Radley Newsletter 06

The New Socials

The Piano Extravaganza

English at Radley

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme

RadleyN e w s l e t t e R

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2 T H E R A D L E I A N N E W S L E T T E R

tHE NEW sOCIALS

T H E R A D L E I A N N E W S L E T T E R 3

tHE NEW sOCIALS

The new school year saw the opening of two new socials, the first for 80 years at Radley. They are highly individual buildings, each designed for 65 boys, with large public spaces, well appointed study/bedrooms, and interesting modern interpretations of Radley’s traditional Shell accommodation, social hall and cubicle. Particular features are the unusual windows, the modern shapes of wall, stairwell metal work and the Arts and Crafts tile hanging and gabling which set the two buildings apart from most other boarding houses built elsewhere.

The rolls of J and K Social were created across the last academic year by boys volunteering from the original socials and indicating a wish to be this pioneer corps. They have been joined by a new entry of Shell arriving at Radley and going straight into J and K. The reaction of boys to their new surroundings has been overwhelmingly positive, despite the fact that the builders and fitters worked right up to the last afternoon of the summer holidays to get K Social finished. The challenge now for Mark Hindley (Tutor of J Social), Niall Murphy (Tutor of K Social) the respective Heads of Social (Sam Gundle, Dragon and Guy Chalk, Cothill) and the house prefects is to forge distinctive house identities across this academic year.


English is the one thing we all have in common - not the nationality, of course, but the language. English is the ocean upon which all the vessels of our daily business float; the currency of all our social and professional transactions; the lead with which we attempt to draw a coherent picture of our lives; and the central ingredient of much of the entertainment and the comedy which flavour those lives. It is for our waking lives as the water is to the fish. Most of us use it, like oxygen, all day long without thinking much about it.

This is not an evangelical manifesto about the primacy of English – far from it. It is merely an acknowledgement that there is a lot of language about, and when it comes to language, the English Department at Radley is rather like a child in a big sandpit. Language, surely, is for playing with and moulding and flinging about.

The Creative Writing Group meets every Wednesday evening to do just that. Under the secretaryship of Sebastian Inglis-Jones (Dulwich College Prep, E Social), it has been one of the most exciting developments of the last couple of years. There is a core of about twenty boys, who meet each week for an hour to do lots of that playing and moulding and flinging about. As well as having a lot of fun, the boys have produced two anthologies of their own writing: ‘Fleet of Foot’ came out in January 2008, ‘I Want to Wake Up’ in May, and the third anthology will be out in October. The development in their writing over this period has been phenomenal, as has been their enthusiasm and commitment. One of the joys of it, as well, has been the mix of boys who are involved, from Oxbridge candidates to Set 7 Removes. In the Singleton Library, where the writing

sessions happen, issues of year group and academic clout do not feature at all. There is a wonderful sense of a ‘writers’ community’, and the boys are all very proud of their work and of each other. There are also, of course, annual Creative Writing prizes: this year’s winners were Oliver Mann (Bilton Grange, D Social), Chris Sworder (Westminster Under School, E Social), and Cern Hoh (Garden International School, Kuala, E Social).

This project has been enhanced by two visiting poets. In January we hosted a poet-in-residence for a week. Michael Laskey is the founder and editor of Smiths Knoll poetry magazine, and the founder of the highly acclaimed Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, as well as being a poet or rare warmth and insight. Michael conducted workshops with boys, staff, spouses, classes, individuals, the Creative Writing Group, in classrooms, houses, Mansion, inspiring wherever he went. He concluded his week with a beguiling reading of his own work - poems of wit, precision, and depth, short vignettes and longer meditations, all delivered with acuteness, warmth, and plenty of laughter. The fruits of Michael’s work with us are still in evidence, on display in the corridors, the Creative Writing Group Anthologies, the Chronicle, and the Radleian.

english at radley

In June we were visited by the poet Peter Carpenter, who has published four collections of poetry, is a lecturer and teacher, and the founder of the influential Worple Press. He conducted an inspiring session with the Creative Writing Group, and then, to a packed Blue Room, delivered a reading full of vivacity, wit, and intelligence. The boys have also been to see Simon Armitage, who delivered a reading in Oxford earlier in the year. In November, we will be enjoying our best coup yet: Peter Sansom, who is the acknowledged guru of creative writing in England at the moment, will be our poet-in-residence for a week, and we are all very excited indeed about his visit.

