Newsletter
January 25 2004
An Adobe PDF version of this newsletter is available here.
1980s cricket team 2003 Cambridge dinner Excerpts from 1987 School Magazine First day at RGS Iain Meyer OW London gathering
ANNUAL MAGAZINE
The annual magazine for members of the OW Club will be posted shortly, with articles and news of OWs. If you do not receive your copy by the end of February, please contact me. If you are not a member of the Club, and would like to become one, either complete the application form to be found on the website, (please click here), or contact me and ask me to send you one. You will then be able to receive this years magazine. Life Membership for £30 must be regarded as very good value!
OLD WYCOMBIENSIANS SPORTING REUNION, AGM
AND ANNUAL DINNER 2004
SATURDAY 24th APRIL
From 2.30pm
An opportunity to play rugby, hockey, etc and meet old friends. Full details later and Application forms below.6.00pm A tour of the School for those who would like it. The buildings will be open. The new Music Centre and Economics and Business Studies Centre are well worth seeing.
6.30pm AGM in the School Library.
7.30pm Annual Dinner in the Queens Hall.
The Guest of Honour this year will be Mike Moffatt. He joined the school in 1968 to be Head of Geography and in 1973 became Deputy Head. He retired in 1997. He gave 29 years of outstanding service to the School. The Headmaster Tim Dingle, cannot be at the Dinner so Roy Page, Senior Deputy Head, whom so many of you will remember, will talk about the RGS at present and give the vision for the future. A number of former and present teachers will be coming.
There will be a four-course meal, and it should be a very good one. A bar will be organised by the RGS Parents Association and all profits go to school projects.
Following suggestions in the response to a questionnaire, we are reserving tables, not only for those who play in the various sporting events on April 24th, but also those who left school 20 and 40 years ago. If then you left in 1964 or 1984, do make contact with your friends and make a special effort to come to this occasion. For everybody else, we will try to arrange the seating to suit you. If you are a member of Friends Reunited, how about contacting some old OW friends through that, and make up a table?
We hope that the formal part of the evening will be over by 9.45pm, so that there will be plenty of time for conversations. It should be a really enjoyable occasion, and I hope that you will be able to be there.
This year the cost will be £25.00. If you would like to come, please complete the form below, and send it to Ian Clark as soon as possible, and by SATURDAY APRIL 10th at the very latest. If you want to participate in either or both of the Sporting Reunions, do send in the reply-slip for that at the same time. If you want further information, please contact Ian Clark on 01494 530782, or e-mail him. (ianrclarkuk@yahoo.co.uk).
You will receive the confirmation of your application for the Dinner and the Agenda of the AGM, but not before March15th. Please send a DL size envelope with your application.
We look forward to seeing you on April 24th
Danny White
(Chairman)
Ticket application form for the OW Dinner (Click here for form to print)
I would like . tickets at £25.00 per ticket, for the Dinner on 24 April.
I would like a vegetarian meal. Please either delete or tick.
Full name Dates at school . .. to .
Address ..
.. ..
Postcode . Telephone: Home . . Work . .
Names of people I am booking tickets for. Dates at school.
Names of people I would like to sit next to:
I enclose a cheque for £25.00 per person, payable to the Old Wycombiensians Club, together with a DL sae.
Please return this form to: Ian Clark, 5 Foxhill Close, High Wycombe, HP13 5BL by Saturday 10 April.
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SPORTING REUNIONS
Last year for the first time the OW Club arranged that on the afternoon of the Annual Dinner there was the opportunity for OWs to take part in either Fencing in the Sports Hall, Rowing on the River Thames, or a game of hockey at Bisham Abbey. Unfortunately the numbers opting for Rugby were very low as the season was still going on. All who participated in the other activities enjoyed themselves and most indicated that they would hope to be back next year.
