Goodbye and Hello to the Class of 2025

As the Prize Giving weekend began on Friday 4 July, The Class of 2025 gathered for their Leavers Service. Joined by parents and guests and with voices raised together for the last time, thoughtful words of gratitude and reflection were shared by readers and speakers.

Many reading this will remember tears shed and tears shared at their own final Chapel. But nothing says more about the experience than the words spoken at the service. James and Ben have kindly given us permission to share their words in full.  

James Griffiths, Head of Orchard House, shared these reflections on leaving.  

Good evening parents, guardians, teachers, and — most importantly — the Class of 2025.

Thank you, Tolly, for that wonderful reading: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” In life, we are always encouraged to press on — to look forward, to reach for what comes next. And yet, as I stand here tonight, I think we can all admit — it’s not easy to let go of this place. It’s not easy to leave behind something that has meant so much to us. 

Because Christ College has never just been about buildings, lessons, or timetables. Christ College has always been about people. About community. About family. We have not just been classmates — we have been brothers and sisters. We have grown up together. We’ve celebrated victories, faced setbacks, laughed until we cried, and found strength in one another when life got tough.

This is a place where people genuinely care. Where we have been known, valued, and loved. And so, I want to finish simply by saying: Christ College — thank you. Thank you for shaping us. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for giving us a place to belong. And though we may walk out of its gates, we will carry it in our hearts forever.

Christ College — we love you.

Thank you.

Ben McLean, Head of School, shared his words about new beginnings. 

First of all, thank you. Thank you for all being here today – your presence means more than words can express. Whether a parent, teacher or fellow student, you are part of what has made this school the community it is today.

To our parents and families – thank you for your unwavering support. You’ve been our most loyal supporters through early mornings, late nights, triumph and tears. You believed in us when we doubted ourselves, and that belief carried us further than you’ll ever know. Today, as we take this next step, know that we carry your love and sacrifices with us.

To our teachers – you’ve been far more than educators. You’ve been mentors and listeners. You have taught us how to think, not what to think. You have opened doors not just to knowledge, but to possibility. Thank you for the hours, the energy the patience and the great determination it took to shape each of us into who we are becoming.

To my peers – thank you for the memories, the laughter, the solidarity. We will leave Christ College having been given the best of starts and even through we go our separate ways, a part of this community will always stay with us.

As we close this chapter, let us remember this: our time at Christ College wasn’t defined by a few great moments, it was built on many small ones. And the moments we’ve shared here, however ordinary they may have seemed, were cornerstones of our growth.

This is not merely the end, but a new beginning.

At the end of a memorable and moving service, guests and parents departed the Chapel for their sons and daughters to enjoy singing one (or three) last hymns together in the place that has meant so much to so many. 

As Leavers emerged into the warm evening air to make the traditional exit through the Phillips Gates onto Chapel Lawn, the Head wished them well with a 'Godspeed' before they were received into the OBA with OB ties either by Huw Richards (OBA Liaison) and Rhian Williams (OBA Chair), or by their OB parents. 

And so we say a very warm welcome to all our new Old Breconians - The Class of 2025!