THE NEWSLETTER OF THE OLD BRIGHTONIANS 2017
No. 29
THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 29 2017
Brighton College Careers
News
There is a wealth of experience amongst our alumni and we are always so grateful when Old Brightonians are able to support our careers programme at the College for current pupils, as well as younger OBs only just starting out in their professions.
Letter from the President our community. As you will read in the pages to follow, our alumni have been up to remarkable, inspiring and diverse activities, which really do reflect what it is we all have in common, a Brighton education. Brighton is consistently among the top 10 co-ed schools in England, and continues to achieve not only exceptional academic results, but most importantly, it is filled with boys and girls who support one another and who are generous, kind and driven.
Welcome to the 29th edition of the Pelican, the annual Old Brightonians magazine. There are many reasons to be proud of being an Old Brightonian, and as president, it is a true joy to hear of the successes of our alumni and the many acts of kindness, which prevail amongst
This summer, we welcomed 196 Old Brightonians to our network and wish them the very best for their futures. As I’m sure you remember, leaving the Quad for that very last time as a pupil can seem daunting. The Old Brightonians office have been working determinedly on ways of widening the support which is offered to alumni, and with the redesign of the Old Brightonians website, comes Brighton College Connect. It is a fantastic social
Brighton College Connect We are delighted to have launched Brighton College Connect this year, our official online networking platform for Old Brightonians. This new feature to the OB website facilitates networking with OBs around the globe, making staying in touch easier than ever. Creating a profile only takes a few minutes, and allows you to make instant connections, expand your professional
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network, advance in your career through trusted, inside connections and give back by mentoring Old Brightonians. You can also seek mentorship yourself. You are able to keep up to date with news from the College and events as well. Lots of OBs have already joined, but if you haven’t yet – sign up today by visiting www.brightoncollegeconnect.com
networking platform very much geared towards assisting you in finding lost friends, and advancing professionally through trusted OB links. I very much encourage you all to register. As the OB network steadily grows each year, so does the events programme. This year, OBs reunited not only in local cities such as London, Cambridge and Oxford, but also in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. A calendar of upcoming OB events is included in this publication, but I do encourage you to take the time to keep up to date with the Old Brightonians through the website as well. With all the best wishes to the future success of the College and to Old Brightonians everywhere. Sir John Chilcot (Ha/Sc. 1952-57) Old Brightonians President
In partnership with the Head of Careers, over the past few years we have introduced an exciting and popular events programme for pupils at the College, focusing on career development and preparing them for life beyond Brighton. This year’s Medical and Law Conferences were very well attended, and we welcomed back OBs such as Priya Rogers (Wi. 2009-11), Omar Risk (BCPS/Al. 1997-12), James Adutt (Le. 1982-87), Mari Knowles (Fe. 1996-01), Martin Harvey (Ha. 1983-85) and Richard Wade (Ha. 1981-86) to speak to the Sixth Form directly about working within these fields. In the Michaelmas and Hilary terms, it was fantastic to see some of our OBs currently at university at the Oxbridge seminars and Field Day, to talk to pupils
about applying to university and life at university itself. OB sisters Kate (Se. 2011-14) and Emma Appleby (Se. 2012-16) came back to the College to speak in Chapel about the importance of well-being, especially when entering the world of university and the work-place. A huge thank you to all those who have helped over the past year! We are always looking for OBs to share their experiences, whether it is via careers talks, work experience or connecting and becoming a mentor through Brighton College Connect. If you are interested in helping in any capacity, please do get in touch with the OB Office at ob@oldbrightonians. com or by telephone at +44 (0) 1273 704 250, and don’t forget to sign up to Brighton College Connect.
Lest We Forget 2014 marked 100 years since the outbreak of WW1. In 1914 the Head Master of the College, Canon W.R. Dawson called on every boy to stand ready to sacrifice his life in defense of his country. The College was a different place then, with only 280 boys gathered together in Chapel. By the time the war had had its due, 149 of these boys were dead. Ten of them were still teenagers. In memory of these boys, each of the 2014-15 Fourth Form were allocated one of the 149 names with the task of researching and bringing their stories to the fore. Their research was exceptional, and these stories have been curated to form a book, Never to Return: Brighton College’s Fallen 1914-18, which is available to buy on the Old Brightonians website. The College also successfully raised sufficient funds to commission a sculpture by artist Philp Jackson, which now stands on the north east entrance of our College Chapel. Beneath the sculpture are the words ‘He left his place never to return. Be grateful.’ To read Meriel Beattie’s exclusive interview with Philip Jackson about the making of the sculpture, go to page 10. Thank you to all those who contributed to this important project.
www.oldbrightonians.com
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THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 29 2017
Lord Skidelsky
News from the College
Lord Skidelsky (Ch. 1953-58, Chairman of Governors 2003-16) steps down as Chairman of the Board of Governors at Brighton College Throughout his thirteen years as Chairman of Governors, Lord Skidelsky oversaw tremendous change at the College, including the rise of academic results, a boom in pupil numbers, an ambitious capital improvement programme, not to mention the launch of three Brighton College schools overseas. He has been an influential figure to all those at the College and leaves a permanent mark on College history. In his farewell letter, Lord Skidelsky reflects on his time as Chair. “During this period, it has been my great good fortune to see Brighton College rise, both in pupil numbers and in their achievements, to the position of one of the outstanding schools in the land. This has been very largely the work of two brilliant and visionary headmasters, Anthony Seldon and Richard Cairns. Anthony laid the foundations; Richard strengthened and extended them. It has been a particular satisfaction to watch the College grow in both physical beauty and spiritual substance. Today Brighton College is not just one of
the best schools in the country, it provides one of the nicest environments one can conceive in which young people can grow up and discover themselves. The appreciative letters I have received over the years from parents, pupils and alumni testify to the profound impact the College has had, and is continuing to have, on young lives. I will also treasure friendships with staff, parents, pupils and fellow Old Brightonians I have formed over my time at the College. I am delighted to be handing over to John (Lord) Mogg. John, who was made a life peer in 2008, has had a most distinguished career in public administration and education: most recently he has been chancellor of Brighton University and is currently chairman of EU Energy Regulators. John has already established an excellent relationship with the Head Master. We are extremely fortunate to have him as our next chairman and I wish him, the College, and my fellow Old Brightonians every continued success.”
Ian White This year also saw the retirement of Ian White (Ha/Ch. 1956-62, Governor 1979-03, Vice Chairman 2003-13, Executive Chairman BCIS, 2013-17) from Brighton College International Schools Ltd. Made Prefect of Chichester House in 1961, and then Head of School, Ian was made a governor on the Brighton College Board of Governors in 1979. He was then appointed as the Board's Representative on the Finance Committee in June 2000, and Vice Chairman of St Christopher's School in December 2002. In 2003 he took the position of Vice Chairman to the Brighton College Board of Governors, until his retirement from the Board in March 2013 to accept 4
the post of Executive Chairman of Brighton College International Schools Ltd. He now steps down from this position, and is now a Vice-President of the College. In all of his roles, Ian has been instrumental in the school's growth and success. His dedication, loyalty and passion for the school is unwavering. His contribution and legacy to the College made over his 38 years at Brighton is huge, and we are extremely grateful for all of his work.
