Aled Jones joins in end of year celebrations

Term ended at Pipers Corner in a celebratory fashion at this year’s Parents’ Day. We were delighted to be joined for the occasion by acclaimed Singer and Presenter, Aled Jones, as our guest of honour.

At the event, as well as presenting a variety of prizes and awards, the seasoned performer gave an entertaining address to the gathered audience. Mr Jones spoke a little of his early life and school days, including a humorous anecdote about how he was teased in the playground by other children singing altered lyrics to the tune of “Walking in the Air”. Mr Jones spoke of the importance of working hard and putting in the hours required to be successful. He reflected on the fact that he has had some amazing life experiences throughout his career, but that he had also put a huge amount of commitment in to enable him to get where he is today.

Marking the end of another highly successful academic year, in addition to the prize-giving ceremony, the audience were treated to some musical performances, representing each part of the school. Year 2 presented “Superkids Rock the Planet!” by Sheila Wilson, Year 6 sang a medley of songs from their end of year production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast Jr” and members of the cast of the Senior School Production of “We Will Rock You” performed a medley of songs from the show. There was also a piece from a combined choir of girls from a range of year groups who sang “Believe”.

In her speech the Headmistress, Mrs Ness-Gifford, spoke about the school’s ambitions for the girls and how we want to enable them to perform on a bigger stage. Not just in a literal way, in terms of the spaces we have created for them in our newly built Arts Centre - but also by providing them with a bigger stage in which to develop the skills which will make them successful and fulfilled in the future. Whilst the school quite rightly recognises and celebrates academic achievement, we also celebrate what is far more important than just academic success. We celebrate leadership, resilience, courage, risk-taking, inclusivity and independence. The current generation, more than any other, is going to rely on skills such as these to succeed.

As part of the day Head Girl, Bethan T, gave her own inspiring speech which focussed on the importance of embracing challenges and opportunities when they are offered to you. She recounted a story of her time on a World Challenge expedition to Ecuador when, in the middle of the night, she had been woken up by two of her friends “shaking her tent”. She tried to ignore them, but in the end she emerged from her tent only to see the most amazing show of stars in the night sky overhead. Her point was that we all need to be mindful of what we might miss out on if we refuse to listen to others and ignore invitations to get involved. She urged the watching audience to let others “shake their tents” and be open to all that life has to offer.

At the end of the event the Head Girl team for the next academic year was announced and we all look forward to returning to school in September for what we are sure will be another highly successful year at Pipers Corner.