The Dragon 2024-25

From the Head

The 2024/25 academic year marks not just the close of another school year, but the end of a very special journey for me - nine extraordinary years as the proud Head of St George’s.

It certainly has been action-packed. The girls have been challenged and inspired in the classroom, as well as enjoying a range of experiences and opportunities across a spectrum of subjects and activities that have broadened their horizons.

As you will read in the following pages, there have been many highlights from across all areas of the School. These include inspiring Careers Lunches with parents and alumnae, Model United Nations Conferences, SGA Stretch talks and events, including our membership of NACE, (the National Association for Able Children in Education), visiting authors in the Library, the Diversity Week Cultural Dress day, science masterclasses and competitions, financial investment challenges, theatre, gallery and museum visits, and the Australian exchange. There have been Duke of Edinburgh's awards galore! We sent off a group of intrepid adventurers who enjoyed cultural exploration and adrenaline filled activities, with the Science department in the wilds of Costa Rica in October, A Level French students visited the theatre in Paris and the Year 9 recently enjoyed a few days of historical discovery in Belgium.

In the Performing Arts we enjoyed a spectacular performance from a predominantly young cast in the musical Oliver! in October 2024. The Year 7s gave their all in their Christmas pantomime, Camelot, we had the wonderful stage debut of Director in Residence, Miss Beckett’s, play Edge of Being, individual success in New Era and LAMDA exams and the impressive Drama

Showcase and House Performing Arts in the Summer term. Formal and informal performance opportunities have included concerts, Chapel services and Open Mic nights. The Jazz and Dance show was a highlight of the start of the Summer term and we have a number of dancers and musicians involved in elite programmes outside the school.

The characteristic St George’s blend of tradition and innovation has seen our core sports provision evolve with the times and the world around us. It has been a long-held wish of mine to embed both football and cricket into the girls’ lives and it has been exciting to see some impressive progress in both these areas over the past year. We have had teams competing in the English Schools FA Cup for the first time and the U15s brought home our first football trophy for St George’s from the Sir William Perkins invitational tournament.

In netball we have had numerous successes in local Ascot School competitions for many year groups, and my Monday morning assemblies over the past year have been filled with awarding many medals. As well as individual representative successes, the U14A netball team, our ‘team of the year’, were the Sisters n Sport National Trophy Champions following a win against Haberdashers' Elstree in the finals at Loughborough University in March. Badminton has been popular and played competitively this year and swimming continues to go from strength to strength. I will be watching with interest to see how

the exciting new Performance Swimming Programme develops from its launch in September 2025 as the School welcomes some outstanding elite swimmers and develops St George’s reputation for swimming excellence. Summer sports largely benefitted from the fine weather, although the hard ball indoor cricket nets were also a saviour throughout the winter months, and in the rain. The partnership with Royal Ascot Cricket Club has continued to grow and it has been great to have so many girls now regularly playing hardball cricket.

At the heart of all this activity, and especially in the day to day supporting, guiding, challenging and moulding of the girls in their academic studies, with their pastoral care and guidance, feeding them, organising things, cleaning, repairing and looking after our site, are the St George’s staff. The team is a close knit, collegiate and supportive group who work hard together for the very best outcomes for each and every girl. Staff from other schools, or who are interviewing for a role, are unfailingly impressed with the people they meet on a visit to St George’s and I am very grateful for all their hard work.

The teaching, administration and support staff are led by the fabulous Senior Leadership Team who I will greatly miss. They are the glue that binds the school together, getting the balance between managing and leading their areas and keeping me informed and involved where appropriate. They are a capable,

supportive, effective and high performing team who work together with challenge and a good dose of humour and the new Head, Miss Hannah Fox, is lucky to be taking them on in her new role. In return, they, and everyone at St George’s, will be lucky to be benefitting from her warmth and energy as she steers the School forward. Thank you, also, to the governors who work very hard, most of which is behind the scenes, to oversee the School with the Senior Leadership Team to continually improve the fantastic educational experience for all the girls here, and develop the School’s strategy both in the near and longer term.

It was very special to have so many alumnae and former staff alongside the current school community, for the Music for a Summer Evening concert in June, with an enormous massed Chapel Choir of past and present members. It was a wonderfully fitting tribute to Mr Hillier, where we heard of his amazing impact on so many lives, as he leaves St George’s after 42 years at the

School. His legacy continues with a number of girls leaving this year for further studies in music, performing and creative arts.

I have learnt a great deal in my time as Head, and am very proud of the School that I have had the privilege to lead for nine years.

There are things I will not miss (navigating the School through a pandemic is one!) and things that have evolved in my time that I will miss, and are particularly to St George’s, such as Carols in the Quad, Open Mic Nights and the Upper Sixth Leavers Assembly. The School now widely shares our facilities and site with our local community and we have developed far stronger partnerships with local schools, this year including weekly literacy workshops, photography for a new website, a new school logo competition, girls football masterclasses, swimming lessons, drama productions, as well as the now annual SGA Big Help Out. Started in our centenary year in

2023 following the example of King Charles’ Big Help Out and part of our philanthropic drive, the SGA Big Help Out has put volunteering and service at the heart of St George’s, pushing people out of their comfort zones, showing the girls, in practise, the value and joy of doing things for nothing more than the pleasure it gives others. This is, arguably, more needed than ever in today’s world. This is supplemented by the ongoing work with local charities, the food bank, baby bank and in local care homes, which instills in the girls that sense of being part of our local community and of something bigger than St George’s, which has always been important to me.

Girls' schools are more relevant and more important than ever as we continue to strive for a world designed equally for men and women, following centuries of institutional arrangements that still make things harder for women, not deliberately, but through habit. When girls are grounded together in a strong community, their confidence knows no bounds and their

horizons have no limits. It is not going to be easy for young people today, for boys as well as girls, and the education, guidance, values and support at school for girls feels more important than ever. I believe that I have a duty as a female leader who has the privilege to help shape the future of the many girls who have been through St George’s, and the schools I have worked at before, to champion the education of women.

As I hoped when I introduced it many years ago, the idea of our girls becoming confident, capable and connected has certainly been firmly embedded and it is far more than a ‘brand’ identity. The marketing team have worked wonders with sharing our St George’s story, but it is the girls who talk of

the value of connection within our special community that is most powerful as they live out these values and see them around them.

Above all, I am most proud of the girls who have grown through St George’s in my time here, those currently in the School and the brilliant young women who have come before them over the past nine years. If I have made just a small impact on them in some way through our time here together that is a real privilege, and enough.

We learn so much from young people; they keep you on your toes, they keep you young (ish!) and above all they are great fun to be around.

After nine very happy years as Head, I will miss the St George’s community, and Ascot as my home, enormously. However, the best schools don’t sit still and never have. They challenge, they evolve, they nudge you out of your comfort zone, they make you a little more hungry, a little bit braver and willing to try new things, for the staff as well as the pupils. I wish Miss Fox every success and have every confidence that the School will continue to thrive under her leadership.

Liz Hewer | Head (2016 - 2025)

New Staff at St George’s

The following staff joined St George’s in the academic year 2024–2025.

Debbie Allen Head of Food Preparation and Nutrition

Keith Fuller Driver

Agnes Fernandes Tutor of German

Katie White Resident Sports Coach and Assistant Housemistress

Claire Peters Examinations Officer

Grace Beckett Director in Residence

Jason Hawkins Driver and Exam Invigilator

Emilia Bryant Artist in Residence

Lesley Hoban Alumnae Engagement Officer

Julia Mylechraine Learning Support Teacher

Joseph Cook-Williams Teacher of Science

Louise Stuart PA to the Head

Olly Major Theatre Technician and Designer

Amanda Liddle Director of Drama

Shari Kendall Teacher of Geography

Anne-Marie KeoghSwindells Learning Support Teacher

Farewell to leaving Staff

Olivia joined the school in 2017 and immediately proved to be an exceptional teacher, as evidenced by her successful transition into Chris Fidler's shoes as Head of Department. She significantly elevated the Art department's profile by introducing new initiatives like House Art, which encourages collaboration among all the girls. Olivia also strengthened community links through partnerships with Ascot

Jasprit

Bhandal

Part Time Science Technician

Since joining us in 2016, Jas has been the heart of our Science Department: calm, organised, kind and endlessly supportive. Her reassuring presence has helped staff and pupils alike, ensuring everything runs

Olivia Antolik Head of Art

Train Station and Royal Ascot Racecourse, where her pupils' competition entries have achieved notable success.

Beyond her professional achievements, Olivia's colleagues are amazed by her impeccable sense of style and ability to remain completely paint-free despite working in an art room—a feat the rest of her department has yet to master. A dedicated educator, she consistently seeks out professional development opportunities and has managed the department with great success. While she will be deeply missed, her colleagues wish her the best on her upcoming sailing adventures with her family in Dorset.

smoothly behind the scenes. Jas’s warmth, humour and tireless work ethic have made her an irreplaceable part of our team. Whether juggling lastminute practicals, or offering a friendly word of encouragement, she has done it all with a smile.

From Hogwarts Day to hatching chicks, she has brought science to life with creativity and care. We are so grateful for her dedication over the years. Though we are sad to see her go, we wish her all the best in her new role at Leighton Park School. They are incredibly lucky to have her and we know she will be a huge success. She leaves with our deepest thanks and best wishes.

Helen has been an invaluable support to the teaching and administrative teams at St George's. We shall miss her quiet efficiency, gentle sense of humour and can-do attitude and wish her all the very best with her retirement.

Emilia Bryant Artist in Residence

We have been so lucky to have Emilia in the Art Department this year. She has inspired pupils across all year groups – from portraits with Year 9, to landscapes and clay with Year 8, and creative projects with Year 7. She joined trips to galleries and exhibitions, led Life Drawing, and supported shows, all while pursuing and exhibiting her own painting for us to enjoy and be inspired by. We are sad to see her go but wish her every success as she takes up her next role at Harrow.

Helen Austin Administrative Assistant

Hannah Cross Resident Tutor

Hannah Cross arrived at St George’s in the summer term of last year and immediately made her mark. As our Artist in Residence, Hannah immersed herself in every aspect of school life: leading workshops in the Art Department, collaborating on creative projects and bringing fresh ideas to our boarding houses.

Within weeks, she extended her role to include Resident Tutor duties, and soon after, she took on the challenge of being a Year 8 Tutor, earning praise from colleagues for her thoughtful guidance.

Hannah’s calm demeanour and warm presence quickly became a cornerstone of the Year 8 and boarding communities. She was the friendly ear at lights-out, the peacemaker and the steady hand helping our Upper Sixth girls navigate deadlines. Loveday House in particular benefited from her consistent care and the genuine bonds she formed with its members.

As Hannah prepares to move to Germany this summer, we extend our deepest thanks for her dedication, creativity and heartfelt support. We wish her every success in the next chapter, confident that whatever she does, she will bring the same warmth and commitment that defined her year at St George’s.

Laurie is, without a doubt, a true Georgian through and through. Her connection with St George’s began as a pupil from 1994 to 2001. Years later in 2017, Laurie returned to SGA, this time as a valued member of staff, joining Sarah on reception every Thursday and Friday. It was not long before she took on the role of Alumnae Co-ordinator, and under her dedicated care, the alumnae community flourished.

In 2023, she single-handedly organised and ran the Centenary Families Day. This remarkable event brought together over 400 alumnae from across the generations to celebrate our

Natalie Man Director of Marketing and External Communications

Natalie has been a stalwart of the MAPA (Marketing, Admissions, Philanthropy and Alumnae) Team since its beginning when she joined as Director of Marketing and External Communications two years ago, and she is a great team player. She is always willing to help others and seek out solutions. She is pretty unflappable, at least on the surface, and that is exactly what is needed for an external facing senior role and she guards ‘brand and reputation SGA’ with her all.

Natalie is hugely creative, she loves marketing merchandise and spreading the SGA word whether through bus bookmarks, the flip card or brew

Laurie Glimmerveen

Marketing Communications Officer & Alumnae Engagement Officer

100-year anniversary. Later in 2023, Laurie made another significant shift, leaving her familiar spot at the heart of the School on reception to take up a new challenge in the Marketing Team as the Marketing Operations Officer. This role was a natural fit, seamlessly blending her expertise in PR with her unparalleled knowledge of SGA and her extraordinary talent for copywriting.

Laurie embodies so many admirable qualities. She is quietly understated yet fiercely protective, brimming with integrity and always ready with her sharp sense of humour. These attributes only scratch the surface of what makes her such an invaluable member of the SGA family. She is a true champion of everything SGA stands for. As Laurie heads off to new adventures at Gordon's School, we know their gain is truly our loss and wish her the very best for the future.

kits. Those who work closest with her, describe Natalie as warm and open, someone who leads with her heart, praises, encourages, inspires, helps without hesitation and somehow makes it all look very easy.

We will miss her energy and creativity at St George’s as she moves to Canada for a new adventure with her family.

FAREWELL TO LEAVING STAFF

Anna Older

Part-time Art and Design Technician

After nine dedicated years at St George’s, we say a fond farewell to Anna Older, our multi-talented and much-loved Art Technician. Throughout her time here, Anna has been an invaluable part of the Art Department. A creative force behind the scenes and a constant source of support and inspiration to staff and pupils alike.

Anna’s skills are truly remarkable. From working the kiln, demonstrating her glazing techniques to threading a sewing machine or using a staple gun, there’s nothing she can’t turn her hand to. Her excitement for sculpture is infectious and she has been known to come in on her days off just to open the kiln door and see the latest batch of the girls’ work fresh from a firing.

Beyond her technical talents, Anna’s warmth, humour and unwavering dedication have made her a favourite with pupils across all year groups. Anna has also played a vital role in bringing our annual summer exhibitions to life, helping transform our spaces into vibrant showcases of student achievement.

St George’s has truly been Anna’s happy place, and her positive energy and commitment will be sorely missed. We thank Anna and wish her all the very best for the future.

Amy Mcgillivray Teacher of English

Amy joined St George’s in September 2024 as a full time Teacher of English and Year 9 Tutor. She slotted straight into St George’s and the girls warmed to her immediately.

Amy has exceptional academic credentials. She is an Oxford

Ray Smith Visiting Music Tutor

The end of the summer term saw the retirement of Mr Ray Smith as our Teacher of Percussion, after an amazing 38 years.

Ray came to us following an outstanding military career where he played at a succession of National, Royal and notable events, both here and in Northern Ireland. Ray was already teaching at Wellington College, (and running their amazing Corps of Drums), teaching at St Mary's, and leading a busy performing life when Miss Harvey, who was Director of Music at the time, tempted him to come to St George's!

Ray's 38 years at St George's have been outstanding in so many ways. The percussion room in the music school was yet to be built when he arrived. Ray saw its building and established it as a hive of activity, musical vitality and the home of inspired, dedicated and very specialist, highly valued teaching. Ray's wealth of experience made him not only one of the most inspiring teachers, but his depth and breadth of musical knowledge contributed to him being a teacher of great perception and insight. The success of all his pupils over all those years are testimony to his ability.

