Our new Pupil Aspiration and Wellbeing lead considers what the terms mean within a Sherborne Girls education (p2)
Our Head of Science discusses why the faculty is more important and more popular than ever at Sherborne Girls (p4)
The incoming Housemistress of Reader Harris explains why kindness, teamwork and self belief will be at the heart of her boarding house ethos (p10)
As the effects of the pandemic on school life recede, it has been a joy to return to a full programme of activities and to continue, with strengthened ambition, to fulfil our pledge: to develop young women of character, who have the knowledge, inner confidence, resilience and hope to bring about positive change.
Self belief empowers us to participate, challenge and welcome responsibility It liberates aspiration and gives us the confidence to take on leadership roles, but it is not just about leadership It is also about taking part Reflecting on the last two terms and looking through the pages that follow, I have been continually impressed by the willingness of pupils from L4 to U6 to get involved in every aspect of school life and contribute to our wider community
A a deeper understanding and greater p
From the huge numbers of girls participating in dramatic productions, concerts and recitals to competitive House and School sport; from the Ten Tors Challenge, Gold DofE expeditions, and the CCF Biennial Inspection, to the Inter House Tug of War competition and much loved Castle Challenge; from sleeping out to help raise awareness about homelessness to danceathons to raise money for cancer charities and sewing for our local hospital, Sherborne Girls have created and seized so many opportunities
It is equally inspiring that so many of these initiatives and achievements have been pupil led Whether it’s the Fourth Form Entrepreneurship Challenge, the Peer Mentoring Scheme or the introduction of sailing and golf, time and again, Sherborne girls demonstrate they have the self belief to turn ideas into reality
Outlining her vision for the role, our new Assistant Head for Pupil Aspiration and Wellbeing, Head of English, I/c Debating, Louise Troup, aims to leverage all the wonderful opportunities already available for girls to voice their opinions, make a difference and have fun
As an Old Girl, parent and teacher, I have a unique perspective on what it means to be a ‘Sherborne Girl’: self confident and world aware but with a bit of Dorset ‘softness’
I see this role as a wonderful opportunity to combine my work inspiring girls to appreciate our language and literature with a second complementary remit: supporting them to be the best that they can be whilst ensuring they are happy Make no mistake our girls are happy, even with exams looming
‘Wellbeing’ is often approached as a corporate box ticking exercise We feel it’s more helpful to think about girls achieving the right balance in their lives and developing a healthy sense of self worth W ith the relentless pressure from social media, we need to empower them to feel valued, listened to and hopeful
So much good work is already being done at Sherborne Girls to support ‘wellbeing’: the brilliant socials programme; our family style houses; the pupil led initiatives such as the ‘Wellbeing Hub’; wonderful whole school events like The Castle Challenge which lift everyone ’ s spirits, and so much more
To this, I would like to bring an invigorated Student Voice programme We believe that the girls need to feel truly listened to so that they understand how the decisions that affect them are
made When it comes to achieving ‘balance’, the tutor should be the most important person in the girls’ school lives So, I will be working with colleagues to strengthen our one to one tutoring programme better matching tutor to student across the School
‘Aspiration’ is another ubiquitous word For my purposes, aspiration is about hope We want our girls to feel a sense of real hope about themselves and their futures Ironically, we can achieve this by making them more aware of the world outside, as long as we also equip them with the belief that they can change it for the better
We already do this through the highly successful CCF programme, Debating Matters and our award winning community work Let us now apply this thinking to all our girls, continue to strengthen our focus on entrepreneurship, offer more wide ranging careers preparation and find even more ways to allow our girls to be creative, collaborative and communicative in the real world
The spirit of Sherborne Girls is well captured by our weekly ‘Group 4’ Running Club We may be the slowest but we have the most fun! For all of us, aged 13 51, just completing the intervals is aspirational! And the lunch is great
Helping girls achieve the right balance and develop a sense of self-worth and hope for the future is at the heart of a Sherborne Girls education.
Blanche McIntyre’s 1970’s makeover of Measure for Measure in the candle lit Sam Wannamaker Playhouse at London’s Globe Theatre marked a “gripping” return to live theatre for L6 A Level English students.
Blanche McIntyre’s Measure for Measure was the first live production that some of us had ever seen, and it did not disappoint Totally different to viewing a recording on screen, it reminded us of our love for Shakespeare and live performance
McIntyre tackled Shakespeare’s notorious ‘problem play’ by relocating it from the brothels of 17th century Vienna to 1970s London The theatre was lit up by slender beeswax candles “like fingers of Jacobean gloves”, creating an intimate atmosphere, enhanced by a madrigal band playing dreamy 1970s melodies
McIntyre also played with gender politics Choosing a female actress to play Escalus (Ishia Bennison) made her wedding proposal to Isabella (Georgie Landers), at the end of the play, more progressive
The asphyxiating silence created by Isabella’s paused reply, however, left the audience unsatisfied, bringing an untidy, rather than happy, end to a supposed comedy This made us think about our own views on Shakespeare’s ending, which we know was rather ‘out the blue’ Asked to describe the play in one word, we concluded: “gripping”, “inventive”, “modern”, “stimulating” and “pedagogic”, which I later learned means “relating to teaching!”
Raphaella Auret and Annie Xu (L6): “Watching Measure for Measure in the Globe Theatre deepened our understanding of the play and allowed us to see how a script is brought alive by actors.”
M5 found out how much fun GCSE Shakespeare can be during a riotously entertaining theatrical competition in March Each class performed a given scene from their GCSE text, Twelfth Night Pupils and staff stepped up to the challenge with enthusiasm and humour, combining extraordinary costumes and props with brilliant acting and line learning
Ian McClary, English Teacher and Deputy Head (Co curricular and Planning): “What a great way for the pupils to get into the spirit of Shakespeare! The emotional depth and range, the comic conventions, the slapstick humour They covered it all and kept each other well and truly entertained ”
Mrs Corran’s team, with Eli Benbow (Maria), Kythe Comstive (Sir Andrew Aguecheek) and Beatrice Coode (Sir Toby Belch), were crowned overall winners for their fabulously comic timing Amaka Agwo (Sir Toby) and Natasha Close (Fabian) generated the most laughter with their ridiculous hats Anna Windle in a priest’s dog collar brought the house down without a single word while Savannah Collins amazed with an impromptu rap The most outrageous costume prize went to Miss McCall’s class who found reason for a wedding dress and a tinsel wig!
