Rhubarb Issue 12: November 2023

OSENews

Issue 12: November 2023

Registered Charity No. 309681

‘Academic ambitions are at an ALL TIME HIGH ... but none of the school’s characteristic

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WEEKLY & FULL BOARDING | DAY | A LEVEL & IB

www.stedwardsoxford.org

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Welcome to Rhubarb 2023!

This year the School celebrated its 160th ANNIVERSARY and 150 years since we moved to Summertown, described as ‘the miserable village of Summertown’.The vision of the Headmaster of that time, Reverend Algernon Simeon, and the challenging move that it entailed, is outlined on page 15. I t has been an extraordinarily busy year and I hope you find this magazine reflects the many diverse and interesting achievements.

We have been delighted to launch our DIGITAL ARCHIVES – an opportunity for all OSE to look through a huge

WELCOME

collection of photos (including sports teams and house photos), sports shields and old copies of Rhubarb and The Chronicle magazines. I do urge you to find time to dip into the Digital Archives and have a look – you can search by name or date and you will be amazed what you can find. See page 14 for details or scan the QR code here:

We have also launched the CUP & DAGGER CLUB , our new regular giving club based on

This year we saw DAVID SMART (Field House, 1968-1972) step down as President of the Society and JAMES MACDONALD SMITH (Sing’s, 1981-1985) became our 86th President. Page 6.

As part of BEYOND TEDDIES, we are very proud of the work the PARTNERSHIP TEAM do, as they launched TEDDIES COLLABORATES this year.The impact they have on our School and the surrounding community shouldn’t be underestimated. Page 12

the principle that lots of people giving small amounts can have a profound impact on the Teddies community. Find out more about how to join, plus our new free Will-writing service we are offering on page 10.

We are, as always, delighted to talk to interesting OSE and find out more about their careers and lives – read about EDHOBART

As always, THE SOCIETY’S SUCCESS IS BASED ONYOU, the OSE and we are always grateful for your contributions and for getting in touch.We have WELCOMED OVER 1000 OSE

Rhubarb Reunites 1972-1982

(Corfe, 1985-1989) on page 21 , GRACE GILBERT (Corfe, 2005-2010) on page 24 and PETER SWAINSON (Tilly’s, 1995-2000 and former SCR 2017-2023) on page46 .

BACKTO EVENTS at TEDDIES , around the COUNTRY and GLOBE (see page 74 ) and our MARTYRS SPORT continues to thrive (See page48 ).

We have also launched our first ever BUSINESS DIRECTORY in Rhubarb and hope to build on this over the year as we grow our business connections and professional networks.

You can’t have missed the news of our wonderful win at HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA this summer. It gave us an opportunity to connect with many OSE who came to support

the School on the banks of the river, OSE who returned to Teddies for the CELEBRATION OF ROWING EVENT in September (see page 90 ) and also with previous winning crews, recounting their Prince Elizabeth Challenge Cup wins in 1958, 1959, 1984, 1999 and 2023, Page 27.

See page 70 and join us on LinkedIn.

Martins Oxford

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this edition of Rhubarb .We look forward to seeing many of you this year – do keep in touch and look out for invitations (events list can be found on page 95, inside back cover) and updates via social media and the website (see back of magazine for details).

Front Cover:The ‘Fizzy Tea’ at Henley Royal Regatta 2023

EMILY ROWBOTHAM, EDITOR

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ST EDWARD’S

WARDEN’S WELCOME

Alastair Chirnside

A t the start of every term I preach in Chapel, and my theme for the academic year which started in September was friendship. Leavers take many things from their time at Teddies: examination grades for university admission and for their first job applications; lessons from the co-curriculum about talent and practice, pressure and performance; experiences of community from their boarding houses and from their year groups which help them to chart their social course through life. All those grades, lessons and experiences are important, but it is the friendships from their time at school which last longest, which take them furthest and which matter most for them to lead happy and fulfilling lives.

WARDEN’S WELCOME

Alastair Chirnside

Friendship comes from shared experience, and it is the richness of that experience in the busyness and intensity of life at Teddies that makes the School the perfect proving ground for it. From the Warden’s House, I can see friendship every day in the Quad: pupils walking and talking together about ideas and interests, lessons and activities, people and events. I can feel it in the Common Room, in the staff rooms of the departments, at the dinners and drinks parties which Zannah and I host for all staff there is a sense of togetherness which is very special, even unique.

School makes friendship easier: pupils and staff are here all the time, bound together by shared experience every day. Beyond school, it gets harder: in the busyness of our lives, it is easy to lose touch with our friends and with the past which we share with them.That is why I have been delighted to welcome so many of you back to Teddies for OSE events, for Special Gaudy, for private visits – some of you regular visitors, others returning after absences of more than thirty years. Every invitation seems to bring more OSE back to the School. It is also why we have all been so pleased to see the steady increase in the number of OSE parents registering their children to come to the School.

Friendship is the most important lesson to learn at school and it has been learnt well for generations at Teddies.

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ST EDWARD’S

There have been many changes and new initiatives in the last two years: our first Oxford Lectures to bring more visiting academics into the School, the first Oxford Days for the teaching departments, the postgraduate students working with our pupils and teachers as St Edward’s Fellows, the launch of Teddies Collaborates to make service universal in the Lower Sixth.We have invested in new facilities for sport, in technology for learning and teaching, and in updating the older boarding houses.

