The last few years have proved beyond any doubt that the broad community of parents, former parents and Old Boys of the school are crucial to Reading School’s mission.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was this community that helped support the school’s outreach work, and at the outset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it was this community that supported charitable giving and made it possible for the school to create a network of more than 50 host families. In our 900th Anniversary year, the school has been strengthened and delighted by the bonds, the affection and the loyalty expressed by Old Redingensians and former parents of the school – powerfully evident in the Grand Reunion and the Old Redingensians’ House Music Competition. Indeed, even a cursory flick through this magazine’s pages reveals incredible interaction between students past and present. On one page you’ll see Peter Whitehead (OR 1966-1973) handing out badges, on another Ned Holt (OR 1966-1972; Former Staff 1982-2012) digging a hole in the cricket square, on another Professor Martin Parsons (OR 1963-1970) displaying remarkable stained glass, and on another Lord Edward Young (OR 1978-1985) inspiring the next generation to make the most of the unexpected opportunities life throws at us!

Sustaining a supportive community of those who love Reading School has therefore become absolutely critical to the school. With a number of the most loyal members of the Old Redingensians Association Committee retiring from office or needing to reduce duties slightly, the ORA has made the decision to delegate some of its functions with the school and with the charitable foundation (The Reading Foundation) which owns the school site and which underpins our work. Subject to approval from the Charity Commission an element of ‘merger’ between these two wonderful charities will be undertaken in the Spring. The school extends its deepest thanks to all of those Old Redingensians who have served though the association’s committee over the years.

In the background, the school will therefore be supporting some of the key tasks that the Association’s Committee have managed, and the Society Office, will be relaunched in January as the Redingensians Office. The mission of this team, led by Jasbir Chhokar (Alumni and Development Manager), remains unchanged: connecting our past, our present and our future. With the help of esteemed ORs, Chris Widdows and Ken Brown, the Redingensians Office will be learning the ropes regarding ORA membership communications, supporting enquiries from ORs, ensuring appropriate tributes and notifications in memoriam and, through the new heritage committee, working to protect archives and promote the remarkable history of the school.

One crucial element of the Old Redingensians Association Committee’s work in the past decades has been to provide advice, perspective and wisdom to headmasters and leaders of the school. This task must be sustained, and to achieve this, the current committee and any others ORs who are interested will be invited to join an Old Redingensians Advisory Committee. The ORA president and the Headmaster will work jointly to ensure that this group is invited to meet for lunch or for dinner three times a year, including at venues around the country to facilitate engagement.

There cannot be many schools in the world with a prouder history, and the voices of those who have benefitted from, and have shaped Reading School must remain integral to its future.

It is therefore hoped that in the years ahead, all Old Redingensians and all the members of the Old Redingensians Association will continue to feel a keen sense of belonging to this place and to its people, and that the new Redingensians Office can continue the crucial work that has been so tirelessly fulfilled by the ORA committee – to whom the school gives its sincerest thanks.