The Ronian - Saint Ronan`s School

The Ronian
ISSUE 51 - Summer 2012
Inside:
Diamond Jubilee • Leavers Programme • Alumni News • Summer Trips • Upper visit Dinan
w w w. s a i n t r o n a n s . c o . u k
An exceptional year - congra
The
Headmaster
writes...
With the Olympic and Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Summer
2012 was always going to be eventful. As we unwind over the
41 children have betw
15 Scholarships: 5 music • 1 art • 3 dram
100% Common Entrance P
23 Grade 5 music certificate
summer we can reflect on what a marvellous term it has been.
As the (twenty four!) pages that follow testify, the wettest June
for 150 years did not put a dampener on things. It would be
invidious to pick out a single event as the highlight of the term
and we all enjoyed the Jubilee, the Olympic-themed Founder’s
Day, the successes of Year 8, the enthusiasm and
achievements of the children and the energy and commitment
of all the staff.
Most touching of all, for me, was the Bicton Reunion. Seventy
two years after evacuation from invasion-threatened Worthing,
a number of Old Ronians spent a weekend in Devon to relive
old times. BBC Devon became involved as the grandees
retraced their steps from Exeter St David’s station to Bicton
ce during the
Performing the Olympic Mascot Dan
themed Sports D
Opening Ceremony at our Olympic-
Park, some ten miles or so to the east of the city. There they
had a chapel service in Bicton Church, followed by lunch with
Lord Clinton and his family.
The alumni of the WBH generation intend to meet again to lay
a wreath on the recently restored graves of SSH and WBH at
Tilford Church in West Surrey, near Farnham. They might
even retire to the village pub afterwards!
Enjoy the long summer break, the games and Come on Team
GB!
Luke Goodacre is appointed Head Prefect in th
traditional Saint Ronan’s way
2
atulations Leavers 2012
Restoration of the Jungmann murals
4
Saint Ronan’s in the Community
4
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
5
Paradise Farm
6
Notes from the Music Department
7
Trips and VIsits
ween them achieved:
ma • 3 sport • 2 academic • 1 all-rounder
ass • 92% Cranbrook Pass
es in 10 different disciplines
8-9
Leavers’ Programme 2012
10
Children’s Charity
11
Friends of Saint Ronan’s
11
Thank you to the Gappies
11
Once upon a Storybook
12
Boarders go batty
12
Cross-Curricular Week 2012
13
Saint Ronan’s and the IAPS
13
Another remarkable year for academics
14
Upper trip to Dinan
15
Summer Term prizes
16-17
Salvete and Valete
18
Oxo and the London Olympics 1908
19
The Great Escape
19
Alumni matters
20-21
Sport
22-24
Coming up... Spring Term
Term begins
ay
he
In this issue...
6th September
N&PP Parents’ breakfast
12th September
Chapel Dedication Service
14th September
Autumn Fayre
22nd September
Class 3&4 Parents’ breakfast
25th September
Harvest Festival
28th September
Shell & Midway Parents’ breakfast
House Shout
Half Term
9th October
19th October
19th October-5th November
Bonfire Night
5th November
Upper & Remove Parents’ breakfast 6th November
Summer weather
Armistice Service
9th November
Grandparents’ Tea
14th November
Chistmas Fayre
16th November
Next Steps Event
16th November
School Exams
19th-22nd November
ABRSM Exams
26th-27th November
The Feast
11th December
Pre-Prep Christmas Performance
14th December
Term ends / Carol Service
14th December
3
Restoration of the Jungmann murals
In 2011 the decorators made an exciting discovery. Beneath
sheets of white painted plywood, above the panelling in the
Hall, lay a series of remarkable hand-painted murals depicting
local scenes from the eleventh century.
Further investigation confirmed that the paintings were by
Nicolass (Nico) Jungmann. Born in Amsterdam in 1871,
Jungmann came to London in 1893 and became a British
citizen. He not only painted landscapes and people in their
national dress but also illustrated books and worked as a
picture-restorer. He exhibited work throughout Europe but
The most badly damaged mural, before...
was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was interned by
the Germans in 1916 until the end of hostilities in 1918.
The restoration/conservation work has been carried out by
Desmond Shanahan and Alex Schouvaloff (Alex has
previously worked on restorations at the Hermitage, St
Petersberg). They have done an outstanding job, especially
on the three murals that were badly water-damaged – perhaps
the reason for covering them up.
Please do take the time to look at them - they are definitely a
“must see”!
Saint Ronan’s in the Community
Once again Saint Ronan’s has played an active role in the
local community. Sandhurst Primary School continues to join
us on Friday afternoons for Games and Art and we lend them
school equipment. Year on year the benefits of this
association are highlighted, with many friendships now
apparent.
This term children in Midway and Shell watched the French
film ‘Le Renard et L’Enfant’, directed by Luc Jacquet. The
children enjoyed it very much and some of the less linguistic
staff were equally captivated; even learning words along the
way! It was part of a community ‘Flix n’Pix’ initiative organised
by Saint Ronan’s on behalf of the Hawkhurst Parish
Partnership; nine local schools (350 children) were able to
attend. Fred Allinson was runner-up in the ‘Pix’ competition,
with a great photograph of a horse jumping a fence at Charing
Point-to-Point.
4
...and after restoration
The final day of the first half
of term was used to celebrate
Her Majesty the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee.
The assembly in the morning
brought the whole school
together; children from the
Pre-Prep and Prep School
told us about the Queen’s life
and reign. The Class 4 Choir
performed Sing and the
orchestra played Jerusalem.
Finally Caitlin Milborne read
us Her Majesty’s favourite
story, The Queen’s Knickers.
After assembly the school
split into its separate groups
for Jubilee-themed activities,
ranging from art and crafts to
sack racing!
The ‘Royal Family’ arrived at
around two o’clock and made
a thrilling balcony
appearance, complete with
our very own fly-past and a
spectacular aerobatics
display (thanks to Mr
Freeman).
The afternoon was polished
off with a delicious picnic in
the school grounds,
accompanied by the regal
tunes of the Brass Band.
