Head boy speech writing
Answers
Ladies, gentlemen and Bickley Park boys. I am here, in my capacity as Head Boy, to represent Y8 and to say a massive thank you to Bickley Park from all of Y8. Our collective school experience is mainly about the people who make up this community – boys, parents and staff together.
I’ve had the honour of being part of the Head Boy team this year, working together with the Deputies: Christian, George and Lukas. It has given us the chance to take on responsibilities – we have written blogs, toured parents around BPS, represented the school at St. George’s Church, hosted visitors at the grand opening of the new nursery, run errands, helped out in Pre-Prep and much more besides. But mostly, it has given us a chance to give BPS back a small part of what the school has given us over the last 10 years.
How are the fruits held up on any tree? They are supported by the branches: our superb teachers. The support that my peers and I have received has been world class. The teachers have coached my fellow Sevenoaks scholars and me to our specific exam requirements, whether it be in Mrs Evans’ morning hot chocolate and poetry sessions or Mr Dean’s exciting exploration of French grammar, our preparation has been exceptional. But the teachers haven’t only been here for my academic career – whenever I have had a question or needed advice, they have always tried their hardest to help me. And I know that’s true for all of us, throughout the school.
The second part of the tree that I want to celebrate is the roots. They are essential – without the roots, the tree cannot survive. These are the unseen parts that quietly and efficiently make the school function, often without enough appreciation from the boys. Here, I want to celebrate Mrs White and Mrs Wood who keep everything running smoothly and are never seen without smiles on their faces. Many times they have sorted out my problems, like missing clarinets or [add something personal there]. I want to celebrate Lily and her team in the kitchen, providing delicious food week after week, and slowly encouraging us to expand our tastes. One of my favourite Bickley memories was Lily coming upstairs from the kitchen to my clarinet lesson because she liked the piece I was playing. I’ve passed grades in the clarinet, but no one has ever climbed two flights of stairs just to hear me play. We have grown to know that the school will always be beautifully clean, the gardens immaculate, the computer problems sorted, but each of these reflects a well-oiled team – so thank you to the many intertwined roots of the Bickley Park team that makes these things happen.
I’d like to say thank you to my Deputy Head Boys – Christian, George and Lukas. Christian, with whom I spent much of the Autumn Term stacking chairs in the Theatre, is one of our General Knowledge stars – how do you know all that stuff, Christian? George, Lukas and I had our team building tested as we spent last summer walking 176 miles along Offa’s Dyke – the full length of the English-Welsh border. This was the perfect preparation for our roles this year – persevering to achieve our goals despite blisters, wind and rain. What we will all remember about George is his broad smile and his constant good cheer. And last, but not least, this term Lukas and I have formed a great team, juggling our responsibilities around our exams. Lukas thinks hard, and writes beautifully – do check out his blogs if you haven’t already.
I have many unforgettable memories and experiences from Bickley, particularly from the trips enjoyed in Year 8. This year we roamed the La Rambla in Barcelona munching on Churros whilst trying not to have our wallets stolen! Just a few weeks ago we also enjoyed an incredible week of adventure activities in Wales. I can’t think of a better way to bond together before we all go our separate ways. The days we spent there were filled with laughter while we climbed, canoed and built rafts. I would like you to picture one evening’s entertainment: the whole of Year 8 crowded around Mr White’s ipad trying to watch the England V Wales game!
Finally, coming to the end of my Bickley Park career has made me look back to where it all started. I had a fantastic chance to reconnect with my Bickley beginnings when I spent a few days helping out at Pre-Prep, working with Mrs Kemmet’s class: 1AK. I have just one message to those of you starting your time at Bickley – make the most of it! Seize every opportunity you are offered – act in plays, represent the school in sports, be part of the General Knowledge Quiz team, push yourself to scale the climbing wall, and become a full member of the school community. One day, 1AK, and the rest of Year 1, you will be the ripe fruit about to fall from the Bickley Park tree, as we, the current Year 8 are. Aspire and endeavour to be the best you can be so that you can be proud of your achievements and the person you have become. Thank you, and good bye.