Avita ProFide
Celebratingthe Prep 150thSchool’sAnniversary Celebratingthe Prep 150thSchool’sAnniversary
To mark our anniversary year, former students were invited to a commemorative Mass and took the opportunity to tour the school, reflecting on the many changes that have shaped St Edmund’s over the decades.
The refectory ceiling conundrum
The original fine painting is believed to be the work of English artist Mark Barraud in 1870 or 1871, but when it was updated in 1992 a bizarre error occurred...
Dr Cecil Friedlander
Director of Studies from 1968 to 1985, his influence on the development of the school over those years was immense
+ Life after the College + OE News + Appeal for old photos + College News
A
message from our Headmaster...
This is a gloomy and depressing time for all independent schools. Labour’s tax bombshells have changed the landscape forever and in only a few months have already led to the closure of over a hundred schools. Many more will follow.
The rise in NI contributions and the Living Wage, combined with Business Rates will cost us an extra £600,000 this year alone, which will need to be found from fee income. Meanwhile, parents are now having to pay VAT on school fees, adding enormously to the financial challenge, just at a time when their own businesses are being hit by all the same tax increases as we are. You could not make it up. In all of the pain and disruption of this, it has been too easy to forget that at the heart of the whole matter are six hundred thousand children across the UK who have done nothing wrong and just want to be happy at school. So it is uplifting to reflect on what has been a fantastic year at St Edmund’s. I hope all of you are regular visitors to the website and our social media outlets and will know of our recent successes. They are a tribute to our pupils and proof positive that St Edmund’s is facing the challenges of our time in a position of great strength and optimism for the future. After all, in its 457 years St Edmund’s has lived through religious persecution, the martyrdom of one hundred and fifty-eight alumni, the French Revolution, relocation across Europe, near bankruptcy, two world wars and Covid. It will take a lot more than a hate-filled budget to knock us off our stride.
Thank you once again to everyone who shared their stories for this issue of Avita Pro Fide.
Matthew Mostyn, HEADMASTER
Our Prefect Team
This year’s Head Girl, Head Boy, and Prefect team have shown exceptional leadership and commitment throughout the academic year so far. As they prepare to soon become alumni themselves, they are excited to stay involved with the school community and look forward to participating in upcoming alumni events.
The Refectory ceiling conundrum
You may have looked up at the ornately-painted ceiling in the Refectory and assumed all made sense, but in fact it does not.
The original fine painting is believed to be the work of an English artist Mark Barraud in 1870 or 1871. He was assisted by his father, Henry, and the work was undertaken in lieu of the school fees of Mark’s younger brothers Francis and Philip. He was also responsible for the mural in the Ambulacrum and for redecorating the College Chapel.
Of the eighteen ceiling panels, which were originally plainly painted, eleven were given ornate designs and the rest bore the coats of arms of seven prominent figures of that time. The ceiling was restored in 1992 after a large portion of it fell down in 1986. As the work began, the idea arose of marking this restoration by adding the coats of arms of Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II and Cardinal Hume of Westminster, all leaders of Christianity in Great Britain in 1992.
The new panel bearing the coat of arms of Cardinal Hume, who was the President of the College at the time of the restoration, has the monogram GBH (George Basil Hume) and the Latin date A.D. MCMDCCVI. This translates to AD 2606!
It is not known how this bizarre error was allowed to happen, and as those involved with the project are sadly no longer with us, this will now probably always remain a conundrum.
A warm welcome from our Alumni Officer
Hello everyone,
It has been a busy and exciting year at St Edmund’s, filled with memorable events and activities. In Michaelmas term, we celebrated St Edmund’s Day, which focused on embracing College life, strengthening house spirit, and raising the profile of house events. This also marked the 150th anniversary of St Hugh’s (now St Edmund’s Prep School), a milestone celebrated throughout the week with a range of special activities. It was fantastic to see so many of you join us for these celebrations, making it a truly special occasion.
