SENIOR SCHOOL

We were delighted to receive another visit from Officers and Crew of HMS Triumph on Wednesday December 1st. Following their first visit last year and our presence at the HMS Triumph's Rededication in April, it is nice to report how our links are becoming stronger.

The day began with a presentation about the Royal Navy and HMS Triumph in Assembly; superb photos and a clear description of what the Modern Navy is like. The Ship's crew were then given a tour of the school by the Triumph Prefects and a taste of our lessons. They were able to report to their relief that they got some of the Maths problems right!

They then gave a lesson to our Year 7, posing the challenge ‘How to design a Submarine.' The three groups designed their own submarines, incorporating many impressive features, including some fearsome weaponry and a swimming pool for the use of the crew! One was named HMS JAWS.

An exchange of plaques and photos took place during lunch and a very cheery couple of Ships' Companies got together for a formal group photograph. During the afternoon the nine members of HMS Triumph attended the Junior School performance of ‘The Wizard of Oz.' They thought it ‘brilliant and very professional.' Some of these hardened characters admitted to having a lump in their throats during the performance.

Then our visitors were escorted to the Sports Centre for the Interships' Netball Competition. This was unfortunately postponed as the weather had forced many of the day boarders to leave early. But this did not dampen enthusiasm and the navy responded to many challenges and played 5-6 matches in total against the Sixth Form, the Staff, The Triumph Ship Senior and Junior teams and quite a few more. They had an unfair height advantage, particularly against the Triumph Junior team. (4'6” goal shooter being marked by a 6' 6” goal keeper!) But everything was played in really good heart and spirits and much fun was had by all.

To conclude, the girls have had a taste of the Real world coming to visit and have seen the human face of the Nation's Senior Armed Service. On their part, the Navy have an appreciation of what we do here and left having been impressed by the sheer variety of what we do and the very high standards that our girls can achieve. All in all, a really rewarding and memorable day.

Sue Cole
Head of Outdoor Pursuits and Admiral of Triumph Ship