Meeting Minutes 28 April 2025

Present

Simon Pickett (HM Ex officio), Tom Deller (Staff), Andrew Roberts, Rich Bijster, Nigel Barton, Tom Webster, Paul O’Reilly, Andrew Jones, Robert Sheardown.

Apologies were received from:

Tony Shearer, Gary Purvis, Ben Whinney, Nathan Whales

Tom Webster chaired the meeting in the absence of the President.

Minutes from the last meeting and actions arising

There were no minutes of the previous meeting available.

Report of the President

The president was not present at the meeting, hence no report.

Report of the Honorary Treasurer

AJ reported that the bank account currently held £12,877.68, excluding rugby proceeds. This includes the amenities fund of £1647. A third signatory for payment authorisation should be appointed.

A copy of the constitution (written in 1901) has been obtained and uploaded onto the Alumni website.

Items and reports for discussion and action

1. Speech Night speaker

Gary Waterfall is lined up for this event. RB agreed to get this confirmed.

Action 5.1: RB to confirm speaker for Speech Night

2. The Annual Dinner

RB agreed to organise a subcommittee for the annual dinner (13 December 2025). AR and RS offered assistance on this. The price is set at £40 and tickets are already on sale. No speaker is yet arranged.

Some ideas on how to make the evening flow better were discussed, such as additional fundraising events and a more structured role for the MC.

RB will provide an overview of the annual dinner at the June meeting.

Action 5.2: RB to set up a subcommittee for the Annual Dinner and provide an overview for the next meeting.

3. Cricket

Alumni cricket is scheduled for 4 July with the MCC match on 27 June.

The structure of the 4 July was discussed with the idea of ‘Beer and BBQ’ on the day being considered worthy of further work. Traditionally, this match only attracts low attendance and all agreed there was scope to build up the event along the lines of the rugby success.

NW was delegated to form a subgroup to plan for the match day.

Action 5.3: NW to arrange subgroup for cricket match planning on 4 July

4. Easter rugby

The match day was considered a success with the Blues winning by a healthy 65-5 scoreline. Over 400 attended. Pictures for the website will be uploaded by SP. All shirts have been returned and washed. A substitute trophy was presented to the winning team.

Feedback from the match included:

• • Issues about team selection: Does this need a rethink (e.g. change of age limits, use of a draft?). SP agreed with discuss this with BW.
  • The missing trophy: If the original glass trophy can not be found by July then a new one will be purchased. There were still some leads on where the original could be located.
  • Was the purpose of the match (being a memorial to two Kings’ players) being lost? The Alumni are only the organisers. However, some feedback suggested that it was being held primarily as an Alumni function. It was agreed that the charitable donation from the match could be emphasised more (the majority of the £2.5k income goes to charity). SP will draft an item for the newsletter highlighting where the rugby match proceeds will go and thanking all for their participation. This would also be uploaded to Facebook and Instagram.
  • The issue of the long-term future of the match was briefly discussed. Will it remain the Hubbard Scott match or will there be a time when this should be changed, possibly into a more formal Alumni event. It was a sensitive matter with further discussion and long-term ideas tabled. BW would be asked to look into this.
  • At a future event, the PTFA would be interested in participating on the day with some display/stall.

Action 5.4: SP to discuss format of teams with BW

Action 5.5: SP to draft words for the newsletter on charitable donations from H-S match Action 5.6: BW to consider the long term approach for the H-S match.

5. LinkedIn

TD reported that LinkedIn was showing >1000 followers of the Alumni with 460 members of the group. Links to ongoing school achievements will continue to be posted.

6. Alumni roles and future activities

The AGM will take place on 9 June. Prior to that meeting, all agreed that further work on the Alumni roles and purpose (i.e. mission/vision) and objectives should occur.

SP said that he would issue the latest survey data prior to the next meeting. TW agreed to review the current vision statement.

The upcoming AGM would involve electing/re-electing Alumni committee members and a discussion took place on which were the required roles that had to be filled and whether these were sufficient.

RB offered to review the Alumni Constitution and propose changes to improve/update it. AR offered to assist.

All agree that an additional Alumni meeting prior to the AGM was necessary. This was scheduled for 19 May.

Action 5.7: SP to issue the latest survey data prior to the next meeting. Action 5.8: TW to review the latest vision statement for Alumni

Action 5.9: RB (with AR) to review the Constitution and suggest any improvements/updates.

7. Archives

Nothing further to report

8. PTFA ball

Not discussed

9. Future milestone events for Alumni.

Not discussed.

10. AOB

Attendance at the Alumni committee meetings was discussed, noting that the absence of some individuals hindered full discussion and decision-making on some issues.

Support for Ross Edgeley who is planning to swim around the coast of Iceland would be provided by the Alumni/school.

AJ and TS need to provide input to the Committee profile pages. Others still need to provide pictures.

The Granthamian magazine: this is an Alumni task however, a copy hasn’t been published for a few years. To be discussed further at a future meeting.

Dates of next meeting

Alumni 6 will be held on 19 May at 7.00pm in the library.

Actions arising:

From Alumni 5:

Action 5.1: RB to confirm speaker for Speech Night

Action 5.2: RB to set up a sub-committee for the Annual Dinner and provide an overview for next meeting.

Action 5.3: NW to arrange subgroup for cricket match planning on 4 July Action 5.4: SP to discuss format of teams with BW

Action 5.5: SP to draft words for the newsletter on charitable donations from H-S match Action 5.6: BW to consider long term approach for the H-S match.

Action 5.7: SP to issue the latest survey data prior to the next meeting. Action 5.8: TW to review the latest vision statement for Alumni

Action 5.9: RB (with AR) to review the Constitution and suggest any improvements/updates.