Music at the College has been outstanding, with a series of rush hour and scholar concerts showcasing our talented pupils. A particular highlight was the Autumn Concert, where the stunning performance of the Fauré’s Requiem demonstrated the depth of musical talent within the school. Sport has been equally impressive, with over 250 fixtures played during Michaelmas term and three sport festivals bringing schools together in the spirit of healthy competition.
A special thank you to everyone who attended the Careers Fair in March. It was a tremendous success, with over 40 companies taking part. It was particularly inspiring to see alumni returning to share their knowledge and experiences with our current pupils, helping to guide and support their future aspirations.
Looking ahead, we are excited to bring back the London Drinks event after the summer term. This will be a fantastic opportunity for new leavers to connect with alumni from different generations. Last year’s London Bus Drinks were a great success, and we hope to see just as many of you this year. We are also looking forward to the London Dinner in May and hope to see many familiar faces there!
As always, we encourage you to spread the word and help us reconnect with alumni, especially as GDPR changes over the years have made it difficult to stay in touch with some members of our community. There will be a link to share later on in the edition or they can simply email alumni@stedmundscollege.org to show interest.
In this edition, you will find updates on alumni activities, highlights from key College events, upcoming events and more.
Thank you for your continued support— here’s to a fantastic 2025 ahead!
Megan Roberts Alumni Officer
OE Meera visits MedSoc
It was lovely to return to St Ed’s to share my experience as a penultimate year KCL medical student, after leaving over six years ago. The Medical Society was a massive part of my time at the College- having devoted much of Rhetoric pestering Ms Marrinan about my next big idea for an upcoming session.
It was great to see so many faces at the talk - I was glad to see that the enthusiasm for Medicine and healthcare is still present, despite some of the current pressures within the NHS. My presentation included reflections of my challenging journey into medical school - from my first application during my time at the College, navigating a disappointing A level results day, completing a Biomedical Science BSc and reapplying for Medicine as a graduate. I also covered my highlights of studying in a busy London medical school, including cadaveric dissections, assisting in complex surgeries and the abundance of available research opportunities. Lastly, we finished off with a Q&A, with tips being shared about the dreaded UCAT entrance exam, interview techniques and balancing life outside of academia. I am very grateful for this opportunity to visit the College as an OE and I look forward to returning, during the next chapter of my medical career as a junior (resident) doctor!
If you're interested in visiting the college to share your professional experience with current pupils, we would warmly welcome you! For inquiries, please contact us at alumni@stedmundscollege.org or directly email our Careers Officer at ethomas@stedmundscollege.org
2023-2024 Edmundian Association Committee
President Michael Mason
Treasurer Peter Amtram
Alumni Officer
College Liaison Officer
Megan Roberts
Emma-Louise Harvey
Representative Henryk Klocek
Representative Kishan Patel
Representative Fionnuala Marshall
Headmaster
Prep Headmaster
Matthew Mostyn
Steven Cartwright
President Emeritus and Archivist David Kay
We would welcome more representatives, so if you are interested in joining the committee please email alumni@stedmundscollege.org
Keeping you up-to-date with the latest
OE News
Maher George (Griffiths House and Talbot House 19811985). My visit to St Edmund's after an absence of 30 years was very emotional, and a happy one at the same time. Much has changed and improved, but the Chapel was as it was when I first arrived at the College (I hope that would never change), and I could recall the exact spots where I sat during every year of my stay. My memories were always with me and I will forever cherish them.
I am now studying to become a Deacon in the Catholic Church, hence in Diaconate Formation, with the hope and the will of God, to be ordained Deacon in the Summer of 2027.
I was a student at St Edmund's College from September 1981 to July 1985, where I joined in the Syntax year and left after Rhetoric II, and during that time I was in Griffiths House from 1981 to 1984, and following the closure of Griffiths House I was transferred to Talbot House where I spent my last year at the College. It was a hard start for me in the early days at the College as my command of the English language was very limited, having come from an Arabicspeaking country (Iraq), however, this situation was remedied within the fist two terms as my English improved immensely (Being a boarder helped a great deal). The challenges faced in my early days were a learning experience, after which
I thoroughly enjoyed my years at St Edmund's, especially having achieved House Half Colours at Griffiths (athletics), and House Full Colours at Talbot (rugby and athletics), and School Half Colours in athletics during my final year.
