Dronfield

We welcomed seventeen new girls to Dronfield at the start of the year, joining us from various parts of North Yorkshire, and from around the globe.

Sport is for everyone, and is a great way to be a part of the wider school community. There has been much to celebrate for those representing the House or the school, or indeed on a personal level. Niamh, Ellen and Sophie played U18 Hockey, and reached the North Tier 4 Finals. Emily and Sophie played Eton Tennis, and Jamie was girls’ no.3 at Squash. On Sports Day Catherine came a close second in the Senior Girls’ 100m, and we won the Inter-House Badminton – well done to Jasmine, Serena, Emily and Jamie. We reached the semi-final of the Inter-House Hockey, and had a good number of Dronfield girls participating in the Cross Country event. Lydia started rowing (and coxing), and Hope was selected for the Yorkshire U18 Girls Rugby Squad.

“There has been much to celebrate for those representing the House or the school, or indeed on a personal level.”

There has been plenty of involvement in the creative arts, with lots of music making evident over the year. Laura and Anna W sang beautifully at the start of our House Chapel, and the whole House were in good voice for the House Singing Competition. Emily reached the junior music finals in three categories, and was highly commended for her flute playing in a strong woodwind group. Sirui achieved a merit for her ARSM Diploma. On a daily basis it has been lovely to hear the dulcet tones of music practice in the House. Emily, Isabel, Charlotte, Oenone, Ester and Anna W took part in the annual cabaret concert, with Anna singing a solo with the Swing Band. The production of Beauty and the Beast gave many the opportunity to showcase their creative talents, and particular note must go to Laura and Farah, playing Belle’s sisters. Charlotte, Oenone, Anisia and Niamh also took to the stage, with Serena and Teri taking on key support roles in the production. Naomi played a part in The Sad Club, a play concerning teenage mental health, and staged at York Theatre Royal as part of The National

Connections. Farah and Ester produced some exceptional Art work for their final A level exhibition, and Farah also received an English Creative Writing prize.

Anna H and Charlotte raised nearly £500 for the Teenage Cancer Trust by taking part in the Beverley 10k in May. During National Boarding Week Charlotte organised a musical event at a local residential home, with musicians from across the boarding community taking part. It’s great to see the girls engaging with the community outside school. Hannah has joined the local RAF cadets, finishing the year on camp at RAF Leeming. Holly, Serena and Oenone each took part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award this year, culminating in the qualifying expeditions in the summer term.

“Anna H and Charlotte raised nearly £500 for the Teenage Cancer Trust by taking part in the Beverley 10k in May.”

The girls in Dronfield continued to make a strong contribution towards debating, with Alex playing a key role in the school’s Senior Debating Society. A number of our Third and Fourth Form represented the House throughout the rounds of the Inter-House junior debating competition. Having successfully made it to the final they took on The Manor, opposing the motion that this House would permit performance enhancing drugs in sport. Despite putting forward a good case The Manor were the better team, with Isabel Zheng being awarded best speaker in the final.

We finished the year fifth in the Merit Cup, a great achievement for the House, with Emily, Diana, Kate, Naomi, Maria, Jamie and Holly making a significant contribution towards this result. Sophie and Charlotte are appointed Heads of House for the next year, and Oenone takes on the role of a school monitor. Particular congratulations to Charlotte on her appointment as Head of School for 2019/20.

We thank Teri for the good judgement and kindness she has shown in her role as Head of House this year. We thank all the tutors and domestic staff for their support in the House, and particularly to Mrs Lunardi and Mrs Brough for their years of service to Dronfield. They move on with our very best wishes. And to little Emilia - with her around there is always a reason to smile. And finally, to our leavers in the House, our good wishes. May the path you walk on be bright.

Mr Jon Whitehouse