| PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
I was glad to see another good turnout of OAs at the Regional Lunch in Surrey and although I was not able to be present on this occasion I understand that everyone enjoyed a delicious meal and that the restaurant was buzzing with stories and fun. I do hope to join the next event although, sadly, I doubt I will be travelling 'Down-Under'.
I am grateful to David Hayes (SHO1963-68) for driving forward the OA Mentoring Scheme and to all the Committee Members for their dedication and hard work in producing the excellent OA Review, developing a valuable website and organising a most enjoyable Annual Dinner.
It was a delight to see an almost full house at the dinner in November and to hear from Ruth Alinek (CR1978-82) the struggles that had to be overcome to achieve the successful introduction of co-education at Aldenham. In response to Ruth's entertaining and enlightening pre-dinner speech, Head Girl, Amelia Potter expressed her gratitude on behalf of the girls who continue to enjoy an Aldenham education.
In the wet weather we are having at the moment it is difficult to believe that in less than six months time we will be gathering for OA Day, but that we will and I hope to see a good crowd there to celebrate the years of School House (Odds, Evens, Riding's and Leeman's). All will be welcome of course and I hope that forthcoming events see an increase in the number of OA 'old girls', now that they have been members of the OA Society for over 30 years.
Neil Sutherland OBE (B1966-70),
President
EVENT NEWS
ANNUAL OA DINNER
Over 100 OAs gathered for the Annual Dinner at Aldenham on Friday 22nd November 2013. Guests were received with a drink in the familiar setting of the Library where Ruth Alinek (CR1978-82) gave a very entertaining and thought provoking pre-dinner talk about her time at Aldenham as the first (and only) female member of the Common Room.
David Wright (SHO1976-81) had organised a reunion of Aldenham old boys who knew Ruth as a young teacher. It was a joy to see their faces as they got together to reminisce and hear about their teacher's experiences. Their abiding memory was apparently not that she was the only female, but that "she was so young"!
Numbers attending this popular event have doubled since it returned to School in 2009 and the advice is to book early in future to avoid any disappointment! This year, on Friday 21st November 2014, the reception will be in The Wells Centre and Canon Joe Hawes (SHO1978-83) has been invited as the pre-dinner speaker.
REGIONAL LUNCH - SURREY OA ties were out in force in October '13, for a Regional Lunch at Stovells restaurant in Chobham, Surrey. The 31 guests enjoyed exclusive dining in this superb restaurant. The unique environment of a grade II listed, 16th Century, Tudor farmhouse was perfect for the occasion and the contemporary European menu offered a choice of dishes that suited all tastes and requirements.
The venue came recommended by Tony Engel (P1956-59) and it turned out to be a very popular choice.
The Headmaster, James Fowler, joined the OAs for their lunch and enjoyed chatting to them all about their experiences at the School in times gone by. The ages ranged from 49 - 90, with the most senior OA present reciting the School Grace in Latin as if he were indeed still at School! Well done to Christopher Leigh-Hunt (B1936-40). 24 HOUR PLAY-IN FOR THE PHILIPPINES
We were overwhelmed by the generous support of everyone involved in an astonishing day and night of continuous music making by pupils, parents, staff, former pupils and friends of Aldenham School, Aldenham Prep School and St Hilda's School. The musicians who participated as soloists, in ensembles and in larger groups during this non-stop music marathon and the magnificent generosity of so many people reflects extremely well on the whole Aldenham community.
Most importantly, the event raised over £13,500 for the Philippines Typhoon Appeal! ART AT ALDENHAM
Trevor Barton (K1971-75), Chairman of the Letchmore Trust was invited, along with fellow Trustees - James James-Crook (M1968-72), Peter Stevens (P1964-69) and Paul Shelton (P1965-70), to a reception and art exhibition in The Apthorp Room of The Wells Centre at the School in November '13. The Headmaster hosted the event to celebrate the support given by the Letchmore Trust for the development of Art within the School.
Other invited guests included winners of the Letchmore Trust prizes, Art Scholars and their parents and other members of the Aldenham School Community, including OAs, who work in the fields of art and photography.
The Letchmore Trust was originally founded to own and look after the magnificent Stanley Spencer paintings, which hung in the School Chapel from 1958 until their sale in the 1990's. The Trust manages a portfolio of stocks and shares in order to generate an income which is used to support Arts activities in the School.
