Wycombe Abbey Gazette 2023/2024

2023/2024

From the Headmistress

Welcome to the 2023/2024 edition of the Gazette.

I extend a particularly warm welcome to new parents whose daughters have joined us this academic year. I hope that everyone in our community enjoys this publication, which reflects the many events and achievements of all at Wycombe Abbey.

The Autumn Term included Open Morning and assessment days����e Night with its spect�����eworks display, as well as Wycombe’s Got Talent, a new initiative led by the Head Girl Team. The annual Headmistress’ Christmas Lecture was given by historian and educator Sir Anthony Seldon, who delivered a fascinating talk on women in political leadership. At the very end of the term, I travelled to China to visit our four overseas schools. This trip involved tours of the impressive campuses, observing a range of lessons and engaging with st�������. The experience was incredibly rewarding, reinforcing our commitment to providing a world class Wycombe Abbey education globally.

In the spring, we had the pleasure of hosting Professor Tanya Byron, a celebrated clinical psychologist, author, and columnist. Her presentations to the Sixth Form and st���ere r���������� research whils���ering practical advice on supporting adolescent mental health and wellbeing. Our Designing the Future event was another highlight, with a panel of experts discussing the future world of work and how technology, particularly AI, is changing the landscape. This is part of our broader commitment to empowering and preparing our pupils for life beyond Wycombe Abbey. You can read about this on page 68.

Other notable occasions this year have included the Archer Concert, Reading Week and the Christmas Carol Services, as well as end-of year events including Dove Day, GlastonAbbey, and Sports Day. Partnership work has continued with Cressex Community School and our local primary schools, and we have welcomed a range of visitors from across the globe, including st���om schools in Australia, India, New Zealand and the US. Five LV girls undertook a very successful exchange visit to Australia at Easter, and we welcomed their partners back to Wycombe Abbey in the Summer Term.

In terms of the physical site, we opened the new golf simulator in the Davies Sports Centre in April. The internal refurbishment of the Performing Arts Centre was completed in September, and we are continuing with work on our broader estates masterplan, hoping to secure planning permission to start building the Innovation and Design Centre (IDC) next year. This will be located behind the Performing Arts Centre, creating an Arts Quarter which will provide a range of exciting new spaces for all pupils.

We are now more than half way through our 2020-2025 Strategic Direction and we have spent some time r���ting on our progress. I am delighted with all that has been achieved so far and look forward to continuing to build on this in the year ahead.

Jo Duncan Headmistress

Margot,

School Awards and Achievements

School Positions 2023/2024

He AD G I rl Te A m

Head of School:

Deputy Heads of School: Laila

Anoushka and Liza

He ADS o F Hou S e S

Airlie:

Barry:

Butler: Campbell:

Cloister: Pitt:

Rubens:

Shelburne:

Wendover:

Chairmen of Clarence:

Alice

Frances and Scarlett

Lara and Ahana

Rebecca

Isabella and Chloe

Thaisa

Avalon

Emily

Lola

Anjali and Pip

Sc H ool Pre F ec TS

School Sports Captain:

Charity Prefects:

Music Prefect:

Drama Prefects:

School Artist:

School Almoners:

Lower School Prefects:

Upper School Prefects:

Lower Sixth Prefects:

Lara

Amaya and Livi

Audrey

Chiaka and Acada

Chloe

Issy and Ria

Cosima, Freya, Bea, Ava, Sophia and Milly

Arabella, Sasha, Astrid, Emma, Felicity, Caterina and Emily

Jessica and Kate

ScHool oFFIcerS

Heads of Orchestra:

School Pianist:

Head of Choir:

MUN Secretary General:

Jade and Yau Yau

Chloe

Megan

Mia

MUN Deputy Secretary General: Alex

Diversity and Inclusion Officers:

Debating Officers:

Digital Officers:

Poet Laureate:

Sustainability Officers:

School Librarians:

School Photographer:

Wellbeing Officers:

Zahira and Sopie

Wania and Megan

Livi and Gabrielle

Lara

Caitlyn and Kate

Lara and Matilda

Sylvia

Sylvia and Anjali

Scholarships 2024

Wycombe Abbey is pleased to announce the award of the following Scholarships for September 2024:

11+ ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND EXHIBITIONS

Ruoying (Dorcas) – Goodland Scholarship (Aldro School)

Katherine – Academic Exhibition (The Granville School)

Willow – Academic Exhibition (Godstowe Preparatory School)

13+ ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND EXHIBITIONS

Xiaowu (May) – Johnston Yapp Scholarship (Dulwich College

Senior School Singapore)

Xibei (Eva) – Goodland Scholarship (Ecole Jeannine Manuel)

Maria – Lancaster Scholarship (Wycombe Abbey)

Yochhatai (Penney) – Walpole Scholarship (Wycombe Abbey)

Aryana – Crosthwaite Scholarship (Wycombe Abbey)

11+ MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND EXHIBITIONS

Ruoying (Dorcas) – Piano and Voice (Aldro School)

Wan Ki (Alison) - Piano and Flute (Godstowe Preparatory School)

Chit (Chitsa) - Violin and Piano (Southfield Park Primary School)

Ava - Flute (High March School)

16+ MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS

Xinyi (Kate) – Piano and Violin (Headington School)

Linzi – Piano and Violin (Oxford High School)

Elise – Violin (Hong Kong International School)

16+ MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS

Isabelle – Choral Scholarship (Bootham School)

Chloe – Piano and Cello (Wycombe Abbey)

Henrietta – Organ and Violin (Wycombe Abbey)

Academic Excellence

It has been another year of academic success, both collectively and individually. From u III to u VI, pupils have enjoyed discovering their passions and sharing them with each other. This year, there has been a focus on creativity in the classroom, interpreted in a myriad of ways. o ver the next few pages, you will see the wonderful opportunities afforded to the girls in their academic studies. This has included learning about the c hinese Dragon b oat Festival to dissecting a brain.

m iss e mily b oswell

Deputy Head (Academic)

Lower Fourth visit n ormandy

To immerse themselves fully into French culture and language, 30 Lower Fourth pupils visited the Château de la Baudonnière, a French language centre in the heart of the Normandy countryside. The aim of the trip was to experience spoken French in an authentic setting. From visiting the UNESCO site Mont-Saint-Michel to making fresh bread from scratch, all activities and excursions were conducted entirely in French, meaning that the girls not only had fun, but also learnt useful new vocabulary and gained �����������wn speaking and listening abilities. Although being back in the classroom was a little quiet compared to being in France, this trip had a lasting impact on the girls’ love for foreign languages.

m iss Sophie m cIvor

Teacher of Modern

Languages

The School trip to Normandy was very memorable. W���t headed into the town of Avranches with nothing but a clipboard and directions in French that we had to translate and then follow. In the afternoon, we went to a caramel farm where we learnt about the farm’s history, took pictures of the animals, and got free caramel samples.

Tina, LIV

Outstanding Engineers of the Future

The highly regarded Arkwright Engineering Scholarship is designed to inspire students to pursue their dreams and change the world as outstanding engineers of the future. The Scholarships are awarded to hard-working 16-year-old students through a rigorous selection process. Each Scholarship is sponsored by a commercial company, trade association, university, professional institution, armed service, government organisation, worshipful company, charitable trust or personal donor. This means that suppor����ered in various ways, such as valuable hands-on work experience, support for a curriculum project, and a personal mentor who can help with aspects of the scholars’ studies and career planning. In 2023, Wycombe

Abbey had three winners of the award: Wania (UVI), sponsored by checkout.com; Rebecca (LVI), sponsored by Finbourne Technology Ltd; and Bella (LVI), sponsored by the RAF.

This year, I celebrate 30 years since being awarded my Arkwright Scholarship (sponsored by Lloyd’s Register) and over this period more than 6,000 Scholarships have been bestowed. Receiving the Scholarship was a pivotal point in my life; it gav����������y abilities and aptitude for engineering and provided me with some key contacts and further insights into engineering as a career. It led to a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and my ��t job as an engineer working in the packaging industry both in

the UK and North America. I have been involved in the Arkwright Scholarships ever since, interviewing candidates, acting as a chaperone on trips and now as a teacher encouraging pupils to apply. It is fantastic to know that engineering is a career path that the girls at Wycombe Abbey are keen to pursue and that Arkwright can also play a part in this.

m iss l ucy c rampton

Housemistress of Junior House

‘The process of applying for Arkwright was an experience in itself; it allowed me to enhance my technical drawing abilities and put my creative and innovative skills to the test. Furthermore, the interview also ��ered me the chance to r����urther my interview and communication skills, all of which are valuable competencies to master. I am humbled to be awarded a scholarship, and I am keen to explore the longterm prospects that accompany this unique opportunity.’ rebecca (LVI)

The Joutes o ratoires

At the end of February, Tacha (lVI) and nadia (lVI) took par t in the regional French Debating competition, the Joutes oratoires, which was held at rGS High Wycombe. They had worked extremely hard preparing their debates on the dangers of video games, the relevance of the olympics, and the threat of artificial intelligence to art, not knowing until a minute before each debate whether they were arguing for or against each motion.

Competing against pupils in Year 12 and Year 13, Nadia and Tacha debated with eloquence, conviction, humour, and sometimes force; they were an impressive team. T�������������t rounds and went thr������������e they

had 15 minutes to prepare a debate on la gastronomie française without the aid of computers, phones, or Mme Nott! After a heated debate against a formidable team, Tasha and Nadia were proclaimed the winners and represented Wycombe Abbey at the National Final at the Institut Français.

A week before the National Final, they received their motions. Once again, they didn’t know whether they were arguing for or against capping energy t����� making public transport free until shortly before the debate. They were wonderful ambassadors for the School, and after very narro�����������t debate, they took on board the comments from the judges and went on to win their second debate. They did not quite make it to the ������asha was awarded the coup de coeur cer�����or her quick-witted and, at times, amusing responses.

mme lucy nott

Head of Modern Languages

Spanish A Level Pupils e xperience Spanish c ulture

Once more, Salamanca honoured its credentials as one of Spain’s most beautiful and welcoming cities, enabling our Sixth Form Hispanists to experience an enriching language and cultural immersion over o ctober long leave.

To the charm of our host city, we added the wonders of its historic neighbour, Segovia, with its Roman aqueduct – a feat of engineering and one of the best preserved in the world. Another highlight was the visit to the Real Alcázar, a gem of a palace in terms of tradition, art and architecture, having

been the ‘home and heart’ of Spanish Back in Salamanca, we soon settled into a routine of morning Spanish lessons and afternoon guided tours. The Plaza Mayor became second home to all and the starting point for visits to the university main buildings, the Romanic and Gothic cathedrals and the CasaMuseo of Don Miguel de Unamuno. The works of this iconic Spanish writer and philosopher, former Rector of the University of Salamanca, inspired our Upper Sixth in the build-up to their university applications.

Snr l uis Fuentes o lea Head of Spanish

Geography Field Trips

Our geographers have been out on plenty of field trips this year, consolidating their classroom work and researching for their exam projects. The Lower Fifth headed to Carding Mill Valley for a river study, and the Preston Montford Field Studies Centre in Shrewsbury to collect data on flooding in an urban setting. The Lower Sixth visited Minehead, Porlock Weir, and Nettlecombe Court Field Studies Centre in Somerset for their physical geography fieldwork, and the Olympic Park in Stratford, London, to undertake research into regeneration and gentrification.

m rs m argot Wood

Teacher of Geography

Sixth Form Politics Pupils visit Pol e con 2023

Sixth Form Politics pupils attended PolEcon 2023 in early December at the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. During the day, we listened to various MPs such as Jeremy Corbyn, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Stephen Flynn, who gave their opinions on the many issues within the UK and how their parties would work towar�����������s wonderful to hear from various speakers from across the political spectrum and to have the opportunity to ask them intuitiv����������tions. We plan on using our experience in our A level course to have current examples and a better knowledge of the challenges in our country. It was an inspiring day in London where all the pupils were like-minded in their interest in politics, and we all learnt the importance of political perspectiv�����erent issues within modern-day society.

m aya and Ambika LVI

reading Week 2023

We held our annual reading Week during the week of 13 november. Throughout this time, teachers avoided setting prep unless it was reading and dedicated time in lessons to reading and related activities. These ranged from creative responses to reading, to writing poetry, making bookmarks, providing reading recommendations, and engaging in discussions about books. It was wonderful to see all departments embrace and promote the joy of reading!

The week began with the ever-popular Classics book club, focusing on Robert Harris’ Pompeii . It was followed by a wonderful literary quiz for UIV, hosted by Miss Pritsou and Mrs Morrisby. The quiz was very well-attended, and UIV Cloister proved themselves to be literary champions. On Tuesday evening, the English Department welcomed Dr Mariah Whelan. She delivered a fascinating lecture on Christina Rossetti to the LVI English pupils and followed this with a creative workshop.

It wouldn’t be Reading Week without an evening event for everyone, and so, on Wednesday night, Christian Foley, a spoken word artist, took to the stage in the Lancaster Arts Centre. He performed poems and rhymes, engaging the entire audience in his performance.

His performance was so impressive that a number of pupils even asked f������ Prior to his performance, Christian delivered poetry workshops to all of LIV, where they were encouraged to write and perform their own poetry. He also ran a workshop with some older pupils where they tried their hand at writing sonnets.

Author Joseph Elliott returned to speak to the UIIIs, and they greatly enjoyed learning about his books and the publishing industry. They were even given the chance to visit our very own pop-up bookshop, where they could buy copies of Joseph’s novels. While the UIIIs were having their talk, Mr Lenton delivered a lecture on Virginia Woolf to remind older pupils of all the wonderful authors out there for them to enjoy.

In Big School that Friday, our Poet Laureate, Lara, performed her poem written expressly for Reading Week, and this was so well received that she was asked to reread it that evening at the Literary Society’s poetry and pizza evening. It was a wonderful event to end a wonderful week. We are pleased to say that both loans from the library and book requests have increased since Reading Week, and we hope that the week will encourage everyone to enjoy a good book whenever they can. We can’t wait to do it all again next year.

m rs Hannah rogers- Green Head of Libraries and Teacher of English

The Turning of the Page

by Lara, UVI

It begins with the turning of the page. And instantly, you’re drawn in by the words.

Like ridges of paper Mountains rise, and riv����w with black ink.

A sea, wide and deep, envelops the world from cover

to cover and the hazy sky melts into the horizon, gold and rose.

Lands unfurl, creased with valleys of verses and summits of prose whilst along the plain, plants stretched out their hands, marked by adjacent stones.

Animals wander through papery leaves, crumpling them as they go.

But, trees begin to crumble –the oak withers to delicate dust and the rolling hills

are squeezed into a white frame. Grass is raked with the ribs of a skeleton.

The land is knocked, beaten, moulded into the desk before me.

The vast sea distilled into my glass, and, staring up at me, is the closed book.

GCSE and A Level Geographers Visit m orocco

During october long leave, GcSe and A level Geography pupils travelled to morocco to discover a developing country and see the differences there between urban and rural living.

The trip was jam-packed, visiting the interesting sites Morocco ha����er, including beautiful views of the Atlas Mountains, a traditional date palm farm, the World Heritage-listed kasbah: Ait Benhaddou, which has been in existence for at least 2,000 years, and stops at a traditional café. A highlight was visiting Ouarzazate, which has been used b��������tr�������y famous movies over the years. We arrived in Zagora on our second day and rode camels to a Bedouin desert camp, where we spent the night enjoying traditional music and dancing and watching the sunset and feasting on fantastic food. During our last two days, we visited a traditional pottery factory in Tamegroute, learned how to make tagine pots, and learned more about Moroccan life outside the cities. T����������e visited a women’s cooperative where argan oil products are made. We also spent

time in a traditional village with local families, where we helped cook lunch and play with the children.

The trip was wonderful, and the girls came away with a deeper kno�������������������� erent parts of the world. Many memories were made.

m rs m argot Wood Teacher of Geography

Over the Easter break, a group of budding scientists travelled to Geneva for the much-anticipated visit to CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, one of the world’s largest and most respected centres f��������esearch. CERN boasts a brand-new visitor centre full of interactive exhibits and models to help explain how the particle accelerator works and how useful data is selected by the computer systems at the various detectors to enable scientists to discover new particles. The group met up with their guides for the tour and were taken to various sites across the campus, including the main control centre, a magnet testing facility and one of the historical detectors. The sheer scale of the facility at CERN has to be seen to be believed, and hopefully, this trip inspired more pupils to visit in the future and be involved in particle research and future discoveries.

m rs c atherine Dowdall

Teacher of Physics

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Theatre Wycombe Abbey Physicists Visit cern

In m arch, lower Fifth pupils visited Stratford-upon-Avon to watch  A Midsummer Night’s Dream , performed by the royal Shakespeare Company. For many of us, it was the first-time experiencing Shakespeare as it was intended – to be seen, not read. We finally understood all of the intricacies that pen and paper alone cannot express – the best preparation for an IG c S e text!

We were instantly drawn in. The plot became increasingly surprising as the ‘love square’ was entangled. The humour of the script was unparalleled, coupled with the talent of the actors. We sympathised with the plight of the lovers yet laughed with

the trickster Puck. The interval came too quickly, as we were still immersed in the fantasy when the lights went up. As the second half began, the chaos continued. It was even more enthralling �������t half, with the confusion of the lovers intertwined with the overwhelming power of magic. With Puck’s last thoughtprovoking monologue, the play came to a bittersweet end.

We’re afraid though we must disagree with Puck – this experience wa���������dust we can sweep behind the door’.

Tracy and Ashvini LV

World c lass e nglish at Wycombe Abbey

Having celebrated superb IGcSe english exam results in the summer of 2023, we already knew that last year’s uV were a special group. Deep into the next academic year, there was further proof of the scale of their accomplishments, with the exam board CAIE awarding certificates to four pupils for being ‘Top in the World’. We were delighted to see the world class performances of bea (lVI), Felicity (lVI), Ahjung (2025, Airlie) and Isabella (2025, Shelburne) recognised in this way and would like to join with c AIe in marking this phenomenal achievement.

Securing 100% in all English papers is remarkable, and these pupils should feel proud of the prestigious accolade. We are certainly very proud of them, as we are of all pupils who work hard to progress throughout the course and achieve marks beyond anything they could hav�������������t embarked on English lessons in LV. One of our greatest joys as English teachers is seeing pupils gro������������ess their ideas and respond to literature with passion and purpose, producing perceptive, sophisticated responses to challenging questions. It is fair to say that working with Wycombe Abbey girls gives us great joy!

m r Sam lenton Head of English

Operation Burgundy: A l a w Society m ock Trial

At the end of February, the law Society held a much-anticipated mock trial in Fisher library. The case was one of complexity and intrigue: Ambika and maya, two lower Sixth pupils, were accused of being the centre of a smuggling operation of stolen energy drinks, nicknamed operation burgundy, stealing goods from shipping containers in Felixstowe and transporting them through maya’s royal Grammar School connections.

Upon entering the room, which had been transformed to look like a courtroom with a lectern for the barristers, a witness stand, and chairs for the audience as the ‘jury’, the defence and prosecution were ready to make their cases to the judge. The defence, Phoebe and Sasha, suggested that two other pupils might be involved. However, the truth was eventually revealed and the prosecution, Catherine and Annika, managed to sway the jury’s opinion and win the ca���������������erence of three votes.

leanna UV

The mock trial allows the barristers (pupils) to develop their critical thinking skills in the initial case analysis phase, identifying weaknesses and gaps in hostile witnesses’ accounts by cross-referencing exhibits in the form of photographs, transcripts, bank statements, letters or whatever it might be. During the trial itself, the barristers mus��������������obing witnesses but also showing agility in responding appropriately to new or unexpected information.

m r Fitzgerald, Teacher of History

e ngineering and Science Symposium

To launch Wycombe Abbey’s Vision for e ngineering and Science (WAV e S), lVI pupils and e ngineering Society Heads, Ariana, Eleanor and Tomilola presented the first WAVES Symposium to inspire young women to pursue careers in Science, Technology, e ngineering and m athematics.

Over 100 young women from Wycombe Abbey and Wycombe High School attended the event to hear speakers from a range of backgrounds who focused on empowering us to enter what are deemed traditionally male-dominated industries. Our keynote speakers were Sophie Trippitelli, a veteran chemical engineer and leader in science and innovation at Anjac, L’Oréal and Merial; Joan Omeru, whose fascinating career in electr�����������������s spanned sectors including transport, analogue, digital and defence electronics; and Councillor Lesley Clarke, OBE, a celebrated champion of women’s rights and former Mayor of High Wycombe.

The WAVES initiative will support young women in our community by creating opportunities for them to explore and develop their STEM interests. Current plans include partnering with local businesses to establish an internship programme for girls at Wycombe Abbey and Wycombe High School to collaborate in exploring science professionally. As WAVES grows, we plan to reach out to the wider Buckinghamshire community.

Dr Darragh c orvan

Head of Physics

Internships help pupils identify their interests and set goals and are instrumental in developing confidence and professional skills. Ariana, LVI

Discovering Ancient Greece

To deepen our understanding of the ancient world, pupils in u V, LVI, and UVI went on an unforgettable five-day trip to Greece during o ctober long leave.

����t stop was Delphi – the ultimate R&R destination of the ancient world! We climbed up to the sanctuary of Apollo, seeing a theatre, treasuries, temples, and a stadium on the way. The archaeological site, as well as the town itself, were picturesque. W���������t day to Corinth and Mycenae, where the original palace of Agamemnon stood. The views were breath-taking, and the weather was gorgeous. On our penultimate day, we stayed in Athens and visited the Acropolis. Luckily, there wa��������olding, so we could admire the Parthenon’s impressive architecture in detail. We also visited the Temple of Hephaestus, which was particularly thought-provoking since it was almost entirely preserved after being repurposed as a Christian church through the ages. On our last day, we went to the New Acropolis Museum; it had many impressive displays, such a����������� built to the exact dimensions of the inside of the Parthenon and featuring marble scenes salvaged from the site itself, which made walking through it a surreal experience. We then left Athens and, on our way to the airport, stopped at the Temple of Poseidon, which was built overlooking the sea – the perfect view to end our trip.

Anjali and l ara UVI

Nelly Wins Prestigious Fitzwilliam c ollege e ssay Prize

We are delighted that Nelly (LVI) won the University of Cambridge's prestigious Fitzwilliam College Essay Prize in June. Nelly’s essay, submitted in the History category, is about Stanisław Wyspiański’s unique contribution to shaping Polish national identity in the absence of political expression. Nelly won £200 and attended the prize-giving ceremony at the college during the summer. This is a stunning achievement in a highly competitiv����

m r e dward Fitzgerald

Teacher of History

Scan the QR code to read the Nelly's essay

The rebel romantic – An extract

Stanislaw Wyspiański's birth year 1869 can be viewed as a hinge between Poland’s past and its future – a past dominated by military revolt following the Third Partition of 1795 and the country’s disappearance from the political map of Europe, and a future marked by the cultural assertion of national identity and a bridging of class divisions. Miraculously, it seems, Poland regained its independence after 123 years, in 1918. That the regaining of national sovereignty was by no means a miracle but the consequence of decades of cultural vitality in the absence of political expression, and that the focus of the cultural elite on national identity was concentrated in the more liberal Austrian-dominated part of Poland around Krakow���������y one of the beacons of Polish literature, Stanislaw Wyspiański. In conjunction with the other grandees of Polish literature of the time, Henryk Sienkiewicz (Nobel laureate in 1905) and Boleslaw Prus, Wyspiański's work f��������������������y Anthony Smith as ‘a named population sharing an historic territory, common myths and historical memories’ (Smith, 1991, p. 14). It illustrated that the idea of statehood, as referring ‘exclusively to public institutions (…) and exercising a monopoly of coercion and extraction within a given territory’ gained potency when matched with popular beliefs, symbols, language, religion, and cultur������������������elatively narrow elite project embraced solely by the nobility prior to 1863-4 (Smith, ibid.). This essay will sketch the prelude to Wyspiański's birth, introduce his oeuvre within the context of his times, and examine its reception. It will illustrate that Wyspiański's astonishing creativity uniquely contributed to Poland’s cultural landscape and national identity.