5
Demand outstrips supply for Saint Ronan’s pork
The farm has gone from strength to strength this term. This is down to Mrs Bright and our very
hard-working children!
On the pig side we had 30 in residence at one point, going through food and bedding at an
alarming rate. Since then we have had weaners, and, later in the term, had some pork
available for parents to buy – unfortunately only half of what we could have sold. I hope you
will agree that it is absolutely delicious! More will be available in the Autumn Term and we
thank parents for supporting the farm in this way.
During the Easter holidays we purchased an incubator. This has been in constant use since,
hatching rare breeds like Cream Legbars and Scots Greys. We have also acquired a Duck
House for the school pond, for which we will soon be buying some inhabitants.
After half term we had to make the very sad decision to put Grunter to sleep after a spell of
illness. Our grateful thanks go to Mrs Freeman for all her help with veterinary issues relating to
the farm. Looking to the future, we hope to buy a new boar and to show our chickens and pigs
at Heathfield Show in May 2013.
The new duck house
6
Moving the pigs
The Orchestra in rehearsal
Notes from the Music Department
• This term over 58 children sat music exams. Another recordbreaking entry! 31 Grade 5 certificates are held between our
pupils. 23 of those are held by Year 8 pupils.
• We have held a series of breakfast recitals this term, hosted
by the instrumental teachers. A good breakfast and some fine
playing is a great way to start the day!
• We have visited Senior Schools around us including
Wellington, Lancing, Eastbourne, St Edmunds, Sutton Valence
and St Bede’s School. Each visit had a different focus; for
example our strings players went to Eastbourne while at St
The wind group
Bede’s we had a workshop on music technology.
• The Saint Ronan’s Orchestra has grown and now has 32
pupils and 6 staff members in it.
• Five music scholarships were won - to Tonbridge, King’s
Canterbury, Eastbourne, Bethany and Sutton Valence. Our
scholars hosted their own ‘Classics in the Chapel’ events to
showcase their repertoires.
• The magnificent setting of the Great Space played host to
Cranbrook Symphony Orchestra and Davina McCall for a
super afternoon of music and storytelling, all topped off by a
traditional Saint Ronan’s tea. Over £2,000 will go to the charity
Action Medical Research.
Eastbourne Jazz Day
7
Nursery children pay a visit to Mill Bank Farm
The Nursery managed to pick the warmest day in June for
their trip to the Farm! The children loved driving through
Hawkhurst and seeing over the hedges on the way to Hooe;
then driving up the drive to Mill Bank Farm surrounded by the
beautiful Sussex countryside. Corban remarked that it was
‘like being on top of the World’.
Once at the Farm Mrs Benge, the farmer and teacher,
welcomed us into the beautiful purpose-built classroom,
complete with kitchen so we could all have a snack and a
drink before looking at the toy farm equipment, microscopes
and farm books. There were binoculars to help watch the
birds on the bird table and a video about some of the day-today goings on of a real organic farm like Mill Bank. Once
Talk by Sir Tim Berners-Lee
rested and refreshed Mrs Benge sat and talked to the children
about where their food comes from and how on their organic
farm the animals live happily, eating lovely fresh grass.
Three Midway ICT gurus
(George SA, Findlay Carr and
Then to the Farm tour. We visited the chickens and their new
William BC) were very
fluffy chicks, the cows and the pigs with happy curly tails; as
fortunate to attend a talk by
well as the vegetable garden. We saw a good deal of farm
the ‘inventor of the web’, Sir
machinery, which the boys would not leave until they’d been
Tim Berners-Lee, at
told what the machines were and what they did. To top this Mr
Wellington College.
Benge gave us a demonstration on his tractor, then let every
child sit on the driver’s seat.
Sir Tim gave a fascinating
insight into his life, how it was
After lunch on the lawn the children were hot and tired. Some
that he came to develop the
sang and laughed all the way home on the coach; others took
World Wide Web (as a
how the internet will develop
the opportunity to have an afternoon nap at the end of a lovely
hobby!), and his visions for
in the future.
day.
Hedgehogs and Rabbits expierience life ‘under the sea’
As part of their topic ‘The Sea’, the children in Reception
visited the Blue Reef Aquarium in Hastings.
With sharks, stingrays and fish of every kind swimming around
above their heads, the children in Reception really thought
they were under the sea! Sherlock the Giant Octopus was the
main attraction when he stretched out his long arms to show
off his two thousand suckers.
A visit to the Lifeboat Station for a talk was followed with a
spot of beach-combing, when a wide variety of things were
found to bring back to school. A marvellous day to remember.
8
Music, poetry and art combine at
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Slithering snakes and leaping
lemurs thrill Year 1 at Drusillas
A party of Class 4 children and adults led by Sally Rhodda and
On Monday 18th June the Owls and Squirrels enjoyed a
Karen Stickney visited the Dulwich Picture Gallery in South
sunny class trip to Drusillas Park. They had a rainforest talk
London.
during which they stroked alligator and crocodile skins and
handled a live snake and a hissing cockroach! After this they
When we arrived we were split into two groups; one was taken
on a tour of the gallery and the other went to the studio for a
workshop.
In the studio, the children were shown some Ragamala
paintings from the Claudio Moscatelli collection. These
paintings are from India and link painting to poetry and music.
were able to roam around the park, watching lemurs leap
around their heads and feeding brightly-coloured lorikeets with
their own hands.
There were many highlights - the swooping fruit bats; the
cheeky penguins; the baby squirrel monkeys snuggling on
their mothers’ backs and the desert fox babies calmly curled
The word Ragamala means a ‘garland of ragas’ (pattern of
up asleep. The adventure playground was a good way to
notes) and is applied to a series of paintings depicting a range
finish off a super day and all the children arrived home with
of musical moods. Each miniature work illustrates a poem that
lots to tell their parents.
evokes the mood of an individual raga. The poems are usually
written in the top margin of a painting or on the reverse.
Following an explanation of the Ragamala style, the children
enjoyed making their own versions of these miniature
paintings.