The Apthorp Room in The Wells Centre provided the ideal venue for this event and the School now encourages local artists to take advantage of this magnificent space to display their own works to share for public pleasure and for sales.
Anyone interested in hiring this venue should contact Andy Dawson, Lettings Manager ald@aldenham.com telephone: 01923 851669 See Event Galleries on the OA website for more pictures taken at all of the above events. ALDENHAM ANNUAL FUND 2013/14 The Annual Fund 2013/14 has reached nearly 82% of its target and we are very grateful to everyone that has donated so far. If you are still planning to make a contribution towards this important appeal your help could enable us to buy a lever harp that will encourage students to play this lovely instrument. We also still need funds to provide equipment for indoor cricket & hockey practice.
All donations are equally important and the funds we raise will enhance school life for all our pupils. We thank you most sincerely for your continued support - every little helps to keep Aldenhamians on top of their game.
To download the Annual Fund brochure and donation form go to:
Annual Fund 2013/14 Brochure
Donation Form
FUTURE PLANS
REGIONAL LUNCH
We usually arrange a Regional Lunch in the spring or early summer and several venues in Kent have been suggested for our next get-together. Please let us know if you would like an OA reunion in your area oas@aldenham.com
Invitations will be sent to those we have contact details for who live in and around the selected region or within an hour's drive of the venue. Much of our correspondence is now done by email and if you know people who would be interested in attending events, but do not use email please do help us to spread the word.
CHESTER CATHEDRAL
The School Choir will be visiting Chester for a very busy day of singing in the Cathedral www.chestercathedral.com
They will perform at three services, Matins, Eucharist and Evensong on Sunday 25th May. If you would like to attend please contact the Development and OA Office for further details - development@aldenham.com .
ALDENHAM.NET
aldenham.net is a business networking initiative, set up to provide opportunities for sharing business experiences and contact details. Events are usually hosted by members of the group, which is made up mainly of OAs who have registered their interest in getting together for these purposes. It has been suggested that the next event should be in London, if possible in April or May. We would welcome offers from anyone who could provide suitable facilities for an after work meeting. Events usually attract around 30 people and light refreshments are provided. Please contact the Development & OA Office if you would like to join aldenham.net or can offer to host an event.
Email: jackie@aldenham.com
OA DAY 2014
The date for our summer get together at Aldenham for OAs is set for Sunday 8th June.
This year there will be a Gaudy for School House and personal invitations will be sent to OAs who were in School House Odds or Evens, Riding's or Leeman's Houses. All OAs are welcome to come, please register your interest with the Development and OA office jackie@aldenham.com
The day will include a morning coffee reception, Chapel service, drinks reception in School House Garden, followed by lunch in the Dining Hall and an afternoon of cricket.
A 20/20 cricket match is planned for the afternoon - School House Odds (Riding's) versus School House Evens (Leeman's). If you would like to play in the match, umpire or score, please get in touch oas@aldenham.com The game will start at 12.30pm and tea will be provided in the afternoon.
JOHN DEWES CRICKET MATCH
The date has been set for the annual John Dewes cricket match at Aldenham, it will be on Tuesday 24th June '14.
The purpose of the game is to celebrate the achievements of Aldenham cricketers past and present and to inspire new players. It provides an opportunity for the School's 1st XI to play at a higher level than they would normally against other schools. Peter Shaw (B1952-56) and Mike Yeabsley (CR2008-present), Master in Charge of Cricket, met to discuss ideas for the event and would welcome offers from OAs who could help draw together a visiting team to challenge the boys - Please email oas@aldenham.com to offer assistance.
OAs are invited to watch the game and for a cricket tea. After the game there will be an informal barbecue for those who want to stay and socialise. LUNCH IN AUSTRALIA
Plans are developing for OA Reunions in Australia in October, one in Sydney and another in Western Australia. It will be 10 years since the last event in this part of the World took place and it is hoped that as many people as possible will be able to get together, including Former Staff and Parents. Details will be emailed to those living in Australia as soon as these are finalised.
DINNER IN DUBAI
Once dates are confirmed for the events in Australia we may organise a get-together in Dubai, for those living in the UAE. Again, details will be sent directly to those we have email contact with who are living and working in the UAE.
