OP News Autumn/Winter 2020

AUTUMN WINTER 2020

OP

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURE THE PERSE IN SINGAPORE ARCHIVE WE (ALMOST) NEVER CLOSE CAREERS WORKSHOP CHANGING CAREER STAFF PROFILE GAIL HAGUE

CONTENTS 03

From the Head

06 FEATURE

04

School News

06

The Perse in Singapore

OPs living and working in Singapore

12 Archive We (almost) never close

13

13 Campaign Update

CAMPAIGN UPDATE The latest news of An Enduring Gift

14

campaign

Donor Lists

16 OP News

18 Careers Workshop

18

20 Staff Profile: Gail Hague

£ 21

Obituaries

24

Upcoming Events

ON THE COVER Grace Hutchinson (Year 7)

CAREERS WORKSHOP Time for a change?

20

won the 2020 Heller Prize

STAFF PROFILE

with her oil painting based

Hear from Gail Hague

on the competition theme of 'Buildings and Bloom'. Read more about her art work on page five.

FROM SCHOOL THENEWS HEAD

THE PERSE EXPLORATION SOCIETY IS BACK! YEAR 8 AND 9 PUPILS ENJOYED A SAFE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AT LITTLE ABINGTON IN OCTOBER, FOLLOWING ALL THE LATEST COVID-19 REGULATIONS.

From the Head

P

erspective is an essential human quality

meaning a pupil tested in period 1 can be back

that comes with life experience and as such

for period 3 assuming a negative result!

Covid-19 has thrown us all challenges, and I am

can be lacking in the young. This coupled

with hormones and changes in the adolescent

delighted by The Perse response. Pupils and staff

brain explains why some teenagers can be prone

have adjusted their daily routines, our cleaners are

to over-reactions.

doing a wonderful job to keep us safe, and our caterers are producing excellent lunches in difficult

But if the youthful inexperience of students means they can lack perspective, the age of the school can

circumstances. We continue to deliver public benefit,

compensate by providing examples that put present-

albeit remotely, with staff and students producing

day challenges in their place. David Jones’s article

online learning material for the 23 primary and

on page 12 examines the occasions when in over

secondary schools in our outreach programme. And

400 years The Perse has closed. It is a short article

the generosity of Old Perseans has helped us fund

because there haven’t been many such times, but

emergency hardship bursaries so that families hit hard

bubonic plague in 1666 and the Luftwaffe in 1941 did

by the health and economic effects of the pandemic

force previous Heads to close the school.

can keep their children at The Perse. When life falls apart around children, the continuity and stability of

In 2020 The Perse never completely shut, and

their education are essential.

throughout the lockdown we were open to the

Despite the headwinds and the turbulence, The

children of key workers – many of whose parents

Perse continues to do what it has always

were busy on the neighbouring Addenbroke's hospital

done and focus on the academic, pastoral

site. We are now delighted to be fully re-open and enjoying the benefits of face-to-face (if socially

and the extra-curricular development

distant) teaching, ultra-clean classrooms (pupils

of pupils. We are well placed to survive and thrive, and if The Perse can see off

disinfect desks before and after use), and fresh air (classroom windows are wide open whatever

bubonic plague in 1666 it can overcome

the weather).

Covid-19 in 2020.

Alongside these traditional infection

With best wishes, Ed Elliott

control measures, we have acquired our own Samba II PCR testing machine with Covid-19 results in less than 90 minutes – 3

OLD PERSEANS

School News

SARAH WADDINGTON retires Staff, pupils and parents at The Pelican came together in July to wish Head Sarah Waddington

EXAM RESULTS 2020

all the best for her retirement after a decade of outstanding and inspirational leadership. The

The cancellation of public exams due to the Covid-19 pandemic

new Head, Francesca Heftman, took over in

means that 2020 I/GCSE,

September 2020.

A Level and Pre-U results were calculated using the higher of centre-assessed (teacher) grades or the exam board standardised grades.

At A Level, 144 (83%) of Perse students achieved three or more grades at A or A* (or Pre U equivalent) and 75 Perse students obtained 3 or more A* grades (or Pre U equivalent).

At GCSE, 87% of Perse entries were graded 9 or 8, which is broadly equivalent to the former GCSE A* grade. The 9–7 rate (broadly equivalent to A*A) was 97%, while 67% of entries were graded at 9.

Congratulations to all students who have worked hard over many months in extremely trying circumstances.

Final 2020 A Level and Pre U grades will not be known until January 2021, as students who are not satisfied with their exam board standardised grades were able to appeal and/or sit public exams this autumn.

BRITISH INDOOR ROWING records

COVID-19 TESTING at The Perse To reduce any further disruption to

broken by Perse student

Ed Gaskarth (Lower Sixth) has rowed his way to record-breaking brilliance – without taking to

teaching and learning at The Perse, we have acquired a Samba II testing machine, enabling us to test pupils and staff with Covid-19 symptoms. Pupils

the water. In April, he

and staff who test negative for Covid-19

clinched the British

symptoms are able to quickly return to

indoor rowing record

school, assuming they are well and no

for distance covered

one in their household has symptoms.

in 30 minutes in the men’s heavyweight (above 75kg) 17–18 age category. Using a machine with slides, in which the movement is more akin to regular

FUNDRAISING FOR Jamie's Wood

In October we held a non-uniform day to raise money for

rowing, Ed chalked up 8,257

Jamie's Wood – a

metres while competing in the virtual Concept 2 Spring VIII

rewilding project on

Series. Not content with setting one standard, Ed has since

the Glenlude Estate

added three more national records to his tally, including 1,290

on the Scottish

metres for distance covered in four minutes, rowing 10,000

borders planted

metres in 35min 25.6sec and 2,000 metres in 6min 20.2sec.

in memory of Jamie Gardiner (2013).

Ed, who rows for the Cambridge ’99 club, said: “I’ve used

Will Aitchison and other members of

trying to break the records more as motivation and goal-

the Class of 2013 put together a video

setting without the racing season rather than as a replacement

assembly about Jamie for pupils to

or consolation for not being able to go on the river. However,

watch, and the day raised £2,046.77. You

it is nice to be able to feel like I have pushed myself as

can find out more about the project, or

much as possible on a piece and records are a bonus.”

make a donation, at jamieswood.carrd.co.

4

SCHOOL NEWS

KIERAN GALVIN

LOCKDOWN music During lockdown, The Perse music department embarked on a number of virtual projects. The Lockdown Classical Choir performed the first and final movements of Vivaldi’s uplifting Gloria, whilst pupils from the Pelican, Prep and Upper schools joined with parents and OPs to create a 72-musician strong Lockdown Orchestra, performing Trepak (Russian Dance) from The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky. More modern

PERSE CRICKETER delighted to make Essex debut

ensembles performed

Talented cricketer Bella Howarth (Year 11) made her 1st XI debut for Essex

Coldplay’s Adventure of a

women’s team at the age of 15. Bella played for Essex as they lost by 10

Lifetime and Lovely Day in

wickets in their final London Championship match of the season, away to a

remembrance of the late Bill

strong Kent side featuring internationals such as England’s Tash Farrant and

Withers. You can watch all

Scotland star Sarah Bryce. Bella said: “Kent are probably the strongest side

of the performances online

in the country in women’s cricket and they definitely proved that on the day.

via The Perse’s YouTube

Playing against them showed me the standard I need to achieve if I want to go

Channel – youtube.com/

further. It was definitely a learning experience for me and I will try to take the

ThePerseSchoolCambridge.

professionalism that was shown on the day into age-group cricket.”

PERSE PUPIL has a brush with success Grace Hutchinson (Year 7) has double cause for celebration courtesy of her artistic talents.

One of her paintings, Self Portrait: Me and the Blue-Footed Booby Chick, was chosen to feature in the Royal Academy of Arts’ Young Artists’ Summer Show, while another has won The Perse’s prestigious Heller Prize for Creative Arts. Grace, whose favourite artists include JMW Turner for “the incredible detail and vagueness of his paintings” and David Hockney for his use of “very cheerful and vibrant colours”, added that she had long had a passion for art. She said: “I love drawing and painting because it’s surprisingly calming. It’s really fun and I think it’s amazing when you get to see the final piece.”

