Caterham School_Omnia Issue 6_2019

From Fashion Model to Modern Manners Global Ultra Runner Grounds for Success License for Fun Youth Politics

Young Star Rising

Photograph: PaulaDeegan.co.uk

An interview with OC Harrison Osterfield

The magazine for The Caterham School Society Issue 06. 2019

01

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

FROM THE EDITOR, ANNIE HEBDEN

CONTRIBUTORS

From generating global media shows, rising film stars and budding politicians to an Old Eothen with endless TV appearances, this issue highlights a number of former pupils who share their experiences of life in the world of media.

Nicky Barker (née Law) (OC 1982 – 1998) Jean Broke-Smith (née Sparrow) (OE 1956 – 1964) Callum Brooker (OC 2007 – 2014) Emily Buchanan (OC 2011 – 2018) Simon Dickson (Current Pupil) Samir Dwesar (OC 2001 – 2008) Anna Gardner (OC 2006 – 2019) Michael Gibbins (OC 2001 – 2015) Joseph Haynes (OC 2012 – 2019) Ben Hull (OC 2011 – 2018) Freddie Hull (Current Pupil) Roger Jacob (OC 1945 – 1953) Mark Kingston (OC 1984 – 1995) Julian Kingston (OC 1965 – 1970) Alice Laidler (née Prickett) (OC 2002 – 2005) John Mathias (OC 1945 – 1955) Holly Mead (OC 2011 – 2018) Mark Mear (OC 1976 – 1985) Graeme Mew (OC 1968 – 1977) Rory Moore (OC 2004 – 2019) Sarah Nelson-Smith (Current Parent) Helena O’Connell (née Bloomer) (OE 1983 – 1990) Harrison Osterfield (OC 2008 – 2014) Andy Prickett (OC 2003) Isaac Quinton (OC 2003 – 2018) Henry Richards (OC 1935 – 1942) Cat Simpson (OC 2000 – 2002) Nathanial Tapley (OC 1987 – 1995) David Terry (OC 1952 – 1959) Charlie Waud (OC 1998 – 2005) Dale Zhao (OC 2002 – 2006)

Thank you to all the contributors who have taken part in interviews and shared their news, memories and photographs to create this edition of Omnia. If you would like to make a contribution to a future edition, please do not hesitate to contact me, we always love to hear your news.

With best wishes Annie Hebden annie.hebden@caterhamschool.co.uk 01883 335091

GET CONNECTED: JOIN US! • Log in online to:

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

• Join using LinkedIn, Facebook or your email address

• Customise your settings and get networking

Caterham School Society Join our online networking platform today Caterham School Society offers the whole Caterham School community a professional and social network.

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

Connect with the huge community of Old Cats, parents and friends of the school Stay updated with news and events Benefit from this invaluable professional resource to find mentoring, work experience and career opportunities

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

02

CONTENTS

07

37 03 05 07 13

Welcomes From the Headmaster, Ceri Jones, President of the OCA, Clive Furness, President of the CSS, Rob Davey and Chair of the PA, Sam Kensey.

Forthcoming Events Exciting forthcoming events for the whole Caterham School community.

Young Star Rising

17

39 37

Global Ultra Runner

39

Grounds for Success

41

Old Cat News

49

License for Fun

55

Handing Over The Baton

56

Innovation & Collaboration Award

An Interview with OC Harrison Osterfield.

The Foundation: Past, Present and Future

By Graeme Mew, President of the School.

17

From Fashion Model to Modern Manners OE Jean Broke-Smith offers an insight into the world of etiquette and reality TV.

23

CSS Events A showcase of the variety of events, reunions and sports fixtures for all Caterhamians.

Designed and produced by Haime & Butler haime-butler.com

OC Cat Simpson has fallen in love with elite endurance running.

Celebrating John Dodwell’s 40th anniversary as Head Groundsman.

News of Old Caterhamians including projects, achievements, weddings, births and returns to the School.

OC Mark Kingston’s memories of Caterham and experiences in global media.

The Heads of School give some advice to their successors.

The Old Caterhamians’ Association launches a new initiative aimed at inspiring and encouraging current Caterham pupils.

49 57

In the Archives Recent donations and anecdotes from an OC.

60 Why Study...

Read about a variety of university courses from OCs who are currently studying.

65

Youth Politics

69

Obituaries

73

Support Us

OC Rory Moore on his role as a Youth Member of Parliament whilst at Caterham School.

Giving thanks for the lives of members of the Caterham School Society.

Help us open our doors.

03

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

WELCOME...

FROM THE OCA PRESIDENT

WELCOME FROM THE HEADMASTER

Y

ou will notice this edition begins with a fair few ‘welcomes’ from each of the different sections of our community – which perhaps best sums up the positivity of the rapidlygrowing Caterham School Society.

Whatever section of our school community you meet, at whatever event or endeavour, the common thread running through is a warm welcome from people working together, in support of each other and of the Schools’ ambitions for our pupils and alumni with a shared belief that Caterham is a truly inspiring and special place.

And you only have to flick through this edition to see the inspiring career paths our Old Cats are enjoying since leaving the Harestone Valley. We look forward to catching up with many of them, and you, in the coming months as we gather at Wells Fargo’s London Headquarters for an Insight Evening into Entrepreneurship and Investment, at Brands Hatch for a unique ‘behind the scenes’ day at the British Tour Car Championships final and on Home Field for Caterham’s traditional fireworks night – not to mention looking forward to the OCA Annual Dinner at the stunning Drapers’ Hall in London.

The growth of the Caterham School Society, the swell of alumni engaging with their school, and the dedication of the Parents’ Association is exciting to watch. If you haven’t already, I do hope that you join in and get the most out of all that is going on. We hope that you will all be a part of Caterham’s future, whether or not you have been actively involved in the life of the School since you, or your son/daughter left.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Omnia.

Ceri Jones Headmaster

One of the ‘perks of the job’ as a member of the OCA Committee is to see projects come to fruition having seen all of the hard work that has gone into delivering them.

I was lucky enough to see that when judging the OCA Innovation and Collaboration prize in June this year. The OCA introduced this prize this year. It is open to teams from the whole of the Senior School with no boundaries as to the subject – the only two rules are that there must be an element of innovation and it must be delivered in collaboration with peers.

The prize was judged by an independent panel consisting of Old Eothen Karin Schulte (investment banking, investment management and entrepreneur), Preya Jubraj (technology and management consulting), Ceri Jones (Headmaster) and Clive Furness as your OCA President (commodities, derivatives, investment banking and music). Our inaugural year saw four entries covering very different topics – including augmented reality overlays for school text books, online graphic design and a safeguarding app.

The winners were Planet Eco – nine First Year girls whose development of fully natural shampoo and recyclable bottles along with their exceptional collaboration and ambition saw them emerge victorious (but only just!).

The girls richly deserve the £1,000 prize which we hope will be spent on development of the concept. They have already started exploring the avenues open to them for product testing and the OCA will mentor them as the venture develops. It was one of the most inspiring nights of my life – our school is truly blessed with some exceptional talent and the OCA is determined to help develop that talent.

I encourage you to become part of that journey if you can.

Clive Furness OCA President

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

04

FROM THE CATERHAM SCHOOL SOCIETY

FROM THE PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION CHAIR

The Society is beginning to spread its wings and has been encouraged by the number of members on the website – currently nearly 1,000. If you have not yet joined our networking platform do sign up: caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk As one successful overseas OC put it “If only we had had that access from the age of 16-24.” The Society is a reflection of our all-embracing Caterham Community. A delightful celebration of this took place in May when our 50 strong choir accompanied and directed by the School’s Music team sang jazz hits like New York/New York while raising over £900 to Royal Marsden cancer charity and DKMS (Blood cancer charity).

Progress is not only evident at home but also with our overseas community specifically in the USA, China and most recently in Malaysia where I had the pleasure of meeting 20 of our former scholars in K.L. who were delighted to reconnect with their alma mater.

Now is the time.

The last year has been both extremely busy and, I have to admit, exciting. I would like to start by saying a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who involved with the PA over the last year – you have been truly amazing.

Whether you have been kind enough to help at one of our many events, join us for our Cheese & Wine Evening, be brave enough to pit your intellectual wit against everyone else at our hugely successful Quiz Night or simply by supporting the Parents’ Association through our 200 Club, The Giving Machine or our Nearly New Sales – thank you – we really couldn’t do any of this without your support.

Every event provides us all with the opportunity to come together and either catch up with old friends or forge new connections and experience the sense of community within Caterham School.

This was illustrated brilliantly at The Greatest Show Summer Ball. Following a thoroughly inspiring talk

by Chris Hines earlier in the day – this was the perfect way to celebrate the end of another amazing year at Caterham School. As the ‘All Star’ staff band, led by Stuart Terrell, serenaded parents from the Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior School, Old Caterhamians, special guests and of course our ‘graduating’ Upper Sixth Form students with music from The Greatest Showman and Moulin Rouge.

The whole evening evinced how everyone within the Caterham School Community really can pull together to put on a truly spectacular show to mark the academic year end and celebrate the class of 2019 Caterhamians as they leave to start the next chapter of their lives beyond Harestone Valley Road.

The Parents’ Association wish you all a successful and happy future and we extend our invitation to you all to come back one day and join us at future events. Either to pit your wits against a team of teachers at the next Quiz Night or book your own table of OC’s at future Balls – whatever you do – please sign up to the Caterham School Society and please do stay in touch.

Rob Davey President of the Caterham School Society

Sam Kensey Chair of the Caterham School Parents’ Association

05

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

Forthcoming events Autumn 2019 There are more events in the pipeline, please visit the social media pages and websites below to stay up to date with CSS, OCA and PA events.

Sign up to the caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk and you will automatically receive invitations to events.

For further information, please contact events@caterhamschool.co.uk

Tuesday 17 September 2019: 6.00pm

Friday 20 September 2019: 7.00pm

CSS Insight Evening – Entrepreneurs

OCA Hong Kong Reception

Wells Fargo HQ, Central London

All Old Cats are invited for drinks and canapés. If you are in the Hong Kong area at this time and would like to join us, please contact oldcats@caterhamschool.co.uk

Enjoy welcome drinks on the stunning Thames-side roof top garden of Wells Fargo’s London HQ, before café-style networking with leading entrepreneurs and investors.

Keynote speakers for the evening are Ms Jacqueline Gold CBE and Steve Castle, ABC Investors.

We hope to see you very soon!

Caterham School

Sunday 13 October 2019: All day

CSS Race Day and tour of the BTCC Pits Brands Hatch A full day experience for fans of motor racing with OC racing drivers and motorsport specialists.

CSS link caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

OCA links oldcaterhamians.com  Old Caterhamians Association  Old Caterhamians Association  @oldcaterhamians

@oldcaterhamians

Thursday 19 September 2019

PA link

Hindhead

caterhamparents.co.uk

OC Golfing Society Autumn Meeting Open to all golfers who are 18 handicap or lower, if you would like to join in with the fun, please visit oldcaterhamiansgolfingsociety.com

Friday 18 October 2019: 7.00pm

Parents’ Association – Fawlty Towers Dining Experience Wilberforce Hall, Caterham School

Friday 20 September, 18 October and 22 November 2019: 9.00 – 10.30am

CSS Book Club

A hilarious trip to one of the UK’s most famous hotels – recreated in our own Wilberforce Hall.

Leathem Room, Caterham School The monthly CSS book club meets to read and discuss a range of texts (including those on the GCSE and A Level syllabus) over coffee and cake.

All members of the Caterham School community are welcome, if you are interested in joining please contact events@caterhamschool.co.uk

Friday 8 November 2019

OC Golfing Society Winter Meeting Walton Heath If you would like to join in with the fun, please visit oldcaterhamiansgolfingsociety.com

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

Saturday 9 November 2019

Sunday 10 November 2019

OCA Pre-Fireworks Drinks

OCA Day – Remembrance Sunday & OCA Sports Afternoon

Leathem Room Old Caterhamians are invited to join us for complimentary drinks before the main display begins.

For tickets, please contact oldcats@caterhamschool.co.uk

CSS Fireworks Night Titch Pitch The annual pyrotechnic extravaganza, with fire dancer, BBQ, wood-fired pizza, the Parents’ Association bar, sweet stall and glow toy shop on offer. Bring your friends and neighbours!

Caterham School The traditional service will be held at the front of school, followed by a recital of reflection in the Wilberforce Hall. The afternoon sees our first teams in rugby and lacrosse take on the alumni for this must cherished set of fixtures.

06

Friday 15 November 2019: 9.00am – 11.00am

CSS Woodland Dog Walk Caterham School Guided walk around the woods for parents, Old Cats and friends of the school, you don’t need to bring a dog! If you’re interested in joining please contact events@caterhamschool.co.uk

Friday 29 November 2019: 12.00pm

OCA Over 60s Christmas Lunch The Lansdowne Club, London A chance for Old Cats to share stories and catch up over a festive lunch.

Monday 9 December 2019: 6.30pm

MJS Christmas Lecture Centre for Performing Arts, Caterham School Tuesday 12 November 2019: 6.30pm

The annual Moncrieff Jones Society science lecture.

CSS Bonarjee Lecture Caterham School The annual lecture focussing on democracy and free speech, in memory of Old Caterhamian and benefactor Stephen Bonarjee, creator of Radio 4’s Today programme.

Friday 6 March 2020

Save the Date

OCA AGM & Annual Dinner Drapers’ Hall, London EC2

OCA Dinner 2019, Drapers’ Hall, London

Following the success of this year’s annual dinner, the OCA is delighted to confirm that they will be returning to the majestic Drapers’ Hall located in the heart of the City of London. All Old Caterhamians are invited to join us for another fabulous evening of fine dining and catching up with friends in a stunning location.

For more information and to book tickets, please contact: oldcats@caterhamschool.co.uk

07

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

08

Young Star Rising

HARRISON OSTERFIELD (CLASS OF 2014) It is hard to detect that this young Caterhamian’s career is in the ascendant from his relaxed charm and unassuming demeanour as we catch up in London’s Hospital Club.

T George Clooney has been quoted saying ‘his scene is spectacular and lights up the screen’.

hat said, when George Clooney picks you out among a cast and is quoted (in a national newspaper) as saying “Harrison, I think, worked two days on this, as the young man who dies in the back of a plane…His scene is spectacular and lights up the screen.” then you know that there is certainly something more to say about his growing acting career (which includes support roles in the Avengers, Chaos Walking and a credited role in Catch 22) than Harrison might modestly give away unprompted...

It seems that Harrison’s all-action roles are not confined to the screen either – most recently he’s starred as WW2 tail gunner ‘Snowden’ in Clooney’s much celebrated Catch 22 – but as we settle down to today’s interview, he stoically disguises the pain of seized-up muscles. In another display of modesty, Harrison had not previously mentioned that he was running the London Marathon when I arranged the interview early the morning after!

Non-runners guilt sets in, but Harrison will allow none of it, putting me, if not himself, at ease. 

09

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

What is your favourite memory of your time at Caterham School, and why?

Caterham was amazing for me, particularly my boarding experience. I had dreamt of going to boarding school since the age of six, so when I had the opportunity at 11, I took it with both hands. In boarding you create a real ‘other family’, it has been amazing to keep in touch with so many people I grew up with for five years. I was very lucky to have it.

When did you know that you wanted to be an actor?

Originally it was all about the girl as there was someone in drama group I liked, so I joined drama to have a better chance at asking her out. Unfortunately I didn’t get the girl, but I discovered acting. I particularly remember taking part in the musicals We Will Rock You and Fame.

Caterham had amazing drama facilities but I wanted to take it to the next level. Lisa McMullen, my drama teacher at Caterham, gave me the confidence to just go for it.

How do you think Caterham influenced you and your career path?

I wasn’t the best academic and felt lucky to get into Caterham School, it really took me on a journey of doing academics and balancing the drama lifestyle too. I think what I most benefitted from was the support from everyone. I was a bit worried about going to a big name school, but everyone supported me and pushed me through. My family in particular encouraged me to pursue whatever I wanted to do.

