It was wonderful to mark Jon Buzzard’s 43 (and a half!) years of service at the end of last term. From thunderous applause in Warden’s Assembly to a staff tea in the afternoon, thank you to those who worked hard behind the scenes to make Jon’s send-off special and befitting of a man who has given so much to Radley.
However, Jon’s length of service pales in comparison to that of Pat Clarke, Groundsperson, who retires next week after an incredible 59 years’ service to the College. Do take a moment to read the interview with Pat which started the My Radley series in 2022. We wish Pat all the very best for his retirement.
I hope you enjoy the articles and updates included within this edition. My thanks to everyone who has contributed.
Best wishes for the term ahead.
Chef’s Catch of the day
Congratulations to Head Chef, Darren McMahon, on his recent catch, an impressive 6lb 2oz Chub, caught at Sandford Lock. Darren’s achievement was even featured in the Oxford Mail, highlighting his passion and skill as an angler.
Darren has been a keen fisherman since the age of 13 and his recent PB was caught at the same spot along the River Thames where he has fished
since he was a boy and where he now takes his son, Callum.
Reflecting on his long-standing connection with this part of the Thames, Darren explained that while fishing was once a popular pastime among local children, he has noticed a decline in numbers over the years. “Back then, you’d see so many kids fishing, but you just don’t see it anymore. I hope one day we can get
more youngsters into the sport. Whether you’re out there with friends, family, or on your own, being in nature is a great escape. And of course, landing a new PB makes it even better!” Darren described the conditions on the day of his catch last month as challenging, with the river high and windy and wet weather. Despite this, his first cast resulted in a strong bite and after a 10-minute battle he was victorious. Darren might not be personally repsonsible for catching the fish served in Hall, but he certainly brings plenty of expertise to his day job!
Staff News
A warm welcome to staff who have joined us since January 2025:
Huda Albasri, Exam Invigilator
Caroline Bacon-Darnley, Exam Invigilator
Nazario Borges Da Silva, Kitchen Porter
Lisa Edwards, Domestic Cleaner
Anna Gibson, Development Officer
Emma Griffiths, Music Partnerships Co-ordinator (Maternity Cover)
Tim Keasley, Vocal Animateur, Partnerships (Maternity Cover)
Emma Mills, Exam Invigilator
Jonny Ridgard, Kitchen Porter / Food Service Assistant
Katharina Roelofsz, Head of Communications
Nicola Snuggs, Domestic Cleaner
Andrew Wood, Laundry Driver/Assistant
Changes and Updates
B a b y N e w s
Welcome to the newest members of our community! Emily, born on 14th February to Karl Etheridge (Electrician); Penelope (below, left), born on 15th February to Leona Sweetland (Financial Accountant) and Margaux (below, right), born on 21st February to Bob Evans (Senior Chaplain and Teacher of History)
Martin Garrod, who was with us last term as a Teacher of Maths, will continue to help on a temporary basis as a Driver Congratulations to Kerri Perrett who passed her exams and now becomes Health and Safety Manager and to Scott Woodcock (IT Services Manager) who takes over management of the IT Helpdesk Finally, a note that Amber Wiles (Head of Academic Drama) has reverted to her maiden name and is now known as Amber Burton (ACB).
Easter Lets Success
Transplant European Football Championship
Over the Easter break, the College hosted the first Transplant European Football Championship, with teams made up of organ transplant recipients from England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Spain and Wales. The England team pipped victory from Italy with a winning goal in the match’s final minute England player Kevin Kyley told the BBC,"There was a real buzz around the place all week with spectators and fans from other countries cheering you on ”
This Easter had a particularly sporty feel, with seven residential groups covering rowing, cricket, football and athletics as well as a non-residential tennis camp. The annual Good Friday triathlon (left) was a great success with over 500 participants, including a number of staff and ORs.
You can read more, and see photos and video, on the Staff Noticeboard
A school’s Development Office is a balance of two complementary forces – fundraising and community engagement – each reinforcing the other.
The Foundation (fundraising) secures vital financial support to help the school grow From funded places to new facilities and projects (like the Chapel extension), it provides the resources that shape the school’s future
The Radleian Society (community engagement) fosters lifelong connections among Old Radleians, Radley parents and staff (past and present) It builds a community, strengthens ties, and ensures people feel part of something bigger than themselves.
