News from Lent 2006

,St. Edward's College (Issue 4)

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Respected horror fiction writer and Old Edwardian Mr Ramsey Campbell was the guest of honour at this year's GCSE Presentatior Evening in October, when proud families packed the College Hall to see sons and daughters receive GCSE Awards for the academic year 2004-2005. The evening began with a welcome by Chairman of Governors, Mr Peter Quinn followed by the Principal's Report. I n speaking of the pupils' achievement, the guest speaker, Mr Ramsey Campbell spoke with humour about his own writing career and thE inspiration for it that started with his tuition at the College. He concluded that the pupils whose achievements were being celebrated this evening should seize life's opportunities and not be afraid to be creative since it had given him great joy in life.

A vote of thanks was given to Mr Campbell on behalf of the pupils by Head Boy Sam Heague, which was seconded by Head Girl, Francesca D'Arcy. The musical programme, devised and conducted by Mr John Moseley included performances of a number of piece~ from Cabaret by Kander performed by Upper School players and including a solo by Rebecca Scraggs. Following closing remarks b~ the Chairman of Governors, staff and pupils were joined by their guests in the Dining Hall for refreshments, provided by Ms Lillian Sweeney and the Sodexho Catering Team to conclude an evening of celebration and excellence.

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• • • • Mr John Waszek (Principal), Sam Heague (Head Boy),

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Mr Ramsey Campbell (Guest (j/Honour), Francesca D 'Arcy (Head Girl), Peter Quinn (Chairman o/Governors)

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• • • • SPANISH INTERCAMBIO: St Edward's College •• • I.E.S. Jorge Manrique, Palencia • • • • • • I n March, thirty six pupils f rom the I nstituto de Educacion Secundaria • • • Jorge Manrique in Palencia arrived to spend ten days with their exchange • • • partners from St Edward's College. The ages ranged from 15 to 19 and • • • pupils from Years 11 and 12 took part. It was t he perfect opportunity • • • for pupils to practise their speaking and listening skills before they • • • embark on their GCSEj AS exams. Our Spanish guests experienced first • • Scott Broadhurst who • hand what life is like at the College, taking part in many lessons and • • was awarded a place at • even attending sports training and fixtures. Excursions to North Wales, • • Jesus College, Oxford • Chester and York were also organised for the Spanish pupils. • • to study Medicine

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and to Laura Harrild • who wi ll study Law at • Peterhouse, • cambridge. •

LECTURE THEATRE UNVEILING

There could not have been a better time for unveiling the Michael Byrne Lecture Theatre than at the lunch following St Edward's Day Mass in October. OE and Chair of Governors 1997-2005, Judge Michael Byrne eloquently punctuated his thanks with wit and characteristic charm as he unveiled the plaque that renamed the Lecture Theatre in his honour. He is pictured with his wife, Felicity.

World Book Day

Cheque presentation to Nugent Care

On Tuesday 28 March, Pat Herron and Kathleen Pitt from the Nugent Care Society came to the College and received a cheque for £4968.31. The money was raised by pupils for 'Stars in their Eyes'.

The celebrated local film script-writer and author Frank Cottrell-Boyce helped celebrate World Book Day on March 2 in the Library this year. English classes from Years 7, 8, 12 & 13 came into the Library throughout the day.

Frank's book Millions is the 'Liverpool Reads' book this year, so he talked about how he came to write it and the making of the film, he also read extracts from his latest book Framed. Frank has three of his children in St. Edward's College, Aidan, Chiara & Gabrielle.

Annual Mass The annual Mass to celebrate the feast of st. Edward was held at the Metropolitan Cathed ral of Christ the King on Sunday 16 October 2005 and we were delighted that Archbishop Patrick Kelly made it an extra special occasion as chief celebrant. The congregation, over two and a half thousand people, included the Principal's guests, College pupils, parents, family members, College staff and Old Edwardians and the performance of Cathedral Choristers and College musicians was outstanding. This Mass is a wonderful opportunity for all members of the College community to share a joyful and holy occasion which is a highlight of the annual calendar.