David Stone, who organised the hockey, reported that the final score in a well-contested game was 7-6, with the winning goal coming in the last minute. The OWs who played were Jon Axworthy, Robert King, Levon Litster, Mohammad Aumran Tahir, Tim Townley, Murad Vassib, David Willmot, Sajid Ali Zaib,
Arif Amin, Dan Anderson, Scott Ashdown, Daniel Grant, Simon Grant, Justin Hall, Tim Jarrett, Brendan Mcnally, Simon Molden, Roy Page, Dave Peterson, and Michael Spragg. John Roebuck, who organised the fencing, thought that too went very well. Four rowers rowed on the Thames for two hours.
On July 16th we had the third annual old boys cricket match, a fixture between an RGS XI and a team of former pupils, for the Duncan Moore Memorial Trophy, as well as a golf match between the OWs and the staff. After both matches, the teams enjoyed a splendid barbecue at the school, thanks to the splendid efforts of Nigel Allfrey, the father of two RGS boys.
Those OWs playing golf were Martin PriestleyJohn Anderson, David Merriman, Paul Dolphin, Charles Lloyd, and Mark Forrester. The OWs playing cricket included among others Bobby Dix (capt.) Matthew Honeyben, Dan Grant, Jason De Gelas, Dave Tang. The staff beat the OWs at golf, while the OWs won the cricket, thanks to his maiden hundred by Bobby Dix.
We are planning the sporting reunions again this year, and would like to see more OWs participating in more activities.
This then is your chance. If you would like to take part in one of the sporting activities we are planning on the afternoon of 24th April, and at this stage it is rugby, hockey, fencing, and rowing, do please complete the reply slip that is included with this letter. If you would like to add another activity, such as shooting, badminton, chess, or bridge, please write this down on the reply-slip. Obviously how many activities we run will depend on the response. So do contact your friends and come along with them for the activity in the afternoon, and plan to come on to the Dinner to meet more friends.
Similarly in the summer. If you would like to play cricket, golf or tennis on the 14th July, complete the reply-slip. Perhaps there is another game or sport you would like to suggest, write that down. Please return the reply-slip as soon as possible.
PLAY THE GAME AND MEET YOUR FRIENDS!
Booking form for Sports Reunion Days (Click here for form to print)
Name Dates at School . .. to . .
Address .
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Postcode . Telephone: Home . Work .. .
Email ...
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I am interesting in participating on April 24 |
I am interested in participating on July 14 |
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Rugby |
Cricket |
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Hockey |
Golf |
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Fencing |
Tennis |
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Rowing |
Any other please name |
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Any other please name |
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As these sports are on at the same time, please EITHER tick one sport, OR in the case of over subscription, put your choice in order, eg 1, 2 etc
Please return this form to: Ian Clark, 5 Foxhill Close, High Wycombe, HP13 5BL by Saturday 10 April.
Annual Dinner 2004 Music Event
On the afternoon of the Annual Dinner, there will be a music reunion for Old Wycombiensians in the Schools new Music Department.
If you are interested in taking part in this event, please indicate so on your Annual Dinner reply slip or alternatively e-mail Ian Clark (
ianrclarkuk@yahoo.co.uk).FASCINATING FACT
According to the counter three times as many people log on the OW website on a weekday, as a Saturday or Sunday. I wonder why!
EXTRACTS FROM OLD SCHOOL MAGAZINES
1987
STAFF LEAVER
Geoffrey Holmes, Director of Music for eighteen years. (Ed. I bumped into him the other day, and he seemed very well and enjoying his retirement. Do you have any memories of Geoffrey? If so do let me know.)
HOCKEY
The Under 16 team had become National Champions in 1986. It had reached the National Finals by winning the South-East Group most convincingly. In the finals that were played at Birmingham, the RGS got through their group with two wins and a loss to Wellington College. In the semi-final we were losing at half-time to Portsmouth Grammar School, but came back to win after a penalty. The final was against Wellington who had beaten us earlier. The game went to extra time, but eventually the RGS won 3-1.
