SAOBA NEWS
Spring 1997
1996 Dinner Report
Inaugural Dinner "Unforgettable"
As long ago as 1969 while discussing progressive education methods with the Head Boy Kieran Moriarty, Brother J. V. O'Shea expounded his perception of the role of psychology in the modern education process: "I always felt psychology works better on a boy when he has had a good kick up the arse".
Although nearly 30 years ago it is clear that even then the Christian brothers has grasped the mettle of modern education theory in a pragmatic sort of way.
Kieran recalled this discussion and other stories and anecdotes during a speech at a Dinner held in the school last September and attended by 250 Old Boys and members of staff. Supported by professionals: MC Alan Platt, Comedian Dusty Young and BBC scriptwriter and raconteur Peter Voyle Morgan, it was Kieran who topped the night. True, it was a home crowd., And why not? The simple fact was that the stories hit home and generic in nature they raised sentiment and humour from a common shared experience in men whose schooling was up to 40 years apart. What better than have one of your own make you laugh, smile and reflect; delivered in great style and received with an ovation.
At the close of the evening groups stayed on to talk. Forty or so continued on to Vince Scappaticci's house till the early hours and another group onto the nightclub Kells. Testimony to the fact that you're having a good time when you don't know when to go home!
The success of this event defined the validity of the Old Boys as an Association, allowing it to grow and progress. Thanks to all who attended and enjoyed the evening for your support on the night and feedback since. This year will be just as good.
Kieran Charleson
Old Boys Revived!
I consider it a great honour and privilege to have been elected Chairman of St. Ambrose Old Boys' Association. With the support of the present Headmaster, Mr. G. E. Hester, out talented and hard-working committee, and the assistance and encouragement of so many Old Boys, I believe that we have made tremendous progress in reviving the Old Boys' Association in the Golden Jubilee year. Our membership has already passed the 300 mark, and with your help and contacts we should be able to expand this considerably in the coming year.
The college continues to prosper academically as well as in sport, music and drama. Although none of the Christian Brothers actually teaches in the College now, every effort is made to maintain the ethos of the Christian Brothers' school and to have the utmost regard for the students' spiritual needs. In 1988 the College was accepted for membership of the prestigious Headmaster's' Conference (H.M.C.). Now, along with most other Brothers' schools and the Loreto Convent, St. Ambrose has applied for Grant-Maintained status.
We were overwhelmed by your enthusiasm and support for the Old Boys' dinner in the College hall last September, when so many old acquaintances were renewed. The Old Boys' Mass in the Holy Angels Church was well attended, and the subsequent buffet and rugby match against the College First XV provided further opportunities for reunion and reminiscence.
Not only has the College been celebrating 50 years in Hale Barns, but it was also able to witness and rejoice in the Beatification of Founder of the Christian Brothers, Edmund Ignatius Rice, by Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square, Rome on 6th October 1996.
For those who would like more detailed information of their old school, why not try to obtain a copy of the College's "Jubilee Brochure", a 32 page illustrated history of the College, written by Mr Sean Fleming. There are now only 40 copies available at the College, price £3.
I hope you find our first Newsletter interesting and informative. We are now trying to organise a programme of events at appropriate intervals during the year. We would, of course, be delighted to receive your ideas and suggestions for future events.
May I thank you most sincerely for your generous support.
John Kennedy ( Hon Chairman)
Golden Jubilee
of St Ambrose College
(1946-1996)
Bishop Noble celebrated Mass for the College's Golden Jubilee (1946 - 1996) on 19 September 1996 in Holy Angles' Church Hale Barns. The College presented the Bishop with a chasuble, decorated with symbols associated with the great St Ambrose of Milan. The invited congregation included Brothers, Governors, teachers, Old Boys and representatives from the Parents' Association. A buffet was provided in the College after Mass and many old acquaintances were renewed.
A 'Jubilee Brochure' written by Mr. Fleming, provided a history of the College up to the present day. It explains the link between the German invasion of Guernsey and the original school at 'Oakleigh' on Dunham Road, Bowdon (1940 - 1945). The school was named St. Ambrose College after Bishop Ambrose Moriarty of Shrewsbury, who had been so supportive,. The Christian Brothers took over the school in 1945 and moved to the Hale Barns site, 'Woodeaves', at Christmas 1945. New buildings were provided in 1962.
The College has gone from strength to strength. In 1988, under the Headship of Brother Coleman, the College was admitted to membership of the Headmasters' Conference (H.M.C.) alongside the major public schools such as Eaton, Harrow and Ampleforth. This was a reflection of the high academic standards at the College, with large numbers proceeding to university, and nearly 10% of our Sixth Formers winning places at Oxford and Cambridge. Many obtained first class degrees and prestigious positions, including President of the Oxford Union.
