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Welcome Back to Barney

Welcoming the School back to Barney for the second half of Lent Term, our Headmaster and Headmistress both spoke on the importance of Humility. Here is a transcript of David Cresswell’s speech in Headmaster‘s assembly.

As we gathered for Founder’s Day at the end of last half term, I found myself reflecting on those who came before us. I don’t often sit watching an assembly and so I really enjoyed the service – I thought the prefects were great.

It got me thinking about the shields of Balliol and Flounders that adorn our school remind us of the traditions and values that have shaped Barney. These symbols stand not only as markers of history but as a challenge to us all: to honour the past by embodying its highest ideals. Old Barnardians sat next to me for Prep School Founder’s Day.

Balliol represents long-lasting tradition (like Chapel, gowns and nailing up), while Flounders was a man of innovation, playing a vital role in supporting the Stockton and Darlington Railway – a pioneering leap forward in transportation. So, my interpretation is that this shield represents striving, ambition and looking forward.

The very walls of our school are steeped in history, each brick – like the Foundation Stone – laid by those who believed in the power of education and the importance of community. Their legacy is not just in the buildings but in the values we uphold – values like humility.

These qualities are at the heart of Barney, and I knew this before I became Headmaster, but I’m now starting to understand more through listening. I think that our school values are underpinned by three defining pillars: character, community, and ambition. Character shapes who we are, teaching us resilience and the courage to do what is right. Community reminds us that we belong to something greater than ourselves, that our success is intertwined with those around us. And ambition drives us forward, ensuring that we honour the past not by standing still, but by striving to make things better for those who will come after us.

This brings me to an unexpected connection: tennis. Over Half Term, I had the chance to watch a fair bit of it (if you are in to tennis a young British player – Jack Draper 23 – got to his fifth final of an ATP tour event in Doha Qatar – I’ve been following him for a while and I’m really excited to see him do so well), but for the purpose of this assembly I wanted to tell you about a book I read. It’s an autobiography called “The Racket” by Conor Niland, a fascinating insight into the world of professional tennis. Niland, a former Irish number one, reached the main draw of Wimbledon and the US Open, competing against some of the best players in the world. His book sheds light on the intense demands of the sport, the sacrifices players make, and the humility required to navigate a career where victories are hard-fought and setbacks inevitable.

It made me think about Novak Djokovic’s decision to hire the greatest British tennis player of all time, Andy Murray, as his coach.

Djokovic and Murray have been fierce competitors for years, battling on the biggest stages in tennis. It would have been easy for Djokovic to let pride stand in the way, to believe that he had nothing to learn from a former rival. But instead, he demonstrated humility – recognising that Murray’s experience, insights, and perspective could help him improve. In doing so, he set aside ego in pursuit of growth.

There is a lesson here for all of us. True humility means recognising that we never stop learning. It means being willing to listen, to seek guidance, and to accept that wisdom can come from unexpected places – even from a rival.

Just as Djokovic looks to the future with a willingness to evolve (think about that connection I made with the Flounders shield), so too must we at Barney. We honour our past not by clinging to it, but by using it as a foundation for growth, innovation, and ambition.

As we move forward into this half term, I’d like us to carry that sense of humility with us. Let’s be grateful for what has been built before us, but also be bold enough to shape what comes next.

Let’s be open to learning – from our teachers, our friends, and even from those we might once have seen as competitors.

The best exam year groups I have seen are the ones who strive together – revising as a team or in little pods, holding each other accountable, and setting the right environment for success.

Lower Sixth have a responsibility to ensure that Upper Sixth can work well, just as Year 10 must help create a positive atmosphere for Year 11 as they prepare for their GCSEs.

My question for you today is:

How can you show humility by supporting those around you – particularly those in exam year groups?

I hope you have a great week.

Barnard Castle School is holding a number of Open Events in the coming weeks, if you would like to visit us and experience Barney, please sign up here: Open Events – Barnard Castle School