Former and current pupils, staff, and governors of Bede’s Prep and Senior School gathered to celebrate, reminisce and reunite with old classmates and staff at the Back to Bede’s Reunion on Saturday 13th May 2023.
Over 300 alumni and guests attended the reunion from far and wide and were serenaded by Violinist, Lizzie Roberts as they filled the lawns overlooking the lake at the Senior School with beautifully manicured grounds and magnificent scenery all drowned in sunshine.
Many familiar faces attended the event, both past and present, such as current CEO and Head of the Senior School, Peter Goodyer, Head of Bede’s Prep School, Leigh-Anne Morris and also Founding Head of the Senior School, Roger Perrin. Peter Goodyer gave a wonderful welcome speech before afternoon tea was served on the lawns.
Prefects led tours around the grounds visiting Boarding and Day Houses, classrooms, the chapel, the cricket grounds and even visiting the zoo, allowing alumni to take a step back in time while also seeing how the Senior School has grown. Alumni also had the opportunity to take a quiet moment to reflect in the memorial garden to remember those who are no longer with us. They delved into the Trust’s archives which were on display in the Recital Room.
The afternoon was a wonderful occasion for all who attended with alumni commenting:
"Walking through the unforgettable school gates of St Bede’s School, you are instantly transported back down memory lane, no matter which year you left. Having not returned for over 20 years, the fundamental structure of the School I knew was still there. The new additions added over the years are remarkable and show a clear understanding and commitment to the pupils and staff. The emphasis on diversity, equality and camaraderie are clearly a high priority for all within those gates and a clear testament to that ethos is the multitude of long serving staff. It was a wonderful opportunity to be involved in the reunion and to see such familiar faces among the crowd. Thank you!" ~ Louise A Shaw (Alumna Pupil, Senior School, 1995)
"Thank you all so very much for putting on an excellent afternoon. It was so lovely to meet up with so many people. Your grounds looked very good and the refreshments were fantastic. Please thank Mr Goodyer for me. Congratulations to you all." ~ Lesley Raven (Alumna Staff, Prep School, 1977 - 2009)
"Amazing event! Great to meet staff and former pupils again and to reminisce about beautiful times together." ~ Junes Banat (Alumnus Pupil, Senior School, 2019 - 2020)
"Thank you for such a great afternoon, we had a great time." ~ Natalie Morey Burrows (Alumna Pupil, Senior School, 2011)
"Wonderful to see so many of us, back together, in a place we know so well. Super afternoon and the sun shone, glorious." ~ Mark Rimmington (Alumnus Staff, Senior School, 1990 - 2020)
"For me to come back and see the new buildings after having been at St Bede's since 1979 when there were only 78 students. There is a huge transformation. The visit was mind-blowing for me and I was nearly totally speechless. It is really wonderful to see the School's growth. Best wishes to you all for the future" ~ Charles Spanner (Alumnus Staff, Senior School, 1978 - 1982)
"Thank you for putting on such a lovely event. It was great to meet up with so many old friends and colleagues." ~ Paddy Green (Alumna Staff, Senior School, 2007 - 2017)