Supporting Charities A Superb Year for Sport 2016-17 was a great year for sport at Brighton College. The Athletics Club won two English school championships and two European U20 silver medallists. The Netball Club made two national finals, the Football Club had two boys in the England Independent Schools team, plus the 1st XV and U16 A, B, C teams have had unbeaten seasons in the Rugby Club. There are currently 3 internationals in the 1st XV and they were runners up at Rosslyn Park and St Joes Festival. Recent OBs, Marcus Smith (Le. 2011-17) Marcus (Ha. 2011-16) and Gregor Ramage (Du. 2009-16) and Kyran Bungaroo (Du. 2009-16) are playing Rugby professionally for the Harlequins, Hong Kong and France. James Lasis (Du. 2012-14) joined the Rotherham Titans as second rower from National One Side Loughborough students, having previously been on the books at premiership side Harlequins. Toby Harries (Sc. 2012-17) won gold for Great Britain in the 200m race in the European U20 Championships in Italy in July in 20.81 seconds, improving his personal best from 20.89 seconds in the semi-final. On the back of all this success, the England Rugby Team trained on the Home Ground three times last year and all pupils got the chance to watch them train and meet the players, a truly inspiring experience for those interested in rugby. England’s Head Rugby Coach Eddie Jones spoke at this year’s Speech Day about the importance of learning about different cultures and embracing them, and how this has helped him in his life, career, and in training rugby teams. Ex-Brighton College teacher, Mr Halsall brought the Bangladesh Cricket Team to train on the Home Ground in preparation for the ICC World Cup, where they reached the semi-final. Go the Pelicans!
The College has a long history of charitable activity with the Community Service scheme that has been running for over 45 years. More than half of the Lower Sixth pupils volunteer weekly in a variety of placements across Sussex. At the beginning of the last academic year however, the College community was devastated to hear the news that one of our members of the Common Room had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Pupils since this time have been supporting the charity MNDA with immense passion. In the Hilary term, it was decided that the College would raise the necessary funds to pay for a special wheelchair for Mr Bellenger which would help him cope with his illness in the longer term. The pupils and staff were set the challenge of raising £7000 in two weeks by whatever means they could. A variety of fundraising events were put into motion, including a staff raffle and quiz, Zumba classes and a sponsored marathon run by the president of the Common Room, Jeremy Connor. The pupils organised a variety of events from sponge the teacher to car washing and the boys 1st Rugby XV played the girls 1st VII in a sponsored netball match. Pupils threw eggs at Mr Kennedy (with his permission), a lemonade stand
was set up, milkshakes, house calendars and artwork were sold, and movie nights were hosted. Pupils even did sponsored phone detox and silences. Two weeks later, each Head of House reported their total funds in the Monday morning assembly. Within 10 days, we had raised £10,568. The fundraising then continued into the summer holidays, with a group of 21 L6th pupils tackling the three peaks challenge, some managing to do so within 24 hours. In total the College has raised £36,000 towards the MNDA.
Speech Day 2017 This year’s Speech Day saw the introduction of two prizes very much associated with the Old Brightonians. We are delighted to have the support of David Gold (Sc. 1986-91) for the Respect Award. Awarded this year to Tamsin Ayris (Se. 2012-17), the Respect Prize will be awarded annually to a pupil who through their actions has been instrumental in ensuring a culture of respect within the college community. The Joanna Seldon Creative Writing Prize was awarded to Ruby Jerges (4th Form, Williams) for her short story entitled Stargazing, a vivid, moving story about a brother and sister. Anthony Seldon returned to the Brighton Dome to present the prize in memory of his wife, who died in December 2016 after a long illness.
Sir Ian McKellen visits Brighton College Hollywood actor and national treasure Sir Ian McKellen dedicated a day to visiting the College in the Trinity term to talk to our pupils about his life-long battle against prejudice and bullying. The world renowned actor, an ambassador for LGBDavT-rights charity Stonewall, talked about the importance of kindness and inclusivity to every year group, and praised the College for its stance against bullying, going on to urge the girls and boys to create a ‘model society’ where differences are embraced and celebrated. Inspired by Sir Ian’s visit, boys and girls spearheaded Brighton College’s debut in the Brighton Pride Parade – the first independent school in England to do so! www.oldbrightonians.com
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THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 29 2017
OB Spotlight We are always keen to hear what you have been doing since leaving Brighton. Here are a handful of OBs whose stories caught our eye this year.
James Adutt (Le. 1982-87) is a senior Civil Servant in the Government Legal Department, and a classical pianist. James was part of the team which developed the Civil Partnership Bill in 2004 and in particular devised the rules for recognising overseas same-sex partnerships in the UK. He currently advises on aviation law, anything from redesigning airspace, regulating drones and even commercial spaceflights.
Vanessa Cuddeford (Wi. 1996-98) has worked as a news reporter and presenter for ITV, ITN, BBC and Reuters. She also works with corporate clients making films and training people to speak confidently. After nearly 20 years away from Brighton, she has recently returned and can be seen reading the news and reporting on BBC South East. 6
Phoebe Haines (Wi. 2004-06) left the College only ten years ago and went to study Education with English and Drama at Homerton College in Cambridge. She is now an award winning British Mezzo Soprano, her signing has been described by The Times as ‘extraordinary’, and ‘silvery’ by The Evening Standard. Last summer Phoebe found herself in China, where she sang (in Mandarin) in the Young Artists Festival 2016 in Beijing.
Laurie Penny (Fe. 1999-05) is a well-known, award winning journalist, columnist and author for outlets such as The Guardian and The New Statesman, and has just released her sixth book this summer.
Kevin O'Mahony (Ry. 1979-84) has spent nearly all of his career since Brighton working in the broadcast TV news business. He was part of the start-up team when Sky News launched the UK's first 24 hour news channel in 1989, and from there moved to London News Network providing news, sport and current affairs programming to the Carlton and LWT franchises. Kevin now works for Independent Television News as a cameraman and editor.
Su Wijeratna (née Cook, Fe. 1985-87) studied geography at Birmingham University after leaving Brighton College. She began her teaching career at Epsom College before moving to Eastbourne College where she became a regular visitor to Brighton, finding herself as Elizabeth Cody’s opposite number at several fixtures. This year, Su was appointed as Eton’s first female Deputy Headmistress.
Jason Sugarman – Queen’s Counsel (Ry. 1982-87), often recalls the support that Brighton gave him in assisting his career in its early stages. He is a tax fraud expert, specialising in white-collar fraud and business crime. Earlier this year, Jason was appointed to Queen’s Counsel, which is called ‘taking silk’ and a great honour. Most certainly a different occasion to singing the musical Grease’s Summer Loving with the entire Sixth Form, in a grass Hawaiian hula-hula skirt for the House Song Competition.
Tony Hawks (Al. 1976-78) is a comedian and actor, well known for his book Round Ireland with a Fridge published in 2010, when he hitch-hiked around Ireland with a fridge in order to win a bar bet. Since then, he has gone onto publish five other books, and is in the midst of writing The A to Z of Skateboarding, where he swaps his fridge for a skateboard and replies to messages sent to him in the hope that he might be the world-renowned professional skateboarder, Tony Hawk.
