"Howdy, Pardners!" - Speech Day 2008

Date: Saturday 5 July 2008

Saturday July 5th, and for the Senior School the annual 'Speech Day and Prizegiving' ceremony. This followed the now very traditional format of speeches, refreshments, lunch for all, and a leavers' service in Chapel, before an evening Summer Ball in the cricket pitch marquee.

We were lucky enough to have this year, as our guest of honour, Professor Sir Robert Worcester, the Chancellor of our near neighbours at the University of Kent. His brief address, after he had been kind enough to present prizes, was, for many, the highlight of the morning session.

It poured with rain at 7.00am - but was fine by 9.00; end-of-term high jinks had caused no problems on campus overnight; the Hall was speedily set up - many thanks to Mark Hawkins and to Ian Thompson; doors opened at 10.30 and we managed to accommodate all our guests without embarrassment - overspill pupils were happily seated in the Exhibition Area; and, proceedings began on time at 11.00am, with the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, and her husband with us.

The Headmaster's report on the year - positive, upbeat, and highly supportive of his staff and School, was followed by the procession of prizewinners, where Upper Fifths Ben Pape and Helen Sabine seemed to sweep the board, along with Sixth Form leavers, Jacob Barnes and Annalisa Flood. A very clever pupil-driven 'alternative report' - light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek - delivered by Headmaster Oliver Jones, and explained by author Sandy Wardrop, brought proceedings in the Hall to an end.

A fantastic buffet lunch in the marquee was preceded by House drinks' parties; had you been of a mind to do so, you could have compared the different vintages on offer in the Drawing Room, and with Baker, Watson, and the Wagner/Warneford combo! This would have been distinctly unwise if you had to play a part in the leavers' service!

That service, always a tearjerker, produced some of the best Chapel singing of the year, as 'Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer', 'God be With You' - with a beautiful Ian Thompson solo first verse, and 'Jerusalem' nearly raised the roof. Melanie Horton's last St Ed's sermon provided food for thought, before the eleven Upper Sixth musicians really signed off in style with 'You Raise Me Up'. Farewells on the Terrace, before a brief respite before 'The Ball'.

So, back to the title, and 'Howdy, Pardners!' Sir Robert Worcester greeted the audience in no uncertain terms as to his origins, and in five minutes gave the best advice that any leavers could receive by identifying the four key qualities which can lead to 'self-actualisation' in life. A combination of 'endeavour', 'integrity', 'justice', and 'charity' - based on contribution, 'doing the best you can', no cheating, and trust will lead to a life of joy. Wise words!

So, another year at St Edmund's comes to an end, and everyone - pupils, parents and staff, can look forward to a recuperative break from routine. Apart from the 1st XI cricketers who must gird up their loins for the Lemon Cup final next Wednesday at Wye CC, and for those CCF personnel heading off on Summer Camp tomorrow.