Upper Sixth Physics c

In November, A level Physics pupils gathered in Fisher Library to hear short presentations from fellow UVI girls on topics they had researched and studied beyond the A lev����������e were treated to details on diverse subjects such as Sonic Booms, how Aerogel is made, and the futuristic idea of Space Tethers. After a break for pizza and ice cream, the adjudicator, Mrs Moore-Bridger, gave her feedback and selected three worthy winners. She was tremendously impressed by the speech delivery standard and the speakers����������ticulation. Information was convey���ectively, capturing the audience’s interest and appealing to everyone with humour, challenging factual data and relevant anecdotes.

mrs Sue buxton

Director of Science and STEM

A Trip to the Trenches

The History trip to Belgium was an unforgettable experience that opened my eyes to the realities of World War One. As I walked among the countless rows of graves in the rain, I saw the devastating impact of war on humanity. I truly understood that war is not about glor��������ering and needless loss of life. In Ypres��������������� war weapons that claimed countless lives, and I was appalled to hear that children as young as 15 years were r��������� – all people under the illusion that this was the war to end all wars. I also felt deep admiration and respect for the men who stayed true to their morals and chose to be doctors to save

lives ev������e, and for the women who gave their lives to ��������ort. Exploring the trenches was an enlightening experience, and the tour guide vividly described the daily lives of the soldiers. Amidst the gloom of Flanders Fields, the Talbot ��������ered a welcoming contrast. I could envision soldiers of all ranks enjoying the beautiful garden, chatting in the ���������������������ene chapel. I shall never forget this incredible trip’s sights, stories and emotions.

Fiona UV

Dragon b oat Festival

In July, the chinese Department hosted a Dragon boat Festival workshop for uIII pupils led by our dedicated chinese teachers. This enriching event took place during Chinese classes and aimed to deepen pupils’ understanding of this significant traditional festival, one of the three most important celebrations in chinese culture.

The workshop began with pupils watching engaging video clips about the Dragon Boat Festival, giving them a vivid introduction to its history and ������������ollowing this, the pupils researched the festival’s origins, traditions, and the profound cultural impact on Chinese society. This research not only broadened their knowledge but also fostered a greater appreciation for the cultural heritage of the Chinese people.

In a hands-on segment of the workshop, the pupils designed and crafted their own paper dragon

boats. These colourful and creative representations are now proudly displayed in the Chinese Resources Centre. This activity sparked creativity and allowed pupils to engage with the festival in a tangible and memorable way.

mrs Xiaoyan Wan

Head of Chinese

Application of Artificial Intelligence

The c omputer Science Department announced the winner of its UV competition on the Application of Ar tificial Intelligence (AI) in n ovember. e ntrants were asked to develop an idea for a new piece of technology that leverages AI’s power and benchmark their ideas against the un Sustainable Development Goals.

mitigation and disaster preparedness. Funded b��������� and operated b�������������������aged regions, AquaSentiel ex�������������������or mutual �����������ogress.

Lily (UV) won the competition with her idea, AquaSentiel, a ground-breaking marine exploration initiative that employs AIdriven r���������������y, advanced AI algorithms, and engineering ingenuity. These machines char���������, ��������viour and collect vital underwater data while aiding ��������. They also gather information on rock formations, temperature, and potential seismic activit������������ locational needs. This data fuels global research on climate change

The judges commended Lily’s extensive research, innovative use of technology, and excellent presentation. Lily benchmarked her presentation against the two UN goals of ‘life below water’ and ‘decent work and economic growth’.

m r Adrian Porter Head of Computer Science

The Power of m odelling in Geography Education

Models provide a strong visual representation of key geographical concepts, making it easier for pupils to understand intricate ideas. This visual clarity enhances conceptual understanding, facilitating better retention and recall. our Geography Department continuously seeks innovative methods to make abstract concepts tangible and engaging for our girls. As such, we delve into the creative use of Play-Doh as a modelling medium to illustrate the diverse features of rivers and coasts, bake angel cake to demonstrate waterfalls and use pingpong balls to show the milankovitch cycles. by shaping objects into geographical concepts, pupils have explored the dynamic characteristics of varying landscapes and features hands-on and imaginatively, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject.

The Sweet c ascade: Angel c ake as Waterfalls

Utilising angel cake as a model transformed our Lower Fifth lessons into a culinary laboratory. Pupils actively created waterfall models by sculpting the cake layers to repr�����erent geological features. This interactive and delicious approach captured the girls’ attention and fostered a memorable and engaging learning experience. Our teachers drew links between the layers of the cake and

actual waterfall formations, helping pupils appreciate the geological processes that shape our landscapes. These delicious models enhanced the applicability of erosional processes to our real world.

Sculpting Geography: Play-Doh r iver and c oastal Features

Play-Doh, with its mouldable nature, provides an excellent platform to represent the features of rivers and coasts visually. Pupils sculpted meanders, oxbow lakes and coastal landforms, creating a tangible representation of the geography associated with these systems. This hands-on approach enhanced understanding of challenging concepts, allowing the girls to mould the features they learnt about. The use of Play-Doh helped integrate various disciplines within our geography education. Our girls explored the geological processes that shape rivers and coasts, understood the role of water in shaping our land, and even delved into artistic expressions by creating visually appealing landscapes. This multidisciplinary approach enriched our girls’ learning experience.

o rbital c horeography: Ping-Pong b alls and the m ilankovitch cycles

The interactive nature of using ping-pong balls as models transformed our Fifth Form lessons into an engaging celestial workshop. Our girls demonstrated the Milankovitch cycles, manipulating the balls to repr�����erent changes in the Earth’s rotation, and observing how these variations impact the climate. This dynamic approach captivated the girls and ensured an immersive and memorable learning experience.

m r Simon b annister Head of Geography

Suzette wins the m inds u nderground c hemistry e ssay

The Minds Underground STEM Essay Competition is aimed at pupils in Lower Sixth and winners are selected from Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Science. The competition allows pupils to attempt university-level resear����������������������� ative skills and prepare for university interviews. Entrants choose one question to answer from their category. Suzette’s (LVI) essay answered the question: Why are we carbon-based and not silicon-based? and analysed the properties of carbon that allow it to be a suitable element of life.

Extract from Suzette’s essay

Why are we carbon-based and not silicon-based?

Scan the QR code to read the full version

Constituting 18.5% of humans (Shah, 2015), carbon is the second most abundant element in the human body and plays an important role in living organisms. From proteins, to carbohydrates, or DNA, carbon is ubiquitous in a multitude of biological molecules essential for life. The following discussion will examine the reasons why carbon is the most suitable element of life on Earth and compare it with silicon, a seemingly similar alternative.

In summary, the fact that humans and other organisms are carbon-based is not an arbitrary occurrence. Carbon is an element that has distinct properties such as the ability to form four bonds, bond with heteroatoms, catenate into chains or cyclic rings, form chiral molecules, and cycle throughout the ecosystem. Conversely, silicon is not stable enough, does not naturally display chirality, and hydrolyses easily, causing it to be an inappropriate basis for life, at least on Earth. Despite some research suggesting silicon-based life as an alternate possibility in extra-terrestrial circumstances, where conditions such as higher temperatures and sulfuric acid may favour silicon, its aforementioned limitations mean that those forms of life are probably still primitive and simple, compared with the complex human body.

Broadening our Knowledge of History

Following a comprehensive crash course on horned vipers and twisted flax, 25 enthusiastic History Society pupils were tasked with crafting their own cartouche, skilfully inscribing their names in this age-old language of hieroglyphics. The session proved to be both educational and hands-on, immersing pupils in the rich history of Ancient e gypt.

Alongside the History Society and the academic subject, there are plenty of opportunities for pupils to extend their history knowledge and learn something new. A level and GCSE pupils attend evening enrichment sessions, focusing on one topic each term. In these seminars, pupils engage with historians, examine sources, and share their own interpretations. Pupils also welcome guest speakers, contribute to history journals and magazines, and venture out on trips to enhance what they study in class; these have included the World War One bat�����, memorials in Belgium and France, and key locations in Cold War Berlin. The broad History curriculum challenges girls to think, write, and articulate opinions analytically, developing critical skills in evaluating texts and evidence. Work is often tackled

collaboratively, and pupils gain valuable wisdom about the world by examining fascinating content from the past.

m r n eill George Head of History

UIII Pupils visit Durrell c onservation Trust in Jersey

Ahighlight of the u III Science curriculum is the trip to the Durrell c onservation Trust in Jersey. The girls engaged in talks with the zookeepers, who gave fascinating insights into their specialist animals, explaining how they are cared for and why they are endangered as a species.

journey was the production of a research poster and a brief present������������. When the girls were not in the classroom, they spent time at the beach, bravely enjoying the waves before devouring some of the muchanticipated Jersey ice cream made with milk from the distinctive Jersey cows.

At the Discovery Centre, the pupils wer������������������ experience. They wer������������ animal survey techniques, equipping them with the skills to conduct their own studies on a species of their choice in small groups. The culmination of their learning

that time, brought to life the poignant stories of individuals and their fates, adding a cultural dimension to the trip.

Jersey, with its rich history���ered a unique learning opportunity. During their visit to the war tunnels, the pupils learnt about the occupation of the Channel Islands during World War Two. The tunnels, adorned with artefacts from

In full costume, ‘Sir Walter Raleigh’ led the tour of Gorey Castle and told a truly captivating story about events there. Animated and engaged, pupils participated in discussions and had a lesson on basic swor�����������.

m rs Sue b uxton Director of Science and STEM

Creating Ovid’s Metamorphoses

In the Autumn Term, uIII classicists had the chance to read myths from ovid’s Metamorphoses, an epic poem in which the poet attempts to create a history from the creation of the world to his own time through a series of transformations. Pupils were asked to read a series of ovid’s myths, choose their favourite, and create a response to the myth in one of four categories: creative writing, artefact, animation or performance.

We were truly impressed at the quality of the work produced, and after much deliberation, the following overall winners for each category were:

• Creative Writing: Persephone , with her beautifully written short story about Adonis and Aphrodite.

• Artefact: m arina , who impressed us with her skilful creation of the fateful wings of Icarus.

• Animation: Isabelle , whose animation of the story of Minerva and Arachne was emotive and creative.

• Performance: c harlotte, Sanchia and Alice , for their ABBAinspired musical on Echo and Narcissus.

Dr

c hristina Tsaknaki Head of Classics

b rain D ay

Before the end of the Autumn Term, the Psychology Department welcomed Neuroscientist Dr Guy Sutton to deliver various workshops and lectures linked to cognitive neuropsychology. The day was both greatly interesting and informative and allowed us to learn about aspects of psychology beyond the A level curriculum. We covered topics such as neuroplasticity, the impact of social media on brain development, disordered brains, and crime. Most excitingly, we finished the day with a real brain dissection. It was amazing to learn about some of the recent advances in psychology, and we discussed studies published just the week before! Exploring the research Dr Sutton has been involved in gave us an inciteful taste of what it would be like to study psychology at university and what a career in Psychology would mean.

r iana LVI

V I r T u A l r e A l IT y:

A Tropical r ainforest e xpedition in the Classroom

Although lessons provide valuable insight for pupils, many leave the classroom wondering what it’s like to experience environments, systems and people in the real world. As much as we’d like to take pupils on excursions and expeditions every week, the reality of our classrooms and curriculum means teaching needs to evolve, and new ideas on immersive learning experiences need to be developed.

Geography education is making great strides in this direction, with new technology at the forefront of the evolution. Whilst traditional teaching methods can explain many of the complexities of the world, virtual reality (VR) can bring these lessons to life in a vivid and meaningful way. In a recap lesson, to consolidate learning on tropical ecosystems, pupils used VR headsets to instantly transport them through the layers of the rainforest. The lush greenery, ambient sounds, and interactive elements made it feel like they were on a real expedition. The tour then met up with indigenous tribes, linking the human and physical worlds together. W����������������ea of heavy deforestation and explored the impacts of this on the environment. We also found time to visit an orangutan nursery for orphaned babies – something our pupils will likely never forget.

Our VR rainforest recap proved that immersive technologies aren’t just tools but gateways to a new era of impactful education. As a department, we will continue to evolve our prac�����ering opportunities for practical digit�����ork and immersive learning experiences for our girls.

m r Simon b annister Head of Geography

Benefits Beyond the Rainforest

Virtual reality lessons present a risk of being labelled gimmicks. The strength of the technology needs to go beyond selling subjects and shock and awe; it must also act as a powerful learning tool. VR enhances education, particularly in Geography, in several ways:

1. VR grabs pupils’ attention, making lessons more engaging and memorable.

2. It suppor ts the development of the global citiz����ering pupils a global perspective without leaving the classroom.

3. Geography is more than just facts, maps and textbooks. VR adds a multi-sensory layer to the learning experience.

4. VR makes the world’s biomes, cultures and wonders accessible to all, regardless of physical or travel constraints.

5. Whils t the initial outlay is high, the long-term cos�����s for schools of engaging in the virtual world and not running so many excursions should be considered by all.

Kathleen Wilkes e ssay c ompetition

This year saw a record number of entries, with 42 pupils submitting essays of up to 1,500 words based on one of six questions. Wycombe Abbey Senior Sophie Lucas (C252, Rubens, 2007), a leading Fine Art Consultant and Oxford Graduate, judged the competition saying, ‘I was delighted to have the opportunity to read this collection of thought-provoking essays and was very impressed by the girls’ skilful approach to such

T H e W I nner S

S P ec IA l men TI on S : Kaitlyn for her lively turn of phrase in her essay questioning the point of education.

m ichelle for her imaginative approach when grappling with the abstract concepts of music and science.

Honour A ble men TI on:

n atalie for her persuasive approach to positioning 3D bioprinting as the greatest invention of the next 100 years.

r unner-u P : cynthia for her thoughtful discussion of whether students should be allowed to strike for action against climate change.

weighty topics. They explored subjects, such as AI, social media, education and COVID-19, with rigour, nuance and creativity.’

m r l uke Wildgoose Head of Upper School

Scan the QR code to read the full essay

F I r ST P r I ze:

c hristabel for her essay about whether AI will be a saviour of or a threat to humanity. She showed a mature approach to the essay structure, clear phrasing and excellent use of academic language, supporting her exploration of this highly complicated question with thorough research and a meticulous bibliography.

The rosset tis e xhibition at Tate Britain

between April and September of 2023, Tate britain put on a beautifully curated exhibition devoted to the ‘radical rosset ti generation’, which the lVI english literature pupils were fortunate enough to visit on Sunday 17 September. Having spent just two weeks studying the poetry of christina rosset ti as part of our A level course, this was a unique opportunity for us to learn more about her as an individual and get a feel for her poetic style.

The Pre-Raphaelite artists are celebrated for their sensuous detail and rich, medieval colour palette, qualities that were illustrated by paintings, largely by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Christina’s elder brother. Also on display were historical artefacts and, of course, poetry, which was read out to us from speakers and displayed on the walls. The electronic guides provided by the T����ered us further insight into Christina’s social and familial environment, making the hour we were given inside the exhibition both informative and culturally enriching.

Before we went in, the st����wed us to explore Tate Britain’s permanent works, where we saw other seminal Pre-Raphaelite paintings like Millais’ Ophelia and further r�������tistic sensibilities. Altogether, Mr Lenton’���orts to coordinate the trip have been greatly appreciated: not only did it give us a great foundation for studying Rossetti’s poems at A level, but it truly felt as though we were immersing ourselves in art, history and literature of the highest calibre.

Alice LVI

Lower Fourth visit The Globe to watch Much Ado About Nothing

Wow! The school trip to the Globe Theatre to watch Much Ado About Nothing was an enriching and enlightening experience for all of us. The Globe Theatre provided an authentic setting for the performance of this classic Shakespearean comedy. We were immersed in the atmosphere of the Elizabethan era, with the open-air theatre, thatched roof to some sections, and wooden benches, as if we had time-travelled back to the 16th century. As the play unfolded, we were captivated by the witty dialogue, engaging characters, audience interactions and entertaining plot. The talented actors brought the characters to life, making the audience laugh, cry, and gasp in surprise.

T���������orded us a wonderful opportunity to learn about the history of theatre, and some of us researched Shakespeare �����������orehand. We gained a deeper appreciation

for the art of acting, stagecraft, and storytelling. The Globe Theatre’s unique design, circular shape and thrust stage allowed us to experience the dynamics of live theatre up close.

The trip was a rewarding experience for all of us. It combined entertainment, education, and cultural enrichment to create valuable memories. The trip will be remembered as one of the highlights of this school year, sparking a love for theatre and literature that may continue to grow in the years to come.

c hrissie LIV

LVI Enrichment Event: lec ture and Workshop from m ariah Whelan

At the end of the Autumn Term, Mariah Whelan came to School to deliver a lecture about Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti, followed by a creative poetry workshop. She began her lecture by introducing us to the poem and the critical debate surrounding it. Exploring three critical approaches to the text, she invited us to consider whether Goblin Market should be viewed through a feminist, economic or religious lens. We were then encouraged to engage with more unusual critical interpretations, which sparked a lively debate that ultimately helped us gain a more nuanced understanding of the text. This was an amazing opportunity to get a taste of university-style teaching, and it was exciting to be introduced to the world of critical literature in such a dynamic way.

After focusing on the interpretations of others in her lecture, she encouraged us to r������eative voices in the poetry workshop. We began by looking at an ekphrastic poem based on Frida Kahlo’s painting Diego on My Mind , and Ms Whelan asked us to think about how our knowledge of the source ��������ected our interpretation of the text. After this, we were shown another image and tasked with writing an ekphrastic poem based on the style of the example we had seen. It was incredible to have someone break down their creative processes, and she was extremely generous in helping us edit and improve our work. Her enthusiasm for writing was infectious, and the joyful, creative atmosphere made this an enjoyable and enriching evening.

Felicity LVI

Humane AI Pins: A replacement for Phones?

In n ovember 2023, Humane’s co-founders, Imram c haudhri and b ethany b ongiorno, introduced the AI Pin to the commercial arena. The product is a square pin designed to magnetically attach to any item of clothing and is intended to replace the modern smartphone.

With a built-in camera, activated via voice control or manually through the touchpad, this AI pin allows users to capture moments without looking through a phone. In addition, the gadget is equipped with generative AI, providing users with responses designed to mimic human-like communication. All input is received via an AI-controlled dual microphone array, with responses then delivered through a personalised Personic speaker. Utilising a Head Related Transfer Function, an optimised sound sphere is created, ensuring users have a clear and distinct sound system.

However, the most significant differentiator between an iPhone and the AI Pin has to be the laser ink virtual display. In order to remove the need to constantly be reaching for your phone, Humane has replaced the physical display with an internal projector system, allowing information to be graphically projected onto the user’s hands. Will this device meet all the needs and requirements of frequent smartphone users? Does it have the capability to replace the iPhone?

Featured in the Summer Term issue of InSci Scoop , the Science Department Magazine.

The Role of Ar����������� in u ncovering History

Featured in the Summer Term issue of InSci Scoop , the Science Department Magazine.

Scholars feared that the Herculaneum scrolls were irreversibly damaged after the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79, but technology is helping retrieve the valuable information. In o ctober 2023, it was announced that – with the assistance of AI – researchers could now read 2,000-yearold passages of text from the Herculaneum scrolls, which were previously considered unreadable.

Two thousand years ago, the eruption of Vesuvius buried an ancient library of papyrus scrolls. The scrolls were discovered in the 18th century but were lumps of carbonised ash, so it was impossible to open them without causing severe damage. In March 2023, the Vesuvius Challenge was launched to find a way to read these scrolls, with more than $1 million in prize money up for grabs.

Recent accelerations in artificial intelligence and computing have made it possible to begin reading the contents of these scrolls.

An American college student, an Egyptian graduate student in Germany, and a Swiss robotics engineer worked together to uncover 15 columns of text and were awarded $700,000.

Previously, the scrolls were unreadable because physically unrolling them was impossible. They were extremely delicate and written with carbon-based ink, making the writing indistinguishable on CT scans. Therefore, the researchers used higher-resolution scans of the scrolls produced by a particle accelerator, which resulted in a more detailed image. At very high resolutions, the scans showed visible areas where the ink altered the shape and texture of the papyrus fibres. Then, a machine learning model was developed to detect these subtle differences in the texture of the papyrus.

With the help of 1,500 to 2,000 participants in the Vesuvius Challenge, these competitors have achieved 10 to 20 years of work in less than one year. The prize money is thought to be a big factor in motivating people to work on the project, but people are also genuinely curious to uncover what is contained within the scrolls. The machine learning model will continue to improve over time and reveal more symbols on the scrolls, and researchers will be able to continue deciphering their contents. This work could encourage further excavation work at Herculaneum, where it is thought that many more scrolls are still buried.

Farah LVI

With the help of 1,500 to 2,000 participants in the Vesuvius challenge, these competitors have achieved 10 to 20 years of work in less than one year.

Estelle, UIII

Creative Vision

Art

Wycombe Abbey artists have had another successful year producing vibrant work and experimenting with a wide range of materials from creative textiles in UIII to collagraph printing in LIV. We are also delighted to showcase their talents across the school as their work adorns the walls of corridors, communal spaces and offices. Over the next few pages, you will see a selection of wonderful pieces girls from UIII to UVI have produced.

Acrylic painting in the style of Michael Craig-Martin

Artwork

Martha

Estelle

Jinyuan

Creative textiles and mixed media inspired by a visit to the Natural History Museum, Oxford

Clodagh

Isabella

Hannah Sophia

Isabelle

Victoria

Lita Marina

Ella Sasha

Artwork

Amelie

Ella

Krishna

Lara

Sophie

Talia

Music inspired mixed media drawing and collagraph printing

Annelise

Ellie Tiya

Nelly

Mia

Emily

Alice

Cosima

Lara Lilly

Anatomy inspired creative textiles

Anni

Elizabeth Ann

Elizabeth

Chrissie

Artwork

Still life mixed media

Alessia

Ashley

Ottilie

Landscape Painting

Greta

Imogen

Angela

Ava

Sophia

Yihan

Yolanda

Joann

Artwork

Annabel

Alison

Camille

Eve

Jasmine

Abi

Manuela

Margot

Linda P

Nell

Linda C

Maria

Sky

Kitty

Sophie

Maya

Melody

Sophia

Artwork

Wei

Chloe

Sylvia

Wei

Chloe

Sylvia

Photography Competition

The annual photography competition gave girls another chance to show their creativity outside of art lessons. Well done to our winner Daisy (UV), and our runners up Freya (LVI), Izzy (LIV), Lita (UIII), Xinyan and Emily (UIV) and Yolanda (UIV).

Yolanda

Izzy

Daisy

Lita

Freya

Yolanda

Xinyan and Emily

Creative Writing

School Poetry Competition

The English Department poetry competition was once again a huge success, capturing the imagination of the girls, and the judges had an extremely challenging job in selecting the winners for each of the categories.

Flowers, Red and Blue

by Anjola, UIII

Flowers, red and blue, Sitting a muse on the shelf.

They sit in a China vase, detailed with a dragon in every shade of blue. Their tender leaves collecting dewdrops, That glisten in the sunlight.

Lower School

Winner

Anjola (UIII) – Flowers, Red and Blue

Runner-up

Sanvi (LIV) – Seasons do change and so do I

Upper School

Winner Megan (UVI) – chiaroscuro

Runner-up

Anniker (LV) – Hidden In Plain Sight

I sit in the shade, on my Chippendale chair. The dewdrops elegantly fall through the air, Puddling on the shelf creating a ruby and sapphire mirage.

chiaroscuro

by Megan, u VI

the game we play is bridge –where my words fall into silence with your shuffled deck. leave me in the corner of the room, light born from epiphanies in the dark, as i remember my culture is only worth green stacks of cash. the green silk on a qipao cannot bridge the coloured differences that lighten the dark on your tongue. and i wanted you to fall in love with the syllables that left my lips – the light music you asked that i leave behind. you cleave my culture you commodify for green, and i am forced to see the supposed light at the end of the tunnel, even when my body is a bridge constructed only to fall at your remarks and crumple into the dark.

my alien words and broken dialect is lost in your dark void of a gaze, as you leave me shivering in the middle of fall holding onto the evergreen nostalgia of home, the two letters apart from ‘here’ cannot bridge yearning, it cannot emanate the same light

in my grandmother’s smile, the slight tilt of her voice that brings warmth like dark chocolate dipped in black coffee, in the stars above the bridge of the city i had to leave before i had the chance to watch the trees melt from brown to green and was forced to fall

out of love with wearing the colour of my skin and fall into bleaching it light, to forget the green silk of my qipao, a dark secret you said to leave in the pocket of my mind, tucked in the memory of the lost city’s bridge.

inevitably, i watch my tongue fall into the dark void of your mouth and i engulf you like light so that i can be more than what you made me leave behind, so that i can blossom into green as you play the bridge of your twisted song.

