OM News News from Monkton Combe School and the Old Monktonian Club
AUTUMN 2021
Welcome
With the UK vaccine programme well advanced and the new school term started with far fewer COVID issues, it is a pleasure to share this edition of the OM magazine with you. This edition brings stories of survival, self sufficiency, and success. Many OMs have been in touch during the pandemic to share their experiences with us and so many in our community have given us so much to be proud of. Whether in the front line in some form, making the most of the changing horizons around us or setting off on life’s first steps, Monkton binds us all towards a common future full of hope. If you don’t know it, I love the end of the film The Shawshank Redemption and have rewatched it often during the pandemic as a reminder of Romans 15:13. Among so much else, COVID has perhaps made it even clearer how important community is when life is hard. We are working hard to keep connected with our OMs and would welcome your support in that - if there are friends you know who might not be on our mailing list, please do forward this on to them and encourage them to get in touch with us. There is no greater joy than reconnecting someone with the OM community who has got lost on the way. Chris Wheeler Principal
Editor Caroline Bone Design Nick Moyle, Inkcap Design Contributors Jacqueline Burrows & Becki Mckinlay
www.monktoncombeschool.com
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Introduction
Reading about the pandemic experiences of OMs detailed in this magazine, the word resilience comes to mind. We’ve all had to adapt to evolve and it’s encouraging to hear how OMs have done that in ways I’m sure were never previously imagined. The school also had to change to deal with whatever was required of it and starts a new year full of anticipation and hope for slightly more normal times ahead. We have certainly found many ways to stay in contact without meeting face-to-face and, while grateful for them, I’m already enjoying the chance to see more people ‘for real’. And one such occasion being planned for OMs & OCs this autumn is the ‘50 years of girls at Monkton’ celebration in October. As something of a forerunner, we’ve been sharing the stories of 50 Monkton ‘girls’ on social media, including two of the first girls to join the school in September 1971 and who remain close friends today. All these stories can be found on the Monkton website on the OM Club pages. Another celebration enjoyed by several OMs during the summer was the opening of the refurbished pavilion on Longmead. It was an opportunity to thank some of the OMs, parents and other supporters for their generosity, enabling a cherished part of Monkton’s infrastructure to be restored and remain fit for purpose. As you will see in the impact section of the magazine, there are many ways for Monkton’s alumni to continue supporting the school – and they don’t all involve donating! If you feel able to volunteer a few hours, share your expertise or experience with current Monktonians or offer them some career advice, the school would love to hear from you. As always, contact Caroline Bone, Alumni & Donor Relations Manager, on 01225 721195 or at OMs@monkton.org.uk. I look forward to seeing many of you at events this year. Fiona Carruthers (85) OM Club President
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Celebrating 50 years of
Girls at Monkton Kathryn Smith was the first girl to join Monkton in the Lent term of 1971, swiftly followed by Katie Proffitt and Fiona Stafford née Shave in the Michaelmas term of 1971. We caught up with Katie and Fiona to find out what life was like when they first arrived at Monkton.
Katie Proffitt and Fiona Shave
Dr Katie Proffitt (73) “The feeling of apprehension when Fiona and I walked into the dining hall on our first day is something that is not easy to explain. It felt bizarre to move from a single-sex boarding school to becoming the only two girls in the sixth form at Monkton, which in 1971 was a traditional public school, and an almost entirely male environment. I was 15 years old, and looking back, I wonder why my parents thought this was a good idea!
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Fiona and I shared a room in the Bursar’s house on Shaft Road. Everyone was kind and welcoming, but there was a steep learning curve for the school and for us. Happily we survived. We embraced the challenge, had a lot of fun, made some great friends, and managed to pass our A levels. This was no mean feat, and looking back, I have a degree of pride for the part we played in setting Monkton on the road to co-education. Above all, I value my enduring friendship with Fiona.”