With science becoming increasingly relevant to almost ever y aspect of our daily lives, Head of Science, Antonio Angelosanto, argues that a scientif ic education is more impor t ant than ever.
As the 21st century unfolds and new technologies, scientific advancements and entrepreneurism continue to gather momentum, there has never been a greater need for a solid scientific education
Science is popular at Sherborne Girls
Over half the current Sixth Form are studying at least one of the four subjects available That said our aim is to ensure that all pupils are ready for life in what is an increasingly technological society, irrespective of A Level choice Science is important for everyone, not just because of its relevance to our lives but also because it fosters widely applicable problem solving and critical thinking skills These skills allow pupils to generate ideas, weigh decisions intelligently and understand the evidence behind public policy
Our Science Department aims to deliver science in a way that is practical, enjoyable, interesting and intellectually challenging We incorporate new technologies and teaching strategies while preserving the best ‘traditional’ methods Our experiment focused courses develop investigative skills, build knowledge of the language of science, and foster wider intellectual curiosity
Girls find further challenge in our weekly science clubs and societies Pupils across
STARS IN THEIR EYES: Witnessing the formation of stars and galaxies in 3D during last term’s immersive ‘Astrodome’ experience brought physics to life for L4, M5 and L6 pupils.
all age groups participate in national science competitions such as the Year 10 Science Challenge, the Physics, Chemistry and Biology Olympiads, and the Year 12 Cambridge Chemistry Challenge
Experiencing the application of science in the real world helps to generate enthusiasm for it This year, for example, the ’Astrodome’ visit and the trip to RNAS Yeovilton for the Fleet Air Arm Engineering Challenge were particularly enlightening
The Science Department runs a vibrant lecture programme, including the Eureka Society which encourages pupils to research and book speakers for our evening lecture series The Sherborne Girls Advanced Science Society invites prominent academics to speak to all
science students Following the absence of lectures due to COVID, we are particularly excited to be welcoming this year Dr Joanna Buckley (University of Sheffield), Professor Stephen Archibald, (Director of the Positron Emission Tomography Research Centre) and Professor Nathan Mayne (Exeter University)
The advancement of science is ultimately driven by a genuine passion for the faculty I am fortunate to have colleagues who share this passion, conveying their enthusiasm for science and demonstrating its relevance to pupils in and out of the laboratory every day Perhaps this is the real reason why the numbers of girls choosing science A Levels remain so strong!
In the Lent Term, Careers Week gave girls from L4 to U6 the opportunity to explore their options and hear from those successfully established in their chosen careers Sixth Form pupils attended lunches with speakers from the fashion, entrepreneurship and charity sectors while all girls were encouraged to attend the annual Careers Fair
Dariya Kossakova (M5): “I was able to speak to someone at the Careers Fair about universities specialising in architecture and design The Fair helped me understand what I need to do to get into university and find work ”
Molly Mauleverer (L6): “I attended two lunchtime talks given by entrepreneurs and learned that you must believe in your idea and be ready to fail several times before getting it right ”
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L6 pupils considering Oxbridge discovered what it’s really like to live and study at these prestigious institutions at the Oxford and Cambridge Virtual Student Conference held in the Lent Term Including online presentations from colleges, faculty webinars and talks by current students, the event helped debunk some popular myths and provided the information needed to make the right decision
Asha Distelbrink (L6) who is applying to Oxford University to read Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics: “I attended a joint webinar with two professors, one from Cambridge and one from Oxford, to get an overview of what life and study would be like at these universities Other webinars helped me understand the application process better ”
University remains the most popular destination for Sherborne Girls post A Levels but a growing number of pupils are considering alternatives such as degree apprenticeships, reports David Banks, Assistant Head of Sixth Form (Apprenticeships and Overseas Coordinator).
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W ith the undeniable appeal of being paid while studying for the same qualifications available at universities, interest in this increasingly competitive route is rising Major employers in all sectors, backed by generous government support, have responded with some highly attractive programmes MI5, Goldman Sachs, Smith & W illiamson, Addleshaw Goddard, Astra Zeneca, Unilever, L’Oréal, BP, Knight Frank and Savills, to name a few, offer apprenticeships with qualifications ranging from GCSE to Masters equivalent
Belle MacLeod (L6): “I am preparing to apply for a degree apprenticeship in marketing I was inspired by my brother’s accountancy apprenticeship in London and by Old Girl Rosie Barnes who shared her experience of the Unilever programme
I like the idea of being independent as soon as I leave school I also think that being paid will make me feel more motivated and rewarded The School has really helped me identify my interests, narrow down employers, research courses and prepare for the selection process I feel really supported!”
Whether it’s securing a place at university, applying for a degree apprenticeship or choosing how to spend a gap year, we have created a comprehensive but flexible careers programme that begins in the Fourth Form and continues with progressively intensive and bespoke levels of support throughout the Sixth Form.
Congratulations to our new team of school prefects (June 2022 June 2023): Elizabeth Ashford, Emily Purser, Esme Beckly, Anna Cleveland, Kitty Shropshire, Lily Cecil Wright, Amelia Hope Hawkins, Annie Xu, Lily Phipps, Selene Corran, Alice Van Moppes, Asha Distelbrink, Emilie Lawrence, Natalie Cheung, Amelize Crozier Jobber, Carys Leonard, Poppy Evans and Charlotte Wordsworth
Latin students will know that ‘prefect’ comes from the Latin past participle praefectus, which means ‘put in front’.
In March, L6 pupils put themselves ‘in front’ by applying to be school prefects. In so doing they signed up to a selection process like that used by many employers, as Flo Corran, Director of Sixth Form explains.
