OM and Community News 2023

This edition of the magazine celebrates those in our community living overseas as well as those in the UK. It also launches our Monkton Where You Are initiative.

Introductions

Welcome from the Principal

In an increasingly connected and global world our Monkton community has roots spread far and wide. With OMs in every continent, this year’s OM Magazine places the spotlight on our International community. From Germany to Nigeria, Hong Kong to Spain, we have current pupils in the School from across the world who make our pupil body more culturally vibrant. This year has seen trips to places including New York, France and Iceland, giving our young people experiences that will last a lifetime. Within the School, we have celebrated our global community with international evenings, different countries’ cuisines showcased in the Dining Hall, and our ‘Culture Shock’ extravaganza at Prize Giving.

The reflections from our OMs in this issue of the magazine demonstrate both the challenges and opportunities presented for international students coming to Monkton, along with how life at the School provides a foundation for whatever lies ahead. I hope you enjoy this latest edition of the OM and Community News, and as always, do continue to keep in touch and share your stories with the alumni office. Community is at the heart of Monkton and stories are central to community, so we always look forward to hearing from you.

As we enjoy the summer ahead of another school year in the valley, we reflect on the year that has passed with positivity and pride. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported Monkton so generously over this past year. I hope that reading this edition of the OM and Community News will enable you to join with us in sharing a sense of belonging and pride in our community.

Chris Wheeler Principal

President’s message

To me, Monkton has always represented more than just a school—it symbolises a vibrant community and individuals who make it extraordinary. The growth of the Old Monktonians Club over the past year, particularly in its international reach, has only reinforced this conviction.

This year was particularly noteworthy due to the launch of our “Monkton Where You Are” event series. This initiative seeks to overcome geographical boundaries and cultivate stronger bonds among us, regardless of our respective locations across the globe.

As a former student, I had the privilege of experiencing the expansive global tapestry of Monkton firsthand and cherished the sense of connectedness it fostered. Now, as President of the OM Club, I take immense pride and honour in sharing the stories of our international members.

At its heart, the OM Club isn’t about a name or a structure—it’s about every single one of you. As you flick through the pages of the OM and Community News, I hope you feel the impact you’ve made and continue to make on our club. No matter where in the world you’ve landed, we can’t wait to hear your stories and connect with you.

I’m buzzing with excitement at the prospect of personally meeting you at our future “Monkton Where You Are” events. Together, we’re not just maintaining Monkton’s legacy—we’re creating our own, strengthening those ties that bind us as a global family.

Keisuke OM President

Editors: Caroline Bone & Emma Garry

Design: Nick Moyle, Inkcap Design

Contributors: Jacqueline Burrows & Becki Mckinlay

Monkton Where You Are

Would

to reconnect with Old Monktonians but Bath

This year we are launching ‘Monkton Where You Are,’ a brand new event initiative designed to bring Monkton to you! We have listened to your feedback and know that for many of you, travelling back to Bath for a reunion can be a big commitment, but you would love to get together with fellow OMs - so we want to help you make this happen. Through ‘Monkton Where You Are’, we will empower you to plan an event in your location.

We can provide guidance and assistance where needed, send out invites to others in your area, and will post an event pack to bring a little bit of Monkton to you. OM President Keisuke trialled this initiative for us in Manchester, UK, at the start of July, and it was a great success. We would now love to support you to hold events like this in the UK and all over the World! If this is something you would be interested in, or you have an idea brewing already, get in touch with Caroline at oms@monkton.org.uk

Where you are…

Countries that are home to former Monkton and Clarendon pupils

you like

is too far to come for an event? Have you thought about holding a reunion in your area but not sure how?

North America

David Bennett III (OM 1973)

Pittsburgh, USA

I attended a private school in Pittsburgh, Shady Side Academy. It was in many ways similar to Monkton - strong academically with small classes, a robust sports program and caring, engaged teachers. I was a good student but, beyond a small circle of friends, I didn’t care for my classmates and was eager to leave. I won an English Speaking Union (ESU) exchange scholarship, and made plans to take my final school year in Britain.

First, I had to complete my English studies and secure a University place. In the fall of 1972 I took and passed three English courses simultaneously. I applied to Dartmouth College, an Ivy League university, who accepted me early for autumn 1973, and by December 1972 I was ready to leave for England.

I traveled alone on Christmas Day, arriving in London and staying at the ESU’s Mayfair House. On Boxing Day I traveled by train to Bath and was delivered to Grove House. House Master Mr P C and Mrs Sibley were welcoming and gracious. As an Upper Sixth Form boy, I was assigned one of the bed-sit rooms off a hallway connecting the boarding house to the Sibleys’ home.

The winter days were uniformly gray and damp. I was always cold and took to wearing a navy sweater under my jacket until I was reprimanded for being out of uniform! I made friends with Johnny Hodges, Richard (Bels) Green, Mike Parr, and another American student, Bill Gardner. We each received half a pint of milk and a half-loaf of sliced bread every week. After skimming off the cream, the glass bottles would sit outside on the window sill to keep cool. Some nights, the Sibleys would invite us into their home to watch television - Colditz and Monty Python’s Flying Circus - with tea and biscuits.

Though I was a good student in the US, here I struggled to keep up and adjust to the academic regimen. The US system is broad but shallow, studying more subjects than just three A Levels in greater depth. My best class was

History-Special Subject, which everyone started together, studying Charles II.

