The Prior Park community was saddened to learn of the death of John Bogie, an alumnus who played a key role in saving the College when the Christian Brothers left in 1981. John was also Headmaster of Cricklade and is remembered fondly by his former pupils. A full obituary will be posted later.John last visited the College in September 2023 for the unveiling of the New Founders Wall, a wall to acknowledge and remember the efforts of those former pupils and staff who rallied together in order to keep the College open. It also thanks those who continue this new foundation with gifts to the College of £100k or more.
John's funeral will take place on Monday 2nd December at 2pm, St Patrick's Church, Brockworth, GL3 4HL. Donations in memory of John may be made to the MCC Foundation via https:// alexanderburn.com/funeral-notices. Enquiries to Alexander Burn Funeral Directors 01242 673300 Online ref: W0030511
1991 Chapel Choir to regroup for one gig only!
The Chapel Choir of Prior Park 1991 are reuniting in a few weeks’ time to perform some of their hits from their eponymous album of Christmas crackers.
Last year, Marc Demarquette (PPA 1991) got in touch to say he had repressed 50 copies of the self-named album and was keen to get the group back together for one last gig. We decided that they should appear at our annual Alumni Choir reunion, which normally happens on the first Sunday in December. This year it happens on 8th December, the second Sunday of December.
As it’s the second Sunday of Advent, we are able to go full-on Christmas Carol mode, and alumni from across all year groups can join us too.
If you are able to attend and add your presence and/or voice to the occasion, please register using this link.
Thanks to Marc for organising this and does anyone have a CD player?
Alumni helping out at General Studies
General Studies is a series of talks by guest speakers that give the Sixth Form an insight into a variety of topics, careers, or life experiences.
Alumni often return as part of this programme, and last year we welcomed back Kieran Kelly (PPA 2015) from the OddBalls Foundation, Sally Land (PPA 1992) AKA Dear Deidre of The Sun, Dr. Iheukwumere Duru (PPA 2008) a Medical Doctor, Professor David Thomas (PA 1984), an Arctic Researcher and Richard Klein (PPA 1976), award wining TV producer and former head of factual at BBC and ITV and Controller of BBC 4. We we also very lucky to have a singing masterclass delivered by Gabriel Vick (PPA 2000).
Students also heard from speakers covering topics that may be limited within the classroom, such as Emma Cole, who was diagnosed HIV positive 33 years ago. Emma provided the students with information surrounding stigmas, understanding transmission and diagnosis, and most importantly, living a fulfilling life with HIV. Other speakers were able to share their personal experience or knowledge of other topics, including gambling, LGBTQIA+, addiction, modern slavery, and autism, thus increasing our student’s awareness of these emotional, scientific, and political contexts.
We also welcomed talks from individuals who have travelled the globe, whether it be on military duty, Captain Ali Tarbard-Osment (PPA 2008), capturing wildlife on film, and war on camera (James Brickell & Rick Findler), cycling across America (Simon Parker), working in the Middle East (Jane Woodford), and painting for The Royal Family (James Hart Dyke).
We hope these shared stories inspire our students to perhaps pursue their own passions and even forge careers out of them, but more importantly they give an insight into the complexities, struggles and beauty of the world around them.
The Gossip Bowl 2024
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