Society 2016 Spring/Summer Newsletter

St Edmund’s Society
Newsletter
Spring/Summer 2016
Note from the
Chairman
I must start by thanking our Committee
for continuing to work hard and the
time they give to provide a full and
varied calendar of events for our
members; special mention to Sean
Thompson (‘86) and Lauren Soutan
(nee Chalk ‘04) for their extra work on
this publication.
With our closer working relationship
with the Foundation Office, we now
have more social events than ever
before. I would ask that you all please
try to attend when and where you can;
some of the more informal occasions
are proving to be very enjoyable and
successful.
At last year's AGM I spoke about a
proposed merger between the School
and the Society. The Committee and
the School are working hard to achieve
this. However, as it will mean wholesale
changes to the way our Society
operates, including amendments to our
Rules and changes to our Committee
structure, it is taking slightly longer than
originally anticipated. As you can also
appreciate we need to ensure all
aspects of the merger is in the best
interest of both parties. I would ask,
therefore, that you all please keep a
regular check on our website for
updates on this subject.
I look forward, as ever, to seeing many
of you over the course of this year.
Kris De Pledge (‘94)
Head’s Report to the Society
The Lent term has passed fast and furiously with our Upper Sixth Year
group enjoying some terrific University and College offers, pitching for
places ambitiously, but within achievable limits. To pick out just a few of
the many wonderful offers:
- Chen Ling has a full house of five offers including from Exeter, Warwick
and Durham for Sociology
- Sergiy Kosmarov has a place at University College London to read
Politics and International Relations
- Evgeniia Trukhanova has five offers to study Film, an achievement
requiring evidence of creative potential in a very competitive field
- William O’Connor and Reza Sadeghi have received unconditional offers
(I am assured that both are working hard to achieve their predictions!)
- Will Fellows has received offers for Music from Durham, Edinburgh and
Bristol - together with Alastair Feeney, Rory St John Stevens and Alice
Horn, we now have four offers from Edinburgh - a new school record.
- Kate Day has offers for Fine Art from Loughborough and the University
of the Arts, London
- Alastair Feeney and Zoe Osterloh have offers from Cambridge
- Tonye Wabote has received a highly sought after offer from Yale.
These are in addition to a record number of pupils who have achieved five
offers and a year where our pupils were accepted onto 90% of the
courses applied for.
Congratulations go to our School’s General Knowledge team of Alastair
Feeney (U6), Isra Jalaly (U5), Ben Shepherd (M5) and Ellie Horder (L5)
for coming second in the Regional Finals to be beaten only by
Westminster School, one of the top academic schools in the country, for
the second year in a row.
Continued ......
www.sesociety.org.uk
St Edmund’s Society | Spring/Summer 2016
Sport
In Sport, it has been an exceptionally busy, highly productive
and thoroughly enjoyable term for all involved. In total the
school has played over 100 competitive matches in netball
and hockey, winning a high percentage of these.
Boys’ hockey performances have been full of skill and
athleticism, particularly at the junior end where the U14s have
led the way, winning seven of nine matches. The U15s carried
their form over from the football term playing with gusto and
steely resolve. At senior level, the 2nd XI’s performances
highlighted the new found depth we have in sport, while the
1st XI, playing eleven matches, displayed determination and
unwavering resolve throughout the season.
Netball performances echoed those of the boys’ hockey, with
the juniors leading the way. The U14s won 70% of their
matches and worked tirelessly to develop their physicality and
bring home those much enjoyed victories. The U15s came a
very creditable third in the District tournament, losing only to
the overall winners. The team has worked on enhancing their
tactical appreciation which will benefit them greatly as they
progress into the senior teams. The senior sides have suffered
defeats often only by the narrowest of margins, with the 2nd
VII performing with commendable athleticism and dominating
many a game. The 1st VII played exceptionally well and their
commitment to training, both technically and physically, was
highly commendable and unwavering even in the most testing
of weather conditions.
On an individual level in sport there have been many
successes and highlights of which I can mention only a few
here. Will East (L6) has won the Senior Public Schools
Fencing Championships, overcoming 112 opponents and in
only in the first year of the senior age.