Like yin and yang, these two elements are deeply interconnected, each strengthening the other A vibrant, engaged community fosters support and generosity, while successful fundraising enhances the Radley experience for generations to come.
The Development Office’s work extends far beyond the College gates, working in partnership with the global network to enrich our efforts. While Radley has the boys for five years, our mission is to support them for a lifetime.
Fundraising
Community Connections
events peryear
The Development Team this Easter (missing Karen Rhodes and Clare Sargent)
Elisabeth Anderson, Development Director
I joined the team in 2020 I oversee the activities of the Radley Foundation, Radleian Society and work with the Futures team I enjoy theatre, opera and have renewed a childhood passion for model railways
Favourite Radley moment: watching the boys on fully funded places achieve things beyond their wildest dreams
Ask me about: how I ask for donations
Hasna Bloor, Head of Philanthropy
I joined Radley in September 2024 and focus on major gift fundraising. I enjoy trail runs, outdoor walks with my two children, and going to the ballet whenever I can.
Favourite part of her job: Listening to Old Radleians speak about Radley’s impact and their desire to give back.
Tell me about: potential donors.
Lucy Johnsson, Foundation Executive
I’ve been part of the team for almost 12 years My role is to keep Foundation donors informed about the impact of their generosity through tailored reports, interviews and short films that highlight the difference their support makes I love the theatre, country walks and getting creative in the kitchen with baking
Favourite part of her job: hearing first-hand how donations make a real difference to people's lives.
Tell me about: accomplishments of boys on funded places.
Anna Gibson, Development Officer
I joined the team very recently in March I’m responsible for encouraging our community to make regular gifts to the College to support the Funded Places Programme and more! I enjoy getting out in nature, listening to music and a good sunny pub garden
Favourite spot in Radley: Chapel as it is the beating heart of Radley and feels very peaceful
Tell me about: anything and everything - I am very new!
Roland Crouch, Data and Insights Manager
I joined the team in January 2024 I look after the Development Office database and gain insights into the community I’m passionate about fitness and spend most of my spare time training for triathlons
Futures
Caroline Monaghan, RadSoc Associate Director
I joined Radley in 2015 to lead the RadSoc events and communications programme, ensuring Old Radleians and parents feel connected to the College long after they leave I also support Futures, using the Radley network to provide advice and mentoring to help prepare Radleians for the world of work I love long walks, good pubs, and make a mean margarita!
Favourite part of my job: Hosting our Business Networking events in London on topics like AI and entrepreneurship
Talk to me about: Old Radleians for inspiring talks, career advice or mentoring
Cassandra Russell, Events Co-ordinator
I joined the team in 2016 and I am responsible for organising and managing events for RadSoc and the Foundation I am passionate about the outdoors and exercise I can be found regularly in the gym or out for a good walk
Favourite part of her job: Connecting up ORs
Ask me about: Development Team events
Sophie Torrance, Engagement Officer
I joined the team in 2022 and manage printed and digital communications for the Development Office I’m the editor of the Old Radleian magazine and Impact Report I enjoy studying space sciences, visiting castles, collecting fossils, and identifying trees
Favourite spot in Radley: Radley Little Wood in the early autumn
Tell me about: Interesting news and stories about Old Radleians
Clare Sargent, Archivist
I am responsible for the past and future history of the school by collecting, curating and interpreting the College Archives. I wrote Untold Stories to celebrate the College’s 175th anniversary. I have also written lots more articles online at www.radleyarchives.blog. I can read ancient cuneiform.
Favourite Radley fact: the boys tell me there is a secret vault full of treasures
Ask me about: the secret vault full of treasures
Karen Rhodes, Futures Manager
I manage the Futures programme which prepares boys for life after Radley, providing information, advice and guidance in relation to university study, careers and future pathways I enjoy yoga and escape rooms, but not at the same time!
Favourite part of her job: seeing boys inspired by an event and getting enthusiastic about a career they didn’t know existed
Tell me about: work experience opportunities.
A Strong Connection: Jon & Ray
The man, the myth, the legend, Jon Buzzard prepared to leave the job he has done for an incredible 43.5 years last month – to mark this moment, it was a pleasure to sit down with Jon and Ray Smith, who steps into Jon’s shoes this term as the new Head of IT Services.
