FOLLOWING a summer of many changes the Stewards community was delighted to welcome five important visitors today.

The group of ex Stewards teachers and school leaders were Marie Erwood MBE, Terry O’Neill, Ros Archer and Karen Batterham and they were all visiting Stewards for the first time in a long time.

Alongside them was Jonny Hewlett; whose father, Gordon, was the longest serving governor in Stewards’ history and who Jonny replaced on the Stewards board.

After a tour around the school the group were introduced to the new headteacher, Stephen Drew, and Vic Goddard, the Executive Headteacher, and spent the afternoon discussing the future direction of Stewards and what could be learned from past successes.

Vic Goddard said “The last few years have been challenging for Stewards. Having to make people redundant, due to government cuts, in the middle of the Covid lockdown has been difficult to shake off. Today was important for both Stephen and I. We know we have lots to do so being able to ask questions of true legends from Stewards recent history was too good to miss.
We should never be so arrogant to think we have nothing to learn from those that came before us. The insight into what made Stewards a great success was invaluable; to be able to ask advice from someone that received an MBE for services to this community was a fantastic opportunity. To talk to the others, all of which have played major roles in Stewards history, about their past experiences serving this community has given us a real lift in knowing we are doing the right things.”

Stephen Drew commented that “it was humbling, and a little scary, to meet our guests today. Between them they represent so many years of service to our wonderful community so I am now definitely in no doubt about the responsibility I, and we, have in ensuring their legacies live on in our school. If possible I feel even more determined to lead Stewards well knowing we all have their support.”