The process begins with candidates meeting current incumbents to find out about their distinct areas of responsibility After writing an ‘expression of interest’ letter, they complete a formal application form explaining what they would bring to the role and the kind of leadership they value Two senior members of staff interview every applicant and discuss what they hope to achieve in their final four terms
Anna Cleveland (L6): “I was overjoyed and relieved to be appointed prefect since there was some tough competition The prefect application form was very helpful for my CV as it gave me an idea of how to communicate my best traits and connect them to the role I am applying for The interview was the most daunting part, but it was very good practice ”
Feeling valued is critical to aspiration and wellbeing At Sherborne Girls, we pride ourselves on the many opportunities for pupils to share their opinions, ask questions and change things for the better.
Diverse Voices raises awareness of issues affecting pupils and provides a platform to discuss them We recently explored gender identity, looking at how we can normalise the use of pronouns throughout the School and giving an assembly on LGBT History Month We have also implemented joint PSHEE days with Sherborne School to allow for more open discussion In the future, we hope to create a way for younger pupils to get more involved
Cerys Heard (L6)
Pupils from Sherborne Girls and Sherborne School meet once every half term to debate important pastoral themes This year, we have considered racism, bullying, gender identity and the effectiveness of listeners It is a great opportunity to hear the perspectives of others and connect with people who are passionate about contemporary ideas
Our mission is to help our school environments become more open, educated and welcoming Verity de Pelet (L6)
As prefects with this remit, we have enjoyed visiting all the houses and bringing concerns from the pupil body to the Senior Leadership Team, bridging the gap between the younger years and the U6 Recent issues raised include academic balance, extracurricular activities, life in house, gym use and socials with the boys In the future we hope that more U6 will be involved and pupils in the boarding houses will continue to establish a rapport with older years
Cayla Downer and Honor Davis (U6)This year, our business courses, off timetable entrepreneurship days and year group challenges have been helping pupils from L4 M5 engage their instinct for opportunity and awaken their entrepreneurial spirit.
This year L5 swapped their classrooms for cafés to find inspiration for the creation of a new coffee shop concept Following an introductory course on entrepreneurship, teams took to the streets of Sherborne to conduct market research in some of the town’s popular cafés, culminating in a talk by the owner of Oliver’s, Jane Wood The girls have since been busy identifying target customers, designing product ranges and creating branding and marketing strategies
Georgina Penfold (L5): “This challenge has made me appreciate what goes into running a coffee shop I got so many good ideas from the cafés in Sherborne, such as cup design, environmentally friendly products, keeping things local and how to give my coffee a unique twist ”
L5 will present their ideas later in June to Food PR and Marketing expert Liz Murray and Graham Cox, Commercial Director at Bean Shot. We can’t wait to hear what they think!
L4 and U4 relished the task of creating a new attraction for Thorpe Park that would offer visitors a brand new ‘Feel Good Fun’ adventure and tackle the common problem of queues They were asked to identify their target customers, before creating a design concept, back story and associated product for their ride
Deploying collaborative and problem solving skills, the teams came up with some very inventive solutions which included making the queue an interactive part of the ride We wish them luck with their presentations in June
M5 thoroughly enjoyed a day spent learning what it takes to design, market and protect a new online game In the M5 Entrepreneurship Challenge, the girls worked in teams to create original concepts such as ‘Gameflix’,‘Exploraway’, ‘Who done it?’, ‘Happily ever after’ and ‘T ic tac on the go ’
Pitching them in Dragon’s Den style presentations, they described their target audiences, marketing and cyber security strategies Judges were impressed by the enthusiasm, collaboration and creativity the girls brought to this challenge
M5 had another opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurial skills, Hollywood style Following a day off timetable discovering filmmaking, the M5 Film Challenge gave them two months to produce a two minute film entitled ‘Never too small to make a big difference’ The competition concluded with appropriate glamour at an ‘Oscars night’, complete with red carpet and a giant gold ‘Oscar’ Huge congratulations to Livs Messervy, Mary Chan, Buhlebetive Dlamini, Chloe Paterson and Zoe Quaite for winning Best Overall Film
Working in harmony with enrichment activities from CCF and Debating to Outreach and Adventure, our Entrepreneurship Programme fosters skills that not only enable Sherborne girls to run their own businesses but also thrive as 21st century women.
In the last of our Friday night lectures in the Lent Ter m, girls from U5 to U6 were joined live from Afghanistan by Dr Charlotte Maxwell Jones, the founder of Kabul Small Animal Rescue (KSAR). The girls listened in rapt silence as she described the challenges of running a charity and organising animal evacuations in a war zone.
international think tank, her love of animals and starting a charity, Dr Maxwell Jones fascinated the girls with her insights into life in Afghanistan Giving a ‘warts and all’ account of living and working with the Taliban, she also discussed with humility and humour the skills that enabled her to continue running KSAR and find over 80 of the released dogs Dr Maxwell Jones has since managed to evacuate 286 animals to Canada
In August 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan and foreign citizens scrambled to evacuate. KSAR spent a week at the airport trying to evacuate the 130 dogs they had rescued Their heroic efforts sadly failed, and the dogs were forcibly released, leaving Dr Maxwell Jones at the airport with a disabled puppy to face the uncertainty of a new regime
As well as talking about her career in anthropology, her job with an
The girls were captivated by what she had to say and appreciated the honesty and frankness with which she spoke Dr Maxwell Jones’ story clearly demonstrates that any individual can make a difference, if they choose to
Emma Cook (U5): “The lecture was extremely interesting, touching and eye opening Dr Charlotte Maxwell Jones is truly remarkable ”
Penny Abbott, Head of PGCE and ECT, Chemistry TeacherIn March, L6 A Level historians listened to the testimony of Holocaust survivor, Eva Clarke, via a live video call organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust
Born in Mauthausen Concentration Camp on 29 April 1945, Eva and her mother were the only survivors of their family, 15 of whom died in Auschwitz Birkenau Eva’s talk and her answers to the girls’ questions prompted them to think about her life, the horrific events that shaped it and what can be learnt, as shown in these reflections:
“The tenacity of Eva’s mother was one of the things that stood out most, how, even though she came close to death so many times, she still managed to carry on and survive ”
“The Holocaust is relevant because there is still racism and prejudice in the world People are still committing genocide and discriminating against others By knowing about the Holocaust and listening to its survivors, we can learn how to stop this from happening again ”
Sarah Elliott, Head of History, Politics and Sociology
Inspirational and thought provoking, talks by external speakers engage the girls with the wider world, broaden their perspectives and demonstrate the value of qualities such as resilience and humour. Last term we were privileged to hear from two very different individuals, both ‘ordinary women ’ who, caught up in events beyond their control, had extraordinary stories to share.