Mr Van (Niekerk) was my favourite teacher – he used to tell amazing stories, which inspired my creative writing in English, in turn helping me think of what I could do in drama and the fantastical world it created. He always encouraged me, I remember coming back from play rehearsals wearing lip liner much to the amusement of my housemates, but he would be saying ‘you’re doing great, keep going’.

How have your friends reacted to and supported your career to date?

It’s strange, everything suddenly exploded. Although many of my friends don’t know that I have a social following. I saw someone from my drama class last week, she said it’s amazing I can still see the same 12 year old person in you. I’m lucky I had such a good group of friends and we’re all still in touch.

Especially those from the boarding house at Caterham, even though we’ve all done different things over the last five years since we’ve left, it doesn’t seem that much time has passed. In boarding you make close friends in all the years – we had older brothers and younger brothers – it was a real family and that really comes across now.

Mr Van (Niekerk) was my favourite teacher – he used to tell amazing stories, which inspired my creative writing in English, in turn helping me think of things to do in drama.

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

Catch 22 was released in the UK in June 2019 on Channel 4

10

You’ve certainly been incredibly busy with 11 films listed in your filmography in the last five years.

Which has been your most interesting role to date?

It’s been a long task of building up credits. Over the last two years it’s paid off with a few key roles. I recently filmed a TV series where I play a young tail gunner in World War 2 – an American soldier – that was a real challenge for me – it was bringing all the experiences I had from Caterham School, LAMDA and Brit School together to make this authentic character.

It was very exciting. I’ve been doing plays in London and short films which were at a good level – but I knew that I had to make a point in this particular role as a lot of people would see it, so I had to give the most authentic portrayal that I could possibly give.

How did this role come about?

I get a couple of auditions every week and also selftapes. American shows require you to do an audition at home and then send it off to the US where they give you feedback. I have done all the self-tapes with my sister. You are reading a set script and the camera is just on you, without cutting away – it’s quite revealing.

It was an amazing experience just to audition for Catch 22 and then I got the call from America a few weeks later and George Clooney said he wanted me for the part!

Do you have any anecdotes to share from your latest films Avengers, Catch 22 and Chaos Walking?

Originally in Chaos Walking I was due to play an extra, I was dressed for the extra role and with my best mate (Tom Holland) for whom I was acting as an assistant so that I could get a feel for the film world.

The director said you look amazing, really different, I had a mullet, long hair, and was beefed up. He said let’s bring out the actor who’s supposed to be saying the lines and asked us both to say them, then said we’re going to go with Harrison, and the guy got cut.

I realised at that point just how cut throat the business can be, and how important it is to be at your best at all times.

How do you prepare for your roles?

From a young age, I have done a lot of theatre work which has given me an insight into the importance of doing research. A lot of actors can just turn up on the day and turn it on, but I find doing the research and going through the character motivation really helps.

Even if I’m not publicly showing it, in my mind I know that the research that I’ve done backs up the decisions that I’m making. I think it stems from the academics I learnt at Caterham.

My research involves looking at the script, the motivations, the language that’s given from the opposing characters about your character. So you create a CV of your character that you can take in any direction that you want to. As long as you have the character’s back story, you can play off that and make it personal to you. 

11

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

What is a typical day on set like?

Very slow! You see the glamour of movie premières and everyone is having an amazing time. It is an amazing time, but there is a lot of waiting around and sometimes you can be doing the same scene for 18 hours. You spend a long time waiting in trailers waiting to get on set and occasionally they will say – we don’t need you today, we’ll bring you back tomorrow – so it’s a very slow process. But it is always exciting to go on set and see how other people work.

I noticed you on the bus in Avenger’s Infinity War, how did that come about?

LAMDA and Brit School were amazing but they don’t teach you how to be on a real film set. So Tom (Holland) said why don’t you come on this journey with me and find out what it’s really like. I jumped at the opportunity to see what these huge blockbusters were all about.

Through doing a year and a half working with him on Avengers I built a good relationship with all the directors and actors, so the director said “Harrison we should get you into this”. His assistant put me at the back of the bus, and the director said – no bring him right behind Tom so he gets a face shot.

What has been your favourite genre of story – superhero or real-life? And why?

It’s tough. I enjoy all of them. I do enjoy drama, taking characters that people don’t associate with me.

I did a play in Kennington where I was playing a horrible character, a cyber bully – throughout the play, I made people feel awful about themselves and after the play when I came out to my family and asked – what did you think? – they said: ‘we’ve never really seen that side of you, not sure if we can trust you anymore!’ People don’t expect me as a villain, so it’s nice to explore a darker side.

Harrison (right) as Snowden in Catch 22

What has been the most surprising thing to you about a career in acting?

It’s all moving in the right direction. Modelling and acting have opened the door to doing lots of different things. Having a bit of a social platform helps create myself as a brand and I can branch out for example I am working with some of my Caterham friends creating companies that we all feel good about. I’m excited by all the possibilities it will lead to.

I always knew it would be difficult, but I underestimated how much work you had to put into it. If you’re serious about it, you’re happy to plug away at it, but unfortunately a few of my friends who were on the same courses as me have found it really difficult, dropped away from it and lost their passion for it.

In the first month I came out of LAMDA, no-one was picking me up so my friends and I created our own theatre company. We started creative writing together and putting on plays in a few small London clubs, then got into some bigger London theatres.

You just have to keep going.

It is also important when you are auditioning and asked what have you been doing – that you have been keeping busy and have something to talk about.

Have you travelled much with your work?

Is it easy to juggle your modelling and acting work?

Luckily, yes! My airmiles are through the roof. Much is cast in London but then filmed all over the world.

I have travelled to Canada, America, Italy and all over Asia – it’s a real gift as I love to travel.

Both modelling work and acting jobs come and go.

Luckily my modelling portfolio is expanding as I go on in life. It works for me as I like to keep busy.

How do you get into character for your roles?

With plenty of research, usually I watch a lot of YouTube. For Catch 22, I watched countless war films.

I need to picture the character’s mindset.

Where do you want to take your career in future?

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

12

What has been your most interesting modelling job to date?

My first modelling job was when someone came into the Brit School – a rather diva-ish woman was looking for six hand models for Anya Hindmarch’s fashion handbag shots. Naturally I immediately put my hand up. We were taken to her show at London Fashion Week, we met Anya. I thought I would simply be catwalk modelling a handbag, but it was just my hand – we were under the stage and at the last moment with the trumpet fanfare we stuck our hands through the stage and gave a wave. It was the easiest £50 that I’ve ever made.

What advice would you give to other Caterhamians hoping to pursue a career in acting?

Just do anything and everything you can connected to that world. When I was at Caterham, I got involved in every play, whether I liked it or not, just for the experience. That is how you discover which roles you like to play and gain the experience to grow as an actor.

Turn your nerves into excitement. I get nervous for auditions so I need to turn those nerves into something positive.

What traits do you need to have to be successful in the film industry?

Perseverance and resilience. It’s very easy to feel down when you’re going to auditions every other week and you might not hear anything back. You need to take everything with a smile, realise that perhaps that wasn’t for me, and know that you gave your best in the audition room but that you can’t control all the other variables.

You can see Harrison playing: Snowden in Catch 22 Farnbach Man in Chaos Walking (a film based on Patrick Ness’s novel) due to be released in 2020 An extra ‘boy on bus’ in Avengers: Infinity War

What tips could you offer for a successful audition?

Rehearse. Get someone to read with you. In the audition world, if you haven’t had chance to even read with a friend you will be going in cold and it will take you a while to get into your best stride. If you’ve done the work beforehand, similar to doing research, you’ll be the best version you can be from the start. In the audition, just listen to the other person, react to them and I’m sure that they’ll give you direction that you can incorporate into your performance.

In such a tough, competitive industry, how do deal with rejections?

Just with a smile. 

If you’re serious about it [acting], you have to create your own work. In the first month I came out of LAMDA, no-one was picking me up so my friends and I created our own theatre company.

13

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

The Foundation Past and Present

By Graeme Mew (OC 1968 – 1977) President of the School

Graeme Mew (OC 1968 – 1977) was elected as President of the School at the annual meeting of Foundation Members in January 2019. He is the third of four generations of his family to have attended Caterham School. In this article he writes about the origins of the roles of the President and the Foundation and his hopes for the future.

M

y father left Caterham School at the end of the Spring Term in 1949. As remains the custom today, he received a leavers’ bible. The inscription on the inside cover was signed by Dr. D.G.E. Hall, the Headmaster, and by Lord Leverhulme, the “President”. The inscription in my own leavers’ bible, received 28 years later in 1977, was signed by Stephen Smith, Headmaster, and Sir Olliver Humphreys, the School President. I wondered at the time who were these “Presidents” who signed those bibles and what was their role? Well, now I know.

Leverhulme and Sir Olliver are two in a line of School Presidents going back to 1878.

Sir Olliver Humphreys (front row, second from the left)

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

William Hulme Lever, the 2nd Viscount Leverhulme, was a noted philanthropist who co-founded Unilever. Quite how he came to be associated with the school is unknown (he was an Old Etonian), but he served as the School President for seventeen years and was one of the School’s major benefactors.

I knew Sir Olliver to be a distinguished Old Caterhamian and a successful industrialist who became Vice-Chairman of General Electric Company and President of the Institution of Electrical Engineers. He was also a major benefactor of the School – the Humphreys Hall, which he opened in 1988, is named after him. But the office of “School President” remained, to me, a mystery until many years after I had left the School.

The Reverend Josiah Viney became the first School President, having served as General Secretary of the School since 1864. The minutes of the Annual Meeting of the School in 1878 record a letter from the Treasurer, Samuel Morley MP, to the Revd. Viney, thanking him for his service as General Secretary and asking him to serve as the first President of the School:

We shall long remember it is very greatly owing to your wise and judicious management, your exemplary generosity and spirit, as well as to your unwearied and persevering efforts, that during the period in which you have held office the school buildings have been much enlarged, while the school itself, as well as the number of scholars have been doubled.

We gladly avail ourselves of the opportunity to present you our hearty thanks for your enduring exertions to promote the welfare of this important Institution, which you have made so largely and lastingly your debtor.

We are unanimous in our judgment that your devoted and disinterested services call for special recognition at our hands.

To mark our appreciation of those services, in some degree, in as permanent a form as possible, we have resolved to create the new office of President of the School, and that you be requested to accept the first appointment to that office.

The Caterham School Society

14

Viney was a man of extraordinary drive and his fundraising and advice lay down stable foundations for years to come, including the relocation of the school from Lewisham to Caterham in 1884. He died in 1896 and for the next 29 years, the President of the School was the Chairman in office of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. Since then, with occasional gaps, School Presidents have been elected by the body now known as the Foundation. Recent office holders have included Sir Alan Moncrieff, General Sir Alex Harley and, most recently, Don Mear (all Old Caterhamians). I am honoured to be Don’s successor, and am particularly grateful to him for his many years of service to the School, not only as President, but also as a Trustee, including two stints as Chairman of the Board, one of which covered the critical years that saw the merger of Eothen and Caterham Schools.

The genesis of the Foundation and its members, starting with the establishment of the Congregational School in 1811, is described in Nigel Watson’s Independent Spirit (2011) as follows:

It was agreed that the Committee of the Congregational School, as it was called, would have 24 governors, of whom six would be ministers.

Governors were not exclusive to the Committee; anyone could become a governor through payment of an annual subscription of one guinea... This entitled each governor to one vote at the bi-annual elections which decided which boys from a long list submitted by the Committee would be admitted to the school. Multiple subscriptions earned multiple votes while ten guineas or more secured a place as a life governor, with one vote for every ten guineas. Anyone giving 200 guineas was entitled either to 20 votes or, as the minutes recorded, ‘to have one child during his lifetime in the Foundation’. …Since the term 'governor' really meant 'subscriber' as applied at the Congregational School, quite different to what was normally understood at most other schools, it led to some confusion in later years. The anomaly persisted until 1981 when the title was changed to ‘foundation member’. 

15

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

The School’s Foundation Members have helped to shape the modern successful school that we know today. While they no longer pay subscriptions Foundation Members are generous donors of time, expertise and financial support. They are a unique community of past pupils, and past and present parents and Trustees.

Nominated by the School’s Trustees in consultation with Foundation Members and the Old Caterhamians’ Association, and appointed for indefinite terms, the 73 members share some important responsibilities. Notably, members of the Foundation are guarantors for Caterham School – as the School is a registered charity and incorporated as a company limited by guarantee (without share capital). Foundation Members also elect the School’s Board of Trustees who govern the School, and members elect the President too. (The Foundation of course no longer retains its original function to elect pupils – and given the growing popularity of the School and the number of applications this is something of a relief!).

The Foundation’s history is important and informs its present role. Its founding purpose was to change the life chances of boys through the power of education – and that core purpose hasn’t changed. Part of the continued vitality of our school today is its diversity, both cultural and socio-economic.

Although situated in a prosperous part of south-eastern England, sending children to Caterham involves a significant financial sacrifice for most families. And it is particularly important that Caterham continues to enrich the education of all of its students by welcoming young people, who might not otherwise be able to afford to attend the school, through the provision of bursaries and other forms of support.

The recently launched Transformational Bursaries Appeal is a vital part of ensuring and inspiring the education for life that lies at the very core of the School’s purpose. Many people reading this edition of Omnia will already have supported the Bursary Fund and I would like to thank you on behalf of the School for doing so. For those of you who have not had an opportunity to read about the aims and objectives of the appeal I would encourage you to take a look at the leaflet which is included with this magazine or to go online: caterhamschool. co.uk/bursaries-appeal/ In recent years the School has also been involved in some extraordinary outreach initiatives that go well beyond Harestone Valley. Whether as a partner school of the London Academy of Excellence in Stratford or the Lerang’ wa Primary School in Tanzania, tutoring pupils from local schools, or numerous charitable ventures such as the Betania Housing Project in Romania, Caterham School practices what it preaches: leadership, opportunity for all, public engagement and social responsibility.

Samuel Morley’s hope that the School President would provide counsel and be a guardian of the School’s condition continues to reflect the role of the President today. All of the School Presidents in the last century have made significant contributions to the life and fabric of Caterham School and I fully intend to continue in that tradition. The convenience of modern communication makes it far easier to maintain regular contact with the School. Since my appointment I have held regular discussions, either in person or by conference call, with the Headmaster and the Chairman of the Trustees. I was pleased to participate in the leavers’ bible ceremony in May

To find out more about our fundraising campaign for transformational bursaries visit: caterhamschool.co.uk/ bursaries-appeal/

My trip to Lerang’ wa was by far the most meaningful experience of my life so far.

Experiencing a different culture through working at the school has taught me so much.

Pupil, Caterham School

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

16

and to attend Speech Day in July. With a professional background in law and a lifelong interest in education, I hope to make myself as useful as possible.

Going forward, I will be looking for ways to refresh the Foundation’s membership and to increase the role that the Foundation, as an element of the broader Caterham School community, plays in making Caterham School more accessible than it already is and maximising the School’s prosperity, its outreach and its influence.

All while preserving Caterham’s culture and ethos and honouring its history and the aspirations of its founders.

I look forward to seeing and talking to many of you, the members of the Caterham School community, in the months and years that lie ahead. 

17

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

Jean is a dynamic business woman, her energy belying her 73 years, working daily on live radio, as well as running a B&B. Progressing from fashion model to principal of the Lucie Clayton School of grooming and modelling, Jean is now a regular contributor to the media on all things royal, regal and diplomatic as one of the country’s leading etiquette and grooming experts.

From Fashion Model to Modern Manners: An interview with

JEAN BROKE-SMITH NÉE SPARROW (OE 1964)

H

er career has witnessed a huge change in social attitudes and opportunities since she left Eothen School in the 1960s. She spent over 30 years training the ‘Débutantes’ for the Berkerley Dress Show at the start of the ‘Season’, many of whom are now well known society people.

She recollects some of her experiences offering insight into a fascinating career. 

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

18

19

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

How do you think your education at Eothen School influenced you and your career path?

