As many of you may be aware the Royal Hospital School is now approaching its 300th anniversary. The School is therefore gearing up for the 2012/13 academic year, which has been chosen as the main focus for its tercentenary celebrations (RHS300).
“Greenwich Royal Hospital School was first established in 1712,
for the purpose of clothing and educating the sons of pensioners.
The theme will be based on bringing together the past, present and future of the School; “celebrating our rich heritage, building on our traditions and looking forward to our future; educating children for life”. With this in mind we have been keen to involve the entire RHS community in shaping these celebrations. Former students are a very important and certainly by far the largest group connected with the School and we are keen for as many as possible to reconnect with their old School.
We have been delighted with the number of former students who have already made contact, many suggesting some great ideas. We are still open to further contributions, so just send these to Rob Mann at rjm@royahospitalschool.org.
RHS300 Special Projects
Two significant projects have been identified and both will be of interest to Association members.
RHS in Print!
We will likely publish a celebratory book covering the School’s history, the remarkable achievements of the students who attended and the School of today – any ideas on potential content is more than welcome.
Recognising our Heritage!
Of particular note, we also intend opening a museum/ archive facility. It will record the development of the School through the ages, charting the life and times of its many former students and celebrating our rich heritage and tradition. There are some outstanding exhibits and it will also hold School records to support enquiries from those connected with the school. The aim is also to create a digital archive of every School Magazine since 1907 and access to all school photographs (whole school, house and sport) via computer. The exact detail and location of the museum facility are being finalised, but it is hoped that it will provide a genuine focus for those returning to the School.
A series of fundraising events will be taking place to support this initiative, including two opportunities to participate in a former student sponsored walk between the School and HMS Ganges, including transfer by historic vehicle. These are scheduled for the afternoons of Sunday 6th May 2012 and Sunday 17th June 2012 (both following on Divisions). Any individual or group of students interested in participating in these sponsored events, designed to support the museum/ archive, please do make contact, we will assist your efforts and make you all very welcome.
RHS300 Major Events
We have already agreed upon a series of major events to celebrate our 300 year milestone and it is possible to provide a flavour, pending our formal launch of the programme. This will be circulated via our RHS Community website and your next RHSA newsletter. During the Summer term of 2012 a number of preliminary events will be staged.
Girls Girls Girls!
On Saturday 5th May 2012 the School will host a 21st birthday party celebrating girls attendance at the Royal Hospital School. With this in mind we are aiming to track down every girl that ever attended the School. We will keep you informed on progress with this mission and the more detailed plans for the event.
Heroes visit the School!
On Sunday June 17th 2012 the Gallantry Medallist League will hold their annual muster alongside the Royal Hospital School divisions. This normally takes place at Chelsea Hospital each year and it will be our great honour to host this high profile event. Members come from all Commonwealth countries and hold level 1 to level 3 gallantry awards (VC, GC, GM, CGC, DSC, QGM and equivalent awards). It promises to be a memorable day. Interested? Contact Bernard de Neumann heroes@rhsa.co.uk
A Question of Sport!
During the Summer of 2012 we will also hold a Golf day, where former students will be welcome to enter teams. Similarly a sailing Regatta is also being organised and maybe some former students could get a crew together! . In 2013 we will be looking to re-launch the former students sports weekend and would welcome ideas on timing and format, so that we can incorporate into our planning for this event.
Continuing the sporting theme we are also looking to re-establish contact with the Duke of York’s Royal Military School, with a view to resurrecting our long established sporting rivalry. There will also be a Family Fun day with Celebrity Cricket Match (details being finalised) and we are seeking to identify an appropriate record breaking attempt.
The Holbrook Sound!
Turning to music, the Schools biennial musical will likely have a seafaring theme and an appropriate musical programme is currently being devised for our special year. We are hoping to secure some high profile collaborations and a CD is being recorded. An art festival is also on the cards and it is likely that former students will be asked to submit works.
Homage to our Benefactor!
For any former students now residing in South Africa, the School have organised an RHS300 Band and Cultural Tour. You are welcome to meet up with us as we pass through, with the tour itinerary available upon request. This will include a visit to the birthplace of the Schools great benefactor, Gifford Sherman Reade, in Cape Town.
Celebrating links to Nelson!
On Saturday November 10th 2012 we will be staging a spectacular Trafalgar Dinner and Fireworks Display to celebrate our close associations with Lord Horatio Nelson, who actually served on our School Committee for a period. This will be followed by a special Remembrance Day parade and service.
Grand finale – A Holbrook Tattoo!
The finale of our Tercentenary year will be held on 23rd June 2013, with a major set piece event planned - a Royal Tournament style Tattoo. Whilst this will clearly celebrate our naval and seafaring heritage, this event will be supported by all the services and will include land air and sea based displays. We are in contact with the Royal Navy and other Armed Forces contacts, with a view to staging this unique event. We will keep everyone informed as to developments in this respect.
RHS Field Gun could return in June 2013 RHS Will be on Parade throughout 2012/13
Going back to our Roots!
On May 6th 2011 our year 7 students went back to their roots, when they returned to the former site of the School in Greenwich, visiting the Queen’s House and the National Maritime Museum. It was rewarding to see the real interest and sense of pride this encouraged amongst the students and we hope that the RHS300 celebrations will provide a similar opportunity for existing and past students to come together and gain from the experience. Above all we hope that there will be plenty of opportunity to get involved and have some fun. We are also looking forward to many RHSA Tercentenary events that may be staged in London, Portsmouth and Plymouth and are willing to help wherever we can.
Help Forthcoming!
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We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may be able to offer direct assistance to RHS300, by way of practical or direct help for the events programme or projects. We have already had offers to supply various support services and products – we are taking one former student up on his offer to brew a special RHS300 beer! There will be a fundraising element to the celebratory year (initially linked to the museum/ archive) and any offers of raffle and auction prizes would be gratefully received.
A Welcome Awaits!
We would be delighted to welcome you all back to your former School and would be happy to arrange a guided tour to help stir memories and provide an insight into the School today.
See the contacts page for how to get involved or contact rhs300@rhsa.co.uk |