HRH The Princess Royal visited Brymore on 19^th January 2009 to open the seven new classrooms and laboratories that comprise the new teaching block and also to open the two new boarding houses.

Her Royal Highness arrived by helicopter at 2 pm and, after meeting the welcoming committee of local dignitaries and officers, HRH joined the State Boarding Schools Association (SBSA) for their annual conference (held at Brymore because Malcolm Lloyd, our Headmaster, is Chair of the SBSA).   Her first duty was to join delegates for the conference photograph where all on the front row, including HRH, wore “wellie boots” – the title of the conference being “Bring your wellies”.   After a well researched speech to the conference, Her Royal Highness then met conference sponsors, opened the new boarding houses by unveiling a plaque, did a similar thing for the new teaching block, and then toured the school – visiting the classrooms and then, after changing back into wellies, Her Royal Highness visited the farm and gardens and, finally, the workshops.

The “Chads Hill” runners were next on her list and, after a hearty “Go” to send them on their three and a quarter mile run, HRH then met staff, parents, Old Brymorians and other guests over a cup of tea before departing at 4.40 pm – having stayed some forty minutes longer than intended.

As if a Royal visit was enough, the Brymore day had started with a visitor to breakfast – Sean Fitzpatrick, the legendary All Black rugby captain.    Having been the guest speaker at the SBSA dinner the night before, Sean called all the boys to stand and join in the “Haka” – nobody refused!!   Recounting his early days practising on pitch 16 at school (there were only 15 proper pitches!) Sean encouraged the boys to have “a bit of attitude” and “to be the best you can be”.   He was rewarded with a Brymore rugby tie!

HRH meets Headmaster Malcolm Lloyd and Chair of Governors Wendy Welland

Unveiling the plaque in the new boarding houses

P-J Wand (Head Boy) with The Princess Royal and The Headmaster