May 2004 Reunion
The first split reunion for those who prefer cricket and spouses, as opposed to those who retain a fondness for the traditional scene of rugger and men, was blessed with good bright weather and a crisp cold wind.
This reunion comprises the widest age group spread with the most ‘senior’ leaving in the late 1920s, the period between two World Wars, the Wall Street crash and followed by the horrors of the second World War with the dread that one day your head/housemaster might inform you that an elder brother had been killed in action. For the youngsters it was the birth of the N.H.S., the Suez crisis, the Cold War and overriding gratitude for surviving to live in a safer and better world. With varying degrees of stiffness and mobility, registration in Old Big School created the buzz of anticipation. For a start, some of those of whom we have the fondest memories will not be there because of the Grim Reaper. Others with whom we were friendly have chosen not to come. No doubt we will hear of a few who are no longer oriented in time and space. Most will show ageing and a few will look no older than they did fifty years ago, which is unforgivable. Some may boast of the incredible achievements of their children and grandchildren and will be boring. Above all we hope to see old friends and, if the School is kind enough to invite you, surely it is right to accept.
What better start could there be than the Reunion Service in the chapel which was the start and focus of our daily lives whilst at Tonbridge? Ending with the lusty singing of H.S. Vere Hodge’s school hymn, we were privileged to hear a perceptively apt address by the senior chaplain, Teehan Page, ‘of dealing with change’. He reminded us that there may be changes in our lifetimes and in the school but human nature does not change. It is the masters and boys that make Tonbridge School. The memories of our school days are brought alive not by buildings - impressively as they are as listed in the day’s programme (eleven to see, from Cawthorne Lecture Theatre to houses) - but the memory of those we know and love. Tonbridge simply and very effectively acts as a catalyst to unlock our memories of one another.
Visibly recharged by the Reunion Service we proceeded to the Reception and then lunch, sitting with friends made on the day before hearing the state of the nation (Tonbridge) address by the Headmaster. He seemed in splendid form and gave a relaxed account of the School’s considerable achievements. The remarkable standards of Music have risen even higher. It was a good year for Sport, with outstanding success in cross-country, sailing (national champions) not traditionally associated with Tonbridge, and cricket maintaining its unbeaten record to date with a match today against Eton.
Turning to Public Examinations, A level results set new records in the percentage of A+B grades (89.02%) and A+B+C grades (96.2%). The last three years have been the best and the school is now established, at A level, as one of the top three boys boarding schools in the country - third this year and second to Winchester in 2001 and 2002. The 2003 GCSE results were the best ever. The Headmaster certainly clarified the welter of confusing statistical newspaper school league tables for us. He then informed us that the school is very full (750 next year) and the logistic and human problems that an embarras de richesse brings when well-qualified candidates refuse to go elsewhere. To that end, an extra form was constituted so a bulge year will move through the school for the next 4 years. It was just as well to learn that the school had acquired a new Senior Student House to give some much needed numerical leeway. We then heard that a new Tonbridge School Foundation had been established last year with, firstly, the express aim to create, gather and channel a new and additional funding stream, which will be crucial for the long term development of the school as it will supplement existing resources of the school and the Judde Foundation. This medium term objective will enable the completion, in the next few years, of a capital development programme to include a major indoors Sports complex, the building of a water-based hockey astro (Lent05), a new academic building to house an entire department, the expansion of the Smythe Library, as well as the development of Information and Communications Technology. Quite breathtaking undertakings. Secondly, (longer term but currently politically vital) the Foundation will allow talented boys access to a Tonbridge education irrespective of parents’ means or background and has already funded the necessary 100% fees of its first Foundation scholar. In his closing remarks the HM told us that the second Master, Nigel Lashbrook, is going as headmaster to King’s Bruton, and Paul Taylor (housemaster of Park House) has been appointed Deputy Head of King’s Canterbury. He then threw in casually he was “getting rid of himself”, retiring in Summer 2005 having done his stint of 15 years. We wish him and his family well in retirement and thank him for being such a good ‘climate’ as per his quoted metaphor of a fellow H.M.C. Head: "the pupils are the plants, the staff are the gardeners and I am the climate.”
It is obvious to all that the school is now a huge organisation and that it runs on ball-bearings without losing its personal approach. This doesn’t just happen; there is an enormous input from Governors, teaching and domestic Staff, co-ordinated by Robin Dunn, the Clerk to the School. We owe them all a great debt and many thanks for laying on such a wonderful reunion so apparently effortlessly for our wives and ourselves. Thanks also to Peter Morris, our OT Secretary, for the co-ordinating and sorting out the many things behind the scenes. A special mention and record of thanks must surely go to Tim Denham, who single-handedly as OT secretary kept the Society afloat for it to develop so well now.
With this, we all paddled off for the guided tours of the school and were duly impressed by our boy guides and amazed at all the changes and hopefully avoided a “senior moment” remembering to hand our labels to the housemasters. Relaxing in the evening sun with OT friends on the Head, seeing Tonbridge beat Eton by 12 runs, was a perfect way to end the Reunion. If you have read this far you cannot fail to have noticed the avoidance of mentioning individual OTs attending, as this occasion is for us all and not the favoured few. May all OTs be reassured that the school is in good health and heart and intends to remain so in the future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
