President’s Letter A New Year Ahead

Nick Smith (B’69)

Iam delighted to be taking on the role of President of the OR Society for the forthcoming year. I look forward to attending as many gatherings as possible and meeting up with friends old and new. Huge progress has been made in promoting the Society as an inclusive and welcoming environment for the various generations, and I am keen to help build on this momentum.

A few Arch readers will know me as a former player and now regular supporter of our cricket, football, squash and tennis clubs; and still appearing occasionally for the latter, a particularly challenging experience against the quality of current Reptonians! They may also recall that I did a couple of terms as Chair of the Society.

For those who don’t know me, I was in Brook House from 1969 to 1974, following in the footsteps of my father R.A.S Smith (B’43). Dad was a very handy games player who was awarded a teamer (colours) in each of the major sports of his day: cricket, football, hockey and fives. My three daughters were all in the Abbey in the years from 2000 to 2007. Subsequently, they have all been able to offer careers advice and support to boys and girls at School, Charlotte and Rachel for medicine and Victoria with work placements supporting her online magazine. I mention these because careers guidance for both ORs and existing pupils is, in my mind, a particularly important function of the Society.

I should like to offer my thanks and appreciation to outgoing President Rachel Bacon (A’86). Her presidential year of 2021 was badly affected by the lockdown, and it was a great move by the Society to ask her to remain as President for this year. In addition, I should mention Rachel’s predecessor Mike Barnwell (O’57), a loyal supporter of OR activities, whose 2020 year as President was also spoilt by the pandemic. In true Repton fashion, both Rachel and Mike put on brave faces and made the most of what was a difficult hand.

From my observations and experiences the School and Society are in great shape. Despite the difficulties of the last two years Nick and the OR Office have brought tireless energy and enthusiasm to the OR Society and made a real difference to the way in which it operates. The other major factor in play has been the influence of Headmaster Mark Semmence, who has in a short time made a huge difference to the relationship between the School, OR Society and the various branches. The level of collaboration between us all is I believe the healthiest it has been for many years.

Finally, a warm welcome to those of you who have recently become ORs; you are our future and I hope you will keep in close contact with your contemporaries as well as making new friendships with those from other generations. I was much taken with the Headmaster’s words about last year’s leavers, describing them as ‘an indelible part of Repton history, not just onlookers of these memorable days, but shaping them through their vibrant, kind, amusing presence.’ Please bring these fine qualities to your lives as Old Reptonians.

As you can probably tell from the above, Repton has played an important part in my family’s life, and I am very much looking forward to my year as President.