Stocks Review Summer-2022

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Stocks Review IPS

FROM THE ARCHIVES

UPDATE

ALUMNI HIGHLGHTS

From Headmaster Chris Wolsey

Catch-up with former Alumni: Shirley Salmon,

Writing Home during Evacuation

Matthew Copeland, Imogen McCurley and Joshua Howey

Stocks Review IPS

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02 Shirley Salmon, 1958–1966

03 Matthew Copeland, 1968–1975

04 Joshua Howey, 2007–2014

05 Imogen McCurley, 2010–2017

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UPDATE: FROM THE HEAD

A letter to our Stocks

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FEATURED ALUMNI

Featured articles from alumni – what are they up to now?

STAY CONNECTED

Keeping in touch with IPS provides a range of benefits including:

• Opportunities to organise your own events • Access to networking with other alumni • The chance to share your news and achievements

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

‘Writing Home During Evacuation’ thoughts on home during the Second World War.

To help build our community, get in touch here: alumni@ibstockplaceschool.co.uk

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AN HISTORICAL PROFILE

Aviator Serge de Boloto

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UPCOMING DATES

Writing Home During Evacuation

School events from July 2022–December 2022

Join our alumni network here: stocksconnect.com

Thoughts of ‘home’ during the Second World War whilst pupils were evacuated to Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire

Cover Photo Children drinking milk during evacuation

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From the Head

Dear Stocks,

I am delighted to introduce this first edition of The Stocks Review, curated and edited by our wonderful School Archivist, Angela Platt.

In it, you will find profiles and updates of many ex-pupils who have stayed in touch with the School and who continue to make a positive impact upon our community.

We are fortunate at IPS in being able to draw upon such a wonderfully diverse and committed alumni community. Now that the school is firmly into its second century of our existence, the former pupils of IPS have gone on to achieve in an enormous variety of fields. As they do so, they take an identifiable set of values and characteristics into their endeavours – most particularly, an appreciation of the virtues of hard work, compassion, imagination and, above all else, the service of others. We are so very proud of all which they do. Indeed, we also appreciate the superb level of support which our Stocks give to us. From dispensing higher education advice to our Sixth Formers through to their participation in alumni sports fixtures, it is wonderful to see and to feel the enduring bonds which so many of our alumni feel to their alma mater. In their interactions with the present-day pupils and sta of the School, they remind us all that we are so much bigger than ourselves, and that we can call upon a much wider network of which we are just one part. In a fast-changing and sometimes disorientating world, this is a powerful message which can bring comfort and inspiration by turns. We should like very much to develop this publication in the months to come. If you would like to appear within its pages, or you would like to nominate someone who might be persuaded to do so, then please get in touch. You can send an email to alumni@ ibstockplaceschool.co.uk. Similarly, if you have ideas as to how we might orientate this publication in its future issues then, again, please do drop us a line. The Stocks community is very much your community, and it matters that all of us feel that we have some purchase over its onward development.

I hope that you enjoy reading Stocks Review and I look forward to hearing your reactions to it.

Christopher Wolsey Headmaster

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Shirley Salmon 1958 –1966

Shirley Salmon attended Ibstock Place School as a pupil from 1958–1966 and returned as the school music teacher from 1974–1976. As a pupil she fondly recalled the musical inspiration she received whilst attending the school. The daily assemblies were bookended by music – one played live by Miss Glynne-Jones and another recorded piece. Children were encouraged to develop their own creative talents; she noted, ‘They would read their own poems or stories or perform their own compositions in assembly.’ Rehearsing and performing Christmas concerts were both an annual treat. On one occasion pupils collaborated with the production and performance of Benjamin Britten’s opera – Noye’s Fludde – with students from the Froebel Institute. Beyond her musical pleasures, Shirley remembered how creativity was inspired in other avenues. At the end of each summer holiday pupils were encouraged by Headmistress Miss Macleod to share their creative work, ‘we could take any work that we had done freely (such as writing a story, inventing crossword puzzles, writing a diary),’ Shirley noted, ‘and we got a small gift such as a pencil, bookmark or a notepad’. Shirley left IPS in 1966, whilst in Upper IV (this was the oldest year group the school accommodated, until 1978). From IPS, she attended a boarding school, did A-Level music and continued her musical education at York University, under the tutelage of John Paynter and others. Upon completing her BA, Shirley returned to Ibstock as the music teacher from 1974 to 1976. During her tenure as a teacher, she worked as a pianist in the ‘Meridian’ ensemble (piano, violin, cello and clarinet) and taught herself guitar. She completed her PGCE at the Froebel Institute in 1977. Her musical ambitions continued when, in 1977, Shirley left England and moved to Graz, Austria. She initially worked as a free-lance piano teacher, whilst learning German, and then moved to teach music and movement in a kindergarten. Shirley’s educational interests were further utilised when she was employed by the county of Styria from 1981–2000 to assist emotionally disturbed children in residential facilities. Subsequently, she was employed at a kindergarten and school for the hard of hearing, a centre for adults with disabilities, and summer camps for families with children with additional support needs. From 1984 until 2019, Shirley lectured at the Or Institute, Mozarteum University Salzburg, teaching on bachelor and masters programmes in Elemental Music and Dance Education. Her scholarly interest in education, then, culminated in completing an MPhil in Educational Science at the Leopold Franzens University, Innsbruck in 2003. She was also a lecturer at the University of Teacher Education and the Private University College of Teacher Education in Graz from 2000–2015. She has frequently been invited to teach and facilitate workshops and give lectures on topics related to movement and music pedagogy as well as inclusive music-making.