Young Writers Annual Showcase

This year, Clodagh (UIII) received a merit in the Young Writers Annual Showcase 2023. Clodagh’s story, The Darkest Days Alone , will be published in the Young Writers Creative Anthology.

I’m not a normal 12-year-old. Normal 12-year-olds don’t have a radio, or a walkie talkie, or repor��������erent country. I am a spy.

Being a spy means knowing that if you slip up you will have a target on your back and that everything you say is a lie. It’s a heavy burden to bear and heaviest of all is mine. A spy isn’t car cha���������s, it’s living two lives and making sur���������, deceiving people day after day.

The school bell rings; I’m late. I run through the hall and ���������������oom. It’s like being trapped in a horr�������e no matter what I do, I can’t escape. A shape starts to form, a distant memory, a shadow of my past. This shadow is limping towards me, and although it is right in front of me, I can’t make out its face. Suddenly Mrs Thompson appears, the shadow now only smoke and ash. A weight deep inside me surrounds my heart, pounding to get in. Her voice is harsh, all I could make out was my name until she started a whooping cough before drawing her dying breath. Just like that, she is gone. It is then I notice the bullet mark on her leg, I r����������������� mission. I left knowing that soldiers would come and take every life in this village as soon as dawn broke. I heard an ear-piercing scream only to realize it was from my mouth.

I am the reason she was hurt. I am the reason her life fell apart. The guilt on my shoulders jus�������ocating.

Scan the QR code to read Clodagh’s essay

Extract from The Darkest Days Alone by Clodagh

Paranoia Drama

The Clarence play Paranoia was written by Drama Prefect Acada (UVI), who expertly directed her cast of five pupils. Work began on the piece in the Summer Term of 2023, starting with experiments and improvisations to help develop the characters and their relationships. From these initial workshops, the plot and characters developed, and the script evolved over time.

The fast-paced, 35-minute plot follows a group of mismatched teenagers unexpectedly bonding after being trapped in a storage cupboard during a lockdown alarm. Ultimately, we are led towards a shocking twist that leaves the audience ruminating on ‘what was real and what wasn’t?’

Both performances ran smoothly and were received well by the audience, with many pupils commenting that they had thoroughly enjoyed the dark comedy and twisting narrative.

m r James Harrington Head of Drama

Goodnight m ister Tom

In May, Fourth Form pupils performed

Goodnight Mister Tom. We had rehearsed from the start of the Spring Term, and taking part was incredibly exciting; from getting together after school to learn our lines, acting with a real dog on stage and being amazed by the wonderful technical aspects that brought the show together, the whole process was full of wonder and excitement.

Goodnight Mister Tom is a very touching and emotional play, and the audience was left with tears in their eyes as they learnt about the heart-breaking story of a young boy called William and his traumatic past. It was an extraordinary, memorable performance, and my involvement in the play pushed me to achieve more than I could have ever imagined. It was my firsttime being part of such a large production, but it will certainly not be my last.

Sanvi LIV

The Norse Mythology Ragnasplosion!

At the beginning of June, UIII performed their play The Norse Mythology Ragnasplosion! It was a lively and enthusiastic showcase of the girls’ talent, bringing the Norse myths to life with energy and fun. We are very proud of our cast, some of whom performed on stage for the ��t time and show����������� sk��������.

Mrs Louise Maddison Teacher of Drama

LEgALLy blonde

Performing in a musical at Wycombe Abbey is one of the most fun, albeit stressful, experiences –especially a musical like Legally Blonde We started rehearsals in September and spent the next few months learning the songs. I think our favourite number was Positive , mainly due to Miss Lavender’s amazing choreography and the glowing positivity of the other Delta Nus. Although, and I think the entire cast would agree, Alice singing Blood in the Water was a success every time we rehearsed.

The cast really pulled together as a team during the show. Doing four shows in three days was extremely intense, but being able to perform for all of our family, friends, and teachers made the entire experience truly rewarding.

The performances were hugely successful, with some girls coming to all four. Every night was perfect, and every audience member seemed enthralled. Walking down the corridor on Monday morning, you could hear people humming the songs to themselves all around.

Madeleine and Judea LVI Drama Prefects

It was such a fun experience; playing an iconic character with a great cast was truly amazing!

Sasha (UV)

Dance

Junior and Senior Spotlights

The first of our Spotlight dance shows took place in January, with the Upper School taking centre stage and the Lower School enthralling the audience in May.

Both shows were spectacular, celebrating a range of dance styles, including street, modern, ballet, contemporary, tap, lyrical, jazz, and musical theatre with both group and solo work being presented. Additionally, many dancers entered the annual choreography competition, in which pieces were selected to perform. The lights illuminated every move, drawing attention to the graceful gestures and dynamic footwork. During the upbeat numbers, the lights pulsed, infusing the stage with energy and excitement. The vibrant costumes and array of music entertained the many staff, pupils and parents in the audience. Pieces on the night included the Clarence Academy dancing to a Barbie medley, a ballet solo and tap solo, the Street Company dancing to Do I Have

Your Attention? and the Musical Theatre Company performing to a Mamma Mia medley.

The dancers and Captains poured their hearts into rehearsals, crafting seamless solo and group pieces for the night. Their performances stand as a testament to their dedication and passion for dance.

Dance is a very popular activity amongst the pupils with an extensive extra-curricular provision led by dance specialists for individual and group lessons as well as for fitness. Within the Sports Centre, girls have access to the dedicated dance studio as well as smaller practice areas. Other performance opportunities include the House Dance competition and Dove Day.

Their performances stand as a testament to their dedication and passion for dance.

Archer Concert

This year's Archer Concert featured the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras alongside Chapel Choir, Holst Singers and Stage Band. We also showcased three Upper Sixth musicians, with Megan and Eva performing movements of Mozart violin concertos and Amelia singing three beautiful Lieder from Schumann's song cycle, Frauenliebe und -leben . Symphony Orchestra performed a little-known overture from Reznicek's opera Donna Diana , while Chamber Orchestra performed two movements from Grieg's Holberg Suite. Chapel Choir and Holst

Singers sang works ranging from a Britten Shakespeare setting through to McBroom's popular song, The Ros e.

The concert closed with St��������t appearance at the Archer Concert. They joined forces with Chamber Orchestra accompanying Sophia, singing two classic jazz standards, At Last and Dream a Little Dream of Me

Mr Stefan Reid Director of Music

Chamber Music

This year’s Chamber Music journey came to it������������������

South East Schools’ Chamber Music

Competition held at St George’s, Hanover Square, London on Tuesday 12 March. The piano trio, consisting of Judy (UV), Allegra (LV), and Chloe (UV), gave a splendid performance and w����t prize for the intermediate category. This is the third

Success at S e S cmc 2024

consecutive year that Wycombe Abbey ha�������t prizes at this ever-growing competition. They tuned up, brought the ������������������t notes of Clara Schumann’s Trio. All was going well. The months of rehearsals and individual preparation were paying ��. This melancholy and agitated work suited our performers well, and the conversation between the

three of them ��wed seamlessly. Seeing how much this group had developed and grown ��������t win three years ago was fabulous�����������ought their piece to a rousing close. This was a very polished and exciting performance.

m r Gonzalo Acosta Head of Strings

Concert Orchestral

The biggest music event of the year for Wycombe Abbey is the annual o rchestral c oncert, which was held at St m ary's c hurch, m arylebone, in February. It was a resounding success, with some excellent musicmaking that enraptured both performers and audience members. As one of the c larence Soloists, I was privileged to be given the opportunity to open the concert, performing the first movement of Saint-Saëns' Piano c oncerto n o. 2 with c hamber o rchestra. The experience was nothing short of exhilarating.

Throughout the evening, we heard Selina (UVI) performing Haydn’s D Major Cello Concerto, Chamber Orchestra performing a movement from the Serenade for String s by tw���erent composers (Tchaikovsky and Victor Herbert), and Sinfonia giving their r����������t movement of Schubert's Symphony No. 5. After the interval, all the

orchestras combined for a performance of Mascagni's Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana . The simple yet moving melody was played beautifully and poignantly. Yau Yau (UVI) and Chloe’s (UVI) rendition of Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos with Symphony Orchestra was the highlight of the evening. Finally, the concert concluded with the iconic ��t and second movements of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, �������y of Symphony Orchestra's dynamic energy and expressive depth.

Overall, the concert was a testament to the dedication and hard work of all who were involved. It was also lovely to see some Wycombe Abbey Seniors in the audience.

Audrey UVI

It was a resounding success, with some excellent music-making that enraptured both performers and audience members.

Stage Band c oncert

In collaboration with the String Orchestra, Phire Choir and solo singers, Stage Band were delighted to show off their talent in this exciting concert, playing music from various decades.

Having worked on the repertoire since September, we showcased songs such as Can’t Take My Eyes off You, I’ve Had the Time of My Life, Dream a Little Dream of Me and California Soul . Adding extra sparkle to the event, we welcomed several professional musicians to play alongside us: our very own Mr Pattenden, who was surrounded with percussion instruments; Lisa on alto saxophone who played lead with Jools Holland for ten years; Damien on guitar, who has worked with many stars, including Jamie Cullum, and Emma on baritone sax from the RAF who has played many times at Buckingham Palace.

The concert featur�����e soloists, Sasha (UV), Francesca (LVI), Maddie (LVI), Sophia (LVI) and Frida (UV), singing songs such as the Post-Modern Jukebox version of Creep (originally by Radiohead), Lovely Day, Billie Jean, Sweet Dreams and I

Will Survive . With a thrilling end to the concert, Phire Choir performed three-part arrangements of Put Your Records On and September , in which the audience was encouraged to dance and join in the fun themselves on some percussion instruments.

Working with such a talented group for eight months has been one of the highlights of my year, and I am immensely proud of our achievement of learning 14 complicated arrangements. The concert was ver���erent from many other events at Wycombe Abbey, and I look forward to next year!

Francesca LVI

Working with such a talented group for eight months has been one of the highlights of my year, and I am immensely proud of our achievement of learning 14 complicated arrangements.

A Local Concert

on m onday 19 February, six musicians played at All Saints Parish c hurch in High Wycombe. This showcase concert illustrated to the local community the wealth of musical talent at Wycombe Abbey. It was a very successful event attended by a large and appreciative audience and we are delighted to be invited to play again for the next two years.

The concert began with a polished performance from our Piano Trio (Judy, Allegra and Chloe) playing the first movement of Clara Schumann’s Trio. Mr Robinson partnered with Natalie Poon and offered two Intermezzi by Stanford with great skill and charm. Then followed Georgina playing the bubbly Hoffmeister Viola Concerto (first movement) with great confidence. Next, Catherine whisked us off beautifully with the improvisatory unaccompanied flute piece Winter Spirits by Hoover. The concert ended with an accomplished performance of Schumann’s Abegg Variations , given by Judy on the piano.

Mr Gonzalo Acosta Head of Strings

The sun shone on GlastonAbbey, Wycombe Abbey’s very own summer music festival, on the last Sunday of term. The concert featur���e of our bands (Take 2, Lockdown, Late April, Theory 5 and Honest Liars) and 13 soloists from UIII-LVI selected from our highly competitive X Factor style auditions held earlier in the term. Bands and soloists performed 27 songs over two hours, using highly varied musical styles such as The Arctic Monkeys, Taylor Swift, One Direction, ABBA, and much more. The large outdoor stage looked spectacular, with a very loud sound system and visual st����ect����e, smoke and bubble machines. Bands and soloists performed with musical accomplishment and entertained a large audience of pupils, st���������������������eographed stage moves. The Head Girl Team hosted the event with poise and enthusiasm, bringing fun to all.

Well done to everyone involved - GlastonAbbey keeps on getting bigger and better, and we look forwar������ more musical talent for GlastonAbbey 2025.

Mrs Sarah Mclure Assistant Director of Music

Greta, UIV

Physical Endeavour

The girls seem to enjoy learning about various areas within the curriculum, including Supporting Female Athletes, Personal Survival skills and Inclusion Sports.

A Year in Sport

It has been another exciting year for Sport at Wycombe Abbey. We have continued to develop our Key Stage 3 curriculum to include some key fundamental movement focuses within the Foundation unit. The girls seem to enjoy learning about various areas within the curriculum, including Supporting Female Athletes, Personal Survival Skills and Inclusion Sports. In January and m ay, we hosted the Junior and Senior Spotlights Dance show with over 150 girls performing on stage (see page 64); we welcomed Kate r ichardson-Walsh, obe and G b Gold medallist, to speak at our combined Sports Awards (see page 78), where we celebrated several successes across a range of individual and team sports. The u 15 b lacrosse team were crowned n ational Plate c hampions, and we have continued to boost recreational and competitive participation across various sports and activities.

Highlights this year include reaching the last 16 or higher across all age groups in the Lacrosse National Schools �����������e teams crowned county champions and ��e teams placing second. In netball, the U16As reached the regional ���, placing fourth in their group and only losing by two goals to the eventual winners. District netball successes ����������������t and two teams placing second. Our junior swim team placed seventh nationally in the Bath and Otter Cup, one of our greatest achievements. The U14, U16 and U19 squash teams performed outstandingly over the season, with the U16A and U18A teams placing sixth in the National Schools competitions.

Over the past academic year, the PE Department has run several very successful trips: a trip to Prague (see page 79) for the senior lacrosse team to play against the U19 national team, a ski trip to Canada (see page 111), netball tour to South Africa (see page 81) and the annual tennis trip to Portugal (see page 80). We know these trips abroad are a huge highlight for the girls.

Miss Ruby Smith Director of Sport (Maternity Cover)

Performance Athletes

The Performance Programme supports over 60 pupil-athletes from UIII–UVI acr������erent sports. We provide regular strength and conditioning support and host workshops that support girls’ mental skills. Many of our pupils are on talent pathways and compete regularly for their county, region, or country.

Our sailors have been competing and training hard; Pippa (UIV) came in as the second GBR sailor at the Palamós International Optimist Regatta, featuring 550 top international sailors from 22 countries���������or the GBR team in May and will compete at the World Championships in December 2024 in Argentina. India (UV) achiev����t place with her U17 female boat at the recent RYA Youth nationals and represented GBR in the Open European Championships in Portoroz, Slovenia, and the Junior European Championships in Thessaloniki, Greece, in July.

Ha��������or the Team Elite Championships at Hickstead, our equestrian team (Cassandra, Allegra, Daria and Sydney) are now the NSEA Hickstead Elite National Team Champions, having scored 0 fault��������� seconds ahead of the res���������s well as qualifying for the NSEA Schools Championships in October, the four girls ������or the British Showjumping Just for Schools National Finals in August, both as a team and as individuals.

In August, four girls travelled to Hong Kong to compete in the U20 Women’s Lacrosse World Championships. Valentina (UV) and Caterina (LVI) were selected for Italy, Yuning (LV) for China and Ashley (LV) for South Korea.

We continue to nominate girls for England’s Regional Lacrosse Academy, where a handful of LIV and UIV pupils have been selected to join the talent pathway. Esther (UV) and Lily (UV) have recently been asked to trial for the England Lacrosse National Academy, hoping to join Emily (LVI) and Amelia (UVI) next season to train at the top level in the sport for their age group. Lola (LVI) and Rosa (LV) train with the Wales Lacrosse Academy and sisters Ashleigh (LVI) and Amelie (LV) have both trained with Scotland Lacrosse Academy this year.

Our fencers have enjoyed several successes qualifying for the British Youth Championships. In swimming, Madeleine and Isabella (UIII) have become county champions in several events at their respective county competitions. In athletics, UIII pupils Alice and Martha both ������or the Cross-Country National Finals, and Maria (UV) is currently eighth in the country for triple jump (indoor athletics) and ha�������or the ESAA National Championships. Isabella (LV) has been invited to join the Saracens Mavericks U15 Netball Academy, the highest level she can attain for her age group within the England Netball setup. Serena continues to excel in golf; in February, she played in the three-day Robert Rock Junior Golf Tour in Spain, a world amateur golf ranking tournament. She led the tournament across all three days and won in the Girls U18 category. With such a successful 2023/2024 season coming to a close, exciting times are ahead for all our Performance Athletes.

m rs Alison e arnshaw-Punnett Head of Sport Performance

House Games

Inter-house competition is not just about who wins or loses; it is about the excitement of trying something new while continuing to build friendships with the people you share a House with.

The House Games competition sees pupils from the Senior Houses engage in a year-long series of sports tournaments and competitions, fostering teamwork and a sense of belonging. Throughout the year, Houses have competed in various sports, including handball, table tennis, badminton, and ultimate Frisbee.

For the major sports within the School, lacrosse, netball,

swimming, cross country, tennis, and cricket, pupils compete in House Funals, allowing the entire School to come together to watch and support their peers. The points accumulated from all sports throughout the year contribute to the House Games trophy, which is awarded at the end of the year. This year the House Games trophy went to Shelburne.

Miss Lucy Smith Teacher of PE

A c elebration of Sport at Wycombe Abbey

To honour the sports stars of the year, the PE Department hosted Wycombe Abbey’s annual Sports Awards to start the Summer Term. This wa�����t year the awards included both senior and junior year groups, and younger pupils had the opportunity to share the evening with their school role models.

Before the event, pupils nominated their peers in each of the main sports played at School over the past year; the PE st���� coaches then shortlisted the nominations before choosing the winners. Prizes were awarded for Players of the Season, Unsung

Heroes, Most Improved, Outstanding Performances of the Year, Team of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement. To start proceedings, we heard from Director of Sport, Miss Ruby Smith, who gave the opening address, and then guest speaker Kate Richardson-Walsh, OBE, shared an inspirational story of her journey to Olympic Gold in Rio 2016.

Well done to all those who won prizes!

Mr Nigel Greenall

Assistant Director of Sport (Maternity Cover)

Lacrosse Tour to Prague

To start our tour to Prague, w���t went on a sightseeing trip around the city. After a long but exciting day, the grand ����������seeing tour was a visit to Prague Castle. In the morning, feeling well rested, we hopped on a river cruise along the Vltava, seeing the sites from a new perspective. T������� the end of our sightseeing, but our cultural experience did not end there. With the sun setting on another f������y, we headed to the lacrosse pitch to battle the U19 Czech national team, which was a tough game. The schedule for day three was two matches back-to-back, a gruelling physical challenge, in which we dr������t game against SIS Flamingos but came out on top in the second, winning 7–4 against the Harp��������� day, we took on the Czech team once more, and after learning a lot fr������t game, it was even throughout; unfortunately, the Czech team scored in the last ten seconds to win the match 7–6. Despite the loss, we were very proud of this result, considering we were up against the U19 Czech national team. We were excited to bring the skills we learnt, including the Czech physicality and intensity, to our matches back in the UK.

m iss r icki Stevens Teacher of PE

Girls Go Gold!

Eleven pupils attended an inspirational Girls Go Gold conference at The Abbey School in September. The day started with an energising warm-up and a motivational talk from Olympic Gold medallist Katherine Grainger DBE. Pupils then enjoyed a range of sports masterclasses, including rowing, lacrosse, netball, and tennis. Then, they spent the afternoon listening to inspiring sporting stories from Sarah Hunter CBE and Denise Lewis DBE, learning about activism in women’s sports and how to manage their menstrual cycle for optimum performance. Huge thanks to The Abbey for a fantastic and extremely well-organised event!

m s Alison e arnshaw-Punnett Head of Sports Performance

Tennis Tour to Portugal

To kick start the tennis season, during the e aster break, 32 tennis players headed to the Vale do lobo Tennis Academy for a week of practice, honing their tennis skills and developing their teamwork.

Under the guidance of skilled coaches at 5 Star Tennis, we took to the courts with unmatched enthusiasm and determination. While the morning sessions focused on technical points, the afternoon sessions all allowed us to apply these skills to small games. On the last day, we played in tournaments and f��������t opposition from Downe House, The King’s School Canterbury and

Tonbridge. Well done to Alice and Sophia for winning their tier competition and to Tacita and Eva, who placed second in their competition. The tour concluded with a �������������nowledgements for outstanding performances, and a quick departure back home. We landed safely, bringing back memories of an incredible tennis tour to Portugal.

Amelie, Poppy and Cecilie LIV

Netball Tour to South Africa

Netball Tour to South Africa

At the start of the summer break, 24 girls from the Fourth Form, accompanied by four PE teachers, embarked upon an unforgettable Netball Tour to South Africa. Our team’s journey began with a warm welcome in Stellenbosch, where we were eager to immerse ourselves in the vibrant South African culture and showcase our netball talents. We started with a Pro Coaching session and a visit to Kayamandi Township. Learning new netball skills and how to play the drums set us up nicely for the rest of the trip.

Our competitive spirit was tested as we played matches against schools around Stellenbosch, Cape Town and Johannesburg. Each game was a unique challenge, with teams displa�����erent styles and strategies. These matches honed our skills and fostered a sense of camaraderie amongst players from both teams. The local schools were all fantastic hosts and made us feel very welcome.

In between matches, we had the opportunity to explore South Africa’s rich history and natural beauty. Visits to the District Six Museum in Cape Town and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg gave us deep insights into the country’s

past, including its struggles and triumphs. Other highlights included visiting the penguins on Boulders Beach and taking a boat to see seals at Hout Bay, even if the waters were a little choppy!

One of the most heartwarming days of our tour was spent at a rural children’s project called Inspire. We dedicated the day to engaging with the children through fun activities, olive picking, and educational games. The children's joy and enthusiasm were infectious, and it was incredibly rewarding to see their faces light up as they learned new skills, taught us to dance, and made new friends.

An incredible ending to our tour was the safari adventure at Entabeni Game Reserve. Witnessing the majestic wildlife in their natural habitat and seeing a pride of lions was a breathtaking experience.

Overall, the Netball Tour to South Africa perfectly blended sport, culture, and community engagement, leaving us with cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for both Netball and South Africa.

Miss Alexandra Hedley Teacher of PE

The sun came out just in time for a fantastic day of sporting achievement with plenty of House spirit on show.

There was great excitement on the last Thursday of term as we held our annual Sports Day. The sun came out just in time for a fantastic day of sporting achievement with plenty of House spirit on show.

All the girls took part, competing in a variety of track ������ents, including 300m, 1500m, hurdles, high jump, relays, and javelin. They made lots of noise, cheering each other along, and House colours, banners, and face paint were abundant. Five School Sports Day records were also broken, which is a fantastic achievement for the girls.

It was an exceptional year for Pitt, as they were crowned Relay Champions and winners of the Junior category. Campbell saw glory in the Intermediate category, and the three Houses at Daws Hill (Cloister, Shelburne, and Wendover) combined to win the Senior category. The overall winners were Pitt House, who will keep the Sports Day trophy for the next year.

Well done to all the competitors!

Miss Ruby Smith Director of Sport (Maternity Cover)

b rand n ew Golf Simulator Opens

We were delighted to welcome Honorary Senior, Rachel Keens (former Director of Sport and Deputy Head), back to Wycombe Abbey to open our incredible new golf simulator. Rachel left Wycombe ��������e years ago after 24 happy years at the School; she is a passionate golfer as a member of Cotswold Hills Golf Club.

England Golf, the sport’s governing body, is working hard to make the sport more inclusive and accessible, especially to girls and women, and this was one of our motivations when, in January 2023, we began discussing building our own golf simulator. Funded in part by a donation from a parent and with the remaining

��������t provided by the School, the facility formally opened on Saturday 27 April.

A number of Upper Fifth and Sixth Form pupils have already used the golf simulator as part of their Games options, and some of our top golfers have enjoyed regular access as part of their own training in preparation for international competitions. In the future, we look forward to incorporating the simulator into the Golf Paid Extras programme, our weekly House Games competition, and our Weekend Activities programme.

