We were delighted to welcome Prize-winners from last year’s Year Nine through to the Upper Sixth together with their parents for our Senior Prize Giving recently. The Guest of Honour was Mr Carl Arntzen, former RGS pupil (1974-81) and now CEO of Worcester Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd.

The Chair of Governors, Mr Quentin Poole, introduced the event by welcoming Mr Arntzen and talking about his career, including his success as a Rugby player, engineer and now CEO of a major international company. Mr Poole then spoke about the individualised education that pupils at RGS receive and the opportunities available to them. He congratulated the pupils for their achievements during an extremely successful academic year 2018-19.

The Headmaster gave his summary of the year, emphasising the recent excellent examination results at A Level and GCSE. He commented that the results “demonstrate that all of our pupils can achieve their potential by working hard and being guided by their expert teachers. We have navigated the most significant set of exam reforms in 50 years and come out with excellent results, so very well done to the pupils and teachers.” Mr Pitt also emphasised that the pupils who have achieved at such a high level are all-rounders who embrace all aspects of school life. He reflected upon the achievements in the Drama, Music, Sport and Debating as well as Clubs and Societies, the House competition, CCF and Duke of Edinburgh Award, alongside academic success. He concluded, “I hope all of these achievements and developments show that we are confident for the future. We face unprecedented political uncertainty at the moment, but we are forging ahead because one thing will always be the case – that providing the best possible education for young people is both right and necessary to support them for their futures.”

Mr Arntzen awarded the Prizes and it was lovely to see pupils from last year’s Upper Sixth returning to the School to collect their Prizes before they head off to University later this month. Mr Arntzen then spoke about the challenges of the present and future for business and what employers now look for in future employees. The ‘softer skills’ were emphasised including the ability to be flexible, innovative and work as part of a team. These skills he felt are developed at RGS Worcester and, just as the School gave him the head-start he needed for success, so the current pupils would benefit by developing these skills at school both in and outside the classroom.

The Head Boy, Alex Owen, gave a Vote of Thanks to Mr Arntzen, before parents, pupils and staff made their way to Main Hall for refreshments and a chance to reflect upon the year gone by and the excitement that lies ahead.

Mr Arntzen later told the Headmaster that he was so impressed by the RGS pupils who collected their Prizes and engaged with him, looking him in the eye, and many talking to him afterwards. Congratulations to all of the pupils who received Prizes and our thanks to Mr Arntzen for delaying a trip to Germany in order to attend the event as Guest of Honour!