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NEWSLETTER – 21 March 2025
Dear Parents and Guardians,
“As real-world communities and mentorship declines, young men end up withdrawing, reluctant to talk or to express their emotions. They spend more time online searching for direction and are falling into unhealthy alternatives.” – Gareth Southgate, BBC Dimbleby Lecture 19 March 2025
As I listened to the Today programme this morning on BBC Radio 4, I heard these words from Gareth Southgate’s lecture reflecting on his life, leadership experience and his concerns for young people.
It couldn’t have been a stronger contrast to the past week at Windermere. There are times when our children bring us great joy and as an educationalist, I also get to share in these moments from time to time.
Last Wednesday, the Sixth Form held their annual IB Showcase where they showed off their creative work, their Theory of Knowledge projects and explained their Service activities. The room was full of excitement and the students were very proud to explain the work they had done. They used artefacts such as an ice axe and the Quaker Tapestry to illustrate questions they had chosen for themselves which tackle our beliefs, what we consider as reliable evidence and asked why acceptable values have changed. It was fascinating. It really showed how far you can go in Sixth Form in thinking about your own learning and discovering topics for yourself which can be way off syllabus but which are fascinating for you.
Throughout last week we also took part in the Mary Wakefield competition, an annual music contest in Kendal and we did very well, winning a number of trophies. Particular congratulations go to Josh and Ollie as finalists who then competed again on Saturday where Ollie came away with first place performing his emotionally rich solo from Fiddler on the Roof.
On Tuesday this week, we had our GCSE Drama Showcase performances, where the pupils performed in front of a live audience of parents and friends for their practical examinations on Wednesday. I was captivated by their performances which really took me into the scenes they were performing and into the characters they were in inhabiting. For 90 minutes I was engrossed in dramas ranging from domestic disputes in the United States to the trenches of the First World War. It really was quite extraordinary and I know all the parents who were there too were extremely proud of their children. Their talent has been developed through a great deal of hard work and it was a delight to see.
However, returning to Gareth Southgate’s thoughts, it is also something else of great value and increasingly rare in today’s society. Our young people, boys and girls, are able to fully express themselves through the arts in the real world. This matters more than ever. To paraphrase the words of the Round Square founder, our young people have discovered that there is more in them than they know.
Kind regards,
Frank Thompson
Head of Windermere School
LATEST NEWS
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Monday 24 March – Year 5 Residential Trip – Parent Information Evening, 5pm
Wednesday 26 March – Parents meetings for Years 1 – 6, 4pm-7pm
Wednesday 26 March – Sailing Team & Race Team Parents Evening, 6pm-7.30pm
Saturday 29 March – Year 10 Food & Nutrition practical session
Saturday 29 March – Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Training, departs 9am
Sunday 30 March – Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Training, returns 4pm
Tuesday 1 April – Year 5 & 6 Production of Porridge, 6pm
Wednesday 2 April – Year 5 & 6 Production of Porridge, 6pm
Friday 4 April – Easter Fun for Pre-Prep & Prep, 2.30pm-4pm
Friday 4 April – Rock Up Concert, 3pm-4.10pm
Friday 4 April – Easter Holiday begins
STANNITE NEWS
Stannite Spotlight: Claire McKeever – A Sizzling Salsa Experience
We were incredibly lucky to recently welcome Stannite Claire McKeever into our school! Claire is not only a phenomenal Salsa dancer but also an inspiring teacher, and she shared her passion with our Years 4 & 5 pupils in a special dance lesson.
The children embraced the session with enthusiasm, learning fantastic new moves and truly throwing themselves into the rhythm of Salsa. It was a joy to see their energy and excitement as they stepped, spun, and danced their way through the lesson. We cannot thank Claire enough for giving her time to share this amazing skill!
Remembering Shirley Bargery – A Cherished Member of the Windermere School Community
Windermere School fondly remembers Shirley Bargery, a dedicated and much-loved member of staff who served as the school nurse at Browhead from 1972 until 1980. Shirley, who trained as a nurse at Great Ormond Street, recently passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 92.
Known to many as Marjorie Bargery, she was a reassuring presence for pupils during her time at Windermere School, offering care, kindness, and support to all who needed it. Her daughter recalls the fond memories of growing up on the Elleray estate, where Shirley would drop her children off at school each morning before heading to Browhead for the day. The family lived above the stable block at Elleray, and in the holidays, Shirley and her children even helped look after Duncan, the school donkey—just one of the many special memories years at Windermere.
Shirley was a valued and respected member of the school community, and we hope that many Stannites from the 1970s will remember her with warmth and gratitude. Her legacy of care and compassion lives on in the memories of those she looked after, and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family.
If you have any memories of Shirley that you would like to share, please do get in touch—we would love to hear from you.
Investing in Community: Windermere School’s Commitment to Alumni Engagement
At Windermere School, we believe that strong alumni and community connections are the foundation of a thriving educational environment. As part of this commitment, I recently had the opportunity to travel to Bristol to take part in the IDPE (Institute of Development Professionals in Education) alumni course—an experience that has reinforced just how much our school values its wider community.
This course has provided valuable insights into alumni engagement, fundraising, and community-building, equipping me with the tools to strengthen the Stannite network and further enhance opportunities for both current and former pupils. It is incredibly encouraging to see Windermere School invest in this area, recognising that our alumni and wider community play a vital role in the school’s future.
Supporting me in this training is just one of the many ways the school has demonstrated its commitment to nurturing and growing these relationships. From hosting events and networking opportunities to launching new initiatives like the Stannite Bursary Fund, the school is working hard to ensure that every Stannite remains an integral part of our story.
I am excited to put my learning into practise and to continue developing meaningful connections within our community. Whether you’re a former pupil, a parent, or a supporter of the school, I would love to hear from you—together, we can ensure that the Stannite spirit continues to grow for generations to come.
Jo Gaskin
Head of Alumni and Community