ONA 105

ONA OLD NOVOCASTRIANS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

B U R SA RY I M PA C T SPECIAL EDITION

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: LOUIS TAYLOR | TOM GUTTERIDGE | THOMAS HORSLEY | JEAN ROSS RETIRES

ISSUE 105/SPRING 2019

ONA MAGAZINE ISSUE 105 SPRING 2019 ONA is the magazine for the Old Novocastrians’ Association All correspondence should be addressed to: Jane Medcalf (Editor) or Susan Beck (Director of Development) at the Development Office, Royal Grammar School, Eskdale Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4DX Telephone Development Office: 0191 212 8909 email: development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

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The Editor reserves the right to edit, alter or omit all submissions to the magazine. Copy may be carried over to the next edition. The Editor’s decision is final.

Contribute! We are always looking for articles and news from Old Novos to include in the magazine, so send your contributions, via email (if possible) to: development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk or to the Development Office at the school.

Please include relevant pictures if possible. They will be returned as soon as the magazine has been printed.

The deadline for acceptance of copy for the Summer 2019 issue is Friday 10 May 2019. Copy may be carried over to a future issue.

Special thanks to David Goldwater (51-62) for his research and contributions to the ONA Magazine, particularly on his research for A History of the RGS in Its People.

The ONA Magazine is available online Please note that the magazine is circulated in hard copy and is available on the ONA website shortly after circulation. By submitting an article or news for inclusion, the contributor is accepting that it will be available through both formats and will also be accessible beyond the Association membership through internet search engines or any member of the public viewing the ONA website. www.ona.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk Please note that the ONA Magazine content does not necessarily reflect the views of the school or the ONA and is based on personal experiences, recollections and memories of its contributors. www.infinitedesign.com

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IN THIS ISSUE 1 2 4 5 6 8 10 12 13 17 18 24 25 26 28 29 32

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME KATE HARMAN A HISTORY OF THE RGS IN ITS PEOPLE DAVID GOLDWATER DIFFICULT DECISIONS JOHN FERN ORIGINS OF THE BURSARY CAMPAIGN LOUIS TAYLOR ORIGINS OF THE BURSARY CAMPAIGN JAMES MILLER WE LIVE IN HISTORY NIGEL PATON WHAT FEE ASSISTANCE MEANT TO ME WHY I GIVE DAVE MERRITT BURSARIES IN NUMBERS BEFORE THE CAMPAIGN PROFESSOR TOM GUTTERIDGE MY BURSARY STORY EVOLUTION OF FEE ASSISTANCE AT RGS JEAN ROSS RETIRES RGS BURSARIES – LOOKING AHEAD JULIE DRUMMOND WHY I GIVE GRAHAM WARD NEWS & CONGRATULATIONS OBITUARIES

WELCOME

BY KATE HARMAN (06-08) ONA PRESIDENT

Photograph by Ruth Gibson

W

elcome to the latest issue of the ONA Magazine, and my first as ONA President.

I’d like to start by giving thanks to my predecessor, Chris Wilson (97-02) for his work over the last two years, and thank the Committee for their continued efforts in keeping the Association running smoothly.

The Bursary Campaign has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2002. You’ll see from the articles in this magazine that we have not only collected stories from former bursary students and from previous government Direct Grant or Assisted Places schemes, but also gathered insights from those individuals who have played key roles in the bursary process.

I’d also like to take the opportunity to enjoy this historic moment – I am the first female President of the Old Novocastrian’s Association! I am therefore also the first female that’s had the chance to write a Welcome in the magazine. I owe a great deal to RGS and I hope that in some way, by being President of the ONA, I can give something back to the school that gave me so much.

I am very much looking forward to the next two years.

There is still room for growth, and for more children and families from across the North East to benefit from a bursary, and the life-changing effects such a gift can bring.

You may well have noticed that the magazine has had a makeover since the last issue, we do hope that you like the new look. This issue of the magazine is also the first of its kind, as it is dedicated to the important and essential work carried out by the Bursary Campaign. The ability for bursaries to be awarded to students who otherwise would not be able to attend the school, and therefore give them the opportunities that we ONs are all so fortunate to have had, is a vital part of the school. I urge you to read the wonderful stories of bursary success in this issue and consider giving it your support if you aren’t doing so already.

ONA | OLD NOVOCASTRIANS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE | ISSUE 105 | SPRING 2019

I do hope you’ll support the campaign in any way you can. Legacies, one-off cash gifts and regular donations are all equally important to us. The Development Office would love to hear from you if you wish to support the Bursary Campaign and give a life-changing donation – please email development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk. What a great way to give back to a school that gave us so much.

I look forward to meeting other ONs at school and ONA events as they appear in the calendar over the next two years.

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A HISTORY OF THE RGS IN ITS PEOPLE

BY DAVID GOLDWATER (51-62) David Goldwater continues his popular series for this special issue of ONA Magazine. Here he imagines taking a step back into 16th Century Newcastle and conducts an interview with the school’s Founder, Thomas Horsley, its original benefactor, and an exemplar of enlightened people facilitating the education of less privileged children.

A worthy example to follow!

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Thomas, it’s good of you to spare me some time. I know you are a very busy man with all your business and civic responsibilities. This is a fine building we are in. Nearly 500 years on, it still stands on the Quayside, known as the Cooperage, where barrels were made for many years.

DG

Yes, it was granted to me in 1531.

The ground floor timbers are reported to have come from a Dutch merchant ship sunk in the River Tyne.

Forsooth, it is a great wonder to me that you have visited me from another time. It is akin to me talking to the man who built our great Castle Keep, or his father, William I, known as the Conqueror.

TH

Thomas, it is the year 1533 and you have just been appointed Lord Mayor of this fine town. In our age, it is termed a city, largely because of the Cathedral of St Nicholas, near the Castle.

Thomas, you know I have come from a year, 486 years in the future, to ask you about my own school, which was founded with the benefit of the generosity and foresight of you and Johanna your wife.

DG

Did you say, a Cathedral? To us, it is the Parish Church of St Nicholas, but you have said it looks much like it does in your … is it 2019?

TH

That will be because of the fine work carried out about 40 years ago with the addition of the splendid stone crown and tower.

DG

Back to your question, yes, I have been Lord Mayor now five times, in the years of our Lord, 1513, 1519, 1524 and 1525 and also this year. I have received the support of some fine Sheriffs, including my great friend Robert Brandling.

TH

DG

We still appoint the Lord Mayor, often a woman.

What you say is making me laugh, David. Say that again! Next you will be telling me that the Hye School teaches boys and girls!

TH

Well, we’ll come on to that later, Thomas. Tell me about your well founded calling as a Corn Merchant.

DG

We remember you as a Merchant Venturer.

How did they become so named?

Under the King’s father, Henry Tudor, Henry Vll, a licence was granted to the governor and merchants of the Merchant Guild of Newcastle, empowering them to buy and ship wool and wool skins from our nearby counties to Holland and the Low Countries. Just over 20 years ago, his son, good King Harry (Henry Vlll) renewed these grants and we can now also import many commodities including corn, which is my special skill. Much coal leaves the Tyne for London and other places and the corn returns on the same ships from Lynn, Boston, Yarmouth and other ports. Our River Tyne was only a few years ago a tortuous, shallow stream, full of sand shoals. We are all beholden to the Guild of the Blessed Trinity for bringing great skill to its improvement.

TH

We still know of Trinity House in our day. So, Thomas, you are a wealthy and successful man.

DG

I have worked hard and done well.

I have known many great people including the Cardinal Wolsey, who only four years ago fell from his great position. He was Bishop of Durham, in truth, Prince-Bishop, did you know, as well as of York? All this divorce business with the King and the Boleyn girl! Do you know about that, David? Only this year has Henry announced his marriage to her and a baby girl was born at the outset of September. Elizabeth – a girl and I hear the King is enraged. The break with Rome is almost complete and the monasteries will soon be gone.

TH

I started to think how my kinsmen will educate their boys. There is uncertainty in Europe. The peace with France is so recent and Wolsey’s inability to prevent Hapsburg expansion has been another reason for his downfall. This is a time of great change.

Perhaps things haven’t really changed so much, Thomas. Does that bring us to your Will of 1525? The beginning of the school, which is still flourishing in my days? It is to you, Thomas, that we all owe a debt of gratitude for your generosity.

DG

ONA | OLD NOVOCASTRIANS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE | ISSUE 105 | SPRING 2019

The Cooperage granted to Thomas Horsley in 1531

You speak the truth with clarity!

I have prospered and have influence in this great town, which I and my kinsfolk regard as equal to London.

I have devised certain property for the establishment of a school, a Hye School, I will quote from my testament, “Under the superintendence of the town’s corporation, who I trust will ensure that an able and sufficient priest or master of arts, profoundly learned and instructed in the knowledge of grammar, and that he is to keep a Public Grammar School for the free erudition and instruction of all scholars, not only of those inhabiting the town, but of those resorting to it.” This is my legacy to the town, its inhabitants, now and I trowe, into the far future.

TH

So it has proved to be, Thomas, a Royal Grammar School. The baby just born will be a great Queen and will endow Newcastle with a Royal Charter, incorporating your school. Please do not reveal this to a living soul. But in our day, we strive hard to appeal to local citizens of our northern lands and further afield, to give generously, so that both boys and girls who otherwise could not attend the school, will benefit, at no cost, from its fine tradition of dedicated learning.

DG

Allow me to say Amen to that. It is veritably a miracle that we have been able to converse today.

TH

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D I F F I C U LT DECISIONS

BY JOHN FERN HEADMASTER

I

am very aware of just how much the issue of bursaries means to so many people; and I count myself in that number. I am therefore delighted to see the focus of this special edition of the magazine and to read such inspiring stories and personal accounts. I would like to add my own thanks to all of those who have contributed to the magazine and especially to those who, over the years, have contributed in so many ways to the Bursary Campaign. It makes a real difference to lives and at this time of year I am more aware of this than ever.

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We have just completed the latest round of admissions to the school and I am pleased to report that application numbers for September 2019 are up at all levels and the standards have been as high as ever. I am also pleased to say that the number of students from a range of backgrounds, and a wide variety of locations across the City and the North East have applied, including those asking for bursary support. As several contributors here point out, one of the great strengths of the school has been its rich social mix and seeing the opportunity to continue that is so very encouraging. But this is also a difficult time as a Headmaster.

A total of 225 applicants applied for bursaries this year, 130 of these were for 11+ places, the vast majority of them eligible for 100% support. Of the top 50 performances in the entrance exam, 20 were bursary students.

For the past two years I have made sure that I have interviewed all of the potential bursary candidates, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. The youngsters who were in front of me are brilliant in such diverse ways. It was so obvious that many of them would really thrive and flourish here at RGS, given all of the wonderful opportunities available. They are bright and quirky and interesting and interested; indeed all a Teacher and Headmaster could hope for.