Hand in hand with his inspired teaching, Ray's directorship of the Jazz Group has been a keystone in the musical life of the School.

graduate and prior to working at St George’s she completed a MA at the Royal College of Art in writing.

During her time at the School, she has taught purposeful, engaging and suitably challenging English lessons to all the girls from Year 7 to Upper Sixth. Amy will be missed dearly by all her pupils and colleagues and we wish her all the best with her move to Belfast this summer.

Passionate about this area of his music making, Ray created the most wonderfully friendly and able band of players you would ever hope to find. For them, he arranged countless songs and their regular performances at concerts, including Music for a Summer Evening and the Jazz and Dance shows, stand out as being very special.

Ray's involvement in all our musical productions through the years ensured their success. Ray was a familiar face around the School and in the Staff Room –friendly, gentle and generous. His deep religious faith made his occasional Chapel services a heartfelt and thoughtful experience and those of us who witnessed his mesmerising percussion talks to visiting Prep school pupils and other young classes, know what a brilliant communicator Ray is – with, of course, the assistance of his regular helper, ‘monkey'!

We wish Ray Smith the happiest of retirements and say a heartfelt ‘thank you’.

Peter Thompson Head Groundsman

Pete joined St George’s in October 2005 as an experienced Head Groundsman, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge in turf management and landscaping. A keen gardener, Pete demonstrated remarkable versatility, contributing across various aspects of site management, from hard landscaping projects to thoughtful garden design.

Over the years, Pete built strong relationships with the PE department and became known for his expertise in sports turf management. His consistent

Will Turney Theatre Technician and Designer

Will started at St George's in June 2022 as Theatre Designer

Jodie Storm Examinations Officer

Jodie joined us from Windsor Girls' School in 2023, and worked as an extraordinary Exams Officer for St George's. She approached every task with such calm assurance and her encyclopedic knowledge of JCQ regulations was simply unmatched. Beyond her impressive expertise, she truly

efforts ensured that the School’s fields were always maintained to the highest standards. Not only did Pete provide outstanding sports facilities but he was also keen to ensure that the School adopted practices that are sympathetic to the environment. His considered use of chemical treatments or the establishment of low mow areas and our miniarboretum are all examples of his environmentally aware approach. Quite a few of our feathered residents also owe thanks for Pete’s ability to build bird boxes!

In addition to his grounds work, Pete played an important role in caretaking and site security, often going above and beyond

and Technician. He was responsible for the technical side of many School events, and the artistic vision and construction of sets for School productions including Godspell and Oliver!. He took pride in ensuring not only was a set safe for large casts to use, but also looked authentic and impressive. His attention to detail was superb, and the sight of Will painstakingly painting hundreds of cobblestones by hand across the full stage floor was something never to be forgotten!

On arrival, Will quickly established himself as a helpful and reliable support to the Maintenance and Grounds teams, assisting with tasks ranging from mowing

had a heart for the girls and an infectious 'can-do' attitude that reassured everyone. It is clear her team of invigilators thoroughly enjoyed working alongside her. She was an invaluable asset to our School community.

We wish her every success and happiness in her future endeavours. Jodie left St George's to continue her career as an Exams Officer at a large Grammar School.

to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the School.

More recently, Pete contributed significantly to the extension of the Main Car Park and the creation of the beautiful rockery, both lasting additions to the School that reflect his dedication and skill.

Pete’s presence and impact on the School will be sorely missed but there is no doubt that he left it a better place for all of his hard work. We wish him the very best in his retirement and suspect that the extra time he now has will be as well spent in his garden as it will be with his family.

lawns to minor refurbishment projects, and forging strong friendships along the way.

He will also be remembered for his kindness and patience, especially by the girls who were fortunate enough to have been part of the technical team for a production, and who worked alongside him backstage.

We were sad to see him leave, but wish him the very best of luck for his future career.

Sarah Van de Weg Librarian, Acting Head of EPQ

Sarah is an innovative librarian who has profoundly impacted St George's. She has transformed the library into a welcoming sanctuary where the girls can study, relax and discover new books. Her creative initiatives, such as the SGA Book Awards and varied library sessions, have successfully encouraged pupils to engage with reading and explore contemporary fiction. Sarah has also been a great friend to authors, a fantasy football enthusiast and a creative World Book Day dresser.

Beyond her work in the library, she has been a fantastic support for the EPQ program, coordinating it with ease (including during Cathy Thomson's maternity leave) and offering expert guidance to the girls. Her colleagues praise her as a talented, kind and hardworking partner who will be greatly missed by both staff and pupils.

Katie White Assistant Housemistress (Markham), Resident Sports Coach

We welcomed Katie to St George’s as Resident Football and Sports Coach and Markham Assistant Housemistress in September 2024.

Katie has been a key member of the PE Department for the academic year and has led on the development of our football provision in every aspect, including organisation, teaching and coaching. As a result of her commitment, every pupil she has taught in football lessons has made progress and she has made each girl feel included in this sport.

Across our football squads, there has been exceptional development of the girls’ individual skill and understanding of the game,

leading to much improved performances and success from last year, including a tournament win and progressing into the ESFA Round 2.

She will be missed by the multiple pupils that she has worked with this year and she has left SGA Football positioned to take on great things next year. We wish her the best of luck as she embarks on the next stages of her career as she commences her teacher training.

We thank you all for your time at St George’s and wish you all the best for the future.

Discover the St George’s Gift Shop

Celebrate your memories of St George’s with our range of beautifully designed commemorative items.

From our ever-popular mugs and water bottles to stationery and keepsakes, all perfect for pupils, alumnae, friends and family.

Simply scan the QR code to browse the full collection and cherish your connection to St George’s.

Every purchase helps support our School community

Liz Hewer has been the Head of St George's Ascot since 2016, and her tenure has been marked by numerous achievements that have significantly enhanced the School's reputation and educational standards. Most impressive is that all of this took place at a time when both she and the School have faced far more challenge and change than ever before seen in independent education. Despite the challenges of COVID lockdowns and changes to Government tax policies, and under her remarkable leadership, the School received an 'excellent' rating in both pupils' academic and other achievements and pupils' personal development during the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspection in November 2022.

In 2023, St George's proudly celebrated its Centenary, marking 100 years of excellence in girls' education. This milestone was complemented by the glowing ISI report, a testament to the school's enduring commitment to providing a supportive, enriching environment for its pupils, a commitment spearheaded by Liz Hewer.

A champion of ambitious and forward-thinking education, Liz also led the development of the School’s Strategic Intent 2022–2032, a visionary plan built around nine key pillars designed to advance girls' education for the next decade and beyond. This initiative

reflects the School’s ethos of nurturing confident, capable and connected young women, wellprepared for their future.

Throughout her time at St George's, Liz has demonstrated unwavering dedication to academic excellence, community engagement and the holistic development of pupils. Under her guidance, all these areas have flourished. Her leadership has left an indelible mark on the School, positioning it for continued success in the years to come. Liz Hewer leaves St George’s having fulfilled exactly what she hoped her legacy would be: a school buzzing with life and fun, filled with happy, grounded girls. This is the spirit she hopes will last forever. This is the School she loves, and the community she has helped shape.

Further recognition of Liz's dedication to service came in September 2021 with her appointment to the Board of Trustees of The Prince Philip Trust Fund, which works to enhance the quality of life for communities across the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, with particular focus on supporting young people, families, the elderly, those with disabilities and the arts.

Liz has also strengthened the School’s role within the wider community. In May 2024, she announced a partnership with the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation, aiming to provide transformational bursaries to girls who would benefit from, but may not otherwise have access to, a St George’s education. This initiative underscores the School's commitment to diversity, opportunity and social mobility.

The Governors of St George's Ascot extend their sincere and heartfelt thanks to Mrs Liz Hewer for her outstanding contribution to the School over the past nine years. She has led with clarity, ambition and compassion. Her vision for academic excellence, balanced with pastoral care, has transformed St George’s into a beacon of progressive girls’ education.

Liz leaves the School stronger, more vibrant and more ambitious. We are confident that she will meet with continued success when she starts as the High Mistress at St Paul’s Girls School and wish her well in her next role.

On behalf of the Governors and all of the St George’s community, we thank her for all she has achieved and wish her every happiness and success in the future.

Farewell to Liz Hewer

From the Governors

Farewell to Ian Hillier our Director of Music

After forty-two years of devoted service, Ian Hillier, our Director of Music, begins his retirement. Since joining St George’s in 1983, Ian has been the heart of the School’s musical life. His unwavering passion, belief in the power of inclusion and commitment to excellence have shaped generations of girls, inspired countless careers and left a mark on our School community that words alone cannot capture. One of his greatest gifts has been in how he makes people feel seen, encouraged and valued. For countless pupils, he has been the person who listened,

who believed in them, who helped them find their voice. For staff, he has been a calm and wise presence, a creative force and a dear friend.

An amazing 42 years of teaching at St George's!

Mr Ian Hillier joined the School in 1983 as a piano teacher. From his studies at the London College of Music to his early career as Organist and Director of Music at Windsor Parish Church, and as Assistant Organist at All Hallows by the Tower in London, his musical credentials were already impressive, but it was here at St George’s that his true legacy was written. In 1986 he created the Chapel Choir, believing passionately in the power of girls’ voices when few others did. That choir has since performed across Europe, recorded CDs, broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and sung for our Queen Elizabeth II on multiple occasions, including at Sandringham and at the Royal Chapel at Windsor Great Park.

As Director of Music here from 1994, Ian continued to develop a musical culture like no other. It is inclusive and ambitious. From House Music competitions to European tours, from Jazz Ensembles to sacred anthems, every pupil has the chance to take part. His mantra has always been clear, ‘music is for all’. Every Year 7 pupil sings in choir, every

instrumental ensemble is open to all and every House Music competitor is part of the story. Each year he has composed original pieces for the Choir and for the girls to perform, while also conducting all of our musical productions.

From the very first Chapel Choir rehearsal to the final note sounded at Prize Giving 2025, Ian has always led with kindness, vision and joy. He has built a musical culture that welcomes every voice, nurtures every talent and places girls’ musical potential firmly centre stage.

His leadership has been as personal as it is professional. Living on site with his wife, Sue, a former Housemistress, Ian played a central role in the boarding community, offering care and mentorship alongside musical direction. For generations of girls, he has been not only a teacher, but a trusted adult, a guide and an inspiration.

In 2023, Ian opened The Hillier Room, a cutting-edge music technology suite named in his honour and a nod to his vision

of making music modern, meaningful and accessible to everyone.

As the term ended and as voices rose and instruments sounded, we celebrated Ian’s career and thanked him for the music, the memories and magic he leaves behind. The harmony he has created at St George’s will echo for generations to come. Enjoy a very well earned retirement Mr Hillier, and... be good!

Awards and Prize Giving

PREFECTS

Head Girl

Rosie Dangerfield

Deputy Head Girls

Josephine Marriott

Olivia Wells

A House Captain

Isobel Darke

B House Captain

Matilda Ward

C House Captain

Amelia Wells

D House Captain

Molly Blunt

Art Prefect

Chloé Moston

Charity Prefect

Mali Gumede

Diversity and Inclusion Prefect

Aanya Hyare

Eco Prefect

Orla Smith

Library Prefect

Constance Potter

Marketing and Admissions

Prefects

Malak Attia Mekawy

Erin Marshall

Performing Arts Prefect

Georgina Howitt

Philanthropy and Partnerships

Prefects

Katie Hewer

Georgia Kohring

Sport Prefect

Estella Dhanda

PRIZE GIVING

UPPER SIXTH SUBJECT PRIZES

Prize for Art

Tesni Smith

Prize for Biology

Olivia Wells

Prize for Business

Matilda Ward

Prize for Chemistry

Leila Mount

Prize for Computer Science

Chloé Moston

Prize for Drama

Orla Smith

Prize for Economics

Linh Hoang

Prize for English

Rosie Dangerfield

Prize for Extended Project

Qualification

Orla Smith

Prize for French

Constance Potter

Prize for Geography

Linh Hoang

Prize for History

Emily Wabwire

Prize for History of Art

Felicitas Petersen

Prize for Mathematics

Linh Hoang

Prize for Music

Alice Grant

Prize for Photography

Estella Dhanda

Prize for Physical Education

Estella Dhanda

Prize for Politics

Emily Wabwire

Prize for Psychology

Leila Mount

Prize for Religious Studies

Constance Potter

Prize for Spanish

Olivia Wells

Prize for Textiles

Felicitas Petersen

Dourountakis Cup for Academic Excellence

Linh Hoang

EAL Cup

Panyue Qiao

Upper Sixth Progress

Phoebe Parmar

Upper Sixth Effort

Amelia Wells

Upper Sixth Kindness & Community

Chloé Moston

Upper Sixth Diplomas

Malak Attia Mekawy

Olivia Borggren

Xinke Du

Malibongwe Gumede

Xaviera Hatton Mountjoy

Aanya Hyare

Georgia Kohring

Sze Wai Lau

Erin Marshall

Laura McAllister

Alexandra Suri

UPPER SIXTH CO-CURRICULAR PRIZES

Senior Acting Cup

Alice Grant

The Miranda Leatham Singing Cup

Georgina Howitt

The Kafena Cup for Music

Hin Hang Chiu

Senior Sports Cup

Estella Dhanda

Services to Chapel Choir

Hin Hang Chiu

Rosie Dangerfield

Alice Grant

Katie Hewer

Georgina Howitt

Josephine Marriott

Ava Marson-Day

Felicitas Petersen

Orla Smith

Amelia Wells

Olivia Wells

A House Award

Isobel Darke

B House Award

Matilda Ward

C House Award

Amelia Wells

D House Award

Molly Blunt

Deputy Head Girls’ Award

Josephine Marriott

Olivia Wells

Head Girls’ Award

Rosie Dangerfield

YEAR 7 COMMENDATIONS

Commendation for Art

Anna Maria Kazaryan

Commendation for Computer Science

Eleanor Tucker

Commendation for Drama

Poppy Graham

Commendation for English

Karmjeet Chhokar

Commendation for Food and Nutrition

Jasmine Lovett

Commendation for French

Karmjeet Chhokar

Commendation for Geography

Liyana Bhatti

Commendation for History

Poppy Graham

Commendation for Latin

Emily Gisborne

Commendation for Mathematics

Hannah Blogg

Commendation for Music

Caitlyn Pienaar

Commendation for Religious Studies

Liyana Bhatti

Commendation for Science

Caitlyn Pienaar

YEAR 8

COMMENDATIONS

Commendation for Art

Scarlett Quinn

Commendation for Computer Science

Scarlett Quinn

Commendation for Drama

Matilda Butcher

Commendation for English

Lily Yeomans

Commendation for Food and Nutrition

Szofia Boros

Commendation for French

Elsie Kimono

Commendation for Geography

Josephine Darke

Commendation for History

Phoebe Mustill

Commendation for Classics

Pearl Polisano

Commendation for Latin

Phoebe Mustill

Commendation for Mathematics

Szofia Boros

Commendation for Music

Alice Seymour

Commendation for Religious Studies

Josephine Darke

Commendation for Science

Sofia Stone

Commendation for Spanish

Lily Yeomans

Head’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in English, History, Latin, Religious Studies and Spanish

