Academy opening ceremony
The Strood Academy was officially opened at 4pm on the 1st October 2009. The opening ceremony was a brilliant event: our keynote speaker was Loyd Grossman, the Chair of the Board of Governors of the University for the Creative Arts.
Guests were welcomed to the academy by the new head students and were guided into the main school to be presented by a room full of colour, with round white tables and blue and white balloons, with the senior management of the academy waiting to greet them. They were then offered food and drink.
The event was full of speeches including some from the Mayor of Medway, Loyd Grossman, Cllr Les Wicks and of course our Principal Mr Hart. It was not just speeches but also some amazing contributions from year 9 and 11 students who sang to us and performed a wonderful contemporary dance. The event was attended by students, senior students, teachers, governors and representatives from organisations that are linked with the academy.
After Mr Grossman delivered his speech to the room of guests he moved over to the covered plaque and wished the school the best for the future and uncovered the glass plaque. Principal Hart chaired the ceremony and Cllr David Royle, the Mayor of Medway, led a toast to the academy to finish the ceremony.
Click here to watch to Loyd Grossman talk about the Academy to Kent Online.
The event allowed everyone to meet each other and allowed them to express their wishes for the best future possible for the academy. Strood Academy has had a great start and we have amazing hopes for both current and future students.
The following pictures were taken at the event by S Stone, Year 13
Richard Hart
Committees
Finance Personnel & Estates, Community & Public Relations
Relationship with the Academy
Academy Principal & ex-officio Governor
Profile
I grew up and was educated in Kent, completing my first degree at the University of Exeter and pursued a career in teaching. Following a deputy headship in Cranbrook and a Masters in curriculum development I moved to Rochester in 2001 as Headteacher at Thomas Aveling.
I have served as a consultant head for both the Specialist Schools & Academies Trust and the National College supporting other schools and in Headteacher training. I joined UCA and the Academy Trust full time in January 2009 to establish Medway's first Academy and am passionate about helping create an outstanding school for the Strood Community.
I am married with two grown up children who both attended a co-educational Comprehensive. I am a keen sportsman and a lifelong Gillingham supporter.
