Orlumni Magazine Summer 2023

WELCOME

Another year has passed at Orley and so much has happened, as always, the summer term seems to be the busiest time at the school, but also it seems to be the most fun - weather dependent, however that’s doesn’t seem to dampen the Orley spirit!

Even our orlumni have fond memories which they can now share and look back on, where many life-long friendships were first formed.

We were able to reacquaint some recent leavers who had left Orley in various directions with their former Orley classmates and rekindle those friendships via our events – mission accomplished!

Tim Calvey, Stephen Bloom, Catherine godet, Rebecca Gascoigne, Keith ford, tanvi patel

CHETAN SHAH Editor

headmaster's address

We have enjoyed a fantastic year and the Summer Term offered a real opportunity to celebrate the very best of what it is to be an Orleyan.

Our results this year were truly outstanding; 65 leavers were offered places in 21 senior schools, gaining 50 scholarships and awards in the process to 14 of the country’s most selective senior schools. Highlights include a record 24 Academic Scholarships. We also enjoyed the usual breadth with Music, Drama and Sport Scholarships along with an Art Scholarship and our second STEAM Scholarship.

However, numbers and statistics will never capture the individual stories that are always more important.

This year we are supporting Evelina Children’s Hospital for very personal reasons, and we enjoyed all manner of fantastic fundraising ventures – Mr Davies has totted up the total amount raised over the past decade for our 7 school charities, and we are on the verge of breaking the £100k mark –what an extraordinary legacy!

Inspired by Moon Shot, set up by JFK, and more recently by Earth Shot, launched by the Prince and Princess of Wales, we looked to create an equally ambitious goal to encourage creative engagement, entrepreneurial spirit and collaboration in young people in our local schools. Pupils from Welldon Primary, Grange School, Alexandra School and Orley Farm were invited to submit collaborative proposals to benefit our community.

We hosted the first gathering as pupils assembled their stalls to describe the aims and objectives of their respective projects. Pupils knew that they were pitching for small but valuable grants to fulfil their aims. Projects included sensory gardens, a nature reserve, a radio station, a school dog, a book sharing scheme and a sports festival for all four schools. A total of £3100 was awarded by the three adjudicators to five out of the seven teams.

Seeing pupils interacting across four very different schools was uplifting and I will report back next year on the success and impact of the projects, but our first aim was to get Orley Farm pupils mixing with pupils from local schools to form bonds, collaborations and hopefully friendships.

As I say, interesting times here at Orley as we look to build sustainable, ambitious and long reaching principles.

"ALONE, WE CAN DO SO LITTLE; TOGTHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH"

HELEN KELLER

editor's comment

This issue is filled with contributions from our orlumni, one of which I had the pleasure of having brunch withJason Shela. He had so many stories about his time at Orley and about all the characters that were there at the time. His own life story is incredible and he has achieved so much and is still going strong – not sure where he finds the time and energy to do all he does but he has positively impacted so many lives mainly through his love of sport as you can see from the two pieces he has contributed.

Jamie again writes another comical masterpiece and this time about something every student has experienced – missing items, he delves deep into the lost property box!

Orley was very well represented at the King’s Coronation – this is not something that happens that often

and for two former students to have this opportunity and experience is unbelievable, something they will remember for the rest of their lives.

The Journey - two former pupils have risen to great heights at their senior school and they reflect on how Orley has impacted their lives and prepared them for life at senior school as well beyond. Its lovely to read this and difficult not to feel a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

You can read about what the current cohort have been up to in sport, music and drama as well as destinations of the current leavers. The OFA is still going strong and they held a fabulous summer fair, for this term you are invited to their renowned Fireworks night and Christmas fair.

Jason Shela

Professor Jason Shela MBE FRSA MA lives in New York with his wife and three children, where he lectures in business communications at Baruch College, City University of New York and runs his own strategic advisory and management consulting business. He is the founder and head coach of the British Soccer Academy and has led his teams to many city soccer championships.

