Clifton College Website
Head Master's Commemoration 2007 Speech
As we approach the end of Tony Blair’s premiership much has been made of the fact ten years ago he declared that the three most important areas for his government to
address were Education, Education and Education. In one sense he was saying nothing new and was echoing Disraeli, who on 15th June 1874, told the House of Commons "Upon
the education of the people of this country the fate of this country depends". No change there then.
In the UK, perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, education has been politicised, and indeed remains the latest great ideological battleground of British public
life. You will have your own views on whether Tony Blair’s governments have made any substantial differences to our national education system and I’m not about to pass
judgement because the world of education is a many headed Hydra where talking heads grow again as fast as Hercules cuts them off.
To put it another way, education, what we think it is and should be, and how it should be managed, constantly evolves and, like evolution, has always been a matter of
the survival of the fittest. Each turn of the kaleidoscope creates a new pattern from the same fundamentals but after a hundred turns the mosaic look very different. The
rate of pace of change, the turns of the kaleidoscope if you like, increases rapidly and we are living in exponential times; any government minister pronouncing about
education is likely to be dealt a firm blow by the next developmental wave crashing its way to the shore.
Because governments can influence the management of education much education policy and many initiatives address management. Much of this government’s attempts to deal
with the unholy trinity of education, education, education has been to focus on that which can be regulated and measured. There has been much that has been good in all of
this and there is no doubt in my mind that schools in the UK are generally better at putting children through schooling than they have ever been. There are ongoing,
shifting, debates about what size and shape schools should be (for example the Conservative Party has recently abandoned its long held faith in the grammar schools); who
should have access to them; who should run them, and what sort of a curriculum they should offer. One could argue that, in a way, none of that really matters. Knowledge
might well indeed be power but in a world when the capacity of the microchip doubles roughly 18 months and where there are 8 million blackberries in the UK, where there is
too much knowledge almost instantly available and, as Dr Acheson said yesterday, we run the risk of suffering from TBD or Too Busy Disorder as we grapple with information
overload; where ‘instantaneous forgetting’ is a necessary response and where the blurring of the virtual and the real worlds is rewriting the rules of engagement; then it
is now the case that power actually resides not in knowledge itself but in how we respond and react to knowledge. How we equip our young people with the skills, the
abilities and the self-confidence to orientate themselves along the digital and other highways of their futures, is the most important way a school can ‘educate’ its
pupils. This will necessarily involve us in a project where individuality and adaptability are to the fore and where we have to embrace a rapidly changing environment and
accept that the rules of engagement are different for our young people. Our young people are remarkable; they are no more and certainly no less intelligent than their
parents for that would be scientifically implausible, unless human evolutionary development was on steroids, but they know and can do very different things and in very
different ways from us, their parents.
But some things they do just as well as ever and even better than before. Let us now acknowledge those who have performed with particular distinction this year as we
award them richly deserved prizes.
Prize Giving
I am very keen that one aspect of Commem is a recognition of the rites of passage of those pupils who leave Clifton in a few weeks time, many of whom, as we have just
seen, have achieved so much. And so in a break with tradition and custom - and why not - I’ve asked the Head of School, Andrew Bailey, to say a few words about the 2007
Leavers.
Andrew Bailey, Head of School’s Speech
The Head Master has asked me to say a few words today in an attempt to sum up some of the characters and characteristics of the leaving Upper Sixth. Now, my friends
will tell you I’m not usually one to question the judgement of members of staff, let alone the Head Master, but I did on this occasion have to wonder at the feasibility of
describing such a year group in just a few short minutes.
The difficulty arises because of the huge spectrum of personalities and skills our year group possesses. From the serious to the clownish, the loud to the quiet, the
sportsperson to the musician, the actor to the academic, and with many individuals embodying more than one of these attributes, our year has it all. But today I hope to
convey to you how it is the common appreciation of each other which has grown because of this heterogeneity for which our year is truly remarkable.
To pick out a few examples of our involvement in Clifton life is to neglect many equally worthy cases, and to focus on just the last academic year is to gloss over the
many important years that went before - they shaped us too! But as places of higher education increasingly look to assess 'exit velocity' of potential students, there must
be logic for us too in looking at our most recent achievements.
