Welcome to the Old Aldenhamian Society

11 October 2013

OA ties were out in force on Wednesday 9th October, for a Regional Lunch at Stovells restaurant in Chobham, Surrey. Stovell’s Once again we were able to arrange private dining for the 31 guests 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 this time came recommended by Tony Engel (P1956-59) and it turned out to be a very popular choice, thank you Tony. 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 Christopher Leigh-Hunt (B1936-40). Pictures of this popular event are on the School Facebook page Facebook and more will be available for members of the OA Society to view on the Event Galleries. If you do not have, or have forgotten your unique log-in details, contact the Development & OA Office oas@aldenham.com

Regional Lunch - Surrey

09 October 2013

OA ties were out in force on Wednesday 9th October, for a Regional Lunch at Stovells restaurant in Chobham, Surrey. Stovell’s Once again we were able to arrange private dining for the 31 guests 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 this time came recommended by Tony Engel (P1956-59) and it turned out to be a very popular choice, thank you Tony. 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 Christopher Leigh-Hunt (B1936-40). Pictures of this popular event are on the School Facebook page Facebook and more will be available for members of the OA Society to view on the Event Galleries. If you do not have, or have forgotten your unique log-in details, contact the Development & OA Office oas@aldenham.com

New Kindle Publication Written by a Young OA

19 September 2013

Congratulations to recent School leaver, Elliott Worsley (L2006-13) on the publication of a document he has written called “University Application Explained”. This can now be purchased through Amazon Kindle for £3 and gives the experiences of a successful university applicant. It contains useful tips and questions to ask when applying for a place at University. Elliott successfully gained his 1st choice place to read Product Design Engineering at Loughborough University. Current students will find this useful as they start their own application journey.

Golf Practice Facility - Sponsord by OAGS

02 July 2013

Michael Capon the current President of the Old Aldenhamian Golf Society was invited to officially open a new golf practice facility at Aldenham on Wednesday 26th June. Michael, along with Ian Eggleden (SHE1958-63), OAGS Hon. Secretary, Bob Coombes (SHE1944-47), who played for 55 consecutive years in the OAGS Halford Hewitt team and Will Kirby (L2006-11),the youngest member of the team, had lunch with the Headmaster, James Fowler, Director of Sport, Andy Stevenson and Masters in Charge of Golf, David Boothby and Alexis Shead. They were also joined by current students who chatted enthusiastically about their mutual interest in golf.
After the ceremony, those present took their chance to tee off across Top Field in an impromptu competition to win a set of golf balls emblazoned with the Aldenham School crest. Bob Coombes had the honour of taking the first swing from one of five bays, but the nearest to the designated red flag and so winner of the sleeve of balls was current Martineau’s student, 12 year old Jamie Gall.
The young Aldenham golfers’ success carried on throughout the afternoon when the students beat the OAs in a golf tournament at Porters Park.
The School would like to publicly thank the OA Golf Society for their contribution to the Annual Fund 2012/13, which made the installation of the golf tee area possible.

John Dewes Cricket Match

02 July 2013

The third John Dewes cricket match was played at Aldenham on Monday 24th June 2013. This match has become an annual event, providing an opportunity for the School's 1st IX to play a guest team and to commemorate the achievement of John Dewes (B1940-45) as an England Test Cricketer. This year all past team players were invited to watch the game and seven of those came along to enjoy the competition, which was eventually won by the visiting side. All OAs are welcome to come and watch this event and to join the teams for a cricket tea. Watch this space for details of next year's John Dewes match or contact the Development & OA Office for details oas@aldenham.com

New Trophy in Memory of an OA

01 July 2013

Joe Balson (K1999-2006) returned to Aldenham on Tuesday 25th June to present a trophy in memory of a school friend, Humair Rahimtula (K2003-05) who died in August 2012 at the age of 25. The trophy will be awarded annually to the top football goal scorer, as Humair was a keen footballer and went on to play professionally in India. The first recipient of the award is Oran Swales (R2012-Present), who scored 25 goals last season, congratulations to him and thank you to Joe for organising the donation to which other OAs who knew Humair had contributed.

Success at the 2013 Halford Hewitt Golf Tournament

01 July 2013

Ian Eggleden (SHE1958-63), Honorary Secretary of the OA Golf Society, sent this report following the team’s success at this year’s Halford Hewitt competition.