Language is not only an art form, however. It is also a vital functional tool, and among the most useful activities we organise are the three annual Inter-Social Debating competitions in the Shell, Remove, and 6th Form years. Intensely contested heats run throughout all three terms, culminating in Finals in the Silk Hall, where the College’s best orators battle for the laurels in front of loud and partisan crowds.

Declamations is yet another large-scale event that involves the whole of College, and culminates in a huge and impressive Final. In the Lent Term, every boy in College memorises and delivers a ‘Declamation’ of at least 250 words, in either prose or verse. Once again, heats run for several weeks, before 30 finalists are selected. These then perform in a four-hour orgy of literature on one Monday morning, in front of a full house

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Poet Laureate and OR Andrew Motion, who will be visiting Radley in April 2009

Alastair Fatemi performs at the Creative Writing Group’s first public reading


and a distinguished visiting adjudicator. The Reprise, which is a ‘Declamations Greatest Hits’, takes place a couple of weeks later, and is always one of the highlights of the term.

Other literary events have been numerous. There is a very active Literary Society, largely run by boys who are either Oxbridge candidates, or simply interested in extending their study of the subject. In the Lent Term, we welcomed Dr Sos Elstis, who spoke with a wonderfully informal charm about contemporary drama, and in October we will be visited by Dr Ralph Townsend. The boys also prepare and deliver papers of their own.

Radley claims three very distinguished literary alumni. Andrew Motion (A Social, 1966) was appointed to succeed Ted Hughes as Poet Laureate in 1999, and has filled this difficult post with an extraordinarily gifted sensitivity. Before him, Harold Monro (D Social, 1892) became not only a distinguished poet in his own right, but was also a champion of new poetry, and the founder of Poetry Review magazine, which celebrates its 100th birthday next year, and to which the College still subscribes. It is one of the most widely circulated poetry periodicals in the country, and Radley is very proud to claim a kinship with it. September 2008 will see the launch, in his honour, of the Monro

Cook (C Social, 1951) left Radley to make his name first with the Cambridge Footlights, and then on radio and television as one of the most brilliant satirists and comedians of the post-war period. His sister Elizabeth, interestingly, has become a poet of note in her own right.

As well as all the events on campus, the Department also run a staggering number of theatre trips, both to local theatres in Oxford, and also to London. Just in the last few months, boys have seen some of the best theatre that has been available: Kevin Spacey and Jeff Goldblum in David Mamet’s ‘Speed the Plow’; Zoe Wanamaker in Tennessee Williams’ ‘The Rose Tattoo’; Jonathan Pryce in Mamet’s ‘Glengarry Glenross’; Tim Piggott-Smith in Shaw’s ‘Pygmalion’; Sam West’s production of Patrick Marber’s ‘Dealer’s Choice’; Patrick Stewart in ‘Macbeth’ and ‘The Tempest’; and this is only the short end of a long list. The Shells and Removes are routinely taken to the Globe in the summer, and of course the Department proudly supports all the excellent in-house drama which takes place under the superb guidance of the Drama Department.

From our bright, light, purpose-built space in the new David Rae Smith building, the boys and staff of the English Department continue to play with, and explore, the language which is both our bread and butter and our caviar.

