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Founders' Day 2023

Posted on: March 3rd 2023School News

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The annual Founders’ Day took place today, with over 1500 pupils, governors, alumni and staff seated in Manchester Cathedral. This year was made even more special with an address made by Archbishop Stephen Cottrell.

Archbishop Stephen Cottrell became the 98th Archbishop of York in 2020, enthroned in York Minster in October of that year. He is one of the Presidents of the Archbishop’s Council and the General Synod, the governing body of the Church of England. He is Chair and President of numerous Church bodies also.

Founders’ Day been held since at least 1872, subject to nationwide circumstances such as World War 1 and 2, and most recently, the covid-19 pandemic. It seems plausible that the daily prayers for the Founders stipulated in the School's foundation document became less frequent and this then eventually evolved into an annual event at the cathedral. The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker – also an old boy of the school – and the Bishop of Exeter, Robert Atwell, held two services close to the site of the first incarnation of the school when it was founded in 1515.

Director of Music, Rob Carey, commented: “The Formal Founders Day service at Manchester Cathedral gives us a chance to reflect, give thanks and celebrate our founders and benefactors generosity over 500 years ago, and continuing to the present day. The service is inclusive of all faiths (and none) which reflects the makeup and diversity of our modern school. There are over 150 pupils (plus staff) involved in performing the music, and it provides an opportunity to play pieces appropriate to the formal occasion in a wonderful space. The processional music this year is the first movement of Bach’s Double Violin concerto in D minor featuring pupils Yoonjae and Mason as soloists. The choir and orchestra performed Handel’s famous Coronation Anthem Zadok the Priest (highly appropriate for this year) and Close Harmony will be Singing Morton Lauridsen’s beautiful setting of O Magnum Mysterium in the superb acoustic under the cathedral tower. Manchester Cathedral has strong connections with the school, and the names of all High Masters past and present are listed on the board underneath the tower.”

In recognition of the multicultural nature of the school and the ethos of respect for all religious beliefs, the service also included readings from religious scriptures. A range of pupils from different faiths also had the opportunity to meet with the Archbishop after the service, a very memorable moment for them all.

School Captain Zach Foster spoke about his experiences: “Founders’ Day holds a special place in the MGS calendar. In generous measure pomp, circumstance and ceremony, it also represents a coming-together of the school’s vibrant community. The grand settling of Manchester Cathedral was once again an awe-inspiring backdrop to 2023’s Founders’ Celebration, whilst the presence of the Archbishop of York made celebrating the school’s 508th year even more poignant – his words on leadership will live long in the minds of all attendees. By 11am, the Cathedral was packed to bursting with MGS pupils from year 9 upwards, parents, Old Mancunians, church and community leaders and guests. A fantastic performance from Senior Orchestra, featuring solo violins, accompanied the procession of staff, bedecked in gowns, the Bishop of Manchester, the Dean and the Archbishop of York into the nave. A service pocked by hymns and collective prayer invoked a sense of gratitude the school’s community share to those who are responsible not just for founding the school, but for continuing to support it through the centuries, most recently especially through the bursary appeal. Readings from the Old and New Testaments, the Bhagavad Gita and the Qur’an were a particular highlight, celebrating the school’s diverse community of students, staff and parents hailing from a variety of backgrounds. Indeed, readings in Hebrew, Greek, Sanskrit and Arabic, alongside their English translations, were delivered from students representing the school’s societies for faith. Performances of Handel’s Zadok the Priest from MGS Choir and orchestra, and O Magnum Mysterium from Close Harmony, showcased the event as in equal measure a musical celebration.

"Alongside these traditions, however, a particularly esteemed visitor delivered The Address. Archbishop Stephen Cottrell’s words on leadership were both momentous and especially relevant given the current climate MGS pupils will face upon leaving the school. The Archbishop remembered an event from his childhood, whereby his scout leader failed rush to the scene of an accident, in which one of his peers had been seriously injured. The scout leader later told him that the time to compose himself in making his way purposefully to the scene was essential in determining both the correct course of action, and in being in a fit state to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, as he later did (saving the boy’s life). In this vein, taking a moment, pausing for breath, and contemplating for more than a second – before taking decisions that’ll affect our own lives and those of others – was the central message of the sermon, especially in an age of instant information, the internet and an accelerating pace of change. Drawing on the words of the popular hymn Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, the Archbishop concluded through quoting its final verse: “Speak through the earthquake, wind and fire / O still, small voice of calm”, a message all those present could take onboard.

"Following the service, the Archbishop answered questions from those who read in the service, speaking movingly of his own childhood lack of formal education and how, from it, he had developed a passion for education and learning, especially for young people. The annual Benefactors’ Lunch concluded events, and allowed those who have supported the Foundation Bursary Appeal, those who’ve benefitted, and the wider school community, to come together in celebration of its successes on the road to enabling all, regardless of background, to access an MGS education. Overall, the day offered ample opportunity for all to recognise the school and their own connection to it, thank those who have enabled it thus far, and strive to each play our own parts in its complex story to come.”

