Speech Day 2022

Congratulations to this year’s Prize Winners.  

This special day of celebration started with guests enjoying mid-morning refreshments in the memorial garden where a new bench was unveiled to mark the departure of Iain Barbour, who is retiring from his role of Chair of Governors. Pupils, parents, Governors, and teachers were then welcomed to the beautiful St Barnabas for our annual ceremony to celebrate the achievements of pupils across the Senior School.

The procession into St Barnabas was led by students Jemima and Gwydion who walked in playing Irish Stew in the Morning on violins. The event started with an opening prayer by our School Chaplain, The Rev. Liz Lander, followed by introductory remarks by Iain Barbour and a splendid performance by student Sophie Warner on the vibraphone, accompanied by Paul Smith on the piano.

We were very thankful to have our Head, Jane Lunnon back after testing negative for Covid for The Head’s address which was accompanied by a visual treat of photos from across the academic year and a short video segment showing the fun had by pupils including the annual House pancake tossing competition and DofE participants map reading in gale force winds!

Mrs Lunnon reminded us that:

“Today is a chance to delight in the input of every single pupil in our school. Alleyn’s is what it is – wonderful, successful, delightfully distinctive – because of the energy and engagement of every individual in it.”

She continued:

“No matter what your gifts, your weaknesses, your interests, your challenges, we are deeply proud of every one of you, and we cherish your distinctiveness and individuality. There really isn’t a typical Alleyn’s student. There are 1000 interesting, funny, independently minded kids and we delight in you all.”

Presentations of prizes were interspersed with enthralling performances from drama (Bear Pit), dance (GCSE dancers), and more music (Lower School All Stars). We were also pleased to welcome Anna Reynolds (Brown’s 1998) as our Guest of Honour. Anna is now Deputy Surveyor of The Queen’s Pictures at the Royal Collection Trust - a role which she never dreamed of having on leaving Alleyn’s, which was the theme of her address; Anna reminded pupils and parents alike to seize every opportunity and have an open mind to new and emerging career paths.

The event came to a close with an emotional address by our outgoing School Captain Matilda and a tribute to Iain Barbour who was grateful to receive a photographic memory book from the School. The Head and Vice-Captains said a few words, with Ezinne remarking:

“The impact of your years of kind and sensitive leadership and guidance is palpable. Governance not only shapes our physical spaces but also ensures that the values and character of the school hold fast over time. That Alleyn’s continues to be a kind, supportive and caring place is a testament to your values and is a symptom of precisely the warm leadership that you have shown.”

Learn more about our pupil performers and Guest of Honour, and review the full list of Prize Winners in the Speech Day Programme here, for more photos and to read the Head's address in full click here.