The first photo is from my visit to the chapel, the second photo is of me in an Alb as a diaconate student and the third is of myself with the athletics team in 1985 ( I am third from the right in the middle row) .
William (Will) Askew (1973 Junior House, 1974-1977 Challoner House), The late Father Michael Pinot de Moira was my Housemaster when I started in Junior House. He was an excellent teacher, and more so a dedicated and caring priest. Teaching standards back in my youth were not perhaps all they should have been. A couple of teachers were quite ready to use underhand tactics to reinforce their authority. I’ve never been that good at Mathematics, and one of my Maths teachers was more than willing to call me out on how useless he thought I would always be in the subject!!!!! Fortunately, I owe the late Mrs Margaret St Aubyn my Maths teacher in Senior School a huge debt of gratitude. Thanks to hours of extra tuition that she provided I did begin to have some understanding of the subject. Likewise, in one subject I had my essay read out aloud in front of my peers as an example of how not to write a history essay. Father Daniel Higgins was another inspirational teacher, I came first in Religious Education under his tutelage.
Mr Kenneth Hall was my Assistant Housemaster, although he never actually taught me, he was always someone I admired and aspired to for his pastoral role in my life at Senior Level. As a boarder, I didn’t always handle school life as well as I should, but then thanks to life itself we evolve as humans, and I am enormously grateful to the opportunities life at St Edmund’s gave me. The beautifully historical surroundings were something I will always remember, and it was a privilege to grow up in such stunning surroundings.
The Pugin Chapel was a place of great inspiration and personal spiritual guidance to me, without
any doubt whatsoever. Friends I remember are Brian Luxton, John Fitzgerald and Sean Bogue.
David Bett (Talbot House 1951-1961) has shared an update on his life and career since leaving the College.
After leaving St Edmund’s, David’s first job was teaching Latin and History at Gadebridge Park Preparatory School, an experience he likens to Evelyn Waugh’s Decline and Fall. Following a year on farms in Berkshire and Sussex, he attended the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester (1963–1966), to study Estate Management.
David passed the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) written final in 1966 and began working as a Land Agent with Alan Hitch & Partners in Kent. In the same year, he married Jane Marion Harrison, a teacher. He qualified as an Associate of RICS in 1968 and took up the role of Assistant Agent at Lord Hotham Estates in the East Riding.
In 1969, David joined the National Trust, where he worked for over three decades. Starting in the London Head Office, he held several roles, including Land Agent in Devon (1969–1978), and later in Shrewsbury for the Mercia Region (1978–1980). He became Regional Director for Mercia (1980–1990) and Wessex (1990–2002). Throughout his career, he contributed significantly to the management and conservation of the UK’s historic estates and landscapes.
David has fond memories of his time at St Hugh’s, which he attended alongside Michael Jenner, whose book, A Prep School Second to None, he feels captures the school well during that period.
If you have some exciting news, whether it be a wedding or birth announcement, an exciting career move or even an impromptu get together with other OEs we would love to hear about it, please send details to:
Megan Roberts, Alumni Officer
St Edmund's College, Old Hall Green, Ware, Herts SG11 1DS Email: alumni@stedmundscollege.org
Appeal for old photographs
Thank you to John Hayes (OE 1980-2024), Rupert Kay (OE 1980-89) and Peter McGovern (OE 1967-74) who supplied some House, music and drama photographs following the appeal in a previous edition of Avita Pro Fide
Please remember, if you are ever having a clear out and come across some old College memorabilia, do consider donating items to the Edmundian Association. If you think you might have something to offer please contact archives@edmundianassociation.org.uk
As well as old photographs, we are looking for old calendars, newsletters, books written by OEs, concert, drama and prize giving programmes, and any other items of potential historical interest.
Thanks for supporting the Careers Programme
A huge thank you to all the alumni and professionals who have already signed up to support the St Edmund’s College Careers Programme.
