Recently, pupils and staff from Windermere School, along with family, friends and guests, filled the Sports Hall to celebrate the school’s 156th annual prize day, an opportunity to reflect on the events and successes of the past school year.
Andrew Chamberlain opened the proceedings by introducing his fellow governors and a brief summary of the new five-year strategy for the school. He also reflected on some of the main achievements over the last few years, in particular the academic achievements which have seen improvements at both International Baccalaureate and GCSE levels, despite the school remaining steadfastly non-selective.
Following Mr Chamberlain’s address, Ian Lavender, Headmaster at Windermere School, delivered his headmaster’s report. As well as thanking the staff and the board of governors for their dedication to the school, he also praised the students for their achievements, recognising the unlimited potential in the room.
With the opening speeches delivered, the students were called to the stage to receive their prizes, recognition of their efforts and achievements over the course of the last twelve months.
The presentation began with the external awards, including Grade 8 Modern Ballet for Holly Brown, Grade 8 Piano (with distinction) for Tania Pencu, and Grade 8 Speech and Drama for Ciela Kozlowski. A number of Royal Yachting Association Awards followed, before the team trophies were presented: the School Basketball Team won the Under 19 Barrow Basketball League Cup Competition; the Under 14 Football Team won the South Lakes 6-a-side Football Championship; and the Under 16 Table Tennis Team won the Cumbria Championship.
The lower and middle school (Years 7-11) academic prizes, awarded for high effort and academic attainment throughout the year, were the next awards to be presented, as well as the lower and middle school open prizes. These cover all areas of the curriculum and recognise individual effort and attainment. The Sixth Form prizes, which adopt the same format, followed.
Before the presentation of the eagerly anticipated whole school open prizes, the students’ endeavours in sport were rewarded. Prizes included all round success in Junior Sport, awarded to Rachael Aylmore; the Tweedale Cup for Excellence in Games, awarded to Oliver McTurk; and the Individual All-Round Sports Cup, awarded to Safia Mellen. Other prizes include athletics, cricket, football, sailing, tennis, cross-country running, basketball, netball, hockey and tennis.
The presentations finished with a number of open prizes, each one accompanied by its own citation. Among the awards were the Rebecca Bailey Endeavour Cup, the Fox Award for Outstanding Service to the Community and the Nicholson Shield, awarded for extensive contribution to the school community. The Rebecca Bailey Endeavour Cup was presented to Keisuke Ito for immersing himself in Windermere School life. Having arrived in 2012 from the ninth most populated city in Japan, and speaking virtually no English, Keisuke has made it his mission to seize every opportunity afforded to him. Isabella Scowcroft and Alice Thomas, whose baking exploits have raised money for the school’s Holding Hands with Thusanang project, the Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Trust, Cancer Research and Macmillan Nurses, were the recipients of the Fox Award. And the Nicholson Shield was awarded to Holly Brown and Anna-Maria Hartley, both of whom have shown determination and commitment, inspiring others to become the best versions of themselves.
Each year, the final three prizes remain closely guarded secrets until the day itself. The first of these prizes was the Marga Stofberg Prize, presented to someone who demonstrates courage, perseverance and hard work, often in the face of adversity. This year’s Marga Stofberg winner was Corey Douglas, who despite being out of school for lengthy periods through illness, always remained positive, ensuring that his GCSEs took priority.
The Headmaster’s Prize is considered to be the most prestigious and, by Mr Lavender’s own admission, is never an easy decision. Mr Lavender spoke warmly of his memories of this year’s recipient, how he has seized every opportunity outside the classroom, how he has approached every challenge with energy and enthusiasm and always with a smile on his face. The recipient of this year’s Headmaster’s Prize was Jack Dickson.
Before the Head Boy and Head Girl, Kacper Jarco and Safia Mellen, delivered the closing address, the final prize is presented. The Inter-House Endeavour Cup is awarded to the house which fares best in all inter-house events, including sport, debating and performing arts. This year’s winner, winning by the narrowest of margins, was Strickland.