Of course, while the primary focus of our time at Clifton has been to strive for the fulfilment of our academic potential, some fruits of which have just been
acknowledged, our school lives have involved so much more than just lessons.
Many of us have taken to the Stage of the Redgrave - I wonder how many of the Upper Sixth recall performing 'Rainbow's Ending', the Junior Play of our first year - and
over the last two evenings, many of us have had the pleasure of watching "Love (plus Money)" by this years' third and fourth forms - I hope those of you who were involved
last night can, four years from now, look back on a successful dramatic career.
Something that has greatly affected me during my time here is The House Drama Festival - a shining example of where the onus is on us, the pupils, and in particular the
Upper Sixth, to do the work. As useful as any drama lesson have been the lessons I learned from the older boys in my house - once cast as a little old lady, a silent role,
in my first House Play, I was the one doing the casting this time round - and I know a huge number of us enjoyed sharing our experience and experiences with the rest of
the school this year, be it on stage or behind the scenes.
Competition between houses, then, is part of the healthy atmosphere that Clifton generates. Two terms are dominated by musical competitions - and I’m sure the leavers
will remember Part Songs, House Songs and House Ensembles for a number of different reasons.
However, countering these competitions are the occasions on which we sing in unison, most notably the ‘Choral Congers Concert’ - rousing renditions of Libera Me Domine,
Jerusalem and The School Song are but a few of many we may remember. Our departure will leave a vacuum in many ensembles, but I’m sure they will be rapidly filled, such is
the depth of talent through the school.
Over the years we have enjoyed many sporting successes as well. Some of the leaving girls have been to Australia on a hockey and netball tour, the Footballers to
California, and at Easter the boys’ 1st Hockey team travelled to Barcelona for an unbeaten tour! Competition in this field, however, has transcended inter house rivalry.
Earlier this year the 1st Netball Team challenged the 1st XV Rugby team to a game...of Netball. The boys fought bravely, but were comprehensively beaten. May I suggest,
however, that if they had played rugby instead of netball, the result might have been a little different?
But even if they are a little better than us at netball, I think all boys will agree that the school wouldn’t be quite the same place without the girls. Since this year
is the 20th anniversary of coeducation at Clifton College, it seems apt for me, on behalf of all the boys, to thank the girls for what they have to offer. Clearly, the
Clifton experience would not exist for one sex, and be quite the poorer for the other, without a firm coeducational stance. Girls, we love you really.
That then was a major turning point in the School’s history - but the College hasn’t stood still in the years we’ve been here either. Last year at Commem, a major point
of discussion was how the changes in drinking laws would affect the Sixth Form - until this year, the Junior Common Room was predominantly a Saturday night venue. Now, in
light of the law changes, it has been transformed into a buzzing daytime café - many think for the better. A great success.
There are two other things that spring to mind as symbols of our final year at Clifton. Firstly, unofficial 'official' Clifton clothing. Such was the sheer quantity of
kit being designed and ordered at one stage that written permission is now needed from a member of staff for new kit. I actually have a few examples with me today:
'Matheletics hoodies' for the Double Mathematicians - athletes, I suppose, in their own special way; 'The Geographical Society' hoodies, for the geographers; 'Lads'
hoodies, for the appropriately named 'Lads'; 'Team Tenor' Polo-shirts for the Tenor section in the Choir; and 'The English Crew' T-Shirts for a certain English set. These
are just a few of the possible causes for unexplained costs parents may have found on recent school shop bills!
Secondly, Facebook has taken off at Clifton during our Sixth Form tenure. The website Facebook provides a totally safe social networking service that facilitates
communication between friends. For those of you who aren’t members already, I can strongly recommend joining the 'MJM Appreciation Society'. Jokes aside, it is reassuring
to think of the power Facebook holds in providing us with a mechanism to stay in touch when we leave.
So, these are just some shared experiences I felt it was worth
highlighting, but each of us has our own story to tell. For some, this Clifton
story started 15 years ago, for others only 2. For all, it has meant a great
deal. My story started 7 years ago, and for me (if not for my teachers!) seems
to have reached its conclusion a little too soon.
