Presentation Evening

Presentation Evening 2021 was a double celebration as GCSE and A level leavers from 2020 and 2021 received commendations, prizes and awards. Dr Sheila Fisher, Old Girl and then ViceChairman of Governors, was the evening’s first speaker. She said: ‘It is a joy to be able to join you this evening as we finally come together again in this beautiful hall – a chance to celebrate together at last after a very difficult time.’

Referencing the pandemic, Dr Fisher offered her thanks to those who pulled together to get Bolton School through these difficult times, from the Senior Leadership team to support staff in the Estates Department, Sergeants, cleaning staff and catering staff. Looking towards family life and friendships, she spoke of the importance of supporting one another as we look to the future in hope. Her parting wish was for girls to ‘build on the foundation for life you have been given’ and for ‘every happiness and success in the years to come.’ Mrs Kyle delivered a warm and humorous address. She said: ‘You have worked hard, shown determination and resilience, and the staff and I are immensely proud of you. I have heard many reports from both teachers and parents saying how impressed they have been with the enormous efforts that have been put in to ensuring that the last two years were successful for you, and also by the enthusiasm and maturity with which you have approached your studies in somewhat difficult circumstances. Well done to you all.’ She congratulated students on their superb academic results, but also considered the wider curriculum and the strong sense of community within the Girls’ Division. She commented that, from sport to drama, music to debating, trips to educational lectures, academic pursuits to creative endeavours, there really is something for everyone, and these activities are critical in preparing pupils for the wider world. The Head also praised her staff and urged girls to thank them personally. She brought her address to a close with a thoughtful and comic poem that she had penned especially for the leavers. Both Mrs Kyle and Dr Fisher paid tribute to Sue Hincks, who stepped down from her duties as Headmistress in the summer of 2021 following a decade of unparalleled success for the school.

Current students and recent leavers from the past two years then processed onto the stage to collect their awards and receive recognition for both academic and extra-curricular achievements and endeavours.

The audience also heard from not one but two departing Head Girls on this special evening. Lucy Stiles (Head Girl 2019-20) recalled her time at the School, which began back when she joined the Nursery! She spoke of visits to Patterdale and Cambodia, performing in school productions, taking part in the Ceremony of Carols, and her favourite memory of all: the Prefects’ Panto. She talked about the importance of volunteering and encouraged girls to give back. Before wishing everyone success and happiness, she offered four points of advice: believe in yourself and aim high; don’t be afraid to fail; put yourself out there and be prepared to try something new; and don’t rush and to try and enjoy yourself along the way. Lucy then ceremoniously passed on the Head Girl’s gown to Sarah Walker (Head Girl 2020-21). She said that although there were girls of different ages throughout the Hall, there were two things that everyone had in common: ‘the famous evolution of a Bolton School girl assembly’ and memories of a first day at school with bags that were too big and skirts that were too short. She offered her congratulations to all the leavers before passing on the gown to this year’s Head Girl, Summer Kay, who offered her own best wishes and a Vote of Thanks to all the speakers. The evening concluded with rousing renditions of Jerusalem and The School Song.