NOTES FROM Stonyhurst
Headmaster’s Reflection
Dear Parents and Families,
This is my last communication to you as Headmaster of Stonyhurst after what has been ten enormously rewarding and enjoyable years.
My vision from the start was to position Stonyhurst as the Jesuit mothership for Jesuit education and spirituality. My aims were to develop the schools to be more Ignatian, more global and outward looking, more ambitious, more of a boarding school (including inviting the day pupils to share that experience) and more integrated with its extraordinary history and material culture. I have sought to integrate everything into a modern and compelling experience for our young people and to further foster that sense of deep belonging to a global ‘family like no other’.
I have known William Doherty as a fellow Jesuit Head for a few years now and he will bring great experience and wisdom to Stonyhurst. I know you will make him very welcome.
I should like to thank the Stonyhurst Family for their friendship either here in Lancashire or across the world. I have travelled over 100,00 miles in ten years! Thank you for being part of a ‘family like no other’ and if you find yourself in Sydney do come and visit. St Aloysius’ College which is opposite the Opera House so you can’t miss it.
Yours sincerely,
John Browne
Headmaster’s Farewell Assembly
On Monday we marked Mr John Browne’s final assembly as Head. It was a fitting and emotional farewell.
Following lovely words from Heads of Line and colleagues, pupils formed a guard of honour to mark the occasion, a powerful moment that reflected the respect and affection held for him across the community. The morning ended with cake in the Top Refectory and time to reflect on his lasting impact.
Thank you, Mr Browne, for your leadership, care and dedication to Stonyhurst. You will be greatly missed, and we wish you every happiness in the next chapter
Valedictory Speeches
On Behalf of staff
Written by Andrew Henderson
I have been asked to speak, on behalf of the staff of Stonyhurst, about Mr Browne as he prepares to leave us on Friday.
When you talk about a Head, you don’t just talk about the person. You talk about the school they’ve helped to shape. So that’s where I’ll start.
At Stonyhurst, we’re quite good at spotting things that could be improved. Sometimes we’re a bit hard on ourselves. Sometimes we forget to say things which are obvious and positive out loud. So let me say it clearly: you all attend an excellent school. And you can’t have an excellent school without an excellent Head.
One feature of really excellent schools is that their Heads tend not to leave very often, and so this week, with the departure of Mr Browne, we are experiencing a once-in-a-decade event.
The qualifications and experience of a Head can tell you much of what they might set out to achieve. Mr Browne was educated at a Jesuit school, before taking a Music degree at Bristol. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, which means he has passed the most devilishly difficult exam any musician has ever conceived. On top of this training as a musician, he has a law degree, and an MBA, and, most importantly, a Blue Peter badge.
Some of you will remember Mr Browne telling the story behind his Blue Peter badge in assembly. The simple message is this: good leaders lead generously. They share the credit. They give other people opportunities. They give difficult issues time and attention. And they treat people with dignity.
Over the last decade, Mr Browne has kept coming back to a very important idea: Stonyhurst is for you, the pupils. The staff are here to support you. The Collections, with all their treasures, are there for you to use and learn from. The point of all this is so that you can access a truly world-class education.
He’s made that vision real in lots of ways, using a wide skill-set. He has led a renewal of the environment we work in, with lots of sensitive and imaginative refurbishment to better use the spaces we already had. Where there was a storage room there is now the Higher Line Relaxation Space. Where there was the outdated 1970s audio-visual room, there is now the Shireburn Room; playrooms and other areas, most recently the Art Department, have been remodelled. There are others.
This idea of renewal extends to the way staff work together. The creation of the Human Resources department can seem like a dull technical change to the way a school works, but for staff it means that the way that recruitment, pay, annual leave, maternity leave, and the like are administered has been fully professionalised. Pupils, too, have more support available, with pastoral assistants, counsellors, and an expanded Health and Wellbeing Centre.
Physically, spiritually, and professionally, Stonyhurst is a rewarding place to work because of the steady hand of Mr Browne’s leadership.
Perhaps his most valuable skill is his capacity to think deeply. It can be frustrating, in the moment, for him to tell you he needs to consider a decision for an extra day or two before getting back to you, but you always know that he has given it his fullest attention.
This also means that when he says something with a sense of immediacy and clarity, you know he absolutely means it. Perhaps the key example is one we all know: his red lines. No-one should be hurt, no-one should be embarrassed, and no-one should be unsafe.
So, Headmaster: on behalf of the staff, thank you. For your leadership, for your generosity of spirit, for your calm judgement, and for the way you have kept Stonyhurst focused on what matters.
The staff at your new school are fortunate in having a new Principal moving to a third Jesuit headship. We wish you and Marie every happiness in your next chapter.
I’m sure everyone will want to join me in thanking Mr Browne with a warm round of applause.
From the Heads of Line
On behalf of the pupils at Stonyhurst and the OS, we would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to you, Mr Browne, for your extraordinary leadership as Headmaster of Stonyhurst for the last ten years.