Clarendon Merger Fiona Stafford née Shave (73) “Like Katie, my introduction to Monkton, standing in the dinner queue surrounded by the opposite sex for the first time, was unnerving. We managed to survive the ordeal and as everyone was kind and considerate we soon settled into our new and exciting environment. Life was great for Katie and I. The teaching, cultural and pastoral care were excellent and we threw ourselves into whatever we could join in. I loved watching rugby, cricket, and the eights, playing the sports we could, even though our baptism with rowing when the next year of girls arrived was not a success. We thrived on the freedom and responsibility Monkton provided. We made some great, lifelong friends and I hope we were also able to help Monkton make the transition to a mixed school. My best memories include soaking up the gorgeous grounds and countryside around the school, walking to Bath (and back), the architectural splendour of the city, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon concert in Bristol, walks to South Stoke, swimming in a very cold pool, and, like Katie, being called by my surname in Maths, and being useless with a slide rule.”
In 1992, Clarendon School merged with Monkton. The two schools had always been close with many families sending their girls to Clarendon and their boys to Monkton. Those who attended Clarendon even before the merger have been welcomed into the Monkton community, and Monkton houses all the Clarendon archives.
Moving on 50 years we talked to our Head Girl Flora Jones (21) “Most memorable Monkton moments are ones of spontaneity. A memory that particular stands out for me is a rounders tournament organised by some of my friends between the year 13 girls and the years 9 and 10 girls after school on Four Acres. The combination of the sunny September afternoon coupled with snacks and a great atmosphere made for the perfect time, despite a rather embarrassing loss for the year 13s! Another memory which stands out would be the spontaneous trip my friend Hannah and I took to get ice cream from the Angelfish café after school last year. We ate our ice creams whilst laying in the sun and catching up. It was so perfect to be able to step away from the busyness of school life for a few moments and appreciate the beautiful valley in which we are so fortunate to go to school. We still talk about what a great day that was!”
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School life during the pandemic MONKTON PREP We interviewed our 2020 - 2021 Head Boys and Girls Cassia Grace, Jack, Toby and Vassiliki about life at the Prep during the pandemic. Here’s what they had to say… “We had all been looking forward to fixtures, plays and school trips but sadly the year was consumed with lockdowns and online lessons! Although it’s been a tough 18 months we have all learnt how to see the good in a bad situation. The Monkton values have been a great inspiration to us helping to shape who we are today and who we will be in the future. Service, Humility, Confidence and Integrity have had so much impact on me, just as every moment at Monkton has impacted our lives greatly, teaching us many lessons we will never forget. Whilst we were so disappointed to have to do online school at times, Mrs. Winchcombe and her incredible team of teachers made
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us forget we were even at home and Mr Sim and his PE sessions kept us fit and healthy. We’ve all learnt how to enjoy time with family, to cope when things don’t go as hoped, to learn when our teachers aren’t actually there with us, to find things to smile about, even if we are having a bad day, how to really ‘go for it’ and to do things we never thought we could. There have been times when we haven’t got into the A team, when we didn’t get the part we wanted in the play: times when life just isn’t how we hoped it would be. It is in these moments when we need to remember - we’ve faced bigger challenges, climbed higher mountains and we’ve got through it!”
MONKTON SENIOR We hear from our Head Boy and Head Girl about life at Monkton Senior during the pandemic “We have, as a community, been lucky in many ways. We were able to remain in school when the majority of people were still confined to their homes, to the point where I often found myself forgetting the extent to which the outside world had altered. We are fortunate to have been supported in a way that few others have, and we continue to enjoy opportunities that extend beyond the norm. I feel privileged to have been at Monkton during such an unusual time.
“This academic year has been like no other, and whilst it is important to recognise what a strange year we have all had, I think it is equally important to highlight and celebrate the different individual and collective successes that we have achieved as a community, despite all that has gone on.
