1963 Jane has had a very good couple of years since last contributing to an OF Update. She reached the age of 70 in 2015 and has now been cancer-free for two years, following major operations to remove liposarcomas in 2012,13 and 14 which were

distinctly trying!

a very exciting 29 years, the highlights being: three years in the Middle East and Africa up to all sorts of adventures, getting married, three years in New York buying aircraft spares, a spell in the Falklands and three fun years in Germany. Now getting fairly senior, I ended my career looking after a number of aircraft fleets.

The highlights of 2015 were celebrating Frensham’s 90th with literally hundreds of other OFs on a glorious if slightly blustery day in September and then two weeks later celebrating her 70th with a long weekend in Amsterdam. More rejoicing continued later in the year with lunch at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons thanks to the very generous present from Andrew and Frensham that was given at the 90th celebration. Her main retirement activity continues to be singing in various local choirs – an interest kindled and nurtured by Frensham, for which she is so grateful every day.

I took early retirement in 1994 and became the business manager of a grammar school in Buckinghamshire; to use the old vernacular, I was the Bursar. Fourteen years later, I retired to become a Grandpa. Oh, by the way, I had three sons while defending the nation so now have grandchildren - three girls and one boy so far.

My wife Cheryl and I are extremely lucky as all our boys live within a few miles of us, so a lot of time is spent with the family.

Paul Stamp 1956–1960 I joined the RAF in 1963, flew a bit then became a ground officer in Supply and Movements (modern term Logistics). I enjoyed

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Lesley Osborn 1960–1966 I continue to have medical ups and downs, the most dramatic of which was getting a flesh-eating bug (necrotising fasciitis) at the beginning of last year, nearly dying, being in a coma for a month, then finally coming round on my Ruby Wedding Day. Another three and a half months spent learning to walk again and then finally home.

This year started with a new heart valve - cleverly inserted via my veins! Now it looks like I will be starting renal haemodialysis in the near future.

Our daughter, Kat, has won silver medals at British, European and World PowerLifting Championships. She is a pretty 39 year old and only five foot three but she can lift well over twice her body weight! She does not get that from me! She started lifting seriously two years ago and we all find it quite bizarre but are also full of admiration.

I spend much of my time beading and am a member of Worcester Beaders.

If any of my contemporaries are ever in Birmingham, I would love to say hello.

Tony Widdrington 1960– 1966 It must be over a decade since I last contributed to OF News. I am 69 now but thankfully this has not been the decade for slowing down. During the past 10 years all three of my grownup children got married (in the space of 12 months), 10

grandchildren were born, my little daughter Nia (now 11) was born; and I got married again.

have given up the public law tutorials at Cardiff University and the consultancy work and training for the Welsh Assembly. Much of my spare time is taken up with my children and grandchildren, walking a very active dog, bird watching and reading (I belong to a reading group). I enjoy opera very much and go as often as I can. A friend persuaded me to go to a WNO production 25 years ago and I have been hooked ever since. We take as much holiday as we can, the Isles of Scilly being our favourite destination.

My eldest son, Peter, spent three years working in Delhi, returning to the UK in early 2015. Visiting him and his family there provided an unmissable opportunity for exploring part of a country I have always wanted to visit. Using trains and taxis, we (four adults and three children then aged 3 – 8) visited many of the historical sites in the north and then spent three days on safari in the jungle at Ranthamphore, which for me was especially memorable. We also spent several days exploring Delhi itself, where there is much to see. Going round one of Delhi’s famously busy roundabouts in a motorised rickshaw, along with handcarts, a multitude of bicycles and motor bikes with entire families on board, numerous cars and several elephants, while clinging on to three small children, is another abiding memory.

I am still in touch with a couple of old friends from Frensham and would be very pleased to hear from anyone who remembers me.

I now live in Penarth, a small seaside town close to Cardiff. My wife, Catrin, is a first language Welsh speaker and our daughter, Nia, who goes to a Welsh-medium primary school, is fluent in both Welsh and English. I am afraid that my efforts to learn Welsh have not met with much success but I do my best.

I am still the co-editor of the LexisNexis publication, Butterworths Law of Education, a job I’ve been doing for 12 years now, but I

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1970s

Heidi’s dragon boat team in full swing (above). Heidi (below) pictured with team mates.

Heidi Bachman 1976– 1977 I was sorry to miss the 90th celebrations but heading over from the US is a bit difficult. I’m currently the Middle School Learning Specialist at Washington International School and loving it. I have two teenage

daughters and spend my free time paddling with a dragon boat team as much as possible. We raced at the Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival at the beginning of November 2015 and at an international competition in Toronto - so exciting! I stay in touch with

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Alexandra Immel and Joolz Saville Hippley. If you are ever in Washington, DC, please do get in touch.

Nick van Praag 1964–1970 I am still working away in a modest way to make humanitarian action more effective. You can find out more on the Ground Truth Solutions website.

We survey people hit by crises at frequent intervals and use the feedback data to influence the way humanitarian agencies cater to their needs. The aim is to provide the information to aid agencies so they can do a better job - which most want to do. I’ve just got back from Lebanon, where the one million Palestinian

refugees, who have been there for seven decades, offer a discouraging example of what may happen to the one million Syrian refugees who have now joined them.

Save the Children is one of the groups we are working with there and they are proving to be enthusiastic listeners. In Italy, we are working with the Italian Red Cross on the influx of migrants. This is a great example of the Red Cross’s volunteer spirit and a strong professional desire to do things better and more accountably. Not much light out there in this grim world of ours but it is always wonderful to see those who try to make it better.

Amazing that people who have so much, like some of our countrymen and women, turn to selfish and selfdestructive behaviours, like the pulling out of Europe, to take back control, whatever that means, and keep ‘others’ at bay.

