Finham says goodbye to Years 11 and 13 ... for now
Today marked a special and emotional moment at our school as we celebrated the final day of formal lessons for our wonderful Year 11 and Year 13 students.
After years of hard work, dedication, and countless memories made along the way, these students are now stepping into the final stage of their school journey. We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved so far and the resilience they have shown, particularly in recent months as they prepare for their upcoming external exams.
The atmosphere on site was filled with excitement, laughter, and a few tears, as friends and teachers shared their good wishes. A particular highlight of the day was the guard of honour, where younger students lined up to cheer on and applaud our Year 13 students as they left the school site for the last time before their exams; a moving and symbolic annual moment of the school community coming together to celebrate the achievements of the outgoing Year 13 students.
Although today marks the end of formal classroom learning, it is not the end of the road. On Monday, the school begins its special programme of masterclasses designed to support both Year 11 and Year 13 in their final preparations and revision. These sessions will provide expert guidance and targeted practice to help them feel confident and ready for success in their exams. They were so well-received last year by students.
To all our Year 11 and Year 13 students: the school wishes you the very best in your final preparations. Work hard, stay focused, and remember that you have an entire school community cheering you on. We believe in you and we can’t wait to celebrate your achievements in the months to come!
AN Extract from Mr Bishop's address in the Year 13 leaving assembly today...
As you leave Finham Park, you have an extraordinary opportunity ahead: to choose the people you will now go on to do life together with. Until now, school has largely chosen your daily companions; your classmates, your teachers, the people you see every day. But from this point, you begin to choose: your friends, your colleagues, your partners, your mentors. Choose wisely. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, challenge you to be better, and help you become the person you want to be.
Leaving a place you have called home is never easy; I feel that deeply myself as I prepare to step away from a school that has been such an important part of my own life.
But it is also an exciting moment. Because with every ending comes a beginning. And the best beginnings are the ones we step into with open hearts, open minds, and a readiness to grow.
So I leave you with this:
- Be courageous. Take the leap, even when you’re unsure.
- Be kind. To others, yes, but also to yourself.
- Keep learning. Not just facts and skills, but about the world, about others, about who you want to become.
- And remember your roots. Once part of the Finham Park family, always part of the Finham Park family!