However, there then comes the moment of having to make the decision. Last year I had enough money for six 11+ bursaries. Sitting with those files on my desk and knowing that I was making life-changing decisions was the hardest thing to do. And this year felt the same.

However, I would once again like to thank everyone who has contributed to the Bursary Campaign because thanks to their generosity, I have been able to offer an additional five 11+ places for September 2019. This really is a big step in the right direction, although I still had to disappoint so many good and deserving young boys and girls. I have in front of me right now a card which arrived in school today from

an 11+ candidate: ‘I just want to thank you for changing my life. After visiting on Open Day, RGS was the only school I wanted to be in and I promise to work so hard and do so many things and make everyone proud. I know how lucky I am and I won’t let you down’. It really does change lives.

But having to make fewer tough decisions is certainly not the reason why this is close to my heart. I have a very personal reason. I would not be writing to you as the Head of RGS had someone not backed me, aged 11, in the same way. I was brought up in Coalville, Leicestershire, and as the name suggests it was a mining town. As the son of a coal miner, I had no awareness of, let alone ambitions of going to, an independent school. Nobody from my family had been to university. And so it was thanks to a last-minute suggestion from another boy’s parents that I applied to Loughborough Grammar School.

Looking back I was completely underprepared but at the time we did not know that. Thanks to someone taking the time to give me an interview I had a second chance, and not only a second chance but a route to a bursary when that was the only way I could have attended the school. It still meant a huge sacrifice from the family and to this day I am not sure how my parents managed it. It changed my life and I will be forever grateful.

And so I am happy to interview as many youngsters as I can as I really do know how big a moment it is, and I am happy to campaign to give bright and able boys and girls a transformational opportunity. We can and do make a difference and every little bit of support contributes to changing lives. I strongly believe in the power of education to effect social mobility and I strongly believe that the whole North East community benefits from RGS’s programme.

On behalf of all of us who have benefitted from a bursary, and those who will continue to benefit in the future, thank you.

ORIGINS OF

T H E B U R SA RY C A M PA I G N

BY LOUIS TAYLOR (75-85)

I

n the late 90s, we were fast approaching the end of the Assisted Places scheme. Each year, the population of Assisted Places pupils diminished as more of these pupils left the school. All of us who cared deeply about the RGS, recognised that the school was founded on the basis of a rich social mix, which has always been integral to the education the school offers, as well as to our history, our culture and our strength as the leading academic school in the region. Governors were unanimous that we must protect the diversity of the school by proactively preserving the socia mix.

Very early, the Governors took the position that we would not fund bursaries through a levy on school fees, and nor would we fund school facilities through fundraising – principles that remain today. The justification was simple: while it seemed fair to expect

Legacies and In Memorial Donations

Anthony Watson James Howarth John MacDonald Kenneth Imison Christopher Smith Austin Stokoe Stuart Graham George Hood David Barclay Laurence Shurman Anila Graham John Fleming Keith Ekford Hulse Gordon Pringle Ian Stemson

Agnes Bremner Sir Derek Wanless David Farthing Graham Steed Tim Douglas Peter Taylor Peter Fenwick-Smith Arthur Taylor Joseph Petty Bryan Jeffrey David Houseman Clive Hogben Ronald Cooper Ray Eden William Poulton

current parents to pay for the facilities enjoyed by their children, it did not seem fair to require parents to subsidise the education of others’ children. I am proud that RGS fees remain some of the most accessible of the independent schools in the region, which also helps broaden our social mix. While a founding principle of RGS fundraising was that giving should be voluntary, many of our donors will attest to the rewards of philanthropic giving for such a worthwhile cause.

And so the Bursary Campaign was formed, with the strapline of ‘Giving the Gift of Education’. There were some early significant donors, and their generosity not only enabled a meaningful number of bursaries, but also showed great leadership.

But while we are indebted to these early major donors - many of which are now Fellows of the RGS, Legators or In Memorial donors - similarly hundreds of donors continue to come forward with more

modest gifts which have collectively made a real difference to individuals’ lives.

I remember a bursary student who became a pilot, another who is now a barrister, not to mention the doctors, the teachers, the engineers and more. All of the 375 people supported with RGS bursaries have gone on to impact the world positively in some way, and I hope that all donors share immense pride in the role they have played in these young peoples’ achievements.

The Bursary Campaign has raised £7.3 million to date, some of which has been spent in year, some of which is held in investments, with the yield spent on bursaries. While this is a phenomenal achievement, we owe it to future sons and daughters of the North East to continue our efforts, and continue to support the most brilliant students from across the region, helping them overcome the financial barriers to realising their academic potential.

Onwards!

Fellows of the RGS

Susan and David Ratliff The Reece Foundation Sir James Knott Trust Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust Benfield Motors Charitable Trust Brian Ritchie Philip Snowden Adam Applegarth Louis Taylor Christine and Brian Daglish Guy Readman Garfield Weston Foundation

ONA | OLD NOVOCASTRIANS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE | ISSUE 105 | SPRING 2019

Early major donors, predating the Bursary Campaign The Advani Family Crispian Strachan The Northern Rock Foundation Peter and Wuliang Walker Richard Metcalfe Bernard Trafford Paul Walker James Miller

Tom Gutteridge Sir James Knott Trust The Ogden Trust The Wolfson Foundation

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ORIGINS OF

T H E B U R SA RY C A M PA I G N

BY JAMES MILLER (94-08)

B As Lord Eldon (Lord Chancellor at the beginning of the nineteenth century) said: “[Admiral Lord Collingwood] and I were class fellows at Newcastle.

We were placed at that school because neither his father nor mine could afford to place us elsewhere.”

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readth of access has always been integral to what the RGS is about, and, in the past, thousands have benefited from a free or highly subsidised RGS education. I am sure that I speak for all four of us living Headmasters when I say that the school community, region, and indeed the country have all benefitted from the rich social mix of generations of supported RGS students.

As such, the initial bursary scheme was very limited; more clearly needed to be done.

Independent schools have, of course, been running appeals for ever, but almost all had been to pay for new buildings; almost uniquely (I was aware of only one other school doing the same) the RGS Governors agreed to eschew any further appeal for building funds, and to focus solely on appealing for bursary funds.

The Direct Grant system ensured very wide access to hundreds of RGS boys each year, until it was phased out in the mid-70s. The Thatcher government introduced the Assisted Places Scheme in 1981 and I recall that the RGS at one stage had more than 300 boys on the scheme. One of the first decisions of the 1997 Blair government was to phase out the scheme, and so the RGS was faced with becoming the preserve only of parents who could afford the fees.

As remains the case today, we saw RGS bursaries as being very important in three ways:

An immediate response was to create a bursary scheme dependent on existing school funds. There was a reluctance amongst Governors to increase fees in order to pay for bursaries beyond this; we knew that a lot of parents found the pressure of fees a real burden, and requiring them to subsidise other parents did not seem fair. To this day the RGS does not fund any bursaries from fee income; it has remained an important value of the school.

It would enable talented boys and girls, irrespective of their backgrounds, to benefit from what the RGS had and has to offer; The diverse social mix of the school had always been a major asset to the culture of the school and must be fiercely protected; We also felt a strong obligation to the North East, where secondary school attainment and standards were, at the time, well below national averages. Too much talent was going to waste and at least some of that could be obviated by giving able young people the chance of realising their potential at the RGS.

The Headmasters of the RGS spanning the last half-century left to right; Bernard Trafford (08-17), John Fern (17-present), James Miller (94-08) and Alister Cox (72-94)

“In my time as Head, the success of the Bursary Campaign was down to the hard work and dedication of a large number of people.”

There was some debate on what the target should be. I thought that raising more than £1.5 million was very unlikely; Louis Taylor (75-85), our Chair of Governors, with his normal drive and enthusiasm insisted that the initial target should be £3 million – and mentioned £5 million as a possible target.

I thought he was wildly ambitious; I am delighted that I have been proved comprehensively wrong: the Bursary Campaign has now raised over £7.3 million.

missed Ashley Winter (64-74) and Crispian Strachan – and the then Bursar, Richard Metcalfe (retired Bursar, 99-16).

In my time as Head, the success of the Bursary Campaign was down to the hard work and dedication of a large number of people. It is perhaps invidious but particular credit and thanks must go to Louis Taylor, the first two chairmen – the late and much

An appeal for buildings can have a fixed target and, if it is met, a school can celebrate that, put up the building and forget about it – until the next building appeal is launched (very soon after!). Bursaries are different; the demand is essentially unlimited and

The real thanks, however, must go to the donors - the trusts and foundations and the very many parents, ONs and friends of the RGS whose generosity over the last 17 years has enabled an outstanding 375 talented girls and boys to make the most of their potential and then contribute so positively to society.

ONA | OLD NOVOCASTRIANS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE | ISSUE 105 | SPRING 2019

continuing, while the available funds are necessarily finite. The RGS must continue to strive for yet more and more funds to meet its passionate commitment to its community as a whole. And so the financial support of the RGS community for the Bursary Campaign remains undiminished.

There is an increasing emphasis at national level on widening access to elite places of learning, particularly Oxford and Cambridge universities. A critical problem they have is that the necessary action cannot, in general, be taken by them; it is too late. Things have to happen at school age. Perhaps Oxford and Cambridge ought to support the RGS Bursary Campaign as a much more effective way of broadening access.

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WE LIVE I N H I STO RY

BY NIGEL PATON (66-76) We live in history. It’s a truism but not appreciated when you’re at school when the past is yesterday’s homework and the future is tomorrow’s double Maths. Not appreciated as you rush through career, relationships, maybe parenthood, and transactions of varying value and complexity.

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Photograph by Ruth Gibson

“As the current Chair of the Bursary Campaign I want to record both my own personal appreciation of all those who have contributed in their many ways, and that of the school itself.”

D

avid Goldwater’s (51-62) article earlier in this magazine reflects on nearly 500 years since our school was founded, and Thomas Horsley’s original intent. In another article James Miller (94-08) explains the chequered post war funding for places at the school, to the benefit of so many of us baby boomers, including me. But we live in history, and nothing remains the same.

As James says, Assisted Places was abolished in 1997, and James Miller (Headmaster), John Armstrong (72-03) (Second Master) and Louis Taylor (75-85) (Chair of Governors), with the help of various committed volunteers, set about establishing a Bursary Campaign. The RGS does benefit from some long-term charitable support and has enjoyed the generosity of ON benefactors like Sir Arthur Munro Sutherland (1878-1883) over the years, but there is no great history of transformational endowments, in sharp contrast to some of our peer schools. Put simply, there was no money to support students whose families were unable to afford the fees. If the very ethos of the school as envisaged by Horsley in 1525 was to survive, funds needed to be raised, and quickly.

