1646 - Issue 1

We are in the fortunate position at Reading Blue Coat of having a global network of almost 7,000 alumni, and one of my key aims as Headmaster has been to start a programme of re-engagement with Old Blues. The Old Blues Association continues to run successfully and arranges an annual Old Blues Dinner, along with supporting other events, like the annual Fireworks Display. In the first few years of my headship the School has set up a Development Office, with Victoria Fangen-Hall leading as our Director of Development, and Sarah Pyper as our Community Relations Co-ordinator. Victoria and Sarah are working closely with the Reading Old Blues Association, supporting them with what has worked well, and they are also working ambitiously to see what more we can do. In the coming terms you will see a programme of events and communications ranging from reunions to business interest groups and they, in turn, will be able to provide advice, mentoring and job opportunities to current students. The Old Blues are an inclusive social and professional network and it is wonderful that they will play a more prominent role in the School. It is always a joy for me to meet Old Blues when they return to Holme Park and share memories, and I hope to welcome many more of you back to the School in the near future. If you haven’t visited us recently, I am sure you will be delighted to hear that the School continues to flourish. At the moment we have almost 760 pupils on roll, and this year we had a record number of applications with over 450 pupils applying to join the School; more than three applicants per place. We continue to upgrade our facilities; the next big project being a Performing Arts Centre, which will offer a new home for Music and Drama. This impressive space will also provide a concert and theatre venue for the local community, and the plans for this are being finalised as I write. You may also notice that our crest has been updated thanks to some dedicated work from our archivist, Peter van Went. Peter and I visited the College of Arms towards the end of last year to collect the first official Coat of Arms in the history of the School. I discovered upon my arrival a couple of years ago that we did not have a formal Coat of Arms, but this has now been rectified. As part of this you will notice we are using the shield element for various publications and I’m sure you’ll agree, it looks very smart. Do enjoy the contents of this magazine, and I am grateful to my Development Office for pulling it together. I hope to see many of you at the School in the near future. Jesse Elzinga Headmaster 6 10 12 20 Awarmwelcome to the first edition of 1646 . This publication is a new one for the School and just one way in which we are trying to connect with our Old Blues community. A MESSAGE FROM THE HEADMA STER