2000 News

SAOBA Committee, Sept 1999

LETTER FROM SAOBA COMMITTEE

Dear Old Boy,

This year we chose not to produce a paper newsletter - we have gone online instead (see below).

This letter is to tell you about our events for 2000 and to help you to find and use our website.

Ticket application forms are attached.

Please refer to the website if you require further information. We can also be contacted by post c/o the school.

We wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2000

The SAOBA Committee. March 2000.

SAOBA HILLWALKING - FIRST TRIP

"On a clear day you would have had a fantastic view from up here" said a bedraggled Jeremy Simpson as we stumbled, exhausted, along a treacherous sheep-trail skirting a sheer cliff edge (due to thick cloud we could not see the bottom), some 2000 feet up a windswept mountain in near-horizontal rain.

The day had been deceptively clear and sunny when we had set off from home; but once we arrived in Kentmere, at the foot of the Garburn pass, thick cloud and drizzle had set in. It was only when we were up the pass and our last glimpse of Windermere disappeared into thick mist, that we realised that both Messrs Simpson and Peden had been training for this day for possibly decades.

It was the first day out for the Old Boys Hill Walking Club, and we were the proud founder members. Yes, we would be able to say, (forget Barcelona!), on the 8th May 1999, we had been there. Not for us the usual family Saturday, today we had chosen adventure.

Later we might argue who should be awarded best hillwalker of the day, the most promising newcomer, or win the "nearest the cliff" competition, but for now I could only speculate on how Jeremy Simpson could keep going in such appalling conditions without a waterproof - hadn’t he heard of the wind chill factor? Perhaps inspired by the ghost of Mallory, he seemed impervious to cold. He also had an uncanny sense of direction, leading us on through the cloud with no compass or landmarks.

"He never wears waterproofs; he’s completely mad" confided an equally baffled Neil Peden. What then, was Mr Simpson carrying in his back pack? Portable Oxygen? Jet propulsion? Satellite Navigation Equipment? All was revealed at the top when Jeremy opened his rucsac and began to pass round the contents - a good supply of well-chilled Guinness. Perhaps there was something in this Hill Walking after all.

Hill Walking is a perfectly honourable means of escape from the rigours of family life for a day. We have to be desperate, we oppressed late-1990s new men! There was also something surreal about the clouds scudding across our path, occasionally obscuring parts of our party. Occasionally, other groups of diehard walkers passed by, as faint figures in the mist. The rain lashed down. Buck crag, Ill Bell, Froswick. Each peak just another pile of rocks looming out of the mist. We were in cloud. There was no view to be had. We climbed Thornthwaite Crag, too, but were unable to locate the beacon on its flat top.

At last we slumped by a ruined wall and took a vital compass bearing before heading east for the Nan Bield Pass. The going slowly became easier. Then, on the descent from Mardale Ill Bell, we had a tantalising glimpse of Haweswater through a gap in the cloud. Then, on the last steep climb up Harter Fell, the cloud finally broke up, affording impressive views over Windermere, with Morecambe Bay beyond, and Ingleborough in the far distance. Once at the summit of Harter Fell, Mr Peden passed around his hip flask filled with port, and the day really began to improve. I think it was then that we all agreed that, yes, Hill Walking was just too tough and dangerous for wives and children to attempt.

As we walked the sunlit ridge (now, strangely warm and steaming) down towards Kentmere, the cloud cleared completely from the magnificent range of hills we had just climbed. "Did we really walk all that way?" Ben Caldwell gaped, astounded: "If I could have seen how big they were at the start, I would have given up at once!" Perhaps the thick mist had been fortuitous after all. We mused on this fact as we tramped the final stretches of the road that completed our 12 mile circuit. The road that lead to the M6 (of course via the "William of Orange" Inn at Staveley) was the road that would take us home.

saoba hillwalkers 1999.

Contents

Threat to St Ambrose College Grammar School
- Letter from Committee
  - New Headmaster
    - Events/ticket applications
      - Using this website
        
        Email
        
        Hillwalking
        
        Obituary: Dr.Richard Reynolds
        
        School Review 1999-2000

THREAT TO OUR SCHOOL

As Old Boys of the school, this is something we should take a close interest in.

