Page 27 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

NEWS FROM THE ASSOCIATION OFFICE

SARAH GRETTON JOINS THE ASSOCIATION

Sarah Gretton was appointed Ratcliffi an Association Manager on 14th May 2019, COUNCIL
having been chosen from a very strong fi eld of candidates. She has 20 years’
experience in marketing, including event management, and following a whirlwind
induction, she took over the reins from Alex Slack (née Gamble) (03), with the
annual Reunion being her fi rst event.
Sarah said: “During these early days, I have been supported immensely, not only
by my colleagues in the Association Offi ce, but also by Ratcliffe staff, students
and ORs. The most striking thing for me has been the sense of community and
and ORs. The most striking thing for me has been the sense of community and
positive environment that the College offers to its staff, as well as its students,
positive environment that the College offers to its staff, as well as its students,
and this extends to the OR community, too. Despite having no previous ties to
and this extends to the OR community, too. Despite having no previous ties to
Ratcliffe, I feel that I have been welcomed into the family wholeheartedly, and I am
Ratcliffe, I feel that I have been welcomed into the family wholeheartedly, and I am
very much looking forward to what the future will bring as I begin my journey with
very much looking forward to what the future will bring as I begin my journey with
the Association.”
the Association.”
Katherine Lang continues in her role as Association Secretary. As a team, Sarah and
Katherine Lang continues in her role as Association Secretary. As a team, Sarah and
Katherine (pictured, left) now provide the offi ce with four days of cover each week.
Katherine (pictured, left) now provide the offi ce with four days of cover each week.
ALEX SLACK LEAVES THE ASSOCIATION

Alex Slack left her role as Executive Manager of the Ratcliffi an Association after three years of service, to focus on running her own
business. As a very proud and loyal OR, Alex injected an enormous amount of passion into her work, making a signifi cant impact on the
Association. She has been integral, not only to the many successful OR events held during that time, but also to the development of
the new Ratcliffi an Association website, the beautifully refurbished Ratcliffi an Association Bar, and the planning behind the INSPIRE
careers convention, to name but of few of her successes. Alex was also the driving force behind building engagement with the College,
introducing the Year 13 Ratcliffi an Association Ambassador scheme, which allows the Association to forge closer links with the College
and with those students who will soon become its youngest members.

MEET THE NEW PRESIDENT

At the 2019 AGM, former Ratcliffi an Association President Emma Wright (94) handed over her chain
of offi ce to newly instated President Ben Jackson (88). Ben is not only an OR, but also a current
Ratcliffe parent, with sons in Years 9 and 13. He has been a dedicated member of the Association
Council since 2018, working alongside Emma in the role of vice president. He now takes on the
presidency for 2019-21, having agreed to a two-year term, in order to support the new Association
Manager, Sarah Gretton, by ensuring that any new initiatives are up and running before handing
over his role.

NEW RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AMBASSADORS

This year, the Ratcliffi an Association has been lucky enough to appoint six of the
College’s Year 13 students as its Association Ambassadors for 2019-20. These
Ambassadors are very important to the Association for a number of reasons,
not least because, on leaving the College, they and their contemporaries will
become the youngest members of the Ratcliffi an Association. As such,
they can offer valuable advice and insight into what young, soon-to-be
alumni want from the Association.
Ben Cook, Charlotte Newberry, George Linnett, James Harris, Joanna
Chan (not pictured) and Tess Duffi n all gladly accepted the role,
which, in turn, will provide them with important life skills and valuable
opportunities to get involved with the planning and running of
Association events. They will also meet Association members with the
networking potential to support them after they leave the College, whilst
providing an important link between the Association and Sixth Form
regarding joint initiatives, such as careers and mentoring.

The Old Ratcliffi an 2019 27