Our Christian ethos and values are at the heart of the Sherborne Girls community, creating a culture of compassion, integrity and generosity Confirmation provides an opportunity to reflect more deeply on these values and what it means to be Christian.
Confirmation is a yearly event at Sherborne Girls Pupils in M5 and above who want to be confirmed attend six weekly classes to understand what it means to be a Christian and walk more closely with God During the Lent term we were delighted to hold three confirmation services, after having to postpone due to COVID Determined that they would all be confirmed in Sherborne Abbey this year, I am delighted to report that all but two of the 38 candidates were confirmed, and all three occasions were very moving and special for those involved
Rev. Katie Windle, Chaplain
Our outgoing prefects leave behind a wonderfully positive legacy for our community with a Peer Mentoring Programme that provides younger pupils with an avenue of support, independent of their house or year group.
Now at the end of their time with us, our twelve Peer Mentors have beautifully demonstrated our school values with a scheme motivated by compassion for others Having undergone training in safeguarding, as well as key mentoring skills, they successfully launched their programme to the entire school body in January
Offering guidance on all aspects of school life, the Peer Mentors have been visiting the boarding houses each week They have enjoyed reconnecting with the rest of the school while younger pupils have benefitted from their valuable insights and help
Girls in Aldhelmsted West have been letting off steam at weekends with a variety of exciting activities including trips to Flip Out, laser tag, camping, surfing and walking parts of the South West Coastal Path.
Imogen Hodgson, L4: “Weekends in West are always full of fun and happy memories My favourite was our weekend in Devon camping in bell tents. On Saturday nights, we do fun things like neon parties, silent discos, trips to the cinema or Flip Out On Sunday afternoons, after a lie in, we go to places like Splashdown, Dorset Water Park or laser tag and in the Summer, we go to the beach We always have a blast!”
Congratulations to Dun Holme for their well deserved victory in the Inter House Tug of War for Comic Relief last term.
Well done W ingfield Digby for winning the House Dance Competition 2022 The huge amount of effort put into all six entries was evident in the impressively high standards achieved in all performances
“I want to be confirmed because I will be more ready to t ackle challenges with God by my side to always suppor t and love me. ” Anon.
Katie Browning, Helena Campbell, Evie Coulton, Bella Cripwell, Honor Davis, Cayla Downer, Amelia Longpre, Matilda Massey, Lucy Maynard, Amber Nielsen, Lailie Platt Ransom & Lara Tomlin
As soon as I set foot in Sherborne Girls, I experienced a feeling of arriving home that I shall never forget Becoming Reader Harris Housemistress is an opportunity to join the wonderful Sherborne Girls community and to continue the legacy of my predecessors in supporting my new extended family as they write their amazing stories.
When I reflect on the ethos and values I will bring to Reader Harris, I think of kindness I believe that a life with kindness and consideration at its heart will provide a solid foundation for the highs, lows and in betweens we all experience Upholding the school values of courage and curiosity will also be top of my list I want to help every girl in Reader Harris to change that inner voice from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can!’
I will also encourage Reader Harris girls to discover the joy of being part of a team, either by representing their House in inter house events or in smaller in house activities This is a uniquely special time in the girls’ lives and helping them achieve a happy balance of learning, enrichment, friendship and fun is so important As Housemistress, I will, of course, lead by example: expect to see me dragging myself along in the Castle Challenge!
Joining a boarding house prompts me to consider what boarding offers young women in the 21st century I believe it provides a uniquely special environment that facilitates the fulfilment of both
personal and academic potential It offers a vibrant, tolerant and supportive community where girls can express their views confidently, explore their interests to the full, learn to work independently and collaboratively, and form friendships that will last a lifetime
The House motto, ‘Do unto others as you would have done unto you yourself ’ , is ancient but relevant That said I would add a twist to its modern application: we
We are equally excited to be welcoming Fiona’s husband, Mark Cracknell, as our new Director of Music in September An experienced and accomplished musician, Mark stood out from an excellent field of candidates with his passion for music, understanding of boarding school life and his obvious rapport with young people We look forward to hearing about his plans for the next chapter in our musical story in the Autumn/ W inter issue of ‘The Voice’
also need to treat ourselves as we would treat our best friend It is too easy to be critical of our limitations and to feel we are not worthy of others’ time or kindness We are human and we make mistakes, yet we are all valuable and deserve to feel safe, happy and respected
Meet Fiona Cracknell, the new Housemistress of Reader Harris. She joins us in September, together with her husband Mark , who succeeds John Jenkins as Director of Music, and their daughter Clemmie. In her vision for the role, Fiona emphasises the importance of kindness and adds a modern twist to the House motto.