After a picnic lunch and a run around in the grounds of the
gallery, the groups swapped over. Those visiting the gallery
were given a talk about the origins of the gallery. We saw
landscapes from the current Nicholas Poussin exhibition and
also works by Claude Lorrain and Aelbert Cuyp. We were told
the stories behind the works by these artists and then talked
about the atmosphere that each artist was trying to create in
his works.
rm Trips
Summer Te
Place
roombridge
Year 1 to G
Hastings
Reception to
e Moor
Class 3 to th
rusillas
Year 1 to D
onbridge
DT trip to T
ort Lympne
Year 2 to P
College
Wellington
to
ip
tr
T
IC
ark Farm
Upper to P
Bude
Remove to
ce
inan, Fran
Upper to D
arm
Mill Bank F
Nursery to
We began our journey back to Saint Ronan’s at 3.30pm and,
on arrival at school, we each had a delicious chocolate
brownie bought for us by Alice Durtnell’s father. A lovely end to
the day!
Write ups of all the Summer Term trips can be
found on the News section of the website.
9
After all their exams were finished the Leavers were able
to let their hair down! Thanks to Mr Fox for organising a
fun-packed and constructive programme.
10
Children’s Charity: Action
Medical Research
Friends of Saint Ronan’s
As ever we are hugely grateful to the Friends of Saint Ronan’s
(FOR) for all their support. The funds raised from the
refreshment tent on Sports Day have been pledged to the
revitalisation of the Golf Course and the purchase of some
artificial greens. Ritchie Vassar-Smith is delighted, as are his
family of ‘putters’!
Thank you to our Gappies!
Davina McCall narrated Peter and the Wolf with the CSO
This year we have had the pleasure of 5 Gap students. When
potential Gap Students apply for the post, the first thing we
make clear is that they will be required to turn their hand to
This term’s charity, Action Medical Research, was established
any job in any part of the school, from helping in the
60 years ago. It raises money to fund medical research into
classrooms to cleaning the minibuses, assisting on the Sports
preventing brain damage in babies, tackling the urgent need
fields, aiding and abetting Mrs Hill in the Music department
for new vaccines to prevent infections like meningitis and
and Mr Bennett in the DT workshops. All our ‘Gappies’ this
developing cutting-edge therapies for children with rare
year have been fabulous and will be a hard act to follow.
conditions for which there is no cure.
Polly Startin (OR) has been the longest-serving, having spent
A total of £3,740.75 was raised from two events: Cranbrook
the whole year with us. Liv Backhouse came for the Autumn
Symphony Orchestra’s (CSO) concert hosted by the School
Term and for half of the Spring Term, before going off on her
on the 17th June and the Year 3-6 Sponsored Walk around
travels around the world. Julius Carter (OR) stayed for the
Bewl Water eight days later.
Autumn Term, left, and then came back for the second half of
The CSO rehearsed here every week and our magnificent
ballroom, affectionately known as the Great Space, was
packed to capacity with people who listened to our local
symphony orchestra with delight and pride.
the Spring Term. Tilly Randle joined us in January, flying into
Heathrow on the wettest, windiest day of the winter. (A bit of a
shock, having left a very hot Zimbabwe.) Tilly will be with us
until November. Will Langer (OR) has spent the Summer
Term with us.
Polly is off to UEA to read Midwifery, Liv to Newcastle to read
Classics and Will to Cirencester. Tilly is as yet undecided as
to where she will go but it will probably be to a University in
South Africa. They have all been great fun and have, indeed,
thrown themselves into every part of school life. Staff, pupils
and parents will miss them. Very many thanks from us all.
Artwork by Phoebe Bennie
11
Once Upon a Storybook - Classes 3 & 4 dramatise Childrens’ Classics
Friday 25th May saw the Great Space
transformed (for the second time that day) into a
giant storybook, wth the children from Classes 3
and 4 bringing five picture books to life.
Having spent the Spring term working on skills
such as projection, mime, improvisation, freezeframing and tableaux, the children worked hard
to put these into practice in their interpretation
of each story.
3RB had projection and choral roaring down to
a tee as they led the audience through the wild
rumpus in Where the Wild Things Are. 4LL were
captivating in their recital of The Gruffalo’s Child
– the Big Bad Mouse really was lurking at the
back of the Great Space! We were then
transported up into the clouds as 3RT brought
John Burningham’s delightful Cloudland to life, creating
thunderstorms and cloud races as well as some rather
of the Great Space) rendered two of the actors tongue-tied
bemusing cloud-language! Murmurs of recognition greeted
and the audience in a state of uproar! 3AH brought
4RVS’s opening line of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. The
proceedings to a close with a wonderful recital of Rumble in
drama of escaping the fearsome bear (also lurking at the back
the Jungle; if only we could visit them all again tomorrow!
Boarders go Batty - discovering our nocturnal neighbours
Boarding one Tuesday night this term involved an added
excitement (and a later night!) for six
Saint Ronan’s children (and two
members of staff) when
they took part in a
Bat survey with
local specialist
Shirley Thompson.
Sent to different
parts of the grounds on a beautifully
clear and warm night, the children listened to the sounds of
12
the echo location used by the bats through special bat-locating
machines. The volunteers also studied the
flight patterns of the bats to help determine
their species.
There are 17 bat species in the UK and
the School is an excellent environment
for them, with its diverse and exciting
grounds. Pipistrelles zoomed about in
abundance and Noctules and
Daubenton’s bats were identified.
Cross-Curricular Week 2012
Cross-curricular week has become a regular fixture in the
penultimate week of the summer term and this year Years 3 to
6 learned about the Olympic Games. This topic formed the
basis of creative writing, art (making medals, wreaths and
Olympic flames), music, dance, drama, Science and Sport.
The week began with a sponsored walk around Bewl Water.
Children in years three and four walked about seven miles and
the older children in Shell and Midway walked the full thirteen.
Each year group spent a day in the woods with Badger
Bushcraft learning about local plants and animals and how to
survive in the wild. They built fires and staved off hunger with
Studying local flora and fauna
toasted marshmallows.
Legion XIIII visited Class 3 and Midway and a Celtic warrior
introduced them to slave chains, weapons, armour and the
infamous sponge on a stick. Midway performed a Roman
army drill and saw a weapons demonstration on the Lower
field.
