Summer 2016

Old Aylesburian News

No 18 SUMMER 2016

As the summer term of you will remember, will be retiring after 37 years at
AGS. Quite an incredible contribution; Mrs Murray
draws to a close we (Catering Manager) also retires after 29 years at the
school; Mrs Andrews retires from the DT department
reflect on a busy and after 18 years’ service; Mr Hill (Head of Denson House)
is leaving us after 16 years to move to Austria; Ms
successful term. At the Ashikaga (teacher of Japanese) is retiring after 13
years; Mrs Kelly (Principal Biology Technician) also
beginning of July we retires after 11 years; Dr Van Der Poll is moving into
University teaching and leaves us after nine years; Mr
welcomed back Mark Switzer will be retiring from the Mathematics
Department after two spells totalling eight years; Mr
Webb as Guest Speaker Symington has secured a promotion as Assistant
Subject Leader for Mathematics at RGSHW after
at Junior Prize Giving, seven years at AGS; Mr Lynch (Biology) is moving to
Haberdashers’ Aske’s School after three years; Mr
swiftly followed by Ted Rodger (Physics) is moving to Malaysia and a role at
The Alice Smith School after three years; we are also
Cunningham who saying goodbye to our cover supervisor staff, Mr Waite,
Mr Blain and Mr Nutall and our PE Administration
returned to school as Assistant, Mr Walmsley, as they embark on the next
stage of their education at University. We would like to
adjudicator for Junior thank them for their invaluable contributions to the
Aylesbury Grammar School community and wish them
Public Speaking - do read the articles later in the great success in the next stage of their careers and
lives.
newsletter on these events. On 29th June we
The Inspiring Science campaign continues to make a
welcomed back OAs to the annual sports day where real impact on the school with a new physics laboratory
operational and a further physics and three chemistry
we enjoyed an afternoon of squash and basketball; laboratories being prepared for refurbishment as you
read this. We are close to fulfilling our target of raising
unfortunately this year the cricket was rained off. On £500,000 and I would like to thank everyone who has
so generously contributed to the campaign.
15th July we hosted the ever popular 5 a side
The AGS Learner, and our focus on the characteristics
football tournament followed by a pizza supper in the of being a confident learner, is influencing all aspects
of school life. With the new biology building came an
Quad; details of this event will be featured in our opportunity to recreate the old laboratories into two
new classrooms and the Professor William Mead
autumn newsletter.

In May we said farewell to our Year 13 students. The
celebration day was organised by the Sixth Form Team
along with the Head Boy and Deputy Head Boys of
School. The ‘AGS Zoo’ theme ensured a colourful day
of good humour and fond farewells. The final assembly
was led by Mrs Venning, Mr Ramsbottom and Miss
Treherne, as they reflected upon the journey the boys
have made in their time at the school with some
serious, and some very amusing, anecdotes and
photographs. Mr Ramsbottom once again prepared a
farewell BBQ in the Headmaster’s Quad, ably assisted
by a host of staff and students. We would like to wish
all of them a successful summer.

Each summer is tinged with sadness as we say
goodbye to a number of staff who will be departing
Aylesbury Grammar School. Mr Piggford, whom many

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

Library. Professor Mead was an old boy of the school, a foundation trustee and long servant to the governing body,
serving as chairman for many years. Professor Mead wrote the history of the school in 1998 for the 400th anniversary
and made an enormous contribution to school life. Aged 99, Professor Mead sadly passed away in 2014. Even after
his passing, he continued to make a contribution to the school by leaving a legacy gift to the Foundation. His
executors have agreed to the gift being used to create the new library in the heart of the school in the Headmaster’s
quad. The internal demolition and preparation works have taken place in the area and we are excited as the fit out
is due to be completed by the beginning of the autumn term. The old Library area has subsequently facilitated the
remodelling and refurbishment of the Sixth Form Centre, recreating the common room area on the ground floor and a
learning centre on the first floor. We have been fortunate to secure funding from the government via the Conditions
Improvement Fund for this project, which will significantly improve the learning opportunities for our large Sixth Form.

It is not very often you can claim to be World Champions, but our team of Tom Hinson (D10) and Muhammad Moeen
(H7) claimed victory in the Jaguar sponsored Maths in Motion World Final. Held at the end of June at the Heritage
Motor Museum, Tom and Muhammad followed last year’s success and AGS remain World Champions in this event.
Our guests from Changhu International School and Yiwu Foreign Language School returned to China on the 11th July
after 11 weeks in the UK. We would like to thank them for their many contributions to school life. We would also like
to thank our host families and buddies in school, along with all the staff for ensuring a successful visit. The Chinese
guests presented many gifts to the school with the theme of ‘friendship forever’.

As the term draws to a close, I would like to say thank you to all the staff, students, parents and friends of the school
who have contributed to make 2015-2016 a great year. We wish you all a restful summer.

Mr M J Sturgeon, Headmaster

DID YOU LEAVE AGS IN 1966?

Jeff Lemon (Ridley 1966) read with interest the article detailing the class of ‘65 Reunion which appeared in the
winter 2015 newsletter.

Jeff wrote “those alumni had started AGS in 1965. A realisation that in 2016 it would be 50 years since my
schoolmates and myself left the school prompted the notion that maybe it would be great for this group to hold
a reunion to relive and revive memories of their time at school and catch up with old school friends.

It is therefore planned to hold a reunion for the leavers of 1966 on the afternoon of Friday 14th October 2016.
Full details have not yet been finalised but the likely pattern will be to meet informally in the Millwrights Arms
before heading across to the school. There will be a chance to have a tour of the school, guided by present
day pupils, before enjoying tea and a chance to share memories of school days.