Ariella Harris

Head’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Geography, Mathematics and Science

Xinyi Shu

YEAR 9 PRIZES

Prize for Art

Marla Norris

Prize for Classics

Luxuan Liu

Prize for Computer Science

Nafeesah Hussain

Prize for Drama

Etta Seager

Prize for English

Nafeesah Hussain

Prize for for Food and Nutrition

Marla Norris

Prize for French

Yan Choi

Prize for Geography

Bo Firbank

Prize for History

Luxuan Liu

Prize for Latin

Yan Choi

Prize for Music

Matylda Burley

Prize for Religious Studies

Hermione Morgan-Cooper

Prize for Science

Harriet Watson

Prize for Spanish

Etta Seager

Head’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Music, Religious Studies and Science

Rebekah Motari-Zielinski

Head’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in History, Latin and Mathematics

Daniella Nobrega

Head’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in French, Geography and Spanish

Chloé Stanforth

YEAR 10 COMMENDATIONS

Commendation for Art

Marina Thurner

Commendation for Biology

Gabriella Bremner

Commendation for Chemistry

Qianyu Xu

Commendation for Computer Science

Sally Davy

Commendation for Drama

Florence Hodgkinson

Commendation for English

Emelie Simpson

Commendation for Food and Nutrition

Poppy Johnson

Commendation for French

Gabriella Bremner

Commendation for Geography

Georgia Eaton

Commendation for History

Sally Davy

Commendation for Mathematics

ZhiQing Zhang

Commendation for Music

Cleomé Corden

Commendation for Physical Education

Isla Tomlinson

Commendation for Physics

Qianyu Xu

Commendation for Religious Studies

Florence Hodgkinson

Commendation for Science

Isla Tomlinson

Commendation for Spanish

Yasmeen Conway

Commendation for Textiles

Arabella Whait

Head’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Chemistry, English and History

Liv Dhanda

Head’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in French, Geography and Physical Education

Poppy Simpson

YEAR 11 PRIZES

Prize for Art

Sophia Kazaryan

Prize for Biology

Luisa McAllister

Prize for Chemistry

Katherine Taylor

Prize for Computer Science

Marta Shanahan

Prize for Drama

Ishpel Williams

Prize for English

Manon Morgan-Cooper

Prize for Food and Nutrition

Emilia Petersen

Prize for French

Jeanne Marie Marais

Prize for Geography

Katherine Taylor

Prize for History

Yavishthaa Dutt

Prize for Latin

Devon Jessop

Prize for Mathematics

Moana Han

Prize for Music

Jeanne Marie Marais

Prize for Physical Education

Katie Dykes

Prize for Physics

Marta Shanahan

Prize for Religious Studies

Manon Morgan-Cooper

Prize for Science

Emilia Petersen

Prize for Spanish

Kourtney Mutamangira

Prize for Textiles

Kourtney Mutamangira

Head’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in English, French and History

Sophia Hamid

Head’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Biology, Mathematics and Physics

Yue Yang

LOWER SIXTH COMMENDATIONS

Commendation for Art

Sanyu Kizito

Commendation for Biology

Asha Harris

Commendation for Business

India Knowles

Commendation for Chemistry

Lucy Kieran

Commendation for Computer Science

Amber Bennett

Commendation for Drama

India Knowles

Commendation for Economics

Dominique Nobrega

Commendation for English

Ava Timms

Commendation for French

Amber Dhamrait

Commendation for Geography

Isobel MacLaurin

Commendation for History

Dominique Nobrega

Commendation for History of Art

Sofya Belchenko

Commendation for Mathematics

Yunqing Guan

Commendation for Further Mathematics

Yunqing Guan

Commendation for Photography

Hiu Lam Tianna Chong

Commendation for Physical Education

Aaron Ware

Commendation for Physics

Erin Kozak

Commendation for Politics

Amara Allan

Commendation for Psychology

Scarlett Simms-Davies

Commendation for Religious Studies

Amanda Elliott

Commendation for Spanish

Aanya Shukla

Commendation for Textiles

Isher Sahota

PROGRESS PRIZES

2024-25

Year 7

Karmjeet Chhokar

Year 8

Pearl Polisano

Year 9

Chloé Stanforth

Year 10

Poppy Simpson

Year 11

Katie Dykes

Lower Sixth

Amara Allan

EFFORT PRIZES

2024-25

Year 7

Poppy Graham

Year 8

Alice Dhanda

Year 9

Rebekah Motari-Zielinski

Year 10

Florence Hodgkinson

Year 11

Ishpel Williams

Lower Sixth

Katie Guest

KINDNESS AND COMMUNITY PRIZES

2024-25

Year 7

Liyana Bhatti

Year 8

Livia Ongaro

Year 9

Marla Norris

Year 10

Charlotte Dewhirst

Year 11

Kourtney Mutamangira

Lower Sixth

Jennifer Dewhirst

JUNIOR COCURRICULAR

PRIZES 2024-25

Junior Acting Cup

Lily Yeomans

Junior Music Cup

Matylda Burley

Junior Sports Cup

Zara Anderson

13+ SCHOLARSHIPS

2025

Pre-existing 11+ scholar retained for 13+:

All Round for Music and Swimming

Alice Seymour

Music Exhibition

Olivia Sobhan

Sport Exhibition

Phoebe Mustill

New 13+ scholarships:

All Round for Academic and Drama

Ariella Harris

Drama

Matilda Butcher

Art Exhibition

Xinyan Li

Art Exhibition

Scarlett Quinn

Sport Exhibition

Alice Dhanda

SIXTH FORM SCHOLARSHIPS

2025-27

Pre-existing scholarship retained for Sixth Form:

Academic

Sophia Hamid

Academic

Manon Morgan-Cooper

Art

Evie Ewens

Art

Sophia Kazaryan

New Sixth Form scholarships:

All round for Music and Drama

Ishpel Williams

Sport Exhibition

Daisy Blackburn

THE GOOD COMPANIONS CUP

Nominated by staff and pupils, this prize is awarded to a pupil who has given exceptional service within the School community over the past academic year

Chloe Moston

THE LOVEDAY CUP

Nominated by staff and pupils, this prize is awarded to a pupil who has shown generosity of time, demonstrating commitment to others in the wider community outside St George's and promoting the School's evolving philanthropic culture over the past academic year

Katie Hewer

THE SPIRIT OF ST GEORGE AWARD

Nominated by staff and pupils, this prize is awarded to a pupil who has shown true Georgian Spirit over the past academic year

Rosie Dangerfield

HOUSE WORK SHIELD FOR MERITS

D House THE HOUSE CHAMPIONSHIP CUP

B House

AUTUMN TERM AWARDS

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Awards

Grade 1 Harp (non-pedal) Practical

Xuduo Qian Merit

Grade 3 Singing Practical

Amber Hay Pass

Grade 4 Singing Performance

Hin Hang Chiu Merit

Grade 4 Singing Performance

Emily Wabwire Merit

Grade 5 Viola Practical

Olivia Sobhan Pass

Grade 5 Singing Practical

Ishpel Williams Merit

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Bronze Award

Gabriella Bremner

Elise Celant

Yasmeen Conway

Cleomé Corden

Sally Davy

Francesca Dawborne-Baber

Georgia Eaton

Linh Hoang

Florence Hodgkinson

Devon Jessop

Hana Martin

Emelie Simpson

Poppy Simpson

Marina Thurner

Charley Jane Willis

ZhiQing Zhang

Silver Award

Amber Bennett

Emily Bennett

Tina Rasti

Gold Award

Alumnae receiving awards at Buckingham Palace

Hoi Yu Liu

Guinevere Morton

Alice Nicholson

Charlotte Perucca

Mannat Sahota

Erin Smith

Sports Awards

Junior Most Improved Sports Cup

Khloe Mutamangira

Senior Most Improved Sports Cup

Isobel Darke

Junior Sports Achievement Cup

Isabella Houghton

Senior Sports Achievement Cup

Grace Davy

Effort, Achievement, Progress, Kindness and Community Cups

Year 7 Effort Cup

Liyana Bhatti

Year 7 Achievement Cup

Anna Maria Kazaryan

Year 7 Progress Cup

Kiera Edwards

Year 7 Kindness and Community Cup

Sophia Raitt

Year 8 Effort Cup

Scarlett Quinn

Year 8 Achievement Cup

Ariella Harris

Year 8 Progress Cup

Xinyi Shu

Year 8 Kindness and Community Cup

Alice Dhanda

Year 9 Effort Cup

Harriet Watson

Year 9 Achievement Cup

Rebekah Motari-Zielinski

Year 9 Progress Cup

Daniella Nobrega

Year 9 Kindness and Community Cup

Amira Ilyas

Year 10 Effort Cup

Florence Hodgkinson

Year 10 Achievement Cup

Poppy Simpson

Year 10 Progress Cup

Scout Cavell

Year 10 Kindness and Community Cup

Cleomé Corden

Year 11 Effort Cup

Jeanne Marie Marais

Year 11 Achievement Cup

Manon Morgan-Cooper

Year 11 Progress Cup

Chuhan Xu

Year 11 Kindness and Community Cup

Alexandra Beravale

Lower Sixth Effort Cup

Isobel MacLaurin

Lower Sixth Achievement Cup

Lucy Kieran

Lower Sixth Progress Cup

Amber Bennett

Lower Sixth Kindness and Community Cup

Asha Harris

Upper Sixth Effort Cup

Malak Attia Mekawy

Upper Sixth Achievement Cup

Olivia Wells

Upper Sixth Progress Cup

Sze Wai Lau

Upper Sixth Kindness and Community Cup

Malibongwe Gumede

SPRING TERM AWARDS

New Era Academy of Dance and Drama

Grade 4 Acting

Matilda Butcher Merit

Grade 4 Acting

Ariella Harris Merit

Grade 5 Acting

Hermione Morgan-Cooper Merit

Grade 5 Acting

Lola Tomlin-Jones Merit

Grade 6 Acting Bronze Medal

Yavishthaa Dutt Merit

Grade 6 Acting Bronze Medal

Charley Jane Willis Merit

Grade 6 Acting Bronze Medal

Amber Hay Merit

Grade 6 Acting Bronze Medal

Ishpel Williams Distinction

Grade 4 Public Speaking

Kar Hei Yuen Distinction

Grade 7 Interview Technique

Silver Medal

Georgia Kohring Distinction

University of West London

Grade 6 Musical Theatre for Singers

Cleomé Corden Merit

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Awards

Grade 1 Harp (non-pedal)

Practical

Xuduo Qian Merit

Grade 3 Harp (non-pedal) Practical

Karmjeet Chhokar Merit

Grade 3 Singing Practical

Amber Hay Pass

Grade 5 Singing Practical

Ishpel Williams Merit

Grade 5 Violin Performance

Alice Seymour Merit

Sports Awards

Junior Most Improved

Sports Cup

Alexandra Witt

Senior Most Improved

Sports Cup

Yasmeen Conway

Junior Sports Achievement Cup

Ruby Brooke

Senior Sports Achievement Cup

Sally Davy

Effort, Achievement, Progress, Kindness and Community Cups

Year 7 Effort Cup

Anna Maria Kazaryan

Year 7 Achievement Cup

Caitlyn Pienaar

Year 7 Progress Cup

Selena Cai

Year 7 Kindness and Community Cup

Liyana Bhatti

Year 8 Effort Cup

Josephine Darke

Year 8 Achievement Cup

Maniska Khadka

Year 8 Progress Cup

Pearl Polisano

Year 8 Kindness and Community Cup

Elsie Kimono

Year 9 Effort Cup

Marla Norris

Year 9 Achievement Cup

Yan Choi

Year 9 Progress Cup

Chloé Stanforth

Year 9 Kindness and Community Cup

Etta Seager

Year 10 Effort Cup

Georgia Eaton

Year 10 Achievement Cup

Emelie Simpson

Year 10 Progress Cup

Emilia Allan

Year 10 Kindness and Community Cup

Amber Hay

Year 11 Effort Cup

Jeanne Marie Marais

Year 11 Achievement Cup

Yue Yang

Year 11 Progress Cup

Luisa McAllister

Year 11 Kindness and Community Cup

Tabitha MacPhee

Lower Sixth Effort Cup

Aaron Ware

Lower Sixth Achievement Cup

Aanya Shukla

Lower Sixth Progress Cup

Amber Dhamrait

Lower Sixth Kindness and Community Cup

Dominique Nobrega

Upper Sixth Effort Cup

Olivia Borggren

Upper Sixth Achievement Cup

Linh Hoang

Upper Sixth Progress Cup

Orla Smith

Upper Sixth Kindness and Community Cup

Rosie Dangerfield

SUMMER TERM AWARDS

New Era Academy of Dance and Music

Grade 4 Acting

Saveraa Grewal Merit

Grade 4 Acting

Scout Cavell Distinction

Grade 4 Acting

Judith Olawoyin Distinction

Grade 4 Acting

Cleomé Corden Distinction

Grade 4 Acting

Harriet Watson Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Imogen Youds Distinction

Grade 4 Acting

Kiera Edwards Distinction

Grade 6 Acting Bronze Medal

Svetlana Dominic Distinction

Grade 7 Acting Silver Medal

Estella Pardellas-Marra Merit

Grade 8 Acting Gold Medal

Emily Wabwire Pass

Grade 8 Acting Gold Medal

Hin Hang Chiu Merit

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Bronze Award

Cordelia Bremner

Amber Hay

Dominique Nobrega

Silver Award

Orla Smith

Dominique Nobrega

Gold Award

Receiving her award at Buckingham Palace

Orla Smith

Sports Awards

Junior Most Improved Sports Cup

Isabella Houghton

Senior Most Improved

Sports Cup

Marina Thurner

Junior Sports Achievement Cup

Zara Anderson

Senior Sports Achievement Cup

Arabella Whait

Effort, Achievement, Progress, Kindness and Community Cups

Year 7 Effort Cup

Eleanor Wright

Year 7 Achievement Cup

Poppy Graham

Year 7 Progress Cup

Darcey Malim

Year 7 Kindness and Community Cup

Emily Gisborne

Year 8 Effort Cup

Matilda Butcher

Year 8 Achievement Cup

Phoebe Mustill

Year 8 Progress Cup

Lily Yeomans

Year 8 Kindness and Community Cup

Elodie Williams

Year 9 Effort Cup

Bo Firbank

Year 9 Achievement Cup

Nafeesah Hussain

Year 9 Progress Cup

Mia Firbank

Year 9 Kindness and Community Cup

Mariella O'Brien

Year 10 Effort Cup

Cordelia Bremner

Year 10 Achievement Cup

Gabriella Bremner

Year 10 Progress Cup

Marina Thurner

Year 10 Kindness and Community Cup

Alexis Gilbert

Year 11 Effort Cup

Wing Sze Hui

Year 11 Progress Cup

Evie Ewens

Year 11 Kindness and Community Cup

Alexandra Beravale

Lower Sixth Effort Cup

Sanyu Kizito

Lower Sixth Achievement Cup

Amanda Elliott

Lower Sixth Progress Cup

Islay Ruby Hamill Moore

Lower Sixth Kindness and Community Cup

Scarlett Simms-Davies

Upper Sixth Effort Cup

Laura McAllister

Upper Sixth Progress Cup

Panyue Qiao

Upper Sixth Kindness and Community Cup

Molly Blunt

Highlights of the School Year

St George’s Swimming Club

From their very first House gala to inter-school meets and squad sessions, generations of St George’s girls have grown up with water in their blood. The St George’s Swimming Club grew organically from those early days into a vibrant, inclusive community that welcomes beginners and seasoned athletes alike. Meeting twice a week outside the timetable, Club members bond through fun relays, friendly timetrial challenges and structured fitness sessions. The emphasis is always on enjoyment, technique and mutual support. Swimmers cheer each other on as they refine their strokes, conquer new distances and develop water confidence that extends far beyond the poolside.

