Old Sennockians

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of former teacher Dr Ray Hackett. Ray’s presence, commitment and energy permeated life at Sevenoaks School for 32 years and we know this news will impact many former students and staff.

Ray joined Sevenoaks in 1975 as a Chemistry teacher, having previously worked for BP. He later moved to teaching Mathematics, a subject he made both accessible and enjoyable for his students over 15 years. In 1983, Ray and his wife Jill took up running School House, a role they held for 10 years.

Ray’s enormous contribution to the school extended beyond the classroom. As an accomplished sportsman, he coached cricket and squash, supported sailing, assisted Mike Williams with the First XV and accompanied the team on a tour of Australia. For many years he also led the RAF section of the CCF.

Ray will also be remembered by Old Sennockians for his tireless work in developing the alumni association, helping former students to maintain strong and lasting connections with the school. Leading by example, he remained closely involved in the community, regularly coming to reunions and the Retired Staff Lunch, most recently last year.

Ray’s dedication and long service, along with his energy, versatility and enthusiasm, will be hard to match. We are deeply grateful for all he gave to Sevenoaks School and for the lasting impact he had on generations of students.

Our thoughts are with his wife Jill and their children Sally and Tom.

Class of 1996 & 1986, your 30 & 40 Year Reunion is almost upon us. This is the final call to join us this Sunday 14 June for an afternoon of reconnecting and celebrating how far everyone has come since your school days.

We’d love to see you there. Grab your ticket here: https://osonline.sevenoaksschool.org/event/class-of-1996-1986-reunion/

We are enormously proud of Art teacher, sculptor and Old Sennockian Oliver Barratt (OS 1979), whose sculpture Breathing Space was enjoyed by many last week at RHS Chelsea 2026.

Commissioned by garden designer Angus Thompson for the RHS Chelsea 2026 Asthma and Lung UK Breathing Space Garden, Breathing Space reminds the viewer that to breathe is to engage the rhythmic intimacy of life, to act out the perpetual dialogue between the tangible exterior world and the hidden world of the interior.

In this work, two highly finished forms are perched opposite each other in a perpetual embrace. Connected by a thread, they echo each other’s movement, accommodate each other’s space and support each other’s weight. The outer shell of the forms creates a distinct enclosure, a darker protected interior space. Embedded in this alliance of interior and exterior is the tension between holding together and pulling apart, the breathing in and the breathing out. The energy of the work acts out a perpetual truce, a type of harmony built out of opposites.

The painted surface of the sculpture is established by many layers of thinly tinted lacquer. This too is in a state of flux, organically drifting between pale veridians and deep aubergine.

The serene woodland-edge garden was designed as a restorative ‘breathing space’ for people with lung condition. It was highly commended in the RHS Environmental Innovation Award category.

Thank you to Nikki Lee (OS 2001 and Sevenoaks School Foundation Trustee), who hosted a fantastic get-together in Hong Kong for incoming Year 9 pupils.

Teams of two and three took part in a Bake Off-style event, baking and decorating a three-layer cake within two hours. Parents then had the difficult task of casting their votes to crown the winners.

Well done to everyone of their amazing creations!

Leavers' Day on Saturday was full of joy, pride and a few happy tears as we celebrated more than 250 Upper Sixth students.

Class of 2026, welcome to the Old Sennockians. Your journey with us is only just beginning and we can't wait to see what you achieve next.

The Sevenoaks School Observatory is one of those iconic buildings on the campus that inspires a raft of nostalgic reminiscences from several generations of alumni.

It was built on Jockey’s Platch in 1977 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee. The “highly ingenious shell’ covering was designed by Head of Physics Dr John Garood and built by him and members of his Physics class. It was opened on 4 November 1977 by the famous astronomer and broadcaster Sir Patrick Moore.

In 1991, the Observatory was moved to its present site in the nuttery at the bottom of the Head’s Garden, with a new telescope provided by the Parents’ Association, and opened by astronomer Heather Couper CBE.

Do you remember the opening ceremonies in 1977 or 1991, or using the telescope?

Read more here: https://osonline.sevenoaksschool.org/school-archive/the-school-observatory/

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR PHIL LEESE
OS are invited to watch the livestream of Phil Leese's memorial service this Friday 22 May from 3pm. If you would like us to send you the link to the service please contact [email protected]

You are also welcome to leave messages on the memorial page at https://philleese.muchloved.com

We are delighted to have secured a number of places for the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 11 October 2026. Applications are now open to join Team Sevenoaks alongside Headmaster Jesse Elzinga to run for the school and help raise funds for bursaries.

Last month, our London Landmarks Half Marathon team of runners raised an amazing £15,600 to help more students experience a transformational Sevenoaks School education. In celebration of Sevenoaks upcoming 600th anniversary, we ask all our runners to commit to a minimum fundraising target of £600 - the Foundation team will also support you every step of the way.

If you are interested in running for us, please visit the link below to find out more and apply by 25 May. We look forward to hearing from you!

https://foundation.sevenoaksschool.org/support-sevenoaks/run-for-us/

Class of 2006, your 20 Year Reunion is just around the corner! This is a final call to join us on Saturday 16 May for an evening of reconnecting, reminiscing, and celebrating how far everyone’s come since your school days.

Expect great conversations, familiar faces, and plenty of memories shared.

We’d love to see you there. Grab your ticket via the link in our bio now!

Today, the Class of 2026 walks out of their last ever lessons. It’s one of those days that doesn’t quite feel real until it is. What subject had the honour of being your last? What were you feeling as the day wrapped up?