It has been a busy term for Alex Millard (L5) who ran crosscountry for Kent U15 in the English Schools Championships in
Nottingham, the National Championships at Castle
Donnington and in the UK Inter-Counties in Birmingham
(where she was part of the team which won the overall best
County in the UK for the first time in the Championships’
history). Her performances have put her in the frame for
another place in the London Mini marathon team for 2016
where she came 6th last year.
In cricket, congratulations to Louis Gray (L5) who has been
selected to play for the England Lions for the Deaf Cricket
Team in May. A phenomenal achievement and another proud
first for St Edmund’s.
Drama
The Drama department has continued to be as busy as ever
with a major triumph of the term proving to be the
St Edmund’s Society | Spring/Summer 2016
Junior School production of ‘The Magical Mythical Tour’,
entirely created and directed by our own Aimee WalkerReid. To have a former pupil and current member of staff
create something so special and something so bespoke for
her school is a wonderful thing and I would like to express my
heartfelt thanks to her for all that she did for up to 100 pupils
involved.
Towards the end of term, St Edmund’s audiences were
treated to some beautifully executed Sixth Form Drama
practicals where our actors were put through their paces in
front of an exam moderator. I am delighted to report that
the performances were simply magnificent and that it’s
extremely likely that the marks awarded will be highest that
this school has ever achieved.
Music
The school recently celebrated one of its musical highlights of
its year – the Gala Concert in the Cathedral. This was a
mesmerising display of talent, from Chen Ling’s (U6) expert
leadership of the orchestra, to a polished Chamber Choir
performance of ‘O Salutaris Hostia’ by Rossini, to the brass
ensemble playing the rousing ‘Postludium’ by Bruckner to
Amelia Pinkerton-Barnie (U6) wowing us with her poised,
professional and sensitively delivered voice solo of ‘Silent
Noon from the House of Life’ by Vaughan Williams. And then
we moved onto the second half with a stunning performance
of Haydn’s Nelson Mass supported by fantastic professional
soloists (of whom Kirsty O’Neill and Mr Rupp are former
pupils of the school) and a wonderful chorale and orchestra.
Well done to all involved and especially to Mr Payne, Director
of Music, and his team who delivered a spectacular evening
which will long be remembered.
Many congratulations go to Damien Balay (L6) who won the
Conductor’s Prize at the Marlowe Young Musician of the Year
Competition following a most accomplished performance of
Boccherini’s ‘Cello Concerto. And The terrific news has
reached us that Timon Staehler (L5) and Ruben Emson, a
music scholar at Reed’s School in Surrey, has won a first prize
at the Northern and Eastern Europe round of the prestigious
German music.
Keep up to date
The Society and Foundation Members’
Update Questionnaire is now live on our
website www.sesociety.org.uk
If you have moved house or changed your
email address, etc, please complete this
short questionnaire to let us know.
www.sesociety.org.uk
Heads Report to the Society
I am sure that you will be delighted for Rob Gain (L5) who
has not only received a Distinction in his Intermediate
Performance Certificate (Dance), but has also been invited
this Easter to Los Angeles to the ‘Dance Excellence’
Convention where he will perform at Disney California,
competing against international dance teams. While in
California, he will be introduced to some top US casting
agents so we keep our fingers firmly crossed for him. He has
just been cast into the Youth Music Theatre’s production of
‘The Great Gatsby’ and been offered the role of Ben in a
television series called ‘Little Start Up’ which will be aired on
Sky 1. This is all in addition to a wonderful performance which
he gave as Schlomo in the production ‘Fame’ at the Bob Hope
Theatre, Eltham. Clearly one to watch for the future!
Society and Foundation
News and Events
St Edmund’s Society | Spring/Summer 2016
22 January - London “Pub Gathering” in South
Kensington. It was our first attempt at getting all
Former Pupils to meet in a pub for a very friendly and
informal catch up. It was wonderful to see St
Edmund’s alumni reminiscing and sharing stories about
their school days in such a cosy pub in the heart of
London.
26 February - Canterbury “Pub Gathering” at the
Falstaff Hotel. A very successful get together of St
Edmund’s Old Boys and Old Girls from all over Kent.
A very well attended evening by older as well as
younger alumni. The success of this gathering has
prompted us to organise another one soon after.
19-20 March – “Back to School” Weekend. This was
a unique two day event held at the school. Former
pupils of St Edmund’s School were given an
opportunity to spend time at the school and even to
stay overnight! Our cherished guests were greeted at
the school’s library with complimentary tea and cake.
