You are reading the online edition of the Old Camdenians Newsletter, Spring 2026

Dear Old Camdenians

Welcome to the first update from Lift Beacon High.

Once again this has been a tremendously busy and fruitful term as we make the transition from a local community school to experiencing the impact of being part of a national trust of 58 schools. The immediate impact on our learners has been significant. 2026 promises to be a great year at Lift Beacon High as we see the school go from strength to strength. We promise an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day. That success can only be achieved if we work in partnership; families, students and staff and our alumni. We are dedicated to helping our children achieve their best. Please continue to support our children in their Lift Beacon High journeys. Believe, Belong, Become.

We have had a focus on Holocaust education in our assemblies to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. The theme this year was ‘Bridging Generations’. Today many people in western democracies take freedoms for granted – this year, we reflected on how these freedoms need to be valued, and on how many people around the world face restrictions to their freedoms to live, worship, work and love freely.

On Monday 29th January our Jack Petchey Award winners were treated to their awards ceremony at Islington Assembly Hall. Well done to all our winners. We held a non-school uniform day on Fridays 20th and 27th March; the proceeds of the event will go towards our Comic Relief fundraising.

Old Camdenian and former governor, Panos Nicolaides, has joined our Lift Beacon High Academy Council, and will be part of our commitment to developing ideas on how we can engage our parents and our community. A flavour of the kinds of things we are exploring as a Lift school is at the end of this letter.

I would like to take the opportunity to ask our wider community if you think that your workplace could host any of our Year 10 students on work experience in June. If you think this would be a possibility please contact Mr Abdelmula to let him know. Work experience is such an integral part of the careers programme at school and it really helps our students begin to formulate a plan for their next steps and options after they leave Beacon High. It is very much part of the ‘become’ element of our strapline: Believe. Belong. Become.

As we complete our first term as a Lift school I wanted to highlight one of the projects we are now involved in: KS3 Cliff Edge report: Why does student engagement dip in key stage 3? In January 2025, Lift surveyed 21,000 pupils in our schools all across England: from Middlesbrough, to Clacton, to the Isle of Wight. We found a stark drop in positive measures of school experience from Year 6 to Year 7, which worsened in Year 8 and again in Year 9:

• 84% of Year 6 pupils feel a sense of belonging in their classrooms

• But only 58% of Year 9 pupils feel that sense of belonging

• And only 46% of Year 9 girls eligible for pupil premium feel they belong

This data was collected using our annual Culture and Climate survey, piloted in 2024 and rolled out across our Lift schools last year (Lift Beacon High has joined the survey this year).

By openly sharing our anonymised data and insights, we want to spark a sector-wide conversation and drive collective action. Watch Lift Schools’ CEO, Becks Boomer-Clark, discuss the KS3 Futures project with Ed Vainker, Managing Director of the Reach Foundation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEtxQvHxeUU&t=98s Lift Schools have partnered with the Reach Foundation to dig deeper into the reasons why so many students disengage in KS3. Our data led us to the problem and reflected a national trend – now Lifts is leading the way looking for possible solutions.

Beginning in January 2026, KS3 Futures brings in sector specialists to test out practical new solutions to engage students and consider what changes may be needed. The programme is supported by data from our Culture & Climate survey. Alan Streeter

Hi folks.
Well, here we are now with the first quarter of 2026 behind us. How time flies whether you’re enjoying yourself or not. Personally, I was quite glad that January and February sped by so quickly, as I cannot recall, in my long lifetime, such an extensive period of dull, grey, sunless weather. Day after day the same thing to wake up to and so depressing. Fortunately. all that seems to have given way to a quite wonderful spring which really gladdens the heart. OK, so there’s been some rain, but that’s to be expected and has helped encourage the violets, snowdrops and particularly the daffodils to appear in great numbers not to mention the spectacular wisteria in the most unexpected places. The roadsides around here have been so colourful, and a joy to see after all that miserable greyness.

I do hope that as many of you as possible will have been able to go out and really enjoy this springtime. Even those of you with your heads down, studying hard for forthcoming exams. Give yourselves a short break to clear your mind and take in the natural beauty all around you. It will do you the world of good. Let’s hope that the summer is equally as encouraging but, in the meantime, the OCs send you all our very best wishes, whatever you are up to. Alan Meyer

Thank you to the two Alans above, who have both given us food for thought and encouraging messages and reflections as we look towards a hopefully brighter future. Thanks too to Panos, who is staying on as the role of Governor changes, and to Bill, who below reports on the tremendous achievements of the school’s Sports Leaders.

