On behalf of our members, the Old Lennensians of King Edward VII School, King’s Lynn, I offer our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family on the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Since the opening of our school on its new site in 1906 by His Majesty King Edward VII, we have had a unique and treasured relationship with the Royal Family. A number of our members remember standing to attention on the school field as the funeral train of George VI passed by. As a Boarder, exploring the woods on the Sandringham Estate on a dull Sunday, it was not unusual to receive a cheery wave from Her Majesty as she drove by in her Land Rover. To this very day, the most outstanding scholar of the year is presented with a gold medal by the Sovereign at Sandringham in the company of the current head teacher. This honour is observed every year and has always been valued very highly by the school whatever its current organisation might be.
Prince Philip has made a huge contribution to the cause of education in its widest sense. He was always a robust advocate of freedom of speech, believing that winning the argument is so much more important than slavish obedience to convention. In particular, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme inspired many young people to reach heights they never imagined possible. Setting challenges, and achieving them, was, he believed, absolutely crucial part of our self-development. And he was right. Long before inclusion became fashionable or even acceptable, he reached out to, and included, disability groups in his Award Scheme. He understood that the nature of challenge is personal to all of us and that we can all be achievers. In this he was years ahead of his time.
He expanded the hopes and achievements of countless individuals. He saw what needed to be done and did it. His vision and commitment are an inspiration to us all.
RIP, Sir.
Andrew Stephen, Chairman
