THE NEWS
SCHOOL LIFE
After a cold start to the term, my sunglasses finally made an appearance in time for the St Swithun’s Challenge, a series of physical challenges across both our prep and senior schools to raise money for our bursary fund. Those that took part in offsite Three Hills Challenge were struck by the beauty of the South Downs National Park and perhaps a little surprised that there were so many stunning views within walking distance of St Swithun’s. On site, our students selected several activities from dance, swimming, tennis, running and circuits spending three hours on these in total and accumulating just over the target of 1884 kilometres in honour of the year of our foundation. You will of course realise that they weren’t actually dancing or playing tennis for a particular distance, but we came up with a way of converting the time spent on certain activities to kilometres. It was a real treat to see parents and former students also taking part in the Three Hills Challenge and generously donating to the bursary fund.
It was also a pleasure to see parents enjoying the Neon Disco and auction, both of which were also fundraising for bursaries. In total, over £50,000 was donated during this event and the St Swithun’s Challenge. We are extremely grateful to everyone who donated auction lots, supported their daughters in their physical challenge, or who attended the Neon Disco or bid at our auction. I know that the scale of the challenge of helping girls from disadvantaged backgrounds can feel overwhelming so I always try to focus on individuals. We cannot help every girl who wants and deserves a better education, but we can remember the very significant impact on the life chances of those that we can reach. Recently, an early recipient of a sixth-form bursary place explained to me how when she arrived at St Swithun’s, it was the first time she could openly show an interest in learning without being belittled by those around her.
The rest of the term featured our usual eclectic and wide-ranging mix of drama, music, sport and academic endeavour in addition to a feast of other opportunities including our 140th birthday celebrations and two outstanding and inspirational speakers in Mandy Hickson, and Dame Julia Cleverdon on Speech Day. I am proud that we offer such variety to our students and so many chances to for them to develop their skills and interests in the way that best suits each and every one of them.
Jane Gandee MA (Cantab) Headmistress
SCHOOL LIFE
140TH ARCHIVE EXHIBITION
We held a pop-up 1884 exhibition in the Jill Isaac Study Centre to mark the school’s 140th anniversary. Featuring original artefacts including letters, photographs, and diaries, this marked the culmination of several months’ research, during which students have been combing through our extensive school archives. The exhibition also featured the winning entries to our 1884 poster, art, and essay competitions.
140TH CELEBRATIONS
On the 3rd of May we celebrated our 140th birthday. The celebratory lunch was followed by the school dance with students from the prep school joining in the celebration in Harvey Hall. Students showcased their dance moves and sang Happy Birthday.
The highlight of the event was the unique fancy dress theme, ‘Through the Ages, 1884-2024’, which encouraged senior school attendees to don attire representing various eras spanning the school’s 140-year history. From Victorian elegance to contemporary attire, the costumes added an additional layer of excitement while prep students wore their best party outfits for the occasion.
Students from both the senior and prep schools joined Headmistress Jane Gandee and Prep Head Liz Norris to cut a birthday cake which was made by prep school teacher and Head of HPL, Jenny Davies.
The day finished with a Founders’ Day concert in Harvey Hall. The audience enjoyed performances from various musical ensembles across both the prep and senior schools.
BARBIE DAY
L5 engaged in a series of workshops and cross-curricular activities that were all focused on the Barbie movie. Some of the thought-provoking topics that were explored included child development and play, biblical imagery in the Barbie movie, cultural stereotypes and perceptions of colours, feminism and Barbie, as well as Plato’s philosophy and its relationship to Barbie’s experience.
U5 CELEBRATIONS
U5 students enjoyed a celebration day and Gala Dinner. The day was filled with three exciting sessions designed to boost communication, confidence, and relaxation. The students participated in a Stand and Deliver workshop, where they learned stand-up comedy and presentation skills, a Laughter Yoga session which combined laughter exercises with yoga breathing techniques, and a Commercial Dance workshop featuring modern, jazz, hip-hop, and more. It was a day filled with laughter, learning, and fun.