Since that time, the Bursary Campaign has generated over £7.3 million that has supported over 375 young people with fee assistance. As the current Chair of the Bursary Campaign I want to record both my own personal appreciation of all those who have contributed in their many ways, and that of the school itself. The key drivers of the campaign in the early years included the late Ashley Winter (64-74), Louis Taylor, Crispian Strachan and Catherine Wood, who remained involved until 2018. Successive Headmasters James Miller, Bernard Trafford (08-17),

ONA | OLD NOVOCASTRIANS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE | ISSUE 105 | SPRING 2019

and now John Fern, have given their unstinting support, and John Armstrong remains involved to this day. Others have played important roles in maintaining that initial momentum, including Charles Penn (69-79), Tove Elander, Jane Medcalf, Richard Metcalfe (retired Bursar 99-16), Mike Barlow (53-64), David Goldwater and my immediate predecessor, Andrew Major (86-90).

To all of them, and the many others who have contributed time, effort and money down the years, including all those Fellows of RGS who appear on the plaque in the school’s main reception, a heartfelt thanks.

But of course, the most important appreciation is reserved for our donors. Some of our funding comes from charitable trusts, some from generous legacies, and a large proportion comes from individuals, contributions made in amounts great and small, all very much appreciated. Our largest donors are honoured on the plaque, alongside the Fellows, but we know, all too well, that significant numbers of our donors are giving regular gifts of what they can afford, and those contributions are equally vital. As a result of all such generosity we’ve been able to provide funding which changes lives, as described elsewhere in the various testaments from our bursary holders, and along the way we’ve been able to maintain something of Horsley’s original ideal.

We live in history, almost 500 years of it, and the work goes on. The current Board of Governors stand four square behind the campaign, seeing it as integral to the future of RGS. We look forward with great optimism, but we recognise we can only do that because of the generosity and commitment of those who came before us.

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W H AT F E E A S S I S TA N C E MEANT TO ME Over 375 students have benefitted from a bursary since the campaign was launched in 2002. Thousands more have benefitted from government fee assistance before this. Just a few of these grateful ONs reflect on the difference the support has made to them.

T

he Bursary Campaign is such a wonderful and worthy cause, and it enabled me to experience things and open doors which I would never have had the opportunity to otherwise.

LIAM BLACKBURN (99-06) Former Bursary student and now Graduate Sports Assistant

M

y time at RGS was overwhelmingly positive; I have great memories and remain good friends with many from the class of ’99. Art and rugby were my main passions.

I still play for Novocastrians RFC and have gone on to teach Art and Photography (inspired by the great double act of Mr Crow (93-02) and Mr EganFowler (76-13). I am now Assistant Headteacher at Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham and hope that, as a Teacher, I can inspire young people in the same way that I was at RGS. RICHARD ZABROCKI (92-99)

I

was one of the last boys to get a Direct Grant place and, reflecting on this just days before my 60th birthday, I instinctively feel RGS made a huge difference to my life. Yet I find it hard to express why.

It couldn’t have been the academic side, since I left with only two A levels.

Neither was it sporting success, as I was overshadowed at school by future international players. It was something far less tangible; a confidence that –

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A

fter more than 40 years living in Oxford, I moved back to Newcastle after retirement.

Oxford is nice enough, but has nothing close by to compare with the Cheviots or the Northumberland coast. The miracles of remote access means that I am still working on a stream of papers and books. However, with extra spare time I have been able to restore a tangible legacy of my time at RGS: a coffee table made during Woodwork classes in III.1. In retrospect it amazes

I hope – was self-assured but not too cocky.

Deep down I was shy, but I desperately wanted a career in TV. My moment came during a phone call less than a year after leaving university. The Head of London Weekend Television, Michael Grade, personally telephoned to praise my audition and to offer me work. First though, he had a question: Was I good enough to present live television to an audience of eight million people? I’m certain the confidence to say, “Yes” at that moment, and at others throughout my career as a BBC Correspondent, came from my time at RGS. SIMON WILLIS (70-77)

me that ‘Bill’ Elliott (52-88) got a group of 12 year olds to master the skills required to produce tapered and chamfered legs, a dovetailed frame and a top rounded with a spoke shave. More broadly, I am eternally grateful for the social mobility promoted by the Direct Grant scheme. Without the opportunities provided by RGS I doubt I would have embarked on an academic career and life would have been very different.

RUSSELL EGDELL (63-70)

I

have very little idea whether my social background matches anyone else’s during the school’s Direct Grant phase, though I already knew Henry Whitfield (57-64), from the same primary school in North Shields. Let me just say that hardly anyone on either side of my family had any experience of secondary education, none of higher. Without (I hope) sounding like the Northerner-on-Hard-Times caricatured in Monty Python, I came from a house with no inside toilet or bathroom, a situation that never changed on the wages paid

by Swan Hunter to dad in the shipyard.

GLENN DAVIS (57-64)

F

rom the very first day at RGS, if it were ‘sink or swim’, I swam. The variety of experiences we underwent was phenomenal, whether academic, sporting, musical, dramatic or extra-curricular.

Although we Direct Grant boys were all put into the same form, we felt fully integrated into the life of the school from day one, although it might be more accurate and fair to say that I certainly did. If I were to list the

I

was awarded my Direct Grant in 1958, never being fully aware of the ins and outs of the system, although it seemed that there were specific categories of people who were eligible for awards, and that these were predominantly boys from state schools. There were two ‘Governors’ Scholarships’ awarded each year based on performance in the entrance exam, and I was granted one of these.

I only spent three years in the Senior School as my family moved away from Tyneside in 1961, and I spent the rest of my school career in the state sector. There's no doubt in my mind that what I received in those three years, in terms of the education itself

I

would never have gone to RGS without the vision of my parents and the good fortune of having an inspiring primary school Teacher in Morpeth. I sat the RGS entrance exam and was awarded a scholarship that enabled me to take up the place. I loved Maths and Physics and, to the amazement of my more sportingly gifted contemporaries, was good at rowing! These were areas where going to RGS made a huge difference to me.

benefits, which accrued to me/us as a result of seven years in the school, it would be almost never-ending.

Statistics show that social mobility has decreased in recent years.

I frequently ask myself whether children today whose fathers are postmen, clerks or manual workers will finish up as well educated and qualified as we, who were from that very background. Sadly we all know the answer.

We were never allowed to become arrogant, but I have always felt that those years at RGS gave me a selfconfidence to pit myself against anybody; certain that I would be as good as them and quite possibly, better.

M

y mother was frustrated by her lack of a formal education and her efforts at self-improvement were extraordinary, it was clear how much education meant to her, not only as a means to an end, but as an end in itself. I always knew that I was attending RGS not only for myself, and the life opportunities it would give me, but as a vicarious means for her to experience a grammar school education. The debt I owe RGS and the debt I owe my mother only became truly apparent when I was in the process of establishing my own school.

RICHARD LORNIE (57-62)

Dei gratia novocastriensis.

DAVID KEMP (53-60)

and the competition that existed among my peers, stood me in very good stead later on when it came to O levels, A levels, and Oxford entrance.

I suspect that without the fee assistance my parents would have struggled to meet the cost, and I also suspect that the fee inflation of the last 20 years or so has meant that many parents today face a significantly greater struggle. So I’m grateful for the privilege I received and the opportunities it opened up for me, and I’m pleased that, 60 years on, young people still have the chance to benefit as I did.

I

very fondly remember my school number, 6375! I was very fortunate to attend RGS 56-64 which was my passport for life. It was a life-changing event during which I made lifelong friendships and developed an enduring love of learning and sport.

My gratitude goes to all those who cared for and educated me, particularly Messrs Don Meaken (24-65) and JC Nicholls (53-86), who fostered an interest in geography and the environment. This provided the bedrock for my life-long career as a Chartered Town Planner (including a spell as a Fife Council Chief Official) and later as a self-employed planning consultant. I hooked for the successful First XV 1963-64 coached by John Elders (57-82 and 9296) (which included the likes of: Steve Lawson (53-64); Vic Crew (58-64); George Hogg (5764); Brian Briscoe (56-63); Ian Cheyne (54-64) and the Hazelwood twins – David (57-63) and Johnathan (57-65) would field high balls as we forwards tried to hit him simultaneously!

BRYAN WALLACE (56-64)

JOHN SMITHSON (55-61)

Without the breadth of opportunity offered by RGS, which at that time fortunately included rowing, I would have missed out on something that has been, and still is, a key part of my life.

Whilst my work took me away from the North East, my roots are there. I am pleased to be able to make a contribution through the Bursary Campaign to help give other students access to a great school of the North.

JOHN TURNBULL (60-67)

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H

aving had a career as a Nuclear Submarine Engineer Officer, I retired from the Royal Navy in the rank of Vice Admiral as Chief of Fleet Support and Chief of Materiel Fleet, responsible for all the Navy’s new equipment and support of existing ships and submarines. I was knighted by the Queen in March 2013. All down to the opportunity that my reserve place at RGS created.

SIR ANDREW MATTHEWS (69-76)

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WHY I GIVE

BY DAVE MERRITT (63-73) “A 21st Century school with as broad a social mix as in my Direct Grant days will be more balanced for all concerned and go a little way to aiding social mobility.

The Bursary Campaign helps to facilitate this.”

I

have given to the RGS Bursary Campaign since it began in 2002.

I was educated here myself as a student from 1973 to 1974 when the Direct Grant system was in operation.

Without the grant my Dad would not have been able to afford my place.

As someone who leans somewhat to the left politically I have some reservations about the independent system and see the point in critiques such as those of the Sutton Trust about entrenched elitism. It would be great, would it not, if all schools could provide an RGS quality of education appropriate to the needs of its students? But this is not an ideal world in any way and while things are as they are, I believe access to the RGS for the materially less well off needs to be maintained. A 21st Century school with as broad a social mix as in my Direct Grant days will be more balanced for all concerned and go a little way to aiding social mobility. The Bursary Campaign helps to facilitate this.

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Photograph by Ruth Gibson

To be honest, I came aged 8 as a Geordie Gateshead boy with a few chips on his shoulder about the rich kids he was mixing with! The Junior School years were difficult but I found my feet and then came to immensely appreciate the teaching I received, the brilliant people I met and the opportunities I was given.

I experienced what the Bidding at the old Founder’s Service spoke of – staff with ‘understanding hearts and love of sound learning’. So, I partly give to the Bursary Campaign out of nostalgic gratitude for what the RGS did for me and the desire for members of the Geordie tribe in a similar situation to mine to experience the same.

I can’t be all that anti private schools, as I have worked at RGS in some incarnation or another for 40 years. Staff do not generally know which students are on bursaries and rightly so. Having said that, sometimes we do get to know and I have often been struck by how much bursary students appreciate being here and make the most of their time. Some of their stories are published in ONA Magazine and they make moving and inspiring reading.

The RGS in 2019 is a different beast from the one I joined in 1963. However, it is still a great place and can still claim to be – in the words of the now defunct School Song – the ‘School of the North’ and potentially a ‘Mother and Maker of men (sic)’. I give to the Bursary Campaign to help enable young people to access the opportunities it affords.

BURSARIES IN NUMBERS The Economics student ONs might be especially interested to understand some of the facts and statistics around RGS’s current performance, the need in the North East Region, our current bursary performance and the income raised by the Bursary Campaign.

