Association Annual General Meeting

This was held at the Clubhouse on the 28^th January and it was a relief that there were sufficient chairs for all those attending.  In addition to Committee members there were four ordinary members who made the golden journey to Samarkand , and the number of apologies for absence considerably outnumbered those actually in attendance.

Neil Ockenden circulated his chairman’s report which was a masterly summary of the important events that have taken place since the re-organization of the Association.  One point which Neil stressed was the importance of fostering good relations between the School and the Association.  Membership was around 270, but a number of these had paid no subscription for several years, the subscription being confirmed as £10 annually.  Many thanks were due to Simon Drury who had set up an Old Boys’ Website, through which it was hoped to increase membership.  The Golf Section and the 30 Section were both flourishing.  The Association Dinner, scheduled for 16^th April, would be held at the Woodcote Park Golf club instead of the School, where amenities and catering would combine to make it a very special occasion in this Jubilee year.  The mass in honour of St John Fisher would be incorporated in the proposed Old Boys’ Open Day to be held at the School on Sunday 26^th June in celebration of the jubilee. 

Neil quoted from the latest Ofsted report:-  ‘This is a good school with very good features. Leadership by the Head Master is very good, involving all in developing the very positive ethos of the School.  Teaching and learning and achievement are good.’  There was special praise for the 6^th form, which now has 214 pupils.

Michael Thelwell spoke on membership.  There had been a small increase in numbers over the year, including those who continued to pay no subscription, and it was agreed that at the end of the Jubilee year those who did not respond to a request for a subscription should be removed from the Newsletter list.  Michael informed the meeting that there were some 2000 Old Boys registered on Friends Re-united, and they could produce a source for future membership.  John Bennett said he would contact Simon Drury to see if he could help in keeping the Website up-to-date.

Mike Farrin, Treasurer, presented the accounts which showed a balance of £1589, with £684 due to be received from the Sports Club.

No nominations from outside the current Committee had been received, and so it was proposed and seconded that the incumbents should be re-elected, and this was duly carried out.  The Committee is as follows:-

Chairman          -  Neil Ockenden                     

Secretary          -  Michael Drury

Treasurer          -  Michael Farrin                      

Membership     -  Michael Thelwell

Members          -  John Albertini, Peter Bennett, Simon Drury, Duncan Ponikwer, Bryan Whicher