Chris EllotHead of English

Lecture series, and the inaugural lecture, to be delivered by the Head of English, will, fittingly, be on ‘The State of Contemporary Poetry’. In a rather different category, Peter

Peter Cook (left) as Doll Common in the College production of ‘The Alchemist’ by Ben Jonson, 1954

Michael Laskey, Poet in Residence, leading a poetry workshop


AcAdemic■ This year Radley, along with Eton, Winchester and St Paul’s, decided not to publish exam results until November, when appeals and remarks are completed. Nevertheless the raw results already show that the 2008 A Level candidates exceeded the previous record at A/B of 2007 (90.06%) and even more impressively 2 out of every 3 A Level papers was an A grade. 65 out of the 122 candidates achieved 3 A grades or more; 9 boys attained 5 A grades and 2 managed 6 A grades. A number of them gained marks in the top 10 for their respective subject nationally: Rory van Zwanenberg (Moulsford, g), Alex Rose (Thomas’s Clapham, c), Jonathan Lam (La Salle College, Hong Kong, b), Harry Devonshire (Twyford, a), Arthur Laidlaw (Dragon, h), James Curtis Hayward (Pilgrim’s, a) and Harry Kershaw (Twyford, d).

■ At GCSE Radleians came close to the 81% A*/A of 2007; especially notable was that large numbers of 5th Formers got A grade in AS French, and gained top marks in AS Maths modules, exams designed for 6th Formers.

■ The ISI Inspection of February 2008 accorded Radley the highest accolade, ‘outstanding’, in every category. It found Radley to be ‘markedly successful in the education it provides’, it commented on ‘the outstanding quality of academic achievement’, that the pupils’ ‘learning was excellent’, and that they were ‘welcoming, polite, articulate, full of enthusiasm and commitment’. The quality of their pastoral care was ‘outstanding’, as was the teaching which was ‘inspirational’.

■ It was the last Declamations for which Charles Hastings was at the helm. Arthur House OR judged it and it was a memorable morning. The 6.2 year group was especially strong and any of the finalists could have won. The winners were: Alex Rose (Thomas’s Clapham, c), 6.2; Hugo Walker (The Elms, b), 6.1; Alex Murison (Dragon, b), 5; Alex Donger (Dragon, j), R; Tommy Siman (Abingdon Prep, h), S.

■ It has been an impressive year for visiting speakers. The 6.2 Lecture cycle saw OR parents speaking – Rory Tapner and George Bailey – parents, like Sam Laidlaw, Chairman of Centrica, on Energy policy, and a host of others on a wide range of subjects. Oliver James on his best seller ‘Affluenza’; Charlie Mayfield OR on John Lewis; Dr Anthony Seldon on his acclaimed

biography of Blair; Tony Baldry MP on Conservative Prospects; Sir John Nott on the Falklands war 25 years on. Across the year, guest speakers came to speak to the societies run by individual departments; notable was Lord Hurd on his specialism, ‘Sir Robert Peel’.

■ The annual 6.2 Conference with The School of St Helen and St Katharine in November (now in its 11th year) was a noted success. The topic was ‘The Challenge of China’ and a group of distinguished China experts talked about Maoist legacy and history, and future trends.

Activities■ The Wednesday Afternoon Activities scheme is well established. The 5th Formers continue to visit hospitals, teach in Primary Schools and deliver ‘Instant Muscle’ to elderly Radley Villagers. The Concert Parties visited over 20 residential homes

across Oxford and Abingdon and hosted over 100 elderly local people in the Silk Hall concluding with rousing community singing led by Suzie-Louise Naylor.

■ A good deal of Charitable Activity has gone on this year, most notably the school sponsored walk back in September; over 600 walkers covered the 20 mile route for a range of charities raising well over £48,000 in the process. Common Room has led the way – Angus McChesney swam the Channel in c.12 hours and raised £60,000 for Leukaemia Research; Dr Tim Morris played all Bach’s Organ works in an 18 hour marathon and raised over £15,000; the Warden and Mrs McPhail ran the Paris marathon and Harry Hammond the London marathon for charity. But the boys were not outdone: Freddie Tapner (Ludgrove, f), Hugo Walker (The Elms, b) and John Crisp (Dragon, f) helped raise £150,000 by taking part in a challenge to ski every piste in Meribel dressed in Radley gowns. They succeeded and beat Eton. Radley’s charitable enterprises have raised £166,822 this year.

