NEWS & CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Joseph Fisher (30-36) who celebrated his 98th Birthday on 29 June.

The wedding took place at St Nicholas Church in Gosforth on July 11 between Becky Pearey and Jamie Hansell (92-02) (pictured below). Becky’s parents set off early from their home in Paris and quarantined for 14 days before dad walked her down the aisle –at a social distance. Only 30 people were allowed to attend the wedding which meant the ceremony was watched on 97 screens Zoom by family and friends including some in Spain and America, all able to join in the celebrations.

LEAVERS’ EVENT, 26 JUNE

In June, the Class of 2020 were invited to attend a virtual leavers’ celebration to signal the end of their RGS journey and to wish them a warm welcome to the Old Novocastrians’ Association. As they get set to embark on the next stage of their lives, RGS staff wanted to share some salient pieces of advice with them, please do visit the Facebook ONA page to see the full video. Class of 2020, we’ll meet again…!!!

MYSTERY IN ARCHIVES (IN LAST ISSUE) SOLUTION!

We asked whether anybody could identify the mysterious character on a painting in the Archives. Bryan Stevens (44-49) suggested to the Editor that it might be John Talbot, Headmaster 191222 and a Major in the OTC (Officers’ Training Corps). A glance at some 1914-17 Cricket Team photos in Bryan’s 1980 book on the RGS Cricket Club confirmed this. John Armstrong ‘was convinced…John Talbot as an older man than in the photo; his cap badge the RGS CCF cap badge of today i.e. Horsley’.

PERSONAL DETAILS AND DATA PROTECTION

The school has a very special relationship with its former students and we very much wish to continue to keep in touch with you. To do this we would like your consent to keep basic details of your time at school, what you have been doing since leaving school and your contact details. A copy of the letter and consent form can be found at https://bit.ly/3fztkIj

Please complete the consent form so that we can continue to keep in contact.

Alternatively, to unsubscribe or change your preferences please contact us at development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk or call us on 0191 212 8909.

RGS BUILDINGS TURN BLUE

In late May the main block of the School was lit up in electric blue to honour NHS workers. The Gateshead lighting design company Hi-Lights donated its services to honour RGS’s parents and former pupils, many of whom are key workers. Headmaster Geoffrey Stanford, said: ‘A significant proportion of RGS parents are classed as key workers, with many working on the frontline for the NHS, as well as representing professions in education, the justice system, emergency services, food retail and transportation, among others. Around 25% of our students also go on to work in frontline medical professions. We are very grateful for all that they do and are delighted to be able to support them.’

JANE MEDCALF (07-20) RETIRING STAFF SUMMER 2020

Susan Beck writes: Many Old Novos will wish to know that Jane Medcalf has chosen to leave her role at RGS as Development Manager. We wish Jane a heartfelt thanks for her years of service to the school, the Old Novocastrians’ Association and the Bursary Campaign Committee. Jane has asked us to let everyone know how much she enjoyed working with them, together with their various Presidents and Chairs. She is well and looking forward to pursuing various interests, especially her continued passion as a Slimming World Consultant, helping people to change their lives. As former Secretary, she also looks forward to singing in the RGS Community Choir. Jane specifically asked us to pass on that she will leave the school with a sense of pride for the work she has done and that she hopes to keep in touch with the many friends she has made.

David Goldwater adds: Jane arrived at the RGS in 2007, appointed by James Miller (94-08) in the last year of his Headship. During her 12+ years at RGS, working initially with Tove Elander (00-12), Jane took over responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Bursary Campaign, helping to raise several million pounds, as well as Editorship of this Magazine. During this time, she has befriended countless ONs, especially at the ONA Annual Dinners, hosted visits to the school, organised many ONA events and generally immersed herself in the day-to-day life of a vibrant and bustling community. I’ve enjoyed helping her from time to time. We wish Jane the very best of luck and happiness.

Jane Medcalf (07-20) pictured with David Goldwater (51-62)

• Trevor Walters retires after 11 years in the Drama department, in which role he has directed, produced and been involved in an extraordinary number of impressive school productions. • Roly Craig retires after 21 years as Head of the Junior School, a very visible figurehead for so many pupils in their early years at the RGS. • Simon Tillbrook retires after 25 years, including until recently serving for many years as Head of History and a long-standing rugby coach. • Dave Merritt has finally stepped down after serving as a school counsellor since 1998, having also taught here between 1978 and 2014 and been a pupil here too. This represents over 50 years of his connection with the school. • Tony Bird retires after 30 years at the RGS, serving as Head of Music, Deputy Head and most recently as Director of Partnerships. • Pete Wilson retires after 33 years as a physics teacher, football coach, Exams Officer and much more.

All of those who are leaving go with our very best wishes and with thanks on behalf of the many generations of students that these members of staff have taught at the RGS.

ONA ELECTIONS AND AGM

Nominations are invited for election to the posts of President, Treasurer and members of the Committee of the Old Novocastrians’ Association. All nominations should be in writing (post or e-mail) to development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk and with the express agreement of the person nominated, to be received no later than 30 September 2020. An Annual General Meeting of the Association will take place either in school or online on 21 October 2020.

CORRECTIONS

STAY CONNECTED

Profound apologies to Frazer Thompson (67-77), CEO of The Chapel Down Winery in Tenterden, Kent and speaker at the ONA London Dinner on 6 March. In the last edition of the Magazine, we inadvertently gave Frazer the wrong surname. The oncoming lockdown was looming, there was pressure to finalise this issue and the usual disciplines became strained. We trust Frazer will understand. Also to Howard Burchell who pointed out that in Tony Bird’s article on Music at the RGS his years were stated as 1967-99. In fact, Howard’s years were 1966-99 (99 terms!) as from 1966 he covered for Bill Brydon who was a sick man and whom he succeeded as Head of Physics a year later. There are plenty of Old Novos social media groups around, but we have our own groups. Please join us by becoming a fan of the Old Novocastrians Association Facebook page and LinkedIn Group –Old Novocastrians’ Association (RGS Newcastle)

RGS TWITTER HANDLES

@RGSNewcastle @RgsArchives @RGSpac @RGSNewMusic @RGSEnglishNews @RGS_Library @NRGS_History