Share:

The annual Headmaster’s Dinner, where the Headmaster invites Old Bloxhamists to attend a Evensong service and dinner at the school, is one of the traditional fixtures in the OB calendar.

On Saturday 30th March, we welcomed back Old Bloxhamists and their guests, current and former members of staff and the school’s prefect team for this year’s formal dinner which was chaired by Jolyon Griffiths, Old Bloxhamist Society Chairman. After the reflective and peaceful Evensong service, led by Padre Weaver, guests enjoyed a Champagne Reception. Adding extra occasion to the evening, Jolyon Griffiths, who is also a Grand Commandeur de la Confr’rie du Sabre d’Or, gave Headmaster Paul Sanderson and Alumni Officer Sarah Demirtges the opportunity to try the art of sabrage; the opening of Champagne using a sabre.

Following a delicious dinner, prepared by the school’s fantastic catering team, guests heard from Emily E., School Captain, and Ed W., Crake House Captain. The prefects provided an overview of the year so far; the pride in the accomplishments of their fellow students shone through as they spoke of successes in sport, drama, music, academic results and of inter-house rivalries.

We were delighted to welcome former Headmaster, David Exham, as the evening’s speaker. David was Headmaster from 1991 to 2002, and joined as the school’s eleventh Headmaster. During the talk, David referred to his 11 years at Bloxham as the happiest and most productive years of his life. During his tenure, he brought about radical change through challenging economic times. In 1994, he opened the Lower School (at 11+), now appropriately named Exham House, and then in 1998 he re-opened Raymond as a girls’ house, thereby making Bloxham a fully co-educational school. David ended his fascinating talk on the joys, privileges and challenges of his time as Headmaster with: ‘The light still shines on the path that the school is following.

To view photos of the evening, please click here.