Newsletter 16/10

Dear all,

As ever, the white bridges stand as a reminder that despite what may be happening in the world, MCS continues to flourish and evolve. 

With the arrival of half term break, we reflect on the first six weeks of Michaelmas and how School has adapted to and embraced the challenges of 2020.

This week the Waynflete Office successfully hosted its first virtual event. While we eagerly await times when we can again meet in-person with OWs and Friends, we are pleased to have two more virtual touchpoints for our community coming up, which you can read about below.

Save the date:

● 12 November: USA Virtual Event

● 19 November: Networking Event

Bob Stanier Society

This past Tuesday we welcomed Bob Stanier society members to the Waynflete Office’s inaugural virtual event – In Conversation with the Master. 

Society members were treated to a talk in which Master Helen Pike described what pupils have been involved in over the last six months, and how the school has adapted in light of the pandemic.  Alex Pott, tutor to the choristers, also shared some outstanding chorister excerpts and noted how well the choristers are navigating chapel in a Covid-era world. Susie Baker served as an excellent interviewer for this event!

The goodies picture above – including bespoke biscuits from MCS Catering and laser-cut coasters made by MCS DT – were sent to our Stanier Society attendees.

As virtual events are the wave of the forseeable future, we are pleased that we have more coming up – keep reading ….

Inclusion: How Mentoring Makes a Difference

Thursday 19th November 1-2pm

Mentoring has become more important than ever in terms of helping tackle some of the biggest challenges that individuals and companies face.

As part of the school’s diversity and inclusion commitments, a panel of experts will share their experiences of how mentoring helps people to succeed.

This interactive session chaired by Jim Hawker OW 1992 will explore the topics of social mobility and youth unemployment as well as the current racial, gender and diversity challenges. Our experts will be providing practical and actionable insights about how to become involved in mentoring schemes.

Please sign up here for this virtual event.

We are keen to hear from OWs that may want to become more involved in mentoring, so please get in touch if you are either looking to mentor someone or be mentored yourself.

USA Virtual Event

Thursday 12 November, 5pm EST

We look forward to touching base with OWs and Friends in the US, with the Master discussing how MCS has adapted to and embraced the challenges of 2020.

Click here to book.

OWs who let us know that they are self-isolating at university were sent a few familiar treats courtesy of the Waynflete Office and MCS Catering – the school’s beloved brownies and cherry oat bars!

We hope that this served as a small pick-me-up in what is undoubtedly a trying time. For those who received the treats – do send us a photo of you with them. While we won’t be able to  post items over half term, we look forward to touching base with YOWs in November.

To all quarantining student OWs – MCS is thinking of you!

YOW Student Networks

Due to the pandemic, university isn’t quite the same at the moment. We are hearing stories of OWs in isolation, courses moving online and unsettling talk of further restrictions at both local and national level.

As Old Waynfletes, we hope to add an extra layer of mutual support to help mitigate for these strange times. We are seeking volunteers – ideally in their second or third year – who would be willing to coordinate a social media or networking group for other OWs at the same university. 

If you would be interested in spearheading a group to bring fellow student OWs together, let us know at waynfleteoffice@mcsoxford.org.

Needed: OW Bioscience mentors

Did you leave MCS in 2017 or before and go on to take a degree in the biological sciences?

If so, the Biology department would love to hear from you! We are looking to extend our pupils’ understanding of further education and careers in the biological sciences by giving them a flavour of the opportunities and pathways available to them. We would be interested in knowing:

• The reasons behind your decision to pursue a degree in the biological sciences
• Details of your degree course and any reflections you have on it
• Information on your subsequent career – where has your biological sciences career taken you?

Please do get in touch with Mrs Joanna Gladstone, Head of Biology, if you would be happy to share your experiences with our current pupils.

Work has started on the 2021 edition of The Bridge!  We warmly welcome your submissions.

News and Notes

Though the pandemic has curtailed activity this year, we know there are still lots of stories to share. Fill in the survey here, or email us by the end of November.

Whatever your experience of school uniform – see relevant memo above from Former Master Bill Cook in 1978 – we would like to receive your recollections:

• What did you wear?
• How did you feel wearing school uniform?
• How strictly was the dress code enforced?
• Any memorable fashion trends or sartorial stand-outs?

Please share your memories by emailing MCS Oral Historian Kathryne Crossley by mid-November.

We are sad to report that Alan Ritchie, former Boarding and Chavasse Housemaster and German teacher, has passed away peacefully not long after his wife Ehrengard.

If you would like to share your memories of them with us and his family please do get in touch – we would like to remember Alan in the Bridge 2021.

Read more about Alan’s life here.

As our Conveniamus campaign nears its conclusion, we are thrilled to share that an incredible £250,000 (including pledges) has been raised to support current and future MCS pupils!

We are grateful for our MCS community who have supported bursary and hardship fundraising so fervently this summer.

Thank you to all who have contributed.  To those who would like to join us – there is still time to make a gift! 

We look forward to sharing final updates on the campaign after half term.

Jack Harberd (OW 2014), of #ThankYouFromMCS fame, recently did production research on a BBC documentary entitled Bernard Haitink, the Enigmatic Maestro.

You can check out the documentary here.

Meet Monty!

Say hello to Monty, the MCS Royal Python.

Monty’s owner is a former pupil who had to return abroad during lockdown but sadly couldn’t take Monty with him due to import regulations.

We are thrilled that he’s found a new home at MCS!