The final day of the academic year was marked by the traditional Leavers' Service held in the Parish Church, followed by a memorable Leavers' Ball in the Prize Giving marquee that evening. This special occasion celebrated the Class of 2025 as they concluded their time at Shiplake College. While their journey as pupils has come to an end, they now join the lifelong community of Old Vikings. As one chapter closes, another begins, and we eagerly anticipate seeing all that our newest Old Vikings will achieve in the exciting years ahead!
At the Leavers' Service each year, it is customary for a leaving member of staff to give the valedictum - or farewell address - and this year it was Mrs Anna Morgan, who is leaving the College after 16 years, who gave this heartful and exceptional speech:
“For when the one great scorer comes to write against your name, he writes not that you won or lost — but how you played the game.”
These are the words my grandfather wrote in my autograph book when I was about six years old. For those of you who don’t know what an autograph book is… well, it’s like the vintage version of Instagram.
I thought my grandfather was a wise man, and this simple quote has stayed with me and to some extent, guided me throughout my life.
For me, it has two main tenets about how to approach life.
First, seize opportunities when they come your way. Like in any game, opportunities can appear unexpectedly and when they do, have the courage to take them. Be brave, even if it feels daunting or pushes you out of your comfort zone. Remember if someone has offered you an opportunity, they already believe you have the potential to succeed. You don’t need to have everything figured out — say yes, and trust you’ll grow into it.
In 2009, the then headmaster — Mr Gregg Davies — offered me an opportunity to teach here at Shiplake College. After some thought, I decided it was an opportunity I had to seize. I have never been so nervous (until today) as I was for my first lesson.
But here I am, after sixteen years. I’m a qualified teacher. I’ve had the privilege of teaching hundreds of wonderful students. I’ve gained a lifetime of memories, and I have a deep sense of gratitude that I had the courage to say “yes.”
My second tenet is this. Understand that each of our small wins and losses don’t define us. Each moment — as big as it may seem at the time — is just a passage of play in your long game. If I had to describe the early part of my own game — through education and my twenties — it would be “bumpy” and full of what could be considered losses.
I didn’t get the grades I’d hoped for. I ended up in night classes retaking my A-levels, which at the time felt like disaster. Eventually, I went to a university that wasn’t considered especially prestigious and once there, I changed courses. I felt out of place, and just about managed to hang on and finish my formal education. All these things were not how I had planned my game and to me, it felt like failure.
But what I learned was this.
Those imperfect passages of play, those messy minutes, they were not wasted.
They were leading to the unexpected. And I could never have foreseen how well things could eventually work out.
They led me to an exciting first career in software, which led to me living and working overseas, and then — most importantly — to meeting my husband. That, in turn, led to building a wonderful family and eventually to this fantastic second career in teaching, here at this extraordinary school.
Like me, I know you’ve felt the tremendous sense of community here. You’ve formed friendships that will last. You’ve shared laughter, stress, setbacks, successes, and yes, probably a fair bit of homework too. You now have a strong platform on which to build, and you are ready for the next steps.
So now comes the big question for all of us. What comes next?
After the formalities of today, we all leave to become Old Vikings and embark on different journeys. Some of you will be itching to move on; others more nervous.
I certainly feel a mix of sadness, gratitude, trepidation, and excitement. Maybe one or two of you will find that your game goes exactly as planned. But the truth is, for most of us, life won’t go exactly to plan all the time. My message to you all is to enjoy your game. Try your best to be resilient throughout. Enjoy the highs — and when life surprises you, which it will — embrace the lows; seize them as an opportunity to learn. Take those you love and care for with you. And above all, remember that it will be alright. I am living proof.
I could never have imagined, when I left school, how grateful I would feel for every twist and turn, every ‘in-game’ moment, including the tough ones, that brought me to this place, to share this special moment with all of you.
And so I leave you with the words of Dame Judi Dench, who said:
“Be brave. Be kind. And don’t forget to laugh.”
If you carry those three things with you — courage, compassion, and a little joy — then no matter your win loss ratio, the mark against your name will be that you played a worthy game. Thank you, and good luck, Old Vikings.
