Warden De Saram's Retirement
Speech
"Mr. Davidson, Members
of the staff, and boys of S. Thomas' let me not on this last day
speak at all about myself except to say thank you. Wardens come
and go boys come and go but the School goes on, and that is what
matters. You will be here, most of you, to carry it on. Make a
good job of it. I know you will. We have something in this
school which is good and precious. Guard it well, treasure it
and keep it bright. We didn't bring it about. It is something
that has been given to us, gathered and put together and
fashioned by many generations of masters and boys each doing
his bit, some noticed, some not. Each generation in its time
inherits it, strives to maintain it and hands it on; and so it
has grown. It is something that evokes love for this place in
all who come here. How often have I seen that happen in all
these years ! People who came to us, who didn't at first belong
to us, very soon they did belong to us with all their hearts.
This precious indefinable something you inherit. Guard it well.
It won't be at all a bad guide for life, if each of us says, "I
shall never do anything that will bring shame to S. Thomas'
Now just let me say a
very few brief words about Mr. Davidson. The School owes him a
great debt. What I owe him for loyal support and wise guidance
and help me can never say. I have tried to say it from time to
time. I assure him that he will have the support of every friend
of S. Thomas'. Certainly I am very happy that he is to be your
Warden.
For all the many
kindnesses I have had from you and those who were here before
you I am most deeply thankful. This last week has quite
bewildered me. It has been a succession of unexpected kindnesses
and acts of affection and generosity. Oh yes, I knew, I could
not help knowing that, that you were making some kind of
preparation to say good-bye, but I have not quite surprised at
the warmth and generosity of it all. I didn't expect it. I know
I don't deserve it. All the more will I treasure it and turn
back to the memory of it in the years to come. I can never
forget S. Thomas'. How can I, having been here so many years ?
All my life has been bound up with it.
Thank you very much
for this gift. Perhaps as I grew older my memory may grow a bit
dim but there will be this to remind me. Thank you also, boys,
for the present that you are preparing for me which I shall
always treasure. Thank you very much. Now, I have been very
lucky in my life. This was a work I loved with all my heart and
I would have chosen no other. Just to have been allowed to do it
would have been in itself a great thing. But I have had much
more given to me. I have been lucky. I have had a splendid body
of men to work with. All your teachers, so loyal, so friendly,
so patient with shortcomings, so ready to give their all for
what has to be done. And I have had also the good luck to have
to deal, all these many years, with as good a lot of boys as
could be found anywhere in the world; so it has been a very
happy time for me. I have had the work that I loved to do and
have been able to do it with people like you. Thank you very
much for all the kindness and help you have given me in these
years. This last demonstration of kindness fills the cup to
overflowing. I shall never forget it, how could I ? Thank you
very much indeed.
And now. Good-bye and
Good Luck to you all
