KEGS Aston - Modern Speech Day

A modern Speech Day (2006)

Unlike Harold Jessop, for whom this was his 51st, Speech Day 2006 was my eighth - after an interval of 49 years!

Only a few days before I had mentioned, in passing, to Max Nicholls (the school's indefatigable fund raiser) that I would like to attend Speech Day, and when was it? Within hours I had received an invitation, not just to be present, but to do so as a guest of the Headmaster.

I accepted immediately, and had just enough time to wonder what changes I might see after so long an interval.

As I arrived on that stormy November evening I was directed by a student in 'day glo' jacket who had a very clear idea of how and where he wanted me to park my car. I was delighted to see him later picking up one of the sporting trophies on behalf of his house. In the unlikely event of his academic career faltering, he will have a second string to his bow as a very efficient car park attendant!

This, plus the warmth of deputy Head Frank Hedley’s welcome and the cheerful courtesy of the senior students (who I had first met at the Annual Reunion Dinner), one of whom (Sam Curry) then escorted me to the Headmaster's sherry reception, suggested that this was going to be a well organised occasion. I was not to be disappointed.

After sherry and a chat with the ever jocular Bob Simpson we were briefed as to our order of precedence by Frank Hedley, and duly took our seats (on which we found copies of the evening's programme and this year's 'School Record') in the now almost full assembly hall, one half of which was occupied by the night's prizewinners. There still isn't room for everyone, and Speech Day is no longer compulsory - shame! Back to Rose Hill Road, I say!!

Staff had taken up their seats at the back of the platform, so their academic regalia, never worn at all at school nowadays, could not be seen by anyone. All now awaited the silent entrance of the Headmaster and Governors, heralded only by the immediate standing up of the students - a tradition happily still observed, on Speech Day at least!

After the National Anthem, and with a minimum of fuss, the Head welcomed everyone and started on his report. In a very agreeable change from my era he was assisted in this by the three School Vice Captains: the tall Tanweer Choudhury, the not quite as tall Sam Curry and, alongside these two, the diminutive Ban Son Khoo.

Whilst trying to concentrate, during the presentation of prizes and awards, on the considerable achievements of the students in all aspects of school life I could not help but notice the quiet efficiency with which everything was being managed by members of staff who had foregone the luxury of sitting with their colleagues behind that familiar Headmaster's chair. I found the names of many of the evening’s prizes very evocative: Painter, Chivers, Pedley, Tyson, Bentley, Brandon. You don't need me to tell you what they were for! There's even a Longdon prize, as well as a Robinson prize for Biology, though I don't know whether that commemorates Michael whose stay at Aston was all too short.

The prizes presented it was time for the Bailiff to address the assembled throng. This year the Bailiff was himself an Aston OE (of the class of 1970 - something I never knew) but much more familiar as a local BBC Midlands TV presenter: Patrick Burns.

Thank goodness for the musical interlude which followed, enabling us observers to draw breath! The multi-talented Nick Solly, whose father had just stood down as Parents' Association chairman, played first a Chopin waltz then moved with apparently effortless ease to the saxophone to join four friends in a jazz ensemble playing 'Watermelon Man'. Modern jazz ain't my thing, but I could still admire their youthful virtuosity.

Another AOE, Philip Williams (1985), then presented the sporting trophies. More evocative names: Jessop, J A Murray and R M Jarman, the highlight being (for some, but by no means all!) the presentation of the Hawkesford Trophy* to a house other than Floyd, who consider they have only 'loaned' it to Temperley! This was followed by an hilarious address from Philip, also a BBC presenter, now based in London. At one point he had the lads standing up in turn to be identified as Villa, Blues or Baggies supporters. He gave up when it came to Walsall!!

As a former King Edward Scholar myself, I had an especially pleasant enjoyment of the next item on the programme: the presentation of this year's scholars: Kieran Aldred and David Perry. Nowadays they get some money too - 51 years too late for me!

