Old Colcestrian Society

SPRING NEWSLETTER 2024

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
10th Anniversary Celebrations of the 2014 Leavers

Let’s start this newsletter with news of a World Record (well – CRGS World anyway!).

Following the huge response from the 2012 leavers to their 10 th anniversary celebrations
when 50 past students caught up with each other, Saturday 19 th April 2024 saw the 2014
leavers amass in the George Young Building to enjoy each others’ company once again.

A tremendous turn out saw over 60 alumnae revisit the school – including a couple of partners
and a DOG!

We also welcomed back DR Peter Jones who spent the whole evening surrounded by his
former students. Thanks also go to the Head Master, John Russell, who engaged with the
former students as well as Head of 6th form, Nick Harvey, who recalled this cohort was from
his first year at CRGS.

Both John & Nick had other engagements to go but they enjoyed the evening so much they
each turned up an hour late!

Attendees included the following:

Chris Collins, Will Thurlwell, Mark Lightbower, Kyle Farhadian, Joe Massetti, Richard Sandell,
Anthony Else, Neil Kennett, Armin Menason, Adam Wigley, Laurel Regibeau-Rockett, Oliver
Matthews, Alex Snook, Robert Brinkley, Josh Cavie, Charlotte Stovell, Joe Middleton, Libera
Assini, Joe Cowie, Liam Bird, Luke Green, Hugh Durrant, Lucien Nzotarh, Samuel Bangura,
Freddie Looser, Alexander Price, Adam Rhaiti, Ollie Rackhouse, Will Huebner, Ed Hirst, Emily
Mills, Sophie Bennett, Abbie Main, Ben Fusi, Caspar Everett, Mike Wrathall, Thomas Avery-
Hickmott, Miles Clark, Tim Scott, Josh Logan, Prasanna Sellathurai, Daniel Furn, Simon
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Robinson, Jamie Law, Wesley Parker-Wilson, Edward Greennavel, Camilla Watters, Rebecca
Childs, Ben Rowe, George Grant, Rebecca Baker, Thomas Ellis, Adam Parkins, Krcysztof
Janusewicz, Isabella Crack, Joanna Mose, Joe White, Charlotte Denhard, Felix Cousins & Pete
Bartholomew.
Apologies to any who we have misspelt and any we have not included – some of the
signatures were hard to decipher.

With thanks to 2013/14 School Captain, George Wall & Joseph Cowie for their efforts getting
their peers together. This was clearly a very close knit group and the gauntlet is now laid
down for the class of 2015 to beat this record next year.

Special thanks go to Mrs Bunch who helped out on the night but has “politely” turned down
the offer of honorary membership!!

25th Anniversary Celebrations of the first intake of girls into the 6th Form

Speaking of celebrations, following the report in our last newsletter of the successful
celebration, we received the following interesting note from one of our members:

“…….., I found it most interesting to be reminded that we are at the quarter-century mark of our
welcoming ladies into the sixth form. As one of the governors who, at the time, debated the issue
before its approval, may I please record, for prosperity, my recollections of some of the issues which
had to addressed prior to the adoption of the proposal?

The driving force behind the decision to admit women was pragmatic, rather than idealistic. Our sixth
form at the time was extremely successful and well-recognised, but its lack of breadth threatened the
sustainability of its national predominance. In my own student days, the sixth divided starkly between
arts (6L) and science (6S). Overlap was – if not impossible, certainly discouraged, on the basis that it
risked dilution of the focus demanded by the universities at that time.

But the times, They Were A’changin’: Colchester Sixth Form College was proving to be an increasingly
significant alternative for potential CRGS sixth-formers, owing to the flexibility it could offer due to
economies of scale. The proponents of co-education in the sixth form cited the example of one
particular individual, for whom expectations were particularly great, who had moved to the Sixth Form
College because it could accommodate his ambition to study drama, maths and Spanish at A Level –
the student concerned being sufficiently able as to be confident of his university chances that the issue
of ‘focus’ did not apply. It was evident, that if the sixth form was to continue to flourish – it needed to
expand in order to be able to offer the range of options that were now expected. And it was abundantly
clear that the most obvious route would be to open the sixth form to girls. The governors appreciated
and venerated the traditional ethos that had served so well in the past – but in the face of
overwhelming evidence – pragmatism prevailed, and by a considerable margin, the governors agreed
to admit girls into the sixth form.