Christopher Latham 1962 –1970 I taught music at Frensham from 1962 until 1970. The highlight of those years was most certainly when Frank Wibaut won the BBC Piano Competition.

In my Hamilton House room, I listened to the broadcast of him playing Beethoven’s ‘Emperor’ Concerto and recorded it, as well as the jury’s verdict that he was judged to be the winner.

I played the latter in the following day’s Morning Talk, which was, not surprisingly, followed by loud cheers from the whole school.

Loud cheering also greeted Frank a few days later as he got out of his car for his next day of piano teaching at Frensham Heights. How very fortunate we were to have him on our music staff in those days.

most splendid Eisteddfods in Western Australia. I am delighted to say I am still very much in touch with Frank Wibaut. Who would have thought that when I first met him in 1962 as a young, 17-year-old piano teacher at Frensham that we would still be in contact 56 years later?

I send my love and best wishes to all who recall me from my enjoyable days at Frensham.

I left Frensham in 1970 to take up the position of Director of Music at Sidcot School in Somerset where I met and married one of the Housemistresses.

Keith Ramsey 1962–1973 The university where I taught gave me a doctorate, partly due to my productions of the Mystery Plays. I directed eight productions in cathedrals and six at international conferences on medieval drama. The star event was an invitation from the Pope and Vatican to present my show in Rome in Holy Week 1984. Following this, I was invited to Oregon, USA. I took 22 professional and amateur actors and we performed to a huge audience of up to 7000 each night.

In 1978 I applied for and, to my most pleasant surprise, was appointed Director of Music at Scotch College in Melbourne, Australia.

Jennifer and I moved there to begin eight very enjoyable and exciting years, culminating in my taking the College’s orchestra of 72 boys on a two week tour of China. On my return I decided that this was the third consecutive school at which I had stayed for eight years and it was time to move on. (Somebody said they thought I had a SevenYear-Itch and it took me a year to scratch.)

I wish I had met Will Hodgkinson, whom I taught at Frensham. I loved his book. My wife sends me his columns in The Times. I’m sure we would have been such good friends.

We moved west, for me to finish off exactly 40 years of full-time teaching in schools at St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls in Perth. From there I took their orchestra and choir on tours of Japan and England, before retiring in 1998, one day before Jennifer died of the dreaded cancer.

I think I must have looked up ‘retired’ in a cheap dictionary as I have been very pleasantly busy examining and adjudicating at various

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Mandy Jacobs 1968–1970 I had two very happy years in the Sixth Form and made lifelong friends… Gill Ellis, Penny Smyth (known now as Nell) and Caroline Hawksley (née Wordsworth).

We are scattered and not able to meet often but we keep in close touch. We have supported each other and laughed together on our way through the years.

Their friendship remains invaluable.

I really appreciated my time at Frensham: the kindness of staff, friendships and taking part in school productions directed skilfully

by Keith Ramsay. Does anyone else recall taking part in ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Ring Round the Moon’? If you do, greetings to you! During one summer, I joined Farnham Youth Theatre and, under Keith’s direction, took part in a production of ‘The Crucible’.

After Frensham and drama school (The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art), I went on to help set up and work in Community Theatre and Theatre in Education companies in the Highlands and the South East of England - a very exciting 10 years doing exactly the kind of theatre that interested me the most!

Lifelong Frensham friends, Caroline, Mandy and Gill.

1980s

and then on to complete a degree.

It seems that OFs who left the school in the 1980s are very busy or they don’t check their emails because not one sent through any news!

Following new directions, I worked for some years in Further Education colleges having trained as a lecturer.

I worked primarily with young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities. It was hugely rewarding.

Now my time revolves around our three wonderful grandchildren and working with ‘Razed Roof’, an inclusive performing arts company based at the Harlow Playhouse. I remain very thankful for my time at Frensham and would welcome the opportunity to hear from others who remember that time. .

By this time, Tony (my husband) and I had two beautiful daughters, Kate and Rebecca. In my 40s, with the support and encouragement of Tony, family and friends, I was able to return to education via an Access course at the local college

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1990s

Duncan (above) at work in Bhutan.

Duncan Watts 1988–1995 It’s been a few years since submitting an update as I have spent much of it out of regular touch exploring the Trongsa region of Bhutan and advising local populations on crop irrigation and coffee cultivation. The photo is of the community I worked with in Bhutan planting one of the new coffee plants on the mountainside where we had installed the new irrigation system.

and her work at Spotify.

Isaac is now eightt and when he’s not attempting to bring his fossils back from 130 million years of dormancy he is a chorister in Southwark Cathedral Choir.

And finally in February we welcomed our daughter, India Grace Mary, into the world. She fits right in and we feel very, very lucky to have her around.

Dani Dane (née King) 1989–1994 My news is that I am now a mum to the smiley and chilled little Dexter who will be one in February 2017.

I am officially taking some time out from working life to enjoy the little one but

I am now back in the badlands of SW2 with my beloved family and working for Google. My wife, Angie, still somehow finds 30 hours in every day and splits her time between us delinquents

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my husband started his own company this year so it’s still all go as I am recruited for his admin pretty much daily!

Also my brother Damien King (OF 1993–96), has had his second child, a beautiful little girl who has made me a very proud aunty!

Katy Darby 1987–1994

In 2012, Katy published her first novel, a Victorian Gothic

drama called The Unpierced Heart (Penguin). In 2013, she got married and in April 2014, her son Theo (pictured) was born. She’s currently working on a second baby and a second book. In the meantime, Katy can be found every second Tuesday of the month at the Phoenix Pub in Cavendish Square, London, where she runs the award-winning short story night Liars’ League (www. liarsleague.com). She would be delighted to catch up with any OFs who fancy dropping by for a drink.

