End of Michaelmas Term - December 2019

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am delighted to write to you at the end of what has been a long and exceptionally busy Michaelmas Term. The excitement and anticipation of International Induction and that first Sunday of term seem a very long time ago now. New pupils are well-settled in lessons, routines, extra-curricular activities and the House. Looking back over the term, I am very proud to see just how much has been achieved so far. Congratulations to all the girls for their hard work, determination and enthusiasm so far this year! The Mary Windsor girls are renowned for their house and team spirit and they have continued to show plenty in all aspects of House and School life. It has been a pleasure getting to know them over the course of the term.

The Advent Carol Service marked the start of the Christmas season and we rounded off the term today with our carol service. The chapel looked beautiful in the candle light and we were very proud of our Chapel Choir members, Amy-Rose Arrowsmith, Lily Wigglesworth, Jenna Kam and Angela Hong, who sang so beautifully. They have had a busy term, having performed in many School Services and they show tremendous commitment. Ioana Voicu read the Fifth Lesson at the Carol Service.

The annual House Christmas celebration marked the start of the last week of term and the girls and staff thoroughly enjoyed their party night at Grafton Manor. The DJ did a great job of getting everyone up on their feet and the photo booth was busy all night!

In this week’s Mark Reading ceremony, we were delighted to see Yilia Chen awarded the GCSE subject prize for French. Lucy Lyu and Helen Wu were awarded their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards which is an excellent achievement. Jenna Kam, Irene Lo and Yilia Chen were awarded certificates of distinction in the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls.

At Fourth Form Assembly, Theresa Vinals (U15C), Arianna Okemuo (U14C) and Abby Choi (U14D) were commended for their commitment and contribution to their hockey teams over the course of the term.

On a weekly basis well over half the House regularly represent the School at sport. Nicole Leung, Irene Lo and Laura Huang have won the district round of the National Badminton competition with the U14 and U16 girls teams and they move to the county rounds next term. Saki Tsubouchi who won the Worcestershire Schools Table Tennis Championship. Laura Floricic, who only started Fencing in September was part of the Epee team that were crowned winners of the U19 event at the Gala Teams fencing event. Serena Cai has represented the School in the U16 girls' swimming team and Leonie Sacker and Amy-Rose Arrowsmith competed in the District Cross-Country Championships.

I was delighted to award Junior House Colours this term to Petya Nikolova and Senior House Colours to Ioana Voicu. House Colours are awarded to those who contribute in a variety of ways to the school and house; that may be sport, drama, music, academically or just by being a good all-rounder with excellent house spirit. They are earned and are not a right. It is still early in the academic year and there will be many more opportunities next term and beyond for others to earn theirs.

Over the term, Mary Windsor girls have received a huge amount of academic commendations and Lily Wigglesworth with 18 and Paola Djarova with 17 and congratulations also to Theresa Vinals (Michaelmas 1) and Eva Briskin (Michaelmas 2) who scored the highest averages for their Engagement grades this term.

As always, the girls have shown great team spirit in Inter-House competitions and commitment and enthusiasm in their extra-curricular activities.

Petya Nikolova (L4) and Mimi Ngernanek (U4) did extremely well in the preliminary rounds of the Junior House Debating contest. This is a superb achievement in one of the most difficult inter-house competitions.

In Senior House swimming, we fielded an excellent team who showed a lot of team and House spirit and were delighted to come in second place and the junior girls showed excellent commitment and team spirit and came third.

In Junior House hockey, we were delighted to win the Plate competition and to be runners up in the Senior Plate competition.

Well done to monitors Beth Lloyd and Mary Kuvaeva for organising the inter-house sports competition teams this term and to all the girls who were involved! All of our teams have enjoyed excellent support on the side-lines from other members of the house.

In the Lent term, we look forward to the House music competition, Junior House drama, House cross-country, the 1.2 relays and House netball! We look forward to continued success and ongoing excellent house spirit and enthusiasm in the inter-house competitions and events of the Lent term.

With very best wishes for a peaceful festive season and a happy and healthy 2020,

Tara Helmore