“That was fun.” Not, ordinarily, the words you would expect to hear at the end of a Maths lesson, mid-week, at the end of a hot summer’s day. But then the High School is not an ordinary school. The busy second half of the summer term brings to a close another successful year for the High School and its students. As I reflect on this year and on my time at the High School more generally, I am struck by the ways in which the school is, in fact, extraordinary.
I want to pick up on two characteristics that I think make the school so distinctive and to do so I will highlight two events from last week. These two events represent something fundamental about the school, something that I have witnessed day-in and day-out over the last nine years.
Among the many workshops that were running on Cultures Day last Friday, several were led by students. One of our Year 13 students took time out of her busy post-exam schedule (it’s not only long lie-ins…) to lead a workshop on Arabic. She had carefully crafted the workshop, pitched it at her audience and engaged the students successfully throughout, demonstrating intellectual skill and leadership. Throughout the day, our Year 12 students seemed to be everywhere, running workshops, putting up decorations, sorting out assemblies, helping the Junior School pupils find their way around the treasure hunt, etc. Particular thanks go to Lilia P for organising and to Olivia R for coordinating. But it wasn’t just Sixth Formers taking on roles of responsibility. Some wonderful workshops were run by Year 9 and Year 10 students, including the Year 10 Dance Enrichment group led by Mrs Blake, and all years were represented in the House Quiz at the start of the day and during the performances at the end of the day. The students were supported and cheered along by staff, many of whom also prepared and led workshops (and who can forget Mrs Hopley and Mr Pietropaoli’s karaoke).
To my mind, it is this inclusive, supportive leadership that our students see modelled, are able to develop early and put into practice that is particularly distinctive. It is an intrinsic part of the High School’s culture and is something that I know our students will take with them into the future.
Another event that took place last week also demonstrates something of the High School’s character. This was the Charity Summer Gala for Years 9 and above, ably led by Annabel D-J and Tara E and ‘chaperoned’ by Mrs Down, Dr Lines and Miss Kneen. The Theatre had been beautifully decorated, Mr Norton had got the disco ball spinning and Mr Smith’s team had prepared a great spread. But what was most impressive was the sheer energy and joy that the students demonstrated, especially when it came to a series of Just Dance routines and, an apparent crowd favourite, “Shout Out to My Ex” (Dr Lee and I tried to understand what the lyrics were supposed to mean, but didn’t get very far). There was a cheerful confidence to the girls, whether they were dancing in the Theatre or playing skittles in the Courtyard, that again I have found one of the distinctive aspects of the High School. My sense is that it is one of the great benefits of having a girls-first and girls-only approach to learning.
So, in microcosm, these two events – just two among the dozens of events this term – capture the energetic confidence and supportive leadership that I feel are two of the hallmarks of the High School. I will miss those aspects of the school, embodied in its people: students, families and staff.
I wish your children and you a very happy summer break and look forward to hearing about next year’s successes in due course!
Mr Viesel
Director of Sixth Form
Book Review: The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
The Worldwide Classic about a tiny island and larger love.
An elderly artist and her six year old grand-daughter while away a summer together on a tiny island in the gulf of Finland. As the two learn to adjust to each other’s fears, whims and yearnings, a fierce yet understated love emerges – one that encompasses not only the summer inhabitants but the very island itself.
Year 7 Humanities Residential
On Monday 30 June the Year 7 students travelled to the Preston Montford Field Studies Centre in Shropshire to undertake a week long programme of activities, relating both to fieldwork and also team building challenges.
The first day consisted of a visit to the Carding Mill Valley, where students investigated the extent to which tourism has had an impact on the environment; this included the students undertaking environmental quality surveys and questionnaires to assess the views of visitors.
Our destination for the second day was Shrewsbury, where the students investigated the different types of retail within the town as part of their mission to rebrand Shrewsbury for younger visitors.
On the third day we visited Snowdonia National Park and the students learned about how glaciation had affected the landscape, leading to the formation of landforms such as corries, ribbon lakes and glacial troughs.
On our penultimate day we visited Coalbrookdale to investigate the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution, including the old blast furnace where Abraham Darby I discovered the technique of iron smelting; we then walked to Ironbridge to see the famous bridge built in 1779.
During the final evening we enjoyed a campfire singalong whilst also toasting marshmallows!
On the final day there was just enough time to visit Ludlow castle and learn about its history over the last 1000 years before it was time to head home.
For more photos, please see our Flickr.
Mr Earp
Year 12 and Year 13 Geneva Trip
Our Year 12 and 13s are having a wonderful time on their Geneva trip! More of their adventures to follow on our social media pages.
Shortlisted for Independent Girls’ School of the Year 2025
We were thrilled to end the final week of term with the exciting news that Northampton High School GDST has been shortlisted for Independent Girls’ School of the Year 2025 at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards. It is fantastic to see the hard work and spirit of our whole school community, staff, students and families recognised in this way.
Dr May Lee, Head of the all-through 2-18 school, commented: “I am absolutely delighted to see Northampton High School GDST recognised for excellence through this prestigious national award nomination. It is a testament to our outstanding and irresistible education where we relentlessly champion a “10% braver” philosophy, encouraging our girls to step outside their comfort zones, not to chase perfection, but to pursue excellence on their own terms. At Northampton High School, we remain unapologetically clear that we are not just a great school – we are a great girls’ school”.
The Independent Schools Awards are chaired by Dr Helen Wright, International Education Adviser and past Vice Chair of the ISC, and judged by a panel of leading headteachers and representatives of the professional associations. Finalists will be announced in September. Congratulations to all the other shortlisted schools, and sincere thanks to the judging panel!
National Careers Challenge Finals in London
On Tuesday, 6 Year 8 students had the exciting opportunity to present their ideas for a new British Airways Subsidiary at the National Careers Challenge Finals in London.
They had three and a half minutes to make their pitch to a panel of 4 industry leaders about their vision for a family friendly airline. Their pitch had to include costings, marketing strategies, sample menus and team uniforms, and a demonstration of an on-brand safety video. The girls presented confidently and it was good to see some of the judges nodding in appreciation at their ideas. The challenge, designed by British Airways, looked to encourage team working and problem solving skills as well as developing an awareness of opportunities and challenges faced by the airline industry.
Speech Day
A huge congratulations to all students who were presented with awards at our Speech Day on Thursday. Thank you to all parents and families for attending, it was a wonderful event full of celebration and inspiring conversations. We also wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our speakers too.
This Week's Sports
Throughout this week there have been multiple sports fixtures, ranging from rallies to cricket matches. Read below to find out how the matches went, and more about this week’s fixtures.