Amazon adventure I missed out on. You can read the blog on my website: www. daneleyfoundation.org/ returning-to-the-amazon/ I was lucky enough to receive an award from the Prime Minister early in 2016 and more recently was given an Eagle Radio Breakfast Hero Award. I moved into independent living, with a full-time personal assistant, just before Christmas 2016, after six years in a care home. So, one way and another, 2016 was a momentous year for me and my foundation.

Meakin and Gerry Holden and obviously miss Lynn Elgy very much. Last year, John and Patricia Bayston were in Oz and we were lucky enough to catch up with two such special OF staff. Best wished to all at Frensham.

Dan Eley 1989–1994

I am currently on the board of governors for Frensham Heights as an ex-student. I suffered a spinal cord injury in a diving accident on New Year’s Day 2010 and after a year in hospital I started a charity to support youngsters from slums in Colombia get life and job skills training and find employment. I had worked in El Salvador and Guatemala City volunteering with street children before my accident. I have now formed my own foundation to give opportunities and job training to deprived young people both in South America and in my home territory in Waverley, Surrey.

In August 2015, I went back to the Amazon jungle to visit the spot where I had my accident for the first time and also to have the

Mark Trollope 1993–2001 I’m now teaching at Pittwater House School in a deputy principal role.

It’s a great school with a really strong and positive community feel to it. I have recently finished a second masters in Applied Positive Psychology at Melbourne University – the hardest thing I’ve ever done but fascinating!

Helen’s housekeeping business continues to grow rapidly. She looks after properties all over the top end of the Northern Beaches of Sydney (Home and Away territory!).

The two boys (Ben, 13, and Tom, 10) continue to grow up fast and are busy at school.

Ben is heavily into hockey and Tommy is one of life’s adventurers and has a deep love of cricket and rugby.

They also enjoy activities such as Scouts, sports, surf life saving, camping trips.

I am still in touch with Greg

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2000s

Karina Dshkhunyan 1999–2001 Thank you to all the OF Team for the wonderful time I had at the 90th. I was very happy to meet my old classmates and to show my niece (who came with me) the wonderful world of Frensham. It was lovely.

2010. I met my wife there and have two beautiful children, a boy and a girl. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful happy little family of my own! I may be moving back to Switzerland in the near future and am looking forward to what is still in store!

David Perren 1999–2001

Elena Cronin-Rockwell 2000–2002 My husband, Christian, and I live in South Florida, USA in an area called West Palm Beach and we have an amazing seven-year-old daughter, Kaila, and adorable two-year-old son, Alexander.

I went to Sixth Form at Frensham from 2000–02 but already had many ties to the school. Currently I am

I have been living and working in Germany since

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juggling motherhood with my varying careers.

I have been a certified Chef for the last seven years and am now writing my own recipe books. This year I also expanded into children’s literature and have had three children’s books published since July.

As well as being an author, I run my own custom mural design business which is equally fulfilling. I also have been working on and off as a voice over artist in Miami for various networks such as Nickelodeon, voicing audio books and shows in UK English and in French.

I hope everyone who may read this is doing well and would love to hear from you!

Miss everyone like it was just yesterday! Feel free to email me via the OF office anytime if you wish to get back in touch. Love to all!

Stuart McFarlane 1993– 2007 I must say, I thought the 90th Anniversary was a great success. It was an enormous pleasure to see so many friends from past decades and to have a chance to catch up and enjoy their company, even for an all too brief time. I have enjoyed contacts recently with: Andy Boughton, at his wedding celebration, John and Patricia Bayston, Peter Tanner and Jonathan Hughes among others.

principal oboist in West End musicals with teaching.

Annie has enjoyed her work at Frensham, which has also included teaching music theory, GCSE music, music to the Junior Department and Housemistress in the Sixth Form. Annie has happy memories of all the young people with whom she has been involved and keeps in touch with many of her former students.

She is hoping to work in the voluntary sector post Frensham.

Lucy Atkinson 2009–2012 Lucy directed her first play while at Frensham. The confidence that gave her spurred her to a career in directing, training first at Sussex University and then at LAMDA. She is currently working on a new translation of a 130-year-old Swedish play, ‘The Enchantment’, which will receive its North American premiere in New York this June. She is also directing ‘Testament’, a new play by award winning writer Tristan Bernays, opening at the Vaults Festival in London in February, followed by two shows at the Edinburgh Festival in August.

Annie Rolles 1980–2016 After 36 years of teaching the oboe at Frensham, Annie is retiring this term. The longest serving member of the visiting music team, for many years Annie combined a successful career as

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Frensham Remembered

In the lead up to the 90th celebration in September 2015, we asked OFs to share their memories of the school. Many of you did just that and we are publishing below some extracts. We would still love to have more so if you haven’t yet put pen to paper, please do think about doing so. Everything we receive will make a wonderful archive for Frensham students of the long-distant future.

Robin Marten 1944–1956 • The large round daily sweet tin in the JD and building up a store of 20 Keiller butterscotch under my mattress for a planned feast, only to have them all confiscated by Matron when investigating too much talking in the dormitory late at night.

first week of the Spring Holiday to paint the inside of the Flottage arch under the instructive direction of a Painting Company representative. The benefits of this have been with me throughout my life, having only last week painted the ceiling and walls of my kitchen at the age of 78.

• Waiting in the queue for the distribution of fruit at the JD and delighted to receive a very unusual double banana.

• With an annual bout of pleurisy in the Spring terms for two or three years, attended by Dr Caldicott on the top floor of Main House, spending my convalescent days walking alone in the woods below the Farm surrounded by celandines and catching newts in the stream below the School.

• Keeping grass snakes in glass tanks in the room beyond the tennis courts.

• Staying at school with a number of others for the

• Films in the Ballroom, remembering particularly the Sinking of the San Demetrio.

• Acorn fights under the oaks, and trundling a hand-pushed very large old four-wheeled horse-drawn farm cart round the school grounds.

