Our annual scholastic essay presentation evening for Year 7 and 8 had to be postponed due to lockdown. However we were delighted to be able to rearrange the event as a series of virtual presentations spread over a number of  lunchtime sessions. Mr Smith, Mrs Chapman, Mrs Wright, Mrs Chicken, Mrs Evans, Mrs Porter and Ms Ferretti were fortunate to hear all the presentations, with pupils and other members of staff dropping in virtually when available, as well as parents listening at home thus ensuring each presentation reached a wide audience. To coincide with the School’s 90th Birthday, the theme of Celebration had been set in the autumn term, allowing pupils to explore the topic in a direction that intrigued them.  From an argument as to why Rosa Parks should be celebrated to an awareness of the environmental cost of some celebrations our pupils certainly covered the theme from many angles. We also learned about how Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, the Day of the Dead in Mexico, the US town of Celebration, St David’s Day, VE Day, Space Landings and the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas as well as the origins of our Christmas. The pupils confidently answered questions on their research posed by their remote audience.

"I was incredibly impressed with the amount of research and hard work that went into all the presentations. All girls spoke with confidence and I loved the variety of topics that were chosen. It was a lovely way to spend my lunch time!"

Mrs Wright Head of lower school

We may be in lockdown with pupils and staff working remotely but a balance of academic and other activities continues to flourish.

"It was great to hear all of the girls speak so articulately and it was clear that they had thoroughly researched their topics. I certainly learnt a lot from it and I was also very impressed with how well they responded to a range of different questions from the audience. Well done to all involved!"

Mrs Chicken Director of Curriculum