In my chemistry lessons we tracked the development of some remarkable beards on the faces of the more follicly inclined A-level chemists. Their reluctance to trim them on the return to school was only encouraged by the convenient requirement to wear masks!”
Firstly, whilst we weren’t able to be in our beautiful Monkton valley for a large proportion of the academic year, the community continued to thrive as we pulled together from all over the globe, united by the desire to support and serve others during such a tricky time. Student led activities such as CU and the Clark Society continued to flourish despite the challenging time differences. House events also took place online, ranging from Grange and Eddy’s Quiz Nights to Nutfield’s baking competition and School’s Fantasy F1 League. Weekly ‘Lockdown Challenges’ were set by both teachers and pupils, encouraging us all to try new things and challenge ourselves whilst at home.”
Jonjo Palmer
Flora Jones
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Alumni Events 2021 / 2022 OCTOBER
JANUARY Friday 7th , 4.30pm University life - virtual event Saturday 8th January 2020 & 2021 reunion dinner, Monkton
FEBRUARY MARCH March Sunday 13th 1956 to 1966 OM leavers’ reunion As the culmination of celebrating 50 years of girls at Monkton we are having a week of celebrating women. As well as the Alumni events detailed below we have a STEM event Girls on Track UK which will close our week.
Sunday 27th March OM Hockey and Netball
APRIL Saturday 30th April MCJS reunion
JUNE
Wednesday 13th October Virtual talk given by Bitania Mulugeta OM (95), Director, R&D Product Management, Calypso Technology
Saturday 18th OM President’s picnic This is a day for many different groups of OMs to return to Monkton for a picnic lunch on Longmead. Bring your friends, bring your family and enjoy a relaxed afternoon catching up with old friends and seeing what has changed around the school. Why not gather together those in your year group, those you played a sport with or those from your old house? The Alumni office can help contact any you may have lost touch with over the years.
NOVEMBER
OM Cricket - date TBC
Saturday 9th October Womens’ reunion, Monkton with guest speaker Rosie Brown OM (93), Co-CEO of COOK (booking through eventbrite)
Tuesday 16th Cop26 virtual talk by Jackie Piper OC (85) co founder of sustainability and eco friendly company British Colour Standard 23rd November 7.30 GMT Online OMCU prayer meeting
DECEMBER Tuesday 7th December Carol Service, Monkton Senior School Chapel, 6.00pm
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If you are interested in attending any of these events please contact Caroline Bone in the OM office, Monkton Combe School, Bath, BA2 7HG, OMs@monkton.org.uk Check the Alumni page of the School website or check social media for announcements and booking information.
Supporter Impact Report Thank you so much to all of our community who have taken the time to share their stories, volunteer, or make a donation. Your support is making a difference to our pupils every day. From providing bursaries to giving your time and expertise on careers; from sharing your inspiring stories to helping us transform the School estate; your support has been incredible. Thank you so much to each and every one of you.
Giving to Monkton in 2020 - 2021
59 Donors choose to give regularly
511
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155 Donors, 54 of whom made their first gift to Monkton
Bequests received
Gifts in Total
240
Volunteer hours
What did you donate to this year? (Totals including Gift Aid)
l Bursaries £20,915 l Christian leadership bursaries £62,744 l Longmead Pavilion £9,208
Total given
£292,942
lQ uads £125,922 l Prep School Developments £36,370 l Unrestricted & other gifts £37,783
Giving Time We have a growing number of volunteers helping us with current pupils, OM events, our archives etc. In the last 12 months volunteers have given 240 hours of their time to support the School.
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SUPPORTER IMPACT REPORT
The impact of your generosity The Pavilion Your generosity has allowed us to transform this iconic building into a space that matches its wonderful location. Originally given to the school in 1933 by OM parent Mrs Allen, it had become rather tired, but is now a place where our pupils, visiting teams and our wider community can enjoy and celebrate sport at Monkton. From a full paint job inside and out to a reconfigured club room and kitchen, with other alterations to meet the needs of the 21st century, your donations have made a huge impact!
