PRESIDENT’S WELCOME KATE HARMAN

WELCOME

BY KATE HARMAN (06-08) ONA PRESIDENT

Photograph by Ruth Gibson

Welcome to the 106th issue of ONA Magazine,

and an edition that is dedicated to the vast array of sporting endevour and achievement of Old Novos.

I’ll be honest, when I was at school, sport was not my forte. I was on the Women’s Football Team, but that was because I was doing a favour for a friend, and I don’t think we won a single match! During my two years at RGS, my sport of choice in weekly games lessons was trampolining, which did lead me to join my university’s trampolining club, and in turn led me to earning my Sports Colours. So even I, with my limited sporting ability, can give thanks to RGS for starting me on my road to sporting achievement!

Unlike me, there are countless numbers of former students that are extremely talented in a wide variety of sports; just take a look at the Sporting Hall of Fame starting on Page 20. Stories in this edition of the magazine range from Sarah McDonald’s(06-11) athletic career going from strength to strength, with our good wishes for her success at the World Athletics Championships in Doha; to Erik Samuelson’s(59-67) founding of a football club; and John Papadopoulos (98-08) taking his passion for sport and using it to help other athletes as a trained Physiotherapist; as well as much more. This magazine will also give you the chance to learn of the wonderful history of sport at the school. David Goldwater (51-62) has spent time investigating the origins of sport at the RGS, as well as finding out about the sporting curriculum from former staff. You might even be inspired to dig out your trainers and go for a run!

On a final note, I am looking forward to this year’s annual ONA Dinner on Friday 18 October. My thanks to our Guest Speaker,Dr Ian Appleby (70-77), a friend and classmate of Old Novo and recently retired teacher Jim Pollock (67-77 & 02-19). As always, it promises to be a great evening. The dinner is always a lovely opportunity to reconnect with friends, staff members and colleagues.

If you wish to join me at the London ONA Dinner on Friday 6 March 2020. Please contact Jane Medcalf to book your place.