Equestrianism has been associated with Queen Ethelburga’s since it moved to Thorpe Underwood. Many students have competed successfully this year, but one student has achieved International honours by riding with the British squad at the International Dressage Competition in Belgium. This student with her pony, Ferrari (I would like to make clear at this point that the horse fountain at the entrance to the estate is not sponsored by Ferrari), improved their scores on each subsequent day of the three day competition and at her first attempt at riding dressage at this level, Charlotte Gill achieved a result in the middle of the British squad, a result which bodes very well for her international career. I would like Charlotte Gill to come to the stage to receive a certificate in recognition of competing at International level.


Music has always enjoyed a high profile at Queen Ethelburga’s.


I


have to say that at one time I used to run the department, but it is very satisfying to see the range and scale of music activities growing and being so enjoyed by the students within the school. Choir and instrumental music has made great progress during the year and it has been pleasing to see the number and scope of Music Department concerts pushing the level of musical performance to ever higher standards. However, despite the high standard maintained there has been one performer who has stood out. She has represented the school at the Harrogate Competitive Festival for music, speech and drama, and she has played in many concerts, competitions and our own Carol Service, but I suspect uniquely in the history of the school she has been offered places to pursue graduate piano studies courses at three of the country’s top musical conservatoires. She has accepted a place at the most prestigious of these, the Royal College of Music in London, one of the world’s leading conservatoires for muic. Before I present a certificate to her, Joyce Luo is going to entertain us with a piece of music by Chopin entitled Etude OP.10 No 4. Ladies and Gentleman, Joyce Luo.


One of the great joys of the year has been to see the quantity and excellent quality of the work in the Drama Department. The innovative and exciting production of ‘Oliver’ was followed this year for the first time with a second full production of ‘Blood Brothers’, extracting some superlative performances from its accomplished cast. Other more small scale performances abounded with the department taking every opportunity to allow its students to gain experience in


9


Speech Day 2009: The Headmaster’s Report


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