Taylorian

TAYLORIAN 2024

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At short notice, the Admissions team had to switch to an online assessment in January 2021. With the help of feeder schools, parents and the MTS SCR, yet another hurdle was cleared under Jonny’s leadership. As Registrar, Jonny chaired the Communications Team, a new committee set up to bring together the school’s outward-facing departments and bring coherence to the school’s marketing. At the same time, Jonny became one of the school’s representatives on the OMT Society General Committee. With longevity comes a developed sense of heritage and Jonny became increasingly interested in the history of the school. It was perhaps logical that Jonny would be a driving force, along with Stephen Wright, in overseeing the appointment of the first dedicated School Archivist, Sally Gilbert. This coincided with the centenary of the Great War, during which Jonny took the lead for the school. Through his scholarship, essays, assemblies, services, and displays, Jonny was a champion of Remembrance, bringing countless individuals together, and inspiring all those involved. Over four years there were commemorations of all those who lost their lives, culminating in Every One Remembered in 2018, when the School community came together to place poppies remembering every MTS combatant from the war – over 1800 in total. The Inner Quad was transformed into a sea of red around two Tommy silhouettes. Jonny also cites the dawn service to commemorate the centenary of the Somme in 2016 and the subsequent creation of the Memorial Garden as a personal highlight. It is typical of Jonny that he has already taken steps to make sure the school does not omit the commemoration of the 100th anniversary, this December, of the last OMT to die because of wounds sustained in the Great War. It is perhaps appropriate that Jonny finishes his days at the school as Archivist. Jonny has done an outstanding job of making the MTS community aware of its own heritage through displays and written pieces for every

publication. Jonny’s production of displays for OMT events, featuring Taylorian snippets and photographs of those in attendance, has been a huge contribution to the school’s alumni relations programme. In sport, Jonny played a prominent part in coaching rugby and cricket. He worked alongside John Pallant on numerous rugby tours, including Canada in 1992. Jonny also worked at senior level in cricket, touring Barbados and Spain with Harry Latchman. However, Jonny derived most pleasure working at junior levels, giving younger boys a love of sport and helping to develop their confidence. This is epitomised by his time working alongside Fred Vignal on the U14E rugby team – their unbeaten season seems to get a mention most days – and Adam Clarke on the U14C cricket team. As well as sport, Jonny has thrown himself into music and drama, singing in school choirs for over thirty years, and as a member of the staff Barbershop group, ‘Short, Fat and Sides’ led by Joan Stubbs. Jonny has remarked that he liked to think of himself as one of the sides! In drama, Jonny appeared in productions of Grease and Oh! What a Lovely War in the 1990s, and helped direct The Beaux’ Stratagem in 1994. In 37 years, Jonny has had a huge impact on the life of MTS. OMTs and colleagues speak of his sharp mind, excellent sense of humour (and laugh you can hear coming down the corridors), and a genuine love of the school. Seeing the reception Jonny gets from his former charges at OMT events makes it clear the high regard in which he is held. 1990 Head Monitor Adrian Boehler summed up Jonny’s influence thus: ‘There are many inspirational characters that I could cite when I reminisce about my years at MTS, but Jonny is one of the first that springs to mind. He possesses a constantly positive energy; a playful and mischievous sense of humour; and gives generously of his time and counsel. But perhaps above all else I appreciate the self-belief and self-confidence which he tried to instil in all of us, be that either academically or out on the games

field. A quiet nod of reassurance or a simple word of support – he always knew what to do or what to say. And did I also mention he is a fellow Spurs fan? The icing on the cake! Thank you for everything, Jonny, and enjoy your well-deserved retirement.’ Jonny is not afraid to let his emotions guide his decisions. This is not meant in a negative way – when you feel so passionately about this school and the boys, emotions will tend to guide you in the right direction. On countless occasions, he has pushed us down the right path with impassioned arguments – never out of self-interest, but always with pupils, colleagues and school culture front and centre. I recall my first encounter with Jonny, which he closed by saying ‘and that’s why you make the big bucks’. I knew then that at least one of two things was true: he was a very funny man, or that there was not a culture of sharing salary information at MTS. Happily it turned out both were true. I shall miss Jonny’s friendship, support and counsel immensely. He has given so much to the Development office, especially since he became school liaison to the OMT Society. As well as his keen intellect, he also possesses emotional intelligence, and is always the first to come and offer support at difficult times, or to congratulate and celebrate in the lighter moments (including our ups and downs as Spurs supporters). Thank you, Jonny. Despite having been at the school for over a third of its history at Sandy Lodge, as recently as May 2024 Jonny was still discovering new things. Before an OMT reunion, rather than take the long walk to the staff changing rooms, Jonny opted to use the Archive to get ready. With the first part of the reunion underway, and OMTs taking tours of the school, it was at this point that Jonny discovered that the JCR tour guides had somehow been issued with keys to the Archive. In his own immortal words: “well done, no one.” Mr N. D. Latham