Old Birkfeldians

There'll be a fine to pay on that! Thank you to Mrs Mary Ross, of Norwich, who has sent us back a book that she believes was borrowed by one of her brothers. Four Dimelow boys attended St Jo's, but Richard and Michael are the prime suspects as the dates match.

Please join us for the OB Cricket, noting the revised date. So sorry we had to think again, but now it's all systems go..

Warm congratulations to OB, author, editor, social campaigner and former Labour member of Parliament Chris Mullin on the award of a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours. Full story in the next OB newsletter.

Former Governor and staff member Tony Newman and his wife had an enjoyable day with Matthew Yeoh OB when he visited last month. Stuart Saunders OB entertained the party to lunch at the Riverside Restaurant in Woodbridge, which he owns. Matthew and Stuart were at Birkfield at about the same time so had plenty of stories to share – all good !

While we're on the subject of cricket, keep an eye out for Matt Henry OB, representing New Zealand in the current Test series. Matt spent two years at St Joseph's College in the Sixth Form.

A huge thank you to the US-based Perera brothers who recently made a pilgrimage back to their old school. All five are Old Birkfeldians - though the youngest only attended Oak Hill. We are now eagerly anticipating the return of Dr Jeevan Perera, pictured centre, who hopes on a future trip to the UK to speak to our students about his career at NASA and the space agency's upcoming missions.

OB Ronnie Thorold has been awarded the HMS Ganges Youth Trophy by Felixstowe Town Council, recognising his outstanding voluntary contribution to the local community, most particularly to Felixstowe Rugby Club.
From joining the club as an 8-year-old back in 2013 to playing senior rugby, Ronnie has ‘always embodied the values of teamwork, respect, discipline, enjoyment and sportsmanship’.
A serious shoulder injury brought his playing career to a halt in 2024, but Ronnie threw himself into coaching the club’s minis and youth sections, becoming an outstanding role model.
He showed that same can-do attitude at St Jo’s – representing the school at rugby, as a prefect and in the performing arts. Following a gap year role at Orwell Park School, Ronnie is now studying Sports Performance and Coaching at Essex University.
Warmest congratulations, Ronnie, from all at St Jo’s.

Old Birkfeldian Justin Cao, who left St Jo’s in 2023 with straight As in Mathematics, Further Maths and Physics visited us with his younger sister, who hopes to study at St Joseph’s College. Justin is about to graduate with a top degree in Electronic Engineering from Kings College and is hoping to go on to a master’s degree, either at Imperial College or in California. He was surprised but thrilled to see three of his younger friends from Boarding, Josh, Billy and Luping, who complete their studies here in the next month and it demonstrated what a super community they have in Boarding at St Joseph’s where older students genuinely support and care for their younger colleagues.

Our report in the Lent Newsletter about the aftermath at St Joseph's of 1987's Great Storm prompted Benjamin Chilcott OB to let us see some personal photographs. We will try to use these in the next issue, but for now here is Warren Webb OB posing beside an uprooted tree.

Don’t forget – the termly OB Newsletter is emailed free to all registered Old Birkfeldians. Sign up here https://www.stjos.co.uk/community/old-birkfeldians/. We are now seeking news and photos for the summer edition. Please contact [email protected].