NEWS & CONGRATULATIONS

MEMORIES OF MISS OLIVE

We are keen to hear from Old Novos who have any memories of Miss Olive Chandler, who taught music at the school for an incredible 48 years, between 1939 and 1987. Miss Olive was an undisputed pre-eminent violinist in Newcastle, and will have overseen countless Old Novos as they made their first pluck of the ‘A’ string under her guidance and encouragement. Please do get in touch with any memories, as we would like to document the story of this most long standing teacher in our community.

RGS REMEMBERS

In November our Remembrance Assemblies were broadcast to students throughout the school and to our wider RGS community. We were also delighted to invite several Old Novos into school to watch the service in the Main Hall with members of our CCF. After the assemblies, our guests were invited to look at some artefacts from the RGS archives.

COX RETURNS!

It was lovely to welcome Alister Cox (Headmaster 72-94) back to school in November 2021, photographed above with current Head Geoffrey Stanford.

RGS ART OF HOPE AUCTION FOR THE BURSARY CAMPAIGN

In December 2021 an Aston Martin appeared outside of school, much to the delight of students. The car was one of many fabulous auction prizes for our RGS Art of Hope event. What is the connection between the RGS and Aston Martin? Robert Gordon Sutherland (another RGS!) became MD of Aston Martin Ltd in 1932 when his father, Sir Arthur Munro Sutherland (1878-1883), rescued the ailing motor engineering company from the economic recession. Sir Arthur was one of the School’s greatest benefactors, funding the school's organ and war memorial, a rifle range in 1915, the old gym and the swimming pool in 1930. After studying here as a boy, he became School Governor in 1919 and was Chairman from 1929 until his death in 1953. We think that Sir Arthur would certainly approve of us auctioning use of an Aston Martin for the weekend, for our Bursary Campaign!

For more information about the 2021 RGS Art of Hope event and how to get involved in 2022, please visit www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/ rgs-family/art-of-hope

RGS COMMUNITY CHOIR

We're delighted to announce the relaunch of the RGS Community Choir! The invitation to join is to all Old Novos, parents, staff, friends or anybody connected with the community of Royal Grammar School, Newcastle. It is a choir for those who enjoy singing, even if you don't read music or have limited experience.

Rehearsals take place between 6pm and 7.30pm each Monday, with entry via the Main Reception on Eskdale Terrace. For more information, please contact Director of Music, Neil Smith at N.smith@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

RGS HISTORY WALK

In September we spent a wonderful afternoon visiting the RGS historic sites around Newcastle. A huge thank you to David Goldwater (51-62) for arranging and delivering such a fascinating tour. Please keep an eye on our website for details of this years’ History Walk event.

IN PRINT

Former ONA President and Cricket Historian Bryan Stevens (44-49) has just published his second volume of Poems entitled Second Thoughts. This is obtainable only from Bryan directly at a cost of £7, he is contactable at 2 Orchard Gardens, Haltwhistle, NE49 0DE or on telephone number 01434 321314. M ark Batey (73-80) recently wrote to us to say he has published his first book at the age of 60! Called GRACE, it is a full life story of Grace Darling. Though well known, especially in the North East, for her heroic rescue of shipwreck survivors on the Farne Islands in 1838, Published by Clink Street publishing, GRACE is available now in paperback and ebook formats.

Fred Dickinson

Fred has been teaching at the RGS for almost 39 years and has made a significant contribution to the teaching and learning of generations of students. We are very grateful for his skill and expertise in all sports, particularly in Rugby and the extensive time spent on the many tours, matches and training sessions he has committed to both in the UK and abroad. Fred retired as Teacher of PE and Games, in September 2021, and will be missed by all the staff, students and parents of the school.

Ron Wiggins

Ron Wiggins joined the RGS in 07 as Head of Chemistry, bringing with him a chemistry degree from Imperial and an encyclopedic knowledge of the subject. The department thrived under his leadership, with excellent exam results and high pupil numbers at Sixth Form, clear indicators of both success and the popularity of the subject. As a UCAS Advisor he helped scores of ONs into university, critiquing their personal statements and preparing them for interviews with unrelenting patience. Stepping down from Head of Department in 17, he moved to part time teaching, in which he relished the focus on classroom teaching as well as enjoying the opportunities offered by his days off! Despite planning to retire in September 21, Ron offered to continue in post until Christmas when his successor, Dr Liz Smith returned from adoption leave – how typical of him to help out when we need him most. Countless Old Novos are incredibly grateful to Ron and owe their success to his impressive teaching. His colleagues will miss him more than we can say, but will never forget “Ronseal –does what it says on the tin”.

CORRECTIONS FROM PREVIOUS EDITIONS

We sincerely apologize that the obituary in edition 109 should have read Kenneth, not Keith Mewett.

An error seemingly crept in to “Corrections from Issue 109” on page 31 of Issue 110, about the Junior School. It states, “The teacher in the photo below is Derek Gibson”. This is not so. The teacher is the Headmaster, Mr John Jones, so the original caption on page 15 of Issue 109 was correct.

The boys in the foreground of the photograph captioned “teaching at the old Junior School” are in what was then called J3X (Mr Patterson’s form), in the third and final year of the Junior School. The photograph would have been taken in the autumn term of 1972, or the spring or summer terms of 1973.

In Issue 109 on page 7 there is a photo with the caption “Unknown, John H Jones with Alister Cox, Unknown”. We believe that the first boy captioned ‘unknown’ (to the left of John H Jones) is Brian Cordery, who was formerly head boy in the class of 1990.

STAY CONNECTED

Please join us by becoming a fan of the Old Novocastrians Association Facebook page and LinkedIn Group –Old Novocastrians’ Association (RGS Newcastle)

RGS TWITTER HANDLES

@RGSNewcastle @RGSOldNovos @RGSpac @RGSNewMusic @RGSEnglishNews @RGS_Library @NRGS_History