Old Lawrentian Society Newsletter

Dear Old Lawrentians,

I hope this message finds you well, and I’m delighted to welcome you to this edition of the OL Newsletter.

To those I had the pleasure of meeting at the recent 99 Not Out event, it was wonderful to connect. To those I’ve not yet had the chance to meet, I very much look forward to doing so in the near future.

Before I share news from the College, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the life of John Binfield, St Lawrence College’s 10th Headmaster, whose recent passing has been deeply felt by all who knew him. John served the College with great distinction for over three decades, beginning in 1961 as an English teacher and culminating in his headship from 1983 to 1996. He was an inspirational educator, admired for his passion for literature – particularly Shakespeare – and his unwavering commitment to the pastoral and academic development of every pupil. During his tenure as Headmaster, the College became fully co-educational, grew in academic strength, and saw significant expansion in facilities. John and his wife June remained devoted supporters of St Lawrence long after his retirement, embodying the very spirit of our community. He leaves behind a profound and lasting legacy, and will be remembered with great fondness, respect, and gratitude by generations of Lawrentians.

As many of you know, I joined St Lawrence in April as the incoming Head of College. From the moment I arrived, I have been struck by the deep sense of community and the pride that so many OLs, parents, and staff feel for the College. It is clear to me that this is a school with a rich heritage and a bright future.

Like many independent schools, SLC has not been immune to the wider financial pressures currently facing our sector. In response, we have undertaken a careful restructuring of some staffing and boarding arrangements to ensure long-term sustainability. Throughout, our priority has been to preserve and strengthen the heart of what makes St Lawrence so special: our academic excellence, our outstanding pastoral care, and our commitment to nurturing the whole child.

Importantly, no reductions have been made to subject options. In fact, we are widening our offering by reintroducing BTECs to better meet the needs of our pupils and to support strong Sixth Form retention.

As Jo Ganderton-Smith steps down from her position as Director of External Relations, we thank her sincerely for her contributions and wish her every success in the future. I’m pleased to share that Mr Paulo Duran, our current Head of Modern Foreign Languages and a long-serving, dedicated member of staff, will be stepping into the role of Head of Marketing. Paulo and I will work closely together to strengthen the bond between the College and the OL community, and we look forward to hosting a range of enjoyable events that bring us together.

I am deeply committed to the role that schools play in shaping not only knowledge and skills, but also character, confidence, and resilience. I believe passionately in a holistic education that lays a strong foundation for life, working hand in hand with parents and guardians. At St Lawrence, we want our pupils to leave not only with excellent results, but as kind, capable, and courageous young people ready to make a meaningful difference in the world.

We are enormously grateful for the support of the OL community – your involvement and generosity are invaluable. Whether by sharing your career experiences, mentoring pupils, or contributing to talks on life beyond school, you play a vital role in enriching the lives of our Young Lawrentians.

Despite the challenges of the term, there has been much to celebrate. From a fiercely contested Staff v Pupils Tug-of-War on Chapel Green, to Sports Day, Inter-House MasterChef, and the unforgettable Leavers’ Ball, the spirit and joy of our community have remained at the forefront.

Looking ahead, we are excited to be approaching St Lawrence College’s 150th anniversary – a remarkable milestone and a time to reflect, reconnect, and recommit to the values that have sustained us for a century and a half. I am genuinely excited for what lies ahead and look forward to working with you all to ensure that the College continues to thrive for the next 150 years and beyond.

With warmest regards,

Mr Matthew Brown