26 June 2025
The warmth of the day was more than matched by the warmth of the applause at Speech Day on Saturday 21 June, where Woldingham celebrated students’ academic and extra-curricular achievements, as well as their many contributions to our community.
Our inspiring guest speaker, alumna Amalia Navarro, Chief of Communication for UN Trade and Development, explained that Woldingham gave her a ‘superpower’ – confidence. “I had the unshakeable belief that I could do anything and certainly wasn’t afraid to try. That self-assurance, that lack of fear has stayed with me all my life. It helped me make difficult choices, sometimes unconventional choices. It helped me speak up when it wasn’t always easy.” Amalia has indeed spoken up many times in a career that has seen her utilise the power of effective communication to drive awareness and support for those in need around the world, both at the UN and with other organisations including Médecins Sans Frontières.
Confidence was a quality that shone through in Head Girl 2024-2025 Onome, who gave the vote of thanks to Amalia, before causing tears to be shed, including her own, as she reflected on her seven years at Woldingham and thanked the many people who supported her along the way. She also had plenty of good advice to those following in her footsteps, which included to have a good balance of work and play, to try everything wholeheartedly; and, when the pressure increases, to keep your goals in mind. As Onome said, “Fun delayed is not fun denied.”
In her first Speech Day address, Head Mrs Baillie thanked the whole of the Woldingham community for their welcome, support and patience as she has come to understand “this very special school” and said that the most delightful aspect of her role has been to get to know the girls, who she described as “funny, friendly and opinionated.” Mrs Baillie also looked forward to the opening of our Wellbeing Centre in September and to further embedding Woldingham’s approach to learning, using the latest developments in neuroscience and embracing diversity of mind, as well as culture, to make it truly individual to every girl in school.
Student musicians played and sang during Mass, which was led by Mgr Canon Tony Barry. During the prize giving ceremony, guests also enjoyed Movement II Allegretto Grazioso from Trio in F Major, Op. 32 by Kaspar Kummer, performed by Clara, Upper Sixth (flute), Simo, Year 11 (clarinet) and Fiona, Lower Sixth (bassoon); Adele’s Rumour Has It, with vocals, piano and loop pedal performed by Mathilda in Year 9; and some joyous excerpts from the fantastic Sixth Form production of The Wiz.
On the hottest day of the year to date, after refreshments in the Quad, a hardy band of students, parents and staff enjoyed a fun afternoon of softball cricket on top pitches, with plenty of spectator support on the boundary.
