Rossall Leavers’ Day 2026

Year 13 student Yesenia, who has been a part of Rossall since Preparatory School, delivered a beautifully written and powerful speech for Leavers’ Day last Friday. Below is the speech she presented.

“When Mr Crombie asked me if I could deliver this speech today, I honestly considered saying no and letting the opportunity pass on to someone else.

If I was told at the beginning of year 12 that I would be standing here giving a speech in front of our whole year group, I would never have believed it. Public speaking has always been one of my biggest fears and anyone who knows me even a little bit can confidently say that is true. Since joining Rossall when I was in year 2, I can tell you that at every single parent’s evening, at least one of my teachers would tell me that I should “contribute more to class discussions”.

For so many years, the fear of saying something wrong or embarrassing myself held me back. However, especially within the last 12 months, I have come to realise that there is so much more to gain when you stop letting the opinions of others dictate your actions. Now I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t still quite nervous standing in front of you all today and honestly who wouldn’t be? Despite this, with the help of many people in this room right now, I’ve learned to overcome this fear and it has undeniably changed my life for the better.

If you asked my parents, they would tell you that when they asked me when I was in year two if I wanted to come to Rossall like my brother and sister, I said no. I was comfortable at my small primary school, only a two minute walk from my house, with people I knew and teachers I was familiar with. Nevertheless, my parents still enrolled me in Rossall despite my protests and dropped me off for my first day. After about 8 hours, my parents picked me up and I left my classroom with my brand new red book bag and a case with a violin in it. I have been told that I immediately signed up for intermediate violin club on my first day although I had no previous experience with the violin whatsoever so I’m not quite sure what my thought process there was. After this day they asked me if I still wanted to go back to my old school or not. I can tell you, I said no. On that first day I met both James and Thishani, two people who I had no idea would become my lifelong friends. Immediately I was being pushed beyond my comfort zone and being given opportunities that would only help me grow. However, I will never forget being made by Miss Topping, our year two teacher, to eat all my peas at lunchtime. I hate peas and to this day I will not touch one.

Despite the pea incident, that was only the start of my rossall journey and already I was being exposed to so many new opportunities at such a young age and making friendships that would carry me through the end of my school journey and onwards.

One thing I value so much about Rossall is the international community it brings. Growing up, I never felt like I belonged in Fleetwood despite being born here but not from here. Living in such a small town where I rarely saw anyone who looked like me I never managed to feel a sense of community. This changed when I came to Rossall. Finally I saw not only people like me but people from all over the world, all with different stories and different struggles, but the one thing that brought us closer together was that we were all here in the same place at the same time, sharing the same experiences. 

As a year group, despite being slightly interrupted by lockdown throughout Year 7 and 8, we still managed to make the most of our time here, through sporting achievements, various trips to Austria, Switzerland, Berlin, being part of many musicals, Chicago, Grease, Footloose, and most famously Bugsy Malone which unfortunately never made it to the stage. 

Aside from these achievements, the most important thing we have done is grow as individuals. 

Leave Rossall as a better person than you were when you arrived here. I’m sure we’re all sick of hearing Mr Crombie say this to us. However, I'm also sure that this is the best piece of advice we could have been given for our time at school. Once we leave this place, we won’t be remembered by what set we were in or what grades we got but by how we made people feel and the legacy we left. 

By this I am not saying that your grades don’t matter because of course they do, we have all worked so incredibly hard to get to where we are today. What I'm saying is that the lasting memory of you is defined by your behaviour and that your character will long outlast your report card, so remember that when you are given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind, it will get you much further in life. 

And even though we’re all excited for what comes next, universities, degree apprenticeships, gap years, jobs, or whatever the future might look like for you I think there’s also a part of everyone that wishes things could just stay the same a little longer although you might not realise it just yet.

And maybe we won’t miss the crazy weeks of mocks with exams almost every day or having to sit through what seem like endless services in chapel when it’s somehow colder inside the building than outside or having to wait until 1:15 for lunch when you’re just really really hungry or submitting coursework at 11:59pm, right before the deadline. But I know that everyone in their own ways will miss being a student here.

Because Rossall has been more than just a school. For many of us, it’s been our second home and It’s where we grew up. It’s where we made friendships, memories, mistakes, and experiences that have shaped us into who we are today.

And the truth is, however cliche it might sound, you can leave Rossall, but Rossall never truly leaves you.

So as we move on to our next chapters, I hope we leave with not just a qualification and a fear of seagulls, but with important memories and experiences. And no matter where life takes us, Rossall will forever be a home you can come back to.

Thank you.”

From the whole Rossall community, we send our very best wishes to Year 13 as you take your next steps on your journey beyond school. Over the years, you have not only grown academically, but have become part of a close and supportive community built on friendship, kindness, and shared experiences. Rossall will miss you greatly, but we are incredibly excited for all that lies ahead for each of you.

Your time here has been filled with lasting memories, strong friendships, and the support of staff and peers who have watched you develop into the individuals you are today. You will always remain part of the Rossall family, and this school will continue to be a place you can return to and call home. We look forward to hearing about your stories, achievements, and successes at future Old Rossallian events, and seeing how you continue to grow beyond Rossall.

Floreat Rossallia!