I was better at sports. I acquired an appreciation for Premier League football, and enjoyed learning cricket and hockey. I was a competitive tennis player, playing first line doubles with Tony Delafield and qualifying for the All England Schoolboys’ Tournament at Wimbledon. During holidays I hitchhiked, searching for cathedrals, staying in hostels or B&Bs. Tony and I would meet to play an occasional tennis tournament. I remember arriving late one night in Milford-on-Sea with nowhere to stay - I found the tennis club and slept on the courts.

Mr. Steggles took me to Henley. I attended a marvelous production of Twelfth Night at the Bristol Old Vic in a group arranged by Mr. Twombley. I stayed with Simon Hoskings’ family in Abergavenny and read a lesson at the Easter service - his father dedicated a day to touring me through Snowdownia. My grandfather was a Scots emigrant to the US, and I visited relatives in Glasgow.

I returned to the US in August 1973 and spent one week at home before university, where I studied English Literature, Economics and Architectural Engineering and met my future wife working in a bookstore. Graduating in 1977, I worked in financial securities before joining the family wholesale building materials business where I spent the next 44 years, retiring as President in 2022.

Monkton changed me profoundly, and I have great affection for it. Not for the food or the cold showers, perhaps, but for my first true experience of cultural and personal independence. There are many facets revealed from visits to Bath and the Viaduct Pub, the school choral practices, Match of the Day on Saturday nights, morning chapel, and so on. How has it changed me? How would I be different today? No one can know the path not taken, but I am grateful my path took me to Monkton Combe.

South America

Josh Davis (OM 2018) Nicaragua

Having graduated from Durham University in July 2022, I spent 10 months travelling Central/South America, volunteering at my parent’s school in Nicaragua and spent 4 of those months in South Korea doing a language course. Currently, having returned to the UK, I am at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst completing my Army Officer training.

Having grown up in Nicaragua all my life (6 months old until 14 years old), coming to Monkton was a very big culture change! Most notably, coming from an international school where the uniform was a polo shirt and shorts to then having to wear a shirt, tie, blazer and very, very heavy trousers was very odd. Additionally, Nicaragua being an earthquake-prone country, there are rarely any buildings with more than two stories, so all the flights of stairs in the boarding house and school buildings was a shock!

Thankfully, my younger sister attended Monkton at the same time, though our parents were still overseas in Nicaragua as missionaries, building schools (don’t worry, the irony is not lost on me!). Being far away from family can be challenging, but Monkton immersed us in a whirlwind of activities alongside the other international students. Whether it was the Coulson’s hosting in-houses, or the multitude of extra-curricular programmes available, there was always something to do.

Boarding life creates life-long friendships and

South America in numbers

9

Our South American alumni live in 9 countries

13 live in Brazil

memories. Since there was always an event on, there were times that even the day pupils would stay until 10pm to join in, which I’m sure wasn’t very popular with the parents… I can genuinely say that although some of us don’t get to see each other that regularly as we’re all around the UK and the world, those times when we do meet up, it’s as if nothing had changed and conversation flows, which seems quite rare nowadays. In the last five years since leaving Monkton, a few friends have visited Nicaragua to say hi, and I’ve also been able to visit friends in Spain, Germany and the USA, which has been an absolute joy to catch up and see how they are doing in life.

What is my favourite memory of Monkton? There are so many to choose from. Whether it was Gold DofE in the Brecon Beacons (which now after a lot of army training exercises there doesn’t quite have the same appeal), rowing camps in France, Belgium or Spain, qualifying at Henley for the first time in 20 years, or just the weekly inhouses where Mrs. Coulson made us a lot of food!

Europe Nicola Martin

Ramsgate, UK

(OM 2001)

As I write I am living by the sea in Ramsgate, Kent, where I spend most of my time either on the beach, in the sea, amongst good friends in the town’s evolving creative community, or in a bright co-working space looking over the harbour, writing my first book. To me, life is great. It is also entirely different to how I imagined it would be when I was at Monkton 16 years ago, and I’m certain that if I asked my 14 year old self what she thought of where I am now, she would be miffed and possibly disappointed.

When I started at Monkton in Hill House I was pretty lonely, so when the Junior drama production was announced and I was cast in The Diary Of Anne Frank it was a great opportunity to form close friendships with people in other years, many of which are still going strong today. We were lucky to have a great director in Dan Tobias, who empowered us all by trusting us with the telling of such an important, poignant story. It was certainly a highlight of my time at the school. Dan remained a big advocate of mine over the years and I am very grateful for his encouragement, without which I may not have felt confident to go on and pursue a career in the arts.

I had big plans at Monkton to become a successful actor and for years I worked hard to orchestrate my life around that singular pursuit. That was until, through writing and performing my own plays, doing a lot of therapy and, more recently, undergoing major surgery to remove a tumour from my pancreas, I realised the pursuit of this type of success sat in opposition to the things I had grown to value more; authenticity, self-worth and connection. So, last year, I changed tack and stepped back from acting professionally.

Now, alongside working on my writing projects, I teach writing workshops and host storytelling events with the aim of empowering people from all backgrounds to share their stories in a warm and encouraging environment. Through this, I’ve been able to recapture the joy, playfulness and empowerment I experienced when doing plays at school and, rewardingly, share it with others. I also write for the local paper, transcribe interviews for documentaries and do an array of odd jobs in order to fund my life and creative, meaningful endeavours.

It’s great to hear that Monkton is thinking about improving their theatre facilities. I would heartily urge anyone with even a vague interest to get involved in a production. Many professionals I have encountered who work in writing, music and all aspects of theatre and film making, started out involved with productions at school. I can also think of no better way to create more imaginative, communicative, empathetic young people than giving them opportunities to bring to life a diverse range of stories and characters they may not otherwise encounter in a supportive and friendly setting.