We were delighted to be able to present our joint Sherborne Girls and Sherborne School production of Grease on 3, 4 and 5 March Led by Nico Beeny (Danny), William Jonas (Kenickie), Lucy Maynard (U6, Sandy) and Bella Cripwell (U6, Rizzo), the 25 strong company delighted audiences in Sherborne School’s Big School Room (BSR) with energetic and skilful interpretations of this famous tale’s much loved characters Every member of the cast deserves high praise for their dedication, commitment and seamless teamwork
Supported by a superb professional band, led by Daniel Marks, lively choreography, direction and wardrobe by Katy Scott, Teacher of Drama and Housemistress W ingfield Digby, a wonderfully versatile set by Jim Donelly, Production Manager, world class quiffs and a real ‘Greased Lightening’ car, this accomplished cast put on a show worthy of London’s West End As one local resident put it: “ a wonderfully joyous and astoundingly professional production by an extremely talented cast, who clearly had much fun ”
In March, U6 pupils completed the last practical unit of their A Level Theatre Studies course with an enthralling performance for examiners of the 100 year old play, Machinal Poppy D’Abo, Katie Browning, Lucy Maynard, Amelia Longpre, Sophia Hollingworth and Katie Soobiah performed the work in a Brechtian style, cleverly highlighting the political and moral issues it tackles
Based on the true story of Ruth Snyder, the first woman to be sent to the electric chair in New York City, the stylised play follows the story of a ‘Young Woman’ trapped in the repetitive rituals of life The girls presented the archetypal characters precisely, with impressive New York accents and polished dialogue, leaving us hopeful for strong grades!
The W ind in The W illows was the first production by Aldhelmsted West to be staged in our Gransden Hall All girls contributed, whether making props, designing the poster, stage managing, make up and costume, lighting, sound, or acting I have never worked with a
more committed, energetic and enthusiastic cast and crew All credit to the girls and staff who worked seamlessly and tirelessly to prepare and deliver a most polished and entertaining show
Zosh Skowronska, Drama Teacher
The first four pupils to study Dance GCSE have enjoyed learning exciting and challenging choreography for their duet assessment in online workshops with highly regarded choreographer, Mel Simpson
Tamara Ashworth, Chloe Fung, Dariya Kossakova and Vaidehi Somani (M5) also benefitted from the opportunity to perform their routines on a professional stage at the Octagon Theatre, as part of the Spring Forward Festival last term Reflecting on the event, the girls said: “It was the best feeling performing on stage to such a large audience and we thoroughly enjoyed watching the array of dance pieces by groups from the region.”
From street photography and bright new talent to social change in America and unseen Bob Marley, there was no shortage of inspiration for L6 photography students on their trip to London.
At the Photographers’ Gallery, ‘In the Street’, a retrospective of the last 50 years of works by Helen Levitt, impressed pupils with the artist’s ability to capture the uncanny elements of daily life in New York ‘TPG New Talent’, at the same gallery, introduced the girls to some of the most exciting and relevant UK based emerging artists working within the photographic medium
‘America in Crisis’ at the Saatchi Gallery fascinated us with works by 40 leading American photographers exploring social change in the US since the 1960s. Also at the Saatchi, the ‘Bob Marley One Love Experience’, which included unseen photographs and memorabilia, took us on a journey through his passions, influences, and enduring legacy This exhibition demonstrated the creative potential of photography as an artistic medium and provided some of us with an excuse to dance!
Nick Wright, Art and Photography TeacherDuring the Easter Holidays, 35 pupils from L6 and U6, and staff, spent four inspiring days in Bilbao and Madrid At the Museum of Fine Arts in Bilbao, we looked at portraits, bronze sculpture and twentieth century art After admiring the architecture of the Frank Gehry designed Guggenheim Bilbao, pupils wrote some highly focussed analysis of some of the post war American art inside, including Andy Warhol
During our visit to Roche Court Sculpture Park this term, we were asked to fill an A3 sheet with overlapping drawings using different media, including a 360 degree line drawing created in situ
I needed to retreat from the careful and precise way I usually work in order to experiment with unfamiliar processes At Roche Court, I learned to work more impulsively and to appreciate the “dishevelled” look of my work I also learned new skills like how to layer and use collage I aim to apply my new skills in the future and now recognise that not all my work needs to be developed in an orderly way
Mary Chan (M5)We all enjoyed the excellent and varied collections at Madrid’s Thyssen
Bornemizsa National Museum and Prado Musuem, where we focused on Old Masters, as well as its extensive classical sculpture collection, T itians and other major works A particular highlight was seeing Picasso’s Guernica, made in protest at the Luftwaffe’s bombing of the defenceless town in 1937 Art works stay the same but the contexts in which we view them change constantly W ith the Ukrainian city of Mariupol much in our minds, the pupils could see how Picasso’s universal image of suffering remains important today
StudiesHistory of Art students delighted in all that Spain had to offer from iconic architecture, world famous masterpieces and large scale sculpture to pop art and cubist bronzesJonathan Casely, Head of History of Art and Film
This year’s Philippa Lawrence poetry competition invited contributions on the theme of ‘Dreams’. Deliberately chosen for its ambiguity, inviting a variety of interpretations, ‘dreams’ can refer to the imaginative stories and visions our unconscious creates for us while we sleep, but it can also refer to our ambitions and our hopes.
Poetry is arguably the ideal medium for considering what ‘dreams’ mean to us as individuals and, collectively, as human beings. Its distilled form and liberty from the expectations of prose facilitate the expression of our deepest and most elusive thoughts.
We have received some wonderfully inspiring entries. Winners will be announced at Commem after being judged by an external panel.
