Rhubarb October 2022

Will Conibear (Apsley, 1996-2001) I had a great time at Teddies. I made many lifelong friends and played lots of sport. Sports tours are some of my strongest memories from School. In Australia I remember arriving at each different school. I remember being billeted, the nervousness of arriving with your host family, then all the stories from your friends in the morning about their experiences! I remember the challenge of playing against the competitive Australian kids! And, of course, the heat, and the beaches and the feeling of experiencing a new culture together. Since leaving School I have done many different things! I’m currently living in Lisbon running a little company with my wife, and bringing up our daughter. I have such fond memories of Teddies – the friends; the sense of community across the whole School; rugby in the winter, cricket in the summer, hockey in the autumn; going to pubs in the Sixth Form; building relationships in the sports teams; the different teachers.

Barney Rodgers (Mac’s, 1995-1997 and Tilly’s, 1997-2000)

The trip to Australia was really exciting. Firstly, because we got to visit an amazing country in full (Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns) but also because, as a group, the hockey team were all close friends and very dedicated to the sport. When I look back, I am not sure I know many people who saw as much of Australia if they visited on their gap years, so it was an incredible opportunity. I remember visiting the other schools as well as being billeted with families. It was pretty amazing to see how ingrained sport was in their daily lives compared to in the UK. Everything revolved around being outside which was amazing (even during their winter!) I have been living and working in London for the last 22 years. I now have two children of my own, though sadly neither of them are particularly interested in sport... yet! Whilst the Teddies facilities (even 22 years ago) were amazing, more than anything it is the relationships you build that stay with you. I am still close friends with many of the people in my year. As time goes on, you can see that your time at school has created such a strong foundation to those friendships. I am not sure many other schools create the bonds that Teddies achieved. Even though the five years I had at school only represents 12% of my life, I consider my time there to have been enormously valuable.

FEATURE

Luke Strange (Field House, 1995-2000)

I started as a day boy in the Shells and quickly became a boarder after one term, having realised how much fun the School was! That says it all, I think. Going to Australia was a hugely exciting overseas adventure with some big wins and some frustrating losses. It was particularly challenging playing on Astro one day and grass the next. Staying with your opposition number after a match was great fun and a real Aussie experience. I also remember the long run we went on after just arriving in Australia which was meant to combat the jet lag (I still remain unconvinced of that!) Now, I am married with three children. I’ve lived and worked in London, New York and Hong Kong, finally settling down in Winchester last year, and working at Citigroup in London. My fondest memory of my time at Teddies has got to be beating our rivals on the hockey and rugby pitches at home with the school watching; hugely satisfying!

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