Things our European pupils say

“It was a weird feeling leaving my home in Germany and boarding in the UK, but this year has had a huge impact on my life and I do not regret coming to Monkton for this year. My English has gotten a lot better since I joined and I will have an advantage in the future because of it.” Current Pupil, Germany

“England has a different culture compared to Ukraine… in England if you pass somebody on the street, they smile at you, but in Ukraine that doesn’t happen. Now I also smile at everybody I see, and I think I’m going to do that back home too. One of my favourite things about Monkton are the teachers, because you can always talk to them if something bothers you.” Current Pupil, Ukraine

Jermaine Gutierrez (OM 2017)

Madrid, Spain

I moved to Germany after leaving Monkton and obtained a BSc in Business Administration from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, with a specialisation in Banking and Finance. Before graduating, I expanded my work experience by joining the Fintech (financial technology) start-up Agora Innovation in the development of their primary product iVE.ONE. This is a platform supporting businesses in project- and venturefundraising, leveraging blockchain technology to issue fully regulated digital securities.

I also hold a Master’s degree from the International Space University (ISU) in Strasbourg, France. My thesis was titled: Sustainable Project Finance in the European Space Industry: Addressing the liquidity gap for project finance with Mezzanine financing. Beyond project finance, my paper uncovers, describes, and provides solutions to the apparent funding gap present in the European space sector that is plaguing entrepreneurs and growthstage start-ups. I was then elected Co-Lead alongside Marion Pigassou on the twenty-strong team project, titled: Starship: Impact on the Satcom Industry. This investigation for the European Space Agency (ESA) projected the impacts of Starship’s development on future SatCom business models and satellite design drivers.

I am currently a Young Graduate Trainee at the ESA’s Directorate for Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, where I am researching and structuring financial products for space ventures at growth stages and space programmes in excess of one hundred-million euros. I live in Madrid, Spain.

Monkton’s close-knit community had an incredibly powerful impact on me. I moved from Switzerland to the UK during a turbulent time in my life and Monkton provided me with a sense of stability that did not exist previously. I made life-long friends that I continue to see to this day, even as I have moved from the UK to Germany, then France, and now to Spain. Leaving Monkton certainly highlighted the value of friendship forged through shared experiences. Joining Grove House under the care of the Wilkinson’s after ‘graduating’ from Hill House, imprinted a sense of loyalty in me that continues to influence every decision I make, both professionally and in my personal life.

Asia in numbers 23

Our Asian alumni live in 23 countries

130 live in Hong Kong

Asia

Justin Ko (OM 2017) Hong Kong

“Justin, wake up! Chapel in 10 minutes!” Not so long ago, these words would rouse me every Monday morning. Mr Coulson, Houseparent through my four years in School House, was aware of my tendency to sleep through chapel (and occasionally through first period). Sometimes I would crawl into my suit and slip sheepishly into the back of chapel. Acknowledging my attendance, Mr Coulson would give a nod of half approval, half demur. Other times, the gravitational pull of the bed would prove too strong and I would remain tethered, only to be called straight to Mr Morley the deputy head’s office to explain myself.

“Houseparent” was an alien term to me. Before Monkton, I had spent some time at Shrewsbury School, where ‘Housemaster’ was used instead. The distinction matters. Far from being a ‘Master’ who controlled all aspects of my education and discipline, Mr Coulson brought me into a family in School House, and assumed the role of a parent. Every time I returned to Bath from Hong Kong after a break, I was passed from one family to another: home was never more than a stone’s throw away. Coming from a day school in a sprawling eastern metropolis, where the fierce pursuit of academic success

Things our Asian pupils say

reigned supreme, to a boarding school in a tranquil English valley, where a holistic approach was adopted to academic life, sports and the arts, and where boys grew up with Wallace and Gromit instead of Crayon Shinchan, Mr Coulson’s guidance was essential in helping me to weather the culture shock.

As university applications loomed, I received guidance and support towards the future. It seems to me that Monkton never intends to shovel its students into highranking universities. Instead, pupils are encouraged to reach their own conclusions about their path beyond Monkton, according to their own values, strengths and aspirations. To help me with my decision, Mr Coulson arranged a meeting with Monkton alumni to explain the contrasts between student life in London and a collegiate university. Initially inclined towards London for a higherranking engineering course, this meeting convinced me otherwise.

It proved to be the right choice. My experience at the University of Oxford allowed me the opportunity to mingle with my peers beyond the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). I met historians, philosophers, theologians, linguists and musicians amongst others - an experience you would be hardpressed to find in London, and one which contributed to yet another decision once I’d left university and started my career. Feeling a distinct lack of creativity in my engineering role with a high-frequency trading company, I have now opted for a life devoted to film and television.

Since I left school Mr Coulson has stepped down as houseparent, so the dynamics of my personal relationship with Monkton have changed. But in this fast-paced, shapeshifting world, I am sure one teaching will stay constant: the need to regularly re-evaluate your aspirations, be brave about making changes, and to choose a path that matches your ambitions and objectives.