What is your favourite memory of your time at Eothen School, and why?

I had a good education at Eothen School as it was an academic school and most of my friends went on to have successful careers such as doctors, magistrates, counsellors, lawyers and dentists. However I didn’t share their ambitions for a serious profession, I just loved the sports and arts. Initially I wanted to become a dancer and actress like my grandmother, a silent movie actress who worked with Charlie Chaplin.

As I grew older, I became interested in fashion and dreamt of becoming a model who could make her own clothes.

In the pursuit of this ambition I did become a model at the time of Celia Hammond, Jean Shrimpton and Joanna Lumley with whom I am still friends. We trudged around London with our wigs and portfolio. I realised that I could not do modelling and catwalk forever so I went to art school and studied art, fashion design and millinery.

My love of art was recognised at school as Miss Harrison, our headmistress, awarded me some art books, one of which is inscribed as being for good manners – how ironic, if only she had known what my career was to become!

My friends – we are all still close, sending Christmas cards and attending the school reunions. We are the biggest ‘class of’ at the Eothen Reunions.

Generally I did what I was told, but I was sometimes a bit rebellious – such as wearing my long hair backcombed with my skirt too short, and I did once glue a teacher to a chair! I liked to have a bit of fun.

When I was at Eothen, our only involvement with Caterham School was for swimming lessons – but we hated having to walk all the way up Harestone Valley Road wet. As there was no particular rule about driving, I ferried my friends to and from the pool. It was quite a picture seeing my little Mini crammed full of wet school girls.

Independent schools take very seriously, and positively embrace, diversity. What is your view on the life changing opportunity of education, such as that offered at Caterham School?

Having been a teacher and principal at Lucie Clayton College for 30 years, I’ve always seen the importance of giving someone a chance. I think it is brilliant to give somebody the opportunity for a better education, such as Caterham’s new IE bursary appeal.

I can also see the real benefits of Caterham as a co-educational school.

When I return to the School for our EOGA reunions, I watch the girls and am encouraged to see that they are joining in with all that the boys do.

I have a cousin who was an engineer who endured a lot of negative attitude – ‘a girl being an engineer!’. I’m for it, I really am.

Clayton House, once home to the Lucie Clayton College where Jean taught for 30 years

Generally I did what I was told, but I was sometimes a bit rebellious – such as wearing my long hair backcombed with my skirt too short, and I did once glue a teacher to a chair!

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

20

A summary of Jean’s experience Fashion Model Fashion Designer Milliner Make up specialist at Max Factor English etiquette, deportment and grooming teacher Principal of Lucie Clayton School of grooming and modelling for thirty years – graduates included Joanna Lumley Taught many private clients including Royal family members, leading business people and politicians around the world, well known models, actresses and media personalities including Esther Rantzen, Lesley Joseph, Henry Kelly, Lorraine Kelly, Bonnie Tyler plus the Wimbledon Football team…to name but a few!

It is apparent how much Jean has enjoyed her career and clear that the highlights have been wonderful personalities with whom she has enjoyed working. When I showed her the list of shows in her IMDB filmography she had forgotten half of what she had done! Here are but a few of her highlights…

I loved teaching, I still occasionally teach now. Recently I worked on a new film with Kiera Knightly called Misbehaving, for which I trained the actresses who were acting as Miss World contestants. The film is based on the last Miss World competition when Bob Hope had flour thrown on him. Coincidentally, one of the rioters who threw the flour was the sister of my Eothen friend, Lyn Fortune – small world!

It was a joy working on Australian Princess and American Princess with my close friend Paul Burrell, Princess Diana’s butler. We spent four years visiting Sydney and New York and the premise of the show was to teach young girls how to emulate the manners of a princess. As always in

making these shows, the hours were long, starting at 4.30am but it was a lot of fun. I did however pick up an Australian accent, much to the crew’s amusement so my impressions of the crew were included in the show’s comedy out-takes.

Before the BBC moved to Manchester, they were conveniently based in White City around the corner from where I live, consequently I worked for Breakfast TV for years.

I particularly enjoyed working with Richard Bacon on the morning show.

We also covered Kate and William’s wedding together with the best view sitting in a block of studios with the BBC. I met some wonderful personalities on the Celebrity Coach Trip in 

21

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

Slovenia, again with Paul Burrell who was my couple. We were an eclectic crowd: Canon & Ball, Edwina Currie, a couple from Big Brother, and the winners were the EastEnders couple – John Altman, ‘Nasty Nick’ Cotton, I got on with particularly well. The show also gave me the opportunity to show my practical and adventurous side. I did things I had never tried before, we had a survival day which started with catching and gutting fish and moved on to kayaking down white water rapids.

As the oldest female in the show with two new hips, they all thought I was crazy taking part, but I was game and managed to stay in the kayak going over the steep drop!

I am not easily intimidated but I did find Piers Morgan quite frightening. I was invited onto Good Morning Britain to talk about the modern woman along with a social influencer with whom I was meant to be ‘arguing’. She was representing someone who did everything online, and I was expressing the opinion that women should at least be able to sew a button and cook for themselves.

I am used to being on the sofa with someone who is there to oppose what I believe, but Piers was so aggressive towards both of us that we ended up supporting each other.

What skills do you need to be successful in the world of fashion, etiquette and media?

As with all professions to be successful, you need to be dedicated and truly enjoy your job. Of course for any craft, you need a slight flair on which to build. Fortunately for me my suitability for radio was simply that my deep voice suited the airwaves.

Similarly all roles require you to believe in yourself in order to succeed.

Although the business of fashion and media does require resilience as with any competitive job. Modelling is particularly brutal with auditions, you could be lined up with 30 girls knowing that they only want one of you.

Jean is a regular expert contributor for TV, radio, newspapers and often appears on live news programmes and interviewed on live radio ‘link-ups’ – on all things royal, regal and diplomatic.

She has appeared in a number of TV programmes: Ladette to Lady Australian Princess American Princess B&B the Best The Family Faking It

What is your view on the etiquette and morals of reality television?

Snobs

Dreadful, I would not watch Love Island. I believe that type of reality show incites insecurities, I worry that they encourage young people to enhance their looks superficially and adapt their personalities to please the public.

It was something I was very concerned about when we worked on reality shows. My job has always been bringing out the best from what is inside. There is always something there that a person does not realise they have about them which we try

Britain’s Next Top Model How to Marry a Prince The Supersizers Eat Edwardian Celebrity Coach Trip Three in a Bed Good Morning Britain Breakfast

Jean with her close fried, Paul Burrell

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

to bring out – for example a fantastic smile, hair, self-confidence.

Paul and I always had a pact to ensure that our shows were judged fairly. I once worked on a programme where the person that was chosen, was not the person that the judges voted, rather the producers intervened and chose the person they thought the public would want to win.

I was asked to do Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here only a few years ago. I would not have minded eating the bugs, but I am only too aware of how tricky it can be as a contestant as everything is edited.

I am not easily intimidated but I did find Piers Morgan quite frightening!

What challenges have you been faced with in your career?

It has been challenges all the way. It all sounds fun, but it is very hard work.

You do need to always been on guard.

I am not a celebrity but having been on TV a lot, I still need to be aware of the media. There is an expectation for you to practice what you preach, so I need to wear my ‘uniform’ every day – a suit and full make up.

There are certainly challenging personalities to contend with, such as Piers Morgan. Demanding schedules, particularly for morning shows, for which punctuality is essential, even for 4.30am starts.

It is important to resist what you do for a living infringing in to your home life.

Has the etiquette industry changed during your career?

Finishing schools, like Lucie Claytons are no longer flourishing in England.

22

However the etiquette industry is growing overseas, I have been asked to set up a school in China which I turned down. Although I have been helping someone who is setting up a school in Kuwait.

I occasionally still train people in the UK when they come to me as a private client.

In your view in what way should the modern young person be ‘finished’?

I do think that manners have got worse. My particular bugbear is being on mobile phones all the time in public and also pushing past each other in crowds. I do hope at Caterham that they are still teaching them to be polite young people, although obviously children’s’ manners are essentially taught at home.

I did something recently which hit the newspapers – a PR company invited me to give talks to guests at Kensington Palace Hotel on ‘how to eat afternoon tea’.

What advice would you give to current Caterhamians about to go out into the world?

Be prepared when going to an interview. Do your homework, know what you’re talking about because there will be someone out there who can catch you out.

I still believe that boys should say Sir, and I am so anti ‘huggy-huggy’ when you have not met someone before, it is far more appropriate to shake hands. Be on time. Look right.

Be polite. 

23

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

OVER 60S CHRISTMAS LUNCH WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2018

CSS EVENTS

The annual Christmas lunch was held at the Lansdowne Club.

Former classmates enjoyed a delicious two-course lunch whilst sharing stories and reminiscing their school days.

Please save the date for this year’s Christmas Lunch on Friday 29 November 2019.

To see more photos of these events and find out more about forthcoming CSS and OCA events: Visit: caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk oldcaterhamians.com

Follow:  Old Caterhamians Association  Old Caterhamians Association  @oldcaterhamians

@oldcaterhamians

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

24

MONCRIEFF JONES ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LECTURE MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2018 Once again it was a packed hall full of pupils, parents, staff and Old Cats for the Moncrieff-Jones Annual Christmas Science Lecture. This year’s talk was by Mike Bonsall – professor of Mathematical Biology from Oxford University.

His area of research includes modelling how disease outbreaks such as Zika and Malaria will spread, an ever more important area of Biology in our age of global warming. Only this month Congo has announced the worst outbreak of Ebola in its history. The talk included information from a paper published by Old Cat Ross Hendron who studied Biology at Oxford at St Peters College with Prof Bonsall. Ross Hendron was also vice-President of the Moncrieff-Jones Society seven years ago. It was a fantastic to see so many Old Cats returning for this lecture.

Did you know that it was Sir Alan Aird Moncrieff (Old Caterhamian), who played a prominent role in establishing preventative and social paediatrics in Europe? In 1946, Moncrieff was appointed the first Nuffield Chair at the Institute of Child Health which

was founded at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in the same year. He played a prominent part in establishing the National Perinatal Mortality Survey, which will explore how serious a threat Ebola, Zika and Malaria pose, and how science can deal with these outbreaks.

UK’S LEADING SPORTING TALENT AT CSS INSIGHT EVENING TUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2019 Leading lights from UK elite sport, including former pupils, shared their wisdom and tips for resilience and success at our OCA-sponsored Caterham School Society Insight Evening. A huge thanks to Crystal Palace FC for hosting our evening and to our amazing panel.

The Panel Ama Agbeze England Netball Captain Hollie Pearne-Webb MBE GB/England Hockey Captain Rosie Clarke Team GB Steeplechase and Old Caterhamian Charlie Robertson Motor racing – LeMans 2018 and Old Caterhamian James Benning – former Surrey Cricket & Old Caterhamian Calum Giles Double Olympic Hockey player Alex Bennett Former Saracens and England A Jeremy Snape Keynote speaker, Sports Psychologist, Sporting Edge

Left to right: Charlie Robertson, Calum Giles, Hollie Pearne-Webb, Alex Bennett (back), Rosie Clarke (centre), Ama Agbeze (front), Jeremy Snape, James Benning, Ceri Jones.

Continued overleaf...

25

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

CSS INSIGHT EVENING CONTINUED...

Leading sports psychologist Jeremy Snape started the evening with a look at how top achievers take positive steps to achieve their dream targets and how they cope with the inevitable hurdles they encounter. Jeremy gave invaluable advice on how to embrace the lessons gained through setbacks and how to recalibrate to ensure a successful onward path.

Our audience then spent 10 minutes in conversation with each of our elite athletes sharing the inside track on their career highlights and tips for success.

Thanks to the Old Caterhamians’ Association for sponsoring this event – thanks too to our amazing audience. “Inspirational!”, “open and honest!”, “amazing” were just some of the positive comments from those who attended.

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

26

SPECTACULAR EVENING! OCA ANNUAL DINNER FRIDAY 8 MARCH 2019 A jaw dropping venue, old friends, amazing music and speakers plus first class food and wine made for a truly spectacular OCA Annual Dinner. London’s Drapers’ Hall was a wonderful backdrop to an evening full of Old Cats young and old – each enjoying the company and sense of community which sums up Caterham School.

Guests gathered in the Drawing Room (which doubled as Buckingham Palace in the film The King’s Speech) for drinks before entering the majestic Livery Hall. Fifth Year pupil Aldi Ho begun proceedings with a breath-taking solo soprano performance.

Following three mouth-watering courses, OCA President Clive Furness highlighted the work completed by the association over the past 12 months, including the Innovation Award and numerous reunions and gatherings which have happened across the globe.

Headmaster Ceri Jones announced the launch of the Inspiring Education bursary campaign which aims to provide 20 transformational bursary places by 2024, funded through the support of the wider Caterham School community. The inspiring stories of Old Cats whose lives have been transformed by the support they received kicked off the campaign.

Guest speaker and Rugby World Cup Winner Kyran Bracken provided laughs with his insights into an era of rugby which featured many well-known characters plus tales from his win on ITV’s Dancing on Ice. The evening carried on well into the night as guests made the most of the stunning venue and so many friendly faces. It was wonderful to celebrate a truly superb evening together – hope you can join us when we return to Drapers’ Hall for next year’s Annual Dinner on Friday 6 March 2020.

27

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

OCA SPRING SPORTS AFTERNOON SUNDAY 10 MARCH 2019 We were delighted to see so many OCs return for an afternoon of sport on a beautiful Spring afternoon. Hockey, Football, Basketball and Netball were all played.

NETBALL MATCH REPORT Old Cats afternoon saw some of the biggest names in Caterham Netball history return to take on the current 1st VII. It was an absolute delight to see these girls return, as they were amongst the most talented, most hardworking, and generally all-around absolute superstars that we have had the privilege to work with over the years.

The match was of a fantastic standard, with the Old Cats showing that they have lost none of their netballing talent, as they fell right back into their old combinations enabling them to show their skill and their flare. It was a goal for goal game, with the 1st VII just sneaking it right at the last moment to win the game 28-27.

As expected, this combination of girls – both current 1st VII and Old Cats – played the match in exactly the right spirit, as they were competitive, determined to put out their best performance, but most of all they were just happy to be taking part in this celebration of Caterham Netball. Well done to everyone who played, and thank you very much to the Old Cats for making the effort to return – it was just brilliant to see you all.

Old Cats: Hannah Owen, Olivia Tikare, Maya Pardew, Elise Knowles-Cutler, Abbie Barrett, Emily Thompson, Natalie Bishop, Katie Lloyd

By Jaclyn Leach

Results FOOTBALL

OCs 4 v School 2

BASKETBALL

OCs won by 2 points

NETBALL

School 28 v OCs 27

HOCKEY

OCs 2 v School 1

HOCKEY MATCH REPORT The latest instalment of the Old Cats reunion competition resulted in a close, well-contested hockey game, with the Old Cats coming away with a 2-1 win.

In front of the largest crowd of the season the 1st XI played their most composed game so far, moving the ball quickly and shutting down their opposition’s space. Strong performances from Kensey in goal, Criscuolo in the forward line and a goal for Salem on his 1st XI debut were, in the end, not enough. The Old Cats’ determination to win and some excellent skills from playmaker Terry saw them over the line for the victory.

Thank you to Mr Quinton and Mr Todd for umpiring what was a great game of hockey. The 1st XI are already looking forward to next year’s match.

Old Cats: Matt Terry, Isaac Quinton, Louis Brown, Theo Boutell, Ben Prego, James Dyke, Oli Young, Mark Chatfield, Sam Saunders, Sam Thorpe, Oscar Ingrassia

By Freddie Hull, Lower Sixth

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

28

CSS LECTURE WITH JOHN KING ON KOREA TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2019 Brigadier John King gave an excellent illustrated lecture on ‘Peace on the Korean Peninsula – do insurmountable obstacles remain?’. His talk was based on his experiences as military attaché in Seoul when he saw at first hand the relationship between North and South, and the impact on the citizens of those countries. He spoke about recent developments in the region and whether peace is possible. He answered a wide range of questions from the floor who greatly appreciated his knowledge, humour and delightful delivery.

