Welcome to our website especially for former pupils, former parents, and staff of Hymers – we’re pleased you’ve dropped by to take a look around and hope you find it interesting. Whether you’re thinking about re-connecting with an OH or you want to find out about our programme of alumni events, or perhaps you’d like to support us with our current fundraising appeal - you are in the right place!
I am absolutely delighted to be taking the reins as President of the Old Hymerians Society for the next year and my first duty is to thank my fantastic predecessor Helen for having handed over such a flourishing, busy and exciting society. She has led from the front and I sincerely hope to be able to fill her boots (or Louboutins) with as much eloquence and panache!
When I left school in 1997 I was told that although I was leaving Hymers, Hymers would never leave me. If I’m honest I wasn’t really sure what that meant at the time and didn’t fully realise the depth of its meaning until many years into my working life. In 2016 I was working in the Falklands as the Maritime Operations Officer when a Junior Officer was appointed to be one of my watchkeepers. When he arrived and introduced himself I immediately recognised the dulcet tones of a Hullonian and when I asked which fine educational establishment he had attended he said, “Oh you won’t have heard of it, it’s in Hull.” “Try me!” said I and he immediately came back with “Hymers, it’s a decent rugby school…” . The rest, as they say, is history but the shared experiences we had from that decent rugby school made the 8500 mile separation from Blighty seem a little less and made the six month deployment considerably easier.
Now almost a decade later I find myself in the enviable position of presiding over the association I joined by accident a quarter of a century ago. On completing my 20 years in the military my family and I moved north and quite soon afterwards Emily Pennack got in touch with me and asked if I could give an assembly. Of course I jumped at the chance and having been preceded by a trombonist performing the Imperial March from Star Wars I felt completely at home again. Since that day I’ve tried and mostly succeeded to help the Old Hymerians in any way I can. This year will be a proving ground for that commitment and my ability!
I am lucky enough to have served in the Naval Service for 20 years, first in the Royal Marines and then as a Principal Warfare Officer in the Royal Navy. In February 2020 I was medically discharged and there followed the hardest six months of my life as I sought to find a job and my family a home away from the warm Dark Blue embrace of the military that I’d known since leaving Hymers as a Royal Marines scholar to go to university. Thankfully I’m now almost fully integrated in to civilian society and I use my fortuitous position and knowledge to raise the profile of the struggle, both physically and mentally, that Veterans often suffer on leaving the military. You will notice throughout the year a subtle (and not so subtle) military bias in some of the events and in my messaging. One of the most moving events I’ve attended in recent memory is the Service of Remembrance at school where, in the midst of the ceremony pupils stand in turn to remember Old Hymerians who have given the ultimate sacrifice. By the end of the reading fully a third of the senior school is standing. Hymers has a long and proud connection with the military and I hope to highlight this and, where possible, use this fantastic Old School Tie to help Veterans whenever they’re in need.
Thank you very much for getting to the end of this missive. I hope to meet as many of you as possible over this next year.
Will Hairsine, OH 1992 - 1997
President, Old Hymerian Association
Congratulations to all Old Hymerians who have graduated this year More...
Old Hymerians, Andy Hewitt (OH 1982-92) and Nick Wright (OH 1984-94) organised and took part in the event More...
The museum recently opened its doors to our alumni and you can see why we are so proud of it More...
Jonathan Leafe, OH 1971-79, told us about the bands that he has been guitarist for More...
Kim Wu, OH 2009-16 More...
Sixth Form students joined Nick Aitken, OH 1986-96, at Onuba Comms Ltd for their work experience More...
Memories from Martyn Green, OH 1954-61, when the OHA golf team reached the semi finals of the Grafton Morrish Trophy in 1964 More...
Our Annual OH AGM is to be held as a webinar as per previous years. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to be able to share the highlights of the year, upcoming events, and the developments made across the OHA working in partnership with The Development Office at Hymers… Read more
Jack Latus is CEO of LATUS Health - one of the UK’s leading occupational Health and wellness businesses which he founded in 2017. Jack didn’t take the typical route to being the leader of a healthcare business. Leaving Hymers after sixth form straight into a 6 year ru… Read more
Hymers College was established under the will of Reverend John Hymers as a school "for the training of intelligence in whatever social rank of life it may be found" and since opening in 1893 it has remained true to his wishes. Hymers College is not a school fo… Read more
In our third year of holding 'The Presidents Cup' game of Hymers V Pocklington, we are delighted to be hosting again after Pocklington generously had us as their guests last year. There will be lunch and refreshments served before and after the game and we are look… Read more
We are delighted to host our annual Remembrance Service at school for our full school community and Old Hymerians that wish to join us. We are welcoming OH President, Royal Navy veteran William Hairsine (OH 1992-1997) and are delighted to welcome Cdr Geoffr… Read more
You are warmly invited to join our next Old Hymerian regional gathering in Newcastle on Thursday 16th November for all of our alumni. The event is great for Old Hymerians who are working, studying, or living in or around the Newcastle area. It is a chance for students… Read more
Please see our latest Impact Report which showcases the work that has contributed to our Hymers community in the school year 2022- 2023. Your generosity, whether through giving your time or by making a donation, has an immeasurable effect. This has helped our students to achieve their full potential and realise their dreams.