Royal Latin School 2023 - Celebrating our 600th Anniversary

We ended our anniversary today in festive style by participating in the Buckingham Christmas Parade - a wonderful annual community event, in which we were invited to take part to celebrate 600 years of the Royal Latin being part of the town and community of Buckingham. Thank you to all the students and Mr Hudson for coming back to school on the first day of the holidays. We even won a prize - 2nd in the walking category behind the deserving Air Cadets. And it was lovely to see so many friendly, familiar faces lining the route. A fitting end to our 600th year. Happy Christmas everyone!

As we come to the end of our special anniversary year, we'd like to share a Christmas message from Royal Latin Headteacher David Hudson, which includes a short two-minute video commissioned specially for our 600th anniversary, and featuring Old Latin author, historian and TV presenter, Dan Jones: https://www.royallatin.org/christmas-message-2023/

The final panelist to introduce, for our 'Evening with Inspirational Women in Leadership' on 14th November, is Virginia Sentance MBE:

Virginia is currently Deputy Director at the HM Treasury, and before that was Chief of Staff for the UK COP26 presidency team, when the UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), the UN's annual climate change summit, in Glasgow in 2021. Prior to this, Virginia was an international economist for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and HM Treasury ministry, focusing on a number of international finance issues including G7, G20 and the IMF, financial services, economic security, and trade. In 2022 Virginia was awarded an MBE in the late Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her role in delivering the UK's COP26 Presidency and tackling climate change.

We hope to see you on Tuesday to hear from Virginia and all our panelists, if you can make it, for our final 600th anniversary event for 2023. Book your tickets (free of charge) at:

The fifth person we'd like to introduce in our line-up of six panelists for our 600th anniversary event: 'An Evening with Royal Latin Women in Leadership' on 14th November, is Lakechia Jeanne MPH.

Lakechia is a multi-award winning scientist-founder for the social initiative: 'Girls in Science'. She is also an economic development officer at Milton Keynes City Council for inward investment, and a non-executive board member for the national housing association CDS co-operatives. Within the first five years of her career, she won five awards, and her political projects have been recognised nationally by the UK Government.

Hear more from Lakechia in person next Tuesday - book your tickets here:
https://rlsconnect.royallatin.org/event/inspirational-women

The fourth Old Latin we'd like to introduce, as one of our six panelists for our next 600th anniversary event: 'An Evening with Inspirational Royal Latin Women in Leadership', is Dame Shan Morgan:

Shan is currently Chair of the Royal Devon University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and, between 2017 and 2021, worked as the Welsh Government's Permanent Secretary leading the Welsh Government civil service in delivering the priorities of ministers, accountable for a budget of £17 billion. Her career has spanned a wide range of roles in the civil service and diplomatic service, including as the counsellor responsible for social, environmental and regional affairs for the UK representation in Brussels, Director, European Union in the Foreign Office, responsible for negotiations on the Lisbon Treaty and leading the UK parliamentary process of ratification, and HM Ambassador to Argentina and Paraguay from 2008-2012. She returned to UKRep, Brussels, as Deputy Permanent Representative in 2012, representing the UK on the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States (COREPER I). Shan was responsible for leading negotiations across a wide range of subject areas including climate change, environment, energy, fisheries, social affairs, health, transport, and other single market issues.

To hear Shan reflect on her life and career since her days at the Royal Latin, book your (free) tickets here:
https://rlsconnect.royallatin.org/event/inspirational-women

To end the week, we'd like to feature the next of our six inspirational female Old Latins to be part of the panel at our 'Evening with Inspirational Royal Latin Women in Leadership' on 14th November - Sarah Deaves:

Sarah has had a long career in banking and particularly extensive experience in wealth management, leading regulated financial planning firms and holding senior leadership positions in a range of major wealth management businesses in the UK. She is a customer champion with a particular focus on leading client-facing teams and delivering client experience. Sarah was appointed to her first iNED as Chair of Hottinger Group in July 2023, and took up a new role at abrdn as Managing Director, Head of Financial Planning in 2022, gaining the FT Non-Executive Director Diploma in the same year. Previous roles include senior positions at Schroders Personal Wealth, Lloyds Banking Group and RBS, and for 7 years Sarah was the first female chief executive of Coutts & Co, the UK’s leading private bank. She started her career in NatWest, undertaking a wide range of roles in head office, marketing and general retail banking & lending.

Hear Sarah share her thoughts on her career path, and what she learned along the way, together with what the Royal Latin means to her, by joining us for what should be a fascinating evening.

