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OCs Connected

Welcome to OCs Connected! A vibrant and inclusive community, celebrating lifelong connections and the legacy of our School.

Whether you left last year or decades ago, stay connected with the latest news and events.

03/08/2026

OCs In The Wild 🌟
We're delighted to spotlight Kai Porter, who is performing in Heart Beats Strong by Kickdrum at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Recently, Ali Willis and Kim Porter attended an Edinburgh Fringe preview of the show and were thoroughly impressed by this raw, energetic and thought-provoking production.

Described as "an antidote to the crisis of masculinity we're having in our culture, but make it funny and dance-y and a little bit silly," Heart Beats Strong is based on the performers' own teenage diary entries. Combining cinematic handheld lighting, physical theatre and bursts of dance, it follows three young people from different cultures as they navigate a life-changing night on their journeys to adulthood.

Many will remember Kai from his outstanding performances in school productions, including Kenickie in GREASE, and his success in A Level Drama. Now, having completed his second year studying History in London, he continues to pursue his passion for writing, directing and performing.

Kai's success is also a testament to the strength of Collegiate's performing arts programme and the encouragement of inspiring teachers such as the brilliant Ms Porter and former Drama teacher Ms Willis, who have helped nurture the talents and confidence of countless young performers over the years.

📍 Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
📅 5-31 August
🕧 12.20pm daily

🎟️ Tickets: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/heart-beats-strong

Congratulations to Kai on this fantastic achievement. If you're heading to Edinburgh this month, pop along to support a fellow OC and catch what promises to be an unforgettable show!

27/07/2026

OCs in the Wild 🦉
Spotted in Sainsbury's in Emersons Green: Xenia Butler (OC, Class of 2019) and yours truly, both wandering around in mild confusion, trying to work out where on earth anything was while the store remains under construction.

Xenia lives locally and divides her time between Estate Agents and Lloyd.

It was lovely to catch up and, true to form, Zeniah insisted on introducing everyone properly and having us all shake hands. Xenia very kindly obliged, despite probably just wanting to get out of the shop with her Sourdough!!😊

21/07/2026

🌟 Alumni Spotlight: PC Jack Civill-Williams (OC, Class of 2014)🌟
This stopped me in my tracks!

I was incredibly grateful when Jack's dad got in touch to share this story. As Alumni Relations Manager, it is always a privilege to hear about the achievements of our community, but this one is truly extraordinary.

Jack, who has served as a police officer with Avon and Somerset Police for the past six years, has been recognised for an exceptional act of bravery alongside his colleague.

After spotting smoke rising from a property in Yate, the officers immediately investigated and discovered a rapidly spreading house fire. Learning that an elderly resident remained trapped inside a neighbouring home, they entered the smoke-filled property without hesitation, located the vulnerable woman upstairs, and safely guided her to safety despite the significant personal risk.

Their courage, professionalism and compassion undoubtedly saved a life and have rightly earned praise from both Avon and Somerset Police and the Police Federation. 𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨' 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙.

Jack, you have always been someone who put others first, and it is wonderful to see that recognised on such a big stage. We couldn't be prouder. 💙👏

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. What an honour.

09/07/2026

🏏 𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩 𝙁𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙨 𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚! 📸
What a fantastic day of cricket, celebration and fundraising at Collegiate School ! A huge thank you to everyone who came along, played and supported.

We're delighted to share that, thanks to your incredible generosity, we raised a whopping £1,463.52 for ! 🎉❤️

Take a look through the photos and relive the highlights of the day. Special thanks to OC Mosco Kamwendo for capturing all the action so brilliantly. 👏📷

Thank you all for making the event such a success!🏏💙
https://l.instagram.com/?

https://www.instagram.com/moscoproduced/
www.moscoproduced.myportfolio.com

Paul Whittaker Paul Whittaker Bathrooms and Wetrooms

05/07/2026

💤Yesterday’s OCs in the Wild took an unexpected turn. On the way to Legally Blonde at the Bristol Hippodrome, I’d been up since 3am with Zeniah (heat + humidity = seizure city), and exhaustion finally caught me.

Luckily, I can always count on an OC to have my back. There I was, sat in Millennium Square next to OC Thomas Chatterton (OC 1767) – yes, the statue – grabbing ten minutes to sleep in the sunshine. Exactly what I needed. Thanks, Tom.

