OP SOCIAL EVENTS AND REUNIONS
OP SOCIAL ROUND UP
Joan commented , “ What a fantastic evening . Having been deprived of social interaction with friends for almost two years because of Covid , it was wonderful to have so many people together enjoying themselves in such perfect surroundings , particularly the large number of younger OPs .”
Note : Due to delays this year , the London 2022 report and photos are on the OP website and will be featured in next year ’ s magazine .
OP LONDON DINNER 2021
After a two-year break due to the pandemic , the annual OP London black tie dinner was back with a bang on Friday 19 November when over 90 OPs and their guests gathered at the Army & Navy Club on Pall Mall for this highly anticipated in-person event .
OP Mike Complin ( 67-76 ) added : “ The dinner was another wonderful occasion . From the venue , to the arrangements and the relaxed and friendly atmosphere everything seemed to hit just the right note .”
Clare Bracken commented : “ Thank you for organising Friday ’ s OP reunion ; I enjoyed it so much that I intend to come next year !”
Elected in 2020 , Joan Gough ( 75-77 ) hosted the dinner for the first time in her role as OP President . The Headmaster , Toby Seth also attended along with current and former teaching staff including OP Vice President Charlie Lambert ( 01-08 ), Sheena McNamee , Patrick Dare , Clare Bracken ( 05-21 ), David Dyson ( 88-18 ) and Trevor Loten ( 70-80 , former staff 86-21 ).
Following the drinks reception in the Drawing Room , guests moved to the Pall Mall Room for the dinner . The President welcomed everyone to the event and Sheena McNamee was invited to say grace .
After the meal , there were speeches by the President and the Headmaster . Following a summary of OP activity over the past 18 months , Joan made special reference to the good number of younger OPs at the dinner , thanking them for taking the initiative to get together and recognising them as being the future of the OPA . She paid tribute to Past President , Trevor Loten , who retired in the summer after 35 years at the School . She emphasised the mutual aim of the OP Association and the Foundation in providing the best support and opportunities for pupils both whilst they are at school and afterwards , through the Association , for the rest of their lives .
CLASS OF 2002 20 YEAR REUNION
In his response , the Headmaster spoke of the challenges and one or two of the light-hearted moments of continuing to deliver an excellent education through the pandemic and how well the teaching staff and pupils had adapted and excelled in such circumstances . He remarked how the Foundation and its community had embraced the new working week and thanked Joan and the rest of the OP committee for their support , noting that the Foundation remained in a strong position going forward .
With the formalities drawing the dinner to a close , guests moved to the Smoking Room Bar for the after-party and a final catch-up before departing .
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