Simon Henderson, the current headmaster of Eton College in Berkshire, England, spent time as a gap year learner at St Peter’s Prep. This was years back when the current rector of St Peter’s Prep, Greg Royce, began his tenure as headmaster of the boys’ school.
At the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa’s (Isasa) request, Henderson was approached and asked to deliver a keynote address at the Isasa and Independent Schools Heads’ Conference, which took place over the half-term in early November.
Henderson and his wife, Ali (a former advisor to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown) were welcomed at a dinner held at St Peter’s Prep prior to the conference. It was fascinating to hear his anecdotes about Eton College and the boys, some of which involved the reigning monarch. Much later in the evening, he startled attendees when he jumped up to make an impromptu speech.
He expressed his gratitude to St Peter’s for making him feel so welcome and went on to emphasise the impact that many staff had had on him. Henderson coyly admitted that one of his passwords for the Eton IT network contained the letters ‘FNIMH’ – Furber Nothard Is My Hero. Furber is a recently-retired boarder housemaster at St Peter’s who pops in from time to time as a substitute teacher. The boys have always loved him.
In his scholarly address to the 500 plus delegates at the conference, Henderson spoke passionately about the need for a social and emotional connection as technology and artificial intelligence played an increasingly dominant role in teaching and learning.
He went on to say that it was crucial that all children feel accepted at school, welcomed and valued as individuals. Of all the schools at which he had taught or visited, St Peter’s Prep had been by far the most welcoming. He had felt a true sense of acceptance and belonging. His St Peter’s experience, Henderson said, had persuaded him to pursue a career in teaching. It was this ethos, he added, that he was attempting to bring to Eton.
St Peter’s Prep featured disproportionately in the conference. The Isasa national director, a St Peter’s old boy, opened the proceedings. This was followed by the annual report by the Isasa chairman, David Hunter, also a St Peter’s old boy.
Henderson’s address followed that of the Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor. The speakers were all presented with the gift of an original painting by James Delaney, another St Peter’s old boy.
“The culture of making every child and staff member feel included and valued is a facet at which we, at St Peter’s Prep, work constantly,” said Royce.
“We see it as the core of our Anglican ethos. We are reminded of our successes and failures in this aspect each time an old boy or girl returns to visit the school.
“We only ever want to be ‘ahead of the game and behind every child’.”
Details: www.stpeters.co.za
