venta
The Winton Club - King Alfred’s Alumni Association Magazine
Issue 8 - Winter 2003
Archiving the Class
of ”61
Suits you sir!
Alumnus Sir Geoff Hampton
talks of his career from KA
to knighthood!
Potted histories of the last twoyear, all-male year group:
recorded for posterity!
Winning teachers
Two former students win
prestigious teaching awards
Reminiscence
Therapy
Bumping into fellow alumni in an
unexpected place!
Welcome to the Winter 2003 edition of Venta!
It’s been a busy time in the Alumni Office since the last
edition. Invitations for The Class of ‘93 Reunion Ball were
sent out before Christmas to those who graduated in 1993
and a year each side. The Ten Year Reunion is the first in a
series of Alumni Association Reunion Balls, so please let
me know if you want something organised for your year
group. For further details of reunions, please turn to page
9 and don’t forget the ‘news, events and reunions’ section
in the alumni pages of the College website.
If you do try and access the College website in the first few
weeks of January, please note that only a minimal service
will be available, as the College network will be down due to
the roll-out of some new software. Unfortunately this
means that email and signing up/amending your details
online will be unavailable during this short period.
Our cover: At Buckingham Palace – Sir Geoff Hampton
with his wife, Christine and sons, Ian and Paul on receiving
his knighthood.
Education features strongly in this issue and we were
thrilled to learn that an alumnus is one of the first
headteacher Knights. Sir Geoff Hampton describes on
pages 6-7 his career path from studying a B.Ed. at the
College in the early seventies to receiving the prestigious
accolade of knighthood. We’re also pleased that two other
former students, Sue Alexander and Helen Irving have won
‘Teacher of the Year’ awards.
Contents
Features:
3 Archiving the Class of ‘61
5
A quick word about the organisation of Alumni Relations
and the implications of the Alumni Association and the
Making your own job in the arts
Winton Club merger. We hope that the change will offer
more opportunities for you to get involved. If you are
interested in finding out more about standing as the
former student Governor or joining the Winton Club
Committee, please turn to pages 10-11. I would also like to
inform you that at the Committee Meeting of The Winton
Club in October, Howard Horstead and I were elected joint
honorary secretaries.
One of my most recent outings as an Alumni Officer was to
deposit an archive of memorabilia at the Hampshire
Record Office from alumni who were at the College
between 1959 and 1961, and a report of this can be found
on the page opposite. One of the alumni from that year
group remarked on the delicious irony that this collection of
material about the last all-male course should be
welcomed to the Record Office by a female Principal
Archivist in the presence of the College's female Alumni
Officer. On that note, I will leave you to what I hope will be
an enjoyable read.
Sarah Hogan
Alumni Officer
6-7 Suits you Sir!
8
The Classic Novel on TV Demystified
Regulars:
9 Reunions
Blast from the Past
Contact Venta:
The Alumni Office
King Alfred’s
Sparkford Road
Winchester SO22 4NR
T: (01962) 827386
F: (01962) 827548
E: [email protected]
Photograph: Your Dorset
12
New teacher goes straight to the
top of the class!
Helen Irving, who read BA Drama Studies with English Studies, 1996-1999 and went
onto study for a PGCE at Exeter, is celebrating her success as The Guardian’s
Outstanding Teacher of the Year for the Southern Region.
Helen had only been in her post at Wimborne First
School for nine months when she was nominated
by her sister, which was readily endorsed by the
School. Helen was then visited by judges who
spent four hours watching her teach the 26 pupils
in her Reception Class.
Helen commented that the award is a great start to
her career: “I couldn’t have done it without the
children – they are a lovely class” she added. She
now aspires to be an Advanced Skills teacher,
meaning she will spend a day a week passing on
her skills to other teachers.”
3
Venta - Edition 8 - Winter 2003
Archiving the Class of ’61!
Alumni who studied at the College between 1959 and 1961 held their ‘Forty Years On’
Reunion in July last year, at the Winton Club Weekend. This was a unique group of 279
students, who had been the last of the two-year, all-male, non-graduate courses. They
were all invited to send in photos and paper-based memorabilia together with their
outstanding memories of their time at College, which formed a display at the reunion.
In addition, they were asked to provide potted histories of life-experiences 1961-2001
which were circulated in newsletters.
original printed documents and other paperbased items, and weighs-in at a substantial 5kg.
Alumni Officer, Sarah Hogan recently handed over
this impressive collection of memorabilia to
Principal Archivist at Hampshire Record Office,
Gill Rushton. The collection, which has been
added to the existing KAC Archive held at the
Office, fills two substantial A4 files, contains 280
pages, almost 300 photographs, together with
The collection provides a snapshot of life at King
Alfred’s, of subsequent life-experiences, of tracing
colleagues after forty years, of arranging a
reunion, of what took place at our gathering on 7
July 2001 . . . and a postscript. In essence, it is
probably the most complete record of any King
Alfred’s College cohort before 1961, and it’s
hoped that it will provide an interesting,
comprehensive and accessible record for the
future. In this issue of Venta, we have chosen a
select few photos from the many memories and
potted histories included in the archive to offer a
taste of what student life was like over 40 years
ago.
