Page 3 - The Old Ratcliffian 2011

The Old Ratcliffan 2011 | Introduction A Letter from the Headmaster Dear Old Ratcliffians, Once again, it has been an honour to meet former students of Ratcliffe College over the past year at various functions, including the London, Birmingham and – for the first time ever – Washington DC Dinners. The Washington Dinner was especially memorable, organised magnificently by Eugene McCarthy (61) and his wonderful wife, Mandy. The event was held at the Cosmos Club on a day when temperatures soared to 108 degrees! Whether you have been a recent leaver or one of greater experience (and wisdom, no doubt!), your company has been hugely enjoyable, your reminiscences entertaining and your continued support of the College greatly appreciated. If we have not yet met each other, then I hope and pray that we may do so in the near future. We have enjoyed an inspired year over the past twelve months. We Mr Gareth P Lloyd with his wife, Katharine & their three children have witnessed excellent standards of teaching and learning; an is inseparable from knowledge of along with a plethora of other extraordinary range of opportunities the Creator, for ‘both we and our activities that run throughout the week for children to develop skills, talents words are in His hands, as are all and over the weekends; and to look and personal qualities outside the understanding and skill in crafts’” (a after each other – to show consistent classroom; and the outstanding quotation from the Book of Wisdom). respect, understanding and support pastoral care within the Boarding of others, regardless of background. House and indeed throughout the The word ‘education’ stems from the These are the qualities that I believe School. Be assured that Blessed Latin educere. This does not translate prepare Ratcliffe students in the Antonio Rosmini’s vision of educating as cram in as many facts as possible most meaningful manner for life after children through intellectual, spiritual so that teachers meet Government School and once they leave home, to and charitable pursuits continues targets on numeracy and literacy; join you within the auspicious ranks of to underpin all that our twenty-first neither, from the student’s point of Old Ratcliffians. century community aspires to achieve. view, does it translate as keeping one’s teachers and parents happy by In all that we do, as staff and Much was said last year about doing nothing else but study. Educere students, we remain deeply the excellence of our School, the means to draw forth; it places the committed to upholding our School students’ learning, the variety onus upon all educators, parents Motto, Charity is the Fulfilment of of teaching methods used to and teachers alike, working in close the Law. I am immensely proud of stimulate our children, the beautiful partnership with each other, to give my teaching and support Staff and, environment, and so on, all our young people every opportunity of course, all our students, and I contained within the Independent possible to explore the world around thank them on your behalf for their Schools’ Inspection Report. Yet us, and to enable them to draw unstinting support of me in leading truly meaningful education is about their own conclusions, hopefully this fine community. much more than academic success underpinned by the Gospel values of alone. As Pope Benedict XVI said in universal respect and welcome which I would especially like to thank you, his address last September to the we consistently emphasise at Ratcliffe. the Old Ratcliffians, for your continued teachers of the United Kingdom: My simple mantra to the students is support of Ratcliffe College. May “The task of a teacher is not simply to work hard – to access opportunities you and your family be blessed with to impart information or to provide later in life, so that they may exercise good health and happiness in the training in skills intended to deliver both morally informed and materially year ahead; I do hope that I shall have some economic benefit to society; beneficial choice; to play hard – to the pleasure of meeting you at Old education is not and must never be develop life-skills such as leadership, Ratcliffian events. considered as purely utilitarian. It teamwork, motivation, self-discipline, God bless, is about forming the human person, integrity and perseverance, through With warmest wishes, equipping him or her to live life to the sport, music, drama, the Combined Mr Gareth P. Lloyd full – in short, it is about imparting Cadet Force and The Duke of Headmaster wisdom. And true wisdom Edinburgh Award, Register online at www.ratcliffanassociation.co.uk 3