Later that year the team played a match at Willesden as a prelude to an International Match, and there was a hockey tour to Holland. Some of the players involved in such a successful time for school hockey were Gavin Banbury, Mike McAllister, Gavin Elliot, martin Heys, Sajid Ali, Jon Lane, Justin Hall, Bruce Ayling, Charlie Cook, Gavin Davey, Martin Tucker, Graham Farrar, Jon Walker, and Ian MacTavish. (Ed. If you are one of the hockey players mentioned, how about coming to the Hockey Reunion and/or Annual Dinner on 24th April?)
BASKETBALL
For the second time the Basketball Team reached the semi-final of the National Competitions. The RGS had a very strong team consisting of Nick Cooke, Carl Petri, Dave Currie, James Baker, Angus Pond, Andrew Brimelow, Justin Pearson, Nick Moore and Robert Jordan.
RUGBY
The teams enjoyed an excellent season, winning 77 out of 102 games played.
FIVES
The Fives Team was very active and had matches against Stowe School, Harrow School, Wellington College, Eton Fives Association, Highgate School, and the Harrow Hills Fives Club. The players were Graham Bradshaw, Adrian Sutton, Edward Moffatt, Jamie Ross and Simon Shaw.
CROSS-COUNTRY
The RGS had a very successful team, with Neil Panchen, Andrew Bailey, Mark Walmesley, Duncan Bruce, and Paul Fines-Allin.
GOLF
The Golf team of Allan McCaskill, Martin Heyes and Justin Jagger reached the final of the National Schools Competition, that was played at Solihull. They travelled to the Finals in the Tottenham Hotspur FC team coach!
OTHER
Among other things there were reports on the YHA Club trips to the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Bavaria: also reports on the Junior Debating Society, Music Society, General Knowledge quizzes, Computer Clubs, Christian Union, the Stage Lighting and Sound Team, the Boarding Houses, the production of Macbeth, and all the activities of the three sections of the CCF. Three OWs wrote of their experiences in different countries as part of their Medical School Training: Alan Watkins, Matthew Hough and Ian Wright. Peter Smaje also wrote about a trip he organised to Canadian and American Rockies. (Ed. Have you any memories of him?)
OLD BOYS
In the old boys news reported in the 1987 Wycombiensian, 130 OWs attended the Annual Dinner, and the deaths were reported of Andre Bur, Reg Howard, Aubrey Rees, Tom Sheppard (Tus), Henry Talbot.
If any of the above brings back memories, do write about them and we can publish them. More extracts in future newsletters.
Cambridge Dinner 2003
On the 28th November the annual dinner with the current undergraduates was held at Robinson College. Eight staff from the school travelled to Cambridge to have an excellent meal with
Simon, who is currently studying at Robinson organised the dinner. Mr Page reported to the undergraduates from the school.
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WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DAY AT THE RGS LIKE?
DO YOU REMEMBER IT?
This years new Boys have written their account of their first day at the RGS. Three of these are printed below:
The very first day before I started at the RGS, I felt a nervous tension building inside me. During the summer holidays (which had gone far too quickly), I had been wondering "What will the teachers be like, will there be too much homework and will I settle in well?" But now it was the last day and I was really beginning to feel very apprehensive!
The BIG day arrived and I would meet my new teachers and classmates, and the nerves I had yesterday were actually starting to wear off I was looking forward to starting my new school. My Mum dropped my twin brother, Alex, and me off outside the school grounds, and with another 190 boys, we were taken inside to the Queens Hall to be sorted into our new forms. Alex and I would be in different forms at last!
Inside the hall, it looked very imposing - with all the portraits and plaques hanging around, and especially the large stage! I was also astonished at how big and grand it was inside. While Mr. Scourfield read out 192 names; this reminded me of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, when the "sorting hat" sorts all the pupils into the 4 houses. I was put into Mr. Potters form with 32 other boys from different schools, and fortunately I vaguely knew one or two already. We were taken to our form rooms in the Language Block and handed out some of our books, hundreds of letters and shown our lockers. We were then taken to have our form photos and given the chance to have a quick look around what seemed to be a massive school.
