the wellington college year book 2010/2011
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the wellington college year book 2010/2011
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the master’s speech
s p e e c h d a y, 2 8 t h m a y, 2 0 1 1
To be Master of Wellington College,
which is at such heights,
and destined to rise still further,
is a constant joy.
I spend ??? days a year doing it,
but it never seems like work.
S
peech Days can and should
be wonderfully upbeat
and rousing events. All
too often speeches can be
deadly, long and tedious. As
a Head, I typically speak at six or seven school
prize-givings a year. As the children would say,
it’s a mission.
Schools are about students, and students
will be predominating this morning, and
indeed throughout the day.
I have pared my own comments down to
the bare minimum and, symbolically, I will not
be sitting on stage.
Appreciation
I want to begin with a section in which I
express my appreciation. I have, I honestly
think, the best job in education, hence the
best job in Britain.
To be Master of Wellington College, which
is at such heights, and destined to rise still
further, is a constant joy. I spend 365 days
a year doing it, but it never seems like work.
The reason is because of the people I work
with. The pupils are the friendliest, most fun
and loyal I have worked with anywhere. They
are such a pleasure to be with.
All year groups have made great strides this
year. The Third Form have settled in well, the
Fourth have really taken off, while the Fifth
Form have managed to work very hard for
their gcses and also contribute widely to the
school, as you will see today.
These year groups should be aiming for
no less than sixes or sevens in every subject
at myp, or as and a stars at gcse. That is
the expectation and that, I hope, will be the
reality for these talented youngsters.
The Lower Sixth have worked hard
and, in almost all cases, have surpassed our
expectation. The Upper Sixth have been a
very special year indeed. They have made the
school what it is today.
In 2006 when they arrived, the school was
in the third division academically and had lost
its confidence and direction. We are now in
the premier division, the most talked about
school in the country, and with extraordinary
achievements in culture, sport and service.
They were also the first co-ed year group,
and I would like to take this opportunity to
thank them and their parents for entrusting us
with being able to do a good job.
Our teaching staff are really exceptional,
and work tirelessly as you know for your
children. At dinner in Arras last weekend
on the parents’ Trenches Trip, a father was
talking to me about the Wellington spirit, by
which he meant the feeling that the pupils have
that they can go to any member of staff and
they will find them approachable, willing and
helpful. I would like to show our appreciation.