Headmistress’s Speech for Prize-Giving, 18th September 2008
Mrs Walpole, ladies and gentlemen, past and present pupils, I am delighted to welcome you here this afternoon.
Last year, I read you some extracts from parents of pupils who had left the Upper School. This year, I am going to read you some extracts from pupils who have left.
‘Dear Mrs Mann, thank you for the impact that you have had on my life. I am very glad that I came to Putney Park; I doubt I would have got the support and care I have received from all the teachers and staff at Putney Park in any other school. I am very sad to be leaving Putney Park School, but will take with me all that I have learnt here, and will always be a Putney Park girl. Thank you for everything’.
‘Dear Mrs Mann, thank you for all your help and, of course, everyone else who has supported me over the years. Putney Park has a special place in my heart because I loved every minute of my time there’.
I was delighted with our GCSE results this year. 42% of the results were A* or A. An outstanding result and all of the girls obtained five or more grade A*-C. All the girls obtained entry to the school or college of their choice.
It was the first year that we had given the girls the opportunity to take separate sciences. Half of the group took this option. Special congratulations to Edwina on obtaining A* in Biology, Physics, Chemistry and to Deborah on obtaining A grades in all three subjects. Also, congratulations to Mrs Petropoulos for the success of the Year 10 girls taking GCSE Art early.
Mrs Irving has sent me a letter and asked me to give the girls and staff her warmest congratulations on the GCSE results
We had a variety of charity events last year. We are keen to support our two local special needs schools – Greenmead and The Paddock School. Last year, we raised money for both schools and I was delighted that the Head of the Friends of Greenmead School was able to come and receive a cheque at the final assembly.
This afternoon, I am pleased to welcome the Head of the Paddock School – Mrs Peggy Walpole – not only to speak to us and to present the prizes, but also to receive a cheque for the money raised by our sponsored exercise-athon last term.
On a sadder note, we had a Pirate Day in May to raise money for the Meningitis Trust in memory of Hannah King, a former pupil.
Pupils have been lucky to have a variety of trips and visits to enhance the curriculum ranging from the Year 10 combined History and English trip to Yorkshire to study the Industrial Revolution and the Brontës to the Whispering Gallery of St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Drama Department has kept us entertained with a variety of productions. Our Christmas treat was Sleeping Beauty from Years 7 and 8, which was performed in the Drama Studio.
Year 9 performed a drama based on the life of Lizzie Borden, Year 10 a court-room scene from The Crucible plus a devised Drama piece based on dreams and aspirations.
The year ended with a performance of Olivia by Years 4, 5 and 6 in the marquee.
All of the productions were of a very high standard, immensely entertaining and a credit to the school. Congratulations to the pupils and staff involved.
The Games Department had a very busy year with an immense number of clubs, practices and fixtures. Sports Day was very successful with a number of records being broken, a total of 22 from Year 5 upwards. A special mention must go to our Victrix Ludorum, Tamara, for breaking the Year 9 100m record and to Rebecca for breaking the 100m Year 7 and the whole school record in a time of 14.4 seconds, and to Anna for breaking the Year 7 and whole school record for long jump – a distance of 4m exactly.
The Music Department had a busy year with a wonderful Christmas concert with superb singing and wonderful instrumental playing – a most spiritual occasion. The highlight of the year was the CLIC Sargent Concert at the Royal Albert Hall with 70 of our Year 6-9 pupils participating.
The Friends of Putney Park School had a very successful year. Traditionally, the Friends have operated mainly in the Lower School but they are very keen to extend their activities to the Upper School. We already have some parents from the Upper School involved and, just before half term, we will send out invitations to a Social Evening on 13th November to all Upper School parents. I hope this will be the start of a much more active Upper School involvement.
Miss Tweedie-Smith, our founder, aimed to bring out the best in each pupil. We still have Miss Tweedie’s aim ‘to provide a sound education in a happy atmosphere’ as part of our mission statement but, in addition, we aim to:
discover and develop the individual strengths of each pupil.
encourage high achievement and academic success.
prepare pupils for their future life in society.
involve pupils and parents in the life of the school.
foster a sense of community and traditional values based on courtesy and mutual respect.
provide a nurturing, stimulating and dynamic learning environment that meets the challenges of the future.
I never cease to be impressed by the efforts and abilities of our committed and dedicated staff and pupils, which makes Putney Park School the happy and successful school it is.
Thank you to all the staff for all their hard work and congratulations to the girls.
‘Dear Mrs Mann, thank you for the impact that you have had on my life. I am very glad that I came to Putney Park; I doubt I would have got the support and care I have received from all the teachers and staff at Putney Park in any other school. I am very sad to be leaving Putney Park School, but will take with me all that I have learnt here, and will always be a Putney Park girl. Thank you for everything’.
‘Dear Mrs Mann, thank you for all your help and, of course, everyone else who has supported me over the years. Putney Park has a special place in my heart because I loved every minute of my time there’.
I was delighted with our GCSE results this year. 42% of the results were A* or A. An outstanding result and all of the girls obtained five or more grade A*-C. All the girls obtained entry to the school or college of their choice.
It was the first year that we had given the girls the opportunity to take separate sciences. Half of the group took this option. Special congratulations to Edwina on obtaining A* in Biology, Physics, Chemistry and to Deborah on obtaining A grades in all three subjects. Also, congratulations to Mrs Petropoulos for the success of the Year 10 girls taking GCSE Art early.
Mrs Irving has sent me a letter and asked me to give the girls and staff her warmest congratulations on the GCSE results