Jon and Ray have worked together since 1999, seeing unparalleled changes in IT at the College. I started by asking Jon to take me back to when he joined the College aged 17.
Jon: I arrived in 1981, straight from school, as a Physics Technician working with Len Herbert. In 1986 he died of a sudden heart attack, so I then took over as Head Physics Technician.
By 1988 Jolyon Booth, a Maths don, had become Head of Computing and because I’ve always loved fixing things, I began to help with the hardware, specifically the BBC Micro computers we had at that time. I started installing the BBC Micro network around the College at that point and, looking back, we were probably one of the first schools to do this.
By 1989 I had moved fully to the IT Department. My office at that point was the (converted) Masters’ Lavatory in the Science Department – very glamorous! I had no formal qualifications in IT, so the College sponsored me to do an Open University degree in Information Technology and Computing in the early 90s – it took me eight years to complete, studying around working full time.
Ray: IT teaching was still in its infancy when I was at school, so it wasn’t something I had learned a great deal about. My Dad worked for BT so there were always computers around the house growing up and I was interested in communications technology. I do remember I worked out how to cause chaos by breaking the looped network in our IT lessons.
I knew Radley College from learning to swim in the pool here when I was at primary school. I had finished school in 1999 and the IT Apprentice vacancy here really appealed to me.
JB: When I met Ray, I knew immediately that he would be a good fit and a fast learner.
RS: Initially there were only three of us in the department –Jon, me and Lee Hutton. Sandy (Sidhu, Software Deployment Engineer) joined in 2007. After my apprenticeship I worked on the IT Helpdesk so I started to pick up a bit of everything, learning on the job.
How have you managed to keep up with the pace of change in IT over the years?
would be the decision in 2013 to go with Microsoft 365 rather than Google.
JB: The change to a cloud-based system like MS 365 was significant and it’s one of the projects I’m most proud of.
JB: The speed of change is so fast, and we’re less in control now than we were 40 years ago. It’s impossible for us to be experts in how to do everything but we’re good at knowing how to find the answer to a problem quickly. Understanding the principles behind how things work is critical. We have to be good systemthinkers, looking at problems from every angle, challenging and testing to be sure we end up with the right solution.
RS: There have been some really big decision points over the years when we look back. One example
What is the one thing in your job that you love doing?
JB: Fixing things! Helping people when they’re stuck is really rewarding.
RS: I like the satisfaction of seeing a project from inception to delivery.
What won’t you miss?
JB: I am looking forward to not receiving alerts about IT issues on my phone!
RS: Things have changed so much in that regard – when I started here, services could be run on single machines, so the point of failure was very high and the backups and recoveries were poor. Issues used to be pretty major because they were localised. However, if Microsoft goes down now, the issue isn’t specific to Radley.
JB: I remember we had issues with the permissions on some Apple files two days before the start of term one year, so I drove back from Devon to Radley, leaving my wife Jenny in the tent. Lee Hutton and I worked through the night to fix the issue and then drove back to Devon to finish my holiday!
What has the IT department got planned for the future?
RS: I’m planning a period of stability to allow me to bed in as Head of IT. No major changes are on the agenda!
JB: I’ve been passing things Ray’s way for a few months, knowing I’m going, and allowing him to do things his way.
RS: And adding some thoughtprovoking challenges!
What would we find you doing away from work?
JB: We share a love of motorsports.
RS: And the odd beer!
JB: We’ve ended up at the same concerts over the years too.
RS: Jon’s family have always been really welcoming to me. I did a bit of voluntary youth mentoring with Jenny, Jon’s wife, and Jon has always been very supportive to me outside work.
Jon, what will you miss about Radley when you go?
JB: The people. Without question.
What are your plans for retirement?
JB: I want to spend more time with my parents, it will be nice to prioritise that. We’ve just bought a new house which needs a lot of work doing to it which I am excited about, and we want to get away for more short breaks. I have a track day booked for when I finish here, it gives me chance to wear out the tyres and breaks of my Mini!
Ray, what will you and the team miss about Jon?