The coming of a new season has been tinged with sadness for me, Ray and many of our Holloway School contemporaries from the 1960s as we said goodbye to our friend Malcolm Zucconi, who died in February at the age of 73. See the In Memoriam section at the end of this newsletter for his obituary and memories of a kind and talented man from his old classmates. Denis Piggott

The school is settling into the Lift Academies. The role of the old Governing body has changed, with many old members now having departed. Having helped guide the school into its new future, many have moved on, although I have remained, ensuring a link between Beacon High and the Old Camdenians.

The role of governor has changed, no longer being part of the decision-making team. Now the expectation is to provide a connection between the school and the local community. While the Lift governors can do most things, they lack the local element. This is where the Trustees come in. Not sure how this will work, but I will give it a go. Panos Nicolaides

I would like to thank Panos for continuing to represent the Old Camdenians with the Lift Beacon High Academy Council and wish him all the best and offer my full support.

You will see below that a number of Malcolm Zucconi’s school friends and I attended his funeral and reception afterwards. It was an honour to celebrate his life with his family and friends. His wife, Jane, explained that while at BT Malcolm encouraged BT and others that fibre optics had a future. Indeed, Malcolm devised the BBC’s phone-in system that records the number of calls from the public for a particular programme; it is still in use today, having been modified. Well done Malcolm, you will be missed.

I am pleased to say that the Old Camdenians will be sponsoring Year 11’s Prom Night this year. Please see below a big thank you from the organiser, Natalie Montjoy. Also, thanks to Bill Wood for his excellent updates on the Girls’ Football teams, Sports Leaders and OCC Sports Bursaries – well done. Indeed, for setting up the Sports Leader Leadership League Table congratulations to the ‘Top 10’:- George, Jet, Samuel, Adriel, Rayaan, Haroon, Ayman, Andrew, Nathaniel, Adam.

The Billy Fund Trustees are pleased to welcome Micah and Ligia and wish them well in their chosen careers. If any student is considering applying for a bursary from the ‘Bill & Nora Wraight Old Camdenians Memorial Fund’ – affectionately known as ‘The Billy Fund’ – please contact Micah, Ligia or me.

Lastly, I wish to thank all contributors to this, our quarterly newsletter, and look forward to receiving future contributions from all Old Camdenians who have a story to tell. Ray Rowe

Lost to SMMA 4-0

Won against EGA 4-0

Draw wig Hornsey 0-0

Won against AMSI 2-1

Overall a good result, leaving us all wondering what might have been had scheduling been kinder to us!

The sports leaders had to be really on their game to successfully officiate this, possibly the most highly charged and competitive of all the events they support.

Dodgeball is a frenetic and very exciting sport, with lots going on at the same time and players coming and going in and out regularly, it can be difficult to keep on top of things. The leaders deserve plenty of credit as they acquitted themselves very well with no controversies arising.

Sports leaders: George, Haroon, Samuel, Adam, Ayman, Drinos, Nathaniel, Jet, Rayaan, Andrew, Mohamed, Ibrahim, Ryan, Roy.

Thanks. Bill Wood

Dear friends at The Old Camdenians,

The staff and current Year 11 students at Lift Beacon High School would like to extend a huge thank you for your generous donation towards our Prom again this year.

As you may have seen in last summer’s newsletter, the Prom we held was a great success and a memorable celebration for our students. Thanks to your continued support, we are hoping to make this year’s event even bigger and better by hiring a boat to take our hardworking and dedicated young people along the Thames.

Your generosity helps us create a truly special experience for our students as they reach the end of their time at Lift Beacon High, and we are incredibly grateful.

Watch this space for an update in the summertime! Natalie Mountjoy

The club is grateful for any and all donations that we receive to make our contributions to the school. However, since we do not have a members’ subscription fee our only other source of income is through the George Ives 50+ Club membership. Please help us to realise future causes and help change a life by joining the George Ives 50+ Club, which is £60 per year or a standing order of £5 per month. A number between 1 and 59 is selected and that is entered into a monthly draw which is determined by the first two numbers drawn in the National Lottery. Prizes are £100 (£200 in November) and £20 (£50 in November).