We are appealing to you if you left in 1966, the year England won the World Cup but Ridley won the Brodie
Trophy, to let us know if you would like to attend. It would also be helpful, if you have contact details of anyone
else in this cohort, to please ask them to let the school know if they can attend.”

Please contact [email protected] to help us spread the word and do let us know if you can
attend. Jeff is also happy for you to contact him directly if you would like to help with coordinating this event.
Jeff's e-mail address is [email protected].

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

GOOD NEWS FOR OUR SCIENCE REFURBISHMENT PROJECT

£455,583 (91% of our target) Raised To Date – Thank You!

We are now in our 6th month of public fundraising for the 7th and final phase of our
Science Refurbishment project. This is a £2.3 million project and the biggest
refurbishment project the School has undertaken in modern times. We are delighted
to be able to share that the fundraising total for this final phase now stands at
£455,583 (91%). With less than 10% to go, we are very keen to reach our target of
£500,000 before the end of term.
We continue to receive some personal donations from parents and alumni for which
we are extremely grateful. It certainly isn’t too late to support us and every donation,
at any level, is very much appreciated. Please consider donating to the fund if you are
able. Your support will make a tremendous difference to the teaching and learning of
Science at our School and every student will benefit. The facilities team here are
working hard and it’s wonderful to see your donations go to work immediately.

Half Term saw the completion of the refurbishment of an old classroom (S1) into a modern 21st century Physics
Lab which is now being used daily. The second and final Physics Lab in this final phase will follow shortly and
we have already started work on the refurbishment of three out of the five Chemistry Labs.

Two recent successes have had a significant impact on our fundraising total: the negotiation of our first major
corporate sponsorship and a successful bid to the Wolfson Foundation who have awarded us a much-needed
£40,000. The Wolfson Foundation supports excellence in schools and only awards support to those who can
demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning - a notable accolade for our School.

We are absolutely delighted to be able to share the confirmed corporate sponsorship of an entire Laboratory by
Rectory Homes, a privately owned new homes developer building fine quality homes throughout the Home
Counties and beyond. Based in the local village of Haddenham, Rectory Homes takes community engagement
and support very seriously in the neighbourhoods in which they develop and where their Head Office is based.

Simon Vickers, Chairman and owner of Rectory Homes commented on the contribution “as a former parent I
know what the School does and I continue to see fine young men leaving the School with a high degree of
achievement in not just academic matters but as sportsmen, musicians and rounded individuals. When it was
explained to me the real need for funding to improve the quality of the facilities for the Science department it was
a very easy decision to make to help the School achieve their aims.”
We will start the refurbishment of the Rectory Homes Laboratory in the next few weeks.

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

Another important initiative for the campaign has been to engage Professor Robert
Winston, Emeritus Professor of Fertility Studies, Imperial College London, in our plans. We
are extremely privileged to welcome Professor Winston as a guest lecturer at the School as
part of our Campaign. It is a wonderful enrichment opportunity for all students and indeed
their parents which will take place on Wednesday 28th September at 7.30 pm. If you are in
the area at that time and would like to attend then please do email us.
This has been a long but essential fundraising Campaign and we are very much aware of
the number of asks we have had to make. It is out of absolute need that we have to do this
and once again we would like to thank everyone who has made a contribution. Every
donation is valued and has been put to work immediately. Do please note, that is not too
late to give and your support at this stage would help us to get over the £500,000 threshold!

It is our intention to formally close the Campaign at the end of this term and the support
from a number of trusts and grants and our Aylesburian community means that, if we reach our target, we will
be able to finish the complete refurbishment of the Science centre over the summer break.
It is wonderful to know that when our students return in September they will all benefit from new, state-of-the-art,
subject specific laboratories in every Science subject.
A total of 15 new laboratories, 4 new preparation rooms, a lecture theatre, new science staff areas and all the
corridors and surrounding areas will have been refurbished and updated.

OUR AIM IS TO FINISH THIS CAMPAIGN BY THE END OF THIS TERM
We continue to seek new opportunities for funding and it is our aim to have achieved £500,000 in pledged funds
by the end of this term. If you are able to support us please complete the Donation Form on the website and
return it to the School Development Office. You may also complete the Donation Form on line, should you
prefer. If you would like to discuss this Campaign with one of the board members please get in touch with
either Alison Cox, Development Director, on 01296 480276 or [email protected] or Lee Cobley, Old
Aylesburian and Campaign Chairman [email protected]. Every contribution is both valued and very much
appreciated.

MESSAGE FROM THE CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN

“I was thrilled to hear from Alison Cox that we are so close to successfully completing
the Inspiring Science Campaign. With our multi-layered approach, we have received
very generous support from parents, old boys, Trusts and Industry. I thank everyone
for their excellent work and I thank every single benefactor for their gifts which have
all contributed to our nearly hitting the target, with under 10% left to go. As we
consider what the new Science Centre will provide students, and generations of
future Aylesburians, I think you will agree that this has been a remarkable achieve-
ment, firstly by Francis Habgood and the original Committee in 2010, and now in
2015/16 with Alison and Nikki working tirelessly with the Inspiring Science campaign
board to organise events, meet potential benefactors and put together bids for
financial support. Success in this campaign has encouraged me to become a
Foundation Governor, and I look forward to doing all I can to help Aylesbury
Grammar School develop from strength to strength in other areas too. For now,
though, I would like to invite as many of you as possible to join us with Professor Robert Winston on 28th
September to help us celebrate Inspiring Science”.
Lee Cobley, Campaign Chairman, Old Aylesburian (Hampden ‘76), Foundation Governor

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

INSPIRED BY SCIENCE

Following on from the spring newsletter, we are delighted to include two more biographies from OA’s who have
been Inspired by Science at AGS.

