Pupils are celebrating today after receiving an astonishing 43 offers from either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge – the highest number in the College’s history. We are immensely proud of our pupils - a huge congratulations!
Speech Day took place on Saturday in the resplendent Brighton Dome, giving the College community the opportunity to come together and celebrate our pupils’ remarkable achievements. Pupils and guests were welcomed into the Dome by our excellent College Swing Band.The Chair of Governors, The Rt. Hon. Lord Maude of Horsham, started proceedings, introducing the Head Master, who took the audience on a tour through the 18 years of his headship.
It was a poignant, amusing and thought-provoking collection of anecdotes covering the highlights and challenges of his remarkable tenure as Head. Sustained applause and an ovation met the end of his final Speech Day report as Head Master.
The talent of Brighton pupils was showcased through a variety of dance and musical performances, and celebrated in the awarding of prizes for achievement and endeavour. The Chamber Choir sang two pieces: Seek Him That Maketh The Seven Stars by Jonathan Dove, a piece they performed in November at the Royal Albert Hall, and Your Song by Elton John, which included solos from the outgoing Upper Sixth choristers.
The dance scholars also performed Wild, choreographed by Ms Schofield, which featured central roles for the Upper Sixth leavers. This year’s guest speaker, Clare Connor CBE, spoke about her inspirational career as a cricketer and England Captain. She talked about her battles for gender equality in cricket and the remarkable change she has been instrumental in making a reality.
She also talked of the role that Brighton College has played in her journey as a pupil and a teacher.To finish the event, the outgoing Head of School, Kathleen (Chichester), gave a speech reflecting on her time at the College and urging her peers to use their privilege wisely to affect change and fight for equality. She spoke with authority, humour, passion and a maturity well beyond her years. There was a remarkable symmetry to the three speeches, which all highlighted the supremacy of kindness in everything that we do.