Alumna Emily Kilner returns to officially launch state of the art sports facility.
Northampton High School has officially unveiled its brand new astroturf, marking a significant milestone in the school’s commitment to providing exceptional sporting opportunities for its students. The grand opening event, held on Friday 28 March, was made even more special by the presence of alumna Emily Kilner, who returned to her alma mater to cut the ceremonial ribbon.
The event drew a large crowd of students, parents, staff and community members, all eager to witness the launch of the state-of-the-art facility. The new astroturf, designed to accommodate a variety of sports, represents a major investment in the school’s sports programme, promising to enhance training and competition for students across various disciplines.
Emily Kilner, a distinguished alumna known for her successful career in hockey and hosting, was warmly welcomed back to the school. Her presence added a special touch to the occasion, inspiring current students and highlighting the school’s legacy of nurturing talent.
“It was an absolute honour to be invited back to open this fantastic new facility,” said Kilner. “Seeing the excitement on the students’ faces reminded me of my own time here, and I’m thrilled to see the school continuing to invest in its sporting development.”
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, our Swap Shop volunteers, who worked incredibly hard to raise money to go towards this wonderful facility, were invited to receive thanks from the Head, Dr May Lee. The rest of the evening was spent enjoying the inflatables and refreshments with friends and family, as well as lots of hockey of course! Students were given the opportunity to play competitive matches amongst their peers, from across the Junior and Senior School, showcasing their skills and enthusiasm.
Dr May Lee commented, “This is a very exciting time for sport at Northampton High School. We have a strong reputation across many disciplines, and our students compete at a high level both in and out of school. This new astroturf pitch will help us take our performance in hockey and other sports to the next level, and it represents another positive step in our long term strategy to produce some of the strongest sports teams the school has ever seen. We are excited to see our students thrive and excel on the new surface”.
The school community expressed its excitement about the new facility, recognising its potential to foster teamwork, promote healthy lifestyles, and create lasting memories for students. The event was a resounding success, highlighting the school’s dedication to providing a well-rounded education and celebrating the achievements of its alumni.