By embedding high-performance support within the school day, we reinforce our conviction that academic ambition and sporting excellence can, and should, flourish side by side.

Performance Swimming Scholarship launch

Recognising both the hunger for challenge, sensational facilities and the exceptional talent already present, St George’s Ascot proudly unveiled its Performance Swimming Programme in November 2024 with the first athletes joining us in September 2025.

This flagship pathway transforms swimming from a Co-curricular pursuit into an integrated academy model designed to nurture potential without compromising academic excellence.

Welcoming our new Performance Swimming Coach

We are thrilled to welcome Nicky Matthews to St George’s Swimming Club and the Performance Swimming Programme. Joining us from Guildford City Swimming Club, Nicky brings a wealth of experience in developing swimmers to national standards.

Together, we embark on this next chapter, confident that our swimmers will continue to make waves, challenge themselves and inspire the entire St George’s community.

Stretching minds and sparking curiosity: The SGA Stretch Programme

This year, St George’s has taken its commitment to academic ambition and intellectual curiosity to the next level with the continued evolution of the SGA Stretch Programme. The results have been nothing short of inspiring.

St George’s proudly joined the National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE), a move that marked an exciting new chapter in our approach to enrichment. With revamped digital resources, dynamic workshops and tailored challenges across every subject area, Stretch has become an integral part of school life for everyone, not just for a select few.

Whether our girls are exploring AI and neuroscience, debating ethical dilemmas, or diving into the nuances of global politics, it is designed to ignite curiosity, inspire ambition and nurture a lifelong love of learning.

As Harriet, one of our Stretch Club members this year, explained during the group’s end-of-year showcase, “The idea isn’t just about going deeper into a topic, it’s about asking better questions, thinking critically and learning how to lead.”

Stretch makes you see things differently – it’s not just about learning more, it’s about thinking more.

The club is a regular, thoughtprovoking enrichment session, where pupils engage in challenging topics and activities beyond the standard curriculum.

Stretch has given pupils the chance to explore beyond the

curriculum and to share that excitement with the wider school community.

One of the highlights of the year was the UK Senior Stretch Conference in Oxford, which took place in March. Year 10 and Lower Sixth pupils embraced a full day of thought-provoking lectures, interdisciplinary discussion and serious mental stretching!

Topics ranged from quantum realities and unconscious bias to Shakespearean politics, veganism and Oxbridge-style

problem-solving. The girls left buzzing with ideas, having pushed the boundaries of their understanding in a truly

academic setting. With more collaborations, conferences and creative thinking ahead, Stretch at St George’s is going

AWARD SUCCESS

from strength to strength, encouraging every girl to question, explore and go further than they ever imagined.

While it is a true honour to be named finalists, and even winners, in several prestigious awards this year, our greatest pride lies in the achievements, curiosity and wellbeing of every St George’s girl. These accolades serve as a testament to the dedication of our pupils and staff, but at the heart of it all are the girls themselves, whose passion and potential inspire us each day.

WINNER 'Innovation in Nutrition Award' Talk Education 2024

Since winning the prestigious Innovation in Nutrition Award in October, St George’s has continued to raise the bar in school catering championing nutritional excellence, sustainability and pupil wellbeing every single day.

A standout enhancement this spring has been the unveiling of The Moyles Room, our serene, purpose-built dining haven for neurodiverse pupils

requiring a more secluded dining venue. A welcome retreat for pupils who thrive in a quieter environment.

FINALIST 'Best Eco Warrior School' Tatler School Awards 2025

FINALIST 'The Marketing Award for Effective Brand Communication'

Independent School of the Year 2024

HIGHLY COMMENDED 'Sustainability Champions' Muddy Stilettos 2025

This accolade celebrates the everyday eco-efforts that our whole community champions. From solar panels powering our buildings, to seed-planting projects during Children’s Mental Health Week and robust recycling schemes to habitat restoration, we live our values every day.

We are deeply grateful to all award organisers for recognising our commitment to excellence.

The Big Help Out 2025 – Service in Action

On Tuesday 1 July, St George’s brought its third annual Big Help Out to life, continuing a tradition born during the King’s Coronation celebrations in 2023. More than 225 SGA pupils and staff joined forces, both at the School and in the local community to make a real difference.

We welcomed 120 children from four partner primary schools, Cheapside, St Michael’s C of E, Holy Trinity and South Ascot, who rotated through four interactive stations led by our pupils and staff. They enjoyed an hour of team sport, a treasure hunt for the missing St George’s baby dragons, survival-skills training and a forest craft session, followed by lunch and prizes on the South Lawn. Feedback from our young guests was incredible.

Away from St George’s, a cricket masterclass was held at Royal Ascot Cricket Club, with SGA pupils leading a session for fifteen Year 6 children from Holly Springs

Primary School in Bracknell. Our Director in Residence, Miss Beckett, and five girls delivered a comedy workshop at Ascot Heath School. Our Sixth Form welcomed 40 local residents from Ascot Day Centre and Ascot Grange Avery Collection Care Home for an afternoon tea, with music provided by talented singers and musicians from across our School. Delicious cakes were donated by Tesco Express Ascot, Ascot's Café, Ascot Racecourse and Anne Marie Patisserie, with other

treats impressively created by our pupils who volunteered with our catering team for the morning.

Our own pupils demonstrated leadership, resilience and hospitality, despite soaring summer temperatures. Offsite, pupils and staff supported eleven local organisations including learning about our partner charities' work and sorting donations at Wokingham Foodbank, Cowshed, Thames Hospice Homestore, the Oxfam

bookshops in Windsor and Wokingham, Windsor Baby Bank, Food Share and Food Bank Wokingham. Outdoor volunteering included grooming ponies at Riding for the Disabled, maintaining gardens at St Michael's Parish Church in Sunninghill and carrying out conservation work across Bracknell Forest.

Here’s to continuing our community mission in 2026 and beyond!

2024-2025 Prefect Team

A huge thank you to our outgoing Prefect Team, who did such a wonderful job in each of their roles across the School.

Co Curricular

Whole School Activities Day

From zoos to zip wires, lakes to treasure hunts, this year’s Whole School Activities Day saw every year group out and about, building friendships and starting the academic year with plenty of laughter and shared experiences.

Year 7 set off to Marwell Zoo enjoying educational pit stops and playtime in the adventure zones as they journeyed past waddling penguins, through aviaries and snow leopard habitats, forming new friendships as they went.

Meanwhile, Year 8 were taking teamwork to the next level at Runways End. From crate-stack contests to orienteering sprints, they tackled every task with enthusiasm. The weather did not stop them, they made crafts inside and launched water rockets after the storm!

Over at Oakwood Youth Challenge in Wokingham, Year 9 faced high ropes, archery, bouldering and crate climbs.

They pushed limits and cheered each other on as they built confidence and resilience.

Whole School Activities Day

School Trip to Costa Rica

Year 7 RS pupils visit Winchester Cathedral

Year 9 Theatre Trip to Hadestown

A Level and Year 9 Geography

Fieldwork trips

Year 9 Australian Exchange

Animal Farm at the Rose Theatre

A Level French trip to Paris

Year 9 vist Ypres and the Somme Lower Sixth University and Apprenticeship Fair

Year 10 History trip to Berlin

Year 7 visit the British Museum

Year 10 made a splash at Horseshoe Lake taking part in kayaking, paddle boating and some very competitive raft building. It was the dragon boat races that stole the show, complete with team chants!

Not to be outdone, Year 11 headed to Gripped London where aerial adventure awaited on zip lines and high ropes. The perfect blend of adrenaline and team spirit.

Finally, the Sixth Form swapped their textbooks for treasure maps as they explored the riverside town of Marlow on a competitive treasure hunt. After a scenic picnic lunch, they navigated the streets in tutor groups, deciphering riddles and racing towards victory and prizes.

One school, six destinations, endless memories.

SGA girls reflect on an unforgettable trip to Costa Rica

Our travellers returned from their October half term adventure of a lifetime in Costa Rica, having explored breathtaking landscapes and immersing themselves in the country’s vibrant culture. Their

journey took them across the Arenal hanging bridges, into the heart of the Maleku Indigenous community, and soaring above the rainforest canopy on zip lines.

They spotted sloths up close at a dedicated sanctuary, marvelled at the biodiversity of Tortuguero National Park and brought home unforgettable memories.

Year 7 Religious Studies trip to Winchester Cathedral

In November, our Year 7 pupils visited Winchester Cathedral for an educational exploration of the historic building, learning about its fascinating history, including how it was kept upright by a diver, and the story of St. Swithun. The girls participated in a workshop on the illuminated Bible before exploring the Christmas market and heading back to School.

Year 9 Theatre trip to see London to see Hadestown

In December, our Year 9 pupils travelled to London's Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue to see Hadestown, a musical based on myths, which complemented their Latin and Classics studies.

Following the performance, pupils enjoyed pizza and ice cream at a nearby Pizza Express.

Lower Sixth embark on A Level Geography Fieldwork in Bracknell

During December, Lower Sixth Geography pupils studying redevelopment, regeneration and rebranding conducted fieldwork in Bracknell, meeting with Chris Mansfield, Head of Economic Development and Regeneration. After touring redeveloped areas, pupils interviewed residents, business owners and shoppers to analyse the project's success.

Year

9

Exchange: A Cultural Adventure in Australia

In January, Svetlana from Year 9 set off on an unforgettable journey to Melbourne, Australia, where she represented St George’s in the Year 9 exchange programme with St Catherine’s School.

Living with her exchange partner’s family, Svetlana embraced every aspect of Australian life from

school routines and cultural traditions to weekend adventures and everyday moments with her host family. The experience not only broadened her horizons but also sparked new friendships that will last well beyond the return flight home.

Svetlana rejoined us at St George’s at the end of the spring term, full of stories and a fresh perspective. Thank you to St Catherine’s School for the warmest of welcomes.

Geography fieldwork visit to Box Hill, Surrey for Year 9 pupils

Year 9 Geography pupils headed to Box Hill in Surrey to put their skills into action in the great outdoors.

Animal Farm at the Rose Theatre – A Thought-Provoking Performance

Pupils attended a captivating production of Animal Farm at the Rose Theatre in Kingston in February, where powerful staging and atmospheric lighting effectively portrayed the novel's transformation from unity to corruption. The unexpected musical interlude from Moses the raven provided a surreal

contrast to the serious themes, with pupils praising the realistic animal sounds and compelling performances.

“The animal sounds were incredibly realistic, so impressive!” said Eliza M, while Harriet W praised the “amazing actors and strong plotline, enhanced

by brilliant lighting and sound effects.”

Overall, the play was a fantastic experience, bringing Orwell’s themes to life in a visually engaging and thoughtprovoking way and was perfect for supporting our pupils’ studies of the text.

A Level French pupils Experience Parisian Culture

In December, our A Level French pupils enjoyed a weekend trip to Paris, attending the musical adaptation of Mathieu Kassovitz's film La Haine at La Seine Musicale theatre, a key text in their studies.

The visit allowed the girls to practise their French while exploring iconic Parisian landmarks, combining academic learning with authentic cultural experiences.

Year 9 journey through Ypres and the Somme

The Year 9 educational visit to the Ypres Salient and the Somme, organised by our History Department, helped the pupils' to deepen their understanding of the First World War which is a central component of the Year 9 History curriculum. Thank you to Isabella H in Year 9 who has written about this trip (below) in French.

‘Lundi, nous avons quitté St George’s à 7h30. Nous avons pris le ferry pour la France, puis le bus jusqu'à Ypres, en Belgique. Nous avons visité deux cimetières, l'un britannique, l'autre allemand. C'était très paisible et beaucoup de personnes y étaient commémorées.

Mardi, nous sommes allés voir des tranchées préservées et un autre mémorial pour les disparus. Plus tard, nous sommes allés dans le sous-sol des soldats de la Première Guerre mondiale. Nous sommes descendus à 20 mètres de profondeur et avons traversé ce qui était autrefois la cachette des soldats. Des peintures sur les murs symbolisent les différentes pièces, comme les salles de bain et les différentes sections. On nous a montré des couverts, des assiettes, des tasses, des casseroles et bien d'autres objets ayant réellement servi pendant la Première Guerre mondiale.

Enfin, mercredi, nous avons fait nos bagages et nous nous sommes préparés à partir. Avant de partir, nous avons fait quelques courses à Ypres et j'ai rapporté de délicieux chocolats.’

Future Pathways: Lower Sixth explore University and Apprenticeship Fair

Lower Sixth pupils attended the UK University and Apprenticeship Search Fair at the University of Surrey in March, gaining valuable insights into potential courses, career paths and apprenticeship opportunities.

The event, which complemented ongoing research in Enrichment sessions, featured top Russell Group universities and popular institutions favoured by St George's applicants.

A highlight of the day was bumping into 2024 leaver Millie, who was representing Exeter University on their stand!

Year 10 History pupils explore Berlin's history and heritage

In March, a group of Year 10 History pupils embarked on a memorable journey to Berlin, immersing themselves in the city’s rich and complex history. Poppy S (Year 10) shared, “The trip started early at Heathrow, and by early afternoon, we were in Berlin, ready to dive into the city’s history.”

