Friday, 11th June marked our Year 11s final day at Westbourne after what has been a very challenging GCSE course for them all. They have shown huge resilience and determination over these last two years. Moving to online learning last March and achieving more and engaging better than any of us could have imagined possible. Periods of isolation and another lockdown interrupted the next two terms, but again they remained focused and positive. When back in school they took advantage of the face to face teaching, sport, extra classes and, very importantly, their only opportunity to socialise.
Sending them off without any kind of celebration was not an option after such an exemplary year, but how to do it with the current restrictions in place? Sadly, parents and other year groups were not able to be there but the year group were all there to celebrate each other reaching the finish line. We had a celebration assembly in which we shared photos, from as far back as reception for some! There were countless shoutouts from proud teachers and then we had a celebration at the back of Westbourne Place where awards were given out, speeches made and James Billingham sang the song he had sung five years previously at the Year 6 leavers assembly and we all got a bit emotional. The day ended with pizza, music and shirt signing in The Dell with Mr Magenty roasting marshmallows on the campfire. It was a joy to see our Year 11s enjoying themselves in parts of the school they haven’t been able to visit so much over the last couple of years but where many happy memories were formed.
We wish them well as they move on to pastures new and want them to remember that the door to Westbourne will forever be open to them.
