Sir Tom Cowie Visit
Friday 6 October 2006
Head teacher Bruce Guthrie welcomed Sir Tom to the school and introduced him to members of staff, including deputy head, Phil Brown, who spearheaded the bid for specialist status; the chairman of the school Governors, Ray Smith, head boy, Matthew Johnson and head girl, Natasha Davies, deputy head boy and girl, Arron Briddick and Demi Goldsborough.
Sir Tom, 84, unveiled a plaque in the Sports Hall, to formally open the dance and fitness studio which has been named, The Sir Tom Cowie Suite, in his honour.
He said: “You all have worked very hard as a team, I wish you all well and the very best for the future.”
Thanks to an £18,000 grant from Sir Tom’s charitable Foundation, we were able to raise the £50,000 needed to submit its successful bid for sport with mathematics specialist status.
After the unveiling of the plaque, Sir Tom, the former chairman of Sunderland Football Club, who built a business empire from a small motor cycle business in Sunderland, watched a Taekwondo demonstration, led by former Bishop Barrington pupil, Richard Slater, in the dance and fitness studio, and a PE demonstration in the sports hall.
Matthew, Natasha, Arron and Demi then took Sir Tom on a short tour of the school. He stopped off to admire students’ artwork, displayed throughout the school.
When his young tour guides drew his attention to the latest school news report on a display board in the main corridor, Sir Tom was amused and impressed to see it was a story about his visit, together with photographs taken, only a short time before, at the unveiling ceremony in the Sports Hall.
“I’m impressed, that was very quick indeed,” said Sir Tom who was accompanied on his visit by David Gray, a Trustee of his charitable Trust
He went on: “I am very impressed with the school and the quality of the work.”
He was pleased to hear community groups and local sports clubs are making full use of the excellent facilities available at the Sports Hall, which is currently fully booked on weekday evenings, though there are times available on weekends. Head teacher Mr Bruce Guthrie said the specialist status bid would not have been possible without the support of Sir Tom’s charitable Trust. “We are very grateful. Specialist status will assist us in our constant drive to raise standards and improve the life chances of all our students.”
He said he was delighted Sir Tom was able to visit our school and see the Sports Hall and other facilities.
“We believe that every child matters and want to raise achievement for all our students, across the ability range. Specialist schools have high expectations of pupils and create an ethos of discipline, order and achievement.”
Before departing, Sir Tom enjoyed a cup of tea in the Bistro, which has recently undergone improvements and introduced a healthy menu.