■ There has once again been a broad range of expeditions: the Shells invaded Normandy for the 18th year running; the rugby players toured New Zealand before the season began; the cricketers toured South Africa; the elite crews trained at Bagnoles, in Spain. The musicians visited Berlin and Leipzig, the artists and a selection of Theatre Studies students visited New York, the linguists visited Barcelona and Paris. Meanwhile a host of theatre visits, field trips, exhibition visits took place across the year.

radley achievements & activities in 2007/8

The firework Gaudy in July capped a year of great achievement at Radley.

MRS J G

ILBERT

The sponsored walk


■ The CCF hosted a Biennial Inspection in October. The inspecting officers were much impressed by the enthusiasm and turnout of the boys, and the energy of the CCF officers. This was Richard Pollard’s last inspection, commander of the contingent for 23 years; it was also John Wylie’s last after 38 years of close involvement. George Stinton (Sandroyd, d) won the Royal Marines’ Commando Scholarship, Angus Dickson (Belhaven Hill, g) and Will Bromfield (Cothill, e) won Army Scholarships.

■ There has been much ‘activity’ on the development front at Radley; As well as the two new Socials, a Real Tennis Court has been opened and the Sports Centre upgraded.

■ Radleians once again built a house on Radley Road in Kerala.

Arts■ The very highest standards of Drama have been set this year by Director Robert Lowe. ‘West Side Story’ was an exceptional production with exemplary teamwork (Robert Lowe’s direction; Stephen Clarke’s music; Matt Hawksworth’s choreography; Matt Barker’s technical management) and some outstanding performances, notably Alex Rose (Thomas’s Clapham, c) as Tony, Theo Whitworth (Aldro, c) as Riff, Fred Rowe (Cothill, a) as Bernardo. The ensemble acting, and freshness and precision of the dance, made for an electric production. Equally, two talented 6th Form Theatre Studies groups developed strong, compelling work for their examination pieces – ‘Pillowman’ by 6.2 was memorable. The Removes put on an excellent ‘Scarlet Pimpernel’, the Shells ‘With Intent’ (6.1s directed), and the dons a most professional performance, Reza’s ‘Art’. The future is in safe hands – the Shells’ Haddon Cup was as good as it has ever been. Three Radleians have been selected for the National Youth Theatre: Rory Stallibrass (Milbourne Lodge, c) for the 3rd year; Ollie Mann (Bilton Grange, d); Max Bullen-Smith (Brambletye, e).

■ The Art Department has had another good year. The boys’ art has colonised public spaces across the school and the new socials. A number of boys are studying Art abroad in their GAP years and Nick Bethell (Bramcote, c) has gained a place at Leith School of Art and Design. Old Radleian Charlie Langton

(Pinewood, g) had a one man show of his equine work at Tryon Gallery. The department has hosted six exhibitions this academic year, most notably the ‘Three Generations of Artists’ show of the Morris-Adams/Laidlaw family.

■ Music is stronger at Radley than ever. The Chapel Choir, supported by our Choristers, sing a wide range of choral music each Sunday in Chapel and to a very high standard. Their Mozart Requiem on November 11th was memorable. Two boys – Greg Williams (Norman Court, c) and Rory Stallibrass (Milbourne Lodge, c) – won Choral Awards to Cambridge. At the top of the school there is a rich seam of talent; C Social’s part song singers were exceptional, as have been the pianists Greg Williams and Jamie Brown (Caldicott, d). Greg Williams and Rory Robinson (Twyford, f) have competed in the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. Concert highlights were the Berlin/Leipzig Concert, the Warden’s Music (over 100 performers) and the Piano Extravaganza (7 pianos, up to 21 performers at a time, 70 pianists in total). Winners of the Music Prizes were: Organ: Freddie Tapner (Ludgrove, f); Hudson String: Gregory Williams; Ferguson Singing: Theo Whitworth; Wharton Piano: Gregory Williams; Guitar: Alex Donger (Dragon, j); Woodwind Senior: Rory Robinson (Twyford, f); Woodwind Junior: Tom Bennett (Hall Grove, a); Brass Senior: Andrew Savill (King’s Hall, g); Brass Performance: Andrew Barrie (Horris Hill, e).

