Five years in the making, the much anticipated 2024 OS 10 year reunion was hosted on Saturday 2 March. Not even huge downpours could dampen the spirits of the sixty OS, Staff and former Staff joining us in celebration of our Leavers from 2010 to 2014. There were dark rainclouds outside but there was a positive buzz and sunny atmosphere in the Ferguson Lecture Theatre as our special guests enjoyed catching up with their contemporaries, a genuine joy to behold the rekindling of friendships across the years.

Delicious pastries enjoyed and refreshments perking everyone up after their journey back to the College, guests gathered to hear from the College Head, Kathy Crewe-Read and the OS President Elect, Nick Reynolds (HH, 08-12).

Fortunate to address his contemporaries, Nick Reynolds gave a very warm welcome and shared the broad and hugely positive opportunities available to OS to build social and professional relationships across the thriving global OS community by engaging with the Stortfordian Foundation via the online portal. He shared with great enthusiasm the further opportunities for OS themselves to provide support and mentorship to College students and younger Old Stortfordians in their career field.

The Head was delighted to congratulate Nick on his upcoming election as OS President, thanking him and current President Steve Ross (GH, SHa, 65-72) on their tireless volunteering on the OS Committee, leading the reworking and modernising of Committee rules and structures to reflect the modern face of the Old Stortfordian Community.

The Head took great pleasure in echoing Nick’s warm welcome and shared details of the developments on campus since guests time at the College. The impressive redevelopment of School House and the building and re-building of three boarding houses (fully en-suite!) and two day houses, equalling our provision of houses for girls and boys, dominating the updates. Going on to share the continued strength of College academic achievements and the broad breadth of opportunities for pupils to  discover new interests and talents in the classroom, on the stage, on sports pitches and through the vast array of clubs and societies available to all ages of pupils. Raising smiles from the audience when details of the delivery of academic lessons during weekdays only, leaving Saturdays for sports fixtures was mentioned. This key part of the College’s strategic plan also permits the creation of a College partnership programme, sharing our outstanding teaching and facility resources with local state schools.

Community is at the heart of College activities and the Head took pride in outlining the expanding scope of Stortfordian Foundation activities, building and strengthening both professional and social relationships across the flourishing global OS community. Activities that work alongside dedicated fundraising activities in support of the College Bursary programme and most recently, the refurbishment of our prIzed Memorial Hall Organ. Refurbishment works taking place at Easter thanks to the generous support of the Stortfordian community.

Sadly the continued wet weather meant the ubiquitous group photograph had to be taken in the FLT rather than on the Memorial Hall steps before guests headed of on campus tours led by enthusiastic Senior School pupils from both the day and boarding houses. Fabulous melodies flowed from the Memorial Hall ‘Stars in their Eyes’ rehearsals to provide an upbeat soundtrack for the stroll around familiar and new College sights.

Umbrellas were put away as the sun finally started to shine in time for the walk back to the FLT, the bustling room with tales of College memories and house antics as everyone enjoyed a relaxed and tasty lunch.  

Plans were made to meet up again soon as the event came to close, with affectionate farewells to OS contemporaries, Staff and former Staff. We are hugely grateful to all that braved the challenging March weather conditions to join us for this wonderful event.

Event gallery included below.