They were then shown their cosy rooms in the
school’s boarding area. Later that evening we held a
Quiz night and our overnight guests were joined by
approximately 50 other former pupils and their
partners for brain teasing questions and a delicious
supper. A raffle was held with some fabulous prizes
donated to us by our very own generous alumni and
current parents.
29 April - London Lunch at the Prince Edward,
London, Bayswater organised by Tony Zinopoulos. This
is a very popular annual gathering in a beautiful
location. For full report and photographs please visit
www.sesociety.org.uk/news
Canterbury Pub Gathering
Back to School Weekend
6 May – 1749 Club, held at Alberrys Canterbury,
bringing together local businesses with the St
Edmund’s community. This will be a monthly gathering
to be held on the first Friday of each month.
6 May - Canterbury “Pub Gathering” at the Falstaff
Hotel at 6.30pm. Another very well attended pub
gathering! Lovely to catch up with the Old Boys and
Old Girls in an informal setting.
London Lunch
www.sesociety.org.uk
St Edmund’s Society | Spring/Summer 2016
Hockey: Society vs the School
23 April - Tennis, Society vs the School
Tennis match took place in the last week of April with Lauren Soutan (nee Chalk ‘04) representing the Old Girls and Joel
Whitewood, Josh Best-Shaw, Charlie Day representing the Old Boys. Despite the weather mixed doubles was played
against the school final score 7-2 to the school.
Society and Foundation Up and Coming Events
20 May - U6 Leavers BBQ. To be held on the School’s
Terrace. U6 Leavers will be presented with their gifts and
have an opportunity to get to know the Society and
Foundation better.
10 September - Old Girls’ Hockey - please contact the
Society Office if you would like to take part.
3 June - “1749 Club” to be held at Alberrys Bar
Canterbury, from 12.30pm.
17 September -Tiffin on the Terrace - The event will start
with the sports matches, followed by the complimentary
lunch and refreshments. You are welcome to join us for
whichever part of the day that you wish. If you would like
to take part in the sports fixtures, please email
society@stedmunds.org.uk
17 June - AGM will take place from 4:30pm at the school.
27 June - “Jazz on a Summer’s Evening” - a music event
organised by the School. All alumni are welcome to
attend.
2 September -“1749 Club”to be held at Alberrys Bar
from 12.30pm.
9 September - Leavers’ Breakfast. Invitation to all current
U6 leavers for breakfast one last time before they leave
the School for good.
Up and Coming Events
16 September - Society Golf Day Extravaganza and
Fundraiser. Join Martin Harvey (’69) and other former
21 May - Northern Gathering. To be held at St George's pupils at Faversham Golf Club for the Society Golf Day
Church Centre, Leeds. This dinner is once again organised Extravaganza and Fundraiser. Expect bacon rolls and
by Rev John Walker (’65) with Jock Asbury-Bailey’s
coffee,18 holes of golf, dinner, raffle, auction and even a
assistance.
table magician!
30 September – “Canterbury Pub” Gathering at the
Falstaff Hotel from 6.30pm
14 October - “London Pub Gathering” – The Anglesea
Arms Pub, South Kensington from 6.30pm
17 November - London Dinner – more details to follow
closer to the date.
www.sesociety.org.uk
St Edmund’s Society | Spring/Summer 2016
Members’ News: Row Atlantic with Olly Clarke(‘03)
Olly Clarke
Warneford House (‘03)
Over two years ago I was asked by a close friend
(Dan Parsons) to join him in competing in the
Talisker Atlantic Challenge which is dubbed the
world’s toughest rowing race. Without hesitation I
jumped at the opportunity, the prospect of rowing
the Atlantic Ocean and joining a small group of
people who have completed this would be
something not to miss. Little did I know the
monumental amounts of planning, fundraising and
training that laid ahead in the forthcoming years.
The race involves a 3000 mile unsupported
crossing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to
Antigua in the Caribbean. Apparently more people
have been into space than successfully completed
this, so the 26 teams from across the globe had
their work cut out!
We were told by many Ocean rowers that the row
is the” Easy bit! Getting to the start line is the hard
bit”. I couldn’t agree more. We had to raise over
£120,000 to buy the boat, equipment, entry and
other costs. The physical training involved putting
on 22Kg of muscle and fat not to mention the
hours training on the water and in the gym. The
question on everyone’s lips… Why? Besides the
challenge and adventure, we aimed to raise funds
for ABF The Soldiers Charity and Prostate Cancer
UK.