5

OLD PERSEANS

THE PERSE IN SINGAPORE The Perse is an increasingly global community with OPs across the world radiating our core values. We hear from four OPs who are currently living and working in Singapore, followed by an update from The Perse School Singapore which opened its doors in January 2020.

6

SCHOOL FEATURE NEWS

MY GAINING A PLACE TO READ LAW AT CAMBRIDGE WAS REALLY A TEAM EFFORT. I AM THANKFUL TO MY PARENTS FOR CHOOSING THE PERSE AND I AM VERY PROUD TO CALL MYSELF AN OLD PERSEAN.

HIT1912 / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Mr Gant, Mrs Goodman and

client queries, discussing potential

Mr Elliott. Nigel Richardson was

remedies and strategies, replying

everything a headmaster should

to correspondence from opposing

be, a true leader who brought

counsel, drafting formal opinions,

out the best in everyone. He took

pleadings, or affidavits, attending

the three potential Oxbridge law

court hearings or negotiating

applicants under his wing that year,

settlements. Occasionally, a matter

and we were able to approach

will go to full trial. No two days

our interviews with confidence

are ever the same. I am fortunate

thanks to his guidance. I made

to be able to stay true to my inner

wonderful friends at The Perse, in

science geek, particularly when I

particular Debby [Fan] and Viktoria

am engaged in patent litigation

[Kibalchenko]. We attended

– some interesting cases have

each other’s weddings, we now

involved fire retardant clothing,

have children who are about the

refrigerants, petrochemicals and

same age. Incredibly, we have

pharmaceuticals. With seniority

managed to stay in touch even

came the responsibilities of client

though we live in separate corners

development, managing teams

of the globe. My gaining a place

and dealing with operations such

to read Law at Cambridge was

as IT, training, human resource

really a team effort. I am thankful

and finance. The upside of

to my parents for choosing The

working at a family firm is that

Perse and I am very proud to

operational decisions are always

call myself an Old Persean.

made taking into account the

My career path since has been

long-term best interests of the

part fate, part destiny, and much

firm. For example, lawyers tend

of it is still unwritten. My parents

to love their paper and physical

are both attorneys, specialising

files, but our firm invested in

in intellectual property law in

IT infrastructure to support a

Singapore and Malaysia. I chose to

paperless environment as early

train at another firm and practiced

as 2012. This was an incredible

commercial litigation and banking

advantage when Covid-19 hit

law. It was hard work and long

and we managed to seamlessly

hours but I was fortunate to receive

transition to working from home.

the best training under some

Singapore is a wonderful place

outstanding legal practitioners.

to live and work, and an incredibly

Eventually, I decided to join the

safe place for children to grow

family firm. 15 years later, working

up. It’s not just Crazy Rich Asians,

from home in Singapore amid the

shopping malls and skyscrapers!

global Covid-19 pandemic, I know I

There are lots of outdoor spaces in

WHEN I JOINED The Perse in

made the right call. My parents are

the form of parks, nature reserves

1997, the School had only recently

the real trailblazers, they have built

and hiking trails hidden in the

started admitting girls, and there

an amazing team of professionals

jungles. Singapore is where I met

were only very few of us. The

and a solid client base. We are

my husband, Jean-Christophe

Perse was particularly strong at

a boutique firm, so we are able

(JC). We are incredibly proud

the sciences, which suited me well.

to offer a more personalised

parents to our two boys, Nicolas

I spent many happy hours with

service while maintaining

and Hugo. Who knew my time at

some exceptional Teachers – Mrs

exceptionally high quality.

The Perse surrounded by boys was

Denise Mirandah (1999)

McFarlane, Mr Daniels, Dr Graham, Mrs Hague, Mr Kirby, Dr Welland,

On a given day I could be

a harbinger of things to come! I

receiving a new brief, answering

would not have it any other way.

7

OLD PERSEANS

training in Brazilian jiu jitsu at the largest martial arts gym in Singapore, Evolve MMA. I had covered many amateur martial arts events as a ringside doctor, and was then invited to cover larger professional mixed martial events held by One Championship in Singapore and across Asia. The hardest part of being a ringside doctor is making a snap judgement call whether or not to stop a fight in front of a live audience of thousands, and a televised audience of millions. Unconscious athletes and those with suspected

Alan Cheung (1995) I MOVED TO SINGAPORE six

it was a regret to give up my

spinal injury must be evacuated

arts subjects to pursue science

safely from a ring or cage which is

and eventually medicine.

four feet off the ground.

Outside of the classroom, I

As rugby injuries resemble

family in Asia. I am a Consultant

most enjoyed playing for Adrian

martial arts injuries, I also began

Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising

Roberts' invincible 4th XV Rugby

covering international rugby events

in robotic joint replacement

team, and expeditions with the

as a matchday doctor and became

and sports injuries. Outside of

5th Cambridge Scouts led by

a World Rugby educator. A recent

the operating theatre I am the

Richard Crabtree alongside my

highlight was representing the

team doctor for the Wrestling

good friend Richard Whittington.

Singapore Rugby Union medical

Federation of Singapore, ringside

Getting lost in Snowdonia and

team at the Rugby World Cup last

doctor for One Championship

camping in Churston Ferrers

year in Japan.

(Asian equivalent to the UFC

are cherished memories.

years ago to be closer to my

mixed martial arts franchise) and

In my mid-teens I dislocated

My advice to all students is that family comes first. Happiness

matchday doctor for events such

both shoulders playing for

tends not to come from wealth

as the HSBC Rugby Sevens and

Cambridge Rugby Club. This began

and a high flying career, but more

SuperRugby.

a lifelong interest in anatomy,

from the quality of relationships

sports medicine and injury.

that you have with friends and

immigrants who never finished

Applying for medicine was mostly

loved ones. Emotional intelligence

school and had a limited command

a process of trial and error with

is an important lifeskill that is not

of English. Working long hours in

no real advice given on interview

gained easily. Meeting people

the catering industry and making

technique, and I was amused and

from all backgrounds and learning

many sacrifices, they saved enough

impressed on a recent visit to The

their perspective helps. Working a

to send me to the best school in

Perse to see a whole department of

variety of summer jobs was useful

the region – The Perse, for which I

UCAS advisors in residence.

for me in that regard. Take time to

My parents were Hong Kong

After my first anatomy lesson at

educate yourself financially, and

University College London Medical

learn to save and invest from an

at The Perse Prep, with its unique

School I realised that I wanted to

early age. Don't always choose the

flora, under the excellent pastoral

become a surgeon, and eventually

safe option, you can afford to take

care of Miss Bedford, Mrs Halbert

specialised in Orthopaedics. I enjoy

some risks in life. The road that is

and Miss Hurst. The atmosphere

the technical aspects of a wide

less travelled is usually the most

was different at the Upper, where

range of surgeries in Orthopaedics

interesting. Finally, being educated

Martin Stephen informed us that

which generally yield excellent

at The Perse is like winning the

we were now small fish in a big

results. I also enjoy treating injured

lottery in life. It is your duty to help

pond. I found the Mummery system

patients of all ages and abilities who

those less fortunate than yourself.

(based on Elizabethan theatre

usually return to sports and have a

Qui facit per alium facit per se!

where students acted out plays)

high quality of life. I now specialise

a unique and enjoyable way of

in robotic joint replacement surgery

@dralancheung

learning English. I continued to

and sports injuries.

www.ioc-ortho.com

am eternally grateful.

My happiest years were spent

enjoy English as taught by the indomitable Tony Porter, and

My involvement in ringside medicine began when I started 8

SCHOOL FEATURE NEWS

Edward Russell (2008)

of high school, I decided to do

when I first accepted the offer,

my undergrad at the University

but sharing bunk beds with fellow

I REMEMBER FONDLY my

of Western Australia and, given

models certainly wasn't part of

formative years revolving around

that I had very little idea what

it. What it did allow me though

The Perse, so much so that my

I actually wanted to pursue, I

was not just the opportunity to

family moved from London to

kept it as broad as possible by

travel – Bangkok, Hong Kong,

Cambridge just so I could attend

studying both a Bachelor of Arts

Thailand, Singapore, Taipei, just to

The Perse Prep and my sister, The

and a Bachelor of Commerce.

name a few of the cities I lived in

Pelican. I still recall making the

Five years and two degrees later,

– but also the opportunity to gain

move from Trumpington Road

inspiration was still unfortunately

experience in front of the camera.

to Hills Road to start First Form

yet to strike and so a couple more

and how in awe I was at the size

years passed as I completed

that experience was invaluable in

of the grounds – I had finally

my post-graduate thesis.

landing me a job as a TV presenter

arrived! The plan – in my head

By then all I wanted to do was

Fast forward a few years and

on Fox Sports Asia, based out of

at least – was to read history at

leave the books behind and travel.