Throughout your time here, you have shown, in countless ways, what it means to place pupils at the centre of every decision. Whether in the classroom, on the sports fields, or in the quiet conversations that happen in corridors and Playrooms, your priority has always been the flourishing of each individual in your care.
You have challenged us, consistently and kindly, to give of our very best. At interview you asked many of us how we were going to change the world, and you have inspired your staff to help us on our way with ‘Albert Hall Moments’
You have expected high standards not for the sake of achievement alone, but because you believe deeply in the potential within every Stonyhurst pupil. In doing so, you have taught us to expect more of ourselves: to think more deeply, serve more generously, and live more courageously.
Your example of integrity, humility, and steadfast commitment to the virtues of this community has shaped us far beyond the boundaries of College life. As we offer you this valete, we do so with immense gratitude for all you have given, and with the assurance that your leadership will continue to inspire us long after you leave this place.
On behalf of us all, thank you.
Go-Kart Building
Earlier this year, STEAM pupils from Aloysius House and Lower Line set off on an ambitious GoKart build as part of the STEMonTrack programme.
From first concepts to hands-on construction, pupils are gaining real insight into the engineering process while developing problem-solving, teamwork and entrepreneurial skills - including marketing and securing sponsorship.
The project reaches the finish line this summer with two race events at a renowned circuit.
More to come as the build gathers pace...
Valentines Celebration
In preparation for our Valentine’s Celebration, Arrupe’s Social Enterprise team took delivery of over 401 roses and 42 teddy bears - all ready to spread a little love around campus. ❤ Every penny raised will be donated to Jesuit charities, supporting causes close to our hearts.
Upcoming Fixtures
Great Academies
Our Stonyhurst Families are invited to attend this year’s Great Academies celebrations, taking place on Thursday 21 Friday 22 and Saturday 23 May 2026. This special occasion offers a wonderful opportunity for the entire Stonyhurst community to come together, celebrate another full and vibrant year of college life, acknowledge the achievements of our pupils, and bid a fond farewell to our Rhetoricians. st, nd rd
On Friday there will be events taking place for families across every Playroom from sporting events, exhibitions, concerts, and plenty more.
As with last year, arrangements will vary for each Playroom, and a detailed programme of events will be shared with you shortly. The Prizegiving ceremony and Mass for Figures, Rudiments and Lower Grammar will be held on Friday 22nd May. Pupils in these year groups are therefore not required to attend the events on Saturday 23rd, unless they have siblings participating and wish to join their families.
For Grammar, Syntax, Poetry and Rhetoric, Mass and Prizegiving will take place on Saturday morning, and pupils in these Playrooms are expected to attend. Half term will begin for Figures, Rudiments and Lower Grammar on the evening of Friday 22nd May. For Grammar, Syntax, Poetry and Rhetoric, half term will begin at 1pm on Saturday 23rd May.
Further information will follow in due course, including details on how to register for the various events taking place throughout the weekend.
We very much hope you will be able to join us for Great Academies this year, and we look forward to welcoming you over the course of the weekend.
Monday 23 February rd
Week Ahead Calendar
Travelling Day; Boarders Return All Day
Tuesday 24 February th
Day Pupils Return and Classes Begin
Wah Yan College Visit
9.00 - 10.45
11.10 - 12.50
13.50 - 15.20
13 50 - 14 45
19.10 - 19.30
Grammar & Syntax Academic Scholars’ / MedSoc STEM Workshop Figures, Rudiments & Lower Grammar Scademic Scholars’ STEM Workshop
Higher Line Academic Scholars / MedSoc STEM Workshop
Higher Line Academic Scholars’ Art & Humanities Session Boarders’ Night Prayers
Wednesday 25 February th
8.30 - 9.00
9.00 - 15.00 16.00 - 17.30
Lower Line Playroom Worship
Lower Grammar Vaccinations
Line Competition - Aloysius House and Lower Line - Swimming Gala
Thursday 26 February th
All Day 13 30 - 15 30 14.00 - 16.00
Friday 27 February th All Day
19 10 - 19 25
Life in Higher Line
Upper Elements Visit College
Upper Elements to College Transition Meeting for Pupils
MCS Oxford MUN Conference and Enrichment Visit
SMH Boarders’ Night Prayers
Saturday 28 February th
All Day
8.20 - 8.55 10.45 - 12.00
16.15 - 17.15
17 15 - 17 30
19.00 - 20.00
20.00 - 22.00
Sunday 01 March st
11.00 - 12.00
13.00 - 18.00
13 00 - 19 00
13.00 - 17.00
Hadestown School Musical - Technical Rehearsal Line Assembly Fess Up Saturday
Adoration & Confession
Benediction
Boarding Activity - Chinese Food Workshop (All)
Karaoke (Higher Line)
Sunday Mass
Optional Boarding Trip - Jun Yue Meal
Hadestown School Musical - Dress Rehearsal
Ultimate Rugby 7's - In Season Session