The preparation and fund raising effort flew by, and
on the 20 Dec 15 we were due to depart. Similar
to deploying on operations there was an element
of the ‘fear of the unknown’. Which also provided
the excitement. Nervous and expectant we waited
at the start pontoon eager to make our mark in the
early stages of the race. With staggered start times
at 5 minutes intervals we were setting off as the
first pairs with the fours teams ahead of us. The
boat itself is a 7 meter carbon fiber Rannoch R20
with 2 rowing positions and a water tight cabin that
can shelter two people, and a small stores cabin at
the stern (back). For up to 6 weeks this would be
our home.
All the equipment and stores on the boat had to sustain
us and keep us alive. It would certainly prove to be a test
of our resolve, ingenuity and initiative. There was no
turning back.
We pushed hard out of the blocks then settled into our
2 hours on, 2 hours off routine less what we dubbed a
‘power hour’ when we would double up on the oars to
maximize the sea and wind conditions. Within the
precious 2 hours “off time” there were numerous tasks
to be completed, such as: making water, cooking, cleaning,
blogging, maintaining the boat (electrics, comms), taking
care of your body which was constantly drenched with
salt water and chafing from the oars and rowing seat.
After that was the opportunity to snatch some sleep.
Leaving the dramatic volcanic landscape of La Gomera
that rises out of the Ocean like a scene from Jurassic
park was a surreal feeling. All this preparation and it was
actually happening. This was not a session off the North
Devon coast, this was a race over an Ocean and a
challenge only a handful of people have had the
opportunity to attempt. Within a day, land was gone. The
following morning we were graced with the first of many
magnificent sunrises with nothing to be seen but
glistening water reflecting the vibrant reds, oranges and
yellows. For the next 40 odd days we would not see
land, a strange feeling indeed. The magnitude of the task
ahead did not quite sink in, which was no bad thing
considering what lay ahead of us!
www.sesociety.org.uk
St Edmund’s Society | Spring/Summer 2016
One could emerge for a 2 hour shift with 40ft
waves, thrashing rain finding yourself surfing down
the face of significant waves, and within a short
period of time conditions changing to blue skies,
tranquil seas and searing heat. At every shift change
you were confronted by something different and
time could stand still or fly by in the blink of an eye.
What was more confusing was night rowing. At
times this could be a lonely experience despite your
rowing partner being only 1 meter away . Some
nights the moon and stars would be so bright it felt
like day. Other nights there would be thick cloud
cover and you could not see your hand in front of
your face. It is one thing negotiating 40ft waves
when you can see them, it is a singularly different
experience attempting this in the dark when your
only sensory tool is sound. In the dark your senses
gradually become much more acute. The only way
to identify the approach of a wave was a difference
in the rise and fall of the boat, the rumbling of a
breaking wave and at times the phosphorescence
that would light the edge of broken water and the
cresting wave. The sensory deprivation is a real
difficulty, and in the darkness waves would suddenly
strike the boat giving little opportunity to brace.
After such a promising first few days at 0200am on
the sixth day the start of all our problems began.
This changed our focus from winning the race, to
making the crossing and at times to simply surviving.
The auto tiller arm broke steering us off course.
Efforts to fix this were futile. Optimistic we could
fix it or our secondary auto tiller would work, we
began hand steering. Little did we know that for
the remaining time on the water, despite hours on
the sat phone to technical experts and our
attempts to find the fault, we would remain hand
steering until Antigua. Basically this involves the man
on the oars having to stop rowing every 10 strokes
or so to adjust by hand the tiller to keep on the
correct bearing. As you can imagine, this greatly
reduces efficiency and became increasingly
frustrating.
On Christmas Eve we had our first encounter with a
tanker, which passed worryingly close by, and a new
problem with the power, generation from our solar
panels meant that we had to severely ration our use
of stored battery power navigating by fixed compass
and at times hand pumping water for days. Despite
this we thrived on the challenge and managed to
maintain our lead at the front of the fleet for a few
more days until 2 fours team, who had chosen a more
southerly route and picked up a favorable current
overtook us, yet we still held the lead of the pairs.