The action-packed week ended on Friday night with 155
children and some brave teachers camping on the top pitch.
‘Lights out’ was heralded by Brahm’s lullaby on the trumpet
and everyone – children and teachers alike – was glad of the
weekend to recover!
The annual camping night concluded X-Curricular week
Saint Ronan’s and the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS)
The Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS) is
the reputation of the Art Department. This exhibition is
the association of the leading 600 Prep Schools in the UK and
currently being held at Downs Malvern in the West Midlands.
worldwide. It was established in 1892 and in 1924 its
Chairman was the Headmaster of Saint Ronan’s,
Stanley Harris. Often shorted to ‘iaps’ (very Apple
Mac) the traditionalists prefer the ‘I.A.P.S.’!
The children have competed in various IAPS events.
This term the sailors raced at the Nationals in
Weymouth (U11 crew came 5th/45); the Judo team
competed at the Nationals in High Wycombe, winning a
Saint Ronan’s is playing an increasingly active role
silver medal, and the U13 and U11 Rounders teams
in the Association. This year we hosted the Kent
competed at the District competition, wining bronze and
District (IAPS District 2) Headmasters, the Directors
silver respectively. Hannah Eva, having won the district’s
of Music and the Heads of Prep-Prep. Lesley-Anne
U13 200m in Ashford, went on to win bronze at the
Hill was appointed the district’s Music Co-ordinator.
Nationals in June.
In 2014 and 2015 we will host the National Art Exhibition. This
is a most prestigious event and we have been selected not
only because of the venue we can provide but also because of
The IAPS District Heads of Departments meet regularly for
professional development and training.
13
Another remarkable year for Academic Achievement
At the Leavers’ Lunch I took enormous pleasure in
70% of those sitting this tricky Level 3 paper getting an A*, A
congratulating Year 8 on their achievements, before waving
or B, it’s clear that Maths is in good health.
them off to their eleven different senior schools. Of the 414
Common Entrance papers taken, the following statistics are of
note and make 2012 a remarkable year for the School. I am
particularly delighted by the success of those children helped
by the learning support team. Some of the results these
Similarly, in Latin more children took and successfully
achieved the higher level Latin Papers – up from 44% to 72%
taking Levels 2 and 3 in two years. Over double the number of
candidates achieved A* and A in 2012, compared to 2011.
children have achieved are exceptional and are testament to
In French, 95% of children achieved grades A*, A and B (up
the commitment and hard work they took into these exams.
from 66% in 2010). On the same basis, the Sciences,
Whilst they got their fair share of A grades, for some, a C
Geography and History continued their year-on-year
grade is the equivalent of another child’s A* and has been a
improvement in the top grades awarded.
mountain for them to climb. We really do take our hats off to
them and to our outstanding SEN team.
This year has also been a strong year for Scholarships with
ten children amassing a total of fourteen scholarships (five
The percentage of A* (exceptional) grades awarded has risen
Music, three Sport, three Drama, a top Art and two Academic;
since 2010 from 9% to 11% in 2011 to 23% in 2012.
with three children agonisingly being the runners up). Of the
The percentage of A* and A grades has risen since 2010 from
38% to 50% in 2012.
39 separate academic papers sat by the scholarship
candidates this year, it was pleasing to see that 54% of these
resulted in grades of A and A*. Strong performances were
The percentage of A*, A and B grades has risen from 63% in
clear in English (60% A*, A and B) and Maths (where 57% of
2010, to 67% in 2011 to 73% in 2012.
marks were A* and A), Science (71% A*, A), History (80% A*,
Within these headline figures, it is clear that some
A) and RE (100% A*, A).
departments have achieved particularly pleasing results,
The Cranbrook results were also excellent this year, with over
especially with an increasing number of children being entered
90% of our 26 candidates gaining places. With entry
for the highest level papers.
standards rising at Cranbrook we were particularly pleased to
In Maths, 20% of all candidates achieved A* grading, despite
the fact that 46% of the children took the highest level Maths
paper this year, compared with 22% only two years ago. With
14
see our candidates doing so well and many getting very lofty
marks indeed. In each of the last four years, between 92100% of our candidates have gained Cranbrook places.
Upper trip to Saint-Cast, Dinan
This year we had a fantastic trip with Upper, who
Mercredi vingt-sept juin
surprised the staff in so many positive ways: they were
responsible, punctual, sensible, tried most of the food(!)
and, most of all, were extremely enthusiastic.
Je me lève à sept heures et demie. J’ai un chocolat chaud et
céréales. Je vais faire du kayak. Finley Plugge
Je fais le kayak et fabrication du pain. Pour le déjeuner j’ai
Here are some extracts from their diaries:
pris du poisson et du riz. Jamie Pryke
Pour mon dessert j’ai pris le mousse au chocolat. Je fais le
pain avec mes copains, c’est très amusant ! Storm Pleavin
Lundi vingt-cinq juin
Jeudi vingt-huit juin
Je me suis levée à cinq heures et demie. J’ai pris des
céréales avec le jus d’orange et le pain avec confiture.
Dans le car, je me suis assi(se) à côté de Tia. Le voyage
était long et très ennuyeux. Je suis arrivée à six heures.
Je me suis couchée à 21:10. Hannah Eva
Mardi vingt-six juin
Je me suis levée à sept heures et demie et je me suis
habillée. Pour le petit déjeuner j’ai pris un chocolat chaud
et des céréales. Après ça, j’ai grimpé les arbres. J’ai fait le
parcour noir ! C’était difficile ! Eugénie Dawlings
Nous sommes allés au marché et j’ai acheté du jambon, des
fraises, des cerises et du coca ! Aussi, j’ai goûté du
fromage et c’était étrange…Après le marché, j’ai nagé dans
la mer avec mes amis et c’était super !!! Millie Butler-Gallie
Vendredi vingt-neuf juin
Je me lève à sept heures. Après je marche la Baie du Mont
St Michel, aussi je mange le crêpe avec nutella et une glace
au chocolat et vanille. Maddie Reeves
J’ai visité le Mont Saint Michel. J’ai acheté un cadeau pour
ma famille. Je me suis couchée à dix heures. Victoria H.
