At Wells, fostering a true sense of community and belonging is absolutely central what we do.
One way of achieving this is through our two weekly whole Senior School assemblies.
Our Monday morning assembly in the Cathedral takes the form of a short service with music, readings and an address that is designed to encourage and challenge pupils to think about moral and philosophical ideas, as well as promote values which are core to our community such as kindness, respect and acceptance. This may sometimes be set within a Christian context, but our aim is to ensure that the message is relevant to all pupils, whatever their beliefs.
The Senior School also meets in Cedars Hall each Thursday morning before lessons start. This assembly usually includes a musical performance and a celebration of the achievements of pupils and staff. Speakers may also address the School on a variety of topics including current affairs, ethical issues, our sense of shared history and, as part of our wider UK educational responsibility, ‘fundamental British values’.
On this page you can find links to some of our recent addresses.
Epiphanies and the ‘self-sufficing power of solitude’, Sophie, Upper Sixth Form Pupil, March 2024
Forgiveness, Martin Ashton, Deputy Head (Pastoral), March 2024
‘Remembering and Re-membering’, Remembrance Day, Alastair Tighe, Head Master, November 2023
Ascension Day, Revd Mary Bide, Sub-Dean, May 2023
May Day and King Charles III’s Coronation, Alastair Tighe, Head Master, 1 May 2023
Power of Small Things, Revd Tom Handy, School Chaplain, February 2023
Growing Up, Sally Rowley, Head of Sixth Form, October 2022
On Hope in the Digital Age, Chris Eldridge, Head of History, June 2022
What does Ascension Day tell us about love?, Revd Mary Bide, Sub-Dean, May 2022
On Blame, Chris Eldridge, Head of History, March 2022
New Beginnings: For the Start of a New Year, Revd Canon Dr Rob James, Canon Chancellor, January 2022
Doubting Thomas and Antony Gormley’s DOUBT, Alastair Tighe, Head Master, September 2021
Christmas in a Time of Covid, Alastair Tighe, Head Master, December 2020
Transformation, Revd Canon Rob James, Canon Chancellor, St Andrew’s Day, November 2020
Cathedral Thinking, Sally Rowley, Head of Sixth Form, November 2020
Reflections on Remembrance, Chris Eldridge, Head of History, November 2020
Be Yourself, Martin Ashton, Deputy Head (Pastoral), November 2020
‘Wow’ moments and Jacob’s Ladder, Alastair Tighe, Head Master, September 2020
Welcome to Trinity Term, Alastair Tighe, Head Master, June 2020
Welcome to Whitsun Term, Alastair Tighe, Head Master, April 2020
Courtesy and Making a Good Impression, Alastair Tighe, Head Master, January 2020
Reflections on Remembrance, Chris Eldridge, Head of History, November 2019
Curiosity, Andrew O’Sullivan, Teacher of English, October 2019
Memory Makers, Sarah Curl, Chaplain, October 2019
Enthusiasm, Sally Rowley, Head of Sixth Form, UCAS and Higher Education, September 2019
Curiosity, Alastair Tighe, Head Master, September 2019
Finding Sanctuary, Alastair Tighe, Head Master, April 2019
Unkind Banter, Alastair Tighe, Head Master, February 2019
The School Motto, Alastair Tighe, Head Master, September 2018