Most mornings, I have the great pleasure of walking around the outside of College Field, in the early morning, with my cocker spaniel. I often meet pupils going for a morning run before breakfast. One of our more committed pupils uses that time to practise kicking his rugby ball. He is there every single day. That extra 30 minutes of self-discipline will surely make him a star performer when the season comes around again. I meet a few of the teaching staff too, and of course, I also meet the amazing army of support staff, setting up for another day of purposeful learning and a lot of fun. As I walk, I am always reminded of OCs too. Some of you will remember that at the base of each of the majestic trees that border the sports pitches, there are named plaques to successful sporting performances of the past. The trees rise up strong, straight and tall, and at their roots are Cheltonians who have contributed in so many ways to our success through their own strength of will and by putting their talents to good use.

The metaphor of the tree was used by George and Flora, this year’s excellent Heads of School, as a way to describe and reflect on their journey through College. They spoke movingly about the need for strong and secure roots, which they felt they had from their families, and their Houses.

The need for a sturdy trunk, like the teaching and support staff who keep all Cheltonians grounded and secure. The branches and the leaves, now fully out and keeping us shaded and cool, were how they saw themselves. Branches that showed the need to be flexible and to be able to bend to weather any storm. At the end of their school career, perhaps that is the most important characteristic that they, as departing students, will take with them into the next exciting step of their journey.

This coming year will be challenging for all of us. However, we reflect on the many ways in which we have been able to be adaptable, flexible and courageous in the past and we will seek to go beyond and above even that. I am more confident than I have ever been that our pupils, past, present and future, will gain that all-important resilience from their time at College. I know we, the organisation that remains rooted to this wonderful place, will be able to adapt and to make the very most of opportunities as they arise, both here and overseas.

Here in these pages, for which I thank our excellent editorial team, I am sure you will join me in embracing the diversity and energy of all that our Cheltonians have achieved. You will enjoy reading of their triumphs and accolades across the curriculum, in sports, music, drama, activities and in the Houses and beyond. Their stories and those of our OCs featured here too, will inspire. However, they will also not have shied away from the challenges they faced in getting there. In the coming year, that character and determination will be something we all draw on, just as the magnificent and ancient trees around College continue to draw on their roots, forming a barrier of protection against the winds that may blow.