I still remember a motif for education that was introduced by Dr Acheson in a Sermon during my first year in the School. He likened a good education to the packing of a
rucksack, which over the years is carefully filled with all the tools a person may need to face the real world.
The fact that such a message has remained with me throughout my time at Clifton is indicative of the central part the Chapel has played in our education; and I’m sure
that none of us will underestimate the gap we have to bridge when we walk out of Chapel for the last time ever as pupils at the end of this term.
It is exciting and at once sobering to think how far we may have travelled only one year down the line - travelled, in both a spatial and a philosophical sense. Some
will be teaching English, Sciences or Sports in Countries and communities around the world, some will be ticking off places on their 'world tour' itineraries, and others
may be revising for first year university exams. But wherever we are, our metaphorical rucksack (this time an official piece of Clifton kit) should help us on our way.
Many schools talk of the fallacy of pigeon-holing young people into a specific mould, and we, the Class of 2007, are living proof of this. There is no typical
'Cliftonian' and certainly no typical 'Leaver' this year. But it is now, at the end of our journey, that we can look back and understand what this means. Our real strength
is not that these differences exist, but rather that because of them, we have learned to appreciate the world from other people’s perspectives; and I hope that all the
leavers will join me in wishing that those of you who are still on the journey we are about to complete, will learn, as we have, acceptance and tolerance of others, and
through that, confidence in yourselves.
All that remains for me to say, on behalf of the leaving Upper Sixth, is a huge thank you to every member of the Clifton Community who has made the school what it is. In
particular the teachers who have expended so much time and energy on us over the years, and treated us as the individuals we are. Finally, to our parents and families for
all the sacrifices they have made to enable us to spend so many happy years here together.
Thank you,
Andrew Bailey
South Town
If Clifton has enabled an eclectic group of pupils each to flourish in their own way, to find themselves, and to leave as mature, strong characters ready to make their
mark on the world then it is a school and an education we can be proud of.
As we reflect on the rites of passage of the Upper Sixth so we must also pay tribute to their teachers and especially those who are moving on.
Faheem Khan has been appointed to teach Physics at Cheltenham Ladies College; Faith Smith, mathematician and Assistant HoM of Worcester is
taking a year out to travel (and we envy her that) and may well return; Janet McDermott, who has filled in nobly and well for one year teaching French and Spanish, also
moves on, as does Gary Butterworth who has been acting Head of Economics and Business Studies for the past two terms whilst Katherine Jeffery has been on maternity leave.
Scott Milne, Assistant HoM in Watson’s and chorally fine voiced Aberdonian football coach in the manner of Sir Alex Ferguson, moves on to teach Economics and Business
Studies at Alleyne’s school in London. During the course of the year Linda Woodburn and Marc Holmes moved on to become Heads of Biology and Art at Haberdashers Monmouth
girls and Pangbourne respectively, and Sarah Allton, classicist and Assistant Housemistress in Hallward’s, takes up an appointment as Head of Classics at Taunton School in
September. Helen Semple, who has worn so many different metaphoric hats at Clifton: Head of Religious Studies and Philosophy as well as PSHE; formidable sports coach,
especially of the hockey goalkeepers; tutor and very popular leader of the Philosophy Society, earns a much deserved promotion to Head of Sixth Form at Ashford School in
Kent. Please join me in thanking them all for their contribution to Clifton and wishing them well for the future.
Now, in case you were becoming a little nervous on my behalf, I haven’t forgotten Tim and Sarah Meunier. They deserve a separate tribute of their own. This is, of
course, the second time Tim and Sarah have left Clifton, this time as Tim becomes Headmaster of Colet Court, the St Paul’s Boy’s School Junior Division, and one of the
most prestigious schools in the country. Tim first came to Clifton to teach Chemistry and was Assistant Housemaster in Brown’s. In 1987 when Clifton went co-educational
(and we celebrate 20 years of co-education in September with a variety of events), Sarah was appointed Housemistress of Poole’s in the Pre. So successful were they both in
their respective roles that when Roger Trafford moved from the Headship of the Pre to the Headship of The Dragon, he headhunted them and Sarah launched the first girl’s
house at The Dragon. But the lure of Clifton was such that they returned, with Tim becoming Director of Studies and then Deputy Head under Stephen Spurr, whilst Sarah
taught RS and was Housemistress of Oakeley’s not once but twice. Together they have spent many years in boarding houses and scores of former pupils have much to thank
them for. There is nothing they don’t know about Clifton and they have contributed hugely to it. It was perhaps fitting that they ended as they began treading the boards
of the Redgrave Theatre in Douglas Henderson’s marvellous production of Guys and Dolls.
