Brave and Faithful in a Challenging World – Message from the Chairman

Brave and Faithful in a Challenging World

It was my privilege in December to speak on behalf of the School Council at the Graduation for our wonderful Class of 2021. It was a singular pleasure to extend the Council’s congratulations to the graduating class on their achievements and for the resilience they have shown in tough and extraordinary times. The Class of 2021 are unique.

They have endured two years of disruption while completing their senior studies in a global pandemic. Of course, while their journey has been challenging, the capacity of the boys to weather these storms was never in doubt because we know that King’s stands for the strength of character of the students we turn out. I have no doubt that this year’s Graduates, like the generations of Kingsmen before them, will go on to make their mark in the world in the service of others. I am very proud of the way that The King’s School responded to the challenges of the COVID pandemic. However, I am also pleased that, despite the disruptions, the Council was also very focused on matters of strategy. The vast majority of initiatives in the first Triennium Plan for 2019-2021 have been achieved. The second Triennium Strategic Plan for 2022 to 2024 is in the final review stages and will be shared with the community early in Term 1 2022.

As the pandemic has continued to impose restrictions on all of us, there has been a tendency to think of a return to what was before, which seems to me to be a lost opportunity. As a school that is focused on producing graduates that are highly regarded internationally for the quality of their education and the strength of their character, we need to be looking forward, rather than looking back to what was. We should look towards progress, to creating a new and brighter future that supports and nurtures others and that is more collaborative, more empathetic, more equitable and more giving. The future requires leaders who embrace our motto, Fortiter et Fideliter, and who will truly be brave and faithful, to achieve excellence for others and in the service of others. As a School Council, this is very much at the forefront of our thinking as we tackle the competing challenges of responding to the COVID pandemic and maintaining our focus on the future.

The Council of The King’s School is comprised entirely of volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. I extend my appreciation to the fourteen other Governors for their dedication to driving transformational change while, as the Bible teaches us in Thessalonians, holding fast to that which is good: to our traditions, our uniqueness and our expertise. I am grateful for the contribution of the Governors and the support they give to this wonderful enterprise.

As we look forward to 2022 it is nonetheless a joyful opportunity to take a moment to reflect on all that has been achieved in 2021, despite the challenges. I am sure that, like me, you will find much to celebrate in the pages of this edition of the Gazette.

Rosemary Abrahams Chairman | The Council of The King’s School