Singapore. Each day we broadcast

Cambridge following Sixth Form.

On a recent holiday to Singapore I

to over 22 different countries and

My parents had other ideas

had been scouted by a modelling

territories across Asia, and I host

though, and just before the start

agency who offered me a contract

various live shows, from Formula 1

of Third Form they uprooted the

if I ever felt like a career change,

to MotoGP, to the Bundesliga, and

family to Australia for a new life

and it suddenly felt like the

Grand Slam Tennis.

in Perth. Hale School came highly

perfect time to throw caution to

recommended by the then Perse

the wind and take the plunge.

Headmaster (Nigel Richardson)

If I’m not in the studio, I’m lucky enough to be reporting live from

I could write a whole book

various sporting events across

who was well acquainted with

purely covering the two years

the globe, but I would have to say

Hale’s Head at the time John

I spent travelling around Asia

my favourite on-site destination

Inverarity – he himself would

modelling but suffice to say the

without a doubt is Wimbledon. I

go on to become chairman of

entire experience was nowhere

remember one evening after having

selectors for Australian Cricket.

near as glamorous as it might

just finished a sit-down interview

initially sound. Honestly I’m not

with Roger Federer, I took a couple

really sure what I had in mind

of minutes to watch the sunset over

Despite a yearning to return to Cambridge following the end

SW16 from our camera position and wondered how it was possible that I came to be there doing what I was doing. It certainly hasn’t been a straightforward career path, and not one that I could have ever envisaged, but I can confidently say that it all began with The Perse.

IT CERTAINLY HASN’T BEEN A STRAIGHT FORWARD CAREER PATH, AND NOT ONE THAT I COULD HAVE EVER ENVISAGED, BUT I CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY THAT IT ALL BEGAN WITH THE PERSE.

9

OLD PERSEANS

are) the preferred sport for me! I

other countries whilst undertaking

was interested in hockey, cricket

short-term projects. Travelling and

and squash as well as engaging in

meeting clients is a significant

several sporting events organised

part of my job, and has given me

by the boarding house. It certainly

many chances to see the world

was healthy to be outside and

and immerse in a diverse range of

breathing cool, crisp air.

local cultures. However, such an

When I graduated from The

international career presents its

Perse, I went to the University of

own challenges; business etiquette

Newcastle to study Mechanical

varies across the world, and you are

Engineering, followed by

constantly adapting to the differing

Brunel University in London to

needs and wishes depending on

complete my Masters. I decided

location. As expected, Covid-19 has

to study Mechanical Engineering

added to these challenges as the

WHEN THE REQUEST came

because of the immense scope

varying legislative and procedural

through to pen a few thoughts

of career options for those

responses to the pandemic

about my years at The Perse, many

with the qualification, including

have added to pre-existing

fond memories came flooding back.

manufacturing, robotics, electrics

differences across the globe.

I had the opportunity to study at

and automation! My career after

The Perse and live in its boarding

graduation started in the oil and

for the last 12 years with my wife

facilities. The boarding facilities

gas industry, which is where I

and children, but continue to

taught me very different things

have stayed. I started as a Project

travel for around 14 weeks every

to the school, nonetheless both

Engineer in the design and

year. Singapore is a multi-cultural

were instrumental to my academic,

installation of offshore platforms,

country with English being the

professional, and self-development.

FPSOs and subsea structures. My

official language for communication

Before joining The Perse, I had

work required a lot of travel, and

and correspondence. Singapore

spent most of my childhood either

there were certainly challenging and

is centrally located in Asia, and

at home in Sri Lanka or abroad,

unpleasant moments when I was

hence most residents tend to take

depending on the nature of my

offshore. This was mainly due to the

short breaks over the holidays

dad’s career. He was an engineer

unfavourable weather conditions,

to enjoy the diverse culture they

who specialised in highway and

as well as being in an environment

are surrounded by. The public

high-rise building construction.

with nothing more to do other than

transport system is immaculate

At that time, given the focus on

work, eat, and sleep. Fortunately, I

– easily accessible, cost effective,

improvement and new infrastructure

do not have to deal with the same

and efficient. The grocery stores

within many developing countries,

challenges now. Nevertheless, my

and supermarkets have ingredients

the demand and opportunity to

current role as Asset Manager

for various different cuisines – I

work abroad was a very exciting

for BWO Offshore in Singapore

can find Yorkshire puddings pretty

possibility for engineers like my dad

certainly presents new challenges to

easily here and they taste just fine!

and their families. Hence, when I

be managed and experiences to be

Singaporeans and residents of

arrived at The Perse, it was indeed

gained. Asset management involves

Singapore like their food, and eating

a new and interesting environment

systematically managing company

is practically a national pastime. The

for a teenager like myself. The

efficiency to benefit business

local cuisine is delicious – the Indian

learning (academic or otherwise)

productivity, and often involves

curries and the Malay rendangs

never stopped – lessons extended

making quick and bold decisions in

are a must try! Then there are the

beyond the walls of the classroom.

unpredictable circumstances which

famous Chilli Crabs which can be

The Perse is certainly where I learnt

are near-impossible to forecast.

eaten with rice or bread. You could

to be independent, confident, and

Whilst such a role can be stressful

try the famous Durian, the “King” of

gain the skills that would take me

and intermittently affect my work-

all Fruits, although they are not for

into the world of work. I made many

life balance, decisions which result

everyone – a love or hate delicacy

friends that came from a diverse

in productivity increases fill asset

for which I am personally not a fan.

range of different cultures and

managers with immense satisfaction

I do not want to spoil the adventure

backgrounds, offering me insight to

and makes my work very fulfilling.

by revealing all. I shall leave you with

Vijay Mahindran (1991)

I have now lived in Singapore

the above and trust it is enough to

the values that others hold true and

The industry I picked certainly

develop a sense of respect. Despite

gave me the global experience to

entice you to visit Singapore and

the disciplined routine I found

live and work in various countries

experience the colours, culture

time to engage in sports, although

(Scotland, Norway, Dubai, Qatar,

and creativity on which this special

chess and bridge were (and still

and Singapore) as well as travel to

island thrives.

10

SCHOOL FEATURE NEWS

Exciting times at The Perse School Singapore The Perse School Singapore opened its doors in January 2020 for pupils aged five to 11.

T

he school is in Upper Bukit Timah, a residential area in Singapore just at the foot of the Bukit Timah nature reserve which is Singapore’s

oldest virgin rainforest area and its highest peak. There are over 50 pupils at the school spanning across the year groups, with more starting in January 2021.

The school in Singapore shares the same four core values of The Perse in Cambridge – intellectual curiosity and scholarship, endeavour, breadth and balance, and respect for one another and our environment. Just like The Perse Cambridge, it strives to nurture the children’s potential, build their confidence and prepare them for the future. We can already see that the supportive environment is helping ensure that Perse pupils are intellectually curious and emotionally intelligent thinkers, eager to engage in the world around them, sensitive to the needs and beliefs of others, but still with the courage of their own convictions.

due to the Covid-19 pandemic and The Perse

The broad and innovative curriculum closely follows

Singapore moved to online learning. Feedback

the Cambridge Primary programme, incorporating

from parents was very positive.

Singapore maths as well as daily Mandarin lessons.

In August pupils returned to school with great

Class sizes are small and lessons are delivered by

excitement. Since then, pupils and staff have been

subject-specific teaching staff. Another similarity with

having a very busy and fun term. Activities have

The Perse Prep includes regular sporting activities

ranged from Orientation Week 2020, celebrating

such as swimming, which takes place at the Rainforest

the Mid-Autumn Festival, playing hockey, to Book

Sports Hub, five minutes away from the site.

Club, and house activities. The Perse Singapore

The staff and pupils have coped well with the

has the same houses as The Perse Prep Cambridge

challenges of the last six months. During part of

(Barbarians, Foresters, Nomads and Corinthians)

the summer term, schools were closed in Singapore

which the children love, as they have a common goal with their counterparts in Cambridge.

