End of Summer Term - July 2023

Dear Parents

I have now been Housemistress of Thomas Cookes for over ten years and throughout that time, Thomas Cookes have not won or been highly commended as many times as we have this year.

The victories have been prolific in sport, drama and music. This shows the wealth of talent we have had in Thomas Cookes this year - the girls coming together, working together and supporting one another. Enthusiasm has been another trait that has been very strong. Thomas Cookes’ girls enjoy going out and having fun, be it on the sports field or on the stage. Strength and depth in terms of talent has also been amazing. The House has won the Hockey, Tennis, 1.2 Relays, Junior Netball, Senior Plate Netball, Rounders, Swimming, House Debate and were given the special adjudicators awards in both the Senior Drama and the House Music Ensemble.

Music has consistently been a strength in TC. This year with Sophia Meadows, Jessica Whitlock, Emily Miskin, Izzy Oakley, Charlotte James and Anya Sanikop leading the House, I think we have been excellent. We sang well in House Song and were fantastic in House Ensemble. ‘Don’t stop believ’in’ was the best performance Thomas Cookes has performed in the Music ensemble. There were also many younger pupils who supported this endeavour. It was lovely to see the House camaraderie.

Drama has also been brilliant! Junior Drama, which was the musical Annie, was not given the recognition it deserved. It was fun, entertaining and a little wacky. Senior Drama was very mysterious. Our friend Jack, written by Paris Siviter, was very well put together and performed outstandingly to receive the special adjudicators award (from James Hall, a television writer) which was the highest accolade.

Sport was amazing. Many of the other Houses are quite jealous of the trophy haul we have had this year. Ottilie Hilde had an advantage in the 1.2s and put up strong competition, but Thomas Cookes worked well together and Lucy Hatfield brought home the final leg in the fastest girls’ time of the competition. Hockey was brilliant too. To win all four trophies is rare indeed. We have strength and depth in our hockey teams in a similar way to our swimming and netball teams. Rounders was great fun, and even though Imogen Marsh was injured, we still won. Finally, Tennis - Paulina Jurkowska (Upper Sixth) is so skilful and powerful on court. With her help, guidance and considerable enthusiasm, we won the Senior Tennis. I know Paulina has also inspired some of the younger years, and Gina Obrey and Farah Croce have not only won the Junior House Tennis but also the U16 County Championships.



Debate also deserves considerable recognition this year. Charlotte James, Olivia Spittle and Martha Cross prepared very well for their debate on ‘This house would ban key workers from going on strike’. They used particularly persuasive language and formulated a plan of attack. This plan was put together so well that they not only won the debate but the Whole School competition.

In Thomas Cookes, the girls work hard and play hard. There are many other areas of School life where Thomas Cookes girls stand out. A few that spring to mind are Flourishing Fiver, Young Enterprise, Crafting, Drama productions, Bromsgrove Badge, CCF, D of E, Girls’ Football and Eco Committee. Many of the girls have been involved this term in teams such as Athletics and Cricket, and this shows commitment to other areas of School life. As we move into a new year, I hope the girls can maintain this outstanding representation.

A big thank you must go to the tutors. They give of their time to the girls without any complaint and they are there when the girls need them. They are the most professional of people and I would like to thank them for their support and kindness throughout the year.

A particular thank you to our staff leavers. We say farewell to Mr Young who is leaving to become the Houseparent of School House. He obviously received some excellent training and experience in Thomas Cookes to achieve this post! I would like to thank him for the time he has spent in the House, the time he has guided and listened to his tutees and for his support. Secondly, I would like to thank Ms Harte who is leaving to get married, change jobs and move house. I would like to thank her for her energy and warmth. She has been like a friend to her Upper Sixth Tutees, and I know they have really appreciated her. Thank you, Ms Harte.

Finally, I would like to say ‘thank you’ to Lorraine who is retiring. Lorraine has been a wonderful housekeeper for over eight years. Always caring and very considerate of the girls’ needs. If the girls ever needed something, generally Lorraine would be there to help. I know she will be sorely missed. We would all like to wish her the most peaceful, restful, and fulfilled retirement. Thank you, Lorraine.

    

I would like to just thank Grace Richardson for all her support in the House this year. The role of Head of House sometimes goes unnoticed but I know she has consistently supported Thomas Cookes.





The Boards in TC
Junior Music and Drama – Evie Hastings
Senior Music and Drama – Paris Siviter
Junior Sport – Georgia Hay
Senior Sport - Paulina Jurkowska

Junior Academic Prize – Amelia Wise

Senior Academic Prize – Sophia Meadows

House Ties
- Farah Croce
- Emily Whitehouse
- Rumer Evans

For the Most Commendations in the Whole School this year amounting to 50+ - Ava Crawford

House Colours
Nancy Broadhurst
Amelia Rowe
Alexandra Wright
Jaime Stirk
Serisha Sunner

Sixth Form Prizes
Endeavour – Freya McLean
Best Sportswoman – Grace Richardson
Commitment to TC – Jessica Whitlock
Fulfilling potential – Heidi Fryer
Care and Compassion – Isabelle Oakley

Senior All Rounder – Charlotte James
Junior All Rounder – Tilly Wilkins

Best Newcomer – Winnie Padmore

Monitors for Next Year
Drama - Serisha Sunner
Sport – Amelia Rowe
Music – Ruby Raine
Peer Support - Simran Bahra
Committees - Teagan Chan
Lucy Hatfield and Jaime Stirk - Deputy Heads of House
Nancy Broadhurst - Head of House.


I would like to wish you all the most wonderful summer.

Kind regards

Kay Hannah