SVS Foundation

20/08/2024

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Richard Plowden (Staff 2006-2022). Please refer to the School's link below for information about funeral arrangements.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Richard Plowden's passing earlier this month. Richard, who joined Sutton Valence School in 2006, was a cherished member of the History Department and Lambe's Tutor team. His warmth, wisdom and humour left a lasting impact on everyone he taught and worked with.

For more about Richard’s contributions and the impact he had on our community, please read here: https://www.svs.org.uk/news-article/richard-plowden-staff-2006-2022/

19/05/2024

It was a pleasure to once again host our US-based Old Suttonians at a reunion dinner in New York. This year, we headed to Coco’s at Colette, a private members’ club at the top of the GM Building, arranged for us by OS Michael Darling (1979 L).

It was fantastic to see our US friends once again and update them on the School and our exciting plans for the 450th Anniversary next year. As ever, their enthusiasm for all things SVS continues to thrive and we are grateful for their continued support and engagement.

In addition to Michael, we are grateful to everyone who attended, with many commuting long distances to be with us - particularly Richard Nichols (1978 L), Samer Taki (1978 W) and John Marshman (1975 L). It was also fantastic to meet Michael Inglis (1976 M), for what was his first OS event and Oliver Miles (2010 W), who brought more recent memories of the School to the occasion.

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon, whether at the School or another reunion event.

12/05/2024

Our thanks again go to David Gilman and everyone involved in last weekend's SVS Foundation Quiz. Having totalled up the takings from the evening, we are delighted to announce that this year's quiz raised in excess of £3,800 in aid of Dandelion Time. Thank you to everyone who came along or supported the event for your generosity in helping raise this magnificent sum.

We are also grateful to Miss Peart-Price and Elyse R (Lower Sixth) who kindly took some amazing photographs of the evening, some of which are displayed here.

04/05/2024

Thank you to everyone who came along to the SVS Foundation Quiz last night. We were delighted to welcome over 210 guests for the third annual quiz, hosted by our fantastic past parent, David Gilman.

It was a brilliant night and we are grateful to everyone who made it possible - the Second Form Junior Leadership team and the JL staff, our Sixth Form markers, photographers, the staff behind the bar, the catering team and, of course, David and Emma Gilman for their considerable work, both on the night and in preparation.

We will total up the profits at the start of next week and announce what was raised for Dandelion Time - we are hugely appreciative though for everyone's generosity on the night, whether it be through the donation of raffle prizes, the purchasing of raffle tickets or through simply coming along.

Well done to our winning team - No Value Added. For the second consecutive year, this ended up being a staff table, so congratulations go to Miss Cakebread, Mrs Fairest, Mr Millbery, Miss Pitcher and Mrs Robinson, as well as the others on their table.

More photos will follow, but here is a taster of the evening.

20/04/2024

It was fantastic to host so many Old Suttonians, pupils, parents and past parents last night at the annual OS vs School Hockey Tournament.

In the men’s match, a really competitive game saw the OS team come away with a 4-3 victory. The ladies’ match was similarly closely-fought, with the School’s 1st XI winning 2-0.

Since we relaunched the event in 2022 as an early Summer Term fixture, it has grown in popularity and this year saw a total of 40 OS players return to play in the two fixtures. The support of the OS and School community was also fantastic, and we are grateful that so many parents and past parents came along to brave the cold and watch.

Our thanks go to all involved, but particularly Mr Braddick and Miss Giddings for their help in organising the School teams, Miss Sagrott (2013 F, Staff), Miss Latter (2016 F, Staff), Richard Young (1990 M) and Stewart Young (1992 M) for managing the OS teams and Mr Harrison (1987 L, Staff) for his umpiring all night. We are also grateful to the School’s Catering team too for the fantastic barbecue that ran throughout the evening.

14/04/2024

On Friday 21st April 2023, the School was, once again, delighted to host the annual OS versus 1st XI girls’ and boys’ Hockey matches. Despite significant rain earlier in the day, we were lucky that the weather held for us throughout the afternoon and into the evening. On the pitch, the Old Suttonian teams put in a valiant effort, but sadly the 1st XI girls’ and boys' teams were just too strong, with final scores of 8-2 and 4-2 respectively.

For the girls' match, we are grateful to Katie Henley and Olivia Farrell (Lower Sixth), for their match report, below:

"The game got off to a good start with two quick goals by Katie Henley bringing the score up to 2-0; one being a reverse deflection and the other dribbling around the keeper and into the right corner. The next two goals were scored by Florence Wood (Fifth Form), with an impeccable reverse hit from top D to the top left corner, followed by another goal weaving around the keeper and in the bottom corner. After our four goals the OS team were eager to score and came back with two consecutive goals. However, the girls were able to return to their usual fluid passing and gain control of the game once more, this was helped by the girls making great use of the four subs, rolling across all three lines (attack, midfied and defence), ensuring the energy was kept high throughout the first half.

After our half time team talk, we were keen to keep up our lead and carry on scoring from the opportunities we worked hard for! The OS team came back strong but our defensive line of Annie Moore (Upper Sixth), Caitlin Calverley (Fifth Form), Scarlet Washington (Upper Sixth), and Matilda Featherstone (Fifth Form) stayed strong and limited the OS to only half-chances. In the second half, Evie Smith (Fifth Form) did some outstanding dribbling, scoring a great individual goal. On top of this Louisa Yorke (Upper Sixth) scored a deflection from a ball being crossed to the post by Annie Moore. Extending our lead to 6-2. Evie Smith went on to score another goal along with a well-taken goal from Katie Moore (Upper Sixth) bringing the final score to 8-2.