Dave Whelan, Chairman of SAPA (Parents Assn.) has recently circulated information to parents regarding the current political threat to Grammar Schools, including St Ambrose.

With Dave's permission I think we should reproduce this important information on this site so that the Old Boys are kept fully informed.

If, after learning more, you'd like to be involved to support the school, please contact Chris Marley or Dave Whelan, c/o SAPA, St Ambrose College.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL STATUS: REPORT UPDATE

The Government came into power with the confident assurance from Tony Blair that "Grammar schools are safe in our hands".

Unfortunately David Blunkett was not giving quite the same message - "No selection by interview or examination".

Shortly after the Ripon vote to keep their Grammar school, he implied that he had been joking. Judge for yourselves.

Under this Government, the 1998 Schools Standards and Framework Act has established a mechanism for abolishing Grammar schools by a parental ballot.

THE BALLOT SYSTEM

This requires 20% of eligible local parents to sign a petition calling for a ballot, before a ballot can be triggered. Two National Anti-Grammar school organisations, CASE and STEP are already attempting to collect signatures in Trafford. They will need to collect 8,518 signatures to trigger a ballot in Trafford. Should they be successful, there will be 5 weeks grace before parents are sent a postal ballot form.

Interestingly the question on the ballot paper does not include the words "Grammar" or "Abolish" but talks about "schools accepting children of all abilities". Suffice to say that a "No Vote" is required to retain the Grammar Schools.

SAPA AND A PARENTS ACTION GROUP

St Ambrose provides a first class education for boys from across the borough. The comprehensive system is about to undergo a major review as the Government has accepted that it has not been a success.

SAPA believe that the best interests of the school and its present and future students are best protected by the retention of selection by ability and would regret the loss of opportunity if selection by postcode replaces selection by ability.

If it happened, loss of selection would necessarily lead to a major reorganisation of all Trafford secondary schools. Smaller schools might no longer be able to sustain a viable sixth form. Several schools may ultimately be forced to close or amalgamate to form larger, viable comprehensives. Catchment areas would contract. The costs of reorganisation is high - in Kent this was estimated at £110 million. Where will the money be found? The damaging effects of amalgamation on pupils, on staff and on the quality of education can not possibly be measured.

We need maximum information and an informed debate.

Please express your views on the message board.

Watch this space for more information!

==================================================================

NEW HEADMASTER STARTING SOON

St. Ambrose College to have a new headmaster

Mr Michael Thompson, commences his new post as Headmaster of St Ambrose from May 2nd 2000.

Following an intensive search and interview process, the Governors are delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Thompson as our new Head.

Having been personally involved at every stage of the advertising and interview process, I am personally delighted that the College has made what I believe to be an outstanding appointment. Michael Thompson, a self confessed disciplinarian, has recently acquired an MA in educational management. Add to this, his clear vision of the future concerning all educational issues, his focus on the benefits of IT in Schools and an education at the hands of the Christian Brothers and I'm sure St. Ambrose will be set for many more successful years.

Regards,

John Kennedy

Chairman St Ambrose Old Boys' Association

Vice Chairman of Governors

EVENTS for 2000

<DIR>

• GOLF DAY , Friday 30th June 2000, Didsbury GC. Approx 11am start. Enjoy 18 holes of golf, pitting your skills against St Ambroses’ finest. Some special moments captured on video by Peter Whiting. Prizes to be won for the longest drive, nearest the pin. Followed by dinner at the clubhouse. Not to be missed. Cost £40 for the day including dinner. Groups welcome.

• SUMMER BBQ, Saturday 1st July 2000, in the Marquee, on the school pitch. Bring your partners - this is your chance to enjoy a professionally prepared barbecue and gyrate to a live soul band. (This year the famous Blind Melon Jackson and the Pineapple Chunks) A superb evening, arranged with SAPA; highly recommended. Tickets £16-00.

• OLD BOYS DINNER 2000, Saturday 23rd September 2000, St Ambrose College, 7-7.30pm. Another chance to drink alcohol on school premises. See the Golf Day video, catch up with the lads and enjoy an excellent dinner followed by Pete Riley’s After Dinner speech. Tickets £25.

</DIR>

NB:Table planning can be a nightmare - group applications are very welcome!

