Leavers' Assembly 2010

It is always sad to say good-bye to the young people that we have nurtured, cajoled, and grown so fond of over (in some cases) many years. Leavers' Assembly is always a thoughtful -even quite solemn- occasion, and gives us an opportunity to reflect on the purpose of the education we offer and the aspirations of those who benefit from it. Here is an extract from the Headmaster's address:

In closing I would say that you -the class of 2010- have been a particularly impressive and much-loved year group in the remarkable story of The Grange School. You have been rewarding to teach, generous with your contribution to school life and enriching to work with both in and out of the classroom. You have made us laugh, at times you’ve inspired us and you have moved us to think and reflect about the job that we do. You have cared for each other really well and been more unified than most year groups I can recall. In short, it has been a pleasure for us to work with you, and, however proud we are of your achievements as you do so, it is sad to see you leave us.

But leave you must, and I’ll take my leave of you with a few questions to ponder in the spirit of the reading Mr Reeve read for us earlier. As you go through your life:
• Will you be more a giver or a taker?
• Will you lead or will you just follow?
• Will you create more than you consume?
• Will you love much more than you hate?
• Will you step on others on the way up or will you give a helping hand up to those below you?
• Will you keep for yourself or give away?
• Will you value truth over ease, integrity over expediency?
• Will you be remembered for what you did or what you didn’t do?
• Will the world be a tangibly better place for your having been in it?
• Will you settle for pleasure, or will you fully flourish?
• Will you put yourself in a place where true happiness can find you?

I’ve left you a few things to ponder. Within your answers to those questions might lie a clue as to how truly happy, fulfilling and rich your lives will be, as to how far you will flourish, as to how far you will become the best ‘you’ that you can possibly be. That is what I wish for you…what we all wish for you…and what I hope that you wish for yourselves.

We wish you a truly happy and fulfilling life…now it’s time to go and find it.