“I am glad to be studying here with my friends as they are very supportive, and that makes me feel like I have another home here. My favourite thing about being at Monkton so far is how friends have each other’s back, making new friends everyday, and being happy anytime.” Current pupil, Hong Kong

Oceania

Tim Sims

AM, BA/MA, MPA, GDDiv., FAICD, JP. (OM 1976)

Sydney, Australia

teachers loved their subjects and often went far beyond the prescribed curriculum. For this wide-eyed young student, that meant more academic adventure at Oxford and later Harvard, and the opportunity to enjoy those institutions without ever really having to worry about academic survival. While my area of endeavour lay primarily with essay and argument, Monkton had also left me numerate and able to engage in a world of business and numbers and to do this in several different languages. Many a gifted and patient teacher had a hand in this, but those who specifically prepared me for the rigours of Oxbridge were the legendary RC Blake and Peter Sibley; they taught me the delicate art of a compelling essay, a gift which never stops giving. Vickery, Denny, Dorsen and Hammel, all helped me to acquire language. Jules Bewick, with his unconventional and exciting approach to Maths, overcame the odds and somehow left me numerate. As my House Master, he also taught me never to take life too seriously and that the unassuming pursuit of excellence and the courage to give it a go, were non-negotiable.

I first came to Monkton Junior as a 10-year-old from Iran. My parents chose Monkton because it was: ‘a boarding school with long term commitment, both junior and senior, which had Christian values, at an attainable price, and was of course, set in amazing countryside near Bath.’

As I look back on those now distant yet vivid years, I can see a legacy of ‘Long term relationships, Love of Learning and Lessons for Life’ that has indelibly shaped my journey:

It was outside the school gates on Sunday, May 25, 1975 that I met Sally, my future wife and the mother of my children, as she was riding past on her horse. It was down at the tuck shop that, Ferg Murison and I first pooled funds to buy a Mars bar: we were to go on to Oxford together; to play attacking wing forwards in many a rugby team; to row Stroke and Seven in hard fought races on far flung rivers and to stand together as Best Men and later as God Fathers to our respective first born children. But of course, there were many other colourful and much loved characters, who were to provide friendship, encouragement and example, and even unexpected and helpful old Monktonians in the institutions that lay ahead.

The school provided a ‘Love of Learning’, an educational ethos that celebrated wholesome effort, cooperation and rounded development for all; our

Which brings me to the third of those lasting Monkton legacies: ‘Lessons for Life’. While at the school, I saw mature Christians living out their faith, shared life with missionaries’ kids and attended regular chapel services. I still thrill to the resonant tones of ‘God be with you, till we meet again’, as we sang farewell to each other at the end of each term. While, along with others, I remained robustly outside Christian commitment at the time, I was provided with the critical frameworks to engage and was never far from patient non-judgmental encouragement on this issue. In retrospect, the richly intoned blessings of the second line of that hymn ‘By His counsels guide, uphold you’, were answered after all, as I stepped out into life beyond the Monkton Valley. But it was not until I had my own children and sought to raise them in a right way, and not until the headwinds of adult life were gusting cold and hard, that I sought and found a faith of my own.

As I look back over more than 50 years, which began among the mosques and minarets of Iran, Monkton has left me with a rich ‘inheritance’ and with the aspiration, at least, ‘to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God’, and as I mix with other Monktonians, I sense that many have shared a version of this experience. We have much to be thankful for…’Verbum tuum veritas’.

Andrea Gitau (OM 2013) Brisbane, Australia & Nairobi, Kenya

It is hard to believe that this time ten years ago I had just completed my A-levels at Monkton. Moving abroad from Nairobi, Kenya to Bath was very daunting at the time, however all my worries were quickly laid to rest. I made incredible friends, and am so grateful to my houseparents at the time - the Glasgows and Miss Charania - for always being there to listen and spend quality time with us and just have a great time. It certainly felt like a home away from home. As an international student, Monkton shaped me to be a more independent, responsible and adaptable

individual, which are all qualities that have continued to help me particularly when settling into new environments. My fondest memories of Monkton are all centred around Nutfield. Having the privilege of being head of house came with so many hilarious memories, incidents and teachable moments that definitely shaped who I am today. Some of the major highlights were school being cancelled because of the snow, and all the fun we had sledding during that time; the summer Nutfield party which was held on a beautiful farm; as well as Nutfield winning every major house competition that year (201213). Essentially most times spent in Nutfield were just unforgettable. There was always something entertaining going on and high spirits in general. And there are many other memories which cannot be mentioned here!

In 2017, I graduated from the University of Sussex in Law, and returned to Nairobi, Kenya where I worked primarily in Law and Agribusiness. Just under a year ago, I moved to Brisbane, Australia to pursue a double Masters degree in International Business and Marketing which is where I currently am and hope to be for the foreseeable future!

“There was always something entertaining going on and high spirits in general. And there are many other memories which cannot be mentioned here!”

Memmenasha Haile-Giorgis (OC

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

My sister Lelo and I came to Clarendon School for Girls at Haynes Park, Bedfordshire in 1986. I was in the Remove and my sister was in Form IIIA. Although we came from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, the school felt comfortably familiar to us. Our mother, Jember Teferra, and our aunts Misrak, Titi and Mimi had all been at Clarendon before us, and my mother had a strong network of Clarendonian school friends, many of whom would visit us in Addis Ababa. They all supported us through some of the most significant difficulties that our family faced during Ethiopia’s Communist revolution.

For me, Clarendon School represented an environment that provided care, kindness and much needed ‘tough love’! Even if I haven’t been able to keep in touch with all my Clarendon family, I remember each one - dorm mates, classmates, teachers and even parents of school friends - as having had a significant input into my life. With all of life’s ups and downs, the spiritual teaching that I received at Clarendon has been my mainstay.

After I left Clarendon I went on to university in London,

1992)

but felt a deep sense of loss at the closure of the school in 1992. However, as my sister Lelo was amongst the first cohort of students who moved into Clarendon House at Monkton Combe, I was comforted to hear from her how the school had quickly adapted to its new identity as an integral part of Monkton. I am always glad that the Clarendon family remains strong and continues to thrive.

