BISHOP of Hereford's Bluecoat School students heard how schooldays are the foundation for the rest of their lives - some of which could last as long as a century.

Head teacher Andrew Marson spoke of changing times during the school's speech day as he welcomed staff, students, governors and the Dean of Hereford, the Very Rev Michael Tavinor.

He told how future generations will have to take a more flexible approach to careers and expect more leisure time later in life: "Your schooldays at Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School have therefore been laying down foundations for a very long life. No wonder in our prospectus we expect education to be 'life lasting and enhancing'," said Mr Marson.

A surprise letter from a former pupil who emigrated to Australia was read to students. Jennie Watkins told how moving away from Herefordshire made her realise what a good school Bishops was. In her letter she commented on the different educational system and 'the horrible green uniform' that she now has to contend with!

During his address, Mr Marson also highlighted the importance of the school's Christian ethos and how pupils were encouraged to love themselves, love one anther and love God.

Prizes were awarded to:

Service: Sam Bishop, Carly Shaw; academic excellence: Richard Daniel, Robert Harper; endeavour: Peter Crum; community service: Ryan Moreland. English: Hannah Fox, Victoria Williams; English literature: Amy Ronge, Paul Williams; maths: Lydia Smith, Andrew Knight; statistics: Ted Knight; additional maths: Richard Daniel, Robert Harper; science: Ben Tiller, Luke Mason, Beth Healey, Katie Price; art and design 2D: Matthew Glover; art and design 3D: Alex Harrison; textiles: Sarah Rowberry; systems and control: James Peachey; resistant materials: Kirsty Bromage; graphics: Naomi Taylor; food technology: Jazmin Parker-Pohl; industrial production: Matthew Bennett. Information and communication technology: Jonathan Massey; science and technology: Kathryn Mowbray; history: Stacey Davies; geography: Nicholas Dallow; RE: Caroline Ardrey, Jenny Reader; humanities: Edward Cope; French: Charlotte Lee; German: Brett Griffiths; spanish: Aimee Morgan; modern languages: Adam Knight; music: Emily Dodsworth, Simon Ellam; drama: Fiona Laird, William Moore; PE: Joanna Thomasson, Laurence Fox; child development: Amelia Jones; pre-vocational/VETO: Lewis Baker; house prizes: Alice Underhill, Paul Lamputt, Stuart Davies, Kirsty McColl, Sophie Le Good, Guy Thompson, Sam Dixon, Delyth Williams.