DR ROGER DAVEY

(Denson 1966)

Roger studied Chemistry, Physics and Pure Maths at
A level and is now Professor of Molecular Materials at
the University of Manchester.

“I remember enjoying all the practical experiments
in the labs and although the sciences were my
focus at A level, I was also the lead singer in the
school rock band, Quantum, and played Paris in
the school play of Romeo and Juliet”
“Mr Helliwell taught me Physics with Mr Favager
teaching me Chemistry. I relished learning the
language of Science”

“I went on to study Chemistry at Bristol University followed by a PhD at University College,
London. I then did further research as a post-doc at Imperial College, London and the Federal
Institute of Technology in Zurich.”

In 1977 Roger moved into the commercial world and joined ICI/ Astra
Zeneca as a Research Associate and was appointed to his current role at
the University of Manchester in 1995.

“Since 1995 I have given 40 invited presentations at national and international conferences on a range of
subjects including Nucleation and crystallography. I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a
Fellow of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences. I am currently President of the British Association for
Crystal Growth, and member of the Advisory Board of the Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster, Eire.”

“When I visited AGS last year I was amazed to see that the labs
where I was taught Biology are still in use today and are exactly the same
as when I was there. The things I learnt in those labs set me on a career

in Chemistry which has lasted me a lifetime.”

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

INSPIRED BY SCIENCE

FLIGHT LIEUTENANT GARY
THOMPSON

(Paterson 2003)

During his final year at Aylesbury Grammar School
(studying Physics, Maths, History and Music at A
level), Gary was awarded a Royal Air Force 6th Form
Scholarship.
He is now a RAF Captain, flying the Airbus A330
Voyager aircraft (air to air refuelling and transport).

“Knowing that I was going to join the RAF after 6th
Form allowed me to focus on skill sets that would
support my chosen future career. Many teachers,
including Mr Sugg and Dr Blyth were instrumental
in helping me understand the laws of physics
which I use every day.
Although some of my fondest memories at AGS
are from the Sports field, the teachers in the
Science department were critical in helping me to achieve my goal of
joining and being successful in the RAF.”

Gary has been in the RAF since 2005. He has flown on the front line in
Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and The Falklands. His work has taken him around
the world to destinations including Malaysia, South Africa, Middle East and
South America.

“After completing RAF Officer Training, the next step was to learn to fly. This is where the education that I
had been given at AGS gave me a head start. Principles of flight, mass and balance, performance of aircraft
were all made that little bit easier with the knowledge gained at AGS.
“The best thing about being a pilot in the RAF is that every day is completely different. My job varies from
conducting air to air refuelling over areas of conflict on one day, to flying troops to various parts of the world
the next. It also allows me to work with a very professional, fun, loyal and energetic group of people.”

“I thank AGS for giving me the stepping stones that have supported me in
achieving this.”

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

INSPIRED BY SCIENCE

MR ALEX HEARMON

(Lee 2005)

Alex, a trainee Patent Attorney at Reddie &
Grosse LLP studied Physics, Chemistry, Maths,
Further Maths, Biology and General Studies at A
Level.

“I was taught by some fantastic teachers at
AGS, Dr Blyth, Dr Smith and Dr Orchard, Mr
Hancock and Mr Smith. They all taught me with
real enthusiasm and were 100% committed to
giving us a solid appreciation of the
fundamentals of the subject whilst often
mentioning bits and pieces of “what was to
come” in these subjects at university level, this
really motivated me to want to find out more.”
“I went on to study Physics at Oxford followed
by a DPhil in Condensed Matter Physics.”

After his undergraduate course Alex wanted to continue in the science field
and commenced research for a DPhil degree.

“My research involved studying the magnetic and crystal structure of newly synthesised materials, and
controlling their magnetic structures in new ways. During my research I had many fantastic opportunities to
carry out experiments on world-class facilities, such as the Diamond Light Source and the Institute Laue
Langevin. I was also very lucky to work with, and present my work to, many world-class researchers and
through published work I feel that I made a real contribution to the subject.”
“I am now training to be a patent attorney, combining my scientific knowledge with a detailed knowledge of
the patent system in the UK, Europe and worldwide.”

“The teaching I received at AGS really cemented my interest in the
Sciences and motivated me to study them at university. The solid
foundations I received at AGS has resulted in what will be a lifelong
interest in the Sciences”

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

STUDENT LEADERSHIP AT AGS

We are keen to learn about the memories from our Old Aylesburians regarding student leadership and how
the structure may have potentially changed over the years. Who were your Head Boy, Deputy Head Boys and
Heads of Houses when you were at School? Were you selected as a student leader and what did that mean
to you? We currently appoint a Head Boy with two Deputy Head Boys, a Head Boy for each House and two
Deputies. Please take a moment to email us with your thoughts and memories. We are very keen to hear
from you. [email protected]
In the meantime, the appointment of our senior students to leadership positions has been announced. Our
congratulations go to Oli Brown (Pa12), Joe Kearney (Pa12) and Michael Ng (Ri12) who have been appointed
Deputy Head Boys of School. Before the end of the school term, we will announce which of the three will
become the Head Boy of School.
We are also pleased to report that the following have been appointed Head Boy of their Houses: Ben Haigh
(Denson), Rob Paripovic (Hampden), Alex Wilson (Lee), Callum Eley (Paterson), James Sterry (Phillips) and
Jay Patton (Ridley). Congratulations to them all and we look forward to their year of office with great
anticipation.
Our sincerest thanks to outgoing Head Boy and Deputy Head Boys of School (Sean Donaghue, Liam King
and Ciaran Walsh).

