Former Rye College head boy Richard Moore has been appointed Chair of the school’s Foundation Governors. The Rye News Press Club have been talking to him about the new role, life at the school, and his passion for music.
Richard Moore remembers being asked to become head boy at Rye College in 1977. “I walked into the headteacher’s office one morning and he said ‘I’d like you to be head boy next year.’ I said thank you and that was it! After that I walked into the old sixth form room and the it exploded with applause, because they all knew.”
The new role meant things were very different. “The previous head boy told me what I had to do and I took it from there. I had to make sure everyone was sitting properly for assemblies – I see you have teachers to do that now.”
He particularly remembers Mr Fooks the head teacher and Mr Jones the maths teacher. “He never taught me but I considered him to be a father figure and I got on famously with all the teachers.”
Richard is a very important part of Rye College, firstly with the old scholars association and now as chair of the foundation governors. They are members of the community who decide where some money is spent and have helped fund many important parts of the school, such as the science labs and the gym.
The governors meet twice a year to discuss funding applications both from the college and individual students. Over the years, help has been given towards visits to Model United Nations, Guide and Scout International Camps, field excursions, work experience, theatre workshops, singing and instrumental lessons, first aid courses, school trips, purchasing school uniform, and much more. The Rye College Foundation Governors are currently:
Richard Moore – Chairman of the Old Scholars Association – Chairman
Cllr Josephine Kirkham – Rye Town Council – Vice-Chairman
Cllr John Breeds – Rye Town Council
Dominic Downes – Rye College headteacher
Mr Ian Potter – Former Governor and former Rye Town Council member
Andy Stuart – Mayor of Rye
Martin Blincow – Ex-staff member and Freeman of Rye – to commence role in November
Richard eventually became a business partner for a music shop, B & T keyboards in Hastings. He would sit all day demonstrating organs and and played in most of the hotels on Eastbourne seafront.
In spite of being famous for his support for the Rye College Wurlitzer, he was only ever played it three times in thirty five years. He took up playing again recently because he had a party to celebrated being awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) by the King. “It was quite strange to play pipes after so long.”
Richard has always had what he calls a “soft spot for this place”, by which he means Rye College. So does he have any advice for today’s pupils – us? “It’s always been my philosophy to be a bit of a joker because then people laugh with you. Also, I’ve been able to do what I wanted to do, so if you want to do something, do it!”
Many thanks to Ethan, Audrey, Hannah and Florence for interviewing Richard Moore. The Rye News Press Club works with students at Rye College on stories about the school and issues that matter to them.
Image Credits: Rye Press Club , Rye News Press Club .