My main priority was to try and find the Canteen to see what you were able to buy! My group also had a look at the Year 7 playground and also a quick glance at the Quadrangle. It was time to go back to our form room, so in my group of three we tried to find the language block, which was a lot easier than we had first thought! By now, it was nearing the end of the day and I had thoroughly enjoyed it (which was an unexpected situation), and when it was time to go I was a bit upset, but still glad that we had another days holiday.
On Wednesday morning, after a good days rest, I was woken at 6:30am, which would be my new regular wake-up call, and an hour earlier than at my last school! I only had another hour before our bus arrived. Although we live only 3 miles from the RGS, in Hughenden Valley, the bus starts outside our house and then goes through Bryants Bottom and several other villages before turning in the direction of High Wycombe.
I felt less anxious about the RGS today and was looking forward to my long day of 8 lessons. I remember that my smart new uniform felt quite heavy, even without having to carry my rucksack and sports kit etc. I also remember thinking how lucky I was to be a pupil of such a highly respected, famous school.
My brother (who is in form 7C) and I rushed across Warrendene Road to the bus stop opposite our house and waited until the bus arrived, which seemed like forever! We boarded it and off we went to start our new school lives at the RGS.
Robbie Kittler, 7P
My first day of school
My first day of school was very exciting. As I stepped out of the car I suddenly felt very, very nervous. I walked over the road and saw that all the year 7s had someone to talk to but me. I looked around for the one person I did know from my old school but he was nowhere in sight. A group of us were then called into the Queens Hall by a prefect. As I walked in I noticed Connor (my friend) sitting in one of the front rows.
When all the year 7s had entered the hall, our Head of Year Mr. Scourfield split us all up into our different forms. I was in 7P while Connor was put in 7AB. I found out that my form tutor was Mr. Potter and he was really nice. Mr. Potter started off the day by giving us a little bit of work. We had to go around the class asking each other questions. This helped us get to know one another. After this we were told all the expectations of the work we would be set in the school. We then got to know the person sitting next to us. I got to know Richard and we soon became friends. Afterwards we had our break. I ate my lunch and talked to some people. Sadly the canteen wasnt serving food so I wasnt able to try it out.
After break we went to have our pictures taken. It was easy but it took quite a while having everybodys picture taken as well as a class photo. We were taken back to our form room where we were given a small bit of copying out homework. Then we went home which was the best part of the day.
After one days rest, I went back to school. I started terribly when I missed the bus, but it didnt matter as my dad took me making the journey much more comfortable.
When I was at the school I went straight to my form room where we were taken to assembly by Mr. Potter. Assembly was really just a welcome back year eights and nines and hello year sevens assembly. It wasnt that interesting but it wasnt that long either.
We went straight back to our form rooms after assembly and the register was taken. After registration we went to our first lesson. Mine was double IT with Mr Ellen.
Using my map and by following the others I found my way to room 30. As it was our first lesson we spent the first period or so being told about everything we needed to know. The next period we spent doing a task that was copying a business letter. That wasnt difficult but it took up that whole period.
After I.T we went straight to Maths, which was with Mr. Cook. Again Maths was just being told what was going to be happening and our exercise books and text books were given out. As Maths was just a single period that was all we got round to. I decided that Mr. Cook was just as nice as Mr. Ellen.
After Maths I went to PE where Mr. Gould told us about PE and which day swimming would be on (Wednesday) and which day basketball would be on (Friday). We didnt do any PE at all so when the bell went for break we went straight out.
For break I just sat down ate my lunch and talked to my friend Connor. I thought that it would be better to check out the canteen at lunch when there was more time. After finishing my lunch I went straight to Technology. I was early so I helped Mr. Wood by putting the stools out.
Technology started with us being told what was happening and then we got straight onto some work, which was basically copying from the board. After this it was nearly the end of the lesson so he set us all some homework. Then the bell went and we were out to lunch.
For lunch I went inside the canteen. I went and bought myself an egg and mayonnaise sandwich and a chocolate bar and coke from the vending machines. The sandwich was tasty and so was the chocolate bar and drink. Then I just walked around thinking of things I was going to do when I got home.
