As the calendar year draws to a close, it is good to reflect on some exceptional achievements by the girls this term and to acknowledge the energetic commitment so many staff, pupils and parents make to the life of the school.

Memories of this term’s residential trips will linger; the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold and Silver Award expeditions to the Peak District and Bronze expedition to Henley gave many girls the chance to put their training to the test. For the groups studying Spanish, their half-term week in Salamanca, staying with Exchange families, enjoying typical meals, language lessons, a city tour and salsa dance lesson, helped to polish their linguistic skills and understanding of the culture. Similarly it was good to welcome the Italian Exchange group visiting from Montepulciano.  A very large group of 90 girls spent half-term in Moscow and St Petersburg together with the Russian and History departments, gaining a profoundly moving and significant experience of Russian culture and iconic landmarks. The Christmas Markets trip to Germany provided good conversational practice and gave some pupils and staff a head start with their Christmas shopping. Our Sixth Form Italian students are exploring Milan now as term ends, enjoying La Scala, the Duomo Cathedral and Leonardo’s painting, ‘Last Supper’, in the Santa Maria della Grazie church - a link to the National Gallery’s Leonardo exhibition, which they have just enjoyed visiting.

Please click here to read the full version of the December 2011 Newsletter from the Headmistress, Mrs Marion Gibbs.