Celebration and Remembrance at Senior School Speech Day

Published: 18 Nov 2011   updated: 23 Jan 2012

Girls, parents, staff and governors gathered last Friday for an evening of celebration and remembrance at the Edgbaston High Senior School Speech Day ceremony.

The impressive surroundings of the University of Birmingham's Great Hall set the scene for parents, girls, staff and Members of Council, all in attendance to witness last year's Upper Sixth return to collect their A2 Level certificates and Years 12 and 13 receive their GCSE and AS Level certificates.

The Rt. Hon. Sir Stephen Brown, President of Council, started proceedings and later introduced a showcase of music from the Senior and Chamber Choirs who performed 'Fly, Singing Bird' by Edward Elgar and 'Yo le canto todo el dia' by David Brunner, respectively. The ceremony also featured a stunning solo performance of Fauré's 'Pie Jesu', from former student Aimée Presswood.

Dr Weeks reflected on the past year at EHS, during which she referred especially to the many successes of the School, the long-anticipated completion of the School's building development and the excellent examination results of our students.

In her address, Dr Weeks also paid a warm and fitting tribute to Miss Valerie Belton, Headmistress of Edgbaston High School, 1967 - 1987, who sadly passed away on 3 November 2011. The congregation stood for a minute of silent reflection in honour of Miss Belton's memory and all she had contributed to the School's legacy.

As is the custom, Head Girl, Lydia Marshall, and her Deputies, Aneela Chauhan and Ruth Spencer Jolly, took to the stage to give a full account of their experience of EHS and, in particular, life in the Sixth Form which had largely been characterised by the new Sixth Form Centre and its many mod cons. They also spoke of the importance of formal events such as Speech Day as occasions to remember those who have gone before us.

We were delighted to welcome Marion King, Chief Executive Officer of payment systems organisation VocaLink, to Edgbaston High as this year's guest speaker and prize giver. Marion gave a very entertaining and inspirational speech about her life, sharing with the audience her many career highlights, peppered with useful and practical advice for the girls. We are extremely grateful to Ms King for joining us for the evening and thank her for her time.

The evening was punctuated with certificate giving and a further superb choral performance from the Choir before culminating in a Vote of Thanks from Lydia Marshall and presentation of flowers to Marion King by Dilroop Cooner, Head Girl, and Anya Duxbury, Deputy Head Girl, both of the Preparatory School.

The School enjoyed welcoming back its newest set of Old Girls on Friday and wishes them well once more in their future studies.

Left to right: Mr Tonks, Chairman of Council; Sir Stephen Brown, Dr Weeks and Marion King

Left to right: Mr Tonks,Aneela (Deputy Head Girl), Lydia (Head Girl) and Ruth (Deputy Head Girl)

Left to right: Mr Tonks, Sir Stephen Brown, Dr Weeks, Aneela, Lydia, Ruth and Marion King

Sir Stephen starts proceedings

The full splendour of the University's Great Hall

The EHS Choir perfoming one of three pieces

After the ceremony, girls, staff, parents and Members of Council enjoyed the drinks reception