Lord Brabazon Visit

On Friday 11 December 2009 the Brabazon Family Unit was privileged to welcome Lord Brabazon, Floella Benjamin (Chair of Governors) and Lord Turnbull to the West site for the official opening of the Brabazon Family Unit.

Following a short meeting, where our guests met the Senior Leadership team and Head Girl (Robyn Coultard) and Head Boy (Alex Grantham) of Brabazon, our guests were given a tour of the Brabazon family units. Students had just completed the 'Beautiful Minds' project and this gave our students and tutors an excellent opportunity to demonstrate, and talk about, what they had achieved during the term. 

There then followed the Brabazon end of term Awards gathering during which a host of students entertained our guests; Daniel Lawton (Guitar solo), Laura Drew (soloist), West Site Dance Troup, the Parkour Crew and the 16+ Drama team gave excellent performances and had our visitors enthralled. Our thanks to Mr Evans, Mrs Pollard, Miss Williams, Mrs Ruth and Daniel Baseley for all the time and effort they put into making the gathering such a success! Lord Brabazon and Floella Benjamin delivered inspiring speeches that left students and staff alike motivated about the future. During the gathering Lord Brabazon presented Natasha Heming with the Brabazon Shield in recognition of Brabazon 13's victory in the Brabazon Challenge.

The gathering culminated with our Head Girl and Head Boy thanking our guests for coming to open our school and presenting them with copies of 'The Brabazon', our family newspaper, the Brabazon DVD and David Hughes' book entitled 'Flying Past: A History Of Sheppey Aviation'.

To end the visit our guests were then treated to a three course lunch prepared and served by a group of very talented 'food' students. All agreed, the service and food was excellent! Our thanks must go to Mrs Knox for all the time and effort she put into preparing a fabulous celebration lunch.

All said and done, it was a fantastic day!