Issue Number 24 w/c 16th June 2014 - w/c 30th June 2014 Parents’ Day 2014 Parents’ Day was yet again another tremendous success and the rain nearly stayed away and didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. Firstly the outgoing UVI Form were welcomed into the Fellowship during their Leavers’ Service in the Chapel. As ever this was an emotional service but established the girls’ future connections with the school and the active Old Girls network. Following on from the Leavers’ Service, parents from all year groups gathered to watch a music, drama and dance showcase in St Mary’s Theatre. At 11am governors, parents, staff and girls made their way to the Sports Hall in preparation for speeches and the prize giving ceremony. Alongside Chair of the Governors Tom Cross Brown and Mrs Heywood, our guest speaker Dr Alison Woollard gave an inspiring and thought-provoking speech. The speeches were drawn to a close by this year’s Head Girl, Anna, who presented with true confidence and a good sense of humour. We also said farewell to leaving staff which included Madame Lankshear and Mrs Ingram who both retired after their impressive length of service to the school. Once the prize giving concluded, parents and girls congregated on the field for a celebratory picnic whilst the staff and governors said a fond farewell to the leaving Sixth Form. Mrs S Frost, Marketing Manager
Sports Day Saturday 28 June saw the whole School decamp to the Thames Valley Athletics Centre for our annual Sports Day. Both Mrs Heywood and I had been anxiously looking at the weather forecast wondering whether we would make it through without any rain - we nearly made it! The competition took on a slightly different format with Forms I & II performing on the track whilst Forms III & IV took to their field events with both then swapping. It was fabulous to see every girl competing and representing their Houses and nearly every girl achieved a personal best in one of their events. Notable performances came from Anoushka (Form III) who set a new Intermediate Hurdles record; Kitty (Form III) who won both the Intermediate 200m and High Jump; Ella (Form III) who won both the Javelin and Discus, where she set a new intermediate record and Rose (Form IV) who broke the Intermediate 1500m record. The Victor Ludorum was awarded to Kitty and Ella (both Form III) and the overall House Cup was awarded to De Valois who were clear winners. I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to my colleagues who helped officiate with such good humour despite the constant rain at the end; the event would not be possible without you! Ms W Reynolds, Director of Sport