DMUND RICE RU~ ~his academic year raised £3436.00

Liverpool Mozart Orchestra Concert

The Liverpool Mozart Orchestra performed a concert on Saturday 4 February 2006 in the College Hall. The concert celebrated the 250 th anniversary of Mozart's birth in 1756. Outstanding Royal National College of Music student, William Stafford, made his debut appearance with the orchestra to perform the much-loved Clarinet Concert. The evening concluded with the vivacious and challenging Haffner Symphony. Excerpts from the less frequently performed, but equally del ightful, Ballet Music from Idomeneo and Les Petits Riens completed the LMO's tribute to the Master.

During July 2005 the Senior Rugby Squad and members of staff set off for a tour of New Zealand. We played six matches, our fir: against Westland High School where both teams triumphed. The following day we enjoyed a scenic and breathtaking journey to t~ Pancake Rocks and the Trueman Track. Our next destination was Naylend High School, where our pupils met their fist billets. 'A reconvened the next day, ready for the match ahead which both teams comfortably won. Blenheim was our next and final town c the South Island and the pupils of Marlborough College played host to st. Edward's College. Unfortunately it was against this scho that both St. Edward's teams suffered their first defeat. We bid farewell to the South Island that had been our home for the pa: nine days and boarded the Inter-Islander Ferry that would take us to the second part of our tour, the North Island. We docked at Wellington where we had the chance to explore the Te Papa Museum and the Parliament Buildings, affectionately known as the beehive. The next day saw two high-energy and paSSionate matches with St Edward's suffering their first defeat on the North Island. Our defeat misery was rectified the next day as we made an early start on our journey up to Rotorua with the journey being broken up by a visit to the Huka Falls and the opportunity to indulge in a spot of high speed jet boating. In the evening, we had the opportunity to enjoy a typical Maori evening. Our luck changed in the matches against John Paul College with both teams successfully winning their games. A well-deserved and relaxing evening followed at the Polynesian Spa. Spirits were high as we prepared for the journey to our final destination, the City of Sails, Auckland. Our journey up to Auckland was certainly eventful with the opportunity to try out Blackwater Rafting rapid rivers, tyre inner-tubes and darkness!! Following a brief tour of the City our main interest was the final and arguably the most poignant of matches, that against Auckland Grammar School. Both teams were focused and mentally ready for th challenge but unfortunately suffered narrow defeats to these infamous sides. Despite this the final night of the tour saw everyone i an up-beat spirit with our final meal together followed by the compulsory (but not always serious) tour awards.

Hockey Tour to Barcelona

In March, the Senior Hockey t eam went on tour to Barcelona . They played three matches against Catalonian teams of a very high standard at various venues including the prestigious Barcelona Polo Club. Their efforts were rewarded with a day in the famous Port Aventura theme park, a visit to the beach and sightseeing and shopping in Barcelona. A good time was had by all and all agreed that it was the perfect end to an excellent season!

Old Edwardian's Dinner -- ~-.. ~ -

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~ Francesco D 'Arcy (Head Girl), Dr Anthony Gilbertson & Sam Heague (Head Boy)

The Old Edwardian's Dinner 2005 that took place on Friday 14 October, was yet another success with nearly 200 people in attendance. Amongst the attendees were a large number of female former pupils the biggest turnout ever! We hope that this trend continues. After being addressed by the Principal all guests enjoyed a four-course dinner and, of course, the opportunity to catch up with old friends and reminisce. This was something that was certainly paramount to those former Edwardians who attended as part of their 25th reunion.

Christopher Malone, Sian Leahy, Laura Pursall & Claire Wright receive their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at Buckingham Palace

Obituaries: We were very sorry to hear of the death of Joseph Mullin (OE 95-02) who died tragically in a car acddent in Uverpool.

Joseph was also a catherdral Chorister from 1992-1997.

To his Mum Pauline, to Steve and the rest of his family we offer our sincere condolences and the assurance of our prayers.

