St. John's International School South Africa

 

We are always delighted to receive news of past pupils and endeavour to put them in touch with their peers. For security reasons we will not publish email addresses of past pupils on the web site.

 

 

 

Helen Ridler (Gloucester 1993-1998) 

Helen has just been awarded a first in BSc (hons) Physiotheraphy from St George`s Medical School, London. She is travelling in Sri Lanka over the summer before taking up a post at Mayday University Hospital, Croydon.

 

Veryan Ridler (Gloucester 1990-1995)

Veryan is currently working in Strategy and Business Planning for the board of Ernst & Young UK, based in London. She recently completed the 3 Peaks 24 Hour Challenge, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafel Pike and Snowdonia in quick succession, raising nearly £4,000 for Cancer Research. Read more and contribute to the challenge at http://www.justgiving.com/3peaksadp

 

Leigh Rickards from the early 90’s is getting married later this year. He is in the army medical corps and is about to go to university to do a diploma in operating practice. His sister Kimberley is duty night manager of a small hotel and restaurant in The Forest of Dean.

 

Salima Vierk came to the school to pay a visit. Salima left in 1983 and now has a two-year-old son. Her older brother Karim also left St John’s at the same time.

 

Ben Spencer has gained a 1st Class Honours degree from Swansea University in Computer Science. He will be going on to do a PhD.

 

Alan Duerden visited recently. Alan is now working with the Renault Formula 1 team.

 

Samantha Mitchell dropped in over the Easter holidays.

 

William Horwood is now training to be a teacher.

 

Rosanna and Melissa Spencer Thomas are due to get married later on this year.

 

Toby Williams had a successful launch of his second CD at the end of April.

 

Matthew Webb who left in 1983 popped into see the school once again. Matthew is serving in the Marines.

 

Ian Simmins – past pupil is fundraising for Cerebral Palsy. His son suffers from cerebral palsy and is also partially sighted. Next year he is embarking on a project to help raise money for the Charity SCOPE the largest charity in the UK working with the disabled, their families and carers. He has pledged to raise £2600 and would appreciate any support you may be able to give. The children in the school have adopted the charity SCOPE as their charity of the year and are busy trying to raise £1000 towards Ian’s aim. If you can help please contact the school. You can also donate money online at www.justgiving.com/peru04 or freephone 0800 028 6183.

 

Lynne and Carl Dawson contacted the school recently – they are now living in Tyne and Wear.

 

Visits to the school during the summer from: Veronica McSarly (Rocky) now Veronica Williams, Janine ‘Jano’ Hervieux – now living in the USA (now Janine Rucker who was at the school with her sister Anne Joanne Hervieux and finally Donna Nickisson who is now a fire fighter and living in Kent.

 

Kerry Shalders is now a Doctor and specializes in Dermatology – she is shortly to be married. Another forthcoming wedding will be that of Vicky Sparrow who works for John Lewis. Both visited the school for the wedding of Helen Pockett in July who married Rowland Buckrill with the reception held at St John’s.

 

Laura Davies has a degree in Land Management from Portsmouth and works for Mid-Devon Planning; she is enjoying life and studying for an MA in Town Planning

 

Matthew Carter is in his final year reading Geography at Southampton, enjoyed 6 months at Ontario university and skiing at Whistler.

 

William Carter who came 26th in the World Students’ Debating Championship in South Africa has started to Read Law at St Peter’s College Oxford.

 

Gemma Weeks has been living in Washington DC working for the British Council. In July she is returning to the UK hoping to find work in promoting/marketing British Films with the Film Council or with the British Council Film and Literature Department.

 

Ana Troya Smith is currently doing a Master’s degree in Florence, studying art

 

Isabel Troya Smith is living in London, working at Dresdner Bank

 

Gonzalo de Salas Smith studied culinary arts at New York Restaurant School and is now living in Madrid

 

Adelaida de Salas Smith is studying international banking at the Baruch University in New York

 

Silvia Smith is studying Tourism at the National Distance University of Spain

 

Javier de Salas is studying computer information systems at Stony Brook University in New York

 

Maria del Pino Smith is studying Audio Visual Communication in Francisco de Vitoria University Madrid Spain.

 

Vikan Chirawatpongsa having been very successful at A level study is now at Imperial College London

 

Kingsley Clarke is now studying at Exeter University

 

Fiona Rowley is now studying at Bristol University

 

Andy Wong is now at Brunel University 

 

Paul Lynch visited the school (week 20.5.02). Paul left SJS in 1985 and is now a Captain in the Marines. He also gave us news of his sister Kirstie who also enjoyed her time at St John’s

 

Lee Jamieson visited on 25th February. Lee has enjoyed plenty of success in rugby playing for Leicester Tigers and now Melton Mowbray. He is working as a farm manager.

 

Sean Ross visited the school (11th Feb). Sean is now a Marine Engineer and is enjoying life.

 

Lucy Peart has recently been in touch and is now living in Leamington Spa

 

Antonia Lestner is working hard and into water sports in a big way!

 

John Richards is studying at Bristol University

 

Faye Chirawatpongsa is still at Nottingham University where she is studying Engineering.

 

Edward Thompson is now at Medical School in London; sister Charlotte has just left Sherborne.

 

Hillary Wilman gained 4 A’s at A level and has gained a place to Oxford University.

 

Matthew Clark gained sound GCSE’s at Royal School Holbrook

 

James Vine also at Royal School Holbrook had encouraging results at GCSE.

 

Paul Sheaves gained 7 A’s and 3 B’s (GCSE at Colyton)

 

Timothy Lindop gained 2 A*’s, 4 A’s and 3 B’s (GCSE at Colyton)

 

Rebecca Gaine gained 1 A*, 8 A’s and 1 B (GCSE at Colyton)

 

Katherine Dunn gained 4 A’s and 5 B’s (GCSE at Colyton)

 

Robert Carter gained 1 A*, 6 A’s and 2 B’s (GCSE at Colyton)

 

Samantha Cartwright gained ABBC at A level and is going to Southampton University

 

Andrew Cooper gained ABCD at A level and is going to Surrey University.

 

Cameron Campbell Wilson gained ACC at A level and is going to Cardiff University

 

Joanna Beacham is now at Birmingham University reading Geography

 

Helen Beacham is now at Cardiff University reading Psychology

 

William Carter continues to put his Public Speaking skills to good use being the main speaker for Taunton School in the World Debating Championships held in Canada recently.

 

Gordan Korak has recently contacted the school and is hoping to work in the Foreign Exchange in Canada.

 

Helena Forster has been awarded a sixth form geography scholarship by Stover School.

 

The Headmaster recently visited Queen’s College and was pleased to meet past pupils Matthew Lee, Robert Hayes, Edward Furnival, Charlotte Furnival, Andrew Zendra, Fraser Campbell Wilson, Peter Baker, Lucy Baker and Francis Trivett. All are thriving.

 

Helen Pockett is presently working in Vietnam at the International School in Ho Chi Min City. She has a contract for two years and so far is enjoying life.

 

Polly Williams is now studying ‘A’ levels at Alcester Grammar School.

 

 

 

There is now available a publication “St John’s – A History” priced at £14.95. This is a unique limited edition and there are some copies still available – please enquire to the school.

 

 

Past pupils who have recently been in touch are:

Helen Ridler

Ian McKerricher

Shane Wicket

Louis Choy

Jaime and Juan Bandres

Anthony Cheung

Jason Cheung

Kirk Gatter

Vanessa Malloch Brown

Susan Mensah

Oliver Lewis

James O’Brien

Andy Wong

Abigail Mallett