Watch this space next week to learn more about the remaining three inspirational women on the panel, and book your (free) tickets for the event here: https://rlsconnect.royallatin.org/event/inspirational-women

The second of our six Old Latin panelists for our 'Evening with Inspirational Women in Leadership' on 14th November we would like to introduce is Commodore Alison Hofman RRC KHNS MA MSc QARNNS:

Alison is currently Head of the Royal Navy Medical Service. She is a career military nurse with extensive operational experience in clinical and healthcare leadership and management roles, completing operational tours of Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, and also has NHS experience with clinical postings to Portsmouth, Plymouth and Birmingham. She was awarded the Associate Royal Red Cross and Royal Red Cross in the New Years’ Honours list 2007 and Operational Honours List Sep 2009 respectively. In May 2022 she was appointed Honorary Nursing Sister to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and is honoured to retain the position in service of His Majesty the King. In addition to her military responsibilities, she is an active volunteer trustee of the Florence Nightingale Museum in London.
To hear Alison share more about her career and how her days at the Royal Latin helped to shape her into the person she is today, book your tickets here: https://rlsconnect.royallatin.org/event/inspirational-women

Our upcoming 600th anniversary event - 'An Evening with Inspirational Royal Latin Women in Leadership' on 14th November will include six Old Latins who attended RLS from the 1970s to the 2000s, and we'd like to introduce all six individually over the next few days, starting with Sam Tatlow MBE:

Sam (Class of 2005) is currently Creative Diversity Partner at ITV, working closely with producers and the commissioning teams to ensure a diverse and inclusive team is involved for ITV commissions. Sam also chairs the board of trustees of the UK's first disabled-led theatre company, the Graeae Theatre Company, and sits on Disability Advisory Groups for BAFTA and the BFI. In 2021 Sam was listed in the Shaw Trust's Power 100, the list of the top 100 most influential Disabled people in the UK, and in June 2022 was awarded an MBE for her services to Disabled People in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

To book a seat at the event at the Royal Latin and hear Sam reflect on her career, and the influence her time at the Latin had on her life after school, visit the event booking page here: https://rlsconnect.royallatin.org/event/inspirational-women

The final event in our 600th anniversary calendar takes place on Tuesday 14th November, 6.30pm. Join us in the Discovery Centre at the Royal Latin School for a fascinating evening in conversation with some of the Royal Latin’s most dynamic and successful female leaders. Our panel includes Old Latins who’ve led the way in media, the diplomatic and civil service, STEM education, wealth management, and in the Royal Navy. Come along to hear their stories, reflections, and the lessons they wish they’d learned sooner, as well as their reflections on how the Royal Latin helped to shape the person they are today. Our panelists will include:

*Dame Shan Morgan DCMG, Chair of the Royal Devon NHS Trust and former Head of the Civil Service of the Welsh Government
*Lakechia Jeanne, Biomedical Scientist; Founder of Girls in Science
*Commodore Alison Hofman RRC KHNS Royal Navy. Head of Navy Healthcare and Head of the Royal Navy Medical Service
*Sam Tatlow MBE, Creative Diversity Partner, ITV
*Virginia Sentance MBE, Deputy Director International Policy, HM Treasury
*Sarah Deaves, Head of Financial Planning and Personal Wealth for ABDRN

This event is free to attend, but booking is required. To book your tickets visit: https://rlsconnect.royallatin.org/event/inspirational-women
Email [email protected] with any queries.

Thank you to everyone who attended or volunteered at our Alumni Autumn Reunion on Saturday 14th October - the last of our 600th Anniversary Reunion Days. We welcomed attendees from the 1940s to the 2010s, with a large 1970s contingent included! Special thanks go to those who travelled long distances to return to school, and to those who wore their school ties (of various designs through the decades!) The sun shone down on us for the majority of the afternoon, until we were treated to rainbows right at the end of the day. It was wonderful to see everyone.

Congratulations to all our winners of the Extraordinary People Awards, presented at our Gold Gala Ball on Saturday:

*Penny Mason - the winner of the Leadership Award, sponsored by ek robotics, for her enduring, passionate leadership of the school's Green Touch student environmental group. The award was presented by ekrobotics Managing Director, Chris Price

*Mike Spencer-Jones - winner of the Resilience Award, sponsored by Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, for his boundless resilience in staging the Run the Claydons fundraising event over many years. The award was presented by Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Trackside Engineering Director, Andrew Shovlin.

*Peter and Rosemary Frohock - winners of the HSO-sponsored Teamwork Award, for epitomising team spirit in leading the Scouts in Buckingham and helping to develop the skills and characters of so many young people locally. The award was presented by HSO's IMU Director, Matt Birtwistle

*Ross Hockham - winner of the Innovation Award, sponsored by Racelogic, for his inspirational work to set up and grow UK Astronomy, bringing the wonders of the night skies to communities far and wide. The award was presented by Racelogic Managing Director and 'Old Latin', Julian Thomas

*Peter McNiven Hay - winner of the Nurturing Award, (sponsored and presented by 'Old Latin', Denise Griffiths) for his lifelong service and care and concern for others in his community, and for being a shining example to us all to get out there and help

Thanks so much to all of our Award sponsors for supporting this community initiative.

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported or volunteered at our Gold Gala Ball on Saturday night. A truly memorable, one-off event, marking our 600th anniversary in style.