Tamzin Merchant (Fe. 2000-05) played Georgiana Darcy in Joe Wright's 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice whilst still at Brighton and has since played Catherine Howard in Showtime's The Tudors and recently in the extremely successful supernatural drama Salem, where she played Anne Hale. We are very excited to see what the future holds for Tamzin!
Explore our range of Old Brightonian gifts at www.oldbrightonians.com/shop
Eddie Henley (Ha. 2005-10) was a leading musical light during his time at Brighton, and after graduating, went on to Exeter University to study Law. Here he helped to form the acapella group Semi-Toned, which won the final of Gareth Malone’s The Choir: Best in Britain, on BBC2 earlier this year. The group have been enjoying considerable success in recent years. In April 2015 they became national champions having won the Voice Festival UK, and they have toured extensively around the UK and the USA.
Please stay in touch with the Old Brightonians and the College, and do update us on your news. Simply drop us an email at ob@oldbrightonians or call us on +44 (0) 1273 704 250. www.oldbrightonians.com
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THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 29 2017
Events
Hong Kong
The Old Brightonians busy and vibrant events calendar provides our alumni with the opportunity to stay in touch with each other as well as the College. For more information about our events, please visit www.oldbrightonians.com/events
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University Dinners
City Drinks
It is always sad to say goodbye to our leavers each year, but such a delight to see them again soon after to hear about what they have been up to after university. Our OB University Dinners have now become a tradition. This year, the Old Brightonians held three blacktie dinners around the UK. In London, over 50 OBs attended a decadent dinner at the Emin Room, 34 Grosvenor Square- filled with artwork by the notable YBA artist Tracy Emin. Joe Carr-Hill, our Director of Studies kindly agreed to tell us all about the progress of the Brighton College Chess Team, and Hansy Shore (Se. 2009-13) offered her reflections on life post Brighton, and what she has learned since leaving. In Cambridge, we dined with over 30 OBs at Gonville and Caius, followed by a dinner at Balliol College in Oxford, where Mr Martin Lewis, Director of Pupil Engagement, gave a somewhat memorable speech, which even included some props!
Catching up over a drink with old and new friends is a great way to stay in touch and keep up to date with what is happening at the College. This year we hosted OB drinks in London and Brighton, which were both very well attended. In January we were in London, where we visited the Jones Family Project, a particularly stylish bar owned by OB Duncan Watts (Ry. 1979-84). Locally, we tested out the newly refurbished Mesmerist Pub in the South Lanes of Brighton and spent a lovely evening filled with laughter and jazz in the gin-palace inspired speakeasy private room upstairs. Our Assistant Head, Ken Grocott, gave a speech filling guests in on the latest news from the College and told a joke or two. Our city drinks are free of charge and are open to all Old Brightonians, so please do have a look at our 2017-18 events calendar and come along to an event near you!
Pioneers The Pioneers Club, for our OBs over 60s is as ever active. In December, we were hosted by Principal of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Gavin Henderson CBE (Le. 1960-65) in the majestic Ballroom at the Savile Club in London. We were joined by over 40 Old Brightonians, and were lucky enough to hear from Neville Abraham (Br. 1950-55) about the architectural improvements to the College, and a fascinating historical account from Gavin about the restoration of the Ballroom at the Savile. In May, the Pioneers met again at Brighton College – where the Head of History, Joe Skeaping, and our archivist Abigail Wharne spoke to guests about the research behind Lest We Forget, our WW1 memorial project.
Kuala Lumpur On Saturday 10th December 2016 over 120 guests came together to celebrate Brighton’s community in Hong Kong. The Old Brightonian Hong Kong network has been steadily growing in numbers over the past few decades and our history with Hong Kong reaches even further. Hosted by the Head Master, the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel provided a terrific setting for a fantastic evening of re-connecting. Herman Lam (Ab. 2013-15) gave a moving talk focusing on what he learned during his time at Brighton. Jun Li, father of Sandra (Wi. 2008-15) and Vincent Li (Le. 2008-13), spoke passionately about his childrens’ time at school,
It was a lively and convivial evening and College staff were overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome that the Brighton Hong Kong Community offered. We are grateful to all those who attended and we are looking forward to hosting the dinner again on Saturday 9th December 2017.
Once again, we welcomed OBs in Malaysia and the surrounding areas to come together for a fun evening of good food and company in Kuala Lumpur. It was particularly good to see Tou Chang (Sc. 1979-80) who came all the way from Singapore to join us. It wasn’t only OBs residing in South East Asia who attended. Ches Clifton (Al. 1948-51) and Tony Whitestone (Common Room, 1971-06) who normally reside in Sussex, happened to be in the area and joined us. Thank you to Dato’ Mark Yeoh (Ch. 1983-84) for sponsoring this hugely successful evening.
To get in touch with Sidney Ko (Sc. 1973-79 ) our OB Hong Kong Ambassador, please email hongkong@oldbrightonians.com
To get in touch with our OB Malaysia Ambassador, Meera Samanther (Fe. 1977-79) please email malaysia@oldbrightonians.com
and why it is important to support the new Brighton College Hong Kong Foundation.
Reunions It’s always an absolute pleasure to host our annual reunions and see OBs at their 5 year drinks in London, and then welcome OBs back to the College for a tour of their old ‘haunts’ after 10 and 25 years. This year, we welcomed back those who left the College in 1992, 2006 and 2012. The 1992 Reunion was organised with the help of James Templeman-Smith (1987-92) and saw OBs come from as far away as Melbourne and Atlanta, others from Bolney and Eastbourne, some from Brighton. Visiting the Science Block in particular brought back fond memorials for OBs – the recollection of specific lessons, misdemeanours and other minute but entertaining details were shared by everyone in the group. Ed Allison-Wright (Du. 2001-06) was great help in rallying his troops together for the 2007 reunion, which consisted of a tour and a lovely dinner at the Ginger Dog (the former Wellington Pub) joined by Tony Whitestone, who very much enjoyed seeing some of his former pupils. For our 2012 leavers, we organised a 5 year drinks reception in London at the infamous ping pong bar BOUNCE in Farringdon, during which we think it is safe to say that Ken Grocott really stood out as best for his skills in the sport. www.oldbrightonians.com
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He left this place never to return… In 2014 to mark the centenary of the Great War the Fourth Form pupils and their families were each assigned one name from the College's Role of Honour as part of our Lest We Forget Project. Their task was to discover all they could about each boy: where he was born, where he lived, when he was at Brighton College, and how and where he died. The quality and depth of the research undertaken, and the amount of time taken by some pupils and families, was truly inspirational. We discovered more than we thought possible about the lives of these boys, and ensured that our commemoration left a lasting legacy. To serve as a daily reminder to current and future pupils of the boys and men of Brighton College who gave up their lives in this terrible conflict, the College also commissioned a new memorial from Philip Jackson CVO DL MA FRBS. Philip's work includes the now iconic piece Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, and the Mahatma Ghandi statue in Parliament Square. A fundraising campaign, Every Boy Remembered, was launched with donors being asked to remember every one of the one hundred and forty nine boys who died in the conflict. The Head Master decided that the statue should not be a military figure, but that of a schoolboy, just as he was, a boy who left our gates never to return. The statue is both a poignant reminder of the sacrifices that were made, and also the kind-heartedness of the Brighton College community who fully-funded the piece. The new chapel courtyard has given us an area for quiet and contemplation, both so important in the hustle and bustle of College life.
