and Boy

I joined St Piran’s when I was in Nursery and I have absolutely loved my 8 years here. One of my first memories is the pinafore dress I had to wear for Nursery. I felt so grown up in it. I thought it was meant to hang down to the floor and it is only now - that I realise this was the first example of the “She’ll grow into it!” approach to uniformbuying, adopted by my mum! St Piran’s has wonderful sport facilities and I have gratefully taken advantage of everything the school has had to offer me. I really enjoyed it when we started competing against other schools in Year 3. We even went to the Isle of Wight for a trampolining competition, the ferry ride being a particular highlight – thank you, Mrs Holmes! My best sporting memory is probably the IAPS Hockey Competition in 2019. I was honoured to be one of a few girls from Year 5 chosen to play with the Year 6s and we won the Plate competition! I was also lucky enough to get my half colours then as well. My worst sporting memory (and my first) was being clonked on the head with a hockey stick in Year 2 by a boy. I was proud of that black eye though! There are a lot of special teachers at St Piran’s who I will never forget. Obviously, Mrs Holmes and Mrs Robertson feature highly because of my love of sport! We learned a lot but had fun at the same time. Mrs Burnage was such an encouraging swimming coach. Her “Goggle Game” was cherished by all of us and I don’t think I ever actually won it in all those years! I will never forget our hilarious history lessons with Mr Grice. His ability to deliver important life lessons alongside historical facts will ensure he goes down as one of my favourites. Mrs Bersier turned us into a Chapel Choir that I am really proud of. I admit that, at times, it was a challenge for me to stay quiet and not to get carried away chatting with my friends during practice. Although our Year 6 production plans were curbed, we enjoyed putting together the Showcase this year. I had a Hollywood moment when I was cast as Doc in our Year 4 production of Back to the Future. It took a considerable amount of time and hairspray to get me looking the part – plenty of back combing! Time travelling was lots of fun, I have to admit. From one scientist to another, Miss Cowley has, in the short time she has been at the school, made science so much more fun for me. Mrs Girdler has spent much time helping me with my English during our weekly Tutor Point lessons. She must be the most patient person in the world for which I am eternally grateful. Mrs Bailey’s English lessons have been something else. I have so enjoyed them. We have such fun discussions in class. Having her as a tutor has meant I have been doubly lucky. She listens. She cares. Thank you, Mrs Bailey, for all that you have done for me this year. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the school Matrons who I have visited with various issues and ailments over the years! Thank you for your kindness and for looking after me. It has been a great privilege being Head Girl. I was genuinely surprised when I was announced, but also deeply proud and chuffed. Because of COVID, my role has been a bit different to usual. However, we still got to attend a fair number of Prefects’ Teas with Mr Sales on a Thursday afternoon. These have been a great opportunity to get to know Mr Sales whilst at the same time tucking into some seriously tasty cakes! Thank you Mr Sales for making such great efforts to keep us all safe in the face of COVID and for helping Year 6 to have the best final year you could in difficult times. I am very sad to leave St Piran’s. I have been really happy here and I couldn’t have asked for more.

Despite the homeschooling, virtual open days, class bubbles and no match teas, every year of my 8 years at St Piran’s has still created so many happy memories which have helped me grow and develop into the person I am today. Someone who is not just excited for the next step but someone who is ready. I feel it is extremely important to mention that my journey through St Piran’s has been made so special by the many amazing teachers that I have been lucky enough to have. Over the years you have not only inspired me to learn but supported me when I have needed help. Notably Mrs Bailey, who I would not have got through the last lockdown without her daily quizzes and presents in the post! My St Piran’s adventure began in Nursery where I loved playing with the cars, creating chaos with the water play and, would you believe, we even had a slide in the classroom! One of my strongest memories was our trip to Odds Farm. My dad was a parent helper for the day and seemed to have a few rules of his own, which involved playing mini golf and eating ice cream, which I am sure were not in the parent briefing! After the year we have had and with so many things not happening in the way I had hoped for in my final year at St Piran’s, I couldn’t quite allow myself to believe we would actually make it on our Year 6 residential. But, with thanks to Mrs Wadsworth, we did! And I can report that it was absolutely amazing: camping, paddle boarding, eating marshmallows and just relaxing with my friends meant that my penultimate week here was one of my favourites. The other huge influence in helping me grow my confidence and develop my interests have been the vast number of sporting opportunities I have had at St Piran’s: football, cross country, hockey, swimming, gymnastics, cricket AND rugby….. the list is endless. Swim squad with Mrs Burnage, qualifying for IAPS swimming, football with Mr Barker and Mr Smith and cricket with Mr Lambert have been a few of my favourites. Oh, and not forgetting that I have consumed many a delicious match tea along the way! As I embark on my next journey at Reading Blue Coat, I am excited to say that many friends from St Piran’s will be moving with me and I look forward to creating many more memories and experiencing many new things with them. However, one thing I will really miss about St Piran’s is my family. Throughout my time here I have been lucky enough to share sports days, school plays with my older sister Izzy and my cousin Archie, as well as giving my little sister Georgie and cousin Immy a wave and cuddle during the day. St Piran’s is a truly special place, as under normal times it creates a feeling of family and belonging which for me has been so important. To other pupils at the school, I would say take every opportunity you have and give things a go, value the incredible teachers you have (who I will miss very much) and to next year’s rugby captain - I set you the challenge of maintaining my history as undefeated rugby captain…. but don’t tell ANYONE…….. we never had a fixture!