Our Gold Gala Ball commemorative programmes have arrived and look very smart! Thank you to Vitalograph for kindly sponsoring the programmes for this event.

A huge thank you to all the volunteers - Old Latins, parents, staff and students - who have been working so hard on the many and various Gala Ball preparations. You are all amazing and we feel very lucky to have you!

Our 600th anniversary 2023 visitors book is ready to be signed at the Gala Ball on Saturday - if you haven't signed yet, why not sign our virtual visitors book at https://www.royallatin.org/visitorbook/

We're excited to announce that our live band at the Gold Gala Ball on Saturday will be . . . Firing Line!

A huge thank you to Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team for sponsoring our Extraordinary People Award for Resilience. We're delighted to have your support!

Thrilled to share that Racelogic is sponsoring our Extraordinary People Award for Innovation. A great fit, as Racelogic already sponsor our Innovation Lab in the Discovery Centre! Thanks so much Racelogic - we look forward to seeing you at the Awards Ceremony!

The 2023 Extraordinary People Award for Teamwork is kindly sponsored by HSO. Thank you, HSO, we look forward to welcoming you to the Royal Latin on the 30th for the Gala Ball & Awards Ceremony!

We're delighted to announce ek robotics as the kind sponsors of our Extraordinary People Award for Leadership. The award will be presented at a special ceremony at our forthcoming Gala Ball. Thank you, ek robotics for your support!

*GOLD GALA BALL ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY*
Would you like to advertise your business at our 600th Gold Gala Ball? We’d like to offer the opportunity for businesses within our community to take centre-stage at this pinnacle event in our 2023 celebrations, incorporating our Extraordinary People Awards and attended by 400 guests including current and former parents, alumni, business partners and VIPs. Full colour adverts start at £250 in our full-colour A4 gloss programme. Click here to find out more and to book your space: https://www.royallatin.org/goldgalaball2023/

*EXTRA tickets available*
We're pleased to announce that we have 20 tickets still available (or 2 tables of 10) for our Gold Gala Ball on 30th September! This is your last chance to to join us for this very special, pinnacle event in our 600th anniversary 2023 event calendar. please click on this link: https://www.royallatin.org/goldgalaball2023/ to find out more, and email Jo Ballantine at [email protected] as soon as possible if you are interested.

**EXTRA TICKETS AVAILABLE**

Due to the generosity of one of our sponsors, we are able to offer a limited quantity of extra tickets at our special Gold Gala Ball in September. If you missed out and would like to join us with friends or family, please send an email asap to Jo Ballantine at [email protected] to find out more.

The Royal Latin School

To all our guests attending the 600th Anniversary Gold Gala Ball on 30th September - information about dietary requirements and wine pre-orders was sent out over the weekend, please take a look and reply by Friday 14th July!

Also. We may have a few tickets available if you know anyone still interested in joining us. Please get in touch to [email protected] to let us know and we will try our best to squeeze you in.

A very special afternoon today as we welcomed 800 guests from a true cross-section of our The Royal Latin School community; Old Latins, Current Latins; Soon-to-be-Latins, grandchildren, grandparents, staff, students and parents - all together in the grounds of the school at our 600th Anniversary Family Picnic & Garden Party, kindly sponsored by Friends of Royal Latin School.

For those who are booked to come to our Family Picnic & Garden Party this Saturday, you will be receiving an email shortly with your digital ticket(s) and further details about the day.
Now is also the last call for pre-ordering Pure Patisserie's special edition RLS 600th Anniversary afternoon teas and cream teas - head to their website to place your orders by 12pm Thursday for collection at the event: https://www.purepatisserie.co.uk/product-category/royal-latin/
Other hot and cold food options will also be available on the day from Giuseppe’s Pizzeria, Wilson's Street Food, and Gurkha Streetfood, and our Friends of Royal Latin School will also be kindly manning a Refreshments Zone with drinks and cakes!

A wonderful day celebrating our Founders, our 600th anniversary, and a special treat at the end of the day, thank you RAF Red Arrows for your special fly-by!

Today the Royal Latin School celebrates Founders' Day - the day when annually we honour our Founders (Matthew de Stratton, Gabriel Newton, Lady Verney, John Barton, Alexander Denton and John Ruding) after whom our Houses are named.

To mark a tradition going back as long as we all remember, students walked down to Buckingham Parish Church this morning for a Founders' Day Service. As this our 600th anniversary year, we have tried to make Founders' Day 2023 particularly special: this afternoon, lessons will finish half an hour early so that all students and staff can gather outside together to enjoy cakes AND a special flypast over the school (weather-permitting) by the RAF's Red Arrows at 3.27pm - so if you live locally watch the skies (they are approaching from the north)!

You can also join in with the celebrations today by visiting our new virtual timeline, launched today to mark 600 years since the founding of the school: https://www.royallatin.org/royal-latin-school-history.

We'll share a gallery of photos from all our Founders' Day activities today in due course.