• Thursday lunch time concerts in the Drawing Room with Teddy Rice... and the triangular bamboo needles on the record player.

• School meals and beetroot in a white sauce, always my favourite.

• Listening to Dick Barton, Special Agent, with Snowy

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“What about the midnight swim and feast that about 10 of us boys and girls secretly arranged?”

and Jock in the Senior School room.

• The thoroughly enjoyable hockey matches, almost entirely against adult teams such as RAF Farnborough and Haslemere.

• Having memorised the route beforehand, deciding to turn left past Sam Counsell at a junction of the pathway above Frensham Pond, just before the halfway stage of the annual school cross country run, while the rest of the field went straight on, enabling me to hold on to win without any real justification.

• The rather diminutive Mr Fido’s very large Jaguar Coupe at Bracken Hill and his rather large Chow, and Mr Kornfeld’s Triumph Coupe.

• Writing my last A Level paper in 1955 and very much hoping that Bindle had sent it off that afternoon, as the following day the results of the fire starting in his classroom became apparent.

I could go on but this should give some indication of those enjoyable and memorable times during the course of my 12-year stint at Frensham.

My last visit to the school was in 2005 for the 80th Anniversary, which was also the 50th Anniversary of my A Levels. Very appropriately after my first arrival in 1944, in company with my Aunt Jo, then 88 and just about the oldest OF there. If I am able to make the 100th Anniversary, I shall be the same age!

Sue Slade (Benny) (née Benario) 1952–1958 Frensham has lots of happy memories for me. Kaye le Mare was a wonderful teacher and strict house parent. I remember being called to her room yet again for breaking the rules and thinking that I had really lost favour this time. She made a point of saying that it was the DEED and not the DOER that she disliked, a comment I have never forgotten.

school drama.

What about the midnight swim and feast that about 10 of us boys and girls secretly arranged? That it was so secret made it exciting.

The shame in later years to remember that we locked Mr Smith, the French teacher, out of his classroom so that eventually he gave up and went away. How terrible he must have felt!

Mr Oppenheimer, another French teacher, often gave up trying to teach us and would play to us on his violin instead!

Edwin Rolles 1981–2011 A highlight musically, was hiring St John’s Smith Square and performing ‘Acis and Galatea’ (Handel) with the school choir and augmented school orchestra.

It was a wonderful occasion and it was part of the Handel Tercentenary celebrations in London. We managed to get crits in the national press. I wonder how many readers took part in it or came to see it?

Ruth Brass 1950–1957 So many wonderful and special people were part of my growing up, all of whom imparted so much more than facts and figures. They were friends even then and remained so long after I left, along with the circle of friends that I still know. It is not far off 60 years since I left Frensham and it still resonates in my heart.

Mary Hodgson 1982– 1994 The Morning Talks especially the one when Alan, a professed atheist, preached the best Easter sermon I ever heard… the night of the hurricane when the beautiful old cedar crashed down… the warmth and friendliness and a sense of a shared adventure... the beauty of the surroundings, the mist in the valley and deer on the lawns.

I never dared climb the big cedar tree, not even to the crow’s nest. Would ‘health and safety’ have allowed it today if the tree were still standing?

Catherine Dawson 1961 –1966 Acting in ‘The Crucible’ was a high point for me. It was the opening production of Nevill Hall in Spring 1965. I so enjoyed being directed by our inspiring English teacher Keith Ramsey. Before, school plays were put on in the Ballroom, so the opening of Nevill Hall, a converted badminton court, was a most important development for

Christine Evans 1937– 1939 Some isolated occasions spring to mind: the choir with Mr Rice (Teddy) and Miss Griffiths at the piano performing ‘Hiawatha’s

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“So many wonderful and special people were part of my growing up, all of whom imparted so much more than facts and figures.”

Wedding Feast’... the Fruit Lunches when we helped ourselves to the various nuts and fruit on our tables and PR tapping his glass when the talking just got too loud, ‘a little less noise please’ said in his benign, fatherly way.

Robbie McCallum 2007– 2014 Banter among students but also with staff members. I can’t think of anywhere else where a student could have such a lively discussion with a member of staff on almost anything: from politics to football or even taunting the headmaster when the English cricket team won the Ashes.

Shirley Gee (née Thieman) 1944–1949 A little trembly at the door of Frensham Heights, I stepped in, breathed in and knew somehow it would be all right. And it was. Very.

“...the warmth and friendliness and a sense of a shared adventure... the beauty of the surroundings, the mist in the valley and deer on the lawns.”

Friendships, the Art Room, the Cedar Tree. Long summer evenings bicycling in circles. The Saturday dance, even better the Sunday night film. The bloody awful morning run,

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the delight of getting away with it sometimes by taking a short cut through the rhododendron bushes and heaving and panting in a believable way towards the end.

Velvet cloaks and mosquito bites as the sun went down doing Twelfth Night in the sunken garden. Listening to the Goons, record concerts and Mr Rice playing Spanish Dance by Granada.

before and a strong feeling of new discoveries yet to come.

I wasn’t disappointed.

Fiona Duncan 1971–1973 A favourite memory is the hard work towards just one performance of Mozart’s Requiem Mass at Farnborough Abbey. 18 months of practice - school choir, school orchestra supported by professional musician parents. Wonderful!

Does anyone still have a recording?

How lucky we were…

My husband’s school had sweaters for goal posts and you were hit if you asked a question. We had fairly awful food, the tooth mug water froze in the dormitory sometimes, there weren’t many colours to paint with in wartime. But we were given such riches.

Who could forget the meal time call from someone standing on a chair or table: ‘Everyone out for British Bulldog’. From 11 year olds to staff, out on the lawn running from side to side.

Such a community, everyone joining in and having fun together.

