On Saturday 23rd May, King William’s College hosted its annual Founders’ Day celebration within its picturesque grounds.

It was quite poignant in this year of remembrance that King William’s College was fortunate to have former pupil Lieutenant Colonel David Luck attend as guest speaker and also to award the pupils with their well-earned awards for prize day. The Lieutenant Colonel, who was born in Hampshire and attended King William’s College almost 35 years ago, addressed the College Governors, parent, pupils, and invited guests with his fond memories of the College. The Lieutenant Colonel has had a stellar career in the military, including postings to Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland, and is now Head of Commemoration for the period 2014 – 2018.

His speech focused on three important credentials that he has upheld throughout his career and that he urged the current pupils to uphold, “You have the opportunity to go from this place and do extraordinary things with your lives. Who knows what books you will write, what inventions you will create or what greatness you will achieve? But, whatever it is, I urge you to have courage, to be loyal and wherever possible to be selfless, because the outcome will always be good. And remember that whatever you do and wherever you go you carry with you the good name of King William’s College.”

The Principal, Martin Humphreys, emphasised the importance of a rounded education and how all the elements that make up a person are important and in particular for the fourth formers this did not mean excessive revision over the mid-term break for summer exams. Mr Humphreys maintained that children and young people need to have time to relax and enjoy their time off.

The head student Susanna Cox then gave a very uplifting speech: “I'd like to thank [the Principal] for having faith in me as Head of School and to trust me to stand up here and address all of you, because I could really say anything I wanted... But I really don't have a bad word to say. I truly owe the school everything. In fact, school has almost become my everything. I don't just mean the academics, but all the other elements which make this school what it is. If you only spend 8 hours a day here from 8.20am to 4.20pm, then you are wasting your time at College, because this school has so much more to offer than academic lessons.”

Chairman of the governors, Nigel Wood, rounded off the morning’s proceedings with a timely reminder of what King William’s College contributes to the community in terms of attracting new business to the Island. King William’s College is a massive part of the attraction package to new residents and new businesses. Therefore, he argued, the College needs not only the continued support of parents, but also of government. KWC as an enterprise employs over 250 people in the south of the Island in the support of 650 children on two sites, and this money is mostly spent in the local economy.

Mr Wood in his conclusion highlighted that the school has extended its service to the community. In a world of fast food and instant gratification it is good to think of others, amending the famous JFK quote “Ask not what your school can do for you, but what you can do for your school".

In all it was a reflective occasion which also looked to the future of the school.

Photo - Head of School – Susanna Cox, Head Boy - James Allen, Principal – Martin Humphreys.