located). From this role, he continued working in accounting jobs at various other international companies, until he retired early at age 54, owing to redundancy. Thankfully, his initiative and forward-thinking continued to work in his favour. Owing to a few properties Matthew acquired over his working years, he was able to continue to earn an income which has enabled him and his wife to travel the globe during his retirement. Whilst New Zealand has been their favourite destination to date, they have also enjoyed touring South America (especially Peru, Ecuador, Galapagos, Argentina, and Brazil) and continental Europe. Matthew reflected on how his attendance at IPS had aided his later ambitions in life. Whilst he did not feel especially motivated by the general tenor of education in that era, marked by progressive education (which allowed pupils to freedom to participate as they desired), he did find one class to be exceptionally motivating. Matthew’s course on Latin, which taught him the principles of learning a language, enabled him to apply those principles later in life. He has a quick aptitude for languages, which has served as a useful skill for his global travels.

Matthew Copeland 1968 –1975

studying Statistics and IT – but left this course to commit to a full-time job whilst working for Curry’s in 1980. Curry’s was a high street shop back then, and Matthew joined and successfully completed the management scheme. His work at Curry’s continued for eleven years, during which he won four national competitions for sales and met his wife who worked at his company’s competitor: Comet. Matthew’s proudest achievement since leaving IPS occurred in the years after he married and left Curry’s. He moved to sales work at a holiday company – Butlins – at the head o ce. Computing was still in its infancy, and Matthew had devoted himself to completing spreadsheets for sales performance. His initiative and hard work earned him recognition from senior management. When the company de-centralised its retail operations, he was asked to continue his employment at the company and shift from sales into finance. His manager persuaded him to enrol and complete an accounting course, which he was most dubious about. Happily, he completed the typical four-year course in two years, whilst he continued in full-time employment and began his family from 1990–1992. After passing his exams, he continued to work for the company, commuting from Bognor Regis to London (where the headquarters was

Shirley’s proudest achievements since leaving IPS are multiple. Firstly, she was delighted to become bilingual (learning German fluently), including her ability to teach, lecture, and publish in English and German on music education especially in inclusive groups. This love of music was inculcated as a child at Ibstock. Indeed, at IPS she said she felt that individuality and creativity were valued. As she noted, inspiring creativity was an important part of daily education. This progressive and equity-driven approach could be beneficial, she suggested and this contributed to her initiating and developing the special study area ‘Music and Dance in Social Work and Inclusive Pedagogy’ at the Or Institute from 1988 on. The education she received at IPS, followed by her instruction at Froebel and her contact with Chris Athey until her death framed her work as a teacher. Her interest in pedagogy has extended beyond the classroom, as she has documented her teaching in Austria through filming of many groups completed over years. She noted the usefulness of this endeavour: ‘This has been useful to observe and trace the development of various children and adults, to plan the contents and methods of future lessons, to critically observe my own teaching, and the teaching practice of students’. Finally, Shirley has produced numerous publications on music pedagogy and inclusive music education including a DVD (in 2010) on teaching people with additional support needs: Shirley Salmon & Coloman Kallos: ‘Between Freedom and Ritual. Means of expression for people with disabilities’.