After my first degree in London, I went on to complete my Masters and PhD at the University of Manchester. I had always been interested in studying the plight of economically disadvantaged communities, and in researching and working with such communities in Manchester, Lesotho and Ethiopia.

I returned to Addis Ababa in 2004, married Yoseph B Samuel and gave birth to two children: Menna and Meba. Re-adjusting to life in Ethiopia was made easier by the fact that my mum lived mostly here until her passing in 2021, as well as other Old Clarendonians who had moved back to our country, including my auntie Mimi, my classmate Marsha Antypas, Yeshi and Kokeb Kassa (currently in the US) and many other Clarendonians who would occasionally pass through Addis Ababa.

Africa

in numbers

15 Our African alumni live in 15 countries

42 live in Kenya

I have been lucky to have worn many hats in the past couple of decades. Firstly, I decided to stay at home and raise my children, but I have also worked sporadically as a communications and education consultant to various US government affiliated agencies such as the World Bank, and with UK agencies operating in the development sector in Ethiopia.

Currently, I am directing and fundraising for a college set up by my dear mother for the education of young social workers who want to work with the most disadvantaged communities in Addis Ababa.

“Even if I haven’t been able to keep in touch with all my Clarendon family, I remember each one – dorm mates, classmates, teachers and even parents of school friends.”

Africa continued…

boarding for the first time and studying in a whole new environment. However, on arriving at Monkton, the beautiful, green and pleasant school environment in the valley assuaged my anxiety. The warm, friendly and welcoming reception I received at Clarendon boarding house allowed me to settle right into the boarding house and school life.

Isabella Oyier (nee Ochola) (OM 1998) Kilifi, Kenya

I am currently in Kenya, living near the sandy shores of Kilifi. I moved to Kilifi in 2006, to take on a postdoctoral research position at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP). Though I grew up in the capital Nairobi, I moved to the coastal town of Kilifi to pursue my career as a biomedical research scientist.

This scientific journey began at Monkton, where my interest in the sciences grew. I completed my IGCSEs in Nairobi and moved to Monkton for my A-levels (Biology, Chemistry and Maths) as my two older sisters had done. I was both excited and anxious as I left Kenya for the UK. Excited, because I was looking forward to the new adventure, new school, and becoming more independent. I was anxious as I was going to be away from home,

It was at Monkton that I chose a career in molecular biology, through great career support from the school. All my subject teachers did a fantastic job of sharing their knowledge and I thoroughly enjoyed my learning experience. At Monkton my leadership skills were identified and nurtured, I had a role on the Christian Union (CU) leadership team, I was a school prefect and deputy head of Clarendon House. This, I would not have naturally put myself up for, however it revealed abilities and skills that were a good foundation as I went on to study Molecular Cell Biology at the University of Nottingham. While at Nottingham, I was a member of the CU committee, yet another invaluable opportunity to share God’s love and learn more leadership skills. Later, I was fortunate to obtain a scholarship to pursue my PhD studies at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, using molecular biology to interrogate the malaria parasite. Now at KWTRP, I have obtained internationally competitive funding to carve out a research niche where I work very closely with the Ministry of Health in Kenya to integrate malaria genomic surveillance for routine monitoring of drug and diagnostic resistance. I currently head a department, an incredible opportunity to continue refining the skills I have gained over the years and contribute to the scientific strategy and growth of the institution.

I will remember Monkton for identifying and nurturing my leadership skills, the fun of the house music and drama competitions, sporting activities and community service, that provided a holistic and balanced approach to learning and life. Hopefully, the Monkton experience can be offered to others from my region perhaps through scholarships dedicated to those from Africa.

Africa Spotlight: Nigeria Democracy Day

To celebrate Nigeria Democracy Day in June one of our Year 12 pupils partnered with our catering team to bring Nigerian cuisine to Monkton lunchtime. With dishes including Efo Riro, Dodo, Jollof Rice and Puff Puffs, it was a delicious feast, and our pupil valued the opportunity to share her culture with her peers and staff.

From the Archives

Our African connections

Monkton Combe’s enduring relationship with Sierra Leone and with wider Africa began over 150 years ago. In 1855, the school’s founder, Francis Pocock, sailed to Freetown as Curate to the Bishop of Sierra Leone and was ordained at Regent’s Town. Three years later, in 1858, exhausted and unwell, he and his wife Sophia left Africa. Narrowly escaping drowning when their ship sank in the Bay of Biscay, they came to Bath to recover their health. In 1863 Francis accepted the post of Vicar of Monkton Combe, where they remained until 1875.

Francis’s affection for Sierra Leone and his connections with the international missionary community ran deep. Encouraged by the famous Evangelical author, Maria Charlesworth, who had written a book about Regent’s Town, he began taking in pupils in 1868. Amongst them were three of Maria’s nephews as well as a young man from Sierra Leone, two Canadians, a French boy and several from Ireland.

The boy from Sierra Leone was George Gurney Mather Nichol (OM 1875), whose grandfather Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a former slave, was the first native Bishop of West Africa. George’s father had been educated at the Church Missionary Society’s College in Islington and officiated at the magnificent wedding in Brighton of Sara Bonetta of Dahmomey, Queen Victoria’s ward.

G G M Nicol won the Senior 100 yards flat race at Sports Day in 1874, wearing his personal scarlet colours. He went up to Corpus Christi, Cambridge, graduating in 1879. After attending the CMS College, Islington, he was ordained and returned to Sierra Leone as a missionary and mathematics lecturer at the Grammar School and at Fourah Bay College. He died suddenly in Sherbro in 1881 aged just 32, “the youngest and one of the most cultured of the Native pastors”.

