School reveals Australian icon Olivia Newton-John's link to Horsham
Links have been revealed between the Australian entertainment icon Olivia Newton-John and the Horsham area.
The actress-singer, who died on August 8, was the daughter of Brinley Newton-John who at one time taught at Christ’s Hospital School.
He was assistant master at the school between 1936 and 1938.
Born in Wales, he was educated at a school in Cardiff before winning a scholarship to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.
He achieved a double first in modern and medieval languages before becoming assistant master at Christ’s Hospital, then at Stowe School from 1938–1840.
He was then commissioned in the Royal Air Force and was drafted into intelligence and seconded to the top-secret Ultra project at Bletchley Park, the intelligence unit that broke the German Enigma codes.
After the war, Olivia’s father returned to teaching as headmaster at Cambridgeshire High School for Boys before emigrating to Australia with his family – including Olivia.
He taught at the University of Melbourne contributing to the college and community through committees and activities as an actor, singer, and TV host.
He also went on to work at the University of New South Wales where he remained until his retirement in 1974.
Four years later his daughter Olivia starred with John Travolta in the film Grease which went on to become the highest-grossing musical film ever at the time.
Preparations are underway in Australia for a state funeral for Olivia, who died after a lengthy battle with breast cancer.
Her father, who died in 1992, was married three times and had two other daughters and two sons.