WARDEN’S WELCOME

There are many more changes in prospect: we have exciting plans to develop our facilities on the Field Side; we are introducing new exchanges in India, America and Australia for pupils and for staff; we are teaching our pupils and learning ourselves about artificial

Teddies Collaborates

intelligence; we are hosting our first careers festivals; we are going back to the future as we restart bumping races in rowing, sports day in athletics and house plays in drama; and we are looking forward to growing the membership of the Cup & Dagger Club.

Among all those points of focus, there is one constant: the community in which pupils at Teddies grow up, in which they develop the friendships which will take them to the highest points in their lives and help them through the lowest.The School will be a point of reference for them throughout their lives, as I hope it has been for you.This edition of Rhubarb is part of our work to keep you in touch with your school and with each other.

I have resisted the temptation in this introduction to write about the history which the Boat Club made at Henley, with two girls’ crews racing and the boys’ 1st VIII winning the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup for the fifth time in the School’s history. I have written and talked about it almost everywhere else, and there are plenty of pages devoted to it in this edition.The magic of that Sunday in July did not, however, happen only on the water.The crew’s success brought hundreds of people together in celebration: OSE, pupils, staff and parents, both past and present. New friendships were forged on the water, many more were renewed on the bank.The same was true in every area of School life last year: on the pitch and on the touchline, on the stage and in the audience, in studios and exhibitions, in departments and inHouses. Friendship is the most important lesson to learn at school, and it has been learnt well for generations at Teddies.That is the secret of the School’s success in the past, and it is the foundation of its future. I hope that you enjoy this edition of Rhubarb and that it will help you to renew your friendship with the School and with each other.

New friendships were forged on the water, many more were renewed on the bank.

All those grades, lessons and experiences are important, but it is the friendships from their time at school which last longest, which take them furthest and which matter most for them to lead happy and fulfilling lives.

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ST EDWARD’S

president’s REPORT James MacDonald-Smith (Sing’s,1981-1985) L ooking back at this edition of Rhubarb I’m reminded of what a busy and enjoyable year it has been. achievements of both the School’s girls and boys with the boys winning the PE Cup (fuller reports on this I know appear elsewhere). I was fortunate to be able to attend all six days to brush down my Rhubarb blazer and cheer on the crews. It was a further joy to don the Rhubarb blazer again in September at the most amazing celebration of rowing – read more on page 90.

WELCOME

After three years as President, including the unsettling Covid years, David Smart (Field House, 1968-1972) stepped down as President of the OSE

James MacDonald-Smith

Society. During his tenure, the OSE Society has flourished.Virtual events such as the Wine Tasting and Quiz were warmly supported and as we have emerged from the Covid years, the in-person events have grown both in number and in attendance. I would like to take this opportunity to, once again, thank David for all his help, unwavering support and steadfast loyalty – and for setting me a tough act to follow. David continues to be part of the Beyond Teddies team as Legacy Manager, growing the opportunity for OSE to support the Society in their Wills and more recently, launching the free Will writing service with Bequeathed (see page 11 for details). I would also like to thank the OSE Executive Committee for their time and commitment.We have two members for each decade, providing a robust and broad group of OSE who help shape the work we do with strategic thought, practical advice and opinions. They are an impressive bunch and you can read more about these individuals on the next page. Please do take the opportunity to make contact with the representatives for your decade, we really do like to hear what fellow OSE are up to. As I take on the role of President, I look forward to meeting many of you.The success of the Society is based on the OSE who engage with it and each other and make it a dynamic and relevant society. Amongst my highlights last year were the two Rhubarb Reunites dinners that I went to, both extremely well attended and ably hosted. I would very much like to thank the Beyond Teddies team and all involved for their hard work in making these, as well as the Special Gaudy, huge successes. It would be extremely remiss of me to not mention Henley Royal Regatta and the

Rhubarb Reunites 40-50 years, May 2023

The Celebration of Rowing Dinner, September 2023

I’m always interested in feedback and ideas of how we can improve what we do. Please do reach out to me through the Beyond Teddies teamonOSE @ stedwardsoxford.org or 01865 319438.The OSE Society is your society and it is important to me and the OSE Committee that we strive to achieve what you, the alumni, want. Looking forward to the year ahead we have much to be excited and positive about.The Cup & Dagger Club, our first regular-giving programme was established earlier in 2023, providing the opportunity for members of our community to give amounts from as little as £1.60 per month.There have already been a number of OSE who have signed up and you can now see the Cup & Dagger badges worn with pride. See page 10 for details.

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ST EDWARD’S

The events list on page 95 is a reminder that there are plenty of opportunities to come back and catch up with fellow OSE and I plan to attend as many gatherings as I can in my first year as President.Whether it’s at a year-specific reunion, sports matches, family fun day or the carol concerts in Oxford or London, we hope to see you. The School continues to flourish under Warden Alastair Chirnside, and it is heartening to see it go from strength to strength without changing the values that we all remember. I do urge you to go back to the School if you haven’t recently and see for yourself – either at Special Gaudy (Summer 2024) or, if you have younger children, one of the Open Mornings the School runs for prospective pupils.You are sure to be impressed! Please do contact the Beyond Teddies team if you would like to visit outside of their organised events as they would be delighted to show you around.

For those of you who have not yet seen the digital archives, I commend these to you. All past copies of the Chronicle are now digitally archived (and are searchable) as well as the School Sports Shields. Have a look, there are many opportunities for fond memories! See page 14 for details or scan the QR code.

