The Leavers’ Service marks an important moment in the life of Monmouth School. Through word and music it provides a valuable space for our most senior boys to gather as a community in the chapel and to give thanks for all that has shaped and encouraged them as pupils of this school.

It also offers a precious time to say farewell and thank-you to teachers and fellow pupils who have been guides, friends and companions on the journey and a moment to pause and to look, with anticipation and hope, at what lies ahead.

The service this year proved to be a memorable occasion with inspiring readings from Hamish Clayton and Burt Williamson who together offered some helpful wisdom from Kipling and the perhaps lesser-known ‘Hamaval: The sayings of Har.’ There was a rich tapestry of music too from the lightness of ‘Pennies from Heaven’, played by James Powell, to the emotional ‘I can’t make you love me’ performed by Dominic Callaghan. Will Stokes and Oliver Jones enchanted us with powerful and atmospheric performances of ‘Romanza’ (Sonata for Clarinet and Piano by Francis Poulenc) and ‘Liebesleid‘ (for Violin by Fritz Kreisler) respectively. The Head of School, Jamie Atherton, captured the mood of the year group wonderfully with a speech that was both light-hearted and yet emotional and deeply personal.

To all the Leavers we say thank you for all that you have brought to the fabric of this place and we hope that as you leave you will look back on your time here with joy and seek to remain very much part of this community of Monmouth School.