You are reading the online edition of the Old Camdenians Newsletter, March 2023.

Dear Old Camdenians,

As you all know, at Beacon High we believe that school is about more than just exam results (although they are extremely important). We want all of our learners to achieve highly and take that next step to adulthood as confident young people who have a breadth of experiences behind them. This was recognised in the opening of the Ofsted report, “Beacon High is a caring school. Pupils are polite and considerate of others. Staff provide high-quality care, which makes pupils feel safe. Pupils want to do well and generally work hard. There is a culture of celebration that encourages and motivates pupils.” Ofsted came to this conclusion by speaking to parents, students and staff at Beacon High. The report also highlights that, “Leaders and Governors have worked together effectively to improve all areas of the school’s work”.

A big thank you to the Old Camdenians for sponsoring our Community Quiz Night and everyone in our school community who attended. In particular thank you to Mr Wood for organising the event. Along with the Old Camdenians, Rough Cuts Casuals, Salvino’s, Bread by Bike and Arsenal Football Club provided the prizes. The proceeds of the event went towards our Comic Relief fundraising. It was such a successful evening that we plan to host another one in the summer term.

Also in March we have celebrated International Women’s Day in school. Our students took part in workshops in order to promote Equity. Please read further details in the newsletters on our website. We also held a series of events and lessons to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in January.

Our Key Stage 3 girls’ football team goes from strength to strength. They look particularly professional in their Camdenians sponsored kit, with two extremely impressive wins over the last two weeks. Additionally, some of them have been involved in a sustainability project with Arsenal. Not only did they get to meet some Arsenal first team players but they also got to attend the match against Crystal Palace. You can see the video here: Ball Corporation & Arsenal Team Up For Global Recycling Day

In other news, we hosted some visitors from Salford who came specifically to look at our Inclusion work. As you know we are considered to be a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for inclusion and it is always good to share our practice with other schools. They were very impressed with what they saw. This was also noted by Ofsted who stated, “Leaders, including governors have created a strong culture of safeguarding. Leaders work closely with a wide range of external agencies to get the right kind of help for each pupil who needs it.”

Earlier this term we held a non-uniform day at short notice, to raise funds for the Earthquake Appeal. We were very proud that staff and students were keen to support those families suffering in Turkey and Syria. Even though it is a difficult time economically, every little bit can help and our students raised over £500.

And finally,

This spring’s newsletter sadly has to record the death at the age of 89 of George Ives, the Club’s Honorary Vice-President and a dedicated supporter of the OCC for more than 70 years. George died on 29th January, at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, with his nieces Jane and Jackie by his side, his death coming only a matter of weeks after that of his beloved wife Pam. Along with OCs Bill Wood, Alan, Janet and Lesley Meyer, Martin Quilter, Bob Pearson, Peter Sumpter, John Maskell, Peter Clayton, Patrick Jones and Gary Davis, I attended his funeral in High Wycombe, where at the wake we were able to celebrate his life with a rousing rendition of the school song. More tributes, an appreciation by Alan Meyer and a farewell poem by Dennis Warwick appear elsewhere in this newsletter.

Looking ahead, one of our school’s most celebrated alumni, Laurence Marks, has been in touch to say that not only will he be going to the annual lunch, but also he will regale the assembled company with tales from his diaries of his extraordinary life in the entertainment business. Laurence, along with his writing partner Maurice Gran, is the author of some of the most successful comedy shows in British television history, including Birds of a Feather, Relative Strangers, Goodnight Sweetheart, Roll Over Beethoven and Shine On Harvey Moon, not to mention works for stage and film. See his message below. It promises to be a hot ticket, so book now!

Dear Old Camdenians

I was sad to hear about the passing of George – our condolences go to George’s family. I never had the pleasure of meeting George and Pam, however I understand that they were very close and we can only take some solace in the fact that they have been reunited.