15
Summer Term Prizes
Senior Prefects
G. Campbell-Wilson
D. Holden-Craufurd
O. Hancock
O. Clarke
M. Swinburne
E. Dewberry
J. Cubitt
H. Trelawny-Vernon
C. Redmayne
D. Gorman
E. Ulmann
H. Ellis
T. Hastilow
L. Vincendeau
J. Hamilton
A. Plugge
S. Statman
R. Davidson
School Colours
T. Hastilow
J. Verschuur
A. Hall, F. Shanahan
F. Dear
R. Pringle
B. Lohmann
F. Allinson
B. Colley
J. Cubitt
L. Carnell
M. Clarke
A. Thomas
W. Chatterton
Roxburgh Prizes
G. Crawley
S. Lund
D. Atherton, J. Blick, M. Cotter, A. Kent, J. Martin,
F. Cutler
T. Tweedie
J. Martin
M. Cotter
C. Chatterton
L. Stephenson
Head Prefect
L. Goodacre
Second Prefect
H. Pearson
French
House Captains
Bicton
H. Eva
Pembroke
A. Butler-Gallie
Selden
J. Curtis
Tongswood
F. Shanahan
Geography
History
ICT
Headmaster’s Special Prizes
E. Hastilow, E. Wilmoth, F. Black, H. Bluck, H. Cage, F.
Shanahan, R. Davidson, D. Duncombe
Mathematics
J. Platt-Higgins, E. Simpson, W. Simpson, J. Trelawny-Vernon,
Music
E. Ulmann, R. Withey-Stevens, K. Woodford
O. Copplestone
Term’s Effort
RE
Remove
J. Trelawny-Vernon
Upper
A. Butler-Gallie
Midway
M. Taylor
Shell
N. Easton
Class 4
A. Moore
Class 3
E. Cooper
Science
J. Trelawny-Vernon
C. Brasnett
T. Hastilow
S. Charlesworth
F. Dear
J. Dale
A. Joarder-White
D. Duncombe
M. Taylor
W. Ashenden
D. Gorman
J.P. Shaw
School Prizes
Exams
Best Average
Most Improved
Remove
M. Cotter
T. Wyatt
Upper
A. Butler-Gallie
G. Kennedy
Midway
M. Taylor
H. O’Reilly
Shell
F. Campbell-Wilson,
O. Chatterton
Harris Cup
W. Chatterton
Good Egg Cup
F. Allinson
Scales Cup
R. Davidson
Challenge Cup
M. Cotter
Graham Langridge Prize
S. Statman
A. Hsuan, Z. Thompson,
Music & Perfoming Arts Prizes
J. Verschuur
Sight Reading
M. King
Ross Cup
L. Russell
Marco March Plate
I. McDonald
Withey-Stevens Cup
H. Pearson
Class 4
A. Moore
O. Bartleet
Academic
Attainment
Contribution
Art
J. Trelawny-Vernon
F. Allinson
A. Taylor
H. Jones
D. Dent
L. Carnell
Chapel Prizes
J. Martin
S. Statman
Aaron’s Cup
M. Taylor
M. King
Classics
DT
M. Taylor
16
M. Cotter
L. Russell
Miscellaneous Prizes
D. Dent
English
J. Platt-Higgins
Reading Prize
R. Davidson
R. Withey-Stevens,
C. Brasnett
Agricultural Prize
R. Flynn, F. Lewis
Horticultural Prize
S. Thompson
Summer Term Prizes
Cricket Prizes
Weston Cup for best 1st XI
D. Atherton
Carter Cup for best 2nd XI
J. Martin
Neame Cup for most improved J. McDonald
House Cup
Selden
Bicton Prize
T. Watson
Pembroke Prize
L. Russell
Selden Prize
R. Davidson
Tongswood Prize
A. Hall
Bowling Prize
W. Simpson
Batting Prize
D. Atherton
Fielding Prize
J. Pryke
Remove GV
J. Martin
Farrow Cup for best Colt
A. Butler-Gallie
Remove TF
C. Brasnett
1925 Cup for most improved
N. Easton
Remove KK
E. Simpson
Half Colours
M. Cotter, J. Martin, T. Gadd,
Upper DB
A. Wooff
A. Bunting, J. McDonald,
Upper BC
A. Bunting / F. Plugge
H. Dakin, G. Jones,
Midway SAS
M. King
Z. Barker
Midway SC
E. DeWinton
W. Simpson, J. Pryke,
Midway IP
F. Ward
L. Goodacre, W. Chatterton
Shell VC
F. Joarder-White / A. Taylor
Shell RH
O. Chatterton
4 RVS
P. Bennie
4 LL
M. Hopper / T. Marsh
3 RB
J.P. Shaw
3 AH
S. Holden-Crauford
3 RT
A. Bottle
Full Colours
Rounders Prizes
Penniston Shield for best U13
M. Joyce
Balch Cup for most improved
J. Balch
Best U11 player
L. Martin
Most improved U11 player
E. Shaw
Half Colours
T. Wyatt, H. Ellis, E. Simpson,
H. Cage, E. Freeman,
M. Butler-Gallie, E. Dawlings,
A word about prizes...
H. Pearson, L. Martin,
K. Woodford, C. Chatterton,
S. Knatchbull, G. Crawley
Full Colours
M. Joyce, E. Ulmann,
This term the staff looked closely at the various prizes
awarded during the course of an academic year.
New to this term’s Prizegiving were the following prizes:
C. Wallace, A. Hall
• To the person with the best effort in each year group (Years
Victor/Victrix Ludorum
3-8) as assessed in the Fortnightly Orders
Under 13
N. Curtis, H. Eva
Under 11
A. Butler-Gallie, I. Vereker
Under 9
J. Crawley, D. Dent
Year 2
H. Taggart, L. Stewart
• To the person (in either Y3/4, Y5/6 or Y7/8) who contributes
the most to each subject
• To the person with the best overall performance in each
year group in exams (Years 4-8)
Sports Prizes
Overall contribution (boys)
D. Atherton
Overall contribution (girls)
M. Joyce
Senior Judo
L. Vincendeau
Junior Judo
J.P. Shaw
Hutton Sword for fencing
M. Shaw
Sailing Cup
F. Black
We are always very grateful to receive cups and trophies from
Kennedy/Vereker Equestrian
I. Vereker
Leavers and this term we were presented with two DT Cups
• To the person with the most improved performance in each
year group in exams (Years 4-8).