David Winter 1972–1975 I remember my first days at Frensham were naturally filled with ‘new bug’ fears but from the very start I couldn’t help picking up a sense of adventure. It really was as if the walls were steeped in a sense of excitement, of happiness and joy gone

Nancy Woods 1933–1945 When I started at Frensham, the school was just eight years old. I remember ‘Bobsy’, as he was known, in the JD, Miss Field, a rather gaunt lady dressed in a sage green outfit, Miss Raymont and Miss Himsworth, a pretty blonde! I remember

sitting on a mat in the ‘XYZs’ tying bows and tracing my finger over a fine sandpaper letter on a card (an excellent way of learning to write by the way).

Unknown I have started several times to attempt to send some thoughts on Frensham. Even at 73 I get choked up when I try to put into words what those years meant to me.

It was for me a safe haven, a place where everyone was treated fairly and we all had a voice. I learnt so much and was taught by some charismatic teachers.

I was never belittled but encouraged even in subjects I was useless at. I was lucky to be there with pupils from all parts of the world and different backgrounds that enriched my suburban experiences.

I will never forget the words ‘morning talk’, ‘flottage’, ‘floyer’, ‘Fisher’, ‘Ellison’, ‘Horstead’, ‘Loomis’ and ‘Rickett’ – I would go on.

Only now, having left Frensham, do I reflect on the process of adolescence and how Frensham aided my flourishing… I miss Frensham every day consciously or unconsciously.

How times have changed! (with apologies to the Health and Safety police...)

A wonderfully understated 1948 letter from Paul Roberts to a parent Dear Mr ______ , I am dreadfully sorry to hear that Peter’s injury is taking so long to recover. I feel very bad that I did not

Silence after lunch meant we devoured books from an excellent library. Classical music was listened to in one of the many clubs. Craft was another delight. Working with wood, copper and Perspex was liberating for girls fed up with sewing!

write to you about it at the time. It was an inexcusable thing that those boys should have been allowed to use a real sword on the stage and had I known about it, I should of

I was so lucky to have been at Frensham. The 50s were a time of shortages and at times we were cold and peckish but we had such freedom!

course not have allowed it. We shall miss him very much and wish him all the best.

Unknown Frensham has an intrinsic value; a sort of abstract charm which makes it really difficult to recall certain memories. I look back on my days in the art department and being obnoxious to teachers with utter fondness.

With kindest regards, Paul Roberts

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90

S AT U R D AY 1 2 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

It was a year in the planning but just after the start of the school’s new academic year, dawn broke on the Old Frenshamian 90th anniversary open day. The food orders meant we knew 450 OFs would be attending but as the day drew closer we heard of many more who had decided to come at the last minute. In the end, estimates were that some 700 people – OFs, their partners and families – returned to Rowledge to

meet up with old friends and enjoy the reunion.

bales, a central stage and two bars, had been set up on the front lawn. The question was, would it be dry enough and warm enough to open up the back panels to reveal the stunning views so many OFs remember?

In the early hours of Saturday 19 September, a light drizzle raised the possibility that rain might dampen the day. Forecasts had been inconsistent (we were checking with a least five different websites!).

With so many OFs likely to arrive – way too many to be able to use the ballroom in a ‘wet weather plan’ – a huge marquee, complete with hay

As it turned out, the sunshine won through, even to the extent that many groups decided to eat their picnics on the lawn and allowing everyone to wander across the school site

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revisiting old haunts. There was a light programme for the day, including music, speakers, yoga and activities for children – something for everyone and open to all.

We would love you to share any photos with us - they would make a great addition to our archives.

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Many thanks...

So many people contributed to the day that it’s impossible to thank them all individually...but special thanks must go to Dick Jones, Doug MacGowan and Sonny Black, aka Broke Down Engine, for providing perfect music over two sets in the marquee; Hugo Blick, Amelia Humfress, Will Hodgkinson, Mark Leather and John Atkinson for five exceptional TED-style talks – Nic Hoskins for excellent hosting of these and Sean Connor for the technical back-up; Kevin Boylan for his thoughtprovoking performances; Mary Horsley for her very popular reading; Becky Tattersall for the peaceful yoga sessions and Natasha Maddison for the nostalgic film showing.

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... more thanks The Frensham Sixth Formers who gave up their Saturday to act as helpers on the day; all the Frensham staff and OF Oliver Harding for running the bars, bouncy castle and tree climbing; the support staff who spent several hours the day before helping to fill hundreds of hampers; the maintenance and housekeeping staff who helped before, during and after; all the wonderful catering staff from Holroyd Howe for the massive undertaking of providing the food; the Marketing and Admissions team for the overall organisation; and to headmaster Andrew Fisher for agreeing to host this very special anniversary!

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You can watch a short highlight film at www.frensham.org/school/90short

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Tributes & Deaths Bridget Orlando (OF 1971–75) Died 28 September 2015

Charles Lieber (OF 1935–38)

‘She was such a very talented artist and a lovely lady. She created so many beautiful and thought provoking paintings, capturing the essence of people, of that moment. She will be remembered through her paintings and her spirit lives on.’

Selena Vane (1972–76) Michael Yates (OF 1955–61) Died 23 February 2015 “Charles died peacefully in his bed in Spencertown, New York on 3 April 2016.

Moser -- the Continental boys.”

James Lieber, Charles’ son.

His years at Frensham Heights were some of the most important and happiest of his life. His recollections of Mr Roberts were passed on to us throughout our childhood in New York and we even got a visit with him to meet Mrs Roberts in about 1977. He had good friends there, including Wolf Rilla with whom he stayed close his entire life, and Claus

You can read a full obituary at www.frensham.org/alumni

Charles Ware (OF 1946–52) Died 4 July 2015 Bryony Watson (OF 1990–95)

Gill Demidecki-Demidowicz (nee Humphry) (OF 1928–37) Died 31 October 2015

Died 7 January 2015 When Bryony’s cancer returned two years ago, her cousin Vicky sent her a dragonfly brooch and this message: ‘Dragonflies are a symbol of courage, strength and happiness. We wish you all these in abundance’.

