AGM 2017
Friends’ schools had an Old Scholars group but Sibford lagged behind. The ‘Sibford Old Scholars’ Association’, more commonly known as ‘SOSA’, was inaugurated on the 19th June 1903. Its first President was Joseph Spence Hodgson.
It turns out that Joseph Spence Hodgson and I are related. His great grandfather – John Spence of Birstwith (1746 – 1806) is the brother of my great (x6) grandfather – Robert Spence of Hartwith (1742 – 1793). I will leave the technical expression of our relationship to your better judgement. My best guess is that Joseph would be my third cousin five times removed. Answers on a postcard are welcome! Joseph Spence Hodgson was, by all accounts quite eccentric and very active … the latter I would like to think is a family trait. He was involved in more than one Quaker school. There is a picture on the wall at Ackworth of Joseph Spence Hodgson. It is a sepia print showing him in tweed jacket, beard and sideburns, surrounded by Persian cats. I have read that in 1858 a number of Ackworth Old Scholars offered to pay for a new swimming bath and in the spring of the following year it was opened at a cost of about £470. Ackworth’s website goes on: ‘After he had spoken at the formal opening on 6 December 1898, Joseph Spence Hodgson, after a short spirited speech, dived into the water in black frock coat and tall silk hat, to the surprise and delight of the children’. So I have a direct link to one of
the founding fathers of SOSA. I hope to develop and strengthen this link as the years progress. On page 31 of Mike Finch’s fine history of the school, ‘A View from the Hill’, he tells us what SOSA’s main aims were and still are:
16 / The Sibford Rocket
HEAD’S REPORT CONTINUED
(a) to foster interaction between former scholars and staff and present day pupils and staff; (b) to further school day friendships; (c) to enjoy the mutual benefits that can arise through a sustained relationship with the school and former scholars;
(d) to encourage a spirit of loyalty amongst present scholars; (e) to assist the further development of the school. Mike Finch also tells us that, in 2009, SOSA changed its constitution to become more closely connected to the school and to enable a greater embracing role in supporting the school’s alumni project. This relationship is important to
me. I hope that during my headship I will have a close and supportive relationship with SOSA. SOSA is a guardian of the history and the archives – indeed, in many respects SOSA represents the ‘walking archive of the school’. I very much look forward to hearing your stories and memories. Sibford School has a long, varied and rich history. It is a privilege, challenge and honour to be the 12th Head of this fabulous community. I use the word challenge quite deliberately. Yes, there are the challenges of leading a complex and diverse community. However, I set the word more in the context of 2017. We live in changing times, times of increasing uncertainty and a sense of instability.
As Old Scholars you may well
feel that you have ‘seen it all before’ and you are right. In the ‘here and now’ I hope that Sibford can lead by example with a strong voice and active role to play in the lives of the community and further afield. For me the values of Sibford
School could not be more important at this time – equality, respect, diversity, tolerance, sustainability, peace, honesty, truth, courage – are all words which we use regularly around our community. So what are our plans for the future? We are making improvements to Science, our Junior School and our Food and Nutrition classroom. We are at the early stages of investigating the possibility of installing a climbing wall and have longer term plans for an astro-turf. We are also in discussion with SOSA about plans to refresh the much loved Pavilion. Whilst maintaining and nurturing our outstanding pastoral and boarding provision, we will review the curriculum for 2018 and plan to do more work with local state schools and further afield. We will focus upon tracking and monitoring pupil progress – linking strong pastoral care to clear academic targets. We will be looking at innovative learning approaches and encouraging more pupil responsibility for learning. We also wish to find ways of
working more closely with Friends House and the wider Quaker community. Our shared values are vital to us.
We continue to see that of God in everyone and believing that each is talented, each is different and all are valued.
On our journey I am very much open to your advice, thoughts and suggestions as we look to build upon the firm foundations of the Sibford community and look forward adventurously to the next 175 years. I also look forward to getting to know you and working more closely with you over the coming months and years. Thank you for support and friendship.
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