Page 4 - Hi Res - OR-2016

4 INTRODUCTION

THE EDITOR’S COLUMN

This brings me on to welcome Sam Bird
(98), our newest and youngest President,
who is hitting the ground running
already, as you can see in his welcome
letter. I would also like to welcome
Sebako Siame (91), our newest addition
to the Association, as Vice President.
Sebako is currently living in London and
working for Goldman Sachs as a Tax
Operations Manager.

One of the many tasks that the Association
Council has set for me is to develop a
better connection with the younger
alumni, as they make up the majority of
our members and are the future of the
Association. However, whilst doing this,
it is very important to engage with all of
our members, some of whom have been
Old Ratcliffians for a very long time, as
they are incredibly knowledgeable and
are great ambassadors for the College.
One of the initiatives that I have been
working on with Mike Meredith is a careers
mentoring programme (see page 29),
which incorporates mentoring our young
alumni (and, eventually, the students of
the College) and connecting them with
Dear Old Ratcliffians, more experienced, older alumni as their mentors. This programme
is in its infancy, but over 150 mentors have already signed up this
I have been in this post for almost an entire year - and what a fun year, so it looks like it will be a huge success in the future.
year it has been! Yes, it has been a challenge, as there has been
so much to learn and so many things to try to achieve. However, Another of my key priorities is to work more closely with the
I have found so much joy and fulfilment from coming back and School, so that both organisations can grow stronger together.
working at the very place I came to school, and from seeing so We recently held a joint event - a Summer Ball - on our Reunion
many old, friendly faces. Most importantly, though, getting the Weekend, which was a great success. I am also interacting with
chance to meet so many Old Ratcliffians from all around the more current students and educating them about the Association
world has been incredible. and its benefits. The most recent initiative is to assist the
Ratcliffe Foundation in promoting its Refectory Chair Appeal. I
I have loved receiving your emails, seeing you at our events, believe that many Old Ratcliffians reading this would like to leave
talking on the phone, and welcoming some of you back to the a lasting mark of their time here at Ratcliffe, and in doing so, I am
College for tours. We have had quite a few OR visitors this year, mindful of how much this would benefit current students. There
and I have created a new section on pages 45 and 46 about their is more information on this appeal in the Development section of
visits to the School. I would warmly welcome anyone who would this magazine.
like to come back to the College and have a tour in the future.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Development
This year has been a busy one, and it started with a farewell Director, Andrew Yell (82), and the Foundation Manager, Louise
event for my mother, Jackie Bennett, the outgoing Secretary, in Liston (with whom I share an office), for their incredible support
January (see page 20). I definitely have big shoes to fill, as she and guidance during my first year.
had not only been in this post for nine years, but she also took
the Association from strength to strength during those years, Lastly, the biggest news from this year is that our Headmaster,
for which we are all very grateful. Gareth Lloyd, has announced that he is moving on to pastures new,
as Founding Headmaster of King’s College School, Hangzhou, in
I would also like to say a big thank you, on behalf of the September 2017. Gareth has been with us for nearly eight years,
Association, to our outgoing President, Mike Meredith (89), and as the Chairman of Governors, Louis Massarella (92), said:
who courageously agreed to do a two year stint, rather than “Gareth has given exemplary service to the Ratcliffe community.
the usual single year. Mike has been very active and has really He has led from the front, with compassion, boundless energy
propelled the Association forward with his skillset in strategic and enthusiasm, a love for his students and staff, a formidable
business development. intellect, and insightful emotional intelligence. Gareth has also

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