Bryony’s family adopted the dragonfly and its symbolism

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and set up Bryony’s Dragonfly Fund in her memory.

Keith James (OF 1949–57) Died October 2016 June Parkinson (OF 1938–43, Governor 1972–86) Died January 2015

Lord Claus Moser (OF 1936–40) Lord Claus Moser was a passionate musician and academic who made a huge contribution in both areas throughout his life.

Having fled Nazi persecution in Berlin in 1936 with his parents and brother, he spent four happy years at Frensham Heights before being interned as an enemy alien in Huyton Camp in Liverpool. Claus later

graduated from the London School of Economics with first class honours before joining the Royal Air Force.

he held in both areas is long but includes Director of the Central Statistical Office, President of the Royal Statistical Society, Director of N M Rothschild and Sons, Warden of Wadham College, Oxford, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford and Chancellor of both Keele University and the Open University of Israel. He was also on the Governing

After the war, Claus joined the staff of the LSE, first as lecturer and then professor of statistics. In what was to be a busy and inspirational life, he managed to balance his love of music with academics. The list of posts

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“I learnt about most of my life from Paul Roberts.”

Body of the Royal Academy of Music, Chairman of the Royal Opera House and a Trustee of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Claus was made a life peer in 2001. He died in Switzerland on 4 September 2015. Two years before his death, Claus kindly agreed to share his memories of Frensham Heights on film for our archives. Below is an edited transcript: “I was extremely happy – not every day but generally very happy because people were so nice, which was quite a change after a Berlin school, which were very strict and tough. The head was Paul Roberts. I still at nearly 90 regard him as one of the most important influences in my life. He was such a wonderful, warm, tolerant human being who clearly believed in every one of us. Whether it was to do with religion or anything else, I feel I learnt about most of my life from Paul and I have always felt grateful for that ever since leaving the school. “[Memories of arriving at Frensham] will always be with me. I’ve never, like many refugees, been tempted to drop my past. I always remember that I’m a refugee and I still feel a bit like a refugee. Of course, our move from Berlin was dramatic. We left rather suddenly and it was a great shock because my parents hadn’t warned my brother and myself that we were going to leave until about three weeks before. I was sad to leave my school

ever...we all had our girlfriends and our boyfriends – well, most of us did – and I had a nice long relationship with a lovely, lovely girl called Susan. When I say we had these relationships, these were relatively innocent. I received the accolade for a little while for spending the longest time in the stables with Susan.

This was where the school horse, Tom, was kept so he looked over us. It was all pretty innocent but the headmaster got to know from somewhere that I had this record. He called us both in and what I remember as if it was yesterday was his own embarrassment in having to discuss this with us. We sort of felt slightly sorry for the headmaster that he had to go through this agony.

friends but otherwise it was, even in 1936, rough enough for Jews to be quite relieved to have left.

“The great advantage of coming to Frensham was that there were a number of us Jewish refugees – probably about a dozen, quite a lot for a small school, so I never felt alone or isolated. I regarded myself very lucky and I was at a school that was very comfortable in accepting refugees, which of course reflected Paul Roberts and his attitudes. Two of my cousins had been at Frensham Heights so there was a little family connection. Both committed suicide in the end because their parents ended their lives in the concentration camps and they couldn’t take it.

“I would say that what Frensham did for me, which I suspect is what schools are really about, is to give me self-confidence. I think I could face life.”

“On the second day of my time at Frensham, the music teacher, Ted Rice, asked me whether I would like to sing in the choir so I was in the musical life of the school within two days, which was very clever of them and lovely for me.

A memorial service for Claus was held in London on Tuesday 22 March 2016: Jane Read writes: Frensham was represented at a packed concert in St John’s Smith Square to celebrate the life of Claus Moser (OF 1936–40 and Governor 1978–87). OFs attending included Walter Elkan (1938–40), Elgin Ronayne (née Strub, 1944– 45 and sister of the late OF and teacher, Harald Strub, who was a contemporary of Claus, Jane Lawrence (née Richards, 1954–62 and Governor 1974–81), Jenny Elkan Swan (1967–72) and

“I was quite naughty. There was an occasion when I took a piano apart and I was summoned to see Paul. He just somehow managed to explain to me that one doesn’t take pianos to pieces if one doesn’t know how to put them together again. It was almost as if he understood why I had wanted to take the bloody piano to pieces.

“Another example that remains in my mind for

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“I would say that what Frensham did for me, which I suspect is what schools are really about, is to give me selfconfidence. I think I could face life.”

Jane Read (1958–63 and Governor 1980–2009). It was a stunning evening of music

by Beethoven, Schubert, Bach, Peter Maxwell-Davies, Ravel and Mozart performed

by Elizabeth Wallfisch, Raphael Wallfisch, Linn Rothstein, Benjamin Appl, Graham Johnson, Katharine Gowers, Sir Thomas Allen, Imogen Cooper and past and present members of the Royal Opera House’s Young Artists Programme.

Sir David Attenborough gave a fitting and memorable address.

Jane Lawrence writes: We were welcomed by Claus Moser’s son, Peter, who later in the programme told us about his father’s very peaceful end surrounded by his family in a hospital in Switzerland with views across to mountains.

From the broad, lyrical opening of Beethoven’s Archduke Trio, the Frensham associations flooded in for me. Teddy Rice introduced so many of us to this piece.

It was played by Raphael Wallfisch, his wife Elisabeth and with Linn Rothstein at the piano. Raphael’s mother, Anita LaskerWallfisch, is one of the last known surviving members of the Girl Orchestra of Auschwitz. Claus had made reference to the Holocaust in a 1992 interview with the Independent newspaper: “I have had a wonderful life here [England] and it seems to me a duty to understand what happened there, where but for the grace of God we might have gone.”