I recall that the pushback came immediately and forcibly. The Headmistress of the County High School
for Girls (the obvious target for our recruitment) objected strenuously, and all co-operation between
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the schools was immediately suspended: - the regular joint drama production was cancelled, and for
some months relations were severely strained between the two selective schools. But surprisingly
quickly, goodwill was resumed, with both establishments seeing opportunities: we got the economies
of scale we needed, CCHS was able to demonstrate its reinforced commitment to the value of single-
sex education for girls.

On a lighter note, the predominantly male staff had to face up to the fact that our plans would
necessarily require significant changes to the facilities – and experience was seriously lacking in the
practicalities involved. As the plans for the transition moved into place we were gently – but forcibly
reminded by Mrs. Milne (the ‘Primus’ Senior Tutor Responsible for Girls) that a glaring omission from
our list of new requirements was the lack of mirrors in the new facilities. A reflection of how much we
had to learn at the time!”

OCS MEMBERSHIP

Please continue to encourage any friends who were at the school to join us, via this link:
https://oldcolcestrians.org/join/ or by contacting our Membership Secretary, or at
[email protected].
All proceeds/funds are fed back into the school to assist the students as much as possible.

Since the last newsletter, we are delighted to have welcomed the following new members:

David Hamblin 1967~1974, Ben Lockwood 1968~1975, Ian Narbeth, 1971~1978, Neil
Dawson 1973~1980, Mark Loftong 1979~1986, Daniel Lewis 1989~1996, George Wilson
1989~1996, Armin Menason 2007~2014, Gabriel Vargas 2009~2016, Sam Weaver
2009~2016, Keshavan Saranamuttu 2014~2019, Harry Tompkins 2013~2020, Andy Zhao
2015~2022, Lily Wainer 2021~2023, Grace Akinyemi 2021~2023, Kathleen Howard-Kelley
2021~2023, Phoebe Tompkins 2021~2023 & Joseph Mayhew-Millard 2015~2023.

We also welcome the following who will be leaving CRGS after their A levels this summer.

School Captain, Emmanuel Togoh, Mackenzie Smith, Freya Bartley, Jacob Thompson, Nathan
Schofield, Jacob Harding, Dominic Peyton, Connor Brown, Luke Steel, Alex Stuart, George
Robertson, Sshubhan Kammari, Elise & Alexia Ando & Elijah Harrison.

We wish them well for their imminent exams as well as their future careers.

We also welcome current students who will be continuing their studies into next year and
beyond……………….

School Captain 2024/25, Matthew Springer, William Dunn, Sophie Fennell & Joseph
Robertson.
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It is with great sadness that we advise of the passing of the following OCs:

Philip Tice 1946~1951 & Douglas Appleby 1950~1956; George Nicholson 1949~1955 and
Stewart Francis Head Master 1985~2000.

Thank you to all of the above for their devotion to the school and the Society. Our thoughts
remain with their families and friends.

SPORTS 2023/24
AN APPEAL FROM TIM FORD OC 1974-1978
If OCS members enjoyed a look at the first period of CRGS cricket since World War II (Run
‘Em Up: Memories of Cricket at CRGS since 1945), which was included in last December's
edition of The Colcestrian, then the next article will feature the first part of “The Bayes era”,
which started with Roger’s appointment as Head of Cricket in 1969. Many will have played
for the school over the following 35 years, and it is their stories that will bring this account
to life and that I am seeking. I am therefore particularly requesting that OCs who played
in the period from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s respond with their memories and that
they also provide any photographs of teams, characters etc. Anything goes. What
happened on tour need no longer stay on tour!
Please respond to Tim Ford ([email protected]) by 30th June.

THE KEEBLE CUP

Revenge is Sweet for CRGS

The annual Keeble Cup football match between Colchester Royal Grammar School and the Old
Colcestrians provided sweet revenge for the school team; propped up by some of last year’s leavers
who enjoyed the result even more after last year’s 6-0 drubbing.
This year, the school team managed to keep goal machine, Pierre Smith, becalmed and a late goal
from the old boys could not disguise a comfortable win for the youngsters.

The fixture is named after former pupil Vic Keeble, who won the FA Cup with Newcastle United in
1955. Action photos below show one of many saves as well as the students walking away after
another goal.
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The Ian Sutherland Netball Trophy

December saw the return of the Ian Sutherland Trophy awarded for the annual netball match
between the Society and the School. A tight game resulted in a victory for a strong OCS team
bolstered by members of the teaching staff come out worthy winners.

