Page 3 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2017

P. 3

HAVE YOU SEEN OUR

NEW WEBSITE? CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION P3

NEWS FROM THE COLLEGE P6
RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION COUNCIL P20
RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION EVENTS P27
RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION SPORTS EVENTS P36

OLD RATCLIFFIAN NEWS P43
BIRTHS P50
MARRIAGES P52

OBITUARIES P53
RATCLIFFE’S PAST (INCLUDING CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF THE CCF) P64
DIARY DATES FOR 2018 BC

FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

the summer has indicated that there is a considerable interest
in reviving the Reunion Weekend in particular, and work is afoot
to implement your suggestions. The exciting news is that this
reunion will be now be held in term time, so our Old Ratcliffians
will be able to see the School alive in all its glory. Ultimately,
the success of these events comes from attendance, and that
is something that we rely on each of you for, so any continuing
feedback is most gratefully received.
SIGN UP NOW TO ACCESS THE BENEFITS BELOW I have so many fond memories of Ratcliffe - not least the deep

and lasting relationships built there, which have now expanded
WWW.RATCLIFFIANASSOCIATION.CO.UK to include godchildren and honorary nieces and nephews (some
of whom also have the privilege of attending the College). Other
fond memories include our teachers, so many of whom have
LAUNCHED IN DECEMBER 2017 had a deep and lasting impact on our lives. I would particularly
like to mention Graham Sharpe. He retired at the end of the
Sam Bird (98) handing over the President’s role to Sebako Siame (91) last academic year, having taught at the School for thirty years.
Many Old Ratcliffians will remember being taught by him, which
Dear Old Ratcliffians, is why the Association raised funds to dedicate an engraved
Refectory chair to him, in recognition of all of the people whom
It is with a great deal of happiness and pride that I have taken he has helped over the years. I would also like to mention Sarah
over the reins of President of the Ratcliffian Association from Rankine, Head of Nursery, who retires after twenty years’ service
Sam Bird (98), having served as his Vice President last year. in January. We wish them both a happy retirement.

As I take on this role, I remain very conscious of the strong I continue to be impressed with the progress made by the
legacy of preceding Presidents, including Mike Meredith (89). College. This includes this year’s A Level results, with 76% of
students receiving A* to B grades, and 90% of all grades being
CAREERS &
ALUMNI WORLD MAP EVENTS DIRECT MESSAGING MENTORING Working closely together with our formidable Association a C or above. The School has also excelled in sports, with both
Executive Manager, Alex Slack (née Gamble) (03), we will focus
on continuing in the vein of prior investments made - notably the First VII Netball Team and Under 14 Hockey XI reaching the
around strengthening the alumni mentorship and networking, National Finals.
thus continuing to harvest the strengths of our shared Ratcliffe
legacy. To this end, Alex has been spearheading important As we look forward to 2018, we welcome Rob Williams (95) to
work in creating a new alumni website, which was tested by the the role of Vice President, and he will assume the presidency in
Classes of 2012 and 2003. I hope that you have seen this, as it the summer.
has been launched to all Old Ratcliffians this December. If you
haven’t already seen the new website, please do take a look: I wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and a
www.ratcliffianassociation.co.uk. prosperous and healthy New Year.

Sebako Siame (91)
In a similar vein, another strong focus for this year is our social
JOBS SHOP NEWS & UPDATES GALLERY events calendar. Feedback from a significant number of you over President of the Ratcliffian Association

The Old Ratcliffian 2017.indd 2 07/12/2017 11:11 The Old Ratcliffian 2017.indd 3 07/12/2017 11:12

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8