• To the best overall (in either Y3/4, Y5/6 or Y7/8) in each
subject.
(from the Davidson and Bunting families), a Singing Cup (from
House and Form Prizes
Senior Form
Midway SC
Junior Form
3 AH
the Withey-Stevens) and an UII Netball Cup as well as
Intermediate Drama Cup (from the Balch family).
17
Salvete and Valete
Gappies Polly, Will and Tilly
Sophie Ford
Mrs King, Mrs Hinchliffe & Mrs Denman
The end of each academic year is a time of farewells. This
Three others are taking temporary leave and all for the same
year we say farewell and a huge thank you to James
very good reason: maternity. Natalie Hinchcliffe (PE) begins
Underhill, who steps down from the governing body having
her leave in mid-October whilst Alex King (Y3) and Sarah
done so much to raise funds for the Founder’s Hall. Also to
Denman will be ‘out’ for the whole year. Mrs Karen Harman
Sally Rhodda, who retires as Head of Art appropriately in her
(currently Head of Girls Games at Derwent Lodge) will cover
jubilee year (she will be quick to add that it’s silver and not
for Natalie, Miss Bennett will cover for Alex and Sophie Ford
diamond!). We also wish Polly Startin and Will Langer (the
will cover for Sarah. We wish all the expectant mothers the
marvellous gap students) every success for the future.
very best.
Sally Rhodda - Head of Art 1987-2012
Twenty five years ago Sally Rhodda was asked by Johnny
advised on the colour scheme for the school’s main reception
Vass to run an Art extra for just over an hour during Big Break
rooms, including the Great Space, and regularly gives children
on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Art Room was right at the
interview practice. Their daughter Amy chose the school for
top of the house and not within reach of either the water
her wedding reception and their son, Owen, was a former
supply or the central heating! Jam jars were filled with (clean!)
pupil.
water from Sue’s bathroom.
We wish Sally every happiness and thank her for her
Gradually Sally’s hours increased and Art not only became a
full curriculum subject but also, in 2002, moved across to
specially designed studio space in the Stable Block. With the
subject increasing in popularity it was on the move again in
2007 to its present home, a much enlarged studio on the first
floor of the same building.
The standard of Artwork had risen to such an extent that by
2007 the children started to enter and win Art Scholarships to
their senior schools (some 15 have been won in the last 5
years). Children’s work is regularly exhibited at the major
school’s exhibitions and a crowning moment came when it
was announced that Saint Ronan’s had been selected to host
the prestigious National Prep School Art Exhibition in both
2014 and 2015.
One way or another all of Sally’s family have been involved
with the school. Her husband Graham, an interior designer,
18
Background artwork by Hannah Pearson
contribution to the school.
Oxo and the London Olympics - 1908
Excitement is building as the London Olympics draw ever
closer. This will be the third time the Games have been held in
the capital, having played host in both 1908 and 1948.
The official sponsor of the ’08 Games was ‘Oxo’. This was the
leading product of the Liebig (as in condenser) Extract of Meat
Company, whose Chairman, Charles Gunther, had bought
Tongswood House five years earlier.
The 1908 Olympics established the modern Marathon
distance. It changed the Marathon distance from 24.85 miles
to the 26.2 miles of the modern era, to allow for the finish at
London's White City.
White City Stadium, home of ‘London 1908’
and the American Johnny Hayes. As they reached the
‘Feeding stations’ en route were in fact Public Houses, which
finishing line, Dorando Pietri collapsed five times in the final
were staffed by nurses, and which supplied refreshments
yards and was helped home, almost unconscious, by officials.
including Oxo, eau de Cologne and smelling salts.
Pietri's victory against the odds was short-lived. He was
The race was held on the 24th July and the runners set off
disqualified and Olympic gold was awarded instead to his
from Windsor Castle to run to the Great Stadium at White City.
great rival, Johnny Hayes. Moved by the story Queen
Two runners emerged ahead of the Marathon pack and
Alexandra invited Pietri to the Castle the next day and
duelled their way to the gold medal: the Italian Dorando Pietri
rewarded him with a medal of her own.
The Great Escape
The school’s evacuation from its birth place in Worthing in
June 1940 was not the first time Saint Ronan’s had escaped
danger. The threat in 1940 was German invasion. The threat
forty seven years earlier was typhoid.
Under parental pressure to avoid the outbreak of typhoid in
Worthing in 1893, Revd. Crick temporarily re-housed the
school for a year in three houses in Markwick Terrace in St
Leonard’s on Sea. These premises had previously been used
as a school and had a gymnasium, swimming pool (which
required 20,000 gallons of sea water to fill) and a Fives court.
In 1894 the exile ended and the school returned to Worthing.
Immediate steps were taken to improve the accommodation. A
Markwick Terrace, St Leonard’s-on-Sea
Gymnasium block was added. This consisted of a Gym, a
Reading room, a Staff room, a classroom and, last but not
least, a Grub Store.
19
Bicton Chickens - Gos’ memories
The article about the wartime chickens at Bicton in the last
Ronian magazine inspired Gospatric Home to share his own
memories of that time; notably of an Old Ronian named Tom
Ponsonby.
WREATH-LAYING
CEREMONY
‘I was in the dormitory which was under the care of Tom
Ponsonby for my first Summer term in 1942. Tom very rapidly
discovered that my mother had trained me to help her with the
chickens she kept at our home in West Surrey and he
recruited me into his team. We used to rise at 6am and,
dressing quickly, would go out and collect the night’s
production of eggs which we then delivered to the kitchen for
breakfast. Tom had obtained clearance for this from Harry
(WBH) and it was a memorable element of my life that term.
