SCHOOL NEWS

Town and Gown

In May, dozens of pupils, staff, parents, alumni, and members of the school community took to the streets for the Oxford Town and Gown run. They braved blazing sunshine and high temperatures to join thousands taking part in the race, which raises funds more Muscular Dystrophy UK. External Relations Trustee, Helen Batchelor said "Thank you to all who participated, whether as a runner or cheering from the sidelines. It was a fantastic day, and we were lucky to have glorious weather, and to have so many supporters lining the route. We hope to see even more participants join the ranks of Team Headington Rye next year!"

OxClean 2024

In the Summer Term, U4 embarked on their annual litter-picking mission as part of OxClean to combat littering and promote environmental stewardship. Mr Cunningham said "The enthusiasm and energy shown was impressive, and the volume of litter collected in just a few hours was super. It's great that we have such a long-standing commitment to environmental activism, having partnered with OxClean for over a decade. Through their efforts, they not only beautify their surroundings but also inspire others to take active steps towards creating a cleaner, greener future for all."

OxClean 2024

Alumnae Hockey Match

Former Headington pupils lined up against the finest of the current hockey players for the School's second annual alumnae v pupil match in June. A number of siblings were playing and spectating, teams were mixed up to play against familiar faces as well as new ones. A large number of parents, family, and friends were in attendance to support the match. Mr Williams said, "The level of support was fantastic. There is already talk of next year being even bigger and better."

OxTrail

Headington pupils raised more than £7,000 for a local hospice charity by taking part in a trail featuring Oxford’s symbol, the Ox. The school was one of 85 local schools and community groups painting mini oxen to display as part of the county-wide charity art trail in the summer for Sobell House Hospice. After taking delivery of the School’s Ox sculpture, Art Scholars created a range of captivating designs. The entire school community then participated in voting for their favorite design, which was subsequently brought to life by the Art Scholars and other members of the Art Department. This charity project has given the entire school community the opportunity to use their creativity, engage in a community-focused project, and fundraise for a very important cause.

Matilda JR

Towards the end of the Summer Term, girls from the Lower School, together with the Drama, Theatre and Music teams were busy putting together a performance of Matilda JR. The story was perfectly told through a balance of dialogue and song, with famous numbers as ‘When I Grow Up’, ‘Naughty’ and ‘Revolting Children’. Standout performances came from Mr and Mrs Wormwood, Matilda, Mrs Trunchbull, Bruce Bogtrotter and more, however the ensemble brought the play together by supporting with singing, dance moves. Director Mr Alex Rogers said: “I’d have never expected it but I rather enjoyed taking part in the choreography of the spectacle. It was a complete delight to work with such a creative and original cast. It’s the first time I’ve directed a musical and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more or been more proud of the cast and creative team.”

Mock Election

As election fever hit the country, in May, Headington hosted its very own version complete with video messages, hustings and a secret ballot. Five pupils, each representing one of the political parties fielding candidates in the general election, put themselves forward as candidates. Ellie (Conservative), Emily (Green), Polly (Labour), Lucy (Liberal Democrat) and Rania (Monster Raving Loony party) each produced a campaign video, and produced campaign literature which adorned the corridors of the School in the run up to the big day. They then took to the stage to answer questions from the pupil body, at a special hustings event hosted by A Level Politics students. With more than 400 votes cast, Emily was duly elected on behalf of the Green Party as the ‘representative’ for Headington School, winning by just 20 votes. Mr Matt Gow, Head of Politics, said: “I was incredibly impressed by the willingness of the pupils to get involved in the whole electoral process from the campaigning, to the hustings, to voting on election day, everything was taken very seriously! Be in no doubt that the young people at this school are very interested in politics and aware of how important the democratic process is.”

Henley Royal Regatta Victory

For the second time since the event began in 2021, and after a campaign that saw them competing against the national champions from the USA and Australia, the Headington 1st Eight emerged as the winners of the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy at Henley Royal Regatta. Headington is the only British team to hold this trophy, with strong American and Australian teams winning the event in 2022 and 2023. Alumnae, fellow pupils, staff, and parents crowded the riverbanks to cheer the girls on as they rowed to victory, finishing two clear lengths ahead of their competitors. Performance Director and Head Coach Mr. Ryan Demaine described the girls’ achievement as ‘monumental’. He said: “Our advantage truly shines with the full support of a school like Headington: the Senior Leadership Team, the governors, and the teaching and boarding staff, all of whom create the best possible Athlete-Scholar environment for these girls to excel both academically and in sport.”

Senior School Lunch

Our annual Senior School Lunch where parents experience a typical ‘school lunch’ with a glass of wine, took an exciting turn this year, thanks to the Student Charity Committee. Led by Emily, the Charities Prefect, the students initiated a takeover to support The Porch Day Centre, a local charity based in the South of Oxford. The Porch Day Centre provides day long support for homeless and vulnerably housed individuals to help them take vital steps to move forward in their lives. The evening was filled with fun and entertainment, with parents eagerly participating in a lively pub-style quiz that tested their general knowledge, and many walking away with exciting raffle prizes. The Student Charity Committee raised over £700 thanks to the generosity of the parents and staff who came together as a community for a wonderful cause!