What must be the greatest ordeal in his year of office followed: Chris Cooney, School Captain, proposed the vote of thanks to an impressively long list of those to whom the school has cause to be grateful. Chris acquitted himself well, no doubt leaving his parents - present in the audience - very proud.

The final act of the evening was, of course, the singing of the School Song. With at least one quarter of the audience not knowing it, this lacked the gusto so customary in all but its third verse - still sung pianissimo by those 'in the know'.

The buffet which followed 'for guests with cream tickets' enabled me to chat to staff, students, former students, parents and governors - all of whom I found to be both friendly and interesting. First I sought out Mrs Julia Kane, Modern languages teacher, KES Handsworth alumna and goddaughter to Jean, the wife of my Aston contemporary Lewis Ford. This chat came to an abrupt end when she had to beat a retreat following baptism of her smart black dress by another guest's red wine!

This suggested to me that it was time to join the queue sampling the excellent spread which had been laid before us. Here I met Aston stalwart from my own era, Harold Jessop. Amongst many things we spoke of Eric Pedley, whose poor state of health is such a source of sadness to those who are aware of it. As we moved along I came upon Chris Cooney, now hugely relaxed that his ordeal was over. He told me that he knows of only one more such challenge during his year of office: when he is called upon to address potential sixth formers though, by his own admission, that won't be anywhere near as daunting as this evening's speech.

Next I happened upon Captain of Rugby Sam Curry and his charming KES Handsworth girlfriend. Beneath the Kitchener like gaze of LGB's portrait we talked, or rather I did, of the time we used to use their school hall for Speech Day. We agreed that it is still bigger than Aston's 1960s, recently re-furbished, assembly hall.

Moving along the buffet I was able to fulfil a long held wish: to chat with Gareth Leyshon. We had corresponded for months via email, because of his interest in my web site, so I had come this evening hoping finally to meet him 'in the flesh'. It wasn't long before I could appreciate why he had earlier received the Painter Prize 'for services to the Library', and how George would have enjoyed - as I did - talking to this gentle, bookish student who hopes to go to Newcastle University.

By this time I had progressed along the buffet tables to the wine bar, where I was served by Aan Son Khoo whom I mistook for his twin, Ban. When I asked he explained my mistake and introduced me to Ban. We chatted first about his performance earlier in the evening with the jazz ensemble, and he told me of his aspirations for it, their forthcoming 'gig' at Brindley Place (unpaid, of course!) and the fact that they have a web site at www.swingtheory.com. He recognised that their playing together would necessarily be short lived if they all achieved their ambitions for university. Ban was quite apprehensive about his forthcoming interview at New College, Oxford, where he hopes to read economics and management. His studies in 'double' maths., physics and economics impressed me and led to our discussing the problems of 'conservation' of science syllabuses.

It was noticeable when I asked any of the students if their parents were present, hoping to talk to them, that they were always 'on the far side of the room'!

Earlier in the evening Brian Roberts had asked me to escort Mrs Barbara Brown, widow of the late John 'Pinkie' Brown**, into the hall. Before I could do so she was whisked away to a higher echelon of guests - and I didn't see her again until now! Brian had earlier introduced me to Barbara and to Harold Jessop's wife.

Having chatted briefly 'on business' to Max Nicholls I was about to leave when Rajiv Nathwani came up to say good night, accompanied by his brother, Jaymal, and their parents. After a few moments conversation I discovered a common motor industry background with Mr Nathwani. The obvious support Rajiv and Jaymal receive from their delightful parents made it easy to understand why both had featured so prominently among tonight's prizewinners.

For all this to have taken place in the hallowed precincts of ‘Big School’ was, for me, a very moving end to a fascinating evening: pleasantly different in some ways, reassuringly unchanging in others.

* The Hawkesford Trophy, a post 1958 creation, is awarded to the 'overall House sports champions'. But who is/was Hawkesford, please?