In his latest address, our Headmaster reflected on the strong sense of community, service, and togetherness that defines life at Barnard Castle School. As the half-term approaches, Mr. Cresswell reminds pupils and staff that true success is measured by how we support one another, encouraging every Barnardian to look beyond themselves and champion core values.
Headmaster, David Cresswell:
Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who helped make our recent Open Day and Sixth Form events such a success.
To the pupils who acted as guides, spoke to prospective families, shared their experiences, and represented the school so brilliantly, thank you.
You are our best ambassadors. There is nothing more powerful for a family considering Barney than hearing directly from you about what life here is really like.
Thank you also to all the staff involved in organising and supporting these events. They take an enormous amount of preparation, and I am grateful for everyone’s contribution.
Giving back to our community
I also want to thank everyone who helped host and volunteer at Parkrun: Ella, Ellie, Annabelle, Ben, Dermot and Archie.
Parkrun is a wonderful example of something that brings people together, promotes physical and mental wellbeing, and creates a real sense of community. And it reminds us of something important: you don’t always have to be the person taking part to make a difference. Sometimes, being the person who helps others succeed is just as valuable.
That leads rather nicely into something very special happening here this Saturday.
Our Gala Dinner
This Saturday, we are hosting a special Gala Dinner here at Barney, bringing together Old Barnardians, parents, friends, and members of the wider rugby community.
This year marks 100 years since rugby was first played at Barnard Castle School, back in 1926.
Over those 100 years, sport has given generations of Barnardians friendships, opportunities, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
But this dinner isn’t simply about celebrating the past. We wanted to use this milestone to do something meaningful for others.
So, we’re raising money for three fantastic charities, each of which represents something I believe is incredibly important to us as a school.
The first is LooseHeadz, a charity dedicated to supporting mental health. Their message is simple: it’s OK not to be OK, and nobody should feel they have to struggle alone. They encourage people to talk openly, to look out for their friends, and to have the confidence to ask for help.
The second is the Matt Hampson Foundation, a charity that helps people rebuild their lives after life-changing injuries. Matt was a talented young rugby player who suffered a devastating injury in 2005. He went on to establish a foundation built around a powerful motto: “Get Busy Living.” The Foundation helps people regain independence, rebuild confidence and find purpose after serious injury. It’s an extraordinary example of resilience, determination, and what can be achieved when people have the right support around them.
The third is Newcastle Rugby Foundation, which uses rugby to create opportunities for people across our region. They work with young people in schools, support mental wellbeing, help girls develop body confidence, and create sporting opportunities for people with learning disabilities. Their work reminds us that sport isn’t really about winning matches or lifting trophies. It’s about inclusion, friendship, confidence, and giving everyone the opportunity to belong.
So, why am I telling you about a dinner that most of you won’t be attending? Because I want you to understand what it represents.
A school like ours should be about more than what happens in classrooms, on sports pitches, or in examination halls. It should be about the difference we make to the lives of others.
These three charities reflect values that I hope every Barnardian recognises:
Looking after one another. Overcoming adversity. Creating opportunities for others.
And those values don’t just apply to athletes. They apply to every one of us. Whether you’re helping a friend who’s having a difficult day, encouraging someone who’s struggling, or making sure somebody feels included, you are putting those values into practice.
And if there’s one thought I’d like you to take away this morning, it’s this:
The real measure of a strong community isn’t simply what we achieve together, but how we support people when they need us most.
That’s what Saturday’s dinner is really about, and it’s something I hope we can all be proud of.
Half-term trips
As we approach half-term, I also want to wish all our pupils and staff heading off on our trips to Greece and Iceland a fantastic time. These are wonderful opportunities to experience different places, discover new cultures, learn beyond the classroom, and make memories that will stay with you for years.
Make the most of every opportunity, be curious, try something new, and enjoy spending time with your friends and teachers. Most importantly, look after yourselves and one another, and remember that wherever you travel, you are representing Barnard Castle School.
Have a fantastic time and travel safely.
I’ll also be travelling during half-term, although my trip will be slightly different! I’m heading first to Hong Kong, where I’ll be meeting prospective families and supporting our international pupil recruitment. I’ll then travel to Hangzhou in China, where I’ve been invited to speak at a conference for high school teachers and principals about student wellbeing.
It’s a subject that I feel very strongly about, because I believe that education isn’t simply about academic success. It’s about helping young people develop the confidence, resilience and sense of belonging they need to thrive. I’ll also be using the visit to continue building relationships with schools in China, with the aim of creating new exchange opportunities for our own pupils in the future.
One of the great things about being part of a school like Barney is that our community extends far beyond Barnard Castle. And I want us to continue creating opportunities for you to experience the wider world, build friendships across cultures, and develop the confidence to make your mark wherever life takes you.
Celebration and thanks
A huge congratulations to Mrs Roxburgh, one of our fantastic chefs in the kitchen, who is celebrating an incredible 40 years of service to Barney this week. Four decades of dedication, hard work and commitment. What a fantastic milestone and a wonderful achievement! Please do congratulate her when in the Dining Hall!
Mr Edwards won best musical performer at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) awards for his performance in Little Shop of Horrors. It’s the second year in a row he’s won a NODA award. Pretty amazing! A great evening all round with other awards for productions he is involved in.
Netball
A huge congratulations to Headlanders Netball Club, whose U14s won the Regional Club Finals yesterday. Three Barney pupils contributed to the nine-player squad, with special recognition from the coach for Sophia and Annabelle’s leadership on court. A fantastic achievement and a great showcase of the talent and ability of our pupils.
We also have further netball success to celebrate, with our U13, U14 and U19 teams all qualifying for the next round of the Sisters in Sport competition. We look forward to seeing how far they can progress.
Rugby
Our First XV travelled to Merchiston this weekend and enjoyed a successful tournament, reaching the final and narrowly missing out on the trophy. Captained by H. Cass, the team showed real resilience when challenged and demonstrated the determination, character, and grit that we associate with Barney sport. It’s their 2nd final in a row! St Peter’s is in the cup on Wednesday.
Thank you to Mr Cain, Mr Pepper, and Mr Midcalf for accompanying and supporting the team.
Hockey
Good luck to our U14 girls, who head to Scotland this weekend for a short sports tour. They will be playing fixtures in Kelsoe, and Glasgow, and we wish them every success and an enjoyable experience representing Barney.
Musical interlude
The music department is buzzing for the week ahead and know how much effort you’ve all been putting into the House Singing Competition. Keep using every opportunity to prepare yourselves and good luck to you all! With that in mind, CONGERS tomorrow will be in house to enable some last-minute polish.
Our performance today will be given by A. Flemming, who did his first ever performance in a lunchtime concert last week and played with great rhythm and joy. Lunchtime concerts happen every Wednesday lunchtime in the music department between 1.15 and 1.45. Please do go and support your friends and witness the combination of their talent and hard work.
So, give it up for A. Flemming, who courageously takes on his second performance in front of you all!
Final thoughts
As we head towards half-term, I want to leave you with one final thought. We’ve spoken this morning about volunteering, charity, supporting others, travelling, and creating new opportunities.
They might sound like very different things, but they all have something in common. They’re about looking beyond ourselves.
Recognising that we are part of something bigger, that we have a responsibility to one another, and that we can all make a positive difference. That’s what being a Barnardian should mean.
So, as we approach the end of this half-term, let’s make sure we finish strongly, continue looking after one another and take pride in the community we’re all part of.
