News and Congratulations

President’s Welcome

We are delighted to have recently heard from…

Rachel Rodgers (06-08) I now lecture at Reaseheath College and the University of Chester in Animal Training. As my students are currently away for the summer, I am in the Dominican Republic, again back with dolphins and sealions.

Malcolm Staig (51-61) A chance meeting, which is a gem of an ON tale, took place in August when Malcolm ‘Tab’ Staig decided to participate in an eight-mile walk, organised by the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Group. Starting and finishing Eynsford, Malcolm met up with Arthur Ian Mickler (40-46) for the very first time. As Mr Owen (23-60) would have exclaimed: “Quacumque itis, certe videbis Novocastriam”. (Wherever ye’ gan, yer sure t’ meet a Geordie!)

Brian Beeley (46-53) and his wife Jane, who recently returned to school on the last day of the Summer Term for a tour of the school and a last look of the The Sutherland Swimming Bath where he spent many an hour as a Newt. We were over the moon that they both wished to stay for the End of Year Assembly in the Main Hall where Sam Chrisp, Year 13 picked up his ONA Geography Prize and the House results were announced.

at Shoreham and taking in a pub lunch at Much to Brian’s despair and amusement, Collingwood came in fourth place! Brian received a round of applause and standing ovation on David Goldwater’s (51-62) announcement that Brian had not been in school for 60 years!

Jamie Hansell (92-02) writes: I first began attending Wednesday night volleyball whilst I was still at the school. Once I returned from university it became the cornerstone of my week. Elders Volleyball is a mixed club, consisting of Old Novos and friends. Our motley crew have been organised by Colin

Going for Gold Eleni Papadopoulos (08-10) GBTeam para-cyclist, triathlete and retired bufferfly swimmer. Sadly, I retired from swimming with a shoulder injury but, not giving up my love of sport, I have spent the past year transitioning to cycling and completed my first race at the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup in Italy, finishing fifth in both the Time Trial and the Road Race. Unable to return to full-time swimming as a butterfly specialist, I am considering a return to triathlon and in doing so hope to compete at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. In order to help me achieve this, I am currently searching for sponsorship, especially to help with my recovery and transition into this new sport whilst studying for my Law degree. I would be grateful if you can contact me by email at lenni.p_92@hotmail.com. Peacock (53-61). Mr Peacock has this year announced he will be retiring from the club. Colin was a founding member of the club, started by the late John Elders (57-82 and 92-96) over 40 years ago. Originally the sessions started with keep-fit, followed by volleyball. In more recent years the keep-fit section has been replaced with two hours of total volleyball. Colin has kept everyone motivated to attend even when numbers dropped to playing on one court instead of two. He has liaised with school to make sure the club adheres to all modern day regulations, and worked extremely hard to encourage and welcome new members. I wish to thank Colin for all his years of service to the club, and to wish him well in his retirement. The court will certainly be a much quieter place without you, which might not be a bad thing! I have been given the task of taking over from Colin and I hope I can keep the club going for another 40 years. We aim to create a friendly atmosphere for players of all abilities to play volleyball and have a laugh along the way. Anyone who would like to come and give it a go, please contact the ONA. Your first, and most important lesson, will always be,

the second ball is the setters!

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

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 pages on Facebook and LinkedIn. ONA Membership – Standing Orders If you still have a standing order set up to pay the ONA subscription fee, please cancel it as soon as possible. ONA membership is FREE to all Old Novos and former members of staff.

Our congratulations go to…

Sam Chrisp, Year 13 who won the ONA Geography Prize with his winning essay answering the question: What qualities does the Northumberland National Park and Northumberland in general possess that makes it potentially so attractive to visitors? Is encouraging tourism here a wholly good thing for the region? Sam was presented with his prize by David Goldwater (51-62) on behalf of the ONA.

Sophie De la Hunt (04-06) on her marriage to David Clamon.

Matty Benn (00-07) and Alex Pallant on the birth of their son, Henry.

Iain Nairn (88-98) on his appointment as captain of the England Physically Disabled cricket team. He said: “I’m delighted to be able to bring ‘my’ team back to the school in July when we take on NUSC at Jesmond. I have no doubt that the groundsmen will have a great track prepared for us. The three games we play in the region are part of the lead up to an international tournament in Bangladesh in early September this year. The first tournament of its kind sees five or six teams playing each other for the right to call themselves the best team in the world”.

Tom Rowley (01-08) journalist who has won a Fellowship on the prestigious Washington Post. The Stern Fellowship honours legendary Post editor Laurence Stern by bringing a British journalist of exceptional promise to the newsroom each summer. He will contribute to political coverage. Congratulations Tom. Long gone are the days of The Grammar!

The school on its recent Gold Award for Outstanding Progress, Independent Schools category at the Education Business Awards in London. Dr Bernard Trafford, Headmaster received the award from Buck’s Fizz star, Cheryl Baker.

Raymond Orife (99-03) and Georgina Orife (née Cooke) (02-04) on the birth of their daughter, Eva.

Country Dance Reunion

Christine Watson (née McLennan, a former pupil of Central Newcastle High School, also wife of Dr Malcolm Watson (50-61) and mother to Iain Watson (80-90)) is intending to arrange a reunion for those former pupils of CNHS, Church High School and the RGS. The reunion is for those former pupils who went to Sixth Form country dancing with Jan and retired maths teacher John Douglas (56-94), in the RGS Gym and who will become 70 years of age in or around 2017. Christine’s email address is: watson christine20@hotmail.co.uk. The reunion will probably take the form of a buffet meal (at the RGS if at all possible) or another venue probably in May or June 2017. Arrangements have not been finalised and suggestions would be very welcome. If you would like to be informed of arrangements and are willing to share your email address, or if you know of anyone else who may be interested and have their permission to forward their address, that would be very helpful.

Tie 100% pure silk,