After leaving Orley Farm, he attended Clifton College and went on to play rugby for Wasps, Middlesex County, London, Fulham Rugby League Club and Great Britain in the Maccabiah Games. He later represented the London Stock Exchange football team and captained and then coached New York Select and Combined Banks. Jason was awarded the MBE for services to youth soccer education and his work with underprivileged and youth with disabilities in the 2018 New Year’s Honours List.

Orley Farm has launched an entirely new experience that has been two years in the making After a considerable amount of research, numerous visits to alternate settings and developing our awareness of the benefits of Forest Schools, and outdoor education, Orley Farm is proud to open our doors or stile might be a better phrase to our Meadow School

John George Hunter 1968-2023

It is with great sadness to report the sudden and untimely passing of John George Hunter after a short illness. John was the life and soul of the school during his time there and one of the most popular boys amongst his peers and staff. He will be remembered as a genuine character who immersed himself in so many aspects of school life. He was an outstanding tight head prop forward in both the Colts & 1st XV and very quick for a big man, always one of the first to get to the break-downs in the loose and an astute and formidable scrummage technician. John was also an excellent goalkeeper, fine skier and decent cricketer.

His father Laurie was always there to cheer on the teams and on occasion brought his good friend Pat Jennings, the legendary Spurs, Arsenal & Northern Ireland goalkeeper. John was one of the first boys to skate-board and really started the craze at school in the 70s. His great love was rock n roll and he had an encyclopedic memory for bands and songs, it was really remarkable. John was a gifted guitarist and played with a number of bands. After leaving OFS he was one of very few to attend Gordonstoun in Scotland. He soon made his mark in the rugby teams and enjoyed his time there. Upon leaving he entered the family business and found true happiness with his wife Susan. After many years he moved from London to Bournemouth and enjoyed life on the coast. He bravely came through three separate bouts of cancer and never complained, but it left his immune system severely weakened. John will be remembered as a kind, thoughtful, fun loving, dedicated, larger than life character who always brought a smile to your face. He will be greatly missed by the generation of boys and staff who were fortunate to know him.

Professor Jason Grant Shela MBE

The Football Academy 1978-81

by Jason Shela MBE FRSA MA

When I look back at my time at Orley Farm, which incredibly was over 40 years ago, it was very fortunate to be in a school in which sports and particularly football played a massive role. On my first day in 1978, at break time I saw my old friend Mark Champagnie from my previous school in the yard who invited me to play with the older boys. It was great fun to play alongside such legends in these games as Tom Knox, Andy Szuscik and the great, late Charlie Appenteng. He was an exceptional all-round athlete, a lightning-fast center forward for the football team, a brilliant attacking fly-half in the rugby team and superb sprinter and hurdler in athletics. Charlie was also wonderful with the younger players, always had a kind positive word and he was a true hero to all of us fortunate to know him, may he rest in eternal peace.

The 1978 Football Season was my first representing the school and the Colts team under the tactical leadership of Mr. Coghill, history master and west ham fanatic, was a joy to play in. James Lumley was a brave goalkeeper who made brilliant saves throughout that season. The captain Mark Harrop was a competent reliable center back, but two new boys really made the difference in that team. Laurence Holyoake was a swash-buckling defender with excellent distribution from the back. He could hit 40-yard precision passes and loved to come forward. On the left wing, Tau Murapa was an unstoppable force, two great feet, very fast, superb crosser and had a blistering shot. His 12 goals that season and the 20 or more he set up for Smith, Howell and myself made the difference.

Sadly, he only stayed a year before leaving for Zimbabwe, but Tau was without doubt the most gifted footballer of that era at the school. Mr. Coghill really encouraged us to play attacking and entertaining football and had the good sense to set aside practices where the colts and 1st team trained and played together regularly every week.

