March 1st – 25th

What a great day for the Big (and little) Run! Despite my sleepless nights about how many would actually take part, in the end we had about 300 runners, and when they all reached the finish line to receive their centenary medal, there was a great feeling of community with us all in this together. There were pupils from the Junior School right through to members of the Upper Sixth, boys and girls; there were teachers, parents, friends and even two Governors of the school; Mrs Henderson ran with Murphy, the dog; Perhaps the two outstanding images of the day were of the 80 year old Old Elthamian David Jordan who had travelled up from Worthing to complete the 4 miles, and at the other end of the scale the four year 8 boys who completed the course sewn together in a Caterpillar costume singing “From Blackheath to Mottingham” all the way – certainly examples from the sublime to the endearingly ridiculous.

It was one of those days where it really did not matter who won (for most) and it was just important to be there and take part. The Rhythm ‘n’ Blues Band and Michael Coates serenaded the runners at the finish line, and Mrs Julie Slatter and family organised a barbecue Brunch for all.

Out of the sight of most, the morning had begun with a ceremony at Winchester House, the out-patients section of the Blackheath Hospital. This building had originally been built for the School for the Sons of Missionaries in 1857, and it was from this building the school moved to our current home in Fairy Hall, with an Official Opening on March 23^rd 1912. At 9.30am Mr David Robins, Chairman of Governors unveiled a plaque recalling the history of the building in the presence of dignitaries from The Blackheath Hospital, including two parents who hold clinics there. Also present was Mrs Barsham-Rolfe with the Senior Cross Country team and the Head Prefect. After the unveiling of the plaque, the boys ran to the start of the Big Run on the Heath with a flaming torch, symbolising of the flames of Missionary Zeal or of the Olympics, depending what you stand point is! The torch proved quite a challenge for the runners who were either afraid of setting their own hair on fire or of the torch itself melting! The PR photos will show no such problems of course, and the Head prefect, Charlie-Sid Speller brought it home to Mottingham in style.

Earlier in the month Mr Andrew Beattie had devised and directed “A Centenary Fireside” in Central hall. With pupils and staff combining in the performance, audiences on two nights enjoyed extracts from literature and music with links to 1912. Historical events of the year were recalled (the Titanic and Scott in the Antarctic), while scenes from plays by J B Priestley and Ionescu, and music (or the lack of it!) by Cage, the latter two both born in 1912, provided wit and entertainment. All this material was punctuated by quotes from first-hand accounts of the early days of the school’s arrival in Mottingham. It was a charming evocation of the period while providing us with a greater understanding of our school’s history.

This month’s various musical performances have hinted at the delights promised at forthcoming concert in the Queen Elizabeth Hall. The jubilee Concert in Greenwich Old Naval Chapel was one of the very best I can recall in the last 12 years at Eltham College. Next week’s Evening of Jazz will use a different genre to entertain, but it will no doubt be just as enjoyable!

January 30th – February 29th

Lord Puttnam, Guest of Honour at the Centenary Dinner on 30^th Jan revealed a true sense of humility as he talked about “Liddellism” – he laid a challenge before us: is it possible to do the right thing and not expect a reward (financial or otherwise) for it? The King George’s Hall looked splendid, the College Choir sang Grace with dignity, and the assembled host, OEs, Governors, parents and both teaching and non-teaching staff, all enjoyed each other’s company.

Earlier in the day, all members of the school had attended one of three Chapel Services to remember and celebrate our relocation to the Mottingham Site; the Choir sang Parry’s “I Was Glad” and Jenkins’ “Sing We Merrily”, before the Chaplain reminded us of the school’s origins and the challenges of being a Christian today. Outside the Centenary flag tried to wave as we emerged into a rather still winter’s day. Inside Central Hall the Centenary Cake took pride of place on Monday, roped off for all to admire the handiwork of Mr and Mrs Slatter in the characters and trappings of life for a pupil at Eltham College. We could all identify their son, Austin, in his rugby kit, but most of the debate focussed on whether the central figure looked more like the Rev’d Swaffield than the Headmaster! When this figure disappeared from view on the following day, there was much speculation about its kidnapping. But as the cake itself was divided up by the catering team, this speculation faded into the background as we enjoyed the jam sponge and icing, all 900 of us!

Unfortunately the planned distribution of centenary ties and scarves had to be postponed until after half-term, due to my determination to get the design right and avoid creating something that reminded older citizens of “space-invaders”! The Junior School got theirs first, and I discovered how hard it is to shake nearly 200 pupils’ hands! The youngest boys faced the challenge of how to deal with ties longer than they were perhaps used to, even though they were smaller than the Senior School ties: many boys ended up with ties down around their knees at the first attempt. The challenge as the Senior School received theirs was not the ties, but how to wear the scarves – like British Airways Hostesses in a cravat style, or tied to one side, or over the top with bunches? The Catering staff entered into the spirit of the day by all wearing theirs at lunch very smartly. The boys seem pleased with their ties and I hope that they will wear them with pride during the course of this year. The flag has had more opportunity to reveal the design of the College Crest set within the outline of the Plane Tree on many occasions now since 30^th January.

A final thought at this stage must be to reflect on the success of the Centenary Book, “Our Century”, by Archivist Mark Stickings: we have sold over 800 by this stage, and I am hopeful that many more Old Elthamians will order copies during the course of the year. It genuinely achieves what we hoped it would achieve: it is full of fascinating insights into life at Eltham College over the past 100 years, wonderfully illustrated with photographs from every decade, with a commentary full of wit and humour.

PJ Henderson, Headmaster