BEYOND TEDDIES

Finally, I would like to thank you all for your support.The OSE are a special group of people, bonded by memories, shared experiences and Rhubarb! I look forward to meeting many of you at the enormous number of events and activities over the coming year.

MEETOUR ose executive committee

T he OSE Society Executive Committee is led by the President and is made up of OSE from each decade. Their role is to make sure that the Society achieves its purpose which is ‘ to maintain the values and promote the interests of the School and to encourage mutual help between those who are and have been connected with it. ’The Rules of the Society, which were up-dated and ratified at this year’s AGM, can be found on the website.

Each member of the Executive Committee works with the Beyond Teddies team, offering strategic thought, practical advice and opinion to help shape events and communications that best engage with OSE across the ages.We are hugely grateful for all their help and invaluable contributions. By having a wide range of ages, demographics, interests and professional backgrounds, we aim to have a balanced and representative group to support the near 8,000 strong diverse OSE community.The OSE Society Executive Committee reports into the main Society Committee that is made up of Past Presidents, Regional Reps and Martyrs Reps.

JAMES MACDONALD SMITH (President) (Sing’s, 1981-1985)

SIMON TALBOT-WILLIAMS (Cowell’s, 1974-1979) S imon escaped Teddies in Summer 1979. Having failed Oxbridge, he took four more A levels and completed an Estate Management BSc at Oxford Polytechnic. In 1984 he joined

PHILIP LEA (Sing’s, 1971-1975) P hilip left Sing’s in the summer of 1975. He briefly studied and worked in agriculture before switching to law, getting a degree from South Bank Polytechnic and qualifying as

J ames left Teddies in1985 and joined the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester where he studied Rural Estate Management. After Cirencester, James went to

Sandhurst and was commissioned into the 13/18 Royal Hussars (Queen Mary’s Own); during his service the regiment was amalgamated to form the Light Dragoons (far less of a mouthful!). During his service which was predominantly in Germany, he was also deployed on Op Grapple 2 in Bosnia Herzegovina. After the Army James went into the City, working for Barclays, where he was amongst other things, a private banker. (it’s all on LinkedIn!). After 20 years of being salaried James set up his own business in 2014, Harnhill Wealth Management, a partner practice of St James’s Place.Teddies must have sown a seed for learning as he is now halfway through a degree in Philosophy with Psychological Studies at the Open University. In his spare time he is a keen climber and walker and currently undertaking qualifications as a rock climbing instructor and mountain leader. He is the proud father of Annabel (Corfe, 2019) and Charlie.

Jackson-Stops & Staff. After six happy years in which he became a Chartered Surveyor and Board Director he started Talbot Scott in the depths of the early-90s’ recession. At almost the same time he was asked to take a temporary position helping OSE Martyrs Cricket; 34 years later he is now the President. Business life has been varied as he splits his time between providing London corporate property services, building new homes (750 already completed), and managing property assets. He has three children, five step-grandchildren and 30 step-great nephews and nieces. Real Tennis and Cricket remain great passions and he travels the land seeking new opportunities to rejuvenate long lost courts.

a solicitor. He stayed in private practice, principally as a clinical negligence litigator, until 2020. He now works as a part-time law lecturer at the University of Portsmouth. For 14 years he was a retained fire fighter for Hampshire Fire and Rescue service and is Founding Trustee/ Director of three disability related charities. He is also an obsessive gardener and woodworker. He says:‘I hope Teddies taught me decent and worthwhile core values, it is for others to judge! Advice to current pupils and younger OSE: always question your elders (and everything else for that matter), but preferably from a position of knowledge.Try to find and commit to a career that you enjoy, you will spend a lot of your life at it.’ Philip’s son, Ed, came to Teddies and left Kendall in 2011.

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ST EDWARD’S

PATRICK HINTON (Kendall, 2006-2011) P atrick left Teddies in 2011 and went to study History and Politics at the University of Warwick. Upon graduation he joined the Army, commissioning into the

deployments and training exercises. Rupert joined Barclays bank in January 2014 and in August 2019 moved to Metro Bank where he is now Head of Mortgage Asset Performance. Outside of work Rupert is a keen runner, is married to Victoria and has two young boys who keep him current with the latest Marvel and Disney franchises.

JIM GLOCKLING (Tilly’s, 1981-1983)

J im left Teddies to study Chemical Engineering in London. During his course he worked for a year at the Atomic Energy Authority Harwell and returned there

after his degree to undertake a PhD study in nuclear engineering. Upon completion Jim became a lecturer in Chemical Engineering and Fire Safety Engineering. Since then, he has worked as a forensic investigator and run research laboratories at the Loss Prevention Council, Building Research Establishment and Fire Protection Association.Working mostly on behalf of the military and insurers on the protection of high-risk environments, Jim now shares his time between working as a freelance consultant and on behalf for the BMT Naval Architecture team. Jim has recently been appointed Visiting Professor to the University of Central Lancashire and supervises a number of students. Married to Rebekah with two children Suki (20) and Dylan (17), he says ‘Life has been good to me!’

ALEXWALKER (Sing’s, 1995-2000) W hile Alex was at Teddies he coxed the 1st VIII. He studied Social and Political Science at Cambridge. He has been a serial

Royal Artillery in 2015. He has performed numerous military roles, most recently being seconded to a defence think tank in London. He has also completed an MA in International Relations and an MBA whilst serving. Patrick enjoys running long distances quite slowly and can normally be found at Henley each year sporting Teddies colours.