It’s only £60 per number for the year; and you choose the numbers. Some members have more than one number. Indeed, some of our members love to hear that they’ve won, but give their winnings as a donation to the club. George Ives 50+ Club is our only regular source of income. Please let me know if you want to have a go and keep us supporting the students and the school. For more information contact us here.

The OCC Committee are pleased to announce that £60 per annum will be used from George Ives’ very generous donation of £1000 to the club, so that George can keep his number and continue winning. All George Ives’ winnings will be donated back to the club. Sadly, with the recent deaths of some of our members there are now some more numbers available for you. Please consider continuing to keep George’s legacy of using the draw to generate funds. It is these that we use and they certainly make a difference.

Dear all, I am starting the second term of my law degree at University. It has been a very special and interesting first term. I was elected as Course Representative, which has led me to various experiences and interactions with students and lecturers. I am also grateful for the support and encouraging news I’ve received from the Old Camdenians, which has made this journey even more meaningful. I look forward to participating and staying connected. Ligia

You too can request details from our members to locate friends from school – just ask!

Malcolm Zucconi BSc Hons (1952 – 2026)

Malcolm Zucconi, who died on 11th February 2026, aged 73, was born on 4th April 1952 in Epsom, Surrey. He joined us at Holloway School in September 1963. His classmates from that time have very fond memories of Malcolm, a kind and gentle man with a winning smile and never a bad word for anybody. Ray Rowe

Jane Johnstone Zucconi, Malcolm’s wife, writes: “On leaving school Malcolm started work with what would become British Telecommunications. He started as an engineer, building exchanges and helping to design the upgraded London network. He progressed upwards in the company and when he retired, he was a manager in BT Wholesale. Not one for being idle he found a part time job as a business analyst for a family-owned airport parking company based near Gatwick until I retired and we moved up to a village south of Grimsby.

“During his time with BT he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree with Honours from the Open University. He was particularly proud of this achievement as he had been unable to progress his education after leaving Holloway.

“Malcolm loved the large garden that we now owned and delighted in the produce that we grew. He maintained his love of music and set up his drums in the workshop. He bought a clarinet, saxophone and guitar and spent many hours playing and listening to the wide variety of music that he enjoyed. After gaining his RYA certificate we bought a dinghy which we sailed at a local club. He loved going out on it every week until his diagnosis with multiple myeloma in March 2021.

“By the time he was diagnosed he had developed secondary cancer of the spine and was unable to walk for a number of months. With the help of physiotherapists, a firm determination and a back brace he was soon walking with a frame and then just one walking stick. His spine healed and after six months he no longer needed the back brace. Once again he had gained full mobility and we became involved in village life.

“His treatment was ongoing with a few ups and downs along the way as each successive course of chemotherapy ceased to be effective and he started a new course. He caught the flu and was admitted to hospital but while he was being treated the myeloma returned and wiped out his white blood cells. He was admitted to palliative care and slipped away peacefully two days later on 11 February.”

Malcolm is survived by Jane and by Douglas and Gregory, his two sons from his first marriage to Angela. Jane is making a donation to MacMillan Cancer Care in memory of Malcolm.

Malcolm’s funeral took place on Wednesday 18th March at Islington Crematorium in East Finchley, and a wake was held at the Spaniards Inn in Hampstead. Pictured below at the Spaniards, where we joined family and friends to celebrate Malcolm’s life, are his schoolfriends Ken Thomas, Denis Piggott, John Atkins (who came down from his home in Fife), Ray Rowe, George Georgiou and Sydney Street.

Some appreciations from Malcolm’s school friends:

The 117th AGM will be held in the Camdenians Hall at the Lift Beacon High Academy on Friday 30th October 2026. The AGM will be followed by our 99th Annual Lunch under the stewardship of Ann Tennant and her team.

Our guest speaker, Chris Ramsey MBE, will give us a very interesting account of his time at school and what followed.

We do need your support to keep this yearly tradition going. So please put it in your diary for Friday 30th October 2026 and, if you cannot come, donate a seat so our new Old Camdenians at college can attend. The format for the day includes a tour of the school, followed by a reception with drinks, the AGM and then a sit-down meal with friends. Also, if you are interested in attending an evening event during the year, such as the quiz night or formal dinner please let us know and we will see if we can organise something for you. Use the ‘Contact’ button or drop me an email. Ray Rowe