MUSIC ON THE LAWN

The AGS Jazz Band performed on Ivinghoe Green on Sunday 19th
June. During the afternoon musical pieces from around the area were
showcased including the AGS Jazz Band. A wonderful afternoon with
some fantastic music; well done to all our brilliant musicians.

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

JRUANMIOBROPRRUIZNESGTIVHINEGV—IRGGUIENSTLSOPNEDAKOENR MMAARRKATWHEBOBN

DENSON ‘88

At the final formal occasion in the school calendar, Junior
Prize Giving, we welcomed back to Aylesbury Grammar
School Mr Mark Webb, former Head Boy, captain of the 1st
XV and member of Denson House (1981-1987). Mark is
Head of Group Social Media for Dixons Carphone PLC and
attended Manchester University. He was part of the opening
team at Disneyland Paris and worked at the Walt Disney
Corporation before being appointed to Head of
Communications at David Lloyd Leisure. Joining Dixons in
2006 as PR Manager, Mark was named in the ‘Power
Part-Time 50’ in 2015, a list of senior staff who hold down high level roles in a part-time capacity. Mark was
diagnosed with MS in 2008 and works a four day week. He attributes half of the award to his senior leadership
role and half to the company for supporting him. Mark embodies the values of effort, aspiration, respect and
care which will resonate with us all and form the core ethos of Aylesbury Grammar School.
Mark’s address to the audience talked of the pride he felt having attending Aylesbury Grammar School. His
inspirational words centred on appreciation for all we have, ‘going for it’, taking all the opportunities that
present themselves and being one of the good guys. Mark brought with him his AGS Head Boy blazer and
wore it for a proud photograph with the School sign. We are extremely grateful for his time and wisdom. Our
congratulations go also to all our prize winners and to the students who presented so eloquently about events
in the junior section of the school this year.

JUNIOR PUBLIC SPEAKING

Junior Public Speaking was adjudicated by Mr Ted Cunningham, OA (Ph 2001). Ted is a graduate of Bristol
University and has recently qualified at the Bar. He begins his practice in employment law in 2017. We would
like to thank Ted for returning to AGS to be part of our final Watson Trophy event.

Left to right: Ted Cunningham, Headmaster Mr Mark Sturgeon and Director of Drama Mr Rob Warner

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

THE CHANGING VIEW OF AYLESBURY GRAMMAR
SCHOOL

This photo above left, courtesy of the Royal Navy, was taken in 1972 and shows a bird’s eye view of the
school site and Walton Road. The image above right was captured earlier this year by Phil Critchlow, parent
to Thomas in Pa13 as part of footage created for our Inspiring Science campaign. It clearly highlights the
development of the school site including the sports hall, sixth form block and library which is currently
undergoing extensive refurbishment, the lecture theatre and the new science facilities. The current library is
being relocated to the Quad area and will become the William Mead Library. The site of the former library will
become part of the refurbished Sixth Form Centre.

DAVE PIGGFORD AND HEATHER MURRAY RETIRE

Dave Piggford retires at the end of this
academic year after teaching the students
of Aylesbury Grammar School since 1979
and Heather Murray retires from her job of
Catering Manager after an equally
impressive 29 years’ service. These two
members of staff have served AGS for a
total of 66 years so it was fitting that a
retirement BBQ was held to bid farewell to
these long standing members of the School
community. The BBQ is being held just as
this newsletter goes to print so look out for
the article in the Winter newsletter. We
wish Dave and Heather both a long and
happy retirement.

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

OA FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

The OA Football Tournament will take place on Friday 15th July when the newsletter is going to print. Look out
for the review in the next newsletter. Below are some photos taken at the 2015 OA Football Tournament.

2015 Trophy winners Dave Brown and his team 2015 Dave Brown collecting the winners’ trophy
consisting of Billy Bolton, Freddie Gamble, Sam from Headmaster Mr Mark Sturgeon.
Austin, Sam Slatter and Simon Burke

GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE 2016

We have recently received a fantastic and actually very accurate review in the
Good Schools Guide 2016. Sadly we are not able to share the editorial as we
need to pay a fee to publish it but we are able to share one sentence which we
think perfectly sums up our school.

(Aylesbury Grammar School is) “A grammar school in its purest form: purposeful,
determined and socially diverse.”

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

OA SPORTS DAY

The annual OA Sports Day was held on Wednesday 29th June. The cricket fell to the changeable weather but
squash and basketball took centre stage. The William Harding Squash Courts played host to some excellent
squash, where victories for Marcus Connor (D10), Lewis Milner (D9) and Danial Choudhury (Pa9) led the way
for the students. The staff followed their lead with Mr Withey and Mr Hill winning their matches.

Darren Withey, Professional Squash Coach at AGS kindly provided us with the following match report. “The

Old Aylesburians were joined by current staff and students to take part in a 7 a side squash match. After

spending some time discussing squash from days gone by, we eventually got down to the business of the day

and went on court. The matches began with Year 9 Danial Choudhury taking on Dan Gibbs which resulted

in a 3/0 win for the present players. Next on Head Mark Sturgeon took on Lee Cobley and despite a mix

up with the scoring at a very important stage our enthusiastic and competitive Head came away with a 3/0 win.

