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Gayhurstian Association (GHA)
The Association, established in 2017, stands as a testament to the lasting legacy of our school community, extending far beyond one’s time within Gayhurst’s walls. Comprised of former pupils and staff, the GHA fosters connection and camaraderie.
The GHA Steering Committee meets several times a year, working closely with the newly established Gayhurst Development Office. Together, they plan a vibrant calendar of events and communications to strengthen the bond between alumni and the school, ensuring cherished memories are preserved. The Development Office was created to connect the Gayhurst community and assist the GHA in re-engaging former pupils with Gayhurst and each other.
In 2022, Andrew Sims, our former Headmaster, and Andy Rudak, a former parent and Governor, dedicated hundreds of hours to collating and digitising archive materials. Generously funded by the association, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Andrew and Andy for their immense contribution to this project. You can access our archive material including photographs, journals and magazines from 1930-2012 by logging in here.
We would also like to take the opportunity to thank former parent, Angela Dusek, and George Lawley, former pupil. Angela was a founding member of the committee and instrumental in getting the committee off the ground. Whilst Angela is no longer serving on the committee, Angela, Maxim and Isabelle remain key members of our community and are regularly in touch for updates on the committee.
George, 2010 Leaver, was also a founding member of the committee, instrumental in setting up the communications element and growing the database. After a period in Washington D.C., George is now focusing on his career in London. Thank you, George, for being so fundamental in the setup of the GHA, we hope to see you at a Gayhurstian event soon!
You can find out more about the Steering Committee below.
If you would like to speak with a member of the Steering Committee, in the first instance please contact the Development Office on alumni@gayhurstschool.co.uk or 01753 882690 who will direct your enquiry.
Craig Phillips, Chair
Craig is a former pupil having attended Gayhurst in the 1970’s. He moved on to Merchant Taylors’ School and then Kingston University where he gained a BSc degree in Estate Management.
Once in work he qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and then travelled the world for over two years. During his career he has worked primarily in London but also spent 5 years in Hong Kong and Jakarta, Indonesia.
He is also a former Gayhurst parent whose two sons each went through the school from Reception to Year 8.
Andrew Sims, Previous Headmaster
Headmaster of Gayhurst School from 1993 until he retired in 2016 Andrew was educated at Woodbridge School in Suffolk and then Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge reading History. He began his teaching career in 1982 at Moreton Hall Preparatory School in Suffolk. Posts at the New Beacon School, Sevenoaks and Underhill School in Sutton Valence swiftly followed, the latter as Director of Studies and ultimately Acting Head. His wife, Anne, joined the English Department at Gayhurst in 1997.
Andrew enjoys sport in all its forms and played for numerous teams both as a schoolboy and an adult. Music has an equally important place in his life. In his retirement historical research, gardening, allotment-keeping, walking, music and philosophy keep him busy. His own son Jonathan was at Gayhurst from 1995-2003 and his daughter, Hannah, envies Jonathan’s time there!
Melissa Legg, Assistant Head - Senior School
Born in Oxford, Melissa moved to live and grow up in Saudi Arabia. She was educated within the American Grade school system until she returned to the UK to board full time in the Independent Schools system from the age of 9 until 16.
Melissa initially trained at Henley College to work within a Nursery setting and is a qualified Nursery Nurse. After a gap year working, she studied for a BEd (Hons) RS at Oxford and then went to work within the Independent School sector.
Melissa has worked in 4 different Preparatory schools in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire within the co-educational and single sex settings. Melissa has spent 12 years as Head of Middle School at Gayhurst before taking up the new position of Assistant Head Senior School 5 years ago, she is also Head of Religious Studies.
Melissa has always kept an eye on her pupils once they have left Gayhurst and is often seen supporting former pupils on the side lines of a rugby pitch. Melissa is delighted to be involved and working on the GHA – the Alumni committee.
Ben Stevenson, Former Pupil and current Director of Digital Learning
Ben is a current Gayhurst member of staff and a former Gayhurst pupil who left in 2003 and went onto attend John Hampden Grammar School.
Following JHGS, Ben studied History and Politics at De Montfort University, before completing his teacher training at the University of Reading. He has also just gained his MA in Education from Reading.