Matthew Copeland attended IPS from 1968–1975; he left when he was 13 to attend a secondary school on the south coast. During Matthew’s attendance, IPS only o ered provision for up to age 13; O-Level provision was not o ered to pupils until the late 1970s (the first O-Levels were sat in 1980). Matthew’s fondest memories at IPS during his attendance focus on how he felt as a pupil. ‘I remember feeling at ease at IPS,’ Matthew shared as he reflected upon playing with his friends on the large grounds, playing football in the grass and the game of conkers. Matthew also recollected his pleasure in Physical Education classes. His sports teacher was David Travis, who taught at IPS in the 1970s. Travis was the British International Champion Javelin thrower; he won a gold medal in 1967 World Student Games and 1970 Commonwealth Games. After leaving IPS (and following his subsequent secondary education on the south coast), Matthew went to engineering college in Chichester; he achieved a two-year diploma. He continued his education at Brighton University –

Photos: Class photo, Matthew is in the front row, on the far right; Olympic Ring forging for the opening ceremony of London 2012; Matthew and his wife Julia in Machu Picchu, Peru.

Photos: Top – leading a session for adults with and without additional support needs. Bottom – Class photo in 1966, Shirley is in the middle row, far left.

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Joshua Howey 2007–2014

Joshua Howey attended IPS from 2007 to 2014, and was one of the last groups of ‘Stocks’ whose classes were part of the notorious ‘long corridor’ before it was demolished to make way for ‘New School’ (opened in 2011). His fondest memories of attending IPS were the numerous school trips he enjoyed, including those to China, India, France and Belgium. His trip to China was especially formative, as it informed his decision to pursue Sinology (Chinese language, history and politics). Indeed, when Joshua completed his A-Levels at IPS (in 2014) he took up a place at Durham University where he read Chinese and History. His studies at Durham included a year abroad in Hangzhou, home to China’s tech giants – ‘in many ways’, he noted, ‘this city is a symbol of the country’s modernity.’ With a diverse set of skills and interests, Joshua graduated Durham University in 2018 and accepted a role in the Civil Service through its flagship graduate programme. On this programme, he worked in a rotation across three central government departments in policy work. Earlier this year he completed the programme and moved into a permanent position in the Cabinet O ce, working on trade policy. His proudest achievements since leaving IPS include his university history dissertation, which achieved a high enough mark to warrant publication. While there are some work-related achievements which are di cult to commit to paper, Joshua remarked that on one occasion he convinced a government minister to do something which they were initially resistant to doing. ‘It was hardly a “Sir Humprey” moment of tactfulness’, he reported, ‘but it was a really satisfying career highlight to make a tangible and positive di erence in government policy.’ His time at IPS prepared him for life beyond in a couple of ways. Firstly, as already noted, Joshua’s trip to mainland China in summer 2010 was a salient factor in determining his future interests. His experience in China was also supremely helpful in preparing him for his year abroad in China; he knew what to expect and anticipated needed adjustments based on this previous experience. Secondly, Joshua supremely grateful for his history and politics classes at IPS, which nurtured in him an ability to convey clear and persuasive arguments in his writing. He has further honed these skills at university and in his policy-advising role now. Joshua gave a special note of praise to his politics classes taught by the current headmaster – Chris Wolsey- through which he benefited from ‘essential vocational knowledge’ for his work.

dean commendations. She was awarded the Clair Nunn Award for the Best Final Student with the college of Life and Environmental Sciences (Biosciences, Geography, Psychology and Natural Sciences) and the Biochemistry Prize for the best Biochemistry student. Furthermore, she was delighted to be o ered her recent job on the EY and KPMG Graduate Schemes during this di cult economic period. About these great achievements she said, ‘I felt like all my hard work was recognized and it showed that I had really pushed myself’. She noted that her time at IPS prepared her for such achievements by encouraging her to immerse herself in new challenges, and ‘just say yes’ to opportunities which allow developing network and skills. Beyond these practical skills, Imogen is grateful for the connections she has retained from IPS who taught her the importance of supportive networks.

