 Looking back on my report for 2006, I see that I described it as a year of ‘substantial development within the Old Lyonian Association’. This year has been no different and no less exciting in the changes that have been brought about.
Since the setting up of the Project Management Team in March 2006, much work has been done resulting in not only a much stronger Association but also an Association with closer ties to the School. There is now mutual co-operation all round.
To date we have made progress in the following areas;
- We now have a fully functioning office situated next to the reception area at the School. This office is manned in term time by our Administrator, Adielah Mia-Gardiner, and by part-time Director, Dale Vargas.
- Due almost entirely to the efforts of the above named, the number of Old Lyonians with whom we have ‘genuine’ contact continues to rise and our purpose of enabling former pupils to maintain links with each other and the School continues apace.
- The Old Lyonian website gives regular updates on the activities at Pinner View and news in general.
- The former Council is a much leaner beast with members now only responsible for overseeing the work being done, rather than having to do it themselves. To this end and subject to ratification at the AGM, the new Council will be renamed ‘the Board’ with non-executive members being ‘Directors’
- The finances of the Association will be managed from the School office and overseen by a Finance Director (once again, subject to ratification). Payments will continue to be made to ensure the running of the premises at Pinner View.
- The closer relationship with the School itself continues to benefit all parties with a number of Old Lyonians on the Board of Governors. The Headmaster and I are very grateful to the considerable number of Old Lyonians that have taken part in careers conventions and work-shadowing for the benefit of the boys. In return, facilities at JLS are regularly being made available for our use including, of course, the Association office.
- On Speech Day I was delighted to be able to present Old Lyonian ties and a booklet of introduction to the Association to the leavers – a new idea which I hope will become a tradition. (See picture above)
If you have not been involved in any of the Association’s activities this year, please do try to come to one of the events in 2007/2008. They are all advertised on the website www.oldlyonians.org or you can telephone the office on 020 8872 8451 where either Adielah or Dale will be glad to help you.
Our intention is to continue building our ‘active’ database so if you have been sent an information form please do take the time to complete and return it to the Office. If you know of other Old Lyonians who are not in contact with us, please do ask them to call or email the Office. We would love to put them in touch with all their mates from years gone by.
Needless to say we continue to play an increasing variety of sports at Pinner View, and full accounts of these activities are also on the website.
Finally, as always, my thanks go to all those who have helped develop and keep the Association and its various sections running this year. It just wouldn’t be the same without you.
Mike Christelow
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