St Edward's Rhubarb Issue 5

24 ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

the introduction of full co- education, a move both popular and effective; he overhauled academic policy, and secured the resources to make possible the regeneration then required, thus providing a good basis for the progress achieved by his successors. At 55, he still had the energy and courage to accept another challenge, that of the first principal of Prince Willem-Alexander College in the Netherlands, a sixth form IB school. His final appointment was as Principal of the British International School in Cairo, with a brief to develop the senior school, in particular IB in the Sixth Form. He was, throughout masquerade as tradition. He was a member of the TA, the Royal Artillery Council for Scotland and the Admiralty Interview Board. An officer with the Combined Cadet Force and the Army Cadet Force, he also served at Frimley Park Cadet Training Centre. A deep, personal faith underpinned his life, providing, as it did, the basis for the quiet courage and determination he had. He was a kind man, self-deprecating about his own achievements, and genuinely concerned about others. Ordained an elder of the Church of Scotland in 1971, he held the post of Session Clerk. Whilst in Cairo, he had been Provost’s Warden at All Saints Cathedral. He was appointed MBE in 1986 for his work as Commandant of the athletes’ village during the XIII Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. Retirement brought little cessation to his activities, both international and local; latterly, he made a valuable contribution to the archive Pro Patria Mori (The Edinburgh Academy at War 1914 -1918). He married Rosemary Ogg in 1958, who with her modesty and charm, kindness and devotion complemented Cameron his career, one to seek the abandonment of outdated approaches, which could

at the Edinburgh Academy, where his Rector was the Old Fettesian Rob Watt, he then, after National Service in the Royal Artillery, went up to read English at University College, Oxford. Besides Shakespeare, sport, throughout this time, was a prominent part of his life – in cricket he captained the Scottish Schools XI and his college side as well as playing for the University Authentics. In rugby, later joining Societies of Referees, he captained his college XV and played for the University Greyhounds and Oxfordshire. His first post in 1957 was as an assistant master at St Edward’s School, Oxford, a start for which he was always grateful. After nine years, he became Warden of Brathay Hall in the Lake District, a leadership training centre for young adults, working closely with industrial training boards and involving the outdoor activities he cherished. It might be said that he never undervalued in education what could not be measured. A council member of the Outward Bound Trust, he was later chairman of governors of Outward Bound Ullswater, and of Loch Eil. Always one to be fully involved, he held a Mountain Leadership Certificate, besides once being a temporary instructor. Four years later, he was appointed Assistant Director of Education with the City of Edinburgh Education Authority where adult education, youth and community service dominated his involvement. He was also a Fellow in the Educational Studies Department of Edinburgh University and chairman of the Lothian Federation of Boys’ Clubs. His first headmastership came in 1974 at Arnold School, Blackpool, which became independent during his time there. This was followed five years later by the headmastership of Fettes College where he succeeded Tony Chenevix- Trench. During the nine years that he was there, he oversaw

job took their toll and, though the Governors gave him full support at the time of his separation, they accepted his resignation when he moved on towards divorce. He left to become an immensely successful head in two North American schools, Ridley College, Ontario and The Rivers School, Massachusetts. His was a Wardenship of great promise cut short and some have described him as ‘the lost leader’.

definitively a liberal one and based on a quiet but committed Christianity. Fisher had foreseen many of the big social changes starting to make themselves felt in post-war Britain but even he with his acute antennae had only dimly seen how the new, fast-changing teenage world with its new mores and its accompanying market would profoundly affect independent schools in the years ahead. Bradley was sharply aware of these developments and set out to meet these approaching changes with innovation and sympathy. He was equipped intellectually and emotionally to meet ‘pupil power’ as the 1960s liked, exaggeratedly, to describe it. His leadership created a Sixth Form centre and licensed bar, a representative Upper School Committee, a growth of ‘study periods’ to promote more self- driven learning and considerable changes to the patterns of compulsory Chapel attendance to name but a few. He was full of ideas for change within the independent school structure whose potential, he believed, was great. Though not a natural politician, or administrator, Summertown which would have sliced the School’s fields in half. It was a far–reaching achievement, especially when one now views the physical growth of the School west of the Woodstock Road. He had much support in the Common Room even if some, including some of the pupils, found his thoughtful soul- searching a trifle overpowering. He had a puckish sense of humour but could also appear over-earnest. He was the first married Warden since Hudson but sadly his private life was upset and he became separated from his wife. The pressures of both family life with his two children and the demands of the he led the opposition to the proposed spur road in

V A L E T E

O B I T U A R I E S

Cameron Cochrane

COCHRANE – On 18th December 2015, Cameron Cochrane (MCR 1957-1966). The following obituary has been taken in part from The Scotsman ; Cameron Cochrane, who has died aged 82, was a distinguished schoolmaster who rose to be warden of a leadership training centre, an assistant director of education, headmaster of two independent schools and principal of two international colleges. His experience and involvement in education ranged from the HMC and its committees, helping set up and direct the preliminary training course for new Heads, to governing bodies of schools, the Outward Bound Trust, the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme and adult education. He was born in Edinburgh on 19 July, 1933, the son of Dr Alexander and Jenny Cochrane. Educated