It was a real pleasure to welcome Stephen Helme (Wright House 1974-1978) back to school in early February, accompanied by his wife Emma. Having travelled all the way from Sydney, Australia, as part of a wider European trip, including a visit to their daughter who is studying in Milan, they made sure to include a return to familiar surroundings.

Their campus tour quickly became a journey through fond memories. The old dining hall (now the Devonshire Library) sparked immediate recognition, especially the propellor still proudly hanging on the wall. Stephen recalled meals once served through the hatch between what are now the library and careers areas and shared a particularly entertaining story about Headmaster Tony Maltby, and Stephen’s father Geoffrey Helme, a former Maths master, being told that riding a go-kart up and down the school drive during the holidays was perhaps not the wisest use of school property!

A walk along the main school corridor to the Fenn brought fond recollections of Sgt Major Kemp, followed by a quiet moment in the chapel and a stop at the Heads of School Honours Board. Heading towards the May Hall, Stephen remembered running cinema nights, including the responsibility of jumping up mid-film to change the reel so the audience could keep watching!

Stephen went on to become a doctor, so it’s perhaps no surprise his favourite subject at school was Biology, and he was keen to visit the Chemistry lab too. The grounds prompted reflections on how beautiful the Warner Library looked, and he noted the site where the Stansbury Pavilion stood before the Prince Obolensky building was constructed.

The visit ended with a trip to the school shop, where Stephen picked up a Trent sports top to take back home to Australia; a small piece of school to accompany a lifetime of memories.

If you would like to visit and take your own trip down memory lane, our doors are always open.
Please get in touch and we will be happy to arrange a visit with you.
Kindly note that all visits are supervised - please do arrange in advance to confirm availability.