AGS coach Darren Withey then took on last year’s No 1 Nick Ratnarajah and happily came through with a 3/1

win while another Year 9, Lewis Milner was convincingly beating Pete Fletcher on another court. With the team

score 4/0 to present squad with 3 to play attention turned to the long match on the adjacent court between OA

& staff colleague, Ed Hill, versus Harshi Gupta. Ed Hill came out on top, winning this tight match 3/2. Another

tight match was unfolding with Marcus Connor, current No 1 at AGS, v Iain Digby which eventually ended with

a 3/2 win for Marcus. Final match on provided some excellent squash and resulted in a 3/2 win for Alex

Preston, representing the current team, over OA Phil Yerby. Afternoon tea and more banter followed in the

Foundation Hall. I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to play,”

AGS Basketball coach Lee McCarthy reported on the basketball game. “Last year saw the OA's led by
Captain Jack Coates to a 3 point victory over AGS. This year’s captain Joe Shaw was keen to make it 2-0 to
the OA's and put together a strong side with the help of next season’s AGS basketball academy assistant
coach, Liam Stewart. However the AGS boys, most of whom also played in last year’s loss to the OA's were
destined to level the score. After the amazing season they had in reaching the national semi finals, they were
more than capable.

Despite going down early to the OA's by 10pts the current AGS boys kept their composure and drew in the
national cup experience to slowly chip away at the 10pt lead, eventually gaining a 10pt lead of their own.

AGS captain Jordan Davis controlled the tempo of the
game, playing the clock in favour of AGS and they managed
to seal the victory. Now making the series all tied at 1-1

Although competitive the game was played in good spirits
as Bob Marley words of positivity in the back ground.

A wonderful afternoon enjoyed by all.”

Left to right: Callum Bradley, Aalim Shamsideen, Howard
Qi, Seehab Ahmed - OA, Kyle Perry - OA, Tan Chinzowu
(middle), Ashton Linney, (back), Jordan Davis (knees),
Kolby Pistak - OA Academy, Liam Stewart - OA, Joe Shaw -
OA, Tom Edwards, Sam Nicholson, Josh Thomson - OA,

Ryan Stewart - OA, Will Gibbs

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

AYLESBURIAN GOLF DAY

Old Aylesburians were invited to participate in the inaugural AGS Golf Tournament at Weston Turville Golf Club
on Tuesday 5th July. This event was organised by Gary Ramsbottom, Head of Year 13, to help raise funds for
the school’s most ambitious school sports tour to date, the rugby and squash tour to Australia in 2017. The
afternoon was a huge success with 36 golfers taking to the tee including current students, staff, Old
Aylesburians and friends of the School. The competition was fierce with the final outcome in the balance until
the last group of the day returned to the clubhouse. The lowest gross score was won by OA Tom Nuttall (Lee
08) shooting an impressive 70. Most Stableford Points was won by OA Matthew George (Lee ‘98) who scored
41 points. OA Luke Tubb (Hampden ‘99) achieved nearest to the Pin on the 4th hole, ending up 25 inches
from the hole and the longest drive on the 18th hole was won by Tom Nuttall with an impressive 288 yards
beating fellow OA Andrew Lea (Ridley ’92) by 1 yard. Many thanks to all who support the event and here’s to
hoping we can do this again some time soon.

Alex Preston (1994), Mike Pearce (1994) and Andrew Lea (Ridley 1992)
Darren Withey, AGS Squash Professional

Matthew George (Lee 1998), Luke Tubb (Hampden Andrew Lea (Ridley 1992), James, Ed Mitchell
1999) and Calum Tansley (Denson 1999) (1991) and Ben Bird (1992)

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

MAURICE COLLET (1938)

Old Aylesburian Maurice recently wrote to us to tell us about his life post AGS. If you remember Maurice and
would like to get in touch please do let us know, we would be delighted to forward you his contact details.

“My father was in the RAF and I was born at RAF Halton in 1923. For the next 14 years we lived on RAF
stations in England and India. In 1925, in Grantham, I had polio and lost the use of my right arm.
In late 1937 my father was back in Halton. We lived in Aston Clinton, and in January 1938 I started at
Aylesbury Grammar School. Despite my polio arm I was a good runner. After dead-heating the
cross-country in 1938 I went on to win the race in 1939 and 1940. In the summer of 1940 my father was
posted to Blackpool. We moved there and from Blackpool I went to St Luke’s College, Exeter to train as a
teacher.
In my second year I captained the athletic team. In May 1942 the college was burned down by air raids.
Fortunately the college office escaped the fire and we were given our teaching certificate based on our
records.
I got married in 1944 and started teaching in Blackpool but in 1947 I got a job near Kendal and have lived
near Kendal ever since, except during 1954-1957 when I taught in the Bahamas. I have three children,
sadly my wife died 10 years ago. I still live in my own home and I still drive.
After school I continued running, first in Blackpool, then Lancaster until I started Kendal Athletic Club which
still thrives today. I ran cross country, road races and fell races and ran marathons in the 1950s when they
weren’t popular! My first race had 50-60 runners and was won in 2 hrs 45 minutes. I was 10th in 3 hours
and 7 minutes.
In 1964 I took up the then new sport of orienteering. From the start I did well as did my wife who was very
successful. In the older age Championships I won 4 National titles and my wife won 12 National titles. We
competed in many European countries, the USA and Canada. In 1990 I won the Asia-Pacific
Championships for men 65-70. This was held over 3 weekends, two in Canada and one in Washington
State.
Sadly, my wife had to retire due to osteoporosis which eventually lead to her death. I continued competing
until I was 85 and I still keep in touch with my orienteering club.
I kept in touch with Rodney Forbes until he died about 4 years ago and I’m still in touch with Roger Jerome
who now lives in Ohio. I am now 93, I wonder if any schoolmates remember me….”

Left: Maurice completing a section of the Olympic
torch relay on a wonderfully sunny day at Aysgarth Falls,
Wensleydale in 2012. He was proposed by the people of
Kendal for his work for athletics. The torch now resides in
Penang, Malaysia at his daughter’s house.

Right: Maurice with his two daughters prior to carrying the
Olympic Torch on 20th June 2012.

