Horrible Histories star here for Speech Day
Actor, Sebastian Croft, joined our Years 5 to 8 pupils, their families and friends this morning for speech day as the school came together to reflect on the children’s efforts, aspirations and accomplishments and the fun of the academic year. Sebastian’s latest film, Horrible Histories The Movie: Rotten Romans is due for release in late July.
Headmaster, Gareth Jones, started the proceedings with a highly entertaining speech in which he précised many of the school’s successes highlighting the children’s academic, sporting, creative, charitable and philanthropic achievements across the year. He also underlined that a St Andrew’s Prep education is about intellectual character and that the school’s mission is to help our children to be ambitious and curious; creative and resilient; capable of seizing the initiative; to be a collaborator, leader and follower and to be adaptable to changing situations. At the same time St Andrew’s aims to build moral character too and the pupils themselves have created the basis for a new code of conduct where honesty, kindness, respect, gratitude and courage are key.
Chair of the Eastbourne College Charity Board of Governors, Philip Broadley then addressed the packed Durlacher Gym. He thanked the parents for their contributions and support for the school and urged the leavers to remember long lazy days on the St Andrew’s Prep field and to stay in touch.
The head boys and head girls gave wonderful deliveries on explosive experiments, the importance of community, the school’s sporting prowess and sportsmanship; the magnificent drama productions and musical opportunities open to the children and the teamwork ethos of St Andrew’s Prep, both on and off the playing field.
After the prize giving ceremony, Sebastian took part in a Q and & A session with Mr Jones who was Sebastian’s Housemaster at the Dragon School in Oxford. Sebastian spoke passionately about the arts, and urged the pupils to take advantage of every opportunity that presented itself, to learn from failure as well as success, to stand up for what they believe in and to be kind, always.
Sebastian has played on many West End stages in productions including Oliver, Les Miserables, Matilda, Coriolanus and The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole: The Musical. He has worked under some of the world’s greatest directors including Sam Mendes, Cameron Mackintosh and Trevor Nunn and his career has seen him play alongside superstars including Tom Hiddleston, Carrie Fisher, Rita Ora, and Alfie Boe but to date he is probably best known for playing the Young Ned Stark in Game of Thrones. In addition to Horrible Histories, Sebastian has also appeared in a number of other films including The Hippopotamus, Wonderwell, Music War and Love and Where is Ann Frank?
Mr Jones said, “It has been a splendid day and wonderful to celebrate everything that is great about St Andrew’s Prep. It has also been fantastic to host Sebastian. He has turned into a delightful and inspirational young man and I know that his words on creativity, dedication to perform and his passionate enthusiasm to the arts will have made a great impression on our pupils”.
After a delicious buffet for all on the school fields, speech day drew to a close.
So congratulations to each and every one of our pupils this year; and now for the holidays…