RGS IN NUMBERS

RGS remains one of the largest, and the most high-performing co-educational independent school in the region.

OUR DEMOGRAPHICS

ONs will be pleased to know that RGS’s academic performance continues to outstrip national averages, and we remain at the top of the North East’s schools’ performance league tables.

4 2 . 5% GIRLS

5 7. 5% BOYS

GCSE EXAMS 17/18

A-LEVEL & PRE-U EXAMS 17/18

1 45 STUDENTS 1,50 1 EXAMS 83 .7%

STUDENTS 161 509 EXAMS 87.4%

ACHIEVED A*-A SCORES

ACHIEVED A*-B SCORES

national average 21.4%

1,31 0 2 62 70 7 341

TOTAL STUDENTS B E ST EVER R E S U LT !

JUNIOR SCHOOL SENIOR SCHOOL SIXTH FORM

6 3 .7%

26.1%

ACHIEVED A* SCORES

SECURED A* SCORES

our best ever year for GCSE performance.

national average 8%

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THE NEED IN NUMBERS Our region has some of the lowest social mobility indices in the country.

1 IN 4 CHILDREN IN THE NORTH EAST LIVE IN POVERTY. national average 1 in 5

IN THE NORTH EAST ONLY 1 CHILD IN 6 ON A FREE SCHOOL MEAL, ATTENDS A ‘GOOD’ OR ‘OUTSTANDING’ SECONDARY SCHOOL. compared to 9 children in 10, in London

1 IN 3 DISADVANTAGED YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE NORTH EAST ACHIEVE 2 OR MORE A-LEVELS, 1 IN 4 GO TO UNIVERSITY.

The North East has the worst (in England) dropout rates after GCSE, and the worst entry rates to selective universities, for disadvantaged young people. Lower educational aspirations correlate to lower academic attainment, lower employment outcomes and lower prosperity for the region.

BURSARIES IN NUMBERS

OV E R 3 75

225

49%

INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS HAVE RECEIVED SOME FORM OF RGS BURSARY, SINCE THE BURSARY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN 2002.

BOYS AND GIRLS APPLIED FOR A BURSARY PLACE.

INCREASE ON THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

72 RGS BURSARY STUDENTS CURRENTLY IN THE SCHOOL, WITH A PLANNED INCREASE TO 78 STUDENTS IN SEPTEMBER 2019.

starting in September 2019

WITH FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR ONLY 21 OF THESE 225 CHILDREN, DEMAND IS OUTSTRIPPING OUR AVAILABLE FUNDING 11:1.

To secure a 100% bursary, students need to have outstanding academic ability and their families need to have a total household income of less than £34,125.

Applications for bursary places come from across the length and breadth of the North East region, from Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton and Sunderland. For entry in September 2019, the highest number of applicants came from:

9 1%

33%

17%

13%

AVERAGE AMOUNT OF BURSARY GIVEN.

WEST NEWCASTLE

GATESHEAD

Benwell, Blakelaw, Elswick, Denton, Fenham, Scotswood, Westgate, Westerhope and Wingrove.

Bensham, Bill Quay, Dunston, Felling, Leam Lane, Pelaw and Springwell.

CENTRAL & EAST NEWCASTLE

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Byker, Longbenton, Walker and Wallsend.

BURSARY STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENTS In the past seven years alone:

85 BURSARY STUDENTS HAVE GAINED

>

2 71 A-LEVELS, OF WHICH

>

164 WERE A OR A*

The top chosen topics of study at university by bursary students are:

13% 10% 9% 8% 6% 6% 5% 4% 4% 4%

Medicine Law Mathematics Engineering Economics Psychology Biology Chemistry Classics English Bursary students have gone on to study

In the past six years alone,

271

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different courses at university, from Ancient History to Veterinary Medicine.

bursary students have progressed to Oxford or Cambridge.

THE BURSARY CAMPAIGN IN NUMBERS

£7, 30 0,0 0 0

892

THE BURSARY CAMPAIGN HAS RAISED TO DATE (2001/2002 TO 2017/2018).

UNIQUE DONORS HAVE GIVEN TO THE BURSARY CAMPAIGN SINCE 2002.

31

£ 3 .9 m

£1

£500k

PEOPLE HAVE DONATED LEGACIES TO THE BURSARY CAMPAIGN.

FUNDS HELD IN RESERVE FOR BURSARIES.

SMALLEST SINGLE GIFT.

LARGEST SINGLE GIFT.

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EACH ONE HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE.

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THE BURSARY CAMPAIGN IN NUMBERS

47

20

PEOPLE HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY MAY MAKE A PROVISION FOR THE BURSARY CAMPAIGN IN THEIR WILL.

INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES OR ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE FELLOWS OF RGS, IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE BURSARY CAMPAIGN.

4

23

VOLUNTEERS HAVE CHAIRED THE BURSARY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.

INDIVIDUALS HAVE DONATED THEIR TIME TO SIT ON THE BURSARY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.

£832,000

THE COST OF BURSARIES

TO FUND ALL BURSARIES IN 2017/2018.

£13 , 69 1 ONE FULL SENIOR SCHOOL BURSARY COST.

£78 ONE DAY’S SENIOR SCHOOL BURSARY COST.

> >

£10,952 IF AN INDIVIDUAL DONATES BY GIFT AID, AND THEIR NET GIFT IS £10,952; RGS CAN CLAIM A FURTHER £2,738 AT NO EXTRA COST TO THE DONOR.

£62 IF AN INDIVIDUAL DONATES BY GIFT AID, THEIR NET GIFT IS £62; RGS CAN CLAIM A FURTHER £16 AT NO EXTRA COST TO THE DONOR.

£2

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AS LITTLE AS £2 A MONTH CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE.

REGULAR DIRECT DEBIT DONORS FUND 3.5 BURSARIES EACH YEAR.

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B E F O R E T H E C A M PA I G N

BY PROFESSOR TOM GUTTERIDGE (63-70)

“When I was at RGS, it was a Direct Grant Grammar School and without that support my parents could never have sent me there. Most of my friends from that time benefitted from grants too.”

I

attended the first ON Newcastle dinner shortly after the Tony Blair government scrapped the Assisted Places scheme, it was the first time I’d been back to the school since I left in 1970*.

In his speech the Headmaster James Miller (94-08) told us about how this decision would impact the RGS. He was very worried. A substantial proportion of the school intake benefited from that scheme, which enabled bright boys from poorer backgrounds to come to the school. I was shocked by the effect it would have not just on the school, but on the North East as a whole: RGS students made such an important contribution to life in the region at every level, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if only the children of the rich flowed through in the future. When I was at RGS, it was a Direct Grant Grammar School and without that support my parents could never have sent me there.

Most of my friends from that time benefitted from grants too.

After the dinner I took James aside and offered to provide bursaries for three boys for their entire 7-year schooling.

In return, I had three conditions: my gifts would be anonymous; I wanted copies of all their school reports so I could see how they were getting on; finally, the RGS should establish a Bursary scheme with the aim of providing bursaries to at least 97 more children, making 100 in all.

Funding would cease if the school failed to do this. James agreed.

I still have some of their school reports.

One even wrote me the sweetest thankyou note when he eventually left the school for a very good university (I don’t think he ever knew my name, but I treasure the letter).

I also have a letter from James dated October 2000, enclosing the boys’ reports, where he promised that ‘raising enough money for bursaries is going to be a major objective in the next few years’. The Bursary Campaign was launched after that. * I was with two ON friends (neither of them were actually at school with me between us we spanned 21 years at the RGS). On a whim, we had dared each other to go to the dinner — it was the first time back for all of us. We spent a wild weekend staying in the Copthorne (I know, ‘wild’ and ‘Copthorne’ are not frequently used in the same sentence), driving around our old haunts – getting misty eyed over the sight of the Long Pier at Tynemouth, the locations of our first trysts with reluctant girlfriends, – we behaved like naughty schoolboys. Paul Campbell (70-77) was one of those friends, and the trip clearly had an effect on him, for he upped sticks from London and moved his family back to Northumberland, started a business in Gateshead and became an RGS Governor. I stayed down south, went to Hollywood, and only returned to Newcastle ten years later (I’m back working in California now).

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MY BURSARY STORY

CHRISTIAN G A R D N E R (00-07)

O

ne of the best gifts I ever received has been an education at RGS. I come from a single parent family and education was of huge importance for my mum. Unfortunately she could never afford the fees of a top independent school, but was encouraged to nominate me for a bursary place.

Thankfully, due to the generosity of Sir Peter Ogden (through The Ogden Trust) and The Hospital of St Mary the Virgin Trust, I was able to attend RGS on a bursary.

I went on to study at Newcastle University, gaining an Economics degree. On graduating, I entered the Financial Services Industry, joining a relatively small local finance firm.

Whilst there, I became an expert in a relatively

“It was only after I started my first job that I began to realise how my time at RGS had helped me in so many ways: I had confidence, ambition, self-respect, and respect for others.”

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niche field of investments and wrote a textbook on my specialist area for the largest exam board in Financial Services, Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

Currently, I work for True Potential, a Fin Tech firm based in Newcastle which works with around 20% of UK Financial Advisers and their clients. I am the Senior Pension Transfer Specialist within the Wealth Management division, and was awarded the Young Achiever of the Year Award in 2017 from the Newcastle Chartered Insurance Institute, in recognition of my progress within the industry.

It was only after I started my first job that I began to realise how my time at RGS had helped me in so many ways: I had

confidence, ambition, self-respect, and respect for others. All qualities instilled in me thanks to RGS. How different my life could have been if I hadn’t been accepted into RGS. I don’t think many young people consider the type of education they are receiving, how it can be different from one school to the next, or, what impact the quality of the education you receive can have on your life.

A bursary at RGS enables young people, like me, to access the very best quality of education, creating life-changing opportunities.

MY BURSARY STORY

K AT Y S I LV E R M A N (06-08)

M

usic has always been a massive part of my life, and played a significant part in why I applied for a RGS bursary.

My previous school sadly didn’t have great music provision; we didn’t even have regular rehearsals for choir. Looking round RGS at an Open Day, I remember the orchestra performing and knew immediately that I wanted to come to this school. One of the Music Teachers took time to speak to me and my mum and reassured us that bursary support might be available.

I didn’t know what to expect of the school, but from the very beginning, I had a brilliant time. My Upper Sixth buddy looked after me during my first few weeks, and became a good friend throughout my time at RGS. I got involved in a variety of activities, including choirs, orchestras, cookery club, trampolining, voluntary service and plenty more. There was so much choice, and if there wasn’t something, you would be encouraged to set something up! I was also supported to go on school trips, travelling abroad for choir tours and to

see Shakespeare plays. My self-confidence grew as I was given the opportunity to take part in music and sports I enjoyed, and also took on the role of a Prefect, which came with plenty of responsibility. I also volunteered within the Junior School and at a local primary school; I’m sure these experiences influenced my career as I now work with children in choirs and music lessons.

