Invicta Vlogs
On Friday last week, we celebrated our 75th and 50th Anniversaries.
On Friday last week, we celebrated our 75th and 50th Anniversaries. In 1940/41, we opened as a Technical School for Girls and then in 1965/6, we moved onto land at Vinters Park. Our celebrations included an aerial photograph and a whole school picnic. Events like this, always make you reflect on what has been achieved over this time. There is no doubt that things have changed considerably – one to one devices instead of typewriters, pen and ink; chalkboards to interactive whiteboards; exchanges across the world, rather than pen pals; blazers instead of berets and of course, we cannot forget the fact that we have grown from a school of only 250 students to 890 students in 1971, only 45 years ago, to a school that now has 1318 students – over 5 times bigger. However, for me, the one thing that has really changed, is the fact that our girls have a sense of individuality and independence. On Friday, girls were on stage performing live in front of their peers, with such confidence. Others were on assault courses, competing against their friends with such determination and resilience. Then in contrast, groups were demonstrating their enterprise skills, selling milkshakes, burgers and other refreshments as part of their fund raising for World Challenge and the Guide Dogs for the Blind. Tutor Groups were challenged to make their picnics thematic and as a result, we had pyjama parties, pink and blue colour schemes to represent Cancer Research, and Hawaiian groups to name just a few. It really did highlight how creative our students are. When you think back to the regimented way in which girls would have been taught in the 1940’s to what they are now, things really have improved for the better. Having spoken to some of our more senior Alumni, it is clear that school was not always fun. My vision is that the students’ memories of Invicta are of paramount importance. I want every student to have wonderful recollections of their time at school – of fun, friendship, inspirational teachers, trips, international visits, fund raising or involvement in music, sport, drama, and the arts. We have an exceptional opportunities programme to complement our academic success and it is this that makes us an Outstanding School. But, it really is the memories that I want our girls to take from their time with us. I have no doubt that the celebrations of last week will be one of them!
