Cundall welcomes T20 Cricket King – Dawid Malan

Cundall, North Yorkshire – June 30, 2025 –

Cundall Manor School celebrated its end-of-year Speech Day and Prize Giving on Saturday, 28 June 2025, with a special guest appearance from England and Yorkshire cricketer Dawid Malan.

Malan, once ranked the world’s number one white-ball batsman and one of the few England players to have scored centuries in all formats of international cricket, addressed pupils, parents, and staff in a marquee on the school’s historic grounds.

In his inspiring speech, Malan shared personal stories from his professional cricket journey, which began in 2006 when, at just 19, he was offered the opportunity to play at Lord’s and signed his first contract with Middlesex. He candidly described a difficult start to his career—laden with pressure and high expectations—but highlighted how perseverance and hard work enabled him to succeed.

He left pupils with a powerful message:
“There’s always a journey—it’s never plain sailing. But with hardwork, perseverance, and, most importantly, enjoyment, you can succeed in anything you pursue. Good luck with all your journeys.”

Malan has a personal connection to the school—he lives locally with his family, and his father once played cricket with Headmaster Simon Weale. In fact, Malan and Weale even shared the pitch during the early stages of Dawid’s career.

Headmaster Simon Weale, who has known Malan since childhood, said:
“Dawid taking time out of his summer cricket schedule to speak with our pupils meant a great deal to the entire school community. His message truly encapsulated what we aim to instil in our pupils—resilience, character, and a love for learning through experience.
I have watched Dawid play cricket since he was a very little boy, outside our clubhouse in Teddington, where his excellent skills were evident from an early age. He comes from a strong cricketing family—his father would have him batting and bowling all day long with his brother, whatever the weather—and this has clearly paid off.”

Cundall Manor School has a proud sporting heritage and a strong reputation for nurturing future talent. Cricket legend Lord Ian Botham sent both his children and grandchildren to the school. His grandson Jimbo recently represented Wales in the Six Nations, and his father, Liam Botham—also an alumnus—represented England in both cricket and rugby.

Speech Day and Prize Giving was a true celebration of the school’s ethos, which places equal emphasis on academic excellence, personal growth, and co-curricular enrichment. Held on the lawn in front of the Manor House, once a historic hunting lodge, the event brought together the entire school community to recognise the pupils’ achievements throughout the year.

Simon Weale added:
“Cundall Manor was founded on the belief that character, confidence, and curiosity are the cornerstones of a great education. Whether it’s climbing Ben Nevis, performing in our school play, or taking part in competitive sport—our pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves, support one another, and embrace learning in all its forms.”

Located in the stunning North Yorkshire countryside, Cundall Manor School (near Ripon and Thirsk) offers an action-led, phone-free education for ages 2–16, where outdoor adventure, creativity, and real-world learning are central to daily life.

As a small, nurturing school, Cundall Manor offers a truly personal education where every child matters. The school champions a ‘dynamic education is best’ philosophy—where academic learning, wellbeing, and personal development through lived experience go hand in hand—ensuring no two school days are ever the same. Through enriching co-curricular activities like the go-kart race, climbing Ben Nevis, and sports tours, pupils are regularly challenged in meaningful ways—developing the resilience, confidence, and life skills they need to thrive far beyond the classroom. It is this inclusive and joyful environment that inspires children from nursery to GCSE age to develop a love of learning that stays with them for life.

For more information about Cundall Manor School, contact 01423 360200 or email admissions@cundallmanor.org.uk