Bursaries 10% of pupils starting in September 2021 will have some financial support to help them and their families come to Monkton. This is only possible with the support and generosity of our community and means that so many more pupils will benefit from a Monkton education.
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Christian Leadership Bursaries and the Chapel So many of our community responded to our call to help families that are doing mission work to enable their children to attend sixth form. We raised enough to fund two pupils through sixth form and we are excited to see them thrive and play a leading role in our Christian Union.
Springboard Bursaries Our Springboarders are remarkable young people who are fully funded at Monkton thanks to the generosity of our donors. We now have 5 pupils on 100% bursaries who are benefiting from a safe and stable environment and a fantastic boarding experience. For these pupils, the experience is life changing and the impact continues for many years after they leave Monkton.
Inner Quad Thanks to a donation in a bequest, we have transformed our inner quad to make it a much more usable space for our pupils and bring it in keeping with the beautiful buildings of School and Farm boarding houses. This space is now a central hub for our pupils to meet, study together and enjoy our incredible valley surroundings.
The Prep School Over the summer we have been able to complete major works, including a much larger dining space across the ground floor of Hatton so our pupils can eat together, and major ground works to enable smoother dropoff in the car park. The way that pupils move around the School is hugely improved. With thanks to the Clarke family for their generous donation, matching all gifts from our parent community.
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SUPPORTER IMPACT REPORT Get involved
Legacies
We hope that you are inspired by what you have read about the impact of giving time and donations to the School. We have many more projects coming up including the transformation of the Chapel Quad, increasing our bursary offering, and celebrating the time given to the School through volunteering. Please complete the enclosed forms to get involved!
Monkton has always benefited from the loyalty and generosity of the people whose lives it has touched and transformed. The 1868 Society has been established to acknowledge the support of individuals who have chosen to help the School by leaving a gift in their Will.
Volunteers Welcome to our latest volunteers:
Bitania Mulugeta (95) who will be helping us with our international community. Bitania will be working with us to look at the best ways to help OMs living in different countries stay connected with each other and the School.
Hannah Howitt (13) is our Young Alumni volunteer and will help those who have left Monkton more recently to stay connected and plan events.
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A legacy to Monkton is one of the most meaningful and enduring gifts you can give to Monkton. All legacies, whatever their size, will directly benefit the School, its pupils and its teaching staff. Pupils of today, as has been the case in the past, are the beneficiaries of previous generosity and now, over 150 years on in Monkton’s history, it is our responsibility to ensure that the children and young people of tomorrow are equally provided for to ensure that Monkton retains its place as one of the leading Christian boarding schools in the country. If you are considering or have left a gift to Monkton in your Will, please do contact us. We want to ensure we understand your wishes and are able to use your bequest in the best way possible. We also want to thank you during your lifetime, and celebrate your generosity.
Like learning to swim in a boxing match Ben and Felicity Watson (OMs 13 & 16) on opening their gym during the pandemic Totalfit Brighton opened on January 21st 2020. We had no previous business experience but wanted to help people on their journey to optimal health. We saw a need for coaching that would not just benefit an athlete’s body but also their mind and spirit. Less than 2 months later we closed due to the pandemic. Lockdown 1: Work to survive We lost the sports teams we coached, began coaching the handful of members we had online and ran live workouts on our social media. When we were allowed to coach outside we built an outdoor lifting area by the bins of our gym and started coaching classes in the park. With the new restrictions our studio was too small for classes, so we used our savings to expand into a larger space next-door. Lockdown 2 : Short and Sweet We had grown our member base over recent months and actually managed to continue to grow in this short lockdown by pivoting back online.
