Giving Back

We are grateful for each and member of the

Alleyn’s community who takes the time and effort to give back to their School, whether that is financially or a gift of their time. Current pupils are always keen to engage with those who have been here before them and hear their stories. Here are just some of the alumni who have done so in the past months:

CCF Contingent Commander Major Scott Benest met up with Dr Peter Lammer (Brown’s 1976) in March this year at his home as he wished to donate his .22 Small Bore Target Rifle to the School’s Rifle Club. Peter was an avid member of the Shooting Club whilst at School and was in fact Captain for two years. We were thrilled when Peter also agreed to be Guest of Honour at the CCF’s traditional passing-out parade on 24 June. He watched over the prize-giving ceremony and parade and later regaled the students with memories of his time in the CCF, including hair-raising tales of the days when there was a working glider onsite and of a certain MoD ammunition mishap. Peter remembers his experiences with the CCF fondly, in particular the camps in the Scottish mountains. In his speech to the Cadre, he also reflected on the impact his school life has had, emphasising the high quality teaching he received, particularly in Maths and Physics, which he felt had paved the way for his future. In June, and fresh from her final exams, Oxford PPE graduate Matilda Palmer (Cribb’s 2018) spoke by Zoom to a packed room of Alleyn’s Philosophy Politics and Economics (PPE), Economics and Management, and History and Politics applicants. Matilda kindly went through her application experience and some reflections on college life, and she was as up to date as our students could have hoped for in her understanding of the course content of PPE. Matilda has just started her MSc in Sociology at Oxford and is hoping to go into the policy world in the future.

In July, we welcomed back recent OBE awardee and EAC Vice-President Chris Grant (Tyson’s 1980) as guest speaker at Founder’s Day. Chris’ speech drew heavily on the value of friendship.

In September 2021, current year 12 and 13 students were treated to the company of Tom Glenister (Tulley’s 2014) & Zrey Sholapurkar (Brown’s 2019) (above). Hosted by Mr Piper, Director of Drama, the two actors spoke about how they had gone from playing a mushroom in an eco-friendly play at Alleyn’s (Tom) and playing Julius Caesar (Zrey) to securing places at drama school. They shared brilliant advice, encouraging current Alleyn’s student to ‘find the school which works for you and fits you’ and to ‘be open, say yes and give in to the ridiculousness.’ In October, we were delighted to welcome back both Zoë Miller (Roper’s 2015) and Theo Dan (Spurgeon’s 2019) (pictured below left). Zoë returned to talk to Year 11s about sustainability and development as well as Alleyn’s Upper School geographers about choice of degree courses and life at University. She also told the story behind her new company which tackles plastic waste with a sustainable, fairly produced and viable alternative to disposable sanitary products. You can read all about her business on page 18. Theo returned to the Junior School to tell his story of dedication and love of sport that led him to play professional rugby for the Saracens. Good luck for this season, Theo!

Having recently graduated from York with a BSc in Film and Television Production, we were delighted to have Francesca Long (Tulley’s 2018) (above) back at Alleyn’s for 2 weeks working with Year 12 and 13s, showing them the practicalities and technicalities of working with different AV equipment, assisting in Film Studies lessons and producing guides for future reference; all of which knowledge and expertise helps current students effectively create and tell their stories.

Professor Edward (Peter) Robinson (Tulley’s 1951)

attended Alleyn’s with his twin brother John

Robinson (Tulley’s 1951).

They joined the School in 1944 and spent one year at James House at “Alleyn’s at Rossall” before Alleyn’s returned to Townley Road in 1945.

After Alleyn’s Peter studied at UCL before travelling to Canada as a post-doctoral chemistry fellow, where he stayed to blaze a trail at Erindale College (now U of T Mississauga). He joined the University of Toronto faculty in 1961 as an Assistant Professor of chemistry and moved west five years later to help create Erindale College. Peter served variously as first Associate Dean, acting Dean, Dean and Principal as the new campus took shape. In the laboratory, Robinson’s initial foray into research was directed toward a greater understanding of the complex chemistry of sulfuric acid. He and his research partners were involved in the invention of superacids, pioneered the use of the Toronto Mercury Arc-Lamp, were among the first to use laser spectrometry, and discovered the elusive proof of C-H---O hydrogen bonding in methanesulfonyl fluoride and other substances. Science at Alleyn’s and our outreach efforts. His donation has supported the creation of The Professor EA (Peter) Robinson and Colonel John Robinson Outreach Laboratory at Alleyn’s that will benefit not only current Alleyn’s pupils but also the wider community through partnerships and the Primary Outreach Programme. Regular donations to Advancing Alleyn’s have helped to support many projects this year including portable floodlights and a new electric minibus and charging point. In addition, funds helped to support our very first Summer School for 44 families from eight different local state primary schools.