For those of you who haven’t already heard, Beacon High recently moved from a ‘Requires Improvement’ to a ‘Good’ in the Ofsted ratings. This is absolutely amazing news! Having been a Parent Governor at Beacon High for many years, I could see the transformation before my eyes. These things don’t happen overnight and it’s been a hard slog for everyone involved. I take my hat off to Alan and the team for slowly chipping away with making improvements at the school. We need to thank everyone who has been involved with the school – the Old Camdenians, the teachers and students, the Governors and all the support staff. The great thing about Beacon High is that there’s a great sense of community and team together, and everyone’s efforts help make the school a success.

Carrying on with the positive theme, I caught up with Kitty, one of our PE teachers, last week and she told me that the girl’s football team were over the moon with their new kits – thank you. I would also like to say thank you for your kind contribution to the prizes for the recent Beacon High quiz – a great night was had by all. Bill plans to hold another quiz in the summer term so let’s hope that it doesn’t clash with an Arsenal game and we get to see a few of you there. The Governors Team came a close second to Streeter & Co, so we will be busy swotting up before the next one. Ray was also a great help during the quiz.

Thank you George, for all that you have done for your beloved school over the past 76 years. You told us that you were at Holloway from 1946 to 1951, but we know that you never really left. In your roles as Honorary Vice-Life President and Secretary of the Old Camdenians, and many years as Chair of School Governors, you have been an inspiration to all. We feel that much better for having known you.

If you feel that you could follow in George’s footsteps and help the school by being a School Governor please contact Assistant Head Teacher Mo Abdelmula at mohamed.abdelmula@beaconhigh.org where he will discuss the role with you. Also, you can check out this link https://www.islingtonfutures.org/680/governor-vacancies for information about Associate Members of Governors for our Federation of Schools.

On 9th March I attended the Beacon High’s Community Charity Quiz night, at the school, where I assisted Bill Wood and presented a £100 donation from the club to the winning team in memory of George Ives.

Bill Wood hosting the Community Charity Quiz Night

The winning team, “Streeter & Co”, immediately donated it to the Comic Relief Fund. The second prize was ten x £10 vouchers to be used at Rough Cut casual wear and won by “The Guvnors”. “The Rejects” won the third prize, an Arsenal Football Club ball signed by the team, and let me hold it – many thanks to all for a great night! Hopefully, we can get an OCC team to attend the next quiz. If you are interested, please let me know.

Ray Rowe with a signed football from Arsenal Football Club 

Beacon High Community Quiz

Firstly I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the Old Camdenians for your generous support of our Community Quiz, which we held in aid of Comic Relief. Your £100 donation was the obvious coveted first prize which was competed for by eight teams comprising staff, former staff, students, governors, youth club staff, family and friends. It was a huge success with all present thoroughly enjoying themselves. We raised over £150 and we will repeat the event in the summer term. I extend special thanks to Ray who came along and not only presented the winning team (“Streeter and Co”) with the cash, but was an invaluable assistant to me setting up and running the show. I’d love to see an OC team at the next quiz!

Alan Streeter (OCC President & Headteacher) receiving £100 from Ray Rowe at the Community Charity Quiz Night

Girls’ Football

The girls have finally had their first (and subsequently two since) runout in their brand new OC sponsored kit. The kit debut was for the U12 team in Week 1 of the ISSSA 7-a-side league. After narrowly losing 1-0 to CoLAHG in their first game in a few months, they came back to beat both AMSI and SMMA to claim second spot out of the six teams on the day. Two more teams are due to join the league over the next two weeks, where we will hope to rise to the top of the table.

Beacon High School Girls Football Team proudly wearing OCC sponsored kit

The U13 team have been entered for two new national 9-a-side competitions. One is for New Teams (new to girls’ football) and the the other for Small Schools (schools with fewer than 130 girls in years 7 and 8 combined). Having received a bye in one and a school from Dagenham forfeiting the other, the team had two second round games this week. In the NS competition Beacon High comfortably brushed aside Harris Academy Purley 12-1! In the SS competition they rolled over The Grange Academy from Letchworth 9-5.

