At Putney we recognise that many important life skills can best be learnt outside the classroom. More than “the icing on the cake of education” these are essential elements of the mix that can help pupils embark confidently into the working world, equipped to achieve their future ambitions – whatever those may be.

The sixth in our line of residencies, the Orator was the third to be paid for by the school community through their generous contributions to the Putney Fund. Twelve months on, the year-long residency has been so successful that our Orator, Miss Kiek, has now been taken on as a permanent member of staff, to carry on the debate and to ensure that Putney continues to stand up and speak out for what it believes in.

Unlike exam results, the legacy of such a gift can be hard to measure. It is often not until we hear from a long departed alumna that we learn how she has gone on to set up her own business, encouraged by an experience she had while at school, or how she has segued into an entirely new career, after a seed of thought was planted by an influential guest. There may be no league table to inform us on the impact of this approach, but the clear enthusiasm with which pupils, parents and alumnae receive our Residency project give us an indication of its value.

What greater gift can there be than opportunity – opening eyes, minds and doors to the many things this exciting world has to offer? The legacy of Becky’s work, and of our Residency programme may not yet be apparent, and it may be some years before we see one of Putney’s budding orators gracing the public stage, but I bet it won’t be long.

For the time being, thank you. Thank you to all of those whose generosity allows us to feed the many curious minds that walk our corridors. These are lessons they will remember.