Your willingness to share your time, experience, and advice makes a real difference in helping our students explore their options and plan for the future. It was so wonderful to see so many of you in attendance at the Careers Fair, offering valuable insights and guidance to the next generation of St Edmund's pupils.
Each year, our Careers Officer provides students with invaluable insights into a wide range of industries—including medicine, law, finance, engineering, technology, the creative arts, and more. There is no better way for them to learn about these fields than by hearing directly from those who once walked the same corridors at St Edmund’s and have gone on to build successful careers.
Beyond the annual Careers Fair, there are many ways alumni and industry professionals can get involved, from delivering guest talks and webinars to offering mentoring and networking opportunities. Led by Careers Officer Emily Thomas, the programme continues to grow, providing students with the support and connections they need to navigate their next steps with confidence.
If you would like to be part of this initiative—whether at the Careers Fair, as a speaker, or in another capacity—we would love to hear from you.
Please contact Emily Thomas at ethomas@stedmundscollege.org
John Hayes - Honorary Member
John Hayes came to St Edmund’s in September 1980, his first appointment after qualifying as a teacher. As an educator in English and occasionally RE, he was greatly respected by his students and colleagues alike.
He was assistant housemaster of Challoner between 1981 and 2003, then deputy head of boarding for three years. John was Head of English between 1995 and 2007.
In 1989, John became editor of The Edmundian magazine, remaining in the post for a record 28 years, for which he was the longest-serving by 12 years.
John retired in August 2024 after 44 years at St Edmund’s. He was the fourth longestserving member of academic staff in the College’s history. In recognition of this significant achievement, the Edmundian Association has bestowed upon John the rank of Honorary Member.
The Refectory
The School Block
The Galilee Chapel
A quick reminder to sign up today to stay in connected
GDPR changes meant we lost connection with a lot of Alumni, the good news is that this can be avoided in the future by signing up to our alumni portal.
On the website you will be able to find upcoming events, reunions, fellow alumni, college news, and more. If you are aware of any alumni that may have lost contact, please share this information with them. Don't miss out, register now to stay connected and updated!
To join our alumni portal, simply scan the QR code to reconnect and explore.
150th Anniversary of Sings England’s Sons
The Edmundian hymn Sing England’s Sons was written for the occasion of the national pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Edmund at Pontigny in northern France in 1874. The event was attended by a party of 350 from the College, who travelled by train and steam ship to get there. The composer was Fr Francis Stanfield (OE 1851-60).
Originally consisting of ten verses, of which three were intended to be omitted when sung at the College, over the years it has become whittled down to just six verses. To mark the 150th anniversary of this hymn, on St Edmund’s Sunday we sang all ten verses, including the “missing” four verses, possibly for the first time ever here in England.
Bucket List - See the Northern Lights ✓
In October Dr Czajkowski captured the stunning colours of the Aurora Borealis, how lucky are we to have seen it on our own schools grounds!
This natural light display happens when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere, creating vibrant colours, most commonly green and pink. The best time to catch this phenomenon is during the winter months in polar regions – but 2024 was the best year in over 20 years to see the incredible display so far south. The good news is there is chance we will get to see them again due to the sun’s 11 year cycle of activity continuing into 2025.
As ever, if you would like to join the OE Committee, we would love to have you.
Since Fionnuala and Kishan have joined, it's been fantastic to gain insights into the younger generation's perspective on alumni activities and how we can bring everyone together.
To register your interest please email alumni@stedmundscollege.org
Prep School 150th Anniversary -
always and forever, St Hugh’s
In 1874 the former residence of William George Ward, a Professor of Moral Philosophy of St Edmund’s College, was successfully converted into St Hugh’s School for boys. It being almost entirely a boarding school, the boys attending mostly progressed through to our esteemed College, founded in Douai in 1568, relocating here to Old Hall Green in 1793.