Lockdown 3: The Long Winter We didn’t see this one coming. 90% of our members continued with us online, but it was tough. Many of our members struggled with motivation or depression. We put all our energy into each online class; we loved seeing our members continue to encourage and support each other, but we often came home feeling exhausted. We constantly tried to innovate and find new revenue streams; some worked, but most failed. Resurfacing With gyms back open, we are finally able to run the business as envisaged. We are growing very well as a gym, and looking to continue to expand the company. We love our members a lot and it is a joy to see them growing in all areas of their life. If we have learnt one thing it is this: When God is with us and we don’t give up, there is always a way through.
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There’s a Pandemic!
Lessons from the world of virtual events As with many companies that organise events, COVID-19 put an end to the 2020 conferences we had been planning for over two years. This resulted in ourselves and our customers looking at options for virtual events. There were a range of points to consider when deciding whether or not to go virtual: n The Financial viability
-T he cost of hosting a virtual event versus potential income generated
- How to secure sponsorship
n How to retain Delegates who have attend the events in person year after year n What technology to use n What should the programme look like n What time zone should the event be set in n Networking opportunities n Could we deliver two high quality events in the limited time available.
After much consideration, we decided we could run events but with revised formats and using very different pricing models. We delivered two successful virtual events in a short space of time; here is what we learned:
n Be smart in your offer. Organisations are keen to sponsor these events, and the more data you can give them in terms of click-on-links to their pages on the site, datasheets and videos the better. n Enhance your delegate experience by creating a user-friendly online environment, linked to the platform. n ‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail’. Many rehearsals and dry runs are the key to delivering a professional event n Give your delegates opportunities for human interaction where you can, we are social creatures.
In conclusion and in line with many of the ‘pandemic lessons’ we are currently learning, the Dot-TheEye team not only survived but flourished in our adventure into the world of online conferences. It gave us opportunities to use our considerable event planning and preparation experience and learn new skills along the way. The outcome for us has been a strengthening of our offer to partners of in-person, hybrid and online events. We look forward to whatever combination of these 2021 and beyond may bring.
n Firstly, be under no illusion, virtual events take just as much time to plan as physical events. n Understanding how the technology works is essential. Do not underestimate the time required to do this.
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Emma Jane Taylor OC 85
The Barn Show
OMs host art exhibition Charlie and Nick’s vision, after several pandemic related delays, finally came alive one sunny afternoon in June at Manor Farm in Upton Cheyney. Over the course of a few weeks of hard graft (with much help from friends and family) the pair managed to curate an art extravaganza, showcasing impressive outdoor sculptures, British landscape paintings, bright abstract works and traditional sight-size portraiture, provided by 15 talented local artists. As one can imagine, a major concern for any event is that looming question: will anyone turn up? Fortunately, on its opening night, the exhibition was graced by the presence of over 500 guests and the atmosphere was truly electric. The idea for ‘The Barn Show’ came about late one night in Old Monktonians’ Charlie Adams (10) and Nicholas H. Wood’s (08) art studio. As they shivered in winter coats by a small fan heater they imagined the restored possibilities of a post-lockdown world. The thought of an exhibition on a summer’s evening with real guests and original art was like a halcyon dream and so they set their minds to creating an event to remember, not only for themselves and fellow artists, but for friends, family and the local community.
The Barn Show people brought people together after many months of separation and several guests reported running into old friends with whom they had lost contact more than 30 years ago. The event felt more important than an art exhibition; it felt like a reunion. Following the success of their first co-organised exhibition, Charlie and Nick intend to make The Barn Show an annual event.
