The retirement of Headmaster Richard Russell was marked at this year’s annual Leathersellers’ Visitation Day with a special celebration attended by Governors, staff and special guests that included many former senior staff.
Mr Russell retires from Colfe’s at the end of the current academic year, after a tenure of 20 years, becoming one of the longest serving Headmasters in the school’s history.
The Visitation included a special presentation in the Beardwood theatre, where members of Colfe’s senior leadership team paid tribute to Mr Russell’s leadership and achievements:
- Colfe’s is now firmly and consistently established within the country’s top 100 independent schools
- Pupil numbers have increased by 25% over the course of his leadership, and are now the highest in the history of the school
- A pupil gender balance has been achieved of almost 50/50, just 25 years since Colfe’s became co-educational
- The number of top A-level grades of A*-A has doubled
- Over 40 students have gone on to Oxford and Cambridge, reading subjects that range from English, Modern and Medieval Languages, History and Classical Civilisation to Chemistry, Medicine, Mathematics and Computer Science
- Over 30 students have gone on to medical, dentistry and veterinary schools
- Over 100 fully-funded Sixth Form Scholarships have been provided for pupils from low-income families
- 14 fully-funded scholarships have been provided for Ukrainian refugees
- A successful unification of the former pre-prep and prep schools into a single Colfe’s Junior School
- A swift and decisive response to the Covid pandemic, effecting digital development that revolutionised teaching and learning
The presentations were concluded by a special address from Deputy Head Donna Graham, who, with a nod to his classical roots, wished Mr Russell farewell with a dedication from the last book of the Odyssey, delivered in the ancient Greek:
μάλα χαῖρε, θεοὶ δέ τοι ὄλβια δοῖεν
Farewell – and may the gods give you happiness
A special lunch followed, attended by all staff, where Chair of the Board of Governors Matthew Pellereau paid further tribute to Mr Russell, before presenting him with some gifts on behalf of staff, pupils and governors. These included a bespoke leatherbound book containing a collection of Mr Russell’s editorial features in the Colfeian magazine and national press, specially commissioned writing and artwork from both Senior and Junior schools and tributes from the Colfe’s community including many past School Captains.
The final week saw celebrations that included a whole school Assembly, presented by School Captain Amelie, who recounted Mr Russell’s successes and achievements over his two decades as Headmaster. The Assembly was rounded off with a surprise performance from school band Colfeplay, who performed the first record Mr Russell ever bought: Black Sabbath’s Paranoid.
Chair of the Board of Governors Matthew Pellereau said: “Richard has been a truly outstanding Headmaster. His tremendous achievements speak for themselves but on a personal note, he is calm and unwavering, excellent at reading the mood of parents, pupils and staff, and – most importantly – has a great sense of humour. The relationship a Headmaster has with Governors is a critical one; I have been extremely lucky that we have had such a good rapport and understanding. He is an excellent communicator both verbally and on paper, with parents, pupils, staff and Governors alike, as well as to the wider world through his regular appearances on the pages of national newspapers. On a personal note, I will greatly miss Richard. He is a good friend who it has been a pleasure to accompany.”
Mr Russell said: “It was wonderful to have the opportunity to celebrate the highlights of recent years. For me personally, it meant a lot to have the opportunity to reflect on all that we have achieved together at Colfe’s over the last 20 years in the presence of so many friends – staff past and present, Leathersellers, parents and other friends of the school. It was a truly memorable occasion. The last 20 years have been immensely rewarding and I have every confidence that my excellent successor will build further on all that we have accomplished in that time.”
Mr Russell has thanked the number of Colfe’s families who have generously given gifts. He has requested that in lieu of further gifts, he would encourage donations to the Leatherseller Scholarship Programme.
Mr Russell’s successor is Daniel Gabriele, who will take up the post of Headmaster at the start of the Autumn term 2025.
