It has been an emotional couple of weeks for our Year 13 Leavers as they began experiencing many of their first ‘lasts’ in school, which indicated that their time as students at Wakefield Girls’ was slowly coming to a close. 

On Tuesday 7th May, our Year 13 Leavers looked unrecognisable as they arrived in Jubilee Hall for assembly in a variety of hilarious and brightly coloured fancy-dress costumes. All our Senior students erupted with laughter as our Year 13’s ran laps through Jubilee Hall to the tune of Tony Christie’s ‘Amarillo’, with the younger students cheering them on. We were joined by inflatable cows, One Direction, the cast of Toy Story, QEGS students, Men in Black and even a dinosaur! 

On Thursday 9th May, we held our annual Leavers afternoon tea, inviting family, friends and staff to join us in the Quad to connect and relive cherished memories and to make more new ones. Bathed in the glorious afternoon sunshine, it was wonderful to speak with family and friends, to discuss our students’ next steps, whether that is university, apprenticeships, travelling or other exciting journeys. Throughout the afternoon, the key message to students was that a warm welcome awaits at Wakefield Girls’ should they need advice, support or simply want to reconnect! 

On Friday 10th May, it was officially our Year 13 students’ last day of school – they led a memorable and entertaining assembly, sharing their tips and memories from their time at Wakefield Girls’ to our younger students. There was lots of valuable advice that our Year 7 – Year 12 students will have undoubtedly taken on board. Subsequently, Head Ms Boyes presented all our Year 13’s with their leaving presents – including WGHS teddy bear, badge and bracelet.

Later on in the day they were given their Year 7 time capsules: consisting of their Year 7 school photo and a letter to themselves that they wrote in Year 7. This is one of the highlights of our Leavers’ traditions, as students get to reconnect with their Year 7 selves, reading about their favourite lessons, their goals for their futures, and plenty more funny anecdotes. This moment in the Lecture Theatre is not just a comical tradition, but a poignant moment which also allows the students to reflect upon how much they have grown and developed during their time at Wakefield Girls’.  It has been a pleasure for the staff to watch this change and see how our brilliant young people grow. Leavers also wrote themselves a new letter, to open at a 2029 reunion, reflecting on their new goals, intended universities, plans for the future, and of course their friendships.

To our Class of ‘24, you are part of a community that empowers girls: we wish you the very best as you dive into your exams and the new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of you.

Mrs K Varley and Mr C Murtland

Head of Sixth Form and UCAS & Pathways Coordinator