Supporting Tradition: Head of School Livi Donates Her Sedbergh Goat to Restart Africa

Tradition states that the Head of School can grow a moustache, keep a goat, and ride a bike in school. The 2023 Head of School, Livi, took no time at all to decide that she would celebrate her role as Head of School by keeping a goat. No moustache. No bike.

The tradition apparently dates back to the 18th century, although the School archivist, Katy de la Riviere, explains that without reliable historical information, the entitlement is mostly folklore – not really official. However, we do know that during her year as Head of School in 2011-2012, Imogen Schofield (Robertson) kept several goats in the Robertson House garden. At the end of the year, Imogen’s goats were given to Casterton, Sedbergh Prep School, where they lived out the rest of their lives.

After chatting with her parents, Livi had a different plan. Livi is donating her Sedbergh goat to the smallholding at Restart Africa in Kenya. Restart is a children’s home near Pembroke House and a charity that Sedbergh has supported since 2012. Livi and her family know Restart well.

“We had the idea to donate the goats instead and, in a way, create a spin on the classic tradition. Looking into the future, I am hoping this will create the foundations to have more goats in the smallholding.” Because we can’t practically get Livi’s goat to Kenya, it was metaphorically donated to Restart Africa two weeks ago in the form of a £1000 donation.

Restart Africa in Kenya is important to Livi because her dad was an Army Medic, so she lived there for a few years with her family. Her brother, William, went to Pembroke House Prep School (in Kenya) and came to Sedbergh in Sedgwick House. William received a full Army Scholarship to study medicine at Cambridge and qualifies this year. He also shot for Great Britain. In addition to being Head of School, Livi, also an outstanding shooter, is Captain of the Shooting Team.

Livi loves the tradition, “It creates a link between past and present Heads of School and, most of all, it’s a bit of fun with a meaning behind it.”