BEYOND TEDDIES

entrepreneur ever since his schooldays and recently sold his e-commerce consulting business to Havas Media Group.Alex credits Teddies with giving him lifelong skills and friendships. He urges current pupils to make the most of all the opportunities and facilities the School has to offer. Alex is married to Olga, who is Portuguese, and they have a girl and a boy, aged 10 and 6 respectively. In his free time, he runs, cycles and sometimes still finds time to build websites.

NED DONOVAN (Segar’s, 2007-2012) N ed left Teddies in 2012. He worked as a reporter for various newspapers in the US and the UK including the Times and the Mail on Sunday, for which he was

OLIVIA BRADSHAW (Segar’s 1992-1994) O livia left Teddies in 1994, read Politics at UWE and joined Accenture working in their HR department. She

ANNALOAKE (Avenue, 2002-2007) A nna left Teddies in trained as a solicitor at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP. She then moved to Google 2007, read French and Spanish at UCL and

South Asia Correspondent until 2019. In 2020, he completed an intensive Arabic course at the Qasid Institute in Amman, Jordan. Splitting time between London and Amman, he is currently a Consultant at the Royal Hashemite Court, supporting His Majesty King Abdullah II in royal directive projects.When in London, he has, since 2020, volunteered as a Special Constable in the Metropolitan Police working on an Emergency Response and Patrol Team in Hammersmith. Ned is married to Raiyah, who works in film and was a university lecturer in Japanese studies. His hobbies include scuba diving and film photography.

married fellow OSE Charlie Bradshaw in 2004 and they moved briefly to Hong Kong, where she

continued to work for Accenture remotely. In 2006 Olivia joined Matrix, her husband's business, and established and ran the HR department. They now live in Oxfordshire with their two sons who are both currently at Teddies.

and ran the marketing operations for YouTube in Europe, the Middle East and Africa before setting up her own media marketing agency. Outside of work, Anna spends most of her time with her working cocker spaniel,Vesper, and is a keen racket sports player. She plays Rackets, Real Tennis, Lawn Tennis, Squash and Padel and is a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Membership Committee at The Queen's Club in west London.

GUY HARRISON (Tilly’s, 1992-1997) G u y left Teddies in Edinburgh he had stints in management consulting and banking, before running data and analytics businesses. He is now CEO of software 1997 for Edinburgh University.After

MOLLY HEALY (Mac’s, 2010-2015) M olly left Teddies in 2015, and spent a gap year in Australia before attending Exeter University to study Geography.The year she graduated, Covid hit which made her

HECTOR AHERN (Apsley, 2006-2011) H ector left Apsley in 2011. Following a gap year teaching in

business, SmartSearch. Guy lives in Hampshire with his wife Alexandra and two daughters, Megan and Olivia. Megan will start as a Shell at Teddies in 2024. Guy still loves sport, but mainly coaching and watching these days and keeps up regularly with many OSE.

Africa, working as a skiing instructor and travelling, he read Economics and Politics at Hatfield College, Durham University. He then took a Master’s at Reading University. He finished his education by qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor in 2018. Hector joined Swiss Life Asset Management (formerly Mayfair Capital) in 2021 as a Senior Investment Associate. He is responsible for investment transactions and works as an Assistant Fund Manager on PITCH, a charity-specific investment fund. Outside work he is usually training for, or taking on, endurance challenges having completed an Ironman in 2021 and a trail marathon earlier this year. He is a member of The Prince’s Trust RISE board and a mentor for Supporting Wounded Veterans.Any spare time is usually spent at Lord’s watching cricket.

re-evaluate her career plans, shifting from a PR and marketing role at a global travel company, Travelzoo, to work in education. In early 2021 she joined Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South. She currently works as an Alumni and Employer Relations Officer at the London School of Economics in their Department of Management.Working in schools and now higher education has reinforced her appreciation of all the hard work teachers and staff do to improve their students’ experience, wellbeing and ambitions.

RUPERT STEVENS (Cowell’s, 1995-2000) R upert left Teddies in 2000, read Theology at Durham and then joined the Grenadier Guards in December 2005. He completed three tours of

Afghanistan as well as taking part in two Queen’s Birthday Parades and numerous other overseas

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THE beyond teddies TEAM It has been a busy year for the Beyond Teddies team with many new team members and lots of activity across all three areas that we look after:

Partnership

Community

Fundraising

BEYOND TEDDIES

wearing their new Cup & Dagger pins and are doing what they can at accessible levels to support the School. Our Simeon Society also goes from strength to strength under the management of David Smart (Field House, 1968-1972) and the Simeon Society Committee to whom we are very grateful.The Society is, for one year initially, covering the cost of supporting OSE and parents in writing their Wills through Bequeathed who provide a brilliant free service. Stephen Sparrow (Mac’s, 1983-1988) and Nataliia Poberezhna complete our fundraising team. Stephen

Back row: Stephen Sparrow, David Smart, Nataliia Poberezhna, Kate Chipchase, Rachel Moffatt, Sean Thomson, John Wiggins Front row: Emma Grounds, Rachael Henshilwood, Emily Rowbotham, Courtney O’Keefe

supports me on the major gifts side as we embark on amazing transformational projects benefitting our whole community over the next few years and Nataliia assists with Trust and Foundation applications and team administration. Nataliia is a Ukrainian refugee with a phenomenal educational track record. Her son Artem moved into Fourth Form this year. Artem won the Adam’s Shell and German prizes at Gaudy last year (having not enjoyed maths and never having spoken German before starting at Teddies a year ago!) There is much momentum building at your old School and I am proud to be leading such a brilliant team engaged in so much energetic activity across so many critical areas of the School. As the political landscape becomes increasingly challenging, what the School delivers through the Beyond Teddies team becomes even more important, so I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of you who support us whether financially, on a committee, as an ambassador, by attending our events or feeding back through the surveys.Your commitment to Teddies and to its success and impact on the widest possible community, is what we do it for.

