Visiting

Speakers

We welcomed 3 speakers to Horris Hill in the Summer Term. All of them had been on the most extraordinary adventures over the preceding years. The first talk was given by Elise Downing, who spent a year in her early twenties running around the whole coast of the UK. She turned her experience into a prize winning book called Coasting. After Elise, Guy Denison-Smith who is a former parent and a member of the Advisory Board of Governors, came to speak about how he led a group of army veterans, including several amputees, up the Yukon in Canada. His talk preceded a second trip in June with another group of army veterans. Lastly, we welcomed Tim Harris back to his old prep school. Tim had rowed across the Atlantic with a colleague from work and he shared the difficulties and triumphs of that trip with our Upper School children.

2018 Leavers Return

Historically the Leavers of Horris Hill come back to Horris Hill in the last year of their senior schools to reminisce about their time here and catch up with old friends. This year we welcomed the 2018 Leavers back from schools such as Eton, Radley and Winchester. They had a drink and a BBQ in the Headmaster’s Garden followed by a tour of the new buildings and a chance to test their skills with a football match on Lower Field. It was especially fun to see members of Year 7 and 8 joining in with them.

Farewell to Felix

2023 marked the end of Felix Beardmore-Gray’s long association with Horris Hill. Having arrived as a Gap student in 1976, Felix spent the best part of 50 years associated with our school. In that time, he has performed just about every role that it is possible to play, from leading sports teams and music to teaching almost every subject and running the senior boarding house. Felix has been a well-loved and highly respected servant of the school and we held a fitting farewell to him at the start of July. With a dinner in the Library and drinks in the Headmaster’s garden, Felix was able to connect with several former colleagues and Heads from his time at the school. We wish Felix every happiness in his retirement in Somerset.