Year 12 Student Freddy Ireland wins Award

The Oli Rumbol Award was created to recognise exceptional resilience in students throughout their time at Angmering. The first recipient was Oli himself, a former student here who accepted his physical challenges and met them head on.

Oli left Angmering with outstanding academic results and went on to study medicine in London. Sadly his health prevented him from completing his degree, but his passion for education brought him back to Angmering, this time to tutor students in Science and invest in their journeys, much like he did as a Year 11 student (he was remembered by many of his friends in their Year Book as ‘the best Maths teacher at Angmering’).

Ms Savage said “Freddy reminds me in many ways of Oli. I first met him when he came for a walk through of the site before joining us in Year 7. A strikingly formal introduction, but one I will never forget. I have also had the pleasure of being Freddy’s teacher for GCSE Biology in Year 11 and now A Level Biology in Year 12. His academic ability is unquestionable, but what makes Freddy remarkable, is his ability to accept the challenges he faces every day, and in doing so, remove the barriers that they could so easily represent.”

Freddy’s inimitable style has led to some treasured memories for the staff who have had the pleasure to work with him.

Mrs Martin was Freddy’s tutor from Year 7. Mrs Martin said “I have this great memory from when Freddy was touring the school prior to starting in Year 7 and he was introduced to me. He was much shorter at the time and he lifted his eyeline so high to say hello to me. This made me laugh as he imagined that I was really tall and in fact I am the complete opposite.”

“On this day he also told me that he didn't like Dance, and then went on to perform in many Rock Challenge and Dance Live performances, and I think he would agree these are some really amazing memories for him.”

“We used to talk about our dogs in tutor time who are both spaniels, his positivity and cheesy jokes kept me going at times.”

Mrs Bayford taught Freddy in Science for most of his time so far and has always been so impressed with his adaptability and resilience. Mrs Bayford said “Freddy always just went with the flow and you knew he was processing everything in lessons as he has this look of pure focus, which is usually followed by a deeply insightful question.”

Mrs Bayford will never forget teaching him Health lessons in Y9, the biggest mistake she made was to make eye contact with Miss Cassidy who was assisting Freddy in the practical section of the contraception lesson. Mrs Bayford said “Having Freddy in my lessons has made me a better teacher.”

Miss Nelson’s finest memory of Freddy was during a Lockdown Drill which coincided with a Music lesson. Freddy dutifully hid under a table with Miss Nelson, while some of the other students opted for a cupboard. After a few minutes a dubious rendition of ‘Titanium’ broke out from a hastily assembled table fortress, including the lyrics ‘shoot me down but I won’t fall’. Seconds later the cupboard occupants fell out yelling ‘I can’t believe you dropped in there’. Freddy found this hilarious and said ‘well that’s them shot down’.

Mrs Baker, who knew Freddy as Professor Ireland, accidentally introduced him to line dancing in B Block, when delivering a lesson on rotation and even braved climbing on the desks and making contact with the floor to describe angles of elevation and depression. Freddy’s gift to Mrs Baker in 2017 confirmed what she already understood, that this young man had his priorities in the right order.

Mr Gwynn remembers Freddy as an inspiration, right from when he first met him in primary school, and all the way through secondary, he has never known him to turn down a challenge.

Ms Lyons said “The fact that our school continues to celebrate and remember Oli is a testament to the impact that he had on so many of us. Watching him mature into a young adult who was driven, dedicated and so deadpan was a privilege - a privilege we teachers repeat year in year out, with you all - regardless of how often you drive us round the bend”.

“And of course, Oli was unique - just as you all are, and I find myself often thinking of him, both mourning the life that he did not get to live, whilst celebrating the light he brought to those who knew him … it is a strangely cathartic experience.”

“The thing to know about Oli, was his thirst for knowledge and empowerment. It’s these characteristics that we see in so many of you, and of course particularly those that have won this prestigious award. Now Freddy, and Olivia before him, have shone brightly as Oli did.”

“Oli epitomised the resilience we all must channel to break barriers - he did it repeatedly in his lifetime. You see, resilience isn’t just about getting up when you’ve been knocked down - but it’s about coming to peace knowing not all battles can be won. You cannot always get what you want - and though that may not be ok - it fortifies you to find the alternative route forward. You become the engineer of your own destiny - and is that not the ultimate empowerment? Is that not the ultimate success?”

“Regardless of what you may think, you truly hold such unlimited power inside of you – please … don’t waste it.”

Mrs Rumbol, Oli’s mother said “I used to work in the Infant School Freddy went to and I'm delighted to hear he is doing so well. I am so pleased he will be receiving the award”.

Congratulations Freddy, from everyone at The Angmering School!