CONTENTS
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From the Editor Meet the OAA Committee Sir Gabriele Finaldi: A Life in Paintings OAA Photo Competition Meet your President: Simon Brown A Brief History of Dulwich in 10 Objects Michael Powell: Film Director Message from The Master OA Association Football OA Cross Country OA Badminton OA Rugby Football Club OA Lodge OA Golfing Society Alleynian Sailing Society OA Cricket The Many Faces of Hamish Lloyd Barnes Dr Adam Abdelnoor: AI in the Legal Profession The Class of 2019 Reflect The Inspirational Wilson Luke Cianfarani: A Life Shaped by Wine and the World Sumit Rai: Going Nowhere Fast OA News Legacy Giving The Old Alleynian Association Bursary Old Alleynian Association Alumni Award Winners 2025 Reuben Gokah: From Dulwich to the Premier League OAs in Print International Community Matt Wilcock: Blooming in a Community Garden Near You Sustainability at Dulwich College Valet for Hon OA Staff David Smith: 34, Not Out Boxing at Dulwich College: A Brief History The Power of Theatre In Memoriam Meet the Team Josh Lawrence RIP
WELCOME TO THE MAGAZINE FOR DULWICH COLLEGE ALUMNI
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2025 was a stellar year for Gabriele Finaldi (82-84) during which time he celebrated his tenth year as Director of the National Gallery and gained a knighthood in the New Years Honours List. He celebrated the conclusion of the Gallery’s bicentenary year, during which there was a hugely successful Van Gogh exhibition as well a complete rehang of the permanent collection. To top things off there was the reopening of the revamped Sainsbury’s Wing entrance. Sir Gabriele, who features on our cover, kindly took time out from his busy schedule to talk to us about his time at Dulwich and subsequent long career in the world of fine art. OAs have entered careers across a huge range of sectors. Adam Abdelnoor (61-70) talks about using AI in his expert witness work while Luke Cianfarani (88-95) reflects on his experiences of working in the wine industry. Hamish Lloyd Barnes (09-16) has spent time at clown school before turning his hand to comedy and Matt Wilcock (06-13) gave up working in politics to establish Leaves Breathe, a social enterprise that is based on the simple premise that everyone living in urban areas should have access to high quality green spaces right on their doorstep. Sumit Rai (93-99), who was a standout basketball player and athlete while he was at the College took a ‘mid career break’ of some thirty years before discovering that he has genuine aptitude for indoor rowing. His fourth place at the recent World Championships is truly impressive. Equally impressive is the story of our youngest contributor, Ruben Gokeh (16-25) who has recently signed a professional contract with Everton FC. With careers developing, life really starts to get interesting for the Class of 2019; we reflect too on what Dulwich was like at the start of the 1960’s through a portrait of English teacher extraordinaire Ray Wilson . 2025 saw the first recipients of the newly created OA Association Bursary enter the Upper School. Our gift will cover 25% of the net fees which will support two pupils a year from each of Year 12 and 13 for the next five years. Each bursary will offer a talented young man the chance to benefit from a Dulwich education that might otherwise have been out of reach. In 2024 we launched our Alumni Awards programme and in 2025 the medals went to actor Chiwetel Ejiofor (90-95) and ‘drone’ entrepreneurs Chris Law (11-16) and Hammad Jeilani (09-16). Our clubs and societies continue to flourish with all offering a wide range of sporting and social activities for their members. During the 2024-25 season our soccer teams continued to surpass expectations in both cup and league competitions. They did though have to recover from the huge loss of Josh Lawrence (02-07); one time 1 st XI Captain, Secretary, Chairman…the list goes on. A successful year too for our cross country runners, golfers, sailors and the newly formed Wine Society. Also encouraging are the increasing numbers of fixtures between the College and the Association. 2026 should see competitions in golf, hockey, badminton, basketball, soccer, cricket and squash. This summer our Summer Social returns to a Thursday evening; 25 June. Please put the date in your diary and sign up when the next eBulletin hits your in box. We will be joined by Rob Milne and here he reflects on the first few very busy months of his time as Master of the College. As always my final paragraph is a big thank you to all in the Alumni and Development Office who have put in a huge effort to get this edition of the Magazine over the line. In particular, Joanne Whaley, Joanne Binka and graphic designer Lucy Baragwanath.
Trevor Llewelyn (72–79) Secretary of the Old Alleynian Association
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