After settling in, the group made their way to the German Bundestag, where they walked to the top of the dome and enjoyed breathtaking views of the city. The afternoon continued with a walk along the historic Unter den Linden boulevard, before heading to the poignant Holocaust Memorial. “Visiting the memorial was deeply moving, and it really made me reflect on the atrocities of the past,” Poppy remarked.

Year 7 explore African Kingdoms at the British Museum

To bring their new History topic on African Kingdoms to life, Year 7 visited the British Museum on Tuesday 13 May. After a sunny train ride to Waterloo and a short tube journey, pupils began their visit with iconic highlights including the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon Gallery.

Following lunch (and a popular visit to the gift shop!), the focus shifted to the Africa galleries and the extraordinary Benin Bronzes. The detail and artistry of these historic plaques captured the pupils’ interest and sparked thoughtful discussion about their cultural significance and the question

of repatriation. It was a brilliant day of hands-on learning and discovery.

Saturday kicked off with an early breakfast before heading to Sachsenhausen concentration camp, a visit Poppy described as “one of the most impactful parts of the trip. Learning about the suffering that took place there really gave me a deep understanding of the horrors that occurred during the Holocaust,” she said.

The afternoon brought a visit to Checkpoint Charlie, where pupils gained insight into Berlin’s Cold War history. They also explored Alexanderplatz, which blends historical landmarks with modern culture. Later, the group visited Bebelplatz, the site of the infamous Nazi book burnings, before heading to the DDR Museum, which offered an interactive look into life in East Berlin. They ended the day at the Brandenburg Gate, an iconic symbol of Berlin.

Sunday’s visit to the Hohenschönhausen Stasi Memorial, where pupils heard firsthand accounts from a former prisoner, was another unforgettable experience.

“Hearing the personal stories at the memorial was incredibly powerful,” said Poppy. The trip ended late that evening with the pupils returning to London, “tired but enriched by everything we had learned,” she concluded. It was a truly unforgettable educational experience for all involved.

Art

Summer Art Exhibition

Ascot School Photography Competition

Art and Photography Trips

Christmas Card Competition

Summer Art Exhibition

The Summer Art Exhibition was held on the evening of 1 July, showcasing just a snippet of the stunning art, textiles and ceramics completed by girls throughout the year.

Highly Commended in the Ascot School Photography Competition

In December, Year 7 pupil Anna received Highly Commended recognition in the Year 7-11 Category of the Ascot School Photography Competition 2024, as judged by Royal Photographer, Millie Pilkington.

Her beautiful photograph earned a prestigious exhibition space in the centre of the grandstand concourse at Ascot Racecourse.

Year 7s, Magical Visit to the Watts Gallery

Year 7 pupils enjoyed an inspiring trip to the Watts Gallery in Guildford, exploring Limnerslease House, sketching ceiling designs, and creating pottery tiles inspired by Mary Watts.

Highlights included the Cicely Mary Barker Flower Fairy exhibition, where students dressed up and created their own flower fairies, and tours of the stunning paintings, sculptures and the enchanting Watts Chapel.

A Masterpiece of a Day: Year 9's Art Adventure

in London

Year 9 Art pupils enjoyed an inspiring trip to two of London's premier art galleries to begin the year. They started at the National Portrait Gallery to explore Francis Bacon's powerful exhibition featuring striking self-portraits. The afternoon visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum introduced pupils to stunning textiles, jewellery and photography exhibits.

The trip offered Year 9 a fantastic opportunity to broaden their artistic horizons, spark creative ideas, and gain new perspectives for their own projects.

St George's Christmas Card Competition

The Christmas Card competition showcased remarkable artistic talent. This year the theme was ‘Christmas Food’ which sparked the creativity and variety shown across the entries. Entries spanned multiple media, including collages, watercolour paintings, pencil sketches, digital art, and oil paintings, making the judging process both exciting and challenging. The judges were thoroughly impressed by the variety and creativity on display. With so many outstanding works to

evaluate, it took a significant amount of time to reach a decision.

First Place

Chloe (Year 9)

Chloe’s fabulous, detailed depiction of a St George’s Cracker won the judges’ hearts. The cracker, bursting with festive foods and treats, was a joyous and meticulously crafted composition that truly embodied the spirit of the competition.

Second Place

Alexandra (Lower Sixth)

Alexandra’s beautiful oil painting of candy canes captured the essence of festive cheer and stood out for its vibrant colours and technical skill.

Third Place (Joint)

Georgia (Year 10)

Alexandra (Year 11)

GCSE Art Trip to Kew Gardens

In September, Year 10 GCSE Art pupils explored Kew Gardens, sketching water lilies, observing Marc Quinn's famous sculptures and visiting his Light into Life exhibition. The trip provided rich artistic inspiration as pupils drew orchids, tropical plants and the famous bonsai collection.

Highly Commended

Matylda (Year 9)

Sophia (Year 11)

Gina (Year 10)

Judges’ Choice Award

A special mention goes to Marla (Year 9), who received a Judges’ Choice Award for her clever digital artwork of Markham House as an advent calendar.

The Marketing department was so impressed with her design that they featured it on social media as part of the countdown to Christmas.

Drama

Camelot – The Pantomime

The Edge of Being Oliver! The Musical Immersive Theatre

Drama Showcase

– The Pantomime Delights Audiences

Year 7 delivered an outstanding festive performance of Camelot –The Pantomime before Christmas, impressing audiences with a polished production despite the girls having only recently joined

St George's at the start of the academic year.

Set in medieval England, the show featured magic, quests, singing and dancing, with an afternoon performance for local primary schools and an evening show for families and fellow pupils.

Camelot

The Edge of Being: A Magical Theatrical Triumph

The School production of The Edge of Being, was nothing short of spellbinding. Written by our own Director in Residence, Miss Beckett, the original play explored the captivating true story of the Cottingley Fairies, two young girls whose 1917 photographs of ‘fairies’ fooled the world and even gained the backing of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

From the very first rehearsals in January, pupils in Years 8 to 10 threw themselves into the project with energy, imagination

and professionalism. Their dedication paid off in March when the curtain rose on a truly unforgettable performance. With atmospheric staging, strong ensemble work and beautiful storytelling, the cast transported audiences into a world where belief and imagination blurred.

Backed by a brilliant creative team and the unwavering support of staff, The Edge of Being was a celebration of storytelling, collaboration and theatrical talent.

Oliver! The Musical

The cast and crew delivered a stunning production of ‘Oliver!’, bringing Victorian London to life over three consecutive nights in October. Despite just six weeks of rehearsal, the performances showcased spectacular choreography, emotional depth and beautiful music from our live orchestra.

Sixth Form and Year 10 Drama pupils

Experience Immersive Theatre

Sixth Form and Year 10 Drama pupils attended Punchdrunk's Viola's Room in December at The Carriageworks in Woolwich, experiencing an immersive, site-specific production. The visit supported A Level Drama and Theatre Studies coursework, while providing Year 10 Drama Scholars with a broader understanding of creative theatrical possibilities.

Drama Showcase 2025

Our Drama Showcase in May was a celebration of performance and creativity. Pupils from Year 7 to Year

9 took to the stage with confidence, presenting a mix of polished group pieces and thought-provoking

monologues. Their hard work, imagination and enthusiasm shone through creating a truly memorable evening.

Music

Junior Concerts

The Junior Concerts, held each year, feature a diverse programme

of musical performances, with many pupils making their St George's concert debut.

Junior Concerts

Open Mic Nights

Music for a Summer Evening

Open Mic Nights

Our Open Mic Nights are, as the name suggests, accessible to all and this year’s events have been lively celebrations of music and talent. Girls from all year groups have taken to the stage, performing solos, duets and group pieces with confidence and enthusiasm, in a supportive atmosphere.

Music for a Summer Evening

St George’s came alive with song and celebration on a warm Sunday evening June. Our 39th Music for a Summer Evening brought together current pupils, alumnae, staff, former staff and friends in perfect harmony. The occasion was especially poignant as we paid tribute to Director of Music, Ian Hillier’s extraordinary service. Each performance was a testament to the vibrant musical life that he has nurtured here for forty-two remarkable years.

Delicious refreshments kept spirits high and conversations flowing as our alumnae returned in droves to lend their voices to the Chapel Choir.

It was a wonderful celebration and one that will continue on in force.

Sports

As we look back on the 2024–25 season, it is impossible not to feel a deep sense of pride in all that our St George’s community has achieved – on courts, pitches, tracks, in pools and studios alike. From first-timers finding their feet in after-school clubs to senior captains leading teams at national tournaments, every girl has embraced the chance to participate, perform and push beyond her own expectations.

Football

Football has continued to grow this season with all year groups consistently attending training in impressive numbers each week. The number of competitive fixtures has also increased, providing even more opportunities for girls to participate and compete in cup competitions.

A standout highlight was the U15/16s kicking off the season with an emphatic 8-0 victory against Charterhouse.

Football Netball

Swimming

Badminton

Cricket

Tennis

Athletics

Dance

Celebrating Excellence at the Sport and Dance Review of the Year

U15 ESFA Round 1 Victory

The U13s and U15s competed in the ESFA Cup, with the U15s digging deep to secure an excellent win in the first round against Holyport and make history!

Football Development

Teams from all year groups participated in the first block football fixture of the year against St Mary's Ascot, with results including three narrow losses, a draw for the U16s, and a win for the U14s, demonstrating impressive progress and effort from every player regardless of outcome.

Victory and Teamwork Shines at the SWPS Football Festival

To close the season on a high, the U15s claimed first place at the Sir William Perkins's 6-a-side Football Festival Tournament and in doing so earned St George’s our first trophy in football with their fantastic victory. The U14s also competed, finishing in an impressive third place against older opposition.

Netball

Netball has continued to be a very popular sport this academic year with multiple participation opportunities for B, as well as C team fixtures, as well as performance opportunities for our A teams.

We have entered more teams than ever into the Sisters n Sport (SnS) national knock out competitions and have had good levels of success across these age groups and accumulated more medals in tournaments than ever before.

Sisters n Sport Netball – Road to Glory: From First Round to National Champions

The U14A netball team’s path to glory began with a 52-8 win over Didcot Girls’ School, followed by a 57-10 victory against St Peter’s RC High School. Round 3 saw a 42-7 triumph over Bohunt, before a tense 33-25 win against

Cranleigh secured their place in the Sisters n Sport National Finals at Loughborough University.

The squad, consisting of Zara, Gabriele, Etta, Daniella, Ruby, Aaliyah, Isabella, Lily and Phoebe, defeated Westholme Girls’ School in the semi-final, then produced a superb final-quarter surge to beat Haberdashers Girls 20-13 and claim the national title – an historic achievement for St George’s netball.

Aside from the Sisters n Sport championship win, it has been a remarkable season for SGA netball, with titles, medals and memorable performances at every level. The year began with strong opening fixtures and early success at the Ascot Schools Tournament, where the U18A, U15A and U14A teams were crowned champions.

The South East Berkshire Tournament brought further glory, with U15A winning the cup, U15B the plate, and U14A claiming gold after an unbeaten run. The U13s and U14s also

shone at the GSA Tournament, with the U14s taking the plate title. The U14, U15 and U18 teams also represented the School with pride at the Berkshire County Tournament.

Swimming

This year saw impressive growth in both performance and participation, with squads training hard and delivering outstanding results.

At the Ascot Schools Tournament, Junior and Senior teams topped their age groups, the Intermediates took 3rd place, and SGA secured overall victory.

SGA proudly hosted the ESSA Berkshire Schools Team Relay Championships, with Junior,

Badminton

In its debut year at SGA, badminton has proved hugely popular.

Highlights included hosting two inaugural GSA tournaments, the U13/14 Tournament and the U18 Tournament. In the U13/14, Scarlett and Livia and the Year 8 duo of Pearl and Phoebe achieved standout finishes.

Intermediate and Senior teams in action – two of which improved their relay times by over 10 seconds on last year’s results. Every swimmer showed exceptional determination and teamwork.

At the GSA South Central Championships, SGA achieved

their best-ever result, finishing 3rd overall. Highlights included Etta (Year 9) taking silver in both the 50M backstroke and 50M individual medley, Ellie (Year 7) placing 3rd in 50M butterfly, and the Senior Medley Relay team of Erin, Estella, Tabby, and Maddy earning 3rd place.

In the U18s, Amelia and Daisy secured 4th place in a highly competitive top group, while Linh and Miya won two of their matches to finish 4th overall. Sarah Y and Sarah Z demonstrated fantastic determination, finishing 2nd in their group before a narrow loss in the 3rd/4th playoff.

The season ended with an exciting open tournament dominated by Year 8 pairs, showcasing skill and sportsmanship with pupils leading the final standings; Pearl and Phoebe claiming 1st place, Scarlett and Livia securing 2nd, and Sophie B and Maggie taking 3rd place in a successful finale to the inaugural season.

Cricket

For the first time, cricket began in the winter at St George's as a result of our partnership with Royal Ascot Cricket Club (RACC). Different groups of pupils have had the chance to train with RACC in our nets to get ahead in the batting and bowling before the summer term.

The U12As have been one of our most successful sides this year, winning the majority of their games. The U13s have enjoyed a mixture of both soft and hardball fixtures and have shown a great ability to adapt to different styles of play. The U14 and 15s have fully transitioned to hardball cricket and we have been particularly impressed with how many Year 9s attend training.

Tennis

Many girls continue to enjoy tennis and there have been plentiful opportunities for recreational tennis, friendly fixtures and performance matches in the sport this year.

In the Aegon Tennis League, the U15 team (Poppy J, Yasmeen, Sally, Gaby) opened with a decisive win over LVS and narrowly lost to Queen Anne’s in two close tiebreaks. The U13s (Phoebe, Ariella, Elodie, Keira) swept Heathfield in their first match and showed great determination throughout the season.

In SGA’s first entry to the prestigious ISTA U15 National Championships at Eton College, Poppy J and Yasmeen impressed

U12 Cricket Debut Seals Season Finale Win

On the final Saturday of the season, our U12s stepped up for their very first hardball cricket match and what a way to finish! Opting to bowl first against tough opposition, the girls showcased their talent with tidy bowling spells, key wickets and sharp fielding that cut off countless boundary shots.

against top UK schools, earning a Plate place after strong pool results. They ended on a high,

Chasing a challenging total of 230, our batters rose to the occasion. With the scores level and just one pair remaining at the crease, Karmjeet and Clemmie calmly added the decisive eight runs to clinch victory and then defended brilliantly in the final over to secure the win.

Congratulations to all Year 7 players on a fantastic end to your debut hardball season.

defeating Brentwood 6–1, cementing their status as one of SGA’s finest U15 pairs.

Athletics

It has been a fantastic summer for athletics, with 40 girls representing SGA and many personal bests achieved. In the English Schools Track & Field Cup, the Inter Girls finished 5th, and six athletes were selected for the Bracknell and County Championships – our highest in recent years.