Rhubarb aims to cover what we’ve been doing for our OSE community, but we’ve also been busy looking after our current parents and former parents too! Kate Chipchase , our new OSE Co-ordinator, is supporting Emily Rowbotham , Community Manager, and together they are enabling us to deliver more events and are planning some fantastic new business and networking initiatives next year which you can read about on pages 70 and 95. Everything we strive to do is based on the feedback that you are providing through the OSE Surveys and in your communications to us during the year so if we’re not providing something you would like to attend or read, please tell us! Our Partnerships team has been strengthened by Courtney O’Keefe , Partnerships Co-ordinator, who runs our new Teddies Collaborates programme, the new timetabled service initiative for all Lower Sixth pupils. Courtney has also joined Field House as Resident Tutor in September this year as we welcomed girls into Field House with their new Housemaster Rob Cotterill. The partnership work this brilliant team achieves does not cease to amaze me, so do read more about this on page 12. On the fundraising side our team has also been boosted by Sean Thomson who is running our brand new regular-giving programme, the Cup & Dagger Club, which you’ll read more about overleaf. Many parents, staff and OSE are proudly

Rachael Henshilwood Director of Partnerships and Development henshilwoodr @ stedwardsoxford.org

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th ecup &dagger club

Why should you join?

The Cup & Dagger origins Our iconic cup and dagger badge was used from the beginning of the School’s move to Summertown in 1873 and over the years has appeared on blazers, caps, umbrellas, walls and carpets.The inspiration for this emblem can be traced back to our School’s namesake, Saint Edward. As the Chronicle says in 1873, the crest represents “the instruments of the martyrdom of the Patron Saint, Edward, King and Martyr.” Just like its design, the visibility and use of the cup and dagger has ebbed and flowed since 1873.The first fifteen Chronicles open with the cup and dagger badge, after which it seemed to be forgotten about and was mainly used on sports cards until 1924, when it headed the O.S.E. news and became the badge of the St. Edward’s School Society. “ Joining the Cup & Dagger Club was a very easy decision for me. I believe in the transformative power of small, consistent acts of generosity.The ripple effect of lots of people giving can create serious positive change! ” It is testament to the fact that philanthropy should be accessible to all.We understand that everyone has varying financial capabilities.That’s why the Cup & Dagger Club offers flexible giving options.Whether you choose to give monthly or annually, you can select a plan that aligns with your budget. The cup and dagger returned to head the Chronicle in 1986 and in 1988 was incorporated into the brickwork of the Porter’s Lodge, which is still visible from Woodstock Road.Today, the cup and dagger can be seen all around the school including on sports kit, on uniform and is now the founding emblem for the Cup & Dagger Club. Joining the Cup & Dagger Club allows OSE to participate actively in preserving our rich heritage and ensuring it thrives for generations to come. By giving to the Cup & Dagger Club you can empower future generations.Your support funds bursaries, innovative programmes, essential resources and protects our impressive facilities. Joining the Cup & Dagger Club provides you with a rare opportunity to stay actively involved in the life of Teddies. Attend special events, participate in discussions, share your insights with us and connect with fellow OSE who share a deep passion for our School.

T he Cup & Dagger Club has been founded on the principle that lots of people giving small amounts can have a profound impact on the Teddies community. What is it?

Sean Thomson, Development Manager

BEYOND TEDDIES

The Cup & Dagger Club is the first of its kind at Teddies and has been established to engage financial support from across the St Edward’s community.The Cup & Dagger Club will support the development of our beautiful and impressive buildings as well as our important bursary programme, both of which benefit our current pupils in their academic endeavours, extra-curricular opportunities, and personal growth. Members can help by giving £1.60 per month (in line with our 160th birthday), which qualifies them for a bronze level membership. Silver level members are giving £16.00 per month and gold level members are kindly donating £1,600 annually.

How to join? Joining the Cup & Dagger Club couldn’t be easier.Visit the ‘Beyond Teddies’ section on our website and look under

‘Support Us’ to find ‘The Cup & Dagger Club’. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code above on your smartphone. “ As an OSE, I joined the Cup & Dagger Club because it offers a unique opportunity to stay connected with Teddies, whilst having a lasting impact. It is a meaningful way to give back and ensure that future generations have the same opportunities that shaped my own journey. ” Help us reach our goal of achieving 160 members in our 160th anniversary year. Become a Founding Member of the Cup and Dagger Club today and be part of our historic journey.

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THE SIMEON society

T he Simeon Society was established to enable the School to say thank you to those who pledge to support Teddies in their Will. It is a vibrant and diverse group whose partners and families are invited to special events at School ranging from the Carol Service to the Summer Picnic, Gaudy Concert to cricket matches. Many OSE have

BEYOND TEDDIES

David Smart, Legacy Manager and OSE

made new friends and become reacquainted with old through being a member of the Society. It has given them the ability to support Teddies in a way that would be beyond them during their lifetime. It is important for us to make sure any commitment you are making to our School after your passing is understood and recognised however large or small, monetary or asset based.

