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Departing Head Boy, Elliot Yates, has put together some
reflections on what was special about his Bolton School
education. They can be read below:
My time at Bolton School has come to an end and I am most
grateful, therefore, to be given the freedom to reflect on all that
has passed and the wealth of opportunity that students receive.
In my experience, Bolton School pupils are not constrained by
the pressures of academic success in isolation, but encouraged to
discover the advantages of discipline and enterprise in striving to
excel in many aspects of school life, be it sporting, dramatic,
musical or otherwise. I was always amazed to see how my colleagues
and friends could transform from ordinary students into piano
virtuoso, scientific genius or prolific run scorer when put in a
different forum!
The guiding hand throughout my school path has undoubtedly been
the skill, enthusiasm and motivation of my teachers. It has been
very obvious to me that their interest and work ethic goes way
beyond what is merely required of them and their warmth and good
humour got us all through the more difficult aspects of school life
as well as the fun. Thank you always.
Thanks also go to the dedication of the sports teaching staff
who created that strong team ethic and a desire to succeed. I was
proud to play cricket throughout my time at school and captained
the 2nd XI for my final two years. Thanks also to
Taff, our long-suffering 1st XI hockey coach who
put us through our paces!
A lot of Bolton school life could not function without its
support staff and I remember, in particular, Carol for her
enjoyable sixth form common room menu, the sergeants for their
organisational help at school events and Tracy without whom
lunchtimes would descend into chaos!
I take with me a lot of cheerful and gratifying memories but the
ones I can share here include the time spent sailing on the
school's own boat, "Tenacity of Bolton" during my gold Duke of
Edinburgh award, the 1st XI Caribbean cricket tour
and reaching and competing in the national finals of the Big Bang
science competition.
I was very proud to be appointed School Captain and to work with
the monitorial team. The camaraderie and sense of shared purpose we
achieved in fulfilling the various school functions is what I will
remember most and for this I thank them all. My thanks also extend
to the Vice Captains, Jordan Sudworth and in particular, Gareth
Cottiss whose steadfast dependability and support will be sorely
missed. I wish him well in his studies in Cambridge.
Having secured 3 A* in my A levels, I look forward to starting
at Birmingham medical school, taking with me the skills of
leadership, integrity and good humour instilled by the ethos of
Bolton School.
Elliot Yates
School Captain 2009/10