After lunch I went to my form room for registration. We then went off for our last lessons. Mine was double Art with Mrs. Appleton. Registration was at the same time. The lesson started the same way as all the others. We were told about everything that would be happening. This took up about a period so we didnt spend a lot of time doing work. Our first piece of work was to copy Guidelines on the use of my sketchbook into our rough book. After doing this we were told that we would be making nameplates for our books so we were shown some examples of other peoples work. This took up a long part of the lesson. We were also given our homework. It was then time to go home.
I found my way to Chadwick Street and I didnt miss the bus this time.
Charlie Needham 7P
MY FIRST DAY AT THE RGS
Beep beep, Beep beep sounded the alarm on Wednesday 3rd September 2003. I was reluctant to get up but I knew that today was the day. It was my first full day at the RGS.
I sat up in bed and looked around. There was my new blazer, hanging on the door. Seeing it reminded me of taking the 11+ and receiving the letter stating "You have been offered a place at the Royal Grammar School High Wycombe". At that moment I was feeling both excited and pleased but I was nervous too. Starting a new school can be very scary!
That morning my friend's mum was taking a group of 3 of us to school. We arrived at the back entrance of the school, which was quieter than the main entrance since not many people were around. Upon entering the school, more and more people appeared. I began to see boys that I had seen in my form during the induction morning. I climbed the stairs in the Language Block up to room L13, which was to be my form room. (I hope it's not going to be unlucky 13!) Shortly after, Mr Potter led us to the Queen's Hall for assembly, as we did not know the way. I recognised the Headmaster sitting at the table on the stage and I also recognised Mr Scourfield who is the head of Year 7. After a hymn, a brief speech and the notices we were led back to L13 and a form period lay ahead of us.
During this form period various letters were handed out and we got to know our form tutor better. After this it was time for our first lesson. Half the class had Info. Tech. and the other half, including me, had Technology. Our Technology teacher is Mr Marshall. He is a jolly person and I enjoy having Tech with him. We went over the rules of the lab and the "do's and don't's" of practical work. We also found out what we would be making during the coming term.
The next lessons before break were Maths and P.E. Maths was fun and enjoyable and in P.E. we found out that we would be swimming in the outdoor pool. Chilly!
Then we had our first break at the RGS. The canteen was absolutely PACKED! You could barely move in there. Luckily I had brought a packed lunch so I didn't really need to join the queues.
The first lesson after break was Art. The teacher, Mr Stevens, is a great person. We were talking mostly about our first piece of work, which would be our Sketchbook cover. Art was a double period so this took us up to lunch.
Lunch was the same as break, but this time I tried to get something from the canteen. It looked pretty impossible but I tried anyway. As well as year 7's there were all the older boys crowding around and making it nearly impossible to walk. So I gave up and ate my packed lunch outside.
After lunch we had Music. This was in the new music block called "The Royal Bank of Scotland Music Faculty". It looked different to all the other rooms and when the bell went for the 8th period to begin it was INCREDIBLY loud. When the bell went for the end of the day (again, incredibly loud) we filed out. Most boys went off to a bus stop, but me and my two friends headed towards Green Hill to catch our lift home.
During the drive home I thought about the first day, the different types of lessons, having a canteen (which was different to my old school) and the tremendous size of the school. Then I remembered that I would be doing this for the next 7 years of my life! I couldn't wait to go back again the following day.
Daniel Coward
If you do remember your first day at the RGS, do write your account and send it to me, so that it can be published.
1980s Cricket Team
Can anyone name all the players?
Old Wycombiensians London Gathering
June 2004
An informal get-together in London is being planned to allow OWs to catch up with old friends and the latest news from school.
The date is to be confirmed, but is likely to be towards the end of June 2004.
Anyone interested in attending should contact Martin Davidson (1990-96) at:
E-mail:
rgslondon@hotmail.comMobile: 07989 744832
Address: 32, Lavender Sweep, Battersea, London, SW11 1HA
CAN WE START ANY OTHER BRANCHES?