I applied to study Music at Oxford University and gained an Organ Scholarship at Worcester College, something I don’t think would have happened without the great teaching and support I received at RGS. After graduation I later went on to complete a Masters at the Royal College of Music. I now work in London as an Organist, Conductor and Teacher, and am passionate about broadening access to music for those who would not have the opportunities otherwise.

“I am so grateful to all of you who support the RGS Bursary Campaign, as I really believe that my time at RGS has changed my life and set me on the lifepath I am on.”

I am so grateful to all of you who support the RGS Bursary Campaign, as I really believe that my time at RGS has changed my life and set me on the life-path I am on.

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MY BURSARY STORY

SCARLETT M I L L I G A N (09-11)

“Being an ON is a lifelong affiliation, and I will be happy if I can give back just a fraction of what RGS gave to me. As a bursary holder, I know that I owe a substantial amount of my success to my time at RGS, and the generosity of the donor who supported my bursary.”

A

s a Barrister, I find myself privy to some of the most intricate and interesting aspects of our society, and individual lives. For example, I am currently a Junior Barrister for the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and have previously worked with more senior Barristers on larger cases, including: the Supreme Court judicial review of employment tribunal fees; challenges to the legality of state benefits and immigration policies; and inquests investigating the role of our state in individual deaths.

Where does RGS come into all of this?

Well in truth, I have always had good grades and been argumentative (in a good way, I like to tell myself), but when I arrived at the RGS I was yet to learn how to apply those traits productively.

At RGS my arguments were challenged by those who were more intelligent and articulate than me, which forced me to focus on the loopholes of my logic, preempting the rebuttal. For the first time, I was not merely taught the syllabus and how to pass an exam, but actually taught the subject; I was taught to think more broadly, to consider cultural and philosophical references, and to generally expand my horizons.

I now use these skills every day: for example, when I am digging for material to persuade a judge why a policy should be declared lawful or unlawful. I will often utilise broader

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philosophical, political and moral notions, all of which govern a surprising amount of our daily lives (political or otherwise).

Or when I am cross-examining a witness: I try to plan several questions ahead, planting tripwires and nuggets of undermining material.

It would be a great injustice not to mention the people that make up the RGS. I attended the Sixth Form, which were two of the best years of my life, and certainly the best two years of my education. I have made lifelong friends, from whom I have learnt a great deal, and I am a better person for knowing them.

Being an ON is a lifelong affiliation, and I will be happy if I can give back just a fraction of what that RGS gave to me. As a bursary holder, I know that I owe a substantial amount of my success to my time at RGS, and the generosity of the donor who supported my bursary.

MY BURSARY STORY

M A RT I N D I C K S O N (10-12)

“RGS was a tough learning curve, but the work ethic it instilled in me has me set up for life.”

I

t is difficult to overstate what impact my RGS bursary has had on my life and career.

I went to a state school until the Sixth Form, was always top of my class, and thought I’d have no issue getting a place at a top university. Within a few days of being at RGS, I realised that was a naïve view. At RGS, I was introduced to an environment where the calibre of teaching – and general conversation amongst students – was such that I consistently felt challenged, both in the classroom and in my extra-curricular endeavours. I was taught by Teachers who knew what I needed to do to get into top universities beyond anything I had realised, was surrounded by students who were engaged with current affairs that I had never experienced in people of my age, and was studying in an environment where I was encouraged to realise my potential beyond what I thought I was able to achieve.

I left RGS to realise my dream of studying Law at Oxford University. I graduated three years later with a First Class honours degree and awards for two of my modules. Even if I had been able to get to Oxford without first moving to RGS, which is very far from certain, I wouldn’t have been prepared for the kind of academic study that was required to excel. RGS was a tough learning curve, but the work ethic it instilled in me has me set up for life.

a bursary. Ever since the RGS Economics tour, and in particular the visit to the then UK competition regulator, I had wanted to practise this area of Law. Had I not made the connections I did at RGS, and subsequently gone on to start my legal career at Square One Law in Jesmond, the door to City law firms would perhaps never have opened.

In September, I qualified as a Solicitor, working in the London office of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, having spent two years on a training programme in both London and Washington DC. I am now an Associate in what is widely recognised as the worldleading competition law practice, advising clients on antitrust aspects of their businesses. Even still, I owe some degree of responsibility to my time at RGS, which would not have been possible without

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MY BURSARY STORY

J AC K I E C H U I (06-13)

“The kindness and generosity of individuals and associations who contribute to the Bursary Campaign is inspirational, and receiving such kindness is humbling.”

W

ithout an RGS bursary, it would not have been feasible for me to study at RGS, and for that, I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to the Bursary Campaign.

It was my dream to become a Doctor, and thanks to my bursary, I had the opportunity and support to apply to study medicine at Newcastle University.

The academic environment at RGS was both challenging and stimulating, with Teachers being knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

They were not only supportive, but very

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encouraging of my dreams and pursuits. For this, a lot of my achievements are attributed to them. I wasn’t discriminated against, because of being a bursary student, which meant I could study on my own merits and had all of the same opportunities as the rest of my classmates.

I made lifelong friends; expanded my love of languages by learning Latin; joined unique clubs and societies, such as dance, choir and Amnesty International; was involved in school productions including Jesus Christ Superstar, The Tempest and Les Miserables; volunteered for The Blind Society;

completed my Duke of Edinburgh awards; and went on invaluable trips such as the China Exchange, World Challenge to Ethiopia, and choir tours. All of this helped me become a mature and wellrounded person, and my love for global health has surely come from my experiences at RGS as well.

The kindness and generosity of individuals and associations who contribute to the Bursary Campaign is inspirational, and receiving such kindness is humbling. Thank you so much, you really change lives such as mine, and I will be forever grateful to you.

MY BURSARY STORY

CRISTINA C H U I (07-13)

“I will be forever grateful to all those involved with the Bursary Campaign and for the immeasurable help they have given me.”

M

y RGS bursary allowed me to fully access and experience all the opportunities RGS has to offer without the financial burden and stress for my mother.

and I also gave back to the community by being a member of the Amnesty International Society.

it also gave me opportunities to connect with people who have varying interests and make truly wonderful friends.

I never felt that my financial background separated me from my peers or hindered me from taking unmissable opportunities giving me the confidence to take these when I could.

The academic support I received both from the knowledgeable Teachers and the resources available at RGS was absolutely critical, but it was the encouragement of Teachers and staff who helped me apply to study Classics at Oxford University, where I am today.

The kindness and immense generosity of the donors, whom I have never met, are particularly inspiring to me, and I always endeavour to pass on this kindness to others and continue their generosity. I will be forever grateful to all those involved with the Bursary Campaign and for the immeasurable help they have given me.

I went on many school trips, from Classics to Biology excursions, I was part of the Senior Prefect team and the Classics Prefect team,

Being able to immerse myself in both the academic and extra-curricular activities not only developed my ability as a student, but

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E VO LU T I O N O F F E E A S S I S TA N C E AT R G S Although 375 students have accessed the RGS bursary scheme since its creation, thousands more bright young people from across the North East were able to attend the school on earlier schemes. ONs and RGS staff reflect back on the various forms of fee assistance over the years.

RGS BURSARY SCHEME

1998 TO DATE

DIRECT GRANT SCHEME

ASSISTED PLACES SCHEME

1945-1976

1980-1997

Between the introduction of the 1944 Education Act and 1976, some 200 schools were part of the Direct Grant Grammar Schools scheme, including RGS. The scheme was a modification of an existing Direct Grant scheme, established in 1907, for privately endowed schools. The aim was to allow access for bright children who had spent at least two years in state primary schools to the most academic institutions in the land. A minimum of 25% of places would be reserved for such students and the fees paid for by the government. These ‘scholarship’ places at RGS were awarded solely on academic performance in special entrance exams. Dissatisfaction with the education system grew in the 50s, when many parts of the world moved from selective education to comprehensive schools. The debate continued until the 1975 Direct Grant Grammar Schools (Cessation of Grant) Regulation required schools to choose whether to become local authority maintained comprehensive schools, or independent schools without grant. At this point, the Direct Grant was phased out, along with it, sadly, the broad social mix of the school.

Following the phasing out of the Direct Grant Scheme, the Assisted Places Scheme was introduced in 1980 by the Conservative Government to provide a ‘ladder of opportunity for academically able students from poor homes’. Over the next 17 years, more than 75,000 young people received means tested assistance from public funds to attend the most selective and prestigious private schools.

RGS entered wholeheartedly into the scheme and as a result there are many ONs who benefitted from the Assisted Places Scheme over the years. At the scheme’s peak this amounted to around a quarter of RGS students across the whole of the Senior School. Many of the students – and indeed the Teachers who taught them – had no idea they were being assisted in this way.

The scheme was eventually abolished when New Labour came to power in 1997, though the Senior School boys already in the scheme were able to continue through to the end of their education at RGS.

David Kemp (53-60)

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Sylvia R Lambert Retired Fees Clerk (83-02)

The first 14 bursaries were awarded in 1998, predominantly to RGS Junior School pupils who would otherwise lose their Assisted Places funding on transition to the Senior School.

From 2002 when the Bursary Campaign was launched the bursary student population has varied according to the amount of donations raised each year – at one point reaching 100 students – albeit averaging around 80 pupils at any one point.

At the school, I have the unenviable task of processing bursary applications.

This year alone we received applications from 225 bursary families, representing a 49% increase on the previous year; all wonderful young people from some of the most deprived areas of the City.

The few bursary places we have available each year are highly coveted; students must demonstrate outstanding academic ability and pass a rigorous interview process. Simultaneously, a robust financial assessment is undertaken, many of our bursary applicants then receive a home visit from our Outreach Manager. The process is extensive, through which I am confident that we identify the most deserving young people, to which we will make a transformational difference.

Our bursary students’ identity is completely confidential while they are in the school, they experience the RGS as any other student would. As one student told me, “At RGS I am judged on my talent and my personality, not from where I came”. Deciding who the lucky few will be is the most difficult task, yet the most rewarding.

Aimee Finlay Finance Officer

JEAN ROSS RETIRES

BY DR SIMON BARKER HEAD OF ENGLISH Jean Ross retired after 14 years as an RGS English Teacher, the last seven also as the Head of Year 11, in 2008. It was a highly imaginative move to offer her a new role in retirement as Outreach Manager – someone to really make sure that our bursary scheme was working at its very best.

“It brings tears to your eyes and breaks your heart that we just don’t have enough money to go around.”

T

he abolition of the Assisted Places Scheme, which had facilitated something of the free grammar school principle on which the RGS was founded, was a genuine loss to the school.

It had fostered a social mix and provided a quality of opportunity to students who would not otherwise have had that benefit. The bursary scheme that has replaced it seeks to recover those values.