<DIR>

• OLD BOYS MASS, Sunday 24th September 2000, provisionally Holy Angels Church, 12-15pm. Followed by a light buffet at the school, and the Old Boys XV vs School XV rugby match.

• HILLWALKING to be announced - please refer to our website.

===================================================================

TICKET APPLICATION FORM

Please use to apply for your tickets/ places for events. (photocopy this if required).

We need to receive your cheques (payable to SAOBA) at least 7 days before the event.

Send applications to: SAOBA, c/o St Ambrose College, Hale Barns, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA15 OHE.

<DIR>

• GOLF DAY, Friday 30th June 2000, Didsbury GC. £40

• SUMMER BBQ, Saturday 1st July 2000, Tickets £16

• OLD BOYS DINNER 2000, Saturday 23rd September 2000. Tickets £25.

PRINT AND COPY FORMS BELOW!!

</DIR>

Dear SAOBA,

I enclose cheque(s), payable to SAOBA, for £.......................... in payment for ..................ticket(s) for the

following event:................................................................................................................................

NAME........................................................................................................................... D.O.B.................................

ADDRESS................................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................................................

POSTCODE........................................................ EMAIL........................................................................................

TEL. NO (EVE)..................................................................................................DATE........./.............../...............

========================================================================================

Dear SAOBA,

I enclose cheque(s), payable to SAOBA, for £.......................... in payment for ..................ticket(s) for the

following event:................................................................................................................................

NAME........................................................................................................................... D.O.B.................................

ADDRESS................................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................................................

POSTCODE........................................................ EMAIL........................................................................................

TEL. NO (EVE)..................................................................................................DATE........./.............../...............

</DIR>

NEW SAOBA WEBSITE

By 1999 we reached 400 members and we had had enough of paper! So, for 2000 we have developed a more interactive website, which we hope will become our virtual home, accessible from around the world.

HOW TO FIND IT

<DIR>

• Search for the msn web communities homepage. Once there, use their search facility to find

</DIR>

StAmbroseOldBoys. (nb: all one word, with capitals as left).

<DIR>

• Or - use the internet address http://communities.msn.co.uk/StAmbroseOldBoys

• Or - we can email you a link to the site - just click on this. (To request the link, see below)

• Or - via the following domain name: www.saoba.org.uk

</DIR>

HOW TO JOIN IT

<DIR>

• Once found, add the site to your favourites. Then you cannot lose it in future.

• Try to give no more information about yourself than necessary - eg remember you don’t need to give your d.o.b., postcode or other optional items.

• Follow the joining procedure (to the right of the red "welcome" ). To do this right you need to choose yourself a sign in name, a hotmail email address (eg. yourname@hotmail.com + a password), a secret question and a secret answer. Make sure you have a pen handy and write down all your choices once they are accepted. You need to remember them later. The site will then send you an email link. Click on the link and you’re a member of the site.

</DIR>

HOW TO USE IT

<DIR>

• You will find stuff to look at, like saoba newsletters, photos, links to allied organisations, news of future events - the mix is still changing.

• There are also areas you can contribute to, such as the bulletin board, the photo album, your own member profile, and an email facility to invite others to join or email all existing members. Please use them - we want your news, your feedback and your views. Be controversial, start debates, say what you think.

• You can recruit other old boys by inviting them to join the site.

• Only one rule - as we carry the school’s name, we will delete any contributions with offensive content.

</DIR>

EMAIL COMMUNICATION

We want the facility to reach you easily and quickly. We need your email addresses!

So far we have around 60 - all of whom have been sent a link to our website.

If you didn’t get the link, or if your email address changes, please inform SAOBA either by post (address below), via the website, or by emailing committee@saoba.org as soon as possible.

==============================================================================

Obituary - Dr Richard Reynolds

We were shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news in mid-February 2000, of the death of Dr Richard Reynolds, in a swimming accident in Australia.

Richard left St Ambrose in 1988 to study Medicine at St Andrews. He had completed his training and exams for General Practice, but planned to spend a few months working in Australia before settling into practice in the UK. Both Richard and a colleague who were swimming together from a beach were drowned in the same incident.

A keen cricketer at school, and a supporter of Manchester City, Richard will also be remembered for giving his time to assist the disabled as part of the annual Lourdes Pilgrimage.

