11th July 2011
Dear Parents
I write to you after another colourful and inspirational Summer Gathering. It is Abbotsholme at its Sunday Best, and all our hearts were lifted as we celebrated the achievements of another Abbotsholme year.
The weather was wonderful - one parent suggesting that I must have been very good over the last year to be rewarded by so many hours of sunshine - with only a few drops of rain at the start of speeches to mask the tears of proud mothers.
The stories of the past year are told through the words and pictures of The Abbotsholmian, and I congratulate the editor and her team. Please do take the time to read the magazine over the summer holidays. The photographs are of happy, active and involved youngsters who are clearly making the most of their opportunities. The words, out of the mouths of our children, make it very clear why we, as parents, decided to send them to this great school.
Perhaps you would be able to tell the story of Abbotsholme to other like-minded parents? The secret is just too good to keep to ourselves!
Another year finishes and a chapter of Abbotsholme’s story closes. Some of our colour inevitably drains away when people leave, but new Pantones will appear and next year’s painting has already begun, with slightly different colours. Every year at Abbotsholme is different, but the inspiration behind it all remains constant.
Heather, Meg and I wish you an exciting summer, a time to catch up with friends and family. I do hope that you will enjoy reading The Abbotsholmian, and please look at our website which will remain active throughout the holidays.
For those of you who attended speeches, Take That’s soon-to-be-classic song ‘The Flood’ will always have a connection with the Summer Gathering of 2011. Good memories! I leave you with the Abbotsholme version:
Standing on the edge of what ever
At the start of forever, shouting out at the world.
Back then, you were like children
You brought us your hearts and minds
And we helped to shape them.
Leaving, none of us leaving,
You’ll never leave Abbotsholme.
You may go now, not to the dark star,
Not seeing demons, that’s not what you are.
Tiny hands and meagre minds will try to strike
But none will take you off your way
This is progress now, where there once was none
In a minute you’ll all be gone
But we will meet where ever we are
Defenders of the faith we are.
Although no-one understood
There are more of them than us
We will meet where ever you are
Defenders of the faith you are.
Glad Day, Love and Duty
Steve Fairclough