An interview with sculptor Philip Jackson 10
Philip Jackson kindly agreed to an exclusive interview with Brighton College parent, Meriel Beattie, about the process of creating the statue. Rebecca Findlay Head of Marketing and Communications (previously Development and Alumni Relations Manager)
I tried to envisage what it was like to be at school in 1913, with the storm clouds rolling over Europe and the inescapable fact that you were going to have to go into one of the Services for this conflict, even if there may initially have been an optimistic view about how long it would take. What I’ve done is a mature schoolboy of about seventeen, who is capable of becoming an officer and who will, in eighteen months time, be leading men over the top – and who will probably not survive. He has the look of someone who has got courage. He is intelligent, thoughtful and has the qualities of leadership which the Services would have been looking for and which the College would have taught him to possess. And I think he also has something else, which schools in his day would have taught their pupils, which was that if you had a privileged education then you also you had a duty, as opposed to nowadays, where you have rights. So that is also there, that sense of duty. When preparing, I needed to see what College boys looked like then and the College was able to provide plenty of archive material – lots of photographs, books and pamphlets and records that pertain to that particular time. The problem is that many of the images suffer from the novelty of photography of the period and the young men can look quite frozen and formal. So while I did look at the school photographs, I also wanted him to look as if he was human. I think that at that age he would probably have been a prefect, so there might also have been a certain arrogance and swagger about
him, and it was important to show that as well. The other challenge is what he would have been wearing. The everyday clothing worn by schoolboys of that time looks pretty much like what we today would wear as formal kit. He needed to look like someone who was about to leave the College, rather than someone who was halfway through, but equally he shouldn’t look like a master either. There’s always a balance to getting these things right. Because the clothes make him look slightly older, I wanted to put a youthful face on him – but yet to try to get determination into that face too. At any one time there can be many different projects going through the studio but when I am working on a particular sculpture I will try to do three days solid from nine o clock in the morning to six or seven o clock in the evening because you need to put the hours in to get it done. Some days you get into a roll and you get a lot right. But sculpture is a process of doing something and then looking and saying, ‘What’s wrong with it?’ and then checking it and re-doing it. The sculpture is done in clay and because clay has to be kept damp, every night it is covered over with wet cloths and a large polythene bag to keep in the moisture. So every morning, when you go back to the studio www.oldbrightonians.com
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THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 29 2017
you take the cloth and everything else off – and for that short period, about thirty seconds, you have the opportunity to see it with fresh eyes. The big danger when you work with any large piece of sculpture is that your brain tells you it’s right. So I tend to photograph it and then put the photographs round the wrong way. I change the lighting in the studio and I move the sculpture around a bit – it’s on a turntable – so that I don’t always see it in the same place. The client is always interested in seeing a sculpture as it progresses but I sort of resist that, because if I show something that’s half done they may say, “Oh, we think it’s wonderful!” and it would be very difficult to change it after that. Or if they say, “Hmm, I’m not sure” all you can say is, “Well, it’s not yet finished.” So I’ve sort of learned to keep clients away until it’s finished. But then once it is finished, it’s really nice to have people look at it because you can also then look at it through their eyes and if there is still anything that is awkward about it, which perhaps you had been trying to kid yourself was all right, then you have to put it right. When the clay sculpture is completed, it is very delicate. You’ve basically got a clay figure with a steel armature inside and if you start to move it or jog it around, the clay will break and fall off. So the first mould has to be taken in situ, in the studio. Before the mould is made we mark it with laser lines, so that it is cast, we can check whether it is standing upright and whether each section has fitted onto the section below or above in exactly the right way. 12
The moulding is done by painting silicone rubber onto the clay sculpture over a period of days and putting a hard case on the outside. The mould is then taken off in sections – and by that stage the clay will have fallen to pieces. The rubber mould is then taken to the foundry where wax is painted inside it, layer after layer, until it reaches about half an inch in thickness – which is important – because that’s the thickness that the bronze will be. Because the mould is flexible the wax can be released from it without damage. That wax figure will probably be cast in about eight pieces. Then some things called runners and risers are put on. Runners allow the bronze to pour into the mould; risers allow the gases to escape so that the whole thing doesn’t blow open.
There is always a reluctance to use anything that isn’t this particular formula because it is known to work and it is said that it will be around in a thousand years. Sometimes with monuments which have a military connection, things risk coming unstuck if the client wants things like a bit of an old canon put in for sentimental reasons, or because they think it might be cheaper. Foundries will almost always refuse to do that. The bronze which was used in the canons of a hundred years ago was probably full of impurities and will have lots of nasty things sticking it to it which will make the bronze slightly porous and subject to deterioration in years to come.
On the day of the pouring, the bronze is melted in large crucibles and poured into the various moulds. A day later the moulds are broken open and you’ve then got bronze casting for each section of the figure. The runners and Next the wax sections are dipped into a tank of liquid risers, which have now become solid bronze, get cut off, ceramic. Each time they are dipped they are taken out and hung up to dry. Each time the ceramic shell becomes and the individual sections, which are now in bronze, thicker and thicker and after about ten days it will be are tacked together. quite substantial. The ceramic moulds are put into an autoclave, which is really a giant oven. The ceramic The laser lines that we marked on the clay sculpture will hardens and eventually the temperature is such that the also come out in the bronze and will allow us to check the wax melts and pours out. The ceramic moulds are then bronze as it is assembled. Once all the sections have been put very carefully into a huge great steel box and packed put together correctly the joins are all welded up and then with sand, which will stop the ceramic breaking apart chased and fettled and you end up with the sculpture in when the bronze is poured into the void left by the wax. bronze, which looks identical to the original clay. This sculpture was cast in conventional bronze, which is actually called gunmetal and is the same material that is used in ninety-nine per cent of all public sculptures. It’s a tested and tried method which one doesn’t move away from.
Once it’s cast in bronze, the sculpture will weigh around half a tonne and the less it’s moved the better – so we tend to go over to the foundry. It has to be cleaned to remove any oil or grease and is then patinated. Patination is the process of putting the final
I hope that in a hundred years time people will still see a youthful boy standing there, on the edge of the precipice that was the First World War. colour on. It’s really done for outside sculptures to simulate what you think the weather will do to it in that locality. You apply rather noxious chemicals onto a very hot bronze surface and it sort of fizzes as you do it. If you were simply to put it outside, it would probably take two or three years to do it – whereas with patination you can achieve the same effect in the course of a morning. In Brighton, the College is near to the sea but also in the middle of the town, so you are also going to get a lot of carbon dioxide from vehicles as well as the sea air. So the bronze is probably going to be a browny colour, with a touch of green on it. In terms of cost, the bronze is expensive, but it actually represents a lesser percentage than you might imagine. The main cost of a sculpture is the man hours – and it’s no faster now than it was in Michelangelo's day. The method of producing sculpture really hasn’t changed in hundreds of years and in fact if someone like Michelangelo could come into the studio today he would know exactly what was going on. He would look at the tools I use and would be able to say, “Oh yes, I use that one, that one and that one.” We do have a few things now to make things easier – we use the laser lines to check that things are upright whereas it would have been done by plumbline before. Things like lettering can be done with the computer, so there are one or two advantages, but the amount of time you have to spend on something hasn’t changed, nor have the basic materials.