Becky McCall, English Teacher
If my dreams were to be reality, I would f loat along with the morning breeze, A sof t shake of the trees would uplif t me
If my dreams were to be reality
If nightmares were to be reality, The f ires of hell would engulf me I’d slip through the ear th, scream and scream If nightmares were to be reality
If my dreams were to be reality A rainbow would guide me To a pot of gold, glimmering, shining If my dreams were to be reality
The Sherborne Schools’ 160 strong Choral Society raised the roof of Sherborne Abbey at their annual concert in February with a programme of Haydn and Fauré. The girls provided magnificent soprano and alto lines alongside the boys and adults in a thrilling chorus. Of the four professional soloists, Sherborne Old Girl Lucinda Cox won special acclaim for her inspirational rendition of the famous ‘Pie Jesu ’
Well over 20 musicians from Sherborne Girls participated in the piano and string classes of the 107th Taunton Festival of Arts, achieving success at all levels Our pianists took centre stage, with nine winning their classes and Daisy Du (U5) also winning the prestigious Chapman’s Cup for the most promising pianist across all classes A further three pianists achieved second prizes in their classes, while nearly ten others were commended
Sherborne Girls string players were also prominent, with Scarlet O’Brien (L4), Florence Perkins (U5) and Helena Campbell (U6) triumphing in their classes with some highly accomplished playing Congratulations to everyone who took part
The Harriet Tory Masterclass is always a very special event in the School’s musical calendar. On 17 March, the fourteen members of the String Orchestra were excited to welcome Sherborne Old Girl Ruth Rogers, and four of her colleagues from the London Mozart Players, to join them for an inspiring afternoon of coaching and a collaborative evening concert The girls were put rigorously through their paces in a fast paced workshop and clearly relished rising to the challenges they were set Their final programme was a joyous mix of Purcell, Vivaldi and Warlock, ending with four of the visiting professionals treating the audience to a stunning performance of Dvorak’s ever popular ‘American Quartet’
The Sherborne Girls Madrigal Society and String Orchestra continued the tradition of performing in the Sherborne Abbey Festival, an annual musical event aimed at supporting young musicians in Sherborne and beyond
On 3 May, the Madrigal Society delighted their audience with a varied programme drawn from both their sacred and secular repertoire Later the same day the String Orchestra and chamber musicians performed in the Sherborne Girls Gransden Hall W inners at this year ’ s Taunton Music Festival, the chamber ensembles gave wonderful performances of a repertoire ranging from Beethoven to Ravel Our String Orchestra closed the event admirably with movements from Purcell’s Three Dances from The Fairy Queen, and Warlock’s Capriol Suite
In March, our Madrigal Society and Chamber Musicians put on a charity concert at St Peter’s Church, Chetnole The Madrigal Society performed a broad programme to packed pews, including works by Jeremy Lund, Antonio Vivaldi and Gabriel Fauré Our chamber musicians provided the music for the second half which included performances by trio Sophie Sze (L5, violin), Kiki Wong (L5, cello) and Tahlia Mistry (L5, piano), followed by accomplished solos from Nicole Hung (U5, violin) and Georgia Burton (U5, recorder)
This term we say goodbye to a very special member of staff, Director of Music, John Jenkins, who is retiring after thirty years at Sherborne Girls. Since he was appointed Director of Music in 1996, he has supported and inspired generations of pupils, many of whom have gone on to have successful musical careers. His undeniable musicality, infectious humour and generosity of spirit have made him an inspirational musician, teacher and colleague, and a role model for us all.
“I don’t think music would have been this amazing at school without Mr Jenkins ” Katie Browning (U6)
“ You play better because you want to make him proud ” Lauren Carty (U6)
“I will never forget that when I’ve been stressed, he’s been by my side, telling me: “ we can do it” He fought so hard to ensure that girls get the same opportunities to lead as boys. We will never forget his lovely Super Man socks!”
Brenda Lam (U6)
From the wealth and quality of music at Sherborne Girls, the continuing success of the musical collaboration with Sherborne School, to the dizzying array of overseas musical tours, local concerts, masterclasses and workshops, not to mention overseeing the building of a world class performing arts centre, it is hard to overstate John’s contribution to music at our School John’s legacy is not confined to music, however Listening to the recollections of colleagues and pupils past and present, it is apparent that the man leaves as much of an impression on our community as the musician
“John is a brilliant Director of Music. His wit and sense of humour are loved by the young When they perform, he is generous in introducing them, always thanking their teachers He is a people’s person, brilliant at the front and never lost for words! He is exceptional in coaching and conducting the many choirs and orchestras His staff always want to do him proud ”
Augusta Miller, Director of Music and Teacher (1961 1996)
“John Jenkins was a central figure for me when I was a pupil at SG His continued and tireless support enabled me to pursue my love of music, and the double bass, to the full. Some of my fondest memories are of the double bass recitals that he organised while at SG. They gave me invaluable performing experience I feel very lucky that he was Director of Music during my school years ”
Alexandra Scott (A’01) Professor for Double bass at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich, Germany
“I have known John Jenkins since I was a student at Sherborne Girls He always had a twinkle in his eye and a dry sense of humour he still does to this day! John was always supportive, encouraging and fun and I have so many happy memories of making music with him.”
Ruth Rogers (W’97) Violinist, Joint Leader of the London Mozart PlayersGoing that bit further to make a meaningful contribution to our wonderful local community is fundamental to our ethos. We were delighted, therefore, to reach the finals in the Boarding Schools Association’s Supporting Excellence Awards’ Best Community Work , via the ‘On Board’ Initiative Award category. Together with our shortlisting for the AMCIS Impact Award for Partnership and Outreach at the beginning of April, these achievements recognise the amazing contributions made by our dedicated staff and girls.
Every Sunday, I put on my headphones at our local radio station Abbey 104 for an hour and introduce a selection of songs interspersed with anecdotes from my daily life I started my radio programme, Indy Flow, because I wanted to combine my passions for broadcast journalism and music with my interest in our local community
In February, girls and staff in Aldhelmsted East Boarding House took part in a four hour danceathon to raise money for the Breast Cancer Unit Appeal at Yeovil Hospital We chose to support Breast Cancer because Mrs Blewitt, a tutor in East, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and has bravely been fighting the disease for several months The event included Zumba, Irish dancing and many other group dances It was a great way for girls across all year groups to interact and bond, whilst raising money for such a worthy cause We are so pleased that we managed to raise a total of £3,160 and were able to make a positive contribution to Yeovil Hospital Ella Thomas (L6)
In March, Rosie Hanlon (L6) and I went to Bournemouth University with five others for a conference called ‘Creating Harmony in the Community A Dorset Journey’ We heard from a variety of speakers on topics such as support for ex convicts, the benefits of physical activities for cancer patients and sustainable urban planning Conference leader and High Sheriff of Dorset Michael Dooley encouraged us to be frank when answering questions from the floor We talked about the importance of social and environmental harmony in a sustainable future We were excited to represent our generation’s views and receive a standing ovation!