“We had a great 3-2 win against Liverpool in the first round. The first two pairs (Robert Alter & James Surridge, Nick Corbett & Joel Bloomfield) had emphatic wins whilst Adam Thrussell and David Rawlinson came up against a pair who sank every putt regardless of the distance. Will Kirby, in the team for his first Hewitt experience at the age of 20, played with Ben Thrussell and they were all square at the 16th. However, they agreed a half because Peter Easby, at the equally tender age of 64, was playing with our captain Shon Williams and sank an excellent putt on the 15th to win the match 4&3.”

“On Friday, the same pairs but in a different order suffered a narrow 2-3 defeat against Westminster. Alter & Surridge won at the 16th to even the match after Thrussell (B) & Kirby had lost. Behind them, all three matches were settled at the 18th with Thrussell (A) & Rawlinson holding their nerve to win 1 up but Corbett & Bloomfield and Williams & Easby could not quite overcome the opposition. Very close and so nearly a place in the Saturday field.”

“As usual, there was a Dad’s Army of supporters. On Wednesday night, there were 25 OAs in the Beachbrow and a minute's silence was held before dinner for Philip Marsh and Tim Stranack.”

“So well done everyone for an excellent performance, including the supporters. It was a wonderful week.”

Service and Reception at Gloucester Cathedral

01 July 2013

The Aldenham School Choir sang at the Eucharist service in Gloucester Cathedral on the evening of Monday 24th June 2013. OAs and parents of the Choir members were invited to a reception hosted by the Headmaster, James Fowler, after the service.
A total of 24 people enjoyed the event and the 30 strong Choir was joined by three OAs, Michael Powles (SHO1969-74), Carl Rennie (M2003-10) and Alice Erman (P2005-12) as well as some teaching staff and the Headmaster. The acoustics in this delightful building are excellent and the Choir, conducted by John Wyatt, Director of Music and accompanied by Sam Austin (CR2011-Present), sounded great. The solo performances, including one by the Headmaster, were exquisite and left the congregation feeling refreshed and uplifted.
During the reception, which was held in the south transept of the Cathedral, OAs whose time at Aldenham spanned four decades, had a chance to catch up with the latest news from the School and to compare their own musical experiences, which had inspired in some a lifelong appreciation of the art. Steve Goodwin (SHE1963-69) is currently Director of Music and organist at Holy Trinity Church in Amberley, Gloucestershire. The Headmaster took the opportunity during the evening to personally thank Giles Turner (SHO1952-57) who has donated money to Aldenham for the purchase of several pianos including a brand new electronic piano for the Music Technology classroom, which was opened in September 2012 within The Wells Centre. Giles said that he wants the students to enjoy practicing on good quality instruments, so that they will carry on and become good musicians as they go through life.
It has become a tradition that once a year the Choir sings Evensong at a prestigious venue. The support of OAs at these events always much appreciated - John Wyatt is applying to St Paul's for a slot there in June 2014 and all will be welcome on that occasion. A date will be announced on the OA website when this has been confirmed.

A Tweet from OAFC

17 June 2013

The OAFC has just opened a Twitter account - you can follow them at twitter.com/OAFootballClub

OA Day 2013

13 June 2013

OA Day 2013 was held on Sunday 9th June and celebrated over 30 years of Aldenham Old Girls.
OAs, current and former staff and their families came together to enjoy looking back over the years since the first few girls joined the Sixth Form at Aldenham.
The meeting place for morning coffee was The Wells Centre, which opened in September 2012, providing new social and study areas for today's Sixth Formers as well as new classrooms and meeting spaces. A traditional Chapel service followed, with readings by Claire Yeabsley nee McCarty (K1988-90) and Hermione Bryer nee Cox (K1984-86). The service, conducted by Revd Andrew Stead, focused on the achievements of women in our society and Aldenham was congratulated on its success in attracting a steadily increasing number of girls to the School and providing opportunities for them to flourish.
A drinks reception in School House Garden was hosted by the Headmaster, James Fowler and the President of the OA Society, Neil Sutherland who welcomed the guests back to Aldenham for the day. After lunch in the Dining Room and time spent catching up on past times with friends, many stayed to tour their old House, identify faces in photographs and watch a 20/20 cricket match on Top Field - a close game, which was eventually clinched by the OA team. It was a busy day that saw a charity bike ride run through the grounds and also fives and tennis tournaments taking place with current students, parents and other visitors to the School.
Despite the unseasonably cool June temperatures there was a warm feeling at the event with much laughter, promises to return again and to keep in touch in the mean time.