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British Families’ Education Service/                                                                                                                                       Newsletter 31 Summer 2015 
 Service Children’s Education Authority Association                                                                                                 

Chairman - Dr Michael Ford                                                                                                                                Editor - Joan Hunt

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What happens after we leave?

Gillman Barracks is located on the site of a former military camp named after the late General Sir Webb Gillman, a well-known British army officer. Set up in 1936 to accommodate the expansion of the British infantry in Singapore, the camp consists of 14 buildings that were taken over by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in August 1971 as part of the withdrawal of the British military from Singapore.  After the SAF vacated the camp in the 1990s, the buildings were used for commercial purposes and the site was renamed Gillman Village in 1996. The site reverted to its original name, Gillman Barracks, in 2010 and was re-developed and launched in September 2012 as a contemporary art centre.  The art cluster is part of a city with a vibrant arts scene made up of public museums, commercial galleries, non-profit spaces, and major art events such as the Singapore Biennale and Art Stage Singapore.  Gillman Barracks is jointly developed by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), JTC Corporation (JTC) and the National Arts Council (NAC).  To learn more about the barracks, visit gillmanbarracks.com.


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On the move

Alan Atkin - I have re-married and now live happily in Cornwall, where I expect to spend the rest of my days.  Unfortunately I am now partially sighted, which means I am unable to drive.  I do however, really wish to attend a function in the future and my wife Claire, who taught in Germany for two years, I hope will accompany me.  My years in the service were wonderful - 25 in all, and I would like so much to meet up with old friends.  Therefore, this time it is a promise that I am going to attend a function and I look forward to seeing you sometime soon.

 Michael Johns – has moved to a new home but still lives in Hethersett,



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Will Large is trying to locate email details for Richard Whitehouse who was with him overseas.  Can anyone help? They were big chums in college and were in digs together with Loy Evans.  Any help you could offer would be appreciated.

Will's email address is wslarge@talktalk.net



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Our archivist recently received an email from a friend who has been looking at a house move of late and in so doing did some research on the local community in Ledbury;  that turned up the following which I am sure will bring back memories to all our members.

Foxley News – Ledbury

 In March Jane Cox recalled life over 25yrs as a camp follower. In 1974 she and Robin packed up their home and moved to Singapore with their 2 little girls.

Robin had been appointed to SCEA - Service Children’s Education Authority - and his first headship of a school in RAF Tengah meant beginning an exciting life in the far east.  Moving into an army quarter involved March In - the checking through the inventory of the entire contents of the house before we could actually live in the house.  Of course there was March Out procedure too, as nobody could move on until the standard of cleanliness and the inventory check of the house was completed.  This happened twice in 16 months in Singapore as we moved after 8 months to the Naval Base and again a March In to the second quarter.  A vital help to life out there was to have an amah who knew the ropes of army life and we were so lucky to find Mowah, a lady from Saba originally, but who had worked for many British families.  She kept the house shining and dealt with the Pasir Panjang grocer who came daily in his van to collect the shopping list.  Our second amah Susie was also wonderful and made our stay so easy. She did all the cooking too and spoilt our children!

School days were tropical hours from 7am to 1pm as the heat built up.  But that left plenty of time for swimming and playing.  We lived at tree top level looking into frangipani blossom and hearing the calls to prayer throughout the day.  The causeway to Malaysia was close by and we made several trips across to the Malay peninsula. Harold Wilson's government finally withdrew all British Forces from Singapore in December 1975 and Robin's second headship took us all up to Hong Kong, a vast contrast to life for us all.  He was appointed to a much larger school on Hong Kong island with regiments coming and going as postings occurred.  Life was in a flat overlooking Repulse Bay but once again we needed an amah to help with daily life.  Ah Foon joined us, living in, which meant she too did all the cooking and looking after the home.  She stayed with us for three years and knew all about March Ins and Outs.  Still tropical hours for children in school so plenty of swimming and play time.  Shopping continued to be an unforgettable experience. Three years there meant it was time to look closer to England and in January 1979 Robin took on his 3rd headship in a school in Hemer in Germany - normal school hours and winter snow hit us hard!  March Ins and Outs continued for the next 18years as we followed his changes of career path.  But SCEA - Service Children’s Education Authority - saw us move 4 times within Germany.  Oh dear - no amahs anymore!  But a good life and we have collected long lasting friends.  We visited Berlin and Robin was there the week the wall came down. There were some 90 schools in Germany then for children of British personnel and UK civilians and our daughters moved schools each time until their O Levels were done.