Fast forward to November 16th 2024 and the school finds itself going strong. Now renamed ‘St Edmund’s Prep School’ following a re-branding exercise in 2010, at its heart holds onto a strong and enduring commitment to its Catholic heritage and legacy as well as promoting academic rigour and the benefits of sporting opportunity which ‘OH’s’ remember so well. Continuing to promote a love of outdoor learning amongst so many other important aspects of an all-round education, the school and the children of it continue to get lost in the rural surrounds at breaktimes and after school to this day.
To mark our anniversary year, the community, including former students of the school, were invited to a commemorative Mass celebrated by Bishop Paul McAleenan. Perhaps by divine providence, the date of our foundation, the anniversary of St Hugh of Lincoln, coincided precisely with St Edmund’s Sunday. Three of our Form Six students participated in the well
attended Mass, reading with great poise and receiving high praise. The event, generously supported by the Edmundian Association, took on added significance this year as attending Old Hugonians regaled their guides with stories of yester year.
Following Mass and a shared lunch, our alumni took the opportunity to tour the school, reflecting on the many changes that have shaped St Edmund’s over the decades. Their reminiscences were both amusing and poignant, offering a glimpse into the school’s past. One distinguished guest, aged 93 and a student here in the 1940s, shared his memories of a very different St Edmund’s—one defined by brown, black, and grey. He and others marvelled at the vibrant and dynamic school we have become, where colour and creative efforts reflect the joy and enthusiasm of our students today.
The joy and pride felt by our visiting alumni were evident, and their words reinforced what we already know—that St Edmund’s remains a special place, rich in history yet always looking ahead. It was particularly touching to receive follow-up emails throughout the week, including a remarkable cine film capturing ‘Parents’ Day’ in 1963—a treasured piece of our heritage which was shared with the children in assembly.
Subsequent to the big day itself, former students were invited to attend our Advent Service of Reading and Carols. Two of those attending the lunch were the first girls to join the school in the 1980s and stories of ‘lines’, tuck shops and sliding down stairwells kept the children attending today enthralled.
The two visitors kindly gifted letters to the children detailing their experience of the school
and noted in particular, the progress that school dinners had made from then to now. They also took time to explain the routines in place at the time and the children of today have since lobbied the school’s current custodian and Headmaster, Mr Steven Cartwright, to re-open the tuck shop.
Memories of the past have been dearly cherished and our door remains open to students past, present and future. We remain firmly committed to building a school which places faith and the education of children at its heart and we’re proud to show the school as it is today. Our celebrations for the year will culminate on 28th June at Exhibition Day and we hope that many more Old Edmundians and Old Hugonians will be able to make it.
Name: Patrick Nunn
College... after the Life
When were you at St Edmund’s?
I attended St Edmund’s College from 1973 through to 1978.
What are your lasting memories of your time at St Edmund’s? One memory that comes to mind was being told that we were not allowed to play football at breaks and lunch.
Are you still in contact with anyone from your years at the College?
No I am not, unfortunately over the years I have lost contact with my fellow pupils.
Did you have a favourite teacher?
Yes I believe his name was Mr Blake? He was Head of the newly formed Stapleton House.
Did you have a favourite subject?
Yes my favourite subject was English, I really enjoyed the lessons which encouraged creativity and enhanced communication skills.
Do you have any advice for anyone looking to follow your career path? I would say that you should make it your hobby while you are at school, that way you already have a passion and knowledge to build upon.
What is the best and worst part of your day?
I love my life - I’m very lucky. There is no best or worst part to be honest. I have a great wife and family, and a fantastic job…and a husky!
What has been your proudest achievement to date?
As a Broadcast Sound Supervisor I would have to say that my proudest achievement is working on the HM King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Coronation and winning the BAFTA for Best Sound.
Can you tell us about your life after the College and your Career?
After leaving the College I spent the next two years working, followed by two years taking different A levels that I wanted to take! I then spent the next three years working towards my BA Hons in Music. That was followed by a 25 year career working for the BBC, before I started my own freelance company called Bambam sound which I have now been running for 15 years. I am happily married and have three children the youngest of which is 18.
