Thought For The Day – Thursday 18^th December 2025

Last evening was our annual “Awards Evening”. Once again, as in life, music and words played a vital role. It was a moment of celebration and community, which signposted the three key areas of education.

Firstly, inspirational and good students.  Students from last year’s Year 13 returned to be awarded their examination certificates, qualifications they showed great dedication to achieve, rising to every challenge in 2025, whilst there were student prizes in Year 13 and across the School for achievement, character, and endeavour, led, and presented by, Mr. Munro and Senior Student Leaders, and organised, as always,  by Mrs. Jonas.  As such, the Honours Boards in the Dining Hall have been up-dated with a new generation of legends.  But all have prizes.  Every Year 13 student was personally and rightly recognised in the evening.  No one was left behind.  “The Black and Gold Spirit” is in their heart. Before, and after, the event,  returning students were keen to share their experiences, with former students two giving a most appreciative and appropriate speech as part of the evening.  There was also respectful recognition of the whole School community,  and everything the School does, led by Mr. Reeve, with the most moving, and most important tribute, of the evening being paid by Mr. Reeve to Will Scutts, an outstanding T.B.S.H.S. student, who passed away from this life in 2023.

Secondly, brilliant staff, past and present.  Staff, in every area of T.B.S.H.S., who all work so tirelessly were warmly, and appropriately, thanked for their commitment, encouragement, expertise, leadership, and opportunity-creation.  Inspirational players need inspirational and nurturing coaches, mentors, organisers, and supporters.  Without the referee, there is no game.  Without the coaches and medical staff, there is no team.  Without the catering, facility, office,  support and technical staff,  volunteers and supporters, there is no club.  We should never forget those who work, often unseen, behind the scenes.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly of all, the Loving Community and Home. Great tribute was paid to the unsung heroes of carers, community champions,  families, guardians, parents, and supporters.  They are always our foundation.

At Awards Evening, our new Chair of Governors, Mrs. Beagles, who is the parent of an outstanding former student of The Bishop’s Stortford High School, paid great tribute to her great and humble predecessor Mr. Fordham, and Mr. Fordham’s instrumental and integral role in the creation of our new facilities over many years.  Mrs. Beagles appropriately, honestly, humbly, and thoughtfully, talked in her fine speech, which exemplified the global, holistic, and outward-facing vision she articulated,  of: the very important, and voluntary, work of the Governors;  the importance of volunteering, giving back, and creating opportunities;   her great appreciation staff and students;  and the challenges, and positive opportunities, of the world and life today.

“Past, present, and future” came together last evening once again.  The motto of T.B.S.H.S. lived out.  In the School.  In the Community. In the World.