Many people have experienced or maybe have struggles of their own right now but down to the help of Bradfield’s supportive environment come through these experiences stronger than before. My younger brother, Ben, is the perfect example of this; he has faced much adversity in his life already but never gives up and never fails to make me laugh when he walks into the room. He doesn’t know this and maybe I shouldn’t say this with him here, because he will never let me live this down, but he is the person that I admire most. I love you Ben.
I remember coming home from my first weekend and my Mum asking me ‘James, what is your favourite thing about school?’ and without a moment of hesitation I replied ‘the people’ and the answer to that question has never changed.
BRADFIELD’S FOUNDATION IS ITS GENUINE DOWN-TO-EARTH PEOPLE WHO FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT OF INTEGRITY, RESPECT AND HAPPINESS THAT ALLOWS US ALL TO THRIVE
The JCR is ‘the ultimate team’, people who give each other credit, are willing to accept when they have made mistakes rather than pass the blame on to others as well as having the genuine interests of others at heart. Building upon the works of previous JCRs this year’s team has been instrumental in leaving Bradfield in a better place for the great work to continue. ‘The brain with the problem is usually the brain with the solution’ is a phrase given to me by my Dad. We all can all solve problems, we just need to have the desire and belief to do so and the JCR have embodied this ethos, supported by the skills Bradfield has taught us in the principles of ‘Education for Life’. That said, I don’t think that we would have been able to achieve quite in the way we did this year without Bella. Her bright personality and leadership by example rather than by explanation have set the tone; I am lucky to have been friends with her over my five years at Bradfield and it has been a pleasure to work with her in this leadership role.
I will spare you the full details of the ‘Rules to teach your son’ email, however I do have a few pointers for Bradfield pupils during their remaining time at College;
- Be like a duck – remain calm on the surface, yet paddle like crazy underneath
- Always eat lunch with the new kids
- Manners maketh the Man
And a final thought, a quote from David Rocastle, 1980’s Arsenal player aka Rocky, that represents how special Bradfield is to me as Arsenal was to him and is a piece of advice to all Bradfieldians ‘Remember who you are, what you are and who you represent’.
On behalf of the 2024 Leavers Bella and James wish would like to thank every person who has contributed to their happiness at Bradfield. To the teachers and coaches, for their saintly patience and incalculable care that has meant so much. To the HSMs, Matrons and Tutors who have made House feel like home, no mean feat. To the Senior Management Team and Headmaster for leading Bradfield so well. Many thanks to all the Operational Staff who we perhaps take for granted and yet could not function without. Finally, they would like to thank all the parents for their unwavering support and belief in them and for enabling them to be a part of such an incredible place.
