On a bright, sunlit morning, the Leavers’ Service for the Class of 2026 took place at Calne’s Parish church, St Mary’s, marking the opening of Founders’ Day at St Mary’s Calne on Saturday 27 June. With the church filled with pupils, staff and Upper Sixth families gathered together, the atmosphere carried a sense of tradition and reflection, alongside anticipation for the day ahead.
The service began with a warm welcome from Rev. Caspar Bush, followed by the school’s Chaplain, Rev. Jonathan Beach, whose words set a tone of gratitude and celebration for the Leavers and their families. Their addresses acknowledged both the achievements of the cohort and the shared journey of the school community over the past year, while also looking forward to the next steps for our Leavers.
Readings were given by Head of Chapel Elo I, Head Girl Ada R and Head Mrs Anne Wakefield, while the Head Girl’s Trio of Ada R, Olivia M and Allison L also contributed to the service, with each contribution reflecting on themes of growth, transition and belonging.
A highlight of the service was the guest address from Rev, Canon Martin Poll, former Domestic Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen and, later, for His Majesty The King, who spoke thoughtfully about the idea that ‘knowledge is a cake’ with slices of ‘things you know you know, things you know you don’t know, things you had forgotten you know, and things you don’t know that you don’t know!’ He also made the point that education is far more than gathering facts and asked the Upper Sixth Leavers to make a resolution to ‘live a life, not a competition’.
Interwoven throughout the service were well-loved communal hymns and beautiful performances from the Chamber Choir and Junior Consort.
As the first event of the 2026 Founders’ Day celebrations, the Leavers’ Service offered a thoughtful and uplifting beginning to the day that honoured both the history of the school and the future awaiting our leaving students.
