Letter from the Headmaster
Little is known about Peter Blundell, which is a pity since rarely can one person have touched so many lives. He was not an educationalist but we know he had an obvious passion for education, because he endowed a school to educate the young here in Tiverton. The School was founded in 1604 and since this time there have been only twenty nine Head Masters; I have no doubt each one of us understands and indeed relishes the responsibility which comes with the honour of inheriting the traditions of this very special School. The past is an integral part of Blundell’s, but so of course is the present and equally importantly, the future.
The Development Office has an important part to play two important areas.
First, in working with those who wish to play a significant part in sustaining and developing Blundell’s, whether this be through assistance to build a new pavilion, or help in developing the library or indeed simply a donation to be used in the best interests of the School. In so thinking of the school it may be that you wish to help others experience the rewards you have reaped from the generosity of those before. The words of Albert Schweizer are particularly apt here.
I always think that we live spiritually by what others have given us in the significant hours of our life. These significant hours do not announce themselves as coming, but arrive unexpected. Nor do they make a great show of themselves: they pass almost unperceived. Often, indeed, their significance comes home to us as we look back, just as the beauty of a landscape or of a piece of music strikes us first in our recollection of it. Much that has become our own in gentleness, modesty, kindness, willingness to forgive, in veracity, loyalty, resignation under suffering, we owe to people in whom we have seen or experienced these virtues at work, sometimes in a great manner, sometimes in a small. A thought which had become an act sprang into us like a spark, and lighted a new flame within us. If we had before us those who have thus been a blessing to us, and could tell them how it came about, they would be amazed to learn what passed over from their life into ours.
Secondly, the Governors, some time ago, introduced Foundation Awards, which provides an opportunity for those who live locally to benefit from a Blundell’s education, even if their parents cannot afford it. The School is immensely richer in character because of this scheme. To be able to offer to all an opportunity to benefit from the deep rooted principles, which are at the heart of the School is something rather special. The Peter Blundell Foundation’s ambition is to considerably expand these opportunities, and increase the number of pupils who can attend the School who might not ordinarily have been able to do so because of financial constraints. This is nothing new here, but it would be wonderful to continue the development in this area.
This is a very special school and with your help we will perpetuate the experience for others.
Ian Davenport