RS: Jon is the most calm and collected person you could meet. He goes out of his way to be there for people – to listen and fix problems. To lose that is going to be a big shock for me personally. I’ve been very reliant on Jon over my career – he’s been crucial to me in terms of having someone to bounce ideas off, to challenge me in his calm manner and to learn from.
There’s no shortage of files and folders called ‘Jon’, ‘JB’ and ‘Buzz’ all over our system, so Jon definitely leaves a tangible legacy in that way too!
Estates News
Easter works
Over the Easter period, various small project works have been carried out, including a bathroom refurbishment in C Social, F Social boot room, cleaners’ cupboard and shower reconfiguration and an office conversion in K Social.
The Library’s sash windows have been refurbished and decorated and the roofing checked (below).
The Foundation and Radleian Society teams have been temporarily relocated across the corridor on the top floor of Mansion while their offices get a much needed refresh. Moving the team out gives our contractors better access to re-wire the data and electrics in the space to ensure it holds up for years to come. The aim is to have Development back in their refurbished offices early in the summer holidays.
Music
The project proceeds on schedule. The crane has now come down (below) and the external walls and roof near completion. With the inside substantially watertight, the internal works can now proceed at pace.
Solar Farm
We are now commencing infrastructure ducting throughout the site so that we can connect the solar farm when complete with minimum disruption.
Park End Barn
New entrance doors have been installed but we continue to experience a pigeon problem inside! We are working to close all the gaps and seal the building before moving towards the internals.
Sustainability
The first phase of our major tree planting, consisting of 18,500 saplings and over 30 acres of wildflower meadowland, is now complete (below). We still have the same again planned in the coming two years.
The Old Laundry site
The external works around the new Housekeeping department are now complete which creates a more attractive approach.
Swimming Pool Wet Changing
The upgrade works are scheduled to start this term.
H&S update
Kerri Perrett passed her course with flying colours and is promoted to Health & Safety Manager.
Ruth Tufnell (Head of Art) has been training hard over the Easter holidays preparing to run Sunday’s London Marathon. Ruth is fundraising for The Gardens Trust, a national charity that does incredible work to protect and conserve the UK’s designed landscape heritage. Please do support Ruth by donating using the QR code and cheer her on on Sunday! Don’t forget to also look out for OR Andrew Strauss, running for the Ruth Strauss Foundation and Freya Mosedale, running for St John’s Ambulance.
As part of her preparation, Ruth and her family (left, with her sons who are all ORs) entered the Ibiza Half Marathon. However, things didn’t quite go to plan as Ruth had to use her ‘First Aid Responder’ training in real-life for the first time when a fellow runner collapsed. Ruth stayed with them waiting for the ambulance and came last in the race – but what an example to set to us all!
Marathon Mega Stars!
A Gem on our Doorstep: Radley Lakes
Radley Lakes is an area alongside the River Thames between Radley village and Abingdon, just a short walk or cycle from College. Once almost an industrial wasteland of former gravel extraction sites and pits containing waste ash disposal from a coal-fired power station, it is now an area of outstanding natural beauty and biodiversity, teeming with wildlife and plants.
Gravel extraction began here in the 1940s and continues to this day. As areas of gravel were cleared out, rising natural groundwater formed a series of lakes. From the 1950s to the 2000s the area became a quiet, local beauty spot visited by fishermen and locals. Old Radleians remember ‘Geo Dave’ (Dave Fielding who established geology as an A-Level here) taking them to hunt for fossils on the edge of the gravels: an ichthyosaur found nearby in 1988 can be seen in Abingdon Museum. And Charlie Rickards, later succeeded by John Wylie, took the Sailing Club there regularly in the 1960s and 1970s (an extract from his scrapbook pictured below).
In 2005 all this was threatened when the German-owned company RWE npower proposed to infill two of the recently formed lakes with coal ash from Didcot power station. This led to the formation of the Save Radley Lakes campaign which became nationally one of the most significant campaigning and lobbying groups to show how a small, local community could take on a multi-national to save its own local environment. They succeeded not just in saving the two threatened lakes but in the process established a thriving local resource and biodiversity haven, and challenged the government’s own scientists in their definitions of waste disposal.
The campaign lasted for three years. Members of the College were involved in fundraising and as trustees; boys sent in a petition as part of an initiative to include school children in raising awareness of habitat loss; and several public meetings were hosted here at the College.