The girls are thriving in their new kit and have message from a couple of the players for you all: “I really love the new kits, they are really comfortable. The football kit identifies us all as a part of a team. When a player gets hot, the shirt can also help keep a player cool and dry.” “I believe that the football kits that we got are very nice. It is great material and sweat-proof when playing games which is very comforting.”

PE teacher and team manager Kitty Lewis remarked on how smart and professional the girls look in comparison to other schools and is convinced it has contributed to their performances. There’s a real buzz in and around the team and the OCC has definitely played its part in that. Thank you!

Images of the Beacon High School Girls Football Team playing in their OCC sponsored kit

The club is very grateful for any and all donations that we receive to make our donations to the school. However, since we do not have a members’ subscription fee our only other source of income is through the 50+ Club membership. Please help us to realise future causes and help change a life by joining the 50+ Club, which is £60 per year or a standing order of £5 per month. A number between 1 and 59 is selected and that is entered into a monthly draw which is determined by the first two numbers drawn in the National Lottery. Prizes are £100 (£200 in November) and £20 (£50 in November).  For more information contact us here.

Dear Trustees and OC Committee.

First I would like to thank you all for your support over the last three years, you have helped in so many ways. From books, to online classes, and extra help from tutors which has resulted in me receiving even better grades than expected. What you have all set up here for young individuals is so kind and generous, we are truly thankful.

I would like to mention Ray, most importantly, as we stay in contact continuously. What a lovely man, it’s been absolutely wonderful to have the conversations we have had, and the support he has given me.

I wish you all the best.

I would like to send my condolences to George Ives’s family and friends, I really was not expecting to hear this news. “Mr George” was very friendly and welcoming when we communicated through email before and during the first Camdenian club reunion I attended. May he rest in peace.

Towards the end of 2021 I was asked to chair a session at the Cheltenham Literary Festival, and so doing I met one of our most eminent modern historians, David Kynaston. After the session we went to the Green Room and discussed this and that, before he learned I was a committed diarist, and had been so since March 1963 – in the playground of Holloway County School. David said to me, “It is every historian’s wish to meet a proper diarist, and may I ask you a favour?”

We met again for lunch and David said he was preparing his next tome, which covers the period from the Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962) to Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral (January 1965), and if he sent me a list of topics would I go to my archive in the University of York and check out what I wrote for his specific areas of history. And so I did, and what I found I shall present to the annual lunch as a sort of after-dinner speech. The entries made by a 14- and 15-year-old schoolboy are revelatory read now, some 60 years later. I have no doubt you will find them amusing and it might even transport the more senior among you to the beginning of what is now known as “The Swinging Sixties”. Furthermore, I think they will be of interest to the students of Beacon High.

Anyone attending the first annual LORIC ( Leadership; Organisation; Resilience; Initiative and Communication) awards evening on the 27th April 2023, 5pm – 7.30pm, at Beacon High School, could they please take some good pictures of the event and forward them to us. I will to put them on on the OCC website. This is an opportunity to celebrate with staff, governors and students of Beacon High and join us in congratulating our worthy award winners.

George was a very proud Old Camdenian whose association with the club and school for more than 70 years showed a level of commitment that was beyond measure.

He joined the OC Football Club on leaving school and gained a reputation for a fearless style of goalkeeping. He regularly broke bones and suffered dislocations, leaving his wife Pam waiting at home in trepidation. For his teammates there was never a dull moment as he set an example with his enthusiasm and sportsmanship.

His playing days over, George became the OCs General Secretary and continued to serve both club and school with distinction, working tirelessly to maintain and improve their relationship. He made a significant contribution as a school governor, particularly in the role of Vice Chair of the Board, .actively supporting many schemes benefiting pupils.