We have made a couple of changes to the monument since the original maquette (scale model). That showed the boy wearing a boater on his head and it also had a panel on the back of the monument, which would show the same boy a year after leaving the College, leading his men over the top. When the Head Master decided that the monument should also include the names of the boys who had died in the Second World War, I initially thought there wouldn’t be a problem to add them. Normally the proportions of these things are such that there are a lot of names for the First World War, but not as many for the Second. But interestingly, for the College, it was the other way round. I think this was for two reasons: one is that the College got bigger; the other is that in the Second War, a lot of the boys went into Bomber Command, which had a very high attrition rate. So in order to make space for all the names, I have removed the panel. We also realised that having the boater on the boy’s head would have cast his face in shadow. I thought – and I think the Head Master agreed – that it was important that everyone could see the face, and see that the face should be youthful. So the boater on the head and the panel have gone, but what we plan to do instead is to have the boater and a military helmet lying together on the base, which I think is a good way of showing that transition between schoolboy and officer soldier.
With an outdoor monument like this, the choice is really whether you maintain it on an annual basis or whether you leave it. If you leave it, it will darken down and become a blacky-bronze colour. What I would recommend for this kind of sculpture is that after a year one of our people should come down to the College and show the maintenance team what to do, which is basically to take off any birds’ mess, dust and so on and then give it a coat of wax, which is done with a shoe brush – nothing very difficult. That will help to maintain it in good condition and actually make it look nice all the time. You don’t want a war memorial to look scruffy. Because there’s a limited amount of things you can say in a sculpture I believe that what you do say needs to be quite clearly said. I also always try to identify the audiences that a sculpture is for. The first audience is obviously the client. Then you have another audience – the pupils at the College: what is it going to mean to them? Then you’ve got the audience that isn’t born yet – in a hundred or two hundred years’ time. It’s got to mean something to them and say something to them without me giving them words. And I hope that in a hundred years time people will still see a youthful boy standing there, on the edge of the precipice that was the First World War. Interviewed by Meriel Beattie
www.oldbrightonians.com
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THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 29 2017
IAN DODD (HA. 1955-60)
In Memory
A MEMORIAL SERVICE IN MEMORY OF BILL BLACKSHAW 28 October 1930-27 May 2016 Head Master 1971-87
JOANNA SELDON (COMMON ROOM, 1998-2005) Speech Day 2017 saw the return of Anthony Seldon to the stage of the Brighton Dome, for the first time in 12 years, to present a prize commemorating his late wife Joanna, who died last December after a long illness. Brighton’s English Department was fortunate to have such a talented and highly qualified teacher 14
Bill Blackshaw died peacefully at home in Rottingdean on Friday 27th May 2016. He had a huge impact on the school during his 16 years of headship, increasing numbers markedly, introducing coeducation in the Sixth Form and overseeing the greatest building programme of the post-war era. A year after his death, we gathered in the College Chapel to remember and give thanks for the life of Bill Blackshaw, who as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, colleague, teacher, Head Master, and in numerous other roles, touched lives with his love, inspiration, encouragement and kindness. The service was led by the College Chaplain, Fr Robert Easton, and the Bidding Prayer was carried out by Head Masters John Leach (1987-1997), Sir Anthony Seldon (1997-2005), and current Head Master Richard Cairns. Old Brightonians, Jeremy Marshall (Ry. 1981-86) and Jason Sugarman QC (Ry. 198287) both returned to Chapel to read, and Rodney Fox (Ha. 1955-1961, Common Room 1968-88, Deputy Headmaster 1985-1988) did the memorial address, an excerpt of which he delivered is below. “Those of us who had the privilege of working with Bill would say that it was his hard work and vision that laid the foundations for all the success
with them from 1998 to 2005, as was Wellington College thereafter. Joanna’s lessons always had a freshness and vitality about them and were well judged to every pupil’s needs. Few left her classroom without being affected by her infectious enthusiasm for literature and her ability to make often complex ideas accessible. English soon found its way beyond the confines of the curriculum and the Creative Writing Group became a significant element in the cultural life of the school. Termly evenings in the cafe afforded opportunities for pupils to read their work, play music and contribute to collective artwork – and for talents, hitherto hidden, to be recognised and applauded. Joanna also did much to foster the spiritual lives of those members of the school from the Jewish faith. Her addresses in multi-faith chapel services were admirably clear, entertaining and memorable; even those members of the congregation whose minds were less receptive to edification before 9am found themselves listening and learning. She was indeed a teacher in the widest sense. Her Memorial Service,
that was to follow. His period as headmaster was transformational. And, I think that many of the boys and girls who were in the College during his time, as well as the staff, would use the same word – his influence was transformational for their and our lives. So yes, he was a great headmaster to have and to work with and he was exactly the person who the College needed at that time. Was he a good person? He was a man of clear beliefs, high expectations, a real warmth of personality, a good influence on those he came into contact with, a person we are grateful to have known, an inspirational person who enabled the rest of us to be better than we thought ourselves capable of. So yes, his was a life well lived and he was someone to look up to. But, of course, in this Easter season, we need to remind ourselves of the Christian faith that sustained Bill throughout his life, that it is not on our own goodness and achievements that we ultimately depend for our salvation but on God’s great goodness and love in coming in the person of Jesus Christ to fetch us back from wherever we have strayed – and that it is his death and resurrection that give us reason to hope that Bill is now safely at rest in God’s gracious care. May he rest in peace.”
held in London on 7 February, was devised by her in the months before her death and characteristically entitled ‘A last lesson plan…’ It was a compilation of her favourite music and extracts of English literature with some of her own work, read by friends and former pupils, amongst them Old Brightonians Loren O’Dair (Wi. 1997-02), Jion Sheibani (Wi. 1997-02), and Anna Wheatley (Fe. 2000-05). Many at Brighton will have had their lives touched by Joanna, in class, in assemblies, in Family Society meetings. All who attended the College during those years will have been aware of her busy figure clad in bright primary colours with a red hat walking Toby around the grounds before returning to the Headmaster’s House to host some social gathering or to hear how the day had gone for Jess, Susie and Adam as they returned home with their friends. She is remembered with much affection and we extend our sympathy to Anthony and all her family. Simon Smith (Common Room, 1973-2011, Second Master 2000-2011)
A memorial service was held on Thursday 10th November 2016 in the College Chapel to celebrate the life of Ian Dodd, who died on 17th October 2016 after a long illness. Pupil, distinguished Old Brightonian, Parent, Governor, Scion of the Scholarship trustees, Vice-President of the College, and above all an assiduous and constant supporter of the College, over most of his life.
