This will be my last Jottings for the Elizabethan as the OEA’s Honorary Secretary.  The past three years with the OEA have raced by.  The role has been immensely fulfilling, and I am proud to have been able to serve on the committee and as director on the board of the LBG.  I have met some truly remarkable people along the way and it has been a real pleasure.

Since writing last time, we have co-opted two new committee members, in Jon Bridel (6699) and Tony Curr (9163).   Among too many professional achievements in the finance industry to list here, Jon is a Chess Olympian, advanced scuba diver, marksman and pilot.  Tony has graced our television screens for many years as the face of local sports at ITV and he is currently Head of Multimedia for the Guernsey Press.  Tony  brings a wealth of sporting expertise and very helpfully co-ordinates the sporting fixtures between the OEA teams and the College.  I would like to formally welcome Jon and Tony and thank them for their commitment to the OEA.  The last quarter of 2024 saw long-standing member and my predecessor, Rupert Pleasant (7313) step down.  On behalf of the committee, I would like to express our gratitude to Rupert for all the time and great energy he brought to the association.

One of the ways in which the OEA helps current students is through financial awards. Students can apply to the OEA for support if they are going on off island trips, not organised through College, to further their learning or career goals. This year the committee has been able to help two students in this way. It was always a pleasure to be able to offer this type of support and to hear how the varies courses and tours have benefitted each individual. You can read about the opportunities taken by these students in this magazine.

Our Guest of Honour at last year’s Guernsey dinner was Jurat Rick James who will need no introduction.  Rick delivered a considered and clever speech, covering his upbringing in Worcester, his roles during his forty-three years at the College, the teachers he worked alongside, as well as memorable and entertaining stories of students which were in the room.  It would be remiss of me not to mention that Rick, although now retired from teaching, continues to be involved in the College bursary scheme.  The scheme, made possible in large due to the legacy of Roger Perrot (5450) and the College community, currently allows up to forty-one full bursaries throughout the school.  We are delighted that from September 2025 there are now more than 40 bursary placeholders in each year group from Year 7 to Year 13.  This is a valuable and meaningful programme that creates the opportunity to change people’s lives; not just the student involved but all their direct community whilst at the College and multiple touchpoints across their career and life.  The scheme allows eligible students the opportunity to benefit from the broad curriculum, outstanding co-curricular and enrichment activities that the College offers in a supportive community and inspirational environment.  Please feel free to contact Rick at on his email at rjames@elizabethcollege.gg should you wish to learn more.

The 2024 London Dinner was a momentous event as we celebrated the 200th anniversary of the rechartering of Elizabeth College.  There have numerous articles written on the history of this and I would encourage you to read Bruce Parker’s (4747) recollection of events and other references which can be found on Network OE, effectively laying the foundations and culminating in the great College we have today.  You may also wish to purchase his book on the history of the College which is available in the online shop or from the College.  As a fitting venue for the event, the dinner was held in the grand ballroom at the prestigious Lansdowne Club in Mayfair.  In a pleasant change, partners were also invited to the dinner which meant my wife could join me.  The Guest of Honour, the intrepid explorer Steve Jones (6950) gave an inspirational speech on his career and adventures.  My report on the London Dinner can be read in this Elizabethan.   

As always, my thanks go to the OEA President Andy Niles (7423), the other OEA committee members, Kate Earl, Sara Wright and Jennie Doucy in the Development & Marketing Office for all their ongoing support with the OEA. 

As I sign off as outgoing Honorary Secretary, I am proud of what the OEA committee continue to achieve and strive for, to support the College and act to benefit its students and our members.  The robust sense of community and belonging which is instilled in me for being part of the OEA will endure, and I encourage anyone who wishes to be a part of the committee to contact us.  

I hope to see you all soon at one of our many OEA events during the course of the next year and do feel free to get in touch at oea@elizabethcollege.gg with any suggestions or comments you may have for the committee. 

With warmest wishes,
KC Tang (8786)
Honorary Secretary