The 1st team was one of the best in the history of the school and had an unbeaten season. They were captained by the great Michael Sharron who was an inspirational leader on and off the field, another true sporting legend who commanded total respect. He was a huge positive influence on all the players throughout the school and his signature move was the famous cryuff turn which he was masterful at. Nicky Adomakoh was a lion of strength at the back and an exceptional all-round athlete in every sport as was his older brother David Adomakoh who was the midfield general of that team and the complete box to box player. Upfront was Tim Saltmarsh who scored 16 goals that season with the trickery and pace of John Florey on the wing, another much respected player and great character of that era. By far the strongest and hardest tackler I have encountered before or since was Paul Gelernter. He always had a smile on his face and was a great reader of the game and hugely popular with everyone of us fortunate to know him. He could hit 60-yard passes with accuracy and always led by example. In one practice playing against him I went for a diving header from another perfect Murapa cross, only to clash heads with Paul, apparently I was completely knocked out with concussion and woke up in Northwick Park Hospital but lived to tell the tale.

The following year 1979, was another winning season and as striker my job was made easy due to the brilliant defense splitting passes of the mercurial Francis Azcona, outstanding midfielder from Spain, who could dribble, tackle and pass on a sixpence, it was terrific to play with him. Also Kojo Adomakoh who was the engine of the team, covered every blade of grass, never gave up and was a superb ball winner in midfield. Another highlight of that season was travelling to play a very big and well organized Micklands School team in Reading organized by Mr. David Wright, and we beat them 5-4.

Wellbeing Ambassadors

Moving up to the 1st XI for the 1980 season was good to be playing with the year above again and it was a strong team. James Lumley was practically unbeatable in goal and it was always nice to be cheered on by his wonderful mother Joanna Lumley.

Laurence Holyoake had another outstanding season and was the great leader of the team, ably assisted by the midfield wizardry of Douglas Howell and Richard Smith and I developed a good striking partnership upfront. Neil Hyde, the 1st XI coach was the polar opposite to the easy going, joke-cracking Antony Coghill. He was a far more serious character and really prepared the team well with his tough fitness regime and building tactics around the gifted players he had.

My final season in the autumn of 1981 was by far the most enjoyable and rewarding at the school. Neil Hyde was a master tactician and coach. He had our total respect and to his credit really allowed us the freedom to express our creativity more than the previous year but with the new players coming in that certainly made the difference. The team really clicked and the attacking brand of football was great to be part of, supported by large crowds of boys and parents at every game. The late Thomas de Beaumorel was an outstanding full-back who never shirked a tackle and once again Kojo Adomakoh really stepped up and played a majestic role in the center of midfield. Bill Leefe was a no-nonsense defensive midfielder and on the flanks we had two accomplished wingers in Michael Keane and Jeremy Lawson who provided quality service and allowed me to score my best tally of 14 goals in the 12 games in which the team scored a total of 56. Adam Solomons had made the move from left winger to goalkeeper and he was superb in every aspect of his game. He commanded his area, was an effective communicator, made brilliant diving saves and his kicking and throwing were usually spot on. I must make special mention of his parents, Roy and Lana, who lived at White Thorns, right opposite the colts pitch. They gave us amazing support home and away and much gratitude for the many pre-match chocolate bars which she provided me clandestinely as all sweets were not allowed at school in those days. The performances against York House, 11-0, Gayhurst 12-0 were memorable but the victories against our biggest rivals, Aldwickbury 4-3 away and in our last match v Edge Grove in which we beat them 6-0 was the perfect way to finish up four incredible footballing years. It was a privilege to play alongside some outstanding players and great characters, we all gave 100% to the cause and looked forward to every practice and match.

Wellbeing Ambassadors

sports round-up

Boys’ Games - Cricket

1st XI Captain: Ranvir Puri

1st XI Batting Cup: Ranvir Puri (301 runs)

1st XI Bowling Cup: Aaran Aggarwal (7 wickets as well as 74 runs and 6 catches)

1st XI Fielding Cup: Tanmay Mittal (5 catches as well as 230 runs)

Colts Cricket Captains: Rushil Matta and Kaian Patel

Colts Cricket Cup: Rushil Matta

U9 Cricket Shield: Shiv Panchal

U8 Cricket Shield: Ayan Bansal

St. Jude Cup (Most Improved Cricketer): Ibrahim Sadiq

Despite possibly the wettest start to a cricket season in memory, it was a summer to remember with 52 matches played by our boys in Middle and Upper School with our record being 34 wins, 1 tie and 17 losses.

