Welcoming the Class of 2026 as Old Waynfletes
On Friday 8 May, the annual Leavers’ Service was held for the MCS Class of 2026 in Magdalen College Chapel. This poignant occasion takes place as Upper Sixth pupils embark on study leave for A Level examinations, marking their transition from pupil to Old Waynfletes (OWs).
Each year, a small number of OWs return to the service to present leavers with gifts – an OW tie or lily necklace – offering a moment for older OWs to welcome the newest members into the community. This year, we welcomed back Jonathan Knowles (OW 1966), Ian Bowler (OW 1975), Freya Boulton (OW 2017) and Ciara Clogger (OW 2018). More about each of these OWs can be found below.
Throughout the service, Upper Sixth pupils enthusiastically sang familiar hymns such as ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘I cannot tell’, and heard a moving speech from the Master who reflected that their time at MCS will remain with them, as ‘being an Old Waynflete is for life’.
Jonathan Knowles delivered a thoughtful address to pupils, offering his warm congratulations and observing, ‘You are all now among the best educated people of your age on the planet, but more importantly hopefully you are also wiser than previous generations.’ He went on to share guidance for the next stage of their lives, setting challenges around humanity’s use of the natural world and the development of artificial intelligence that invited pupils to reflect on their paths ahead.
"Always follow your own enthusiasm and interests; understand the kinds of things and activities you enjoy doing as there will be lots of different roles and ways to do them. If something gives you pleasure, you will do it well and other people will ask you to do more."
Jonathan Knowles (OW 1966) at the Leavers' Service
We are grateful to Jonathan, Ian, Freya and Ciara for being part of this special part of the MCS calendar, and warmly welcome the Class of 2026 into the Old Waynfletes!
More about our 2026 Leavers’ Service OWs:
Jonathan Knowles (1966): After MCS, Jonathan earned a degree in Biology from the University of East Anglia and a PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Edinburgh. He is former Head of Group Research and Executive Committee member at Roche, and served on the boards of Genentech and Chugai Pharmaceuticals. A founding chairman of the Innovative Medicines Initiative, a partnership between the EU and the pharmaceutical industry to accelerate the development of more effective medicines through collaborative research, Jonathan is committed to moving forward rapidly the implementation of individualised health.
Ian Bowler (1975): Ian earned his primary medical qualification from the University of Bristol after leaving MCS. He later carved out a career dedicated to clinical microbiology and infectious disease management, ultimately serving as Consultant Microbiologist with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust. Alongside his clinical work, he published extensively in the field and contributed to the wider understanding of microbiological practice. He had a major interest in postgraduate medical education in his specialty and was an Examiner for the Royal College of Pathologists.
Freya Boulton (2017): After MCS, Freya earned a degree in History from Oxford University. She went on to secure a place on the Lidl GB Graduate Scheme where she developed experience in commercial buying across multiple categories. Freya’s current role is as a Junior Account Manager for Deliciously Ella, the UK’s leading plant-based food and wellness platform.
Ciara Clogger (2018): Since leaving MCS, Ciara has had an impressive academic career. She achieved an undergraduate and then MPhil degree from Cambridge in the field of Philosophy and Religion, then garnered a Master’s in Psychology from Anglia Ruskin University. Much of her study during this time focused on comparative religion, ethics, and the divine feminine.