Selene CorranAs well as building my presenting skills and talking about the songs I love, I also get to interact with listeners I ask them questions about their favourite book or set a riddle, for example, and I receive lots of replies from local families and residents, and people in care homes, who are listening to my show
Going forwards, I want to introduce interviews, for example with the bands playing at Sherborne Schools’ Courts Fest I also hope to set up a competition for locals to have their original songs broadcast on Abbey 104 and the opportunity to perform them in the Sherborne Summer Festival
Esme Beckly (L6)(L6)
The wonderful ‘Kenelm Roses’ returned this term after a long lamented absence due to COVID As part of this annual charity event, which usually coincides with Valentine’s Day, members of Sherborne Girls and Sherborne School are invited to order a rose (or roses) to send to another member of the Schools’ community Each rose is delivered with a handwritten message provided by the sender, the aim being to bring a smile to the recipient’s face
This year, the funds raised went to South African charity ‘Help Kidz,’ which supports children in crisis Led by Kenelm’s two charity prefects, Cecily Snow (L6) and Raphaella Auret (L6), the girls worked extremely hard planning the entire event, from arranging the finance and collecting orders to writing out the messages and delivering the finished gifts Congratulations to all involved for warming hearts throughout our community while supporting a worthwhile cause
Fran Barnes, Housemistress Kenelm
Last term, W ingfield Digby took part in ‘The Big Sleep’ in Salisbury to raise money for their chosen charity, Alabaré
For the past 14 years, Alabaré has supported homeless people across the South West, directing funds raised to help those who have nowhere to turn
Mrs Scott, Rev W indle and the W ingfield Digby L6 and U5 girls headed to Salisbury Cathedral on Friday 4 March to ‘sleep out’ with no more equipment than someone who would be sleeping rough They kept themselves entertained with some lively games of cards before hunkering down for a very cold and noisy night
Although challenged by the freezing weather, the girls were extremely proud of their efforts, not least because their generous sponsors helped them raise £3,899 for Alabaré The girls plan to continue supporting the charity with future sleep outs
W ingfield Digby charity prefect Imogen Walton (L6) recalls: “It was such a great thing to have taken part in We had no idea how cold and uncomfortable it would be, and it was a real eye opener to the issue of homelessness We are all so proud we raised so much money for such a worthwhile cause ’
Katy Scott, Housemistress W ingfield Digby
The Wootton Grove Patient Participation Group, which meets approximately once a month at Wootton Grove Medical Centre, gives patients the opportunity to provide feedback on their healthcare services Maira Miliaki (L6) and I attend some of these meetings and we love hearing about the active steps that the medical centre is making to benefit its patients We were particularly proud that one of our evaluations, which looked at the website and its user friendly potential was acted on, resulting in changes to the website
Poppy Messervy (L6)In recognition of her incredible dedication to the spor t and extraordinar y t alent, Jemima Price has been appointed our first ever Capt ain of Sailing. Jemima plans to use her new role to generate enthusiasm for sailing at Sherborne Girls and build a team to rival her fellow sailors at Sherborne School.
I first started sailing at the age of 8 It was my mum ’ s dream to have her two daughters brought up with a sport that she and her mother so passionately loved! We first sailed on the River Dart in Devon in a small boat known as an Optimist That trip also marked my first capsize, when I watched our little boat sail away without us I have loved sailing ever since!
I am incredibly proud to be Captain of the Sherborne Girls sailing team We sail with Sherborne School every Thursday and Saturday, travelling together in a minibus to Sutton Bingham Reservoir One of the best parts of combining forces with Sherborne School is the opportunity to make friends and support sailors in other year groups
Older sailors hold RYA Assistant and Dinghy Instructor qualifications, enabling them to guide the younger years and assist them with boat handling Together we form one big mixed aged group,
helping each other improve our skills and sometimes competing as a joint team
Looking ahead, I am hoping that more girls will join the sailing team this summer Although there has been a steady uptake, I would really love to see more of my friends at school taking part
Charlotte Philips (M5), the youngest sailor in our team and the most avid, says that sailing is the highlight of her week because of the high spirits and enthusiasm of those involved She
particularly loves the fact that everyone works so well together on the water, supporting each other to secure the best possible sailing positions
This term is the first time that Sherborne Girls will enter the National School Fleet Racing Championship and I would love to see us compete in strong numbers W ith so many new opportunities available, it will be great to see more women taking part in a traditionally male dominated sport
Sherborne Girls and Sherborne School continued to collaborate on adventures this year, following the success of their first joint enter prise, the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) canoeing expedition. As well as experiencing breath-t aking scener y, the wonders of wild camping and the joy of miles under foot, mixed team expeditions enhance co-operation skills, develop leadership potential and forge new friendships.
Best of luck to the teams embarking on the final Gold DofE walking expedition in Snowdonia and to those paddling the length of Scotland’s Great Glen in the final canoeing expedition over the summer.
Representing Sherborne Girls in the prestigious Ten Tors Challenge for the first time, Clementine Hurrell, Rose Stanley Smith, Octavia Tennant, Hannah Wood, Felicia Zerps and Lucy Hancock (M5) trekked 35 miles across Dartmoor in one team while Amelia Hope Hawkins and Charlotte Wordsworth (L6) covered an impressive 45 miles in a joint team with boys from Sherborne School
Robustly prepared during military training weekends, both teams departed at 7am on 7 May, independently navigating their way via ten of Dartmoor’s famous tors to finish within just five minutes of each other the following day
Commenting on their experience, Amelia and Charlotte said: “Being in a mixed team has been so enjoyable We all have different characters, strengths and weaknesses but each of us adds value to the group The boys’ brought out our competitive side as we wanted to be selected and show them that we are just as strong!”
Vicky Tapsell, I/c Adventure and Leadership, DofE
During the Easter holidays, nine of us joined nine boys from Sherborne School on a Gold DofE training expedition in Snowdonia The prospect of spending five days in a group with three boys we did not know was daunting. Despite initial worries, we found ourselves giggling even when ascending the toughest and steepest of hills.
