Heads Speech

PRIZE-GIVING  2009

Mrs Odysseas-Bailey, ladies and gentlemen, past and present pupils, I am delighted to welcome you here this afternoon and to report on the academic year 2008 - 2009

The beginning of the school year was dominated by preparations for our Inspection in November.  I am delighted to report that we came through with flying colours.

The quality of the educational experience was found to ‘provide a stimulating range of opportunities suited to the interests, aptitudes and needs of a pupil’.  In addition, ‘pupils are encouraged to discover and develop their individual strengths and to strive for high achievement and academic success’.  Also ‘pupils benefit from thoughtfully planned lessons which are delivered by well-informed and caring teachers who know them individually’ and ‘this enables all pupils to fulfil their potential and frequently to exceed expectations in what they achieve’.

Lessons were judged to ‘meet the needs of pupils with different abilities, ensuring that they are learning in a secure, happy environment’.  ‘Since the last inspection, outstanding progress has been made in ICT provision and this has a significant impact on learning throughout the school’.

The report reflects the outstanding pastoral care that we offer and states that ‘the caring and supportive ethos of the school is strongly evident’.  The Inspectors judged that ‘the school achieves its aim to foster a sense of traditional values based on courtesy and mutual respect’ and ‘the staff provide excellent support and guidance for all pupils’.

Leadership by the headmistress and the Senior Management Team (‘SMT’) was judged to be clear-sighted and energetic.  The report states that ‘government and management are dynamic and provide a clear direction for the school’.

I do hope you enjoyed reading the inspection report.  I want to thank all the pupils, parents and staff for their unwavering support to the school which has enabled us to achieve a report of such a high standard.  I would like to congratulate all the staff and pupils on their achievements.  In particular, I would like to thank the staff for all their hard work and dedication.

Year 11 GCSE results were excellent with separate Sciences now firmly established as an option and our usual high percentage of A and A* grades.  Congratulations to Year 11 on their achievements.

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We were sad to say goodbye to pupils leaving us, but proud to see them going to schools such as Woldingham, Putney High, Wimbledon High and Surbiton High.  This year, six of our Year 11 girls have gone to Surbiton High.

The Friends of Putney Park (FOPPS) went from strength to strength with a much greater emphasis on the Upper School.  A social evening was held in the Autumn Term, solely for the Upper School parents.  We were lucky to have musical entertainment provided by Mrs Cantons, mother of Eleanor in Year 11, who is a very talented jazz singer.  The evening was very successful and FOPPS intend to repeat it this year.  It was lovely to see many Upper School parents at the Spring Term Quiz Night, which has traditionally been an annual Lower School event.  A new venture this year was the Upper School Fashion Show, held in the marquee .  It was a pleasure to see the girls looking so beautiful and confident;  an event which was made very special by our incredibly supportive parents.

Music and Drama went from strength to strength with a wide variety of concerts and plays, including ‘The Snow Queen’ by Year 5 and Easter plays performed by Years 7, 8 and 9.  The GCSE Drama group performed a harrowing version of ‘Heroin Lies’, which was incredibly moving and thought-provoking.   Summer concerts by Reception to Year 4 were great entertainment and very much enjoyed by the Upper School audience at the dress rehearsals and parents at the performances.  The undoubted highlight of the year was ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’, performed by Years 6-10 in the Jubilee Theatre at Roehampton University.  The girls gave a stunning performance and the amazing costumes and make-up combined to make a spell-binding production.

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We continue to support a variety of charities and last year we raised money for local, national and international charities.  In the Summer Term, we once again held a sponsored event in aid of the Paddock School, which is a local school for children and young people with severe learning disabilities.  Years 3-11 took part in a Maths Treasure Hunt, which some of the pupils from Paddock School attended and participated in.  Thank you to all the parents who supported this.

It has been a wonderful year, with confirmation of our success in the Inspection and then a host of activities and events with all pupils having the opportunity to participate and succeed. 

My thanks to my inspired staff and pupils, who make Putney Park such an amazing school.

I am delighted today to welcome our guest speaker, Deborah Odysseas-Bailey.  Mrs Odysseas-Bailey is Head of Babington House School and Vice Chair of the Independent Schools Association and has found the time today to present the prizes and speak to us.

Ruth Mann
Headmistress
 

Trophies

TROPHIES 2008-09

THE JAN RYAN CUP
For special merit

Savanna Bowman

VICTRIX LUDORUM
For all- round performance and achievement
In summer and winter sports

Amy Pearce

THE CROSS CHALLENGE CUP
For all- round performance by a Junior- Years 2-4

Olivia Bowie

THE BARLOW CUP
For all-round performance by a Junior – Years 5-6

Ellen Thomsett

MOST IMPROVED SWIMMER

Sophie Matthews

LOWER SCHOOL DRAMA AWARD

Olivia Mason Pearson

YEAR 5 ART AWARD

Mabel Masters

UPPER SCHOOL DRAMA AWARD

Rozina McHugh

INTER-HOUSE SHIELD

Emerald

THE JEAN TWEEDIE-SMITH TROPHY
For service to the school

Roxane Bakker
 

Prize Winners