Finally we moved to Cyprus where Robin's last 3 year contract as Education Officer gave us another perspective on life in a garrison.  Living in exotic places was unforgettable, one was not a tourist but we were given the chance to live with other cultures.

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Welcome to new members.

David Hopkins who taught in St George’s School, Hong Kong from 1973 – 1980.  David now lives in Peterborough.

Joy Harris who taught in Gloucester School, Hohne from 1986 – 2012 before joining Directorate of Education SCE.  Joy now lives in Perugia Umbria, Italy.

Elizabeth Jeremy taught in Lincoln School, Munster from 1974 – 1976 and Swinton School, Senden 1976 – 1980.  Elizabeth now lives in Cadnam, Hampshire.

David Banister who taught in Victoria School Dortmund 1969 – 1970, Hemer Middle School 1970 – 1972 and Suffolk School, Minden 1972 – 1975.  David now lives in Ipswich.  Sadly his wife Margaret (nee Harvey) who also taught  in Suffolk School, died in December 2013.

Michael Woods taught in Munster, Scharfoldendorf, Soltau Jerboa, Buckeburg, Antwerp and Hameln between 1963 – 1977.  Michael now lives in Ipswich.

Jane Pittaway (nee Purser) taught in Brugen, Barnes Wallis and St Georges schools between 1973 – 2010.  Jane now lives in Niederkruechten, Germany.

Alan Thomas taught in Queen’s School, Rheindahlen (1975 – 1978) and Gloucester School, Hohne (1978 – 1983).  Alan & Teresa now live in Cheltenham.

Kathy and Billy Molloy.  Kathy taught in St Christopher’s, Gibraltar from 1975 – 1992 and Billy taught in St George;s, Gibraltar from 1079 – 1992.  They now live in Chichester, West Sussex.



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Don’t forget to check our website, which is updated each month.

www.bfes-sce-association.org

 Please take a look at our Facebook page. 

Log on to Facebook and type in

“British families education service association”.


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As usual, the annual Curry Lunch in Winchester on 6th June was very well attended
and enjoyed by all.



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Alma Barber, Maureen Wilson, Elizabeth Jeremy, Tony Price
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Barbara Beavers, Christine Ford
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John Monkhouse, Nolan & James Clamp
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Bob & Pat Steel, Hazel Page
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Jan Benfield, Sheila Morling
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Bob Steele, Ron & Jane Taylor





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The BFES/SCEA ASSOCIATION

and

Emeritus Professor Sir Francis Graham-Smith, FRS,

13th Astronomer Royal,

request the Pleasure of the Company of its Members

and Guests

to its

Annual Reunion Luncheon and AGM

in the

Wolfson Library Suite of The Royal Society

6-9 Carlton House Terrace London

 
On Saturday 3rd October 2015 12.00 till 5:.00pm

Maximum 70 people




Gentlemen : Suit or Jacket & Tie                                  Ladies : Elegant Dress or Smart Trousers /Suit

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Sadly Departed

Bettine Rudd has sadly died.  Bettine, who retired to Devon, taught in Oldenburg (1949 -50), Buckeburg (1950  52), Delmenhost (1952 – 56).

Alison Graham (1936-2015).  Alison was a teacher at Scott Primary School, Fallingbostel from 1966 to 1969. After leaving BFES Alison became an exchange teacher, working in New Zealand before returning to her home city of Edinburgh.  Sadly, a few years after retiring, Alison developed Parkinson's Disease and, after many years trying to remain independent, she moved into full time nursing home care, in Edinburgh, remaining there until her death in January 2015. Despite her illness she managed, whenever possible, to attend reunions with friends from Fallingbostel days, and was always interested to hear about people she knew, despite not being able to communicate with them, due to her illness. Alison will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

 Ann Priest (1936 – 2015).  Ann was born on 2nd October 1936 in Wembley, London.  She trained at the Royal School of Needlework and taught at Bishop Simpson C of E school in Redhill Surrey for 2 years before moving  to Germany to teach at Queen's School in Rheindahlen where she taught for 27 years.  Ann retired to Ottery St Mary with her husband Derrick where they spent the final chapter of their lives enjoying the delights of Devon.  After Derrick's death in 2013, friends, relatives and latterly nursing and caring staff have supported her to enjoy life as much as possible particularly after her spell in hospital a year ago.  Ann died of cancer at home on 29th June 2015.

 Jecky Loeffler  A Thanksgiving service was held on 3rd August at St. Eustachius Church, Tavistock for the life of Jecky Loeffler who sadly died on July 15th after a short illness. The service was attended by many former colleagues from Senden and Oxford School where Jecky had taught for 31 years.