Miss Ruby Smith Director of Sport (Maternity Cover)

Frances Completes the Bosphorus c ross- c ontinental Swim

In the summer of 2023, I completed the bosphorus crosscontinental Swim in Istanbul. I took part alongside my dad to raise money for mary's meals, a charity that provides nutritious school meals to children in some of the world’s poorest countries.

The Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swim is an open-water swimming event between Europe and Asia in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Although it seemed daunting at first, the swim of 6.5km only actually required the effort to swim 4km or less due to the incredibly strong current, which varies every year. The start was chaotic, as over 2,000 swimmers leapt into the water quickly, but once we reached the first bridge after 200 meters, we began to have more space and swam freely. Swimming past the fashionable district of Bebek, the Rumeli Castle and passing under one of the iconic bridges was certainly a unique and surreal experience as the perspective from the water was entirely new for me. Despite being one of the world's busiest waterways, the water is surprisingly clean as it is constantly replaced by the current flowing from the Black Sea. Swimming in such a place helped drive me to keep going in a way lengths in a pool do not; the jellyfish also kept me on my toes!

Frances LVI

Sport Captains’ Reports

l acrosse

It has been exciting to see successes across all age groups������������uture of lacrosse at Wycombe Abbey is bright! To start the season, the tri-county tournament was great for all teams from U12 to Senior, with mos����������t or second, which is a fantastic achievement. As we moved towards the end of the Autumn Term, all players continued to bond within ��������������������oss the School. Our Saturda���tures had some great outcomes, which helped us build towards the National Schools Tournament in March. There were many competitive opportunities, including matches for A, B and C teams, internal matches and triangular tournaments. The time between the start of the Spring Term and Nationals went b�����sh! All teams reached the last 16 or higher, an improvement from last year, so all players should be proud of their performances. We would like to congratulate everyone on a fantastic season, and we cannot wait for the coming year!

e mily and lola L acrosse Captains

n etball

We had an exciting and fast-paced netball season with teams ranging from U19A all the way to U12. It was a great start to the year, with all the players getting together for an introduction to the re-launch of the netball programme. This re-launch enabled our U14A, U16A and U19A to form combined year group teams for the whole season, hugely strengthening the talent pool within each age group. The U16s had great success at the County Schools’ Tournament in October, where they were crowned champions, meaning they progressed through to regionals, which took place in February. The U19A team had a successful end to the season, winning their District Tournament and coming second in the District League, based on their performance throughout the season. All teams had the opportunity to participate in weekly training sessions and matches; seeing so much progression over the year was wonderful. All teams faced extremely tough competition in the first round of the Sisters n Sport National Cup, but our U16A and U14A did progress through to the next round. We are all looking forward to next season and returning to the courts!

e mily

Netball Captain

Swimming

We have had a fantastic year of swimming, culminating with many galas in the Summer Term. We finished the year by winning the Independent Boarding Schools gala with all our pupils returning with gold medals. An exciting addition to swimming is a new screen fitted in the pool, which links to our timing system. This will enable us to display video feedback and examples to aid our provision moving forward.

m iss let tie Tay Teacher of PE

Squash

Squash is a thriving sport that has been excelling here at Wycombe Abbey in recent years. The squad has showcased incredible skill and dedication this year, which can be seen through the results of various competitions. At the National Schools Tournament, the U18A team placed sixth overall in the country, which was a great success! Our coach, Mr Handley, provided support and guidance for all players, helping them reach their f������������������ the court. Squash promotes ph������� and a sense of School spirit; it is truly exciting to be a par������������ squash community.

r ia ( lVI)

Squa sh Captain

Athletics

As always, the Summer Term athletics season presented various team and individual successes, with countless athletes of all ages and experience participating at meets and internal competitions. In the newly established Weekly Wycombe Abbey Athletics League, many athletes can enjoy competing in their chosen events. Athletes have competed at Marlborough and St Mary’s Ascot meets, demonstrating brilliant team and individual performances. At the Buckinghamshire Individual Championships, Wycombe Abbey athletes won 11 gold, 3 silver, and 10 bronze medals, with 15 personal bests. This is our biggest ‘top three medal’ haul at this competition; congratulations to all the ath letes who participated. A special mention must go to Adaobi and Theodora in UIII, who both set county records in the 100m and 200m sprints, a notably competitive event, with times of 12.8s and 30.0s. The Spring Term proved highly successful, with four

new school records. In the junior category, Adaobi’s phenomenal county record in the 100m also broke the School record, and on �����������) achieved 9.09m in the shot put. Anissa (UIV) ran 27.7s in the inter category in the 200m, and Tess (UIV) threw 24.14m in the discus. Junior and inter-teams scored very highly at the county round of the annual Track and Field Cup, ���������t. Despite a competitiv��������egional Cup Final, the intermediates placed third and the juniors second, which is an excellent achievement. Congratulations to all the athletes who have participated this season, showing great enthusiasm and dedication, leading to many brilliant performances and personal and team achievements.

Sophia Athletics Captain

Tennis

This year has been incredibly exciting for tennis at Wycombe Abbey. During the Easter break, our players honed their skills at the Portugal Tennis T��������������om top-tier coaching and rigorous practice sessions. In the Senior Students Winter competition, we showcased our talent and determination, reaching the knockout stages, and we were honoured to host the National Girls Schools’ Doubles Tournament in May. When inclement weather rendered the original courts unplayable, we stepped in to provide our facilities, ensuring this prestigious event continued uninterrupted. With a history spanning over a century, this tournament has seen Wycombe Abbey victorious multiple times, including last year. This sea���������tures have also provided invaluable experience and enjoyment for all players, including mixed doubles matches with Eton and RGS, High Wycombe. Overall, it has been a season of growth, achievement, and memorable moments for us.

n ancy

Tennis Captain

cricket

This year, cricket has gone from strength to strength. The U13s and the U15s reached the county indoor ����and, with the U15s victorious, they went on to represent at the r����������y. All teams have been undefeated in the Buckinghamshire league and cup competitions, and we hav��������������or both the U12s and U13s f������t time, allowing more pupils to be involved at a competitive level. In House Games, Shelburne was victorious in the House Funals against Rubens, and we have also recently held the second-ever St������t XI cricket match, which was brilliant fun for all involved. The First XI won with a whopping 140 runs to the 37 scored by the st��. A massive thank you must go to all the st�����ve up their time for this match, especially Miss Millard and Mr Greenall, f������ort to organise it. Cricket has progressed hugely over the course of this year, and it is great to see so many people involved in the sport. I am already looking forward to seeing what is in store for us next season!

m illy Cricket Captain

Dance

It has been an excellent year for Dance at Wycombe Abbey with many events to showcase the wide variety of talent across the whole school. Many Upper School and Sixth Form pupils performed in the Senior Spotlights in January to k�������ear. It showcased our dancers’ talents in various styles, ranging from ballet to street dance. Many of the pieces were choreographed by the Upper Sixth Dance Captains and Dance teachers, who have also led rehearsals since the Autumn Term. Junior Spotlights took place during the Summer Term, and we were amazed at how many of the School's youngest dancers performed. It was the biggest showcase of Lower School dance ever held at Wycombe Abbey, and it promises a bright future. Well done to everyone who has been involved with dance at Wycombe Abbey this year. Whether it has been extra lessons, sitting exams, or performing at a show, it has been an impressive year all around.

Isabella, Suzette and m aya Dance Captains

rowing

It has been a historic year for Wycombe Abbey Rowing Club, especially in the Summer Term, as we competed in our ��t-ever regatta. We were blessed with a glorious day of sunshine as 13 pupils visited Eton Dorney Lake to compete in the Ball Cup South Regatta. The pupils enjoyed the experience and did brilliantly to take all the additional challenges in their stride, such as attaching to a stake boat for the start and marshalling around other crews. They displayed excellent boatmanship and maneuvering skills to do this. Now that we have gained regatta experience, we will look to improve our performances next year and plan for future races in the winter Head Race season.

m iss let tie Tay Teacher of PE

Fencing

Fencing has had some excellent outcomes over the past year. This year's Public Schools Fencing Championships proved to be a memorable event for our team, which delivered remarkable individual performances despite being smaller and younger than usual. In the Foil competition, Selina (UIV) showcased her talent�������� commendable eighteenth place and demonstrating her potential for future success. The Sabre competition saw Leanna (UV) advance to the last 16, an impressive feat. At the Mount Haes Épée competition, another memorable performance came from Kendra (UIV). Although she was narrowly defeated 10–9, she secured an impressiv���th place overall. This outstanding result was a well-deserved reward for her dedication and hard work, highlighting her as one of the rising stars of the competition. Adding to the excitement of the championships, Isabella (UVI) received a fencing scholarship to Brown University. Her achievement highlights the opportunities that fencing can provide young athletes, demonstrating the potential for combining athletic and academic pursuits at a high level. We highly commend Isabella for her accomplishment. The combination of these fantastic performances and achievements over the past year hints at the promising future of Wycombe Abbey’s fencing team and the strong foundation being built for continued success.

Anetta Fencing Captain

Skiing

We have had a great season this year, with many trips to the Snow Centre and one trip to France for the British Schoolgirls’ Races competition in January. Fourteen pupils headed to Flaine, and for many, it wa������t-time representing Wycombe Abbey at these races. Their progress and achievements in the competition were excellent. Well done to Annabelle, who �����t in the Slalom, Non-Registered U18 ESF Cup.

m rs Fiona Gee Head of Activities

and Trips

Developing Confidence

c o-curricular Activities and Trips 2023 - 2024:

It has been another fun-filled year, with many activities and trips enriching our pupils and giving them opportunities to have a variety of experiences. Highlights included residential trips to local and overseas destinations, new societies created, such as Swiftie Soc for all Taylor Swift fans, and an ever-growing Weekend Activities Programme.

Trips

This year, pupils have had the opportunity to travel to 12 ��erent countries for residential trips r�������erent subjects. They have ranged from Geography in Morocco to Skiing in France, History in Belgium and Netball in South Africa. The opportunities that these trips provide pupils are wideranging, and each girl returns with shared memories that we know will stay with her for years to come. Some trips help to extend their curriculum knowledge, others enable pupils to

develop their skills����������er an experience that cannot be achieved by classroom lessons alone. Pupils came back to school from each trip enthused about their subjects and eager to share their experiences.

Alongside residential trips, we have taken over 140 day trips, ��ering pupils the opportunity to develop their curiosity, explore cultures and show their competitive edge in various subjects. These trips included UIII exploring the Natural History Museum in Oxford, LIV taking a trip to The Globe Theatre, UIV challenging themselves at Level Up, and the LV watching GCSE Science Live in Birmingham. The Upper Fifth and Sixth Form have also attended a number of curriculum-focused trips, including a theatre trip to see The Woman in Black , Chess competitions at Stowe, and the UK Space Design Competition in London.

Societies and Clubs

Societies and clubs continue to be a favoured part of the week for our pupils, with close to 40 societies participating in the Societies F����������t Closed Weekend in September. Weekly meetings have been taking place for many societies, and the January Closed Weekend saw a successful Society Sunday with over 25 ��erent activities, enabling pupils to have a taste of a society they haven’t yet joined. Highlights were the mobile planetarium from the Astronomy Society, a stage-makeup workshop from the Drama Society and driving experiences with the Greenpower Society. At the end of the Spring Term, we held a cultural celebration afternoon with pupils leading man������erings, including a Modern Languages food tasting quiz, Bollywood dancing and cultural cookery sessions.

Weekend Activities

Following on from the success of House Hampers last year, they have continued to be a highlight of Saturday nights in House. They have included a pamper evening, a charcuterie grazing board, and the making and decorating of gingerbread houses. Closed Weekends have seen the return of the annual funfair����ables day, birds of prey presentation, and a silent disco. This year, pupils have also opted to attend numerous theatre productions, raced around go-karting tracks, challenged themselves and each other at Top Golf, and enjoyed some retail therapy at local shopping centres. The thrill seekers have enjoyed trips to Thorpe Park, Oxford Wet’N’Wild and Go Ape! Socials with other schools have also formed part of the Weekend Activities provision. We have joined with Eton, Harrow, Ludgrove, and Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, to take part in roller discos, music bingo and a summer ball with garden games.

m rs Fiona Gee

Head of Activities and Trips

Model United Nations

Model u nited n ations ( mun ) aims to build an underst anding of current global challenges amongst future world leaders and thinkers while developing the intercultural and leadership skills that young people require to work and live in a global world. Participants take on the role of diplomats and political leaders and debate global issues by participating in simulations of international diplomatic forums. At Wycombe Abbey, the weekly club prepares girls for the conferences we attend throughout the year. The club continues to thrive, with over one hundred girls participating in the programme and representing the School at our annual conferences. The girls have enjoyed many extraordinary successes, winning several awards across the year and with many delegates being recognised for their outstanding contributions to their committees.

Benenden

On Monday 4 December, the team of 40 travelled to Benenden School for the annual BMUN conference. Wycombe Abbey represented the views of Japan, Ethiopia, Yemen, Iraq, Sudan and South Korea in fascinating debate topics including the Israeli–Pales������t, the Rohingya crisis, the misuse of emerging AI technologies, the illicit arms trade and supporting refugees ��ected by COVID-19.

Our girls successfully launched their season, and six delegates were presented with individual awards for the impressive standard of their contributions.

Wycombe Abbey

WA MUN 2024 was potentially our greatest triumph in its history; f������t time ever, it became an international conference! In January, we welcomed pupils from 14 schools, including one from Spain. Each pupil represented a country acr����e committees: Human Rights, Economic and Social, Disarmament and International Security, Security Council, and Arctic Council. The delegates engaged in extraordinarily highlevel debates throughout the weekend, discussing topics such as the r���������������t, the Uyghur crisis and the ��������������esources in accordance with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The delegates also enjoyed the social events of the conference. From the informal lobbying ahead of the Opening Ceremony to the annual Highland Ball, there were plenty of opportunities for the delegates to network and socialise with each other.

Bath International School

In March, a select team of 12 travelled to Bath for the annual Bath International School Model United Nations, where girls spent three days at Kingswood School. The topics up for debate were highly absorbing, and delegates were impa�������� solutions. The Human Rights Committee discussed key issues, including press freedom and the rights of refugees and migrants. The Political Committee researched China’s South China Sea claims, while the Environment Committee debated key issues such as global food waste and water scarcity. The Science and

Technology Committee delved into captivating issues such as nuclear fusion. Meanwhile, the Historic Committee had the opportunity to travel back to 2001 and reconstruct discussions over the invasion of Afghanistan. Once again, Wycombe Abbey delegates were praised for their exceptional contributions, and three girls were awarded individual prizes.

Haileybury

On the Closed Weekend before Easter, 25 pupils attended Haileybury College MUN conference. Haileybury is one of the biggest MUN conferences in Europe and hosts nearly 1,000 pupils from across the globe. The Wycombe Abbey delegates represented Russia, Georgia, and Malaysia. The girls did incredibly well across the weekend; they gave a grand total of 67 speeches, made 141 amendments and submitted 20 resolutions. Five of our delegates were recognised for their outstanding contributions to their committees, which is a hugely impressive achievement given that this is one of the most prestigious conferences in the country.

As the academic year draws to a close, we can r���t on the great successes of this season’s delegates and congratulate everyone who gave their all to the society. Well done to everyone who participated in a conference. Now, we look forward to what the 2024/2025 conference season ha����er.

m iss l auren m onteil

MUN Co-ordinator

o nce again, Wycombe Abbey delegates were praised for their exceptional contributions, and three girls were awarded individual prizes.

The c arrington Programme

Our bespoke Sixth Form Enrichment provision, the Carrington Programme, continued to provide a diverse and forwardthinking year of activities. The LVI undertook our bespoke University Preparation Programme with expert teaching in faculties, designed to prepare them for university-style seminars. The UVI had the opportunity to select three short elective courses to explore specialist topics, which included presidential politics, creative upcycling, secrets of the museum, and data analysis for all. We were also granted the privilege of hearing from an exciting line-up of Carrington Speakers, including Polar Explorer Alex Hibbert on his life lessons learned from experiencing some of the world’s harshest environments solo; former New York Senior Assistant District Attorney Deana Puccio on her experiences prosecuting sex crimes and her work educating young people on the laws surrounding sexual assault and consent; Entrepreneur and co-Founder of AllBright, Debbie Wosskow OBE, on her tips to female success in life and the workplace; and Wycombe Abbey Senior Thalia Jervis (C168, Wendover, 1988), on her experiences as Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire. Highlights of the year were also the Management Conference, Academic Forum, Communications Conference, Leadership Summit and Future Ready Days.

m s e mma b owen

Deputy Head of Sixth Form (Enrichment)

Wycombe Management Conference

Hosted in partnership with Royal Grammar School High Wycombe. During the two days, we heard from speakers at the highest level of business who spok��������������� and pleasures of starting your own company. As part of the conference, we were then given a chance to put their advice into practice through a business simulation, during which we worked together in groups to run a mobile phone company.

Conference speakers included Peter Higgins, who spoke about his experiences of co-founding and running Charles Tyrwhitt and ME+EM, and Lord Bilimoria, a member of the House of Lords and founder of Cobra Beer, who spoke about his pathway to becoming an entrepreneur and advocated for a customer���t approach to business�������eynote speaker, Catherine Wyman (C291, Wendover, 2014), (Head of Eyecare at TTP plc), discussed the intersection between technology and business. As a Wycombe Abbey Senior, her advice felt particularly valuable as she had once been in the same position as us. What struck me was how all three speakers emphasised the value of personal connections; they all spoke about the importance of gathering a good team of colleagues and putting your customers at the forefront of your decision-making. In a world where technology is increasingly able to outperform humans, it was both interesting and reassuring to hear that they felt the success of their businesses was due to an intangible quality that made their teams stronger than the sum of their parts.

Over the two days, I learned a lot about what it takes to succeed in the world of business����������������������� the future.

Felicity LVI

It was a hugely enjoyable day, and it sought to inspire pupils from various schools to aim high and enrich their academic profiles.

Communications Conference

On the morning of 21 September, pupils were inspired by Chris Maughan and Victoria Smith, who spoke with great authority on the skills necessary to respond to a media crisis and control the story. We all learnt quickly that these skills are vital to every profession. In the afternoon, these skills were put into practice as the Lower Sixth broke out into 13 teams and responded to various disasters a�����������tional ice cream company. Some took responsibility for the social media response, while others drafted precise press releases to get ahead of the story. Then, four girls in each group were interviewed by Chris and Victoria, who pulled no punches in their questions. Prizes were handed out to the best team and strongest interviewees at the end, and all left with a greater appreciation of communication skills.

Academic Forum

The UVI took part in the annual Academic Forum in September, an event designed to expose them to university-level principles. They worked acr����erent subject areas to respond to a variety of challenges. In the morning, they used software to practise interview skills while our medicine applicants approached various interview questions under time pressure. They then proceeded to the Object Discussion task, where interdisciplinary groups were required to consider an inanimate object, such as a rubber duck or an American football, from the perspective �������erent specialities. After lunch, we were delighted to welcome Liz Tanner to speak to an audience comprising Wycombe Abbey pupils and Year 13 students from the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, Dr Challoner’s Grammar School and Westminster Academy. Following this enriching talk, pupils attended subject������������y Wycombe Abbey teachers, followed by a highly challenging and competitive quiz based on past admissions test questions. It was a hugely enjoyable day, and it sought to inspire pupils from various schools to aim high and enrich their academic pr���.

m r o lly m urphy

University Preparation Co-ordinator

Future Ready Days

The three-day Future Ready enrichment programme was ��������ord pupils the time and space to consider their university applications in more detail with the expert support and guidance of their Tutor and subject specialists and to set them up for a productive summer holiday full of research and academic exploration. Each day focused on a particular strand:

u niversity Preparation

The University Preparation Department Day was an inspirational and unique learning experience. It allowed us to engage with our chosen subject more deeply and gave us a taste of the higher-level material we will encounter at university. We explored topics such as revenge tragedy, the art of war, decoding medieval legal texts and analysing a 17thcentury Bill of Mortality. An important focus of the day was preparing us for the upcoming university application process. Each department provided an in-depth session on creating a compelling personal statement, and man�����ered the chance to sit a practice admissions test. Ultimately, the day was ���������������������s w��������t steps on the UCAS journey. Freya (LVI)

Seniors Forum

A valuable way to gain insight into life after Wycombe Abbey comes from former pupils. For the Seniors Forum, we heard from eight Wycombe Abbey Seniors who left the School in the last four years and shared their experiences about university applications and life at university so far. This proved invaluable, and we gained gr����t-hand insight into a process that had

We were delighted with how engaged and excited our girls were, and it was a pleasure to hear fantastic feedback from Heads of Department and external speakers about their efforts.’

m rs Jacky Tidbury, (Director of Sixth Form)

• UK and US application logis tics and overall strategy;

• Depar tmental time in their area of interest;

• Admissions tes t practice;

• A Mock Graduate A ssessment Day facilitated by James Darley of the Transform Society.

m rs Jacky Tidbury Director of Sixth Form

seemed incredibly daunting up until that point. Despite the challenges faced, hearing about their successes helped reduce some anxiety about navigating our future academic journeys.

Scarlett (LVI)

m ock Graduate Assessment

The Mock Graduate Assessment Day taught us more about life after university and how we can thrive in the modern-day world of work. James Darley from Transform Society talked to us about the future of the job market. He spoke about improving our chances of getting a job and told us about ��erent aspects of interviews and how recruiters choose who to hire. We were then tested on what we learnt through a mock group exercise where we acted as an advisory group for a small bank, discussing the pros and cons of expanding to online banking. This was followed by mock interviews with Wycombe Abbey parents and st��. Getting feedback allowed us to see which areas we were good at and where we could improve. To end the day, we used interactive situational judgement tests, which tested our instincts in real-life careerrelated situations. Overall, it was an amazing and enjoyable way to prepare for our future. m adeline (LVI)

The Dove Award

Lower Fourth (LIV), is a significant step up and in many ways a unique year; moving into a Senior Boarding House and having more independence over studies and free periods. These new experiences and challenges are a vital part of shaping our pupils into flourishing individuals and LIV reflect on these as part of the Dove Award. It is structured across three pillars: Community, Flourishing and learning and is led by m rs Sally Harbour.

The recent Dove Award ceremony truly celebrated our school community, highlighting the importance of the three pillars that guide us: Community, Flourishing, and Learning. Throughout the year, we engaged in various activities during tutor time and beyond, such a��������������� captivating theme of murder. This demonstrated our school value of Mutual Respect very well as we sought to understand ��������erences in people, ideas and experiences with tolerance and underst���������������oject smoothly. Furthermore, as a tutor group, we worked as a team to build a Guy f����������e Night celebration, themed to our House colours. A key part of these activities was work��������ectively as a production team and embodying our school values through these projects. From community service projects to mental health workshops, there was something for everyone to

During our time in LIV, we have been taking part in the Dove Award, a journey many of us will not forget! The Dove Award was a combination of many activities, divided into the three pillars: Community, Flourishing and Learning. For Community, we worked together in our tutor groups to complete activities such as producing a short murder myster�����eating a poster for Black History Month, making a Guy f�����e Night, writing a haiku in remembrance of World War Two and going through our school qualities together. For Flourishing, we did activities in tutor time to build our personalities and foster a better mindset. These included practising empathetic and active listening, discussing acts of kindness, large or small, understanding mental health and going through the risk�������s of digital relationships. Finally, our learning journey was more individual and consisted of two primary tasks: going over our Academic Qualities, which are Risk Taking, Resourcefulness, Determination, R���tion and Development, and completing our super-curricular projects. This was undoubtedly a memorable experience for many of us, as

get involved in and contribute to the wellbeing of our school community. The awards evening was a particularly special event. We gathered to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our peers with pizza and drinks. Around 20 pupils were honoured for their dedication to the Community, Flourishing, or Learning pillars. During the ceremony, I was honoured to receive an award for showing House spirit and lightening the mood. This recognition touched my heart and reminded me of the importance of fostering a positive and inclusive community. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to contribute to our school community and look forward to continuing to support and cheer up everyone around me. The Dove Award ceremony reminded us of the strength and unity that can be achieved when we all work together towards a common goal.

c hrissie LIV

it lasted for the whole year; it marked a major achievement in our learning journeys. We had to choose a topic beyond our regular school curriculum and do a project ����������������ort out of school hours to learn something new. In the Summer Term, we held a special evening with pizza celebrating our achievements in the Dove Award, and many well-deserved prizes were given out. Overall, the Dove Award was a valuable experience for all of us, and I’m sure we can all agree that it has helped us develop ourselves and nurture a hard-working and positive mindset when it comes to going above and beyond. Thank you to all the teachers who helped with the celebration evening and answered any questions we had about the super-curricular project. We are also grateful to our Tutors who have been with us on our journey from the start of the year, and a massive thank you must go to Mrs Harbour, who organised the whole year-long programme for us.

