Welcome

A Welcome from the Head

As I write this, we are preparing to move to face coverings no longer being needed in lessons. Of all the Covid precautions we have had to take, this has been the most challenging: girls and staff wearing face coverings all day unless outside; trying to communicate and build strong learning relationships in lessons when you can only read reactions and emotions through the eyes. The word that springs to mind most frequently is adaptability. For example, the students leaving our Year 13 in a few weeks do so with ‘teacher assessed grades’ rather than the traditional examination experience common to us all. Many of you will have boarded whilst at school here and will remember the excitement of returning home at the end of term. Imagine now where a significant number of our boarders will be leaving Royal High School up to 3 weeks early to allow them to quarantine in hotels when they arrive home. They will continue their lessons from their hotel room. Another example has been our Saturday morning fixtures against other schools which have not taken place for nearly a year. Instead, we have embraced ‘sports for all’ sessions which this week saw girls playing tennis, cricket, netball and practising athletics, all in distinct ‘bubbles’ or groups of their own peers. The same adaptability has been true of our alumnae meetings where former pupils have embraced the magic and frustration (usually in equal measures) of being able to meet virtually, regardless of where they are in the country. Adaptability is not the exclusive preserve of the young. Thank you to our alumnae who have volunteered to join the RHBA Committee as Decade Reps. Please see the article on page 15 and do put yourselves forward, as appropriate, to ensure representation from many generations of our school. Our focus throughout the pandemic has continued to be putting girls first. A critical part of this is ensuring girls understand how to have their voice heard, from contributions in lessons to having the courage to get involved in school debates or the Bath Schools’ Model United Nations or Youth Parliament. A year on from the Black Lives Matter movement we had representatives from our Prep and Senior School join the GDST equality, diversity and inclusion group ‘Undivided’ to share what we have been doing at Royal High School to ensure every girl feels they belong and are a valued member of our community. Our older girls are also ensuring their voices are heard in the wider community, approaching local primary schools to volunteer to help listen to young children read, support them in their Maths or run around with them outside as they contribute to the nationwide catch up for children who, unlike them, did not have seamless access to remote learning.

Welcome to the Spring 2021 edition of the Royal High School Alumnae Newsletter.

C O N T E N T S

Welcome From the Alumnae office School News GDST News Alumnae News From the RHBA Committee Events Giving Catch Up Corner Obituaries Online Community

We love to receive word from you, so if you have anything you would like to share, be it memories, opinion or news and updates, please don’t hesitate to get in touch: rhsalumnae@rhsb.gdst.net

In school we have been intensely conscious of the damage to mental health caused by the pandemic which has manifested itself notably more in girls than boys. Our Mental Health Awareness week encouraged girls outside (despite the unseasonal weather) to try new activities and to encourage mindfulness from outdoor yoga and singing in the grounds, to tutor sessions walking around the campus rather than seated in a classroom. Everyone’s mood has been lifted and reminds us of the importance of connecting with nature and with each other.