Pupils at The Perse Singapore have written to pupils at The Perse Cambridge. There has been much excitement when the children have written to a child the same age as them from the UK. Similarly, the pupils back in the UK have been eager to reply. This is a great opportunity for pupils to learn about the similarities in the schools, what the children’s favourite subjects are, and how life differs in each country. It is another great way to continue the connections between both schools.

The Perse Singapore is owned by Chip Eng Seng, a Singapore based property development, construction and education company. The Perse School Cambridge International has worked with The Perse School Singapore to ensure the successful transfer of The Perse ethos, values, and curriculum, ensuring both schools have the same high standards.

11

OLD PERSEANS

Archivist’s Account

We (Almost) Never Close The partial closure of the school site during the summer term, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is almost without precedent in the school’s history.

B

ut not quite. The longest comparable shutdown came in the autumn of 1666, when the plague forced George Griffiths to close the school for up to two terms. The records are few, but deaths occurred in

the families of several pupils, and presumably some boys also died. The town experienced restrictions similar to the 2020 ‘lockdown’: Stourbridge Fair was cancelled, pest houses were set up on Coldham’s Common for the infected, armed watchmen prevented travellers from entering the town, public meetings were prohibited, and undergraduates were sent home.

The Spanish ‘flu pandemic of 1919 had no observable impact on the

School; it is not even mentioned in the school magazine or the minutes of the governors’ meetings, and no precautions were thought necessary, beyond the already existing statement in the prospectus: ‘Boys who have suffered from, or who have been accidentally exposed to, infectious illness of any kind, cannot attend the School without the Head Master’s consent, for which a Medical Certificate is required.’

The outbreak of war on 3 September 1939 delayed the start of term by a week, while classrooms were reinforced to serve as air-raid shelters.

Chairman of the Governors A.B. Ramsay announced: ‘The most patriotic thing you boys can do is to carry on as usual, as far as possible.’ He added that the coming months would be a test of the nation’s character. There was no evacuation, since sustained bombing of Cambridge was not expected; yet in January 1941, the night before the start of term, The Perse was hit by incendiary bombs. Astonishingly, Headmaster Hubert Wootton had the school open within three days, lessons taking place in the nearby Technical College.

The school carried on through the severe winters of 1947 and 1963, when the country was snow- and ice-bound for months.

But in 2002, and on subsequent occasions, relatively light falls of snow have closed the school: pupils now come from further afield, on busier roads, and it takes very little to impede travel.

The ‘flu pandemic of 1957–8 killed children PHOTOGRAPHS

of school age in particular, and a new strain

FROM THE SCHOOL

of ‘flu in 1968 was also severe, but on

ARCHIVE CAPTURING

neither occasion was the school shut.

The plague that caused the first closure

THE TREMENDOUS DAMAGE TO SCHOOL

of the School had been a regular visitor for

BUILDINGS CAUSED BY

decades, but we might find it reassuring

THE 1941 BOMBINGS.

to know that after 1667 it vanished, seemingly of its own accord.

David Jones joined The Perse in 1974 as a history teacher and was House Tutor at School House until 1982. He retired from teaching in 2008, but has continued at the School in his role as Archivist.

12

SCHOOL DONORS NEWS

CAMPAIGN UPDATE 2019–20 THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, this year

WHAT DID YOU SUPPORT?

we have raised over £400,000 for the School’s An Enduring Gift campaign, which supports the School’s bursary and outreach programmes. Over 100 pupils are currently able to attend The Perse due to means-tested financial assistance. Two in three recipients are awarded a bursary of 50% or more of tuition fees, and may also receive support with lunches and curricular trips.

TOTAL

£402,168

As well as offering entrance bursaries, we also provide emergency hardship bursaries to support families through hard times. This year, as a result of Covid-19, we have awarded an additional 19 means-tested hardship bursaries so that children already at the School can continue to benefit from a Perse education in these challenging times.

This year saw the launch of the third Upper Sixth Leavers’ Gift campaign, which raises money for the bursary and hardship fund.

The Class of 2020 parents raised over £120,000, which will make a massive difference to the next generation of Perseans. Thank you to everyone who made a gift to the campaign, as well as to Sarah Black for organising this years’ effort.

Bursaries: 59% Buildings: 2% O utreach: 4% Unrestricted: 27% Other: 8%

HOW YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE IN 2019–2020 19 ADDITIONAL OVER 100 PUPILS attend

HARDSHIP

The Perse thanks to

BURSARIES as a

means-tested bursaries

result of Covid-19

Growing our annual FUNDING OUTREACH

Perse CODING TEAM

PROGRAMMES with

CHALLENGE, which

23 local schools

saw 3000+ participants

WHO GAVE TO THE PERSE? Philanthropic Donors 2019–2020

TOTAL

417 GIFTS

this year

PROVIDED RUGBY

Establishing a

PHOTOGRAPHS

fund to INCREASE

and memorabilia

ACCESS to the

OPs: 75%

to fill in gaps in

Perse Exploration

C urrent/former staff: 1%

the archive

Society

C urrent parents: 4% Past parents and Friends of The Perse: 17%

1615

Other: 3%

Volunteered over 200

14 NEW MEMBERS of the

HOURS of expertise and

1615 Society for donors

time, including careers

who have given £1,615 or

events and lunchtime

more to the School

lectures

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE A GIFT TO THE CAMPAIGN. 13

OLD PERSEANS

DONOR LIST 2019–20 The generosity of all those who have made a donation to The Perse during the past academic year is sincerely appreciated.

Donations are listed in alphabetical order by decade at the School.

Donors who have given to the School for 10+ consecutive years* Donors who are members of the 1615 Society 1615 Class of 1940s Mr P T Armitstead* The late Mr R W Gray Major E G S Lachlan Class of 1950s Mr I R Alexander* Mr J W Ashman The late Mr M G Baker* The late Mr J F Bullen* Wing Commander E B Bywater* Mr J W Charles* Dr D C H Cheng Mr A S Crawford Mr S C Foster Mr R G Gee Mr C A Greenhill Mr J M Hammond* Dr B L Hunt*1615 The late Dr P J Islip Dr P G G Jackson* Mr M D C Johnson*1615 Mr J M Kidd*1615 Mr R L Kidd Mr R A Lanham* Mr T C Laurie Mr I G Lyon Mr R R Mansfield*1615 Mr P E Mills Mr R A Neaves Dr O M G Newman Mr R C Norris1615 The Reverend Canon D W Owen* Sir Mark Potter Mr M J A Powell*1615 Mr P J D Scarlett*1615 Mr R M Scott* Mr R L Shadbolt1615 Mr D E Sibson*1615 Mr T G W Sweeney Mr R J H Wheatley*1615 Professor J A Zetter1615 Class of 1960s Mr D J Alexander* Mr T Andrew Mr J S Andrews The Reverend G A Barber Mr M J Beloe*1615 Dr B C R Bertram* Mr J A Bishopp*1615 Dr J E Bradshaw* Colonel R M G Brooks* Mr C M Byrom Mr R A Camping Dr J Cheney Professor R C Cheng*1615

Mr C D Chitty Professor J Clarke*1615 Dr A E T Cook Mr W O Cook Mr R A Covill* Mr D G Crawford*1615 Dr J M Crossman Dr H M Davies1615 Mr G R Ditcham* Mr P N Draper1615 Mr R D Eastcott Mr A J Eden Mr D I H Field* Mr E E Gibbs Mr R S Gould*1615 Mr J M Green*1615 Dr N Hamson Mr M E Harper Mr C P Harrison Mr W G Hodges Mr J R Holy*1615 Dr R W Jeffery Mr M J Lott* Mr R K Loukes Mr P J Mahaffey Dr P G N Main Dr J T B Marshall Dr M G Mason1615 Professor J L Miller1615 Professor J A Mintz Dr R F Mitchell* Dr R Murphey Mr J R Neal Mr G Palmer*1615 Mr R F Perkins Mr S J Perrin Mr R J Pinney Mr M H Pitman Mr J J Reed Mr J H Sacks1615 Mr G L Sanderson* Mr T J Sanderson Mr G A M Sims Mr P J H Smith* The Honorable R S Smith Dr M A Spencer*1615 Mr R F Squibbs Mr S J Stanley1615 Mr R D Stearn*1615 Dr S M Stearn Sir Quentin Thomas* Mr P E Thompson Mr R J Thomson Mr C V T Walne Professor A K Wensley Mr H J Wiseman Class of 1970s The Reverend R J H Beard Mr C S Bell* Mr A J M Brookes1615 Mr R H Clarke1615 Mr A C Cook1615 Mr A Cuthbert Mr S V De Boo*1615 Mr G C J Dench Mr A P Donoghue1615 Mr T R Empson Captain J P English

