Rector’s eNews 05: 11 February 2026

This week, Mr Ncamani and I addressed the boys in assembly on the topic of safeguarding, emphasising its central place in the life and values of our school.

Our message to the boys was a simple but important one: safeguarding is about ensuring that every member of our community feels safe, respected, and able to speak up when something is not right. We spoke about the importance of respectful behaviour, the need to recognise when boundaries are crossed, and the courage required to seek help, either for oneself or for a friend.

As part of this, I explained grooming in age-appropriate terms, describing it as a process in which someone builds trust or influence over another person in order to cross boundaries over time.

The boys were encouraged to understand that grooming does not always appear threatening at first and may involve confusion, secrecy, or pressure rather than obvious harm. They were reassured that feelings of discomfort or uncertainty are important signals, and that seeking help is always the right course of action.

Mr Ncamani mentioned that there are various reports showing that, over the past two decades, there has been a significant increase in incidents where pupils harm themselves or others. Sadly, in many cases, these incidents have resulted in the loss of young lives. In many cases, someone noticed warning signs or unusual behaviour in a friend or peer but chose not to report it, or chose to look the other way. We often hear comments such as, “I felt uneasy,” or “I thought something was not right.” Unfortunately, by the time these concerns are spoken about, it is often too late and the cost is very high.

We also reminded the boys that safeguarding is not solely the responsibility of staff. While we take our duty of care extremely seriously, we believe it is vital that boys understand their own role in looking out for one another and in contributing positively to the culture of the school.

Apart from the usual reporting structures we have in place i.e. the boys being able to talk to their housemasters, tutors, teachers, coaches, the school counsellor and the school chaplain, we also have an anonymous platform called The Guardian App which the boys can download onto their laptops and cell phones. Reports submitted through this platform are treated seriously, confidentially, and are handled by the appropriate staff to ensure support and safety.

We are committed to maintaining clear structures, trusted adults, and transparent processes that support the boys’ wellbeing. Just as importantly, we aim to foster an environment in which boys feel confident that they will be listened to and supported.

Safeguarding works best when schools and families are aligned. I encourage you to continue conversations at home about respect, boundaries, and the importance of speaking up. When boys know that the same messages are reinforced both at school and at home, they are far more likely to act with confidence and integrity.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and trust as we work together to ensure that our school remains a safe and nurturing environment for all our boys.

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