If you do not live in the London area, would you like to organise a Reunion of Old Wycombiensians in the area in which you live? If you would, please contact Ian Clark
ianrclarkuk@yahoo.co.uk The more the merrier.LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Salute IRC,
With regard to the photograph of the Basketball Team of 1981-82 published in the last newsletter, here are a few names:
Coach - Jock Learmonth
14 - Richard Treadwell
? - Nigel Topping
8 - Ian Carter (offered basketball scholarship in
USA)
4 - ?
? - ?
15 - ?
8 - Andrew Knox (why two 8s?)
11 - Giles Briton
15 - ?
9 - Heath Drewitt
Are Colin Tett and Zach Ramsden in there? 9 and 11 were not difficult; I was sitting at the same table as them on my first day at primary school (Butler's Court). Back then, RGS did not have a basketball court of regulation size, so important matches were played at the Misbourne School, Gt Missenden. I believe there was an occasion when the Bucks U16s were 100% RGS.
Good to see the stories on Mike Beardall, Ian Blyth and Roger File. I saw in a recentish Navy News that James Dible (1978?-84) also has his own command.
With compliments,
Ilian, R (1978-84)
Dear Ian,
Below is an article about myself with a photograph. It is two years old, and I have lost more hair since then but I do not think that I look as old as former colleagues I have seen on the OW website.
With best wishes
Iain Meyer.
Iain Meyer Down Under and a decade later
Those who remember me in the late 1980s and early 1990s will recall that following a twelve month exchange to Brisbane Boys College I was offered a permanent teaching position which I eventually took up in January 1993. I am still here and still teaching Geography though I have ventured into new territory recently teaching History in the Middle School and thoroughly enjoying it.
Outside the classroom I have retained my interest in authorship and apart from the odd article for Geography Review I teamed up with two colleagues to write a series of text- books for Queenslands equivalent of A Level Geography. I have also kept abreast of IT developments, something I found hard to do at RGS. All classrooms here are fitted with data projectors so PPT is becoming the teaching norm its great! Geographical Information Systems is the next challenge but how far I get with that before I retire in Melbourne (hopefully in the next three years) remains to be seen.
Rowing is still a big part of my life and was a factor in the purchase of a house in Melbourne.(ROWING-BOAT I have also joined Mercantile Rowing Club (home of the Oarsome Foursome) and scull on the Yarra whenever I visit normally four or five times a year. It is the closest I can get to the ambience of the rowing clubs along the Putney embankment. Ironically since joining Mercantile I have already met two former members of Thames Rowing Club. I do miss Henley though and the opportunity to renew friendships but I have to remind myself that there are 52 weeks in a year. At BBC I now coach at the Under 14 level this is a large squad of approximately 16 quad sculling crews. I gave up coaching U16 VIIIs for the simple reason that training started at 5.15am on the water!
On moving to Australia I renewed my interest in CCF activities by joining the Australian Army Cadet Corps as a training officer for a Catholic School in the city. Unlike the UK where you are interviewed and sign the Official Secrets document I had to undergo the infamous psych test a written multi choice exam of 400 almost repetitive questions in 2 hours. Thinking there was a catch somewhere I answered the last 200 questions backwards. Needless to say in the interview that followed they were not very impressed but nevertheless passed me!
It is a very different culture here and suffers from the aftermath of the Vietnam War when all cadet units were temporarily disbanded. Instructing cadets in battle craft is still strictly forbidden and on my last visit to a rifle range where they have the opportunity to fire the standard NATO rifle there was talk of removing Figure 11 targets for socio-political correctness! Ironically the cadets were more concerned about hitting the wild wallabies (smaller version of kangaroo) that skipped across the range during live firing than they were about the resemblance of Figure 11 targets to actual people! The passing out parade at the end of annual camp with nearly 2000 cadets marching with the Queensland Army Band is an impressive display of drill.
Australia has also given me the opportunity to broaden my musical interests beyond that of the Moaning Joes (punctuation is correct) Blues Band of Staff Revue fame. BBC is only one of two schools in the state that has a pipe band (kilted in the Hunting McLean tartan as worn by Sean Connery). I started to learn pipes during my exchange year here and renewed the interest on my return. I am now the Master i/c and although I could never be as talented as the boys under my charge I am proficient enough to play in the major functions such as Anzac Day.