In 2017 she was delighted to begin her undergraduate studies reading Biochemistry at the University of Exeter. During the summer after her second year at Exeter, Imogen completed a summer internship at the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline where she worked in the finance department. Although the COVID pandemic a ected her final year of university, her ambitions to continue to grow prevailed. Upon graduating Exeter in 2020, Imogen applied for a job at IPS as the receptionist. She continued as the receptionist for ten months, during which she contributed to many important initiatives, especially the erection of a COVID testing centre on campus. During the summer term of 2021, Imogen left her receptionist position at IPS to prepare for the next step in her career journey: a job on the assurance (accountancy) graduate scheme at Ernst & Young which she began in September 2021. Her proudest achievement since leaving IPS was to be the recipient of two prizes at the University of Exeter along with two

Imogen McCurley 2010–2017

Imogen Mccurley attended IPS from 2010–2017, and returned to work as a receptionist from autumn 2020 – spring 2021. Whilst a pupil, she enjoyed involvement in numerous societies: IPS singers, Schola Cantorum, the orchestra, and a few ensembles. Her fondest memories include the school trips she attended for these societies which fostered closer relationships to her peers. She wistfully recalled her many hours spent in the sixth form common room, in the top floor of Main House to complete revision and prep work. However, she caveated, it was also a source of a few comedic moments when ‘burnt toast’ in the common room forced the entire school to evacuate owing to a triggered fire alarm.

Photo top left: IPS Singers Tour to New York (Imogen is on the right). Photo right: Blue and White Ball (Imogen is on the far right). Bottom left: IPS classmate’s birthday party (Imogen is in the centre).

Photos: top group photo with Headmistress at Prize Giving 2014 – Joshua is far left; middle: with two IPS friends in China 2010 – Joshua in the middle; photo of Joshua cycling in Zurich, 2021

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worries. Aeronautical engineering is an expensive business and, alongside some lavish lifestyle choices, it may be speculated that the family kept moving to di erent residences through the 1920s to side step their creditors. One wonders whether Millicent ever saw the rent for St Serf’s paid on time, or indeed at all! The De Boloto s lived in a number of places in Kent, Sussex and London. But their luck seemed to run out having arrived with a large retinue at Kingswood House in Dulwich, where they were taken to court. The story has it that Princess Marie then feigned madness in a bid to escape her financial liabilities! One of Serge’s undoubted successes, however, was a two-seater biplane built in 1919. It was powered by a 200hp Curtiss 8-cylinder water-cooled geared engine and had a 36’ wingspan. Serge de Boloto died in 1955, at the age of 66 and Rosalie his wife in 1977. They are buried together in Putney Vale Cemetery.

Such a move was an adjustment for these pupils and their families. Children and their families were suddenly separated. Their daily attendance at the ‘Froebel Day School’ was supplanted by residence at a temporary ‘Froebel Boarding School’. Parents and children were induced to exchange letters with one another. Whilst the distance was significant, these communications o ered a temporary replacement for natural exchanges which might have occurred in the family home. Robbed of these opportunities by war, pupils and their parents tried to remedy feelings of homesickness by sharing a glimpse of their quotidian lives. The School Archives include letters between parents and their son Michael (aged 6–10) whilst he resided at Denison House. In October 1943 or 1944, Michael sent the following to his father, sharing his progress at school and eagerly anticipating ‘Parents’ Day’. The signature – replete with ‘x’s and ‘o’s demonstrates his strong feelings for his distant parent. ‘Dear Daddy, I can do my tie now. I have finished Book IV in Reading. Miss Duncan says I am getting on very well. We have made a village and I will show it to you on Parents’ Day with love form Michael. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxooooooo’ These feelings were not the sole remit of children at Little Gaddesden. Parents also expressed concern about the distance between themselves and their children owing to war-time evacuation. A letter written by Barbara Priestman to a parent illustrates this di cult transition. After speaking to the parent on the telephone, Priestman reassures the parent that her son is coping well, which is a testament to his up-bringing. Whilst the parents wishes to imminently visit her son in person, she advises her to wait a little bit longer. This brand of ‘homesickness’ which was facilitated by distant family communications was a perennial issue in this episode of School history. Although teachers made every e ort to perpetuate ‘normal life’ for their pupils at Denison House, undoubtedly children – and their families – were relieved when the war ended in 1945. In 1946, the ‘Froebel Boarding School’ inhabiting Denison House relocated to Ibstock Place House, bringing pupils back home, in more ways than one.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

