Friday was an emotional day at Talbot Heath. For the first time in three years, the school community was able to celebrate the school’s birthday in the front quad with a service ( even if in slightly modified form).
Having held our service remotely in 2020 and 2021, we were finally able to celebrate our 136th birthday in person in 2022. The school community has shown great resilience over the past three years, and a determination to celebrate our birthday, come what may – from one camera and myself in my office in 2020, to a distanced virtual onsite celebration in 2021. Friday was an historic day as we slowly started to rediscover our traditions.
Many of the pupils and staff in the quad had never experienced a school birthday in its original form and do not understand the significance of turning on the final syllable of ‘adoration’ in the processional hymn. They have not experienced walking while singing down corridors or entering the quad in a manoeuvre as complicated as any performed by the Red Arrows. On Friday, those green shoots of recovery started and traditions were reclaimed. It was a day to be joyful and thankful.
Warm wishes for the week ahead
#Angharad Holloway