The performers, who all had international reputations, were informally dressed and simply joined the audience after performing.

We had some Schubert songs from Die Schöne Müllerin sung by the young baritone, Benjamin Appl (who, incidentally, was Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau’s last private pupil). This was followed by Bach’s Violin Sonata no 2 in A minor played exquisitely without a trace of vibrato by Katharine Gowers – every single note was perfectly exposed.

“The school gave me four years of total happiness.

It was very welcoming to refugees; a place of freedom, tolerance and happiness.

I learnt there to be myself.”

Claus had hoped for a career in music but, as Sir David Attenborough told us in his speech, Claus was advised against this by his music teacher at Frensham who said he should go into the safer and better paid family profession of banking rather than music. Could this be Teddy Rice’s advice? Claus continued playing the piano into his old age and two of his teachers, Graham Johnson and Imogen Cooper, also performed in this concert. There was a world premiere of A Birthday Peal of Bells for Lord Moser on his 90th Birthday played

by Imogen Cooper.

Sir Thomas Allen sang some from Schubert’s Winterreise.

Now in his 70s, he doesn’t seem to have lost any of that glorious power or tone in his voice.

Sir David’s speech was masterful. We all appreciate his brilliance as a naturalist but his contribution at the concert highlighted his gifts for writing and for oratory;

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beautifully crafted phrases spoken with that familiar voice with an almost musical modulation and intonation – pitch perfect in every sense.

He didn’t elaborate on those four years Claus spent at Frensham but a note can be added here from the same Independent interview: “In 1936, the four of us came to England. I was 13 when I began at Frensham Heights, a rather progressive, coeducational school with a strong bias towards music.

The school gave me four years of total happiness.

It was very welcoming to refugees; a place of freedom, tolerance and happiness. I learnt there to be myself.”

Unsurprisingly, the anecdote about his unusual record from his time at Frensham didn’t get a mention (see page 30)!

Sir David also remembered Claus’s passion for lists.

Even in the year before his death, he was still compiling lists that included learning more about Jewishness and gaining more experience with computers. He also gave an example of Claus’s professional integrity as highlighted in the Telegraph’s obituary published on 6 September 2015: “In June 1970, the purchase of jumbo jets distorted the balance of payments figures by many millions and Wilson asked for expenditure to be spread over the year rather than following the normal procedure of debiting the balance of payments the following month. Moser dug in his heels and the figures,

showing the country was £31 million in the red, were published three days before the general election, which Wilson had expected to win.

Ted Heath swept to power and for the rest of his life Wilson blamed Moser.

into each day. I marveled at how speedy our meetings were when he was there as he lasered straight to the heart of every agenda item and he could wrap up any debate with astonishing concision.

Sir David marvelled at Claus’s contribution to this country and wondered if he wanted to give something back to the country that had taken him in. As Claus had said during the Independent interview: “Not a day, not a week goes by that I’m not grateful for having been received here.” Equally impressive was the way 89-year-old Sir David skipped nimbly down from the podium to join the audience…

Claus Moser didn’t want to write a memoir. I’ve included a list of obituaries here and hope very much there will be a biography to record his life and achievements.

The evening ended with extracts from Claus’s favourite opera ‘The Marriage of Figaro’. Past and present members of the Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Young Artists Programme presented an extract from Act 3 and they ended with the very joyful and uplifting Act 4 Finale.

The Times summarised Claus as the: “German-born statistician who served three prime ministers while also tirelessly promoting the arts and education in Britain” Claus modestly styled it his ‘funny mishmash’ of a career.

I was privileged to serve on the board with Claus at Frensham. He was a towering giant of a man, never pompous, always warm and friendly. He seemed to pack a fortnight

“German-born statistician who served three prime ministers while also tirelessly promoting the arts and education in Britain.”

The Times

Guardian Obituary: http://www.theguardian.com/ society/2015/sep/06/lordmoser

Member, Governing Body, Royal Academy of Music, 1967–1979 Director, Central Statistical Office, 1968–1978 BBC Music Advisory Committee, 1971–1983 Visiting Fellow, Nuffield College, Oxford, 1972–1980 Chairman, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 1974–1987 Director, N. M. Rothschild & Sons, 1978–1990 (ViceChairman, 1978–1984) President, Royal Statistical Society, 1978–1980 Chairman, Economist Intelligence Unit, 1979–1983 Warden of Wadham College, Oxford, 1984–1993 Chancellor, Keele University, 1986–2002 Trustee, London Philharmonic Orchestra, 1988–2000 President, British Association for the Advancement of Science, 1989–1990 Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Oxford, 1991–1993 Chairman, British Museum Development Trust, 1993– 2003, later Chairman

Economist Obituary http://www.economist.com/ news/obituary/21664049claus-moser-statisticianand-culture-lover-diedseptember-4th-aged-92outside Independent Obituary http://www.independent. co.uk/news/people/news/ lord-moser-refugee-fromthe-nazis-who-went-onto-become-a-toweringfigure-in-britains-culturaland-10492081.html Royal Statistical Society Interview (part 1) https://www.statslife.org. uk/features/1108-a-lifelongpassion-for-statistics-aninterview-with-lord-moser Royal Statistical Society Interview (part 2) https://www.statslife.org. uk/features/1163-what-itmeans-to-be-a-statisticianaccording-to-lord-clausmoser

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Emeritus Chancellor, Open University of Israel, 1994–2004

Goodbye to John A. John Atkinson retired in Summer 2016, having spent all his teaching days at Frensham – an impressive 44 years! He delivered his final ‘morning talk’ as the guest speaker on Founders’ Day. Called ‘Tickling the Imagination’, John reflected on his time at ‘this genuinely unusual school’ and why creativity is so important in education.