Sofia

LIV

Duke of e dinburgh Award Scheme

This is my last Dofe report, as I retired at the end of the academic year. It has been so nice to see the enthusiasm of the girls over the years for the Gold Award, and we have had some of the most memorable times on the expeditions. We have a loyal band of staff who have helped over the years, and I am very grateful for all their support. This year, ms Strange, our bronze co-ordinator, will hand over the role to mr Wong. ms Strange has done a sterling job of running the Bronze Award and moving around the timings and structure so it works more effectively. Mr Haughton has been our logistics support for 13 years and is always ready on expeditions with a spare tent pole just when it’s needed. We wish him well with his retirement. mr Simonot is moving to another school but has been a great addition to the Dofe team, par ticularly looking after our Gold assessed girls on expedition. I wish miss clarke the very best as she takes on the role of Dofe manager and Gold co-ordinator.

mr Adrian Porter

Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator

Gold Award e xpedition

Over the Easter break, a group of Sixth Form girls and several st����velled to Snowdonia, Wales, for one week to complete our Gold DofE expedition. ����t full day began with a long walk around the area as we practised our map and compass skills in preparation for what was to come. We climbed to Dolbadarn Castle, taking in beautiful views of Llanberis Lake and the slate mountains before heading to the National Slate Museum. The da������������� routes, practising putting up a tent and collecting group kit for the expedition. Over the four days of walking and

three nights of camping, we faced many challenges, such as rainy nights, inescapable bogs and unmarked paths where we had to follow our compass rather than a clear track. Nonetheless, our overall experience wa��������esilience and many happy memories. Having completed our Gold DofE expedition, we returned to the Youth Hostel with wide smiles, renewed energy and a huge sense of relief and achievement. Being able to shower properly, sleep in an actual bed and eat a hot meal cooked for us felt like paradise. The overall experience was extremely f����������ter-building, and we built long-lasting friendships with amazing

memories. We would certainly encourage everyone to challenge themselves by doing Gold DofE – as quoted by our supervisor, ‘Gold DofE gives you a sense of superiority over those who have not done it!’

Our Top Five Tips for any future adventurers:

• Peperami hot dogs are the way to go.

• Don’t forget your roll mats.

• Bring plastic bags to wear over wet feet.

• Close the lid of the pasta sauce before putting it back in your backpack!

Tia and r achel

LVI

b ronze Award

Achieving my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award has been a remarkable ���������������, growth, and unforgettable experiences. One of the highlights of the Award was the expedition, where my team and I navigated through the Chiltern Hills, armed with maps, compasses, and an adventurous spirit. The arduous trek was �������teep inclines and unpredictable weather, but the camaraderie and the stunning views made every step worthwhile. Setting up camp in a torrent of rain and cooking our meals over a portable stove taught us resilience and teamwork, essential skills that I will carry forward in all my endeavours.

Beyond the expedition, the Bronze Award enabled me to explore new horizons and develop diverse skills. Last September, I started learning kickboxing as my new

sport for the Physical section of the Award. With each session, I honed my strength, agility, and discipline, progressing through various gradings and earning ��e belts that marked my improvement and dedication. In the Skills section, my dedication to pla���������s ����������������ements.

Having set goals to participate in more competitions – I won Gold at the CUIMF International Music Competition this year! To f�����olunteering section, I completed my Level 2 Sports Leaders ������������ement that opened many opportunities for community involvement and personal growth. One of the most rewarding experiences was hosting a district netball tournament; this endeavour enhanced my organisational and leadership skills and provided a platform to engage with my peers and community members. Volunteering my time at squad training sessions, netball

matches, and swimming galas has further allowed me to give back to the local community. Through these activities, I have gained a deeper understanding of the importance of community service and contributing to the wellbeing of others. The skills and insights I have acquired through volunteering have enriched my personal growth and reinforced my commitment to making a positive ��erence in the lives of those around me.

Overall, completing my Bronze Award has been a transformative experience. Each section, Expedition, Physical, Skills, and Volunteering, has taught me invaluable lessons and helped shape me into a more resilient and well-rounded individual. I am immensely proud of what I have achieved and look forward to taking on the Gold Award in the future.

c atherine LV

b eyond the expedition, the b ronze Award enabled me to explore new horizons and develop diverse skills.

A Year in c areers

Our passion in the careers Depar tment is to inspire, encourage, challenge, and support pupils as they consider their careers, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be future ready.

A highlight of our year is, without doubt, the annual Careers Seminar. This year, we welcomed 25 speakers from various professions, from medicine to engineering, the charity sector to law, architecture to journalism, and consultancy to entrepreneurship. Pupils in UV–UVI spent the evening lis�������erent speakers and enjoying the opportunity to ask their questions about working in a particular role or industry��������z was in the air as we took over classrooms across the School. Speakers, who included a range of Seniors, parents and local professionals, joined us for supper before the talks, where pupils made the most of the opportunity, commenting that they found the event ‘very engaging and a helpful insight into the journey of beginning work.’ Our speakers enjoyed the challenge of answering a wide range of questions, noting they were impressed by the

maturity, intelligence and sheer brilliance of the girls. A success all round!

Throughout the year, we welcomed professionals to speak at our termly Career Spotlight events which f�������� career areas and allow pupils to ask indepth questions. This year, pupils fr���e local Sixth Forms joined us at these events. Particular highlights include welcoming back Seniors Emily Davis (C266, Butler, 2009) (Brand Communications Director at Wella) and Clarissa Ward (C206, Pitt, 1998) (Chief International Correspondent at CNN) to exemplify where studying English might take you. We also spent a fascinating evening learning about the nuclear industry, with pupils engaging brilliantly with the surprise workshop tasks.

National Careers Week took place in March. Daily bulletins were sent to pupils with information on useful resources, including how to write a CV, what should go in a cover letter, ho������ork experience, and what it is really like to work in investment banking. The Lower Fifth participated in interactive careers workshops, and all pupils were invited to visit the virtual National Careers Week Fair.

Work experience continues to be a ��������t of the Careers Department. We organise and facilitate placements for pupils aiming to study Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or Dentistry at university each year. This year, 15 pupils participated

in local work experience placements weekly with f����erent hosts (two care homes, a nursery school and a hospice). Pupils gained valuable insight into the responsibilities of committing to a placement, work�������erent environment, interacting with people outside of School and understanding how ��erent organisations work. Feedback from our hosts have been fabulous, with one care home’s Activities Lead commenting, ‘From the moment they arrived, it was clear that these young women were not only bright and compassionate but also genuinely interested in forming meaningful connections with our residents. Their interactions wer����������� kindness, and genuine care, which immediately and profoundly impacted everyone.’ In addition to our regular work experience placements, w���er smaller opportunities throughout the year. Three pupils enjoyed an Insight Day in October at University College Hospital, London. They took part in a tour of the neuroradiology department, sat in on some case reviews, at�������������������� a tour of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

We are always keen to hear from people who might be interested in speaking at an event, hosting a work experience placement or an insight day. Please do get in touch.

mrs Alison Kiln Head of Careers

Flourishing@Wycombe

At the end of my first two terms as Deputy Head (Pastoral), I look back with immense pride on the Flourishing@Wycombe work completed. Through the production of the termly Flourishing Guides, the creation of wonderful Tutor resources, and the recording of Flourishing Podcasts, we have been able to consider three themes this year that reflect the past 12 months at Wycombe Abbey: n ature, Power Skills, and the Teenage b rain.

The Autumn Term saw Mr Jones still at the helm of the Flourishing@Wycombe initiative, and he encouraged the School community to r���t on the impact of nature. We are immensely lucky to live and work in such beautiful grounds, with the opportunity to wander the woodland, take time out by the side of the lake, or venture through the paddock, which is always something enjoyed by st��, parents, and pupils alike. As with many things, being surrounded by such beauty means that it is often taken for granted and overlooked. Therefore, the chance to take time to r���t on the importance of the grounds as part of the holis���������ered at Wycombe Abbey was much welcomed by us all.

I wanted the Flourishing theme to r���t what a Wycombe Abbey education really means. It is more than ensuring our pupils leave with excellent academic accolades that allow them to enter some of the most prestigious universities. Our Academic Qualities of Determination, Development, Risk-Taking, Resourcefulness and R���tion allow pupils to develop their soft skills (rebranded as Power Skills), and this became the Flourishing theme for the Spring Term.

The Summer Term sa�������t for the Flourishing Guide, with the dev����������t pupil-produced guide delving into the intricacies of the Teenage Brain. Lower Fourth pupils worked in small groups within their Wellbeing lessons to understand more about the development of the brain during the crucial teenage years and put together wonderful guides to help other pupils understand their own brains more. Our Head of Psychology and Butler Housemistress, Miss Lauren Monteil, also wrote a fascinating article about how the development of the teenage brain connects with increased risk-taking, and I know that this has started several conversations in tutor groups and within the boarding houses.

You can listen to the Flourishing@Wycombe Podcast on Spotify.

It has been wonderful to watch the School community come together to celebrate its pastoral life through the Flourishing@Wycombe initiative, and I very much look forward to putting together next year’s programme!

m rs Vicky Fawkes Deputy Head (Pastoral)

Wycombe Abbey Scientists Visit Japan

During the summer break in 2023, five LVI pupils visited Japan to expand their scientific knowledge, stretch their curiosity, and improve their mathematical skills. They also experienced full immersion in a totally different culture.

We prepared for the trip by at����������eekend at the Rikkyo Japanese School near Horsham. We met other British students and all became great friends as we were put into groups to work on our radioactivity knowledge and learn a little about Japanese culture.

Highlights of the trip included sightseeing in Tokyo and visiting the Tokyo Museum, where we learned about the incredible history of the city and it����������ements. We started our research projects on arrival in Iwaki, where we were treated to a series of welcoming introductory speeches and a trip to the aquarium to hear talks on plas��������������������� called coelacanths, also known as ‘living fossils’. In Fukushima, we visited the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum, where we learnt more about the nuclear disaster in 2011. At Tohoku University, we participated in science workshops and heard speeches from university members, teachers and students. Dr Dawber even spoke a few words of

Japanese! We also collaborated with Japanese students in groups discussing disaster management, sustainable batteries, and DNA. It was a privilege for us to be able to gain hands-on experience from experts in their respectiv����, and we enjoyed working with advanced laboratory equipment such as confocal and scanning electron microscopes.

It was an honour to be part of such an amazing programme, which allowed us to fur�������������ests and share �������erences with our fellow Japanese students. The trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

l ivi, Alex, Arshia, Janelle and Jade UVI

F1 in Schools

Taking part in the F1 in Schools competition was an amazing opportunity. Our team comprised five Lower Fifth pupils; it was our first time competing. The competition was judged on six different parts: Specification and Scrutineering, Design and Engineering, Enterprise, Verbal Presentation, b rand Identity, and, most excitingly, the ur car placed 17th fastest in the Development category, and overall, we placed ninth out of 34 teams.

Our design engineers, Clelia and Isabella, thoroughly researched aerodynamics, tested it with Autodesk CFD, and designed our car using Autodesk Fusion 360. Maddy was our Resource Manager and helped us budget the money we gained from our sponsors, iRobot, Cusana Capital, and Shake the Sky. Zi Tong was our graphic designer, and she designed our logo to r���t our values.

This competition taught us many valuable things. We experienced the ups and downs of designing a car from scratch, marketing������������. We learnt how to work well as a team, compromise, and overcome disagreements. We developed skills that will help us in our future and our personal growth.

This opportunity was unforgettable – we ‘wheel-y’ enjoyed it and hope to participate again next year.

Ashley UIV

Pupils take to the Skies through the Sir Adrian Swire Flying Scholarship

Last year, chloe and Alisha (uVI) were the recipients of the Sir Adrian Swire Flying Scholarship. Sponsored through the Adrian Swire Charitable Trust, it gives recipients £2,500 towards flying lessons in the hope that they will inspire young people to become pilots in the future.

I enrolled in the Progress Flying School at Wycombe Air Park to work towards a National Private Pilot’s Licence. Starting training on an Ikarus C42 Microlight, a high-wing two-seater plane, I was instantly captivated and will never forget m�������. Each lesson consisted of a 30-minute������������������. I learned all about the plane’s controls�������ects of parts such as the aileron, rudders, and elevators. The most challenging part would have to be perfecting take-���������. Landings wer�����������, requiring a large amount of delicacy, precision, and skill. Towar��������������������� ����e rigorous hours of circuit training, nearing solo standard, where I could tak��������ver 20 times in various conditions, mimicking emergency landings, and �����ough unexpected weather. Learning ho������s lef�������ed on the world of aviation, encouraging me to pursue further �������. The skills that have been developed through being in the air, such as attentiveness and the ability to learn on the move and under pressure, are sure to help me in future pursuits.

chloe, UVI

Learning to land an aeroplane 13 times was an incredible experience, to say the least. The Sir Adrian Swire Flying Scholarship allowed me to immerse myself in the fascinating world of aviation. I received seven intensive hours of instruction, during which I learned the intricacies ���������eloped a profound admiration for the perfect blend of science, skill, and precision that aviation demands. Located at Redhill Aerodr���������craft known as the Bulldog, which was used to train RAF pilots in its former life. The most thrilling and nerve-wracking exercise was the stall. Deliberately executing a manoeuvre that you generally try to avoid felt counterintuitive; however, the sense of accomplishment upon successfully recovering was immensely rewarding. One thing I hadn’t anticipated before the scholarship was the degree of multitasking necessary. I was struck, particularly during landings, by the multitude of factors that demanded attention: ��-tuning power adjustments, carefully controlling the aircraft’s altitude, maint���������������������� ol, adjusting the st���������������������� truments, making a descending turn onto the glide path and, of course, executing the landing onto the runway itself. This careful balance is pr��������������������stering the art of landing so captivating. Beyond the technical skills I acquired, this scholarship has provided me with invaluable insight into aviation. As an aspiring aeronautical engineer, I am excited to apply the knowledge and inspiration gained in the future.

Alisha, UVI

Deliberately

executing a manoeuvre that you generally try to avoid felt counterintuitive; however, the sense of accomplishment upon successfully recovering was immensely rewarding.

Winners of the national Tycoon enterprise competition

Many teams participate in the Tycoon enterprise competition run by the Peter Jones Foundation each year. each participating team prepares a business plan to bid for start-up funding and then, once successful, uses the capital to start their business, trading over six weeks and supported by our amazing business mentors. At the end of the trading period, all teams submit their accounts, detailing profits made and reflections on their Tycoon journey. We were delighted that one of our teams, Anectote, was invited to the Finalists Awards ceremony at Hampton court Palace on Thursday 21 September.

Not only was Anectote awarded winner of their age category, but they went on to win Overall Winners of Tycoon 2023! In addition to their trophies, they received £1,000 to reinvest into their company. The team said, ‘We were excited to be announced as champions at the National Tycoon Enterprise competition. The process was incredibly enjoyable, and we learnt so much from the experience. We knew we had a great product with a lot of potential but were still shocked when we were announced as the overall winners! We would like to thank our business mentor and Wycombe Abbey Senior Jo Hilditch (C147, Airlie, 1981) for her invaluable support and advice throughout the competition.’

Anectote produced and sold personalised, sustainable tote bags. They sourced materials from a local UK company to make sure they were environmentally friendly and ethical. They wanted to promote a simple yet high-quality and durable product to raise awareness of sustainability. The team realised everyone at School had similar tote bags and spotted a gap in the market with personalisation. So, they created a customisable product that allowed customers to express their creativity. The team made an impressive pr�������� which was an ama����ort. To further their positive cycle of change and promote sustainability awareness, they donated half of their pr��s to the Friends of the Earth charity and a further 30% to the Peter Jones Foundation.

m rs Alison Kiln Head of Economics and Enterprise

Australia e xchange Programme

In March, five Lower Fifth girls embarked on an adventure to visit Australia, where they attended school for three weeks. Tallulah and m ati visited St m ary’s Anglican Girls’ School in Perth and Satya, c atherine, and z ara visited the Tara Anglican School in Sydney. The pupils’ exchange partners then visited Wycombe Abbey for the second half of the Summer Term.

This was an incredible opportunity for Wycombe Abbey pupils to experience Australia’s education system and culture. Exposure to educational experiences such as this will be something they remember for the rest of their liv���������������t future decisions.

m rs m argot Wood Deputy Head of Upper School

‘One of my primary motivations for taking part in this exchange was my desire to gain a unique, diverse and enriching educational experience and achieve a greater sense of ��������y. At Tara Anglican School in Sydney, I had the amazing opportunity to fully embrace the breadth of study that the International Baccalaureate pr������ers and immerse myself in a new academic environment. The exposure to Australia’s rich cultural and historical tapestry has undoubtedly equipped me with a more global outlook and broadened my horizons in the most transformative way. Through the exchange programme, I have cultivated lifelong friendships and memories that I will cherish forever, and I know I will look back on this experience with fondness and pride!’ – catherine , UV

Reflecting on my time in Sydney, I enjoyed meeting everyone as they were so welcoming. e xperiencing an incredible city with so much to offer was amazing, especially taking the ferry across Sydney Harbour. Attending a school in another country was so insightful, and I will always treasure this memory.’ z ara, UV

Wycombe Abbey on the c anadian Slopes

During the Easter break, 38 pupils and five staff members embarked on an exciting trip across the Atlantic to Canada. They spent eight days skiing in Tremblant and sightseeing in Montréal. With its breath-taking views of the Laurentians, Tremblant boasts 102 ski trails across four distinct areas, catering to skiers of all levels. Whether it was their first time on snow, or they were seasoned pros, the ski area provided ample opportunities for everyone’s skill development. The diverse terrain, including tree runs, moguls, and groomed trails, combined with expert coaching, allowed the girls to

enhance their abilities. In the evenings, Tremblant village offered a charming setting for exploration, along with various activities such as laser tag, an escape room, and snow tubing. The trip concluded in Montréal with a tour of its underground city, which spans over 33km. They also strolled through the Old Town and wrapped up the adventure in front of the stunning Notre-Dame Basilica.

m iss Hannah Hanks Teacher of PE

Global Schools c onference

At the end of September, the Heads of Houses headed to Benenden School for the Global Schools Conference: Inspiring Future Female Leaders. Pupils received valuable advice from a wide range of Benenden alumnae speakers, including an ex-Olympian, a member of the UN, HRH Princess Anne, and many other inspiring women. Topics included teamwork, leading under pressure, public speaking skills, entrepreneurship and humanitarian leadership, and finding ways to apply the techniques learnt to leadership roles in School. The speeches were predominantly centred around being a woman in a leadership role, an extremely relevant area for Wycombe Abbey pupils as they move on beyond school. The girls are excited to take forward all the valuable pieces of advice they have learned in their roles as prefects and in their Houses.

m rs Hollie-Ann Jeans Deputy Head of Sixth Form

Lower Fifth e nterprise Day

At the end of the year, LV took part in an Enterprise Day, visiting Twickenham Stadium to learn about the economics of running the ��th-largest stadium in Europe. The pupils asked many thoughtful questions and particularly enjoyed visiting the Royal Box and the home changing rooms during their guided tour.

In the afternoon, they took part in an ‘apprentice style’ group task based on launching a Netball Super League team in High Wycombe. The teams were required to complete sub-tasks ranging from calculating the break-even point of their business to creating sponsorship packages to recording an advert for local radio. The judges were blown away by ho���ectively the girls applied what they had learned at the Home of Rugby to the task and their general business sense. We look forward to building upon the girls’ strong entrepreneurial foundations next year.

m r l uke Wildgoose

Head of Upper School

Creative c ookery

We have had a fantastic year in the cookery Department, using our ama zing facilities and opening up to parents with the Truffles and Bubbles workshop – the first of many! The Lower School continues to develop its knife skills and become more aware of nutrition and a balanced diet. There is an emphasis on culturally diverse dishes and improving presentation to a restaurant standard.

The Leiths cookery course continues to be very popular each year, and the visiting assessor is always delighted with the UVI girls’ skills in the timing of preparation, presentation and keeping their work area tidy. Leiths have introduced a one-year LVI programme aiming

to deliver an exciting, wider cultural cuisine with dishes including shakshuka, tarka dahl with roas������wer, garlic and thyme spatchcock chicken, seabass en papillote, duck breast with plum and teriyaki sauce, and Prosecco-poached peaches. By the end of the course, pupils showed they could pr������������� the required Leiths standard using professional methods in a timed examination assessed by a member of the Leiths academy. I am delighted to report that all the Leiths pupils achieved tremendous result���������ssessments.

miss

Kay Williams

Head of Art and Cookery

Faith and Service

From the c haplain

We have enjoyed a full c hapel programme across this academic year. In the Autumn Term, we began a new initiative of year-group chapel services, which involved a small group of pupils from each year group working together to write and oversee a service. This allowed more of our younger pupils to get involved in leading the worship of the school. e ach year group chose a suitable theme: from u V we enjoyed c elebrating our Sisters, for b lack History m onth; lV unpacked the meaning behind the Parable of the Vine; u IV who, during reading Week, looked at how powerful the b ible is as a book of books; l IV, who taught us about the history and meaning of Thanksgiving, and u III, who focused on the season of Advent.

During the Autumn Term, we were fortunate to have several guest speakers, such as Peter Higgins from our charity partner Mary’s Meals and a long-time favourite and friend of Wycombe Abbey, Rev Ravi Holy. T�������������������tmas Carol

services���������������������������

st��, parents, and Seniors. The standard of readers, musicians, and choirs of each service was simply outstanding and certainly brought forth the Christmas spirit in our school community.

The Spring Term saw the return of our House Chapel Services, which ran throughout the term and subsequent Summer Term. The themes of these services have been based on values that inspire us to develop good character traits. Martin Luther King Jr once wrote, ‘Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.’ The choices an individual makes determines their future, and the purpose of developing good character is the ability to make good choices. Character allo��������� as individuals and as part of a wider society. This is why the development of character and achieving academic attainment should be the purpose of education. The values were courage, honesty, generosity, integrity, humility, commitment, tolerance, liberty, justice and democracy.

The choices an individual makes determine their future, and the purpose of developing good character is the ability to make good choices.

This year, we held our annual gospel workshop on a cold February evening. The event was led by two members of the London Community Gospel Choir and Wycombe Abbey’s own gospel group, Phire Choir, who helped to lead the songs. We were all encouraged to join in and raise the roof with our singing. It was a great evening!

For Evensong services, we were fortunate to welcome several more guest speakers. Canon Fr John Udris from St Peter’s, Marlow, who helped to prepare our Roman Catholic ��������������alk entitled ‘Looking at Jesus looking at you’. Rev B������, Rector of Christ Church Kensington, spoke about the centurion’s faith and how it ties in with our school motto, In Fide Vade. Rev Jonathan Coore, Minor Canon and Chaplain of St George’s, Windsor, led us to think about when anger is a good thing.

We held our biennial ser�����������������or our Anglican pupils in April. Following two terms of preparation classes, a group of pupils gathered with their families to take this step in their faith in the School Chapel. It was a wonderful occasion. Following the very sad and sudden death of Bishop Alan, who had ov��������������vices for 20 years, we were very grateful to Rt Rev Dr Humphrey Southern, who presided over the service.

Many people are part of the Chapel team, making our services vibrant and enriching. These include our School Almoners, Issy and Ria, who ensure that everything runs smoothly, our House Sacristans, who oversee their House Chapel services, and many pupils who are musicians and members of the choirs. Our thanks also go to Mr Robinson and Mr Reid, who bring their professionalism and expertise to ensure that worship at Wycombe Abbey is of the highest standard and enables each one of us to be blessed through it.

rev Penny Chaplain

Anglican

On Sunday 28 April

the following girls wer������ by Rt Rev Dr Humphrey Southern, Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Oxford.

