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View From The Tower

Senior School Charity


As reported yesterday, our Headmaster Mr John Watson was one of those who bravely abseiled down our Main Tower to raise money and awareness for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Shortly after returning safely to terra firma, he commented: 'Sometimes the only way to lead by example is to overcome your own fears and challenges - so I was pleased that this involved working with my pupils for a very worthy cause. We were in safe hands, with Head of Mathematics Mr Kris Tyas at the other end of the rope, but I probably won't be doing it again next week!'

The Headmaster has expanded upon this in his weekly blog writing: 'You may be aware that some of us hurled ourselves off the school tower in an abseiling challenge earlier this week! 3M came up with the idea for their charity fundraiser, and I not only acquiesced but also made the throw-away comment to Mrs MacGibbon that I’d join in too! As I told my colleagues earlier this week, I had rashly broken one of my golden rules: Never say ‘yes’ in the corridor.

Abseiling was not part of my training as a head - and I don’t cope terribly well with heights - but sometimes you simply have to lead by example in facing up to your fears and anxieties. So on Wednesday lunchtime we gathered towards the top of the tower ready for the descent – 'we' being pupils between Shells and Third Year, either from Climbing Club or winners of this dubious prize in a raffle, and the brave/ foolish* (delete as appropriate) Headmaster.

Yes, it seemed a long way down, and yes, all were nervous despite our own share of bravado! Not only did we encourage each other, but we also entrusted ourselves to Mr Tyas and his senior climbers, who secured the ropes and coaxed us down to a safe landing, to the applause and cheers of pupils and staff below! And that collaboration and support raised over £700 for the Teenage Cancer Trust – a cause made all the more real by the fact that pupils at Bablake have been affected.

Am I glad that I made that throw-away comment and rose to the challenge? Certainly I am, and I’m very proud of the pupils who also faced up to their fears and entrusted themselves to the guidance and encouragement of others. Will I be doing it again next week? I’ll leave you to guess….'

We congratulate every climber on their tremendous courage and trust.



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