As we come together for the final time this term, I want to pause and look back. Christmas is a season for gratitude and for hope – and there is a great deal at Bryanston this year for which we can be thankful.
True to our motto, et nova et vetera – the best of both the new and the old – this term has been a blend of Bryanston traditions and new opportunities and achievements. We began the year with one of our great traditions: House Singing, with all 12 boarding houses taking to the stage. From D to A2, everyone played their part. My thanks to Clemmy and Sam, for organising it, and to all of you who made House Singing 2025 such a joyful start to the year.
That same spirit of generosity has run through our charitable work. Two teams of swimmers took on a 24-hour open-water relay in the Cotswolds to raise money for Level Water. Our Charities Weekend then brought the whole community together and raised £19,000 for Right4Children in Nepal. Added to this were our Movember activities, supporting men’s mental health. All of this speaks of a school and pupils that look beyond themselves and understand their responsibility to others.
The wider world has noticed what is happening here too. We were shortlisted for Co-Ed Senior School of the Year, Life Beyond School and Alumni Relations, and awarded Best Eco School by Tatler magazine. Our eco and sustainability work was superbly showcased through the Future Roots Festival and Green Careers Week.
In the classroom, academic life has been busy, stretching and ambitious. Many of you have taken part in enrichment trips across a wide range of subjects, from History of Art and English to Psychology and History, including a thought-provoking trip to Berlin. Our A2 pupils have been working hard on university applications, with nine applying to Oxbridge and many others setting their sights high across an impressive range of courses and pathways around the world. We also hosted our Mini Model United Nations, welcoming over 100 pupils from 11 schools to Bryanston to debate global challenges, superbly supported by our IB pupils.
The arts have flourished. In dance, we qualified in the Supreme National Dance competition, and 18 pupils will represent the school at MOVE IT 2026, the UK’s largest dance event. Our RE-IMAGINE 2025 exhibition was another highlight, displaying the very best of Bryanston’s artistic talent. Held at the Royal Watercolour Society Gallery in London, it brought together pupils, staff and OBs exhibiting side by side, celebrating the creativity of our entire community.
Music has been equally inspiring. Our London Concert filled the church with choirs, bands, ensembles and soloists. We also welcomed a team from Trinity Laban for a day of masterclasses and a remarkable performance, giving our musicians a glimpse of the possibilities that lie ahead.
And then, of course, last week there was Beauty and the Beast. For a few evenings, Broadway genuinely felt as though it had come to Blandford. The production brought together drama, dance, music, set, costume, lighting, sound and an outstanding backstage team. The standing ovations were well-deserved, and I know that many of you – on stage, in the orchestra pit, in the wings and in the audience – will carry those memories with you for a long time.
On the pitches, courts and rivers, participation has been enormous. Rugby, hockey, netball, football, riding, squash and kayaking have all enjoyed strong performances, national competitions and individual achievements for several pupils. Just as important as the results has been the commitment, resilience and encouragement you have shown one another – the quiet moments of teamwork and support that often go unseen.
Our OBs have remained closely connected to us, with networking events in London, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok, and many OBs returning to speak here at school. During Green Careers Week in particular, they shared how passion, entrepreneurship and environmental responsibility can combine to create impactful careers. With the launch of our Founders Forum and Bry30, there is much to look forward to.
So, as we move towards Christmas, what should we take from this term? I hope you can see that Bryanston is not defined by a single event, but by the hard work, effort, kindness and courage that sit behind them all. Whether you have been on stage or in an orchestra, in a first team or cheering your friends from the touchline, baking for a Charities Fair stall or exhibiting your work, you have contributed to the life and character of the school this term.
To all the Bryanston staff, thank you for the hard work, patience and dedication that underpin every achievement I have mentioned and more.
As you head home for the holidays, I hope you find time to rest, to reconnect with family and friends, and to reflect on all that you have achieved. I wish you and your families a joyful, peaceful and very happy Christmas, and I look forward to welcoming you back in the New Year.
