You are reading the online edition of the Old Camdenians Newsletter, December 2022.

Dear Old Camdenians

I want to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy holiday season.

It has been a long term at Beacon High but a very successful one. You may be aware the Ofsted inspectors visited us in school on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th November. The inspection was very thorough and the report will be available when it comes out in 30 days time.

We were very excited to be able to host our International Evening for the first time since 2019. It was good to see our families supporting the students. It is always great to celebrate the achievements and hard work of our students. They presented their work from Black History Month through presentations, dance and singing and it was a great success.

On Friday 4th November the Year 10 triple science students attended the London City Airport STEM in Aviation event. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, covering a broad range of exciting careers and areas of research. Also, Year 7 students attended a Language and Cultural Day at UCL Institute of Education . The sessions were led by university students, and our students had the opportunity to learn about different languages through fun activities and games.

Our Year 11 students had a great Careers Day on Friday 12th November. They started the day by completing at least one online college application. For the second part of the day, we had more than 50 volunteers from companies including Google, Deloitte, PWC, Reed, Skanska, Wates, Bank of Tokyo and Bank of America working with groups of five students to put together CVs and prepare for interviews. Finally, in the afternoon, we had lots of the sixth form colleges from across North London set up stalls in the assembly hall so that students, along with their parents, could find out what each college had to offer. These work related events are so important for the aspirations of our learners.

I would particularly like to thank the Old Camdenians for their generous donation to the girls’ football team to purchase a new kit.

We look forward to a bright new year for Beacon High.

A year which I know has been challenging for many of us has culminated in the sad death of Pam Ives, for decades one of our most tireless supporters, at the age of 92. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to George and the devoted couple’s family and friends. Please see Ray’s tribute below, together with details of Pam’s funeral.

Both George and Pam were able to attend the Annual Lunch and AGM, held at the school in October, a joyous occasion slightly marred by the fact that, as Ray notes, there were more apologies for absence than attendees. Some of this was due to illness and transport issues, which can’t be helped, but it is difficult to see the event being sustainable in its present form if more OCs, of whatever vintage, don’t come along.

On a more positive note, it is cheering to read Alan’s report, and Sarah’s comment below, of continuing progress at the school. Congratulations to all concerned on Beacon High’s achievements and awards. Well done, too, to the school’s girl footballers, who, as Bill Wood reports below, have achieved success on the field, and will soon be playing in new kit sponsored by the Old Camdenians.

A half dozen of us who were at the school in the 1960s – me, Ray, George Georgiou, Savvas Savva, Mike Capocci and Philip Patsalos, braved frozen pavements to meet up recently at a lively Italian restaurant in Exmouth Market, to break the ice at we like to think of as our “office party”. If any other OCs out there have their own mini-reunions, do tell us about them.

As we used to say in newspapers, a merry Christmas to all our readers, and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

Dear Old Camdenian friends

Firstly, please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Pam Ives. Our thoughts are with George and his family and friends at this difficult time.

Unfortunately, I was unable to make your annual AGM and lunch, however I have it on good authority that a great time was had by all. My son, Charlie Greenman, appreciated your invitation and came home having really enjoyed the experience. You’ll be happy to hear that he passed all of his GCSEs this year after studying at Beacon High and it’s a great sign of how far the school has come. He will often tell people how the school had changed, for the better, during his time there and this is reflected in the school’s data. Outcomes, behaviour and attendance are all on the up and long may this continue.

Charlie has asked that I pass on his thanks – he used your bursary to purchase books to support his electrical installation college course. Times are tough for many at the moment and having support like this is hugely welcomed. He was able to recently install a new smoke alarm in our flat so the future is bright!

Having worked closely with Alan, Tim and the Beacon High team over the past five or six years, I can tell you that many exciting things have been happening in the background. Alan and the team are continuously evolving and looking at ways to improve the experience for both students and staff – they just don’t sit still! This is evident from the numerous awards achieved throughout this year and we should be so proud of the work that is taking place. We recently had a long-awaited Ofsted visit to Beacon High and we would ask that you keep your eyes peeled in the new year for the results.