These legacy gifts make such a significant impact on life at Teddies.They support our bursaries, enhance school facilities, fund hardship grants and support great teaching initiatives.

If you would like any further information or wish to become a member of the growing Simeon Society, please email David Smart, Legacy Manager, at smartd @ stedwardsoxford.org

Get your Will written for FREE W e know that drawing up your Will can feel like a daunting task so the School have partnered with Bequeathed to make this easier for you.

Bequeathed delivers a unique Will-writing service across the UK. It enables anyone to make their Will quickly and conveniently, completely free of charge, always with legal advice from quality-assured legal firms which can be delivered by phone or video call, at home or in the office.When you make your Will you can be confident that it will meet your needs and the needs of the family, friends and charities you care about.

This free service will be available for a limited time, so sign up soon and don’t miss out.

Please go to www.bequeathed.org/stedwardsoxford to find out more or scan the QR code. In preparing your Will we hope that you will feel able to include an amount under the charities section to give to St Edward’s, which would not only help us but also help reduce your inheritance tax. Please visit: beyondteddies.stedwardsoxford.org/tax-implications

“ I have used Bequeathed to finalise my Will.The process is extremely efficient and easy to understand. I would urge other OSE to take advantage of this wonderful free service . ” JAMES SYNGE (Sing’s, 1964-1969)

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Partnerships

I t has been a busy year for Partnerships, with the launch of Teddies Collaborates, which sees the entire Lower Sixth Form volunteering weekly in the local community. In addition to this, we held 23 large scale Partnership events in the 2022-2023 academic year, including Zimbe! by Alexander l’Estrange, our biggest music partnership event to date, with over 200 Year 5 and 6 children participating. Alongside these, we also fundraised for Oxfordshire Youth, the School Charity, facilitated The Big Donate in partnership with local charities, shared facilities with local organisations, supported local sporting events, and hosted the Youth in Mind Conference .

1. St Edward’s annual Primary School’s cross- country tournament, 150 year 5 and 6 pupils from 9 local primary schools in attendance. March 2023 for me throughout the service programme and it definitely had the biggest impact on me Jarvis, Lower Sixth pupil volunteering at St Aloysius’ Primary School ‘Inspiring People’ series. February 2023 4. Graham Quelch running a workshop of interactive science demonstrations for Cutteslowe Primary School, part of National Science Week 5. A Chemistry demonstration by Dr Matthew Fletcher for the Science of Christmas lectures, December 2022 6. Hockey tournament in partnership with Oxford Hawks Project 2000. December 2022 7. Ibrick sessions delivered to Northern House Academy in partnership with House of Fun, developing STEM skills. Spring term 2023 640 primary school pupils took part in educational workshops at Teddies The ability to communicate with younger people in other communities was really important 2. Lower Sixth Sports Leaders at Cutteslowe Football Masterclass. March 2023 3. John Simpson speaking at the North Wall. Part of their

BEYOND TEDDIES

Over 500 local primary school children have been involved in large scale sporting partnership events

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38members of staff have worked directly with Partnerships and Teddies Collaborates

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180 Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth pupils taking part in Teddies Collaborates, with weekly placements across 21 different organisations, including primary schools, specialists schools, residential homes, museums, community

BEYOND TEDDIES

305 primary school pupils involved in music events and performances

and youth centres, and charity shops

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I have helped improve the pupil’s maths ability and helped them pass their end of year exams. I feel a sense of joy and gratitude that I’m giving something back to the community Monte, Lower Sixth pupil volunteering at Wolvercote Primary School 8. Members of St Edward’s Choir singing at Blenheim Palace for Oxfordshire Youth’s 75th Anniversary Celebrations. November 2022 9. 40ft shipping container full of educational resources delivered to Zimbabwe.This initiative was organised by Henry Chitsenga, a Maths teacher here at Teddies, Founder of Suchhope charity. April 2023 10. Violinists from St Aloysius’ Primary School and St Edward’s School Music Scholar at the Oxford Philharmonic “Come and Play Day”. November 2022 11.Teddies 1st XI vs Refugee Resource Rovers football match. March 2023 12. Cutteslowe,Wolvercote and St Thomas Cantaloupe Primary Schools, Dragon School, St Edward’s Singers, Chapel Choir and a Jazz Octet came together to perform Alexander l’Estrange’s Zimbe! June 2023 13. Lower 6th pupils Harry and Louis at their Teddies Collaborates placement, playing games with residents of The Lady Nuffield Home. June 2023 14. Lower Sixth pupils Kayleigh and Amanda at their Teddies Collaborates placement – SeeSaw, preparing gifts for their annual Christmas event. December 2022

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280 Christmas meals provided to Northern House, Cutteslowe Community Centre and the Limes Club

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The St Edward’s DIGITAL ARCHIVES

The St Edward’s Digital Archives, originally founded in 2017, have been upgraded!

The NEW DIGITAL ARCHIVES can be found on our website – enjoy exploring the site and see if you can spot yourself in the archive photos! Go to: www.stedwardsarchives.org or scan the QR code above.

WHATYOU CAN FIND INTHE NEW DIGITAL ARCHIVES:

The Roll of Honour, a list of pupils and OSE who have died in service.

A huge collection of photographs, from sports teams and house groups to drama productions and general school life, plus photos of the sports shields. Copies of all the Chronicles going back to the first ever edition in 1873, as well as all copies of Rhubarb , first published in 2010.

