A Royal Quincentenary Visit

WE WERE HONOURED TO WELCOME HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH TO SCHOOL, AS PART OF CELEBRATIONS MARKING THE SCHOOL’S 500TH ANNIVERSARY.

 

Throughout the visit, excitement was palpable across the school community. The youngest pupils in Year 3 lined the pavements, proudly waving flags as they eagerly awaited the arrival of The Duke. Taking time to stop and speak with many of the children, His Royal Highness was greeted with smiles, enthusiastic waves and a warm Newcastle welcome, creating memories that will be treasured for years to come.

The visit brought the school’s Quincentenary year to a fitting close, with The Duke meeting students from RGS and partner state schools, before unveiling a commemorative plaque to mark the proud milestone. 

Addressing students and staff, The Duke said: “I am delighted to join you in marking this special day. It has been a pleasure speaking with so many of you and hearing about your interests, achievements, and future ambitions, including your adventures with the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

"I hope you continue to enjoy these opportunities in the years ahead. I have no doubt that the skills and experiences you have gained will serve you well as you move forward into your chosen paths. I wish you all every success for the future, whatever you choose to do.”

Music provided a memorable backdrop to the visit. Junior School pupils delivered an ambitious performance of Four Chords, seamlessly bringing together lyrics from 24 popular songs in a lively showcase of creativity, confidence and teamwork.

Later, voices from across the school united in a stirring rendition of Triumphans, the RGS School Song. As students sang together to mark this historic milestone, the performance served as a powerful reminder of the traditions, values and shared sense of belonging that have shaped RGS Newcastle for 500 years.

Headteacher of RGS Newcastle, Mr Geoffrey Stanford, said: "It was a tremendous honour to welcome The Duke of Edinburgh to RGS Newcastle as we mark 500 years since the founding of our school. This anniversary provides an opportunity not only to reflect on our history, but also to look ahead to the impact we continue to make across the North East.

“Through 88 partnership projects reaching 14,000 students across 100 state schools, alongside a bursary programme supporting 500 young people to date, RGS continues to be a beacon of excellence and philanthropy in the North East. Our work closely reflects His Royal Highness’s longstanding commitment to championing young people. Five centuries after our foundation, widening opportunity and raising educational attainment remain at the heart of everything we do.”

Joined by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Ms Lucy Winskell OBE, the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Henry Gallagher, and the High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear, Mr Ammar Mirza CBE, The Duke experienced life across the school and saw its charitable and partnership work first-hand.

During Further Mathematics lessons, pupils from RGS’s partnership schools St. Anthony’s Girls' Catholic Academy and St. Aidan’s Catholic Academy in Sunderland spoke to The Duke about how the RGS Partnership Programme has supported their love of maths and broadened their career aspirations.

Students from partnership school Walkergate Community School in the East End of the city enjoyed showing The Duke what they had learned in RGS Robotics lessons and how to direct robots they had built.

Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and Duke of Edinburgh Award students shared inspiring stories of their charitable work and expeditions with the school’s honoured guest.

In the RGS Archive, His Royal Highness met members of the Junior History Society and viewed The Great Charter of 1600, the school’s own “Magna Carta”, which granted RGS its Royal designation and is rarely displayed. Kindly loaned for the occasion by Tyne and Wear Archives, the charter which is signed by Elizabeth I added further historical significance to the visit.

As part of the visit, Twisha D and Hannah T in Year 12 invited the Duke to sign the school’s visitor book, which they had illustrated using calligraphy. Reflecting on the occasion, they said: “We designed the visitors’ book to mark the school’s 500th anniversary. Inspired by a previous visitors’ book created in the 1920s, we wanted to combine traditional RGS artwork and calligraphy with a modern interpretation.

“It was wonderful to meet His Royal Highness. He took time to speak with everyone and was very complimentary about the design. It was a real privilege to have his signature as the first entry in the book.”

As the school’s Quincentenary celebrations draw to a close, the royal visit provided a fitting tribute to 500 years of learning, opportunity and service.

For the students who shared their stories, the youngest pupils who lined the pathways waving flags, and the wider school community gathered for this historic occasion, it was a day that will remain part of RGS Newcastle’s story for generations to come.