Despite 2 hard falls onto the tarmac, Holly Byrne returned to action both times and excelled in her
role as team captain.

Thanks to all who played and particularly to Holly, without whom, the match would have been
cancelled.

On the same afternoon, the rugby match was another exciting event in far softer ground than 2022
when the pitch was frozen and the match had to be cancelled.

AGM/SUMMER REUNION FRIDAY 21ST JUNE

A note regarding the approaching AGM/Summer Reunion has gone out and you will see that
we will be playing the cricket & tennis matches between the OCS & the school teams once
more.

Details of the day’s fun and games are on the attached pdf as a reminder – unfortunately, as
there will be exams still taking place, we will be unable to have any entertainment following
the AGM but we will move on to the playing fields earlier to enjoy Pati Humbles’ excellent
lunch and tea which will be available throughout the afternoon together with the bar and the
able bar man, Nigel Stephen serving once more.

If you would like to play in either the cricket or tennis please contact the following:

Cricket James Patient on [email protected]

Tennis Murray Lane on [email protected]

THE COLCESTRIAN MAGAZINE

Firstly, we have a couple of corrections to be made following the issue of the 2023 Colcestrian
magazine as follows:

“My purpose in writing was to refer to the obituary to Dick Barton (pages 106/7). It is stated that
Dick was President of the OC's in 1984/5 but what my friend Sir Bob Russell may not be aware of was
that Dick was a member of the OC Committee over a long period. I seem to remember that he was
stated as such in some issues of the old-style Colcestrian magazine. Someone may care to research
this.”

Thanks to Henry Spyvee (OC 1951-1958) for pointing out this Dick’s important contribution to
the OCS committee which he always served with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye!
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With thanks to Hugh Bidmead (OC 1963-1970)
“….I have just received my copy of the above (I am an OC 1963-1970). May I just say the
magazine is as usual an excellent, informative publication which gives a comprehensive insight
in to life at CRGS (very different from the 1960s!).

There is one correction that I would ask you to make perhaps by way of a small note in next
year’s magazine.

On page 103, under “100 Years of Rugby at CRGS” the third paragraph refers to Owen Carter,
this gentleman was actually Ivor Carter, my late Uncle.

When I retired in 2016 I researched my Uncle and the school was extremely helpful in
providing information; from predominantly old editions of The Colcestrian.

My Uncle’s name is recorded on the memorial window in the Library as I.M.Carter (Ivor
Meirion Carter) and I think it is important that the correction is made so that there is no
confusion with regard to the contribution he made to school life and the Ultimate Sacrifice he
made in WW2.

On any other minor error I would not be too concerned, but obviously bearing in mind my
personal connection and his loss in WW2 I believe it is important.(by way of connection he was
my Mother’s brother).”

As ever, we are looking for new items for the next edition for which the deadline is the end of
July 2024. Please submit material as early as possible to Max Woodward on
[email protected]

Articles from younger OCs would be especially welcome bearing in mind that the proportion
of younger members has grown significantly, thanks to the efforts of the Society’s senior
members, over recent years.

News of your adventures since leaving CRGS are to be welcomed with photos where possible
and available. The Three Peaks Cycle Challenge [pp 80-8i 12/2020 Edition ] is a splendid
example of a well-illustrated enterprising adventure.

We are also seeking advertisers within the magazine.

A copy of the Colcestrian is distributed to every family with children currently at CRGS and
to every member of the Old Colcestrian Society. In total, this is a distribution in excess of
2,000 printed copies, reaching a far wider audience of current students and their families, along
with former students and families also.

We are in the process of compiling the edition that will be distributed during autumn term 2024,
and we are looking for any businesses that would like to advertise through the magazine. The
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options available consist of a full page advert, a half page advert, a quarter page advert and an
eighth page advert.

If you wish to advertise your company please contact [email protected]

ADDRESS CHANGES

If you have changed address in the past 12 months (or indeed longer but have not been receiving
your hard copy of the magazine!) please update your profile through the following link:
ocs.org.uk
Click on Public Access. Any issues with this please contact [email protected]

Sadly, due to postage costs we are unable to send magazines across the seas; however, if you
wish to receive The Colcestrian a donation towards the postage would be welcomed.