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Graduating during the pandemic Alex Shaw OM (2017) shares his experiences of completing a Music degree at Royal Holloway University of London during the pandemic The graduating class of 2021 can claim to have experienced the most disruption to their overall university experience. Those who, like me, were completing three-year courses, lost 50 per cent of their total time at university to the pandemic and lockdowns. Lectures and teaching stopped entirely before gradually shifting online. I discovered that this method of learning made concentration extremely difficult! Working in the same room in which I slept and relaxed wasn’t ideal for effective final year study. Musical performance should have been a major part of my degree experience. I sang in the Vatican on a choir tour to Italy at the end of my first year, not realising that this was to be my only university tour. If I had known, I would have taken more time to appreciate it all. Two-thirds of my graded solo recitals which should have been in-person became recordings performed in a practice room, without accompaniment. Societies are the other key element of the university experience. As with everything else, these too were forced online. Zoom quizzes were plentiful. As a member of the Christian Union, the most challenging aspect for me came when it was time to elect the following year’s Committee. We had to elect first year
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students, having met them face to face only once or twice, if at all. Life took a turn for the better on 8 March 2021 when practical courses such as Music resumed face-to-face teaching. I was able to attend composition workshops for my final portfolio and to resume rehearsals with my ensemble for our final recitals. This positive trend continued when the “Rule of 6” was introduced at the end of March. A beer in the garden or tennis with a friend was allowed once again. As finals season passed, the post-exam university experience became the closest to normality we’d had all year. For those students who remained at university, campus was almost as busy as preCOVID levels; many societies could hold end-of-year events and some leavers were able to say their goodbyes in person. Students have faced a multitude of challenges throughout the pandemic. Many have been left with less than positive memories of their time at university. I take pride in having completed my degree despite all the difficulties, and am grateful that the gradual re-opening of the UK through the first months of 2021 allowed me to finish university in the positive way that I started – surrounded by good friends!
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Monkton, Measles, Meningitis Lockdowns and isolation are nothing new for Monkton. The archives reveal that influenza and measles epidemics in the 19th and 20th centuries were frequent and feared. Before vaccines, lives were at risk. If symptoms appeared, the school went into isolation and all contact ceased. However, the sad story of young William Parsons Annesley Ball-Acton reveals that bacterial meningitis, notably dangerous to children, was also prevalent in the late 19th century, but went unrecognised. Born in Wicklow in 1871, Willie arrived at Revd Bryan’s Monkton Combe College in January 1883, aged 11. In March, he and two friends got into trouble for allegedly throwing stones at railway trucks near Midford and breaking a window. Malicious intent couldn’t be proved and the Bath magistrates dismissed their case. Willie’s great niece still has five of his letters written from school. Of particular interest is his final letter (right). Willie only enjoyed one term at Monkton. He died from “brain fever”, probably meningitis, at home in Tunbridge Wells during the Easter holidays.
29 March 1883 My dear Mother, I hope you are all quite well. I have been better for the last few days. I came down on Saturday; I had been in bed for nearly the whole week. But today my neuralgia is a little worse, and I have come up to the sickroom this afternoon. It is mostly in the right side of my forehead and a little farther up in my head. My ear-ache is quite well now, the matron thinks it was the neuralgia too in my ear. It does not hurt me when I am still, but when I move suddenly it hurts me. I do not think it was that railway affair that made me ill, as Miss Bryan thought. Miss Bryan told me yesterday that you had asked if I might have an egg when I liked; so when I want one I can have one. I slept in the same room when I was ill as usual and generally had a fire. Tell Papa I have finished the first book of Euclid. I remain, Your affectionate Son, W. Ball-Acton
Jacqueline Burrows
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Lessons from the road Matt Morley OM (09) and his wife Coco are cycling around the world to raise money for Mercy Ships. We caught up with them in Turkey. We cycled into the small village of Saricailyas, in central Turkey, at the end of a long, gruelling day on the bike, hoping to have some dinner and find somewhere safe to camp. We sat on a bench outside the mosque and started to wash some tomatoes and cucumbers to make a salad when a young chap approached us with an older lady. We were taken aback when he introduced himself in perfect English as Selçuk, as it was so unexpected in rural Turkey, he then introduced the lady as the elected chief of the village. He told us to put our tomatoes away, as his mum and aunt were cooking something much better and that we should come with him! He led us back to a collection of houses that were shared between his extended family, and a few chickens, goats and cows! We enjoyed a wonderful evening together, trying traditional Turkish food cooked on an outdoor stove, swapping stories and learning about Turkish culture. The family were so kind to us; Selçuk was the only one who spoke English but his Mum clearly communicated to us - through hand gestures and a massive smile - that we
were very welcome and no matter how much we ate, we should eat more! We were only too happy to oblige. They laid out a bed for us to sleep on and in the morning put on a big traditional Turkish breakfast spread for us. Coco was even gifted a lovely pair of socks - handmade by Selçuk’s aunt. We were completely overwhelmed by this lavish, unsolicited and unreciprocated generosity, as we had been so many times before and have been since. More often than not on this trip we have been tired, hungry, smelly or ill (or all four!), and we have been blown away by the countless people who have seen us in need and offered us help where they can, always with a huge smile. We’ve been humbled and inspired to be quicker to offer a smile, to be more aware of the needs around us, and to be more generous with our time and resources.
