New Term! New Head!
Dear Old Ratcliffians,
I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting the vast majority of former students of Ratcliffe College, so please allow me to introduce myself, in the sincere hope that in the not too distant future we shall meet each other properly.
As the newly appointed Headmaster of Ratcliffe College, it is both a great privilege and a responsibility to take over the reigns of Headship of this magnificent school, which must represent so much to you as former pupils here. My personal history is that I grew up in Bridgend, South Wales, as one of six children; my passions at school were and indeed remain music (especially opera and composing), sport (in particular distance running and squash), natural wildlife, reading, travelling and eating (vast quantities!). These have always been worthy pursuits to share with my students, wherever I have taught, as they inculcate an enthusiasm for life and for teamwork,
not to mention an extension of one’s own intellect and outlook on life. I have taught as Director of Music at a number of schools, I was Housemaster at St Mary’s School Ascot, I was one of the Deputy Heads at Whitgift School, Croydon, and my last post was as Senior Deputy Head at Kingswood School, Bath.
The Chairman of Trustees, the Chairman of Governors and a number of their colleagues interviewed me here at Ratcliffe College last November 2008, and despite the horrendous journey in torrential rain I had to get here, my spirits rose from the moment I saw the School. Returning, as it is for me, to a Catholic school with such an impressive and distinctive history, has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. The warmth of welcome which the Rosminian Priests, Governors, Staff, pupils and parents have given to me and my family has been overwhelming, and I sincerely hope that in turn, I may be able to offer you, too, a similar welcome should you ever wish to return here. Many of you, I know, will be delighted to learn of an increased presence within the School of our ever-supportive Rosminian Fathers: Fr David Tobin (our newly appointed Fr President, previously a chemistry teacher here at Ratcliffe College and then Head of Grace Dieu for ten years during the 1980s and 1990s); Fr Anthony Furlong, who joins Fr Simon Giles as our Assistant Priests; and of course, Fr Antonio Belsito, our Fr Rector.
The new academic year has started very well, with a record high of 677 pupils on roll, including healthy boarding numbers. Peter Farrar’s last year as Headmaster of Ratcliffe College saw many achievements in extra-curricular areas, as well as excellent results in our public examinations. From a personal point of view as the incoming Head, it feels as if I am facing a veritable tsunami and my task is to find a way through! The volume of work for me is immense, but it is time spent with people – my senior management team, the teachers in the Common Room, the pupils around School, the invaluable non-teaching staff, and the parents on the touchline and at the start and end of day – which has been my priority and is the most rewarding. I ask you for your prayers for the whole community as we move forward together.
I have embarked upon the formulation of an exciting, shared vision for Ratcliffe College for the next five years. At the centre of this lies love, for “Love is the Fulfilment of the Law”, to quote Blessed Antonio Rosmini. Love for our Church, love for each other, love for our work, love for our immediate community and beyond – love provides the cornerstone for all that I am trying to achieve with this wonderful community. I have initiated numerous strategies to augment our boarding numbers (crucial if we are to create a vibrant sense of community), to increase the Catholicity of the School (staff and pupils), and to raise standards across the board (academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and in every other extra-curricular aspect). There are many exciting opportunities, and being a fairly decisive character, my challenge is to decide on the right ones! This I am doing with tremendous support from my senior colleagues, through meeting each member of staff for a one-to-one meeting during the first term, through talking to all the year groups of children, through question and answer forums with parents, and all under the guidance of Trustees and Governors and with your continued prayers.
Most importantly, I have my Faith and the complete support of my wonderful wife, Katharine (also a musician, a very fine singer and an even finer mother and wife) and our three children: Angharad (12), Finbarr (10) and Owen (7). They are most excited about my intention to establish, within a community that recognises the need for sustainability within our ecologically fragile world, a rare breeds farm and orchard, situated between the School and the Rosmini Centre House of Prayer. It is also my hope in the not too distant future to address the School’s needs in terms of a new, purpose-built Junior School and a multi-purpose Performing Arts Theatre large enough to welcome the entire School.
It is my dear wish to re-establish Ratcliffe College, with a strong Rosminian presence, as the first-choice school for Catholic parents seeking a boarding education of the highest calibre for their children, which at the same time continues to welcome children and their families of other denominations and Faiths, in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council; I firmly believe that this is possible. I do hope that I shall have the pleasure of welcoming you, your families and other former students to Ratcliffe College at any time. In particular, I would like to invite you to the next London Dinner on Friday 12th February. Please contact Mrs Jackie Bennett, Executive Secretary, for further details of any of these events
God bless,
With warmest wishes,
Gareth P. Lloyd,
Headmaster, September 2009.
