On Tuesday, the Headmaster headed up to London to meet a group of 20 Old Suttonians who left the School in the 1940s or 1950s. The reunion lunch at The Royal Air Force Club has taken place on the first Tuesday in March each year since 1994 (albeit last year’s event was unable to be held). For a large number of those years, the event had been organised by Ian Kay (1941 M), who sadly died last summer, so this year’s event was organised in his memory. Whilst still a 1940s and 1950s event, we extended an invitation to leavers from the 1960s and 1970s who knew Ian well through his involvement with OS Cricket, OS Hockey or the OSA Committee.

After lunch, David Pickard (Staff 1977-2001, 2009-2015) gave a tribute to Ian, talking about his legacy and lifelong commitment to the School and OS communities. As a stalwart at OS events for the last 50 years, Ian was well-known to all of those in attendance and the occasion provided an opportunity for each of them to reminisce on their own interactions with him. As David summarised, Ian was the very best example of a Suttonian and his legacy will live on through future generations.

The assembled party enjoyed a fantastic lunch, which provided the opportunity to reconnect and reminisce with one another, regaling stories of the School as they once knew it. With the 450th anniversary fast approaching, events like this provide an invaluable opportunity for us, as a community, to celebrate our rich history with those who have played an important part in it.