It was truly lovely to catch up with so many, including the teachers (Mrs Bailey, your leavers' programme is talked about with reverence) who played such an important part in the boys’ time in The Close. The boys are thriving in their new senior schools, and the parents seemed happy too, judging by the decibel levels in the Pilgrims’ Hall. Rebecca Stubbs and Laura Croft have created a yearbook to treasure, leaving no stone unturned to source photographs and memories from the first day in Reception to the last second of the leavers’ party.

It was an epic undertaking and I don’t think Mr Duncan will mind me quoting him: “Amazing! The editors did a remarkable job”. Thank you to the kitchen for the delicious nibbles – and to Mr du Plessis for arranging carols from the Chamber Choir in the Kingsgate Arch as we arrived. The singing wasn’t for the leaver parents? It felt like it, and provided a fitting magical memory for those who have so much to thank the school for.

Amanda Fox, 2023 Leaver's Parent, ex-Chair of the PPA