Weddings
CLIVE NICHOLLS QC (CH. 1946-50) Clive Nicholls QC, twin brother of Colin Nicholls QC (Ch. 1946-50) died aged 84 on Thursday 9th February 2017. He had fallen at his home and broken his hip some thee weeks earlier. Surgery to repair the hip initially seemed to have been successful, but complications set in, and he gradually slipped away. He died surrounded by his family, to whom he was devoted. Until his fall, he had been his usual dynamic and indefatigable self.
ANTHONY BECKER (BR. 1945-49) CHRISTOPHER BONWIT (BR. 1965-66) KEREN BURTON DAVID CARR (LE. 1947-49) CHRISTOPHER COLVILE MINNS (HA. 1956-61) MARTIN COLEBROOK (BR. 1948-52) PETER DUTTON BRIANT (CH. 1934-37) PETER DIGGES LA TOUCHE (LE/BR. 1942-46) HUGH ELPHICK (AL. 1960-66) CYRIL FREEDMAN (CH. 1957-61) STEPHEN GAYDON (DU. 1946-50) PHILIP GERRARD (CH. 1945-48) SYBIL HENDERSON MICHAEL IFOULD (BR. 1945-50) ANTHONY LUCOCK (LE. 1954-58 DUDLEY MOORE (LE. 1964-70) CAMILLA RAVENSHEAR (1976-78) DAVID RICHARDSON (DU. 1949-52) ANDREW RUBIDGE (ST, 1927-29) PHYLLIDA STEWART HILARY SOMERVILLE JEREMY WILLIAMS (AL. 1951-56)
Tom Doig (Ch. 1986-90) and Josie Bissett were married on July 4th 2017 at DeLille Cellars Winery just outside of Seattle, Washington. Victor Heal (Ry. 1987-92) was the best man and officiated the ceremony. The wedding was widely covered by the US and international media including the Daily Mail in the U.K.
VANESSA FUIDGE (COMMON ROOM, 2013-15) AND CHRIST PICKETT (COMMON ROOM, 2011-14) On August 5th 2017 Vanessa Fuidge (Common Room, 2013-15) and Chris Pickett (Common Room 2011-14) were married in the College Chapel. Having originally met at school, they both worked as PGATs at the Prep School and College, and knew that it was the only place they wanted to get married with our wonderful chaplain, Fr Robert, conducting the ceremony.
Celebrating 34 Years Together John Aiken (A. 1976-81) and Fiona Heald (F. 1979-81) were the first alumni couple to be married in the Brighton College Chapel, on Saturday 16th April 1983 at 1:30pm. They were married by the school chaplain, Rev. David Grigor, who’s wife Stella, was Fiona’s housemistress. Many OBs attended the day, including best man Michael Seare (Al. 1977-82), Roger Aiken (Al. 1972-76), Adrian Underwood (Al. 1976-81), Mark Simmonds (Al. 1976-81), Michael Browne (Le. 1976-81), Andrew Hatcher (Al. 1977-81), Michael Harwood (Al. 1976-81), Marina Brand (née Stewart) (Fe. 1979-81), Penny Lloyd (née Allen) (Fe. 1979-81), Jane Haviland (Fe. 1979-81), Chris Grinsted (Al. 1976-81), Bridget MacDonald (Fe. 1981-83), Magda Field (née Popiel) (Fe. 1979-81) and Simon Fairman (Al. 1976-81). After the wedding, the reception was held in the then Norfolk Hotel on the seafront and John and Fiona honeymooned in Spain. Fiona worked in the Old Brightonians Office for many years, and both John and Fiona have a continuing connection to the school through the OBRFC. The family is very much rooted in the tradition of the College, and the chapel was also home to the christening of both of John and Fiona’s sons, James (Al. 1998-03) and Thomas (Al. 2003-08), who both attended the College, as well as James’ wedding to his wife Rachel in 2011. www.oldbrightonians.com
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THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 29 2017
Sports
Traditions Continued
Rugby
We are thrilled to hear that former Brighton College PGAT Benjamin Wroblewski (2012-14) led a group of recent OBs including Marcus Ramage (Ha. 2011-16), Gregor Ramage (Ha. 2011-16), Tom Walker (Du. 2010-16), Liam Evans (BCPS. 2011-11, Du. 2011-16), Lewis Edwards (Du.
Golf The Solstice Cup 2017 We met at Ashridge Monday 26 June 2017 to play for the Solstice Cup. Six of us Justin Wash (Br/Ch. 1979-84), Joey Appleton (Du. 1979-84), Duncan Shaw (Du. 1979-84), Ben Stott (Ry. 1979-84), Alan Chesterfield (Du. 1973-78)and Mark Green (Al. 1973-78). It was a glorious June day, brilliant sunshine tempered by a cooling north-westerly breeze. The course was in immaculate condition as the Ashridge Cup has been played the previous day. Deer grazed on the edge of the course as we prepared to go out and red kites soared above us. We prepared ourselves for combat by consuming strong coffee and fortifying bacon rolls.
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2008-15), Alex Dobbie (Ab. 2012-17) and Alex Maguire (Le. 2010-15) to name a few, to play a busy series of tournaments, including four sevens events: Sevens and the City (Aliianz Park), Burgess Hill, Worthing and Brighton, before they rounded of the summer at Littlehampton 10s. The team won the plate at Burgess Hill and came runner up in plate at Worthing. The annual Christmas match in memory of Peter Rumney (Ha. 1937-39) took place on 28th December 2016 in Hove Park against Hove, in which OBs such as Adam Philips (Ha. 1998-03), Sam Howse (Al. 1997-02), Ben Maidment (Ry. 2004-06), Mike Deller (Sc. 1991-00), Alex Yeo (Ha. 199803), Dan Heal (Ry. 1990-95) and Hugo Baldwin (Sc. 1999-03) played, to name a few. The OB Rugby XV won 48-14. If you are interested in playing OB Rugby – please do get in touch with Hugo Baldwin, captain of the OBRFC at rugby@ oldbrightonians.com
We played individual stableford for the Cup in the morning which was won by Joey with 37 points. None of us hit the 8th for the nearest pin but Alan won the longest drive with a 301 yard Exocet down the 12th. The one club hole was tied with Mark and Justin with 4 shots. This was a new competition introduced by Joey. The club and Hole are selected using a random number generator. We played the 160 yard 16th with every shot played with a 3 wood. Having had an excellent lunch and fully refreshed we went out to play in the afternoon. A foursomes match: Bristol v Durnford (Justin and Duncan v Alan and Joey) and then a Ryle v Aldrich (Ben v Mark). Ben was the only person who managed to hit ball more than 30 yards from the tee. A testament to our good lunch. The par 5 2nd was the one club hole and we used 4 irons. This was tied with a bogey each, Joey having splash his ball out of a deep bunker to within 10 feet with a 4 iron! After some
Gregor (Ha. 2011-16) and Marcus Ramage (Ha. 2011-16) Gregor was signed by Bloomberg Hong Kong Scottish for the 2016-17 season and played for the u20 team. Marcus also received a full international cap against Zimbabwe.
