1646 – Issue 2

our community O N E R E A D I N G B L U E C O A T A MESSAGE FROM THE HEADMA STER Dates are important. You will each have particular dates, special to you, that connect you to the School, but there are some that act as way markers on a school’s journey. For Reading Blue Coat, 1646 was a wonderful year! In 1947, the School moved from Bath Road in Reading to Holme Park. 1987 saw the School’s Sixth Form become co-educational and, in 2001, boarding ceased. I would be surprised if 2020 isn’t amongst the most notable. Covid’s fingers pressed pause on so much in March, not least the enjoyment of being physically present and together as a community. Microsoft Teams, no doubt now well known to many of you for work, became the means by which teaching, pastoral care and even sport were delivered to the students. The changeover from classroom to computer occurred in the space of a weekend and was remarkably smooth, thanks to an enormous amount of work from all the Reading Blue Coat staff. Swing into Summertime and Prize Giving were virtual events; far from ideal, but one of lockdown’s blessings was the unleashing of some extraordinary talent from staff and students who set to work ensuring all that was streamed was superb. The end of the Summer Term is always full of joy, but there is a sadness too, as we say goodbye to our student leavers and staff who have given so much and now move on to other posts or maybe retirement. One member of the Common Room, loved and respected by so many from his 38 years of teaching here, plus those he had spent as a student, was Simon Cook (1979). Leaving too, to take up his post as Headmaster of Sevenoaks School, was Jesse Elzinga. Jesse wrote in the last edition of 1646 of the work that has gone on under his leadership: growth in the Foundation Office through Victoria Fangen-Hall and Sarah Pyper, with the joy of increased Old Blues’ events; a clear focus on our charitable foundation and the desire to increase bursarial support for a Blue Coat education; growth in sport, music, drama, the School’s numbers…..he is a hard act to follow! I have loved my last five years as Second Master and got to know the School well, and it is a privilege to take the reins from Jesse now, with Reading Blue Coat in fine health. Restrictions are numerous, as are the students – we are fuller than ever! The term has begun very happily and it is wonderful to be able to watch the rowing, or rugby, or enjoy live music (Newcomers’ Concert) and look forward to live drama once again (An Evening of Drama), alongside the numerous happy interactions that ensure no day passes without a lot of fun. It isn’t quite as it has been, or as we hope it soon will be again, but just as necessity is the mother of invention, we will continue to find ways to ensure this special community is as safe as possible, whilst each member of it is given the opportunity to thrive and contribute to its continued development. An exciting year awaits! Pete Thomas Headmaster