End of Year celebrations and farewell to Headmaster Ben Vessey
Published by Canford School on Thursday 10th of July 2025
Canford marked the end of another happy and successful year with the traditional final two days of celebrations in glorious summer sunshine. On Thursday 26th June, Family Day included the customary mix of assemblies, prize giving, House drinks on the lawn, the legendary ‘Canford Gallop’, the annual Summer Concert. and an impressive display of pupil work in departments including an Art exhibition in the Coldstream Gallery.
This year was extra special with the official opening of the new College Hub for Sixth Form. Now officially named ‘The Ben Vessey Building’, it was with a sense of pride and achievement that all watched the ribbon cutting ceremony performed by the Headmaster, and the name is a fitting tribute to Ben’s vision for this innovative, forward thinking school development enabling Canford Sixth Formers to move towards the world beyond school in a College-style environment. The College programmes across Academic, Careers, Life and Experiences will build on the Lower School years and equip pupils with all the skills they need to thrive, whatever career pathway they choose.
We say farewell to Ben after 12 highly successful years at the helm. It is traditional for a leaving Headmaster to sit for an official portrait, and Ben’s was unveiled on this day also. Painted by former Head of Art Dylan Lloyd, it is a more contemporary piece than those of previous Heads and it is appropriate that it has been hung in the modern surroundings of The College.
Speech Day for Upper Sixth leavers, their families, staff and governors took place the next day, beginning with a chapel service in Wimborne Minster, followed by speeches and prizegiving. Chair of Governors Sir Gary Coward spoke of a challenging year for the independent schools’ sector, and his pride in how Canford had strengthened its position. He thanked all pupils staff and parents for their dedication and support. He also paid tribute to Ben Vessey and thanked him for his leadership, not least in guiding the school positively and proactively through the Covid years.
The final event was the Leavers’ Ball on Friday evening, this year themed ‘The Rose Ball’ in the style of the well established event in Monaco. It was, as ever, marked with mixed emotions as we wished our Upper Sixth leavers the very best for their exciting futures, moving on to top universities at home and abroad, to degree apprenticeships, vocational courses and into the working world.
Headmaster Ben Vessey commented:
What a wonderful celebration of Canford to mark the end of the academic year. I will miss so many aspects of life at this very special school, but what stands out, and was so evident during those two final days, is the warmth and support of a unique community. Teachers, parents, staff, pupils, governors, OCs and all with a strong link to the school gathered together to reflect and to celebrate all that we have achieved collectively to enable, as our vision states, every Canfordian to explore, express and excel. Those four Canford values we have established during my time as Headmaster – Purposeful Engagement, Humble Ambition, Gracious Leadership and Courageous Attitude – were demonstrated in abundance in so many ways in those final days and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of all that Canford offers which will always hold a very special place in my heart. I wish Canford the very best for the future. It’s a future which shines bright.