Ladies and gentlemen, let us thank them and wish them well.
And so, to paraphrase Shakespeare, the whirligig of time brings in his changes. There are no fewer than 11 newly appointed teachers joining the Upper School Common room
in September and new Heads of Department in Physics, Biology, RS and Philosophy, Classics, French, Economics and Business Studies as well as Geography and PSHE. Indeed
there a number of other internal changes too which I will set out for you in my end of term letter but I would take the opportunity to remind you of two House changes;
Katherine Jeffery becomes Housemistress of Oakeley’s and Jonathan Hughes, currently Head of Geography, succeeds Simon Tait, who luckily and thankfully for us all remains
with us, in School House. During the course of the year, Louise Hipkins succeeded Alex Tebay in West Town. Alex is now senior Mistress, where her knowledge and expertise
is put to very good effect and legions of West Town girls, past and present, attended a dinner to mark Alex’s remarkable 11½ year reign in West Town. Her bright energy
and her shining commitment to Clifton remains undimmed in her changed role.
And so to the pupils. It has been a year of extraordinary achievements for them. Our sports teams are developing a strong, even formidable, reputation on the circuit
and each musical event seems to raise the standard of musical accomplishment to greater heights, as those of us privileged to hear the Summer Serenade concert earlier this
term would, I’m sure, agree. The school was inspected last term of course and though the full report is yet to be published I can let you know that in their findings they
will draw attention to theses particular strengths and will conclude their report with words not dissimilar to these:
The school strives for academic excellence and widely promotes an appreciation of, and participation in, the arts and sport. It emphasises care for each individual
within a strong community framework and provides a broad and balanced all round educational experience. Very good educational opportunities are afforded by extensive
curricular and co-curricular programmes at all levels. The pupils’ spiritual moral, social and cultural awareness is very evident and they show real understanding of, and
sympathy for others, broadening their interests in the wider world. Academic achievements are high and staff are dedicated, talented and totally committed. The school
promotes a culture of honesty and respect.
That is a description of a school in very good heart. Demand for places, especially in the Sixth Form, where our pre-university,co-educational, village-in-a-city
context has great appeal, and the Upper School is likely to have over 700 pupils this September.
As you stroll around the Close you will see: the refurbished Pavilion, newly
surfaced tennis courts and a new Court 4, all funded by the generosity of the
Old Cliftonians; you will see the new Wiseman’s House, a new path around the
Close and a resurfaced Quad. Over the next three years we will be investing a
further 4 million pounds on three major projects: the refurbishment of the
Science Schools, a rebuilt Music School on the same site as the present one, and
a third generation artificial pitch, as well as other improvements to our sports
facilities at Beggar Bush. Work on these will begin later this year: all should
be completed by 2010. These will significantly enhance Clifton and give ever
greater opportunities to Clifton pupils. However good the facilities, however
grand the buildings, what matters most is the pupils. And they are quite
extraordinary and if you judge the school by one criterion alone it should be
the quality of the product. The Leavers of 2007 have talent and ability in
abundance but most of all they are wonderful young people; they have enjoyed
great days and jolly days here; diverse and different, they leave their own men
and women, living proof that there has never been and is there is still no such
thing as a typical Cliftonian and perhaps that is why Newbolt described Clifton
as "the best school of all".
Ladies and gentlemen, lunch is served in the Houses from 12.30. In the meantime enjoy a drink in the Quad, watch the cricket, visit exhibitions but, above all, enjoy
the company of your remarkable children.
Thank you.
© 2006 Clifton College
|