Another Citizenship Ceremony with 30 individuals, including a number of children, from a wide range of countries becoming citizens of the UK. A delight as always to meet them and they seem to like being photographed next to the High Sheriff’s uniform.
Moor House is a Specialist School and College for boys and girls with language and related communication difficulties. It is a national Centre of Excellence with pupils (aged 7 to 19, 150 in total with 50 boarders) coming from 24 counties across England and wonderfully cared for by 150 staff. They provide a highly specialist, safe, caring and stimulating learning environment with therapy embodied within the curriculum. An OFSTED rating of Outstanding for the last five years says it all. Such a ranking is thanks to a staff led by the Principal Mrs Helen Middleton who leads from the front with the personal passion and belief that whatever the difficulties students can be empowered to reach their potential. Do visit www.moorhouseschool.co.uk. A school Surrey should be proud of.
At the Watts Gallery this evening we said farewell to Nick Tromans who has been an exemplary Curator for the last five years. He masterminded a series of excellent exhibitions and has been instrumental in the well advanced plan for a cast of the Physical Energy sculpture (currently in the forecourt of the Royal Academy in Piccadilly) to be located on the A3 above the Gallery as the “Angel of the South”. As a Trustee of the Watts I thank Nick for leaving the Gallery with a reputation enhanced by his efforts.
As we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the RAF, I had the privilege this morning of sitting beside a 95 year old RAF veteran, Ft Lt Reginald Edwards, who inter alia flew Dakotas chasing the Japanese out of Burma in 1945. A very lively gentleman. The occasion was a Commemorative Flag Raising Ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Reigate at Reigate Town Hall, with a cadet from Reigate Grammar School raising the RAF Ensign. A very special occasion crossing generations.
Delighted to attend the 2018 Spark Festival at the Farnham Maltings. A multi-arts festival for children, young people and families. This evening was well organised performances of dance and theatre by young people from across Waverley. A wonderful confidence building experience for those taking part. Pleased that the High Sheriff Youth Awards provided support.
Last night we celebrated the young people who had participated in the projects which had received funding from the High Sheriff Youth Awards. A great turnout of guests watched presentations from Peer Productions, the Fire Service Youth Engagement Scheme and Guildford Shakespeare Company and other charities. Impressive and at times very moving performances from the young people. All validating the value of the awards. A huge thank you to ExxonMobil who hosted the event for the 25th time.
This afternoon was a gathering of the experts with whom I have engaged during my Shrieval Year in shining a torch into the vexed issue of children being excluded from schools. With 50+ opinion leaders (senior politicians and staff from SCC, Head Teachers, Heads of Pupil Referral Units, many charities working in schools) in the room it proved to be a great opportunity to network and share experiences in a common cause and commit to spreading the message that inclusivity and a restorative approach with earlier interventions and collaborative working can make a huge difference to keeping children in mainstream education. “In Surrey every child matters and you can’t delete a child”.
Visited the Diamond Centre for Disabled Riders today. They provide unique facilities for over 360 disabled children and adults each week enabling them to enjoy therapeutic and recreational benefits of horse riding and carriage driving. What is amazing is that the Centre is serviced by 300 (yes 300) volunteers who do so much for the young and not so young riders. A huge thank you to them and to staff members. Everyone is so committed, including the pictured Chairman of Trustees, a Trustee colleague and Delilah the horse.
Delighted to present the High Sheriff Youth Awards Shield to Woking High School who was the top placed Surrey School in the Surrey Heat of the 2017 Mock Trials. A terrific event when pupils from six schools play acted all the court roles in a mock trial. Extraordinary performances by 12 to 14 year olds as prosecution and defence barristers, the defendant etc. Proud that the High Sheriff Youth Awards supports this event.
Back to Send Prison (my 4th or is it 5th visit in my Shrieval year) to attend the last day of the Sycamore Tree Course of Restorative Justice for 20 women in the Prison. This is all about encouraging and helping inmates facing unto their crime and the impact on victims so that they can then move forward. There is good evidence that this course does reduce re-offending. Wonderful work by a lot of volunteers who are so supportive of the Send ladies.