SCHOOL LIFE D-DAY
We marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day with our L4 and L5 students reading a series of eyewitness accounts alongside a short briefing about the importance of D-Day from Dr Filtness, and Ms Broadfoot’s reading of a report by the war correspondent Martha Gellhorn.
SENIOR MOCK ELECTION
We had an amazing 85% turn out for our senior school mock elections. This taught the pupils about the electoral process and showcased the importance of politics.
EP GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Over 270 girls took part in this year’s Global Education Perfect Championships, collectively answering 210,066 questions correctly in around 365 hours over the week. 33 students received prizes, ranging from Credit, Bronze, Silver, and Gold to the elusive Emerald award. St Swithun’s came first in the UK and ranked 80th out of 2,032 schools competing worldwide.
NEW STUDENTS’ DAY
Every year we host a day where upcoming new students can get a taste off what’s to come. They enjoyed a picnic with live music from the school swing band, fun team-building games, and a chance to try out their musical skills.
SCHOOL LIFE
Senior House Tennis
In-house outing
Pre-GCSE party
Capture the flag
Dry Slope Donutting
Le Roy
Watching the sunset
Boarders’ Ball
MUSIC
A special Founders’ Day concert to celebrate the 140th anniversary featured a selection of St Swithun’s musical ensembles including Concert Band, Chamber Choir and cellist Marharyta D (U5), the winner of this year’s school music competition, performing the first movement of Elgar’s Cello Concerto with the Symphony Orchestra.
We also held the termly music scholars and exhibitioners’ concert. It was a delightful showcase with our musicians performing as soloists.
Our last concert of the year was the Summer concert which featured both solos and ensemble performances including Concert Orchestra, Phoenix Choir and finalists from the school music competition.
THE AMAZING MAURICE
We stepped into a world where mice took the stage with our take on Terry Pratchett’s ‘The Amazing Maurice.’
COMMUNITY
ST SWITHUN’S CHALLENGE
The school community came together to raise over £50,000 for the Bramston Foundation across the challenge and Neon Disco.
The St Swithun’s Challenge saw over 600 senior and prep pupils, staff, parents, and alumnae participating across both schools, highlighting the strong sense of community at St Swithun’s.
The Three Hills Challengers ran or walked their way around a 13km course which took them along part of the South Downs Way and to the top of St Catherine’s Hill and St Giles Hill.
Participants in the 1884 Kilomathon took part in a wide range of physical activities across the school grounds –surpassing the target of 1884 kilometres just ten minutes before the cut-off time, achieving a total of 2,049 km.
SUMMER FESTIVAL
After the St Swithun’s Challenge, we filled the grounds with some fun festivities for all to enjoy, including a tight rope, mini tricycles, stilts and more.
ATHLETICS
The junior and intermediate track and field teams competed in the regional final. 15 girls achieved personal bests or season bests and 15 girls improved their combined ESAA points. Our inter team is the 4th best track and field team in the South West region and our junior team are 8th in the region for their age group. We still hold the title of best girls track and field team in the county for both the junior and intermediate age groups.
INTERNATIONAL LACROSSE CALL-UP
Kristy C, Noelle L and Ingrid L have been selected for the Hong Kong National team for the 2024 World Lacrosse U20 Women’s Championships.
The Hong Kong team will battle against formidable Japan, Jamaica, Ireland and England sides in the pool stages, for a place in the knockouts.
SPORT CRICKET
Both our U13 and U15 teams have put in a huge amount of work over the season and were able to win both the Hampshire Cricket cups
FOOTBALL
The U15 football team made it all the way to the semi-final of the ‘Sisters in Sport Cup’ losing to a very strong Latymer Upper School team.
SPORTS DAY
All L4-M5 students competed in Sports Day under the first of the summer’s sun. It was a wonderful event that saw 300 pupils taking part in 11 events, and saw 11 school records broken.
