Home > Newsletters >Newsletter Winter 2025
You are reading the online edition of the Old Camdenians Newsletter, Winter 2025
Alan Streeter
President
Dear OCC members,
This is the last update of 2025 and I want to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy holiday season. When we return in 2026 the school will officially be known as Lift Beacon High.
It marks an exciting new chapter for our school, as we join Lift Schools. We look forward to working collaboratively with other schools across the network on sharing best practice and benefiting from the strength of their operational and educational teams. We are very proud of our achievements over the last few years and anticipate a bright future for Lift Beacon High. Our school has developed a strong reputation for inclusivity and keeping students with additional needs in mainstream education; this is a commitment that Lift Schools shares also. Lift Schools https://www.liftschools.org/
The 12th of December was a very special day for our students. This year’s conference theme was ‘Believe in Tomorrow: STEM & Futures Day’ – sponsored by the OCC. Charlie Walker https://www.cwexplore.com/, explorer and author, was our guest speaker and inspired students and staff with his stories of resilience, perseverance and overcoming challenges. He was truly inspirational. Thank you to Mr Abdelmula for organising a fantastic day!
What I admire most about our school community is our diversity and willingness to help others. These values will carry our youngsters a long way in life and those values start at home with their families. The support from the OCC ensures our youngsters are well versed in how to support others. It is our firm belief that it does not matter who you are, nor where you come from, you will always be able to find a place in our school community. Believe. Belong. Become.
Our non-uniform day will once again raise money for Save the Children in support of the children affected by conflict and disasters around the world. Emergencies | Save the Children UK. Save the Children is there for children before, during and after disaster strikes.
Last year they responded to 112 emergencies across 71 countries, reaching 23.8 million people through their Children’s Emergency Fund. From earthquakes to conflict zones, they deliver what children need most – food, water, medical care and safe spaces – while the world watches and long after it looks away.
We placed a memorial bench for former Holloway Boys School student Dr Peter F Todd in our Ben Kinsella Peace Garden. Peter’s daughter, Dr Sue Bowtell, and her husband, Dr Phil Bowtell, attended the conference day event and the unveiling ceremony, where the OCC donated £500 to support the work and activities of the Environment, Sustainability and Community student council group. Members of the council joined Jonathan Deane and us at the ceremony. And finally, the Old Hall will now officially be known as the Old Camdenians Hall. The OCC has been a tremendous supporter of the school and has impacted the lives of our students in so many different ways. It is an absolute pleasure to be able to mark your continued contribution to our school by placing a plaque for all to see at the entrance. Alan Streeter
Alan Meyer
Honorary Life Vice President
I trust that you have all had a healthy and rewarding 2025 and are looking forward to an even better 2026. Alas, not the case with yours truly, as this year has been a difficult one healthwise for both my wife, Janet, and me. I won’t bore you with the details but, suffice to say, things now seem to be going in the right direction, which, clearly we hope will continue into the new year and beyond. Oddly, it all started last June when our very old damson tree suddenly shed two of its largest and most heavily fruit laden branches after some gale force winds. Fortunately, we were able to salvage enough of the crop for jam making, although Janet was secretly hoping for a year off from that task. Subsequently, this seemed to coincide with a decline in health for both of us and a succession of things, many electrical, breaking down or going wrong which has been maddening to say the least, especially when you are 89 and 85 respectively. However, patience is a virtue and I do hope that none of you have had similar unfortunate experiences.
Let’s not forget, though, those people living in constant poverty in the UK. At the last count there were four million such families, including the same number of children.This is frankly a national disgrace, but, thankfully, we now seem to have a government willing do something about it. This will, of course, take time, but, in the meantime we could all aim to offer our support, in some way, to one such unfortunate family. This would, I’m sure result in happy Christmases all round
So, it only remains for me to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and rewarding new year. With very best wishes. Just a little Christmas teaser for you – try going a whole day without using the word “nice”. Not as easy as it sounds. Good luck. Alan Meyer
Denis Piggott
Chair
As you will have seen from Alan Streeter’s report, the school is about to enter a new era as an academy school, assuring its future under the wing of an organisation that shares its educational aims and committment to inclusivity. We in the OCC wish the staff and students well in this bright new future and will of course continue to support them in whatever way we can.
