Speech Day

Ashfold staff, pupils and parents gathered on Speech Day to say goodbye to our leavers and to the School's Headmaster of 21 years, Michael Chitty.

Mr Chitty began his annual address by observing that the values and ethos of the School and the Christian values of love and service are as relevant today as ever.

Following prize giving, he said farewell to Ashfold, saying “It has been a huge privilege to have been at the helm of such a special place and to have been trusted by you, and by generations of parents before, to help develop in your children the values and attitudes which have been so important to me throughout my life: good manners, courtesy, respectfulness, kindness, generosity, a sense of family, self-confidence not arrogance, and above all an enjoyment of school and learning.  I hope in some small way, over the years, I have managed to instill at least some of these qualities in Ashfold children.”

Mr Hugh Taylor, Chair of the Governors, paid tribute to Mr Chitty and presented him with a glass decanter, engraved with an image of the School and a message of thanks from the Governors.

The Choir brought proceedings to a close, performing an Andrew Lloyd Webber medley and, as is traditional at Speech Day, The Lord Bless You and Keep You by John Rutter. And then there was a surprise performance of a rather special version of Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang!

We wish all our leavers every success and happiness for the future and we wish Mr Chitty a long, happy and healthy retirement.