Towards the end our girls were starting to fatigue and so we had to defend harder as the OS started to get their half-chances on target, but with Grace Bartleet (Upper Sixth) in goal, we conceded no goals in the second half thanks to her superb saves. Overall this was a very enjoyable match to play and we look forward to playing again next year."

After the girls' match concluded, it was straight onto the boys' match, which Callum Baker (Upper Sixth) has reported on below:

"After watching a goal fest from the girls’ match, the boys were ready to play. The game started with some possession as the boys passed it around and got back to playing together after a good season of hockey. We managed to get a quick goal, scored by Otto Plant (Fifth Form), giving the boys an early lead. That was the only goal of the first half despite the boys dominating possession. The boys started the second half strong, getting chance after chance, but OS goalkeeper, Stewart Young (1992 M) keeping them in the game. The OS somehow came back and scored an easy goal with a ball across the D for Justin Baker (1990 L) for a tap in to score which made it 1-1. We dug deep and the First XI converted another opportunity with Jonte Hillier (Upper Sixth) flicking into the goal from a short corner. With a 2-1 lead and the boys dominating the game, we probably felt too comfortable which led to another OS goal scored by Oliver Aucamp (2015 C).

It became an end to end game with the OS battling and refusing to accept any kind of defeat. Both teams were getting chances but with little time left the boys switched to another gear as we had done so many times before. We applied constant pressure on their defence giving us some great chances and eventually James Pepler (Upper Sixth) broke through slotting it past their goalkeeper for our third goal. This time the boys kept the momentum going and continued to press high up the pitch. Another goal from Charlie Collie (Fifth Form) sealed our victory and with that goal the game ended 4-2. This was the last game of the season for this team; a big thank you to our Upper Sixth boys who have led us well this year and delivered an undefeated home record. We hope they return to play for the OS in the future and I'm sure the OS team will be stronger with their presence. The OS game is played in memory of Alex Hatch (2001 F) and a trophy in his name was presented to the current First XI boys at the end. A final thanks to Richard Young (1990 M) for helping to organise the game and putting the OS team together."

It was fantastic to see such an amazing number of supporters come to the Astroturf to watch the games - support for the event continues to grow year-on-year and we are grateful for those who joined us for the evening. Both players and supporters had a great evening of fun, followed by a barbecue outside TC’s.

14/04/2024

12/04/2024

On Saturday 24th February 2024, we were delighted to host the annual Worsfold Cup, with the School's 1st VII taking on an OS Netball team. Once again, the match was well supported by parents, past parents, grandparents and siblings, as well as staff and former-staff.

It was an excellent, fast-paced match and the scores were very evenly balanced until the final quarter when the OS team began to increase their lead. In the end, the OS team won with a score of 39-34. Thank you to the 1st VII team who were formidable opposition, the OS team look forward to you joining them when you leave the School in the future.

After a brief thanks by Mr Farrell, Senior Deputy Head, the cup was presented by Nonnie Worsfold (Former Staff SVPS 1983-2010), after whom the Worsfold Cup was named. We would like to thank Lydia Davies (2015 H) for all her help in recruiting and organising the OS team and Kelly McConnachie (Staff 2011-) for organising the School’s 1st VII, as well as umpiring with Paula Hallett (Staff 2002-). Finally, thank you to Annie Wilkinson (Former Staff SVS 1984-2016) for organising the fixture.

OS team: Evie Barclay (2016 H), Victoria Barnden (2015 H), Caitlin Calverly (2023 C), Charlotte Crouch (2014 L), Hannah Davies (2015 H), Lydia Davies (2015 H) and Elizabeth Miles (2014 H).

12/04/2024

On Tuesday 5th March 2024, we were delighted to hold the annual Ian Kay (1941 M) Luncheon at the RAF Club, Piccadilly. The event was attended by over 30 guests, including the Headmaster and Old Suttonians, all of whom who left the School between 1951 and 1974. We were hosted this year by Air Cdre Rick Peacock-Edwards CBE (1957 F) and were treated to a delicious three-course lunch in the Club’s Battle of Britain Suite. After lunch, the Headmaster provided an update on the School, followed by a highly entertaining talk by David Pickard (Staff 1977-2001, 2009-2015). It was lovely to see so many people catching up with old faces and new and reminiscing about their time at School. Thanks go to David Dodd (1951 M) and Douglas Horner DL (1962 M) for their toasts, The Revd Sandy Cairns (1964 Co) for the grace.

With the 450th anniversary fast approaching, events like this provide an invaluable opportunity for us, as a community, to celebrate our rich history with those who have played an important part in it. Over the next couple of years, our regular programme of reunions will expand to engage as many Old Suttonians as possible, both in the UK and overseas. In addition, through the SVS Foundation, we hope to provide opportunities for the current generation of pupils and parents to foster additional links with Old Suttonian community as we, as a School, celebrate our past together.

12/04/2024

We were delighted to welcome over 90 Old Suttonians, parents, past parents, staff, former staff and governors to the School to celebrate 40 years of the School being co-educational, at our Bubbles and Lunch event on Saturday 23rd September 2023. The sun shone as we celebrated in a marquee on Prefects' Lawn. After lunch and speeches from James Thomas (Headmaster), Jane Davies (Govenor 2015-) and Douglas Horner DL (1962 M), Chairman of the SVS Foundation Council, guests enjoyed an afternoon in the sunshine reminsicing with friends or taking the opportunity to join various tours of the School.

It was a fantastic afternoon and the assembled guests really highlighted the strength of the wider SVS community, with so many people with different connections to the School coming together to celebrate the milestone anniversary. Following on from the event, a bench celebrating co-education at the School has now been unveiled and we have various others plans for the next 12 months, so please do look out for future events.