Taylorian

Speech Day

Feast of St Barnabas

St Barnabas’ Day Speech 2023

I begin this St Barnabas’ Day Speech with words from a former Head Master. Hugh Elder said these words on St Barnabas Day in 1952: “During the year the School, like everybody else, had been affected by events of national importance: the death of the King, and the accession of his successor. The whole School mourned the passing of the King, and assembled to hear the broadcast proclamation of Queen Elizabeth II. Might the youngest of those that heard it be very old before they took part in the proclamation of another sovereign.” Prophetic indeed. Last month, we held a celebration in which we planted a tree to mark the new King’s Coronation and then we celebrated the School’s 90th anniversary at Sandy Lodge. It was attended by OMTs who had heard Hugh Elders’ words seventy years earlier. I would like to shape this speech around the architecture of the school that opened 90 years ago – and specifically with the architecture of the Great Hall in which we meet. This Hall was dedicated in 1931 by the then Duke of York, Prince Albert. The stone commemorating the event is in the Head Master’s Quad. Prince Albert could have had no idea at the time that in just five years, he would become the King. He took the throne as George VI in 1936 upon his brother’s abdication. George VI is the father of Queen Elizabeth, whose long reign and lifetime of service we recently celebrated. The history of the School and of the nation are written into the fabric of this Hall. The School’s architect was called William Godfrey Newton. He built the school in the Art Deco style. Look up. That exposed raw concrete roof was startling at the time. This building was making a radical statement when it was constructed – that this School is at the cutting edge, absolutely of the moment. We are still at the cutting edge of things. In VEX Robotics, we are National Champions – our pupils made up the

majority of the UK delegation at the World Championships that took place in Dallas, Texas. As before, we came home with two World Championship trophies. Our boys are learning skills that will shape the future. And they do so with the latest in tablet technology enriching their lessons, which are delivered by teachers who are at the forefront of innovation in teaching and learning. The architecture of the Hall is future facing – the School is similarly focused. Another Art Deco feature in this room is the metal scroll work – look how it suggests the letters M and T. It is intended to evoke the thought of Merchant Taylors’ Company, our founders and fathers. Also notice the Lamb in Glory above my head and the Merchant Taylors’ Company crests at the back of the Hall. Our links with the Company are as strong now as they were when this Hall was built. A recent great joy was to support the Company as they celebrated a Merchant Taylor as the current Lord Mayor of London. Our pupils played, danced and processed in the Lord Mayor’s Show. Our Chairman of Governors rode a camel. The Company supports us in other ways too – financial support for bursaries, provision of excellent governors and hospitality. That continuity of values, stretching back to the philanthropic ideals of the Livery Company, still inspires the School today. There is a reason why pupils vie to participate in the residential support of disabled young people through PHAB, support others in need through Charity Drive and undertake outreach to local state primary schools. It is because we still care. This year, Charity Drive supported PHAB, Herts Young Minds – a local charity that promotes positive mental health and wellbeing – and the homelessness charity New Hope. They did this with the Christmas Bazaar, 24 Hours of Music and a winter sleepout.

PHAB is an extraordinary commitment. To make it possible, the MTS PHAB Team has raised nearly £21,000 this year. We use it to run a residential week for severely disabled young people. That money buys priceless experiences for our pupils and their disabled guests. That is the headline, but here are a few instances of what that means. Joe Marsden now regularly meets his guest Harry to take him to the park. Joe is the first friend Harry has ever had in his life. The pupils’ support for the guests is inspiring. I think of MD waking up at 6.00am to help his guest get a cup of hot water, which is how he starts his day. I think of Tom Wheeler devising a “yes”/”no” method using his two knuckles, so that his guest, who struggles to communicate, could quickly answer questions. There are countless other examples. And then there is the fortnightly PHAB Club, for outstanding Divisions students. Back to the architecture of this Hall. Let’s consider the outside now. Have you ever noticed the difference between the two outside entrances to the Hall? One is two storeys; the other is just one storey. The taller was formed by the addition of a pill box during World War Two. That pillbox reminds me of the importance of the CCF at School, and the associated activities of Outdoor Education and DofE. The CCF continues to provide hundreds of cadets with incredible experiences. The Royal Navy section visited Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and powerboated down the Thames. The RAF section sent 27 cadets to an Air Experience Day at RAF Benson. Others went gliding at RAF Kenley. The Army section enjoyed a week-long summer camp, including range days, an obstacle course, and overnight exercises. The bravest took part in parachute jumps, undertaking a static-line parachute jump from 3,500 feet. Individual successes included Suraj Shenoy, who was selected from hundreds to be a part of the International Air Cadet Exchange programme in Germany. Once

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Taylorian 2023