In May, fourteen girls competed in the Bracknell Championships Highlights included a double victory for Arabella (Year 10) in the

inter girls’ 100m and 200m, and a javelin win for Zara (Year 9).

Following the competition, Arabella, Poppy S, Marina, Gaby (Year 10) and Zara (Year 9) were selected to represent Bracknell at the Berkshire County Schools Championships in June. Also in May, St George’s participated in the first round of the English Schools Track and Field Cup. The Year 7 and 8 team finished 7th and the Year 9 and Year 10 team, led by top point scorers Arabella and Liv (Year 10) finished 5th overall.

Celebrating Excellence at the Sport and Dance Review

In July, we welcomed a fantastic turnout of pupils and parents to our annual Sport and Dance Review. We were captivated by an inspiring address by netball legend Pamela Cookey, who shared her remarkable journey and the lessons she has learned on and off the court.

Huge congratulations to all our award winners, their hard work and dedication truly shone through!

At the U13 Bracknell Championships, Josie L shone with discus gold, javelin silver, and shot put bronze, later becoming U13 County Discus Champion. Clementine S cleared a personal best to finish 5th in the high jump, while Sophia R battled the field to come 6th in the 600m.

Josie went on to represent Bracknell at the U13 County Championships in Berkshire. There, she produced a superb performance in the discus to be crowned County Champion, a remarkable achievement for our budding athlete!

Dance

Dance continues to flourish at St George's, with many girls dancing both competitively and for fun. In February a team of dancers performed in the inaugural Ascot Schools Dance Gala at St Mary’s School, together with dancers from four other local independent schools. In addition to the technique classes on offer, four girls are currently studying for their Dance GCSE with a further two girls joining in September.

Jazz and Dance Show Dazzles Audience

The highlight of the year was April's Jazz and Dance Show which merges the talent of the wonderful dancers with the ever-fabulous Jazz Band, all in collaboration with the awardwinning Natalie Vinson School of Dance and Drama. This year we saw a fantastic array of dance (which included contemporary, ballet, acro and street jazz) in stunning group numbers and

outstanding solos, all in dazzling costumes. The evening was a true credit to the outstanding performers who train weekly at St George’s.

CAPABLE

Duke of Edinburgh's Award 2024-25

It has been another exciting year for DofE at St George’s, with pupils stepping up to the challenge at every level.

Bronze:

Twenty-five Year 10 girls set off on their Bronze journey. They braved the elements in their Practice Expedition in Swinley Forest before returning later in the year for their Qualifying Expedition in Windsor Great Park, putting their new skills and teamwork to the test. They were also joined by Upper Sixth student Linh, who needed to finish Bronze to complete her final expedition.

Silver:

Our Silver Award expeditions took pupils further afield to the rolling hills of the South Downs, walking from Cocking to Exton. This was both a Practice and a Qualifying Expedition, depending on year group, with eleven Year 11 pupils successfully completing their Qualifying Expedition and nine Year 10 pupils undertaking their Practice.

Gold:

We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of several recent pupils who have now completed the full Award and are eligible to attend Buckingham Palace to receive their certificates.

Congratulations Hoi Yu, Guinevere, Alice, Charlotte, Mannat and Erin.

The DofE programme continues to challenge our pupils to be resilient, resourceful and adventurous, and we are proud of all those who embraced the experience this year.

CAPABLE

Trips and Workshops

SGA

Stretch: Professor Bortolotti Visit

In October, we welcomed leading philosopher in cognitive science, Professor Lisa Bortolotti from the University of Birmingham. She engaged pupils from Years 10, 11 and the Sixth Form in thought-provoking discussions on epistemic injustice, trust, conspiracy theories and the philosophy of explaining events.

Ethics Talk for A Level Psychologists

Science teacher Mr Cook-Williams, who is currently pursuing a Masters in Mental Health and Wellbeing, delivered a fascinating presentation to our A Level Psychology pupils. It challenged their understanding of ethical guidelines and debates surrounding Zimbardo's Stanford prison experiment.

Year 8 Apprentice Competition Grand Final Judging

Four finalist teams in the Year 8 Apprentice Competition presented their innovative chair designs to a panel of judges, demonstrating creativity, teamwork and business acumen.

Team Velvet Touch, emerged victorious with their compelling pitch featuring excellent persuasive techniques and professionally delivered advertisements.

SGA STRETCH: Professor

Bortolotti Visit

Ethics Talk for A Level Psychologists

International Languages Week

Year 8 Apprentice Competition

National Poetry Day

GSA Human and Artificial Intelligence Conference

Author Simon James Green Visit

Year 9 Mask Workshop

Year 7 Residential at Fairthorne Manor

Science Visit to Baylab, Reading

A Journey into Space for Years 7 and 8

A Christmas Carol Comes to St George's

Year 7 at Henley River & Rowing Museum

International Languages Week

St George's celebrated linguistic diversity with a week of activities including: French and Spanish conversation tables led by Sixth Form pupils, language challenges, an international shortbread decoration competition and global cuisine with musical performances.

National Poetry Day

In October, St George's celebrated National Poetry Day with the theme of 'Counting', featuring a special assembly led by Ms Baker, Head of English. We enjoyed poetry readings and a competition which was won by Year 7 pupil Caitlyn. Girls enthusiastically shared both original and favourite poems at the Library workshop.

GSA Human and Artificial Intelligence Conference

Five Year 9 Computer Science pupils attended the GSA SouthCentral Human and Artificial Intelligence Conference at The Abbey School, participating in cognitive exercises, pupilled sessions, and an inspiring keynote from RegulAtion CEO Sally Sfeir-Tait on the future of AI technologies.

Simon James Green Visit

Author Simon James Green visited St George's in December, speaking to Years 7-9 about his writing career and the inspiration behind his stories. The day included a popular book signing session followed by creative writing workshops, including a comedy writing masterclass with Year 8 and an engaging session with Year 10 on censorship, book banning, and allyship.

Year 9 Unmask Their Creativity!

Year 9 pupils participated in an engaging mask workshop led by Russell Dean from Strangeface Theatre Company, exploring the powerful role masks play in performance.

Pupils experimented with different masks to express emotions and bring characters to life, gaining valuable insights into characterisation, body language and movement techniques.

Adventure Awaits at Fairthorne Manor

Over five action-packed days, Year 7 embraced teamwork and new challenges at Fairthorne Manor.

Following a noisy, musical bus ride, Monday’s highlights included a trust-building blind trail and a chilly yet thrilling Stream Exploration challenge where they waded through freezing water. This was followed by rounders and football under blue skies.

Tuesday brought zip-lining, kayaking relays, low-ropes spotting, pioneering, catapults and bouncing on the giant air pillow.

Wednesday tested problemsolving with tangled ropes and raft-building races before an afternoon of den building, an obstacle race and a disco with other schools.

Thursday’s orienteering and fire-lighting trials led to muddy camouflage games and paddle boarding stunts.

After Friday’s archery and heartpounding vertical-assault climb, the group enjoyed pizza rolls and celebrated their achievements before journeying home feeling exhausted, exhilarated and united by unforgettable memories.

Science Visit to Baylab, Reading

Our Lower Sixth biologists enjoyed an inspiring day at Baylab in Reading, using PCR and gel electrophoresis to solve a mock crime.

The hands-on experience brought forensic science to life and deepened their understanding of DNA analysis. A fantastic opportunity to apply classroom learning in a real-world context for our future scientists in the making.

A Journey into Space for Years 7 and 8

In May, Year 7 and 8 pupils visited the National Space Centre in Leicester to see how the science they have studied this year applies to space exploration. From understanding how forces power rocket launches to exploring how photosynthesis might support future missions, the girls made meaningful connections between classroom learning and real-world applications.

They enjoyed hands-on exhibits, marvelled at the planetarium, tackled a simulated Martian dust storm, and heard from a space science expert. Some even dressed like astronauts!

It was an inspiring and educational day that sparked curiosity about future careers in space.

A Christmas Carol Comes to St George's

Year 8 and 9 pupils enjoyed a performance of A Christmas Carol by the Quantum Theatre Company, complementing their studies of the play script. The production featured just three versatile actors portraying all characters, with clever set design, festive singing and impressive character transformations that brought the Victorian setting to life.

Year 7 at Henley River & Rowing Museum

Our Year 7 geographers took to the Thames in a hands-on learning adventure at the Henley River & Rowing Museum.

First, they tackled a series of interactive tasks in the flooding workshop, experimenting with real-world river processes and uncovering the causes of flooding in our local area.

Next, the girls embarked on a riverside walk, spotting signs of erosion and flood-management strategies along the Thames bank. By applying classroom theory to real river landscapes, they gained invaluable insights into how our waterways shape, and are shaped by, the land around us.

The Connected SGA Community

The Twilight Walk

Lower Sixth pupils braved the October rain for their traditional Twilight Walk to Richmond, designed to develop friendships within the year group. The outing included conversation-starting question cards, ice cream at Amorino's and a fish and chip dinner to warm up before returning to school.

Upper Sixth Prefects Partner with St Michael's Primary

A Level photography pupils Katie and Estella visited St Michael's Primary School to capture new photographs for the school's

The Twighlight Walk

Upper Sixth Prefects Partner with St Michael's Primary school

Christmas Carols in the Quad Annual Carol Service at Windsor Parish Church

A Level Psychology Dives into London’s Legal and Historic Depths

Ascot Station Art

ASCOT WEEK – A Royal Day Out for Year 8

Celebrating Diversity Week at St George's

Year 8 Religious Studies Trip to the Guru Maneyo Gurdwara in Slough

website as part of our Partnerships Programme. This collaboration provided valuable experience for the Sixth Form prefects while supporting a local primary school with updated visual materials for their promotional content.

A Magical St George’s Christmas

The festive season was celebrated with Christmas Carols in the Quad, bringing the School community together despite the chilly weather. The girls then enjoyed a special Christmas feast prepared by the catering department, with pigs in blankets among the favourite treats, before concluding the evening with a lively Christmas Party in the Sue Cormack Hall.

Annual Carol Service at Windsor Parish Church

The St George's community gathered at Windsor Parish Church for the traditional Carol Service featuring beautiful performances by the Chapel Choir.

The service included readings from pupils throughout the School, Governor Mr Sedgwick, and Mrs Hewer, providing a fitting conclusion to the calendar year.

Beyond

the Textbook: A Level Psychology Dives into London’s Legal and Historic Depths

Stepping into the historic Old Bailey, our A Level Psychology pupils gained a tangible understanding of the legal system, observing real criminal cases unfold. Witnessing courtroom dynamics, a defendant's testimony, and the roles of legal professionals, brought topics like eyewitness testimony, jury decision-making and forensic psychology to life.

Later, the London Dungeons provided a fascinating contrast. Beyond the scares, pupils were able to experience the site of a psychology study from their A Level course. This trip capped off their first year brilliantly, leaving our budding psychologists inspired by real-world applications of their studies.

Ascot Station Art

We are very proud of Anna, Jasmine and Eleanor in Year 7 who worked hard together on a piece of art for Ascot Train Station to celebrate its 200th birthday. The theme was 'Horses, Hats and Ascot' and they delivered their canvas to the station which was displayed throughout the summer.

ASCOT WEEK

A Royal Day Out for Year 8

In June, the Year 8 girls enjoyed the annual SGA excursion to Royal Ascot. After spotting stylish racegoers on Ascot High Street, pupils admired artwork from St George’s pupils, and other local schools, lining the racecourse tunnel. They cheered the Royal Procession, waving flags to the King, Queen and The Princess Royal, and then challenged each other in a VR horse-racing game. Between exhilarating races, a live band had everyone dancing trackside. They realised later the cameras had caught them and they had all been on television, making it an experience they will never forget. A winning day out!

Celebrating Diversity Week at St George's

In February, we embraced Diversity Week with a range of pupil-led activities celebrating our rich cultural community. Events included an assembly on kindness and inclusivity, Desert Island Discs with Mr. Naeem,

an International Food Market featuring dishes from over 20 countries, Cultural Dress Day, and a talk by UCL's Head of Diversity & Inclusion Adwoa Darko on "Appreciation, Not Appropriation."

Year 8 Religious Studies Trip to the Guru Maneyo Gurdwara in Slough

In June, Year 8 visited the Guru Maneyo Gurdwara in Slough to further develop their understanding of Sikhism, with a particular focus on faith within our local community.

After two fascinating workshops, Year 8 were honoured to have the opportunity to visit the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and learn about the practice of simran in the context of Sikh worship. Finally, they were served langar, consisting of dhal and chapatis before returning to school.

House Competitions

House Debating Finals

The House Debating competition concluded in November with C House defeating D House in a debate on whether voluntary service should be compulsory for young people, with Year 11 pupil Marta named best debater.

B House, last year's House Championship winners, claimed victory in the final against A House on the topic of building on Green Belt land.

Hitting the Right Notes: A Spectacular House Music Competition

March’s House Music competition was a memorable evening of talent and teamwork, made extra special as it was Mr Hillier’s

final House competition. Guest adjudicator Simon Lole, who himself has had an impressive career spanning choirs, cathedrals, composition and broadcasting, praised the girls’ performances, rounding off a fantastic celebration of music across the School.

Debating Music

Netball

Art

Swimming

Tennis

Football

Cricket

Athletics

Performing Arts

Netball Fever: House Netball Results

The annual House Netball competition featured enthusiastic participation and fierce competition across various age groups. The closely contested matches showcased exceptional teamwork and School spirit as players cheered each other on throughout the tournament.

1st – A House

2nd – B House

3rd – C House

4th – D House

House Art Competition

This year's House Art competition in February showcased incredible creativity under the theme ‘Favourite Places’. We were delighted to welcome back Mrs Fidler, our former Head of Art, to judge the stunning entries.

Making a Splash at House Swimming

Our House Swimming competition in March was full of energy, skill and team spirit. A House led early

And the results were:

1st – C House - The judge loved how their piece beautifully captured a collection of memories and emotions.

2nd – A House

3rd – B House

4th – D House

in the Junior events, but a strong Sixth Form turnout helped B House storm to overall victory.

A brilliant day of strength, stamina and speed from all!

House Tennis

There was sunshine and smiles as our Sixth Form and Year 11 girls took to the courts for the Senior part of our annual House Tennis competition. With spirits high, it was the perfect setting for an afternoon of friendly rivalry and impressive tennis.

Congratulations to all who took part and represented their houses so enthusiastically.

And the final results were:

1st – A House

2nd – D House

3rd – C House

4th – B House

House Football

Congratulations to all the senior and junior teams who took part in House Football in March. It was an exciting afternoon filled with energy, teamwork and plenty of action. From stunning goals to incredible teamwork, every player gave it their all. It all came down to goal difference for 2nd place - a close contest!