Matt and Coco are cycling around the world to raise money for Mercy Ships. If you would like to support them you can find more information at www.justgiving. com/fundraising/mocototokyo, or on Instagram @tourdemoco
Announcements More detailed announcement and full obituaries can be found on the OM Club page of the School website
Marriages Ben Bevan (16) married Madeleine Kavanagh on October 24th 2020 Nadia Charania (Hon OM) married Gian Falcone on July 10th 2021 Charlie Dormehl (07) married Sophie Townsend on July 3rd 2020 Andy Groves(07) married Sonya Milanova former GTA on July 11th 2020 Joe Northway (13) married Fiona Boddington (16) on November 4th 2020
In Memoriam OMs Peter Carpenter (55) on 24th April 2021 Godfrey Dann (41) on 6th October 2020 Don Fisher (45) on 7th August 2021 Donald Hollands BEM (46) on 28th January 2021 Robert Love (57) on 3rd of November 2020 William Barclay Palmer (50) on 27th September 2020 Anthony Rhodes (84) on 25th September 2020 George Swift (58) on December 2020 Charles Walmsley (57) on 20th February 2021 Anthony Walmsley (59) on 2nd February 2021 Michael Yates (58) on 4th September 2020
OCs Christine Draper (63) on 12th July 2021
Former staff & governors Jim Peschek (Director of Music 1960 - 1969) in June 2021 Bishop Pat Harris (former Governor 1988 to 1990) on 26th December 2020
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Careers at Monkton How many of us are actually doing what we “always wanted to”? Matthew Pringle explains how those of us already on their career path can help students… The aim of Careers at Monkton is not to tell students what they should be. It is to help them discover their passions and to see how they can follow these into work. We want to support young people to develop transferable skills which they can build on and prove to employers. We hope to inspire them with what they could be and decide on their first steps, not to tell them what they should be. What does this have to do with you? As OMs, you are uniquely placed to understand our current pupils. Only you have sat where they sit now; even if you left many years ago, you have a unique insight. As the expression goes, you can’t be what you can’t see, and how much more powerful the advice, inspiration and example is if it comes from someone who has already trodden that path. There are many, many ways you could help, and if there is a particular way you would like to be involved, I would love to hear from you, whatever it is. There are three
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areas where we would particularly appreciate help at the moment: lR ecording a short video about your experience of life after Monkton. It can be very short and low tech. If you have a phone with a camera, you have all you need. l Sign-up to mentor a pupil. We are beginning the process of setting up a mentoring system for 6th form pupils. We hope to link pupils with an OM with experience in an industry they are interested in. It is very flexible and could take as much or as little time as you give it. lO ffer work experience or placements. We are always looking for opportunities for students to get into the workplace. Half a day shadowing someone at work, a paid or unpaid summer internship and everything in between.
For more information on any of these, or if you want to suggest another way you could get involved, please go to careers.monkton.org. uk/get-involved or email me directly at pringlem@monkton.org.uk.