10
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11
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but ultimately successful first year in their strange new
environment.
When I spoke to them at the beginning of the year, I
told them that they had one year to become Wellingtonians,
to learn from the example of the 1st Duke, and to absorb
the aspirations and honour of what it means to be a pupil
at this great school.
None of what the pupils have achieved would have
been possible without the work of our extraordinary
teaching staff. They are the best teachers you will meet
in any school.
Can we also thank all our support staff, led by our
Bursar, Susan Meikle, whose work you see today in the
beautiful gardens, buildings and arrangements.
And so to inspection. Staff anticipated the prospect of
isi, the Independent
Schools Inspectorate, and by ofsted, with all the
enthusiasm of the uvith for their impending a Levels.
two inspections earlier this term, by
Everyone knew it was to be a major test for the
school. Were the improvements of the last three years
just superficial, or had they become deeply embedded into
our fabric ?
Would the inspectors find us out, either as individuals
or overall as a school ? In short, would we be hauled over
the coals, as schools regularly are by inspectors ?
To lighten the tone in assembly on the day the men in
grey suits arrived, I offered some advice to pupils:
Should an inspector turn up for one of your lessons,
I said, do not ask your teacher why they haven’t returned
any work since September, nor should they ask why they
are not watching videos as normal.
We thank all our leavers for everything they have done.
to the Gala Concerts and the Montgomery, witnessed the
2007/8 has been a vintage year for the school, and
pantomime, King or Twelve Angry Men, saw the Art,
dt
the year saw us emerge as a major school on the national
and Textiles exhibitions today, or read pupil writing in the
stage, with a prominence not seen for many years.
e-Wellingtonian or South Front, you would know why.
Wellington is again the hot ticket in town, the school
that everyone wants to join.
Some years ago, we were struggling a little for pupils
to join. Now, we are having to turn down wonderful
children, with up to four applying for every one space.
Some years ago, Wellington was in the third division
academically. Now we are in the first division, with 86% of
a Level grades at a or b last year, and 70% a or a* at gcse.
Some years ago, culture and the Arts at Wellington
were little known beyond Crowthorne. Now our artists
have a wide reputation.
If you saw Les Miserables or the dance show, listened
that produced the 1st xv have had twice as many girls in it
than any 6th form in Wellington’s history.
But one piece of advice I had to drop at the last minute.
Just before the assembly, I disclosed to a Housemaster of
ther talent. Our own pupils will be joined by distinguished
professionals, including ow, Rory Bremner.
similar Herculean size to myself that I was going to caution
school in golf and in shooting, as well as in chess, and we
The Arts Week at the end of term will showcase fur-
Wellington is on its way to becoming Britain’s strongest
the pupils not to ask in front of inspectors, “Why are there
may achieve this singular distinction, as we have already in
flowers suddenly everywhere ?”
rugby, in our Jubilee year in 2009.
This year saw us reach new heights at rackets, athletics,
At sport, Wellington is well on its way to being one of
swimming, polo and archery.
“You can’t tell them that, Master”, he stuttered. “Of
course I can”, said I. “Why ever not ?” “Well, Master”, he said,
“I have just placed thirty geraniums all around the house”.
uk. The girls are rivalling
Caring for others lies at the heart of our school, and
His opposite number at the Talbot was determined to
the boys at records and cups, while the boys’ highlight of
the year saw a huge commitment to Round Square, house
get a better inspection report than the Beresford—when
the year was the historic double victory at Twickenham.
charities, the charity fashion show, to Chapel, and the ccf.
you hear of Head/Boscher, think Blair/Brown, Obama/
the co-ed powerhouses of the
xv
We will now hear about the highlights of the year not
xv has made the whole school proud, and
from me but from the pupils themselves, not only because
So when two ladies arrived at the Talbot, the good
it will avoid me being misty-eyed but they will also do it
Dr Boscher fell all over them, and gave them his expansive
much better.
red-carpet tour around the entire house.
The quite extraordinary achievement by the 1st
and the u15
brought great honour to it.
It was said that co-ed would ruin rugby. Well, t he
u15s are the first full co-ed year group, while the 6th form
For the 3rd form, it has been a challenging, demanding
Clinton, Wenger/Ferguson.
Only on the top floor, and after an hour of enthusiasm,