In 1991 Mr. G. E. Hester became the College's first lay Headmaster. Indeed none of the Christian Brothers actually teach in the College any more. However, the college continues to strive to retain the ethos of the Christian Brothers' school, and has continued to prosper.
The College Choir has sung Evensong in Chester, York, Worcester and Norwich Cathedrals, and has appeared on BBC television. It has recently made a CD of Christmas carols and will be heard on Radio 2 on 16 February 1996. An Old Boy, Martin Baker, is Sub-Organist and assistant choirmaster at Westminster Abbey, after short spells at Westminster cathedral and St. Paul's.
Many of our Old Boys have become priests, and Bernard Massey, Philip Egan, Anthony Wild and Philip Whitmore have kept in close touch with the College ( as has Brother Martin O'Reilly). Philip Witmore has a distinguished academic career as a Fellow of Magdalene College, Oxford, before being ordained priest by Cardinal Hume in 1992. He sang the Gospel at the televised 1996 Midnight Mass at Westminster Cathedral.
Michael Worsley was selected to play for the English Schools' Under 19 XV in 1995, and scored a try in a televised match against Scotland at Twickenham. He now plays for Orrell. Dylan O'Grady and Simon Verbickas are stars with Sale RUFC. A new cricket pitch (and sight-screens) has enabled us to have annual fixtures with an MCC XI. In July 1996 John Crawley made an impressive half-century for MCC against the College just 5 days before performing for Lancashire in the Benson and Hedges Final at Lords'. In 1995 Michael Bishop captained Cheshire's Under 19 XI (as did Andrew Blacoe in 1996) and Mike went on to captain the North of England Public Schools' XI at Oxford (recorded in Wisden) and to make one appearance for English Schools against New Zealand in 1996.
Brother Foley, Brother Grice, Brother Rynne and Brother Sheehan have all now retired. Brother Crease retired and then became the first Christian Brother to die and be buried in Africa - in Sierra Leone in 1994. This indicates the new direction the order has taken. They increasingly prefer to work on the missions, or in deprived inner-city areas, as their role in Catholic Education seems to have largely been completed.
Sean Fleming.
Beatification
of Edmund Ignatius Rice
Edmund Ignatius Rice (1762-1844), founder of the Irish Christian Brothers, was beatified in Rome on Sunday 6 October 1996. Pope John Paul II celebrated the special Beatification Mass in a packed St. Peter's Square in brilliant sunshine.
Members of Christian Brothers' communities from all over the world were in attendance. A group from Hale Barns included Brother Gordon (Provincial), Brother Foley, Brother Sheehan, Mr. Fleming and the Headmaster, Mr. Hester, as well as a number of parents, and students.
Together with groups from Christian Brothers' schools in Liverpool, Birkenhead, Stoke, Plymouth and Sunderland, the Altrincham group flew from Heathrow to Rome on Friday 4 October. Accommodation was conveniently situated close to the Beda College and the Basilica of St. Paul's on the south side of the city.
On Saturday morning Bishop Gray celebrated Mass in St. Paul's. Then a coach tour of the city was provided, with lengthy stops at St. John Lateran and Santa Maria Maggiore. In the afternoon all pilgrims gathered in the Audience Hall of the Vatican, where representatives of the Christian Brothers' communities from all over the world made contributions in music, dance and recitation to provide a memorable concert.
On Sunday morning, in brilliant sunshine, Pope John Paul II celebrated the Beatification Mass in a packed St. Peter's Square. The occasion was exceptionally joyful, moving, and spectacular. The Pope was in good voice despite his recent ill-healtb. Indeed, he entered hospital a few hours later to undergo surgery the following morning.
On Monday morning Cardinal Cahal Daly celebrated the first Mass of Blessed Edmund in St. Peter's Basilica as a tremendous thunderstorm bit the city of Rome. The Cardinal drew the congregation's attention to the
presence of the man, whose miraculous cure, attributed to the intercession of Edmund Rice, had enabled the beatification to be approved. In the afternoon all were invited to an informal gathering at the headquarters of the Irish Christian Brothers.
On Tuesday morning it was time to leave Rome. The party arrived back at Heathrow at midday and proceeded via Stoke to Hale Barns. Another miracle is required before Edmund Rice can be canonised as a Saint.
Sean Fleming
Meet the 1997 Committee....
Mark Ainsworth (1975 - 1986), Barrister
Meet the Committee (1997)
Mike Ainsworth (1967 - 1979), Financial Consultant
Paul Burns (1969 - 1981), Teacher
Domenico Centeleghe (1969 - 1980), Solicitor
Kieran Charleson (1968 - 1975), Sales & Marketing, (Vice Chairman)
Tony Dixon (1969 - 1980), G.P., (Secretary)
Sean Fleming, Teacher
Mark Gallimore (1970 - 1977), Surveyor, (Publicity)
Simon Gallimore (1972 - 1979), Broker Consultant
Chris Harrison (1978 - 1985), G.P.
