Flurry of events brings our historic year to a celebratory close

Published by Ashville Harrogate on Wednesday 30th of October 2024

Successful events and famous faces have rounded off a historic academic year for Ashville before the school begins to work on the first phase of its three-year development plan this Summer.

In the school's own version of ‘Super Saturday’ (June 29), Olympic runner Roger Black MBE, who took silver in the 400m in the 1996 Olympics, was guest speaker at its traditional Senior School and Sixth Form Speech Day. A 550-strong audience of parents, staff and pupils watched as young achievers received prizes for their significant contributions to academic and school life throughout the year.

That same day, in the evening, guests from across the Harrogate and Yorkshire community enjoyed excellent food, exciting fundraising activities and musical entertainment at the ‘Dinner for David’. This was organised by our alumni organisation, the Ashvillian Society, in aid of Disability Action Yorkshire.

Last week, Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle MBE, who won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics in London, presented prizes at the Reception and Prep School Speech Day. She encouraged pupils aged 5 to 11 to follow their dreams and reach for the stars.

Mrs Rhiannon Wilkinson said:

“For me, these occasions show how far Ashville has moved on in the last three years, something we should all be proud of. I truly hope we all feel proud of and pleased with our contributions to the success of the College. The sense of belonging together as a community was palpable at these events and it was clear that everyone, whatever their age or connection, was delighted to be part of Ashville.”

Other recent events included the Graduation Ceremony for pupils bound for onward study in the US and internationally; Sports Days for every area of the school; a traditional Head’s Concert featuring performances from Senior School and Sixth Form musicians; the Year 11 Prom (a fantastic opportunity for those who have just finished their GCSEs to let their hair down); and the Boarders’ Ball.

These occasions followed the Year 8 to Upper Sixth Summer Show of Wychwood Part Two. This saw the Drama Studio transformed into the draughty corridors of Wychwood House once again as pupils presented four more Edwardian tales of ghostly goings on, following on from Wychwood Part One in June 2023.