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Personalise your experience with our new interactive search facilities which enables you to look up your name, as well as special events and sports results.

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D elve into the newly launched Teddies Tales, a site dedicated to stories from our special heritage. Teddies Tales is an online memory board – a place to read, share and comment on aspects of life at Teddies, including personal recollections of School life and special events, as well as stories on our most cherished and fascinating archive items. Help us build a vibrant and vivid record of life at Teddies – visit the site to share and comment on your favourite stories. Do you have a memory or a story from your time at Teddies you would like to share with us? Get in touch, please contact: OSE @ stedwardsoxford.org with your tales. From images to memories, programmes to scrapbooks, help us preserve the wonderful history of your School. teddies tales

DO YOU KNOW...? Which Royal family member granted Teddies pupils an extra three days off school one summer holiday? What we keep in our 824 archive boxes? What’s the story of the cup and dagger? Who was the first woman to present prizes at prize-giving? Who set up the first archive in what is now Macnamara’s House?

To read stories, share memories and comment on the features go to the Teddies Tales website: www.teddiestales.org or scan the QR code here...

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2 023 is the 150th anniversary of St Edward’s move to Summertown.The School was founded in 1863 in central Oxford and under the guidance and vision of its second Headmaster,The Reverend Algernon Simeon, the entire school moved to the new site, in the then remote village of Summertown in 1873.The incredible foresight, courage and determination these pioneers demonstrated during these first years, is outlined in the below feature . St Edward’s Themove to “ the miserable village of Summertown ” By Chris Nathan, School Archivist

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YEARS ANNIVERSARY

Cricket XI outside Mackworth Hall, 1869

St Edward’s first site – New Inn Hall Street, Central Oxford

St Edward’s School was first established by the Reverend Thomas Chamberlain in New Inn Hall Street, Oxford in 1863 under Headmaster Frederick Fryer, one of his curates.The buildings, leased from Brasenose College, were very dilapidated and in fact were ‘dangerous and over-run with rats’.The pupils and staff lived in very difficult cramped conditions; some teachers even slept in cupboards under the stairs. Hygiene was very primitive and, with only cold water available, tin baths in front of the open fire once a week and swimming in the Cherwell were the only means of keeping clean. Sports were played in a small yard attached to the property and in the local parks, where cattle could be relied upon to cause disruption.The School struggled to find pupils despite offering low fees as an incentive and their target audience were the sons of the

St Edward’s first site – New Inn Hall Street, Central Oxford

low-paid clergy. In 1870 Chamberlain appointed the young and untried Reverend Algernon Simeon, to the role of Headmaster and he soon hired William Wilkinson, the renowned Oxford-based architect to find other premises for a new school.This he did – in Summertown.

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The move to Summertown...

1871 B ased on Wilkinson’s recommendation, Simeon purchased 5.75 acres of farmland at the Old Diamond Farm ‘near the miserable village of Summertown, north of Oxford.’ The negotiations were protracted and the costs higher than Simeon had anticipated so he had to borrow a considerable amount ‘and this was a great difficulty, and I do not need enter upon the particulars of that – did succeed in getting it’ (Simeon’s Diary,1903).

1870 T he Reverend Algernon Barrington Simeon, the School’s second Headmaster, bought the School from the founder, the Reverend Thomas Chamberlain, and immediately began looking for new premises. He paid for the furniture, fixtures, and the name borrowing the money from the bank,‘which was soon paid off, for the School was paying fairly well by that time’ (Simeon’s Diary,1903).

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Reverend Algernon Barrington Simeon c1870

William Wilkinson, the leading Oxford-based architect (who had already condemned the New Inn Hall school premises) was hired to find a new site and then ‘prepare some plans for the School buildings of a very plain character at the lowest sum for which a building suitable for that purpose could be erected’ (Simeon’s Obituary, Chronicle, June 1928).

Diamond Farmhouse, North Oxford,1781 sketch.

...‘the miserable village of Summertown’, north of Oxford.’

‘Simeon’s Dream’ drawn up by William Wilkinson based on Algernon Simeon’s ideal layout for his new School before a brick was laid. It turned out amazingly accurate, especially on the northern, western and southern sides, with a smaller Chapel eventually built (due to cost).The eastern side was also accurate except for the south-eastern corner.

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1872 T he initial quote for the Main Buildings and Warden’s House from Orchard’s the builders was for another sizeable sum before ‘any alterations and reductions’. Early estimates were soon being raised, as the parameters were changing even before a brick was laid. As well as formal documents between the Warden and his architect there were many handwritten side notes and calculations including a record of ‘the distance from Carfax to the site of the new school in order to ascertain if the building would be within the distance required by the Delegates’! Also, it is clear that Simeon was sending the architect ‘tracings and sketches’ for ‘his use and reference’ – just how useful Wilkinson found these was not recorded!

stone for the Main Buildings on 15th July. His relationship with Simeon had soured and right to the last minute it was uncertain whether he would actually perform the task, but he relented at the last moment, even praising Simeon for his efforts in his speech. At this ceremony the School Choir and those of St Barnabas and SS Philip and James schools assembled in Summertown and, singing a hymn, proceeded to the School site. Prior to leaving New Inn Hall Street, Simeon inaugurated the Confraternity of St Edward’s with himself as its Superior. Seven medals were handed out to the first members (who were about to leave), this body was ‘designed with old boys and leaving boys in mind’ (Oxley).The rules were simple, the members were to ‘remember the School when they took Communion, and to visit the Headmaster on St Edward’s Day (20th June)’.This was the beginning of what later became the St Edward’s School Society, albeit with very different aims and values.