 Tim Nichol (1951-2015) Tim was born in Newport and studied to be a teacher at Trinity and All Saints’ Colleges, Leeds.  He returned to Newport to begin his teaching career before moving on to work for Service Children Education in Naples.  He subsequently moved to Germany and Hamer school where he became Deputy Headteacher.  Tim then joined the Inspection and Advisory Service as an Advisory Teacher with responsibility for Special Educational Needs.  Tim then took up a leading role within SCE’s Inclusion Team before retiring in 2013. He eventually settled near his family in Whitley Bay.  Tim died peacefully in his sleep and leaves a partner, Liz, and 3 children by his previous marriage to Ursula.



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Resignation

Sadly Frank Woodward has resigned from the Association as he is experiencing very poor health.  Frank taught in Hong Kong (1974 – 1977 & Herford 1977 – 1983).  Frank is still living in Salisbury.



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BAOR Boarding School 1948 - 1959 by Lt Col Paul French


This recently published fascinating book is written and illustrated by Lt Col Paul French who attended King Alfred School, Plon, Schleswig Holstein from 1949 to 1956. The forward is written by General the Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL and funds raised by the book's sales £19 go to The Not Forgotten Association. Paul is Chairman of the King Alfred School Association.


The closure of Hohne and Fallingbostel 2015

Shackleton, Slim, Montgomery, Gloucester and Heide Schools all closed on 19th July 2015.

They created Final Year Books for each school which were issued to each pupil and member of staff. It has been arranged for the Association to receive one copy of each school's history to add to our archives.

I'm sure that there must still be a mass of historical photographs out there among our members, so, please, dig some out and forward them to me to add to the growing information on this long standing and important area of BAOR, annotated if possible

 Walter Lewis, Archivist.


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To see a list of SCE Schools that are currently educating children from Ministry of Defence Families please follow this link:

www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/ServiceCommunity/Education/SCE/SCESchools/List.htm

It will enable you to go to their individual websites where you can see the day to day activities of the schools.



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The Directorate Children and Young People (DCYP) is the professional lead for all matters within Defence relating to Service children and young people including the management and provision of education through a number of MOD schools and settings located worldwide.  Changes in defence over the next few years will result in significant changes to their service.


Currently they provide education in 22 schools and settings around the world.  The drawdown of British Forces from Germany will see this number reduce over the next few years to 13 schools; Cyprus (6), Brunei (1), Netherlands (1), Italy (1), Germany (1), Belgium (1), Falkland Islands (1), Scotland (1) ,and an Early Years Foundation Stage in Gibraltar.


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Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood

St. James’s Palace, London SW1

13th June 2015

THE QUEEN has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of the Celebration of Her Majesty's Birthday, to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:

O.B.E.  To be Ordinary Officers of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order:

Ms Kathryn FORSYTH, Director of Education, Service Children’s Education, Ministry of Defence - For services to Armed Forces Families.

Kathryn was appointed Director of Education Services in September 2007, having held a number of educational posts within SCE since September 2000. Her previous roles include:

·      Director of the Inspection Agency which was part of the Education Development Unit (EDU) at St Martin’s College in Ambleside, Cumbria

·      Head teacher of a primary school in Sunderland, identified as a centre of excellence for pupil-centred learning and assessment for learning

Director of Education, Service Children's Education

The Director of Education, Service Children’s Education (SCE), holds overall responsibility for the education directorate at the SCE, including teaching and learning, standards and assessment and pupil and family services.



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Dates to note.

Saturday 3rd October 3rd 2015 lunch and AGM

The Royal Society, London

Please note change of venue.

. Booking form enclosed with this Newsletter

Friday 8th April 2016

Lunch at Christ’s College, Cambridge



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How to contact us.

Chairman – Dr Michael Ford - Tel: 01942 721940
Secretary – Lynn Marshall
                    Wilton House, 
                    Basingstoke Road,                                                       
                    Spencer’s Wood,                  
                    Reading
                    RG7 1PH

Tel: 0118 3274128        E-mail: lynnmarsh6@aol.com

 Archivist – Walter Lewis – Tel: 01934 645 759

Treasurer     -     Janet Bradley Tel: 01788 891850

Membership Sec. – Joan Hunt,
                                  51 Crossways,
                                  Sutton,
                                  Surrey 
                                  SM2 5LD

Tel: 020 8642 0341       E-mail: joan.hunt@talk21.com

 Website Manager - Glyn Pascoe – E-mail: glyn@pascoe.co



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