OCA BOARDERS' REUNION SATURDAY 21 MARCH 2019 The OCA hosted a wonderful evening where current and former boarding staff reminisced with Old Cat boarders in a cosy London pub. Thank you to all who joined us – we hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as we did.

LONDON CONCERT AT PICCADILLY FRIDAY 22 MARCH 2019 Once again, the beautiful church, St. James’s Piccadilly, played host to our annual showcase concert featuring choirs, instrumental ensembles, chamber groups and soloists. The varied programme included demanding musical works that were performed with style, precision and authenticity.

Parents, friends, Trustees and members of the public commented on the impressiveness of this ‘musical feast’.

This was evident from the musical prowess displayed from the youngest pupils, in the Prep School Year 5, to our Upper Sixth. Huge thanks and congratulations must go to all involved.

The event was most certainly another musical highlight of the calendar.

29

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

OCA MALAYSIA REUNION TUESDAY 9 APRIL 2019 Rob Davey, President of the CSS, and his wife Ann were delighted to meet up with 20 former pupils from all over Malaysia in the Shangri La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The Old Cats were interested in what was happening in the School and delighted to catch up with each other as several had not seen each other since they left school some 20 years ago.

The majority were Malaysian Scholars who boarded as Sixth Formers. The group ranged from Chris Syer who left in 1958 and has made his home in Malaysia to Nick Simpson who left in 2004 and has been working in Malaysia since November 2018.

We were most grateful to Hilmi Yusuf (Deputy Head Boy 1995) for organising such a happy event and all agreed that they didn't want to leave it another 20 years to have a reunion.

By Rob Davey

OC GOLFING SOCIETY SPRING MEETING, RYE THURSDAY 23 APRIL 2019 We had an excellent turnout of 20 players for our inaugural Spring Meeting in Rye, and were blessed with fine weather. The format for this meeting was foursomes.

This was the first time 19 of our 20 players had visited Rye – playing the Old Course in the morning for the main competition – then a much more relaxed afternoon round on the Jubilee Course. Congratulations to Charlie May and Ali Bownas for a fantastic 34 points – and were winners of our first Spring Meeting.

By Charles Waud

1st place

Charlie May & Ali Bownas 34 points

2nd place Graham Wilson & John Hodgkinson:

33 points 3rd place

Simon Smith & Nick Mitchell 31 points

CSS INSIGHT EVENING: LEGAL DRAMAS V. REALITY FRIDAY 26 APRIL 2019 The Law Society provided a handsome venue as Sixth Formers, Old Cats, parents and our whole school community networked at the CSS Insight Evening, focussing this time on the reality of working in law versus on-screen legal dramas. It was a hugely enjoyable, valuable and fun evening for all who attended. Caterham parent Suzanne Kelly detailed how the production team on the BBC 1 Drama The Split shadowed her as they researched their first series. Suzanne revealed how many aspects then made it through to the final series – including her breakfast choice and a light sabre battle which began in her own garden!

Our expert panel of high flying legal brains hosted tables around which the Sixth Form, Old Cats and parents networked in ‘café style’. Golden nuggets of career and professional life advice were gleaned and many contacts made. Matthew Long (OC 2004) and Oliver Byrne (OC 1998) both joined the panellists to share their insights into family law and corporate law respectively.

Huge thanks to our panel, and to all those parents (current and former) and Old Cats who have so generously given their time. Thanks also to the Old Caterhamians Association for their sponsorship of these events.

Photos from the evening



caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

Left to right: Ceri Jones, Catherine Peck, Oliver Byrne, Victoria Francis, Matthew Long, Suzanne Kelly, James Eighteen

The Caterham School Society

30

31

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

OC GOLFING SOCIETY GRAFTON MORRISH QUALIFYING TUESDAY 14 MAY 2019 This year, we were pleased to have entered regional qualifying to the Grafton Morrish Trophy at the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club in May. Arguably one of the toughest formats going, scratch foursomes stableford, we put out a team of 6 old boys to try and qualify from the London section to reach the finals at Hunstanton and Royal West Norfolk.

We played with seasoned Grafton Morrish and Halford Hewitt winners Epsom, who cruised through qualifying with the best score of the day. The London group is littered with the big schools including; Charterhouse, Whitgift, Rugby, Harrow, Eton, Dulwich and more. Sadly we were not successful in qualifying, but will return more experienced next year.

By Charles Waud

OVER 60S SUMMER REUNION FRIDAY 17 MAY 2019

CSS LECTURE WITH GEOFFREY KEMP THURSDAY 16 MAY 2019 US and Middle East politics expert, and Old Caterhamian, Geoffrey Kemp returned to school to give a fascinating Spring Term CSS Lecture entitled ‘From Caterham to the White House.’

Geoffrey served as Special Advisor for the Middle East at the White House during the Reagan administration and is now an acclaimed writer and academic, residing in Washington DC. The packed audience were gripped by Geoffrey’s fascinating insight into the major issues in US politics and society, including infrastructure degeneration and the thorny issue of health care. He also outlined the domestic and international view on the Trump presidency before casting an eye forward to the 2020 elections.

The history of Caterham School was brought to life as OCs from 1953 through to 1975 shared their school experiences with Third Year pupils at the OCA’s Over 60’s Summer Reunion.

A nostalgic lunch was served in the old Dining Hall, now known as the Wilberforce Hall, followed by tours of the School. It was wonderful to hear memories from Old Cats who attended Caterham School in the fifties, reminiscing about their time in boarding during their visits to Mottrams and Beech Hanger, as well as lessons in Shirley Goss. Over afternoon tea, pupils heard stories about the OCs’ former teachers, lessons, pranks and daily life (especially in the boarding houses) and enjoyed looking at the memorabilia brought in. The event was a chance for the current pupils to provide the Old Cats with an insight into the changes and continuities of academic and co-curricular life at Caterham now.

This was the first time this reunion had been held on the School grounds and it certainly evoked lots of memories for the OCs and provided a chance for current pupils to find out first-hand about the history and traditions of the School.

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

32

CSS THEATRE TRIP THURSDAY 23 MAY 2019 Old Cats, former and current parents and staff enjoyed the inaugural venture of the Caterham School Society Theatre Group to Agatha Christie’s ‘Witness for the Prosecution’. It was a unique experience with the interactive drama and courtroom staging in the grand chamber of the magnificent London County Hall. The trip was made all the more special as one of the actors Phoebe Marshall (pictured in the centre) came to talk to us after the show.

BOARDERS CLASS OF 2019 LEAVING DINNER FRIDAY 7 JUNE 2019 This year we say goodbye to 50 Upper Sixth Boarders, who recently celebrated their wonderful time living at Caterham School by sharing a sumptuous meal in the Wilberforce Hall with the boarding staff who have so diligently looked after them day to day. Mrs Quinton and Mr Mills (Heads of Boarding) gave a moving tribute to each of the boarders after dinner which brought smiles, laughs and the odd tear of emotion. Pupil Heads of Boarding, Krystal and Jerry, gave a fitting vote of thanks on behalf of the Upper Sixth boarders.

These pupils leave with the benefit of at least two or more years of boarding. They have developed a number of skills as boarders including: self-confidence, welcoming new people, tolerance, compliance, negotiating, independence and teamwork. Armed with these ‘soft-skills’ they will be very well placed to shine in life as they move on from living with their Caterham family. They will, however, always be part of the family and we look forward to welcoming them back for future visits and events.

33

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

CSS ARTS TRIP TO THE QUEEN’S GALLERY THURSDAY 13 JUNE 2019 Guests enjoyed refreshments served in royal china and a private talk on ‘Leonardo Da Vinci: A Life in Drawing’, before viewing the Queen’s Gallery exhibition marking the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci. The exhibition brings together more than 200 of the Renaissance master's greatest drawings in the Royal Collection.

All agreed it was a fascinating talk and a treat to visit this unique exhibition in such majestic surroundings.

Huge thanks to parent Nicola Masters for her inspirational choice and for organising this visit.

CSS CHOIR ‘COME AND SING’ JAZZ CONCERT TUESDAY 18 JUNE 2019 The Music Department and Caterham School Society held their first Come and Sing concert at the United Reformed Church and received much praise from singers and audience members alike. Following only five sessions, the choir comprising parents, Old Caterhamians, staff and pupils learnt an enjoyable selection of Jazz standards that included: It Don’t Mean A Thing, Mack The Knife, Over The Rainbow and Moon River, and made an impressive sound!

Other singers came from local choirs and were supported by Barisons Singers, a community choir from Epsom. The concert also featured pupils from the String Ensemble who accompanied some of the songs as well as performing their own piece, Fly Me To The Moon. The concert was also supported by a fantastic trio featuring Mr Hall (piano) and two VMTs; Mr White (bass) and Mr Briggs (drums).

The event raised money for The Royal Marsden and DKMS. The whole project has raised over £900 for charity. The CSS Choir is open to anyone with an interest in singing including inexperienced singers, if you would like to find out more, please contact events@caterhamschool.co.uk.

OCA SUMMER SPORTS AFTERNOON – CRICKET MATCH REPORT SUNDAY 23 JUNE 2019 As familiar faces took to the stunning Home Field to face a Caterham side in high spirits, it was clear that some Old Caterhamians had been a bit rusty after taking a break from cricket. Despite this the Old Cat’s bowlers did well, but nothing could stop the onslaught from a rejuvenated Joe Haynes who had been promoted up the order to open. This proved a master stroke as the Head Boy flew to 95, only to be unlucky in a run out which saw the back of him. With a few other cameos from promoted U6th, the 1st XI posted a reasonable score of 153, and with worried looks on the old boys faces, the Old Cats chase began.

With tight lines bowled, the Old Cats run rate was contained nicely for the first few overs, and this pressure saw former Caterham sports coach Mr Moore ran out for a low score. This brought to the crease last year’s star slogger Lachlan Coyle. Realising Lachlan’s scoring areas and with plenty of men out on the leg side boundary, the run rate continued to be consistent as the batsman found their feet on a slow wicket. However, many overs and unfortunately for the 1st XI many dropped catches later, the Old Cats raced on towards the total with both batsman batting beautifully.

Moment of the match must go to Joe Haynes, but not for his batting. Though this had clearly taken its toll on his fatigue, as he brought back memories of Jordan Pickford in summer 2018 as he tipped an Armitch shot over the bar, for 6, bringing up his 100 and with it a comprehensive Old Cats win, by 9 wickets, with Coyle finishing on a well worked 30 odd not out. But as with any Old Cat’s game, it’s about the fun and the spirit of the game, rather than the winning, and I can safely say that all involved had a fantastic afternoon.

By Simon Dickson (OC 2019)

Photos from the evening



caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

Lachlan Cole, Mark Chatfield, Ed Chatfield, Max Arnold, Sam Armitage, Chris Bishop, Matt Terry, Harry Hopkins, Craig Moore, Matt Ireland, Sam Thorpe

The Caterham School Society

34

35

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

ALL THE NINE’S REUNION THURSDAY 13 JUNE 2019 Old Cats from the Classes of 1959 through to 2009 returned to school for a nostalgic lunch in the Wilberforce Hall (formerly known as the Dining Hall) with former classmates and staff. Memories and stories were shared whilst poring over photographs and magazines from the archives and during tours of the School.

Afternoon tea was enjoyed in the Leathem Room having watched the traditional OCs v School cricket match on Home field on a beautiful summer’s day.

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

36

SPEECH DAY SATURDAY 6 JULY 2019 The many achievements and best moments of the 2018/19 academic year were celebrated by the whole school community at Speech Day 2019 with guest speaker Chris Hines MBE (Surfers Against Sewage founder and former director and sustainability director of the Eden Project) giving a empowering and brilliantly received speech.

Heads of School Anna Gardner and Joseph Haynes drew warm applause and cheers from the audience as they reflected on their, and their Upper Sixth peers’, career at Caterham. The Headmaster’s address gave warm tribute to all that has been achieved in the last 12 months, including a glowing ISI inspection report, and to the power of Caterhamians both young and old to do their part to make the world around them a better place.

THE GREATEST SHOW SUMMER BALL SATURDAY 6 JULY 2019 What a night! The Greatest Show Summer Ball was a super evening with huge thanks to the Parents’ Association Ball Committee and the Class of 2019 leavers for making this year’s ball so memorable! Guests were serenaded by the ‘All Star’ staff and Old Cat band (including teachers Mr Stuart Terrell, Mr Dan Quinton, and Miss Helena Richards) as they arrived with stilt walkers entertaining throughout and magicians taking their breath away.

It was marvellous to see so many leavers, parents, Old Cats and friends of the school enjoying a fabulous evening together.

37

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

Global Ultra Runner CAT SIMPSON (OC 2000 – 2002)

For the first part of her life Cat didn’t run, but in the last few years has turned herself into an elite endurance ultra runner.

L

ast year Cat completed the Spartathlon, a race which attracts the very best amateur endurance athletes from around the world, covering 246 kilometres from Athens to Sparta. Most won't have heard of it, but it is considered one of the most difficult ultra-marathons in the world. The race follows the footsteps of Pheidippides, an ancient Athenian long distance runner, who in 490 BC, before the battle of Marathon, was sent to Sparta to seek help in the war between the Greeks and the Persians. According to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, Pheidippides arrived in Sparta the day after his departure from Athens.

At the end of May last year, when Cat won the 145 mile Grand Union Canal Race from Birmingham to London and set a female course record, she said many times, “Don’t mention the S word”. By the time Spartathlon entries had opened at the beginning of the year, ‘the S word’ was well and truly being mentioned.

There is no easy way in to Spartathlon. Runners enter a ballot to be considered and there are demanding qualification standards (such as completing a 100 mile race in 21 hours for men and 22 hours for women). In case running 246k wasn't enough, the race navigates a mountain at the hundred mile point and often features temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius. The hot summer we had helped Cat’s preparation, but she also spent two weeks training in the south of Spain and used the heat chamber at Kingston University. However, the 2018 race threw a curveball and runners battled a tropical storm, Medicane Zorba, with thunder and lightning, heavy rain, and strong winds.

With her time of 28:51:03 Cat was third of the UK runners, fifth female and the second fastest UK woman ever.

The Spartathlon, the foot kiss

The Spartathlon, Athens to Elefsina

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

The Spartathlon, Corinth Canal

38

Cat hasn’t rested on her laurels since ‘the S race’; in April she ran a 24 hour race around a 400 metre athletics track. You might wonder why on earth anyone would choose to do this; what could possibly be achieved or proved. Well, we are all aware of events such as the World Championships and Olympics which UK Athletics sends athletes to and the distances that are run, but very few realise that there are World and European 24 hour championships. The only way to be considered for the team is the run the qualifying distance in a recognised 24 hour event; hence this was Cat’s reason for running.

To cut a long story short, Cat achieved the distance, and ran 221 kilometres in 24 hours. In October she will travelling to Albi in France for the IAU World 24 Hour Championships, as part of the British team. 

39

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

Grounds for Success

Keeping Caterham Immaculate for Four Decades John Dodwell Celebrating 40 years as our Head Groundsman

“ A more accurate weather forecaster than Carol Kirkwood. However it is his good humour and generosity that really set him apart.�

Kim Wells

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

40

By Matthew Godfrey Deputy Head (External Relations)

E John’s boys Jake and Ollie

John’s anniversary has triggered an endless stream of plaudits and praise from friends and colleagues from over the years. Here are just a few of them:

“ John is one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I have had the pleasure of working with. People sometimes think he’s scary – but I only know the big softy he really is!”

Clare Brown

“ Never was the phrase ‘Get off my land!’ more apposite than when referring to his dulcet tones bellowing across Home Field. Whilst fiercely protective of his territory, he also has a heart of gold.”

Stuart Terrell

veryone who visits our School admires our beautiful and extensive grounds. Our immaculate sports pitches, gorgeous woodland and lovely lawns are an intrinsic part of what makes Caterham such a remarkable place. This year we celebrate the 40 years of outstanding and dedicated service that our Head Groundsman, John Dodwell, has given to Caterham School.