AN HISTORICAL PROFILE

Writing Home During Evacuation Feeling homesick during the Second World War

Aviator Serge de Bolotoff Early resident of St Serf ’s House

While Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland and Major J B Paget have been long associated with the house that would become Ibstock Place School, evidence for another colourful character who lived at ‘St Serf’s’, as it was known prior to 1925, has emerged through recent research. This came to light following scrutiny of the final line of a Country Life article which appeared in the October edition of 1920, over a hundred years ago. This simple sentence states: ‘The house is now in the occupation of Mr Serge de Boloto .’ aristocrat, and Mr Constantine de Boloto , a “London proprietor”. He was present at an inaugural meeting at Claridge’s Hotel on 6 November 1908 when a new club was formed “devoted to the advancement of flying machines of the heavier than air type”. At the meeting, it was pointed out that “up to the present not a great deal had been done in this country to advance the science of the aeroplane, whereas in foreign countries, and especially in France, great strides have been made recently.” Serge de Boloto , along with his brother George, was made one of a number of vice-presidents of this new Aeroplane Club. His relative youth and inexperience were clearly no impediment to his ambitions in this nascent aviation industry. A few months later, on 9 January 1909, an article which appeared in the Daily Telegraph made it clear that among the seven entries received by that date for the £1,000 competition o ered by the Daily Mail newspaper to be awarded to the first person to fly across the English Channel, one had been received from ‘Prince Serge Boloto ’. It must therefore Prince Serge Victor de Boloto was born in Bulgaria in 1889 the son of Princess Marie Wiazemsky, a Russian

have been with some disappointment that Serge Boloto watched, along with the rest of England, on 25 July 1909, as Frenchman Louis Blériot landed in his aircraft in Kent to claim the prize. De Boloto married at the Russian Embassy in August 1918, although his family’s relationship with the Russian government of the time is uncertain. His mother Princess Wiazemsky’s aristocratic relations and contacts back in Russia surely cannot have thrived under the Bolsheviks following the country’s October 1917 revolution. Yet he was clearly regarded warmly enough for a request for his nuptials to be held at the embassy to be granted. Serge’s bride was the eldest daughter of Harry Selfridge, of Selfridge’s Oxford Street department store fame. Selfridge had a strong interest in aviation and presciently saw that it represented the future of travel. Rosalie, whom Serge called ‘Rosebud’, was one of three sisters. Her sister Violette also married an aviator, the Vicomte Jacques Jeande Sibour, and was an accomplished pilot herself. Violette co-piloted a round-the-world voyage with him in a two-seater plane, later publishing a book titled, ‘Flying gypsies: the chronicle of a 10,000 mile air vagabondage’. It is interesting to note that Serge de Boloto (Leon Ockenden) and his mother Princess Marie Wiazemsky (Zoë Wannamaker) featured as characters in the ITV series ‘Mr Selfridge’ (Season Three), albeit with poetic licence taken in their fictional interpretation. One thing, however, that was not misrepresented in the TV series was that the De Boloto family was plagued with money

Written by Chris Banfield, Senior Master.

The term ‘homesick’ also first entered common parlance during the late 18th century. It was first deployed in 1748 within a religious hymnbook

be evacuated from large cities, if the anticipated war in Europe inaugurated.

This plan proceeded two days before Britain declared war on Germany (on 3 September 1939). On 1 September, Operation Pied Piper was initiated. This Operation oversaw the evacuation of 800,000 children from urban targets, including London. Pupils from Froebel Demonstration School were among these masses. In 1939 the Headmistress – Barbara Priestman – began house hunting for a temporary home, which was as close to London ‘as seem[ed] compatible with safety’. A house which would provide a safe haven for these children was prioritised; Priestman was delighted to locate one house in Hertfordshire which fulfilled these requirements. This so-called Denison House ‘was entirely renovated by an American who understands the need for warmth and light.’ Within a few months of the new academic year, pupils from Froebel Demonstration School had moved to this Denison House in Hertfordshire – their new home for the next few years.

and denoted a spiritual feeling of ‘homesickness’. These ideas

expanded beyond the spiritual realm, encompassing a growing sentimentalism for the family home as it changed from the locus of a family’s business & residence to something more. To be ‘homesick’ mourned more than the distance from the safe space of home, however. Its popularity in the 18th century came to represent not only a longing for the space of home, but also for its people. By the middle of the 19th century, homesickness was a veritable clinical illness, devastating its victims who longed for home. Froebel Demonstration School pupils – and their families – learned the di culties of navigating these powerful feelings during the Second World War as they were separated from their childhood homes and families. When the Second World War erupted in 1939, myriads of school pupils were relocated. A report published in 1938 indicated that children might need to

Courtesy of Archive, Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Upcoming Dates

21 June–1 July IPS Festival

27–29 June Lower Senior

19 November FIPS Christmas Fair

Production ‘The Railway Children’

22 June Missa Festiva at Holy Trinity Church, Roehampton

7–8 December Senior School Carol Services

1 July XI 1 Cricket v Old Ibstonians

TBD December Senior School Theatre Production

23 June ‘Liederabend’ Musical Theatre Performance

2 July Stocks Barbeque

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