News
We regret to inform you that Frank Kilvington, Headmaster of St Albans School from 1964-1984 died on Sunday 11th October 2009 after a long illness. We will be arranging a Memorial Service in the Abbey, and further details will be circulated in due course.
1958 Carol Service Recording available to purchase on CD October 2009
A CD of the 1958 School Carol Service now available to purchase thanks to a tireless project to transfer the recording from the original reel-to-reel magnetic tape. Click Here for further information.
OA Awarded MBE in New Years Honours List January 2009
Jeremy Bromfield (OA 1968) has been awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours list. The prestigious accolade was in recognition of many years of service with Bancroft’s School’s CCF (Combined Cadet Force). Jeremy was commissioned into the Cadet forces in February 1974 and served 34 years until he handed over command of the School Contingent last year. Read More
St Albans School Regulations Tea Towel December 2008
An ideal stocking filler, this unique School tea towel lists School Rules from 1309 and 1570 when pupils were required to provide not just candles, ink and paper, but also bows and arrows for shooting practice! Click here for more information and to order.
Two Books by OAs Published in time for Christmas October 2008
Dr Mark Freeman (OA 1992) publishes History of St Albans
Mark Freeman (1992) is a Senior Lecturer in Economic and Social History at the University of Glasgow. October 2008 sees the publication of his new book, St Albans: A History (Lancaster: Carnegie Publishing). This lavishly illustrated book is the most detailed treatment of the history of city in many years.
All OAs can buy the book (and any other Carnegie publications) at a 15% discount on the cover price of £15.95 (softback) and £20.00 (limited edition hardback). Enter the voucher code "SOCIETY" when ordering from the publisher's website, at www.carnegiepublishing.com. Mark Freeman's website can be seen at www.markfreeman.org.uk
Nick Corble (OA 1977) publishes football novel 'Golden Daze'
Twenty five years ago in May 1984, wearing incredibly tight shorts and the occasional ridiculous hair cut, a football team from Watford stepped out onto the manicured turf of the old Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup Final. As they took the field they seemed to symbolise changing times, maybe even of revolution. Was the country going to the dogs or the Isle of Dogs? Thatcher was about to take on Scargill and Watford, the unfashionable new kids on the block, were taking on the big boys. Golden Daze will strike a chord with anyone who’s ever floundered in a confusing world or followed the sort of football team for whom glory is usually only a dream.
Nick is offering all OAs a discounted price of £7.50 including P&P, when ordered through his website www.nickcorble.co.uk quoting 'OA'.
Commemoration Plaque Restored and Repositioned June 2008
A plaque commemorating five OAs who fell in the South African War (1899-1902) has been restored and repositioned in the OA Room. It has been moved from its oroginal location in the alcove in the Westgate Room where it was hidden by furniture and in need of cleaning and restoration. Read More
OA Reaches Summit of Everest May 2008
LATEST NEWS - Dr Brennan reached the summit at 7.22am on Sunday 25th May. Read More
Dr Mike Brennan (OA 1976) is at this moment preparing to make his attempt to climb to the summit of Mount Everest. He is in the same climbing party as Sir Ranulph Fiennes, and the group was stuck at base camp with all communications equipment confiscated by the Nepalese Army while the Chinese climbed to the summit with the Olympic Torch. Now the torch has made its trip to the highest point in the world, the climbers can begin to prepare for their summit attempt. Couriers have managed to reach Mike at base camp, carrying a St Albans School flag, which he intends to take up to Everest's summit with him, though he is a little concerned by its size.
Centenery Celebrations: 100 Years of the Old Hall Block March 2008
A special exhibition has marked the centenary of the Old Hall Block, which now houses English and Geography classrooms, with the Library above. The old school bell, which once summoned tardy pupils from the town from its tower on the roof, was rung again on the 100th anniversary of the building's official opening on 13th March 1908. The end of term saw the opening of the exhibition, which will remain on display in the library next term. There is a pictorial and photographic record of the design by PC Blow OA, the laying of the foundation stone, and school life through the 20th century. The pictures are interspersed with anecdotes and memories of two OAs at school during the Second World War, Robin Ollington and Derek Giddings, which blend tales of wartime austerity with the admission of cheeky pranks - and their punishments! A commemorative set of postcards has been produced, which is available for sale from the School library.
OA's Novel Wins Popular Vote March 2008
Jonathan Trigell OA (1992) has just won another prize with his debut novel Boy A. The challenging novel about the rehabilitation of a violent child offender won the John Llewellyn Rhys prize in 2005 and has been announced as the winner of a public poll to choose the best ‘book to talk about’. As Jonathan commented to the BBC, “I always hoped Boy A would be a book people enjoyed talking about.” It reached the final shortlist of 10 on the World Book Day’s website and in voting during February it gained 21% of the votes to win the competition.
The book was filmed by Channel 4 and has been warmly received by critics. The New York Times called it ‘A shocker of a first novel... told with extraordinary restraint’, while The Good Book Guide commented that it was ‘a thought-provoking commentary on human nature... A gripping and disturbing read, Boy A is a carefully cultivated work that challenges readers while also being entirely gripping.’
Pupils Offered the Wisdom of Solomon September 2007
At the Prizegiving Ceremony in St Albans Abbey, the enterprise, initiative and success of the School's pupils was praised by Sir Harry Solomon. Sir Harry is a former pupil of St Albans School, and he was returning as the Guest of Honour at Prizegiving.
Sir Harry left the School in 1955, trained as a solicitor and practised law until 1976, when he was co-founder of Hillsdown Holdings plc, which became one of the largest food groups in Europe. Since retiring as Chairman in 1992, he has been involved in a number of businesses; he is now a director and shareholder of a number of both public and private companies. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Chairman of the Appeals Committee for the College. He is widely known as a member of the Senior Management of the Portland Trust, which promotes peace and stability between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
In his address to assembled staff, students and parents, Sir Harry reviewed the progress of his own life, and told the pupils that they must be ready to grasp opportunities when they arrive and should aim above all for happiness and satisfaction in their work.
In other speeches during the evening, the Chairman of Governors Ian Jennings highlighted the successes of the School, both academic and extra-curricular, and Headmaster Andrew Grant picked up this theme. He argued that the more successful the School became in exam results and league tables, the more important it was to maintain a flourishing range of other activities to offer pupils wide opportunities. He talked of the importance of team sports, of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, the CCF, the School’s partnership scheme with local primary schools and cited particularly this summer’s charity work in Tanzania, where a group of pupils helped to renovate, decorate and equip two orphanages.