Despite the very high winds and driving rain, Speech Day was a truly wonderful day. It was fantastic to congratulate the girls and celebrate their achievements, particularly our returning leavers, who shared stories of their first month at university and life after School.

We also welcomed a most outstanding guest speaker in Rachel Parris, whose address was both humorous and fast-paced, but also pitched perfectly for the girls. Her delivery and timing were brilliant, and it was fantastic to hear her sing her advice to the girls from behind a piano too. Rachel reminded that it’s really okay not to have everything mapped out and set in stone, which was incredibly reassuring for anyone who is feeling that they are lacking a little direction and don’t know exactly where they are heading in life.
 
The six performances in the ceremony were all very well received, and included four diverse pieces performed by the School Choir and the Senior Singers, as well as House 4’s winning piece from House Drama, and 'One Day More' from Les Misérables.
 
We were also delighted that Old Roedeanians' Association President Ginny Stephen (de Trense, No.3, 1954 – 60) and Vice President Mary Henderson (No.3, 1971 – 76) attended the day to welcome the 2019 leavers as Old Girls’ of the School. Ginny spoke briefly about the ORA, and the significance of the ORA badge. Mary and Ginny then presented an ORA badge to each leaver as they filed to C Hall. The girls were delighted to receive them, and most wore them for the rest of the event.