One of the Canadians, George Prowse (OM 1874), was a barrister’s son from Newfoundland. He arrived at Monkton in 1871 aged 11, spending three years here before moving on to Haileybury. Years later, Prowse wrote a letter describing his pride at being a fellow pupil of the boy from Sierra Leone and of walking through the streets of Bath with him in the 1870s.

When Revd Bryan took over the school in 1875,

young men from Africa continued to arrive in Monkton Combe. Most went on to Oxford or Cambridge, and to the CMS College, Islington or to the Bar. Each returned home to make a significant contribution to the development of their country and to carry on their missionary and educational work.

Revd Obadiah Moore (OM 1876) became Principal of Freetown Grammar School and a Canon of St George’s Cathedral. Revd Samuel Spain (OM 1876) was mathematics tutor at Freetown Grammar School and at the famous Fourah Bay College, as well as a Canon of Sierra Leone. Joseph Renner Maxwell (OM 1876) of Sierra Leone went on to Merton College, Oxford and to Lincoln’s Inn, becoming Chief Magistrate to the Gambia. Alfred ShorunkehSawyerr (OM 1877) and his brother John Christopher (OM 1877), were influential lawyers in Freetown. Alfred was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in 1889. As a member of the Legislative Council of Sierra Leone he was a powerful critic of the colonial system. Jacob Vivour Pratt (OM 1881) from Sierra Leone graduated with a law degree from Christ Church, Oxford before qualifying as a doctor from the University of Edinburgh and practising medicine in eastern Nigeria. Eric Olawolu Moore (OM 1899) from Lagos was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple before returning to Nigeria where he became a member of the Legislative Council. He was awarded the CBE and represented Nigeria at the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in 1937, just before his son, Eric Oladipo Moore (OM 1929) was also called to the Bar.

These remarkable Old Monktonians travelled thousands of miles to experience life in a small school in an isolated English village, and went on to achieve extraordinary things, returning home to play their part in the advancement of their own countries. Our school can be proud to have contributed in some small way to the development of Africa’s Christian life and its social and economic development in the late 19th century.

Rev. Canon Obadiah Moore

Have Your Say

Over the last few months we sent out surveys to our whole alumni community to help us understand how we serve and interact with you. In March we sent our International Survey to all alumni overseas, and in July we sent a survey to all other alumni. A huge thank you to all of you who completed one of our surveys! Here is a round-up of our International survey, put together by our International Alumni Volunteer, Bitania; results of the other survey will be published in the next e-news.

“Our International Survey was designed to get some colour on how connected our international alumni feel to Monkton, and to assess if we are maintaining the right level of communication. We had some great motivating responses. Thank you to all that participated and gave us your enriching feedback. Clarifying your expectations and showing us areas for improvement really helps drive the direction we take regarding our OM/OC Club plans for the future, so we are deeply grateful.”

Bitania Mulugeta, International Alumni Volunteer

What should be the top priorities of the Alumni club?

Here are some figures from the survey*

Over 75% thought the frequency of communication was about right. 14% would like increased communication.

85% thought our communication was good & excellent.

4 in 5 feel part of Monkton community

Over half would like to see events in their region and 1 in 4 wouldn’t mind organizing the event with the support from the school (see our ‘Monkton Where You Are’ article!)

Nearly three quarters said you’d recommend Monkton to others

A quarter of you thought you could see your children or family members coming to Monkton in the future

Quotes from the survey

“I am reading at present the letters that I wrote from Clarendon each Sunday afternoon to my parents and sisters who were living in Paris… My two years at Clarendon were memorable for an American girl whose prior education was in French schools.”

“Monkton provided my musical and spiritual grounding.”

Number of responses

“I felt very fortunate to have been able to attend a school like Monkton.”

Meanwhile in the valley…

Our pupils live and breathe Monkton every day, so this year, we decided to ask two of our current pupils to reflect and tell us about the past year at the Prep and Senior School

Lucia YEAR 7

This has been a great year, full of fun and learning new things. In the Michaelmas term we did a production of the play The Ikabog by J.K Rowling (below top). The set was amazing and made by some of the Year 7s and Mr E, DT. There was a really cool monster costume for the Ikabog that looked like a chinese dragon and took 3 people to wear and perform the character of it.

In the Lent term, for the first time, we did a Joint Concert in the Forum in Bath. It was incredible to be performing on such a big stage for so many people. It was also really special to play pieces with the Senior School pupils. My favourite piece was Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

In the Summer term we have had so many brilliant opportunities to learn outside. This year on our Wild Monkton day there was a bike pump track, low ropes and combat archery. In the afternoon we went to a lake and did paddle boarding and canoeing (below bottom). A lot of people got very wet!

There have also been some amazing trips this term, my year went to France where we did bread making, an assault course, climbing walls, and aero ball, as well as visited an American cemetery and the Bayeux tapestry and of course spoke lots of French!

Other highlights of the year for me have been the Easter egg hunt, the baking competition and the new addition to the farm, an alpaca named Joules. I am also excited for the Longmead music event which is still to come!

As I think about all I have done this year

I am so grateful for Monkton and all the opportunities it has given me.

Tilly YEAR 11

This year at Monkton has, as ever, been one filled with joy and energy in both academic and extracurricular activities. The senior production of ‘Chicago’ (above right) in Michaelmas term was a huge highlight, with an amazing cast of 40 students led by the fantastic triple threat team of Mr Mainwearing on music, Mrs Allsop on direction and Miss Hobbs on choreography. Everyone loved taking part in and watching the production, and all elements of the show clearly represented the hard work that went into its creation.

