1646 – Issue 5

12 10 16 Although a great shame, it has been very interesting to observe how the very wet autumn and winter impacted on the stability of trees on slopes along the banks of the Thames near Blue Coat. For a number of hefty specimens, the saturated soil no longer acted as the anchor they desperately needed and, with a little wind assistance, they came down. For all of us, strong roots and firm anchors can be essential in keeping us steady when the storms of life come. Those roots gather the nutrients we need through learning, friendships and experience, nurturing and supporting us on the way to maturity. My firm desire is that Blue Coat will be a seedbed of security and greenhouse of growth, that Old Blues look back on not only with great affection, but the knowledge that their lives beyond have been positively impacted by all that they have learned here, enabling them to flourish. Not just what they learn, but growing a love of learning so that they will be able to adapt to all the change they face in the future. Not just solitary learners, but those who are curious to listen to what others think and work together to find solutions to problems. The Foundation Office has, as you will be well aware, invited Old Blues from across the generations back to the School for various events. By the end of this term we will have enjoyed reunions for those who left in the 1980s, 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 years ago, along with the wonderful Reading Old Blues Association Annual Dinner in March which saw Old Blues spanning the decades from 1950 right up to 2023! I love these occasions, not just because of the fun they are and the people I meet and chat to, but also because I get to see in so many of those who return, the importance of the roots that they put down while they were pupils here. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the 90th Birthday party of three Old Blues, see more on Page 24. All have led varied lives in different parts of the world, but it was a joy to see those early roots of Blue Coat still bound them as friends. A MESSAGE FROM THE HEADMASTER Just before the A Level exams began, we held a special Breakfast for the Leavers of 2024, at which there were speeches and the handing out of hoodies and the yearbook. This ‘rite of passage’ is an important one and the yearbook quickly becomes filled with messages from friends, so many of which relate to shared memories of their time at school. I still occasionally flick through mine, now over 30 years old, but able to conjure memories as fresh as if I was sat with this year’s leavers! How swiftly the years have gone, I thought, since these saplings arrived and now leave as more mature trees, ready (we hope!) for the exams and all that awaits in this exciting, yet potentially unsettling and rapidly changing world. So talented and capable, I know they will need more than just that to thrive in the years ahead. My hope is that they will be rooted and grounded in the values of aspiration, compassion, courage, integrity and service which have been part of their lives each day at Blue Coat and will, I know, be essential anchors in all areas of life. This 1646 will, I hope, strengthen those roots you have with the School too. Enjoy the read! Pete Thomas Headmaster