Here is a link to see the film in full and below a couple of excerpts: https://vimeo. com/173276749 On what sort of education should we be providing here at Frensham Heights: I hesitate to describe education in terms of lighting candles rather than filling empty vessels because the

use of cliché leads to sharp comment and mocking laughter at home but there’s an element of truth in those two approaches. I favour the former.

We are, in essence, immortal – or at least our atoms are … Put another way, reincarnation is scientific fact rather than theological speculation.

In chemistry, an example of an educational insight that I’ve attempted to share – frequently -- was one I gained from reading Primo Levi’s book called The Periodic Table.

We have an understanding of how some of the atoms in your body must have been created in an exploding star … it’s absolutely scientifically accurate to say that you’re partly constructed of stardust. I love that realisation. Mind you it’s equally true to say you may well be constructed partly of old dinosaur poo. It’s more obvious in some cases than others.

Levi, a wonderful human being, pointed out that atoms are effectively eternal because they are almost impossible to destroy. They therefore endlessly recycle…

A few atoms from what was you will very rapidly become part of a carrot and may, in due course then become part of another human being.

Now none of this information has ever featured in any GCSE or A Level paper I’ve seen. Judged on that

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educational basis, it has no value. And yet … it’s such a glorious piece of understanding how the world – and you – are put together. How could you not be captivated by the ideas involved?

On creativity: Some ideas that later have a significant – in some cases world changing – effect really do start at school, maybe even in Year 7. Try this…

Here’s my Facebook image.

That drawing was done in 1972 by Julian Thompson, one of my first tutees. He was then aged 11. The driver in the drawing, despite appearances, especially in the scalp region, is me.

The car was a beefed-up Sunbeam Rapier – the first car I owned. I loved it since it had a tweaked engine and could do over 100 flat out.

This came as a surprise, first to me, then to other drivers.

Julian spent most of the lesson, most lessons, doodling cars. His books were covered in them. We didn’t stop him … but surely any good school would firmly prohibit such timewasting activities, when there are schemes of work to get through? Julian went on to become the Head of Advanced Vehicle Design at Jaguar Land Rover. Do any of you drive the Range Rover Evoque?… there’s a good case for saying the design originated here…

Advice for teachers: So looking back, what do I think teachers should do, day to day?

1. Be enthusiastic. Nothing works better. Teach what you love. If exam specifications allow this possibility, love what you teach. If they don’t, just teach what you love.

2. Enjoy the company of those you teach, or at least most of them. Some of them are a challenge at times … you know who you are … though they’ll probably grow out of it. Most are funny, honest, thoughtful, blunt, original, inquisitive and capable of engaging well with your subject, though

they may have been told otherwise. The best will soak up anything you say and remember it for decades.

They may even write books in which your verbatim comments feature – thanks, Will Hodgkinson.

Plenty will be offered by the students. Make it obvious that you realise what’s happening. Set a mental time limit for the discussion before returning to the beaten track but don’t ignore off-the-wall ideas. They tickle the imagination and that’s what you want.

3. Make your instruction clear, competent and sufficient … but not complete. It’s so important that at some point people take responsibility for their own progress and learning.

Of course monitor how your students are doing and be honest with them, but don’t spoon feed. Point them towards independence, not follow-my-leader. Unless, of course, we’re talking music lessons about Schubert.

Setting the scene for this starts at home and in schools. I’m proud to have worked for this one, Frensham Heights.

4. To meet the needs of your school responsibilities you may need to go into role when you’re there. Your teaching character may be more extrovert than your everyday one. The pastoral role may be go deeper than you realise at first. When I was a Housemaster I was unthinkingly and quite frequently called ‘dad’.

Understandable, given my job. On two occasions, to the acute embarrassment of the lads concerned, I was called ‘mum’. On at least one of the occasions I was heavily bearded. Clearly my role went deeper than my superficial appearance.

5. Be aware of the intellectual refreshment to be had during a lesson by considering suggestions, that are clearly red herrings.

You can use your own but I promise you that there won’t be a supply problem.

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An Evening with Edwin and John

By Edwin Rolles

This reunion of OFs from the 1970s onwards took place at the Royal Geographical Society, London on 5 May .

Eventful from the start, Pete who was driving the school mini van and just leaving the Frensham courtyard, had an emergency call to say that his wife had gone into labour. Pete, ever the gentleman, said he would drive us there but thankfully he was persuaded to go to the hospital where later that evening his son was born.

Thanks to the skilful driving of Johnny Aylwyn, we arrived in time for a rehearsal at the London venue. It was a truly wonderful evening with many former students

and staff exchanging news and looking at the fabulous photographs by John A of Frensham life and people from the 1970s to the present day, which were displayed around the room. Champagne and soft drinks flowed, canapes were delicious and the atmosphere convivial.

Corydon Lowde, Dan Eley and of course a much awaited speech by John A. It was a very special evening and thanks must go to Emily and Pete who did so much to organise this magnificent event.

A highlight was the recital with solo items performed magnificently by OFs Florence Andrews, Soprano, Flora Allison, ‘cello, Dominic Gerrard, piano, Sam Rolles, viola, Hannah Poulsom, mezzo soprano and Richard Watts, trumpet. Speeches were much enjoyed and given most eloquently by Polly Russell, Steve Rose,

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Calling OF Singers!

OF Kate Love (1983–1990) would like to organise a Choir reunion at Frensham, comprising a day long rehearsal and performance the same evening. Edwin is keen to come back as Director of Music for the event and they would welcome all OF singers to join them (penciled in for December 2017). If you would be interested in taking part, please contact Kate directly: cnlove@ btopenworld.com

Frensham Heights Rowledge, Farnham Surrey, GU10 4EA T. 01252 792561 E. admissions@frensham.org www.frensham.org

Frensham Heights Think, Create, Explore 36

Charity No. 312052