When female students were admitted for the first time… September 1960. Chris Redknap (with umbrella), Fred
Davies (with book) and John Stephenson (with cigarette) show the scarf and explain the delights of the
campus to a group of newcomers.
When student protest required physical effort…
Doug Cook and Cliff Huggett set out from the
Westgate on a cold January morning. Just 2 hrs 37
mins and 13 miles down the A30 they arrived at
the Bargate, Southampton. The Three-Legged
Race highlighted students’ fears that the
impending arrival of female students would see a
host of petty restrictions and red tape.
When buildings began to spring up everywhere…
An early stage in the construction of the Dining
Room. Overnight, with youthful high spirits, two
girders have become washing-line posts.
If you would like to share any
When robotic "Alf King" dominated Winchester’s
Guy Fawkes Parade… November 1959. "Alf King"
(17’ 8" in height) rests in his scaffold cradle for the
journey down to the city. Photographed on the
Burma Road where the construction took place.
Bob Hirst is the tractor driver whilst (left) Bill
Johnson looks on in awe. We won first prize.
memorabilia from your time at
College, please get in touch with
The Alumni Office.
Don’t forget you can now update your details online by visiting www.kingalfreds.ac.uk/alumni
Venta - Edition 8 - Winter 2003
4
So many consonants,
so few vowels...
Karen Stoeber secured a research studentship at the College in 1999 to read a PhD on
‘Late Medieval English and Welsh Monasteries and their Patrons c. 1300-1540’. She has
recently been appointed Late Medieval History Lecturer at the University of Wales,
Aberystwyth. Her supervisor at King Alfred’s, Professor Michael Hicks, explains why this
is the perfect position:
“Karen, who is German, is a brilliant linguist; she
speaks English and Welsh like a native, in addition
to some French and Spanish. She is therefore
more than capable of teaching in these languages
and was able to apply for a lecturership in
Medieval History at Aberystwyth.
“Although the position was for a post-medieval
historian, Karen applied nonetheless and was
interviewed. She wrote her application in Welsh,
gave a presentation in English on her teaching to
the department, delivered another presentation in
Welsh to the Welsh historians on her research, and
was interviewed in Welsh by interviewers, several
of whom did not speak Welsh and were serviced
by numerous interpreters! Karen impressed the
department so much that the Principal created a
permanent lecturership in Medieval History for
her, to teach in English as well as Welsh.”
Karen explained that she felt ecstatic on learning
that she had been offered the position:
“I’m very, very excited. It’s beyond my wildest
dreams to find a full-time, proper lecturing post so
Karen with fellow History PhD student, Mandy
Richardson, lending a hand at graduation
quickly! Aberystwyth have been extremely
supportive, and so I am able to combine teaching
with completing my PhD. So, yes, I am very happy!
“My passion for medieval history stems from
studying medieval languages and literature. Seeing
Welsh written down for the first time intrigued me
– so many consonants and so few vowels! It’s also
a very expressive and beautiful language. I would
really love to learn Finnish or Basque - but I think
I'll keep those for retirement!”
Reminiscence Therapy!
A chance conversation at work 300 miles from Winchester, led to the discovery that
colleagues Andrew Nuttall (History and English 1985 – 1988) and Dawn Barron
(History and English 1983 – 1986) were fellow King Alfred’s Alumni. In this issue of
Venta, they recount how this realisation led to some satisfying reminiscence
therapy. Andrew Nuttall writes:
“Some months ago I asked a work
colleague in the course of
conversation, where she had
attended college, to which she
replied: 'Winchester, King Alfred's’.
'Wow', I said, 'me too!' - It just so
happened that we had
'overlapped' by a year, in 1985/6.
If you’ve bumped into a fellow King Alf’s
alumnus in an unusual or unexpected
place, please do get in touch with The
Alumni Office and tell us of your chance
encounter…
But we didn't recall ever
meeting… strange, I'm usually good
with faces. How can we have missed one another
on a campus as large as your thumbnail, with a
student population you can count on your left
hand? It was a small place in '86! Easy, I suppose. If
you spend your social hours shuffling about the
library disguised as a pile of books or secreted
under a table in the student bar disfigured by
alcohol and shrouded by tobacco smoke, it's very
possible you'll never meet another soul! But that
wasn't us. We were out there. We were happening
people (or so we liked to think!) Dawn got her
hands dirty - literally - at the weekends in the name
of conservation volunteering and I did a stint as
Don’t forget you can now update your details online by visiting www.kingalfreds.ac.uk/alumni
Rag Mag Editor, took part in a sponsored hitch to
Durham (where we both now live incidentally)
and acted as Treasurer for the Athletics Club (not
a bean in the coffers as I recall so it wasn't
onerous).
A few weeks after that chat we took time out of
our busy schedules - one Auditor and one Policy
Officer at Darlington Borough Council - and sat
down over lunch with photo albums and assorted
memorabilia, and rolled back 16 years. In another
context and for people (slightly) older than
ourselves, such activity goes by the name of
reminiscence therapy! After an hour and a half we
still couldn't remember the title of a single
coursework essay but we knew the precise
location, name and floor plan of every public
house in the City. Question: How could the Mash
Tun and the Wykeham Arms co-exist in one place?
