With many new families and those of longer standing kept away with covid disruptions in the past two years it is not surprising that I have heard the occasional ‘what is Speech Day all about?’ from some parents. I thought it useful to give a little detail on what to expect for our Speech Days – yes, there are two: one for Prep and one for the Senior School – and to explain their importance to Queen’s and its community.
Firstly, the when. Prep Speech Day will be on Wednesday 6 July, from 11am, whilst the Senior School Speech Day is booked for Thursday 7 July, from 10.30am. Please pop the relevant date(s) in your diary. And the where. This all takes place in and around a fabulous marquee erected on the Lower, actually the 1st XV rugby pitch.
Speech Days are opportunities to bring our communities together, celebrate our successes, and also to look forward to what comes next. Most importantly, these occasions serve to say farewell to leaving pupils of Year 13 and those in Year 6 moving up to the Senior School. Each will have, as the titles suggest, a few speeches but also the awarding of prizes for pupil endeavour and achievement. After each will be an opportunity to socialise, hopefully outside in sunshine, with strawberries and a glass of something in hand. The senior school event will also include an invitation to join us for a picnic event beside the cricket pavilion: bring your own hamper and rug and we shall enjoy a wonderful time. Year 13 Leavers and their parents will also have a special invitation to lunch for a final farewell.
Later in the evening after the Senior School speech day (Thursday 7 July), the marquee will be transformed for a wonderful summer ball. This event is being organised by a committee of staff and senior pupils. It promises to be something fabulous and a most fitting way to send off our Year 13 leavers.
Attendance at Speech days is an expectation for all pupils. Parents and limited numbers of family members of each child are warmly encouraged to join us also. These traditional ‘showpiece’ events are very much part of the School’s calendar and tradition. I hope that you and your children will be here with us on these most important days.
