COLLEGE UPDATE
COLLEGE UPDATE
Bursar, Andrew Ashton, and departing Academic Director, Stephen Rathbone, reflect on the past year at Radley College, including the central role that creative and co-curricular activities play in at the College, and in Radley’s educational offering.
bursar’s report 2022-23 The last school year was vibrant, busy and successful. How nice to say that! It is striking that we don’t seem to talk about Covid anymore, and the restrictions from those dark times now seem long behind us. But the whole experience serves as a reminder for us all not to take anything for granted; we remain vigilant and prepared for the next challenge but celebrate success as it comes. It is striking too that despite all the difficulties in the world, and we are mindful of these at Radley as we seek to look outwards, the campus provides a safe haven where we are equal and can treat each other with respect, and try things out. As we look back on each year at Radley, it is always a delight to reflect upon that year in which, invariably, much has happened and much has been achieved. Of course, there is little time to reflect, as we immediately turn forward and look ahead to what more needs to be done; our work is never finished.
education sector it informs the very rhythm of our lives. The current year and the current year’s aspirations will always feel the most important, but they soon slip into the rear-view mirror as we (pupils and staff alike) look ahead to new goals and targets. In my case, and I am sure in many current and prospective parents’ cases, we also worry about the affordability of fees, even before the possibility of VAT being added on top. What is our response? Nationally, to support the sector contributing to the debate, and locally to let our actions do the talking such as in the fantastic outcomes from our partnerships across the community. In addition, at a school level, scenario planning to prepare for change, reviewing our cost structure and assessing the possible scale of VAT recovery that will help mitigate the challenge. In addition, we retain a focus on growing our endowment to help soften any affects where we can through our bursary programme, while continuing to deliver what we do as well as we can. But let’s not dwell on VAT. We must celebrate the moment; it is the very essence of life. So, art at Radley, drama at Radley, music at Radley, and performance in all its forms are to be cherished. The build up to an event, the rehearsal and continual improvement in preparation, the adrenaline rush during an event and the reflection afterwards Donkeys' Years - a play set against the backdrop of Chapel Quad.
So, what did we achieve last year? In writing a review, it might seem odd that I do not comment on specifics, but I choose this year to reflect on what success looks like. I might talk about that in terms of financial stability, of bursaries awarded, of building projects delivered, or of a vibrant and committed team of staff supporting all that we do; I could give examples of each. Others will rightly talk of exam success or university entrance, or the many successes we hear about from our Old Radleians as they pursue their careers and interests; they could give examples too. However, for boys and parents (and for many staff) the standout measures of success come in the world of the co-curricular such as the hard-fought battles on the playing field, and outstanding performances on the stage. Examples here are individual and personal – we will all cherish moments either as a performer or as a spectator and play them back in our mind, whether they be in declamations, school plays, musical performance or a singular sporting moment over in a flash. We are all familiar with the rhythm and cycle of a school year, as former pupils ourselves and maybe as parents or grandparents or in some other way invested in the welfare of those in our families. For those of us who are privileged to work and to serve in the the old radleian 2023
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