Like its assortment of pubs, we agreed that
Winchester and King Alf's had something to suit
everyone. The place remains alive and a source of
happy memories - three cheers for reminiscence
therapy!”
5
Comic Character Creations Co. at the Winchester Hatfair, Summer 2002
Making your own job in
the Arts!
Doing an arts degree doesn’t have to consign you
to an office job, nor frustrated attempts to get just
an interview at the BBC. And not all Theatre is
fixed inside the standard auditorium. What is now
being called ‘Street Arts’ is on the rise. My group
project in year three at King Alfred’s centred on
street theatre, which included the unnerving experience of being pounced on by plain clothes Police
Officers on Southampton Common!
I’d always been (over) keen on comedy and
dreamed of doing it for a living. Three months
after leaving King Alf ’s, but still stuck working in
the canteen, I saw an advert in ‘The Guardian’ for
London-based performers needed by a comic
street theatre company that had the in-house
contract for the Dome’s year. I applied, moved
back to London and hoped for an audition. This
eventually came through. I think it helped that I’d
done a lot of improvisation and comedy sketches
in two community theatre groups in the East End.
I had five weeks to prepare an original piece for
the audition. It was to take the form of a character
interacting with a queue of people. On the day,
‘the queue’ was made up of the other auditionees.
I’d devised a shifty wheeler-dealer – trying to flog
the crowd anything from loo paper to lucky
heather. I passed the audition and during
rehearsals we worked on basic improvised
scenarios which could work with a crowd, kitted
out with various costumes. Three months of
thinking on my feet gave me great confidence.
The best job in the world ended all too soon and I
faced a harsh reality: two months
unemployment. Then I returned to the Dome as a
Costume Character host. I was the snowman
filmed and photographed shaking hands with
Tony Blair - every job has its downside I suppose.
But a couple of years on, Comic Character
Creations Co. jump on trains with a suitcase each
and shoot around the country. This year we’ve
done the Winchester Hatfair, the Brighton festival,
Manchester, Stockton, Lewisham festival, Bath and
others, including a trip to Holland. We anticipate
corporate work soon, having made a CD Rom and
developed a website* to promote ourselves. The
video, incidentally, was filmed and edited by exKAC Anthony Stadler.
What do we do? Simple, comedy pieces that can
be understood from far away and close-up work
with people on the street for off-the-cuff funny
bits. Amongst our repertoire are Lost Ramblers,
Rich Beggars, and some rather unattractive ladies
of a certain profession. We’ve created our own
jobs, doing what we enjoy. And we’re very often
bringing theatre to some who might never
normally experience it. We’ve recently had an
enquiry from someone in Singapore. Perhaps we’ll
soon be exporting our particular brand of street
arts to the Far East. Maybe we’ll perform in an
office…
*www.organictv.clara.co.uk/ccc.htm
ATS 60th Anniversary Tribute
During the Second World War, the
College site was commandeered by the
War Office – and in 1942 the Auxiliary
Territorial Service (ATS) replaced the
Army Intelligence Corps as the principal
occupiers of King Alfred’s, where they
remained until 1946.
The ATS recall with clarity and affection
their time at the College, and some
return to the July Reunion each year. At
Reunion 2002, they kindly donated a
bench to the College to commemorate
the 60th anniversary of their occupation
at King Alfred’s.
Clockwise starting bottom left: Elsie Meider (nee
Hunt), Nina Pickering (nee Ruffles), Marie Dove (nee
Hales) and Betty Venworth (nee Elsworth)
Don’t forget you can now update your details online by visiting www.kingalfreds.ac.uk/alumni
Venta - Edition 8 - Winter 2003
Nick Lacey read a BA (Hons) in Media,
Film and Drama and graduated in 1999.
He is now part of a street theatre
company based in London called The
Comic Character Creations Company.
Formed in early 2002, the company are
getting increasing amounts of paid work
at festivals and events. They met whilst
working for a more established
company at the Millennium Dome,
entertaining the queues and warming
up for the ‘Blackadder’ film. In this
issue of Venta, Nick shows fellow arts
graduates wanting to pursue the job of
their dreams that it is possible to make
your own job in the arts.
Aye Aye Sir… Northicote School Headmaster, Sir Geoff Hampton showing his medal off to Year 7 pupils, left to
right: Stacey Weston, Chloe Jould, Leon Friedmann and Ashley Puntney.
Photograph: The Wolverhampton Express and Star
Venta - Edition 8 - Winter 2003
6
Suits you, Sir…
Seven weeks into a new post – and leading a school that was the first ever secondary
school to fail an OFSTED inspection. It’s the stuff Headteacher’s nightmares are made
of!
But for Alumnus Geoff Hampton, there was a
determination to turn the school around and carry
the local community with him. His success led to
him becoming the first Headteacher Knight of his
generation. Now Sir Geoff talks to Venta about
those challenging years.
“The appointment to The Northicote School,
Wolverhampton was never going to be easy. The
School served a deprived area and there were
rumours of closure and clear evidence of under
funding. I was committed to a close working
engagement with the community in that area.”
