As we approach the end of the academic year, there is a particular milestone I felt it would be more than appropriate to highlight at this point; namely Mr Short's departure for the excitement of the international scene and promotion. Mr Short has given remarkable service to the school over more than 20 years - of which I shall get other chances to say more - but, in the meantime, I invited him to write a piece of his choosing to start this week's newsletter. It provides a lovely reminder of how lucky the boys are to be in the Pilgrims' environment; something parents sacrifice so much for.

From the Director of Sport

I doubt many of my friends were surprised when I became a PE teacher. With a mum who taught in a primary school and a dad who played top-flight rugby, the path to teaching sport felt both natural and inevitable. As a teenager, I found myself drawn to coaching - helping out with tennis sessions and, during exam leave, assisting my mum in teaching swimming to her pupils. These early experiences laid the foundations for a career that has given me so much joy and fulfilment.

My own school days were spent at Adams’ Grammar School in Shropshire - an all-boys’ environment with two full terms of rugby each year. After beginning my teaching career in a state secondary in Southampton, I was drawn to The Pilgrims’ School. The single-sex, boarding context, with its structured Games programme and full fixtures calendar, felt familiar and appealing.

Over the years, I’ve come to cherish time spent on Wolvesey, our magnificent playing fields, whatever the weather. One of my favourite things is looking up - often during Inter-Set competitions - and seeing the energy and activity across the pitches. On those occasions, the ancient city walls seem to cradle the boys’ spirited efforts. I have a particular fondness for the cricket season, when the grounds become a true amphitheatre - tailor-made for the game. Football, of course, remains a wonderfully inclusive sport and has its own charm. But for me, coaching and refereeing rugby has been the greatest joy.

Rugby, as ever, remains a powerful teacher. This year, like every year, I’ve been reminded how its physical demands foster qualities that endure long beyond school: resilience, discipline, teamwork, emotional self-regulation, courage, shared experience, and friendship. These are not just sporting virtues; they're life lessons, played out through contact, commitment, and camaraderie.

There’s been much debate in recent years about the future of school rugby. It would be a real loss if the game were to retreat solely into the club setting. At prep school level, it remains an incredible opportunity for boys of all types to grow through playing the game. While the professional arena may increasingly favour early specialism and measurable skillsets, school rugby still provides room for the so-called late developer: the boy who might not score tries but who can tackle, hit rucks, support his teammates and, in doing so, make a vital contribution.

When Martin Johnson, the World Cup-winning England captain, visited Pilgrims’ back in 2014, he told the boys, “I played 84 tests for England and only scored two tries. But I hit thousands of rucks, made hundreds of tackles, and contributed to the team’s success.” He reminded us of something profound - that there is dignity and worth in selfless service, and value in contributing to a greater good.

Last summer, I shared with the boys a small moment that captured this sense of legacy. I’d encountered two Old Pilgrims leaning on the gate, looking across Wolvesey in the evening light. I knew they were Old Boys - there was that unmistakable look in their eyes.

“Old boys?” I asked.

“Are these not the finest pitches in all of England?” one said.

“I know,” I replied.

The other added, “How fortunate were we to play on grounds like these? I wonder if the boys know how lucky they are?”

“I know,” I said again.

To all the parents, colleagues, and Pilgrims of the past 22 years: thank you for your support, your partnership, and your trust. I look forward to seeing many of you at what promises to be another wonderful Inter-Set Athletics on Saturday 5th July. And I wish The Pilgrims’ School every continued success in the years ahead.

Andrew Short
Director of Sport