Mr D A Farndale Dr A J France1615 Mr T C Freane Mr J E F Gibson Mr B C Gill Mr R P Grace Mr C P Hancock*1615 Dr W G Handley*1615 Mr P A Harlow1615 Mr D E Hart* Mr M T Hawkins Dr R C Hindmarsh Mr A R Homer Mr R W F Hutt1615 Mr P J Johnson*1615 Mr B D Lanaghan1615 Mr D J Lloyd* Mr M H Massy1615 Mr K A A McFarlane Mr R I Morgan*1615 Mr S W Pain*1615 Mr R D Partridge1615 Mr W M Pattison Dr H J Pearson1615 Dr D Ramasamy Mr C F Rushton*1615 Mr R D Russell* Mr S J Scarisbrick The Reverend R C Smail Dr L M V Smith Mr J P Stevens In memory of Commander and Mrs K G Sumnall OBE1615 Mr D J Thompson*1615 Mr W D L Thompson Mr J P Tunnicliffe* Dr G D Wattles*1615 Mr G Woo Mr D T Young Class of 1980s Mr P Ansell1615 Professor J M Birkinshaw Mr A W Bligh Mr N Brownlie Mr Y Chew1615 Mr J A Collins*1615 Mr D P Dorai Raj Dr L Drake Dr M R Echlin1615 Mr A J Finch*1615 Dr A R Gande Mr R G Gardiner1615 Mr S M Groom1615 Mr I M Handley- Schachler1615 Captain P J Haslam1615 Mr M J L Kapoor Mr S G Kelly1615 Mr M J Leake*1615 Mr J M Lello* Mr S A H Lello Professor S J Martin1615 Mr T R Matthews Mr M A Melford Dr F Moscuzza* Mr J L J Newman* Mr M P Newman* Mr O O Ojehomon1615

14

Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr

J R Pedley1615 P Peglar C P Ramsey S C Riley1615 N A J Tait N J Twitchett* N P E Weeds M A Wilkinson1615 S D Wright

Class of 1990s Mr N K Amery Mr H Borno Mr P J Brotton* Mr J J Butler* Mr P C Cave-Gibbs*1615 Mr R E Challis* Mr A T W Craster Professor G Csanyi Dr R J H Dunn Mr G C Dymott1615 Mr T G A Edgar Mr N J Elvidge Dr G A W Evans Mr A Farboud Mr A Farboud Mr D M Goodridge*1615 Dr W K Hage* Mr M A Hawkes Dr W B Henry* Mr A M Herriot1615 Dr A Kumar Mr C D Lauterpacht1615 Dr V I Lesk Mr M R F Lynn Mr V Mahindran1615 Dr H K Miller Mr A G Moir* Mr T Morfett Mr R N Oakeshott Mr J R Odell* Mr N D Owers Mr M R Peachey*1615 Mr A C M Rabarts Mr S J Radford Mr W F Reeve1615 Mrs K C Rodriguez Dr T Sivayokan Mr J E B Stobbs Mr V Sujendran1615 Mrs A H P Sutherland Mr J R Thiagarajah Mr J A Trevelyan Dr M J Whitaker1615 Mr D L Young Class of 2000s Miss R A Abulafia Mr E J Aston Mr J A Bell Miss G Brunt Mr O W Callington Mr C O Carter Mr L D Clayton Mr Q P P Croft Mr G E J Dean Mrs T F Doble Mr P J H Dunn Mr T R Eccles Mr T Fawehinmi

Mr E H Fray Mr B P T Freedman Miss C M Fryers Mr B J Gamble Mr J W S Hale Mr A D Harris1615 Miss C H Higson Mr J M D Holden Mr R P Jones1615 Mr S J Keen Mr T J Latimer Mr M C Loach Mr C J Lyon Mr D S C Meese Grove Mr A J Milne Miss K E Muir-Jones Mr J E Nichols1615 Miss S E Nolasco Mr P J Norton1615 Mrs J C Oldham Miss M Patel Mr N D M Paulson Mr J Pearson Mr O Pindar Mr A D Pooles Mr A Porter Mr C D Rogers Dr S D Smart Mr S F G Smith Mr M J C Swan Dr R Tharakan Miss M L Wadham Mr Y Wang Mr R S Whittle Mrs V A Windmill Class of 2010s Mr L Blackman Mr D Chapman Mr M H Du Mr A Fanourakis Miss A M Garrett-Sinclair Mr D B Graves Mr D J Jennings Miss M B H King Mr C Kingstone Miss H Knowles Mr P Miozzo Mr A J P North Mr E Racher Mr A Q Repa Mrs C F Ryden Mr A C Shore Mr H Spiers Miss C E Taylor Miss I S Wadham Mr D Worrall Parents and Friends of the School Professor D & Professor A Abulafia* Dr & Mrs C Anderson Mr J Barker & Dr C Hubbard Dr & Mrs B Bhardwaj1615 Mrs S Black Mr D Braben & Mrs W Irvin-Braben1615 Mr & Mrs N Brent1615

SCHOOL DONORS NEWS

Mr & Mrs D Brigstocke Dr K Buse & Dr S Hawkes1615 Dr & Mrs W Cai Mr & Mrs R Chandraker Mr & Mrs S Chintala Mr & Mrs P Clarke* Dr N Cox & Dr S Booth Dr N Crockett & Dr J Greenwood Mr & Mrs E Downey Mr & Mrs H Edmundson* Dr & Mrs K Edwards Mr E C & Dr S Elliott* Mrs J Ellis* Dr & Mrs O Fawehinmi Dr P & Dr N Forouhi1615 Mr A & Dr J Frost1615 Mr & Mrs T Fryers1615 Mr & Mrs R Gardiner1615 Mr & Mrs M Gaunt Mr & Mrs S Goddard Mrs S Gordon Dr & Mrs A Grace*

Mr & Mrs R Greensitt Mr A & Dr J Hartree1615 Dr & Mrs T Hesketh*1615 Professor H Markus & Mrs P Hird Mr & Mrs S Hirtzel Mr & Ms P Hobson Mr T Huang & Ms L Zhou1615 Mr & Mrs E Humbert1615 Dr C Hunt & Dr V Stephenson1615 Mrs S Hunter Mr C Ingram Mr & Mrs D Ison1615 Mr & Mrs P Iyengar Mr & Mrs T Jackson Ms M Jones Mr & Mrs T Joyce Professor R Kemp & Mrs R Rhodes-Kemp Mr S Kern Mr M & Dr K Kingstone Mr M Last & Ms J Kershaw

Mr & Mrs N Ley Mr J Li & Mrs L Chen Mr R & Dr A Lyon1615 Professor A MacGregor & Dr C Reavley1615 Dr P Martin Ms F Martin-Redman Mr & Mrs T Mawby Mr R Nolasco & Ms L Arthur1615 Dr & Mrs C Palmer Dr A Parton & Dr A Parton Dr N Peabody & Ms B Hare Mr & Mrs P Perkins Mr M Pidgeon & Mrs K Rodney Mr J Racher & Ms K Church Mrs R Rainey*1615 Mr A Robinson & Dr J Lockie Mr & Mrs S Rosen1615 Mr & Mrs D Rosenwold

Dr R & Dr S Sewell Mr & Mrs B Shannon Dr D & Dr M Shrimpton Mr & Mrs B Singh1615 Mr & Mrs G Smith Dr S Stewart1615 Professor C Swan & Mrs C Thornton-Swan Mrs L Tibbs* Mr & Mrs A Turner Ms E Waldron Mr & Mrs M West Mrs H Whiting Mr & Mrs D Wilkinson1615 Mr T Windsor Mrs K Wright Dr L Xu & Mrs J Wang Mr & Mrs R Yeoman Mr & Mrs M Zeitlyn Dr S & Dr A Zia Mr & Mrs N Zolman1615

Organisations Amazon Smile BP Foundation Easy Fundraising Ernst & Young Fawcett Charity Perse Parents Association TTP Group and 20 anonymous donors

DR PERSE SOCIETY MEMBERS The Dr Perse Society recognises those who have made provision for The Perse in their will.