“What I did not anticipate was that the school
would become the first ever secondary school to
‘fail’ its OFSTED inspection. The key issues
identified covered every aspect of school life. The
glare of the media was suddenly upon us and the
enormity of the challenge was all too apparent.
Although the areas for improvement were vast
there was one clear single goal which could be
agreed quite quickly by all concerned. If we were
to be the first secondary school to fail we would be
the first to recover. The other alternatives of
closure or the appointment of a ‘hit squad’ did not
have much appeal!”
The glare of the media was
suddenly upon us and the
enormity of the challenge
was all too apparent.
After much hard work, Geoff ’s goal was achieved
and two years after its initial failure, Northicote
was the first secondary school to recover. Geoff
was invited by the then Secretary of State for
Education, Gillian Shephard, to a conference
where the official announcement was made. After
its recovery, Northicote became a focal point for
those interested in educational improvement. The
school was also informally offering support to
others who had received adverse Ofsted
outcomes.
“As interest in the School’s achievements grew, a
book was written which told the full story:
‘Transforming Northicote’, which continues to be
buoyant. This was formalised when I was the first
appointee to the ‘SMART’ initiative which was
introduced shortly after the present labour
government was elected. I supported schools in
Croyden and Sheffield as part of this initiative
which became popularised as ‘naming and
shaming’. Many plaudits had been forthcoming
following the school’s recovery, particularly as
sustained improvement led to the School
becoming over-subscribed. I remained committed
to my belief that school improvement is
inextricably linked to a general uplifting within the
community in which the school is located and
consequently I played an active role on various
community groups and initiatives.”
Geoff ’s achievements were recognised with the
announcement of a Knighthood. It’s an honour
beyond anything he expected as a student in the
seventies – and of which he is justly proud.
“Memories of my special day at the Palace are
etched forever in my mind: the symbolism,
pageantry and ceremony representing all that is
best about being part of our country. I remember
my family’s joy as we walked on carefully
manicured carpets, past priceless works of art,
into the state ballroom for the ceremony. There
were the precious words with Her Majesty which I
will never forget. It was like a private party at one
of the best venues in the world.”
“Finally we returned to the world outside, to the
photographs and media interviews and the vitally
important task of thinking how all of this could be
Don’t forget you can now update your details online by visiting www.kingalfreds.ac.uk/alumni
conveyed to staff and pupils who had made it all
possible. The response of the pupils and their
parents had been magnificent, they were so proud
of their school and their achievements. The staff
also conveyed their pride at being part of this
unique event and I was deeply moved by the many
tributes that I received.”
It was like a private party
at one of the best venues
in the world.
Geoff ’s teaching career has focussed on his native
West Midlands. At The Pensnett School, Dudley, he
began teaching technology, and thirteen years
later had risen to be Acting Deputy Headteacher.
His work there set the tone for his belief in
community involvement with education.
7
Venta - Edition 8 - Winter 2003
“The school served a socially deprived area and
my pastoral work convinced me that a meaningful
engagement with the local community was
essential if the pupils’ potential outcomes from
their time at school were to be maximised. I am
proud of the fact that I successfully obtained the
funding for the building of the Pensnett
Neighbourhood Centre which is located on the
school premises and which continues to flourish
today.”
As Deputy Headteacher at The Buckpool School
in Stourbridge, Geoff obtained sponsorship from
Marks and Spencer for the creation of a
conference and training facility. The local
electricity board also agreed to refurbish a
classroom as a state of the art ICT facility, which
also served as the ‘showroom’ for their new data
communication business.
Geoff now works as Dean of Education at the
University of Wolverhampton.
“My work on school improvement continues as
well as my role in training the next generation of
teachers. I recently returned to the Buckpool
School with a group of Dutch visitors and was
delighted to see that the Nursery and Playgroup I
established were still thriving and that my final
project, the Personal Learning Centre was at the
heart of the large scale community education
programme.”
“All of this seems a long way from my days in the
early seventies as a student at King Alfred’s
preparing my assignments, producing artefacts in
the workshops, and enjoying table football
tournaments in the Student Union and life in halls
of residence. I remember with fondness Alwyn
Hall, the John Stripe Theatre, the now demolished
Carfax, which stood by the station, and my time
spent in a city full of loveable eccentrics, tourists
and a glorious heritage which dominated
everything.”
All of this seems a long way
from my days in the early
seventies as a student at King
Alfred’s preparing my
assignments, producing artefacts
in the workshops, and enjoying
table football tournaments in the
Student Union…
Community involvement in Education in action:
The Personal Learning Centre, Buckpool School
and the Buckpool School Nursery
practices that I had chosen the right career.
Hopefully along the way I will also have made a
positive impact upon the very many children it has
been my pleasure to teach.”
In fact, the links between Geoff and his old alma
mater continue. Both King Alfred’s and
Wolverhampton University host Comino Centres,
and Geoff is Director of the latter. The Centres are
dedicated to encouraging teachers to reflect upon
and improve their pedagogic practice. Geoff ’s
work on school improvement therefore continues
in training the next generation of teachers who
will work in Northicote and other schools in the
West Midlands and further afield.