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

AGS REMEMBERED WITH FONDNESS

William Thomson (Ridley 1956) has attended several of our OA events in
recent years and is a valued supporter of our Inspiring Science campaign.
We asked William if he would kindly share with the OA community memories
of his time at AGS and subsequent career.

“I was a student at AGS from 1950 to 1956 where I took my O levels and did
the first year sixth form studies. Because of a family move, I had to complete
my sixth form studies in Lancashire, but I always credit AGS with firing my
youthful interest in maths and science and propelling me into my future
careers.

The standard of education in those days was high across-the-board at AGS; I
know because I was able to compare with what was offered in Lancashire at
a time when the north-south divide was less than it is today. Two masters in
science and maths stood out for me. The first was the maths teacher Mr.
Robinson, who like many had been an officer during the war. He taught us
calculus which I enjoyed but perhaps more interestingly he taught us some
financial mathematics, a subject that has mushroomed in importance in this
computer age and whetted my appetite for a later career in finance. The
other master was Mr. Halliwell, the physics teacher who sent many students off to read physics at top schools
such as Imperial College.

I went to Manchester where I read Applied Maths and received first class honours. After research in
aerodynamics, I went to the United States to work first for Boeing and then later at NASA headquarters on
Project Apollo, the programme to send man to the moon.

Whilst this work was extremely well paid and at the cutting edge of science my life changed after a trip to Asia
during the Vietnam war. I sensed there were other opportunities where the results of one’s work could be more
immediate and tangible than in defence related endeavours. After an advanced master’s degree in economics I
moved into the field of international development working in Africa and Asia and spending over twenty years
living and working in Asia, becoming a member of the management team and a Board member of the Asian
Development Bank, based in Manila but with a global membership of over 60 nations. The work was exciting
and personally fulfilling seeing these nations grow and lift hundreds of millions from abject poverty.

Today, in semi-retirement, I continue to consult in Asia and am advising on the establishment of a private global
development bank to finance infrastructure in emerging economies amongst other activities.

It was all a long way from AGS but I still respect the foundation that fine institution gave me.”

William on the front row at
a seminar on the Asian
Economic Outlook in
Manila in 1991.

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

GERT HEUMANN

We heard the sad news from Raymond Tissot (1945)
that OA Gert passed away on 14th March this year
aged 86. Gert, (latterly known as Geoffrey Hartman)
was considered one of the world’s foremost scholars
of literature and was the Sterling professor emeritus
of English and comparative literature at Yale.

Gert came to England in March 1939 aged 8 with 20
or so other boys, their teacher and his family, as
German Jewish refugees from Frankfurt. They were
housed by James de Rothschild in Waddesdon at a
former maternity convalescence home built by Alice de Rothschild known as “The Cedars” where they
remained until after the end of the war. The boys went to the local village primary school and in the spring of
1940 those of appropriate age sat the normal scholarship exam. Gert was one of the four successful
examinees from the village, quite a feat as he knew no English when he came this country. The three other
students from the village were Tom Wheeler, Sheila Rolfe and Barbara Harris. After the war ended, Gert left
England to re-join his mother who had escaped to New York in 1939. He took out American citizenship and
changed his name to Geoffrey Hartman. A long and successful career as a literacy critic followed, below is an
extract from his last book “A Scholar’s Tale: Intellectual Journey of a Displaced Child of Europe” published in
2007.

“Where my wish to teach and study literature came from, I do not know to this day, but once on that path
nothing could divert me. However obscure the motivating source, several factors contributed to self-reliance.
With over twenty boys, I had been evacuated from Frankfurt in March 1939, on a “Kindertransport”. We were
resettled in a small English village, a dependency of the Waddesdon Manor and its owners, James and
Dorothy de Rothschild, who supported the refugees. My mother had left for America in December 1938,
intending I should join her as soon as a visa could be obtained. My grandmother, already ill, did not escape
and died in Theresienstadt. My father, long divorced, managed to emigrate to Argentina. Because of the war,
I was unable to join my mother until August 1945. I was then close to sixteen and eager to continue my
education. But she worked all day for subsistence wages and basically I had to look after myself.

This instinctive love of learning must have already been fostered by my attempt to escape the unhappy
atmosphere of the “orphanage” in England. It was not an unkind place, but neither was there much affection. I
managed to be away as much as possible, not only by wandering the countryside or the magical spaces of the
Rothschild park with its deer and horses and sturdy old trees for good climbing, but also by travelling every
morning to Aylesbury Grammar School with Raymond Tissot, the son of the Rothschild’s chef and my only
close friend. The school, which accepted me on the basis of an exam administered at the age of ten or eleven,
had quite a few caring, though strict teachers, especially in French and English. I threw myself into schoolwork
but also, despite not being tall or hefty, into the bruising game of rugby.

In dreams of Aylesbury I find myself back on its main street, hungrily scouting the stores for off-the ration candy
splinters (the candy ration in those war years was two ounces a week) retrieved from the bottom of large glass
containers. Or purchasing a newspaper funnel of greasy crumbs, leftovers from fish and chips, or even, with a
sixpence diverted from lunch money, acquiring stamps at Weatherby’s for my skimpy collection. Weatherby’s
was the local bookshop where I also picked up my earliest Penguin and Pelican paperbacks.”

A Scholar’s Tale: Intellectual Journey of a Displaced Child of Europe. 2007

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

OA NEWS

BEN HOWARD (HAMPDEN 2015)

We were proud to hear in early May that Ben had been selected to play in the team at the England Men’s Under
20 Handball Tournament in Liverpool on 29th and 29th May. As you are aware Handball is a relatively new sport
for many and the AGS teams are extremely competitive. Many congratulations to Ben for being selected for this
team.