CLUB NEWS
OA FOOTBALL
The season began with a keen OA v School 1st XI game, won by the OAs but keenly fought by the current students. Following this it has been a mix of highs and lows for the old boys. One of the 'highs' was winning the London Old Boys Challenge Cup Semi-Final on Saturday 1st February '14. Good luck in the final lads!
OA GOLF
A full list of OA Golf fixtures in 2014 is available to download on the OA website
In the Halford Hewitt tournament the OAGS has drawn Highgate on Friday 11th April at Deal. If successful, they will play the winners of Dulwich and Brighton in the afternoon.
Details of the full draw are on the Halford Hewit website.
OA FIVES
Cousins, Darshan Patel (R&K2006-12) & Nirav Patel (R2005-12) and brothers Carl Rennie (M2003-10) & Andrew Rennie (M2006-13) won places in the quarter finals of the U21 National Championships in February '14, we hope to see them in the finals next time.
Well done and good luck with the rest of the season!
OTHER NEWS CBE AWARDS
We would like to offer our congratulations to John Apthorp (P1949-53) and Karren Brady (B1985-87) who were named in the Queen's New Year's Honours. Karen is now well known as Alan Sugar's Advisor on The Apprentice and Vice-Chairman of West Ham Football Club, and John, a philanthropist who was Chairman of Majestic Wines is also notable for his business and personal success.
Both of these OAs were awarded the CBE, in January '14. John's is in recognition of the grants he has given to small local charities through the John Apthorp Charity and the Milly Apthorp Charitable Trust. Karren's award was made for services to entrepreneurship and women in business.
WWI - A WEEK OF ACTIVITY
From 3rd to 11th November the whole School community will be involved in activities to commemorate 100 years since the start of the First World War.
The Library, built "IN THANKFUL MEMORY OF THE SONS OF THIS SCHOOL WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR", will be the focus area for a week of events, an exhibition of work and WWI artefacts. A reception, in recognition of the work of the Aldenham School War Memorial Trust, will also be arranged.
You are invited to contribute items of interest, family memoires/photographs and other information, for this exhibition and a forthcoming feature in the annual OA magazine. Please contact the Development and OA Office for further information development@aldenham.com MENTORING UPDATE
The OA Mentoring scheme offers guidance to members of the OA Society from volunteers who have business experience and maturity. The aim is to help the Mentee to gain a more rounded perspective of situations they face and decisions they have to take.
David Hayes (SHO1963-68) who is promoting and co-ordinating the scheme on behalf of the OA Society is keen to further develop the scheme and offer a service to Lower Sixth students when they are beginning to make career choices.
If you would be interested in offering your expertise in a particular field please let David know dhayes.family@gmail.com or contact oas@aldenham.com for more information.
OA REVIEW - ALDENHAMIANA Issue 42 of the OA Society members' magazine will be published in October 2014. This issue will carry a feature on the First World War. If you would like to contribute to the next publication please write direct to the Editor, James James-Crook (M1968-72) jamesjamescrook@hotmail.co.uk Features may also be submitted via the Development and OA Office oas@aldenham.com The copy deadline is 31st July 2014.
MARQUEE FOR HIRE If you have a special event to celebrate, such as a BIG birthday or family occasion next year, please remember that a spectacular marquee will be available to hire over the weekend following the ASPA Summer Ball, which will take place as usual on the evening of the last day of the summer term - Friday 27th June 2014. Why not take this opportunity to use the facility in the lovely setting of Aldenham? For full details contact Andy Dawson (SHO & R1989-94) ald@aldenham.com RICHARD PLATT SOCIETY Members of the Richard Platt Society have all kindly left a gift in their Will to the School. Richard Platt himself left orders in his Will for the establishment of the School to acknowledge his own fortune. Whatever the reason and whatever the gift, a commitment of this sort will provide the School with a secure Bursaries Fund and enable it to offer academic, cultural and sporting facilities that will attract the quality of student that is synonymous with Aldenham. If you would like more information please contact the Development Manager, Ann Saffery aesaffery@aldenham.com or go to the Development pages of the School website www.aldenham.com | Annual OA Dinner 
Regional Lunch - Surrey 
24 Hour Play-in
Art at Aldenham 
Aldenham Annual Fund 2013/14 
OA Football
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OA Fives
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