40
41
Winter
2013
OMT
News
Contact:
“25 years of joy, pain and hangovers”…
was the title of the invitation cascading
across the social media networks to tease
out theOMT graduates from1988 for our
grand reunion. We had a great turnout of
around 70 people, both old school boys
and friends from local girls’ schools, where
our links were so strong that even a couple
of marriages ensued. We were especially
touched by those who travelled far andwide
to be there: not just fromaround the UKbut
also fromSan Francisco, Berlin and South
Africa.
The new clubhouse was an exceptionally
appropriate venue for the event, giving
a sense of evenings at ‘YeOldeGreene
Manne’ fromour later years, whilst gazing
over playing fields reminiscing about the
rugby games fromearlier years. Little didwe
knowback then howwell scrums and hard
tackles would prepare us for the conversion
to the adulthood followed.
Some of us prepared for themeet by
re-enacting the slowwalk up the Long
Drive and a stroll around the grounds.
Others were not so prepared for the barrage
of memories that flooded back from the
momentMadonna’s ‘Holiday’ kicked off
the playlist. Wham, Culture Club, Michael
Jackson, Human League all played their
role in creating a real a sense of nostalgia.
Embarrassing dancemoves once thrown at
theDurrant’s discowere constrained by the
fear that this time images could be plastered
on Facebook.
The delayed recognitions after re-
unitingwith our fellow classmates were
soon followed by a real sense of familiarity.
Behind the grey hair, beer bellies and
wrinkles, essentially we hadn’t changed.
What was clear is thatMerchant Taylors’
had a profound effect on shaping our lives.
Both our personalities and career paths
were largely set on the school campus in the
80s – what seemed like small opportunities
we embraced back then shapedwhat we
do today in a bigway. Aperformance at a
Phab Review led to a career inmedia, a foray
with theDebating Society led to a legal
career, one nifty with a protractor became
an architect, one proud of his cheeseboard
production inD&T ended up in the building
industry, and so on. This just demonstrates
howdiverse a bunchwe were…a testament
to the ‘something for everyone’ environment
the school afforded us.
There was certainly evidence of the
clichéd ‘school old boy network’ at the event.
Many of us have kept in close contact,
nurturingwonderful friendships over the
years. Some business cards were exchanged
andmany links re-established.
A couple of us from the Class of 88
had our sons join the school recently. Our
reunion helps us consider the advice for
our boys embarking on their journey in our
footsteps: grab the amazing opportunities
with both hands, creatememories you
want to be engrained for the rest of your
lives, don’t set limits and express your
individuality – this is what the school
nurtures. HowdoesMerchant Taylors’
in 2013 compare to 1982-8? The school
has somehowmanaged tomaintain
its traditional roots whilst creating an
environment for the newgeneration to learn
the life skills to adapt to a work and social
environment that will look vastly different to
what it does today compared towhen they
have their reunion 25 years fromnow.
We remembered too those of us that are
sadly no longer with us... but their memory
lives on in us andwe hope they looked on
with joy at the reunion.
The evening also allowed us to raise
£255 whichwe have donated to the school’s
Bursary Scheme so that those whowish to
experience Taylors’ life in the future, but
need help, can do so.
ArunDehiri, JulianSeabrook,
Daniel Sen
Class of ’88 Reunion
September 21st 2013
