2 minute read
President’s Welcome
from ONA 92
For a change, these aren’t my words, they are taken from the Sunday Times but it’s always nice to hear when someone shares your opinions! Once again, the students of the RGS have delivered a remarkable set of results at both A Level and GCSE. It is important to recognise, however, that this is also an achievement for the staff, so on behalf of the Association, I’d like to congratulate all involved for yet another tremendous year for the ‘School in the North’.
As my two year tenure as President comes to an end, it’s comforting to know that the school is as good as ever and I’d like to think the Association is too. We continue to be inundated with correspondence from our membership, including John Newlands (58-69) who provides an account of his father Jimmy Newlands (33-39), a recipient of the Arctic Star Medal for services above the Arctic Circle in World War II. We are also lucky enough to have heard from Peter Binder (46-49), perhaps the first German student of the RGS. And for the budding photographers amongst us, don’t miss pages 8and9 where we hear from multi-award-winning photographer, Will Nicholls (06-13).
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This year’s Annual Dinner in Newcastle, to be held on 17 October, is a great opportunity to return to the alma mater, enjoy some excellent food prepared by Catering Manager Barrie Bulch and, of course, have a few drinks with a few old pals. If you need any further encouragement, then this year will be particularly special; as the nation remembers those who both risked and gave their lives during World War I, so too does the school and in conjunction with the ONA, there will be a short preview of a memorial concert, which will be held on 1 May 2015.
Before I close my final President’s Welcome, I must mention a few special thanks, particularly to Jane Medcalf, who started supporting the committee as I became President and has, amongst many other things, helped to organise two fantastic reunions. I’d also like to thank my Vice-Presidents, Chris Rutter (92-02) and Chris Wilson (97-02), and former President David Goldwater (51-62) for their time and effort over the past two years. It’s extremely beneficial having that support, particularly from former Presidents like David, so I will be sure to offer mine to those who follow me.
Enjoy the Magazine!
David Westwood (95-02) ONA President