At the school prize day on 20th March 2000, the Richard Reynolds prize for the best First year Cricketer was presented for the first time.

The Old Boys Mass this September will also be dedicated to his memory.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

May he rest in peace.

SCHOOL REVIEW REPORT:

St Ambrose Old Boys’Association

1999-2000

During 1999 the Old Boys held a varied programme of events, keeping a balance between social, sporting and religious activities.

This year we introduced Old Boys’ Hill Walking for the first time on 8th May with a trip to Kentmere in the Lakes. Other events included a very successful Golf Day at Didsbury Golf Club on 11th May with 50 Old Boy golfers, the Murder Night on 27th February, the superb Summer BBQ - really a summer marquee dance - (held jointly with the St Ambrose Parents’ Association) on July 3rd, the Old Boys’ Dinner held at the College on September 18th, and the Old Boys’ Mass at Holy Angels’ Church on September 19th, (which this year was followed by a free buffet for those families attending Mass).

At our recent AGM, Chairman John Kennedy thanked the Committee for their tremendous input over the expansion phase of the last 4 years. This has paid off: membership has increased so that we now have over 400 on the SAOBA database (382 Ordinary members, 24 Honorary members).

Ordinary Membership of SAOBA is open to former pupils of the College, fathers of past and present pupils, staff members and those members of the clergy who wish to join.

Honorary Membership of SAOBA is awarded as a mark of our respect for outstanding service to the Association, Church, College or State, and has been given to 24 individuals to date. These include some of the longest-serving members of the College Teaching staff and the Christian Brothers resident at Woodeaves.

Four years of successful expansion has brought a challenge - how do we stay in contact with a dispersed community of over 400 members? Designing, printing and mailing out annual newsletters had become increasingly time-consuming and expensive. We are therefore moving over to electronic communication wherever possible. The SAOBA website was first established by Mike Martin some 3 yrs ago, and can be accessed by searching for "ambrose old boys" on a variety of search engines. We are in the process of extending this site to improve access and to include an interactive "web community" for SAOBA. This will replace the annual newsletter, (the website having a number of advantages in terms of being updatable through the year), and in future could become our virtual home. Old Boys will be able to join the website and so communicate with SAOBA, and with each other via an electronic message board, wherever in the world they happen to be.

The future. We see the next few years as being a time of consolidation. Beyond the millenium we are determined to retain our independence and maintain a variety of inclusive (and hopefully popular) activities for our Old Boys. Despite healthy membership we have recognised that as a Committee of volunteers there are limits to what we can do! The whole process has to be fun; if it weren’t enjoyable, we would not stay involved. After a busy four years we are planning a process of change to a steady 3-4 event per year programme, to maintain a viable and active Association.

Provisional dates for SAOBA 2000 events for your diary!

SAOBA Golf Day Friday 30/6/2000 at Didsbury GC, Summer Marquee Dance/ BBQ (with SAPA) date tba, Old Boys’ Dinner Saturday 23/9/2000, (After Dinner Speaker: Old Boy Peter Riley), Old Boys’ Mass Sunday 24/9/2000.

These will be confirmed in due course. For further details write to SAOBA c/o the College, or email me as above.

We welcome new members. Anyone wishing to join should contact the SAOBA Membership Secretary (Jeremy Simpson) via the College.

SUBSCRIPTIONS REVIEW

The SOABA Website has now become the prime method of communication with our members.
The advantages are compelling, providing the latest information in a
dynamic environment with significant cost saving benefits
and establishing for the first time a two way communication vehicle.

As a result the committee have decided to cease the annual and life
membership subscription charge.
Membership will now be through free registration on the site. This also
eliminates possibly our largest single administrative overhead: the
collection and management of the subscription base.

We are grateful to those who have paid life membership and to those who pay annual subscription by standing order or direct debit. Your contributions have not only allowed the organisation to thrive but have been used for charitable contributions and to build a charitable fund for future use. You are therefore free to cancell your annual subscription payments whilst retaining membership. However should you wish to allow the £5 payment to stand then we will continue to collect as a donation to SAOBA .

Thank you for all your past support. We look forward to building our
relationship with all our members into the future.

Regards
Kieran Charleson

News 2000