Butler House

Freya Baughan (LV)

Campbell House

Ava Preston (LVI)

Cloister House

Freya Laville (LV)

Pitt House

Elsa Jacobi (UIV)

Rubens House

Amelie Adnams (LV)

Ria Ibru (LVI)

Wendover House

Hope Muir (UIV)

c harity Report

Our Wycombe Abbey community is deeply committed to supporting those in need locally and internationally. This year, fundraising initiatives are overseen by our two uVI charity Prefects, Amaya and livi, and supported by charity representatives, comprising lVI girls from each senior House.

We support our Dove charities: One Can Trust foodbank, the Melanesian Mission and Central Aid (the latter both chosen by our founder, Dame Frances Dove). This year, Central Aid was awarded the prestigious Kings Award for voluntary work. We raise funds for these charities through the Foundation Fiver scheme, which includes donations from our three Mufti Days each year.

At the end of the last academic year, the school nominated and voted for our elected school charities, which we will support through the end of the 2024/2025 academic year. We were delighted that the School chose Mary’s Meals, which serves nutritional food to children living in some of the world’s poorest countries. The school also elected a worthy local charity, the Wycombe Refugee Partnership, which supports local refugee families.

This year, a great deal of the fundraising for the elected charities has been through our House charity bake sales. The pupils have cooked and baked some delicious treats to sell in the Courtyard Café. These have been approached with the usual inter-house competitive spirit, and some fantastic results have been achieved; Pitt House raised just under £400 in one day!

������������e Night, our charity stalls had their best year ever and raised an incredible £5,432 that will be shared equally between our elected charities. There have also been some individual pupils who have raised money through their own endeavours. One pupil, Frances (LVI), raised an enormous amount of money by completing the Bosphorus swim in Turkey. She raised a total of £2,366 for Mary’s Meals. During the Summer Term, we also held a charity Zumbathon for pupils and st��, ������, thanks to the generous donations of our parents and Seniors at our Christmas services, we were able to donate £1,286 to All Saints Church in High Wycombe for their ongoing buildings project.

rev Penny Chaplain

Central Aid wins The King’s Award for Voluntary Service

On Friday 15 march, seven lower Sixth House charity representatives, rev Penny and I attended central Aid’s King’s Award event. central Aid was the recipient of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the uK and equivalent to an mbe central Aid was one of 262 local charities that received the award this year, which was a great way to honour their outstanding work. The charity was established in 1906 by Dame Frances Dove, Wycombe Abbey’s founding headmistress, whose aim was to alleviate poverty. Her mission has been carried through to the present day with the charity’s success and the many people it helps.

We supported the event by helping with canapés and drinks and welcoming the guests, which was a great experience. The guests ranged from the people the charity has helped, their volunteers, and notable dignitaries, including the Deputy Mayor, MP’���� Representative, and Countess Howe, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. I loved speaking to the volunteers of Central Aid and hearing about the amazing community they have established through their work and the relationships they have forged with the people they help. Lady Howe gave an inspiring speech highlighting how volunteering is a fantastic way to contribute to society and especially how it helps local communities, as shown by the work of the volunteers at Central Aid. Overall, it was a lovely afternoon, and we were so grateful to be involved in something which has been part of Wycombe Abbey’s life for over 100 years.

Amaya  UVI

Helping to Improve Health and Hygiene in the Philippines

This year, I was very excited to establish a charity project in the Philippines to promote health and hygiene amongst the entire population of primary school children on the remote island of m anamoc in Palawan Province, Philippines.

Since I was very young, I have been travelling to the Philippines, and it is, without a doubt, my favourite place. Amanpulo is a small hotel located on Pamalican Island in the Cuyo Islands. Most of the st������������om the neighbouring island, Manamoc, which is very remote, underdeveloped and poor, with a population of around 2,600. Most of the population’s income comes from rice and seaweed f���������. A lack of basic healthcare and hygiene is a big issue for many people, and the children on the island are mos���ected as they are more �����������ects of the diseases that often result from this. This can lead to problems with eating, nutrition, dehydration,

tooth deca�����������������ect attendance and performance in school. At the start of the school year, the funds raised have gone towards providing basic medical and hygiene kits for all the 457 children of Manamoc, aged 4–10. Funds were also given to support a healthcare worker and necessary materials to teach the children how to wash their hands properly, brush their teeth, and maintain basic hygiene habits. Whilst there, I worked with a local foundation and the primary school to purchase, ship and distribute the kits to the children with the support of the Philippines Department of Education. Through the provision of medical and dental kits, I hope to help improve the lives of the children and prevent the spread of disea�������������� doing further projects in the future.

Alexandra UV

Prestigious Diana Legacy Award for Gabrielle

Upper Sixth pupil Gabrielle won the prestigious Diana legac y Award in m arch for recognition of her work improving the quality of computer education in rural communities worldwide. The award ceremony took place at the Science m useum, and the presentations were made by H r H the Prince of Wales. Gabrielle was one of 20 young people to receive the award, which ‘celebrates the achievements of leaders, visionaries and role models across the world who have demonstrated their ability to inspire and mobilise new generations to service their communities.’

During a trip to Phnom Penh in 2019, Gabrielle visited local schools and discovered they had never used a computer before but wanted to learn. This inspired Gabrielle to set up the Discimus Foundation in 2021 to improve the quality of education by providing computer equipment and computer and coding lessons to children worldwide. Since then, over 9,000 students hav��������������ted by 30+ volunteer teachers. The Foundation has raised over £30,000, which has enabled them to set up six computer labs in Cambodia, Uganda, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zambia. Gabrielle has also personally produced seven computer and coding courses for children aged 10 to 18.

m s rebecca c onroy

Communications Manager

I am a strong believer in Diana’s legacy that no matter what age, we all have a voice and can contribute to creating positive change.’ Gabrielle

Eradicating Period Poverty

Ahana (lVI) has set out this year to raise awareness of period poverty by creating a new brand of sustainable period underwear. Her business, called Saathi, is a socially conscious enterprise focused on menstrual hygiene and dedicated to eradicating period poverty globally through re-usable period underwear. We are delighted that she has been recognised by the consul General of India in Dubai for outstanding community Service, and at the Diamond challenge competition where she came third out of 31 finalists receiving $4,000 to invest in the business. We are incredibly proud of Ahana’s dedication to this cause and are pleased to see her impact on eradicating period poverty around the globe.

The inspiration for Saathi struck me when I visited a village in India in 2022. I was shocked to learn that most girls stopped attending their local school because menstrual products were either unavailable or prohibitively expensive. Instead, these girls believed, due to customs or societal behaviours, that menstruation is a shameful, unnatural process and that they should live in huts for the duration of their period. Furthermore, I learnt that they were wearing cloth and/or rags while menstruating, which meant they could end up with infections. I created a business to tackle this issue, make a lasting impact, and ensure sustainability.

After months of research, contacting manufacturers, receiving samples, trials and testing, and negotiating, I found the perfect product. Constructed fr����������������e, the underwear provides the comfort of a regular �����������ectively absorbing mens�����w. With a lifespan of approximately three years, the undergarment is an eco-friendly and cost-��ective way for young girls and women to opt for an alternative to pads and tampons. With the ‘buy one to give one’ concept, Saathi donates one pair of underwear to a girl in need with each purchase made.

The Hindi term ‘Saathi’ translates to ‘companion’ in English, representing women’s collectiv���ort to free themselves from period-related worries. With sales of c.1,500 units to reach the remotest parts of India where the support matters most, I partnered with the KCS Foundation, an NGO in India. In August 2023 we distributed 1,500 pairs of underwear to girls across three schools in the Samastipur district of Bihar, India’s most rural and poorest state. I also hosted educational sessions to eliminate the social taboo around menstruation, explaining the reality of periods to these girls.

I believe that period poverty is a silent crisis. Millions of girls are ��ering unnoticed, simply due to societal claims made hundreds of years ago. Period poverty is shrouded by a veil of social stigma and with Saathi I seek to tackle this.

Ahana LVI

Sophia, UIV

Community Engagement

Designing the Future

At Wycombe Abbey, we know our parents are keen to keep up with the latest discussions regarding school curriculum, technological advances, and how their daughters can leave School ready for a rapidly changing world. In February, we held an event to discuss what the future may hold.

Designing the Future was a panel-style conversation ably chaired by Nick Woods, our Deputy Head (Strategy and Operations).

It was designed to discuss the big questions on everyone’s minds, such as: What are the risks and ethical considerations of using AI in education? What have been the mos�������������� developments over the last two decades? What will examinations look like in the years to come? What are employers looking for in school leavers and graduates? Between them, the panel had a wealth of experience; it comprised Baroness Rock (Member of the House of Lords and Non-Executive Chair of the Costain Group), Mark Steed (an experienced UK and International Headmaster), R���zim-Khan (Head of the Data/Cyber and IP/IT Practices at an international la���) and Morgan Dee (Director of AI and Data Science at EDUCATE Ventures Research).

At the start of the evening, four pupils shared information on the innovative projects they were working on; Ahana (LVI) talked about the creation of Saathi, a socially conscious menstrual hygiene brand; Rebecca (LVI) spoke about her work as an Arkwright Scholar in engineering; Bea (LVI) explained how she is developing technological solutions to support accessibility for partially sighted people and Lily (UV) talked about the development of award-winning AquaSentiel, a marine exploration initiative. A recording of the event can be viewed on our website.

m rs Sian rees- e vans Director of Communications and Marketing

Wycombe Abbey Partnerships

Taking on the role of Partnerships lead has been tremendous fun this year. From continuing our very successful Sixth Form primary placement programme, our c ressex literacy mentoring programme and our popular c ressex Summer School, we have significantly expanded what we offer as a school.

Our philosophy on partnership work is ������������������tful as we look for a range of opportunities to further embed ourselves in the local community, making use of our facilities and our own pupils and st��, who are our greatest resource. Many of these initiatives involve a combination of st������� their own time and pupils creating new ideas. In 2023/2024, we successfully launched an art class for disabled children, a Year 4 chess club for budding young players, and a very popular Sunday morning enrichment programme for local Year 5 primary pupils taught by our very own LVI girls. This year, we hav���ered Classics, Science, English and Maths, and next year, we will broaden this to include Sustainability and Coding, as well as Drama. We have also hosted the whole of Year 5 from Oakridge Primary School for a day of science masterclass experiments.

Through careers events and greater collaboration at a departmental level, we are continuing to expand our partnerships work between Wycombe Abbey pupils and local state secondary schools, both selective and non-selective; this now includes St Michael’s Catholic School and Highcrest Academy, who are both very keen to develop ways for our pupils to work collaboratively.

m r Sam Joyce Head of Partnerships

m y team is dedicated to fostering more connections between Seniors and pupils, enabling them to share their inspiring journeys and support each other.

Development and Alumnae Relations

Iwas deeply honoured to join Wycombe Abbey as Director of Development in mid-February. This role leads and manages the programmes for Wycombe Abbey leavers, our Seniors, and oversees the fundraising programmes at the School. many of you will be familiar with philanthropy and alumni engagement at independent schools and universities. Still, you may not have realised that Wycombe Abbey has had a Development Office for over 30 years or that much of our philanthropic income comes from our parent community around the globe.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is facilitating connections between our Seniors and the School as well as with each other. The Department assists the Car������� ���������or our pupils, arrange for our Seniors to share their invaluable expertise and life lessons with our girls, and provide updates about the School and Seniors to our alumnae community. We take great pride in celebrating our Seniors ������������erence they make in their communities, whether in the workplace, their homes, or the cities, towns, and villages where they reside. Our Seniors share this unique and wonderful experience of being part of the School community despite being scattered across the globe. My team is dedicated to fostering more connections between Seniors and pupils, enabling them to share their inspiring journeys and support each other.

As a proud graduate of a girls’ boarding school myself, I am deeply committed to the transformative power of girls’ boarding education and the invaluable connections it fosters within the alumnae community. My experience at the Emma Willard School nearly 50 years ago is a testament to this. The friendships I formed there are still my dearest, my chosen family. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing a similar bond among the Seniors at Wycombe Abbey, as was evident during the recent Seniors Day, a heart-warming reunion of Seniors of all ages. This shared experience of empowerment and belonging is what sets these alumnae communities apart. Our schools are where w������oices, push boundaries, and often try on many personalities as we explore our identities and aspirations without the distractions that may arise at a day or mixed school. We grow from girls to young women in an environment that supports and empowers us.

Another part of the Director of Development role, built on the solid foundations and connections within the Senior and parent communities����������ort to garner philanthropic investment that not only supports and enhances the living and learning spaces at Wycombe Abbey but also pupil activities and the bursary provisions. This support is crucial in maintaining our diverse and inclusive community and broadening our perspectives. Seeking philanthropic investment allows us to showcase our values, impact and community spirit. It can reconnect us with our purpose.

There are so many ways to be philanthropic. We can give our time, share our exper����������������t. Studies show that most people hav���e to six charitable priorities. We buy a few extra groceries for the food bank at the supermarket, sponsor our friends and family members when they do a charity walk or marathon, and often respond to requests for support from our universities. Global studies have shown that education garners over 50% of all donations worldwide. Supporting Wycombe Abbey, whether with your time or expertise, helps with our aspirations.

I donate to Wycombe Abbey because I am committed to preserving girls’ boarding education and all the many oppor��������ords. I hope I can inspire you to join me and many others in our community in making Wycombe Abbey a philanthropic priority. This will strengthen our future and foster a more profound sense of shared purpose and community.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who have suppor������orts, including those parents who participated in the Clarence Leavers Appeal. By leaving a portion or the entirety of their deposit to the School as their daughters departed campus for the last time, they are supporting current and future generations of Wycombe Abbey families. There will be many opportunities for you to support Wycombe Abbey’s Strategic Direction. I hope you will consider contacting me to discuss this opportunity and join us on this journey.

m s robin Sharp Director of Development

Philanthropy at Wycombe Abbey

For many years, the School ha�����ted from philanthropic investment from our incredible community of Seniors, parents, and friends. This generosity has helped to support various initiatives across the School and strengthened Wycombe Abbey’s ability to provide a world class, future-focused education that allo������������ in her chosen path. The power of collective giving drives a culture of philanthropy, and we rely on donations to help deliver outstanding learning and boarding experiences for our girls.

Wycombe Abbey continues to seek philanthropic support in the following three priority areas:

b ursaries

We seek to create a community of pupils who r���t the world around us. Our entire communit�����s when we are inclusiv�����erent perspectives and experiences. We recognise that a Wycombe Abbey education can be out of reach for many, and we strive to make this exceptional educational opportunity accessible to capable, determined and resourceful girls through our bursary programme. This year, funds donated towards bursaries supported 37 pupils at the School, representing about 5% of

the girls at Wycombe Abbey. Next year, we will have 41 pupils awarded a bursary, increasing the School’s investment in our bursary provision.

l iving and learning Facilities

Wycombe Abbey is recognised as one of the UK’s leading girls’ boarding schools. High-quality���-for-purpose facilities that ��������ent and future pupils are an essential element that will enable us to remain in this position. It helps create an environment for our girls to pursue academic excellence and for our st��� provide outstanding teaching, allowing

their potential. Donations towards the Living and Learning Facilities went towards

the refurbishment of the boarding houses, the new Golf Simulator and the Innovation and Design Centre, all of which enrich and enhance the daily life at Wycombe Abbey.

u nrestricted or Area of Greatest n eed

This allows the School to direct funds towards the areas of greatest priority and to support a broad range of projects. Thanks to donors who directed their gifts towards Area of Greatest Need, the Clock Tower and the Chapel roof underwent necessary repairs this year. As places that the entire community cherishes, we are grateful for the support which allows us to maintain these iconic Wycombe Abbey landmarks.

Please consider making Wycombe Abbey one of your philanthropic priorities this year. For more information about philanthropy at Wycombe Abbey, please email development@wycombeabbey.com or scan the QR code to read more.

We are thankful, as always, for your support of Wycombe Abbey and for making the School a philanthropic priority.

OneOnyear

It is hard to comprehend that a year has passed since I left Wycombe Abbey. After seven years at School, my first year outside of its gates has been an exciting one that I have greatly enjoyed.

The year began with a fantastic summer, which involved celebrating the end of exams with friends and family. I was also grateful for the chance to volunteer as a ‘befriender’ with the West of England Centre for Inclusive Living. I then embarked on a new journey, starting my German and Spanish degree at Durham University. So far, my university experience has exceeded all of my expectations in terms of both academia and life in the city. I have enjoyed all aspects of College life, particularly playing lacrosse for the university. A highlight this year wa�����t College formal at Freshers’ Week, during which I met some of my closes���������t discovered College traditions. I am looking forward to my second year, especially the Durham University Charity Fashion Show. This is Europe’s largest studentled fundraiser, and I recently gained an executive position on the Charity Team.

Wycombe Abbey has undoubtedly made me ‘future-ready’, as the Sixth Form team would describe it. It has equipped me with academic curiosity, resilience, and drive. Most importantly, however, it has provided me with a family that I will never lose, as this past year has proved. A new beginning can be daunting, but I found comfort knowing that I had Wycombe friends to rely on.

Leaving Wycombe Abbey further highlighted the strength of its community, and it is my greatest pleasure to be one of its members. I wish all of the current Wycombe Abbey pupils and the Seniors community the best of luck with all their future endeavours.

Harriat b ishop Head of School 2022/2023

Dove Day

After a year of hard work and in true Wycombe Abbey style, we celebrated the end of the academic year with Dove Day in June. This year, we also marked the 80th anniversary of Glenn miller’s visit to Wycombe Abbey during World War Two, his last performance before his disappearance. We were delighted to host the Glenn miller orchestra for a special performance to acknowledge this.

The day began with a chapel service led by our School Chaplain, Rev Penny, and we were delighted to see so many parents join us. As the doors of Chapel opened, the fête began. In the arena, we were treated to a wonderful gym and dance display that demonstrated incredible feats of athleticism and grace. The ever-popular Dog Show followed with dogs participating in categories including waggiest tail and best trick. It was not just outside where the action was taking place; in Fisher Library, there were stands for the Duke of

Edinburgh Award Scheme and Greenpower, LAMDA performances, and the PE Department rowing challenge. There was also a special archive display in Big School featuring material from World War Two when the School was requisitioned by the US Eighth Air Force, as well as Wycombe Abbey uniform through the ages to coincide with our new uniform launch.

In the Performing Arts Centre, GCSE and A level art adorned the walls for a wonderful exhibition of girls’ work.

Before long, everyone was on the move to the House Marquees. It was great to see parents, pupils, and staff sitting together, enjoying their picnics, and listening to music performed by our talented musicians. After lunch, the Chair of Council, Peter Warren, took the stage to give a speech commending the hard work and resilience of pupils, staff, and parents that had been demonstrated over the last year. We also heard from the Headmistress, Jo Duncan and the Head Girl Team. Mrs Duncan said,

‘Dove Day has quickly become one of my favourite days of the year and I think Dame Frances Dove herself would have been pleased with the genuine sense of joy, community and celebration that is evident.’

After the speeches, the Glenn Miller Orchestra delivered their first performance, setting a vibrant tone for the evening. This was followed by an outstanding Review Show featuring a selection of this year’s drama and music performances.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra returned for a second performance to close Dove Day. Once again, a really special occasion and we look forward to next year!

ms rebecca conroy Communications Manager

It was great to see parents, pupils, and staff sitting together, enjoying their picnics, and listening to music performed by our talented musicians.

BonfireFireworksNight

We were delighted to welcome over 1,000 guests to Wycombe Abbey for our annual Bonfire Night and fireworks display. Despite Storm Ciaran’s best efforts, the night passed without a hitch, and the brilliant display was an excellent way to end an enjoyable evening for the whole community. Supporting local businesses in High Wycombe with the food trucks was great. Rubens House was crowned winner of the Guy competition, and the money raised through the stalls will go towards our elected charities, Mary’s Meals and the Wycombe Refugee Partnership. Thank you to the incredible team who helped make the evening such a success – planning for November 2024 is already underway!

m r n ick Woods

Deputy Head (Strategy and Operations)

A Year in the library

The Library has had a very busy year filled with author visits and events. Junior House was treated to an exciting Harry Potter night in the Autumn Term, complete with magical quizzes and crafted mandrakes. At the other end of the school, pupils starting their A level course in english had a visit from Dr mariah Whelan, who expanded on the poems of Christina Rossetti, specifically Goblin Market

The libraries also got their own makeovers, with the layout of books being switched up and the introduction of some new titles and some more literature in the Dove library. There have also been changes in the décor, with the introduction of the relaxation station to help deal with the stress that sometimes accompanies exams or other areas of school life.

The most recent and exciting introduction to the libraries this year was the audiobook scheme that allows pupils to access over 1,200 audiobooks with new titles being added each month.

We’ve had a consistent rotation of displays across the year, including themes like war poetry, travel, or the ‘sweet reads’ ahead of Valentine’s Day, helping keen r��������vel of interest in a ������he Carnegie shadowing scheme also kick������ for another year of lively discussion over teatime snacks on the shortlisted books, including titles like Joseph Coelho’s The Boy Lost in the Maze and Zillah Bethell’s The Song Walker. This scheme is always greatly enjoyed by many and promotes the exploration of other genres and styles of writing like poetry or graphic novels. The most recent and exciting introduction to the libraries this year was the audiobook scheme that allows pupils to access over 1,200 audiobooks with new titles being added each month.

The various libraries have had a great year, and we are looking forward to next year – after some good summer reading, of course!

cecily (lVI) School Librarian

Headmistress' Christmas Lecture: Sir

Anthony Seldon

In December, we welcomed Sir Anthony Seldon to School as this year’s Christmas Lecture speaker. Sir Anthony spoke to us about why he thought Liz Truss failed so quickly. He went through his reasoning, explaining what qualities are needed to be a Prime Minister, why some thrive and others don’t, and how female PMs have compared with female monarchs. A lively Q&A ensued with lots of excellent questions fr����������������������� signing. A fantastic lecture, and many thanks to Sir Anthony for a thoughtprovoking talk.

m s

rebecca c onroy Communications Manager

Butler book club

This year, the butler book club has been dig ging deeper into literary genres and tropes to understand what our favourite styles are and, more importantly, why they are so popular amongst young people. each weekly session focused on a different theme, exploring subjects such as dystopian literature.

As House Librarian, I gave a short historical introduction at the beginning of each session, outlining when these trends became popular and in what climate they were received. Pupils would subsequently try and

guess the major works in the genre. Friendly debates regarding the merits of these novels invariably ensued, particularly over classic literary tropes such as ‘lost heirs’ and ‘damsels in distress’! These informal meetings aimed to encourage reading for pleasure and the development of a critical lens, supporting academic and supercurricular skills.

Notwithstanding this more studious approach to literature, we have also enjoyed sharing casual recommendations. Girls often gave two-minute presentations on books they particularly loved reading, ranging from

Pride and Prejudice to R.F. Kuang’s new and very popular Yellow Face. This was part of a wider, library-run scheme that aimed to foster a love of reading amongst all year groups through peer recommendations. Each House created a shortlist of popular literature, which was then converted into a poster and placed in communal areas, allowing everyone to have access to some fresh book ideas.

Thank you to the School Librarians for supporting this club.

Sasha LVI

A Wonderful Evening of Wizardry

The Harry Potter event in the Autumn Term was great fun. We gathered in Fisher Library, and before the activities, we were treated to Domino’s pizza for dinner. Throughout the evening there were three activities to take part in: the Sorting Hat, clay mandrake making, and lightning bookmark making. I chose the Sor�������t, where each of us was put into our Hogwarts house, and I was put into Slytherin. This bit was super fun to try and guess which house you would be in. It was even more fun to welcome the younger years into your house. After that, I made a lightning bolt bookmark and decorated it with glitter and gems to make it special; I’ve been using this a lot since! Finally, I made a clay mandrake. We moulded clay into any shape; this bit was cool and so much fun being creative. We did a Harry Potter quiz to end the evening activities and then took all our creations back to House – Wycombe Abbey House, not Slytherin! Overall, it was super fun, and I would rate the event 11/10.

mij LIV

OWe had a wonderful week of celebrations for World b ook Day in m arch. While many of our pupils regularly spend time reading for pleasure, it is always important to celebrate our reading culture and promote the joy of reading.

ur celebrations began with the ever-popular Scholastic Book Fair. All classes of pupils visited during their English lessons, and the Book Fair was popular during break and tea, too. This year, we will again be donating our commission to a local primary school to enable them to buy new books for their school library. We are thrilled that so many of our pupils bought books and, therefore, helped us give back to the local community.