📸My mum thought it was hilarious that I was the one caught off guard ‘In The Wild’ for once, so she took a sneaky photo. And yes, I know it looks posed… but that was a 100% genuine “my brain has left the chat” nap.

Ten minutes later, I was restored and ready for the show – and wow, Legally Blonde did NOT disappoint.💗💗

02/07/2026

🛒OCs In The Wild: Bumped into the wonderful Kate Bates at - former art teacher here at school and now a full‑time artist creating beautiful work over at

All four of her boys have been part of the school community over the years, and they’re off doing incredible things:

🐻Jack still smashing it at

🌊Toby living the dream as a surfing instructor in Australia

🏃Ollie studying Sports Science at

💼Harry fresh out of A levels and heading to Exeter for Business Management

Kate’s on the brink of becoming an empty nester - equal parts excited for everything her boys are achieving and a little wistful about the quiet house ahead. Kate, I reckon that just means more room for art projects!

01/07/2026

𝘽𝙞𝙜 𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 🎉
We’re switching things up this year - Thursday 17th December is no longer just for the Class of 2026.

We’re throwing the doors of the Dining Hall wide open for 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022 - because the friendships you build at school (especially in Sixth Form) stretch far beyond your own year group. You got to know the years either side of you so well… and we want you all back together again.

Come home, catch up, and reconnect.
We can’t wait to see you at 6pm in the Dining Hall.

𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 on https://www.ocsconnected.co.uk/events/view/oc-leavers-drinks-class-of-2026-2025-2024-2023-2022

01/07/2026

🎶 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙄𝙩 𝘽𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙣 - 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 🎶
What a night. What a sound. And what a brilliant group of former students who returned to bring the cricket atmosphere back to life on Friday. We’re hugely grateful to each of them for sharing their talent with us once again.

Our OC performers:
• Sam Golder –Sam is now studying at the university of Birmingham, and his effortless playing held the whole set together.
• Zach Ho – Expressive and refined on clarinet. Zach’s sound is always a highlight! He also has a recital on 7th July at Bristol Music Rooms - well worth attending.
• Will Smith – Will another very accomplished performer, he is currently studying at the University of Exeter, and we miss him.
• Ellie Massey – Ellie is also studying at Exeter and characterful, bold saxophone is her forte! She is also incredibly humble and modest about her skills.
• Oscar Thomas – Smooth, and totally dependable on drums. He is now at Falmouth, enjoying music, his course and has apparently taken to playing badminton.

We were also lucky to have one of our music teachers and the trumpet voice of the evening, Ed Johnson, again reminding us why he inspires so many students. Then there is the ever confident, soulful Kiki, who was full of musicianship on bass and vocals. Star in the making!

We look forward to seeing you at the Recent Leavers’ Drinks on Thursday 17th December…yes you read that right…we are going bigger!
𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨’ 𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙗𝙚 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙁𝙄𝙑𝙀 𝙔𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙎!

So, this December we will welcome back the Class of 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022.

Spread the word and register on https://www.ocsconnected.co.uk/events/view/oc-leavers-drinks-class-of-2026-2025-2024-2023-2022

30/06/2026

🏠Back Where it all Began - Mat Jones Class of 2002
It was a real pleasure welcoming Mat Jones back to school on Friday during his trip to the UK from Singapore. Mat arrived with his wife and two young boys, and I took them on a tour – a walk along familiar paths and corridors that quickly brought the memories flooding back.

💛Although much has changed since his time here, Mat said the feeling of the place was exactly the same. One of the biggest transformations was the Humanities Block, which in his day was Lower Mortlake. 🔼The green triangle of grass (if you know, you know) outside the building is now disguised, and his old bedroom has now become the Humanities staff workroom.

Before moving to Lower Mortlake, Mat spent time in Upper Mortlake, tucked up in the top corner of Bishop’s Palace. That space has since been converted into two large examination rooms used for workshops, lessons, and exams. Mat stood exactly where his bed once was and took a photo of his two boys in the same spot – a lovely full circle moment.

It was wonderful to see Mat again and to meet his family. These visits always remind us how deeply rooted our alumni are in the story of the school.

If you know you’ll be in the area and fancy a tour, please do drop me an email - I’m always happy to arrange a little nosey around.

30/06/2026

Who remembers those little yellow jumpers?!

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Collegiate School
Bristol
BS161BJ

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+441179655207

Website

http://www.ocsconnected.co.uk/

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