What advice would you offer to current Edmundians? Believe in YOURSELF!
Don’t be put off by other people’s opinions; but always LISTEN to them, as some of it is good!!
Dr Cecil Friedlander
1968-1985 Director of Studies
1968-1976 Head of Biology
1980-1985 Assistant Headmaster
1980-1985 Housemaster of Challoner
1976-1980 Careers Master
1976-1985 Commanding Officer of the CCF
1968-1985 Teacher of Biology, General Studies & RE
Cecil Friedlander came to St Edmund’s at the start of a period of great change. Coinciding with the College’s quater-centenary (400th anniversary), plans were being made for the withdrawal of the seminary which heralded the expansion of the rest of the school. Cecil was appointed to the new post of Director of Studies and his influence on the development of the school over the subsequent seventeen years was immense.
Cecil was born to the south-west of London to Arthur Friedlander, an adding machine salesman, and Eugenie Berthe Houchot. An elder brother predeceased him.
His own schooling was at St Benedict’s, Ealing, followed by a degree in Zoology at Imperial College, London. He then taught at the Whitgift School in South Croydon before returning to St Benedict’s between 1954 and 1967, during which time he was awarded his doctorate.
In 1965 he married Maria Busuttil and they were to have two children, a daughter Teresa and a son Vincent, who himself went on to be a student in St Hugh’s and Challoner between 1976 and 1986. Marrying comparatively late, Cecil never made any secret of the joy his family brought him nor the moral and practical support he derived from his wife.
After investing in the Lanesborough School, Leicester, which did not succeed, Cecil found employment at Coloma School near Croydon before a chance meeting led him to St Edmund’s.
His first assignment as Director of Studies was a thorough reorganisation of the curriculum and the introduction of Biology with himself at the head of the department. In accordance with the school’s expansion plans, he was instrumental in introducing General Studies into the Rhetoric timetable, together with Geography as an ALevel subject.
A former colleague and Housemaster of Douglass, John Vaughan-Shaw, wrote that the machinations between the various Heads of Department “must have sorely tested Cecil's even temper and patient manner in those early days, but he quickly established himself as a professional administrator and skilful diplomatist.”
Cecil wore many different hats during his time at the College. One example was the resuscitation in 1976 of the Combined Cadet Force, which had become defunct in 1967. It thrives to this day.
In 1980 he was appointed as both Assistant Headmaster and Housemaster of Challoner. The latter involved moving the family home from a Diocesan property at Hare Street to Salebourne, at the top of the main drive, thereby bringing his wife Maria into the Edmundian community.
At various times during his career, Cecil organised the Careers Department, the Library, and the Prefects, not to mention the teaching of Biology, General Studies and RE.
John Vaughan-Shaw once observed that “Cecil possessed the idiosyncrasies requisite for any successful schoolmaster - the pinch of snuff, the Challoner bow tie, the seasonal button-hole, and possibly more - Cecil surpassed many in his breadth of cultural interests, gentility of manner, high moral principles and Christian ideals.”
Outside school, Cecil was an accomplished artist and author. He wrote the following books: Insects & Spiders (1955), Heathland Ecology (1960), The Biology of Insects (1976)*, The Police: Servants or Masters? (1974), Janek’s Way (2004)* and Rings of Growth (2007)*, the last two being novels. Those marked by an asterisk (*) are still in print.
Cecil with Maria went on to have a long and happy retirement based from their remote cottage near Llangollen in north Wales. His was able to indulge his interests with extensive travel across Europe, including those countries from the former Soviet Bloc, going camping every summer. In 2002, Cecil wrote to the author stating “One of the many delights of retirement (seventeen years now) is that one can go on holiday at a time when campsites are largely free of the shrieking young!”
Cecil Paul Arthur Friedlander was born in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, on 25 August 1924, and was on the academic staff between 1968 and 1985. He died after a short illness on 28 August 2024 at the age of 100.
May he rest in peace.
David J S Kay
News from the College
We have had a fantastic start to the academic year, with success across all areas including academics, music, and sport.