We continued to tick off the miles as we chased the
sun west. Our daily highlights involved being visited
by dolphins, marlin, whales and surfing down waves at
points kissing 15 knots. A stark realization of the
danger of the event was brought home to us when
we capsized during heavy waves. I was thrown into
the water only being saved by my leash from floating
off, whilst Dan was being spun around in the cabin like
the inside of a tumble dryer! Thankfully no injuries
were sustained although my driving was questioned
and we did lose a rowing seat to a broken safety leash.
This prevented us from easily rowing two up for the
rest of the voyage.
The tragic dangers of being swept away were brought
sharply into focus with the news that a 21 year old
rower in a crew of eight, attempting a world record
Atlantic crossing, was lost a couple of weeks after we
landed safely in Antigua. I count myself lucky.
Members News
I soon could relate Ocean rowing to being woken
up from stag in a 40 degree cabin, putting on your
wet kit, doing a CFT. Followed by jobs, body admin
and a bit of sleep. To then be repeated again and
again for 6 weeks! What struck me early on was the
great variation in sea conditions and how quickly
and drastically the situation could change.
The days trundled on and the miles dropped off. We
maintained our grasp on the pairs class until all 26
teams were hit by a hurricane which pushed us
strongly eastwards. This was the first of the season
and the earliest hurricane since 1937! We hunkered
down putting out a parachute anchor to slow our
movement in the wrong direction.
www.sesociety.org.uk
St Edmund’s Society | Spring/Summer 2016
The two of us were cramped in a tiny cabin in 40c
temperatures, whilst the elements outside relentlessly
battered the boat. During the night our rudder
stock broke, a critical bit of kit that held the rudder in
position and allowed us to steer. Without this we
were drifting helplessly. With the boat unable to align
itself to the waves we swung from side to side being
broadsided by 30ft waves, teetering on capsize
countless times. Not the best nights sleep! The
following morning we assessed the damage, the stock
was in 4 pieces.. Dan began the fix but was brought
down with a bout of sea sickness. This fix proved to
be the mother of all DIY projects.
Cutting, gluing, hammering, screwing in a tiny
sweltering cabin whilst in a storm proved to be
rather time consuming. This was possibly the lowest
point for both of us. We were unaware of where
the other teams were and with a potentially dream
ending issue on our hands. We persisted and sure
enough the fix held, most likely due to the
windlassing and black nasty rather than by
engineering prowess! Either way we were back in
business and the second night was less rocky. The
storm eased and we found our opportunity to slowly
row out its clutches. The relief and excitement of
being back in action was short lived, when we found
out that another team had gained on us and
overtaken us by 28 miles.
With just over 1000 miles to go it was still all to play for
and we had new found desire. To catch them we pulled
harder and increased the hours up to 16-18 hours
rowing a day. We caught this team and maintained this
pace for the remainder pushing a clear day ahead of the
next team, as we approach the imagined paradise of
Antigua. We arrived in the dark to hundreds of people
lining the jetty, letting off flares and screaming with
excitement. A truly memorable finish to a truly
memorable adventure. Winning the pairs in 42 day 17
hours and 59 minutes was quite an incredible
feeling.Having never been in a rowing boat before this
adventure was certainly a baptism of fire at times. The
challenge and Ocean rowing in itself without doubt drew
on so many of the skills and qualities that are instilled in
us by our military training, in particular through the
Royal Engineers and still more as a Commando Engineer.
Courage, Determination, Unselfishness and Cheerfulness
in the face of adversity were all tested on a daily basis.
United we Conquer
Follow Atlantic Rows story
@RowAtlantic2015
If you have a story that you would like to feature in the
newsletter contact foundation@stedmunds.org.uk
www.sesociety.org.uk
Members News
St Edmund’s Society | Spring/Summer 2016
Hannah Rogers (née Allchin ‘00) married David Rogers on Friday 21st
August 2015 in the school chapel with the Chaplain Steve Bennett
performing the ceremony. A number of old boys and girls involved in the
wedding including Anna Fenwick (née Withrington ’00) and Marianne
Revill (née Swianson ’01) who were bridesmaids as well as Cécilia Wong
(née de Suiza ’00) who read one of the readings. Also attended by
Matthew Fenwick (’00) and Anna Coleman (née Sutton ’00)
Congratulations Victoria Houston (née English ’03), who completed
London Marathon 2016! time 4:38:25 Well done, what an amazing
achievement! If you would like to donate please visit
www.justgiving.com/Victoria-Houston
Goetz Eggelhoefer (’77)
After 26 years of living and working in Singapore, Fiona and I finally decided to call 'time' on our Asia adventure. We
relocated to Jersey, Channel Islands in October, 2015 and look forward to settling in the island over the coming years.
