Mark and I attended Speech Day at Christ’s Hospital on Saturday May 28th. The school was founded in 1552 by King Edward VI assisted by Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London, and Sir Richard Dobbs, Lord Mayor of London and is well supported by the City of London. Although it is a public school, it was founded as a charitable school and the majority of the pupils receive bursaries many of which are provided by the older Livery Companies. Other Companies, such as ourselves, provide academic prizes.
The day began with a service in Chapel attended by the sixth form (known as Grecians), their families and guests including the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs. Everyone then went outside to the quad to watch a march past by the whole school accompanied by the school’s excellent marching band. Fortunately the sun shone! We then moved into the building known as Big School for the prize giving ceremony.
The World Traders give two prizes. The prize for the Grecian who has excelled in economics beyond the classroom was won by Gloria Namutebi who is hoping to go to UCL to study Economics. She also won the prize for the Grecian who can demonstrate that they are giving or have given something back to the community in the way of charitable works or support for others.
The Oliver Hare World Traders’ Company Prize for Commitment to the CH Band, given in memory of Oliver who was Mark’s apprentice, went to Chi-Naemerem Udokporo. He is a drummer in the Band and hopes to go to Birmingham to study mechanical engineering. He also won the prize for a Grecian who has displayed the high level of creative and engineering skills required to be a successful designer.
This was then followed by an excellent buffet lunch in the school dining hall and the chance to talk to the prize winners.