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In 2009, the lakes were officially ‘saved.’ Since then, there has been a concerted effort to improve access for walkers and cyclists, and to record the wildlife and plants systematically as nature regenerates itself sustainably. There are regular working and survey parties.
The Radley Lakes Story (below) was published in March 2025 to celebrate all that has been done. It is available in the village shop, Mostly Books and The Bookstore in Abingdon and Blackwells in Oxford. Most of all, Radley Lakes is a wonderful place. Get down there and enjoy it.
The College is very supportive of Radley Lakes and the unique contribution it makes as a place of wellbeing and a haven for nature within our local community.
Andrew Ashton, Bursar and Radley Lakes Trustee
Clare Sargent College Archvist
Nature Notes
HAwthorn
A heart helper, but not a matchmaker.
Spring is everywhere and it’s a good time to fall in love. But today we won’t talk about love herbs, but about one that will help your heart.
Hawthorn (Crataegus) has long been valued in herbal medicine for its beneficial effects on the health of the cardiovascular system. This thorny shrub, native to Europe, Asia, and North America, produces clusters of white or pink flowers and bright red berries that are used for medicinal purposes.
Hawthorn is known for its positive effects on heart health. It has been shown that its preparations have cholesterol-lowering properties, anti-atherosclerotic and antioxidant effects. It is worth noting that hawthorn is associated with improving the condition of patients with heart failure. The plant’s effectiveness is attributed to its rich content of flavonoids and phenolic acids, which improve coronary blood flow, improve myocardial contraction, and have a mild vasodilating effect. These actions work together to improve myocardial oxygenation and overall circulatory function.
Traditionally, hawthorn has been used to treat a variety of heart conditions, including hypertension, arrhythmia, and angina. In modern herbal medicine, it is often recommended as a supportive
treatment for mild to moderate heart failure. In addition to its circulatory uses, hawthorn has calming properties, making it beneficial for relieving anxiety and nervous tension.
An intriguing historical tidbit about hawthorn is its connection to the ancient festival of Beltane, celebrated in Celtic cultures. Hawthorns, often called “May trees,” bloomed around May 1st, marking the arrival of spring. The branches laden with flowers were used to adorn homes and livestock, symbolising protection and the promise of new growth. This tradition emphasises the plant’s long-standing significance beyond its medicinal uses, and its role in cultural rituals and seasonal celebrations.
Hawthorn is a testament to nature’s enduring connection to medicine. Its rich history and cultural significance add layers to our understanding and appreciation of this extraordinary plant.
You can find Hawthorn on the Radley Herbal Path guided walk through the College grounds which can be found on the Staff Noticeboard or via the QR code. Look out for its flowers and enjoy its charm.
Livestock
Thank you to the Countryside
Shaggy
– Five-year-old rare breed Devon & Cornwall Long Wool ewe.
– Came to Radley in 2023 to start our small flock of rare breed and unusual native English sheep.
– Now considered an endangered breed, there are reportedly only about 500 breeding ewes left in the UK.
– Year-old chicken of no discernible pedigree or breed standard.
– Hatched from an incubator at the Countryside Centre as part of a partnership project in 2024, and now one of our eight laying hens.
Marcin
Stefanski Domestic Cleaner, J Social & Herbalist
– The other seven are also called Henrietta.
Henrietta
Livestock of the Countryside Centre
Countryside Centre humans for this introduction to some of their furred and feathered friends!
Hector
– Three-year-old Belgian Black Hare, who is neither a hare nor a boy.
– A female rabbit breed, first bred in the early 20th Century to look like a hare.
– Named Hector the Hare for no other reason than it sounded about right. Dislikes humans, dogs and ferrets.
Didier
– Three-year-old rare breed old English Bagot goat wether (castrated ram).
– Resident at Radley since early 2023 when he and his brother arrived as some of our first goats. Generally enjoys eating and fighting.
– Named after Didier Drogba, Chelsea FC GOAT.
Chief
– Our most recent addition to the Countryside Centre.
– Chief’s role is to replace Shells in herding sheep from one field to another. Whether he’ll be able to herd the Shells remains to be seen.
