Tyler Weekes (Upper Sixth) delivered his Head of School speech during the Headmaster’s Assembly today (Friday).

You can read Tyler’s full speech below:

“Good afternoon School,

I very much hope that you have all had a rested and well-deserved break after a long and challenging 18 months. I would like to welcome our new Headmaster, Mr Thomas, and I know that he will do a fantastic job in leading the School.

I would firstly like to say that I am truly honoured to be standing here today in front of you as Head of School, and it is a great pleasure to be working with the new Headmaster during his first term, which I know will be the start to a great year.

I could never have imagined myself standing here in front of you today as Head of School, or even having the confidence to be able to stand at the front of the Chapel and speak to you all, and I think that is a testament to the School and the learning that has taken place over the last six years.

Back when I was in the Second Form, I could honestly say that I didn’t expect to be in the Upper Sixth so fast, and I guess time really does fly when you are having fun. Looking up and seeing the Heads of School at the time, I found myself wishing I could be up there like them one day.

Those of you whom know me best will realise that one of my major passions is Rugby and, over the years, seeing the various 1st XV captains standing up here, has made me want to emulate them, and to strive to be the best that I can be in order to get to that level. I firmly believe that hard work breeds success and I would like to be seen to be leading by example so that others can see what is achievable.

I don’t think that we quite understand how much influence we have over the more junior pupils in our community, especially during our time in Sixth Form, and I see it happening all the time, younger eyes on everything that we do, what we don’t do and how we carry ourselves around the School. I will be encouraging the prefects to think about how they are seen around the School and to think of the positive impact that they can have.

I think that this School has offered so much to me and my peers, through academia, music, sport and other co-curricular activities, but it’s not just that, it’s the community and the people within it that makes SVS what it is and what it is known for.

Sitting in Chapel listening to the Heads of School speech five years ago, I can honestly say that those few students that strove to make a difference did, in fact, change how people looked at the School, as well as the experiences of those within the community.

I believe, Sutton Valence School really does mould you into who you are, and the importance of having those relationships and understanding between the years as a pupil body, as well as with the teachers, is so vital and important to have a kind and understanding place to work and become the best you.

I would like to use my time in the role to help make the community that little bit better and to build upon the efforts of my predecessors. I would encourage you all to use the forums that we have available to let me and the other prefects know your thoughts, and we will all work with you to make sure that the community works as well as it can.

A kind word, a positive comment or some enthusiastic support in any area of School life will have such a noticeable impact that I feel it is our responsibility to act in this way and encourage the future pupil leaders of the School to act in the same way. If we can all do this during this term and beyond, we will improve what is a very special community for ourselves and for those that come after.

As is tradition, I would like to finish with a quote from Isaac Newton that I feel best shows how I feel about the continuing development of the School community, ‘If I have been able to see further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.’

Thank you, 

Tyler”