Our 2023 Founderstide was an absolutely fantastic celebration of everything which makes Bloxham special.
The day commenced with a prize giving ceremony in which we celebrated a whole raft of successes from across this year. Congratulations to all who received a prize. It was a real privilege to welcome OB David Dent as our guest speaker. When David left Bloxham, he trained as a nurse and became an Officer in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, specialising in intensive care and military trauma. He worked on the front line in places including Bosnia and with the bomb squad in Northern Ireland. Injured in combat, he retired from the military in 2000 and forged a successful career in sales, marketing and business development. Today, David is an Honorary Professor at Stirling University, Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Nottingham, Fellow of the Institute of Directors and Chartered Companion at the Chartered Management Institute and a board advisor Help for Heroes and SMBC. In sport, David competes for Scotland and UK Athletics. In 2022 David won a world record for the shot put at the Mey Highland Games in the presence of King Charles III. He has been awarded an MBE for his services to veterans, students and people with disabilities in Scotland. David’s speech was inspiring to all and we are very grateful to him for joining us.
This year was particularly poignant because it marked Deputy Head Michael Price’s final Founderstide. He gave an extremely rousing and moving speech about how we can all be role models for the people in our lives, and we feel confident that his words will be remembered for a long time by all who heard them. To see photos from the prize giving ceremony, please click here.
The prize giving ceremony was followed by a whole raft of activities and presentations which showcased all things Bloxham, from textiles to swimming, cricket against the OBs to debating. It was wonderful to see so many pupils getting stuck in, supporting their Houses in the sporting competitions and cheering on their peers in all their various other pursuits. A particular highlight was the First Form production of Pericles. This play presented a real challenge to our youngest pupils but they rose to the occasion with aplomb and showcased some fabulous acting skills. For photos from the Founderstide daytime activities, please click here.
No Founderstide would be complete without the magnificent ball which traditionally rounds off the day. Everyone hurried home from the daytime event to change into their best bib and tucker and returned for the evening extravaganza looking absolutely spectacular. After a delicious meal, everyone took to the floor to dance the night away. What makes the Founderstide Ball so special is the wonderful mixture of Sixth Formers, parents and staff all dancing together, and this year was no exception. Everyone danced until their feet hurt and headed home at midnight breathless and tired but happy to have been part of another wonderful Founderstide. To see photos from this year’s ball, please click here.
Photos by Katerina Holliday