The traditional speech day address from the Headmaster at Monkton went out of the window when he broke into song in front of hundreds of pupils and parents.
The surprise performance by Chris Wheeler of ‘One Day More’ came mid-way during his speech to the pupils who are leaving the senior school. The performance was filmed from the audience and has been seen by thousands of people online
Channeling his inner Jean Valjean, Mr Wheeler began the song from Les Misérables, before other teachers took up to the tune too, including Deputy Head Joe Sidders, English teacher Joanna House, Matron Sister Dee, mathematics teacher Alice Fox, history teacher Sam Palmer and many more.
A number of Monkton pupils were also in on the secretly planned performance, which delighted the audience of parents and graduating students.
A video of the performance on the Monkton FaceBook page has been seen by over 12,000 people, with hundreds of comments congratulating the school. One parent said, “Been to a few prize givings, this one was outstanding!” and a Monkton pupil added, “It was brilliant. Genius idea! Chris and co, you really rock!”
Chris added, “’I am always keen to show pupils that just as we ask them to put themselves out there, so we are prepared to do the same. There aren’t many schools where the deputy head, medical centre nurse, a houseparent, pupils and even a governor would be prepared to risk embarrassment in the name of fun but I am very proud that Monkton is one.”