More highlights of the year include some incredible trips, including a mission trip to Malawi in October (above left) in partnership with Kachere 2 Primary School and Fisherman’s Rest, and an educational visit for our A-Level physicians to Geneva and CERN in February. Easter saw a host of activities including an inspiring trip to Iceland and New York, and a Year 10 and 11 History trip to Berlin. There was also a joint language and music trip to Paris in February half term, on which 18 of our talented musicians played two gigs, one in Disneyland Paris, and another in the beautiful Jardin de Luxembourg. The trip involved a fantastic day in Disneyland, a day exploring and sightseeing around Paris with a river tour of the Seine and of course a visit to the Eiffel Tower.

There was a similar trip to Paris over Easter for the Junior A netball team, involving fixtures and England netball workshops. Other sports tours included the Girls 1st hockey tour to Exeter, where they played Exeter School in a very competitive fixture in heavy October rain, coming out with a tense 0-0 draw. They also played one of the university teams, resulting in an impressive win. The Boys rugby tour to Cardiff was also successful, our Boys 1st 8 rowing crew had a fantastic outing at Henley, and our Boys cricket team enjoyed a match up in Fettes, Edinburgh to finish the year.

We also enjoyed formal functions such as the Knight lecture, which was very inspirational, as well as dinners such as the Junior Winter Ball, the Sixth Form Spring Ball, and both the Junior and Senior Sports Dinners.

Monkton Gives

Supporter updates

Our Monkton community continues to give faithfully in time, money, or other means, and our alumni community, as always, have played an important role in this. We particularly want to thank those who give regularly to the School, as this helps us to plan financially; those who have left a legacy to Monkton; and those who give anonymously, as whilst we cannot express our gratitude personally, you make an incredible difference. To all who continue to support Monkton in whatever way you can - our sincere thanks!

Number of gifts: 468

Individual gifts in 2022/23 468

x130

Number of donors: 130 Donors in 2022/23

Regular donors: 57 x57

330 550

Number of Alumni attending events: 330

We were delighted that a number of people made the journey from overseas to be with us at events this year.

Volunteer Hours: 550

Volunteers are hugely important to us, helping with everything from careers advice and mentoring, to reaching out to alumni we have lost touch with, and doing research in our archives. With the launch of Monkton Where You Are we are hoping to find more volunteers who can host alumni events in their area!

Looking Ahead:

We are excited for what is to come in the next few months and beyond. In October we will have our second Giving Day. Last year so many of you made a donation and we hope to have record numbers involved this year, changing the lives of current Monktonians.

Spotlight: Cricket Scoreboard

April saw the unveiling of the Peter Sibley Cricket Scoreboard down on Longmead. Standing proudly next to the Pavilion, the scoreboard was made possible through the generosity of our Monkton community. It has already seen one fantastic season of cricket and will hopefully serve many generations of Monktonians to come. Thank you to all those who donated.

OM & OC News

Find out what some of our Alumni have been up to over the last year

Adrian Conroy (OM 1985) published his first book of brainteasers, Chicken or Egg? in 2022. Adrian says the book “... challenges the reader to put themed groups of familiar events in chronological order. The questions encompass everything from era-defining world events and iconic sporting moments to popular culture and quirky ‘And Finally’ news stories, with a smorgasbord of other topics in between. It’s the perfect companion for armchair, sun lounger or train/plane journey, and it stimulates interesting conversations when played with friends.”

Olivia Caesar (OM 2018), a senior at UCLA, has secured All-Pac-12 Team women’s rowing honours for the third consecutive season.

Isabelle Clarke (OM 2021) had her first article published in the Beau Monde Traveler titled Chestertons’ Polo in the Park: A Quintessentially British Affair

Ben Catermole (OM 1991) was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in this year’s New Year’s Honours List, Military Division.

The Chadwick sisters Pricilla, Hillary and Juliet (OCs 1965, 1967 and 1968) were fortunate to have been able to visit Lucie-Pearl Conolly (née Gowar) (OC 1958) and her husband Matthew in the Pacific Palisades, USA during COVID. The Conollys have three grown-up sons and are active in their local church. Matthew is retired from his career as an eminent Physician in the Medical Faculty, UCLA. Lucie-Pearl’s mother Pearl Penrose (OC 1935) was a contemporary of the sisters’ mother (Peggy Brownrigg OC 1935). All Clarendonians are welcome to visit and stay as the Conolly’s guests. They also have two Airbnb rooms available.

Contact OMs@monkton.org.uk if you would like to be put in touch with Lucie-Pearl.

Goodbye to the Garrods

This summer we said goodbye to the last members of the Garrod family at Monkton as Ros (Hon OM) retired and Matty finished his school days and became an OM 2023. Adding up all the years the Garrods have worked or studied at Monkton it totals an amazing 107!

Michael Lynch (OM 2001), a partner at DMH Stallard in the Dispute Resolution team, appeared on Radio 4’s Today programme talking about rugby (a passion he developed at Monkton), as well as restructuring and insolvency law. Michael’s interview was reported in The Independent, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail and The Mirror. He says it was all very surreal and interesting but would not have been anything but for Monkton rugby and sports, which he maintains is so important.

Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani (OC 1985) was one of three women bishops of the ten officiating at Coronation of King Charles III. This was the first coronation since women were permitted to become bishops in the Church of England. Guli carried the Chalice in the King’s Procession, later taking it to the King and Queen for them to receive Holy Communion: a small part in the grand scheme of the event, but a significant one in the context of a Christian service of worship, and very special for Guli as the date (6 May) coincided with the anniversary of her brother’s Bahram Dehqani-Tafti, OM 1973 death, on which she tries to receive Holy Communion each year. Only five people received the sacrament during the Coronation service – the King and Queen, the archbishop, the Bishop of Dover and Guli herself. She said of the day: “It was an extraordinary experience. Surreal in many ways and of course a huge honour.”

