Combined GPS Old Boys’ Council Initiated

Story Added : April 2006

Combined GPS Old Boys’ Council Initiated

The Presidents and representatives of the nine GPS Old Boys’ Associations initially met in August 2005 to discuss a range of issues affecting the various associations eg funding, data collection and administration as well as maintaining traditions.

George Friend, the then President of The Southport School Old Boys’ Association chaired this gathering, which was held at Tattersall’s Club. The main outcome was the agreement to consider forming a council of combined GPS Associations (COCGA).

Of all the issues that galvanised and focused the group, Pastoral Care emerged as a key component. This was precipitated by the revelation by one GPS Old Boy President that their association had lost five young old boys to suicide since 1998.

At this meeting it was decided that (COCGA) should commence meeting formally and that it should pursue this topic to ascertain avenues through which individual associations might pursue this problem.

The Council met at BBC on March 13, and will continue to use these gatherings to address other problems common to our associations. The next meeting will take place at TSS on June 2. Future editions of Signum Fidei will contain reports of the discussions and activities resulting from this initiative.