George enjoyed organising the Club’s annual reunions. With his toastmaster’s skills, he was an ideal Master of Ceremonies and presided over many memorable occasions, such as the centenary celebrations for the school in 2007 and the club in 2009.

As the saying goes, “Behind every great man there’s an equally great woman”, and it was never truer than with George. Pam’s quiet support for him and the club over so many years was invaluable. They were a remarkable couple, held in the highest regard. Their humour, kindness and above all friendship will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

Martin Quilter, Denis Piggott, Bob Pearson, Patrick Jones and Peter Sumpter representing the Old Camdenians

and leading the school song.

A selection of further tributes from Old Camdenians

Dennis Warwick

George and Pam were married for 64 years. Most of us will not live long enough to claim such a momentous time span, but we can all still acknowledge the love that obviously cemented their lives together. Some achievement, particularly when you consider that, for some 40 years of their marriage, Pam shared the additional personal working strains as his PA and office manager. And, as if that were not enough, for decades George, well supported by Pam, gave considerable time, effort and expertise to a diverse range of functions within the school Old Boys and Girls. Age did not wilt his services to the OCC, as shown by the recent return of the 50+ Club to the original concept of 50-plus members. Respected by all if, with apologies, at times taken for granted, our George remains the epitome of dedication.

Martin Hodgson

As a Governor, George always prioritised the pupils of the school and passionately supported any scheme that would benefit them. He always showed a real understanding of how the pupils were very different from those of his own time at the school, facing different challenges and disadvantages. George and Pam were both genuine and caring. I have seen George struggle to mediate in disagreements within the club and with the school. In these times he remained generous towards those he did not agree with, never moaning or complaining about his own situation. In short George and Pam were the heart of both the Club and the School.

John Maskell

I met with George and Pam at committee meetings and functions. Pam invariably took the minutes at meetings while George spoke. Over 40 years ago I played in the same football team on a few occasions before he packed up. While not being the tallest goalkeeper, he would leapt about to make saves.

Alan Shearn

My fleeting recollections of George are as a goalkeeper at Burton Hole Lane in 1972 for the opening match, and then 10 years earlier as master of ceremonies at the OC 1962 Dinner at the Connaught Rooms. My return to the UK in 2016 saw me join the OC committee, and who was there – those same old faces, including George, a term of service to club and school that covers decades, not just as an honorary figure, rather a key worker organising the reunion event and the 50+ Club. And by his side was Pam, active and passionate about the OCs.

John Fitch

As I have got older and found myself organising similar events for all sorts of clubs (but not the OCC), I began to realise the kind of behemoth that organising and running even a small event becomes. Each time you arrange “a bit of a do” you say “never again and certainly not next year” …. but there was dear George doing it for as long as I can recall, whether at the Arsenal, Burton Hole Lane, the Gatehouse, or the “New Hall” at Hilldrop Crescent, Pam and George were there organising the seating, the menus, the raffle, the food, the service, sales of OC ties, and all before doing a mean turn as the MC, keeping what can be a rowdy crowd in good order. I suspect with all that going on he never got a mouthful of food and certainly no drink until the day after.

James Brown
I am so saddened to hear of George’s death. He was a kind gentleman, always thinking of others. The Camdenians will go on, but it’s a big loss to us. He has left a great big legacy and will never be forgotten. I say thank you, George and Pam, now they are together in Heaven, for inviting me to a great many meetings and dinners. Without you I would have not done so.

Peter Gourri
When I first joined the OCs in my late 30s, I was (and remain) the only one from my peer group of 1981-1986 to be involved and frankly wondered if I had done the right thing. George explained that he was happy I was there as my period was known in OC circles as the “wilderness years”. He promptly made a point of personally introducing me to the persons present, ensuring I knew all about them and leaving me feeling comfortable and “at home”. He was a lovely man who would keep in touch from time to time by email or Facebook.

