I remember when Jack came to Caldicott. It was his first time boarding, he was in my corridor, and he was definitely very 'wobbly' for some weeks at the beginning. Some boys are, and they don't believe that they can settle.

But they do, almost invariably, and they turn out to be very diffierent people from those who entered just a short time earlier.

They may not all be like Jack, who had started a year ago. He was appointed Head Boy the year after he entered. He is almost at the end of his time here, as are many of the Sixth Form. Jack's final speech is below, and some other 6th form pictures reflecting our community below that.

Jack's Sermon:

I am sure this sermon won't be like the gems which Mr Doggart says every week but I shall try my best.

I have heard a few Sixth form boys saying they can't wait to get to their new schools. Whilst anticipation of a new challenge is a good thing to be encouraged there is a danger in failing to appreciate what we have, and, are about to lose. We must be careful to enjoy the life we are leading and the place where we are. Always living for the next stage means that we fail to enjoy and make the very best of what we have. In short, we fail to smell the flowers along the way. To my sixth form colleagues I would say, relish these last days at Caldicott. We are hugely privileged and are part of a wonderful school in a beautiful place. I am sure that in the future although some may not believe it now, all of my year will at some point in time look back and wish they were still here and remember the place and our mates and yes, EVEN the teachers, with great affection despite what may have happened during your time at the school.

We have just heard the parable of the talents where Jesus encouraged us to make the best of the gifts we have. So I would say to the younger boys try to get the best out of each day because you will have, like me, reached your last few days here in no time at all so give 200% into everything and not only will the time fly by, but you will also get the best out of your time here. When you leave as well I would like you to think about what the school has done for you; for example everyone in my year has passed Common Entrance, a great achievement. I feel that since I came to Caldicott, I have not only improved academically but as a person as well.

In November I was privileged to memorise the names on the list of former Caldicott boys on the memorial list behind you who gave their lives in the wars for us to enjoy ours. It struck me that long ago they had stood in Chapel like us, some no doubt itching to be gone from here and get on with their lives, but what if they had known that only a few years later their lives would end in the trenches, how much more they would have relished every minute left to them? So let us learn from those young men's valuable lives. None of us knows when God will call on us to the next life and so we should be grateful for the special privileged hand he has already dealt us and make the best of every minute of every day in our respective futures.

Finally on behalf of the sixth form I'd like to thank all of the Caldicott community for making our time here a memorable one.

Father, Sister, Jack, Mother

Non-identical twins - the Kings

The Kings - almost the final photo

 
Understandably fond mums!