ONA Now and Then buildings with commercial loans, repaying them through fee-income over a period of years. And many parents can afford those The school is looking and feeling confident, expensive trips: yet many cannot. then! But it does not forget its past, nor its The school always finds funds to ensure need for help and support from its former that bursary holders – those enjoying the students. How good it is to read Peter opportunities the RGS offers thanks to the Alberti’s (45-52) account of the 1952 financial help from the Bursary Campaign, Norway trip. The more I read about the RGS trips and expeditions in that era, the because their parents do not have the more I’m convinced that they were unusual income to afford independent education otherwise – can also participate in major for their time in number and ambition. trips if they are an integral part of a team, of There’s a strong link with the trips we offer a musical ensemble, whatever. But it costs. nowadays. Travel is easier, of course: for Sadly, while we are able to offer a dozen example, we can routinely put 90 or 100 We started last year anticipating two or so new bursaries in a year, we are students, if we wish, on a plane to South events in particular. First there was the nonetheless turning away several times Africa – as we shall do this summer, for a matter of completing our amazing new tour offering rugby for boys and netball for that number – children who would satisfy sports facility, duly finished in the summer. girls. Last summer saw yet another of our entry requirements and would thrive at those ambitious expeditions organised by the RGS, but whose parents cannot afford Second, we all knew that, sometime over fees and whom we cannot help because World Challenge but again led by RGS the next 12 months or so, the school we lack the funds. staff: the last was to the Himalayas, and would face a major inspection by ISI, the there is another trip already planned for Independent Schools Inspectorate. This is the aspect of excellence that the 2017, this time to Malaysia. Inspection is designed to take a snapshot school cannot develop from its own of the school as it really is: but the school resources. In every other respect it shines, Other articles in this edition are typical of knows that, with more than 400 regulatory the RGS, both past and present. Martin acknowledged as clearly the outstanding standards to meet, compliance is Tate (69-77) found an unusual sport in real school in the region, and will continue to nowadays almost as central a focus of the tennis: we have a number of current do so. But in order to help forthcoming process as the more human judgement of students pursuing sports outside the generations of students from less affluent the opportunities the school offers to its homes to thrive at school and then to mainstream but at the highest level: most students and what they achieve. distinctively, at present two reigning world go out and make their mark in the world champions in acrobatic gymnastics, half of and their contribution to society, we As 2016 begins, we can be satisfied that desperately need ONs and other donors a four-man U19 team. both events have passed successfully, so to support them through the Bursary that we can move forward. The school was Having read of Bill Elliott’s (52-88) Campaign. indeed inspected at the beginning of contribution to the school, I am delighted December 2015: it is fair to say that the to report that in 2015 the RGS sent more We know that our very success report triumphantly confirms every quality of its 18-year-old leavers into engineering sometimes acts against us: potential that we attribute to the school. Have a look courses at university than any other, even donors sometimes say to us, “But you’re on the school website www.rgs.newcastle. beating medicine. If that isn’t about helping doing so well. You obviously don’t need sch.uk. my help”. We do. The school is in to meet a crying national need, I don’t astonishingly good shape: but we still know what is! We can use that accolade to move further need the help of ONs and others to ensure on along that never-ending journey to that academically gifted children from all Do we make it all look rather simple? excellence in all things. Meanwhile, we are I hope not: it isn’t! ONs reading these backgrounds can seize its opportunities loving the fact that we now have a new six- magazines may feel that the school is and, indeed, add to its unparalleled lane, 25 metre swimming pool, a second richness of experience and achievement. prospering with comparative ease. sports hall, warm and pleasant changing Please consider being part of that. Yet an institution that isn’t constantly rooms (now, that really is a novelty to those upgrading and improving its facilities doing who remember the old games changing so is in danger of moving backwards, of Bernard Trafford room!), and a superb fitness and aerobics starting to decay. We can fund such Headmaster suite. Already we cannot imagine how we lived without such facilities!
4