For me, the best moments (aside from the beautiful scenery) were the games we played and the songs we sung on route to our destinations, sometimes causing us to nearly miss checkpoints! It was also amusing to watch each other react to the different terrains from scree to boggy grass
I would highly recommend co ed activities, even if you do not know those involved In fact, that makes it easier because there is so much to talk about!
Kitty Shropshire (L6)In March, we were honoured to be included in the CCF Biennial Inspection for the first time, which took part in the Courts at Sherborne School We spent the whole of the Lent Term in preparation A trip to the Cold Stream Guards for an intense day of drill helped iron out inconsistencies and explained the army application process
On the day, everyone performed brilliantly for inspecting officer and Old Shirburnian, Vice Admiral Andrew Burns CB OBE The festivities concluded with a wonderful CCF dinner hosted by Sherborne Girls Overall, the day was a huge success and one we will not forget
Poppy Evans (L6)
I have been passionate about hockey since I was young I initially played for Yeovil & Sherborne Hockey Club and Sherborne Prep’s 1st Team, playing in the U12 and U13 National Finals In Y8, I played for the regional team, West Panthers, and was selected for the UK Lions U14 squad
In L5, I switched to the Welsh System because my Dad is Welsh In M5, I joined Bath Buccaneers Hockey Club’s U16 squad and became Captain, reaching the T ier 1 Super League! I was also selected for the U16 Welsh National Age Group (NAG) squad, achieving caps against Ulster, Scotland and England, and in the Futures Cup last August It was an amazing experience, with a great group of girls This year I was selected for the Wales U18 squad which has been a big step up The Endurance Squad sessions and the Strengthening and Conditioning classes at Sherborne Girls have really helped my training
I have been playing netball as long as I can remember I started playing in Jersey at primary school and for the Convent Club Youth Squad Before I came to Sherborne Girls, I was selected in trials for island teams but was immediately injured, shattering my ankle and my confidence After a year off sport, I came to Sherborne Girls hoping for a sport scholarship As soon as I found out I had one, my confidence started to build again
My coach, Sophie Gould, put me forward for trials for the Somerset County Squad which led to further opportunities, such as the Bath Super League trials and South West Inter County tournaments I am confident about next term’s regional trials because of my training at school I am so grateful for the support I have received in achieving my netball aspirations
A t b
I started lacrosse in L4 at Sherborne Girls and fell in love with the sport Ever since I started in Aldhelmsted West, the coaches have been so supportive In L5, I began to learn how to play at my best This is when I was encouraged to trial for the England Regional Academy and I got in! After that I trained with both the Academy and the School
This year I was put forward, along with other girls, to play in the South West Super Counties Tournament I represented South West A in the national finals held at Marlborough College and we won! It was a tough day but I loved it
I really want to play for Wales, so I am going to Monmouth for the trial I know that the School will give me all the help I need
Our comprehensive sports programme encourages all girls to participate in a wide range of sporting opportunities and fitness activities. As well as striving to cater for all, we pride ourselves on the provision of the highest levels of coaching and the most up -to - date techniques and strategies to enhance performance and support individual aspiration.
Congratulations to Elizabeth Ashford (L6) for becoming the first ever female Junior Captain at Sherborne Golf Club. As well as leading Junior Teams in competitions and recruiting more young golfers, she hopes to inspire more girls to join the sport.
Golf has been a passion for the past 11 years I wanted the School to introduce golf so that girls can have a go at a sport that they wouldn’t otherwise encounter
At the beginning of this academic year, I approached Jayne Dart, Director of Sport, Adventure and Leadership with the idea of introducing golf as a senior games sport
By the Lent Term we had over 10 girls from U5 U6 taking part in lessons at Sherborne Golf Club with professional golfer Nathalie Goodall during the senior games slot, and attending practice sessions on Saturdays I have organised a staff vs student match for the end of term to celebrate the first year of golf at the School Next year, I’d like there to be up to two lessons a week and to introduce larger scale matches, and a fixture against Sherborne School
I am very grateful to Mrs Mackintosh, Mr Rowland, Mr Clarke and Mrs Dart for their help in bringing this idea to life Golf at Sherborne Girls has come a long way in the past three terms and I look forward to watching it grow in September
Cricket at Sherborne Girls is going from strength to strength Eight girls attended indoor nets sessions during the Michaelmas and Lent terms at Sherborne School Their enthusiasm and drive for improvement enabled us to start the season as we mean to go on This term we kicked off with the Dorset U15 indoor tournament where we qualified as North Dorset Champions
This year we have invested in two batting cages, allowing the girls to focus on their technical shots
Improvements in training have been matched by performance on the pitch and the girls are delighted to be finishing matches on a high W ith some excellent wins under their belt and still half a season yet to play, Sherborne Girls are making their mark in this exciting addition to the summer fixture list
James Bell, Head of CricketOver 270 girls are involved in our year round tennis programme and a large number regularly represent the School, achieving consistently high success rates in fixtures both home and away Over 80 players attended pre season selection this term, enabling us to field A, B, C and D teams at all age groups in competitive tennis this summer
Our team of professional coaches, extensive facilities and close links with Sherborne Tennis Club enable both
recreational and performance players to develop their tennis to the best of their ability To add to the breadth of opportunities on offer, we are delighted to launch a new residential summer camp programme in July and August 2022 This programme will allow players aged 10 17 from within the School and beyond to benefit from the expertise of our coaching team and take advantage of our top class facilities
Matt Long, Head CoachBook a four-day summer camp this July and August to receive over 22 hours of professional coaching at Sherborne Girls. We are offering either a residential or non-residential day package. Children staying the night will be accommodated in one of Sherborne Girls’ boarding houses and will enjoy a full programme of activities (including swimming, indoor football, hockey, and karaoke disco) in addition to tennis coaching. All meals will be provided
To book please visit www.sherbor netenniscoaching.co.uk