I have not been able to embrace the concept of retirement quite yet, but I fear that I may slowly, if reluctantly, be
moving in that direction.
Elie Nabhan (‘82) continues to live and work in Lebanon and has recently published his second book of rhymes: Pop
Poetry Story Rhymes II.
Gavin Powis (’96) has made a Partner of Orpington based law firm Clarkson Wright & Jakes Ltd.
Christopher Bell (’67)
Christopher Bell and his wife, Christine, are opening their garden at Dolphin House, Shackleford, Nr Godalming,
Surrey GU8 6AH on Sunday 12th June under the National Gardens Scheme - Google: Dolphin House - National
Gardens Scheme, and would welcome visitors with St Edmunds' connections.
Foad Nahai (’63) was appointed to the Maurice J. Jurkiewicz Chair in Plastic Surgery and is a Professor of Surgery at
Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta Georgia USA and has also been elected as a Fellow of the Royal
College of Surgeon of England, quite an honour for an American Trained Plastic Surgeon.
Elie Nabhan (‘82) continues to live and work in Lebanon and has recently published his second book of rhymes: Pop
Poetry Story Rhymes II.
www.sesociety.org.uk
Members News
David Wright (’90) - Foundationer and CCF member
Remain a serving Royal Naval Weapon Engineer Officer and have recently been promoted to Commander.
About to embark on a leg of EXERCISE TRANSGLOBE, a military round-the-world sailing expedition on two 72'
yachts. Have been allocated the easy New York to Halifax leg with the possibility of bringing the yacht back to
Portsmouth. Still living in Portsmouth but waiting to see where the Navy will send me now prompted! Continued ......
Members News
St Edmund’s Society | Spring/Summer 2016
Howard Culley (’60)
H A Culley was born in Wiltshire in 1944, was educated at SES and Welbeck College before entering RMA
Sandhurst. As an Army officer for twenty four years he had a variety of unusual jobs, spending his twenty first birthday
in the jungles of Borneo, commanded an Arab unit in the Gulf for three years, and the military attaché in Beirut
during the aftermath of the Lebanese Civil War finally retiring in 1986 after commanding 32 (Scottish) Signal
Regiment. After leaving the Army Howard became the bursar of a large independent school for seventeen years
before moving into marketing and fundraising in the education sector. He recently retired as the finance director and
company secretary of the Institute of Development Professionals in Education ( IDPE). He now writes historical
fiction and to date has had sixteen novels published as ebooks by Amazon on Kindle. His latest book is called
Alexander and is the third of a trilogy about ancient Macedonia. His next novel, the Bastard's Son, which is about the
reign of William Rufus, is due to be published later this summer. He has three adult children and one granddaughter
and lives with his wife and two Bernese Mountain Dogs between Holy Island and Berwick upon Tweed in
Northumberland.
Sean Thompson (‘86) is now Managing Director of CAMRADATA Analytical Services. He lives in Blean, Canterbury
and works in the City of London. He is still in touch with a large number of old friends from School especially via
FaceBook and sees a number of them on a regular basis including Henry Mason (86); Andrew Nurse (86); John
Martin (‘85); Rob Shephard (86); Patrick Butler (84); and Lisa Giles (nee White ‘86). He loves socialising and has
organised a number of reunions over the years. In July 2016 it will be 30 years since he left the School and he is
therefore thinking about organising another reunion in London on Friday 15th July 2016. If you know him and would
be interested in attending please email the Society with your details.
Jon Dagley joined the staff of St Edmund's School in September 1985, and will therefore have served 93 terms when
he finally hangs up his gown in July of this year. Jon had huge boots to fill in succession to Colin Parker, and over the
years he has proved to be a perfect heir apparent, exemplifying all that is good about the traditional public
schoolmaster. Generations of pupils owe a massive debt to JPD for his superbly gentle teaching of English, his work
as a pastoral mentor to boys and girls in Grant and Warneford Houses, his absolute determination to help every
Sixth Former find the right university path, and, not least, his coaching of football teams, athletes and cross- country
runners. And, more recently, he has turned his hand to the art of the playwright, scripting two highly successful and
original School plays.
