From Australia to Alma Mater: OV Pete’s Return

The first week of the spring term welcomed not only the pupils back to King’s but also OV Pete Ratcliffe (S 82-89 and Old St Alban’s).

Pete moved to Australia around 15 years ago with his wife and newborn daughter, Niamh, when a work opportunity arose and it seemed the perfect time to try something new – a decision they are so pleased to have made. Pete, his wife, and their children were back in the UK visiting his family over the Christmas period and included a return to King’s.

Back at King’s, Pete wanted to see those buildings that held special memories for him and to show his daughter Niamh. Starting in College Hall, the place of assemblies and exams, and showing Niamh the defaced Christ in Majesty, Pete was delighted to see the one Angel that remained complete, something he had not known about while at King’s. A peek through the Undercroft window too, sparking happy memories of his time in there when it was his Common Room.

Edgar Tower was next on the list, which is now home to the Classics department. There Pete spoke with current Head of Classics Kat Lewis and Hon OVs Elizabeth Shepherd and Emma Kate Booth. For Pete, he could still clearly see the library that was there during his time, looked after by Mrs King, and learning from Stephan Le Marchand (Hon OV) in his English lessons – the only change in that classroom being the desk layout! Niamh was especially impressed with the history of Edgar Tower.

The music school is now where Pete had boarded for a year in Castle House. Although the ground floor was unfamiliar, the memories came back when he stepped into what had been his dormitory on the first floor, especially the view across College Green.

School House, where Pete spent his formative King’s years, gave opportunity for a quick “pit stop” in the Sixth Form and staff café, Café 1541…known to Pete as the place where the pool table had been, which he and his friends would rush to promptly after lessons to make sure they got a go.

Passey Hall in School House was where Pete would go in the evenings, with a TV and chairs near the fireplace for some time to relax. Now the Matthew Armstrong Library, Pete and Niamh had a lovely chat with assistant Librarian, Marion Capell (Hon OV).

Taking the stairs up to the former dormitories, now home to the Weston Sixth Form Centre, Pete was happy to see the layout was still very familiar and could easily recall the rooms’ former uses. Walking through the study room on the top floor, Pete visited his former bedroom when he was Head of House, now a small classroom. Pete recalled that he and his predecessors had inscribed their names on the inside of one of the cupboards in that room, unfortunately now painted over.

Further down the stairs, Pete pointed out the Willow Tree across the river to Niamh to where they had to run as punishment for various misdemeanours: a 10 minute window to get changed out of uniform (the prefects quickly cottoned on to those who had put their games kit under their uniform for a quick change!) and run around the river to wave from the willow tree before the 0730 bells chimed.

Pete remembered the route through to the back of School House to the dining hall, itself hardly changed. Similarly, the “New Block” was strikingly familiar, although all agreed it was odd how the building kept that moniker from its opening in the 1960s for so many decades – more recent OVs will know it as the Annett Building, or, simply, the maths block.

A walk across the road to King’s St Alban’s was an important part of Pete’s visit: he had boarded there for two years when he first joined King’s. There, Pete spoke with school secretary Sara Sowney, who has been looking after King’s St Alban’s for 15 years.

The first port of call was, unusually, the boys’ changing room, obviously empty at the time of the visit, simply because it has not changed since Pete’s time at KSA, even down to the shoe lockers and showers. Pete was delighted!

Then upstairs to Lisa Kilby’s French classroom, where Pete had slept. The pupils were fascinated to learn that 12 beds had fitted into their classroom.

Across the hallway to his second KSA dormitory, where there had also been 12 beds squeezed in but is currently the Registrar’s office. A lovely chat with Lizzie Monkhouse during which Pete shared that he is still friends with two of his dorm-mates, OVs Adam Wyse (Br 82-89 and Old St Alban’s) and Neil Robinson (H 79-89 and Old St Alban’s) – whom Pete met for a drink back in London after his visit to King’s!

Pete’s memory of the layout at King’s St Alban’s was impressive, including the Head’s house, the “san”, and of course, the Chapel, which was exactly the same. Naturally there were some changes as the school has grown over the years, but still full of wonderful memories.

Returning to the main school site, and the John Moore Theatre, which opened during Pete’s time at school. The biggest smile of the morning arrived as Pete walked into the auditorium. Pete had been encouraged by his English teachers to embrace the stage, to help with both his shyness and slight stammer, and it made a huge difference to his life for which Pete is ever grateful. Speaking with Theatre Manager Paul Haynes (Hon OV), Pete particularly recalled playing Banquo in MacBeth, among many other plays, not forgetting the spectacular House productions too.

Although the school felt slightly smaller to Pete than he remembered, he wanted to share the advice with current pupils to take it all in, as King’s is a very special school and a very special site. The move to Australia meant that Pete had moved literally, and emotionally, away from King’s for a while, but he is very happy to once again be involved with the King’s community again, ever if just through the OV e-newsletter.

Niamh too enjoyed her visit and seeing where her dad had gone to school, especially one so very different to her own in Canberra. She almost couldn’t believe it was real!