Versa: Issue Two

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OA News
OA BOULDER BOUND
after joining Techstars Programme
ELLIOTT PERRY (LEFT) AND MATTHEW QUINN (OA 2007)
OA IS AWARDED
MBE
FLEX, the London-based tech start-up aiming to make fun,
invigorating workouts more accessible to everyone, is set to join the
globally renowned Techstars programme.
Together with his business partner Elliott Perry, Company Founder
Matthew Quinn (OA 2007) created a live-streamed interactive HIIT
workout business, which has been selected from among 1000s of
companies to join accelerator programme Techstars.
Quinn has recently made the move to Boulder, Colorado and joins
eight fellow tech start-ups in a bid to provide global scale and
investment opportunity.
Speaking to us about the move, Quinn said; “We are so excited
to be able to take the next steps in Flex’s journey with the team at
Techstars. Not only that, but Boulder, Colorado is one of the fittest
places on earth – what better place is there to spend three months
with a fitness company!
“The programme is going to give us unparalleled access to some of the most
successful entrepreneurs in existence who have collectively taken companies
from inception to public listings more times than you can count on one hand.”
Chris Whiteside (OA 1979), was awarded an MBE for political
and public service in the New Year’s Honours list. Chris is the
Conservative County Councillor for the Egremont North and
St Bees Division of Cumbria County Council.
Speaking about the award, Chris said; “I am humbled and
appreciative to have been awarded the MBE in this year’s New
Year’s Honours list. And very impressed that so many of my
friends picked up the fact so quickly!”
On behalf of the whole St Albans School community, we send
our congratulations.
“Thank you to all of those who
have sent such kind messages
of congratulations.”
THE GUERNSEY
LITERARY
and Potato Peel
Pie Society
Mike Newell (OA 1960) is well-known for directing
films for the big-screen such as Harry Potter and
the Goblet of Fire and Four Weddings and a Funeral
(for which he won a BAFTA for ‘Best Film’ and ‘Best
Director’). Mike has been directing The Guernsey
Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which is an
adaptation of the best-selling book by Mary Ann
Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
The movie, which premiered in the UK on Friday 20th
April, stars Lily James and Michiel Huisman. Lily plays
Juliet Ashton, a writer who forms a connection with
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society when
she writes about the book club they formed during the
occupation of Guernsey in World War II. The impressive
cast includes many other recognisable faces; Matthew
Goode, Jessica Brown Findlay, Penelope Wilton, Glen
Powell, Katherine Parkinson and Tom Courtenay.
The official trailer is now available to watch on YouTube
We were very pleased to welcome Michael Pattison
(OA 1958) back to Woollams on Saturday 2nd December
2017, to watch the 1st XV take on Berkhamsted School.
Whilst the result didn’t quite go St Albans School’s way, it was
nevertheless a most enjoyable day, and a great opportunity
for Kyran Bracken (SAS Elite Sport Development Manager
and 1st XV Head Coach) to present Michael with his own
personalised St Albans School rugby shirt.
Michael’s business, International Labmate (international
publisher and events company in the laboratory equipment
world), has kindly sponsored the School’s first team shirts
for our main sports, and our students are delighted to be
benefiting from this support with a brand new kit.
Michael is a long-term supporter of the School’s Bursary
programme and we are most grateful to him for his continued
support of his alma mater.
WHAT IS ART?
On Friday 23rd February,
William (AKA Bill) Feaver
(OA 1961) returned
to School to deliver a
fascinating talk to our
Upper Sixth students titled,
‘What is art?’.
After graduating from Keble
College, Oxford, Bill held a
number of teaching posts
in County Durham and at
Newcastle Royal Grammar School and was later appointed the
Sir James Knott Fellow at Newcastle University.
As an art critic, Bill worked at the Financial Times, Listener,
Sunday Times Magazine and as Art Critic at The Observer
where in 1983 he was awarded ‘Critic of the Year’ UK Press
Award.
A BRAND NEW KIT
Bill inspired the pupils during his lecture and introduced
them to questions outside of the realms of their A level
courses. He challenged them to address the spectrum of
emotions portrayed within different styles of art, both good
and bad.
After lunch, Bill was kind enough to review our A level Art
students’ coursework and provide them with advice and
observations.
Some OAs may remember Bill Feaver’s father who was the
Right Reverend Douglas Feaver, one time Canon of St Albans
Abbey and School Chaplain.
We are very grateful to Bill for giving up his time. If you
would like to learn more about Feaver’s career, his biography
is featured in Inspiring Old Albanians, available to purchase
from the Development Office.
LEFT TO RIGHT: KYRAN BRACKEN (SAS ELITE SPORT
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AND 1ST XV HEAD COACH),
MICHAEL PATTISON (OA 1958), STEPHEN HEANEY (HEAD OF
SCHOOL), HELEN JONES (INTERNATIONAL LABMATE)
AND JONATHAN GILLESPIE (HEADMASTER).