radley achievements & activities in 2007/8

West Side StoryAlaistair Hope-Morley in Kerala

Angus McChesney’s sponsored channel swim


sportRadley continues to play its sport seriously but a central feature is that we turn out so many teams at weekends. In rugby, against Tonbridge and Harrow 22 XVs competed; in the Lent term there were sometimes 19 Hockey XIs, 10 Soccer XIs and a number of rowing VIIIs competing at the same time. In the Summer Term up to 19 Cricket XIs, 10 Rowing VIIIs, Tennis VIs and Athletics teams compete on the same Saturday afternoon. The new Real Tennis court makes the choice of sports still more diverse.

■ Much good rugby was played; 70% of matches were won. The 1st XV was stricken with injury, but it still achieved a remarkable last gasp victory over Harrow when Tom Atkinson (Elstree, g) kicked a final minute 50 metre penalty. The Colts, Junior Colts and Midgets 1st XVs (indeed Midgets 2nd and 3rd XVs as well) lost only a handful of matches between them. It was a source of pride, too, to see 2 recent ORs, Chris Lewis (Pinewood, h) and James Lumby (Caldicott, g) winning blues for Cambridge in the Varsity Match – James scored an impressive try to clinch the match.

■ Hockey is arguably Radley’s strongest sport at present. The 1st XI lost once (following 2007’s unbeaten season) and showed great team work under Charlie Wood’s (Dragon, e) captaincy; the wins against strong Charterhouse, Marlborough and Bradfield teams were especially satisfying. Against Cheltenham, Bradfield and St Edward’s only one match was lost across the club.

■ Cricket has been strong especially in the bottom three years of the school; the 1st XI has had its moments with good wins over Bradfield, Stowe, Marlborough and Abingdon and a century for Henry Mills (Harrodian, e) against Tonbridge, but the stars of the club have been Colts 1st and 2nd XI and the Midgets sides from 1st XI down to 7th XI. A number of centuries have been recorded, notably 5 100s by Nick Gubbins (Elstree, h) for Midgets 1st XI. It has been especially satisfying that 11 out of 15 matches against Harrow, 14 out of 16 against Marlborough, and all the matches against Abingdon, were won.

■ RCBC continues to be strong. The 1st VIII just missed the medals at the National Schools (4th) but won at Bedford. J16A and J14A won Silver and Bronze at the National Schools. There has been depth at the top of the club reflected in a good 2nd VIII and at J15 level where 5 crews have competed. It was good to see Oli Moore (St Hugh’s, e) win his Oxford blue in a crushing win in the Boat Race. He and Tom Parker (Pilgrim’s, h) are in the GB squad.

■ In Soccer the Junior Colts and Colts squads did especially well, and the 1st XI reached the Crusader Cup semi-finals.

■ The Steeplechase took place for the first time in November: Archie Vey (Farleigh, b) won the Senior race in record time, Oscar Richards (St Ronan’s, h) won the Inter, and Theo Bromfield (Cothill, a) the Junior races.

■ George Pitcher (Cothill, b), Kit Bicket (Maidwell, j), Josh Rencher (Abingdon, d), Guy Scott (Summer Fields, d), Jordan Reeve (Pinewood, d), Henry Barker (Aldro, d) and James Fournier (Ludgrove, f) all received RYA competent crew awards during a 5 day Easter cruise on the all Sail Pilot Cutter the Jolie Brise.

■ The Real Tennis Team won the National Schools’ title as did the 2nd pair.

■ Harry Collard (Summer Fields, f) competed in the British Skiing Championships.

■ A number of Radley Beagles won best in class at the South of England Show.

Nick Gubbins batting for the Midgets 1st XI

The new Real Tennis Court


fishing or car-maintenance. We also now have some very promising chefs in our ranks!

The Expedition Section has always been the most challenging aspect of the Award for Radleians, and I am sure that the song-line “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” has often reverberated in their ears whether they are heading up yet another tor in Dartmoor, doing battle with a recalcitrant tent with attitude in Cold Aston (cold by name, cold by nature) or going squelching along the footpath to Appleton Weir.