Our Annual Lunch and AGM held at the school at the end of October was another hugely enjoyable one, with a large number of recent leavers helping to bring the age profile down! But we need more people to come to make it even better. Next year will be the 117th AGM and 99th dinner/lunch, so mark the date in your diary – October 30. When we get to 100, maybe we’ll get a letter from the King!
In November some of the London-based OCs from the 1963-70 Holloway years – me, Ray, Philip Patsalos, Savvas Savva, George Georgiou and Mike Capocci – met up for our regular pre-Christmas gathering, at a Greek restaurant in Finchley. If any of you out there did something similar, do let us know.
I wish you all a merry Christmas and a healthy and peaceful new year. Denis Piggott
Panos Nicolaides
Beacon High School Governor
A new world dawns for the school. It is now part of the Lift Academy. It is worth reiterating the benefits for joining:
• Significant cost savings due to Lift’s purchasing power and the cancelling of onerous contracts (like the facilities one)
• Better CPD and support for the staff
• Removes risk of closure because of falling student numbers as a result of declining birth rates. The number of vacant school places has risen consequently.
As a governor my role reduces in significance because so much is done by the academy, but nevertheless continues. I look forward to making whatever contribution I can. The opportunities for the school are exciting. Panos Nicolaides
Views from committee members
Ray Rowe, Honorary Secretary
We wish our President and all at Lift Beacon High School the very best in their transition to academy status. Also, we look forward to working with you all and continuing support from the Old Camdenians in the future.
It was a wonderful surprise when Mo Abdelmula, Assistant Headteacher, invited me to see the plaque that had been placed at the entrance to the ‘Old Camdenians’ Hall’ – the photo and smile says it all.
Old Camdenians Hall
Old Camdenians’ Hall Plaque Mo and Ray
It was an honour to organise the acquisition and placing of a memorial bench in the Ben Kinsella Peace Garden in memory of Dr Peter F Todd, an Eminent OC, on behalf of Valerie, his wife, I wish to thank everyone involved.
Dr Sue Bowtell, Peter’s daughter; Dr Phil Bowtell, her husband; Jonathan Deane (2 i/c SEN Department and Horticulture Course Leader); and members of the Environment, Sustainability and Community student council group joined me at the unveiling ceremony. Unfortunately, Valerie Todd, Peter’s wife was unable to travel, but was there in spirit.
Jonathan Deane, accepted a donation of £500 from the OCC to support the work and activities of the Environment, Sustainability and Community student council group.
Dr Peter F Todd’s daughter Sue on the memorial bench in the Ben Kinsella Peace Garden
QWERTY Services ,report by David Silvester on OCC website survey
I wish to thank all of you who took the time to complete our survey on the OCC’s website, and to thank David Silvester for his report (please tap on the link above and read his report below).
We have now collated and reviewed all responses from the website survey. The feedback shows strong support for moving forward: over 60% of respondents believe that a redesign is important for the future of the website.
Members also highlighted a number of features they would like to see included in a new website. The most popular were:
• Regular news updates
• An events calendar
• A members’ directory
• A photo gallery
• Historical archives
• Updates on former pupils and staff (“where are they now?” content)
In addition to new content, respondents identified several key improvements that would
enhance usability and overall experience:
• Easier navigation, including a clearer and simplified menu structure
• A modern, refreshed design that appeals to both younger and older OCs
• More links to useful external resources
• Better integration with social media platforms
This feedback provides a strong foundation for planning the next stage of the redesign and ensures the new website will better meet the needs and expectations of members.
I will report back in our Spring newsletter 2026 – watch this space!
The OCC’s 116th AGM and 98th Annual Lunch were a total success made possible by new OCs and regular OCs supporting the event, together with those who could not attend, and donated so that others could do so. Ann Tenant and her team served a superb meal and looks forward to joining us on Friday 30th October 2026, so put it in your diaries.
