Introduction from Head

WELCOME FROM THE HEAD

I began my address for our virtual Speech Day 2020 with the following quotation from Martin Luther King: ‘the ultimate measure of a man (or woman) is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy’, and in this exceptional year, in which Covid 19 threatened so much of what we all hold so dear, we have all sought to live up to these sentiments.

I am delighted that we have brought The Cheltonian, the magazine for College, together with Floreat, the magazine for the Cheltonian Society, this year, as it echoes the way that we have stood metaphorically ‘shoulder to shoulder’ (albeit at a distance) throughout the latter half of this busy academic year. If there has been a positive outcome to all this, it has been the way that all members of the College community have been able to share, via technology, in the variety and creativity of school life; from concerts to chapel services, from sports competitions on Strava to House events on Twitter and Teams. Our classrooms have been your homes and we have felt closer as a result. I hope that you, our family and our friends, feel that you have been included in College life more than ever before. There are many lessons to be learned from the opportunities afforded to us and we shall most certainly enjoy learning them. The future starts now.

The Autumn and Spring terms of 2019/20 were exciting and busy. We were treated to some exciting sport, music and drama, which included the whole school musical featuring a cast of 70, Margaret’s Mind, written specially for us, and the Scholar’s Play Love in Idleness performed at the Playhouse. The musical contributions from our choirs and orchestras were a real high point; particularly having the chance to hear our choral society perform Verdi’s Requiem and at the Autumn Concert, the full production of The Snowman. On the sports field, in the classroom, in activities and in Houses we can look back together, through the articles and photographs so well documented here, at a year to remember. Things will be different as we move forward now into the new academic year. Despite the challenges, College is full with more pupils than ever before. We have meticulously planned the activities and ways of working within the limitations of the current situation, and we look forward to harnessing much of the creativity of lock-down in new and exciting ways. The record of this time next year will no doubt be different but no less energetic. Pupils, staff, parents and OCs will know how much we value being back here at College and we know that these times of uncertainty will pass. Thank you so much for the support that you have all offered us. Be assured that it has been gratefully received and we know we have much to be thankful for as we move ahead as a community; full of character, creativity and confidence.

Mrs Nicola Huggett