It was our senior teams in Years 7 and 8 who led the way with 15 wins from their collective 20 matches!

1st XI after their final match win at St John’s

Colts A with their runners up medals at the U11 Ten10 Tournament

Led by the outstanding Ranvir Puri, it was our 1st XI who proved the most successful with a record of eight wins and two losses from their 10 matches. Ranvir became the first centurion since 2012 as he scored an incredible 119 runs (not out) in our win against Belmont in a truly sensational innings. Unfortunately, the weather scuppered our chances of trying to defend the shield in our annual Orley Farm U13 Ten10 Cricket Tournament. However, our U11 Ten10 Tournament did go ahead, and our Colts A performed superbly to finish as runners up on a thrilling day which saw 776 runs scored and 49 wickets tumble!

House matches, as always, brought out more competitiveness in the boys with Broadrick winning the Senior Competition in Years 7 and 8, Hastings winning the Junior Competition in Years 5 and 6, with Broadrick and Hastings sharing the honours in the Year 4 Competition.

Mr Bloom – Head of Boys’ Games

Ranvir Puri proudly celebrating his century against Belmont in front of the scorebox!

sports round-up

This August pupils from Orley Farm School att p run by Futuresports at Oundle School. 10 gir ls participated in morning and afternoon hockey sessions with girls and boys from all over the UK. One of the highlights was a training session with GB Olympic Hockey Player, Hollie Hunt, who scored the first goal for GB in the Olympic final. The OFS students learned new 3D skills, defending and attacking skills and also made new friends. Next year we hope to go again and take more pupils.

Miss Godet – Head of Girls’ Games

LOST & FOUND

by Jamie Freedman

The Lost Property Box used to live on top of the lockers in the main corridor just outside the Headmaster’s study. I wonder if it’s still there and still being used. Somehow I doubt it will have survived even the most trivial modernisation since the 1960s.

The size of a medium fish tank with a rectangular cross-section, it comprised a wooden frame with clear Perspex sides and a solid wood top and bottom. Its hinged lid was fitted with a lock and a letter-box like opening big enough to allow small items like pens, combs and other smallish belongings to be posted through. If you’d lost anything the first port of call was to the Lost Property Box.

At morning break a small crowd of boys would form at that end of the corridor. The crowd, which jostled and shoved in its anticipation, was of boys who’d come to examine the contents of the box.

In order to reclaim a lost item once you’d spotted it meant having to enquire of the Headmaster so he could unlock the box, confirm your ownership and hand you back your property. You’d also get a little pi-jaw about taking care of your belongings for free.

Mostly the box contained a small assortment of Platignum pens and combs but there was also a sizeable collection of penknives. The penknives had almost certainly been there for many years. Their owners were most likely grown-up now with their own grand-children and unlikely to ever make a claim. Penknives were quite high up on the long list of contraband. The attempt to have one you’d lost returned to you was directly and openly confessing that you owned it. This would result in its immediate and permanent confiscation, a longer pi-jaw probably followed by a highly disagreeable caning.

Hence these things accreted, bereft of ownership, at the bottom of the box. The day I lost mine, I promised myself I’d return to the school when I was grown-up (and too old to be punished) to ask for it back. However, for all I know, it’s still reposing, with all the others, at the bottom of that box. One of you reading this, if the lost property box is still there, may be able to confirm that a small red penknife with a little pair of folding scissors and a thing for taking the stones out of horse’s hooves is indeed still residing forlornly in one of its dusty corners. It has been waiting more than fifty years now to be reunited with me – one day I shall return!

