N E W S L E T T E R - Radley College

adleians
Fred Rowe (OR, ex Head of A Social)
Cothill
It is Sunday 6th July 2008, and I have just finished
school. The evening Gaudy that I enjoyed last
night was an incredible experience, and really
summarised in one night everything that I have
loved about this school. Staring out across College
Lake, watching the magnificent fireworks with
a group of close friends I could not have been
happier, despite the rain! It seems an awfully long
time since I started 5 years ago, timidly entering
into A Social for the first time.
The scope of extra curricular activities has
been phenomenal. I have been lucky enough
be part of some great sports teams - including
Mr Matthew’s celebrated unbeaten 3rd XV of
the 2007 season. It was a real honour to captain
a side with such fantastic spirit and although
we were obviously not the finest rugby players
in the school every single member of the team
became dedicated to the team’s cause. Over the
years I have also had the chance to perform in
both the old and new theatres. A real highlight
for me though has been the 2007 production
of West Side Story, in which I had the privilege
of playing a large role. It was amazing. The
professional nature of the whole production was
an opportunity that I doubt I will ever be lucky
enough to experience again, and I am so thankful
to all those involved.
For the last year I have been head of A
Social, which has been a real honour, and
though it has at times been stressful, it has
been a position that I have absolutely relished.
It has helped me to see Radley College in
its very best light, where all the year groups
get along harmoniously. I have loved living
in A Social. The atmosphere has suited me
perfectly, and Mr Rathbone, Mr Langton and
Miss Briggs, have understood the needs of
Social completely. I know that Mr.Rathbone
will be sorely missed, though I am sure that
Mr Ryder will continue to keep A Social at the
forefront of Radley life, and will do a great job
as Tutor. The fact though that I have always
been able to get along with all years in my
Social sums up the Radley ethos of strong
community spirit.
I am often asked the seemingly
innocuous question: “What do you think
is the best feature at Radley?” I always find
myself answering with the pretty infuriating
response - everything. The answer is
everything, because I have found that
Radleians are extremely lucky in the way we
can use the College as a springboard to excel
at so many different things. For example, I
have been given the opportunity to dabble
in a plethora of different opportunities and
activities, from the games circus all those years
ago in my first term, to careers’ seminars, and a
host of thought provoking lectures in my sixth
form years. All in all I will always look back
upon my Radley years with fondness, knowing
that the School has helped me to make, I hope,
the most of the chances I have been given to
date. Radley has provided me with 5 highly
enjoyable years, and for that I will be forever
indebted. I have made some fantastic friends,
and I feel prepared for the next steps of my life.
Freddie Rendall (Shell)
HALL GROVE
My first week at Radley has been, to put it
mildly, packed to the brim, with activities,
sports trials, lessons, and much much more.
I remember driving up Chestnut Avenue for
the first time, only a week ago, yet it seems like
several.
The first few days have been especially busy,
with lessons to find, names to learn, bouts of
Inter-Social Tug of War to win, (which of course
we did!!), and much more. One particularly
enjoyable aspect of my first week has been the
Shell Games Circus. This is a selection of out of
the ordinary sports, that encourages Shells to try
new sports. Having never played many of the
sports on offer, I was really looking forward to
this opportunity, and disappoint me it did not.
Real Tennis, Squash, Rackets, the list is certainly
impressive.
Life in social has been particularly
enjoyable, and in my opinion, is one of the most
valuable experiences that Radley has to offer.
During my first week, I have made some really
close friends in Social. However, one of the
nicest things I have found, is the relationship
between the new boys, and those who have been
here for longer. Older boys are always on hand
to help with finding lessons, prep, and also with
mundane matters, such as when to put your
washing in.
One of the highlights of my first week at
Radley, has been my first weekend at school.
Having come from a weekly boarding school,
I was new to this exciting experience. And I
was certainly not disappointed. After games
on Saturday, I rushed off to the squash courts,
to have our induction. Having done that, we
stripped off our games socks, and collapsed in
front of the TV, to watch the X Factor!
Then, we were ushered off to cocoa, with
Chrissie (our pastoral house mistress). This is a
very enjoyable experience, especially when the
whole of the social comes together. It is a chance
to catch up with friends, and generally to relax.
Then, we were shepherded upstairs by the prefect
on duty, and slowly we all dozed off, after an
exhausting few days.
Sunday is one of my favourite days, because
on Sunday, we are allowed to lie-in! I finally
conquered the desire to go back to sleep at 9:00,
and slowly made my way to Breakfast. After
Chapel, we had yet another new sport to try, (this
time, it was rackets), before heading to ‘Pups’
Field,’ for the Inter-Social Tug of War. We fought
bravely, and ended up winning the prestigious
title. We then gathered for a celebratory barbecue
in front of Mansion. It was a brilliant win, and
the perfect way to cap off a very busy, and very
enjoyable first week at Radley.
12 THE RADLey NEWSLETTER Website: www.radley.org.uk . Admissions enquiries: 01235 543174 . admissions@radley.org.uk