Celebrating our 142nd School Birthday

On Wednesday, the school gathered together to celebrate our 142nd Birthday.

In a joyful assembly, Ms Kennedy's address reflected on birthdays: 

"If I could give all of  you a gift, just one thing, what would it be? As I reflected, of course the choice was agonising: would it be self-belief, in bucket-loads; or a climate which wasn’t in crisis; or life-long friendships which fulfil and sustain you; but actually, when it comes down to it, I realised that there is on one thing I could give all of you which you would cherish; instead, I’d like the gift I give you to be the thing which you would choose, the small delights which you learn to treasure and revel in, the individual bits of humanity and life which tickle you as an individual, or help you to a complete and perfect appreciation of the ludicrous side of this life of ours, the small brilliant things which make us laugh and which illuminate our daily experiences..." For Ms K, the choice would be a mondegreen and much hilarity ensued as she gave a vivid example of where a simple mishearing can take you, for over a decade, as it turned out. (Do ask your children and we'd love to hear of your own family mondegreen moments...)

After contributions from the Junior Head Girls, Deputy Head of Juniors and a reading of words by Edith Hastings by Head Girl Elsa, it was time for a ceremonial cutting of the cake by the youngest and oldest students at Wimbledon High, the distribution of over 1000 cupcakes (thank you Thomas Franks), the singing of the school song and a spirited version of Happy Birthday, which you can watch below. "Happy Birthday Dear School; Happy Birthday to Us..."