Academic Excellence
Academic excellence continues to thrive at St Edmund’s, with outstanding A-Level results bringing immense pride to the school, particularly in Further Mathematics, where pupils achieved five A* grades and one A. Completing A-Level Maths in just one year is a rare achievement, requiring immense dedication and resilience, and our pupils have excelled both academically and beyond the classroom.
We also celebrated high performance across the school, awarding HPL badges to around 230 pupils in recognition of their exceptional commitment to learning. These achievements highlight the hard work, ambition, and supportive environment that define academic life at St Edmund’s.
Music Performances
Music has flourished this year, with pupils excelling in performances across a range of events.
The Rush Hour Concerts have become a key platform for pupils of all abilities, while the Scholars’ Concert showcased the remarkable talent and dedication of our music scholars. Rehearsals for Fiddler on the Roof are in full swing, with pupils mastering complex harmonies, accents, and choreography ahead of the March performances.
The Autumn Concert was a standout event, featuring orchestral and choral performances, including a stunning rendition of Fauré’s Requiem The choir also delivered a moving performance of the Requiem at All Saints Church, Hertford, to high acclaim.
In November, the inaugural Young Musician of the Year competition saw pupils of all levels support and inspire one another in a true celebration of musical excellence.
Sporting achievements
Sport at St Ed’s has thrived, with memorable performances across a range of activities. The U15 cricket team showed resilience, led by captain Oliver S, while the U14 and U12 teams displayed determination for future growth.
The golf team reached three national
The girls' football teams had an impressive season, with the U15s earning a draw against Haileybury and the U12s dominating with a 4-0 win. Athletics saw success with several athletes earning county and national recognition, including KK O and Elijah E’s first-place finishes. Sports Day was a highlight, with record-breaking performances and House Poynter emerging as champions.
The Manchester Sports Tour provided intensive training and competitive matches, alongside fun activities, leaving students with great memories. In Michaelmas term, the College played over 250 fixtures across a range of sports, highlighting the commitment and enthusiasm of our athletes.
finals, finishing third in the ISGA Match Play tournament, with Ronnie S earning the lowest round.
St Edmund’s Sunday 2024: Celebrating 150 Years of St Hugh’s
St Edmund’s College was originally founded as the English College at Douai in northern France in 1568 and was re-established at Old Hall Green in Hertfordshire on 16 November 1793. As this happened to be the Feast Day of St Edmund, Archbishop of Canterbury (1174-1240), the school came under his patronage.
Every year since then, to mark the anniversary, the College commemorates St Edmund’s Day on the 16th November. Since 1863, during the preceding three days, pupils all come together for a Triduum (three-day religious observance) to sing all thirty verses of the College anthem O Beate mi Edmunde
Starting in 1974, Old Edmundians have had their own celebration normally on the Sunday closest to 16th November. This arrangement began because many OEs were finding it increasingly difficult to visit the College on a weekday.
Last year’s event took place on Sunday, 17th November 2024, which was particularly special as it fell on the Feast Day of St Hugh, the patron saint of the Prep School. It also marked the 150th anniversary of the foundation of St Hugh’s, now known as St Edmund’s Prep School.
The event saw a fantastic turnout of around 80 individuals, with many Old Edmundians returning to the College to celebrate this significant milestone. To mark the occasion of St Hugh’s 150th anniversary, we sang ten verses of
In Memoriam
We have learned of the deaths of the following Edmundians since the last edition of Avita Pro Fide:
Aidan Anglin (Poynter 1979-84) died on 6 September 2022 aged 56
Sing England's Sons.
The day began with High Mass in the College Chapel, which was incredibly well attended. Many families of the children performing also came to this service, adding to the sense of community and celebration. This was followed by a drinks reception in the Ambulacrum, where the Headmaster provided an update on the College’s latest successes.