I don’t think anyone back then would have described me as a spiteful, cruel or malicious boy but, on one occasion, whilst changing back into uniform after PE, I discovered that my long grey sock had mysteriously removed themselves from my peg, wandered over to the showers, soaked themselves in cold water and then returned, dripping, to the peg.

My understanding of the ways of the world were quite advanced by the time I was in my tenth year so I knew that socks, on the whole, did not behave like this unaided. When things of this kind happened, and they happened remarkably often, there had to have been the unseen assistance of my good friend Chips no matter how much he denied it. Actually, when we find ourselves discussing these incidents now during, say, a pint or two before a log fire in a local pub on a boy’s night out, I am confounded by how he still has the persistence to maintain his lack of involvement all these years later when there is no possibility of me putting down my glass and bashing him up; we’re both too old for that kind of thing and, anyway, time is a great healer.

Nevertheless, when we were nine and without the need for any inquiry, there was no doubt in my mind he’d had a hand in the migration, bathing and resulting soggy state of my socks. I would now have to go round all day in wet socks or find a way, in each classroom visited, to remove them to a radiator at the beginning of the lesson and retrieve them at the end without drawing the attention of the master teaching us in between. This would be all most inconvenient so immediate retribution was demanded. A wonderfully delightful plan formed in my mind. I dressed very quickly whilst he was still showering, drying himself and flicking towels at those who had not yet developed the technique to even the score. I removed his underpants from his peg and concealed them in my pocket.

TO UNDERTSAND OURSELVES."

"NOT UNTIL WE ARE LOST DO WE BEGIN

HENRY DAVID THOREAU

Leaving the changing room I made my amused way, with all speed, down the main corridor and attempting to look as innocent as possible – always a recommended practice when approaching the Headmaster’s study end of the corridor – I unpocketed the underpants with a view to posting them into the Lost Property Box. Unfortunately, it had been placed further back on the locker top than was expedient for me to reach without jumping and grabbing. I expect it was the noise of my shoes banging against the lockers while I repeated this manoeuvre several times that must have drawn his attention.

“What

are you doing boy?”

The volume, suddenness and lack of expectation at being addressed so close to my ear in this way made me jump very much higher than I had been able to achieve on previous attempts.

“Oh, sir, I’m trying to get the Lost Property Box, sir,” I said tremulously in my innocence whilst, by sleight of hand, trying to return the underpants to my pocket.

“Why?”

“Um coz I thought I had something to put in it sir.”

“You imply your thinking has changed in the matter.”

“Yes sir.”

“Don’t be ridiculous boy! Either you have something for the box or you don’t. Which is it?”

“I thought I had sir.”

“But now you don’t?”

“Yes sir.”

“You’re a buffoon!”

“Yes sir.”

“Don’t agree with me boy. Explain yourself.”

“I found something sir but now I think I know whose they are sir.”

“What have you found?”

“Oh, nothing sir.”

“A conversation with you boy is like performing a script from a Harold Pinter play.”

Having no idea what he was talking about, I remained silent.

“You have no idea what I’m talking about, have you?”

“Yes sir. No sir.”

It was at this point he invited me into his study. With some reluctance I took up the invitation and stood hands behind my back, as tradition required, in front of his desk where the interrogations took place. Seating himself behind the desk he stared at me for quite a long time before saying, “Let us begin again. What is it that you have found that, in the first place, you thought was lost but now think you can return directly to its owner?”

“Um, a clothing sir.”

“A clothing. What manner of clothing?”

“Someone’s ...er... private clothing sir.”

“I see. Or rather I don’t see. Show me what it is that you were going to put in the Lost Property Box.”

I brought my hands to my front and looked first at one, then the other while attempting to fain surprise that they were both empty.

“Um ... oh ... I don’t seem to have them any more sir.”

He stared at me again this time raising one eye-brow into a highly menacing gothic arch. I thought this needed a response, “They must have got dropped sir.”

“They? Dropped? What is all this blather about boy?”

“Perhaps I should go and look for them sir?”

Perhaps you should stay exactly where you are until we get to the bottom of this.”

