2009 – Lord Peter Mandelson
23rd October 2009
The school was, once again, extremely proud to host the 8th South Shields Annual Lecture on behalf of the Right Honourable David Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
This year’s guest speaker was Lord Peter Mandelson, First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Lord President of the Council and President of Hartlepool Football Club.
The evening was a huge success with Lord Mandelson delivering a very interesting and thought provoking speech. This was followed by an opportunity for the audience to pose questions, which Lord Mandelson handled with his usual calm equanimity.
Many thanks to this year’s sponsors, Universal Systems Solutions, Sony and Impetus. Thanks also to the staff and students at Harton who put on a fabulous show, making me very proud to be the headteacher. Finally, massive thanks to Richard Ord and staff who provided a fantastic meal for guests at his world famous restaurant, Colman’s!
I look forward to next year’s event where the suggestions for the guest speaker have already flooded in. The most popular requests are Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Justice Secretary Jack Straw and former Harton pupil and famous film director, Ridley Scott.
I have included some photographs of the event.
Sir Ken Gibson (Executive Headteacher)