Foundation Principal, Richard Nicholson introduced Speech Day with the announcement that the fact it was happening at all – streamed to pupils and their families, with Upper Sixth in attendance to receive their graduation certificates – was testament to ‘the tenacity of the whole King’s High community, following an extraordinary year. But we wanted to celebrate you, our students, and all that you have achieved.’ 

Head Master, Dr Burley continued by saying that ‘the spirit of King’s has shone throughout this past historic year, and that spirit is the warmth, generosity and compassion of everyone in our King’s community.’ A series of warm and uplifting speeches from the Head Girl team, Olivia Rochford, Grace Bennett and Grace Harvey, reminded everyone of just how much has been done, achieved, celebrated and enjoyed, notwithstanding extraordinary times.   A joyous clarinet solo from Florence Lloyd reinforced the feeling, which was continued by an inspiring speech from our Guest Speaker, Professor Christine Ennew OBE, Provost of Warwick University.

It may have been rather different this year – with Mrs Renton announcing each prizewinner, as the small audience clapped - while the recipients watched online.  And there was a wistful sense of remembering our previous Upper Sixth year, who had been unable to graduate in person, but the overall feeling was one of gratitude, hope and optimism, reflected by Dr Burley’s words that ‘King’s High can look forward to the future.’