I hope that you read the school’s weekly newsletter, ‘The Beacon’, since it is a window on what is happening now with everything at the school including our Sports Leaders, girls’ football teams and other worthy recipients of donations from the club.
Lastly, I wish to thank all contributors to this, our quarterly newsletter, and look forward to receiving future contributions from all Old Camdenians who have a story to tell. Ray Rowe
Bill Wood, Vice President and Teacher of Physical Education, Beacon High
Conference Day 12th December
Girls’ football
The Year 7 and the Year 8/9 Girls’ football teams have made starts to their 2025/26 seasons. Both teams took part in their respective Camden and Islington 7-a-side competitions at Market Road while the Year 8/9 team have also played their first games in the inaugural Islington league.
Both teams have been unfortunate in the sense that they are not yet to be able field their full strength teams due to key player unavailabilities on match days. So it is difficult to assess the full potential of both of these teams. But two major positives have been the enthusiasm and spirit of the girls playing and also the brilliant support from family members and peers watching on from the side. The third positive being they still look the best kitted out teams each time in their Old Camdenians Club sponsored kits!
Sports leaders
The sports leaders assisted two primary school events this half term: the Year 2 Multi-Skills Festival and the Years 5&6 Sports Hall Athletics. Both events took place in our Sports Hall.
Joining our team of more experienced sports leaders and effectively replacing the sports leaders from last year’s Year 11, 13 new leaders have now been inducted to the team. Following successful trials, most have now been presented with their own personal sports leader tops provided by the Old Camdenians Club. Some of the new leaders had such impressive debuts they even outshone their more experienced counterparts, taking to the role like the proverbial ‘ducks to water’. They demonstrated enthusiasm, passion and the genuine desire to help and support the younger children they were charged with assisting.
Thirty different leaders have featured across this half term but the standout so far has been Jet, who has received shout outs from two different members of staff from two separate sessions. With three more events lined up for the next half term, the leaders are likely to be even busier when we return after the Christmas break.
Leaders this half term: Luke, Tommy, Freddie, Cameron, Faithful, Gracie, Samantha, Malone, Adriel, Ayman, George, Haroon, Samuel, Drinos, Adam, Nathaniel, Jet, Rayaan. Aileen, Andrew, Ibrahim, Jevvon, Casey, Mohamed An, Ryan, Roy, Amber, Willow, Keren and Kayjesson.
Bill Wood
Your Club Needs You
Please join the George Ives 50+ Club if you are not already a member
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 George Ives 50+ Club membership. Please help us to realise future causes and help change a life by joining the George Ives 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).
It’s £60 per number for the year; and you choose the numbers. Some members have more than one number. Indeed, some of our members love to hear that they’ve won, but give their winnings as a donation to the club. George Ives 50+ Club is our only regular source of income. Please let me know if you want to have a go and keep us supporting the students and the school. For more information contact us here.
The OCC Committee are pleased to announce that £60 per annum will be used from George Ives’ very generous donation of £1000 to the club, so that George can keep his number and continue winning. All George Ives’ winnings will be donated back to the club. Sadly, with the recent death of Dennis Warwick and Dr Peter F. Todd there are now ten more numbers available for you. Please consider continuing to keep George’s; Dennis’s and Peter’s legacy of using the draw to generate funds. It is these that we use and they certainly make a difference.
Marta Monteiro, Ambassador for the Bill & Nora Wraight Old Camdenians Memorial Fund, now affectionately known as the Billy Fund.
It was an honour to meet you all at the Annual Lunch in October and telling you the good news about my results. Once again many thanks for all the advice and support that you have given me. I wish Micah all the best in his studies. Marta
Micah Lwereere, Ambassador for the Billy Fund
It was good meeting you all at the Old Camdenians Annual Lunch. I am looking forward to next year; see you then. Micah
News and views
Where are they now?
You can request details from our members to locate friends from school – just ask!