Marcus Smith (Le. 2011-17) was called to the England Rugby pre-season training squad, after leading the BC 1st XV to an unbeaten season. Since then, Marcus has made sports headlines nationally, by being the second youngest player to debut at age 18 at Twickenham with Harlequins.
excellent golf, Bristol beat Durnford by 3/4 and Ryle beat Aldrich by 2/3. As the shadows lengthened we relaxed on the balcony and reflected on an excellent day as we prepared to head home. Julian Hunt (Du. 1984-87)
The Boater Brighton College re-introduced the wearing of boaters for its prefects in the summer of 2015, as a mark of respect to the school’s 149 old boys who fell in World War One. The pupils last wore the distinct blue and red-ribboned boaters back in 1969 when they had been a feature of the College uniform and well-recognised around Kemp Town for decades.
‘Remembering the 170’ - An important project for all the family
The Archives Since its foundation in 1845, Brighton College has built a significant historical collection, which is now held in the Archives on Eastern Road. This collection is not only important to the history and culture of Brighton College, but also to the Kemptown area, and Brighton itself. Our Archivist, Abigail Wharne, explains what it is like to look after these wonderful records and objects. Most people have heard the term ‘archivist’, but explaining what I do for a living sometimes proves difficult. There is, of course, the image of the archivist working in a secluded room, sorting and cataloguing records, which is certainly an important part of my job. However, now the records of the school are in better shape, I am able to work on outward-facing projects, as well as open the collection to new audiences. This year, we published our book Never to Return, written by our history teacher Max Usher. In the lead-up to the unveiling our memorial statue, the Fourth Form used the archive to research the Old Brightonians who lost their lives in the Great War. Their research provided a substantial amount of information needed for this publication.
be stored and made accessible in the archive for future generations. Alongside the image of the archivist working in a secluded room, comes the idea of old ‘stuff’ safely locked away, rarely engaged with, or even seen. Being an archivist at Brighton College means the opposite. Staff and pupils regularly use the information contained in our small storerooms, Old Brightonians visit the archive, as do family historians. The institutional memories held here are a rich resource, and are valued by so many in our community. I feel very lucky to work in a place that values its history, and works so hard to keep it alive. Abby Wharne
The school launched a similar project in September – this time focusing on the Second World War. To add depth to the written research, I will be training our Sixth Form pupils to record oral histories, which will
If you would like to get in touch with archives, donate material or arrange a visit, please email archives@brightoncollege.net.
Over the past four years, Brighton College has worked hard to document the lives of Old Brightonians killed in the First World War. Now, as the 80th anniversary of the Second World War approaches, we plan to extend the focus of our research. The College’s Second World War Roll of Honour lists 170 former pupils and teachers killed on active service during the conflict. We are asking every family with a 4th Form pupil to research one name from the Roll of Honour. Their findings will then become part of a book, to be published in 2019. Their task is to find out as much as they can about that young man: where he was born, where he lived, when he was at Brighton College, and how and where he died. Pupils in our 6th Form will supplement this research by way of an oral-history project, through which they hope to document life ‘on the home front’ at Brighton College. To learn more about the project, please visit www.brightoncollegeremembers.com www.oldbrightonians.com
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THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 29 2017
Welcome 2017 Leavers to the Old Brightonians!
Staff leavers
Recent Staff Leavers
ALEXANDRA SMITH (COMMON ROOM, 2013-17) Alex has been a hugely dynamic, creative and truly inspirational teacher, colleague and friend to many members of teaching and support staff.
JANE LANGHORNE (COMMON ROOM, 2000-17) For the past 17 years, Jane Langhorne’s name has been synonymous with girls’ sport at Brighton College. For her, sport is about participation and the more that participate the better, regardless of their level of talent.
RACHEL MAGUIRE (COMMON ROOM, 2010-17) Rachel leaves the College to become teacher of English and Deputy Head of Sixth Form at Dubai College. Rachel has been a fantastic colleague and much-loved friend to many at the College.
DAN GABRIEL (COMMON ROOM, 2008-15) Arriving as a fresh-faced Head of Department on the back of stints in the English departments of Latymer Upper and Eton College, Dan Gabriele made an immediate impact at Brighton. Most obviously, results surged: pupils who had never considered themselves to be literary experts found themselves with A*s at GCSE, whilst at A-level a large proportion of pupils secured the coveted A* grade. His charisma and clear passion for his subject inspired many children to pick up a book. The numbers applying to study English at university rocketed and, today, many of those pupils look back on Dan as the most memorable teacher they ever had.
2017 Graduation The end of June saw a packed Chapel filled with our Upper Sixth Leavers, their families, teachers and housemasters, for their final Chapel service and Graduation Ceremony. Housemasters and housemistresses bid farewell to their Houses with a series of moving and amusing valedictions, which even included a few limericks from Durnford’s Mr Cornish. Lillie Hanson (Ne. 2012-17) and Jem Braithwaite (BCPS/Leconfield, 2008-17) both 18
shared their reflections on their time at Brighton College, followed by a fantastic speech from our guest of honour, Mrs Julia Aisbitt. The Head Master’s closing words reminded pupils that although their time here has come to an end, each and every one of them have made a tremendous impact on our school community and leave their legacy for those to come.
CHRIS KULIN (DU. 2002-07, COMMON ROOM, 2012-17) A former pupil, Chris returned to the College to teach biology. He steps out on a new and exciting adventure with his wife to take up the role of Head of Science at Brighton College, Bangkok.
CATHERINE SIDES (COMMON ROOM, 2011-17) Catherine arrived in 2011 as Clerk to the Governors, yet quickly took on lessons in English and Spanish and was appointed as a full time teacher in 2014, quickly becoming one if its wisest members.
SANDY CHENERY (COMMON ROOM, 2002-16) Sandy was tenaciously unstinting in his drive to have every child know that they can perform and enjoy music. His legacy is our collective understanding that everybody can sing and play. He now runs the music programmes of the Erskine Stewart’s Melville schools, the largest independent school in Europe.
ROGER NICHOLSON (COMMON ROOM, 2009-16) Roger left the College after 10 years as Director of Sport, changing girls’ sport beyond all recognition, with two girls’ athletics teams for every age group, 18 netball teams, with two teams reaching national finals and the girls’ cricket team winning the nationals twice under his reign.
