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Senior Headmaster's Blog: Speech Day 2019

I would like to start by thanking everyone for making Speech Day such a great success.  We were very fortunate to have such good weather, but it was a superb day all round, with the school looking immaculate, and the work done in preparation by so many departments really having a big impact. 

I was very grateful to Derek Pringle for coming back to speak, and telling us about life in Elwyn's in the 1970s.  Most telling for me was what he said about developing life long friendships, and I think that this is one of the strongest features of life in a boarding house.  

The shared experiences, and the memories that this develops are very powerful and long lasting, as Derek outlined.  He also spoke passionately about the value of sports, and the growing body of evidence that shows that those involved with sports regularly are outperforming (academically) those who drop out from sports.

 

Derek Pringle ( Old Felstedian and & former England Cricketer )

Interestingly, both speakers this year (Derek Pringle, and Sarah Brook at Felsted Prep) told the audience that they had gone through school years without ever receiving a prize, and both of them have done alright in the end!  The most important person to impress remains the one that looks back at you in the mirror each morning, and just as the England Women came off the pitch without reaching the World Cup final that they were desperate for, it is important to bounce back, and show your quality, determination and resilience.  Equally, if you did win the prize, don't sit back and consider it to be 'job done', but carry on doing what you have been doing well, and try to do it even better.
 
Have a wonderful summer.  Take some time to think about the areas in which you might improve further next term, and take some steps to help that to happen as well.  Get some rest, enjoy some quality time, and I look forward to starting again in September.

Chris Townsend
Headmaster 

Prep Headmaster's Blog: Speech Day 2019

As we come to the end of another superb year at Felsted, I thought I would briefly reflect on last Saturday’s Speech Day. I have received many emails saying how wonderful they felt Sarah Brook was as our guest speaker. I am delighted that she has been so well received and she was genuinely touched by the standing ovation she received.

Her message of never giving up in the face of adversity and of being true to yourself and your beliefs was awe inspiring – a wonderful story told with such humanity and humility. She and Sparkle Malawi are in need of an office in London that can accommodate four people from which to run their UK operations – if anyone knows of somewhere /someone who is willing to donate such a space to such a worthwhile cause, please do get in touch with me.

As the year closes, I wish to thank Mr Evans, Mrs Allen and Mrs Riggall for all their hard work over a number of years. We wish them all long, healthy and fruitful retirements.

I will just close by wishing all our FPS families a lovely summer break. To those moving on, we send you our love and best wishes. To those returning in September; stay safe, have fun and come back with some stories to tell.

Simon James 
Headmaster

 

Sarah Brook ( Old Felstedian and Charity Founder - Sparkle Malawi )