OV Overseas Reunion: Princeton 2023

The OV Reunion in Princeton, hosted by OV Michael Pimley (H 61-71), was spread over the weekend of 13-15 October 2023 to give OVs joining from their homes in the UK, West Coast and East Coast, plenty of opportunity to reconnect and reminisce.

The first event of the weekend was a dinner was held at The Peacock Inn in Princeton. Host Michael was joined by OVs Abbas Kazerooni (Ch 91-96), Ian Smith (Cr 73-78), Rupert Bader (Os 82-89), David Longstaff (H 92-97) and Headmaster Gareth Doodes, Former Headmaster and Hon OV Tim Keyes and Hon OV Mary Anne Keyes. Abbas shared his delight at the range in age, diversity of occupations and geography that the OVs in attendance over the weekend had, adding that it was eye opening the kind of friendship and networking links that could be built by OVs living across the US.

During Saturday, Tim, Mary Anne, Ian, and Gareth had the experience of a traditional North American breakfast house followed by some time spent exploring the beautiful environs of Princeton.

The main event, a dinner in Michael’s home, welcomed additional OVs and their guests, including David Griffiths (W 89-96), Ben Shuttes (W 92-96), Nicola Willis (Ch 00-05), Philip Warner (CA 67-77), Mark Peters (W 85-92) and his wife Susan. The three tables set up for dinner were each hosted by Gareth, Tim and Michael, giving everyone ample opportunity to chat and get to know each other. After the pre-dinner cocktails, Michael gave a moving speech about his links to King’s and how the school had moulded and shaped him into the person he is today. He added, “I remember that the last US reunion I attended had taken place 11 years ago, and I’m delighted to see you all here today especially with both a current and former King’s Headmaster with us.”

Before pudding was served, Gareth gave a speech during which he talked about the experience he had arriving at King’s in the middle of the pandemic and the numerous challenges this presented him and his team with, not least limiting his abilities to get to know the OV community. He praised the work of the Alumni team and the importance of connecting as a community, as much as fundraising. Gareth recounted the changes to the School over last 20-30 years but explained that the House system as OVs knew it was very much still central to life at King’s. After outlining the challenges facing the Independent Schools’ sector and political headwinds, he reflected on the transformative opportunities that can be provided by bursary support, especially since the Direct Grant system had been phased out. Gareth highlighted OV Ian Smith’s generosity via the Kildare Trust and Michael’s pledge to fund a 110% bursary from September 2024, which will enable many children to benefit from an education at King’s. In concluding, he challenged the OVs at the dinner to undertake an annual event at which they aim to raise money for bursaries as part of a North American Bursary Fund. Abbas immediately stood up and offered to host the next event in his home-state of California over the weekend of 11-12 October 2024.

After a delicious dessert and cheese board Tim Keyes spoke to round-off the evening and supported Gareth’s challenge to those in attendance to support the School with its ongoing fundraising efforts.

The over-riding themes from the dinner were the huge loyalty OVs have for King’s, the memories they have of teachers who have made a difference to their lives, and their recognition of the long-lasting camaraderie you get at a school like King’s. This was particularly powerful for those OVs who are now bringing up their children in the US education system.

The final event of the weekend was a farewell brunch held on the Sunday morning at Michael’s home and those in attendance were delighted to meet OV Essi Sadeghi (Cr 88-95) who joined for the morning and spoke so fondly about her journey through King’s. The brunch was delightful end to a weekend of friendship and congeniality.

Gareth added, “We are so very grateful to Michael for opening his home and being incredibly welcoming. All the guests had a wonderful time and it meant so much to me personally to have this opportunity to meet more of our ‘overseas OVs’. Michael’s generosity in hosting this reunion is matched by his pledge to fund a 110% bursary from the next academic year, for which King’s is hugely thankful.”

More photos from the event can be found in the Vigornian Hub.