The sun may have set on the Jubilee Year but a new era of challenges has dawned. From September 2008, the Award will be officially renamed ‘The D. of E.’ – and about time too, you may say! There will be brand new logos, for example, as well as up-dated section names and an ‘e DofE’ management site that will help participants to complete their award electronically without the paperwork. We await the evolution with keen anticipation!

Janie Wrighti/c Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

The Service Section has been one of the most popular aspects of the Award. We have raised hundreds of pounds through our various charity (or what we call ‘Fun-Draising’) events including for example sky-diving, fun runs in Oxford, five-a-side football marathons, sponsored walks and cycle rides, cake sales in Covered Passage. We have also worked our magic at the local village Fête! Many of our participants are now first-class first-aiders thanks to the Award and our involvement with various community action projects in the Nuffield and JR hospitals has been most useful. The work of our D. of E. team has also been much appreciated at primary schools in the area, painting murals, teaching little people about computers, helping with games and setting up a library to name just a few of the recent missions.

With all the wonderful facilities around them, Radleians could be tempted to try to ‘cruise’ through the Skills and Physical Recreation Sections of the Award. They are therefore encouraged where possible to try a new activity and it is really refreshing when a participant opts for something different like dulcimer-playing, conjuring,

The Golden Year of celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh will long remain in our memory and in the new Radley D. of E. Centre, we continue to admire with pride the Duke’s Certificate of Thanks that was presented to us at Buckingham Palace by Her Majesty the Queen. As ever, our Award Operating Authority has continued to go from strength to strength. We have always operated a softly softly approach without glitzy publicity campaigns but with participants usually signing up on a word-of-mouth basis. It is well known that the best D. of E. participant is the one who has a good understanding of the Award’s slogan “Make it make you make it”. He is someone who has the determination to tackle every challenge and to win through. He is focused and willing to show commitment. He has initiative, an awareness of others and is selfless with his time. This is what the Radleian D.of E. men are like for the most part and one has only to look through the list of achievements in all four sections of the Award to see evidence of their strength of character.

Duke of eDiNbuRgh’sAwA R D s c h e m e

t h e


I suppose the blame might be put squarely on the shoulders of that most poetic of harpsichordists Sophie Yates, whose teaching and beautiful playing enhanced music at Radley in the late 90s. For some years Radley had put on concerts of duet, trio and multiple piano music, all commercially available and fun, but pieces for more than two pianos or pianists are sadly rare and limited to a few lollipops. Upon hearing one of these multiple-piano concerts however the lively grey cells of the then Precentor, John Madden, a composer and arranger of renown and talent, and myself began to work overtime. With the haunting melody of the Aria from the Goldberg Variations emanating from the fingers of Sophie we put two and two together and made 21 pianists, 7 pianos and a harpsichord.

Thus the Extravaganza was born and the first original, arranged performance involving almost all the pianists at the school (dons, teachers and boys) became a reality; pianists at all levels of ability were enthusiastically conscripted, sorry, encouraged, to play in a complete performance of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. It began with a solitary harpsichord, the variations were for various combinations of pianists at two to six pianos and it culminated in a final Aria for 21 pianists, 7 pianos and a harpsichord, gradually thinning out to leave the solo harpsichord. Never before had Radley heard anything like this, I still remember the final moving moments to this day, and it put us firmly on the Independent School musical map for keyboard playing and innovative musical programming.

The birth of each Extravaganza is not a painless process however; the labour is long and intense. John Madden delivers his stunning and inspired arrangements after many weeks of work, just late enough for us

if you hAveN’t got the tuNe theN PlAy Quietly!

a few weeks and often talk of a year’s sabbatical, the adrenalin rush and excitement at the end of the concert inevitably finds us enthusiastically committing to yet another. Especially as, now entering its ninth year, the Extravaganza has become one of the most attended and talked about musical events in the year.

