In our final Senior School assembly of the year, I chose to wear my gown and hood which, traditionally, only gets one outing a year at our Prize Giving ceremony. It is, by some distance, my longest-serving piece of clothing, having been purchased in 1991 and worn only sporadically since then.
I chose to wear it as a mark of continuity and tradition from my predecessors as Headmasters and Headmistresses of our heritage schools, just as Henry Bompas-Smith did when address the boys of King Edward's back in 1908. In turn, it follows a tradition of academic dress going back at least to the 12th century, and it is important at times to note the thread that connects our alumni and staff over the years to the current generation, and to those that will follow.
The history of the heritage schools spans a good three centuries, but we approach the summer holidays buoyantly, with a sense that it might well have been the best year ever and, even in a final week of reflection and celebration, we have managed to squeeze in a few more productions, fixtures and events. Highlights have included Drama productions across the Prep and Senior School, the superb, uplifting and strikingly-professional Summer Concert, cup runs and county records in athletics, tennis, cricket and beyond, some fantastic residentials and trips, national recognition (again!) for our Sixth Form Tycoons teams, the joy of participating in the parade at Lytham Club Day, and, still to come, the 'We're a Knockout' event on the final morning of term.
It is, undoubtedly, time to take a break, but I cannot recall ever finishing an academic year with such a sense of a happy school with the energy to keep going right to the end. Thank you to everyone across the community for being you - for being AKS - and I wish you a fine and reinvigorating summer.
David Harrow, Headmaster
After the intensive exam period which characterised the start of this half term, the school has been ablaze with activity across all areas:
Our lunchtime lectures continued with Mrs Burnett discussing "Travel is like an endless university. You never stop learning". Mr McKeown’s Big Brain Quiz of the Year also took place in our after-school Scholars’ Society.
Drama productions included the Year 5 and 6 performance of Macbeth, Year 10’s devised piece, 'Unprecedented' and the Year 7 to 9 virtual performance of Fantastic Mr Fox.
The Senior School Concert also featured the Prep Choir and had a German twist, with a themed bar and snacks as an ode to the forthcoming tour to the Rhine Valley.
Congratulations to the winners who were chosen from one hundred entrants in our Bake Off cupcake competition and thank you to our catering team for bringing the designs to life and serving them at lunchtime.