Lunch was an informal buffet in the Bourne and Myers Rooms, allowing guests to socialise and
Peter Antram (St Hugh’s & Douglass 1963-72) died on 11 February 2025 aged 70
Patrick Barnes (Challoner 1936-41) died on 10 August 2022 aged 100
Anthony Brown
(St Hugh’s & Challoner 1946-55) died on 4 April 2023 aged 86
Luke Buenaventura (Challoner 2008-15) died on 18 July 2024 aged 26
Robert Buhagiar
(St Hugh’s & Talbot 1938-46) died in June 2024 aged 95
Peter Bulfield (St Hugh’s 1940-41) died on 14 October 2023 aged 93
John Edwards (Challoner 1951-53) died on 3 January 2023 aged 86
Frank Finucane
(St Hugh’s & Challoner 1939-46) died on 13 December 2022 aged 92
Alfred Florio (Douglass & Allen Hall 1945-54) died on 31 January 2024 aged 93
mix freely. After lunch, tours of the College were hosted by some of our Prefects and boarders.
Save the date
This year’s St Edmund’s Sunday will take place on Sunday, 16th November. We hope to see many Old Edmundians return once again to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate our shared history. More details, including how to book, can be found on the alumni website or via the QR code.
Dr Cecil Friedlander (Academic Staff 1968-85) died on 28 August 2024 aged 100
Anthony Grandhaie (St Hugh’s 1954-58) died on 2 March 2023 aged 77
Mrs Pauline Keeble (Bursarial Staff 19742001) died in February 2025 aged 88
Fr James Mallon (Allen Hall 1972-75) died on 17 November 2024 aged 84
Michael McEvoy (Bursar 1993-97) died on 14 February 2023 aged 75
Peter Rowe (Challoner 1959-64) died on 11 October 2024 aged 78
Major Anthony Webster (St Hugh’s, Junior House & Challoner 1948-54) died on 25 October 2024 aged 87
Nicholas Wilton (Junior House & Challoner 1971-74) died on 4 February 2025 aged 65
May they rest in peace.
Pilot in the making...
OE Henry Hards has been working on every aspect of pilot training at the Skyborne Airline Academy, he even managed to squeeze in the time to represent Skyborne at Pilot Careers Live at Heathrow.
After a long 6 months with countless hours of lessons and studying, he has now passed all 13 ATPL Theoretical exams with an average of 88%. Henry will now be heading out to Florida for the next 6 months where he will work towards his Commercial Pilots License. Congratulations Henry well done!
We are excited to invite you, your family, and friends to Exhibition Day 2025 on 28th June! It will be a fun-filled day with food stalls, games, a cricket match, and much more. Plus, we’ll be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Prep School with special events throughout the day, so we hope that many Old Edmundians and Old Hugonians will be able to make it.
It’s a great opportunity to reconnect and enjoy everything St Edmund’s has to offer. For more details and to register scan the QR code or check out the alumni website. We can’t wait to see you there!
Dates for your Diary
We would love for you to join us at our upcoming alumni events – with a variety of options and different dates to choose from, it presents a wonderful opportunity for you to reconnect with everyone and reminisce.
Wednesday 21st May 2025
London Dinner - All welcome! Join us at Brasserie Blanc in Threadneedle Street in the heart of the city for the London Dinner, a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni.
Friday 15th August 2025
London Drinks - All welcome!
This event will be a casual gathering, held in central London (venue to be confirmed), allowing alumni of all generations to meet, network, and reminisce.
Sunday16th November 2025
Avita ProFide Save the date!
St Edmund’s Sunday - All welcome!
This year’s event is being held on Sunday 16 November 2025, this is always a special occasion, and we hope to see even more of you than last year. Please ensure you book your place early.
All Edmundians are welcome to attend any of these events.
For more information or to book your place at any of our upcoming alumni events, simply scan the QR code and it will take you to the alumni events page. Alternatively, login to the alumni portal and look at the events section or email alumni@stedmundscollege.org
If you have some exciting news you would published in the next edition of Avita Pro Fide, please send details through to: Alumni Officer
St Edmund's College, Old Hall Green, Herts SG111DS Tel: 01920 824283 alumni@stedmundscollege.org
Henry is pictured on the top row second from left