REFLECTIONS ON AN UNEXPECTED YEAR

Former staff and OE Liaison, Michael Pell reflects on his first year of retirement.

In July 2020 I retired from my role as Head of Art and Photography at KES after 25 years in post. We had just confronted the first period of lockdown and had experienced teaching remotely, gradually coming to terms with endless hours of online contact. I cannot deny that I was desperately missing the buzz and vitality of face-to-face teaching in the art studios. Retirement had of course been carefully planned and thought through, but circumstances had changed dramatically. I was facing a retirement with no travel, no hospitality options, close family isolating, shops shut, galleries and museums closed and my wife working from home!

The goalposts had most definitely shifted and everyday life was going to be very different for us all.

The Headmaster often says that “nobody ever really leaves KES” and I’m delighted that I have maintained my links by being on the OE Committee and working closely with Claire Davies to help organise OE activities and encourage OEs to stay in touch with the School.

It is interesting to look back and think about the last major OE event we held – the London Dinner at the Houses of Parliament in February 2020. Nearly 150 OEs from across a wide generational span had experienced a wonderful social occasion, renewing and reinforcing friendships and connections. The evening even included an engaging and informative tour of the Houses of Parliament and a visit to the House of Commons Chamber. In the following days and weeks, the seriousness of the pandemic hit home, and we entered the first period of major lockdown restrictions. To have held our last event at a location at the very centre of Government and the management of the crisis that has unfolded has certainly focused and intensified my memories of the evening.

Botantical Gardens, Bath

Since then we have worked hard to maintain contacts with the OE community, launching initiatives such as Lockdown Favourites and our OE Talkabout videos. A future series of exciting video interviews is being planned, with us speaking to key generations and groups of OEs who are willing to share their experiences and memories. Events are also very much on the agenda for our autumn committee meeting, when we hope to begin planning and facilitating some fresh social events and gatherings as restrictions are gradually eased.

On a personal level, I am very happily settled into an extremely busy and rewarding ‘post-KES’ life. I have built a new art studio at home and paint and create most days. I recently held an exhibition of over 30 new paintings in central Bath, and it was fantastic to see OEs at this. Once travel restrictions are lifted, I am looking forward to visiting some new locations to search for some fresh inspiration, with sketchbook and camera in hand.

Ellie and Lily, 2005 leavers

I recently held an exhibition of over 30 new paintings in central Bath, and it was fantastic to see OEs at this.

I am also volunteering at the Holburne Museum in Bath and am really enjoying my days helping steward the galleries and exhibition spaces as well as talking to visitors about the art on display. Trying to stay fit is important and I am enjoying playing lots of tennis and walking our dog in the countryside around Bath. As restrictions ease, I am also planning visits to friends and family and working to stay in touch with ex-colleagues and former students.

Not quite the year I had planned but …

Canal boat, Limpley Stoke