On World Book Day itself, I spoke in Chapel about my own reading journey, the joy I find in reading and the ways in which books shape our lives. I hope my talk inspired some of our pupils to read the many books I mentioned. Cosy Day was back in Fisher Library by popular demand, and it was delightful to see so many pupils enjoying some quiet time to read with a hot chocolate in hand!

As always, seeing so many pupils and staff dressed up on World Book Day was fantastic. The costumes were all amazing, and it was lovely to see the effort that everyone had made. The UV year group costume seems to be becoming a yearly event, and I enjoyed seeing many of Clarence dressed up as Where’s Wally? characters. Our runner-up for best individual costume this year was Amelia

Winner

(UIII) as Little Red Riding Hood and our winner for best individual was Clodagh (UIII) as Legolas. The runners-up for best ensemble costume were Yihan, Michelle, Xingyan and Christabel (UIV), in costumes inspired by The Day the Crayons Quit, and our winners for best ensemble costume were Nieve, Lita and Annelie (UIII), who dressed up as characters from Alice in Wonderland.

The School’s enthusiasm was wonderful to see and reminded us all again of the true power of a good book!

mrs Hannah rogers- Green Head of Libraries

Group Winner

Group Runner-Up

c ross-curricular Learning

In the Spring Term, our academic Heads of Department launched a new whole-school cross-curricular initiative, a challenge devised to foster creativity and interdisciplinary learning. The brief invited our pupils to respond within a given subject to the theme of ‘Gold and Golden’ using a wide range of skills and multimedia. The ultimate goal was to carry out independent research to produce and display inspirational work across the School.

Scientists in the Lower School found the ‘alchemy’ of Super Novas particularly appealing, and many could vividly articulate where gold comes from through their work. One notable entry considered the chemical ‘fool’s gold,’ which is, in fact, a compound containing no gold whatsoever!

In Mathematics, the LIV were set the task of looking at how the golden ratio can be found in nature, architecture, and art. They threw themselves into the project, making some eye-catching displays of their findings.

We

The History Department embraced the golden theme by exploring two golden ages – the Islamic and the Elizabethan. Pupils tried their hand at Islamic art and calligraphy and looked for hidden meaning in Elizabethan portraiture as part of their investigations, creatively coming to a range of different conclusions. Upper Third historians produced a stunningly rich showcase of Arabic calligraphy, architectural prowess and geometric artistry.

Given that Paris held the Olympics this summer, Modern Languages decided to ask the LV to look into the biographies and accomplishments of Olympic Gold medallists from Chinese, French, Spanish, and German-speaking countries. They produced their work in the target language, including memorable motivational quotes and relatable stories from formidable athletes who are an example to all.

have a new theme for the Spring Term 2025 and look forward to celebrating and displaying our pupils’ intellectual curiosity and limitless imagination here at Wycombe Abbey.

Meanwhile, the English Department invited UIV pupils to contribute an original image or lines from literature or mythology. Some impressive entries served as a crossover with Classics, which was apt since they share a corridor!

In Learning Enhancement lessons, the context of gold was applied to the stars of our world, thinking about role models with a profile of neurodiversity. Pupils were not aware of some of these celebrities’ profiles. It was an opportunity to talk about the various characteristics of each area of neurodiversity and the overlaps between them. Additionally, in English theory and EAL extras, our pupils focused on idiomatic expressions that refer to gold, their etymology and their use in the English language. There was a common understanding and appreciation that, in each idiom, the words ‘gold’ or ‘golden’ signified something luxurious, successful, valuable and desirable. The resulting display was imaginative, humorous and practical.

Analysis of the theme continued outside of academic lessons: the Philosophy Society discussed the Golden Mean proposed by Aristotle, linking virtue ethics. The society explored the implications of this ethical theory and brainstormed ideas for the display board. It was fantastic to see society members making numerous links to concepts beyond philosophy, such as the golden ratio in Maths, truly embracing the cross-curricular aspect of the challenge. After discussing many suggestions for the board, pupils came up with a balance scale to demonstrate that the Golden Mean is an intermediate between Deficiency and Excess (eg courage is the middle way between cowardice and recklessness).

We have a new theme for the Spring Term 2025 and look forward to celebrating and displaying our pupils’ intellectual curiosity and limitless imagination here at Wycombe Abbey.

m

r l uis Fuentes o lea Head of Spanish

The final event was making handmade cards which were distributed to all departments, fostering a sense of appreciation among the community.

Spirit Week: A Whole School c elebration of c ommunity

The Head Girl Team hosted Wycombe Abbey’s first School Spirit Week at the beginning of February. The main objective was to cultivate a week-long celebration encompassing all aspects of the school community, offering pupils engaging opportunities to participate in diverse activities spanning four days.

T����t activity was a school-wide Big Draw event, wherein each Senior House was allocated one of our School Values or a Power Skill. Equipped with canvases and pens, pupils collaborated across all year groups to represent their best interpretation of the assigned word or phrase. For the second event, pupils created a shor�������What Wycombe means to us’. Watching these was a delight, and it was gr����������erent approaches adopted by each House. Baby photos and fun facts from over

30 st�����������tments were collected for a tutor time quiz for the third event. The participation of hundreds of individuals made it successful and provided an excellent opportunity for the entire school community to discover new facts about each other. T������ent was making handmade cards which were distributed to all departments, fostering a sense of appreciation among the community. Throughout the week, a noticeboard was displayed in the Courtyard Café, inviting pupils to express their gratitude by leaving messages of thanks to all st��. This was really lovely to see and a beautiful way to end the week.

l aila , l iza and Anoushka Head Girl Team 2023/2024

HOUSE REPORTS

This year, we had a group of vibrant and energetic girls who were excited to explore and experience all the opportunities available to them. We welcomed the girls in a week of hot and sunny weather, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the Headmistress’ picnic at Wendover Woods, complete with a chance to complete the Go Ape! course.

Junior House also had a mid-year makeover, and the Junior House Dining Room feels refreshed and revitalised –providing a new look to our venue for meals, laptop time, weekly activities and our Friday sing-along. This year, some of our favourite weekly activities have been stone painting, bracelet making and pompom making. In the second half of the Autumn Term, the activities table was transformed into a Santa’s workshop, with the girls helping to produce over 80 angel decorations to go on our tree for the All Saints Church Christmas tree festival. On World Book Day, the table had another transformation when Mrs Hawkins laid the table as for a Mad Hatter’s tea party.

Fancy Dress has been a highlight for this year’s cohort, with plentiful opportunities to create a fun costume. T����t opportunity was when Clarence hosted a ‘Treat or Treat’ evening on Halloween, where each UVI House was decorated and they handed out sweets to the Junior House girls. World Book Day

Junior House

also provided a wide range of costumes, particularly group out��s, with multiple Willy Wonkas, Alice in Wonderlands, and Katniss Everdeens.

Weekends have also been full of activities and opportunities for the girls to get to know each other better. These have included our Closed Weekend whole school events such as the funfair, silent disco, and Dove Day, as well as trips to Chessington World of Adventure,

chocolate making in Windsor, and an afternoon at a local water park. Onsite activities have included an outdoor cinema, camp-out, laser tag, and archery rampage.

The Junior House girls have also enjoyed performing on stage through the Music Department’s regular performances, Spotlight Dance Show and Wycombe’s Got Talent, where they show������ amazing skills, from dancing and singing to performances on an amazing array of instruments. As a whole House, the girls performed Abba’s Super Trouper in House Shout and in the UIII play, The Norse Mythology Ragnasplosion, which was a fun, whirlwind tour through Norse Mythology.

Our end-of-term highlight was our residential trip to The Summit Centre in Wales.

m iss l ucy c rampton Housemistress of Junior House

It’s been so enjoyable to be Captain of Junior House this year; we’ve had a great year with lots of amazing activities and experiences. Since starting the role in September, I have loved getting to know all the girls and visiting them every Thursday in Junior House. A highlight was the new ‘Goodnights’ scheme, in which 15 LVI girls were paired with a Junior House dorm and spent the evening with them twice a term. Both LVI and UIII girls have told me how much they’ve enjoyed it, and it’s been so rewarding to see the inter-year group bonds developing and contributing to a welcoming environment for everyone. The Lower School prefects and I particularly enjoyed the Junior House Christmas party with all the games, but the best part of being Junior House Captain this year has, without a doubt, been chatting with all the girls on my weekly visits. I look forward to seeing them move into their Senior Houses and wish them the best of luck; I’m sure they will love it.’

Polly (LVI, Captain of Junior House)

Airlie has been a place of fun, kindness, and a tight community for another year, thanks to a special group of staff and pupils who’ve been fortunate to call it home. In September, we welcomed a wave of new Airlie girls into l IV, u IV and lVI, who quickly found their place in the House and have since brought real brightness and vitality to Airlie’s life.

As is customary, we started the Autumn Term strong with games each Friday in our family trees. Highlights included the immensely competitive ’sock game’ tournament and the noisiest game of ‘heads up’ I’ve ever witnessed. In November, the whole House was on a high as the UIV smashed their House Dance routine and won the whole competition, and though we might not have seen such success later that month in netball House Funals, as ever, the Airlie teams played with enthusiasm and unity under the brilliant leadership of Allegra,

our Sports Captain. The Spring Term was equally packed with House events, beginning with our annual House Dinner in January and closing with House Shout in March. This year, we performed the Calvin Harris song Feels , and were duly commended for our sense of rhythm and unbelievably high energy levels. In

Airlie

the Summer Term, Clarice, Natacha and I organised our House Chapel service, where we reminded our peers that safeguarding ‘liberty’ is of the utmost socio-political importance and that it’s not something we should take for granted here at Wycombe Abbey. Whilst our House spirit has shone brightly during the

In September, we welcomed a wave of new Airlie girls into l IV, u IV and lVI, who quickly found their place in the House and have since brought real brightness and vitality to Airlie’s life.

end-of-year festivities, this academic year closes on a bittersweet note as we bid farewell to our wonderful Housemistress of four years, Miss Flynn. She has infused the House with calmness and joy, and consistently showcased that she cares deeply for each and every one of us. She will be thoroughly missed. Nevertheless, Tomilola (Deputy Head of House) and I look forward to seeing the House spirit invigorated by the exciting change that next year has in store!

Alice LVI, Head of House

Taking on the role of Head of House for b arry this year has been one of the most fulfilling experiences during our time here. Over the past five years, Barry’s vibrant community has provided us with a sense of belonging and comfort, filled with kind, loving, and bubbly personalities. o ur main focus was maintaining and building on our House spirit, and we’ve shown this in various events, from Bonfire Night Guy-making to our spirited House Shout (we still believe we were robbed!).

Some of the highlights were organising activities like the House Party in the Autumn Term, movie nights, and Toastie Thursdays. The Barry House Dinner, after months of planning, was another special event, along with Dove Day. These experiences allowed us to give back to the House and the people who have supported us throughout the year. A memorable moment wa����e Night,

where we organised our charity stall. We sold bracelet-making kits, handmade postcards���������ets, ultimately raising the most money of all the stalls. This showcased Barry’s dedication and the true value of our roles in House.

BarryThe Spring Term has been busy yet incredibly rewarding. T������orts in events like the Big Draw during Spirit Week were brilliant. Our outing to Rush was a lovely way to wind down together. Despite the House Shout robbery, our spirit was at its peak, and we sounded brilliant doing it; thanks to Scarlett and Gloria for running it! Support at events, especially at House Funals, has been

strong, and the House spirit has truly tak���. Special thanks to the st���or making the weekends lovely with food and snacks. It’s been a great year!

Being Head of House combined leadership, responsibility, and the opportunity to mentor younger pupils. It involved organising various activities, from House dinners to Dove Day, fostering camaraderie, and ensuring all girls felt valued. The discipline and organisation required for this role were challenging yet rewarding, teaching us valuable skills.

As we conclude this wonderful Summer Term, we extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your hard work, enthusiasm, and kindness. You have made Barry House a place of warmth, support, and joy. We look forward to seeing Barry’s continued achievements next year!

Scarlett and Frances LVI, Heads of House

As we conclude this wonderful Summer Term, we extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your hard work, enthusiasm, and kindness.

Living in Butler for the past five years has been an extraordinary journey, filled with vibrant energy, boundless joy, and a lively atmosphere that has made every day unforgettable. This year has proved to be even more exceptional. Throughout our countless victories in music, sports, and spirit, we have also formed amazing memories and forged connections that I am sure none of us will forget.

The Autumn Term wa���������y exciting events for the Butler community. We thoroughly enjoyed the House Dinner, where we had the chance to listen to our talented House musicians. Later on, the LIVs did a memorable job of creating the Guy f�����e Night (the Lorax), and our wonderful Charity Prefects Riana ������������tall that night, as well as the Butler Bake Sale, which was a massive success. We are fortunate to have celebrated a huge victory when we won the 100 Acts of Kindness competition, thanks to our House Artist, Cara, and there were also numerous successes in netball and lacrosse, with all teams working extremely hard. After such an exciting yet tiring term, we wrapped up with our annual Butler Bop and some gingerbread house making, in the spirit of the Christmas break.

The Spring Term started with sporting success, with Butler continuing to shine in House cross country and swimming events. ��������������oastie Tuesdays, Nacho Night and Fruity Fridays, helping us get through each day of the week with delicious snacks and time for socialising each evening. Perhaps our most notable

Butler

achievement of the year was when we won House Shout for the third year in a row, singing Pompeii by Bastille. We celebrated our victory and had a delicious meal at Bluegrass, allowing for some much-needed rest ahead of Long Leave.

Our Summer Term proved the strength of Butler’s community spirit, with every year group supporting each other during their respective exam weeks. Alongside navigating the challenges and triumphs of School life, we continued to have fun in tutor outings, and the Summer Term was the return of Butler House Cluedo. We worked hard on our House Anthem of Roar by Katy Perry, led by Charlotte, and had a splendid service in House Chapel. At Seniors Day, we were

visited by some of our Butler alumnae, who told us some remarkable stories of the House in the 1960s. As the term ended, we looked forward to Sports Day, GlastonAbbey, Dove Day and our river boat �����������ear. We have had great fun getting to know the UIIIs during their weekly visits to Butler, and we cannot wait to welcome them into the House properly in September.

As always, the Butler House st���ve never ceased to make Butler the wonderful House it is. On behalf of the whole House, we cannot thank them enough for all the work that they put in. It has truly been an honour to have been made Head of House. I am so grateful to all the LVI Mons and the House st���or always supporting me. Being a part of Butler is an experience I will never forget, and I will always hold these memories close to my heart.

Ahana LVI, Head of House

We cannot believe our time in campbell has come to an end. For many of us, it has been a home away from home for the past five years, and endless memories that will forever be cherished have been made. moving on to clarence may be harder than we all expected. campbell has always been known for its close community, and we are all forever grateful for our team of amazing House staff who have made our experience here so special.

The new academic year began with the return of Cooking with Mons, where LVIs took turns cooking alongside each year group. Various dishes were prepared, from egg fried rice and udon noodles to chicken and dips. Following this, the highly anticipated annual UIV dance show showcased the Campbell UIV pupils’ impressive choreography to the song Staying Alive����e Night proved to be a resounding success, raising over £800 for charity through our jewellery stand. Mr Bannister joined us for Monday Night Activities, where a spirited game of House ����s enjoyed in the drawing room. As the term drew to a close, myself and eight other Heads of House participated in the newly introduced, Wycombe’s Got Talent, showcasing our choreography to a medley from The Nativity. Additionally, the LIVs concluded their term with a delightful outing to Treatz Dessert Parlour in High Wycombe, accompanied by Miss Dorme.

Despite being the shortest term, the Spring Term never fails to surprise us with its

numerous activities. Campbell once again demonstrated its exceptional abilities in swimming and cross-country, securing ��t place in both House Funals. Moving onto music, House Shout took place again this year, with the House enthusiastically performing There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back by Shawn Mendes. Wednesday nights saw the popularity of cooking with Mr Wong,

Campbell

where the House appreciated and shared various aspects of Asian cuisine and culture. At the annual Campbell Dinner, anticipated by many of us, there was a shared appreciation for our tight-knit community, complemented by delightful instrumental pieces performed by Jane and Judy. To ���������entful term, the House enjoyed an outing to Top Golf, engaging in competitive golf games, followed by a dinner appreciated by all attending pupils and st��.

After the LVIs returned from Easter, we were greeted by the newly renovated Mons Kitchen, featuring a selection of new appliances. However, the Summer Term inevit�����������or all year groups. The UVs coped brilliantly with their GCSEs, and the other years have successfully navigated the stress of

their summer exams. To conclude this academic year, we organised a Campbell remake of the Great British Bak����s our chosen House Inning. We saw an array of eye-catching and delicious cakes baked.

Over the pas���e years, Campbell has provided me with an environment to thrive and mature. From the quieter girl I wa�������t joined Campbell to who I have become now, the House and the st�� have always been part of every experience. I am forever grateful to the people in my year, the other pupils in the House, and the House st���or making every moment of my time in Campbell so special. Thank you for your endless support and encouragement, for our hour-long chats, and for our weekly sports nights. Without you, the Campbell community would not be what it is today.

rebecca LVI, Head of House

Iam filled with immense pride and gratitude as I reflect on our year together as a House. The sense of community in cloister has been more evident than ever as we engaged in numerous activities and fostered loving friendships in the place that is our second home. I am honoured to have taken over the role of Head of House from Izzy, who become Deputy Head Girl in the Summer Term; we are incredibly proud of her for this amazing achievement!

In the Autumn Term, we said goodbye to Mrs Akers as she went on maternity leave and welcomed Mrs Woodward as our new Housemistress. One particular highlight of the term wa����e Night, in which we held a successful art auction to raise money for our school charities. The Lower Fourth placed third in the Guy competition with their ‘mushy peas on skis’, showcasing their talent and creativity and their great teamwork and resilience after powering through a rocky start.

The Spring Term star���������st as our ensemble w����t place in House Shout with a captivating piece from La La Land . Our musical success continued with many Cloister girls participating in Legally Blonde the Musical and our House Shout performance of Amy Winehouse’s Valerie

Cloister

We delivered a House Chapel service on the theme of honesty, stressing the importance of being honest with ourselves and others. It was great to see many families at the annual House Dinner in February and catch up over a delicious

As the days became longer and the weather improved in the Summer Term, we enjoyed picnic dinners with the UIII –a lovely opportunity to get to know each other better before we welcome them into Cloister next year. At the end of term, we showed great House spirit on sports day and enjoyed our House Outing where we saw Six the musical!

It has been amazing to be part of a wonderful House that has given me so many memories; I will miss this special community when I move into Clarence next year. We wish Mrs Akers a warm welcome back next term and Mrs Woodward good luck as Housemistress of Wendover – thank you for being an amazing maternity cover!

c hloe LVI, Head

of House

The sense of community in c loister has been more evident than ever as we engaged in numerous activities and fostered loving friendships in the place that is our second home.

As the academic year drew to a close, we reflect on the vibrant events and achievements that made this year unforgettable. We kicked off the year with a bang, hosting a spectacular Bonfire Night gamesthemed stall. The evening was filled with laughter and competitive spirit, and along with welcoming new Pitt girls to our community, set an amazing tone for the months to come.

Our dedication and hard work shone brightly in the House Dance competition, where we proudly secured second place. The energy and creativity displayed by our UIV dancers were incredible and a testament to the talent within the House. Not stopping there, in sport, we clinched the winning title in House lacrosse with an amazing performance from all players on the frosty pitch to mark the end of a successful half term.

Musically, we made our mark b������ third in House Shout and also had the opportunity to watch our LV girls put on an amazing show. Captivating the audience with their creativity and talent,

their performance further highlighted the dedication that runs deep through all House activities here at school.

In the House, Alicia, our resident artist, added some magic to our gr����� with her beautiful painted tree, which will hold details on our House family. Her

Pitt

contribution brightened our common room area and left a small piece of the LVI for future Pitt residents to enjoy. Our sense of community and charity was further showcased by the Pitt charity bake sale successfully run by Bea, our Charity Representative. We raised record amounts this year, and the generosity and ��ort put into the event display just how passionate and dedicated the Pitt girls are. Weekly traditions such as Wednesday Risotto, Thursday Nintendo, and Fruity

Friday provided light relief amidst our busy academic schedules and gave all year groups a chance to connect further in the kitchen.

Finally, to celebrate the end of the term, we held a Pitt Party, an ev����� with laughter, joy and a shared sense of accomplishment. It was the perfect way to wrap up an extraordinary year!

At the end of the year, we said a heartfelt goodbye to Ms Leslie and Ms Mac. Their guidance and support have been invaluable, and they will be dearly missed by all of us here at Pitt. Overall, this has been an amazing year of challenges and triumphs, celebrated together, and friendships formed. Personally, I have loved being Head of House and am so proud of all my peers. I will always cherish the Pitt community and the wonderful memories we have created, and I will carry my strong Pitt spirit into my journey through Clarence.

Thaisa LVI,

Head of House

o verall, this has been an ama zing year. The challenges and the triumphs we’ve celebrated together and the friendships formed.

It cannot be denied that r ubens has had a really incredible year. Although we have always been ‘quite good’, I have felt an overwhelming sense of drive and passion towards everything we have participated in since September. The sense of community is stronger than ever in Rubens, and the effort each individual has put into improving the environment we have created is extremely notable.

House games have been an absolute delight, with Rubens girls constantly providing unwavering support to one another. There has been such infectious energy around these games sessions that Rubens has managed to excel in sports, claiming the Sports Shield in the Autumn and Spring Terms.

�������e Night festivities, the fantastic LIV girls earned their keep by creating a gorgeous Barbie Car Guy and winning the competition in November. This was a very successful evening as Rubens Roulette made an impressive contribution to our School charities, courtesy of our Charity prefects.

A wonderful achievement this year was placing second in House Shout. Despite the chaos surrounding the rehearsals, the sheer volume and determination we projected was something to be very proud of.

Rubens

As my time in Rubens ends, I cannot even begin to express my appreciation for the support that the House st���ovide day in and day out. I hope Rubens continues to smile into the next academic year, and I am certain we will have House Shout in the bag for next year.

Avalon LVI, Head of House

The sense of community is stronger than ever in Rubens, and the effort each individual has put into improving the environment we have created is extremely notable.

We have had another year of success, coming together more than ever to form a tight-knit community, and we have won two of three commendation shields and consistently placed in the top three for inter-house sport. I genuinely believe that the Shelburne community spirit is stronger than any other. It has been amazing to see strong friendships forged between all year groups and so many people attending House activities.

We kick������ear on a strong footing. LVI had their traditional hot chocolate evenings, and each year group came to Mons for a super informal chat in the evening. It was a great chance for us to get to know everyone and start the year well by breaking down any previous misconceptions about scary older girls!

���e Night was also a great success. Our House Charity Representatives, Maya and Laeticia, did an amazing job of organising and running our charity stall, and LIV pulled out a somewhat lastminute but nonetheless innovative version of Thomas the Tank Engine for the School Guy competition.

We were crowned House netball champions in the Autumn Term after a t

Rubens. We also came third in House lacrosse! Our incredible House Captain, Emily, did a great job at organising the teams and leading us to these fantastic results.

Shelburne

Spring Term saw the annual House Shout competition, in which Shelburne ����������-of-a-kind performance of Wannabe was spotless, containing everything from saxophone to electric guitar, choreography to raps and, of course, our beautiful singing voices. We even had Eve running through the crowd dressed as our mascot – what more could you want?

Summer Term at Wycombe Abbey is always a lovely way to end the year, with the grounds looking beautiful in the sunny

We were crowned House netball champions in the Autumn Term after

weather��������������eat start by winning the House crick�����, and the later evenings meant we could get back into the swing of Daws Hill rounders. Congratulations must also go to our LIV–LV Maths team, who won the inaugural Maths competition!