On behalf of Islington Futures Federation, I can only thank you for your ongoing support – it is greatly appreciated.

We wish you the best of health and hope that you all have an enjoyable festive break.

I offer my sincere condolences to George Ives, our Honorary Life President of the Old Camdenians Club, on the passing his wife, Pam, on 6th December 2022, aged 92 years. Pam was George’s tower of strength and a stalwart supporter of the club. I refer to the Tribute we made to these two stars in 2020. Read why George affectionately called Pam ‘Matilda’. What a wonderful couple; over a 75-year span they would do anything for us – thank you Pam, I will certainly miss your counsel and advice.

George and Pam were our guests at the 95th Annual Lunch on Friday 28th October at the school. I know that they both enjoyed sitting at top table, watching our new OCs: Brenden Harrington Cutter; Charlie Greenman; Harvey Miller and Dylan Peters (all ex-Headteacher’s Ambassadors) join us and being presented with a donation of £100 each from the Old Camdenians towards their studies. We wish them well for the future. Indeed, Marta Monteiro, Ambassador for the Bill & Nora Wraight Old Camdenians Memorial Fund, was on hand to meet our new OCs and tell them a little about her life after school and college – thank you Marta.

The OC Committee continues to use Zoom as a means of meeting and have agreed to re-invest £135,000 in the Bill & Nora Wraight Old Camdenians Memorial Fund with Beaufort Financial.

The OC Committee decided to purchase kit for the Beacon High Girls Football Team, and a cheque for £1,726.48 was presented to Bill Wood.

Have you visited the school’s website recently? Their weekly newsletter The Beacon always covers an entry for the Club – our thanks to Mohamed Abdelmula. Also, you will be able to follow the girl’s football team and see their photographs too. Try the link to ‘The Beacon’, 7th October, below in your browser.

https://beaconschool.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/document/Beacon-High-Newsletter-7th-October-2022.pdf?t=1665759769?ts=1665759769

Lastly, may I wish you all a safe and enjoyable time over the festive season.

From ‘The Beacon’ Friday 7th October 2022

Beacon High saw off all competition to win this tournament at Market Road. A competition essentially for Year 9s, our team comprised two Year 9s, three Year 8s and six Year 7s, and were the only undefeated team. Beating AMSI (5-0) and SMMA (1-0) to top their group, they then beat COLAI on penalties (1-0) in the semifinal and SMMA again (3-1 on penalties) in the final to claim the trophy.

Captain Kiera led the team brilliantly, interchanging going in goal with playing outfield depending on what the team needed at the time. She scored two goals (one penalty) and saved five penalties and countless shots. Special mention also to Della (Y7) who scored 6 goals (including two crucial penalties). One goal against AMSI was so stunning even the opponents coach and spectators were applauding. Credit to Jet (also Y7) who coolly scored her penalty in the final.

Well done to all the team.

Squad: Kiera, Imogen, Acacia, Jeobeni, Tia, Della, Chance, Jet, Jaylean, Elizabeth and Lottie.

The PE department would like to extend a huge thank you to the Old Camdenians on behalf of the girls’ football teams, for their generous support in agreeing to buy the teams two brand new football kits. The girls can’t wait to be the smartest looking school teams as well as the most successful.

Bill adds: However, there were mixed fortunes for the girls as we reached the end of term. You may recall the U14s won and the U12s were runners-up in the District 7-a-side tournaments earlier in the term. Unfortunately both teams have exited the Inner London cups, losing to the much larger Mossbourne Academy and Graveney school’s respectively. However, not without putting up admirable resistance in both games and showing flashes of excellence, including U14 captain Kiera’s goal from the half way line against Graveney!

Sadly, Kiera (who also plays for Arsenal Ladies) injured knee ligaments representing the school and will be out of action for some time. We wish her a speedy recovery.

On the plus side, the girls’ enthusiasm for the game hasn’t diminished in the slightest and they regularly ask me when their next game is! In other good news, their new OC sponsored kits were due for delivery over the Christmas break so the providers have agreed to deliver it during the first week in January. The girls should have it in time for their match with Arts and Media School Islington next month. I shall send photos of the teams in the new kit when we have it.