A moral integrity has been at the heart of Jean’s understanding of her role for the last ten years: we have ‘a duty to share our privilege’, as she puts it. A bursary is an enormous enrichment to its recipient; the recipient is an enormous enrichment to the school community, which is why it has to be a human process and not a spreadsheet exercise.

Fundamental to her philosophy is that we owe it to our generous donors to make sure that available bursaries are going to the students who will benefit the most, and need it the most. This has been her rigour and has been firmly cemented in her ten year role. She has interviewed all bursary applicants and their parents; in the Sixth Form, she has made a home visit to all applicants. Jean, alongside her colleagues in establishing what she and Tom Keenan (Head of Sixth Form) call ‘a scale of deserving’, made their core value the students who would benefit from the ‘most life-changing opportunity’. That’s a phrase to linger over at the heart of the bursary mission, which she has firmly grounded.

The best person to enact this role is someone who knows the RGS as a working, teaching institution; someone who has a knowledge of the social fabric of the school, and who knows where a student will find a niche; someone to meet the student and their family on their own ground. Of course, Jean has all of these human qualities in spades. She tells me, when I ask about her greatest disappointment in the role, that ‘it brings tears to your eyes and breaks your heart’ that we just don’t have enough money to go around. Richard Metcalfe, the Bursar who appointed her, expressed it with more humour: ‘The reports which followed each interview and visit were always succinct and highly informative. The fact that most ended with a summary to the effect that the child would almost certainly benefit from coming

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to the RGS had a mixed reception in school — joy from the Head of Year who had first spotted the applicant’s potential, but more apprehension from a Yorkshire Bursar who might have hoped that a Scot of all people would share his reluctance to commit quite so much of the limited support available’.

When pressed, she concedes that she sought to bring a ‘comforting bridge’ to the role. That is clearly felt by a current bursary recipient, who writes: ‘a few minutes into the interview I was calmed down because of how warm Mrs Ross was: it made me feel like I was talking to someone I knew genuinely wanted to know more about me.

During our conversation she was very empathetic and understanding. She came across as a very friendly and caring human being. I don’t remember thinking that way about someone ten minutes after I have met them! It really was a great exemplar of the tone of the RGS, which makes me excited to be there, but equally, sad that it is my last year’.

In her ten years as Outreach Manager, Jean has made sure we have got it right: right in making sure that the generous financial contributions are going to the most deserving of students; right as an advocate for students, whose parents might not have made an academic education a priority. In carving out this new role, she leaves the most wonderful paradigm for her successor.

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RGS BURSARIES

LOOKING AHEAD

BY JULIE DRUMMOND CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

I do hope that ONs enjoy reading this special edition of the ONA Magazine, which is dedicated to the success of RGS bursaries. There is so much to celebrate, so many lives have been transformed by the scheme. My personal mission is for us to do more for the region and give more gifted children the opportunity to have an exceptional education here at RGS.

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very day I see with my own eyes the positive difference that bursaries make; not only the profound impact on the individual bursary holders, but the ‘multiplier effect’ of the cultural benefit of a broad social mix of students.

I see our bursary students succeeding across the school each and every day.

Their identity is completely confidential, known by very few of us – yet each time I see an achievement my chest swells with pride.

I wish I could bottle that pride and pass it on to the many ONs who personally support these students’ education.

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The magazine rightly focusses on success, but I can’t end without reflecting on those who weren’t accepted, who, in a slidingdoor moment of fate, missed out on one of our too few, highly coveted bursary places.

The odds are fairly bleak for our applicants; this year we had 225 bursary applicants for 21 new places in the school.

Yes, I wholeheartedly know that we’ll change the lives of the 21, but I can’t help but feel the enormous frustration of those turned away. How might the trajectory of their lives be completely altered by a place? Too many of these young people outperform their fee-paying peers’ performance, yet are denied a place due to their families’ household income.

“We are careful guardians of every precious donation, each and every gift makes a transformational difference.”

The alternative options for a highly academic education in the North East are limited, until this is addressed then RGS retains a critical niche role in nurturing the most talented young people from our region, irrespective of their background.

My closing message is one of thanks, to those who play their part in changing lives, and a plea to continue this support. We are careful guardians of every precious

donation, each and every gift makes a transformational difference.

It’s not just the eye wateringly large donations which count, our regular donors fund over three bursaries a year.

I was recently reminded of the power of every single gift when one of our domestic staff committed £1 a month from her salary. If they can do that then please, so can you.

Please continue this support, and I encourage you to get in touch with Susan Beck, Director of Development at s.beck@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk if you’d like to add your name to those who support the next generation through the Bursary Campaign.

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WHY I GIVE

BY GRAHAM WARD (74-81)

I set up a standing order a few years back, to give a small amount each month to the Bursary Campaign, as a thank you for the benefits I have had in life from attending RGS.

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ack in 1974 when I joined RGS, it was a very different world, and I was one of many who attended on the, then, free-place scholarship. My brother Liam (1973-80) had the same benefit the year before, and from our Langley Avenue Junior School in West Monkseaton, I think there were seven or eight of us who passed the entrance exam in two years. I think we might have all been on a scholarship.

Needless to say, the education at RGS and opportunity to develop as an individual was fantastic, and I still use much of what I learnt at school, especially foreign languages on holiday.

Perhaps the greatest impact on my life however, was being introduced to rugby union. Having arrived at RGS as an ardent (and reasonable) footballer, I remember my distress on learning that there was no football AT ALL! I'm absolutely certain that if it hadn't been for my scholarship, I would never have played rugby. Of the many sports teachers, my fondest memories are of learning rugby from the late, great John Elders (57-82 and 92-96), and where the sport has taken me. After school, I played colts rugby at Gosforth, before moving to Novocastrians, where I am now in my first year as President.

I captained the club from 1988 to 1990, and was lucky enough to play for Northumberland including at Twickenham in the 1995 County Championship Final.

Now retired, I was a Police Officer with Northumbria Police, and represented the British Police on a number of occasions, playing with a whole host of internationals including Dean Richards and our very own Jim Pollock (67-77).

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Graham (centre) and sons Chris (L), former Games Teacher (17-18) and Jonny (R) at Novos RFC

Various rugby tours and matches over the years have taken me all around the UK and Europe, and also to Canada.

In 2013, my retirement present to myself and my two sons, Jonny and Chris (former Games Teacher, 17-18), was to go to Australia for the British Lions tour, taking in all three tests of the winning series. I think it’s safe to say, that without rugby, my experience of life and the world would have been very different indeed. And I would never have met the hundreds, probably thousands of people who have become

friends through the wonderful sport.

So, thank you RGS, and thank you to the scholarship that took me there.

Jonny and Chris both share my love for rugby. I would have loved to have been able to afford to pay for them to also attend RGS, but that wasn’t to be. What I have been able to do in later life however, is to donate a modest amount each month to the Bursary Campaign, in the hope that I can help even in a small way for a child to be able to attend RGS, and like me, have life-changing experiences.

NEWS & CONGRATULATIONS

CAPITAL GAINS

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n 14 February 2019, a group of ONs gave up their evening to support RGS U6 students, on the 24th annual Economics Trip to London.

Lord Timothy Kirkhope of Harrogate (53-62) generously hosted the students on a tour of the Houses of Parliament; the timing couldn’t have been better, the group arrived in Central Lobby just minutes after the Prime Minister had been defeated in the latest Brexit vote. After the tour, our U6 Economics students were joined by 20 ONs who generously chatted with students. It was a lovely example of our ONs giving back their time, ideas and advice to the next generation. The following day, the students were thrilled to be hosted by former RGS Economics student, Dr Nicholas Fawcett (93-00) and now Senior Global Economist in the Global Investment Research Division of Goldman Sachs.

We are most grateful to all ONs who continue to donate time to give talks and careers advice to current RGS students. If you too would like to be part of giving back to the next generation, please do contact the Development Office at development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

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NEWS & CONGRATULATIONS THE ART OF MUSIC

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n 2017 I was asked to paint a portrait of the late John Gavin Scott, LVO (1956-2015), world-renowned organist and choirmaster for Saint Thomas Choir School, New York.

The portrait was unveiled in summer 2018 at Saint Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue in New York City. It was a wonderful occasion all round and a delightful conclusion to an immensely fulfilling project. The love and respect for the man and his talent was palpable throughout the making of the painting but the uniformly positive response from those who knew him both personally

and professionally was immensely satisfying and genuinely rather moving.

Since leaving RGS in 2001 I received my BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Camberwell College of The Arts, London, before studying the traditional techniques of drawing and painting in Florence, Italy for three years at the Florence Academy of Arts. I now live and work in New York, where I take portrait commissions internationally as well as working on personal artistic projects.

Benjamin’s portrait of the late John Gavin Scott, LVO

Benjamin Arnold (94-01) www.benjaminarnold.com

Joel Dickinson (91-01)

We were delighted to spot Joel Dickinson (91-01), Deputy President of the ONA in the February edition of the North East Times (Director, John Duns (76-81).

He revealed how the skills of the team have helped develop the 140-year-old business of Karpet Mills where he is Operations Director.

VIENNA REUNION couple of years ago whilst Robin Terrell (56-66) was visiting us from Atlanta we had a weekend on Fraser Island. Over a couple of bottles of decentish Australian red we had the brilliant idea of having a reunion of our small, close knit, but an internationally spread group of old school friends to celebrate our 70th birthdays in 2018. We thought that we should meet on the 48th parallel (48 being our year of birth)

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on 11 November 2018 (Robin’s birthday but also the 100th anniversary of the armistice). So we all met up at the appointed date in Vienna where an excellent time was had by all. Although all looking a bit older, it is remarkable how little we have really changed over the 50 plus years since we left RGS. Malcolm Rough (59-66)

Above: anticlockwise from bottom right Malcolm Rough, Danny Shapiro (65-66), Geoff Hayton (53-66) and Robin Terrell (56-66) with wives Cathy, Glen, Sue and Toshi

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Keith Noble-Nesbitt (97-01) recently wrote, ‘I was surprised to see in ONA Magazine (Issue 104) that Sir Gregory Winter (64-69) had won a Nobel Prize. Not because he’d won the Nobel Prize, which I’d seen already, but because he’s an ON. I had no idea, even though I spent a year living opposite his room on a university staircase 15 years ago. I was sharing a flat with Andy Wong (92-99) and when my uncle visited, Tim Goodwin (44-54) it seems the place was positively teeming with us!’

Congratulations to Alex Ball (08-14) who was selected to be a part of the Scottish Students Rugby squad that played Ireland on 10 February.

JOHN ELDERS MEMORIAL MATCH REPORT NOVOS 19 v 39 ONA CHRIS WARD (FORMER GAMES TEACHER 17-18) NOVOS RFC

Isaac Robinson (06-17) carries the ball for Novos against Olly Hancock (06-17) of Old Novos

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nother year, another festive game, and another terrific turn out for the fourth annual John Elders Memorial Game.