Society members are listed in alphabetical order.

Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr

G Addison D I Alexander D J Alexander P T Armitstead P W Bogle D Bowley & Mrs T K Boyden A J M Brookes E J N Brookes I J Burton P R G Cannell P C Cave-Gibbs

Mr J P Cheffins Dr J Cheney Mr D A W Clark Mr J R S Cope Mr E A Copeland Mr T T Dingle Mr G R Ditcham Mr P N Draper Mr A J Eden Mr M A Edwards Mr E C Elliott Mr R C H Genochio Mr R W Goddin Mr & Mrs S W Graves Mr M C L Herring

Dr C R Hunt & Dr V Stephenson Dr P G G Jackson Mr M D C Johnson Mr P J Johnson Mr D J Jones Mr A Kemp The Reverend C M Kemp Mr S W Kemp Dr G S Kenyon Mr R S & Dr A Lyon Mr R R Mansfield Mr L G D Marr Dr L P Marsh Dr R J Marsh

Mr T J Marsh Captain P McLaren Mr O P J Metherell Professor D F Nixon Mr S W Pain Mr R D Partridge Professor D M Potts Mr W F Reeve Mr J W Roberts Professor J E Salzman Dr J A Sills Mr J L Smart Mr & Mrs A P J Smith Dr M A Spencer Mrs S H Stobbs

Mr R G Thomson Dr J C Thurman Mr D G Tomlinson Mr C V T Walne Mr D T Ward Dr A G Weeds Mr R J H Wheatley Commander D G M Wilkie (RN) Dr P M Williamson Mrs K Wright and 4 anonymous members

USING YOUR GIFTS RESPONSIBLY The Perse is honoured to be the beneficiary of financial support from so many members of our community, and takes its responsibility in stewarding those gifts seriously: All money raised goes to charitable endeavours,

All bursaries are means-tested – independent

the operating costs of the Development Office

financial checks are conducted annually for

are met entirely by the School.

applicants and existing recipients of financial support, to ensure a transparent allocation system which awards bursaries to the families

If you would like to find out more about giving

most in need of support.

to The Perse, please contact the Alumni and Development Office at perseado@perse.co.uk.

15

OLD PERSEANS

OP News Seth Fletcher (2020) earned a scholarship to

Matt Timmiss (2011) has

the University of St Andrews after winning an

just released the trailer for

essay competition organised by St Andrews’

his first feature length

New Visions in Theological Anthropology

film, City of Queens. The

programme, with the title ‘How might the

film takes an explosive

science of addiction and habit formation inform

look at the real lives

the Christian belief that everyone is a sinner?’.

of seven London drag queens. The documentary champions difference and resilience, contrasting the glamour, fun and sharp-tongued humour you might expect from drag queens with stories of abuse, attacks, and past trauma dealt with through unrelenting resilience. This film goes behind the makeup to tell the unfiltered gritty human truth of their lives. You can see the trailer online here: youtube.com/matttimmiss

David Palmer (2019) had his plans for a gap year cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a creative re-imagination of plans, he instead embarked on a six-week ‘trip’ to six countries in which charity Tearfund is doing humanitarian work, and ‘climbed’ the highest mountain from each country, all from his own staircase.

Throughout the course of the challenge, he climbed over 10,000m (equivalent to 90 times up his staircase every day for six weeks), whilst learning about the countries he was visiting and raising over £3,000 in support of Tearfund.

Zaman Akhter (2017) was named Sportsman of the Year for Oxford Brookes University for his role in the 1st XI and Oxford MCCU Cricket team. He also represented Cambridgeshire & Suffolk v Essex 2nd XI over a two-day match in August, playing alongside current Perse pupil Nikhil Gorantla (Y13) and against former Perse teammate Michael Pepper (2016).

16

SCHOOL OP NEWS NEWS

This year a number of Old Perseans were awarded university colours. Congratulations go to Zaman Akhter (2017, Cricket – Oxford Brookes), Sofia Baldelli (2018, Hockey – University of Oxford), Jasper Dix (2017, Rugby – University of Oxford), Tommy Goldberg

Ethan Aho (2020)

(2017, Hockey – University of Oxford), Dilip

won the 2020

Goyal (2015, Hockey – University of Oxford),

Cromwell Association

Henry Hackett (2017, Rugby – University of

A Level Essay Prize.

Oxford), Nick Taylor (2014, Cricket – University of Cambridge). We would love to hear from any OPs who have also received colours recently.

Donna Landy (1981) fulfilled a lifelong ambition during lockdown, by becoming a stand-up comic. After enrolling on a course with Laughing Horse Comedy in London, she undertook two days of training before her first performance, all via Zoom. Since starting in June, she has done over 50 virtual gigs, all around the world.

The Original Theatre Company, including Artistic Director Alastair Whatley (2002), have reinvented their touring productions and created ‘Original Theatre Online’ to create and share their work digitally.

Since March 2020 they have streamed their 2020 productions The Habit of Art and The Croft, as well as three ‘made for online’ productions of Birdsong, Watching Rosie (starring Miriam Margolyes) and Apollo 13: The Dark Side of the Moon to over 18,000 households in 32 countries. The productions have employed over 60 freelance

Alex Coles (2018) signed a

theatre and film workers, as well

three-year contract extension

as raising money for the Royal

with Northampton Saints in

British Legion and Dementia UK.

June, moving up from the

originaltheatreonline.com

club’s academy set-up into his first senior contract.

17

OLD PERSEANS

REERS W A C O

RK SHO P £

Changing Careers A ‘career for life’ is increasingly a thing of the past, with research from the Association of Accounting Technicians showing that 46% of Britons will change careers during their working life. In this article, Tim Moule (1981) shares his personal experiences of a career change after redundancy.

H

aving been taught maths at The Perse by Mr Whittaker, Mr Pinhey, Mrs McFarlane and Mr Bradford, I went on to study maths at

Oxford University. I had planned to train as a maths teacher afterwards, and got as far as applying, but after some rejections questioned whether I had the maturity to handle a class. After a high score in a computer aptitude test (and having relevant experience in a job between school and university), I reconsidered and decided to pursue a career in IT. I duly spent 23 years working in computing. Most of the first ten years was with a major pharmaceutical

18

SCHOOL CAREERS NEWS

kindly gave me a practice interview and feedback. I also

IF YOU ARE MADE REDUNDANT MID-CAREER, TRYING TO CONTINUE IN THE SAME INDUSTRY IS OFTEN VIEWED NEGATIVELY, WHEREAS BRANCHING OUT IN A NEW CAREER IS OFTEN SEEN AS A POSITIVE MOVE.

realised that the important thing was to get a place at a nearby university; whether it was prestigious was secondary; any such place would provide competent training. It probably would have been helpful to have spoken to recently qualified teachers about the full-on nature of the course, particularly how to handle things if your mentor makes life difficult for you. There are books on being a student teacher, which I probably

company; when I was made redundant from that

should have taken the time to read long before I

I advertised myself in the user magazine for an IT

started the course.

The course itself was very intensive, as well as a real

package I had used in that role. I then spent almost 13 years with a small company that provided drug

shock to the system – pupil misbehaviour took a lot

testing to companies wishing to ensure their employees

of getting used to and was very stressful. I remember

were not working under the influence of performance-

back to my time at The Perse, hearing teachers

degrading recreational drugs for safety reasons. The

discussing how they managed their classes, and

switch to a much smaller company was quite a culture

can now empathise with them! I survived the course

shock – major decisions (such as expensive purchases,

(unlike more than a third of my colleagues), and I view

or disciplinary matters) were made far more quickly.

reaching qualified teacher status as the achievement

I moved from being a small cog in a large wheel to a

of my career. By the end of it I was suffering from total

large cog in a very small wheel, and was single-handedly

exhaustion (made much worse by the 100-mile daily

responsible for the company critical system used to

round trip to and from my second teaching placement).

