On Friday 18 October 2024, Mill Hill School celebrated 100 years since the first successful two-way trans-global communication that took place between radio amateurs in the UK and New Zealand. One of which was Cecil Goyder, a pupil from Mill Hill. With call sign 2SZ, Cecil contacted Frank Bell, a sheep farmer from Shag Valley in New Zealand, call sign 4AA.

As part of these celebrations, the School – with the support of RSGB Life Vice-President, Don Beattie, and a team of radio amateurs in New Zealand – recreated that historic call.

It was fantastic to welcome members of Goyder’s family to the re-enactment, during which the team were able to transmit on a wavelength as near as possible to the original. The Mill Hill operators used call sign G2SZ, whilst the team at Shag Hill, operated using ZL4AA.

Call sign G2SZ was operational for a total of four days and operators made around 1,250 contacts. During each contact, operators took the time to explain what the call sign and celebrations were about.

As part of wider celebrations for the day, the School put on activities including a build-a-radio workshop and pupils showed great interest in amateur radio, with several pupils signing up to form a radio club.

David Benson, Head of Mill Hill School said: “We at Mill Hill are thrilled to celebrate this historic milestone, marking a significant achievement not just for our school but also for the world of radio. Cecil’s success, triumphing over previous failed attempts, exemplifies the spirit of our school. Earlier this year, we celebrated the centenary of our Science Building, and it’s exciting to continue emphasising STEM at Mill Hill. It’s

especially gratifying to showcase our outstanding Science Department, which continues to inspire and nurture the next generations of Cecil Goyders and Francis Cricks. We hope the recreation of the first two-way trans-global radio communication with New Zealand was a special moment for our pupils as well as the Goyder family.”