Hazard & Havoc
– One-year-old ferret jill kits (female young).
– Habitual favourites of many a visitor to the Countryside Centre as a gentle introduction to ferrets.
– Not to be mistaken for Will H’s(R, D) rather more ferocious flesheating male ferrets.
Sallie
– Four-year-old British Alpine nanny goat, gifted to us in 2023 from a local smallholder in Boars Hill.
– Named in honour of Bursary Receptionist Sallie Swain in recognition of her reputation as the air rifle shooting GOAT (greatest of all time).
Monkey
– One-year-old ‘Easycare’ wether.
– Came to Radley in 2024 as a day-old lamb having been rejected by his mother, and bottle fed from birth. So tame he increasingly identifies as a dog.
– Unusually this breed shed their wool annually and do not require shearing.
MY radley
Hailing from near Dijon in Eastern France, Géraldine arrived at Radley 12 years ago to take on the new and critical role of the College’s Database Manager. I asked Géraldine about how she came to apply for the job.
I joined in August 2013, when my children were young – my sons were nine and eight and my daughter six. We had just moved back to the UK from Belgium a couple of years previously, where we had been for three years.
We moved to Oxfordshire partly because we knew of the European School in Culham (now Europa School) which had an excellent reputation. I saw the job advertised and although I hadn’t heard of Radley College, I thought working in a school would fit well around the children.
Tell us about how you initially came from France to the UK.
I grew up in Autun, a small town near Dijon and had been an exchange student in the US when I was 16. I went on to study Business Studies and, as part of my course, I returned to the US for several study placements; in Richmond, Virginia and in Portsmouth, Ohio. I also studied in Aalborg, Denmark for a semester.
The company I worked for in the US asked me to set up a business in Paris, selling a financial service through La Tribune newspaper, a similar newspaper to The Financial Times in the UK. You can tell this was a while ago because I was working remotely from my Paris apartment and communicating with my boss by fax! Having worked like this for a while the company asked me to move to Sutton, Surrey. I met my husband, Clive, in the UK and we lived in London until our move to Belgium in 2007.
What has changed since you arrived at Radley?
Funnily enough, I’ve actually been at the same desk, in the same office since my first day! Back then there were fewer academic support staff. I covered many aspects such as importing the timetable, calendar, website and the database. Each has changed hugely and things like the website have become more important. Overall, the College has become more professional and our jobs and responsibilities more defined.
The database underpins everything we do from communicating with parents, setting the boys in various subjects, working out blocks for GCSE and A-Level subjects, managing the timetable, the reports, collecting academic data, exams and much more.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
It’s very rewarding, I’ve learnt a lot and I am still learning. There have been big projects, like changing the database, which keeps things fresh. The move from the original database, G2 to SchoolBase in 2015 was a scary moment; I worked closely with Lee Hutton, the IT Manager at the time, who was lovely. I felt out of my depth and inexperienced but looking back I learnt so much and I was so grateful for patient colleagues! When we moved from SchoolBase to iSAMS a couple of years ago it felt a bit less daunting.
What does Radley mean to you?
It really is a special place; people are well looked after here. I’ve worked for Roger Shaw (Deputy Head, Systems) for 12 years and he has always been very kind and supportive. My job helped me to find my sanity when the children were small and I returned to work after a period of being at home. It’s been wonderful to be able to pursue my career whilst being able to look after my family at the same time. It’s not an easy balance and it’s very valuable to me. I get on very well with my colleagues and we’ve always had fun in the office.
I feel fortunate. There isn’t a day when I don’t want to go into work. I like being busy and I like to do things well and to be able to help people. I get to work with lots of different people across the school: the IT department, Common Room and the boys to a lesser extent – while I don’t meet them, I try to accommodate everyone’s subject choices, making sure all the requirements of different dons and departments match with the sets needed.
What might we find you doing when you’re not at your desk?
I’m quite active – my husband and I love walking and mountain biking on the Ridgeway, close to where we live. I swim as a Master with my daughter and I’m the Secretary of our swimming club. I love reading, particularly a good murder mystery, and I also love cooking.
I’m lucky to have the holidays off and we usually go back to France where my family live. There are certain tasks that I do over the summer to get the database ready for the new academic year but I can do that remotely which is great.