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The Reverend Thomas Chamberlain laid the foundation

The last School group photo taken before leaving New Inn Hall Street in 1872, with Simeon left centre and Arthur Cowie to his left; there are three other unknown teachers shown who did not make the transition to Summertown.

1873 T he move from New Inn Hall Street to the new site up the Woodstock Road near the isolated village of Summertown in August 1873 was delayed and eventful. It was also, for most of the boys, a step into the unknown. At the time ‘there were no omnibuses, no trams and practically no bicycles. Oxford ended on the Woodstock Road at Rackham’s Lane (later St Margaret’s Road).There was a footpath without lamps, but with horse-posts. Beyond the allotments was the wide expanse of the Old Diamond Farm, nearly all open grass fields.The old grey stone buildings of the farmhouse stood on the Banbury Road side, just where Rawlinson Road now enters it.There were no

buildings and no crossroads until you came to South Parade. If you walked out of Oxford, you might meet a postman with a lantern – never a policeman!’ (Wilfrid Cowell memories printed in the December 1930 Chronicle) .The Woodstock Road remained a shingled, rough surface with no pavements until the turn of the century and was not asphalted until 1912. The 55 existing St Edward’s pupils would be joined by a further 24 new boys for the Autumn Term to make up the first intake at Simeon’s new site. The School assembled for the last time at New Inn Hall Street in May, anticipating the new buildings being ready by August but right from the start things did not go well. Simeon was struck down by the dreaded diphtheria and, barely conscious, was carried across to Felicia Skene’s house

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in New Inn Hall Street where she nursed him ‘devotedly’ (Hill). Later she took him to a cottage in Kennington to recuperate, then to the Grand Hotel at Eastbourne, where the sea breezes brought him a gradual recovery. For a while he had even lost the use of his legs. Later, he moved back to Oxford where a bed was made up in the Oratory for him. There was also a case amongst the boys, and all were sent home early at Whitsun. Meantime Simeon attempted to manage his new enterprise from his sickbed, with Felicia Skene taking over as a makeshift secretary and clerk of works, organising everything on site with the Reverend Arthur Cowie, Simeon’s faithful deputy. (Read more about Felicia Skene on page 20). In August, any boys who wanted to, did return, but parents were asked to delay another month as at the new School, nothing was ready.The main builders, Orchard’s of Banbury, had been contracted to complete the Main Buildings and Warden’s House by the beginning of August ‘both inside and out’. But delays caused by bad weather, and ‘strikes of the

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The temporary Chapel in Beauchamp Dormitory 1875

‘One boy fell into a well,’ dug for building purposes,‘two others ran away’ and it fell to the Headmaster’s quick wits to find them before they got too far. As his own house was not nearly ready, Simeon lived in the Servants’ Hall for the first term. Luckily throughout this nightmare, the weather remained warm and dry.

One boy fell into a well, ...two others ran away

Quite amazingly, and in the theatrical parlance ‘the show must go on’ the first School official opening (there were several) took place two days afterwards on Sunday 24th August, with a service that carried all the Tractarian trappings which Simeon and his supporters could bring to bear.The Choir, with crucifix and banners, entered via the back gate from South Parade singing psalms, processing through the half-finished kitchen and into the embryonic Dining Hall.They continued on to ascend via the stone staircase to the first floor where they arrived at the Beauchamp Dormitory, which was to serve as the Chapel until 1877. Here there was an altar laid out with ‘six magnificent candlesticks, a beautiful Ammergau Crucifix (from New Inn Hall Street) and six brass vases of flowers’ all on a ‘richly worked super-frontal altar cloth’. In these highly elaborate surroundings, the Holy Eucharist was sung – the opening service of St Edward’s.Two more services followed later that day. While some of the old pupils from New Inn Hall Street lived in the shambolic conditions from the outset, the new boys didn’t officially join them until 5th September when the new term formally began.

Class of 1874

workmen on site’ meant the first pupils (and their parents) were faced everywhere by the sight of workmen, unfitted windows, and doors and ‘the concomitant paraphernalia’ (Hill).The relationship between Simeon and Wilkinson had reached a stage where neither was speaking to the other and they were communicating via third parties. Simeon managed to put the 1873 Winter Term starting date back a month but could do no more, with parents starting to become more restless as the days past. On 22nd August 1873 the preliminaries to the School opening began, with some of the existing boys present and ‘Simeon conducted a blessing’ (Oxley).The first days were chaotic.‘The School Matron,’ a Mrs Rixson, who Simeon described as ‘most inefficient’, ‘forgot to provide food for the servants, meaning that Simeon had to go into the dark gloom of Summertown to buy bread and cheese.’ He also, with the help of his few Common Room members and friends, had to help sweep out the dormitories throwing ‘chips and lime out of the windows’. On the next morning the new (and only) stove would not draw, so there was no hot water available, and the boys had to wait for their first breakfast.

The School issued its first edition of the Chronicle in March 1873.

‘The School issued its first edition of the Chronicle inMarch 1873.’ It was ‘a boys’ project’ (Oxley), very much the idea of pupil Trant Chambers who brought his own printing equipment into the School and got things going, proposing to publish ‘a regular paper’ from one of the cellars. He got nowhere until more senior and practical boys took over and moved his project forward. At the very beginning, therefore, the Chronicle was very much pupil-led with minimal adult intervention until a few years later.

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