The first-ever Speech Day at Monmouth Prep School, which became fully co-educational last September, took place on Friday July 8.

Pupils, staff and parents from The Grange joined together to celebrate a year of excellence, inspiration and achievements.

Headteacher, Mr Neil Shaw, opened the event with an encouraging speech centred around the children’s author, Roald Dahl.

He highlighted the success of Matilda The Musical JR, the first whole-school production, and shared how the outstanding strength of the school’s performing arts programme, was clear for all to see.

Mr Shaw also spoke about the close link between Agincourt and the first ever West End production of Matilda.

The choreographer, Mr Shaw said, had close family links to Agincourt and spent time watching the movements of our very own children, to inspire the dances and performances that countless people have watched on the West End.

However, he was quick to stress that the look and behaviours in the musical were not based on the excellent children at Monmouth Prep School!

Head Boy, Drew White, and Head Girl, Lauren Powell, then took to the stage and captivated the whole audience with a powerful, encouraging speech.

Both said how they believed, as young people, it was their responsibility to strike positive change in the world around them, sharing the famous Charlie Mackesy quote “Always remember that you matter, you’re important and you bring to this world things that no one else can.”

They also shared about the positive changes they have seen since the creation of the co-educational Prep School and that once common ground had been found (no feet in netball and no hands in football!), everyone was quick to become friends.

Speeches were also made by Old Monmothian, Reverend James Power, The Master of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers; and Lord Moynihan, Chair of Governors.

Throughout the event, prizes and scholarships were handed out to pupils. With each round of applause, it was clear to see the enormous sense of pride and accomplishment between fellow pupils, parents and staff.

The following day, the Speech Day at Monmouth School for Boys saw Mr Simon Dorman, delivered his first headmaster’s speech via a pre-recorded video message after being struck down with Covid-19.

Old Monmothian, Mr Richard Booth QC, was an excellent guest speaker as teachers, pupils, parents and staff joined together to celebrate a fantastic and memorable school year.

Catering manager, Mrs Karen Wood, was recognised for her hard work behind the scenes to keep the boys and staff fed with healthy, nutritional meals.

Even during the pandemic and lockdowns, Mrs Wood and her dedicated team worked every day to look after the boys and there was loud applause and cheers from the audience as people acknowledged her dedication and efforts during a very demanding period of time.

A highlight of the warm sunny speech day was the inspirational speech from the Head Boy, Theo Mayell, who shared how Monmouth had given him “life-long memories” that would set him up for the next stage of his journey.

He told the audience how teachers had helped him gain not only vital academic intelligence, but also key emotional intelligence and practical, real-world knowledge.

Theo spoke about the great resilience of his fellow pupils and the grit and determination they showed in everything they faced.

“But don’t talk to me about resilience. I live in a house where we still have “grit” and “determination” written up on the kitchen wall, to read every morning at breakfast”, he said.

He went on to say: “You only have to read of the great and wide-ranging successes this year to understand that you don’t achieve any of that stuff without trying...and then trying...and then trying again.”

Mr Dorman praised pupils and staff for the great success across all areas of school life, especially the sporting achievements.

He gave a special mention to the academic staff who had worked so hard to teach the boys during the Covid-19 pandemic and thanked the support staff who had worked tirelessly, 24/7, throughout the calendar year to provide the best possible environment for the boys to thrive.

The main speaker, Richard Booth QC, told the audience that Monmouth was a great school. Mr Booth said it was only because of the education he received at Monmouth that he is now doing his dream job.

He thanked all parents in the audience for the financial sacrifices they are making to send their boys to Monmouth and said he could testify personally that it would be worth it.

He said: “What makes Monmouth a great school? You all do. There remains an unparalleled mix of pupils at Monmouth. It does not feel like any other independent school.....you will come out confident but not arrogant, humble, remembering where you have come from but seeing there is no limit to what you might achieve.....I ask you merely to be kind to each other, to look out for each other and to give your time freely to others.”

Speeches were also made by Old Monmothian, Reverend James Power, The Master of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers; and Lord Moynihan, Chair of Governors.