An engineering specialism within a grammar school
Ripon Grammar School
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Old Riponians' Association
Who are we?
A large group of present and past students and staff of Ripon Grammar School and Ripon Girls’ High School, usually called The Old Rips!
What do we do?
Led by a committee elected annually, we promote the interests of the school, provide a link between our members and the school, and enable social contact between members of the Association.
What have we done in the last ten years?
At Christmas 1999, we organised a highly successful Millennium Ball, following this up with several Christmas Ceilidhs, sometimes celebrating the retirement of members of staff who had supported the Association. Members of the committee helped the school to fight ( and win) the battle to save the school in the ballot triggered by a local campaign to bring the comprehensive system to Ripon. We supported the fundraising campaign held afterwards, helping to provide better facilities in the school.
In 2005, we wholeheartedly supported the school’s celebration of the 450th Anniversary of the refounding of the school. We helped with the Old Riponians’ Celebration Concert in the Cathedral, organised and marketed a celebration mug and most successful of all, held an Open Day in the summer of that year, where on a beautiful summer’s day, several hundred people met to talk, eat and be shown round the school, to marvel at the changes, including the new 6th form facilities in the cellar and attics of the boys’boarding house.
In 2007, the committee raised £10,000 through an ‘Awards for All’ grant to allow the school to build an observatory in the grounds which is available for extra curricular activities and for community use.
In February 2008,we sadly announced the death of Brian Stanley, Head of the school from 1974 to 1991 and strong supporter of the ORA .The Old Rips committee organised a memorial concert for him, ‘A Life in Words and Music’, in the School Hall to which his wife and members of his family and many former staff and students came.
In July 2012, we co-hosted a reunion and dinner to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the amalgamation of Ripon Grammar and Ripon Girls High schools.
