Alton Convent School was again delighted to support the BBC’s annual Children in Need appeal.

The school’s roll expanded greatly for the day, as pupils from Nursery to Fifth Form took part in a ‘Bring your bear to school’ day. The bears, joined by a selection of dogs, rabbits, a Yoda and others, were, for the most part, impeccably behaved and joined in with much of the normal school day, including assembly, break and lunch, for which extra supplies of honey had been bought in by Mrs Kennedy, although they seemed less willing to take part in cross country running. Many bears had made a particular effort to dress for the occasion, and Mr Berry’s bear, Giorgio, was happy to judge the prep school’s “Best Dressed Bear” competition, with the upper prep prize going do Frederica, brought in by Emily, who was in fact wearing a complete school uniform. Further competitions amongst senior school bears saw prizes awarded for the bear best equipped for school, the bear most like its owner and, in the interests of inclusion, a prize reserved for creatures other than bears.

Looking at the looking glass
What did I see?
Eleven years at the Convent
Staring back at me.

Starting with a little girl
Hair cut in a bob
Rushing round the playground
With the Alton Convent mob.

Progressing from an angel
To chief donkey in a play,
And onto being a singer
Having fun along the way.

Playing in the orchestra
Was what I liked to do
Along with science experiments
And library duty too.

So many friends and faces
Swirl before my eyes,
For now I’m off to college.
I shall really miss you guys.

“We have learned that teachers are actually people, despite being slightly odd, but we love them all the same. We have so much to thank them for.”

The end of the summer term traditionally is a hectic round of sport, creative activity, picnics, curriculum days, school outings, catwalk show etc. It is filled with excitement and for those moving on to new challenges and even new schools, a little trepidation.

This year, however, all these events have been overshadowed by the loss to the School of its beloved founder, Sister Madeleine. Reverend Mother, or ‘Rev’ as she was affectionately known by many, is the reason we are all here. It was her vision, dynamism and doggedness which ensured the opening of Alton Convent School over 60 years ago. She was a woman of many parts as you will see from the tribute printed alongside this letter.