“John is part of the fabric of the school,” says Headmaster Ceri Jones. “We host nearly 1,300 sports fixtures in the Autumn Term alone and yet John always ensures the pitches are pristine and ready for action. John has worked under 11 Heads across the three sections of the School (Senior, Prep and Pre-Prep) during his time here and I know that they have all felt as lucky as I do to have such a brilliant groundsman. John is always willing to help, he has very high standards and he is a loyal colleague and friend to the whole school community.”

John started work at Caterham aged 19 on St George’s Day in 1979 and has remained at the School ever since. He was born and raised in Caterham and was a keen sportsman in his youth, playing rugby at Rosslyn Park and representing England Schools and Surrey as a 200m sprinter.

“When I arrived it was supposed to be just a summer job,” John says. “But this is a great School with a strong sense of community and I guess I just got hooked!”

No-one is better placed to describe John’s commitment and loyalty to the School than his two sons, Jake and Ollie, both of whom were brought up within the School grounds, in the family home of Shirley Goss Lodge (which had previously been the School’s stables).

Jake and Ollie remember one particularly wet year: “Home Field looked like the swimming pool. We blew up an inflatable dingy, Dad tied some rope to the front, and we proceeded to check every square metre of that pitch from our ship!”

John is a hugely valued colleague to all who work at the School, but especially the Sports Department. Katie Koi, current Head of Underwood and former Head of Lacrosse, sums it up well: “As Head of Lacrosse, there were days I would phone Dodders and demand: How are the fields looking? Any chance we can get one match on there? Unplayable? Can you set up the Astro?...

“I rarely considered that he was also receiving these phone calls from two other Heads of Sport who equally wanted everything done NOW! I would set ungodly cancellation times, some as early as 5am, which would see John walking the pitches in the darkness, flashlight in hand, deciding if the Saturday matches could go ahead while I lay in bed waiting for his phone call.

“John is the constant who has enabled Caterham Sport to be successful. His drive to continuously improve our facilities and maintain a high standard spreads to all areas of the Sports Department.”

John: on behalf of our entire community, thank you for all that you do, and continue to do, for Caterham School. 

41

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

PODIUM FINISHES FOR MICHAEL GIBBINS (OC 2015)

OLD CAT NEWS

This year Michael has been smashing his way to the top of the Sports 2000 championship. Racing his MCR S2, he gained podium finishes in all three races in Germany. He has been featured in the Surrey Mirror paper and the Auto Sport magazine having picked up two more wins, with two fastest lap times, for the championship in June at Thruxton, the fastest track in the UK.

WATCH OUT FOR CHUK IN THE SPLIT AND DESIGNATED SURVIVOR CHUK IWUJI (OC 1987 – 1993) Chuk stars as Alex ‘Zander’ Hale in the BBC 1 Drama The Split which the BBC has confirmed is due to be back on our screens for a second series, production started earlier this year. Also playing the biologist, Dr Eli Mays, investigating a case of bioterrorism with the CIA in the third series of Designated Survivor.

TONIGHT WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN NATHANIAL TAPLEY (OC 1995) Nathanial has written a brand new comedy which piloted on 23 June on BBC 2 at 11pm.

Starring as the CGI chat show host Putin, his guests included Alastair Campbell, June Sarpong, Joe Swash and Deborah FrancesWhite. Tonight With Vladimir Putin is a semi-scripted comedy chat-show format – with a significant twist. In a television first, ground-breaking live VFX, created using performance capture technology, developed by creative studio Framestore.

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

42

SANDERSTEAD CATS BY MARK MEAR (OC 1976–1985) Over the past two years the yellow and black of the School's colours has been augmented by the arrival of more yellow shirts with Sanderstead Hockey Club taking up residence on the School astro as their official Home pitch on Saturday afternoons throughout the season.

That School pitch must have some charm, as Sanderstead 1s have now gone on an incredible two years’ unbeaten run, resulting in an unprecedented jump of three divisions in to the dizzy heights of Surrey Open League Two. It is surely no coincidence that regular players over those last two years have included OCs (Mear, Avery, Knolles, Khan), Parents, Teaching staff (Terrell) and current Pupils from the Caterham School community… so the Club have recognised that in the best way possible, and entered a new team in to Surrey Open League Five, 'Sanderstead Cats’.

This is not an exclusive Old Cats side, but a developmental, community side aimed at younger players and those returning to hockey after some time out… and early sign-ups suggest that a further team may be required, maybe even part way in to the new season.

Anyone interested in joining Sanderstead Hockey Club or the Sanderstead Cats, at whatever level, please contact Mark Mear on 07748 336665.

Fixtures are already out for the 2019/2020 season so the combination of teams will see a virtually permanent presence for the Club at the School every Saturday afternoon, between September and April… it might even be worth a watch!

OC REUNION HOSTED BY DAVID TERRY (OC 1959) A group of Old Cats from Class of 1958 through to 1960 try to meet on an annual basis at David Terry’s home in Chiswick. Some 70 years have passed since three of the group met at their first school in Whyteleafe (Patrick Hosford, David Hames and Howard Pritchard). This May they assembled indoors, as the weather did not permit the usual garden party. Tasty canapés and lunch were

enjoyed also by Michael Aminoff, Michael Mackenzie, Michael Wintersgill, Ashvajit Dharmachari (Michael Wharton at school) Peter Spiers, Howard Pritchard and Jim Dowling. Unfortunately Peter Friend, Dennis Tucker, Graham Edmonds and Bill Jerram were not able to attend on this occasion.

43

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

CALLUM BROOKER (OC 2007 – 2014) After graduating from University of Liverpool with a BEng in Aerospace Engineering, I stayed to complete my MSc in Product Design. Whilst studying for my Masters, I was offered a job from JCB as a Design Engineer.

I am now the lead engineer for the 4-10 ton excavator and rough terrain forklift truck. Caterham gave me my confidence to pursue my Masters.

ROGER JACOB (OC 1945 – 1953) I received the current Omnia recently and was astonished and delighted to read the reminiscence about me by Graeme Penn, who shared a study with me in Caterham.

After leaving Caterham, I graduated in music at Cardiff University. I then studied and taught in and around London until 1961, when I joined the staff of the Music

Department of Aberdeen University for what became a varied and stimulating career. Taking early retirement in 1989, I lived in Wales before returning to Scotland in 1993, when I settled in Glasgow. Since then I have taught in what is now known as the Royal Conservatory of Scotland, and more recently in Glasgow University.

These days I keep out of mischief mainly by editing 16th-century sacred music for an American publisher, doing private tutoring and playing the hand-crafted chamber organ which adorns my sitting-room.

Living in Scotland is culturally and socially very congenial, both Aberdeen and Glasgow being cities which thrive on neighbourliness and a sense of belonging. The country's unique landscapes, too, are a constant source of physical and mental recreation.

I look back on my years at the school with fondness and, above all, deep gratitude. That I have followed a career in music is due in no small part to the inspiring example and guidance of Arthur Baynon,

Director of Music at that time.

The commendably high standard of education at Caterham was provided by dedicated teachers who broadened our intellectual horizons in imaginative ways. The school was a closely-knit community, too, in which relationships between staff and students were friendly and supportive.

My father Glyn and his brothers Islwyn and Alun, sons of a reputed Welsh Congregational minister, preceded me at Caterham at different times between 1906 and 1919. [Such historical perspectives remind me, however, that I am no longer a youngster!]

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

44

JULIAN KINGSTON’S RESTORATION PROJECT IN LEWISHAM (OC 1965 – 1970) For the first time since leaving in 1970 I returned to dine in a school that has changed and improved beyond all recognition and I could not have been made more welcome.

This Old Caterhamian, after a lifetime of boatbuilding, is director of a charity that aims, through the construction of a full size replica of a restoration warship, not only to celebrate the fabulous history of the country’s earliest Royal Dockyard at Deptford, but to create opportunities for young people in the area and beyond by giving them the chance to gain skills as well as experience the adventure of sailing. The project will also give a strong local identity to a site that is about to be redeveloped.

Phase 1 of the project is to restore a fabulous vaulted undercroft as a visitor centre, museum, and workshops.

By the time that you read this our crowdfunding bid with the Mayor of London will have finished (hopefully successfully). We have, however just heard that the Mayor

CLASS OF 2008 CHRISTMAS CATCH UP BY SAMIR DWESAR (OC 2008) Samir Dwesar organised a ten year reunion for his OC peers in a Central London bar. Thirty four Old Cats were reunited, many of whom hadn’t seen each other for quite some time.

has pledged £50k to the project so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we make the balance!

When I was a pupil at Caterham I learnt about the School’s history and its start in Lewisham. I wasn’t even sure where Lewisham was in those days and certainly did not expect to end up living within a few hundred yards of the original site of the School.

Deptford is part of the borough of Lewisham and going through seismic change threatening to leave many of the existing population behind. Our project hopes to go some way to remedying that imbalance as well as celebrating its fabulous, and up to now largely secret, history.

You can find out more about the project here: buildthelenox.org or contact me at creekboats@googlemail.com

45

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

MARTIN STEVENS (OC 1945 – 1954) It is a long time since I sent any details of my time – the 1970s, I think. As a Church of England vicar, I and my wife Ann have had varying posts in England, sometimes involving culture shocks! We have had two periods on Tyneside: from 1962-65, in a deprived area which underwent – some would say suffered – the ambitious plans of Cllr. Dan Smith; and from 1974-88, in the urban industrial area of Felling, Gateshead, during which we, and our children, felt the impact of the Winter of Discontent.

Our experiences there showed us how much Labour and the unions were prepared to ride roughshod over the working classes. Between these two was sandwiched a curacy at Emmanuel Church, South Croydon from 1965-74, the years 1969-74 being honorary, when I had the job of representing the work of the Irish Church Missions over all of southern England. This involved visits to Ireland during the Troubles, which was interesting and challenging. But this time was a very happy one for my wife and family.

From 1988-1996 we worshipped at St. Michael’s Church, Chester Square, in Belgravia, a vast culture change from Tyneside, where I served as a non-stipendiary minister, earning my living as a delivery driver around London. Then from 1996 to 2001 we lived in Kentishbeare near Cullompton in Devon, in a part-time house for duty post. This was during the Foot and Mouth crisis, when we felt the frustration of the farming community with an out of touch Westminster.

We now live in retirement in Warwick, where Ann serves on the church PCC and committees, and I have Permission to Officate (PTO) in the Coventry Diocese.

Of our four children, our eldest Rachel, lives in Sevenoaks with husband Guy and three children; our son Jonathan

is a paediatrician in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with wife Sandy and two adopted children; Deborah near Kineton, Warwickshire with three children; Rebecca lives in Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, and will be married this August.

JACK BRIDGE (OC 1942 – 1945) Following the article in the Old Caterhamians’ newsletter May 2008, Jack has sent us this photo from 1944 of the Class of 1947.

He is still living in Wallingham, and continues to be an active member of the Probus Club in Tandridge (for 28 years) and the Rotary Club (Brixton for 35 years and Caterham Harestone nearly 20 years).

Top row from left to right: C. George, P. Russell, I. Peel, P. Calviou, T. Cooper, W. Hyde, F. Briggs, M. Bishop.

Front row from left to right: J. Wildgoose, T. Hart, J. Bridge, J. Shakeshaft

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

OLD CATS RETURN TO SCHOOL CREATIVE CAREERS EVENING MONDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2019 Thank you so much to OC's Jess Colman, Bene Gibson, Alexandra Walker, Caroline Bowen-Long and Sam Clarke for supporting the Creative Careers evening.

It was attended by over 200 students and parents, the evening was testament to your ongoing support and enthusiasm.

The Caterham School Society

46

GUEST JUDGE OC MILLIE DE LEYSER TUESDAY 26 MARCH 2019 Millie (OC 2018) returned as guest judge for the Junior Science Fair Awards Evening. A range of topics had been embraced by the young scientists covering the science of parachutes, tooth decay, absorbency and paper aeroplanes. Millie is a Human Scientist studying at the University of Oxford with a particular interest in Human Evolution and Genetics. She enthused the Second Years with her love of science and encouraged them to explore and get involved in every aspect, both in school and beyond.

ASHVAJIT DHARMACHARI MONDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2019 Michael Wharton (OC 1959), now known by his Buddhist name Ashvajit Dharmachari, led a Beliefs seminar focussing on his journey to Buddhism and life experiences.

He also shared some memories of his time at Caterham as Head Boy.

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE WITH OC MARY WHENMAN THURSDAY 7 MARCH 2019 Current parents Matt Hebden and Mary Whenman (who’s also an Old Cat and Trustee) helped prepare our Sixth Form on how to create their personal brand, from making the most of their social media profile to CV and interview tips.

THE OXBRIDGE PROCESS WITH OC VINCENT MAN TUESDAY 18 JUNE 2019 A selection of Lower Sixth Economists were put through their paces during an inspiring workshop led by Vincent (OC 2014). The Oxbridge process is a daunting one but the hopeful applicants came away from the session with a clear understanding of the process and bolstered motivation. Vincent is fondly remembered by many in the school community and subsequent Heads of Viney House have all struggled to tread in his footsteps! Since graduating from Cambridge he has gone on to work at Schroders in London and often meets with hopeful Oxbridge applicants to guide them through the process.

47

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

OC KATIE MERCER ON U.S UNIS WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2019 Having just graduated from the University of Michigan, Katie Mercer (OC 2016) returned to share her experiences of studying at an American university. She offered some invaluable tips on how to navigate the American university system which is quite different to ours.

FLT LT SAMANTHA RAWLINSON INSPECTS AND INSPIRES WEDNESDAY 26 JUNE 2019 This year the CCF were delighted to invite back Flt Lt Samantha Rawlinson of the Royal Air Force (OC 2011) as the Inspecting Officer for this year’s passing out parade.

Samantha gave an inspiring speech of her experiences in the Armed Forces and medicine. At Caterham she was a cadet NCO in the Corps’ Army Section and went on to read Medicine at St John’s College, Oxford, where she received a medical bursary and subsequent cadetship. After graduating and postings in Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Australia, she served at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, home of the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, working in the largest critical care unit in Europe. She is soon to start a new posting at RAF College Cranwell as a general duties medical officer. Samantha has also represented the RAF Athletics Team at the highest level. She has medalled at the inter-services in multiple events and has been selected for the HQ AIRCOM Inter-Nation Athletics Championships three times.

The OCA would love to hear news from Old Caterhamians.

Please do contact the Alumni Office, email: oldcats@caterhamschool.co.uk tel: 01883 335091) to share your news and memories of your time at the School.

UNI ADVICE FROM OLD CATS TUESDAY 2 JULY 2019 Old Cats from the class of 2018 returned to school to enlighten Lower Sixth students on what to expect in their first year of university. They offered sound advice on the considerations in choosing courses through to managing the work-life balance at university. Clearly the experience is different for every student, but the Old Cats gave the Sixth Formers plenty to consider and look forward to.

Abigail Barrett, Cameron Swayne, Phoebe Salem, Holly Mead, Charlotte Bridson, Zach de Beer, Ben Deans, Ben Soden, Emily Buchanan

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

Congratulations to the following OCs…

Wedding u OE Helena Bloomer married James O’Connell on 18 May 2019 at Knockholt Parish Church in Kent.

Births

t Alice (née Prickett) (OC 2005) and Tom Laidler welcomed Leo Edward on 20 January 2019, weighing 6 pounds 10 ounces.

p Nicky Barker (née Law) (OC 1998) and Jonathan were caught off guard in January when their little girl, Isabella, made an early entry into the world! Now fighting fit, she is a little monkey, full of giggles and gurgles and bringing a lot of joy to us all.

p Dale Zhao (OC 2006) and Biyu welcomed Kesong on 2 June 2019, a beautiful little sister for their son Yulun who is 2 years old.

p Andy Prickett (OC 2003) and Sarah welcomed Poppy Olivia who was born on 1 June 2019, a cousin for Leo. They are living in Earlsfield, London.

