The book gives a fascinating insight into the daily life of our ambitious and intrepid Old Cryptian as he negotiates the daily grind of lockdown living and disappearing children.
Unfortunately he has already started posting Lockdown #2 updates which may portend a second volume.
Proceeds from the sale of the book (should there be any) will be donated to NHS charities.
Dear Old Cryptians,
It has been a quite extraordinary year for us all, but I do hope that this note from your old school finds you all safe and well. The Crypt has endured through the ups and downs of the last 9 months, as it always has, and I think risen tremendously well to the challenges we have all faced. The students take great heart from knowing that the School has endured many, and indeed more demanding challenges in its long and distinguished history, which gives them the resolve needed to cope with the challenges of the present.
I have been immensely proud to be the Headmaster of the School over this period, as it has been a real privilege to lead and work with such a wonderfully committed group of staff and a fine set of young people.
I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and we hope for better days ahead.
My very best wishes,
Nick
Well, what a year we have experienced. Back in February when we were contemplating how we could manage the AGM and dinner in March I am sure none of us were expecting to be still in the grip of this pandemic at Christmas.
Each and every one of us have been impacted and on behalf of the Club I would like to offer my sincere condolences to those that have suffered losses over the year. I sincerely hope that the vast majority remain in good health and good spirits and are looking forward to a break over Christmas, although probably not the Christmas we all are used to.
As a committee, we have made changes to how we operate and along with many others we have embraced the digital world and hold our meetings on line. We will be sending details in the new year about the arrangements for our 2021 AGM. Unfortunately there will be no March AGM and dinner, although I like to think that we will be able to hold an event later in the year once the vaccinations have done their thing.
I have been very impressed with the measures that the school has implemented to ensure that learning continues for all pupils, especially those preparing for exams and those who have required additional support. The regular videos posted to YouTube show that life in school continues with the usual events and plenty of music – well done. I recommend taking some time to see how the school has marked events such as Founders’ Day and the Remembrance Service.
On Thursday 17 December the annual Christmas Carol Service was broadcast on YouTube and made available for later viewing.
Finally, on behalf of all Old Cryptians everywhere, I wish you a safe and healthy Christmas and much better New Year.
Adam
Dr. Steve Ward (’63-’70) has published a short article “Black Performers of the 19th Century Circus” for Black 
History Month and as a precursor to his next book Artistes of Colour; Ethnic Diversity and Representation in the Victorian Circus will be published by the Modern Vaudeville Press in February 2021. Check out www.modernvaudevillepress.com for further details nearer release date.
Doctor Steve Ward is a social historian and has written several books on aspects of the social and cultural history of the circus.
The committee once again met online for the latest meeting on October 13th. We were pleased to include the current head boy and head girl to the meeting and enjoyed their reports from the school.
A wide range of topics was discussed, the minutes of which are available here.
The latest edition of The Cryptian magazine has been published as an online only magazine 
and is available to all members and non-members.
This edition is available for download as well as the online presentation but we felt that the logistical and administration burden of sending physical copies to members was too much given the huge additional workload that school office is under during this pandemic period.
We hope you enjoy reading as much as we have enjoyed collating and creating.
We welcome your thoughts about the magazine content and are already collecting articles for next years, hopefully Covid-free edition – please comment here or by email to the President.
Website supported by Cass Stephens:-
The book gives a fascinating insight into the daily life of our ambitious and intrepid Old Cryptian as he negotiates the daily grind of lockdown living and disappearing children.
Unfortunately he has already started posting Lockdown #2 updates which may portend a second volume.
Howard Allen writes with sad news.
“I much regret to inform you that my very dear friend B.A. ‘Brian’ Jones passed away on Thursday in hospital of CV 19. He was aged 86.
Brian was President of OCC,
Dear Old Cryptians,
It has been a quite extraordinary year for us all, but I do hope that this note from your old school finds you all safe and well. The Crypt has endured through the ups and downs of the last 9 months,