Thinking that my time in Shelburne is coming to a close af����e years of friendships, laughter, and memories that will stay with me for life brings up ����ted feelings: excitement about moving on to the next chapter and sadness about leaving the House behind. I will miss everything about Shelburne, but mostly, the people. Our community of pupils makes us who we are; everyone is always supportive and there for each other when things get tough. Miss Phillips, Miss Tay and Miss Penfold put in incredible work to support us in any way they can, and I am incredibly grateful for that. Although Lower Sixth will be moving down the hill, we will come back to visit a lot, and the fond memories of Shelburne will be sure to stay with us forever.

e

mily

LVI, Head of House

It is hard to believe that my time in Wendover has ended, and it will certainly be difficult to say goodbye to the place that has been my family and second home for the last five years. However, I am happy to say I am leaving with a strong group of friends and shared experiences that have bonded us for life.

from the small chats at Toastie Thursday to night-time deep-and-meaningfuls, the activities in House allow us to form new friendships and solidify pre-existing ones across all age groups.

A particular highlight of the year was organising House Cluedo. Although, at

The Autumn Term star���������� as we welcomed the new girls, quickly settling into the swing of Wendover life. Our House Dinner came around quickly, and it was lovely to have the opportunity to thank the st���or their unwavering dedication. The evening was punctuated by a classic game of Wendover bingo and it was great to see parents involving themselves in the tradition.

My favourite part of School life has always been the memories made in House. Wendover truly does feel like a family:

Wendover

times, the cunning of Wendover girls shocked me, it was great to see everyone involving themselves and some groups coming together as dorms to try and win!

And to Miss Blunt, we cannot thank you enough for all you’ve done for the House over the past six years! Your unwavering

m y favourite part of School life has always been the memories made in House.

commitment to Wendover has never ceased to amaze me, and the care you show for everyone in our community is remarkable. We wish you the best of luck in your new post and we know you’ll always #bleedred.

Looking back, the pas���e years have gone b�����sh, and I am proud to say I have taken advantage of everything Wendov���ers. It has been a pleasure to represent such an amazing group of girls this year and to give back to the House I have loved so much. I speak for the whole of the Lower Sixth when I say we wish all the current and new Wendover girls the best of luck, and we hope you enjoy your time as much as we have!

lola LVI, Head of House

The c larence c lass of 2024 has had an eventful year. The obvious highlight was the busy Autumn Term, during which we submitted our uc A S applications and were glad to receive wonderful university offers from the u K and internationally. o ur first bonding activity as a year was m onopoly l ive in london, which kicked off the Clarence experience with bonding between houses. Throughout the year, c larence provided the perfect opportunity to spend more time with friends who usually live in distant boarding houses, resulting in many latenight chats and lasting memories.

The step up to cooking for ourselves and each other was admirably taken on by many girls in our year, and there were numerous interesting conversations and lots of delicious food enjoyed at dinners we hosted for our teachers. Over the autumn Long Leave, some of us enjoyed overseas trips with our A level classmates, such as the Classics trip to Greece and the

Spanish trip to Salamanca. Spending this extra time trav������������� prompted new friendships and was a wonderful experience.

In the spirit of shared experiences, we also all bonded whilst outside New Clarence during late�����e alarms, wondering

Clarence

which house's midnight snack had gone wrong. These unexpected and hilarious memories will stick with us long after we leave Wycombe Abbey. There was also the impressive performance of the Clarence play Paranoia , which everyone in the year went to support! Similarly, the pupil–teacher debate was highlighted, showcasing Clarence’s victory over our teachers. In the lacrosse match with Eton, we were all out

on the pitch, either playing (and winning) or cheering on our friends!

Another highlight for Clarence was the big outing to the cinema at the end of the Spring Term, where we had dinner and watched Mamma Mia , organised by our new Deputy Housemistress, Miss Hamilton. She, Mrs Sparks, Ms Suto, and Mrs Waghorn have supported us all through this year, and we are so grateful for all the ice cream, chocolate caterpillars, and late-night check-ups they have provided.

A huge thank you to the Clarence team and sincere congratulations to all my fellow Upper Sixth for surviving (and smashing!) our A levels. I wish all of them the best in the future and thank Wycombe Abbey on their behalf for how far it has brought us – I cannot wait to see where we will go!

Anjali Clarence Chairman

A huge thank you to the c larence team and sincere congratulations to all my fellow u pper Sixth for surviving (and smashing!) our A levels.

Staff Leavers

Sue buxton Director of Science and STEM

Sue b uxton joined Wycombe Abbey in 1995 and has been a legendary Head of Science and ST em . First and foremost, she was an outstanding Physics teacher, enabling even the least scientific pupils to understand the complexities of electromagnetism or waves. From the youngest pupils, to whom she would teach a lesson on the assessment day to see if they would be suitable Wycombe Abbey pupils, to the c ambridge n atural Scientists at the top end of the school, she has been responsible for inspiring generations of fine physicists. It has been rumoured that Sue is a wizard, as there are several experiments only she was able to carry out successfully! Girls responded well to her crystal-clear explanations of difficult concepts, her infectious enthusiasm for physics, her very high academic expectations, and, above all, her unwavering belief in the pupils she taught.

Sue is not someone who ever gives up. ���������e into the day than most of us achieve in a month. Apart from Physics, Sue led countless other initiatives in the Science Department (which she expanded to include DT and Psychology) over the years. These included the Giant Science Day for Lower School, the Paper Pan project (which led to several whole �����e evacuations), teaching pupils how to look after the School’s beehives (producing really delicious honey), leading outreach visits to partner schools (long before we had an established Partnership Programme), dreaming up the STEAM Olympics and then putting them into motion, driving the minibus for Duke of Edinburgh, doing evening duties in Clarence and accompanying countless trips both at home and abroad. There are too many stories to tell of her paddling in the freezing cold sea during the annual UIII trip to the Durrell Wildlife Conservation

Trust, or managing lost luggage on the brilliant CERN trip for A level Physics pupils, to be able to cover them all here.

She did all of these things whilst leading the biggest department in the School, managing the Heads of Science, supporting lab technicians, ensuring that lessons were covered when teachers were absent, recruiting and training new st��, teaching amazing GCSE and A level lessons, devising a new University Preparation Programme for scientists, dealing with the line of pupils waiting outside the Physics prep room for her to help them with a �������tion, and, most importantly, caring for the School’s bunnies!

It has been said many times that it is dangerous to spend too much time with Sue, as you will undoubtedly hear the phrase ‘I have an idea …’ and she will then launch into yet another (seemingly) crazy project which will leave you reeling. Then,

as her meticulously crafted plans start to take shape, you will realise that she has done it again and inspired you to do more than you ever thought possible. She never sought any praise for herself but was always happy that she had encouraged another group of pupils or teachers to achieve something new and worthwhile.

We know that Sue will not have a quiet retirement, as sitting still for long is not in her nature. We wish her and Iain the best as they move to Leicestershire. We are so very grateful to Sue for her kindness, determination, and all that she has done for us at Wycombe Abbey over 29 dedicated years of service.

m iss e mily b oswell

Deputy Head (Academic)

Alison e arnshaw-Punnett Head of Spor t Performance

Alison joined Wycombe Abbey in September 2020 from St George’s Ascot as Head of Sport Performance. Her passion and drive for supporting our pupils has meant the Performance Programme has thrived under her leadership, which has had a long-lasting impact on the athletes who aspire to reach their sporting goals.

Ali has play����������t in ensuring the girls develop a lifelong love for sport and physical activity, and she continues to be an advocate for women’s sport. She has coached our Junior and Senior lacrosse players with huge passion and commitment, which ha�������� impacted the girls’ performance and enjoyment. I know she will be truly missed.

Her knowledge and experience throughout her teaching career has ����������ery member of the PE Department and her endless support to all st����������eciated by all but will be greatly missed next year. We wish her the very best of luck in her new role at St Catherine’s, Twickenham, and I am sure we will see her on the side-lines in the future.

m iss r uby Smith Director of Sport (Maternity Cover)

Gill evans Teacher of History

Gill’s retirement marks the end of a remarkably rich 45-year teaching career, 17 years spent at Wycombe Abbey. As a colleague, she is without compare. Having taught seemingly every topic under the sun, she is an endless font of knowledge and lesson ideas and served as our resident expert on the early modern period. Her wealth of anecdotes and interesting facts bring to life periods of the past which could often seem distant, with her classes well-versed in tales of rupert of the rhine.

Gill also stands out for her readiness to go above and beyond. She can often be found having one-to-one meetings with pupils, answering their questions about religious radicalism or giving advice on exam technique with a calm and reassurance that only she is capable of. Outside the classroom, she memorably led a local history project to commemorate World War One, helping pupils to research

fallen soldiers from High Wycombe. This culminated in an event where Gill gave tours to members of the public whilst dressed as World War One nurse. We will miss her enormously and wish her well in her well-earned retirement.

m

r n eill

George Head of History

claire Flynn Airlie Housemis tress and Teacher of PE

Claire joined Wycombe Abbey in September 2018 as Deputy Housemistress of Airlie House and Teacher of P e . Her enthusiasm for embracing the School’s boarding life was quickly apparent, and after two years as Deputy Housemistress, c laire stepped into the role of Housemistress of Airlie in September 2020.

Throughout her time in Airlie, Claire has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the pupils within her care. She strives to make sure that each pupil is known and encouraged as an individual, and it is wonderful to see such warmth reciprocated from the pupils and their parents back to Claire. She has ensured that Airlie is a true ‘home from home’, making countless cups of hot chocolate and ensuring that Mario Kart remains a priority as an evening activity. In PE, Claire is often found supporting her squads on the side of the pitches or running up and

down them as a referee. I know how much the PE Department has valued Claire’s dedication, warmth and sense of humour over the past six years.

Claire has been an excellent colleague and an outstanding Housemistress. Although she will be missed greatly by all at Wycombe Abbey, we wish her every success in the future and in her next adventure!

m rs Vicky Fawkes Deputy Head (Pastoral)

charlotte Hutchings Teacher of Physics

Ahighly qualified physicist, Charlotte joined the Physics Department in September 2022. Passionate about her subject yet calm and considered in her approach, c harlotte was masterful at getting pupils to think for themselves, coaching them to develop their study skills at all levels. Her impressive knowledge, attention to detail and engaging teaching style enabled her classes to thrive.

encouraging them to be brave, make deductions and take intellectual risks to stretch themselves. Her care and attention to each individual pupil ensured that they were empowered to reach their potential. Charlotte used demonstrations and class experiments to ma�����ect, instilling good practice from UIII upwards. No stone was left unturned in investigations,

with close attention paid to correct �������ocedures and careful analysis of results. We were delighted to hear of the safe arrival of her third son, Magnus, and we wish her joy and happiness with her family and every success in all her future adventures.

m rs Sue b uxton Director of Science and STEM

Stephen

Goward Deputy Head of Sixth Form

Methodical and calm in his approach, Stephen has overseen three Sixth Form cohorts since joining Wycombe Abbey as Deputy Head of Sixth Form in January 2019, each group with their distinctive needs and personalities. He is well-respected for his intellectual alacrity and flexibility, especially when supporting pupils in his History classroom, with their wide range of e PQ projects or various multidisciplinary university applications.

In Clarence House, his ultimate legacy is that of ‘Chestiny’, the random treat box which appears as a beacon of joy and excitement at weekly House Order. In addition to his role in the Sixth Form, Stephen has worked hard as part of the School’s CPD committee,

�������verseeing our development of partnerships with international schools in the US and Europe. I wish him and his family well as they move to Spain.

m rs Jacky Tidbury Director of Sixth Form

Hollie-Ann

Jeans Deputy Head of Sixth Form

Hollie joined Wycombe Abbey in September 2019 as Deputy Head of Sixth Form and quickly made her mark on the busy life of the School. Always giving of her time with ‘folks’ (her go-to phrase when addressing any group of pupils or staff), she was committed to giving pupils bespoke guidance tailored to their individual needs and aspirations and providing support to those in her english classes or in her year group.

Hollie demonstrated her industrious attitude and boundless energy both in the classroom and as a resident member of st������ence House, where her indefatigable approach and sense of humour was much respected, especially during the Covid years. As someone with real grit and a steely determination to

uphold her own values, Hollie was an excellent role model for our girls, and she is bound to bring that same magic to her new role as Director of College at Howell’s College in Car��.

m rs Jacky Tidbury

Director of

Sixth Form

James Jones Deputy Head (Pupils)

ames joined Wycombe Abbey in September 2017 as Deputy Head (Pupils) under then Headmistress, rhiannon Wilkinson. As the son of a former Housemaster, James grew up in schools and is fully aware of the all-encompassing nature of boarding life. His knowledge and understanding of what outstanding pastoral care looks like is second to none and he immersed himself in Wycombe Abbey during his time here.

James was a strong and positive member of the Executive Leadership Team; he had overall responsibility for the pastoral care of our 650 pupils spread across 11 boarding houses. He line managed the Housemistress team, Heads of Section and the Heath Centre and oversaw all aspects of pupil behaviour, pupil voice and School Council. He introduced and developed a very successful Flourishing@ Wycombe programme, our Parenting the Teenager series, and an excellent podcast. In addition, James taught History, a subject he is passionate about.

James could be relied upon in any situation; he took time to form positive working relationships with those around him and regularly went above and beyond

to support colleagues. He would always attend events or stand on the side-lines of the lacrosse pitch on Saturday afternoons, supporting pupils and talking to parents.

James is exceptionally hard-working, and one of his great strengths is his ability to assimilate a huge amount of detail, which was particularly evident during the Covid period when he briefed the ELT on the constantly changing regulations and the impact on us as a school. He prides himself on being a lifelong learner, and we enjoyed many discussions about what good leadership looks like as well as broader educational matters.

Wycombe Abbey during his time here, and we wish him, Kate and his boys every

happiness and success as he undertakes ����t Headship at Sidcot School in Somerset.

m rs Jo Duncan Headmistress

Alex Kyles- brown Teacher of Physics

We were extremely lucky to appoint Alex to join the Physics Department in September 2021 to fill an unexpected gap in the teaching staff, and we have been lucky enough to hold onto him for three years. He has a deep knowledge and appreciation of the elegance of Physics and relishes all physics-related challenges, inspiring his pupils with his enthusiasm and joy of learning. He has contributed ideas for new experiments, given a series of Physics lectures to challenge the pupils with concepts beyond the specification and been involved in extracurricular events, such as Giant Science.

In addition, Alex has made an impressive impact through his w������e senior partnership schools in London; he has run an Oxbridge entry programme, set up LVI Wycombe Abbey pupils as mentors for Year 10 pupils at other schools, conducted numerous mock interviews and given advice on personal statements. He was also instrumental in setting up the recording studio and developing the use of Canvas online learning platform to deliver

extension and support materials to other schools.

Pupils and st����e hav�������om his wisdom, common sense, warmth and good humour, and we wish him every success in his new role as Second in Charge of Sixth Form at Mill Hill School.

mrs Sue buxton

Director of Science and STEM

Penny n ash Chaplain

The Reverend Penny Nash, affectionately known as Rev Penny to the girls, was appointed c haplain of Wycombe Abbey in September 2018. She joined from Parish ministry, and despite the new environment of a full boarding school, she settled quickly and started to make a mark on the community. o n more than one occasion, she has been likened to the Vicar of Dibley!

During Penny’s six years in post, she has been involved in many aspects of School life, including overseeing our charitable work and community service, teaching W���������������enturing into boarding as Clarence Housemistress. She has been part of the safeguarding team and a member of the St���ellbeing Committee, making valuable contributions �������erent areas. Penny is an excellent public speaker always hitting the right note in her messages. Her Chapel addresses are thought-provoking and relevant to girls and st����e, and she has invited a wide range of interesting speakers to Sunday Evensong services.

Penny encouraged those of all faiths and none, and supported the School and individuals through the highs and lows of life, always ensuring that the Chapel is an open, welcoming and inclusive space, both physically and spiritually.

As Penny leaves Wycombe Abbey to move on to the next chapter of her life, we wish her and her family health and happiness, and we give grateful thanks for her contribution to the School in this important role.

m rs Jo Duncan Headmistress

Kelvin Pearce Lead Carpenter

After 16 years of dedicated service, we bid farewell to Kelvin Pearce, our esteemed lead carpenter. Joining Wycombe Abbey in September 2008, Kelvin’s craftsmanship, particularly in bespoke carpentry, has been unparalleled. Working alongside colin De’Ath, his renovation of the Shelburne Pew and his meticulous work on all the beautiful sash windows around the school are just a few examples of his exceptional skill.

Kelvin’s calm, kind manner and straightforward approach have made him a valued member of the Estates Team over the years. He has always been generous in sharing his knowledge and setting high standards that have inspired us all. His commitment to enhancing the school environment for our pupils has been unwavering.

Kelvin’s departur������������� the Estates Team and the entire school.

We extend our deepest gratitude and wish him all the best in his retirement.

Kelvin’s legacy of excellence will long be remembered at Wycombe Abbey.

mr Terry Sanderson Facilities Manager

Adrian Porter Head of Computer Science

Adrian leaves Wycombe Abbey after 26 years, during which time he has achieved a great deal. He took his subject from a nascent I c T depar tment into a flourishing Computer Science stronghold, one of the fastest-growing GCSE subjects in recent years.

He encouraged man�����������t forays into digital literacy, programming and coding. He believes that everyone can be a computer scientist, and he has taken as much care with planning fun tasks for his UIII classes as he has for preparing top-level material for Sixth Formers. He led numerous trips to Bletchley Park, to teach pupils about the history of computing and its national importance.

The Computer Science Club has been very well attended in recent years, showing the real interest which Adrian sparked amongst pupils of all ages. In a recent Departmental review, the warm atmosphere within the department and the sense of shared purpose between pupils and teachers were noted. Adrian helped pupils try new ideas, aim high and enjoy learning. Several of his pupils have gone on to top universities to study Computer Science in both the UK and

the US, leading to amazing careers in this �������������ecently returned to speak to pupils about her experience working for NASA and the success in launching the Mars Rover.

Apart from Computer Science, Adrian contributed to many other areas of school life. He organised the Sir Adrian Swire Flying Scholarship for over 20 years, interviewing candidates and supporting them in their initial exploration of the world of aviation. He also impacted countless Wycombe Abbey girls as Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator. For this, he supervised the Bronze Award undertaken by nearly all LV pupils and the Gold Award, with some epic expeditions to the Yorkshire Dales, Snowdonia and the Lake District. His knowledge of tea rooms in these picturesque locations is said to be second to none! Adrian was a real

team player in all his endeavours, bringing people along with him and encouraging them to do their best in sometimes �������cumstances.

Adrian was loyal to Shelburne House throughout his time at Wycombe Abbey and was a dedicated Tutor. Always gentle, kind and quietly humorous, Adrian was a much-loved member of the st��oom. We wish him all the best in his retirement; we hope he will return as a volunteer for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, if he can

adventures we know he is planning.

m iss e mily b oswell Deputy Head Academic

Sam r ussell Teacher of Geography

Sam joined Wycombe Abbey in 2022, having previously worked at monkton combe in bath. He joined the Geography Department as an early careers Teacher (ec T ) and has completed his training year commendably with the School. He brought a sense of enjoyment and passion to learning and helped the department strive for improvements in teaching.

Sam has been a model professional in the workplace, working hard to establish excellent relationships with his UIII forms and the Junior School. He also ran the Rock-Climbing Societ�������t year before becoming the Head of Amnesty International this academic year.

He has grown into a mor�������� knowledgeable Geographer during his time at the School. He has also developed his skills in running trips to Somerset, Shrewsbury and internationally to Morocco.

He also helped instil a sense of wonder and enjoyment in our curriculums, developing new schemes of work on the misconceptions surrounding the continent of Africa and the use of GIS software to map world biomes.

We wish him well in his move internationally, as he becomes a teacher of Geography in Malaysia.

m r Simon b annister Head of Geography

r ichard Simonot Head of Design and Technology

Richard joined Wycombe Abbey as Head of Design and Technology in September 2022. Drawing on his previous experience, he set about reviewing the schemes of work and projects undertaken by each year group with creativity and imagination. by developing and extending these, he devised enhanced opportunities for pupils to learn new workshop and CAD skills and apply them to create prototypes before refining and manufacturing their products. He has helped the GcSe and A level candidates design, develop and realise their coursework projects to an exceptionally high standard.

Richard has shown tremendous enthusiasm and dedication to the Greenpower car project. He helped pupils improve the cars in the workshop before organising and accompanying the team to races at circuits, including Goodwood, Castle Coombe, and Dunsfold Rise. This scheme is of �������������, and we are hugely grateful to Richard for his dedication and commitment to facilitating these opportunities. He has also supported pupils in formulating a team for the F1 in Schools project, enabling them to pursue another avenue of engineering experience.

He has spent a great deal of time and energy working on the detailed plans for the Innovation and Design Centre (IDC), contributing to the vision for this exciting new building and how it will be used.

We wish him every success in his new role as Head of DT at Langley Grammar School.

m rs Sue b uxton Director of Science and STEM

Harriet

Spence Teacher of Art

Harriet Spence has been part of the Art Department for 11 years. During her time at Wycombe Abbey, Harriet has been flexible in her teaching as an Art specialist and has also turned her hand in the DT Department. She works with all year groups, and her planning and support of individuals within her examination classes are excellent. All pupils have benefited from her calm approach and words of encouragement. Harriet is sensitive to the different needs of girls and worked tirelessly to tailor her lessons and support to each individual. Her classes are lively and hardworking as she expects the best from her pupils and is unprepared to accept anything less. She has an eye for detail and ensures that girls understand the expectations of them through clear and precise explanations and positive encouragement.

She has taught a varied curriculum covering acrylic painting, drawing with a variety of media, printmaking using lino, etching, and collographs, digital and darkroom photography, creative textiles, and graphics. She has also encouraged digital manipulation and the use of animation software and 3D sculpture using clay and Modroc.

Harriet has a wide understanding of art history, encourages sketchbook development, and her passion for landscape painting shines through. She has decided that the time is right to spend more time on her own work, and we wish her every success.

m iss Kay

Williams Head of Art

David Vaccaro Director of Learning and Innovation

David joined Wycombe Abbey in 2017 as our first Director of Learning and Innovation. During this time, he left his mark on a number of key areas of School life. He ran the cross-curricular project for lIVs, led the cressex Summer School and was instrumental in partnership work which has grown at Wycombe Abbey in recent years. As part of this, he introduced new technologies into school, for example the recording studio which staff use to record lessons to be broadcast to a wider audience.

During Covid, David worked hard to ensure st���ere ready to teach online. He led the Teaching and Learning Committee and was responsible for training st��� these areas. He developed the curriculum for the Critical and Creative Thinking course for UIII and LIV pupils, designed to promote at an early age the thinking skills we know universities and employers are keen to see. David also developed the university pr�������ering and undertook countless mock interviews for pupils. He stepped into the role of Head of Department several times, leading departments from Art, DT and Cookery to Modern Languages for short periods. He also promoted the system for departmental reviews and supported department leaders in implementing transformative actions. Flexible in approach, he taught Computer Science successfully for several years, enjoying the challenge of working within another department.

Above all, though, he will be remembered for his unconditional love of Maths. Described by others in the Maths Department as a highly gifted mathematician, he taught many pupils of all ages, excelling particularly in working with our best mathematicians applying to top universities. He revitalised the Maths Society, where it was wonderful to see pupils across the age range coming together to enjoy puzzles, complex maths problems and speaker visits. He also promoted the Chess Society, leading to popular chess matches against other schools����t for Wycombe Abbey. He understood the opportunities of being part of a full boarding environment and was involved in various school activities, including his fascinating Chapel addresses and talks to parents. His Butler tutor group always spoke warmly of him.

wish

m iss e mily b oswell Deputy Head Academic

We also say farewell to Darragh Corvan (Head of Physics), Joan George (Domestic Assistant) who leaves after 22 years at the school and Kelly Scorer (HR Business Partner) who leaves after eight years at the School.

The Support and Boarding staff are an important part of the Wycombe Abbey community and we wish all our leavers the very best as they move on to pastures new.

We

David all the best as he continues teaching at Magdalen College School, Oxford.

Photo taken by Sky (UV)