SAM JONES (PHILLIPS 2010)

Sam was selected to play for England Saxons
as part of their development tour of South
Africa this June. The squad played South
Africa’s second team in Bloemfontein on 10th
and 17th June with England winning both
matches, the first 32-24 and the second
29-26.
“As Captain of the “unbeaten” 2009 AGS 1st
XV, Sam continues to develop as a player.
He has established himself as a key player for
London Wasps at the Ricoh Arena of the
Aviva Premiership and can now add England
Saxons recognition to his progression through
England U.16, U.18 and U.20’s”.
Gary Ramsbottom, Master in Charge of
Rugby and Head of Year 13.

RON BLAXTER

We were sad to learn from George Butcher (teacher at AGS 1948 -1973) that Ron Blaxter, a former teacher at
Aylesbury Grammar School, sadly passed away on 16th April aged 96. Ron had lived at Wey Valley House,
where he had been for the last three years following a stroke. Peter Larkham, Assistant Head 1972-2011
shared his memories of Ron “I remember Ron very well, from my earliest days at the School. He was known
variously by the boys as BoBo or Flash, the later because of his penchant for sand-coloured suits with a huge
check pattern and gold shoes. He taught economics and RE, and, being a Quaker, had been a conscientious
objector during the war, and so became an ambulance driver. He was one of the first civilians to go into Belsen
concentration camp, which affected him deeply and which he chose not to talk about. Young teachers, if they
stayed, grew to appreciate him more after long acquaintance; he was a serious and earnest man, but capable
of great loyalty. I thought of him only recently, having known he was still alive some ten years ago.

OLDEST OLD AYLESBURIAN...

Roger Carey (Hampden 1970) got in touch following our spring Newsletter and believes he is related to the
oldest Old Aylesburian! His uncle, Edwin King was 99 in February and is an old boy of Aylesbury Grammar
School. Edwin has only recently sold his car and still lives within walking distance to the school. His cousin
Edward was also an Old Aylesburian as is Roger’s son James (1998) so three generations of OAs in the same
family. If you are in touch with other OAs who were at the school at the same time at Edwin do let us know.

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

WARRICK BAILEY (RIDLEY 1954)

Warrick, who lives in the Scenic Rim, on Tamborine
Mountain in Australia featured in our spring 2015
newsletter when we shared his achievement of being
awarded the 2015 Senior Citizen of the Year in Australia
Day Local Council Awards. He is currently directing
Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, The Importance of Being
Earnest for Zamia Theatre production. Warrick has a
long relationship with the play, at the age of 16 whilst a
student at AGS, he played manservant Lane. Having
just arrived from Scotland, Warrick’s strong accent gave
a distinctive burr to the line: ‘no cucumbers at the market
today, Sir; not even for ready money’. Warrick soon
realised a Scottish Borders accent would be career-
limiting, and so he quickly shook it off for the Queen’s
standard pronunciation.

Warrick sent in this photo of the cast of The Importance of Being Ernest taken in 1955, do you recognise any of
the other cast members ? If so please do get in touch. Photo shows Warrick as Lane on the far left.

JULES BUCKLEY (1992)

Non-classical conductor, composer and musical directorJules left AGS in 1998 and attended the Guildhall
School of Music. His initial career interest was to become a jazz trumpeter, but he developed an interest in
musical arrangements and conducting whilst at Guildhall, and subsequently shifted his academic focus to
composition.[1] In 2004, Jools and producer/manager Chris Wheeler co-founded the Heritage Orchestra and
in 2008 he became principal guest conductor of the Metropole Orkest. In 2010 he led the orchestra at the
Frits Philips Music Centre in Eindhoven in their performance with Basement Jaxx of Basement Jaxx vs.
Metropole Orkest.[2] In 2013, Jules became the chief conductor of the Metropole Orkest. Jules will be
conducting The Heritage Orchestra on 1st December - see details below for further information.

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

AGS GOVERNING BODY PROFILES

Aylesbury Grammar School is fortunate to be supported by a very strong team of 18 governors. We will be
profiling a selection of these governors over the next few issues of the Old Aylesburian Newsletter. The
Governors of AGS are enthusiastic and committed, supporting the School, its leadership, regularly monitoring
and providing challenge. They meet termly in committees and as a full Governing Body. The three sub
committees of the Governing Body are Learning & Teaching, Community & Development and Resources
including Finance.

Michael Brock, Parent Governor

After graduating in Business Administration from Loughborough University, the first
seven years of my working life were spent in HR in the dairy industry. After that I
held various operational and general management roles whilst working in private
industry for Unigate, Dairy Crest, Biffa Waste Services and ADT Fire and Security.
During the latter part of this time with ADT, I trained in Six Sigma and became a
business performance improvement consultant, a role which I continued in the final
years of my working life at the Open University. I retired at the end of 2014, became
a parent governor earlier that year and sit on the Resources including Finance com-
mittee. Born and raised in Aylesbury and one of three brothers all of whom are
former students of the school, I am passionate about both the school and the vital
nature of a high quality education. I am a father of two, a keen Chelsea fan and a
music lover.

Jo Dennis, Appointed Governor

A governor for 18 years and past pupil of the school, both my sons attended AGS
and I was chair of the fund raising committee. I was asked by a past head, Ian
Roe, to set up a school uniform shop to raise much needed funds. I have done
this for 16 years and now the operation has been taken over by the school and on
-line shopping introduced. It is an excellent service and has provided money for
numerous school improvements. I am a qualified teacher but have digressed into
the business world through retail shops, nursing homes, a day nursery and
restaurants. I have been dedicated to school improvements and chaired the
premises committee for several years. I am now involved with safeguarding and
child protection which is so important in today’s world. I remain committed to
retaining the high standards of excellence at AGS.

