Prize Giving

St Bede's Prep School Prize Giving had a touch of the hilarious about it this year - hardly surprising with Ronnie Corbett as the guest speaker.

The diminutive comedian, recently quoted as saying that he is: ' too short to be chosen to play James Bond and too tall to be adopted by Madonna', had pupils, staff and parents in stitches as he regaled them with anecdotes from his own school days and more. Ronnie and his wife Anne have been staunch supporters of St Bede's ever since their grandson attended the Senior School and this was a special Prize Giving for them as their grand-daughter was one of the prize winners and earned a special hug from Mrs Corbett who presented the prizes.

Headmaster Nicholas Bevington added an innovative touch to the Headmaster's Report by setting the many events that have taken place during to year to a Billy Joel number ‘We didn’t start the fire’, sung by Year 7 band Fusion. The chorus: 'St Bede's students climbing higher, we are here to tell you what we've all been up to, this song will make the Head's speech just a little shorter, cos we thought we oughtta'! looks set to become a new school song.

This has been an incredibly busy year for St Bede's Prep School with the opening last September of the new dining room and classroom block and in February the opening of the completely refurbished new home for the Nursery and Pre-Prep.

Among the guests celebrating the successful year were the Mayor of Eastbourne, Mrs Carol Heap and Eastbourne's new Member of Parliament, Stephen Lloyd.

HEADMASTER’S ANNUAL REPORT (ABRIDGED)

A review of the year could not start without mentioning the fantastic physical changes that have taken place over the last 12 months, the biggest in the 110 years since the school moved to this site. The new Dining Hall has exceeded all expectations and has had a profound effect on the whole feeling of the school. In addition, the Year 8 classrooms above are genuinely stunning and have provided an inspiring home for what this year has been a magnificent year group.

In February, our younger pupils moved into the magnificently converted Holywell Mount. Parents had long chosen our Nursery and Pre-Prep for the quality of care from the staff and the wonderful learning and playing that went on there. They now also have a superb home, with easy access to their own playground and outdoor classroom and to the rest of the school. The changes have seen the Nursery quickly reach capacity, which now includes room for nine babies. This summer work is continuing on our new minibus parking area and gates to the school, which will make the external site feel complete.

What makes St Bede’s special, though, goes far beyond the impressive physical changes. So many visitors comment on the atmosphere of the school, the happiness of the children and the sense of purpose and achievement about the place. There is a can-do attitude, a flexibility, a delight in diversity and a sense of valuing all talents which makes St Bede’s feel distinctly different. Our children learn key life skills to equip them for the world beyond school and it is the children and what they need, which is always upmost in our thoughts.

We all work hard to create a certain spirit here: different skills and strengths of individuals coming together to provide something together (way better than anything any individual could do for themselves); and hard work, dedication, long hours, practice and preparedness to listen and work together, to enable a team to succeed. Whether it be building robots in science, performing Shakespeare in English, staging a French market, competing in maths Olympiads, measuring on-shore drift in IS or modelling wave patterns... in fact the list could be endless. There are so many opportunities for you, our children gathered here today, to get more out of yourselves by working with others.

I talked earlier about the fabulous results that come about because of this sense of ambition and working together and this year has been no exception. To all of those leaving, my thanks for your efforts and congratulations for all you have achieved. A prize giving can only ever recognise a tiny proportion of all the good that has happened and so today, inevitably, there will be tremendous contributions not mentioned or talented children who do not pick up a prize this time. But be assured that what you do is noticed, does matter and keep on trying; next time that person could be you.

Song sung by Year 7 band:

Battle Abbey, Isle of Wight, Milan – out of sight! Booth Museum, Lewes Castle, Newhaven Quay
Friston Forest, Pantomimes, Leavers’ Camp – had good times, Globe Theatre, National Theatre, Portrait Gallery
Nation, Macbeth, War Horse – theatre trips for English course, Cuckmere River, Sea Life Centre, Canterbury,
Bradford, ski trip, Herstmonceux, Mosque and Synagogue too, Mayor’s Parlour, Town Hall, HM Victory

St Bede’s students climbing higher, we are here to tell you
What we’ve all been up to, this song will make the Head’s speech
Just a little shorter, cos we thought we oughtta!

Christmas Fair, Classics Week, Curry Night – lots to eat! French Market, Peace Poster, Love-in-a-Box.
Open Days, Burns’ Night, Christingle Candlelight, Intersection Competition Music really rocks!
Fireworks all aglow; Lepra Workout, have a go! Cake sales, Book Week – lots of fancy dress.
Teddies for Children in Need, rugby, netball gathers speed. Carol Service, Science Week; Fashion Show – kid chic!

Tennis winners, dance off, cross country, football squads, teams of swimmers, slalom skiers, go-karting race
Cricket teams, rounders too, Harlequins we love you! Hockey players, rugby players – in your face!
Athletics, gymnast twirls; hip-hop, ballet girls, basketball, volleyball, watch us fly!
Loads of fixtures, what’s the score? Strike a goal, hear us roar, racquet skills, climbing thrills – we want more!

Donkey sellers, workshops – costume, lighting, stage, props! Chaucer’s in, goblin, pirate invasion.
Midsummer’s Night Dream, all is not what it seems, Masterclass gave us Face, insight on the human race.
My Fair Lady, rain in Spain; thespians soar again, Macbeth, Railway – what else do I have to say?

Last verse you’ll be glad to hear – final news and good cheer! Dining room and Holywell both look great
Babies in the Nursery, Bede’s Lads’ Army, more events by the Friends – we can’t wait!
6 staff babies, all is well – anymore, who can tell Website - big and bright. Examinations – answers right!
Activities – lots of choice. School Council student voice, sing song, Chapel, lessons, play – I need a holiday!!

St Bede’s didn’t start the fire, But when we go home, Our flame will still burn on and on and on….

All of this would not be possible if it were not for the hard work and commitment of our staff. It is with huge gratitude that I would like to say thank you to them all on behalf of the children and their families. Also at this time of year we traditionally say goodbye and thank you to members of staff leaving us and moving to pastures new - this year we bid farewell to five teachers who have served us from 2 to 32 years!

Hannah Thorpe Head of Games 2 years
Amberley Carter English Teacher 4 years
John Webster Swimming Coach 9 years
Jan Turner Design and Technology Teacher 11 years
Peggy Metcalfe French Teacher 32 years

So to all of our leavers we thank you for your dedication to the school and we wish you every success in wherever your futures take you.

Goodbye to all our leavers, congratulations to all our prize-winners and, above all, I wish everyone a happy and restful summer holiday.