“I benefited from my time at King Alfred’s in a
whole host of ways, confirming through teaching
Geoff on his Graduation day, 1974
Don’t forget you can now update your details online by visiting www.kingalfreds.ac.uk/alumni
8
Venta - Edition 8 - Winter 2003
The Classic Novel on TV Demystified
Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Cardwell on her first publication: ‘Adaptation Revisited:
Television and the classic novel’. Sarah graduated in 1995 from BA Drama, Theatre and
Television Studies with first class honours, and went onto read a PhD at Royal Holloway,
London. She now lectures in Film and Television Studies at the University of Kent. Sarah
writes:
"Adaptations of classic novels are familiar to all
television viewers, and inspire heated arguments
between those who love the programmes and
those who insist that ‘the book was better’. Both
the programmes and the debates that surround
them fascinate me, and in my book, I wanted to
offer a critical reappraisal of this prolific and
popular genre, and bring new ideas into the field
of television studies.
Adaptation Revisited looks at four popular and
influential examples of television adaptations in
some detail; Brideshead Revisited, Pride and
Prejudice, Moll Flanders and The Tenant of
Wildfell Hall. What my analyses reveal is that this
genre is extremely important in constituting and
moderating our understanding of the past – and
our conception of television itself.
I hope that it won’t just be other academics who
will find this book of interest. I think anyone who
likes adaptations, or even anyone who insists that
‘the books are better’, would enjoy reading it. And
because the book is the first to seriously focus on
the ‘televisual’ nature of the genre, anyone
interested in what distinguishes television from
film and other media will also find something to
stimulate them."
Alongside teaching at Kent, Sarah is busy writing
several articles and chapters for edited collections,
all concerning various aspects of film and
television studies. She’s also working on her next
book, which is part of a co-edited series about the
work of Andrew Davies, the writer who wrote
scripts for a variety of productions, including Pride
and Prejudice, Othello, A Very Peculiar Practice,
Bridget Jones’ Diary, and Moll Flanders.
Winning Teacher Scoops Award!
Photograph: Hampshire Chronicle
A former teaching student was rated an ‘award winning teacher’ in the recent
Southern region’s BT ‘Teacher of the Year’ awards, and collected £250 on behalf of her
school at an award ceremony held at the Guildhall in Southampton.
Susan Alexander (nee Whiston) who studied at
the College between 1964 and 1967 was
nominated for the award by one of her pupils, 10
year-old Natalie Appleton. The judges remarked
that Susan’s recipe for being a good teacher is a
love of children, a good imagination, a sense of
humour, commitment and team work.
received a high priority despite the many
pressures placed on small schools:
"I have been able to develop music and drama
projects thanks to funding from the Friends
Association and the co-operation of staff allowing
me to take children out of classes for rehearsals at
all times of the day!"
Susan was also commended for her commitment
to music and imaginative drama at the village
primary school at Cheriton, near Alresford, from
which she has subsequently retired. She
commented that she has been extremely
fortunate to work in a school where the arts have
"My penchant for dressing up in historical
costume has been hugely popular with the
children and staff and has been a wonderful way
to bring the past to life, my favourite being the
chain mail suit of William the Conqueror! I will
miss it greatly."
Ways of making a gift
Many higher education institutions have benefited from legacies made by alumni.
These legacies have supported the development of the institution in a number of
ways, some of which will have been "earmarked" by the alumnus concerned and some
which will have been at the discretion of the institution.
Don’t forget you can now update your details online by visiting www.kingalfreds.ac.uk/alumni
Making a gift through a legacy can make a real
difference for the institution and to present and
future students. If you are considering making a
legacy or wish to discuss ways of supporting King
Alfred's College, please contact Tommy Geddes,
Vice Principal (Administration), in confidence at
King Alfred’s College, Sparkford Road,
Winchester, SO22 4NR, by telephone: (01962)
827215 or by email: [email protected].
9
Since the last issue of Venta, Jeffrey Risbridger (1977 – 1981) has left the Headship of
Brune Park Community School in Hampshire and taken up his post as the Inaugural
Headteacher of Saint Cecilia’s, Wandsworth Church of England School in the London
Borough of Wandsworth. The school, which is currently under construction, is due to
open in September 2003 with 150 Year 7 pupils and is set to grow year-on-year until it
has 900 11-18 year olds in 2009. Jeffrey writes:
“The first few months
have
been
very
interesting, and with
very
different
pressures from the
sort headteachers
usually experience.
With no staff, pupils or buildings I
feel a little detached from the real world and
occasionally rather isolated. Whilst I have given
numerous presentations about the school to
prospective parents, primary schools, church and
community groups, I am conscious that so much
of what I say is having to be taken on trust by
those listening as there is very little I can actually
show them! I am obviously now under pressure to
deliver the goods and live up to the rhetoric!”
Jeffrey held two Open Evenings in September
2002 for prospective pupils and their parents at
Whitelands College, once a Church of England
teacher training college and now part of the
University of Roehampton. Attendance was
greater than anticipated, with over 1,000 people
going along to hear about the new school.
Although applications are currently still being
received, Jeff explained that the school is already
heavily over-subscribed:
“I think that many parents are excited about the
prospect of sending their children to a brand new
school, with all the opportunities it presents.
