NEWS & CONGRATULATIONS

RGS Newcastle is incredibly proud of our heritage, asone of very few Royal Grammar Schools, having been granted our Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth I in 1601. As such our whole community embraced our celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee in May, only to be deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our Monarch in September.

Queen Elizabeth II’s service over seven decades has been an inspiration to all and RGS marked the Jubilee with a wide range of activity. Stepping back in time, the whole school community reviewed some of the key developments –at RGS and in the wider world –in each of the seven decades of Queen Elizabeth’s reign.

We encourage Old Novos to review all of the videos of RGS through the past 70 years, which are on our website here www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/rgsfamily/royal-heritage

Events took place across the school and in our local community, culminating in a special assembly to which we were honoured to welcome the new Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Mrs Karen Robinson, only the second female Lord Mayor of our City, followed by our RGS Jubilee Concert, opened by Queen Elizabeth’s outgoing representative, Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Mrs Susan Winfield CVO OBE CStJ.

Only four months later we sent our deepest condolences to all members of the Royal Family following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The RGS Union flag flew at half-mast, we held a special Assembly (available on our website) and all members of our community were welcomed to sign a Book of Condolence, which was later presented by our students and Headmaster, to HRH Prince Edward the Earl of Wessex.

It was most fitting that in October, we unveiled a new stained glass window in the school’s library, created by local artist Maralyn O’Keefe. Originally intended to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, the window, kindly unveiled by the new Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Mrs Lucy Winskell, now serves as the school’s permanent tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and her 70 year reign.

In due course we look forward to suitably commemorating the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. For Motherland King and God.

DISCOVERIES IN EGYPT!

While Iain Watson OBE (68-78) was on a trip to Egypt with Ian Shaw (69-78), they found some of Ian’s books on Egyptology in a bookshop in Cairo and arranged an impromptu book signing.

RGS NEEDS YOU!

The RGS CCF and Duke of Edinburgh programmes have benefited countless ONs, and are dramatically increasing in popularity amongst our current students. We are seeking volunteers from our ON and (current and former) parent community who may be keen to support these activities in school, on a voluntary basis. Naturally, the voluntary role will involve requisite training and support and volunteers are subject to the usual safeguarding checks and supervision. If you are interested in hearing more about what is involved, please email development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

Rgs Eloquence

We are organising a networking event for ONs who studied and/or work in law, involving RGS students and pupils from our partner schools who are looking to study or work in the profession. We already have a highly successful equivalent annual event for economists.

If you are interested in getting involved and wish to share your wise counsel with the next generation, please contact development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk