On Friday 13th March, the community of The Grange School gathered to commemorate Founder’s Day, one of the most meaningful and emblematic traditions of our School. Each year, this ceremony invites us to remember the life and legacy of Mr John A S Jackson, founder and first Headmaster of The Grange School, whose vision continues to guide the education of generations of pupils to this day.
The ceremony took place in the John Jackson Quad, where pupils from 6° Básico to 4° EM, members of Staff and special guests connected to our Community gathered to take part in a carefully prepared programme.
On this occasion, the ceremony was conducted by Miss Andrea Cifuentes, an Old Grangonian and current teacher at the School, who served as Master of Ceremonies and guided each moment of the programme with clarity and solemnity.
The ceremony began with the Senior School Choir’s rendition of the hymn Jerusalem, followed by a thoughtful address from our Headteacher, Mrs Kate Ingamells-Bland, who reflected on the enduring legacy of Mr Jackson and how his vision continues to inspire the School’s educational project.
In her remarks, she highlighted how the principles upon which The Grange School was founded remain present today through the Grangonian Profile, built upon the pillars of Academics, Arts, Sports and Service, which seek to form well-rounded pupils committed to their communities and prepared to contribute positively to society.
As she expressed in her address:
“Founder’s Day reminds us that we are part of something larger than ourselves. We are temporary stewards of a permanent idea. As we move steadily toward our Centenary in 2028, each generation has the responsibility to add its own chapter to the story of this school, building on the foundation laid before it. We do not preserve the past by standing still. We honour it by building forward.”
Click here to read the full speech.
The ceremony then continued with a moving reading by 4° EM pupil Catalina Naylor, who delivered the biblical passage Matthew 7:24–27, “Build Your House upon the Rock”, with a thoughtful and powerful interpretation.
Once the reading concluded, the ceremony moved into one of its most poignant moments: the playback of Mr Jackson’s voice in the historic recording of the 1949 Prayer, a record that each year reminds the community of the spirit that inspired the founding of the School.
We invite you to listen to this historic Prayer by clicking here.
Following this moment, the ceremony continued with the words of this year’s Guest of Honour, Mrs Josephine “Jo” Jackson, granddaughter of our founder, an Old Grangonian and, until last year, a member of our Staff.
Mrs Jackson shared with pupils a heartfelt reflection on the meaning The Grange School has had throughout her life, recalling her experience as a pupil, teacher, parent and member of this community.
As she expressed in her address:
“I have been here for many years, as a pupil, as a teacher, as a parent and as an Old Girl. The Grange has shaped who I am, and now I feel called to take the traditions and values of our school to a new place in the south of Chile.
Be grateful, be kind, put others before yourself, play fair and work hard.
Being a Grange School pupil is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility to be trustworthy and useful to society.”
Click here to read the full speech.
Her participation was warmly received by the entire Community, creating one of the most moving moments of the ceremony. As a gesture of appreciation for her deep connection with the School and for her words during the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr Cristóbal Hurtado, presented her with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the entire Grange School Community, also wishing her every success in the new professional path and projects she will soon undertake.
The ceremony then continued with the Senior School Choir’s interpretation of the hymn Onward Christian Soldiers, before moving on to one of the most traditional moments of Founder’s Day: the Laying of the Wreaths.
On this occasion, representatives from different institutions within the Grangonian community placed floral wreaths in honour of Mr Jackson. Among those participating were members of the John Jackson Family, the Fundación Educacional John Jackson, The Grange School represented by our Head Girl and our Head Boy, representatives of the School Staff, the Old Grangonian Club, the Fundación Grangonian Spirit of Service (FOGSS), The John Jackson XV and the British and Commonwealth Fire & Rescue Company.
Once this tribute concluded, the community observed the traditional moment of silence accompanied by the siren of the fire engine of the 14th Fire Brigade, the British and Commonwealth Fire & Rescue Company “J.A.S. Jackson”, in honour of our founder.
Towards the end of the ceremony, Mr Jahnn Cooper, former Lay Minister of the Santiago Community Church, led the community in the traditional Lord’s Prayer, before the ceremony concluded with the School Choir’s rendition of the School Song.
Ninety-eight years after the founding of The Grange School, Founder’s Day remains a deeply meaningful occasion to remember the life and work of Mr Jackson and to reflect upon the legacy he left to the Grangonian community.
Each new generation of pupils receives this heritage and contributes, through their own experiences, to keeping alive a tradition that has accompanied the School since its earliest days. Founder’s Day therefore offers an opportunity to remember those origins and to renew our commitment to carrying forward, through our daily actions, the spirit and values that Mr Jackson envisioned for The Grange School.
