Speech Day 2010 - "Change Over Time"

Date: Monday 5 July 2010

Saturday July 3rd 2010, and the end of an era for many, but the beginning for many others, as St Edmund's bid farewell to the leavers, and welcomed others into new roles for the future. With Chairman of the Governors Michael Terry hosting proceedings, and guest of honour Councillor Pat Todd delivering the prizes, the day presented the School in its best light to all its other guests and supporters.

The day dawned bright and sunny, but without the overpowering humidity of Friday, and without the 'high jinks' which in the past have spoiled the day, and leaving support staff very pleased - nothing to clear up, and time to relax! Thank you, leavers for displaying the sense of responsibility which has been the feature of this year group for a long time.

By 10.30am the Hall was packed, and waiting for the arrival of the platform party, which was still without the Headmaster, Jeremy Gladwin, convalescent from his various indispositions, but soon, hopefully, to be restored to full health. In his absence, the Report to the School and Governors was presented by his Deputy, Mr David Knight, who took the opportunity, on his 38th and last Speech Day, to concoct and deliver his report.

This focused on 'change over time', and future changes which the School may introduce, whilst retaining its unique ethos of loving care for all - 'Agape'. The report was interspersed with a superb rendition of the final movement of Cesar Franck's Violin Sonata in A major from the inimitable Sophie Belinfante, and by Deputy Head-elect, Janet Mander, who offered her tributes to leaving staff, including the eminent veteran, and former President of the Common Room, Mr Trevor Barnett, a man guilty of 'jug avoidance' by retiring after 99 terms of immense service to Modern Languages and the School per se.

Time in the Hall concluded with the presentation of prizes, including the David Knight Trophy, with its first worthy winner, Benjamin Pape. Councillor Todd spoke movingly about his time - 30 years as a Police Constable - before continuing his service to the community, and ultimately being rewarded with the honour of being invited to serve as Lord Mayor to Canterbury on two occasions. He praised the lucky prizewinners, but commiserated with the less successful; he had never won a school prize, but has enjoyed his life to the full.

An alternative report, presented by two retiring House Captains, Samantha Catford and Carl Fryer, precede the news of the day, as Michael Terry announced the name of the new Head of StvEdmund's from September 2011, Mrs Louise Moelwyn-Hughes, currently Senior Deputy at the Perse School in Cambridge, a classicist by training, and the victor emergent from a gruelling and thorough selection process over the period of the term. This is certainly another 'first' for THE school in Canterbury.

The day continued with House receptions, a buffet lunch in the marquee, and the now traditional 'Leavers' Service' in Chapel, where Robert Prance had concocted just the right balance of sadness and joy, exemplified by his blessing on our leavers, and four of their favourite hymns including - inevitably - 'Shine, Jesus, Shine'. There were tears , but joy prevailed over grief!

Was that the end? No way, as 200 guests flocked to the Leavers' Ball, and enjoyed an evening of games, auctions, live music, disco dancing, and an international buffet, with food to satisfy any palate. The dance floor was packed for the better part of two and a half hours, before 'carriages at 1.00am' brought the day to an end. Spare a thought for co-ordinator Emily Smith - I wished her goodnight at 1.30, and I know she was back, early, on Sunday to supervise the disappearance of the marquee, gone to allow the choristers access to the cricket ground in the afternoon!

That was that - but the CCF departed for camp on Sunday morning, and the cricketers will be heading for Wye on Wednesday to try to retain the Lemon Cup. It may be the holidays, but St Edmund's never closes! And long may it stay that way!