Return of Speech Day

So, the end of another academic year and, this time, a blast from the past.  Those who, like me, remember the formal speech days of the 50s and 60s at the Free Trade Hall (all governors' wives and hats, it seemed) or the even earlier ones at the Palace Theatre, will be interested to know that an MGS Speech Day in a major city-centre venue is back.

Now in the Bridgewater Hall, and more a Prizegiving than a Speech Day, accommodating exactly half the pupils of the school and their families.  So, in alternate years, boys will attend and, if they have achieved distinction in academic or other fields, will take the stage in groups for the audience's applause - nice touch, this, so that the audience doesn't feel obliged to provide almost continuous applause for a crocodile of boys crossing the stage.

There was no distinguished visitor to present prizes and distribute wisdom - just an in-house set of short presentations given by the High Master and senior staff, interspersed by wonderful music from different ensembles and soloists.  A most enjoyable early evening outing - with a 6 o'clock start we were all free to hit the town at half past seven.

Mark Chilton Day

We have a great experience in prospect today, with a Mark Chilton Day at school as part of Mark's Lancashire CCC Benefit Year (http://markchiltonbenefityear2011.co.uk/).

With some of his team-mates, Mark will be conducting a coaching session for pupils this afternoon, before hosting a Dinner at school this evening.

The proceeds of the day will benefit a sports travel fund which makes means-tested grants to MGS pupils.

London Dinner with Martin Sixsmith

A trip to London last week for the London and South East Old Mancs' Dinner.  Apart from the remarkably good meal served at the O & C Club, the evening was distinguished by an address by the multi-talented Martin Sixsmith.  A former pupil and great friend of the late Ian Leverton, Martin was one of a group of able Russianists who dipped their toes into journalism with The Mancunian newspaper while still at school.  For many years the BBC's man in Moscow, he is now presenting a 50-part history of Russia each afternoon on Radio 4, and the sizeable book of the series will be published later this month.  Good for Radio 4 for not dumbing down in this area.

You may remember that Martin had an interesting spell as Stephen Byers' Director of Communications at the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. He left with a generous severance settlement after Byers misled Parliament with a statement which ultimately ended his political career.

For lovers of satire, and political satire in particular, it was great to hear how Martin's experiences with the new Labour government were transformed into The Thick of It and In The Loop by his collaboration with Armando Ianucci.  Oddly enough, there was another MGS link - the character of Ollie was played by OM Chris Addison.

Music, scouts and drama

The last few weeks have been pretty hectic with school and Old Mancunian events.  First, our return to St John's, Smith Square, Westminster for another showcase concert given by our musicians.  This modern tradition of a biennial concert was started with the support of the Old Mancunians London and SE Section, which offers a generous biennial composition prize serving as the pinnacle of all composition work at school.  The winner pockets £500 and has the privilege of this piece receiving its world premiere at Smith Square.  This year, well done Patrick Heaton.  And well done all the performers and the staff involved - the audience enjoyed a fantastic musical occasion.

As I wasn't in charge of the arrangements this year, I indulged myself by turning the trip to London into an adventure and rode my motorbike the 220 miles from home in N Wales to Westminster - avoiding congestion charge and parking problems.  I must admit that I was more than a bit chilly by the time I got home at half past two of a beautiful moonlit night.

Last weekend saw a large-scale reunion of former Troop 1 Scouts at school, with an enjoyable lunch and the presentation to school of the marvellous archive built up over the years by Simmie and Alan Jones.  Fascinating to see the many generations of former scouts, and speculate about how their teenage scouting experiences shaped their adult lives.

Then on Friday I caught up for lunch with Old Mancunian Robert Powell, starring in Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell, on tour at Theatr Clwyd, Mold.  Hugely enjoyed the evening performance - fantastic comic timing from RP and a memorable play by Keith Waterhouse, one of Bernard's brothers-in-arms as a journalist and drinker.

Do see this play if you have the chance as it tours the country.

Cambridge

Great to return to Cambridge last Saturday for dinner at Emmanuel with Simon Jones and a dozen Old Manc students.  Quite nostalgic, really - parked next to the pool by Parker's Piece and walked past the Parkside flat where I lived in my 4th year - the one when I was supposed to be learning how to teach.  Most of my memories of that year are of playing college football, though I did very much enjoy a term's teaching at the Friends' School in Saffron Walden.

Fascinating to see how wonderfully far beyond school this group of students is, whether a couple of years into a first degree or starting post-grad studies.

Thanks to Emma for the food and wine, and to Mark for the organisation.

A fantastic day

What a great day we had when Sir Nicholas Hytner came back to school to open the new drama centre which, as Chairman of our campaign fund, he had done so much to make possible.  Check photos of the day here ('Nick Hytner Day').

Fresh from the tour opening of his Hamlet, starring Rory Kinnear, at the Lowry, he gave an audience of sixth formers from MGS and neighbouring schools a detailed account of how such a production comes together.  You can see a video of his talk here.

In the afternoon he answered with great patience seemingly endless questions from members of a Junior School Assembly audience, before working sympathetically through a series of Shakespeare scenes with our Year 11 GCSE Drama set.

All in all, a wonderful day.

Sir Nicholas returns

We are looking forward to a visit next week by Sir Nicholas Hytner, who somehow found the time and enthusiasm amid his responsibilities as Director of the National Theatre to act as Chairman of our Drama Centre Fund from 2006 to 2010. The Fund made possible the creation of our Drama Centre, opened 2 months ago.  This will be his first chance to see the project since building work started.  His last visit, with Alan Bennett and many of the cast of The History Boys, was late in 2006, and set us up for a successful campaign which has all but covered the £1.8 million cost of the rebuilding works.

Here in the Development Office we are in touch with thousands of our ex-pupils, and by no means all of them achieve particular distinction or fame.  However, many do, and it's humbling to feel that what happened to them during their time at MGS made some contribution to this.  For a neat summary of NH's achievements in the last few years, and his plans to take the National Theatre forward, click here and here.