Henry Stapleton and Gos Home propose to hold a
wreath-laying ceremony at the site of the newly
restored graves of Stanley and Dick Harris at
Tom and I both lived in Kensington in the late 1950s and I first
Tilford. Henry and James Harris both fully approve.
re-established contact again when I bumped into him on the
London Underground en route to our respective places of
A date has not yet been set but members of the
work. He was already on the way to his distinguished
Bicton Generation who would be interested in being
leadership of the London County Council and his later role as
involved in meeting from time to time to participate
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Lords. Sadly he died at
in something like this are requested to contact Gos
60 years of age, in the prime of a life devoted to public
service. The tributes to him in the House of Lords revealed
what a delightful and kindly man he was, exemplified by his
care of the Bicton chickens and for a young fellow pupil for
whose behaviour he was responsible in the dorm.’
Portraits Appeal Progress
We must make say a very big thank you to all those Old
Ronians in the WBH, RRVS and JVS eras for their
generous doantions to our portraits appeal. Including Gift
Aid, the total now stands at a little over £9,000. The
portraits of these three former Headmasters will be
unveiled on Founder’s Day 2013 as part of our 130th
anniversary celebrations.
The artist Piers de Laszlo, great grandson of the much
celebrated portrait artist Philip de Laszlo (1869-1937) has
accepted the commission to paint a portrait of WB Harris,
the school’s third Headmaster (1926-57).
Piers was a pupil at Saint Ronan’s from 1966-71, during
the headship of WBH’s successor, Sir Richard VassarSmith. After that he went to Harrow and then into the world
of art.
In the archives we have the adjacent charcoal sketch done
whilst at school with us. Pretty good for a twelve year old!
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Home by e-mail at gos@lilyfarm.co.uk
Reunion of wartime Ronians at Bicton Park
In the only sunny week in May, sixteen wartime evacuees from
been specially re-opened and was packed with people from
Worthing to South Devon returned to Bicton Park, where we
the surrounding villages. A choir had been especially
had been taught from 1940 to 1945.
assembled and the Service was led by the Revd. Anne
Charlton, prepared around the 1627 order of service. It
Ranging in age from 76 to 83, we were joined by the
Reverend Ian Graham-Orlebar, an old boy of Saint Ronan’s in
Worthing. The main party gathered, with wives in attendance,
on a sunny Friday evening at The King’s Arms in Otterton for
supper . The next morning some boldly walked to Ladram Bay
included Harry’s favourite hymns and James Bailey, Tim
Scroggs, Sam Twining and David Duttson all gave readings of
the poetry Harry loved. This moving service ended with the
Christening of 10 year old Edward Lister, the son of the new
owners of Bicton Gardens.
before breakfast; others were welcomed at Bicton for coffee
by David Henley, the Principal of The Devon Agricultural
College, now based at Bicton, and the owner of the Bicton
Estates, Lord Clinton.
David Henley took the party round the mansion and we saw
not only reception rooms which had been sealed up during the
war but also class rooms, dormitories, bathrooms and sick
rooms which we remembered. Most special was Harry’s study
and the panelled Billiard Room where we had watched films
produced by Jack Cripps, devoured books and newspapers
from the school library and listened on Sundays to Harry
reading from Sherlock Holmes and Dornford Yates. It was
also where we worshipped and performed in Concerts. The
room remained unchanged although the vast Billiard table was
gone!
Over drinks before lunch we watched films shot by Harry at
Worthing, Bicton and Hawkhurst; some in glorious
technicolour. For those present who appeared in them as
After a beautiful lunch in the gardens, organised by the
Listers, we set off for our homes, profoundly affected and
inspired by the renewal of enduring friendships.
boys it was a somewhat surreal experience. Sir John VassarSmith had transferred these films to DVD, including a film he
For the record those involved were as follows: William and
made at Bicton in 1993.
Elizabeth Benyon, James Bailey, David and Jean De Gale, Ian
Graham-Orlebar, Peter Collymore, Robert and Christine
During a delicious lunch James Harris (Harry’s nephew) read
a letter from Harry to his mother, Lady Harris. Dated June 6th
1940, Harry described how Saint Ronan’s was the only school
in England to move boys, teachers, domestic staff and
furniture during term time, and all of this in just one day. A
Roxburgh, Sam and Anne Twining, Adrian McConnel, Robin
Kimmerling, David and Jo Duttson, John Gell, James Harris,
Charles Wade, Gospatric and Diana Home, William and Ruth
Handford, Charles and Carole Howe and Tim and Heather
Scroggs.
sense of war time anxiety came through in this remarkably
frank and moving letter. After lunch Lord Clinton gave us a
We very much hope that even more of the Bicton generation
fascinating insight into the Barony of Clinton. After this we
will come to Hawkhurst on June 13th 2013 for the Anniversary
were photographed for the Devon Press and interviewed by
Celebrations and for the public unveiling of the Headmasters
BBC Devon’s TV Spotlight crew before being towed round the
portraits.
inner park and grounds by tractors and trailers.
By Gos Home
The next morning, after another happy evening dining
together, we went to St Mary’s Church in the gardens. It had
21
Sport Saint Ronan’s
Weymouth IAPS Sailing Regatta
Judoka win medals at tournament
The 2012 IAPS Sailing Regatta took place on 17th & 18th May
On Saturday 26th May, shortly after sunrise, a group of
at the Weymouth National Sailing Academy, the home of this
excited boys and some sleepy parents met at school to travel
year’s Olympics. There were 168 sailors, representing 48 prep
to the IAPS junior boys’ Judo Competition in High Wycombe.
schools from across the country, and Saint Ronan’s was one
of them. The sailors were separated into age groups, Under
13s and Under 11s. The Saint Ronan’s Under 13 team was
Harriet Cage and Robert Davison and the Under 11 team was
Kitty Jordan and myself.
At the briefing we were told we could only use the main sail as
it was gusting 25 knots. Kitty and I were not happy about this
as we felt we could have managed the jib - we had practiced
in these winds before.
