22nd May 2026
HEADLINES
By James Saunders
FAREWELL C11 Looking back at the last five years, I honestly can’t believe how fast the time has gone. It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming you into Cohort 7, and now we’re getting ready to say our goodbyes. I can still envisage that first day meeting so many of you. You’ve faced challenges none of us could have ever predicted. You joined the school at the tail end of a global pandemic and then, right at the start of Year 9, we had to close half the school because of RAAC? Who can forget the endless fire alarms and temperamental heating of the space village. But through all of these unexpected hurdles, you’ve shown amazing resilience, grit, and a real commitment to your learning here at Honywood. It’s been an absolute privilege to be your headteacher over the last five years. We’ve brought in a lot of changes to try and make your time here better, and I hope when you look back, you can see it was all about helping you do your absolute best. I’ve been constantly impressed by your maturity, enthusiasm, and dedication. You’ve navigated a school experience unlike any other year group, and you’ve come out on top. Huge congratulations! Watching you all mature over the last few years has taught me that we shouldn’t take time for granted. Going through a pandemic forced us all to slow down, notice the little things, and figure out what really matters in life. As you leave Honywood and step out into the real world, you’re taking with you a toughness built from your own hard work. Honestly, very few people will be as prepared as you are—when you’re on top form, you’re unstoppable. School is really just about getting you ready to keep learning for the rest of your life. My biggest hope is that you leave here knowing yourselves inside out— your strengths, your weaknesses, your wins, and your mistakes. Owning all those parts of who you are gives you great self-awareness. When you know who you
are and take charge of your choices, you set yourself up for success. At Honywood, we’ve always just wanted you to be happy and successful. But you can’t have either without being honest and taking responsibility for your own life. This is your life—not the school’s, not your teachers’, not your parents’. As summer gets closer and your exam results come out, some of you will be thrilled, and others might feel a bit disappointed. Whatever happens, be incredibly proud of your hard work, because those achievements belong entirely to you. Is there a secret formula for success and happiness? If there is, I haven’t found it yet! But I do know that if you actively go looking for them, you’ll find them. I’ve talked to you before about the value of time: every moment is unique and it flies by. Wasted time just leads to regret. As you move forward, time is going to become way more valuable to you than money. Grab every opportunity, give it your all, and be proud of the person you are. As you head into this next chapter, I wish every single one of you all the happiness and success in the world. I want to leave you with a thought from the Disney film Up. Carl spent his whole life, and all his savings, trying to get his house to Paradise Falls. But in the end, he realised the real adventure wasn’t the destination, but the journey itself. Embrace your own adventure. Don’t forget to enjoy the present moment, because life can easily pass us by while we’re busy chasing big dreams. Remember to have fun along the way. Best of luck, and take care.
James Saunders