He examined me up and down with his X-ray eyes.

“What is that sticking out of your pocket?”

“Sir?”

“Sticking out of your pocket. Something white.”

“Is there sir?”

“Now you are starting to become insolent boy! What do you have bulging there in your pocket? Pull it out.”

I pulled out the underpants and held them up between thumb and forefinger by the waistband.

“Good grief! Whose are those?”

Further attempts to suggest innocence seemed to be futile.

“Um Chippendale’s sir.”

“What are you doing with them?”

“I found them sir.” Perhaps one last chance?

“Where?”

“In the changing room sir.”

“What were you doing in there?”

“Changing sir.”

“WHAT!”.

“We were changing sir. After PE sir.”

We were interrupted by the end of lesson bell going for morning break.

“I see. And where was Chippendale when you found his underpants.”

“Um... in the changing room sir.”

“And where is the unpanted Chippendale now?”

“Still in the changing room I expect sir.”

“Searching for his pants?”

“Yes sir.”

“I see. Now I think I understand. Right, you will go with all haste now to return them to him then come back here with your imposition book.”

“Yes sir.”

I did as I was bidden.

As predicted Chips was found shirt, tie and socks on – but shortless and underwearless – searching the changing room. His relief and anger at my appearance with his loss in my hands was palpable. Not least because he punched me hard in the stomach and winded me. I had no time to strike back. Whilst not wanting to return to the study with my imposition book I knew that not to do so quickly would make matter considerably worse than they were already.

Nursing my winded and butterfly bloated stomach I rooted around in my locker for the purple covered exercise book we all had for writing lines and copying out hymns in –my imposition book. I don’t recall exactly how many hymns I had to copy out that time but I’m sure it was a lot. Heigh-ho!

This year's Upper School Production, performed in June, was the weird and wonderful 'Adventures in Wonderland'. The talented cast took the audience on a journey down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world of adventure. Alice, played confidently by Suhana Chahal (Yr6) introduced us to bizarre and unpredictable characters on her way; the witty Cheshire Cat, eccentric tea-drinking Mad Hatter, mournful Mock Turtle, chilled out Caterpillar and many more in between - all performed with impressive energy and commitment from our cast of senior pupils.

I was super impressed with how the children tackled this strange and challenging story, making their own sense out of scenes which appeared to have none and bringing truth to larger than life characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed working on this production and would like to thank the following for making it possible: Mr Richards and Miss Matei for designing and creating the fabulous set, Mr Birdi and Fin Calvey for leading our sound and lighting team, Miss Hehir and Mr Slaughter for managing the wings and Mrs Finch for hair and makeup! My biggest thanks obviously go to the cast and backstage crew for their hard work in delivering an unforgettable evening of entertainment for friends and family!

Mrs Gascoigne – Head of Drama

an incredible opportunity for our Y6&8 leavers as ten very kind parents offered their respective journeys through their career choices to date! Our pupils had time with a life coach, a pilot, an actuary, an investor, a surgeon, a bio mechanic, an army officer, an art dealer, a solicitor, a member of the Treasury and a member of the Foreign Office

The King’s coronation

by Tej Pandey & Prakrith Rao

Kings, queens, crowns of 24-carat gold, are often things we ever really hear in fairy tales when we are young, or see in Disney movies. It was the same for me, until I heard that I was going to be witnessing history itself as well as all these things at the coronation of King Charles III on the 6th of May 2023. Simply being there, watching as the king got crowned was a great honour, and I was truly flabbergasted at the momentous event that was the Coronation. It was simply amazing. All I could do was sit back in awe along with the presidents, prime ministers, and dictators of far away countries in a gargantuan, ornately designed abbey, with beautiful music bouncing around its walls like a slinky. It truly felt like it was one of those fairy tales in real life.

The best part, I must say, was chanting along with the other 44 queens scholars to honour our king, and even though the internet says otherwise, we chanted ‘Long live Queen Camilla’ and ‘Long live king Charles’ in Latin. It was utterly wonderful to take an active role in this, and something I couldn’t even imagine myself doing a few years ago. But none of this could have ever happened without Orley’s wonderful teachers and friends who got me where I am, and for that I am extremely grateful.

