Page 6 - The Old Ratcliffian 2015 Magazine
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6 NEWS FROM THE COLLEGE
NEWS FROM THE COLLEGE
THE HEADMASTER’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY REPORT
Headmaster, Gareth Lloyd
Dear Old Ratcliffians,
What an auspicious year this is, celebrating ‘seven score and Your contributions to Ratcliffe College, whether large or small,
ten years’ in Biblical terms, or your ‘sesquicentennial’, to use the have resulted in a school community today that is thriving
correct terminology, and to reassure you that the Classics are enormously happily – a school for children aged three to eighteen
thriving at Ratcliffe. years old; a co-educational school since 1978; a Catholic school,
universal and inclusive, serving the needs of the community;
It is an immense honour and privilege for me to attend Old and a community that buzzes with teaching and learning of the
Ratcliffian events: regional, national and even global. I never fail highest calibre and in the deepest sense. Our School Roll looks
to be struck by the most distinguishing feature of Old Ratcliffians, set to be in the region of 825 in September 2015, with boarding
and that is that decades of memories come streaming back to at capacity, underlined by a 27% growth over the past six years,
you as you speak and enthuse amongst one another. Friendships despite the recession and economic climate of austerity.
are renewed, while new connections are made, for age is not
a barrier. You are invariably fair-minded, balanced, friendly, So why do parents, including increasing numbers of Old
honest, tolerant, welcoming and charitable – you must be all Ratcliffians, continue to choose Ratcliffe College, particularly
those things, allowing a little Welshman in through the doors to over a wealth of competitor schools?
be your Headmaster for the past six years.
Our A Level results in August saw 75% of all grades at A* to B;
And I ask myself: why? Why it is that age is not a barrier to one fifth of our students attaining at least A*, A, A; 89% of our
the wonderful exchanges between yourselves and fellow Old students gaining entry to their first choice university; all of our
Ratcliffians? It is very simple: the values and vision of Blessed Oxbridge candidates securing their respective places; and our AS
Antonio Rosmini that launched Ratcliffe College 168 years ago results placing Ratcliffe College in the top 1% of ALL schools in
still permeate the very fabric of our community, speaking across the United Kingdom.
generations. Each of you left a footprint, a unique mark on the
School; so, let us consider what your collective legacy is exactly. The Ratcliffe College Preparatory School opened for business in
September 2014, to address the significant waiting list. What an
Register online at www.ratcliffianassociation.co.uk
