Old Novocastrians' Association

Kristen Hartley (ON 06-13) joined more than 125 walkers in a three-day relay along the length of Hadrian’s Wall last weekend, raising more than £30,000 for the MND Association.⤵️

The fundraising challenge was led by Kristen’s father, Andrew Hartley, a former BBC correspondent who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in December 2025.

“The best part was walking alongside my dad and seeing the joy on his face from all the love and affection that everybody brought,” Kristen said. “I knew how loved he was by us, by his family, but I had no idea just how many people felt the same way.”

Her father was joined by family, friends and former colleagues to help carry a baton the 70-mile (113 km) length of Hadrian’s Wall, from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria to Segedunum in Wallsend.

The family hope the challenge, which was co-organised by one of Andrew's former BBC Newcastle colleagues, will be the first of many fundraising events.

“Donations have ranged from £5 to £400, and we’re very appreciative of every penny that people have given us,” Kristin said. "We just want to raise as much money as possible for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the wonderful work they do."

📣 Further Maths Conference – Get Involved, or Like & Share!⤵️

📢 Further Maths Conference 2026 - help us to inspire the next generation of North East mathematicians!

RGS Maths Partnerships is seeking professionals to support its Further Maths Conference on Monday, 6 July 2026, by taking part in the Maths/STEM Careers Fair or connecting with pupils in our 1:1 Networking Area.

The conference, which aims to inspire students from across the region on our Further Maths programme and to pursue careers in Maths and STEM, is kindly sponsored by The Reece Foundation.

📅Monday, 6th July 2026
🕐12.30pm - 1.40pm

🔷 Join our networking area to share your career journey and advice.
🔷 Host a stall at our careers fair to showcase routes into your company.

Sign up ➡️ https://www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/fs/resource-manager/view/1efd88a3-bf27-40ce-9ce9-c1efa651fd51

Let’s help these talented young people to fulfil their potential.🚀

This year, Eldon was awarded the Hill House Debating Cup! A huge thank you to Lord Kirkhope (ON 57-63) for judging the house debating final.💫

Calling all Old Novos in Australia and New Zealand 🎟️ This is your last chance to book your tickets!

Whether you left the RGS five years ago or fifty, this is your chance to meet fellow Old Novos living closer than you think, grow your local network, and be part of a new chapter in our global community.

📅Saturday, 13th June 2026 (6pm - 10pm)
📍Eva's Restaurant & Bar, Pullman Melbourne City Centre, Australia, 3000
✨Smart casual dress code
🎟️ $100 per person: https://www.ticketsource.com/royal-grammar-school-newcastle/2026-rgs-australian-on-event/e-xplomj

We can’t wait to bring you all together in Melbourne!

Please share with your network and tag those who might be interested.👇

"It's not just about teaching students how to code, it's about sparking an interest in a subject that will shape the future."- RGS Partnership's Teacher of Computer Science.

Passionate about sparking curiosity and shaping young people's futures? Join our growing team of RGS Partnership Teachers who bring lessons to students who might otherwise miss out.

This opportunity comes thanks to the very generous and visionary funding of local business, Neptune North.

The role is two-fold: You will be teaching RGS students, but principally working with students and teachers from other local schools on Computing Partnership projects.

Find out more: www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/join-us/work-with-us

Closing Date: Monday, 1st June 2026

Last night, we were delighted to host our first Edinburgh-based event since 1998, held at The New Club in the heart of the city.✨

It was a fantastic evening celebrating the shared experience of an RGS education, bringing together Old Novocastrians across the generations - from age 19 to 91!

It was a pleasure to see so many vibrant conversations and meaningful connections unfold, and we were thrilled to be joined by the Headmaster, alongside the President and Deputy President of the ONA Committee.

As we took in the panoramic views across the city and watched the sun set over Edinburgh Castle, the evening drew to a close with a real sense that this is just the beginning - we look forward to returning and continuing to celebrate our ON community living, working and studying in and around Edinburgh.

We are incredibly grateful to one of our ONs for generously sponsoring the event and making it all possible.

Charlie Carrick (ON 94-04) is set to play Commander Judd in The Testaments, which is captivating audiences on Disney+ and Hulu.⤵️

The 39-year-old star from Newcastle caught the acting bug after a school production of William Shakespeare’s classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Charlie has featured in many films and TV shows over the years, both in American and British productions, including We Were Liars, Hidden Assets, Cedar Cove, Reign, ITV’s Deep Water, COBRA on Sky, and Departure.

More recently, he has featured in The Royal We, The Apprentice movie, The Copenhagen Test.

Meet the British star behind The Testaments' villain Commander Judd Here's everything you need to know about the actor who plays Commander Judd in The Testaments (contains affiliate links)

The RGS Head Student and Senior Prefect batons have been officially passed over.✨

"With so many talented individuals in Year 12, selecting our Senior Prefects and Head Students has been a challenging but rewarding process. I am confident that those appointed demonstrate the maturity, commitment and leadership required for these important roles." - Miss Enevoldson, Head of RGS Sixth Form

Meet our new Head Students Bobbie D (Y12) and Orran L (Y12) as well as our Senior Prefect team for the 26-27 academic year.👇

https://www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/current-families/news-events/news-detail/~board/news/post/senior-prefects-head-students-2026-27

Novocastrians RFC 🏉 The Dream Is Real

After an outstanding semi‑final victory, Novocastrians RFC are now one game away from lifting a national cup.🏆

📍 Allianz Twickenham
🗓 Saturday 23 May
⏱ Kick‑off 3pm
🆚 Cheshunt RFC

Support from ONs - especially those based in the south - would mean so much as their journey continues!

THE DREAM IS REAL.🏆

From the first session in pre-season to now… one game away from lifting a national cup at Twickenham.

This group has earned every single moment of this journey. The work, the setbacks, the commitment, the sacrifices — all for a chance to represent Novos on one of rugby’s biggest stages.

Now we head to the final.

📍 Twickenham Stadium
🗓 Saturday 23rd May
⏰ Kick Off 4PM
🆚

We are also looking to support the lads on and off the pitch with player sponsorship available for the final squad.

Suggested donation: £100 per player
📞 Contact Graeme Cooper – 07730986415

Supporters bus details will be confirmed soon as we finalise arrangements.

One club. One goal.
The dream is real.