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NEWSLETTER – 2 May 2025
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we enter the beautiful month of May, the days are long and sunny and the grounds are at their very best, with blossom and flowers in all directions. Now that we are one school, children of all ages are playing out on the lawns and enjoying the tranquillity of Browhead.
But of course, May is also examination season, so for Years 10, 11 and 13, public examinations are upon us. It is hard to believe that Year 13 will soon be writing their final papers and celebrating the end of their school career. It’s always a happy occasion tinged with a little nostalgia. By contrast, our welcome tea for the Prep School felt very different. Also a happy occasion, it was all about new beginnings and I am pleased to report the school is filled with happy chatter.
We were delighted to welcome Proud from Regent’s College, Thailand, to the school at the start of the term. She is being hosted by Tabitha in Year 9, who has just returned from staying with Proud’s family in Thailand. Despite the earthquake, it was a fantastic experience and we look forward to further Round Square exchanges next year.
Kind regards,
Frank Thompson
Head of Windermere School
LATEST NEWS
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Monday 5 May – Bank Holiday (open for IB exams)
Friday 9 May – Parent Hike – Catstye Cam, 9am
Friday 9 May – Gold DofE training, begins 9am
Sunday 11 May – Gold DofE training, returns 3pm
Thursday 15 May – Year 12 presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Crampton Hall, 6pm
Friday 16 May – Pre-prep & Prep Grand Opening! 2.30pm
Friday 16 May – Round Square Adventure Race, begins 9am
Friday 16 May – NCFE Outdoor Adventure – Spey paddling trip, begins 1pm
Monday 19 May – Round Square Adventure Race, returns 1.30pm
Tuesday 20 May – NCFE Outdoor Adventure – Spey paddling trip, returns 1pm
STANNITE NEWS
A Room with a View — and a Story to Match
We are delighted to announce that one of the beautiful new rooms at Windermere School has been sponsored by Stannite Julie Ploder, whose generous gift helps continue a legacy of opportunity and community. Julie has chosen to name the room Troutbeck — a touching tribute to the valley she once called home and where her Windermere journey first began.
To honour Julie’s gift, we recently made the walk up to Troutbeck Tongue to capture a photo — a small gesture that speaks to the deep and enduring connection she maintains with the school, even from afar.
Now living in Norway, Julie reflects fondly on her time at St Anne’s:
“Think of what that incredible opportunity did for me—not only did it provide a great foundation for my education, but it also gave me friends for life.”
Julie first joined St Anne’s in 1969 as a day girl from Troutbeck and later became a boarder in Sixth Form. Her story is one of resilience, friendship, and lasting gratitude — a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of a nurturing school community during challenging times.
Her support means the world to us. It’s not just a room — it’s a symbol of the connections that span generations, continents, and lifetimes.
There are still a few rooms available for sponsorship. If you’d like to leave your own legacy and name a space that inspires future students, please contact jgaskin@windermereschool.co.uk.
A Visit from a Visionary: Welcoming Former Chair of Governors, Robert Perkins
It was a true pleasure to welcome Robert Perkins back to Windermere School this week, where I had the honour of showing him around the latest additions to our ever-evolving Browhead campus.
Robert’s connection to the school runs deep. He joined our community as an Elleray parent in 1996. In 1999, Robert stepped forward to take on the significant responsibility of Chair of Governors—playing a pivotal role in safeguarding the school’s future at a critical moment in its history.
With both courage and vision, Robert helped guide the school through one of its most transformative periods. Under his leadership, Windermere School made the ground-breaking decision to welcome boys in to the Senior School, into what had previously been an all-girls school—an evolution that has shaped our vibrant and inclusive community today. He also spearheaded the development of a new boys’ boarding house on campus, ensuring that the school could grow in both capacity and spirit.
Robert’s foresight and deep belief in the potential of Windermere School left a lasting legacy. During his visit, it was inspiring to see how invested he still is in the life and future of the school. His enthusiasm and pride in all that Windermere continues to achieve was unmistakable, and his visit served as a powerful reminder of the difference that dedicated leadership can make.
We are so grateful for the foundations laid by individuals like Robert, and we look forward to continuing to build on their vision as we move into this exciting new chapter at Browhead.