We also offer our condolences to the family of Francis George Irwin (OE 34-42) who died at the age of 80. He graduated from St. Edward's College to Uverpool University where in 1944 he left with a first in Engineering. Francis Irwin piloted the first two seater glider to cross the English Channel. He was President of the Imperial College Gliding Club for 30 years and Chairman of the Technical Committee of the British Gliding Association for 25 years. Frands designed a variometer, the "Irving Tube", an instrument indicating the vertical movement of air masses which has been used in gliders ever since.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • U14 XV 1967-8

back row: Spencer, Cookson, Franey, Sheridon, Sherry, Pearse (Sir Brian), Doran, Fearon, Ref Clayton

middle row: Anderson, McLachlan, Johnson, Nelson, Smith front row : Addison, Barnwell

Francis Nugent Dixon (OE 1949-1958) writes-Hi from Paris, the "News from St. Edward's College - Advent 2005" which I have just received brought memories flood­ing back. Not only the news (and photo) of Brother Foley, but also the two photos "Form 2A 1954-5' and "Rugby Team 1959" I hesitate to query the date on the photo of "Athletics Team 1961", but feel sure that it was a little earlier! The three photos all show boys born in my year (1942), and I am not sure that they all made it to Sixth Form.

Very Best Regards, and thank you for a great newsletter.

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· ~----~------~~--~--~------------~--~ • • Thank you to Daniel 'Biddy' Birchall who sent us this • article and photo:

• I am an Old Edwardian (1974-1983) and enjoyed reading • the most recent issue. I am a Consultant Radiologist based • in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and in November completed a trek • across the Sahara, in aid of the Variety Club of Great Britain. • It was a tremendously challenging and enjoyable experience, • with quite a few scrapes and adventures along the way. On • one occasion, we were sheltering in an 'auberge' in the middle • of the desert being entertained by local Berbers who sang • for us for most of the evening. We were asked to sing some • traditional English songs in reply, and among the few I could • recall word-for-word for some reason (not having thought • about it for over 20 years) was the old school song. It was • for me one of the more surreal episodes of the expedition • to be singing "Oft at twilight's mystic hour" to a local Berber • tribe in the middle of the Sahara! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

back row:

front row:

Marron, Hanlon, Fearns, Dunne, Cookson, McNellis, Kehoe, Johnson, Brannon, Addison Doran, Fearon, Ref Clayton Sherridan, FE Bate, Shelley, Spall, Weston

Steve Jones (OE1935-1944) writes - I have made it at last ! After 79 years I have eventually made the front cover of a magazine. As soon as I saw the centre picture on the front (even before I removed the wrapper) I not only recognised the picture but could remember clearly the occasion on which it was taken. I am the handsome one on the back row, third from the right (colour of t-shirt collar faded !) Memory also faded but extreme left on back row is, I believe, Hannon; ta llest centre back row is Hoey; extreme left front row is Devereau; penult imate right on front is O'Toole. Christian names now forgotten but in those days we boys used only surnames whenever addressing each other; that may seem a little odd these days when my 7 year old next door neighbour calls me Steve. I started in St Domingo Road and I believe that my St Edward's days were from 1935 to 1944 - when I left to join the Army. My brother, Terence Jones, was also an Old Edwardian but sadly killed in action in 1942 My father and his 2 brothers were at the old CI.. ... and just in case anyone is interested, married for 55 years, 4 children and 11 grandchildren Many thanks for the magazine. Steve would love to hear from any other geriatric Edwardians of his era who wish to communicate with him, his email address is: s.j.c.jones@btinternet.com

1st Year Rugby Team 1967-8

Thank you to Edward Quinn (OESO-S7) for the above picture taken at the Adelphi Hotel in 1953. Ed can recognise a few faces - Br. Coffee, Br. Hooper, Br. Mullowney, Patrick Hart, Br. Robinson, Br. Browner, Jack Curtin, Pop Allen, Didge Rowe, Br. O'Keefe, Eric Burnes, Br. O'Brien, Doggy Maher, P J Hart, Br. Hooper and former Mathematics teacher, Geoff Robinson.

If you would like to contribute an article or photograph to the next edition of the Edwardian, please contact Mrs Anne Crimmins at St. Edward's College, North Drive, Sandfield Park, Liverpool L12 lLF or via email anne.crimmins@st-edwards.liverpool.sch.uk