Mary Apperley, daughter of former teacher Nick McCabe (BS 1961-1988), has got in touch with the sad news that her father passed away on Saturday evening, 11th December, aged 94.

The service shall be at Bournemouth Crematorium at 10.30 on Thursday 23rd December, followed by a service of thanksgiving for the life of Nick McCabe at 10am on Wednesday 29th December at St Lukes Church, Wimborne Road, Winton. No flowers, rather contributions to the work of the Parish of Winton, Moordown and Charminster.

Nick McCabe joined the school in 1961, having moved from another grammar school in Kent, and was soonafter appointed as Head of Modern Foreign Languages. He is best remembered for organising the French exchange, which David Hilliam, in his book Bournemouth School 1901-2000, recounts:

The slow, then rapid, growth of the ‘French Exchange’ with Cholet is now part of the history of the school.

It is impossible to describe the sheer physical immensity of this annual undertaking, in which, by the late ‘eighties scores of teenagers enjoyed the opportunities which were being offered.

Boys and girls from other Bournemouth schools joined in, and the whole enterprise took on a gigantic family atmosphere. Nick McCabe was joined, every year, by various and numerous colleagues but the thrust of the organisation was his alone, for twenty-one years or so, until Nick retired.

It came as a surprise to Nick that in 1997 the French Government awarded him the honour of the ‘Palmes Academique’ for his services to education and international understanding.

More recent Old Bournemouthians will remember Nick’s son, Simon McCade, who followed in his fathers footsteps and also taught Modern Languages at Bournemouth School.

David Trenchard, Chairman of the Old Bournemouthians’ Association, writes simply, “another legend of the School has passed”.

It is with sadness that the death is announced of J V Davis. John was a former master at the school and a stalwart member of the Association and committee member as well as a regular at the dinner. He never did forgive gentleman removing their jackets before the Queen was drunk.

A resounding success!

The atmosphere in the room for our 2021 Association Dinner was excellent and the meal good value and well served. The speeches from the Chairman David Trenchard, Headmaster Dorian Lewis, Head Boy Bay Hill and Guest Speaker David Sidwick were all interesting and entertaining.

The Old Bournemouthians cup was awarded to Dean Croukamp-Stewart, who travelled all the way from York to accept the prize.

The Dinner Secretary’s arrangements and table plans were very good and there was a healthy mix of younger and older Old Bournemouthians, together with the current prefects. We also had a sell out with the raffle.

There was a huge appetite for a repeat dinner next year.

Kelly Thorne, the current Head of Darwin House, has got in touch seeking memories and anecdotes of her predecessor, Martin Pritchard (Geography). She writes:

The current Darwin prefects are very keen to put together a “memory book” as a tribute to what he achieved. I would be very grateful if you could please contact your members and ask for a short written account of their memories with Mr Pritchard, which we could include. This doesn’t need to be lengthy, but I know he would really appreciate hearing from former students (or colleagues of course) and reminiscing about past House activities.

Contributions should be made by Monday 29th November, either in the Comments section below or direct to Kelly: kthorne@bournemouth-school.org