John Kelsey Golf Promoter
John Kennedy (1967 - 1978), Company Director, (Chairman)
Adrian Lee (1970 - 1977), Police Chief Inspector
Mike Martin (1962 - 1969), Computer Consultant, (Membership Secretary)
Joe Ravening (1946 - 1952), Cabinet Maker/Joiner
Bernard Stafford (1947 - 1952), Sales Executive
Paul Thompson (1980 - 1987), Chartered Accountant, (Treasurer)
Membership Information
In less than one year the membership has risen to 304, not surprisingly most members joined just before the Dinner last September. Organising the tables for the dinner was not an easy task, so unless you specified otherwise we used the 'year of leaving' to arrange the seating plan.
The details you provided on the application forms are held on computer so please always inform us of any changes using the renewal form supplied with this newsletter. Anyone who objects may have their details removed. Our constitution has recently been amended to include the following statement: "The ownership of the Association shall be vested in each member equally".
Our constitution also states that "Fathers of past and present pupils of the College" are welcome to join the Association.
A wide range of ages and professions are covered by the Association. The proportion of members who left within each of the six decades of the College's existence shows that the highest proportion is from the 1970's.
A list of the members of the Old Boys' Association of 1969 has been kindly provided by Martin B. Massey. By looking up the names in the Manchester telephone directory we have managed to locate more Old Boys, they have all been invited to join the Association.
The Association has a presence on the Internet. This will be used to provide the most up to date information on all future events. If you find it useful then we will welcome any further suggestions you might have. Maybe a 'Where are you now' feature. If you have lost contact with an old friend send us the details and we will post it on the Internet. Any replies will be forwarded to you. You can find the Internet page by either using the words 'Ambrose', 'Old' & 'Boys' with one of the popular search engines, or go directly to the location shown at the bottom of this page.
Mike Martin (Hon Membership Secretary)
What are we doing now?
This is just a brief outline of the professions of the current members. The categories are rather general. Some members have not disclosed their profession.
Accountancy 12
Architecture/Town Planning 3
Banking 7
Building/Construction 6
Company Director 17
Computer Consultancy/Management 10
Dentistry 2
Education 21
Engineering 9
Father of Old Boy 5
Films 1
Finance/Insurance 23
Hotelier 1
Inventor 1
Journalism/The Media 2
Law 5
Management 21
Medicine 14
Nurse 2
Photography 1
Playwright 1
Police 4
Priest/Brother 4
Psychology 1
Retired 9
Scientist 7
Student 7
Self Employed 4
Golf Promoter 1
Travel Business 3
Rugby union:
The Brother Ring Memorial Trophy
1st XV 29pts v. OldBoys 24pts
The Old Boys this year had put together a very strong side and so it proved in a keenly contested match. The school team, although lacking the size of the opponents did not lack the tenacity to tackle low and hard so that the aggressive running of John Morley and Ian Tames was nullified somewhat at source. Fitness, or lack of it, from the Old Boys forwards enabled the school team to turn-over a lot of ball and secure almost all of their tight ball.
As the game wore on the school were increasingly finding space wide out with tries from Matthew Seed, Christopher Savage and Mark Tueart wide out.
With further tries from Angus Furlonger and Frazer Hynes and 2 consecutive from vice-captain Stephen Newton it was up to captain Nicholas Massey to lift the Memorial Trophy presented by Headmaster Mr. G. E. Hester.
Paul Burns.
A message from the Head Master,
Mr. G. E. Hester...
As Head Master of St Ambrose College, I am delighted with the renaissance of the Old Boys' Association. When I was appointed by the Christian Brothers, in 1991, I could scarcely believe that a great school like this did not have an Old Boys' Association.
We are aIl grateful to the committee for their very successful efforts. I take the credit only for setting up the inaugural committee meeting.
It is natural for Old Boys to want to keep in touch with their old school. I welcome the new strength of the association and promise the college's full co-operation. You are always one of our boys for the rest of your life. May God bless you and your family.
School News
In 1992 the College topped the new GCSE league tables for schools in Greater Manchester.
In 1996 the government's league tables indicated that the College obtained the best 'A' level results of any catholic day-school in the country.
The national press (including The Times) featured the achievements of the Astin brothers. Ronan obtained 11 starred A grades, almost certainly the best GCSE results by any boy in the country. His older brother, Ciaran, obtained 5 A grades in his 'A' levels and won a place at Cambridge.