Aman Bansal (OM 2018) was listed in the NYC Journal as one of 20 female entrepreneurs to watch in 2023 for her start-up doughnut business, the Tamu Doughnutery.

Barak St John in Uganda

Barak St John (OM 2001) and his wife Heather have been based in the Kisiizi area of Uganda with their three children since January 2021. Barak works as a doctor in the Kisiizi Hospital, while Heather runs Empower, a reusable sanitary pad project, while also home-schooling the children.

For Barak, working in the hospital brings many joys and struggles, as health issues are felt in many aspects of the patients’ lives. But he says ‘it is a privilege working against this hopeless situation, to bring light to patients and their families.’

Through Empower, Heather provides vital education in schools and gives out pads to women and girls, also running pad-making workshops to teach women how to make pads for themselves out of local materials.

To hear more about their work, family life and adventures with their trusty Land Rover Hagrid, follow their blog at https://barakstjohn.wixsite.com/kisseasy.

celebrated their fiftieth (golden) wedding anniversary at South

Anglican Church in January 2023 as part of a triple golden anniversary event. Peter met Elizabeth in her hometown of Parkes, Australia when he visited the Central West with an Australian friend from a church in Sydney, while working as a research engineer.

Sarah Gomme (OM 1992) and Joe Lewis (OM 2018) both completed the 2023 London Marathon.

Peter Holland (OM 1959) and his wife Elizabeth

Wagga

Mike Keighley (OM 1962) brought opera to Monkton. Diva Opera performed Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, raising money for Monkton bursaries and for MASIC, a charity that helps women with birth injuries of which Mike is the founder. The outstanding performance was held in the Chapel and guests picnicked on the lawns during the interval.

Hannah Martin (OM 2001) published her first book, Makeup: The ultimate practical step-by-step guide to makeup and beauty.

Lyndon Pinches (OM 2000) appeared on Channel 5’s New Lives in the Wild series. TV personality Ben Fogle travelled to the heart of Zambia to live with the Pinches family, who have built a safari lodge on the edge of a national park.

Charles Skrine (OJ 1989) spoke at the end of term Abbey Carol Service about his life at Monkton Prep and about war, football, the journey of his faith in God and how he has come to know Jesus as the ‘Prince of Peace’.

Standing Vigil

OMs James Troup (OM 1977) and Matt Paynter (OM 2010) were honoured to stand Vigil for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her Lying-inState: James at St Giles’ and Matt in Westminster Hall. As a member of the Royal Company of Archers, James had the singular honour of standing the first Vigil at the end of the Service of Thanksgiving in St Giles’. He recalls:

“It is hard to put it in words, as although I was directly involved I am incredibly aware that the duty I performed was to honour my beloved late Sovereign as just one of her humble servants. As the last hymn of the service of Thanksgiving was sung, I marched on together with three fellow Archers to take our posts at each corner of the catafalque. To say I was nervous is an understatement. With lowered heads we stood watch for our first twenty minute Vigil. We carried out four further Vigils before the next Watch of Archers took over.

One of the most remarkable impressions I gained from this, the greatest honour of my life, is experiencing people’s extraordinary emotion and devotion – the memory of seeing members of the public filing past in the hours after the Royal family had left still brings a lump to my throat. One image that will always stay with me is that of a mother kneeling beside her very small child and, with tears in her eyes, whispering, presumably, an explanation of what he was witnessing.

Announcements

More detailed announcements and full obituaries can be found on the Alumni page of the School website.

Marriages

- Anthony Dann, OM 2010 married Lottie Brawn, OM 2012 in May 2023

- Seth Thomas, OM 2018 married Rachel Barnes on 19th November 2022

- Keisuke Suzuki, OM 2013 married Yuwen Chung on 7th November 2022

- Hannah Cheater, OM 2008 married Sam Foster on 16th July 2022

Births

- Michael Du Boulay, OM 2003 and Charlotte Waite welcomed baby Matilda in April 2023

- Phyllida Stuart (nee Monroe), OM 2015 and Christian Stuart welcomed baby Rex on 3rd April 2023

In Memoriam

- Thomas Matovu, OM 2009 on 2nd August 2023

- Jean White (nee Renfrew), Hon OM on 22nd July 2023

- William (Bill) Collis, OM 1970 on 20th July 2023

- John Charles Brace, OM 1938 on 7th July 2023

- Nick Hungerford, OM 1998 on 6th July 2023

- Rev John Sertin, OM 1939 on 5th July 2023

- Antony (Tony) Cullingford, OM 1954 on 21st April 2023

- Sheila Scotchmer, OC 1939 on 15th April 2023

- Pat Gill, Former Clarendon Staff on 15th April 2023

- Rev Anthony Cathcart, OM 1944 on 12th April 2023

- Rt Revd William Michael Dermos Persson, OM 1945 on 2nd April 2023

- John Lyddieth, OM 1955 in March 2023

- Oli Burnham, OM 2009 on 1st December 2022

- Richard Sewell, OM 1962 on 21st November 2022

- James Coussey, OM 1962 on 20th November 2022

- Stella Mew, Former Clarendon Staff in September 2022

- Michael George Cockerham, Hon OM on 27th August 2022

- Brian Sheriff, OM 1945 on 6th August 2022

- Derek Harling Clark, OM 1947 on 21st June 2022

- Prof Andrew Sims, OM 1957 in March 2022