There have been some wonderful moments. Outstanding Radley pianists such as Jonathan Bridcut (Pilgrim’s, G Social) (in the first ever Piano Extravaganza), James Hallinan (Lockers Park, D Social), James Fryer (Elstree, E Social), Jonny Williams (Westbourne House, H Social), Gregory Williams (Norman Court, C Social) and Jamie

to start panicking about learning our notes and focusing the minds of the boys who, with good will and careful organisation attend the myriad of rehearsals scheduled within the final two weeks, often at the most obscure times up to 10.30pm. The conscientious way nearly all attend is brilliant (albeit helped along by free Coke and crisps) but even so, what rehearsals we can fit in disappear too quickly with a blur of emails, reminders, sore backs (after moving the pianos around each night), intense and detailed ensemble coaching and the annual cry (now almost a motto of the event) ‘if you haven’t got the tune then please play quietly’.

There is so little rehearsal time with the pianos all in one venue (usually 3 days, we simply can’t spare them from practice rooms for longer) but it may surprise most non-performers that the hardest part of all is learning to play piano or pianissimo in the context of the ensemble. It does not come easily to pianists, so used to playing on their own, the centre of attention, and not having to consider dynamic balance with other musicians. Equally, not being able to hear your own part beneath the sound of those who enthusiastically sing out their tune is quite tricky, almost like playing a silent piano. Added to this is the challenge of hearing the other pianists across the hall from you; even the ‘professionals’ amongst us have come unstuck here. The formula is simple (play the accompaniment really quietly and project the melody) but the ensemble and listening skills are subtle and complex especially for pianists who, for the most part, play in solitary confinement. The end result however is almost always fun, often accomplished and occasionally musically inspiring for players and audience alike.

Whilst we live life ‘on the edge’ for


Brown (Caldicott, D Social) together with the colourful playing of Adrian Pascu (Wirral Grammar, B Social) and the shoulder-dancing of Rory Van Zwanenberg (Moulsford, G Social) to name a few have all contributed to a sense of festival. They have also performed alongside the professionals on the staff in some very tricky and challenging arrangements, which have both excited and charmed the packed Silk Hall. More rewarding still however has been the playing of much less experienced pianists such as Angus Anderson (Cothill, B Social) who, with probably twice the work and commitment of those of us who make it our career, played in the 2007 Extravaganza having only been learning

the piano for 5 weeks!‘But playing the piano is such

a solitary activity’ is the oft-heard comment from parents. Not at Radley; Radley is unique. Unique in my understanding, in having up to seven pianos to roll into one concert hall each year, certainly the only Independent School to put on an annual concert which consists entirely of pianists of all abilities performing in piano ensembles, and possibly the only school to reach the lofty heights of 21 pianists at 7 pianos. Unique in commissioning each year over 50 minutes of music for piano ensembles and in involving up to 70 pianists of all abilities from pre-Grade 1 to the experienced professionals.

Other schools have tried to copy but fallen at the first hurdle in a ‘never to be repeated’ single concert item, normally ‘borrowed’ from us whilst, at Radley, and after a deep intake of breath, a quick run around the block and a few bribes we enthusiastically head towards our ninth and tenth extravaganzas. The thoughts are for something a little more Classical next year and the 10th celebration will be ‘The Best of...’

After this, perhaps time for something new.....I wonder where we can get another 10 pianos from??

Anthony WilliamsHead of Instrumental Music

radleians

Fred Rowe (OR, ex Head of A Social)COTHILL

For the last year I have been head of A Social, which has been a real honour, and though it has at times been stressful, it has been a position that I have absolutely relished. It has helped me to see Radley College in its very best light, where all the year groups get along harmoniously. I have loved living in A Social. The atmosphere has suited me perfectly, and Mr Rathbone, Mr Langton and Miss Briggs, have understood the needs of Social completely. I know that Mr.Rathbone will be sorely missed, though I am sure that Mr Ryder will continue to keep A Social at the forefront of Radley life, and will do a great job as Tutor. The fact though that I have always been able to get along with all years in my Social sums up the Radley ethos of strong community spirit.

