Concordia

Introduction

In this issue

Concordia Winter 2021

An introduction from the Head Master:

4-9 Doug Rode (1988-1993),

I t has been the most extraordinary year. In the course of the last 18 months, we have learned so much. Covid has made us rethink everything. We have reinvented school life, finding ways to continue to learn and play and discover together. In doing so, we have made immense strides forward. Now education has returned to relative normality, we can bring all those innovations into our familiar ways of teaching; we can also profit from our newly-learned capacity to make swift change. We are emerging from lockdowns and bubbles as an even stronger institution. The school was quick to adapt to online learning. The teaching staff worked incredibly hard to innovate, adapt and deliver the very high standards of teaching and learning that pupils and parents expect. Staff shared techniques, software, teaching approaches and resources. Above all, the positivity and ‘can-do’ attitude of the teaching staff made progress possible. Rather than focussing on last year’s ‘lost learning’, as is so common in the current political climate, it’s important to bear in mind the ways in which online learning developed independence, organisational skills and collaboration. The boys worked with fortitude and perseverance. Online learning was an opportunity for us to reaffirm the values the school holds dear while continuing our constant pursuit of excellence. There are examples everywhere. Perhaps the newest is our successes in VEX Robotics. Boys have to design and build a robot, which then must compete against other teams. It must be capable of being driven by a pupil and be programmed to operate autonomously. It is a hugely popular activity around the world and we are now national and world champions. Our school beat others from China, America, Australia and a host of other serious competition. So we are outstandingly successful in terms of academia and robot building. What about music and drama? We shifted into making movies. Senior actors were professionally filmed and a series of performances were a triumphant hit. In Music, our recorded performances have racked up several thousand views on YouTube. If we include last year’s online Summer Concert, our viewing figures rise even further. Further, we offered online enrichment to the whole Merchant Taylors’ community through talks and seminars via MTS Together. It was a great success with seventeen online events taking place and over 1,100 people registering for them. Nor did we stop fundraising for hardship bursaries to support families impacted by the pandemic. There were more individual supporters last year than in any previous year. Our grateful thanks go to all of our benefactors and a special thanks to the generous OMT who gave £1m – the school’s largest ever donation. We have even managed to do a little building, developing the Biology Department through the addition of two new labs and the refurbishment of the original four. There are also big plans for development of the Sports Department and exciting prospects in an even closer partnership with Middlesex County Cricket Club. We are, of course, under no illusions regarding the challenges ahead. But thanks to the dedication of staff, the determination of the boys and steadfast support from OMTs, parents and friends, we are in the strongest possible position.

Duncan Edwards (1977-1981) and Raoul Ruparel (2000-2005) analyse the the effects of Brexit. 10-11 Hugh Koch (1964-1969) reflects on a life spent in the field of psychology. 12-21 Classics feature: David Phillipson (1953-1961) and Martin Henig (1955- 1960) write of their careers in archaeology and current MTS classicists Philip Harrison , Edmund Gazeley and Maria History Master and Registrar, Jonny Taylor, reflects on the centenary of the House System. 26-29 Second Master Michael Husbands gives an account of this year’s Triennial Service and Senior Master Caron Evans- Evans reflects on organising the previous five Triennial Services. 30-31 News fromMerchant Taylors’ and Merchant Taylors’ Prep 32-45 Development Director, Nick Latham , gives an update on Development and Alumni Relations and an article by Head Master, Simon Everson , making the moral case for bursaries. 46 Class Notes 56 Obituaries Bergquist reflect on how Classics is taught today. 22-25

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We have made every attempt to locate copyright ownership of archive photography but have not always succeeded in doing so. Any owner of copyright of individual images is invited to contact the editor.

Supporting MTS To find out more about how you can support the school, please go to: https://development.mtsn. org.uk/supporting-MTS