Celebration Super Saturday: A Joyful Return to School for OS Across Three House Milestones

Glorious sunshine set the tone for Celebration Super Saturday on 18 April, as Old Stortfordians returned to campus for a day that felt wonderfully like stepping back into a favourite chapter of their school days. With Benson House marking its 25th anniversary, Hayward House celebrating an impressive 70 years, and OS gathering to honour Peter Griffin’s remarkable 22 years of House leadership across Collett, School and Rowe, the timetable was full, the camaraderie was high, and the Stortfordian spirit was unmistakable.

The day began with a “first lesson” back in the Houses, where guests wandered familiar corridors, rediscovered old haunts, and swapped stories that spanned generations. Soon it was time to “change classrooms” and cross the famous Maze Green Road for a joint breaktime with Hayward House in the Ferguson Lecture Theatre,  drinks served, no permission slips required.

Before lunch, everyone assembled on the Memorial Hall steps for the official House photograph, a school picture retake years in the making. Then came the most nostalgic moment of all: lunch in the Dining Hall. Trays collected, hatches visited, and memories rekindled.

Hayward House: 70 Years of Brotherhood and Belonging

Hayward House was buzzing with energy as Haywardians from across the decades, including one OS who had belonged to its predecessor, Day Boy House, reunited under the warm welcome of Housemaster and OS himself, Simon Lipscombe, Deputy Housemaster Shaun Murtagh Howard, and Pastoral Assistant Julie Yapp.

Current Hayward students, including Head Boy Luke T and the Heads of House, greeted guests with pride and enthusiasm, setting the tone for a memorable afternoon.

A particular highlight was the return of two much‑loved former Hayward staff members: Mike Tomkys, Hayward Housemaster and Head of Media Studies (1987–2019), who made a special journey from his home in Cyprus, and John Bauer, Physics Teacher (2016–22). Their arrival sparked warm reunions and a flood of shared stories from their years in the House.

Benson House: A Quarter Century of Community and Character

Benson House enjoyed a particularly emotional celebration as Mr Stephen Benson, Headmaster (1982–97) and the House’s namesake, returned as Guest of Honour with his wife Peta. Their arrival was met with a heartfelt welcome from Bensonites and staff spanning multiple generations.

Six Benson Housemistresses past and present joined the festivities, representing the House’s rich history of leadership and care:

• Pauline Mullender, Benson Housemistress and Teacher of German (1994–2015)
• Emma Chaplin, Housemistress of Tee House and Teacher of History, formerly Housemistress of Benson
• Angustias Estrella, Benson Housemistress and Teacher of Spanish
• Kathy Hunt, Benson House Tutor (1985–2007)
• Charlotte Munck, Assistant Benson Housemistress and Head of Art (2006–2025)

More than 50 guests,  including children of OS, enjoyed exploring the House, rediscovering their names on honours boards, and spotting themselves in photographs from years gone by. A lively Benson House quiz rounded off the visit, with one lucky winner departing with a celebratory bottle of bubbly.

Rowe House: Honouring Peter Griffin’s 22 Years of Leadership

Although Peter Griffin was sadly unable to attend due to family reasons, OS still gathered to celebrate his extraordinary 22 years of House leadership across Collett, School and Rowe. Guests, including Chris Woodhouse (Deputy Head 76-19) were warmly welcomed into Rowe House by new Housemaster Dan Cook, who offered tours and joined in fond recollections of Peter’s influence, humour and care.

A Shared Celebration: Drinks, Stories and Special Guests

All three reunion groups came together in the Ferguson Lecture Theatre for a joint drinks reception. Deputy Head Graham Brooks delivered an entertaining and gracious welcome, sharing witty anecdotes about the Houses and their communities, including a playful suggestion that ChatGPT might define a Bensonite in German.

Warm tributes were paid to Peter Griffin for his decades of dedicated leadership as he steps down from Rowe House to focus on teaching Innovation, Design and Engineering.

A special moment was reserved for honouring Steve and Peta Benson, with a small presentation made as a token of the College’s affection. Many guests who had known Mr Benson as their Headmaster were thrilled to reconnect with him; the couple’s energy and enthusiasm were infectious throughout the afternoon.

Lunch, Laughter and Lasting Connections

The celebrations concluded with a nostalgic lunch in the Dining Hall, a place many OS fondly recall as the heart of their school memories. Conversations flowed, old friendships rekindled, and promises to return were made as the day drew to a close.

A Day to Remember

Celebration Super Saturday was a joyful start to the College’s new House‑based reunion programme - a day filled with sunshine, shared memories, and the unmistakable Stortfordian spirit.

A gracious thank‑you goes to every OS, guest and former staff member who joined us, many travelling significant distances to be part of this special occasion. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.

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