Andy sold his events company last year and now runs his own property development company in London.

48

49

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

License for Fun...

AN INTERVIEW WITH

MARK KINGSTO (OC 1984 – 1995)

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

50

Mark is Senior Vice President International Licencing for Viacom International Media Networks which owns Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Studios and Channel 5. Here he talks about his memories of Caterham School and his career in the fast moving world of media.

You attended Caterham School from 1984-1995.

What first brought you to Caterham School? And what were your first impressions of the school? What was it like studying and boarding at Caterham then?

My Uncle, Reverend Derek Kingston, knew Stephen Ryder Smith, Caterham’s Headmaster, as they had gone to university together and were both missionaries in the Far East during the 1960’s. Through this connection and family circumstances, my brother and I secured assisted places at Caterham.

My first day was one of excitement and nervousness.

I remember being driven along the sweeping driveway to Mottrams with my trunk and tuckbox and being met

by Mr and Mrs Hawkins. I was only seven years old but before long I was enjoying boarding life and throwing myself into all activities.

Caterham was stricter and more regimented than it is nowadays, and had few creature comforts. But in some ways life was freer and we didn’t have digital devices to distract us from exploring the outdoors. We wandered far and wide throughout the woods surrounding the school, up to as far as the newly built M25. There was a badgers’ tunnel beneath it through which we dared each other to go – a badge of honour was to wade through it and get a souvenir from the other side to prove you had been. We also used to slide down the chalk pit by View Point. 

51

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

Once a week we were allowed to go down to the village to spend what little pocket money we had on sweets. A friend and I were quite entrepreneurial – we would buy tuck and wait until there was ‘high demand’ on a Saturday night when we could sell them for three times the price we had paid for them!

Moving up to senior school felt seamless. I had outgrown the prep school and was ready to become a small fish in a bigger pond. There were plenty of ups and downs and practical jokes and the boarding house had a fairly international feel, particularly in the Fifth and Sixth form where many boys were from Malaysia.

I was delighted to be voted Head boy in 1994, which was the year before Caterham merged with Eothen School. My year as Head Boy saw preparations for the merger and the transition of Headmaster from Mr Smith to Mr Davey who started midway through the spring term.

It was an exciting time for Caterham School.

My boss left Disney to join Viacom International Media Networks and rang to say ‘do you remember Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

We’ve just bought the franchise and we’re going to re-launch it to a new generation of kids’ – I was sold...

What is your favourite memory of your time at Caterham School, and why?

Put quite simply: the setting and the friendship bonds. Being able to wake up every morning and look across the valley and over to the woods was wonderful.

Looking back how would you describe your experience here?

What do you think your time at Caterham enabled you to achieve?

I look back on my time at Caterham with real fondness. I made lifelong friendships and benefited from an excellent and rounded education I wouldn’t have otherwise received. I felt privileged to be there. Academically I didn’t start out as the smartest. But by the time I got to my GCSEs and A levels I was doing well.

Being at Caterham provided me with the confidence and faith to trust in my own abilities and never be afraid to try something. Being part of a boarding community also meant I had to learn how to live with others and adapt and flex my style. Being

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

able to speak my mind, work with different personalities and have confidence in my own abilities has been critically important as I have moved ahead and forged my career.

You studied at Leeds University and secured a BSC (Hons) in Animal Sciences – what led you to the world of media?

Mark and Snoop Dogg

During my degree studies I considered becoming a vet but realised that five more years of academia, bearing in mind tuition fees had started, was not going to work! I went back to live on a family farm in Essex and considered a career in farming. But the farm wasn’t viable and I had student debts to pay off.

Everyone at that time was talking about the millennium bug and an industry had been built around training programmers to deal with it.

I took a job at a small IT training company in the East End selling training courses. Each day I got the train from Essex into London, and one day happened upon a copy of The Grocer magazine that had been left

52

on a seat. At the back of the magazine I saw a job advertisement inviting graduates to apply for sales roles at Mars Confectionery. I applied and was successful – and became a regional salesman visiting supermarkets around the Southeast of England. Mars provided amazing training and I progressed onto the Tesco Account team. During this time I was seconded to Tesco Head Office as a confectionery consultant for six months, before becoming a National Account Manager. It was a great place to learn about brands, retail and sales.

From there I was head-hunted to join BBC Worldwide. The BBC was going through the process of a charter renewal at the time and BBC Worldwide was required to become a bigger revenue contributor to reduce the burden on the TV license payer.

I joined the publishing team there at a fascinating time – it was the era of the rise of celebrity chefs such as Delia Smith, Rick Stein, Gary Rhodes along with children’s hits like the Teletubbies and The Tweenies. 

53

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

In 2003 I joined The Walt Disney Company to build up their retail team within Disney Consumer Products.

This meant dealing with retailers such as Woolworths, Toys R Us, Tesco, Asda and other supermarkets on developing licensed products for key Disney franchises such as Winnie the Pooh, Disney Princess, Toy Story etc. Disney didn’t actually manufacture the products but granted licenses to toy, food and clothing companies to produce them in return for paying royalties.

After eight enjoyable years at Disney that saw me travel frequently to LA and working on some amazing movies and TV franchises it felt like the right time to move again. It was at that point that my boss left Disney to join Viacom International Media Networks and rang to say ‘do you remember Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? We’ve just bought the franchise and we’re going to re-launch it to a new generation of kids’ – I was sold and joined to help build the Consumer Product team. I am now the Senior Vice President International Licencing and lead a talented and diverse team of over 150 people worldwide.

We sell products around Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Spongebob Square Pants, Dora the Explorer, Paw Patrol, Paramount movies and MTV, generating multi-billions of pounds in retail sales each year. As we don’t physically manufacture the products, we are extremely profitable – with our biggest costs being our people costs.

What makes a successful show or movie convert into commercial product sales is notoriously hard to predict and is fundamentally about successfully creating an emotional connection with audiences for them to be willing to purchase products.

We plan years ahead and our business revolves around key trade shows and Toy Fairs. We start the New Year with the Hong Kong Toy Fair and roll through various fairs, including the biggest toy fair globally in Nuremburg. The biggest Licensing trade show – Licensing Expo – takes place annually during June in Las Vegas. Walking into a hall of entertainment brands that are big, bold and in your face is truly an explosion on the senses.

What changes have you seen in the mass media industry? And where do you see this industry headed in the next five years?

Content rules and always will. We are entering the golden age of television – but television isn’t about traditional viewing on a TV set in the front room anymore. Content can be viewed anywhere – on TV, tablets, smartphones or other devices and we have more access to more content than ever before through more services providers than ever before, whether via traditional broadcasters, subscription services, YouTube etc.

As a result there has never been more opportunities to work in the creative industries, there is a huge demand for content creation.

It’s a challenging time however and media companies are likely to consolidate further. The old model of linear TV viewing is challenged as consumers lose patience and want to binge view whole seasons/series of shows. For content creators this is great but for Consumer Product sales this is challenging – launching seasons of children’s content all at once gets great viewing figures but if kids have to wait a year until the next season they move onto something else and don’t build that emotional connection with the content or characters.

Traditional free linear TV content (like Channel 5) or pay TV (like Nickelodeon on SKY) content still works. But audiences are flipping between services and don’t necessarily want to pay for full packages anymore, preferring to pick and choose. There is a generation growing up who don’t want to pay £40/£50 a month when they could pay less and get only the content they want, with the likes of Netflix, Now TV and Amazon Prime providing this flexibility and choice.

What advice would you give to young people who are interested in pursuing careers in global media today?

Firstly keep yourself fresh and relevant by keeping up with the latest industry news and trends.

I would encourage that you choose an area (such as content creation or graphic design) and follow experts in

Make full use of social media networking sites and your contacts – including the Caterham School Society platform – to build relationships directly with people in your chosen field. This will be really useful for obtaining work experience and hearing about opportunities.

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

that field. Make full use of social media networking sites and your contacts – including the Caterham School Society platform – to build relationships directly with people in your chosen field. This will be really useful for obtaining work experience and hearing about opportunities.

People are often very happy to be contacted and to provide advice.

You received an assisted place to come to Caterham School. Offering bursaries is very important to the School, and we recently launched an appeal to raise funds so we can offer more places. What impact do you feel your assisted place had on your life path? What advice

54

would you give to future pupils who join Caterham School through the bursary scheme?

Having an assisted place gave me the opportunity to have an education I would never have had, and afforded me the ability to build and forge a career and give back to society in ways that I would never have anticipated. I feel very privileged and fortunate to have had that assisted place at Caterham to give me that opportunity.

To future pupils I would say embrace every opportunity you have at Caterham. It’s an incredible school where you can build your confidence, your knowledge base and friendships. 

55

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

Welcome to the OCA Class of 2019

Heads of School Hand Over the Baton My best piece of advice would be to enjoy yourself, especially when you get the opportunity to do something you wouldn't normally experience. Also if you're feeling under pressure, you can always ask for help, so there's no need to be worried! Make the most of meeting new people as there are so many interesting characters, who will no doubt give you great advice for the future. Good luck and have fun!

Joseph Haynes Head Boy, Class of 2019

Outgoing Heads of School, Joseph Haynes and Anna Gardner give their advice to their successors, Lottie McDonald and Ben Brown.

You won’t believe how fast this coming year will go, so try to enjoy every day and focus on what’s important: school work, yes, but also spending time with the people you care about. It’s easier said than done, but try to appreciate the moments as they happen because my only regret is not focusing enough on the small things.

There’s no set idea of what being a Head of School means, so be honest and true to yourself and everything else will follow. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, and make the most of the opportunities ahead.

Best of luck!

Anna Gardner Head Girl, Class of 2019

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

56

The OCA Launch the

INNOVATION & COLLABORATION AWARD In summer 2019 the Old Caterhamians’ Association launched a new wholeschool initiative aimed at inspiring and encouraging current Caterham pupils: The OCA Innovation & Collaboration Award.

The annual award is open to all pupils at the school and asks them to work with their peers to design and develop innovative ideas which are then presented to a panel of expert judges. The award was set up this year to celebrate pupils who work together to come up with an innovative idea or product, with a £1,000 prize for the winning team.

I

n addition to winning a prize, pupils benefit from support and mentoring from the alumni community to progress their idea. OCA President Clive Furness spoke with pupils in assemblies throughout the year groups to launch the initiative and was rewarded with a fabulous set of pitches all bidding for the prize.

On Friday 21 June, the Deayton Theatre played host to the inaugural final with each team presenting to and then answered questions from a panel of four judges:

• Ceri Jones – Headmaster • Clive Furness – President of the OCA reya Jubraj – Current parent and senior manager •P at Accenture

arin Schulte – Former pupil of Eothen School and •K now director at GKKC Ltd

The final was an inspiring event with each team presenting their ideas with a confidence and passion far beyond their years. The judges found it difficult to pick a winner from the range of wonderful ideas they saw.

Each entry impressed in its own right, for different reasons, whether that was for the entrepreneurial determination of ‘Titan Graphics’, presented by Joel and Max, the technological wizardry in the creation of an augmented reality app for education, developed by Ollie and James, or the emotive, powerful design and message of Jason and Max’s online safety app.

The winners however, were ‘Planet Eco’ who were made up of Millie, Leah, Juliette, Isla, Izzy, Savannah, Sayano, Scarlett, Scarlet and Karlijn from the First Year.

Their idea of an eco-friendly shampoo and packaging was presented with a confidence and thoughtfulness well beyond their years. The judges were impressed by the depth of research and planning which has already gone into the development of the product, as well as the clear passion for the idea and the potential environmental benefits. Some of the team have even tested the product on their own hair!

Planet Eco were presented with the OCA Innovation and Collaboration Award at Speech Day 2019 (pictured), however all of the teams showed genuine innovation and the OCA have offered to mentor and support all of the groups as they look to further develop their ideas.

This was a fantastic example of the kind of innovation our pupils are capable of, and we are already looking forward to next year’s competition!

57

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

IN THE ARCHIVES Memories of Caterham School in the 1930s and war time years

By Henry Richards (OC 1935 – 1942)

B

eing housebound in my 96th year I now have time to reflect on my years at Caterham and would like to share some memories.

Our Headmaster, Dr Hall, was a well built and cheerful man. Life at Mottrams was great, we were very well cared for and very well fed. Lessons were at Shirley Goss as was the Sunday Evening service usually conducted by Mr Soderberg or Mr Short. I remember that every week the service ended with “Abide with me”, so that we all soon knew the words off by heart. A young boy called David Wright played the piano and he was an exceptional talent. So much so that Mr Short penned a little ditty which went, “There is a young fellow called Wright, who at Music is terribly bright, Mozart nor Brahms, Could not tire his arms, So he played them all through the Night”.

Mr Soderberg owned an expensive cinematic projector and he frequently treated us to film shows. I particularly remember the Physics master, Mr Maddocks, who not only devised, made and installed the timer which gave warnings as the end of a teaching period approached, but was also a very successful bee keeper and he frequently gave boys a jar of his delicious honey.

Sunday mornings we all walked from Mottrams via

Shirley Goss along Harestone Valley Road to the then Congregational Church and the balcony at the back was reserved for us. A master was there to watch out for any misbehaviour. Two senior prefects were in charge of us as we walked along the road which in those days was very quiet with hardly ever a car in sight!

By far my most favourite lessons were on either Wednesday or Saturday afternoons when about six of us regularly went, whatever the weather, to watch the Main School 1st XV rugby team. The boys seemed so huge.

Invariably we met a delightful master, Mr Hayward who later became my German teacher, who instructed us about the finer points of the game as we at Mottrams only played soccer. He was very kind and even when it poured with rain he stayed with us.

I recall that in 1937 the Main School put on a production of the Mikado in which Dr Hall took the leading role. He had a magnificent singing voice.

The, “Three little Maids”, were all chosen from boys at Mottrams and were also a great success. All three went on to have very successful careers – not as singers!

War had broken out, by the time we entered the Main School. Dr Hall and his colleagues looked after us magnificently. Although the School was on the edge of “Bomb Alley”, we escaped physical damage but the fears of something terrible happening were always present.

Caterham Barracks, with many hundred Canadian troops, and a squadron of RAF fighters were stationed at Kenley and both were only a few minutes flying time from the School. This must have weighed heavily on Dr Hall’s mind. I recall that the RAF officer who showed us some parts of the station telling us that he and his brother had played cricket for their school in South London against Caterham many years before. He remembered the idyllic surroundings of the School comparing it to his school which had been surrounded by trams, buses, cars, vans etc. and was overlooked by offices and whose playing fields had been a bus ride away from the School.

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

58

3 2

1

Notwithstanding food rationing we were wonderfully well fed. The Air Raid Siren often sent us all up to the trenches above the Memorial Hall. Some wet and cold nights it was very unpleasant but thankfully we all survived.

We had a long tubular canvas fire escape situated in the top dormitory overlooking the asphalt playground.

I remember a master, Mr Whendon, thinking ahead brought out the aforementioned piece of apparatus and sought for small volunteers to be guinea pigs to test it.

We all had uneventful trips down the shoot – it took about six seconds – but when some bigger and heavier boys used it some questions arose about its safety and as far as I can remember the experiment ceased and the chute was never used. It was rumoured that when Dr Hall heard that some small boys had been used as guinea pigs he was furious!

It was always a sad moment when the Headmaster, at morning prayers, gave out the names of any OC who had been killed in the war. Indelibly inscribed in my own memory is the time the Headmaster had to give out the name of his eldest son, Anthony, a wartime pilot. The Hall family were very gifted and highly revered by the boys.

Besides Anthony who but for the war was to become a dental surgeon there was Christopher who became a very highly regarded authority in the US on deep mining ventilation and safety and the youngest son Josh became a respected school teacher. The elder daughter Marguerite was an accomplished violinist and the younger daughter, Rosamund, had a quite magnificent singing voice which we boys greatly enjoyed each week at the Sunday evening service which in those days was held in the Memorial Hall. I recall that several of us used to try to get a seat in the Hall a couple of rows in front of Mrs Hall and Rosamund just to enjoy listening to their beautiful singing!

