Last week we commemorated the end of the school year – and the end of Year 13’s Wimbledon High journey – with our annual Speech Day celebration.

The theme for this year’s Speech Day was ‘Encounters’. We chose this theme as encounters can be positive and affirming, such as a new sixth form student excitedly meeting her new classmates for the first time, or a lost Year 7 student who is helped with directions around the school by a kind Year 11, but they can also be unexpected, challenging or even unwelcome. Part of a Wimbledon High education is to confront some of these head-on, to ensure that we are ready for anything that comes our way, knowing that – however difficult or unnerving – we have what we need to navigate our way through.

Speech Day is a real showcase of highlights from the year, with students delivering readings from award-winning essays, spoken-word poetry, dancing, musical theatre, and virtuosic vocal and instrumental performances. We were also delighted to have Ruth Coverdale, Kevin Stannard and Rebecca McKinlay attend as our guest speakers, delivering inspiring and thought-provoking speeches.

Amongst all the other wonderful awards given to students, this year we introduced a new award: the Kelly Jones Award. This award honours the longstanding commitment of former school Archivist and Librarian Kelly Jones (1952-2025) to the history of the school and the local area. The award is presented to a Year 11 student who plans to continue with History at A Level and who has consistently demonstrated excellent Historical or archival skills. You can read more about Kelly here.

We are very proud of our students and wish them great joy and adventure ahead of them, whether they are enjoying an exciting summer before joining us again in September or are now striding out as compassionate, confident and talented adults.

Please view the full Speech Day picture gallery below.

Read Ms Kennedy’s end of year post here.