Speech Day 2007 - "Dare to be a Daniel"

Date: Saturday 7 July 2007

Saturday July 7th, and another year gone by and another Speech Day with its Presentation of Prizes.

Under the Chairmanship of Michael Terry, the speeches and presentations went - almost! - like a dream. The Headmaster was upbeat, and rightly so, about a successful year; Our guest of honour, Lord Carey of Clifton, offered advice to all, that, without taking 'risks', little may be achieved - "Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to Stand Alone!" and that teachers, should remember the wisdom of Rabelais - a child is 'not a vase that you fill, but a fire that you light'. 100 minutes, and formality was over.

Lunchtime refreshment and a splendid buffet allowed plenty of time for recovery before the high emotions of the now-traditional Leavers' Service, tears and farewells.

For many of those leavers, however, the final event is now the Ball, which drained the last drops of energy from most, as champagne at 7.00pm led through to carriages at 1.30am! Many thanks to the organising committee of Mel Allen, Dina Ayoub, et al, who created a sumptuous evening of an excellent meal, quality cabaret in the shape of 'Rod Stewart' and 'Tina Turner', and several 'tiny dancers', a casino, complete with blackjack and roulette, and 100 dollars to invest, and an Oz Andrews disco that got almost everyone onto the dance floor. Over 330 people enjoyed what must now become an annual event.

And so to bed. Goodbye, and thanks to so many who will not be back in September. To the leaving staff, including David Kefford after his 105 terms, and all leaving pupils - God Speed for all the future may hold for you all.