A review of Speech Evening 2022

On Friday 9^th September, Derby Grammar School pupils, parents, staff and guests gathered at The Riverside Centre for an evening of celebration. Together we recognised how difficult and disruptive the last academic year has been for pupils in the pandemic aftermath, and commended them for how well they have adapted. This made the awards won and achievements celebrated ever more special.

Before the formalities of the evening began, we held a minute’s silence in memory of Her Majesty the Queen. Following this poignant tribute, the ceremony began with Miss Stockton, Director of Post-16 Education, giving an update on our partnerships with Tanzania. This charitable project is an integral part of Derby Grammar School life, with fundraising happening throughout the year. This culminates in a trip to Tanzania, where our pupils offer labour, support and essential resources to schools and communities in need. 

Pictured: Mrs Sly receiving her award.

As the evening progressed, we heard from both Mr Gentles, Chair of Governors and Mr Logan, Head of School with musical interludes from Owen, the Swing Band and the Primary School Choir.  

It was then time for the stars of our show – the award winners. Each recipient was called onto the stage to be presented with their prize be it books, a trophy, a gift or in some cases a combination of all three. The audience applauded each pupil individually filling them with a sense of pride and confidence they deserve.

Our Guest Speakers for the evening joined us from Derbyshire County Cricket Club (DCCC) – Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett and star player, Brooke Guest were a fantastic duo.

Derbyshire’s wicketkeeper-batter across all formats, Brooke Guest quickly established himself as a key player with both bat and gloves, scoring more than 2,000 runs and claiming 104 catches since the start of the 2020 season.

Born in Manchester but educated in Perth, Western Australia, Guest went on to play a One-Day International for Australia Under 19s, before returning to play in England in 2017.

A talented wicketkeeper who bats in the top order, the 25-year-old signed for Derbyshire in 2020 and scored his first century for the Club the following summer, as part of a record 227-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Anuj Dal, while Guest also became the first Derbyshire wicketkeeper to score a century in both innings of a first-class fixture since Bill Storer in 1896.

To the start of September, he has scored over 1,200 runs during the 2022 season, including four centuries and five half-centuries.

Pictured: Ryan Duckett, Chief Executive of DCCC, and Brooke Guest, Star Player

Outgoing Head Prefect followed this up perfectly, with a truly inspiring (and a little bit emotional) speech that encouraged all pupils to “be proud to be you”. We thank Jacob enormously for his contributions to the school.

Read Jacob's full speech

To round off the evening, alongside a few more musical performances, we all rose to sing the newly altered God Save the King.

Pictured: Outgoing Head Boy, Jacob, receiving his awards.