Novos had seemingly assembled their strongest ever squad for this fixture with a large and ready pack of forwards (including the likes of Sydney Rays’ Alex Westgarth). Alas, various players dropped out on the day and Novos were left with only six regular backs to fulfil the fixture. Novos had dominated the early passages of the game, understandably keeping the ball in the tight! Yet ‘Vos found themselves 15-0 down after three quick ONA tries in a ten-minute passage of play turned the game on its head. Finlay McGowan (00-09) scored a sucker-punch brace and Timmy Welsh touched down with the other. Novos kept the pressure on and were winning the forwards battle.

Just before half time, their efforts were rewarded with a penalty try from a scrum, pegging the score back to 15-7.

The game was well poised as the referee blew for the start of the second half, but the larger ONA squad (coached by Daryl Baker and Nick Richardson (03-13), was efficiently rotated throughout the half; putting Novos to the sword. The pace of

the ONA’s backs changed the game as Sam Chrisp (11-16) and Isaac Robinson (06-17) crossed the whitewash early on for the ONA; ending the game as a contest. Robinson also very nearly scored for Novos after changing sides halfway through the second half, but it wasn’t to be! Novos did hit back with a try of their own but the ONA’s retort was of scintillating passages of play as they kept the ball alive with quick offloads.

The ONA entered the final moments 3912 ahead before the most bizarre of dénouements! Novos, against a strong wind, kept the ball and inched defiantly into the ONA’s half. Suddenly, cartoonesque double takes were simultaneously acted out by all in attendance at Sutherland Park. Referee, Dave Charlton collected the ball from the base of a ruck, pirouetted to shield the ball from the ONA players and set up a driving maul! The ONA, bemused and struggling to stop a maul that quickly built up a head of steam, attempted to sack it, resulting in the referee awarding himself a penalty try! It was a joyous moment that brought cheers from all on the balcony and reminds us all why we play rugby. We hope to see you again this year.

A STRANGE COINCIDENCE

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thought that perhaps fellow ONs might be interested in something I spotted in The Northumbrian.

Michael Conzen (52-62), the author of the published letters, and I were friends at school.

In 1955, we were both members of Form 2:2, and our friendship lasted until we both left to go to university. In my case, in 1962, I moved over the road to the Geography Department at King's College. I lost contact with Michael after that, but found that my tutor in the Geography Department, was his father, Professor Conzen. I was also intrigued to see a review in a recent edition of the same magazine concerning a book published by the Alnwick Civic Society celebrating the role of Professor Conzen and others in saving the historic core of Alnwick from the developers in the 60s.

As a consequence of seeing this review, as my letter explains in the magazine, I was able to get in touch with Michael in the USA. Quite an achievement, I’m sure you will agree.

Quite by coincidence, too, the August edition of the same magazine had an article about the engraver Thomas Bewick and showed a photograph of David Bolam (52-62), who, like Michael and I, was also a student in Form 2:2 in 1955.

And in the latest edition of the ONA Magazine, my wife and I were interested to read the article about George Pallister (26-66) and other former RGS staff. Laurence (53-63), George’s son, read Geography at Reading, along with my wife and we sometimes see him down here in Wiltshire at university reunions, which my wife hosts.

Your records will show that I was Secretary of the ONA, under the late Bill Weeks’ (35-44) chairmanship from 1965 until 1965 when I moved southwards to pursue a career in teaching and local government.

Phil Jefferson (55-62)

STAY CONNECTED There are plenty of Old Novos social media groups around, but we have our own groups. Join us by becoming a fan of the Old Novocastrians Association Facebook page and LinkedIn Group Old Novocastrians’ Association (RGS Newcastle).

Fortiter Defendit Triumphans

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OBITUARIES ROWLAND HILL (43-48) BORN 14 MARCH 1932, DIED 1 JANUARY 2019, AGED 86

final batch of boys under ER Thomas (2248), and became the first Sixth Former to leave under his successor, keen to join the Army which he duly did becoming a Corporal Instructor in the Royal Engineers, where he remembered ordering other ONs under his command to clean his bicycle.

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ur father, (Thomas) Rowland Hill, died after a long illness, in Oxfordshire, aged 86. He was the senior living member of our family to have attended the school.

There were many. Our earliest ancestors at the school are believed to have been the Lilburn brothers, ‘Freeborn’ John Lilburn (dates unknown),(the pamphleteer, leader of the Levellers, famously tried by Star Chamber), and Robert Lilburn (dates unknown), (later Governor of Newcastle and one of the regicides who signed the death warrant for Charles I), both at the school in the 1620s. Many other members of the family later attended the school, including three generations of brothers, our grandfather Thomas Geoffrey Coulson Hill (11-16) and his eldest brother Walter Hill (01-07), who came with the school from Rye Hill to Jesmond, and later served as a Royal Naval Officer in both World Wars, falling in 1940 and commemorated on the Memorial on the school organ, our father and his younger brother David Hill (50-54), and both of us. Our cousin, James Keith (96-06), was the most recent family member at the school. So we have a proud RGS history, and our father was especially attached to the memory and heroism of his Uncle Walter.

Rowland was a Penrith evacuee 1943-44, and later excelled in running and as an Army cadet. He took his School Certificate in the

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Offered a regular commission at the end of National Service, illness forced a re-think and he entered business in London, soon rising to become a Managing Director by his mid-twenties, running Expandex in Biggleswade. He had by this time met our mother Shirley, they married in 1957 and settled in Hertfordshire, where we were born. The prospect of breaking the family tradition of sons attending the school was saved when we moved north to Ponteland (where Rowland lived as a boy, having been born in Monkseaton) in 1969. He took over the management of the office equipment firm founded by his father in Mosley Street, Newcastle in 1932, though by this time the family had lost control of the business.

Undeterred, Rowland built up Thos. Hill Ltd (later Hill International) into a thriving group of companies selling business systems, and pioneering the early use of office computers which made Rowland a rival for Amstrad, owned by Alan Sugar. Fortunately, Amstrad was less dominant in the North East, and Rowland spent his career nurturing the company and ultimately buying it back and becoming Chairman. Meanwhile, throughout our attendance at the school during the 70s and 80s, Rowland was a faithful presence at every Penrith Reunion, which he continued until ill health recently forced a halt.

Inspired by memories of cross-country running whilst at the school, Rowland became a fine distance runner throughout adult life, the half marathon being his favoured distance. He was still running when he sold the family business and retired at the end of the 90s, by which time he had married for a second time, to Karen.

Together, they celebrated Rowland’s 70th birthday by running sections of the Great Wall of China as part of an international team. Around this time, they left his beloved Northumberland (where they lived in Abbey Farm, Mitford) and settled in Marlow and then Hambleden. Quieter years followed, and ill-health beset Rowland’s late 70s and 80s. However, he used his life membership of the East India Club until very recently (where the ONA held the 2018 London Dinner), he never tired of talking about the school, Penrith and life at home in the North, and he was impeccably dressed until two weeks before the end.

He was a complicated man, always driven to succeed in business, yet ultimately at home with pencil and notebook; he was a very talented artist from schooldays onward. He is survived by his first and second wives, and by his four grandchildren.

Max Hill (72-82) and Tom Hill (76-86)

CATRIONA ‘CAT’ DUFF (07-09) BORN 8 JANUARY 1991, DIED 5 AUGUST 2018, AGED 27

part in World Challenge in Kyrgyzstan. Cat relished a challenge and, on a family tour of New Zealand for instance, did not hesitate to take, along with brother Hamish (05-10), the third highest bungy jump in the world at Nevis Gorge.

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ur daughter, Catriona (‘Cat’) Duff, died suddenly following an epileptic seizure, aged 27, in Dundee where she lived and worked.

Her condition had only recently been diagnosed and she was impatient to regain her driving licence, which she had been obliged to surrender, and was looking forward to fulfilling the role of Matron of Honour at the wedding of her friend, Stacey Corkhill (07-09), in just three weeks time.

Her family was stunned.

Cat started her school career at Mill Hill School when Jackie and I were working in London, travelling home each weekend to North Northumberland. Even at that stage, Teachers commented upon how caring she was towards others.

The family returned to the North East on a permanent basis, and Cat went on to spend the majority of her formative years at the school across the road, but she was delighted to attend RGS Sixth Form. She threw herself into many pursuits in her two years at the school with her passions ranging from music to art, politics and netball, ultimately as Captain of the school team (she had earlier been a member of the Central Newcastle High School (CNHS) team tour in Australia), she went straight into the first team squad at university. She also took

Cat loved dogs and horses, and exercised friends’ horses at weekends. One of my fondest memories is of a week spent riding with her in different locations each day, from the tops of the Moors to a full gallop on the North Beach of Holy Island.

But where she really excelled was with other people; seeking always to help and brighten others’ days with a smile and a joke or share a burden that would otherwise have been unbearable.

As news of her passing spread, dozens of messages came in from across the world.

The common theme concerned her compassion, consideration for, and kindness to others. Everyone seemed to have experienced her special ability to make them feel loved, needed and important.

One spoke of, “A beautiful soul”. She sometimes travelled considerable distances to be with a friend in an hour of darkness.

her life in Dundee, some travelling from as far away as London. At the gathering afterwards in a local watering hole, two ladies, separately, neither of whom I knew, approached me to relate how Cat had helped the first through, “A really bad patch” and the second, “A crisis”.

Hamish set up a Justgiving page in her name in favour of Epilepsy Scotland. His rugby team, Aberdeen Medics RFC, followed up and have collected hundreds of pounds for the charity already and will continue to fundraise as a club throughout the year.

Aberdeen University Medical Society joined in and nominated the charity as one of two for which they will raise funds this year. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ cat-t-duff One thing is quite clear: Cat was an exceptional human being.

We are inconsolable.

Graham Duff CB (55–66)

Cat called Dundee home for the last nine years. Following university she played to her strengths, obtained a personal licence and entered pub and restaurant management.

She was General Manager of a city centre pub where she was immensely popular but also well equipped to deal with the most difficult of individuals. The ‘local’ feel reminded her of her countryside roots and she saw it as a stepping stone towards achieving her aim of returning to the North East to run her own gastro pub which would play Steps, Blue and Bewitched on a never ending loop.

Evidence of Cat’s popularity, and the loss that people, from all walks of life who had met her, felt so acutely, was manifest in the numbers that attended the Celebration of

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OBITUARIES STUART HALL (58-66) BORN 8 OCTOBER 1946, DIED 27 MARCH 2018, AGED 71

College, Cambridge, to study Geography and, of course, to play for the college football team.

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tuart Hall, born October 1946, died in Yeovil General Hospital following a stroke. Stuart, was born and bred in Hexham, and won a local authority scholarship to go to RGS at the age of 11.

He excelled in sport, particularly football, rugby and cricket. He played for the cricket First XI when he was only 14. He was a bowler, medium paced relying on cunning, accuracy and changes of line and length to get his wickets. His batting was best described as stubborn.

In those days, football was not allowed at RGS – a strictly rugby-playing school, so he had to settle for watching Newcastle United and playing in the local Hexham league.

