Issue 7 Winter 2012-13


Just a thought From the Editor


In a recent letter to The Times, the writer remarked on the many 4x4s and other top- of-the-range vehicles delivering pupils to his local maintained school, while he drove past in his much older, cheaper car, taking his children to their independent school.


Much of the media suggests that those children are somehow being given an unfair advantage. Their parents are buying privilege, and giving their children opportunities often unavailable to others.


It was therefore interesting to read an interview published in The Guardian in October last year. Olympic bronze medallist, Tom Daley, when asked who had contributed most to his diving success, replied, “My dad. He used to take me to all of my training sessions and competitions, and he will be dearly missed.” He added that family holidays and time with friends had also had to be sacrificed in favour of his sporting career.


The interviewer concluded: “Daley’s father travels to all his competitions, but must pay for his own flights and hotels, and even his own tickets to the venue. Rob has supported his son faithfully, despite currently undergoing chemotherapy for a brain tumour.”


Clearly, the media is more than happy for families to sacrifice time, money and even friends, so that their offspring can achieve their sporting potential, and gain great advantage in doing so. How sad that they don’t always view education in the same way.


All change in the New Morfey Rooms John Blatchly, now 80, reflects on his retirement as School Archivist


I am not sure how long I have been the School’s Honorary Archivist. It began when I had to bring back the mass of archive materials I had borrowed to write A Famous Antient Seed-Plot of Learning for publication in 2003, and find them their proper places in the collections.


Melissa Joralemon is taking over the task, I am delighted to say. OIs of the mid-1980s will remember her as Melissa Lower, possibly the only Ipswichian we have sent to Oxford to read Oriental Studies. Now with a son and daughter in the school, she can deliver them on her way to climb the four flights of stairs, which I have taken progressively more gingerly.


She will also take over my role in the Town Library, and the great thing is that I am not deserting her. My son Mark filmed and she directed a morning’s shoot which produced a one-hour DVD. Viewers take a tour of the 400 year-old collection and can see most of the greatest treasures in close-up. Copies are available for £6.00 from Melissa Joralemon, Archivist, Ipswich School, Henley Road, Ipswich IP1 3SG. Cheques should be payable to “Ipswich School”.


John and Melissa


Melissa knows that I will always help her with queries whether by phone or email, and I can come in if required. She is already planning projects I would never have thought of, and I have every confidence in a smooth transition.


Melissa adds: “After the initial shock of being on first name terms with my headmaster, I am loving the archives. School history goes far beyond Henley Road and it’s a luxury to move between the thirteenth century and the present while planning for the future. There’s always more to unearth, while John connects us to research and archaeology in Ipswich itself. Never fear, he won’t be allowed to roam far, and may even agree to become an interactive exhibit.”


The past 4 years James Davey reflects on his chairmanship


I have enjoyed my four years as Chairman, but am acutely aware that I have not achieved everything I would like to have done.


However, there are many things that I am pleased about, and will mention a couple of these below.


Leigh Belcham, Editor 2


Firstly, I am delighted that we were able to welcome a new headmaster to the school. As you may know, the Headmaster is an ex officio member of the Old Ipswichian Committee, and so we have had the pleasant task of training him. I have to say that not only is Nicholas Weaver an excellent headmaster, he is a pretty good student, too. I hope he would agree that we have built a solid relationship in that time.


Secondly, I am delighted to have been able to launch our 125th Anniversary Appeal to raise funds for the school’s current projects. We have set an ambitious target but have made a terrific start.


Finally, I would like to thank all the members of the OI Committee who have served during my period as Chairman. Their support has been invaluable, and I am most grateful for it. I am confident Guy will be an excellent Chairman of the Club, and am sure that the current committee will support Guy with the same enthusiasm.


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