Having trained in secondary schools, I was fortunate

store and process information about samples, which was

to be given a job at a post-16 school. The greater

much more stressful, and I was on-call even on holiday.

maturity of the pupils meant fewer behavioural

However competent you may be at your job, if you stay there long enough you are likely to be made

problems, and far more opportunities for A Level

redundant, and this happened to me in both these roles

teaching. I also did a lot of GCSE maths resit teaching,

due to site relocation; both times I decided not to move

and the impact on a pupil’s career prospects of

but to take redundancy. IT is (or certainly was then)

obtaining a grade C (now grade 4) is huge – results day

quite an ageist career, in that it is often difficult to find

can be very rewarding.

After ten years in teaching (and feeling completely

another job when you are over forty, and it is easy for your IT skills to become outdated. If you are made

worn out) my finances enabled me to semi-retire, and I

redundant mid-career, trying to continue in the same

now just do some part-time tuition.

industry is often viewed negatively, whereas branching out in a new career is often seen as a positive move.

...I VIEW REACHING QUALIFIED TEACHER STATUS AS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF MY CAREER.

So whilst first time round I took the pay cut and leapt straight into another job, I had long realised that this would not be so easy the second time.

Being aware of the possibility of redundancy was key, and I had felt for several years that my job with the drug-testing laboratory would come to an end sooner or later. I had been discussing options with my wife for some five years before it happened, and we had decided that I would prepare to switch to teaching, which I had looked at more than twenty years earlier.

I spent a few days observing lessons in two very different schools, including one very badly behaved lesson, giving me much food for thought. I had friends from church who were teachers at these schools who helped arrange the observations, however I understand most schools will respond positively to such requests from prospective student teachers.

I applied for a teacher training course, and was duly accepted (using the redundancy payment to fund it).

With greater maturity and life experience I had learnt

Tim left The Perse in 1981 to study a BA in

from mistakes I had made at interviews first time round,

Mathematics at the University of Oxford.

and the general manager of the laboratory I worked for 19

OLD PERSEANS

STAFF PROFILE

Gail Hague

I

joined The Perse in September

that The Perse has allowed me

1995, the first year we took girls

to have a variety of roles, from

NAME: Gail Hague

in the Sixth Form. Before that

chemistry teacher to careers

JOINED THE PERSE: 1995

I had been Head of Chemistry

advisor, from Head of Sixth Form

SUBJECT: Chemistry

and Assistant Head of Science

girls, to Senior Tutor (overseeing

ALSO KNOWN FOR:

at Samuel Ward (now academy)

the move to co-education), then

Establishing girls’ sport

in Haverhill and then I worked at

to Assistant Head (Welfare and

and making great jam.

Parkside College in Cambridge.

Admissions) and now Registrar.

I was also Director of the Salters Chemistry Club for a while.

There are so many great aspects to teaching, but over the last 37

I have too many happy

years, the best ones for me are

memories over my 25 years at

teacher because of the teachers I

those ‘light bulb moments’ when

The Perse to mention here, but

had at school and their enthusiasm

children who have struggled with

the first girls’ hockey team (we

for what they were doing. I actually

a difficult chemistry concept

had to play on Parker’s Piece

wanted to become a PE teacher

just suddenly ‘get it’; to see their

in the old 3rd XI boys’ kit!), my

because I loved sport, but decided

confidence immediately grow is

brilliant forms/tutor groups (from

to do a chemistry degree first,

such a great feeling. Working with

the 6GFHs to the first 7N in 2010

knowing that I would be able to

children too, to build their belief in

– they know who they are), and

teach some sport as well but soon

themselves and getting them to

the laughs I have had with them,

realised that not everyone enjoyed

realise that they can do it (and that

have to stand out, as well as

sport in the same way as I did

can sometimes take a few years)

that very first charity cabaret…

so mainly stuck to the chemistry

and then seeing them really do well

teaching after that!

at the end of their school career is

teaching and pastoral roles, I

also something that has given me

am looking forward to spending

part time chemistry teacher, as

enormous pleasure over the years.

more time in my garden, walking

my children Tom and Rosie (both

The worst bits of teaching have to

and going to the gym. I’m still

OPs) were still young. Over the

be the marking and writing reports –

staying on as part time Registrar

years I have been really fortunate

give me a parents’ evening any time!

and am delighted to be able to

I was inspired to become a

I initially joined The Perse as a

Now I have retired from my

spend my school days showing

I WAS INSPIRED TO BECOME A TEACHER BECAUSE OF THE TEACHERS I HAD AT SCHOOL AND THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR WHAT THEY WERE DOING. 20

prospective students and their families around The Perse and letting them see for themselves what a very special place it is!

SCHOOL OBITUARIES NEWS

hospital, Governor of Anglia Ruskin

Obituaries

University and Norwich University of the Arts.

We are saddened to report the

He was one of the key

death of the following OPs:

businessmen in the establishment of the ‘Cambridge cluster’, which aimed to bridge the benefits from

Richard A King (1947)

the brains of the University with Gary King (1976) writes:

industry. Coming out of this the

Richard was born in 1929 and was

technology companies on the Cambridge Science Park helped

brought up at the Garden House Economics and Geography but

Cambridge become Europe’s

At school, he was a fine 800m

failed the Latin exam so events took

largest technology cluster.

athlete, captain of athletics and

a different course. He answered an

He was involved in some of

later ran for the Army. The only

advertisement in The Sunday Times

these start-ups, some floundered,

acting role he spoke about was

for management trainees with ‘fire

and some succeeded – perhaps the most notable being AVEVA, an

Hotel (now the Cambridge Hotel).

his delight when he was chosen

in their bellies’ and so his career in

to play a role in one of Peter Hall’s

the exciting world of broadcasting

information technology company

productions. Sir Peter Hall told him

began. From his first week delivering

who now are the UK’s largest

years afterwards he had only been

post, he progressed to become Sales

software company and a major

and Marketing Director of Pye Group

global player.

chosen as he had great knees!

Just before he left The Perse

Television. Following an advanced

He confessed he never really

in 1947, he was called into the

management programme at Harvard

understood the technology of most

Headmasters' Office and told he

he ran Pye TVT – the world of

of the businesses he was involved

won a National English Speaking

television and outside broadcast

with but clearly knew how to build

Travelling Scholarship to America

vehicles was growing rapidly. He

and lead a good team around

with three boys from other schools.

was then asked to run 24 of the

him. He avidly supported the

Off he went on the Queen Mary,

Pye companies forming Cambridge

development and nurturing of young talent and always had great vision.

on its first trip after serving as a

Electronic Industries, which was

‘hospital’ during the war. Amongst

the first company he floated on the

other adventures he pushed a

London Stock Exchange.

trolley with $20m of gold bullion at

He was always determined to

He was proud to become an Emeritus fellow at Darwin College, Cambridge, and was awarded a CBE

Fort Knox, broadcast from the CBS

retire from whatever he was doing at

studios in the Empire State building,

60 but then wanted to devote some

and ended up having tea with

time to public service so amongst

his wife, three children, seven

President Truman in the Oval Office!

other appointments became Chair

grandchildren and seven great

of Cambridge Health authority,

grandchildren and fondly

and Vice Chair of Addenbrooke’s

remembered by many others.

Richard H Grove (1973)

secretary of the Historical Society.

Rohan D'Souza and Tom Empson

time making a harpsichord for the

(1973) write:

school, alongside Rupert Limentani.

Richard had a place at Gonville and Caius College to read

in 1991 for services to broadcasting.

