All schools publish their principles, ethos and values, but at Sedbergh, ours are ingrained in all that we do.
Our boarding Houses represent so much more than simply a place to sleep and only those who have experienced them first hand, can really explain what makes life in them quite so special.
We don’t do anything by halves. Our days are long and busy and we all live on top of each other in an often crowded communal space.
Living in such close proximity does create occasional friction but tolerance of each other in such conditions is a key virtue in all great Sedberghians and one that is increasingly precious in the wider world.
We are also very ambitious.
In assembly by 0805 every morning and still doing prep 13 hours later. Lessons fill the bulk of most days, but the quality and quantity of our music, drama, games and activities that fill the gaps, often astonishes our visitors from less intense educational environments.
This is perhaps the essence of the holistic nature of education at Sedbergh that “makes the Sedbergh man”
Great Sedberghians are renowned for rising to the challenge and therefore pupils and staff are routinely removed from their comfort zones.
About this time last year, the first XV came from behind in the final minute of the game to beat Wellington away, whilst simultaneously there was a truly sensational performance of Les Miserable in front of a packed and emotional audience in Powell Hall.
A few days later, the U16 girls became national 6-a-side hockey champions in the south of England.
Successes of these magnitudes would not be possible without the significant care and support of each other that comes from living as closely as we do.
We are simply very good at looking after each other when required and the extent of this support in the Houses, is perhaps one reason why Sedberghians are brave enough to challenge themselves quite so often.
This support is also a major factor as to why the relationships that are forged in our boarding Houses, will last a lifetime.
The Challe
nge does not stop there and it would be difficult to review life at Sedbergh without any reference to Lent term.
Many schools do cross country runs and some even run in the fells. However, running at Sedbergh is simply on another level.
Hundreds of pupils and staff routinely take to the fells in the foulest of weathers and the camaraderie this generates is perhaps second to none.
Resilience is in abundance but so too is compassion as the strong support the weak to overcome their own, individual, but equally important challenges.
Achievement is celebrated at every level.
These principles I have referred to are timeless and have served thousands of Old Sedberghians who have sat in this Chapel before you.
On this day more than any other in the calendar, we will all acknowledge the hundreds of Old Sedberghians who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
We should also reflect that that the men whose names are now in the cloisters, shared the same values, principles and ethos that we aspire to today.
And that they too enjoyed the beauty of the landscape in which we are so fortunate to be surrounded.
This week I have suggested that the world order is changing in front of our eyes.
On reflection, it has perhaps always been changing and this is simply the latest chapter. Opportunities for you will present themselves thick and fast in the years ahead.
But for now your formal education is critical and you may wish to ask yourself if you are as resilient in the classroom as you are on Baugh fell or Busk?
You should not question the overwhelming importance of your academic success in enabling the widest possible choice for your future.
But you also have in front of you the opportunity at Sedbergh for so much more.
Wisdom is accrued in many ways and I hope that today of all days, you reflect on your own adoption of Sedbergh’s timeless values,
if you too intend to “see a vaster prospect and breathe a larger air.”
The reading is taken from Proverbs Chapter 3, verses 13-20
Happy are those who find wisdom,
and those who get understanding,
for her income is better than silver,
and her revenue better than gold. S
he is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called happy.
The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;
by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
We sing Hymn 87
We bow our heads to reflect:
When you get what you want in your struggle for self And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself And see what that man has to say.
For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife Whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass.
He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest For he’s with you, clear to the end
And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears If you’ve cheated the man in the glass
- We close with the grace
- We say together
- The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
- The love of God
- And the fellowship of the holy spirit
- Be with us all
- Evermore
- Amen