The boys’ teams across the range (U12-U16) continue to feature in the London, Inner London and Camden and Islington competitions with some crunch games forthcoming.

On behalf of the students I’d like to thank all members of the Old Camdenians for their continued support of the school, which this year has raised another notch with the kit sponsorship. We hope you all have a peaceful, joyful and fulfilling festive season and I look forward to seeing you in the new year.

50+ Club membership 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.

It was a pleasure to see the Old Camdenians and the future members of the fund at the annual lunch in October. I was saddened to get the news of another Camdenian passing away, my condolences go out to the friends and family. I do Iwish you all a merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Just to let you know that Craig Hinkins was recently awarded the Royal Yacht Association ‘Lifetime Commitment Award’ by the Princess Royal in London in November.

Craig is a Senior Dinghy Instructor and Powerboat Instructor, and is Chief Instructor at Fidlers Ferry Sailing Club Training Centre. He has also been Chief Instructor at the Scout Centre at Tatton Park, Cheshire Schools (CSSCA) and Schools & Youth Sailing and Canoeing Association.

The Award is for Craig’s long service of volunteering – having introduced and personally trained thousands of young people and adults. He has either introduced and trained personally or organised their introduction and training in sailing and powerboating activities over the years.

Bob Hartley has added a couple of pictures of  a  ‘School trip to Venice in 1962’ see below

Bob Hartley

In clearing out our garage I found this slate, used in filming The Prefects. I have put it in a box together with tie, jumper and brochure from 1989 Cricket Club tour. Also included arte Howard’s old school scarf, tie and cap and some cloth badges with the school crest. Also, I found Howard’s mother’s copy of the application form for the school!

Howard has been in Gable Court Care Home, 111 Roxy Avenue, Romford, RM6 4AZ, since January. He seems to have settled in well and the staff seem friendly and caring.

Mary joined us for the 95th Annual Lunch and presented Howard’s box of memorabilia to the club and the school – thank you.

Stephen recently subscribed to our OCC website to receive the regular newsletters. In response to our button – How can we help? Stephen asked, “Would any photos be available of years 1967 to 1971 Or anything related to these years Head Mr Lewis, Mr Fletcher, Form teacher Mr Pratt, Games Bob Wilson and Mike England, Mr Kemp” I pointed Stephen to our Photo Gallery and the Eminent OCs, however, are there any of our members who can help Stephen? Ray has contact details.

Pamela Audrey Ives (nee Driscoll) was born in Kingsbury on 21st September 1930. Pam met George at a Valentine’s dance when George had a 48-hour pass from his National Service duties in the Army. They married at Holy Innocents Church, Kingsbury, on 23rd June 1956, and the rest is history, as they say. George and Pam were our guests at the 95th Annual Lunch, on Friday 28th October 2022, at the school. I know that they both enjoyed sitting at top table.

Pam died on 6th December 2022, with George by her side. Pam was aged 92 years. Our sincere condolences to George and family at this difficult time.

Pam’s funeral will take place at 11.30am, on Friday 30th December, at St Francis of Assisi Terriers, Amersham Road, High Wycombe, HP 13 5AB. Afterwards there will be refreshments at the church hall. The internment will be a private affair.  Ray Rowe

The 113th AGM, followed by our 95th Annual Lunch under the stewardship of Ann Tennant and her team, was held on Friday 28th October at the school. George and Pam Ives were our guests of honour and everyone had an excellent meal and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Brenden, Charlie, Dylan and Harvey, all ex – Headteacher’s Ambassadors, were awarded £100 each towards their studies.

However, the Committee are most concerned that there were more apologies for absence than those attending the AGM and lunch. 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. Could you please let us know if you would like to attend our 96th Annual Lunch at the school on Friday 27th October 2023 via ‘Contact Us’. Also, if you are interested in attending an evening event during the year, please let us know and we will see if we can organise something for you.