old perseans
School News Lambs debut for Perse rugby captain Matt Burson (Upper Sixth) made his debut for the Lambs – the England Independent Schools team – after being called up for their first game of the season in January. The Perse 1st XV rugby captain had been nominated for Lambs selection by the School’s Head of Rugby Liam St John and was named in the squad after impressing selectors during two development and trial days. He said: “It was a great surprise to be selected. You always have that moment of shock when you see your name on the team sheet, but after that it’s just really exciting because you know you’ve got the opportunity to go and represent the Lambs and play a really exciting brand of rugby.” Since his debut, Matt has played regularly for the Lambs and was named Man of the Match in their game against the Boys Club of Wales. Matt thanked The Perse for its part in helping him reach such a high standard in the sport, saying “It’s completely down to The Perse. You have to be nominated by your school’s Head of Rugby and there’s no way they’re going to put you forward for the Lambs unless they think you’re ready because there are over 300 boys trialling for it. Given I’ve not played any club rugby, all my rugby experience has come from playing for The Perse.”
Sir David Wright steps down as Chair of
Perse Pride returns
Governors at the end of 2018/19
for second year
Sir David’s career has seen him as UK
From 25 February – 1 March
Ambassador to both Japan and South Korea,
The Perse celebrated
Secretary to the Prince of Wales, first Chief
its second Pride week.
Executive of British Trade International, and
The week, which aims to
Vice-chairman of Barclays Capital.
celebrate diversity and
Famed for his swiftness of response by email
inclusive attitudes, featured
or telephone no matter what time of day or night
a number of lunchtime
in whatever time zone he found himself in, he has
activities including a
generously given of his vast experience and many
classics seminar on “Achilles
skills to The Perse.
and Patroclus: Friends and Lovers?”, music talk on
His decade long leadership has been marked by
“Same DNA but born this way: gender fluidity in pop
both growth and consolidation as pupil numbers
music” and a Biology Society session on “Nature vs.
have risen, new buildings been completed and
Nurture: is there a ‘gay gene’?”. The keynote speaker
further land been acquired.
for the week was Tim Ramsay, CEO of Just Like Us
He leaves the School in a strong position and, with
Foundation, who spoke to pupils and staff about his
the Upper Music School extension underway and
own experiences before holding a workshop with
overseas development discussions well advanced,
the Student Council, Anti-Bullying Ambassadors and
better placed to face the challenges that lie ahead.
Keep Smiling members to discuss ways that we can
Gratias tibi agimus, Sir David.
promote a more inclusive community.
Chariots of Fire at The Perse In March the Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre became the Stade Olympique as the Perse Players put on Chariots of Fire. Based on the classic film about real-life British athletes Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, the Perse Players took on the stage adaptation by Mike Bartlett, which was mounted to mark the 2012 Olympics in London. 4
