OP SOCIAL EVENTS AND REUNIONS
OP LONDON DINNER 2023 & 2024
With 80 OPs and guests in attendance , the OP London black tie dinner in November 2023 was buzzing with many OPs taking the opportunity to meet up with old friends from their schooldays including the 2013 leavers celebrating 10 years since leaving school . Amongst other groups were leavers from 2015 , 2012 , 1983 , 1976 and 1969 . Spanning an impressive 67 years between them , the oldest OP attending was Tony Morris ( 52-55 ) who left school in 1955 and the youngest was Chris Sebastian ( 20-22 ) who left in 2022 .
It was all change at the top for the OP committee as the recently elected President , Charlie Lambert ( 01-08 ) who took over from Joan Gough ( 75-77 ) at the AGM gave his first official after-dinner speech in his new role . Although the youngest OP President in the Association ’ s history , Charlie took everything in his stride , addressing the room with quiet confidence and good humour . The Headmaster , Toby Seth , followed with a brief update about the school , finishing with a toast .
Other staff in attendance were External Relations Director , Sheena McNamee , Development Officer , Jenny Preston , OP Liaison Officer , Rachel Dare , and French & EAL Teacher , Patrick Dare . Retired staff members attending were Sharon Chiverton ( 10-23 ) and Doc Dyson ( 88-18 ).
After the formalities , the evening continued in the Churchill Bar until last orders at midnight when guests drifted off home or to a nearby piano bar to carry on the party into the early hours !
The latest London dinner in November 2024 followed suit , with just over 70 OPs and guests attending what was current Headmaster , Toby Seth ’ s last OP black tie event before his move to Whitgift School in September 2025 . Year groups spanning leaving years from 1955 to 2019 attended with several year group reunions taking place , notably the Class of 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2014 , 1983 , 1976 , and 1969 . Several former boarders were also at the event including Fenwick-Smith House boys : Josh Wagstaff ( 6-14 ), Conor McCabe ( 7-14 ), Oli Dawson ( 11-13 ), Jacob Brown ( 10-17 ), Henry Foster ( 09-19 ), and Thomas Luo ( 15- 17 ), much to the delight of their former Housemaster , Patrick Dare , who thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with them all .
OP President , Charlie Lambert ( 01-08 ) thanked the Headmaster on behalf of OPs for his leadership of the school during his six-year tenure and wished him well for the future . He also acknowledged Becky Lovelock , Toby ’ s successor , who will become the first female Head in the school ’ s 511-year history . Toby responded with an update about the school before reflecting on his time in East Yorkshire .
Guests once again retired to the Churchill bar to round off another superb evening .
Charlie said , “ A brilliant event once again . It was a pleasure to return to the RAF club and to see so many returning OPs alongside those attending for the first time . The dinner is a special time of year where stories are shared , friendships renewed and school life celebrated . I am looking forward to next year already and hope that even more years are represented !”