New ideas, old buildings

The English department took Year 9 pupils to Guys Cliffe House in Warwick. We hoped to provide pupils with plenty of inspiration for creative writing, based on the premise that 'New ideas need old buildings'. We saw the chapel and cellars, the cliff and caves and the pupils keenly showcased their photography and writing skills.

My time as Head of School at Warwick has gone incredibly quickly, and so, whilst juggling with A Level exams, it is nice to have an opportunity to reflect on it all. The last year has been a more challenging one than most for everyone at Warwick, but, whilst it is important that we keep the difficult moments in our mind, I would like to reflect on the immensely positive things that have happened, not least our communal response to the setbacks that have been faced. Reading the pupil reflection at Dr Gill’s memorial was such a poignant moment. The huge support I was given from so many guys in the year, after what was quite an emotional service, is a brilliant example of what makes being a part of the Warwick community –Head Boy or not – such a privilege.

I imagine what I will be remembered for most, if anything, is for being the ‘charity van man’, who sold an obscene amount of donuts at a pretty extortionate price – of course, it was all for a good cause! During 2022, I led, and was part of, initiatives that raised over £40,000 for different charities, including sponsoring football equipment for the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation; donating more than £11,000 to UNICEF’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; buying two ambulances for the United Ukrainian Foundation to drive out to Ukraine; buying the Warwick District Foodbank a van; as well as a few other projects in support of Movember (on the fundraising, rather than growing, side) and the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. I have been proud to spearhead the generosity of our Foundation, and hope that last year’s efforts will not become an anomaly, but instead mark a ‘new normal’ at Warwick.

Other highlights from the last year include leading the cheers for the Town Crier, representing Warwick at HRH The Princess of Wales’ ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey, receiving the Warwickshire High Sheriffs Award Certificate, and a failed attempt to get into Oxford – all of which was done with the unstinting support of the teachers at Warwick, both within our School and in the wider Foundation. One of the things I have enjoyed most in Sixth Form has been interacting with more staff, whether it’s the Estates team who helped me ship 3000 donuts on site, or so many of the people working in the Bursary to keep the school rolling. I have really appreciated their support and their willingness to help with anything.

Another thing I have enjoyed about being Head Boy is that it has meant I have got to know some guys who I might not otherwise have spoken to as much, either through working on events together or collaborating on some Pupil Voice projects. I feel that I am part of a really great year, that I have been lucky to go through the last 11 years with, and I look forward to seeing these guys again at OW events in the future. For now, though, I am happy to have handed over the role to Tom and I am excited to start looking beyond life at Warwick.