This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
-
Search
NEWSLETTER – 11 October 2024
Dear Parents and Guardians,
For those with children in Years 9, 10 and 11, I would like to warmly invite you to our Options Evening coming up next week, Tuesday 15 October. It will be a chance to learn more about the advantages of the International Baccalaureate in accessing the universities and courses your child might wish to pursue as well as understanding the Adventure and Business vocational routes we have to offer. There are some unique benefits which may surprise you. More details can be found below, and I would encourage all families to attend.
Earlier this week the physical work began on relocating our Junior School to the Senior School campus. The clearing of rooms in Browhead is now done and contractors have started the refurbishment.
We were delighted to welcome a large party of Junior School families on Thursday 04 October to view the ‘show classroom’ that had been prepared to demonstrate what the Prep School classrooms will look and feel like once work is completed. This was a really positive event, and the feedback shared with me from our Year 5 children only served to confirm this. Children can always surprise you and it was fun to see that the bit they seemed most excited about was the cupboard – the secret passage to the classroom next door!
We are pleased to have such a connected community, and I would encourage you to look at a few of the recent stories across our social media channels showing Senior School children assisting at our latest Stay & Play event, Sixth Form CAS students joining a Forest School session and Years 5 and 6 showing up to support the Lower School Cross County competition. We look forward to building upon these connections to strengthen our community and our vertical learning further as we become one school on one site.
The school has also enjoyed a very busy Open Day, with prospective families across both Junior and Senior areas of the school feeding back just how kind and articulate our pupils are, how stunning our location is and what a unique offering we have. Thank you to all the staff and children who helped to make this such a successful event, showcasing our school to its full potential.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at Options Evening next week and in the meantime I wish you a restful weekend.
With kind regards,
Frank Thompson
Head of Windermere School
LATEST NEWS
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Saturday 12 October – Stannite Open Day at Elleray Campus, 10am – 12pm
Tuesday 15 October – GCSE and IB Options Evening, 5.30pm – 8pm
Wednesday 16 October – Halloween Day! Browhead Campus
Thursday 17 October – Troutbeck Church Concert, 7pm
Thursday 17 October – Friends Halloween Disco, Elleray Campus, 3.30pm – 5pm
Friday 18 October – Half Term begins, 5.30pm
STANNITE NEWS
A Nostalgic Return: Gill Nicholls Visits Windermere School
Windermere School recently welcomed back one of its distinguished alumni, Gill Nicholls, who attended the school from 1984 to 1990. Gill, who hails from the Isle of Man, shared her fond memories and experiences with me, offering a glimpse into what life was like at the school during the late 1980s.
Gill’s journey to St. Anne’s was shaped by her mother’s strong belief in single-sex education. “Co-education was never an option,” Gill recalled with a smile. She fondly remembered the strict yet warm environment that defined her time at the school. A striking memory was the iconic stripy blue blazer, a staple of the school uniform. “We weren’t allowed to show our knees,” she laughed, recalling the long-pleated skirts and high socks that were a must for every girl.
Her visit brought back memories of some mischievous moments as well. Gill recounted the day she and her best friend were caught smoking in the bushes, an incident that led to a telegram being sent to her parents by the headmaster, Mr. Jenkins. “That telegram was a big deal,” she said, remembering the mix of fear and excitement that came with being caught.
The winters at St. Anne’s were another vivid memory for Gill. “It was bitterly cold,” she said, noting how the harsh winters occasionally led to a break from the strict uniform rules, allowing the girls to wear warmer clothes. In contrast, the summers could be scorching hot, and Gill fondly recalled the days spent lounging on the terrace in their swimming costumes, soaking up the sun.
Despite the passage of time, Gill was pleased to find that the essence of St. Anne’s remains unchanged. “The feel of the place hasn’t changed at all,” she said. “The love, the family atmosphere—it’s all still here.” Her words were a heart-warming affirmation, reinforcing the timeless values Windermere School continues to uphold.
Gill’s visit was a wonderful reminder of the school’s rich history and the lasting impact it has on its pupils. As she shared her memories, I was able to see our school through the eyes of someone who had walked the same halls decades earlier, connecting the past with the present in a way that was both meaningful and inspiring.
Windermere School has always prided itself on creating a nurturing and supportive environment, and Gill Nicholls’ visit was a testament to the lasting bonds and cherished memories that the school continues to foster.
Transformation Alert: Introducing the new Stannite office
What was once an old cupboard has now been given new life as our Stannite Office!
We’re so excited to have a dedicated space where we can reconnect with our amazing alumni community. This cosy little office is already buzzing with plans for events, updates, and plenty of nostalgic moments to share with all of you.
Whether you’re near or far, this new space is all about keeping the Windermere family connected. We can’t wait to welcome Stannites for visits and keep you updated on all the exciting things happening here!
(I)GCSE & SIXTH FORM OPTIONS EVENING
TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2024, 5.30 – 8.00pm
We are pleased to invite parents, guardians and pupils from Year 9 to Year 11 to the (I)GCSE and Sixth Form Options Evening on Tuesday 15 October 2024 to learn about what courses of study we are offering from September 2025.
For GCSE pupils there will be more flexibility of choice and a new approach which will help them gain additional valuable skills for the future and be even better prepared for their public exams than in previous years. Within Sixth Form our increase in choice of studies allows students to take a greater combination of subjects, including more than one arts subject. The new NCFE Adventure course has been a popular addition to the offering this year.
The event starts at 5.30pm in Browhead. Staff who teach (I)GCSEs and Sixth Form classes will be present throughout the evening to discuss specific subjects and qualifications. Families may visit exhibitions & chat to pupils already studying the various subjects too.
There will be presentations in Crampton Hall starting at:
• 6.15pm on (I)GCSE Options for Year 9 families
• 7pm on Sixth Form Opportunities, Pathways & Choices for Year 9, 10 and 11.
Pupils in Year 10 may feel that this options evening is not really for them, but it is important that they start to think about Sixth Form pathways now to give them an impetus and focus as they move through their GCSE courses.
There is no perfect time for such an event and we are aware that some parents/guardians will not be able to attend. If this is the case, we will ensure that all the materials from the evening are shared with you.
Please complete this form to indicate if you plan to attend the evening.
With kind regards
Lynn Moses
Deputy Head