I am often asked the seemingly innocuous question: “What do you think is the best feature at Radley?” I always find myself answering with the pretty infuriating response - everything. The answer is everything, because I have found that Radleians are extremely lucky in the way we can use the College as a springboard to excel at so many different things. For example, I have been given the opportunity to dabble

in a plethora of different opportunities and activities, from the games circus all those years ago in my first term, to careers’ seminars, and a host of thought provoking lectures in my sixth form years. All in all I will always look back upon my Radley years with fondness, knowing that the School has helped me to make, I hope, the most of the chances I have been given to date. Radley has provided me with 5 highly enjoyable years, and for that I will be forever indebted. I have made some fantastic friends, and I feel prepared for the next steps of my life.

12 T H E R A D L E Y N E W S L E T T E R Website: www.radley.org.uk . Admissions enquiries: 01235 543174 . [email protected]

Freddie Rendall (Shell) HALL GROVE

One of the highlights of my first week at Radley, has been my first weekend at school. Having come from a weekly boarding school, I was new to this exciting experience. And I was certainly not disappointed. After games on Saturday, I rushed off to the squash courts, to have our induction. Having done that, we stripped off our games socks, and collapsed in front of the TV, to watch the X Factor!

Then, we were ushered off to cocoa, with Chrissie (our pastoral house mistress). This is a very enjoyable experience, especially when the whole of the social comes together. It is a chance to catch up with friends, and generally to relax. Then, we were shepherded upstairs by the prefect on duty, and slowly we all dozed off, after an exhausting few days.

Sunday is one of my favourite days, because on Sunday, we are allowed to lie-in! I finally conquered the desire to go back to sleep at 9:00, and slowly made my way to Breakfast. After Chapel, we had yet another new sport to try, (this time, it was rackets), before heading to ‘Pups’ Field,’ for the Inter-Social Tug of War. We fought bravely, and ended up winning the prestigious title. We then gathered for a celebratory barbecue in front of Mansion. It was a brilliant win, and the perfect way to cap off a very busy, and very enjoyable first week at Radley.

My first week at Radley has been, to put it mildly, packed to the brim, with activities, sports trials, lessons, and much much more. I remember driving up Chestnut Avenue for the first time, only a week ago, yet it seems like several.

The first few days have been especially busy, with lessons to find, names to learn, bouts of Inter-Social Tug of War to win, (which of course we did!!), and much more. One particularly enjoyable aspect of my first week has been the Shell Games Circus. This is a selection of out of the ordinary sports, that encourages Shells to try new sports. Having never played many of the sports on offer, I was really looking forward to this opportunity, and disappoint me it did not. Real Tennis, Squash, Rackets, the list is certainly impressive.

Life in social has been particularly enjoyable, and in my opinion, is one of the most valuable experiences that Radley has to offer. During my first week, I have made some really close friends in Social. However, one of the nicest things I have found, is the relationship between the new boys, and those who have been here for longer. Older boys are always on hand to help with finding lessons, prep, and also with mundane matters, such as when to put your washing in.

It is Sunday 6th July 2008, and I have just finished school. The evening Gaudy that I enjoyed last night was an incredible experience, and really summarised in one night everything that I have loved about this school. Staring out across College Lake, watching the magnificent fireworks with a group of close friends I could not have been happier, despite the rain! It seems an awfully long time since I started 5 years ago, timidly entering into A Social for the first time.

The scope of extra curricular activities has been phenomenal. I have been lucky enough be part of some great sports teams - including Mr Matthew’s celebrated unbeaten 3rd XV of the 2007 season. It was a real honour to captain a side with such fantastic spirit and although we were obviously not the finest rugby players in the school every single member of the team became dedicated to the team’s cause. Over the years I have also had the chance to perform in both the old and new theatres. A real highlight for me though has been the 2007 production of West Side Story, in which I had the privilege of playing a large role. It was amazing. The professional nature of the whole production was an opportunity that I doubt I will ever be lucky enough to experience again, and I am so thankful to all those involved.

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Radley Newsletter 06