Page 4 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

INTRODUCTION

FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

Dear Old Ratcliffi ans,
Well, this is unexpected. Writing for The Old Ratcliffi an magazine in the role of President of the Association, I mean. I was thrilled to be
asked if I would take on the role a little over a year ago, and with a certain amount of trepidation, I said yes. It’s an extraordinary position
to take up, giving me the opportunity to meet and spend time with ORs from all over the world, and to play a small part in the continuing
life of the Association.
I have to say a huge thank you to Emma Wright (94) for her sterling service as our president last year. She has done so much to make the
Association relevant to recent leavers, working hard to build the mentorship and networking side of the organisation. Emma has very
generously offered to stay on as our vice president, to continue to build on the work that she has already done. Also, my thanks go to Alex
Slack (née Gamble) (03), who has managed the Association so well for so long. Alex leaves us to pursue her business interests; we wish
her well and hope to see her at one of the OR social events soon. Sarah Gretton has taken on Alex’s role as Manager of the Association,
and she has already hit the ground running, with lots planned for the forthcoming year. Finally, thank you to all those who have worked
so hard to create the new Ratcliffi an Association Bar, which looks wonderful and is there for you to use – in fact, thank you to my sister,
Louise Jackson (91), for designing it!
At a time when the future of independent education is, once again, being questioned on the national stage, Ratcliffe is in fi ne health.
The Prep School Sports Hall is well on its way to completion, the Senior School’s Fitness Suite is open and in constant use, the Lockhart
Garden looks wonderful, and the students are happy and contented. In fact, as a father of two children in the School, sitting in my car at
pick-up time hearing their laughter and seeing their smiles, I have quickly realised that, although Ratcliffe might have changed over the
years, its essence remains robustly in place.
The fact is, once I left Ratcliffe, I didn’t come back for years, and even then, it was just to drive through the
The fact is, once I left Ratcliffe, I didn’t come back for years, and even then, it was just to drive through the
campus for old time’s sake. Ratcliffe had done its thing – the thing it’s done for all of us. It had prepared
campus for old time’s sake. Ratcliffe had done its thing – the thing it’s done for all of us. It had prepared
me for life outside those hallowed grounds. It had given me everything I needed to go on to university,
me for life outside those hallowed grounds. It had given me everything I needed to go on to university,
make new friends, and start a career. What I discovered (and I suspect many of you will have done,
make new friends, and start a career. What I discovered (and I suspect many of you will have done,
too) is that Ratcliffe is much more than its buildings. It’s something you carry with you. It’s made up
too) is that Ratcliffe is much more than its buildings. It’s something you carry with you. It’s made up
of the friends we made, the lessons learnt, the knocks and bumps, the tears and laughter. It’s a
of the friends we made, the lessons learnt, the knocks and bumps, the tears and laughter. It’s a
unique mix, but it does mean that, I think, you can spot an Old Ratcliffi an a mile off. They will
unique mix, but it does mean that, I think, you can spot an Old Ratcliffi an a mile off. They will
often be ploughing their own furrow, doing their own thing, being confi dent without being
often be ploughing their own furrow, doing their own thing, being confi dent without being
arrogant, caring about other people, and they are usually great fun to be with. I’m proud to
arrogant, caring about other people, and they are usually great fun to be with. I’m proud to
be a Ratcliffi an.
Eight years or so ago, my children started their own Ratcliffe journey. And they started it, in many
Eight years or so ago, my children started their own Ratcliffe journey. And they started it, in many
ways, because of the Association. My son, Kit (Year 13), was having a crummy time at his
ways, because of the Association. My son, Kit (Year 13), was having a crummy time at his
old school, so we brought him up here for the Reunion, just to show him what we hoped
old school, so we brought him up here for the Reunion, just to show him what we hoped
would, one day, become his school. We had a lovely afternoon. He loved it. There was one
would, one day, become his school. We had a lovely afternoon. He loved it. There was one
place available in Year 4. Two weeks later, he was here. It was, without doubt, the best
place available in Year 4. Two weeks later, he was here. It was, without doubt, the best
decision we ever made. And so, Ratcliffe was, once again, front and centre. And guess
decision we ever made. And so, Ratcliffe was, once again, front and centre. And guess
what? As I changed from being an Old Boy into a parent, I saw the School working its
what? As I changed from being an Old Boy into a parent, I saw the School working its
magic once more. We made new friends, came to more parties, needed taxis to get
magic once more. We made new friends, came to more parties, needed taxis to get
home, and fell in love with the place all over again. So, when I was asked to take on this
home, and fell in love with the place all over again. So, when I was asked to take on this
role and wear the chain, how could I say no?
Have a wonderful year; I hope to meet up with many of you at one of the events that
Have a wonderful year; I hope to meet up with many of you at one of the events that
we have planned over the next twelve months, and please remember, if you’d like to
we have planned over the next twelve months, and please remember, if you’d like to
have a reunion of old friends, we can help to organise that for you – just get in touch
have a reunion of old friends, we can help to organise that for you – just get in touch
with the Association at alumni@ratcliffecollege.com.
Ben Jackson (88)
President of the Ratcliffi an Association
4 The Old Ratcliffi an 2019