So whats the verdict? As much I was reluctant to take the plunge I made the right decision. There is however talk of introducing a national curriculum, outcomes based assessment and individual learning programs things I managed to escape from by moving down under. Hopefully I will have retired by then enjoying a daily read of "The Australian" on Brighton beach in Melbourne before heading off to the city for a gentle scull on the Yarra and a pint on the balcony of Mercantile RC!
Editor: Its great to hear from you. Has any OW of the eighties or nineties any memories of Iain? If so do send them in for publication.
Dear Mr Clark,
I was browsing the Old Boys' pages on the RGS internet site today, and noticed that I'm listed as Missing! Well, I'm still around, although my e-mail address has changed to email@scottwalters.org. I'm still living in London with my wife, at 1 Pegwell Street, Plumstead Common SE18 2SP. I'm still working as a solicitor, although no longer doing tax law, but instead working with The Electoral Commission policing the political parties and running referendums. I was most interested to see that Jimmy Carr was at school with me (Nov newsletter) - I don't remember him from school, but saw him performing at the Spike Milligan tribute performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2002.
As for the current newsletter, I'm sure that I recognise a few of the teachers in the 1982 football team photograph. I could scarcely fail to recognise my old Housemaster Steve Gamester on the bottom left, and it looks like my old Chemistry teacher Mr Grundy on the top right. Mr Grundy taught my class of 2B in its most memorable Chemistry lesson back in 1988; he set up a set of blast screens around the demonstration desk at the front of the classroom, and explained that the experiment he was about to demonstrate was too dangerous to permit pupils to undertake, so he was going to show us instead. He then started to heat a boiling tube over a Bunsen and a few seconds later the thing exploded in his hand and he was rushed to hospital. I don't think he was seriously hurt fortunately, and it certainly made Chemistry lessons seem more dangerous and exciting thereafter. It looks like Mr Goldthorpe in the bottom row as well, first from the right - I'm not 100% sure that is his correct name, or the correct spelling, as I may be confusing it with Mr Gelsthorpe the chemistry teacher - he never taught me, but he was a Tutor at School House, and I can remember his study lined with year upon year of old Wisden almanacs and his appearances in the Staff Revues. Several of the other faces look familiar, although the hairstyles differ from my memories of them, and I'll be interested to find out whether my guesses are correct!
Hope all is well with you,
Scott Walters
(Ed Anyone any memories of Messrs Goldthorpe, Grundy or Gelsthorpe?)
F O U R Q U E S T I O N S
? #9; #9; ? ? #9; #9; ?
Below are 4 questions. You have to answer them instantly. The answers to all four are below the questions. Try not to cheat!
First question
:You are participating in a race. You overtake the second person. What position are you in?
Second question
:If you overtake the last person, then you are.........?
Third question
:Tricky maths! Note: This must be done in your head only. Do NOT use paper and pencil or a calculator.
Take 1000 and add 40 to it. Now add another 1000. Now add 30. Add another 1000. Now add 20. Now add another 1000. Now add 10. What is the total?
Fourth question
:Mary's father has five daughters: 1. Nana. 2. Nene. 3. Nini. 4. Nono. What is the name of the fifth daughter?
ANSWERS:
Answer to
Question1:If you answered that you are first, then you are wrong! If you overtake the second person and you take his place, you are second!
Answer to
Question 2:If you answered that you are second to last, then you are wrong again. How can you overtake the last person?
Answer to Question 3
:Did you get 5000? The correct answer is actually 4100.
You may now use your calculator!!!!
Answer to Question 4:
Nunu?
NO! Of course not. Her name is Mary.
I wonder how many you got right!
NEXT EDITION OF THE NEWSLETTER WILL BE ON MARCH 25TH. It will contain hopefully details of who are coming to the Dinner and Sporting Reunions. Please continue to send in your memories, and photographs.