The war finally came to an end and thankfully the Main School and Mottrams were structurally undamaged by any bombing. However a few weeks after leaving I was involved in a series of bombing raids. We later found

1 Henry Richards, author 2 Dr Hall, Headmaster 3 Christopher Hall (Dr Hall's son)

out that these raids were all indiscriminate, by German pilots discarding their unused bombs to enable them to fly higher and faster back to their bases in France. The RAF destroyed so many German bombers that the raids became less frequent as it was deemed too dangerous for the Nazi bombers to venture over the UK. It was hiding out in an air raid shelter during one of these raids that I met the young school girl with whom I am still married today.

My being in a few raids made me realise just how much pressure and anxiety Dr Hall and his staff had been under for over four years lest the School was attacked.

For my part as I am sure for many others this realisation took our admiration of the staff soaring to even greater heights. The staff must have been very anxious throughout most of their waking hours.

I can remember the names of all our teachers as well as the Matron Mrs Mercer, the nurses Mrs Lee and Mrs Giles, Miss Payne in the workroom, and the two secretaries Miss Finn and Mrs Davies. No words of mine could ever adequately express my gratitude and admiration of them for all they did. If there are such things as miracles our survival was surely one of them.

I hope and pray that no other teachers, anywhere, ever have to live through such times again.

It is great to read in the Weekly Newsletter about the amount of ‘away from school premises’ activity there is.

Apart from a few short trips to some schools for sporting matches, nothing like it happened in my day partly on account of the War but also the School’s finances were in a much less healthy state than they are today.

I hope the present generation will have as much enjoyment at Caterham as I had – without the horrible fears of war. Without seeing the School but just reading the Weekly Newsletters it does seem a fantastic school. I wish all connected with it the very Best of Good Fortune. 

59

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

IN THE ARCHIVES

The painting of the School lodge

By Lynn Moseley (OC 1947 – 1955)

T

his picture of the School lodge was painted by David Lynn Moseley as an item in the portfolio of his work that he submitted for assessment as part of his A-level Art exam in 1955.

He was one of three brothers and others from Wales who were boarders at Caterham School at the time I was a pupil there, from the mid-1940s into the 1950s. Besides our family connections with Wales, all our families were brought up in the denomination of the Congregational Church; indeed, the Moseley brothers and others were the sons of Congregational ministers. Although we lived in Caterham, my parents and I were also of Welsh families with a Congregational upbringing. In many ways it was natural for me to become friends with the Welsh contingent.

My mother and father were concerned for these boys in surroundings so different from their homes. Indeed, when one of the group first came to Caterham the Welsh language was his first tongue. So, every so often, the

Welsh boys would be invited to our home and arrangements made for them to have a few hours out of school. This they very much appreciated. As a thankyou gesture to my parents for the warmth of their welcome and their hospitality, Lynn gave them the painting. My father died very soon after he and my mother received the gift and it was my mother’s treasured possession for many years. After her death, it came to me and my family. It has always been of value to us, particularly because of my own involvement for many, many years with Caterham School and also in different ways that of my late wife, my two sons and my daughter.

It seems appropriate for the painting to hang in Caterham School as an item of historical interest in the life of the School. Thus, although it will be missed from display in my home, we are all pleased to donate it for that purpose.  Written and donated by John Mathias (OC 1945 – 1955)

If you would like to submit something to the archive and/or share your own memories, please contact Annie Hebden, Alumni Officer on 01883 335091 or email: oldcats@caterhamschool.co.uk

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

Read about a variety of university courses from OCs who are currently studying

60

61

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

MATHS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK

By Isaac Quinton (OC 2003 – 2018)

WHAT? After spending my entire school career at such a great school as Caterham, I moved on to study Mathematics at the University of Warwick.

Taking maths was an easy decision for me as I have always been drawn to anything maths related throughout my life, giving Biology (the best Science – courtesy of the best teacher at Caterham, Dan Quinton) as just one of countless examples. I would also like to mention Dr Dimakos. He is one of the most hardworking people I have ever met, working tirelessly to help his students to get to wherever they would like to go to University.

WHY? Although Warwick was not my top choice, I couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome, as the course here is top notch, and the wealth of resources being pumped into the maths department is unbelievable. I want to thanks Mr Wells for guiding me through the tiresome and confusing American applications process, which although was not fruitful, was certainly a thoroughly worthwhile experience.

ANY CLUBS/SOCIETIES? At present I am part of the Men’s Hockey Club (UWMHC), and would really encourage any students going to university in the future to join a club or society as it’s a great way to meet people and make your university career even more memorable.

AFTER YOUR DEGREE? Even though it is still early in my degree, I am seriously considering going into the world of finance and banking afterwards as I feel I can utilise my maths effectively in that world. 

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

62

SOCIOLOGY AND CRIMINOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER

By Holly Mead (OC 2011 – 2018)

WHAT? The reason I chose to study Sociology and Criminology is to gather ideas about societal thinking; understand human interactions whilst also looking into depth the processes of crime. I am also curious about what provokes a criminal to act and understand the impact that society has on the criminal world. I am fascinated by the reasons behind criminal behaviour and the social issues arising from such behaviour together with what can and has been changed within the criminal justice system to combat these issues.

WHY? The course content was why I chose Exeter over other universities, but I am also very interested in sports and therefore wanted to go to a university which performed well in the sports I wanted to participate in and had strong teams. I also preferred the idea of a campus university over a city university as it better suited me and what I wanted to do with being close to a sports centre.

ANY CLUBS/SOCIETIES? I am a member of the lacrosse club taking part in BUCs which I look to continue throughout my three year course.

I also play badminton but as a hobby rather than competitively as a means to maintain general fitness and overall health. I chose lacrosse and badminton as I wanted to remain active, stay fit but also be socially active without the need to pub crawl! I also felt it was important to be involved in the course society to get to know others doing the same course, a good way to meet like-minded people where we could discuss the course or anything else that we care to.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE? My advice would be go for where you feel most at home when visiting. Ask yourself “Can I see myself here?”.

“Does this feel comfortable?” Don’t just go for the best universities because that’s where everyone you know is going or because they are the ones everyone has heard of.

You’ll be studying for three to four years on a course at that university and you want to enjoy and make the most of it. Use the guides available and see where universities are ranked for your specific course. Choose a course based on what you are most interested and enthusiastic about. A subject that you can see yourself actively studying for three years or more.

When visiting universities I would recommend asking lots of questions, don’t be shy, there are no stupid questions. The visit is also a useful way to get to know the lecturers who you may have.

After you start at university don’t be daunted if you begin a course and feel it’s not for you, look into other options that you can do within the university that you think is better suited for you and talk to your tutor as they can help you. Finally I would get involved in as many taster sessions during the first week of university as you can, use it as a good means to meet new people and also a way to find a sport or society that you may enjoy that you haven’t thought of doing before.

AFTER YOUR DEGREE? Once completing my degree I plan on joining the Royal Air Force and completing my officers training.

Having taken part in CCF at school and talking to others within the forces I have been drawn to the idea whilst always having been passionate about helping and supporting others. However nothing is finalised as it is still early days. 

63

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

WHAT? My interest in people, disease and love of biology at Caterham School inspired me to attend numerous work experience placements across the county where I discovered that I could combine all of these elements as a doctor. I wanted to study Medicine in order to further my understanding of the intricacies of the human body, whilst learning how to treat the underlying pathologies in order to improve patients’ lives.

WHY? I chose Southampton for its early patient contact.

I saw my first patient in my first week and helped to deliver a baby. I believe early patient contact is essential for development of patient-doctor relationships and to remind me why I am studying Medicine when the studying becomes tough.

Southampton has great research opportunities, with its leading Centre for Cancer Immunology and its offer of prosection of cadavers is a clear way to learn anatomy.

An added bonus of Southampton University is that it is one of only two medical schools in the UK which awards two degrees during the five-year course, BMBS and BMedSc. ANY CLUBS/SOCIETIES? I am a member of Union Southampton Dance, specifically ballet society where I have made lots of friends outside of Medicine. I had great fun taking part in the university’s showcase of dance in Nuffield Southampton Theatre and the rehearsals gave me a break from studying, helping to release stress.

Joining Southampton Medical School automatically makes you a member of MedSoc which is particularly helpful for settling in, giving you ‘parents’, sports teams and social events.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE? Get the balance right between working and down-time.

As my former Maths teacher, Mr Todd says, “Make sure to eat well and sleep well to make the most of every day at university”. You cannot learn when you are tired!

For medicine specifically, do not commit to the degree until you are sure that it is what you want to do. It is incredibly full-on and can be overwhelming at times but if you are sure you want to be a doctor it is definitely worth all of the hard work.

AFTER YOUR DEGREE? The dream for me would be working in a central London hospital seeing patients every day, specialising in Dermatology. However, I know this might change when I go on placements in later years of medical school so I am open-minded to what I may do after my degree. After all, I have four more years minimum left at university so I have plenty of time to decide! 

MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON

By Emily Buchanan (OC 2011 – 2018)

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

64

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

By Ben Hull (OC 2011 – 2018)

WHAT? I have always had a certain curiosity in me. Since before I can remember I was taking everything I could get my hands on apart. I love learning and understanding how things work. At school my strengths were in maths and physics. The obvious follow on from there was engineering.

WHY? To be completely honest I couldn’t tell you. As a Sixth Form student with very little knowledge of what university had to offer, I didn’t really know where to even start. The truth is that it is completely by chance that I have ended up here at the University of Birmingham and I couldn’t be happier for it.

When I was looking for a university, I looked at their reputation and whether their grades where achievable.

I had a look at how the courses differed at different universities but I found that with engineering there wasn’t much difference. It felt like I was trying to decide my future without knowing what to prioritise.

But now I am here I realise that my favourite parts of the university didn’t even cross my mind when I was choosing. For example the green space and beauty of campus, on a sunny day there is nothing better than sitting outside on the grass after a long lecture talking rubbish with your course mates. The sense of community and general welcoming feeling that I was received with have been the reason my year has been such an incredible experience.

ANY CLUBS/SOCIETIES? Having spent my first year at university it has become clear that I had my priorities in the wrong order. The advice I would give to any student looking to join university is to remember that you will be living in this place for the next three years of your life. Although the objective of going to university is to get a degree to help get a job and it is very important to make sure you

study something you are interested in, I feel that sometimes it is forgotten that university is a big step in making a person become themselves.

So, it may be worth considering the human side of each university and not just focusing on the academics.

Look at where you will be living in First, Second and Third Year. How easy is it to meet new people, how many societies are there, is there green space to go and sit outside with some friends when the sun comes out, what kind of mental health support do they provide and most importantly, do you think you will be able to feel at home? Studying hard is all well and good, but if you are in a comfortable environment you will inevitably be able to perform better.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE? I am a member of the Brumski freestyle ski team. I have never freestyle skied before and it has been a lot of fun learning alongside Second, Third and Fourth Year students. I joined because I wanted to meet new people from different years as well as expand my friendship group. I feel a danger of university is getting comfortable in a small group of friends early on and deciding there is no need to get out and meet new people. The problem with this is that if you're unlucky enough to fall out with someone in that small friendship group you are left with absolutely nothing which is one of the worst feelings ever.

I would implore everyone, no matter how close you are with the first people you met, to always make the effort to meet new people, especially in your First Year.

AFTER YOUR DEGREE? My advice would be that no matter which university you end up at there will be a place for you – a group of friends or a society perhaps. You just need to make the effort to find it, and when you do it will be an experience you will never forget. It is never about the place, and always about the people. 

65

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

British politics of recent years and months is a bewildering landscape for those who have studied and worked within it for decades. For young people making sense of the daily twists and turns of the post-referendum scene, it must surely be even more baffling.

It was refreshing to speak to one young Caterhamian who, despite the unavoidable political noise, remains undaunted and has clearly stripped politics back to what should surely sit at the centre: positive and tangible change for the good of all of those around us.

Rory Moore POLITICIAN AND YOUTH ADVISOR (OC 2019) What prompted you to become interested in politics?

My first political memory is staying up to watch the 2015 election aged 14. From then on, I started reading the news and taking an interest in the world around me, as I realised that the political decisions being taken were shaping the world that I was growing up in.

When you look at politics as a young person, you realise how exclusive it is and that in reality, politicians are not particularly interested in what young people have to say. This is what motivated me to try and give young people a voice in our political processes. ow did you become a member of the UK Youth H Parliament?

I wanted to get involved in local politics so went along to the Surrey Youth Cabinet as a first step. I enjoyed the meetings and it gave me confidence to stand for election.

I was elected as member for Tandridge which then led to an opportunity to stand for the UK Youth Parliament, which was very exciting for me as it is the only group

(apart from MPs themselves) that gets to sit in the House of Commons. After winning the election, I became the Youth MP for Surrey representing the 250,000 young people in Surrey on a national level. This position opened up other opportunities for me, such as becoming the British Youth Council’s Ambassador to Parliament. I have also started working as an advisor on youth affairs to global companies like Accenture.

What do these roles involve?

I meet with members of the UK government, including members of the Cabinet, to discuss policies and issues affecting young people. Lobbying is a key part of the role, and I have met with senior officials such as the then-Leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom, to discuss how Parliament as an institution can be more open and accessible to young people so that they can understand what is going on and engage with UK democracy. I have also made media appearances on platforms ranging from BBC radio to Turkish State TV. ďƒ‚

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

You can follow Rory’s political progression via Twitter: @rorymooremyp or connect on LinkedIN: linkedin.com/in/ rorymooremyp. You can also contact him via email: info@rorymoore.co.uk.

66

67

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

As the Young Minister for Education in Surrey, I’ve led campaigns to improve PSHE education in schools to include general life skills. For example, we successfully lobbied for every young person in England to get taught a basic level of first aid at school, and also secured improvements to mandatory mental health provisions in schools. I have been working alongside Surrey County Council as well as MPs and Lords in Westminster to promote these issues and the government has taken on board our advice and legislated accordingly.

An advantage of living close to London is that I can get involved in more of the opportunities that arise, as I can go up to Westminster after school. Quite often there are discussions in Parliament, called roundtables, where we meet with various decision-makers, MPs or Lords, and because I am available, I am able to attend those and give my input and therefore influence the creation of new legislation and policy.

These activities are a hobby of mine – I don’t mind taking the time out to do something I’m passionate about and that improves other people’s lives. hat has been your greatest achievement as a W young politician to date?

It would have to be securing the introduction of the new 16-17 year old Railcard which offers 50% off fares, even at peak times, because so many young people will benefit from it. It will particularly help those in apprenticeships who are on the minimum apprenticeship wage of £3.90 per hour and could spend most of their earnings on their commute. Also, not all parents are able to take their children to school and thus are forced to pay extortionate costs for transport; the new railcard will change this and save families across Britain millions of pounds every year, which is something that I am very proud to have delivered.

To make this happen, I met with the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to discuss general problems with transport in the UK and in particular, the idea of a youth railcard. Compared with all other EU countries, transport services in the UK are the most expensive yet the least reliable which indicates a clear problem. I raised this with him, and consequently the government launched a consultation into the matter which led to the introduction of the youth railcard.

I hope that when young people can see that raising an issue with politicians can lead to positive change, it encourages them to make their voices heard and get involved in politics. hat is the Big Youth Group and what has your W involvement been?

The Big Youth Group is an organisation which aims to improve the odds for young people. Jack Parsons, the CEO, is an award-winning, well-connected digital leader.

He saw the work I had done in youth politics and invited me to become an ambassador for his company, which led onto my appointment as chair of the company’s Youth Advisory Board. I spent this summer working at the

Big Youth Group in London, researching for and recruiting the Board, which I now lead. This group of 18-30-yearolds will help to review BYG’s current projects and products, as well as shaping the future strategic direction of the company.

I believe that you are also a ‘Parliamentary Ambassador’ for the British Youth Council, what opportunities has this given you?

