Our annual Junior Speech Day was held on Friday 30th June in Jubilee Hall. Our Junior students gathered to celebrate the fast approaching conclusion of their fantastic academic year and, of course, to send off outgoing Year 6 students in high spirits.

Speech Day is an occasion to reflect on some of the highlights of the year.  Our priority in school is to provide an exceptional education and this comprises a blend of excellent academics, pathways to success and wellbeing.  We value smiles as much as success and with so much going on in school –  educational trips across the country, exciting residentials, sporting fixtures, musical events, drama productions, outside lessons in forest schools and the popular creative carousel – each day has been packed with excitement and learning.  They have proven to be highlights of the year for many as our Deputy Head Girl and Head Girl summed up so eloquently.  Events, activities and competitions in our Houses for all students (ages 7 – 18 years) also have helped relationships to grow and develop between our Junior and Senior students and watching the creation of role models, friendships and a school community coming together is perhaps the biggest highlight of all.   Whilst Lee House scooped up many prizes at Speech Day,  Mackie were delighted to be announced overall Junior House champions for this academic year. 

The ceremony focused around prize giving with presentations of 80 awards.  Selection for the awards was difficult – each one of our students in the Junior Section has accomplished so much.  We were delighted with the support shown by students for, and of, each other.  Celebrations were punctuated with beautiful musical performances from our two Young Musicians of the Year: Fei Fei Wu (Under 9 Winner) who played the piano and Azariah Heptinstall (Under 11 Winner) who played the saxophone and our Under 11 Choir who sang a stirring rendition of We Are Unstoppable by Emily Barden.  Year 6 students received their much anticipated Leavers Book filled with photographs and memories. 

Our outgoing Head Girls, Felix Campbell and Anniyah Khan, gave a vote of thanks and we welcomed our new Head Girl, Aurelia Bullen and Deputy Head Girl,  Izzy Bate. Congratulations to all girls on their appointment to these coveted roles.

A happy and empowering education is at the heart of our school and to mark this occasion, our own alumnae serve as the best role models. A special thanks goes to our guest speaker, Mrs Natalie Wright, Partner and Head of UK Family Business for Mazars, an international organisation specialising in audit, accountancy, advisory, tax & legal services, for joining us. An alumna of the school, Natalie embodies the qualities and characteristics that we are aiming to develop in our students and we were delighted to be joined by Natalie, a fabulous and inspiring role model whose speech resonated with us all.

Well done Year 6 – we are very much looking forward to welcoming you into Year 7 in September !