Robert Rose Society - Captain of School's Speech 2025

Robert Rose Society Lunch 2025 Captain of School’s Speech Good morning everyone and thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about my time at King’s. There are so many aspects of School life that I could talk about today but I know I have limited time so I will aim to give you a flavour of what it has meant to me to be a pupil here. To be honest it feels strange to be starting to refer to being at King’s in the past tense. I cannot believe how fast the last 5 years have flown by. Joining as a Shell boarder those 5 years ago could have felt daunting. Yes, of course I had those butterflies and nerves, but those soon passed. We often make a point of mentioning our location, surrounding, facilities and cathedral setting, which are, of course, amazing. I have loved all these aspects but even more important to me from that young, less spotty first year Shell to the 6A pupil of today is that I have always felt part of something, part of a community, and part of an extended family. I’m sure many of you are familiar with the School. If not, and you have the opportunity I would encourage you to take a walk around. There is what I call the natural ‘buzz’ within this special place and it is something I think is underestimated. It’s how pupils and staff interact with each other, how a kindness and consideration permeates through everything we do. Whether that’s in the classroom, cheering on a sports team, attending concerts to support musicians, discussions in the dining hall or joking around with the cleaners in the boarding house. King’s is one of the most prestigious schools in the country, the world even, but it is not at all elitist or selfcentred. To me it has always felt like home. I have so many fond memories of my time here at King’s. There have been some big events which will stay with me but in years to come, when I look back on my time here I suspect it will be the small, seemingly insignificant things that will resonate with me the most. The continuous fun with friends