However, he did bring his footballing skills to the rugby First XV, where, as a centre three-quarter, he often employed the tactic of kicking the ball past his opponents and dribbling it on towards the try line. Apart from surprising the opposition, he argued that he couldn’t be tackled if the ball is at his feet.

He was awarded his Colours for both rugby and cricket and even filled the vacant goalkeeper position in the successful Stowell House Water Polo Team, causing some spectators to speculate whether this was Stuart’s first time in the swimming pool!

He became a Senior Prefect and Head of Stowell and won a place at St Catherine’s

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After graduating he joined Procter and Gamble on their Management Development programme, eventually became Brand Manager. Bold washing powder and Camay soap were two of his marketing campaigns.

Friends were surprised to see Stuart on TV congratulating the winner of the 1974 Miss World contest; Camay were the main sponsors. He was difficult to spot because he had grown a moustache. Apparently this was to make himself look older but, instead, it gave him a very close resemblance to Dickie Davies, the famous presenter of ITV’s World of Sport.

Stuart’s real passion was horseracing and he was a regular at Hexham and Gosforth Park race courses. Whilst in the Sixth Form and supposedly studying for his A levels, he found time to develop his own handicap system for horses in flat races of more than two miles. It was so successful that it lost money in no more than a handful of the next 50+ years. Unsurprisingly, his regular morning papers were Sporting Life and the Racing Post.

His enthusiasm for racing led Stuart to join Extel Services, famous for providing the tannoy system for broadcasting racing commentaries to betting shops. He started as Sales Manager and eventually became Managing Director. It was his dream job as he could earn his living whilst indulging in his hobby. He thrived on being able to meet racehorse owners, trainers and jockeys at race meetings all over the country because he gained valuable information to feed into his handicap system.

Whenever you met Stuart his catch phrases were “Keep an eye on” or “Watch out for”, with the name of a horse or horses that he’d spotted as likely winners. It was your loss if you ignored his advice because his tips were usually winners!

His favourite race course was York and, for many years, he made an annual pilgrimage to the Ebor meeting. It was no coincidence that, at the end of his business career, Stuart and his wife Norma, an accomplished Chef, opened a restaurant in York. This became a well-renowned meeting place for the horse racing fraternity. Norma took charge of the food, leaving Stuart free to concentrate on extracting racing information from the diners whilst serving them fine food and wine. No doubt, this was used to update his betting system!

Norma and Stuart were childhood sweethearts and they married in January 1967, celebrating their golden wedding last year. They retired to Puckeridge in Hertfordshire and had recently moved to Bruton in Somerset.

Stuart is survived by Norma and their two sons, Steven and David and five teenage granddaughters.

Peter Graham (55-65) and Peter Tyrrell (55-65)

PAUL ‘GUY’ HALL (50-57) BORN 11 OCTOBER 1938, DIED 7 DECEMBER 2018, AGED 80

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uy attended RGS in the 50s, commuting into Newcastle each day from Hexham. Towards the end of his time at the school he wrote to the Forestry Commission to enquire about careers. Since he did not receive a reply he became a Vet instead – or so goes the story that he related to his three daughters.

Guy graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon from the University of Edinburgh in 1964, having studied in an era when riding lessons still formed part of the degree syllabus at the Royal (Dick) School of Vetinary Studies.

Whilst a student he undertook summer work with a large pet food manufacturer in Bedford, where one of his least favourite duties was to sample cat food.

FRANCIS WILLIAM BRYAN BREAKEY MBE (37-44) BORN 1926, DIED 6 DECEMBER 2018, AGED 92 ROBERT ‘JEREMY’ AJ CATTO (53-58) BORN 1939, DIED 17 AUGUST 2018, AGED 79

Guy’s first post as a Vet was in Kendal. Here he worked mainly with large animals for five years. This period included the 1967 UK foot and mouth outbreak, during which Guy encountered armed farmers who threatened to draw guns on anyone who dared step on their land, Vets included. In 1968 he moved to Teesside, and soon afterwards became a partner with two other ONs to form Wilkinson, Gale and Hall. In the mid-70s the partnership sold off the large animal side of the practice and, for the remainder of his career, Guy focused on the treatment of small animals, alongside meat inspection.

He returned to Northumberland to retire early in his 50s, maintaining his interests in the protection of wildlife and the veterinary profession up until the final weeks before his death. As such, he campaigned against attempts by the Government to weaken the fox hunting ban, and applied his scientific knowledge to debate the pathology of ulcerative dermal necrosis (salmon disease) with various stakeholders in academia, the salmon farming industry, and the Environment Agency. As a lifelong angler, he also wrote and published on salmon disease in the fishing trade press. As well as fishing, he spent much of his retirement painting, producing anatomically accurate pictures of fresh water fish.

BRYAN HARWOOD (44-52) BORN 1933, DIED 3 NOVEMBER 2018, AGED 85

Alongside his more serious pursuits, he enjoyed hosting parties at which he entertained his family and friends with his eccentric, and sometimes surreal, sense of humour. Memories of dinner in the dining room with jazz blasting out of the speakers will last long in the minds of those who appreciated his generous hospitality, including many of his children’s friends who knew him affectionately as ‘Porky’.

Over the course of his life he also loved to spend time in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne: visiting the galleries and museums; shopping for fishing tackle, art, and antiques; supporting Newcastle United at St James’ Park; and partying in the nightclubs of the 60s and 70s.

Guy is survived by his wife of 56 years (and partner of 65) Marianne, his daughters Hazel, Judith and Sarah, and his grandchildren Paddy and Ailish. He took great joy in the knowledge that two of his direct descendants (Sarah and Paddy) inherited his passion for fishing, and would continue to fish his stretch of the South Tyne after his death.

Professor Hazel Hall

BRIAN YATES (45-55) BORN 1936, DIED 12 APRIL 2018, AGED 82 CORRECTION

MICHAEL ‘MIKE’ LEE OBE (68-75) BORN 1957, DIED 8 SEPTEMBER 2018, AGED 61

ANTHONY W COATES (61-68) BORN 1950, DIED 12 JULY 2018, AGED 68

PETER D SMART (42-49) BORN 1931, DIED 7 FEBRUARY 2019, AGED 87

J ‘CHRIS’ EMMERSON (36-47) BORN 1928, DIED 13 MARCH 2019, AGED 90

IAN MACMILLAN WARD (44-46) BORN 1928, DIED 6 NOVEMBER 2018, AGED 90

ONA | OLD NOVOCASTRIANS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE | ISSUE 105 | SPRING 2019

In Issue 104, page 20 it was incorrectly stated that Graham Dugdale (62-69) attended school from 62-68.

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OBITUARIES CLIFFORD WATKINS (55-68)

COLIN N WILKINSON (34–42)

BORN 24 DECEMBER 1925, DIED 4 FEBRUARY 2019, AGED 93

BORN 23 DECEMBER 1925, DIED 28 NOVEMBER 2018, AGED 92

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am writing to inform you of the death of a former teacher at RGS: Clifford Watkins; who taught Modern Languages and was later Head of the Modern Languages department at RGS from the the mid-50s to 1968.

He had many happy memories of his time at RGS, met his wife, Shirley whilst in Newcastle and started a family. He was active in setting up a highly successful school exchange with a German secondary school in Bremen, Germany. Some former students may recall a notable story relating to the German exchange around 1962. Among the German students hosted by RGS families was Louis Von Hohenzollern (grandson of the former Kaiser). He was a lively visitor that my father had to manage – including liaison with the palace and some keen press interest.

Clifford was active in outdoor pursuits including hill-walking and skiing with school groups. He went on to become Head Teacher of Tring School, Hertfordshire, and continued to be an active Methodist and local preacher. He was married with three children, grandchildren and a great grandson. He died at the age of 93 in Brighton on 4 February 2019.

Peter Watkins

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olin was one of the boys evacuated to Penrith during World War II. Leaving school, he attained a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Kings College Durham, signed up for the Royal Marines and headed east (See article from ONA Magazine, summer 2015).

Returning home he could not settle into the family insurance brokers and

emigrated to Canada where he carved a good career in medical insurance, married and had three daughters. He later moved to the USA, based in Detroit and Florida. Turning 90 he wrote a novel The Taste of Evil, which was published.

He died suddenly in November, a month before his 93rd birthday. He was a proud grandpa and great grandfather.

Maureen Barlow, sister

JOHN MICHAEL ‘MIKE’ SIMPSON WAGGOT (50–59) BORN 2 DECEMBER 1941, DIED 28 DECEMBER 2018, AGED 77 Mike was a keen member of the Combined Cadet Force, and I think he took up rowing while he was at the school. He gained a degree in Town and Country Planning at Durham University, continuing as an oarsman, and joining

the Territorial Army. He spent his entire career as a Planner, in the Scottish Office, the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Government.

Valarie Waggot

We do hope that ONs have enjoyed the new look and feel of the ONA Magazine, we would welcome any feedback. Continuing the trend of a more thematic approach to the magazine, we are hoping to focus the next edition on RGS Sports. If any ONs would like to share reflections on how RGS Sports have evolved over the years, the facilities, the Teachers (not to mention the achievements!) then we would like to hear from you. Please contact us at development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk or on 0191 212 8909.

ONA MERCHANDISE To order from our range of merchandise, please send a cheque payable to ONA, confirming your delivery address and contact details. For further details and postage costs, please email: development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk.

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1. CUFFLINKS T Bar, enameled gilt plated, school crest £29 2. LIMITED EDITION PRINTS 480x330mm unframed £35 OR 2 FOR £50 SPECIAL OFFER

3. TEDDY BEAR £20 Collection only

5. NOTEBOOKS A5 £5 A4 £8

4. TIE 100% pure silk, slip-stitched, fully lined. Polyester ties are also available £29

6. SOCKS 100% cotton £9

7. SCARF 100% double thickness wool £35 8. BOW TIE 100% pure silk, ready made £29

ONA DIARY DATES

94TH ONA ANNUAL DINNER

RGS SUMMER GARDEN PARTY

Friday 18 October 2019 6.30 until 11pm RGS, Newcastle upon Tyne To reserve your place please contact development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

Saturday 29 June 2019 8pm until midnight Music, dancing, streetfood, sharing platters and Pimms.

ONs are very welcome to join current parents in the RGS Day Marquee for this relaxed event.

ÂŁ28 per head To register your interest please contact development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk All proceeds from the event will support the RGS Bursary Campaign.

PERSONAL DETAILS AND DATA PROTECTION The school has a very special relationship with its former students and we very much wish to continue to keep in touch with you. To do this we would like your consent to keep basic details of your time at school, what you have doing since leaving school and your contact details.

RGS DAY A copy of the letter and consent form can be found at https://bit.ly/2OAWpXB Please complete the consent form so that we can continue to keep in contact.

Saturday 29th June 2019 All ONs welcome.

To register your interest please contact development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk or check the school website for further details nearer the time.