The Chronicle, Autumn 2018

28 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Teddies People Interviews by Sixth Former Octavia Hamilton

Simon Frazer What do you do at Teddies and how long have you been at the School? I am a School Staff Instructor (CCF) and I’ve been here for 10 years. When did you join the Army and why? I had aspirations to be a farrier, however because there weren’t any sponsors at the time, the Army fell into place. I joined in 1984 and went straight to training at 16½. Although I didn’t really enjoy the first year, it just got better and better and I stayed for 15 years. Where did you go with the Army? I was an infantry soldier but also guarded the Royal Households and Buckingham Palace. I then spent eight years in Northern Ireland and six months doing tours of Bosnia and Kenya. I was also on smaller trips away to places like America, Indonesia and the Red Sea. Which was your favourite place? The Army taught me to dive. In Jamaica I was the diving supervisor so I spent eight weeks diving and it only cost £22! I was also an Alpine climber. I spent eight weeks in the Alps on a climbing expedition. Although I was based in London, I was actually abroad a lot of the time doing enjoyable things like climbing, diving, canoeing, walking and playing rugby. Opportunities in the Army are outstanding. What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve been given? Never volunteer for anything. What’s the best advice that you could give someone? If an opportunity arises and you think, ‘I might want to do that’, don’t think about it - just do it - you might actually enjoy it!

Why do you think CCF is important at Teddies?

What’s the naughtiest thing you did at school? I bought a really large firework which had 40 air-bomb repeaters in it, and I set it off on my Housemaster’s front door. Running away we were silhouetted for 40 consecutive blasts. I can still laugh about it 34 years later – worth every penny. And the whole neighbourhood were in on it!

It takes the pupils out of their comfort zone and it makes them do things that they wouldn’t necessarily do otherwise. It gives them a chance to develop leadership skills and make friends. They’re mixing with others from different Houses in situations where they have to work together. Also it’s an activity that happens every week - so you may as well embrace it and enjoy it. Remembrance Sunday

in the nearby village of Wolvercote is a very special occasion. We really see and feel the residents’ appreciation. It’s a great example of the wider role we have in the community.