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GAUDY, 4TH JULY 2015
Welcome to Gaudy in the School’s 152nd
year. It’s good to see so many of you here.
Earlier in the year, my close friend and
colleague on the Governing Body, Derek
Roe, died after a short illness. He was
Professor of Palaeolithic Archaeology at
Oxford University, and became a Governor
in 1970. He brought his sharp intellect,
deep insight and knowledge to discussions
on a very wide range of topics and is
greatly missed. In Derek’s memory, we
have decided to award two prizes, both for
independence of approach, scholarship,
imagination and creativity. I’m at a bit of
a disadvantage this morning as every time
I’ve had to speak at Gaudy before I would
email what I was planning to say to Derek
and he’d polish it up for me; sadly today
I have had to try to do my own polishing.
Peter Oppenheimer, another long-standing
Governor, retires today. He has been
described by some as one of the cleverest
men in England and joined the Board in
1979. He has helped the School in many
ways including chairing our Education
Committee and seeing us through the
decision to start the International
Baccalaureate programme. He was a Fellow
at Christ Church and formed another link
for us with that Oxford institution that
dates back to our foundation.
Two people have joined the Board this
year. Both have strong Teddies’
connections. Georgie Dennis was a pupil
here before obtaining degrees at Oxford
University and the Courtauld Institute,
followed by a continuing career in the arts.
Incidentally, she is the first female
Address by Mike Stanfield,
Chairman of Governors
President of the OSE Society. Caroline
Baggs is known to many in the St Edward’s
community. She was a Housemaster’s wife
in both Corfe and Kendall, and stood in as
HM for a term at Avenue. Her three
children were educated at the School. In
her professional life, she has gained wide
experience and knowledge in the field of
child protection. The Very Reverend
Professor Martyn Percy, the Dean of Christ
Church, has also agreed to become a
Governor. We are pleased that he is joining
us for many reasons but not least because
it maintains the long association the School
has had with that institution.
I am delighted to welcome Malcolm
Oxley, who is giving away the prizes today.
Malcolm taught here for many years and
was our first Sub-Warden. He is author of
the recently published new history of the
School. The Warden will tell you more
about this, but suffice it to say it is a
fascinating and beautifully written account
of the School’s origins and development,
and reminds me that many things change
with the passage of time - and many things
stay the same. The following exchange in
1990 between then Warden, David
Christie, and Geography teacher and rugby
legend, Joe McPartlin, indicates this truism:
Warden:
Have you prepared your
Geography lessons for tomorrow yet?
Joe:
Warden, I prepared them in 1963.
Warden:
Don’t you think after 27 years
you should bring them up to date?
Joe:
Not really, Warden, the Alps haven’t
moved very far since then.