He will be greatly missed by

He also spent much of his free

Richard Hugh Grove, historian,

Richard undertook a BA in

geographer, environmental

Geography at Hertford College,

campaigner and advocate for

Oxford, and followed it up with

interdisciplinary environmentalism,

an MSc in Conservation Science

passed away in the early hours of the

at University College, London. It is

25th of June in Brighton, just a month

tempting, however, to see his formal

short of his 65th birthday.

academic studies as interruptions

Richard joined the Perse Prep

or supplements to an unfolding

in 1962, and left the Upper in 1973.

and wide-ranging programme of

Throughout his time at school he was

personal research, which saw him

involved in many societies, including

immersing himself in various short-

the choir, Perse Players, and was

term and far-flung projects, working

21

OLD PERSEANS

as a field-survey ornithologist

the journal Environment and

in Malawi, for instance, or as an

History and along with wife Vinita

While it is only expected that a great and brilliant mind such as

employee of UNEP, studying soil

Damodaran set the ball rolling for

Richard will be remembered for his

science in the former Yugoslavia.

starting what in later years became

many academic contributions and

a frontline research network, the

that his intellectual legacy will be

His enthusiasm for interdisciplinary environmentalism

Centre for World Environment

kept alive through interpretation

and activism intensified as he

History at Sussex University.

and interest, I believe the other

enrolled for his PhD at Cambridge,

It was also the decade when

side of the coin will actually hold more true: like the scientists,

where, even before submitting

Richard was increasingly alarmed

his thesis in 1988, he co-edited

by what the science on climate

naturalists and explorers from

with David Anderson the volume

change was indicating. He

the 17th and 19th centuries, who

Conservation in Africa – a seminal

became ever more convinced of

he so assiduously studied and

collection of path-breaking essays.

the urgency to develop narrative

documented, we will be greatly

Between 1988–92, as a British

strategies that could meaningfully

imperilled if we fail to grasp the

Academy postdoctoral fellow and

incorporate climate and weather

importance of Richard’s quest for

Director of Studies in Geography

data for explaining long term

interdisciplinary environmentalism.

at Churchill College, Cambridge,

historical and social change.

As for me, if there is a 2am knock

Between 2002 and 2006,

on my door and Richard saunters

Richard energetically joined forces with those critiquing the

Richard and Vinita organised a

in, slouches on the sofa and, once

‘diffusionist model’, which was the

series of conferences in England

again, asks for a cup of tea, I might

standard model for explaining

and India. The effort was to

be tired but not surprised. With

the transmission of scientific and

shake and reorient the field of

him, anything is still possible.

environmental ideas from Europe

environmental history in the context

to the colonies.

of climate change concerns. The

Richard’s magisterial Green

emphasis, in particular, was not only

Imperialism: Colonial Expansion,

to take stock of the rapidly growing

Tropical Island Edens and the

research output in the field but to

Origins of Environmentalism

ambitiously work towards evolving

We remember

1600–1860 published in 1995,

the idea of a ‘global synthesis’ that

John R Gerrish (Former Staff) died 17 February 2020,

received wide praise for its

went beyond national borders and

aged 83 years

exhaustive account of the impact

nationalist frameworks. Sadly, in

of colonialism on environments

December of 2006 Richard met

David K Grant (1944)

in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean

with a near fatal car accident that

died 2020, aged 94 years

and the shaping of the European

left him severely disabled.

environmental imagination through

After several painful years in

Michael R H Jeffries (1951)

ideas about the botanic garden and

which Richard was moved between

died 16 April 2020, aged

colonial conservation. More critically,

different rehabilitation centres and

88 years

Richard was able to persuasively

often hung between life and death

argue that the origins of modern

with infections and other ailments,

Maurice W Markham (1963)

western environmentalism were

he was finally able to return to his

died 6 April 2020, aged

not borne out of the European

house at Lewes under the loving

75 years

encounter with their immediate

care of Vinita and his son Edwin.

natural surroundings as much as

Despite the immeasurably tragic

Donald C Papworth (1935)

derived from their rich and varied

setback, Vinita along with some of

died 14 January 2020, aged

experiences in distant island

Richard’s friends and well-wishers

103 years

ecologies and tropical environments.

took on the near difficult task of collecting, organising and editing

Alan Saggars (1950) died

the early years of 2000, Richard

the voluminous conference outputs.

July 2020, aged 88 years

From the 1990s and well into went on to win, almost at will,

The result was the publication

academic fellowships, grants,

of the first edited volume British

John M Sellers (1960)

short-term tenures and a string

Empire and the Natural World

died 3 August 2020, aged

of research awards from some of

(2011) and the second, which

78 years

the most prestigious universities

Richard was able to gingerly

and institutes in the world. He

hold onto to acknowledge and

Norman Sofier (1949)

travelled incessantly, published

celebrate, was an edited collection

died 8 January 2020,

prolifically, sparkled at conferences,

titled Commonwealth Forestry and

aged 89 years

became a founding member of

Environmental History (2020).

22

SCHOOL OBITUARIES NEWS

Willoughby ‘Will’ Percival (1948) Mal Percival writes:

He retired in 1990 and spent

Will started at The Perse

many happy times at his holiday

Preparatory School in Bateman

home on the east coast where the

Street in 1934, at the age of

rest of the family could also stay.

four. This was very early and a

Until his late seventies he was able

concession as his father Hugh

to go on family holidays walking in

Percival was a member of staff

North Wales and the Lake District

teaching Classics and games in

with his children and grandchildren.

He was interested in all sports,

the main school. He progressed through the school winning many

married in 1957, moved to Enfield

especially rugby, cricket, tennis

school prizes and becoming

and started working for Thorn

and athletics. He took his young

Head Boy in his final year. A keen

Lighting. He attended evening

daughter to the Moscow Olympics

sportsman, he was vice captain of

classes to gain the necessary

in 1980.

rugby and cricket and in the first

accountancy qualifications. He

He will be remembered for the

teams for hockey and tennis.

remained with Thorn Lighting

pleasure he took in reading, debate,

and was made Financial Director

discussion and argument. He

read Classics at Emmanuel College

of the company in 1980. For the

loved to engage anyone who was

Cambridge, following this with

next ten years he travelled widely

game in discussions of big issues

a teaching diploma at Bristol

on company business all over the

such as religion, politics, literature,

University. After a brief spell

British Isles, and to India, South

philosophy, economics and science.

teaching Classics he decided to

Korea, Australia, New Zealand and

He leaves a widow, two sons, a

make a career in business. He got

Hong Kong.

daughter and six grandchildren.

After National Service, Will

John C Pope (1950) Chris Pope writes:

John took an active role in

John was born in Cambridge in

various conservation societies and

February 1932 and attended The

was passionate about conserving

Perse between the years of 1938

both the built and natural

and 1948. He made several life-long

environments. He also had a love of

friends at the School and one of his

music and theatre, with opera being

recollections of his time there was

a particular favourite and of which

breeding rabbits with Peter Hall.

he had a deep knowledge. John

On departure from the School,

was also a very keen gardener and

John spent his two years’ National

created several magnificent gardens

Service with the RAF at White

from scratch upon moving to a new

Waltham, Maidenhead. During

home, latterly in Northiam, East

this time he met his wife Sylvia, to

Sussex, where he and Sylvia spent

whom he was married for 65 years

the last 13 years of their retirement.

until her death in 2019.

John chose a career in pensions

John was always actively involved with local communities

and his first job was with the

and was volunteering for the Rye

Norwich Union for whom he

Harbour Nature Reserve until

worked in London and Manchester.

shortly before his death.

He then joined a small pension

John died on 8 May 2020 after

advisory firm in which he became a

a short illness and will be sadly

partner and where he worked until

missed by his two sons, David and

his retirement in 1992.

Chris and their respective families.

This list was up-to-date when we went to print. Obituaries may be read in full on our website: perse.co.uk/obituaries 23

OLD PERSEANS

Dates for your diary Upcoming Reunion Dinners 2020/21: Classes of 2005–2010 (to be rescheduled) 2020/21: Class of 1980s 2021/22: Class of 1990s Due to the ever-changing situation regarding Covid-19 we have had to cancel/postpone a number of our events.

For the latest information about upcoming events, including our programme of virtual events, please visit perse.co.uk/alumni/events For more information Please visit perse.co.uk/alumni/events or contact the Alumni & Development Office by telephone on +44 (0)1223 403 808 or email PerseADO@perse.co.uk.

Getting involved We are always delighted to welcome OPs back to The Perse to help with our careers programme, or to deliver a lunchtime talk to pupils as part of our 42 Society lecture series. If you would like to find out more about ways to get involved, please contact PerseADO@perse.co.uk.

Staying in touch Old Perseans and Friends @OldPerseans Old Perseans The Perse School

ALUMNI & DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WWW.PERSE.CO.UK/ALUMNI THE PERSE SCHOOL HILLS ROAD CAMBRIDGE, UK, CB2 8QF TEL: +44(0)1223 403 808 PERSEADO@PERSE.CO.UK

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