Rhubarb October 2022

ST EDWARD’S

Dave Leadbitter (Kendall, 1995-2000) I had a fantastic time at School. I remember the sports and the social side most vividly although it’s all a bit of a blur now. Getting to live with your mates in the boarding House, and all the laughs that came with that, was great fun.

FEATURE

I remember the excitement of getting ready to go to Australia and the black and white kit which looks a little dated now. I don’t remember much of the matches, but I remember visiting lots of places, seeing Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef and kangaroos! After School, I went to university in Durham and then did my teacher training at Oxford. I continued to play lots of sport and moved to Sussex where I live with my family. I am currently Deputy Headteacher at a large secondary school. I remember most fondly cricket matches on Upper 1, hockey matches on the Astro, drinks in the JCR and time spent with friends. Mia Brunner (Mac’s,1997-2001) T eddies was an exciting place when I arrived.The School was modernising and making the transition to co-education. Not everyone was on board with the changes at the time, but I think the School coped well and went on to thrive. I was excited to be in that first intake of girls and enjoyed my time, experiencing the wide range of activities on offer. The hockey tour was an amazing trip at such a formative age.You don’t realize at the time how important experiences like this are. I remember the heat, my host families, the beach on Rottnest Island and having fun. After Teddies, I went to Cardiff University and had a blast.Then I went to New Zealand to learn how to fly and now I’m a captain at a commercial airline flying out of Manchester. I loved sports at School, especially hockey, and spent lots of my time down at the AstroTurf, where there are many fond memories.Too many to choose.

Gemma Berkin (Mac’s, 1997-2001)

I was one of the first five girls boarding in Mac’s from Forth Form. Playing hockey as a girl, at the time, you were pretty much automatically in the 1st XI team, as soon as you could dribble the ball; we did pretty well considering! In the Spring Term, rowing was promoted for girls too, cycling down to the boathouse on a Wednesday then whizzing back just in time for concert band rehearsals. On the tour, I remember we all found the concept of a Fosters drive-through hilarious. I don't think we won too many of our games, but of course enjoyed the challenge of facing the super-fit Aussie teams. Staying with the host families was great fun; there seemed to be a huge drive for sports in schools at the time with the Olympics fast approaching, the Aussie girls were up and out to practice netball, javelin, and all sorts of athletics at 5am most mornings. Now, I'm a mother of three and an English teacher at Oakham School. I'm also currently writing a novel. My middle child, Alexa, is a very keen hockey player who plays for East Midlands. Last season I sometimes joined her in defence for Badgers matches at Beeston but really she's too whizzy to play alongside now! I have too many fond memories of Teddies to choose from! I always enjoyed the excitement of the end of the Autumn Term and the build up to Christmas with musical productions like Show Boat, dance shows, carol concerts and all the most competitive hockey matches, of course!

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