Old Shebbearians
Making Contact
For a list of E-mail addresses that have been submitted to the OSA click here
To go to the OSA website click here
To view 'The Shebbearian' click here (approx 4mb)
OSA History and aims
The OSA was formed in 1908. Close links between the Association and the College have prevailed ever since. Jackson Page, at Shebbear from 1912-15 and master 1921-60, encapsulated widely shared Shebbearian sentiment when he said, "To many of us, the OSA and the College have long seemed one family". The seamless list of OSA Presidents is prominently displayed beside the entrance to the Memorial Hall, flanked by photographs of former Headmasters and other long serving members of staff. A number of the College governors are Old Shebbearians, including the present Chairman.
The school is proud of the loyalty it attracts from Old Shebbearians. The OSA is immensely proud of the school. It also has responsibilities. To paraphrase the words of John Rounsfell, himself a Shebbear pupil and later Headmaster, the Association offers the pleasure of fellowship and makes possible introductions and renewal of old acquaintance, but also exists to enable us as a community the more efficiently to succour our helpless, to befriend our lonely, and to shelter, behind Shebbearian affection, our defenceless and weak.
What does the OSA do for Old Shebbearians?
Since 1908, continuously, the OSA has held an annual reunion in London. From time to time events are held at the College and at other West Country venues. These social gatherings bring together not only OS of all generations, but also OS with a rich mixture of experience now broadened further by the increasing number of Old Girls who attend. Such occasions are primarily designed to promote fellowship, but at a time when young people have more difficulty than ever in finding employment, reunions offer an additional opportunity to 'network' and this too can be valuable.
The Jackson Page Memorial Fund, raised by subscription and legacies from OS, exists to help selected young OS with their further education (and may occasionally be drawn on to help current pupils).
The OSA sends members a copy of the school magazine and/or the HM’s newsletters as a means of keeping them in touch with the school and, through the OS section, with other OS. The Headmaster is always a guest at formal OS functions and his 'reports' at these constitute another way in which OS are kept abreast of developments.
From time to time the Association publishes a Directory of OS addresses. The most recent is that published in 2003. The OS website (www.oldshebbearian.co.uk) is beginning to generate a message board and a list of OS email addresses. Both Directory and website are designed to facilitate contact among OS, sometimes after a long interval.
The OSA
Shebbear has a remarkable record of continuity and attracts unusual affection among its alumni. The continuity is illustrated by the fact that Mr Barnes, the new Headmaster, is only the eighth since 1864. Unfortunately we have no figures to show the number of second and third, or fourth, generations of Shebbearians. But they are considerable. Many Old Shebbearians parents have been influenced in the critical decisions over their children’s future by virtue of having kept in touch with the school through the Association - a factor well recognized of course by schools other than Shebbear. The OSA hopes to perpetuate these fine traditions for many decades to come while accommodating changed circumstances for both the College and future Old Shebbearians. One of Shebbear's most redoubtable sons, Henry Down (always known as 'Orator'), said in 1915 that the Association can only be kept vigorous by the constant infusion of new blood, and it was sincerely to be hoped that all pupils, as they leave Shebbear, would not fail to become members. By doing so they would keep the "chain unbroken". After nearly 100 years the chain holds - and Orator's emphasis on the importance of new blood remains as true as ever.