In the first race Kitty and I came second. In the second race
we came 7th and although we were happy about that we
Some brave parents travelled with us in the minibus, whilst the
more sensible ones went back to bed. Hundreds of boys from
prep schools across the country competed in a number of
different weight categories and the competition was very
fierce.
A number of our competitors narrowly missed being awarded
medals, but Orlando Copplestone and Zach Johnson did very
well to win bronze medals in their categories.
Thanks to Sarah Burkett and John Rose for their training
before the event and for helping the boys at the competition.
weren’t allowed to sail in the afternoon and ended up 6th
overall in our fleet.
Harriet and Robert got a 5th and a 17th - they did really well
Bronze medal and new Personal
Best for Hannah at Nationals
and ended up 15th overall in the U13 fleet. By Freya Black.
Congratulations (once more)
Synchronised Swimming Demo
to Hannah Eva (Upper BC)
who represented Kent at the
National Prep Schools
Athletics Championships.
Hannah ran 28.97 to win her
heat in the 200m at The
Alexander Stadium,
Birmingham. She came third
in the final, achieving both a
Well done to the Synchroized Swimmers who put on a
personal best time (28.94)
demonstration of their talents during Cross Curricular Week.
and a bronze medal.
22
Sport Saint Ronan’s
Wet Weather Rounders - damp but successful!
After the most frustrating start to the summer term we can
Skippers Hill. There were key performances in bat from
ever remember, it was week five before the wet weather
Eugenie Dawlings and Storm Pleavin. Hannah Pearson
subsided and we were finally able to take to the Rounders
executed superb throws into the posts from 1st deep and
pitches, wearing football boots!
Emma Simpson provided safe hands on 2nd base, always
The Saint Ronan’s girls played excellent Rounders,
collectively winning or drawing 77% of their matches this
season. The U13 1st IX and U11A teams excelled themselves
again, winning all but two of their matches. The teams also
alert and ready to catch and stump out the opposition. In the
3rd team May Swinburne, Olivia Fisher, Freya McNeish and
Eleanor Alexander all performed well, growing in confidence
with every game.
performed brilliantly at the recent IAPS Rounders tournament,
The U11B and C teams were not to be outdone or out-played
where the U13s finished 3rd in the Cup after qualifying for the
and earned wins against Claremont, Skippers Hill, Ashdown
semi-finals. The U11s finished 2nd in the Plate - having won
House, Beechwood and Vinehall. Georgiana Crawley was the
the semi-final they were only beaten in the final by half a
highest point scorer for the Bs and Kitty Allinson took the most
rounder, on the extra ball given to each team. Key batting
catches. For the Cs Ella Hayden-Tubs and Lily Marsh scored
performances came from Tia Curtis and Maddie Joyce (U13)
the most points and took the most catches respectively.
and Kate Woodford and Lucy Martin (U11). On the field both
teams demonstrated excellent tactical awareness and
presented a real challenge to the opponents, conceding very
few rounders. On the U11 pitch Savannah Knatchbull, Charlie
Chatterton, Bindi Vereker, Lucy Martin and Emmy Shaw made
a formidable unit surrounding the posts, whilst out in the deep
field Kate Woodford, Tilly Hastilow and Lucy Stephenson kept
any big-hitters at bay. Likewise the U13s operated as a very
slick unit with Tia Curtis, Cecilia Wallace, Antonia Hall, Hannah
Eva and Emily Ulmann manning the posts; Maddie Joyce,
Harriet Cage, Millie Bulter-Gallie, Emily Freeman and Thoma
Wyatt skilfully took care of the deep.
Lower down the school the U9 and U8 teams are developing
into good sides, with lots of potential as they develop their
skills, tactics and understanding of the game. There were
many great individual performances with the bat, showing
promise for the future; namely Beth Colley and Matilda Clarke
in the U9’s and Louisa Hudson and Daisy Dent in the U8s. Out
on the field Phoebe Bennie (2nd Post), Megan Hopper
(Bowler) and Olivia Hancock (4th Post) stood out in the U9
team. In the U8A’s Emily Cooper (2nd Post), Lizzie Wooff
(Backstop) and Maddie McDonald (Deep) stood out; as did
Grace Alexander, Amelie Bottle and Tabitha Tweedie in the
U8Bs.
The U13 2nd and 3rd teams also had successful seasons and
enjoyed victories against Vinehall, Claremont, Benenden and
Looking towards September 2012 there’s plenty going on at
Saint Ronan’s during the Summer Holidays in terms of pre-
Don’t Forget...
Weekly match reports for the teams are
season training, namely the Lacrosse and Netball camps. A
great way to improve skills before another exciting year of
games!
posted on the Extranet.
23
Sport Saint Ronan’s
Some shining perfomances in a damp season
Despite the weather’s best efforts to dampen the cricket
season John Watson and his staff worked tirelessly to produce
wickets for when the sun did make an appearance.
The Colts As got off to a flying start, defeating Dulwich Prep in
the first round of the Summers Cup. At the same time they
also secured good wins against Skipper’s Hill and Sutton
Valence. The second round of the Summers Cup saw them
play Yardley Court. Saint Ronan’s batted first and their rather
low total was down to good bowling by the home side. Despite
this our bowlers took some early wickets and unsettled their
batsmen; however Dulwich managed to gain victory with a
number of overs to spare.
The Colts A Cricket Team
In the match against DCPS, Saint Ronan’s set a target of 151
for victory. In a tense and exciting match, Dulwich managed to
The First XI, led by William Simpson, played in some very
snatch a run from the last ball and secured a draw, despite the
exciting matches. In their first game they just lost to Ashdown
best efforts of our bowlers.
House in the pouring rain. In this game, as in others during the
season, they posted some high scores. Digby Atherton, Jamie
Pryke, Will Chatterton, Luke Goodacre and Will Simpson were
the leading run-makers.
24
Congratulations to Guy Kennedy, Herbie Stephenson and
Finlay Carver, who scored fifties, and to Hector Lancaster,
George Jones, Angus Balfour and Oli Milbourne who took four
wicket hauls.
© Saint Ronan’s School 2012. Editor: Ben Clarke.