Old Ratcliffian and former Head Boy, Dr Michael Meredith, was the Guest of Honour at Ratcliffe’s Exhibition Day on Wednesday 26th June 2013.
Dr Meredith was Head Boy at the school and, on completion of his A’ levels in 1989, he went on to Oxford and Cambridge Universities, where he gained his Masters degree and PhD respectively. Dr Meredith recalls spending much of this time, “running around on hockey pitches” – and he gained an impressive six ‘blues’ in the process.
During the following nine years, he worked for ‘Alcan’, with whom he had numerous roles across Europe, ranging from Research and Development to Business Development. Then, in 2007, he moved to his current employer: ‘2020 Delivery’, which specialises in advising public sector institutions, such as hospitals and government departments. He has continued to prosper, and is now a Director of the Company.
Drawing on his experiences, both of his time as a student at Ratcliffe and of his career to date, Dr Meredith inspired the students with a powerful message to do everything conscientiously, with commitment, and always in accordance with the traditional values that pervade Ratcliffe College.
Headmaster, Mr Gareth Lloyd, reflected on the outstanding academic achievements, complemented by the exciting co-curriculum, that the School has witnessed throughout the year. He placed special emphasis on the need to preserve core values of childhood and community living within an increasingly secularised society that is, all too often, the victim of social media manipulation and social pressure.
He warmly thanked the Trustees, Governors, his exceptional staff, parents and, of course, the students, for their exemplary diligence and invaluable support of the School. The awarding of prizes for each Year group was interjected with some beautiful performances, musical and theatrical.
Upon the conclusion of Prize Giving, a delicious supper was enjoyed by all in the beautiful setting of the College Quadrangle.
Pictured above (left to right) are Rishi Soni (Head Boy), Mr Gareth Lloyd (Headmaster), Dr Michael Meredith, Mr Richard Gamble (Chairman of Governors) and Anna Thorley (Head Girl).