The final results were:

1st – D House 2nd – C House

3rd – A House 4th – B House

House Cricket

Our girls showed true grit and team spirit as they battled it out on the pitch for House Cricket, undaunted by the soaring temperatures. Every House brought its A-game, with players displaying top-notch sportsmanship, determination and camaraderie in every over. Despite the heat, the atmosphere crackled with energy and competitive fire, making each match as thrilling as the last.

Congratulations to all our cricketers for their dedication and teamwork.

House Athletics

In June's scorching House Athletics event, pupils brought their competitive spirit to the track and field. From lightningfast sprints and soaring long

jumps to powerful shot puts and endurance-packed middledistance races, every House gave it their all under the blazing sun.

A House clinched the overall victory.

House Performing Arts Showcase

The Sue Cormack Theatre was electric one evening in June as we celebrated the annual House Performing Arts competition. From graceful ballet solos and upbeat tap routines to original rap verses and acrobatic dance ensembles, each performance

showcased remarkable skill and creativity. Alexis (Year 10) dazzled the audience to claim Best Dancer, while Lily (Year 8) captivated with her dramatic monologue to take Best Actor. Houses were separated by just five points, but B House emerged victorious, earning cheers and high-fives from the entire School community.

House Parties

Each House hosted a spectacular event, beginning with a lively drinks reception and followed by a delicious buffet prepared by the catering team. Parents and pupils

gathered in the Sue Cormack Hall for an impressive showcase of talent, creating a magical evening filled with laughter, school spirit and unforgettable memories.

Partnerships and Outreach

Space Talk for Year 7 by Aerospace Engineer

In November, Year 7 enjoyed an enlightening presentation from aerospace engineer, Theo Youds, on rocket science and space travel, extending their learning beyond the curriculum. Theo shared his experience of creating a rocket engine at the University of Leeds, inspiring the girls with insights into the future of space exploration.

Tycoon Enterprise Launches

October marked the launch of this year’s Lower Sixth Tycoon Enterprise Competition at St George’s, with five pupil

companies participating in the national competition. This programme sees pupils from across the UK competing for the title of Tycoon Company of the year. Our companies fundraised at the Whole School Musical Oliver! to raise the capital needed to finance their companies. All five St George's Tycoon Enterprise teams achieved remarkable success, placing in the top ten pupil companies nationwide. NEAT and Bejewelled secured 4th and 6th positions respectively, while LITE, Supernova, and WAVE claimed 8th, 9th, and 10th places, demonstrating exceptional entrepreneurial skill in this competitive national contest.

Space Talk for Year 7 by Aerospace Engineer

Tycoon Enterprise Launches

The Fearless Girls Club comes to St Georges

Girls Football Masterclass for Local Primary Schools

Competition to Design New Primary School Logo

Royal Institution Workshops

Senior Stretch Conference

STEM Week

The Fearless Girls Club comes to St George's to find new Quest Leaders

In November, St George’s welcomed The Fearless Girls Club to run leadership training for pupils in Years 9 to Upper Sixth. Aspiring ‘Quest Leaders’ took part in inspiring sessions ahead of local club launches, supporting girls aged 8-11 to build confidence and live boldly.

Girls Football Masterclass for Local Primary Schools with Resident Coach Miss White

We hosted an action-packed girls football masterclass for pupils from four local primary schools: South Ascot Village School, St Francis Catholic Primary School, Connaught Junior School, and St Michael's C of E Primary School. The session focused on developing both skills and confidence on the field for these young athletes.

Competition to Design New Primary School Logo

St George's pupils exercised their creativity by designing a new logo for Holy Trinity Primary School. Representatives from Holy Trinity's School Council visited St George's to review the standout designs featuring innovative shapes, bold symbols, and vibrant colours before taking them back for a school-wide vote to determine the winning design. The winning design will replace the current 40-year-old logo and be implemented across uniform, printed, and online materials.

Science in Action: Royal Institution Workshops

In June, a visiting scientist from the Royal Institution transformed the Sue Cormack stage into a science laboratory for the day. We had three shows, one for our pupils, local partnership schools and then our community watched

STEM Week on the Move: Exploring Innovation at 3M and Silverstone

Year 8 visited 3M to discover how the company applies cutting-edge science to create innovative solutions for everyday life, while Year 9 explored the connection between STEM and motorsport at Silverstone. Both trips highlighted the dynamic career paths available in STEM fields, offering pupils firsthand experience of real-world applications.

as cutting-edge demonstrations, almost impossible in everyday classrooms, brought Chemistry and Physics concepts to life, from dramatic colour changes to precision laser optics.

Expanding Minds: UK Senior Stretch Conference, Oxford

In March, Year 10 and Lower Sixth pupils participated in the UK Senior Stretch Conference in Oxford, engaging in fast-paced, thoughtprovoking discussions spanning quantum realities, unconscious biases, and contemporary issues like veganism.

Charity Connections

Charities Selection for the Year

At the beginning of the Autumn term each academic year, we vote for our three chosen charities from a selection. This year Seabin Foundation (environmental), Alzheimer's Society (health), and Share Wokingham (poverty and justice) were the chosen charities to support.

Autumn fundraising highlights included £532 for Jeans for Genes Day, £690 from the bake sale and non-uniform day, £240 for the Royal British Legion, and

an incredible 149kg of food for Wokingham Foodbank.

We also supported the Cowshed Christmas Appeal for the first time, filled two bins with toys,

Charities Selection for the Year

Year 8 'Teacher for a Day'

Lower Sixth Volunteers visit Hope Church Foodshare

Bake Sales for School Charities

Charities Quiz

Year 11 Christmas Fair

Children's Mental Health Week

Pyjama Day and Movie Night

Year 7 Charity Summer Fair

and raised over £600 at the Year 11 Christmas Fair. A further £538 was raised on Christmas Jumper Day, and £469 collected at the Carol Service, bringing our total to £2,641. By the end of the academic year in July 2025, after more bake sales and summer fairs the total had reached an incredible £6,743!

Huge thanks to everyone involved, especially our Charities Council and Prefect, Mali.

Year 8 'Teacher for a Day' Charity Event

Year 8 took charge of the classroom in a delightful charity fundraiser transforming pupils into teachers for the day.

Highlights included a Spanish lesson featuring a tortilla-eating contest, a French quiz exploring cultural traditions, and a Music

Lower Sixth Volunteers Visit Hope Church Foodshare

Lower Sixth pupils Tianna, Amber, and Hedy began weekly volunteering at Hope Church Foodshare in Sunningdale, distributing food that would otherwise go to waste.

session where students judged a song-writing competition. Drama lessons saw budding instructors demonstrate freeze-frames and stage-combat techniques. The event raised a substantial sum for charity, and the experience offered invaluable insights into lesson planning and leadership.

Bake Sales for School Charities

Charities Quiz

Year 11 Christmas Fair

The dining room transformed into a Christmas market in December featuring sweet treats, games, and competitions organised by Year 11 pupils. Attractions included face-painting, hot chocolate, ping-pong skittles, raffles, cakes, and the everpopular 'pie the teacher' event, raising £636.29 for the school's three chosen charities.

Children's Mental Health Week: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself

In February, we marked Children’s Mental Health Week with a series of thoughtful and creative activities under this year’s theme, Know Yourself, Grow Yourself.

Year 7 pupils took time out in the SGA Gardening Club

greenhouse, where they planted sweet pea seeds with Head

Gardener Pippa Shepherd. As they tucked each seed into the soil, they reflected on their personal goals.

Films, Fun and Fundraising - Pyjama Day and Movie Night

In March, pupils participated in a non-uniform day concluding with a Movie Night for Charity.

Summer Fun for a

Cause

–Year 7 Charity Summer Fair

Our South Lawn was transformed into a bustling fairground in June, as Year 7 ran stalls selling items ranging from handmade friendship bracelets and crocheted toys to a lively coconut shy. Pupils tested their aim in a netball shootout, served homemade lemonade and candy floss, and tempted visitors with doughnuts and cakes.

Futures

Careers Lunch with Mrs Butcher from Cisco

Mrs Rhiannon Butcher visited in December and led an engaging Careers Lunch, sharing her decade-long experience in sales and technology at Cisco. The girls

Speed, Strength and Science: Year 10 and Lower Sixth visit GoPerform

GCSE and A Level PE pupils attended an insightful workshop at GoPerform, a leading sports injury and performance centre in Reading. The day featured expert-led sessions on sports science, injury prevention, and strength conditioning, with pupils participating in various fitness tests including 10-metre sprints, change of direction tests, and VO2 Max assessments.

learned about her journey from school in Australia to attending major corporate events in Las Vegas, with particular interest in Cisco's degree apprenticeship programs and opportunities in the tech industry.

Careers Lunch

St George's Girls University Applications

Year 10 & Lower Sixth visit GoPerform

St George's Girls Shine in University Applications

The Upper Sixth Form girls achieved outstanding success in university applications, with two pupils securing Oxbridge offers. Another pupil gained two competitive offers to study Veterinary Medicine, while others have received offers from prestigious institutions including Durham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Warwick, and Exeter.

Chapel Services

Standing in Solidarity: Lower Sixth RS Girls Attend Interfaith Prayer Service for Ukraine

Lower Sixth Religious Studies pupils attended the Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace in Ukraine at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in London, marking the three-year anniversary of the invasion.

Interfaith Prayer Service for Ukraine

Remembrance Day

Parent Association

New Star Cloth Installation

This year, thanks to the generous fundraising efforts of our Parent Association, the Sue Cormack Hall has been transformed with a stunning new star cloth that elevates every school event from assemblies and performances to the Lower Sixth Ceilidh.

Not only does it enrich our own functions, but the star cloth is also now available for hire generating vital funds for the school through partnerships with our valued SGA collaborators such as Stagecoach Ascot, and providing an unforgettable backdrop for community gatherings.

New Star Cloth Installation Quiz Night

A Masterclass with Gerard Logan

New Library Signage

Summer Party

Parent Association Quiz Night

The Staff Team maintained their winning streak at the annual Parent Association Quiz Night in November, claiming the trophy for the third consecutive year.

© Stagecoach Ascot. Our SGA Venues Partner

A Masterclass with Gerard Logan: Shakespeare Insights and Spine-Chilling Stories

Senior Drama scholars participated in an exclusive masterclass with acclaimed actor Gerard Logan, exploring Shakespeare's works through an immersive workshop that pupils described as

exciting, active and fascinatingly challenging. The day concluded with Logan delivering a mesmerising solo performance of chilling ghost stories by M.R. James and E.F. Benson.

Thanks to the Parent Association, Our Library Shines Brighter

Thanks to generous support from the Parent Association, the school library now features modern signage highlighting the fiction section, spotlighting key authors and encouraging pupils to explore new reads.

Parent Association Summer Party

The Parent Association’s much-loved Summer Party returned in June, bringing fun, laughter and a fantastic send-off for Mrs Hewer, despite the rather unsummery weather! Spirits remained high as guests were welcomed with a refreshing summer cocktail before enjoying mouthwatering pizzas from the legendary Slow Dough Pizza Co. which are arguably the best pizzas ever!

Cocktails and Games kept the drinks flowing well into the evening, and the brilliant Paulo wowed the crowd with his live music and sensational vocals.

Thank you to everyone who bought raffle tickets and contributed so generously to Mrs Hewer’s leaving gifts. She was deeply touched by the thoughtfulness of the PA and school community.

Alumnae

A warm welcome from Lesley Hoban

Alumnae Engagement Officer

As a relative newcomer to St George’s there is much to learn. I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to all the alumnae who have taken the time to contact me to share their stories and experiences. Every alumna I have had the pleasure of speaking with has reinforced that St George’s is truly a community – a community where everyone is welcome. Thank you for extending that welcome to me.

I never cease to be fascinated by the School’s history, as told through artefacts in our archive, and via the memories of pupils and staff – both past and present.

In this, my first contribution to The Dragon, I hope to share with you a recap of some of the

wonderful conversations I have had with members of St George’s community, as well as some of the photographic treasures that I came across when cataloguing the archives.

Please do continue to share your current news and your recollections. They play such an

Welcome

Welcome back to the Woodward girls! Then and Now

From the Archives STEM Week

Your News and Obituaries

Strengthening SGA Connections

A Conversation with Julie Burns, Deputy Domestic Bursar

important role in keeping our Former Georgians connected. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the future.

Thanks again for being part of St George’s community.

Welcome back to the Woodward girls!

We’ve welcomed many siblings to St George’s over the years, and all have gone on to achieve a wide range of personal and career accomplishments.

The Woodward siblings – Grace, Georgie, Ruby and Lily – were a permanent presence at the School for 15 years from September 2008 until July 2023.

Eldest sister Grace was the first of the girls to join St George’s in September 2008. Georgie joined in 2010 and then twins Ruby and Lily became part of the St George’s family in 2016.

They have kindly agreed to share some of their fondest memories of life at St George’s as well as give us a peek into where life has taken them since.

Where are they now?

Lily is finishing her second year at The University of Manchester, studying Fashion Buying and Merchandising. Alongside her university studies, Lily was also appointed as the Events and Marketing Manager for Invades, a company that aims to redefine how young people experience live sport.

Ruby is finishing her second year at The University of Bath, studying Economics. She has recently secured a placement for her third year, working at AXA Investment Managers, in London. Following that she will return to Bath for her final year at university. She has continued her love for sport and is a dedicated member of the Bath University 1st Lacrosse team and has completed two Bath half marathon races.

Georgie has worked in the polo industry, providing content for a company that televises polo matches and behind the scenes work in the sport. She now works in the sports events field delivering on-demand work opportunities to students and young people across a whole range of live sporting events including motor racing, horse racing, rugby, cricket and polo.

Grace works in film and television production as a freelance Production Manager. Her most recent projects have been the feature film A Quiet Place: Day One, for Paramount and TV Series, House of The Dragon Season 2 for HBO. She has recently been enjoying some overdue time off and has spent time skiing in the French Alps before returning to work on her next project soon.

Earliest memories of St George’s...

Grace: Queuing up at the back of the church in Windsor for the Carol Service. We were in our robes lighting our candles. We smelt something burning. I turned around to see two of the girls’ hair smoking and sizzling. We were panicking and whispering and laughing all at the same time. Then we had to process ready for Once In Royal David’s City like nothing had happened!

Georgie: Swimming lessons in the run-up to winter in the old outdoor pool. We walked from the sports hall in our navy robes and swimming caps, past girls having science lessons, across Wells Lane and up to the swimming pool. The pool always seemed to be covered in leaves and the wooden changing rooms were always over-run by cobwebs!

On

having siblings at the School...

Lily: Not many people can say that they had their twin at school with them throughout all of their school years. Ruby and I are incredibly close, so it was comforting and fun to have shared all of school with her. Georgie was in the Upper Sixth when we joined, so it was really nice having her look out for us, and to share all the things we were getting up to in our day to day life at St George’s with her too.

Memorable staff or mentors...

