Page 4 - Old Ratcliffian 2020 Edition

INTRODUCTION FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

Dear Old Ratcliffi ans,
First of all, I hope that you and your families and friends are well and coping with the
ongoing measures surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. It still seems extraordinary
to me that, since the publication of last year’s magazine, we’ve gone from looking
forward to the many events that we’d planned to cancelling almost all of them, and all
but mothballing the Association.
It’s sometimes diffi cult to see anything positive on the horizon; even as I
write this message, we face further uncertainty about the introduction of
stricter lockdown measures. And yet, there are things we should be grateful
for. Firstly, the Association is back up and running again, with Sarah Gretton
and Katherine Lang both working in the offi ce, and we are already planning
the return of many of the events that we had to cancel this year. It’s exciting to be
looking forward to things once again, and as soon as we can, we’ll let you know what
we have planned – even if only tentatively! Perhaps more importantly, it’s great to see
the school operating so well under the weight of all the new guidelines. As always, the
the school operating so well under the weight of all the new guidelines. As always, the
students remain examples of resilience and good humour, and they have settled into
students remain examples of resilience and good humour, and they have settled into
the new ways of doing things as if they’ve always done them. It really is Ratcliffe at its
the new ways of doing things as if they’ve always done them. It really is Ratcliffe at its
best. We should all be very proud.
Finally, if there’s one thing that the last few months have shown us, it’s that, when we
Finally, if there’s one thing that the last few months have shown us, it’s that, when we
need help, it will be offered. People have risen to the challenge, from just knocking on a
neighbour’s door to creating thousands of items of PPE. In this magazine, we’ve documented how a number of Ratcliffi ans, both old and
new, have done this during the pandemic. It remains humbling and gives us such hope for the future. When the chips are down, people
really are amazing.
So, I hope you enjoy this magazine, which has been an incredible effort on behalf of Sarah and Katherine during the most challenging of
times, and for which I’m very thankful. I hope you keep well and that we’ll meet up again soon. Above all, if you need anything, please don’t
hesitate to get in touch with us. After all, it’s what we’re here for.

Ben Jackson (88)
President of the Ratcliffi an Association

4 The Old Ratcliffi an 2020