Year 13 Graduation: Pride and Wonder

The sun shone brightly on our Year 13 Leavers and their families and guests as we celebrated their time at Alleyn’s, with a ceremony held at St Barnabas church. 

The morning started with the traditional Year 13 Gillman & Soame group photo on the front lawn of the School, a lovely moment to gather the students together before the events of the day and to capture them in a more formal pose for posterity.  

At St Barnabas, we heard from the Head, Jane Lunnon, the Chaplain Liz Lander, the respective Heads of House and the School Captaincy team Raph (Brading's 2024), Martina (Spurgeon's 2024) and Max (Brading's 2024). The Head referenced timeless values and new technologies, pride and wonder. She observed that “wisdom begins with wonder”, adding:

“You have been a source of wonder for so many of us, Year 13, over the years, with your work, your performances, your art, your athleticism, your writing, your service, your leadership... your care, your sense of fun. I really hope that, as you move on to your future adventures, you will continue to not only inspire wonder in those around you but to feel it too.” 

School Captain Raph (Brading's 2024), and Vice Captains Martina and Max spoke warmly of their time at Alleyn's, acknowledging both the opportunities and the challenges that the cohort had faced during their School career, including the Covid pandemic. They were fulsome in their praise for each other, and in their appreciation of the support and inspiration provided by their teachers over the years, and the fellowship of their year group and Houses.

There was a warm welcome to students and their families into the alumni community from current Edward Alleyn Club President (and recent Oscar-winner) Reno Antoniades (Tulley’s 1984), who said:

“You may not realise it yet, but the values and experiences of the Class of 2024 are really not so different to those of 1984. The School has given each of you the opportunity to be the best versions of yourselves and to accentuate the good and positive in each of you. That will hold you in good stead as you enter the so-called real world.” 

Hosted by Head of Upper School Alex Smith, the service took in the sounds of female close harmony group The Decibelles, who gave an exquisite performance of Jerome Kern’s Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man. The congregation joined together for hymns Be thou my vision and Jerusalem.

At the end of the service, just after Jerusalem and the Prayer for the Leavers given by Rev Lander, the Class of 2024 left the church to a long and resounding round of applause from all present. It was a powerful and poignant moment for everyone, seeming to encapsulate the wonderful unity of the Alleyn’s community and its mission to be “All We Can Be”. 

Post-service, a drinks reception in the Memorial Garden allowed for further connection and celebration, with families, friends and House members enjoying the opportunity to have their photos taken against the backdrop of the School to capture the memory of the morning.  

Whilst the Class of 2024 now join our lifelong alumni community, marking the end of their School days was a wonderful thing to be part of. Thank you to everyone who made the event so special. #AlwaysAlleyns

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