Narendra Laljani, Parent Governor and Chairman of Learning & Teaching
Committee

Chair of the Learning & Teaching Committee and a parent governor since
September 2013. I am Dean of Graduate Studies at Ashridge Business School,
and as an education professional am passionate about the role of learning in
transforming lives. I am particularly interested in innovations in learning and
teaching, and ways and means of improving outcomes. I am also a Board Member
of the Local Enterprise Partnership in Hertfordshire, and had an international
career in industry before joining academia. I follow cricket, am a keen
photographer, and enjoy travel.

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

AGS GOVERNING BODY PROFILES

Gerard Howe, Co-opted Governor
I have been a Governor of AGS since 2005, initially a Parent Governor and
now Co-opted. I serve on both the Learning and Teaching and the Community
and Development Committees (which I used to chair). I am also on the
committee of the Bucks Association of School Governors. I feel passionately
that every child needs the opportunity and support to achieve their full potential
- including the able and the dyslexic. I think social mobility should be
promoted. Having had a privileged education myself I am keen to help. Now
retired, I had a varied senior management career in a wide range of
international business and consultancy after studying engineering and
economics (and revelling in music) at Cambridge. I have worked in the USA as
well as the UK and travelled widely elsewhere. I still keep up the travel and
music. Both my boys attended the school, the younger finishing in 2012.

Richard Williams, Appointed Governor
I am an appointed governor. I put myself forward for appointment by the
Governing Body in September 2013. I am married to Helen (who used to be on
the PTA Committee) and have lived in Wendover since 1998. I have 3 sons one
of whom was at AGS leaving in 2015. I am vice chairman of the Resources
including Finance Committee. Both my parents were involved in education for
many years as teacher and governor respectively and I am a firm believer in the
huge importance of learning and education. Being a governor enables me to
contribute to it. I have been a partner in London in the international law firm,
Pinsent Masons, for over 20 years and specialise in dealing with project risk
issues. I have worked on many of the major UK projects of the last 25 years and
also globally on a range of infrastructure developments. In my limited spare time
I enjoy walking (with my dog) sport (more watching than playing now) and
spending holiday time on the North Wales coast.

Jane Atkin, Parent Governor
I am a management accountant with experience in the commercial and charity
sectors and I currently work for a company in Oxford offering online IB diploma
courses as well as face to face revision and review courses. My mother was a
primary school teacher and staff governor so it seemed natural to me to put
myself forward when my sons’ infant school was looking for a parent governor.
That was nine years ago and I remain a member of Haddenham Junior
School’s governing body where I chair the finance committee. I was elected as
a parent governor at AGS last year and I have been learning as much as I can
about the school. I am a member of the Learning and Teaching committee and
I am the school’s Responsible Officer (which is a role designed to give a
system of internal financial control for Academy schools).

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

RAMBO COMPLETED THE LONDON MARATHON

“Well, I did it and achieved a 15 minute Personal Best which I've got to be
pleased about. My finishing time was 4hrs 15mins. As you may well know,
my goal is to run a sub 4 hour marathon and on my third attempt, I'm still
coming up a little short. The positive thought is that this is a significant step
in the right direction whilst on the negative side, it means I'm probably going
to have to have another go at this sometime in the future!! I won't let this
beat me.

On the day, the race went really smoothly until 24.5 miles where I suffered
cramp in my right hamstring and quad simultaneously. This cost me
significant time as I tried to stretch it out and reduce the pace. Fortunately,
I got through this and finished with a really strong last mile and sprinted
down the Mall to the finish line.

A massive thank you to all those who have offered kind words of support
and encouragement over the last 8 months and those who have donated to
my great cause - The MacIntyre Housing Association.“
Mr G J Ramsbottom, PE Teacher and Head of Year 13

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Grammar School Cross Country run 8th April 1957. First XI Football team of 1916/1917.
This photo was taken on Turnfurlong with Highbridge
Road in the distance.

Aylesbury Grammar School 1904.

AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SUMMER 2016 OA NEWSLETTER

DIARY DATES

An Evening with Professor Winston Wednesday 28th September at 7.30 pm
Aylesbury Grammar School Lecture Theatre

Class of 1966 Afternoon Tea Friday 14th October 2016 2.00 pm?
Boardroom, Aylesbury Grammar School

25th Anniversary Drinks Thursday 3rd November 2016 from 6.30 pm
Boardroom, Aylesbury Grammar School

OA Drinks Pre-Christmas Drinks London Thursday 8th December 2016 from 6.30 pm
Venue to be confirmed, London

Class of 2011 OA Drinks Friday 15th December 2016 from 6.30 pm
New Sixth Form Café

OA Dinner Friday 17th March 2017 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm
Foundation Hall, Aylesbury Grammar School

1980s Decade Event Saturday 22nd April 2017 from 4.00 pm
Partners most welcome

Headmaster’s Quad and Foundation Hall, Aylesbury Grammar School

Memories Afternoon Tea Monday 3rd July 2017 2.00 pm
Foundation Hall, Aylesbury Grammar School

OA Cricket Match Wednesday 28th June 2017 2.00 pm
Foundation Hall and Headmaster’s Quad, Aylesbury Grammar School

5 a side Football Tournament , Basketball Match and Squash Tournament Friday 14th July 2017 4.00 pm
Aylesbury Grammar School

CONTACTS

Alison Cox, Development Director Nikki Taylor, Development Assistant
[email protected] [email protected]

Aylesbury Grammar School, Walton Road, Aylesbury Bucks HP21 7RP. www.ags.bucks.sch.uk

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