There has never been a Church of England
secondary school in the borough of Wandsworth,
despite there being nine Church of England
primary schools. At the end of the primary phase,
many parents are keen for their children to
continue their education in an environment
which reflects Christian values. I’m only sorry that
so many will be disappointed when they do not
obtain a place.”
“Recruitment of staff to the school will begin after
Christmas to ensure that the full National
The Class of 1993
‘Ten Year Reunion Ball’
To be held at The West Downs Centre, King Alfred’s College, Winchester
on Saturday 26 April 2003, 7.00pm for 7.30pm
Cocktail reception followed by dinner and disco. Carriages midnight
Venta - Edition 8 - Winter 2003
To Sir, with a bulldozer
– progress report
Curriculum and Religious Education can be
delivered to Year 7 pupils when they arrive in
September 2003. A crucial appointment will be
that of the Curriculum Team Leader for Music as
the school will specialise in the teaching of music.
This person will be recruited as an Assistant
Headteacher, in order to attract the highest
calibre of applicant and to embed the place of
music in the school’s foundation.”
Other teaching staff, probably about nine in total,
will all be experienced teachers as each one will
be required to undertake management
responsibilities. Support staff will also be
recruited, including the Headteacher’s Personal
Assistant, and will play a crucial part in
establishing the systems and organisational
structure of the school.
“We are about to enter the most exciting phase of
the set-up year,” Jeffrey added. “The building is on
schedule for completion in April, we are
oversubscribed with applicants for places, and I
am about to begin building my staff team. Do I
have any regrets? None at all. I am having the time
of my life!”
Sports persons
required!
It’s that time of year again when all KAC sports
performers - past and present - start talking about
Winton Weekend. This year, the highlight of the
College sporting calendar is set to take place on
the weekend of the 21 - 23 February at the
‘fortress’ Bar End. Everyone knows it’s not going
to be pretty, so pride, passion and determination
must be at a premium!
Black tie - Ticket cost: £35.00
RSVP by 3 February 2003
Just a gentle reminder that places are limited and
cannot be reserved without full payment.
However, cheques can be back-dated to Friday 28
February 2003. Ball tickets will be sent out in
March 2003.
If you have not received an invitation, but would
like to come to the Ball or know of anyone who
would, please contact The Alumni Office, on
(01962) 827386, email: [email protected] or
write to The Alumni Office, FREEPOST, King
Alfred’s, Winchester, SO22 4BR.
If you have any questions about Winton, please
give me a call on (01962) 827414 or email me at
‘[email protected]’. In the meantime, I
hope all is well and I look forward to seeing you
soon.
Scott Cannie
Vice-President Activities & Services
King Alfred’s Students Union
Don’t forget you can now update your details online by visiting www.kingalfreds.ac.uk/alumni
Venta - Edition 8 - Winter 2003
10
A dreamer of dreams…
Imagine an opportunity where you could have an audience with Archbishop Desmond
Tu-tu one day and travel to meet Headteachers from across the world the next? It’s an
opportunity which alumnus Mick Brookes welcomed with both hands – the Presidency
of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT). As he approaches retirement and
his exciting journey as a teacher draws to an end, Mick reflects on how his career
nearly took a very different path…
“In my first post at Kanes Hill School in
Southampton, it was sadly soon evident that there
was not enough room in the school for me and
the Headteacher. So after a difficult and
unsatisfactory year I left teaching – and at the time
I thought so for good. I disappeared to a Kibbutz
for a year, and on my return, although determined
to give teaching another shot, after some thirty
applications for a post – all to no avail - I headed
off to the USA. Fortunately whilst in the States, I
received a telegram (no text or e-mail!) inviting me
to join the staff of Liss County Junior School. I’ve
never looked back.”
“During anyone’s career, I believe there are certain
people to whom you owe a debt. The Head of Liss
Juniors was one such: not only for giving me a
break, but also for showing me a glimpse of the
future. He was Branch Secretary of the NAHT at
the time, and it was his genuine appreciation of,
and dedication to, the job that inspired me to go
on.”
After seven years as Head of Gosberton Clough
and Reigate Primary, where Mick spent some of his
most enjoyable years in teaching, he moved to
Sherwood Junior School; where he still works
some 17 years later. Mick became the President of
the NAHT in 2000, which enabled him, amongst
other things, to enjoy audiences with the great
and the good and to visit schools in other parts of
the world:
“Probably my most memorable experience was a
two hour session with Martin McGuinness on the
subject of league tables. Their publication has
since been prohibited in Northern Ireland, and
although I in no way lay claim to that, it was good
to be part of the team that helped. Presidency also
enabled me to visit schools in other parts of the
world. Despite the cynics in this country,
education in these isles is doing very well, and
nowhere else have I seen such dedicated
professionalism as that evident in our best
classrooms.”
Only five years away from retirement and Mick can
still recall the advice of the then Head at his
teaching practice school during the sixties with
affection: ‘If you lose your sense of humour in this
job, for goodness sake get out’. “But he was right”
adds Mick. “The natural humour of being with
Mick in action during his time as the President of NAHT
children keeps me sane – and has gone missing in
those who give the job up.”
