Welcome to the new Old Bancroftians’ website which is intended to help the Association meet its main objective of enabling former pupils and staff of Bancroft’s School to keep in touch with each other and the School.
Grace O’Malley-Kumar
OB 2011-2022
Dear Old Bancroftian,
It is with great sadness that I am writing to inform you of the death in Nottingham under tragic circumstances of one of our recent leavers from 2022, Grace O’Malley-Kumar.
We are desperately shocked and saddened by Grace’s sudden death in these truly terrible circumstances. She left Bancroft’s only last year and was a hugely important part of our community. An immensely gifted and dedicated scholar and sportswoman, she was hugely loved and greatly respected and admired by all. She was outstanding in every respect and will be missed terribly.
It will take everyone in the Bancroft’s community a considerable time to come to terms with this shocking news, but above all our thoughts are with Grace’s family and friends at this difficult time.
Members of the school community will be laying flowers in the Quad today between 4.30and 6pm and observing a minute’s silence at 5pm. Please do join us if you are able. A Book of Condolences will be available in the Chapel to sign.
Simon Marshall
Head – Bancroft’s School
The OBA join together with the school in sending our condolences to the family of Grace O’Malley-Kumar. Clearly a talented young woman whose life has been cut short in tragic circumstances.
The OBA Community
We have been informed that the arrangements for Grace O’Malley-Kumar’s funeral are as follows :
On Friday 21st July at 10.30 there will be a requiem mass at Westminster Cathedral, Victoria Street, London SW1P 1LT.
All are welcome.
We have set up an online book of condolence, which can be found here, where the Bancroftian community can offer their memories of and tributes to Grace, which will be shared with her family.
Mary Ireland
Head Bancroft’s School 2008 to 2016
It is with great sadness that we report that Mary Ireland passed away on Friday 20th Jan 2023.
She will be very fondly remembered by past pupils and staff.
She was truly a ground breaking educationalist and as the school’s first female head led the school with enormous vitality and vigour.
The thoughts of the OBA are with Simon and her family at this sad time.
Go to Mary’s book of condolence
| Latest news (click here for all news) |
Old Bancroftians’ Day 25th June 2023
We welcomed back c200 OBs and their families from all over the UK and overseas including Dubai, Hong Kong, Canada and USA to a fine summers day at Bancroft’s! Reunions were held for the 40, 50, 60, 65, 70 and 75 years on who joined other OBs for Founders Fizz in the Quad. There was a moving a plaque dedication to our former Head Mary Ireland by former Deputy Head Marwan Mikdadi and we also remembered OB Grace O’Malley-Kumar who tragically lost her life in Nottingham a few weeks earlier. Guests were treated to a hot lunch in the Dining Hall concluding with speeches from OBA President Gemma Wicks and Bancroft’s Head Simon Marshall. Throughout the afternoon the L6 pupils gave guided tours of the school, crazy golf and giant games, children’s entertainer, swimming, afternoon teas in the Quad and beverages at the bar watching the cricket and netball school vs OBs. The OBs won the netball and the school the cricket..
With thanks to all all involved to make this such a successful day including maintenance, groundsman and catering.
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5/10/15 years on reunion 2023
Thursday 25th May more than 100 leavers of 2008, 2013 and 2018 returned to Bancroft’s and met in the Quad for their OBA reunion and to catch up with their former teachers.
OBA President Gemma Wicks and Bancroft’s Head Simon Marshall shared news on the Association and the school.
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Past Presidents’ Dinner 2023
OBA President Gemma Wicks welcomed 15 Past Presidents and guests to the Travellers Friend in Woodford Green for the 68th annual Past Presidents’ Dinner on Friday 28th April. Guests were Bob Baker Rob Hitchin and Mike Stout.
OBA Wine Tasting 24th November 2022
A fabulous OBA wine tasting event at 8 Rocks Wine and Deli in Loughton. Thank you to all those that came along and supported this event. Such a fun evening with six fabulous tastings and delicious antipasti.
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OBA 115th Annual Dinner October 2022
Thank you to everyone that came along to support the dinner at Bancroft’s and the first official event for our new OBA President Gemma Wicks. It was a fun evening for all and the Heads and Tails raised over £750 which has been directed to the Bancroft’s Foundation that supports assisted places at the school.
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Thank you to everyone that came along for Old Bancroftians’ Day 2022
It was a brilliant sunny day to start the OBA Presidents fun run and lunch was fantastic as were the amazing afternoon teas in the marquee. It was great to welcome so many of you and your families back including the 50,60,70 years on and the 56ers. A big thank you to the OBs who had travelled from Malaysia, Canada and the USA to support this event. We were also overjoyed that Harry (90) and Clifford (91) came along and met up again after many years! The OBs beat the school at cricket and netball. The crazy golf, giant games and Infinity the children’s’ entertainer Infinity were well received as was the bar!
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On Thursday 19th May the leavers of 2007, 2012 and 2017 returned to Bancroft’s for their OBA reunion and to catch up with their former teachers. OBA President Steve Dodd and Bancroft’s Head Simon Marshall shared news on the Association and the school. Huge thanks to our excellent catering and maintenance team. We look forward to seeing you all at Bancroft’s or another OBA event again very soon..
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After two missed years it was great for Steve Dodd OBA President to welcome 15 Past Presidents to the Warner Room for the 67th annual Past Presidents’ Dinner on Friday 22nd April. Guests were Debbie Picton Senior Deputy Head, OB Gemma Wicks President Elect and Susan Day OBA Administrator.
Here are some pictures from previous OBs’ Day including reunion groups like 40, 50, 60 70 years on plus netball, cricket, lunch, socialising and of course afternoon tea.