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On the morning in question, we were all tingling with nerves, as we changed into Abbey Dress and wore our surplices, and we soon realised the grandeur of the occasion, when we a few notable barons, baronesses and lords, walked past us, wishing us luck, while we were forming-up to process into the Abbey, into the cameras and into the spotlight.

The event began with our procession through the Great West Door, as we were greeted by our very own Dean, who inducted us in as scholars, and the very reverend Archbishop of Canterbury, who congratulated us. After entering with a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation, we climbed the narrow, unending spiral staircase to the North Triforium: our vantage point, set up with a TV, as well as our staging. As we waited for the service to start, we watched as other dignitaries entered: notably members of the Royal Family, the last 4 Conservative Prime Ministers (Cameron, May, Johnson and Truss), who all weirdly arrived together, as well as current world leaders, unfortunately excluding Joe Biden.

We waited for almost an hour, pressure building, for our cue: the ringing of the great Abbey Bell. After ascending onto the staging, we heard the trumpets sound and the starting notes of the great Parry anthem: I Was Glad, and I whispered "Here we go". We were stood next to the top of the organ's pipes, experiencing the full volume and splendour of the Royal music, giving yet more life into this heart-racing opening performance. It was all coming together, and as we heard the fanfare of the trumpets mid-piece, my legs starting trembling, but that didn't stop my voice. As the College family came together, we proclaimed the new monarchs through our loud and crisp Latin singing. As the anthem ended and we exited the stage, the excitement remained and we felt extremely proud, as we looked forward to watching the rest of the ceremony. From our high vantage point, we had a small but incredible view of the altar, which was beautifully decorated in gold for the occasion. It was a very rousing experience as we watched and heard Sir Bryn Terfel sing, saw Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and heard PM Rishi Sunak perform a reading. It was a breath-taking moment to witness the coronation from such a unique view and perspective and I am extremely grateful that I had the honour of sharing the building with so many great inspiring people.

As we processed out of the East Cloister Door, I managed to catch a glimpse of Rishi Sunak, who was following behind us. When we reached the exit into Dean's Yard, a couple asked for a photo with us, which we accepted, however, by the time we had taken it, a new flow of people came out of the West Cloister Door, halting us in our tracks. In the exciting crowd of people was French President Emmanuel Macron, and as he shuffled past, my French friend, Alexandre and I, had a small conversation with him in French. We were extremely surprised when he replied "Bravo! Oui! Bravo!" with a thumbs up, to us and we were over the moon.

The day got even crazier, when we were almost told off by the Under Master, for holding up the Prime Minister! I felt so honoured to attend and as we went back up School, we saw the under-appreciated Gospel choir, who sang beautifully, taking a photo. They were honoured when we asked them for a photo, and I felt their energy and commitment was extremely impactful in the repertoire.

I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to witness history in the making, and I will always treasure this incredible memory. But, I also wanted to thank everyone who has helped me, shaped me and guided me, not only to be in this position, but also in my character and outlook towards the world.

The journey

by Hattie Simpson & Maya Sidhu

Mr Calvey always spoke about focusing on the journey, as opposed to the destination and our journey to our current roles as Head Pupils at RMS for Girls has been vital in shaping both this outcome and the people we are today. Orley Farm played a very important role in this and so we thought it may be a perfect opportunity to reflect on this journey and the skills and values we have honed and built upon.

We have known each other for over 15 years (since we were just 2 years old) when we started swimming classes together. From there, we both moved to Orley Farm where, although we may not have been the closest friends, we both acted as Deputy Heads of House and learnt many skills and tools that have become invaluable. Orley gave us not only the possibility to approach secondary school as the next step of our education but also as an opportunity to develop a strong and lasting friendship. The skills of resilience, communication and ambition (all OFS values) were instilled in us right from the beginning of our education at Orley and have proved vital in shaping our experience at RMS and the individuals we are now.