As a Parliamentary Ambassador I have given speeches to MPs and Lords in Parliament. It has also led to my involvement in the creation of the new UK Civil Society Strategy. When in Lower Sixth, I went to a consultation by the government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and, on behalf of young people, was asked to give my thoughts to civil servants about the draft proposals. The strategy aims to improve government engagement with different sections of civil society, one of which is young people. Under the new strategy, the government has developed a new programme where young people are invited to feedback on new government proposals. This will give young people more of a say in politics and allow them to help shape the way new legislation looks. It was an honour to be involved in the drafting of this new plan which will give young people a markedly increased say in decision-making both at a local and national level.

In fact, the new proposal for the UK to be ‘carbon neutral’ by 2050 is the first piece of legislation which will

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

be put out for consultation, as set out in the new Civil Society Strategy. It is fantastic to see that the government is genuinely interested in what young people have to say on an issue that is so crucial and relevant to us. ast-forward ten years and how do you see the UK F political landscape?

In these uncertain political times, it is hard to fast forward and make a prediction as to where we will be in the next couple of weeks, let alone ten years!

The main two parties are losing a lot of their support because of their respective stances on Brexit. However, our first past the post electoral system means that in general elections it is hard for the smaller parties to gain large numbers of seats, so if we were to have another general election soon, we would not see the Brexit Party or the Lib Dems coming out on top. Purely because of the way the system works, it is very hard for them to gain significant influence in Westminster. I think the two principal parties will stick around, but the rise of far-right politics and nationalism in the face of Brexit is a worrying development – there are a lot of problems with our politics and no easy solutions.

Do you think that the electoral system could change?

You could argue that the current system is undemocratic as it gives a disproportionate amount of power to the two main parties. However, there was a referendum on electoral reform in 2011 and less than half the country

The Caterham School Society

68

voted and only 32 per cent supported a change.

Consequently, there is no clear mandate for a change – of course there are problems with the electoral system, but there are problems with the alternative systems too, so there is no perfect solution. ow you are officially an Old Caterhamian and N leaving Caterham School, what do you hope the future holds for you?

I hope to go into politics one day – my dream job is Prime Minister! I’m not planning to go into politics immediately though, as I think I need a bit of experience in the world of work first. I am hoping to get the grades to study International Relations at the LSE, and then might go into consultancy or work as a diplomat for the Foreign Office. hat have been the highlights of your time at W Caterham School?

Having joined when I was three years old, Caterham is the only school I have known. All my teachers were dedicated and inspirational, but I will particularly remember Mr Cooper, my politics teacher, who helped further my passion for politics and always made the whole class laugh. 

69

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

OBITUARIES

NEIL MANLEY (OC 1992 – 2000)

It is sad that we announce the passing of Neil Manley due to a road traffic collision on Sunday 30 June 2019.

Neil was part of the Class of 2002 and joined Caterham Prep School at the age of 8, in Alpha in Pam Sparrow’s class, before moving to the Main School for First Year. Whilst at school Neil took a keen interest in art and photography and played bass and drums in a number of bands.

After leaving Caterham in 2000, Neil continued his education at Reigate College before going on to complete an Art Foundation, before studying a BA in Contemporary Media Practices at the University of Westminster. Neil decided to change track and graduating as a physiotherapist at St George’s University in 2013.

Post studying Neil carried on his physiotherapy journey, working in various physiotherapy jobs in and out of London, including at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and the Southwark Enablement Team.

When not working Neil travelled extensively, including living in Taiwan, where he taught English and learnt to read and write Mandarin and travelling throughout the world to visit friends and have new experiences. Neil even travelled to Nepal to volunteer to rehabilitate children with cerebral palsy, living there for 6 months. He carried on his interest

in art, frequently drawing and painting whilst indulging in his other great love – motorbikes – building, riding and maintaining a number of them.

Neil had a great passion for life, had many great experiences, made friends all over the world and lived his life to the fullest he possibly could.

He was well-loved by his classmates, colleagues and patients for his warm and caring nature.

Following his death his family has received many letters from those he treated, paying testament to his patience and compassion and commitment to helping them. The family have also received messages from all over the world, talking of his generous nature and easy going, fun demeanour and how much people valued his friendship.

Neil will be sorely missed by those who knew him, but his family finds comfort in the care he received at the end of his life at St George's, a place he loved so much.

Should friends and classmates wish to show their support, a donation could be made to the London Air Ambulance service and St George's Neuro ICU, where Neil was treated.

Neil was a much-loved son and brother to his immediate family and great friend to all he met. He will be missed forever. ■ Written by his brother Chris Manley (OC 1989 – 1999)

MARTIN LEWIS CROOK (OC 1945 – 1952)

Martin boarded at Caterham School from the age of 9 and the School provided great strength and comfort when his father was killed in North Africa during the war. Martin went on to work for the insurance company, General Royal Exchange, from Caterham School. He married Betty (who predeceased him) with whom he had two children Janet and Ian, and delighted in his three grandchildren Sam, Joshua and Megan. He had recently married Kate Woodhead and they enjoyed a short but full life together. Martin thought much of his time at Caterham School and had asked for the school song ‘The Debtors Song’ to be played at his funeral. ■ Written by his daughter-in-law Helen Crook

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

70

RAYMOND FRANCIS BUNNY

DENNIS CLIVE BUNNY

DAVID ANDREW LEMONT

It is with sadness, but also happy memories that I have to say that Ray passed away, peacefully in his sleep on 26 January 2019, aged 91.

He led quite a varied life after leaving Caterham School spending a short while working in the local bank while waiting to be called for National Service. Most of this time was spent in India, leading up to partition. After he was demobbed he joined British Telecom doing research and engineering. At around 50 years of age he left BT and became self-employed in insurance and pension work. He retired at 60 moving to Devon and taking up his interest in music, jazz and Big dance bands mostly.

He also taught himself to play the clarinet which he enjoyed until his lungs and fingers became too feeble.

Ray had a younger brother, Dennis, whose obituary is also featured here.

When Dennis visited us from Canada he joined us on jazz nights. It was sad that they both died within months of each other but both lived to a good old age. ■

We are sad to announce that Mr. Dennis Clive Bunny died on 14 June 2019 in hospital in Canada, after a battle with cancer.

He was born on 19 April 1929 in Purley, Surrey. He was the youngest of two brothers, both of whom attended Caterham School. He became a Chartered Accountant and accepted a temporary posting to Jamaica, where he stayed for many years before moving to Canada. He enjoyed walking tens of miles through the country, summer or winter, particularly in England.

He was a member of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, where he was thrilled to see one of his favourite planes, the Lancaster, restored to flying condition... if only he could see it again. ■

David served in the British Merchant Navy where he became a chief engineer.

David was known as Andy most of his life. He lived in England, New Zealand, Barbados and finally came to rest in Las Vegas, USA. He left behind Lyn his first wife, mother of Lynda and Gary.

I joined Andy’s life in 1990 and our journey was an adventure. We came to Las Vegas in 2000 where he enjoyed retirement and his 100’s of books.

While I pursued a career with American Airlines. Sadly Andy was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer two years ago. The only illness he ever had.

He fought like the Rugby player he was but sadly Feb 5 Andy lost his match against cancer. My heart is broken, he was an intelligent and dry witted man and I’ve learned highly thought of by many now. ■

(OC 1940 – 1944)

(OC 1940 – 1945)

Written by his son Geoff Bunny

(OC 1942 – 2019)

Written by his wife Suzette Lemont

Written by his wife Shirley Bunny

Erratum from Omnia Issue 5: John Chutter was born in 1919, not 1929

71

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

OBITUARIES MICHAEL BEAUMONT SHEPHEARD (BORN 25 APRIL 1929 – DIED 8 MAY 2019) (OC 1938 – 1941)

Caterham really ‘rescued’ my brothers from the situation in Hamburg in the 1930s, my parents were so relieved to get them safely away.

Michael and Kenneth Shepheard attended Caterham School for a few happy years from 1938 to 1941. They had attended schools in Hamburg where our father was working as a naval architect at Blohm und Voss Shipyard, then our father was sent over to California to help with shipbuilding for the war effort, which was a happy time for them both.

Nazi influence became so strong our parents decided it was best to fly the boys to school in England, arranged with our grandfather who was responsible for collecting them from ports and airports during that time.

They were glad to get away from the bullying and regimentation that was taking place under the Nazi regime in their school. At Caterham they found kindness and understanding and the start of what it was like to be treated as an individual in a school with clear and caring principles which they never forgot.

A great foundation in their young lives.

The boys thrived at Caterham and they remembered the trenches across the school grounds dug for the boys’ protection in case of attacks by air early in the war!

As a family, we travelled widely during our early lives, living in the USA for three years in the 1940s. When we returned from the USA, we sailed in a

KENNETH MAXWELL SHEPHEARD (BORN 7 MARCH 1931 – DIED 12 MARCH 1985) (OC 1938 – 1941)

convoy from New York to Avonmouth in January 1944 with young troops heading for Normandy. An amazing experience for our little family. Our father was sent ahead each time and so Michael was the man of the family from an early age.

The boys then went to Rendcomb College in Gloucestershire where the headmaster was an old school friend of our father. They were happy there but it was hard to adjust from American schooling, particularly for Michael.

Michael did his national service in the Navy, became a writer and then joined Shaw Savill, the shipping line, working in London and assisting passengers who were emigrating.

Eventually, he emigrated to Vancouver, where he worked for Canadian Pacific Airlines until he retired. He met and married Joanna who was a Nightingale nurse, trained at St Thomas’ Hospital, in 1961 and they had two children: Keith and Linda, and three grandsons.

Michael was a great family man and enjoyed everything they did together.

He was a wonderful brother to Kenneth and me. He was not overly ambitious in his work, just enjoying life and later in life, cruising with Joanna and seeing different parts of the world and meeting lots of people who shared his love of travel.

He loved sport – mostly tennis and Chelsea was his lifetime favourite football team. We will all miss him and his big smile and his kind nature.

Michael died peacefully at his care home in Vancouver, British Columbia, with his daughter, Linda, beside him.

He had lived there for 16 months where he had been looked after so well suffering from dementia. His beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Joanna died just six months earlier.

Kenneth was a little younger than Michael and his education was not so badly affected by the War years. Kenneth did well at school and got into Trinity College, Oxford, reading History and Languages. He got involved with university drama productions and became a fine photographer. He did his National Service in the RAF in radar control and was an officer for his two years.

Both boys loved travelling and Kenneth became a good linguist in French, German and Italian which enhanced his career as a BBC2 television historical documentary producer. He joined the BBC in the 1950s and finished up producing excellent historical documentaries, such as the ‘Chronicle’ series with John Julius Norwich as writer and narrator when Sir David Attenborough was in charge of programmes on BBC2. He was very well thought of and some of his programmes are still available, I believe.

Kenneth’s love of history, understanding of languages and wide knowledge from travelling made him a wonderful and very popular member of our family. He was enthusiastic about the arts, drama and music passing on his enthusiasm to all of us which has filtered down to our grandchildren and his godchildren.

Where Michael was the quiet one who enjoyed company, Kenneth was the one who could make us all laugh with his stories and jokes – the best ones were out of disasters! Both of them were loyal, kind and caring and will always be remembered with love. ■ Written by their sister, Carolyn Jory

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

ANTHONY PAUL MARTINDALE

MICHAEL ANTHONY NEHAMMER

Tony lost his brave battle with cancer in June, fighting to the end, with Anne, his beloved wife of 45 years, his daughters and his brother Martin by his side.

Together Tony and Anne had two daughters, Sarah and Nikki, and two granddaughters, Ella and Maisie. He was very much a family man and spoke with great admiration for them all.

The Martindale family has a long association with Caterham School.

Tony’s father and brothers, as well as his grandfather and his brothers were educated at the School. Tony joined Caterham at the age of nine and became a Sixth Form Prefect of Viney. Popular with school friends and masters, he graced the playing fields in the 1st teams for cricket, rugby and hockey. It was the latter that gave him such pleasure as an Old Boy, captaining the team for a number of years. He also played 1st XI hockey for Eastbourne and then Havant, before golf became his passion.

After a long career with the Inland Revenue Tony and Anne began enjoying their well-earned retirement, tending their lovely garden and travelling often to their time share in Ibiza. They kept in close contact with Tony’s extended family but always left plenty of time for a round of golf.

Tony will be sadly missed by his family and old school friends, a number of whom he was thrilled to have met again recently after a gap of 50 years at the Over 60’s lunches. ■

It’s with great sadness we wish to let you know our brother, Michael Anthony Frantz Nehammer passed away on August 30th 2018 after a long illness.

He first entered Caterham Preparatory school in 1960 following his two elder brothers, Carl Frantz (1953 – 1960) and Frantz Peter (1957 – 1964). During his time at Caterham, he held the school record for throwing the Javelin over a number of years under the mentorship of Dennis Tucker, who at the time was one of the Main School language teachers, and also happened to be the current English Javelin throwing champion.

He had a great and natural musical talent which sustained and entertained both him and many others during his life. He was also something of a very humorous raconteur frequently ‘holding court’ and regaling all present with wonderful mimicry.

Anthony went on to qualify as a solicitor after working in commerce and industry. After following a period of working at a local practice in Leigh on Sea, he became a partner and subsequently he acquired ownership of the firm where he practised successfully for many years. He established a reputation with his staff, clients and family alike for his extremely high standards, attention to detail, accuracy and thoroughness. Together with a natural kindness and consideration for the circumstances and difficulties of many of those who sought his help, he

(OC 1959 – 1968)

Written by his friend, Alan Deayton (OC 1959 – 1968)

72

(OC 1960 – 1967)

did so much to alleviate their situations with his experience and humanity – pro bono on many occasions – earning a deep respect from his family, friends and many clients who owe him an enormous debt of gratitude.

He leaves a son and a daughter. ■ Written by his brother Frantz Peter Nehammer (OC 1957 – 1964)

IN MEMORIAM Ian Berwick (OC 1938 – 1946) David Brockis (OC 1936 – 1946) Christine Dell (OC Secretary till 2004) Jackie Harris (Former Staff 1974 – 1994) Andrew Lawrence (OC 1986 – 1994) Alan Seth-Smith (OC 1936 – 1945) Susan Skinner (OE 1961 – 1972) Anthony Stowell (OC 1945 – 1954)

73

OMNIA

Issue 06 Autumn/Winter 2019

inspiring education

“ Great indeed are our opportunities, great also is our responsibility” William Wilberforce Founding Benefactor, Caterham School

An outstanding education has the power to transform lives – the lives of the individual child and of their family and wider community. We all benefit from this.

Members of our own community know how truly unique a Caterham School education is. Caterhamians achieve a bright future through outstanding academic and co-curricular success gained at school. Beyond these measurable

outcomes though, Caterhamians share a set of values and a common purpose which runs through the generations – built on self-confidence, self-awareness, resilience and strength, and a belief in the power of community.

Most of us could never afford to support a full bursary singlehandedly, but as a community we can. If you share our vision of making a difference through outstanding education, please consider making a donation, at any level, to the Caterham School Transformational Bursary Fund.

Ceri Jones Headmaster

The Caterham School Transformational Bursaries Appeal

Caterham School is a registered charity (no. 1109508)

Caterham School would not exist without the vision and generosity of its first benefactors. They believed that all children should be able to reach their potential no matter what their background.

caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk

The Caterham School Society

Having a bursary at Caterham School has opened a wide range of doors for me, some of which would have never been possible without help. I can experience things I would not have dreamed of experiencing, and more importantly, I can look forward to a future where I will have the same opportunities as others.

Without Caterham and the help they have provided for myself and my family, I would be living a very different life compared to the one I am now. I cannot express my gratitude enough.

Pupil in Sixth Form

If you would like more information, to make a donation or to discuss other ways to help the School, please contact Emma Collings, Development Manager: development@caterhamschool.co.uk 01883 335111

caterhamschool.co.uk/ support-us

74

Caterham School Harestone Valley Road Caterham Surrey CR3 6YA caterhamschoolsociety.co.uk oldcaterhamians.com