Bill Wood
I first met George soon after assuming the role of Head of PE at Holloway school in September 1999. He warmly invited and welcomed me to my first Old Camdenians annual dinner in November that year. It was immediately apparent to me that he was the face of the Old Camdenians and to my mind will take some dislodging to not be considered the archetypal “Mr Old Camdenians”.

Soon after my arrival at the school I served four years as a staff governor while George was Vice Chair of Governors. It was in this capacity I was able to witness first hand his unflinching dedication to the school and in particular the students. In his time as a governor the school went from being an all-boys school to mixed with the introduction of girls early in the new century. Even when the school name changed to Beacon High in 2019, George’s service to the school never wavered. He strived to create a lasting legacy of football competitions with our feeder primary schools through the Bill and Nora Wraight Memorial fund, before the pandemic unfortunately put paid to those plans.

However, it is on a personal level I will most fondly remember George. Often greeting me as “William”, he was almost father-like to me (my father being one of the only other people to still call me William). He seemed to have an endless supply of witty one-liners with each greeting and l’m honestly not sure if I ever heard the same one twice in 23 years! I feel incredibly honoured to have had the privilege to sit next to both Pam and George at their final Old Camdenians lunch last October (they swapped seats during the meal). I shall miss them both dearly and those occasions will undoubtedly never be the same without them. I wish l could thank George for being a model human-being and quite simply an inspiration.

Dennis Warwick’s Poem to George

Regretfully George, I’ve not known you for as long as most,
guess first meeting was at one of the lunches you host.
Regaled for your decades of dedicated service to the OCC,
and whatever the stress, a gentleman to all, including me.
You’ve achieved success in so many schools associated roles,
that, if they ever had one, George you would be top of the polls.
But, for now, one of your many tasks is coming to an end,
so just a few lines from an OCC member, can’t claim friend.
I’ve enjoyed lunches you’ve organised over so many years,
and the atmosphere they created for me and all my peers.
So, this is just a poor rhyme, to say thanks from a sincere fan,
to you George, you will always remain one special gentle man.

Click here on the link for George’s full obituary https://oldcamdenians.info/our-members/obits/3/

Alan George Flook, an eminent OC, died peacefully, aged 80, on 11th December 2022 at Milton Keynes hospital, with his daughter Jacquie and grandson Adam by his side.

Alan was born on 2nd April 1942 at University College Hospital London, during an air raid. He was at Holloway School between 1957 and 1959, having come back to London from Cardiff. Alan worked at the Unilever Research Frythe Laboratory in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. In the mid-1970s he moved with the company to their Colworth Laboratory, at Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire.  Unilever benefitted hugely from Alan’s skills and talents and many of his methods are still in use today.

After Alan left Colworth his skills were so highly recognised by international companies such as Zeiss and Leica that he continued to work with them writing computer programs and training their staff in the use and applications of these techniques. Alan travelled widely including to the USA, training others and further developing analysis methods.

Alan played a significant part in the work at the Sanger Institute in Cambridge, in the early 1990s, on the original Human Genome Project, in DNA sequencing the entire human genome, a monumental task that was only completed in 2003. Alan was also an examiner of postgraduate studies at Loughborough University. Ray Rowe

The 114th AGM, followed by our 96th Annual Lunch under the stewardship of Ann Tennant and her team, will be held on Friday 27th October 2023 at the school.

We do need your support to keep this yearly tradition that includes a tour of the school, followed by a reception with drinks, the AGM and then a sit-down meal with friends.

Laurence Marks, one of our school’s most celebrated alumni, has agreed to present  a sort of after-dinner speech, which he has no doubt that you will find amusing and it might even transport the more senior among us to the beginning of what is now known as “The Swinging Sixties”. So, please let us know if you would like to attend via ‘Contact Us’ or drop me an email.

Also, if you are interested in attending an evening event during the year, such as the quiz night, please let us know and we will see if we can organise something for you.