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Going Out in Style

Rowan Milburn —

What a way to end the year! We were absolutely blown away at John Beijen's leavers speech at our Senior Prize Giving...

John is a fairly new student to Hagley and seems to have slotted in just great. Equally, Hagley has loved having this "big old bundle of fabulous!"

See what he had to say in his leavers speech - such great things to hear coming from our students...

"Hagley positions itself as a place that recognises that not every student is the same but more importantly as a place that fosters individuality; and for me Hagley has well and truly delivered on its promise."
"Some schools tell their pupils to wear their school uniform with pride. Hagley requires no uniform, but rather it asks its students to take pride in the individuals that they are. I have learnt whilst at Hagley that wearing a blazer and a uniform has no impact on how an individual learns, nor does wildly coloured hair, or numerous piercings – none of these things limit a person's education; however what does influence a person's education is creating an environment where people from all walks of life are welcome, and can belong to a community that supports individual learning and independent thinking."
"The employers of today and tomorrow don’t want a product, a cookie cutter kid. They want a creative thinker, someone who is adaptable and independent. It is no coincidence that these are the values Hagley tries to teach.
When I hear parents say they want to give their children the best start in life through education, I think of Hagley. It shows that you don’t have to be wealthy to receive a world-class education - it doesn't discriminate in any way shape or form and this is what makes it great."

Thank you to John for such wonderful, heartfelt words. We wish you all the best for your bright future.