“But if I can do one more thing before I retire,” he
added, “I would like to encourage more graduates
to make teaching their life. Be warned, if you treat
it like a job you’ll hate it. You are the dreamer of
dreams who will influence lives and help shape
futures. It’s far more than a job – it’s a way of life;
but in my experience so rewarding and exhausting
and exhilarating and frustrating, and no two days
are ever the same.”
Are you interested in getting more
involved with alumni affairs?
Do you like the idea of being a ‘voice’ for fellow alumni and representing their views?
The merger of the Alumni Association
and the Winton Club means that all
registered members are entitled to vote
a former student onto the College’s
Board of Governors, to serve for a
period of three years, with eligibility for
re-election on not more than two
occasions.
This role is currently held by Liz Broughton (197477), who will continue to serve until the Annual
General Meeting, which is being held at the
College on Saturday 5 July. The new former
student Governor will be appointed at this AGM.
Any former student who wishes to stand for
election for the period 2003-2006 must be
proposed and seconded by former students and
must state her/his agreement to being
nominated. Nomination papers may be obtained
from:
The Alumni Office
King Alfred’s College
Sparkford Road
Winchester SO22 4NR
Telephone: (01962) 827386
Email: [email protected].
Don’t forget you can now update your details online by visiting www.kingalfreds.ac.uk/alumni
Information on what governors do and the
commitment involved can be obtained from:
Tommy Geddes
Clerk to the Governors
King Alfred’s College
Sparkford Road
Winchester SO22 4NR
Telephone: (01962) 827215
Email: [email protected]
11
It is with regret that we announce that former colleague and tutor, Thomas Graty,
passed away last August at the age of 86. Thomas lectured in Biology and Horticulture
from 1946 until 1978. Donald Venning and Howard Horstead write:
appointed to the academic staff of King Alfred’s
College, Winchester, to lecture in Biology and
Horticulture. From when the College reopened
on 5 November 1946 to Summer 1978 he served
the ever-expanding College and in particular many
science undergraduates.
Thomas Edward Charles Graty was educated at
King Edward VI High School, Birmingham, where
he was Secretary of both the Science Society and
the Music Society. As a schoolboy he was a
talented violinist and was invited at the age of
eighteen to play his violin in a concert at
Cadbury’s Theatre in Bournville. From 1935 to
1939 he was an undergraduate at Downing
College, Cambridge, where he read Botany and
Zoology, was President of the College Music
Society and met and married his wife Betty while
living in Cambridge. After graduating he obtained
his Post Graduate Diploma in Education and
taught briefly at Manchester Grammar School
from September 1939. During the Second World
War he served in the Royal Air Force, and was
commissioned as a liaison officer, with much of his
service in India. After he was demobilized he was
West Hayes, Sarum Road, was purchased by King
Alfred’s College and Thomas Graty became
warden and lived there with his wife Betty and
their three children, Celia, Anthea and Andrew.
Nearly all of the students admitted from 1946
onwards either had war-service or a period of
national service and Thomas Graty was
sympathetic not only to their intellectual needs,
but also to their maturity and the difficulties that
some faced. He was a well known violinist in and
around Winchester, and with Betty playing the
cello, provided much musical enjoyment with two
others as the Graty Quartet. Many other interests
and activities included gardening, bee keeping,
cricket and much assistance and direction for
many years to the planting and development of
the grounds of King Alfred’s. These grounds are
literally a growing memorial to him. During his
thirty two years at King Alfred’s he served under
three Principals, and a teacher training college of
Representing Alumni
We are looking for three former students who graduated 25 years ago or more and
three former students who graduated less than 25 years ago to stand for election to
serve on the Committee of The Winton Club.
The six elected members are joined by three
ex-officio College members:
Principal (as President)
Head of Communication and Marketing Services
Alumni Officer
Election to the Committee formally takes place at
the AGM on 5 July 2003, but don’t worry if you
can’t make the AGM; there will also be
opportunities to vote online or by post. Further
details will be in the Summer edition of Venta.
The elected members currently are:
Stephen Baldwin (1963-66)
Howard Horstead (1953-55)
Trevor Payne (1951-53)
Elizabeth Broughton (1974-77)
Alice Gem (1979-82)
David Gilmore (1973-77)
If you are interested in finding out more about this
opportunity, please contact Sarah Hogan at The
Alumni Office, King Alfred’s College, Sparkford
Road, Winchester, SO22 4NR, by telephone:
(01962) 827386 or by email: [email protected].
Nominations must be submitted by 16 May 2003
and the election will take place on Saturday 5 July
at the 2003 AGM. Current members of the
Committee are also eligible for re-election.
significantly less that 200 male students became a
college of higher education for men and women
reading for a degree in a wide range of subjects.
Those who worked with or were taught by
Thomas remember him as a kindly, sympathetic
person, with a ready smile and a kind disposition.
Many Old Wintonians will recall the field trips,
both day and residential which he ran as part of
the College Biological Sciences Course.