Year 12 pupil Edward read an extract in Hebrew, and commented: “It was a privilege to be asked to read Isaiah at the Founders’ Day service. I was chosen as chair of J-soc to read the Hebrew passage, which puts me in the unique position of participating in both the main Founders’ Day service at the cathedral and the Jewish Founders’ Day service at the synagogue. It's an honour to be able to have this opportunity to show thanks to Hugh Oldham. 500 years ago, I’m sure he had no idea how massive the consequences of his life would be, and the extent to which MGS has blossomed and grown since would have been unfathomable … as it almost is now. Even the fact we are able to attend a Jewish service for those who are forbidden from entering a cathedral shows how the school has become such a welcoming and inclusive community, truly embodying Oldham’s vision and leaving no capable mind at any disadvantage. Meeting Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, too, is a genuinely once in a lifetime opportunity. Out of hundreds of MGS students, for myself to have been chosen as one of the few lucky enough to get to meet him still blows me away. Founders’ Day is not only an opportunity to pay our respects to Hugh Oldham, but also show to gratitude to the Benefactors who have given so much to help keep Oldham’s dream alive, allowing anyone from any background to receive one of the best educations available through our school’s generous bursary fund. Having been privileged enough to be part of this wonderful community since year 6, I have flourished academically, in my skills and confidence, and in my sense of identity, which is why being asked to read at the Founders’ Day service meant so much to me, and I will always be grateful to the establishment that has shaped and is continuing to shape so much of my character.”

Year 13 pupil Enyioma read from Colossians, and remarked: “To me, the importance of Founder’s Day stems from the fact that it reinforces a virtue which very few other places share. The event gives us an opportunity to strengthen the unique sense of fraternity and togetherness which runs rife throughout the school. Sitting amongst Old Mancunians, Benefactors and staff, singing hymns and saying prayers allows me to strengthen my ties to the schools illustrious past; having the chance to celebrate a spectrum of faiths beside my friends has allows me to celebrate my present life at the school; and hearing the optimism within the speeches and prayers by the Dean and High Master has allowed to have a hopeful outlook on my future at the school. Today, the Archbishop of York bid everyone to “slow down” when moving through life. I think the event itself encapsulates this advice: it is a chance to step away from work and take an opportunity to renew our pride in and connection to our school.”

Year 12 pupil Ronak read an extract from Bhagavad Gita, and said: “For me, Founders’ Day is about three things: the virtues of gratitude and respect, and the celebration of these ideas. I am profoundly grateful for the school as an institution, and the opportunities and security in education it has granted to me in the near decade I have been in their care, especially in the particularly tumultuous years of recent times. I am naturally also grateful for the founding body of the school, which we, the students, gather together to pay our respects to on this day. However, we also pay our respects to the incredibly diverse student body in our recitation of the religious texts that each member of the student body can see value in, either religiously or culturally. Diversity is such an intrinsic part of the modern Manchester Grammar School, and the appreciation of this trait is fundamental in recognising the nature of the school. The celebration of these ideas, and hence the school as a whole, characterises Founders’ Day: once a schoolyear, the whole student-body can come together and celebrate the school, its history, and the people that make it what it is today. It's taking place in one of the most beautiful areas in Manchester is a nice touch, as well.”

Year 12 pupil Shrikar read an extra in Sanskrit, and noted: “Founders' Day is an opportunity for the School community to reflect on the year just passed, as well as to think about their time ahead. The sheer grandeur of the service - where staff gather in robes and choristers sing with the accompaniment of a massive organ - also provides an occasion for us to put ourselves into perspective, as we are not only extremely fortunate to attend such a School, but to also be able to recognise that we are mere fragments of something much bigger than the sum of our individual parts. My experience of reciting verses from the Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit was a humbling one, not only because I was able to share the universally accepted doctrine of my religion with the School, but also because I was able to  listen to the messages of my peers of other faiths - a collaborative spirit that is echoed throughout our School and indeed Manchester as a whole.”

Year 13 pupil Tabassum read an extract from an Islam text, and commented: “Founders’ Day plays an elemental part in the school history and culture and is embodied in the values that MGS carries. As an Islamic society we are particularly proud to be part of this service and represent the large ever growing Muslim community in MGS. MGS has given us Muslims freedoms to practice and value our faith to the highest degree and this event will demonstrate the clear intercultural and interfaith beliefs that are embroiled through the school. The founders is a dear occasion for ISOC as the recitation of the Quran is something we as Muslims hold dear to our hearts so to recite this to the whole school gives us a heart-warming feeling and a feeling of being truly part of the community in school. Founders' Day is a celebration of all the great things we as a school have to offer and especially a good moment for our ISOC to reflect on our part in the school. We run weekly study circles, daily prayers and jummah with assemblies included and to have such privileges to celebrate our faith is a blessing and we are extremely grateful to the school. The verses chosen are thoughtful and a striking theme in these verses is gratitude towards Allah for his creation. This gratitude message is one ISOC want to celebrate in this founder's day for the great opportunity the school has bestowed upon us to celebrate our faith openly and with great love from the school.”

During the afternoon, staff, parents, current pupils and Old Mancunians all gathered together in the Memorial Hall to celebrate the hard work of the Bursary Fund. Since 1998, thanks to donations from Old Mancunians, parents and supporters, the bursary funds managed by the MGS Trust have grown to over £29m. We are enormously grateful to all Old Mancunians and supporters of the School who have contributed to our fundraising success.

Thank you to everyone who attended the event and we look forward to welcoming you to future events!

Image 2 Image 3 Founders Day Archbishop of York

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