St Edward's Rhubarb Issue 5

ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

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President’s Report Georgina Dennis (D, 1986-1988)

year. We are in the process of planning an OSE music event and hope that OSE musicians and singers will reunite to play in an informal concert to celebrate the opening of this exciting new building. If you would be interested in finding out more, or in taking part, please contact the OSE Office. Last year when writing my piece for r h u b a r b I could not believe that a year had gone past since I became President. The second year has gone even faster and now I am about to hand over to Mike Palau (B, 1959-1964). It was a huge honour to be asked to be the first female president of the St Edward’s School Society and it is a role that, although entered into with some trepidation, I have thoroughly enjoyed. This is because of two things; firstly, because of you, the OSE, who are always fun and interesting to meet and, secondly, because the School is so welcoming to us all and supportive of our events. I have been truly overwhelmed by the support for the first woman to head the Society and I am enormously grateful for that. I wish Mike well and hope he enjoys his time at the helm of the Society as much as I have done.

await the cups and daggers for completion. Instigated by Theodor Abrahamsen, who knew Wilfred Cowell during his time at school, the gates were cleaned and re- painted with the support of Theodor, Hugh Pelham (F, 1980-1985) and the Society, and a new brass plaque now hangs beside them to replace the worn stone one originally carved to celebrate the opening of the gates by the Princess Royal in 1939. It was particularly fitting that Theodor was able to come from Norway to cut the ribbon on the gates during the Mac’s House Reunion. The Society has also supported a ‘Readers make Leaders’ event in Oxford by donating T-shirts to all the participants. Students from a number of Oxford schools, including St Edward’s, came together to encourage reading in primary schools in deprived parts of Oxford. The event was such a success that an even larger one is planned for this year. In addition, we have donated two new outdoor clocks which are situated down by the Astro pitches. No more excuses for being late back to school! We are also delighted that we will be able to sponsor the Ensemble Room in the new Music School opening in the next academic

S O C I E T Y

Georgina Dennis

It has been a busy year of OSE events and planning since the last edition of r h u b a r b and you will all have received the new OSE and Martyrs Events card for 2016. Many thanks go to all OSE who completed and returned the survey which was sent out last year. The information gathered is invaluable in helping the OSE office to keep in touch with you and in shaping future events. One thing that came across in your feedback is a desire to balance more traditional gatherings with career based meet-ups to ensure events appeal to all generations of OSE in the future – the Committee and OSE office is on to it! The 2015 House Reunion for Macnamara’s was particularly nice for me as it is my old House. It took place on a beautiful sunny day in September and provided a great opportunity to meet old friends and new and to tour the House which has transformed beyond recognition since my time there in the late 1980s. A highlight for me was a tour of new parts of the School with two current sixth formers who seemed at the same time achingly young and extremely mature! We were lucky enough to have Theodor Abrahamsen (D, 1933-1939) among us who presented new members of the 1st XV with their shirts before their debut match. House photos from across the generations provided much amusement during the delicious tea. It is Apsley’s turn this coming September and in 2017 we plan a reunion of the girls’ Houses. The Society has been able to support a number of exciting projects this year. The Cowell Gates onto the Woodstock Road have been refurbished and rehung and only

Refurbished Cowell Gates