From Orley, we both moved to RMS where we were placed in the same form and soon found ourselves exploring similar subjects and so our paths crossed multiple times; we soon established a strong friendship. Ultimately we both pursued History and Economics at GCSE which we both found we had a profound passion for, which ultimately resulted in us taking over leadership of the History and Politics Society where we host guest speakers (most recently civil servants and lobbyists) and discuss with other students current affairs and the role of history in determining our present and future. We entered Sixth Form at RMS last year, both studying History, Politics and Economics (with Hattie additionally studying English Language), allowing our love for our subjects and our friendship to grow and strengthen.

Our applications for Head Pupil were undeniably some of the most stressful weeks so far and we relied upon many of the tools given to us by OFS to persevere during this time and ultimately become successful.

Our time as Head Pupils has been fascinating and great fun! The skills we learnt at both OFS and RMS are now in constant use! Communication in particular has been especially useful as we currently lead a team of over 30 prefects alongside a team of 6 deputy-heads, with roles ranging from Diversity to Wellbeing to Marketing, and Environment (among countless others)!

Our journey has been amazing and shaping, and is not over yet! We look forward immensely to the coming terms in our role as Head Pupils and our life beyond secondary school education where we both intend to pursue degrees in History and Politics.

Music

It was a term of playing outdoors for the music department. The main event in our calendar this term was the Summer Celebration Concert, entitled FIESTA!. We really pushed the boat out by hiring in an outdoor stage with the maintenance team creating a stage floor for our Senior Band, Concert Band, and Senior Strings to play on. Our Senior Choir and the Year 5 Choir sang from the stage, and parents brought their lawn chairs and drinks were served. As the sun set behind the bands, parents and relatives enjoyed a beautiful evening of music, with the finisher being All Night Long by Lionel Richie, featuring all the bands and the two choirs. Behind the scenes, ensembles carried on as normal, and our Middle School groups (Jr Brass, Jr Wind and Jr Strings) enjoyed playing under the oak trees to all the children of Pre Prep. Junior Brass was a particular favourite as they played their piece Shotgun, by George Ezra, which the Pre Prep children sang along too. We were blessed with great weather for both events, and the term finished with the whole school singing our school anthem (Haec Cogitate) at Prizegiving.

Mr Ford – Director of Music

It’s the end of another school year. As a team we can’t believe it’s almost a year since we joined the OFA.

Personally, I have learnt so much being part of a team in a non work environment, tapped into and enhanced my skills in influencing, negotiation, event management and fundraising; whilst learning what it means to manage a registered charity. Most importantly this year has allowed us to build new connections and relationships amongst the community.

It’s been a fun journey so far, not without its own challenges. We have listened to the feedback, tried new ways of working and test & learnt with new events. As you can imagine not everything went to plan or how we envisaged it. However, the flexibility and agility of the team (both the immediate team and volunteers) has been amazing. Big massive thank you me to you all.

This term we hosted our Annual Summer Fair on Saturday 17th June. It was wonderful to see so many parents, children, teachers along with their families and friends enjoying the sunshine along with food and entertainment.

Really felt like a community coming together to create the summer vibe.

OFA events

Summer Fair

OFA events

Summer Fair

Thank you to all the class reps & volunteers that have supported us over the past year.

Wishing you all a wonderful summer and looking forward to a new school year in September.

Tanvi OFA Chair & the OFA Team 2022-2023

Leavers Destinations

Boys - 2023

HASTINGS - HOUSE WINNERS

Dates for the diary

ALUMNI EVENTS

RECONNECTION FOR STUDENTS

BORN 03/04 ACADEMIC YEAR

Tuesday 22nd August 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

OTHER EVENTS

OFA FIREWORKS NIGHT

Thursday 2nd November 2023

6:00pm-7:30pm

OFA CHRISTMAS FAIR

Saturday 2nd December 2023

11:30am-2:30pm

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