He is a tennis player, and is Club Captain at Wooburn Park.
Ben is happy to be a part of the committee steering the GHA, and is looking forward to seeing it grow.
George Macphee, Former Pupil
George is a former Gayhurst pupil who left in 2008 and went onto attend Shiplake College. Following Shiplake, George studied Business and Finance at Bournemouth University and is now training for his ACA accountancy qualification. He is a keen cyclist and now enjoys watching rowing rather than the racing! George is pleased to have joined the Steering Committee to help further the aims of the GHA.
Helen Badrick, Former Parent
Helen is a former Gayhurst parent who has both a son and a daughter who attended Gayhurst for more than 8 years. Her children are all now in secondary school but very keen to keep their ties to their primary school.
Helen’s primary role in the GHA is to help organising events and be the point of contact for parents of children who have recently left Gayhurst.
Craig Phillips, Chair
Craig is a former pupil having attended Gayhurst in the 1970’s. He moved on to Merchant Taylors’ School and then Kingston University where he gained a BSc degree in Estate Management.
Once in work he qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and then travelled the world for over two years. During his career he has worked primarily in London but also spent 5 years in Hong Kong and Jakarta, Indonesia.
He is also a former Gayhurst parent whose two sons each went through the school from Reception to Year 8.
Andrew Sims, Previous Headmaster
Headmaster of Gayhurst School from 1993 until he retired in 2016 Andrew was educated at Woodbridge School in Suffolk and then Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge reading History. He began his teaching career in 1982 at Moreton Hall Preparatory School in Suffolk. Posts at the New Beacon School, Sevenoaks and Underhill School in Sutton Valence swiftly followed, the latter as Director of Studies and ultimately Acting Head. His wife, Anne, joined the English Department at Gayhurst in 1997.
Andrew enjoys sport in all its forms and played for numerous teams both as a schoolboy and an adult. Music has an equally important place in his life. In his retirement historical research, gardening, allotment-keeping, walking, music and philosophy keep him busy. His own son Jonathan was at Gayhurst from 1995-2003 and his daughter, Hannah, envies Jonathan’s time there!
Melissa Legg, Assistant Head - Senior School
Born in Oxford, Melissa moved to live and grow up in Saudi Arabia. She was educated within the American Grade school system until she returned to the UK to board full time in the Independent Schools system from the age of 9 until 16.
Melissa initially trained at Henley College to work within a Nursery setting and is a qualified Nursery Nurse. After a gap year working, she studied for a BEd (Hons) RS at Oxford and then went to work within the Independent School sector.
Melissa has worked in 4 different Preparatory schools in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire within the co-educational and single sex settings. Melissa has spent 12 years as Head of Middle School at Gayhurst before taking up the new position of Assistant Head Senior School 5 years ago, she is also Head of Religious Studies.
Melissa has always kept an eye on her pupils once they have left Gayhurst and is often seen supporting former pupils on the side lines of a rugby pitch. Melissa is delighted to be involved and working on the GHA – the Alumni committee.
Ben Stevenson, Former Pupil and current Director of Digital Learning
Ben is a current Gayhurst member of staff and a former Gayhurst pupil who left in 2003 and went onto attend John Hampden Grammar School.
Following JHGS, Ben studied History and Politics at De Montfort University, before completing his teacher training at the University of Reading. He has also just gained his MA in Education from Reading.
He is a tennis player, and is Club Captain at Wooburn Park.
Ben is happy to be a part of the committee steering the GHA, and is looking forward to seeing it grow.
George Macphee, Former Pupil
George is a former Gayhurst pupil who left in 2008 and went onto attend Shiplake College. Following Shiplake, George studied Business and Finance at Bournemouth University and is now training for his ACA accountancy qualification. He is a keen cyclist and now enjoys watching rowing rather than the racing! George is pleased to have joined the Steering Committee to help further the aims of the GHA.
Helen Badrick, Former Parent
Helen is a former Gayhurst parent who has both a son and a daughter who attended Gayhurst for more than 8 years. Her children are all now in secondary school but very keen to keep their ties to their primary school.
Helen’s primary role in the GHA is to help organising events and be the point of contact for parents of children who have recently left Gayhurst.
