On Wednesday 5 August, Old Haleian Richard Goyder (1974-1977) presented to some 70 parents and students our final ‘Seize the Day’ breakfast session, with the message: “be passionate about whatever it is you choose to do with your life.”

Mr Goyder also went on to say that school is merely a stepping stone for the rest of your life; successes and achievements made at school (whilst meaningful at the time) are forgotten not long after you have left. At university or (where ever you choose for your next step), the slate is wiped clean, ready for the ‘journey of learning’ to continue. He advised the boys to be passionate about whatever it is they do, and they will do a much better job.

Whilst Richard Goyder is the first to admit that there is a certain amount of luck involved in life and that you can often be ‘in the right place at the right time’, there are definite ways in which you can and should be the master of your own destiny. Successes in life or in business, according to Richard, can be reduced to these three short points:

 o          Set a firm direction in which to head

o          Surround yourself with good people

o          Set and live by the same standards you expect from your life/business

Questioned on how he deals with the barrage of negative publicity foisted on him at times by the media, Richard cited another of the philosophies by which he leads his life, “Be honest and be true to yourself. Decisions made under these circumstances are much easier to stand by and to defend if necessary.”

Seen at the breakfast :

 Peter Taylor and Year 10 son Riley Herbert-Taylor                                                  Richard Goyder speaks to Year 11 Joseph Norrish

 Wendy Sandover and Year 12 son Robin Sandover