1646 - Issue 1

A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT As I take on the role of President for the Reading Old Blues Association, I find myself reflecting on what Reading Blue Coat (RBC) means to me. It helps me to remember the good in life, having the warm embrace of a community around you and being open to changes that will inevitably come. I am passionate about the School and have been part of the Reading Old Blues Association committee for 10 years as a result. RBC is a place of such good memories, where I met the people who are still today my best friends, and is full of opportunities – for staff, students, parents and alumni alike. From the outside RBC has transformed over the last decade – new buildings, new walkways, new plants and decorations – but at its core all of what I remember RBC to be has remained true. New friendships for life will be formed, new memories created, and the community will continue to grow stronger each day. I will never forget my time at RBC, and now more than ever am able to reflect back and think of all the good that came from the experience. I hope you can too – and, if nothing else, I hope it plants a seed of happiness where perhaps in life that can be more difficult to find. I want to take a moment to thank Rob Sillitoe for his leadership as President over the last two years. I also want to thank the committee for their endless hard work, and both Sarah Pyper and Victoria Fangen-Hall in the Development Office who are at the tip of the spear as the Old Blues continue to develop. I am very much looking forward to seeing the change that takes place over the next two years and beyond as the Old Blues continues to flourish. James Boyce ROBA President Welcome to 1646 , the renamed Old Blues News. As you can see, the Old Blues magazine has had a bit of revamp and we are delighted with the new look and hope you are too! The magazine is named after our Foundation year of 1646, and you will notice that we are taking a slightly more editorial approach with articles written by Old Blues about their specialist subject (Becki Murray on page 20 writes about digital journalism) and we would like to continue this in future publications. The Old Blues community is made up of people with many different and interesting professions and we want to showcase these in the hope that others will feel inspired, and proud to be an Old Blue. I have really enjoyed putting together the magazine. As a new member of staff, it has allowed me to interact with Old Blues and staff alike which has been a real joy and incredibly useful. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed to the magazine, particularly those who submitted articles. Thank you also to Marjie Thorne, former editor of the Old Blues News , for all her help in setting up this first edition of 1646 . I hope you enjoy reading the magazine as much as I have enjoyed putting it together. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in writing an article for next year’s edition or if you have some news you would like to be included (spy@rbcs.org.uk ). As this is the first edition of the new magazine we are sending it to everyone. If you would prefer to receive a digital copy or would like to let us know about your contact preferences, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sarah Pyper Editor