With reference to the high costs of producing the magazine as well as the cost to the
environment, we are also considering moving to digital copies. Please keep an eye open for
a future announcement and request to confirm your preferred method of receiving the
magazine.

COLCESTRIAN FUTURES (CF)/CAREERS EVENT

With the input of Joseph Mayhew-Millard (OC 2015-2023), the CF website will soon be
undertaking some changes to make it more user friendly. In the meantime, we encourage
members to sign up to the Colcestrian Futures website where it is possible to volunteer to assist
with mentoring/CVs etc. It is also possible to advertise any job vacancies.

We are also seeking assistance if possible for the following student request.

I am a current student at CRGS. I study Maths, French, Fine Art, and Physics. I am currently
looking for work experience in Film and Media, design and production.

I was unsure of what I what I wanted to do until recently when I realised how deeply I
enjoyed and felt in awe of film and television production and the skills it requires to
create entire other universes from scratch. Realising this could be a highly desirable
career path for me I talked to the school's careers advisor who gave me links to degree
apprenticeships and courses relevant to film and media. I have also been to a Film makers
course, a French Film course at the BFI and been co-choreographer for the school
production the Sister Act.

I would like to further my interest and understanding with some work experience and/or
other relevant opportunities in film, media, television, theatre (production or design).
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If anyone is in a position to assist with the above requests, please contact the OCS chairman
on [email protected] and all kind offers will be passed on to the individual concerned. OCS
assistance in these matters is invaluable to our members and always greatly appreciated.

CAREERS EVENT
We have received notice and a request for assistance with a most important event at the
school as follows:

“On Friday 12th July, the last Friday of the summer term, we are planning a CRGS Careers Fair.
The purpose of the event will be for Y10 & Y12 students to consider how A-Level & Degree choices can
support future Career choices. Research indicates that encounters with employers whilst at school have
a significant impact upon the aspirations and employability skills of students.
We therefore hope to have a wide range of employers and external providers able to attend this event.

The school is also meeting with staff from St Mary's as they have expressed an interest in helping with
organisation and also their Year 10 girls attending the event.

It is likely to run from 9am-12.30 approx; with individual slots for the different year groups.

A full timetable and itinerary will be produced prior to the event.”

If any OCs are able and willing to give of their time to this important inaugural careers event,
please advise of your willingness to assist by responding to [email protected]

CRGS SPEECH DAY

This year Speech Day was brought forward to just before the exams in order to ensure that as
many students as possible were able to receive their awards on the day.

A phenomenal 98 different students from years 11, 12 & 13 received awards and
congratulations for their hard work over the past year.

The awards were presented by Quinton Newcomb OC 1995-2000 who gave a rousing and
passionate speech about his time at CRGS and the positive effect upon his career. As a
student during the headship of Stewart Francis who sadly died shortly prior to seeing the first
recipient of his own new award, Persto et Praesto, Quinton was moved by an affectionate
tribute to Stewart’s memory.

We were pleased to see the Rob Stebbing Award given to George Robertson. A few of the
many reasons as to why George was such a worthy winner of this award are as follows:

“George is always giving of his time and does so in a friendly manner. George always puts others
first!”
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“George Robertson has supported the school production for the last 6 years, going above and beyond
in time commitment and always with a positive ‘can do’ attitude.”

“George Robertson - best human alive, every interaction with him is a pleasure, he has helped many
of his classmates with their coursework. The GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Always willing to help
anyone.”

These comments have come from staff members. From the OCS point of view, when we sought help
on a particular project from the students, the IMMEDIATE response was “George Robertson is your
man!”

The award goes with a cheque for £400.

Huge congratulations to George who received the trophy from OCS Chair Sean Bunch.

BREAKING NEWS

We are delighted to announce the date of this year’s dinner which is Saturday 14th December
2023. We will also have the rugby match between the President’s XV & the Headmaster’s
XV as well as the return of the OCS v CGRS Netball during the day.

THANKS
Finally, thanks as ever to all members of our excellent committee, who continue to work so
very hard on behalf of the society to maintain the substantial programme of events during the
year. Thanks also to the Headmaster, John Russell, Head of Sixth Form, Mr Nick Harvey,
Director of Sport, Mr Wayne Hill and all other CRGS staff members who have done so much
to help ensure the society continues to flourish.