A WORD FROM THE HEADMASTER

There is something very comforting about the familiarity of tradition and the centrality of that structure, and the natural flow of an academic year is particularly pertinent in schools. We have looked forward to seeing and hearing the return of the different elements of Canford and the rhythms of school life as we regain a sense of normality after some turbulent years. There is genuine and deep-rooted delight as we are able to experience again much of what we simply took for granted before the pandemic struck. We are living in times of great change and uncertainty – politically, economically, socially and culturally. We have all had to dig deep and this will need to be the case going forwards for a while, I fear. As Bob Marley said: ‘You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice’. The news is constantly full of worrying financial statistics, horrific reports from the war in Ukraine, devastating natural disasters, political turmoil at home and abroad and the associated disruption to daily life. Change is not always for the better. Yet balanced with constants, change can be a force for good allowing us to develop and grow. I have mentioned in previous pieces how changes at Canford, not least over the past two years have opened up opportunities for our pupils, and this will remain the case as we look ahead to Canford’s next 100 years. For example, we made the very most of the educational openings that the change to a greater use of digital offered and we will continue to use it to connect with educationalists and other people and organisations across the globe. We have made many changes to our pastoral provision in recent years, including our wellbeing programme to further support every individual pupil and member of staff – the recent Pelvic Floor Health Education workshop was the latest initiative and proved to be an extremely valuable insight into a subject previously rarely discussed. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have brought better education and understanding of different perspectives, cultures and greater empathy with individual choices which is wholeheartedly seen as a positive change within our school community. The theme of our annual Festival of Ideas in October this year was ‘Changing People, Changing Places’, where we all had the chance to learn from speakers about different life experiences and how change can indeed offer opportunities for the better. CS Lewis wrote: ‘Mere change is not growth. Growth is the synthesis of change and continuity, and where there is no continuity there is no growth.’ Our centenary year will be a time to reflect on past achievements and also on the changing face of Canford and the education it offers. We have a rich, varied and highly successful history over the past 100 years, and take comfort from the traditions and rhythms of that heritage and our Christian foundation. Our school values of humble ambition, purposeful engagement, courageous attitude and gracious leadership are as true today as they were back on 15th May 1923 when those first pupils enrolled at the school and the Reverend Percy Warrington’s mission to ‘prepare Canfordians for the battle of life’ remains a constant focus today. I am sure that all who have come before us would feel a great sense of achievement and pride to see Canford as it stands a century later. Yet much has changed from those early years and we continue to evolve and grow today, and into tomorrow, as we seek to enhance the quality, relevance and dynamism of the education we offer and improve the facilities which support that experience so that Canfordians are ready to make a difference in the wider world. Our strategic plan for Canford’s future to 2023 and beyond is an exciting one. But I can assure you that in all our decision making, we will continue combining the best from the past with the opportunities for positive change presented to us. I look forward to sharing time with many of you as we embark on our centenary celebrations over the course of this very special year.

Ben Vessey