CLARE MALLOCH (COMMON ROOM, 2011-16) Clare Malloch (Common Room, 2011-16) Different members of the College community will reflect on Clare’s impact in different ways, but she had an impact on them all, and is very much missed. During her time as the Head of Middle School, the College secured the best GCSE results ever secured by a co-educational school in the UK in 2013, which was very much down to her efforts. Her weekly assemblies were varied, thoughtprovoking, and the greatest attribute possiblemeaningful and memorable for the pupils. www.oldbrightonians.com
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THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 29 2017
Development News It has been another incredible year for development at Brighton College. With new and refurbished facilities, a growing Brighton Fund, more bursaries and scholarships and the introduction of new OB awards. Together we have achieved amazing results for the school. The Music School In November 2015 Brighton College guests, parents and pupils were treated to a once-in-a-life-lifetime musical moment when Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour performed in honour of the opening of the new Music School. As the lights dimmed, you could hear the proverbial pin drop as the rock legend plucked out the first few chords of Wish You Were Here and Rattle That Lock, accompanied by Alex Sansbury (Al. 2006-12) on drums. Mr Gilmour went on to play the title track from his fourth solo album Rattle That Lock, which was released in September 2015 and hit the number one spot in 11 countries. The College’s Chamber choir were beyond thrilled to accompany him on the track. The Music School has had a huge impact on the quality of musical education which we provide to our pupils, which has always been at the heart of the College. We are delighted to offer some of the very best musical facilities in the country and more opportunities for our pupils to become involved in the musical life of the school than ever before, with 680 instrumental lessons taking place each week. There are more than 20 ensembles and choirs rehearsing each week: from the Symphony Orchestra to the Swing Band and the Chamber Choir to the Jazz Piano Trio. All pupils, from complete beginners to seasoned performers are able to find a place to hone their music talents, grow as musicians, and have a lot of fun. The Music School also houses a suite of practice rooms, a recording studio and a percussion and rock room. Designed by blue chip award-winning architects, Eric Parry Architects, the building itself is an inspiration for budding architects and engineers in the school. We host a series of concerts with professional musicians throughout the academic year, if you are interested in attending please have a look at the Old Brightonians website for further details. 20
Brighton Fund Brighton College was founded by local philanthropists with big ideas. Generous with their time and energy, they simply lacked the means necessary to set up a long lasting endowment. In 2015, we put in place the Brighton Fund, an unrestricted fund to support the College’s activites. The growth and success of the College would not be possible without philanthropic support and the Brighton Fund has been created to support our three core priorities: enabling access through scholarships and bursaries, the improvement of the College’s facilities; and academic innovation in the curriculum.
Foundation Scholarships Brighton is proud to offer fully-funded scholarships to a number of talented pupils who may not otherwise have the opportunity to come to the College. It was a delight to see Elias (Le. 2016-17) and Sulaiman (Al. 2016-17) immerse themselves in College life. Their stories of escaping war-torn Syria are extraordinary; they are, quite simply inspirations. They were both awarded places to read medicine at Queen Mary University. We look forward to the continued success of the Foundation Scholars in the future and we would like to thank our donors for enabling the scheme to continue.
Alexander House The drawing by David Grigor (Le. 1982-87) features our newest Boarding House, named in honour of our former Governor, Lady Marie Alexander, widow of Lord Robert Alexander of Weedon (Ch. 1950-55). Alexander House is our first co-educational boarding house for Sixth form pupils and is off-site, in the building formally owned by the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy.
Thank You! Brighton College would not exist without the generosity and vision of its founders, benefactors and volunteers. We deeply value the continuation of this support, and are grateful for the donations we receive, no matter how large or small, as well as the time, dedication and expertise that our volunteers offer to the College. Thank you to you all for your commitment to the future of the College.
www.oldbrightonians.com
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THE PELICAN ISSUE NO. 29 2017
The Kai Yong Yeoh Building Thirty-three years after leaving Chichester House, we were delighted to welcome back Dato’ Mark Yeoh (Ch. 1983-84) to Brighton College in September 2017, along with friends and family, to open the new Kai Yong Yeoh Building. The building was opened by, and is named in tribute to, Dato’ Mark’s mother, Puan Sri Kai Yong Yeoh, who herself was mathematics teacher by profession. It was also lovely to see some of the Common Room from Dato’ Mark’s school days come back for the special celebrations. Gill Tissier (Common Room, 1980-present), Simon Smith (Common Room, 1973-11, Second Master 2000-11), Oliver Smith (1971-13) and Rodney Fox (Ha. 1975-80, Common Room 1966-88, Deputy Headmaster 1985-88) were among the attendees, and Mr Fox, Dato’ Mark’s House Master gave speech about Brighton in the 1980’s, and regaled guests with anecdotes from the day. Dato’ Mark spoke warmly about his time at Brighton, expressing gratitude for the impact Brighton has had on his life and the importance of the core subjects being taught in the Kai Yong Yeoh Building. He said “I have such fond memories of my time at Brighton College and am so pleased that it is today still a top ranked independent school in the country.
The facilities in the new building will undoubtedly help students acquire skills that will see them through their careers. My mother is a great educator who devoted much of her life to teaching and I am delighted that the College has honoured her by naming the new building after her.” Set on the site of the old swimming pool, The Kai Yong Yeoh Building truly is a hub of innovation, with 22 large classrooms for mathematics, economics, history and politics, each equipped with the latest teaching and learning technology. On the top floor, a new double-height Creative Learning Centre will host lessons in Public Speaking and Presentation Skills for the Fourth Form, where the specialist recording facilities and its adjoining studio will transform lessons for the boys and girls. A new swimming pool is currently being built within the new Centre for Sports and Science. We are extremely grateful to Dato’ Mark Yeoh and the Yeoh family for their generous support of this important new facility. Without their philanthropic investment and vision, this important new addition to the campus would not have been possible. This donation marks the largest gift from an Old Brightonian to the school in its 172-year history, and we are thrilled to have worked with the Dato’ Mark on this transformational project.
Dato' Mark Yeoh (Ch. 1983-84) with his wife Datin Julie Yeoh in the Kai Yong Yeoh Building
Centre for Sports and Science We said goodbye to the Sports Hall, the Blackshaw and Chowen Buildings this summer to make way for the next project in the masterplan, the new Centre for Sports and Science. Designed by Dutch Architects OMA, the new development will provide pupils with a stunning space where scientific and sporting disciplines will weave around one another. It is the biggest construction project in the College’s 172-year history that will bring sports and science departments together.
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/Brighton College // 1845 logo // 21/05/13 /logo - simplified
The 1845 Society – a gift of education to future generations A legacy to Brighton College is one of the most significant gifts you can make. To recognise the generosity of those who remember the College in their Will, we have formed the 1845 society which is steered by our OB President, Sir John Chilcot (Ha/Sc. 1952-57). Gifts in the form of legacies can make a huge difference to the College, enabling us to maintain and improve facilities, and to make a Brighton College education available to a wider group of boys and girls. It is an opportunity to make the sort of gift which might not be possible in your lifetime and, as Brighton College is a charity, legacies left to the school are free of inheritance tax. If you have a preference for how your gift should be used, you can choose the area you would like to support, such as scholarships, bursaries or building projects. Membership of the 1845 Society is therefore offered to those who indicate to the College that they have made, or intend on making provision in their Will for Brighton. It also allows the Head Master to acknowledge people’s generosity during their life time, and members are invited to an annual lunch and other key events in the College calendar, in thanks and recognition for their contribution to the future of Brighton College. OLD BRIGHTONIANS Brighton College Brighton East Sussex BN2 0AL
TEL 01273 704 250 EMAIL ob@oldbrightonians.com
Registered Charity No. 307061
www.oldbrightonians.com
@oldbrightonians
EDITOR Veronika Neroj DESIGN Anderson Norton Design FRONT COVER David Grigor
For more details on legacy giving and the 1845 Society, or to notify us of a gift in your will, please contact Scott Sheridan at ssheridan@brightoncollege.net