3 minute read
The Rise
This is the end of my sixth year as Housemistress of the Rise and I can honestly say that I enjoy it more and more as each year goes by. For me one of the most special things is the happy and joyous atmosphere the girls create in the simple day-to-day activities of going to chapel together, attending lessons, participating in House events, eating, baking, watching films together and sharing the highs and lows of teenage life. Days disappear into weeks and weeks into months and terms but happy memories and life-long friendships remain. That being said, it would be a great pity not to mention the special events and highlights of a year in The Rise.
One of our very favourite House Competitions is the House Singing Competition. In the fortnight leading up to the half-term holiday, the girls would slope off after House Meeting to rehearse their chosen entry “Does Your Mother Know” and practise their moves – all within the allowed rehearsal time of course! What a performance the girls gave. Accompanied by Monica on the piano and Amelie on the drums, our “tremendous twenty” showed off their slick moves, enjoying themselves immensely and beaming throughout the performance. In the end however, the girls were narrowly pipped at the post by Hope who were declared the winners. One of the many highlights at the end of the Christmas term is Mrs Figgins’ Christmas Jumper party and the House Dinner. Everyone is dressed to the nines and each girl looks as if she had an appointment on the red carpet. After a four-course festive meal, we have speeches and head back to The Rise flat where the party continues and Christmas songs are sung around the piano.
We are so lucky to have some key team tennis players in The Rise. The Inter-House tennis final (The Rise vs. Hope) saw some nail biting rallies and brilliant points scored by Sofiya Aleksandrova, Lily Naylor, Alexandria Johnston, Sophie Adeley, Flora Watson, and Natasha Johnston. It was a hard fought match and very close (2321) but in the end The Rise girls were the winners of the Inter-House cup.
For the first time in three years, the rain stayed away and the sun came out to welcome competitors from every House to Sports Day. The junior girls were unlucky to have many illnesses and injuries throughout the age groups however a strong performance was put in by everyone with a special mention to Emily Rastrick for winning the javelin and Emily Johnson for coming 2nd in the long jump.
Our seniors had a very successful day with exceptional performances from Sofiya Aleksandrova (1st long jump), Alexandria Johnson (1st shot put, 2nd 1500m) and Lily Naylor (1st 800m, 1st 100m and Victrix Ludorum winner), which was topped off by finishing second place in the relay. Overall it was a hugely enjoyable day for everyone that all the girls can be proud of.
House Chapel is an occasion which brings the girls together in a positive way as they plan their chapel service. This year the theme was self-respect and began with a beautiful solo “Shallow” sung by Hannah Weatherstone. This was followed by a selection of thoughts and readings on being honest with yourself and others, learning to love yourself and listening to others. Lilli Li said the Lord’s Prayer to end proceedings and we were all left with the positive message that it is “better to be a first rate version of yourself than a second rate version of someone else.”
We would all like to thank the tutors – Mrs Figgins, Mrs Barnard, Miss Wilson and Mrs Robinson for their help, good advice and encouragement in everything the girls do. Special mention and thanks must go to Jane, our Matron and her team of ladies – Jenny, Miggy and Corinne, for keep The Rise sparkling clean day in, day out. Finally a big thank you must go The Rise girls who make The Rise a wonderfully happy place to live and work.
Mrs Dorothy Gillies