Thomas Graty was a family man of sound intellect,
patient and even tempered, who saw as one of his
roles an opportunity to make a significant
contribution to all aspects of higher education in
which he was involved, and this he willingly and
enthusiastically carried out. He and his family lived
at West Hayes and subsequently made their home
in Romsey Road where he enjoyed many years
gardening. Betty died in 2000 and in the months
before his death Thomas bore his illnesses with
fortitude. At his funeral service on 19 August in St
Mary’s Chapel at Jno Steel & Son his good friend
Canon Colin Deedes who officiated at the service
spoke of many significant contributions by
Thomas and the enthusiasm with which he carried
them out.
Reunion 2003
The Winton Club reunion has traditionally been
held during the first week-end in July. At the AGM
there will be elections for the former student
Governor aswell as members of the committee.
Next year's event will therefore be Friday 4th to
Sunday 6th July with the AGM taking place on
Saturday 5th July.
Until this year, approximately 1300 reunion notices
were sent out. With the amalgamation of the
Alumni Association and the Winton Club, the total
list is now around 8,000 members. Whilst all
members are welcome to attend we recognise that
only a small minority will wish to do so. A formal
notice concerning the reunion will therefore be
sent automatically to those people who were on
the Winton Club membership list prior to the 2002
reunion. Other members who would like to receive
notice of reunion should contact Sarah Hogan at
the Alumni Office, King Alfred’s College, Sparkford
Road, Winchester, SO22 4NR by telephone:
(01962) 827386 or by email: [email protected].
Don’t forget you can now update your details online by visiting www.kingalfreds.ac.uk/alumni
Venta - Edition 8 - Winter 2003
In memory of
Thomas Graty
Venta - Edition 8 - Winter 2003
12
Blast from the past!
1955, Reginald Thomas Terry (aka Tom), Teaching (Music)
Tom remembers a College in the early 1950’s with a strong tradition of music and a Music Club
that performed concerts almost every week ranging from the enthusiastic amateur to highly
professional. Indeed, Tom went on to study at the San Carlo Opera, Naples, and sang
professionally for a time. He can be seen on the far right end of the back row in this photo of the
1953/55 Music Group, of which he was secretary.
Back row, left to right: Austin F Woodman, Bryon W Cavill, Clifford G Harpra, Ralph Hindle and Reginald T Terry. Front row, left to right: John S Beirne, Miss
Monica Havard, Dr. Alwyn Surplice, Henry T Hayward and Ronald L Davies.
1964, Clare Debenham, Cert. Ed. Main Subject: English, Subsids: Art, Science
This sketch was drawn by Ann James, a fellow student. It was the ‘swinging sixties’ and I was very proud of my
mini-skirt, knee-high boots and bright red coat. It was also only the second year that women were admitted to KAC,
and there were still vestiges of the all-male era with the ‘bun fight’ on Fridays, and the tradition of bowing to the High
Table when coming in late to the meal or wishing to leave early.
I was inspired by the academic life at the College and had the good fortune to be taught by a really remarkable tutor
– Harry Blamires. It was a privilege having someone of his intellectual calibre asking for my opinion. I have gone on
to study as an undergraduate and postgraduate and am just about to register for a Ph.D. However, in the
universities I attended, I never met such an outstanding tutor as Harry Blamires. I have also lectured at colleges
and universities, but I was not able to devote the time to my students as Harry did to his. However, I hope a touch
of inspiration has rubbed off!
Email: [email protected]
1998, Elisabeth Price, BA (Hons) Education with Geography (upper)
Having taught in Southampton for two years I decided a change was in order - so I began to look
in the overseas section of the TES – an area of the newspaper that I had looked longingly at whilst
still at College. I applied for jobs in a number of different locations and was successful in
obtaining a contract in Hong Kong – a destination I had always wanted to travel to. With much
fear and trepidation and having not ventured outside Europe, my two suitcases and I set off for
Hong Kong.
It was relatively easy to settle into life here. I have now been here for two years and absolutely
love it! I have taken part in dragon boating competitions, I hike up Victoria Peak once a week and I have been known to get on the bar at Carnegies. For
the past two years, I have taught a class of Year 3 children, but this year I am teaching ICT to the Years 4, 5 and 6 for half the time and also taking on
the role of Middle Primary Co-ordinator. I would certainly recommend taking up the opportunity to go and teach abroad - I have just signed
another two year contract so I won’t be back for a while!
Email: [email protected]
2002, Cheryl Gibbs, BSc (Hons) Social Care
A message for Martin Sands: Congratulations on graduating - shame I didn’t realise you were at King Alfred’s sooner! I would really appreciate it if you
could email me on: [email protected].
In Memoriam
We are sorry to announce that the
following members have passed away
since Summer 2002:
Mr A G Clarke
Mr V W S Follwell
Mr T E C Graty
Mr R R Murrell
1931-1933
1932-1934
1946-1978
1954-1955
Maybe you’ve just got married to the love of your life or landed your dream job?
Perhaps you’ve lost touch with some of your old Uni mates and want to get back in
touch or you’ve recently been on an expedition to deepest darkest Peru and want to
share it with the world? Maybe you just want to get in touch for no particular
reason!
We always love to hear from alumni, so please take a few moments to jot down
what you’ve been up to and see your news in print in the next edition of Venta!