Click below to read Alan Shearn’s The English Letter December 2025
In Memoriam
Dr Peter F. Todd (1934-2025)
Dr Peter F. Todd, CChem FRCS. 27th October 1934 – 18th June 2025
Dr Peter F. Todd, an Eminent Old Camdemnian, and a stalwart supporter of the OCC, died on 18th June 2025, aged 90,
Peter was born on 27th October 1934, in University College Hospital, and in his early years lived with his parents in Axminster Road, Holloway. He started at primary school as war broke out in 1939 and remembers the school teacher coming round to teach small groups of children in their own homes. Peter entered Holloway Grammar School in 1946 and discovered chemistry, a match that was to define the rest of his life.
His father died when he Peter was 17, and any chance of university was closed off as he needed a job to support himself and his mother. Peter became a lab assistant at ICI Welwyn and continued his education at night school, studying for an Associateship of the Royal Institute of Chemistry. Following this, ICI supported and encouraged him to try for a university place but this time two years compulsory National Service got in the way and he was stationed at Chepstow in Wales teaching young apprentices chemistry and mathematics.
Finally, in 1962, Peter gained a place at Cambridge University to study for his PhD in Chemistry. Peter’s is a story of perseverance that eventually paid off. After completing his degree, he returned to ICI, this time working at Runcorn Heath, Manchester, and finally settling at Wilton, North Yorkshire. After 30 years with ICI, he became the laboratory manager at Sanderson Chemical Consultants, retiring at 58.
Peter spent 32 years in contented retirement pursuing various interests and hobbies including gardening and writing, surrounded by family and friends. He was in regular correspondence with the Old Camdenians Club during his retirement and a keen supporter of the George Ives 50+ club over many years.
Looking through Peter’s old chemistry books, Valerie found a school prize awarded to Peter for Excellence of Work and Service and signed by the headmaster RJ King in 1953. Peter had kept it for 71 years. Ray Rowe
John ‘Chic’ Chandler (1945-2025)
John ‘Chic’ Chandler, an Eminent Old Camdenian and lifelong supporter of the club, died on 14th October 2025, aged 79, of complications associated with Type 1 Diabetes.
John was born on 27th November 1945 and attended Holloway School from 1956 to 1963 where he enjoyed all forms of sport and excelled at his studies before going to university and gaining a BSc, MSc, and PhD, specialising in entomology, which he fully utilised in his chosen career, advising various governments on pest control projects, ostly overseas in the developing countries, including Tanzania, Keyna (where he met and married his wife), Sudan, Pakistan and Greece.
Back in the UK, John worked with Southampton University to develop commercial pest control products, one of which was a non-toxic fly strip, widely used in theatre wardrobe departments to catch moths.
John’s younger brother, Brian, said, “When John was in the country he was a great supporter of the Old Camdenians, with many friends, some sadly not with us now. I have fond memories of playing football with him in some old boy games where he would often ‘rescue’ me from some opposing old boy thug with no skills who had clattered me, getting himself into trouble as a result, that was him all over”
Our condolences go to John’s wife, daughter Lisa, his’s four grandchildren, Brian and his family. Ray Rowe
Old Camdenians AGM and Annual Lunch
The 117th AGM will be held in the Old Camdenians Hall at the school on Friday 30th October 2026. The AGM will be followed by our 99th Annual Lunch under the stewardship of Ann Tennant and her team at Lift Beacon High School.
Our guest speaker, Chris Ramsey MBE, an Eminent Old Camdenian, will give us an account of his time since leaving school.
We do need your support to keep this yearly tradition going. So please put it in your diary for Friday 30th October 2026 and, if you cannot come, donate a seat so our new Old Camdenians at college can attend. The format for the day includes a tour of the school, followed by a reception with drinks, the AGM and then a sit-down meal with friends. Also, if you are interested in attending an evening event during the year, such as the quiz night or formal dinner, please let us know and we will see if we can organise something for you. Use the ‘Contact’ button, Old Camdenians Annual Lunch Form 2026 or drop me an email. Ray Rowe
Sign up to receive newsletters by email
If you would like to be notified when we publish our quarterly newsletter, enter your email address and we will add you to our list. You will then receive a link to the latest newsletter as soon as it is published.