Grace: Mr Hillier – he was there in his office anytime to chat, to offer advice or just to have tea; Mrs Dourantakis for when I needed a dose of girl boss energy.

Ruby: Mrs Hammond, Mr Wilkins (inspired my love for Economics!) and Mrs Johnson (Geography) –she was also such a good A Level support.

Favourite memories of St George’s…

Grace: The Choir tours... all of them!

Georgie: The Australian exchange.

Lily: The 3rd year trip to Normandy and the ski racing in Flaine.

Ruby: Being in the Chapel Choir and playing sports matches.

How would you describe your overall experience at St George’s?

Lily: I loved my time at St George’s and will always look back at my time there with amazing memories.

Ruby: I absolutely loved everything about my time at St George’s, some of my favourite teachers still continue to inspire me and my school friends and we are still a very close group of girls.

Georgie: Everything I experienced and learnt has continued to shape me to this day. I will continue to look back at my time at St George’s with so many memories.

Grace: St George’s is full of very fond memories. I remain really close to my school friends, and

it’s a testament to the lasting connections we made during our time altogether at school and the memories we made.

How did St George’s prepare you for the future you have now?

Grace: I’m probably most proud of choosing not to go to university, going out and experiencing the world and onto a career where I have really been able to strive and do something that I love. I think many aspects of school helped

"I’m incredibly grateful to have had such a nurturing and carefree environment at school, which allowed me to grow and thrive into the person I am today and I will continue to look back on my time at school with lifelong friendships and countless memories.”

Grace Woodward

prepare me for what I do now: the skills learnt, the lessons learnt, the advice given. St George’s being the small, very special girls’ school that it is, enabled me to be myself, to be independent, to be ambitious, to be confident and really aim to be the best version of myself. The foundation of those values was definitely developed from my time at school, and from being surrounded by such an amazing and supportive group of girls throughout.

Principles you live by that were influenced by your time at St George’s...

Lily: Try your best, and when you don’t succeed, keep going, don’t let the knockbacks stop you!

Ruby: Give everything a go, try everything on offer and carry those experiences with you.

Georgie: Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way and give everything your best shot!

Grace: Just be you – have fun, live in the moment and be present everyday!

From the Archives

When the ‘glass office’ was built in Markham a false wall was built to preserve the original fireplace that is sited here. A copy of The Daily Express dated March 7 1929 was found in the fireplace – a bit tattered and torn, but some of the articles are still legible.

Best known for his 1847 satirical novel, Vanity Fair, William Thackery’s take on life published in the 'Thoughts For To-Day' column are as apt today as they were when published nearly 100 years ago:

“The world is a looking-glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. Frown on it and it will in turn look sourly upon you; laugh at it and with it, and it is a jolly kind companion.”

Your News and Obituaries

Margie Riley (Queensland, Australia)

Margie reports that life in Queensland continues at a steady pace. Recovering well from recent knee surgery, she is enjoying a return to her usual activities. Her husband, Mike, is gradually reducing his workload but continues to support their son Tom in his business; the

Carol Jacques 1984 cohort

Miranda Jaques wrote to let those who knew her that her dearest Mum, Carol Jacques (who was Doctor Ridings’ PA in the 80s and then became a Governor of St George’s and went on to run Winkfield Place) passed away last October. She’s left a very big gap but thankfully I was with her which was incredibly fortunate as I now live in Melbourne. A few of my closest School friends were there to support me at her funeral for which I was very grateful. I am still in touch with Sophie, Sarah, Natasha and Tanya amongst others.

Rosemary Holland (née Baston) 1957 cohort

Sadly, Rosemary died on 15 September 2024.

Frances Menges (née Ling) 1956 cohort

Frances’ daughter Sophia wrote with the sad news that her mother died in January 2024.

Sarah West 1955 cohort

Sarah’s son, Rob, wrote to tell us the sad news that Sarah passed away earlier this year. Sarah

family celebrated Tom’s 50th birthday earlier this year.

Margie has been continuing with her writing projects and enjoys the company of their lively rescue dog, Jilly. A particular highlight of the past year was a six-week visit from her sister,

was born in 1941 and joined St George’s when she was 9 years old where she made life-long friends. Latterly she returned to the School as a Governor. Sarah enjoyed life to the full and found joy in everything and everyone, for all her 83 years.

Anne Fenwick (née Cochran Smith) 1953 cohort

Anne’s husband shared that she passed away in March 2024. He said that Anne enjoyed her time at St George’s from the stories she told, and that while she was “perhaps not a ‘credit’ to the School, she took lots from her time there.

Valerie Eggleston

Valerie passed away in December 2023.

Meriel Valentine Edwards (née Fraser) 1952 cohort

Meriel Valentine Edwards (née Fraser) c 1947 to 1952 died on 1 April 2024. She was one of the first of the second generation of girls at St George’s, her mother Doris Douglas having been amongst the first girls when it changed from a boys’ prep school.

Being there after the war she had memories of being very

Jan (Fowler), during which they explored many of the region’s cafés.

Looking ahead, Margie and Mike look forward to welcoming Jan’s eldest son, Richard, and his family over Christmas, when they plan to attend the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

hungry in particular when there was potato rationing one term.

She maintained her connections with the School for many years as her sister Judy Delafield and later both of her daughters, Jane and Louise, also followed in her footsteps with long-serving members of staff such as Miss Horne, Miss Lowe and of course Nurse, still very much in action well into the 1970s.

After Meriel moved back to Jersey her visits were less frequent but she kept up with a number of contemporaries including in particular Caroline Perry (née Everitt). Her husband Richard survives her. Sadly she missed out on becoming a Great Grandmother by only seven weeks.

Jennifer Bilborough

Jennifer’s daughter wrote to let us know that Jenni passed away peacefully on 1 January 2025.

Ursula Ann D'Arcy-Smith (née Dexter)

We were informed by Ursula’s family that she died on Saturday 21 June, aged 87. Throughout her life she remained in touch with some of her School friends including Valerie Barbor and Julie Herbert.

Strengthening SGA Connections

St George's hosted a festive drinks reception at the Macdonald Hotel, Windsor last December following the School Carol Service, bringing together former pupils, staff and community members.

Alumna Pippa Miles Inspires Pupils at Careers Lunch

Alumna Pippa Miles, now in her third year studying Filmmaking at the University of Sussex, returned in November to share insights about university transition, pursuing a creative degree, and navigating the film-making industry. During a lively Q&A session, Pippa encouraged pupils to "always stay open-minded, motivated and embrace collaboration", as she prepares for her production internship in Brighton.

A Family Affair

A conversation with Julie Burns, Deputy Domestic Bursar

Not only did January 2000 mark the beginning of a new Millenium, it marked the start of a very long and successful partnership between Mrs Julie Burns, our Deputy Domestic Bursar, and St George’s.

During her 25-year career with the School, Julie has held a number of roles within the housekeeping and catering teams, including part-time cleaner, cookery class host and even spearheading the significant redevelopment of our dining room.

Her family has a rich history with St George’s too. Her mum, aunt, sister, both sons and her niece, have all worked at St George’s over the years. And her brother, Paul, still works in the kitchen here. A true family affair!

We sat down with her to learn more about her time here...

Tell me about your career at St George’s

I started as a part-time cleaner, and pretty soon after that joined the kitchen staff in the pot wash to help out there. I’ve always loved being in the kitchen, and I spotted an opportunity to bake for the girls. Twice a week – on a Tuesday and a Thursday – I baked cakes for the girls’ afternoon teas. Lemon Drizzle, Carrot Cake, you name it, I made it.

In October 2002 I was offered the Catering Team Leader position. This gave me the opportunity to introduce new ideas to the dining room including small, but important, things like ensuring the food was displayed nicely, and looked appetising. I also encouraged the team to interact with the girls during food service, not only to help ensure meal

times were relaxed and enjoyable, but also to help foster and reinforce the joy of eating healthy, tasty food.

A few years later, an opportunity arose to manage both the housekeeping and catering teams. Given that I was already working closely with both teams, it was an obvious next step and in April 2005 I took on the role of Deputy General Domestic Services Manager. This role has evolved over the years with additional responsibilities and this has brought me to the Deputy Domestic Bursar role that I hold now.

What is your first memory of St George’s?

Mum was a Cleaner and Evening Catering Supervisor at the School. She was on long-term sick leave and unable to work so I came in to

cover for her. It didn’t faze me because I was familiar with the School. I’d practically grown up here, as Mum had worked here since I was about seven years old. I was teamed up with a lady called Angie, and armed with some dusters, we went off to clean the Sports Hall. Originally the arrangement was that I’d cover for her until Easter, but Mum failed to mention which Easter. And I’m still here!

What has been the most significant change to the School whilst you have been here?

As you’d imagine the School has changed a lot over the years. But given my roles within the catering and housekeeping teams, the redevelopment of the dining room has been one of the most transformative. The kitchen and dining rooms are at the heart of every home, and it was important that this was reflected here at St George’s. The work happened over the 2023 summer holiday but a lot of the preparatory work happened over previous months. Not only did this involve changing the layout of the space, it included salvaging many original features such as the old radiators, repurposing furniture where

possible, and designing the colour scheme. Kudos to the team at On The Marc carpentry that masterminded and delivered the project for us. It was hard work, but so worth it!

What is your best memory of St George’s?

I’ve got lots of really good memories because my job has changed so much over the years. If I had to narrow it down I’d have to say that teaching the girls to cook is one of my fondest memories. I remember one year the girls had made Christmas cakes but needed someone to teach them how to ice them. I love cooking and I was happy to help. This was the start of me teaching the girls cookery and this continued for many years. I’d love to know if any of the girls are still using my recipes!

I also distinctly remember adding colour to what was widely considered to be rather uninspiring boarding areas. This was a few years ago now. Among the areas I was given permission to decorate were the Year 10 landings and the Lower Sixth common rooms to name just a few. Blue blinds and oatmeal carpets weren’t particularly homely. So I added splashes of

colour including blinds that were an electric pink colour! I don’t think they were to everyone’s taste but they definitely livened things up and made the boarding areas more homely. The pink blinds are a thing of the past but I hope the girls who boarded there during that time remember them!

Oh, and the themed House parties we used to throw is another great memory. Lots of colour, lots of decoration and lots of fun!

What is your proudest personal accomplishment at St George’s?

Keeping cookery alive at the School is really important. Over the years the curriculum has changed and it’s not always been easy to incorporate it into the timetable. With the support of the domestic teams we’re teaching our girls one of life’s most basic but important life skills.

Outside of life at St George’s what are your hobbies?

For several years I belonged to a local gun club. I found this to be a great way to relax after work. Over a relatively short period of time I was quite successful. I made the national team, came second in my division, won multiple awards and secured a spot on the international team too!

Those who know me, are familiar with my ‘pay it forward’ approach to life. I’m always happy to help others. I have a particular interest in helping boys with challenging home environments grow and flourish into young men who eventually go on to have their own families. It’s amazing to see and very rewarding.

I’m also a collector of Jack Daniel’s whiskey. I have an extensive range of products in my collection (that I don’t drink!) and I run a Facebook group which aims to bring together other Jack Daniel’s collectors from all over the world.

Philanthropy

This academic year has seen the start of our exciting long-term Philanthropy programme, aimed at supporting our School in a variety of ways, now and in the future. Engaging with parents, alumnae and our external partners, and sharing ways to invest in our School’s and our pupils’ futures has offered many interesting opportunities during 2024-25.

Following the launch of the Loveday Fund, we continue to welcome new regular donors who want to consistently support our planning and development for our School facilities and pupil enrichment activities. Key among

the Loveday Fund ambitions is to further develop our funding for bursaries, to enable more talented girls to access a Georgian education and to be the leaders of the future. The Loveday Fund is a vital resource and we appreciate all regular and one-off donors who support our vision.

We have also had the opportunity to welcome our Alumnae Association into our Philanthropy function, enabling us to increase the time and energy we can devote to building and extending our connections with our Former Georgians of all ages.

An early philanthropic step has been building connections within our local community, welcoming businesses, charities and other organisations to the St George’s site for regular networking breakfasts. We have been

delighted to have welcomed more than 70 new connections to our School, resulting in some fantastic speakers for STEM week and our Sixth Form Leadership programme. We have also seen a boost in the awareness of our wonderful facilities, leading to increased lettings and resulting income for our School.

External partners from our Business Breakfast connections also hosted many of our pupils during the SGA Big Help Out event on 1 July. These included Cowshed (a charity which recycles clothing and textiles into new garments and bags), and Royal Ascot Cricket Club, with whom we are developing many touch points to mutually promote the sport, share both SGA and RACC facilities, and benefit cricketers of all ages and abilities.

Please contact Rachelle Barnett, Head of Philanthropy, on philanthropy@stgeorges-ascot.org.uk if you would like to discuss how you can get involved in our engagement and fundraising activities, and support our School and pupils.

STEM Week: Inspiring Careers, Endless Possibilities

St George's welcomed an impressive lineup of professionals for STEM Week in March, showcasing diverse career paths in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Our thanks to...

Candice Botha Ex-Pilot now Fundraising Assistant, The Cowshed

With 15 years as a commercial pilot, Candice emphasised that passion can overcome barriers: "If you love

something, you will never work a day in your life.”

Vijay Dwarakanath Director of Infrastructure Services, nDreams

Vijay dived into IT infrastructure, covering network security, cloud adoption, and how women are shaping the tech industry.

Richard Lawrence Business Development Manager, RES Systems Ltd

Richard explored the role of IT in fire safety, highlighting how women are making an impact and the importance of adaptability in the evolving tech world.

Leah Littlechild Project Manager, TriAgg Construction

Leah discussed how technology is reshaping construction, making roles more accessible and emphasising the value of diverse perspectives in the industry.

We are proud to mark the first year of the Loveday Fund, established following our centenary to drive progress in three key areas:

• Transformational Scholarships and Bursaries

Opening doors for talented girls from a wide range of backgrounds who are eager to learn and contribute to the life of the School.

• Pupil Enrichment

Expanding opportunities beyond the classroom through a diverse range of co-curricular activities that broaden horizons and build confidence.

• St George’s Growth

Developing and caring for our School estate to ensure an inspiring and well-equipped learning environment for every pupil.

Investing in Our Future, Honouring Our Tradition

Throughout the decades, St George’s has been fortunate to receive incredible support from individuals who have selflessly dedicated their time, expertise, and resources to our School.

Supporting Confident, Capable and Connected Young Women.

In its first year, the Fund has already begun to shape the future of St George’s. We invite parents, alumnae and friends of the School to join us in supporting this vision.

By contributing to the Loveday Fund, you help to change individual lives and strengthen the whole St George’s community.

To learn more about the Fund’s impact or to donate, please scan the QR code, visit our website: stgeorges-ascot.org.uk or email: philanthropy@stgeorges-ascot.org.uk