A74991 Insight Newsletter Summer 2019 P3_1

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OBA News
Susan Day, OBA Administrator
The Old Bancroftians’ Association continues in its aims
to maintain links between its members, the School and
the Bancroft’s Foundation. Over the last few months we
have run a series of very successful events.
Five and Ten Years On Reunion
On Friday 3 May, more than eighty Old Bancroftians from the leavers
of 2008 and 2013 revisited the school for their Five and Ten Years
On Reunion. The reunion was held in the Dining Hall and OBs were
welcomed by our new OBA President Steve Dodd (an OB and parent of
OBs) and the Head Simon Marshall who both encouraged everyone to
remain in contact with Bancroft’s and explained how they could become
involved with the OBA. Our fantastic catering team provided a selection
of canapés and beverages, giving everyone the opportunity to catch up
with their contemporaries and former teachers. A very successful and
enjoyable evening!
Past Presidents’ Dinner
The 66th Past
Presidents’ Dinner was
held in the Warner
Room on Friday 26
April. Seventeen
past presidents from
1979 to 2018 and their guests Steve Dodd, current OBA President
and parent of OBs, Simon Marshall and Professor Peter Kopelman,
Bancroft’s Chair of Governors visited the school for pre-dinner
drinks hosted by the Head, Simon Marshall, in the Glass Courtyard
Building. This was followed by a three-course meal prepared by our
excellent catering team.
Old Bancroftians’ Careers Evening
In March fifty five Old Bancroftians came
back to the School to support our biennial
Careers Evening. Our pupils from U4 to U6
and their parents/guardians were invited
to come along to meet the OBs to talk
about their career paths. Many different
careers were represented: banking,
the Army, medicine, IT, PR accounting,
journalism, architecture, law, civil service,
engineering, and charities to name but a
few. The School is so grateful for the OBs’
enthusiasm and for them enlightening our
pupils about life after Bancroft’s.
Old Bancroftian
Golf Society
Ten OBs and three guests
recently travelled to Gog Magog
GC near Cambridge and played
18 holes, followed by lunch.
The winning OB was Andy Beer
with 37 points and the winning
guest was Chris Lineham with
38 points. The photos show our Captain, Roger Booth, presenting
the Goddard Trophy to Andy and the Visitors’ Trophy to Chris
Looking Ahead
The Association continues with its programme with Old Bancroftians’
Day in June, the Northern Dinner in Chester and the 113th OBA
Annual Dinner both in October, as well the Bancroft’s Business
Breakfast kindly hosted by Bancroft’s Chair Professor Peter Kopelman
at the University of London, Senate House London. Our annual
London drinks will be held in November.
20 COMMUNITY
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Bancroft’s School, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0RF
020 8505 4821
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Bancroft’s Preparatory School, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0RF
020 8506 6774
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Report from
the Governors
Prof Peter Kopelman, Chair,
Governing Board
It is hard to believe that we are
now in the Summer Term of this
academic year - the sunshine and
warmth of Easter was a timely
reminder. The Governors continue
to delight in the success of the
School, most particularly the pupils’
achievements in the classroom, in
sporting activities, in drama and
musical productions, and within
our local communities. We have
welcomed this year a newmember
to the Governing Board, Richard
Van Maanen. Richard, who lives
locally and is an Old Bancroftian,
brings additional skills and specialist
knowledge to the Board.
The Governors recently had a joint meeting
with the School’s Senior Leadership Team
(SLT), the Bursar and his deputy to discuss
the SLT’s plans for academic and pastoral
developments, the importance of the pupils’
voice regarding School activities, and the
prominence and relevance of co-curricular and
outreach activities in broadening learning. I
am very conscious of the significance of the
latter to students when they progress into
university. We also heard about the plans for
developing careers’ advice and encouraging
entrepreneurship and innovation across
the School. Finally, we considered how best
to enhance communication – to pupils, to
parents and to promote the contribution that
the School and its pupil are
making to society. This is
particularly relevant given
the current political focus on
independent, or in politician
speak, private schools.
You may be aware that the
independent schools’ sector
is facing questions and possible challenge
from both of the major political parties.
Indeed, a leading member of the Conservative
Government has stated his ambition to make
sending children to private schools “seem
eccentric” as it is “in Europe”. The Governing
Board and SLT spent time considering these
challenges in a context of the considerable
contribution that a strong independent schools’
sector makes to education in the UK.
I welcome thoughts on any of the above
topics from readers.