There is so much more that I could say, but it would be too easy to embarrass an essentially modest and self-effacing
professional, with whom I shared a quarter of a century of Common Room camerarderie, not to mention a few
Telegraph crosswords! Enjoy your retirement, Jon!
David Knight
If any former pupil would like to make a contribution towards a retirement gift for Jon Dagley then please contact the
Society at foundation@stedmunds.org.uk
The following deaths have been noted since the Spring 2015 edition of the Newsletter.
Arthur, Michael S. (SES 49-55) died 06/09/2015; Bainbridge, John P. (46-49) 27/08/2015; Bird, Brian J.K. (37-40)
16/07/2015; Collins, Denys W.S. (34-38) about 2007; Djazaeri, Bahram (64-68) 24/05/2014; Ellis, Roger H. (Chaplain
1984-2000) 22/08/2015; Ely, Roger G. (66-71) 14/12/2015; Gill, Christopher J.S. (42-46, Chaplain 1960-1976)
28/07/2015; Kibble, Robert D. (JS 54-55) 24/10/2014; Perkins, R. Jeremy (49-53) 10/07/2015; Quick, D. John (38-40)
02/01/2016; Sanderson, R. John M. (61-65) 12/11/2015; Trevett, John M.C. (48-52) 06/04/2016; Wallington, Geoffrey
G.G. (38-40) 25/01/1976.
Full obituaries can be found online at www.sesociety.org.uk or if you would like a hard copy of a particular
obituary, then please contact Julia Campbell on foundation@stedmunds.org.uk or call 01227 475621.
We are looking for year representatives, who could help us drum up interest in our events and spread the word.
If you keep in touch with your former school friends and would be interested in taking on the role of your year
representative, please email foundation@stedmunds.org.uk
For further information and how to book any the of the above events, please refer to our website or email
foundation@stedmunds.org.uk
www.sesociety.org.uk
In The Locker Room
St Edmund’s Society | Spring/Summer 2016
Name:
Peter Jackson
When did you attend St Edmunds?
1988 - 1993
House?
Grant
House Master?
Mr Barnard
What was your favourite subject at school?
CDT, as part of a project I made a gun cabinet that I still have! somewhere?!
Favourite teacher?
Nick Pearce, CDT teacher
What were your interests at school?
Aways looked forward to Fridays for CCF, went on a couple of exercises with the school and throughly enjoyed
them.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I have an off road 4x4 and when I get the time I love going off road racing.
In The Locker Room
What did you do after leaving school?
I left St Edmunds in ‘93 to go onto college to finish my A levels and then went on to start working for my fathers
business, Jacksons Fencing.
Where are you now?
Managing Director of Jacksons Fencing, which is based in Ashford having worked for the company for over 24
years. We design and manufacturer fencing and access control for the domestic and commercial market, We have
just completed a project working with Eurotunnel, providing a safe and secure perimeter at their Coquelle
terminal.
Connect with Peter on LinkedIn
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/peterjacksonfencing
If you would like to feature on In The Locker Room please contact the Foundation Office
E: foundation@stedmunds.org.uk T: 01227 475621
www.sesociety.org.uk
Then and Now
St Edmund’s Society | Spring/Summer 2016
Sean Thompson (‘86) and Shara Thompson (nee Abbott ‘88) met at St. Edmund’s in 1985 when Sean was 17 and Shara
was 13. They married in 1992 and here they are 29 years later still together!
Lead up to school from St Thomas’ Hill
The dormitories in 1900
If you have any photographs you would like to share please email: foundation@stedmunds.org.uk or
post straight onto our Facebook page search for “Ses Canterbury”
A wedding with a view
St Edmund’s overlooks Canterbury Cathedral,
offering stunning views from St Thomas Hill. Set
amongst mature gardens and parkland, and
approved for civil marriages, partnership and vow
renewals, this setting will make your occasion truely
memorable. Let the magnificent venue of St
Edmund’s be the starting point for your special day.
Rental and catering packages available for all
budgets, for more information email
events@stedmundscanterbury.co.uk or
call 01227 475 629
www.sesociety.org.uk