County Netball Success

Headington Rye Oxford’s Netball squads are celebrating after a near clean sweep at the County Netball Tournament. After the U19s, U16s and U14s took to the court at the tournament in November – winning 20 out of 24 games played across the three teams – the School ended with the U16s as County Champions and the U14s as runners up. Head of Netball Mrs Layla Slade said: “We are so happy and proud of the girls for their podium finish! We’re really looking forward to an exciting Netball season ahead next term.”

Remembrance at Headington Rye

Remembrance was honoured at school in November as the boarding community joined the wider city at the Civic Service by the cenotaph. The School’s CCF regiment was present and acquitted themselves magnificently. Our company sergeant, Emma Trowbridge had the privilege of leading the Act of Remembrance, alongside a veteran. On Armistice Day itself, the Senior School gathered in our Sports Hall for a service of remembrance. The Rev Tom Howell, School Chaplain, said: “It is a great challenge and a sobering inspiration that individuals unknown to us, laid down their lives for us – for our peace and for our freedom.” This year the School’s focus on remembrance was especially notable as thousands of poppies were put up around the Hive.

The Great Gatsby

Headington Rye’s stage adaptation of ‘The Great Gatsby’ brought F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel to life with a dazzling mix of drama, romance and tragedy through four sold out performances. There were over 70 pupils involved in cast and crew, with over 50 of those being in the cast. The story was marvellously told through the eyes of Nick Carraway, played by both Octavia (Year 11) and Evie (Year 12). They played the reserved observer entangled in the world of their enigmatic neighbour, Jay Gatsby, extremely well. Mrs Jannicke Stevens said: “Show week was incredible! From behind the scenes in costume and make-up to the amazing performances from the cast, I have been blown away by the commitment and hard work from all the students involved. I said to so many parents and staff that it felt like I was working with professionals. During show week the performances just got better and better and the last night was just incredible."

Carol Services at Christ Church and St Anthony of Padua

Three spellbinding Carol Services took place in December. Due to the size of the School, not all of the girls could be accommodated at Christ Church Cathedral during the day, so Years 7 and 8 made their way to Headington Rye’s Roman Catholic parish church, St Anthony of Padua. Years 9 – 13 had a little further to walk to Oxford’s Anglican Cathedral in Christ Church College. The Chamber Choir led in the singing and the seven lessons were preceded by short readings. During the service, there were readings from the Head Girls, Headmistress, Chair of Governors and pupils of all ages. Over the three services, more than 1,500 attended. During the evening cathedral service, a collection was made for the Disasters Emergency Committee Middle East Humanitarian Appeal. Rev Howell and Mrs Walsh said: “It was a joy to run the Carol Services and to hear, once again, of God’s immense love for humanity as demonstrated in the Christmas story."

Tangerine Party

The Tangerine Party at Christmas is a cherished Rye St Antony tradition that dates back to the 1940s, and the children at Headington Rye Oxford Prep School celebrated it with a talent show, joyous singing and of course, tangerines!

House Dance

This year’s House Dance was a pop extravaganza from the 2000s (2000-2009). Each House had spent weeks preparing, perfecting their music mixes, costumes and choreography. Mr David Cunningham, Head of Competitive Houses, welcomed the houses into the hall, and the judges took their places. Mr Cunningham said, “House Dance is such a fun-filled way to end the term. Headington Rye really knows how to finish the Autumn Term in style.” Many houses drew inspiration from Beyoncé, Rihanna, Shakira, Lil Jon and Usher, to name a few. Other houses took inspiration from a broader range of styles, with music from Avril Lavigne and Las Ketchup among the selections. The judges were wowed by the high standard, but the house to take the coveted trophy was House Fender.

Cinderella Ballet

Headington Rye’s ballet dancers put on a run of stunning performances of ‘Cinderella’ towards the end of January 2025. This production marks Headington Rye’s third dedicated Ballet show in recent years, showcasing the talent, creativity and dedication of the girls involved, both backstage and in the limelight. From the graceful movements of Cinderella herself, played by Mary (Year 12) to the comedic brilliance of the Ugly Stepsisters, played by Chloe and Grace (Year 10) the performance delighted and entertained at every turn. The choreography, directed Miss Elspeth Wilson, Headington Rye’s dedicated Ballet teacher, masterfully balanced the delicate storytelling of Ballet with moments of humour and drama, captivating the audience from the opening scene to the final bow. Girls from the Prep School were involved throughout the performances, playing key roles alongside their older peers.

Evensong at St George's Chapel

In February, 15 members of the Chamber Choir were fortunate enough to take part in a beautiful evensong service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, alongside members of the choir from Bradfield College. After a short afternoon rehearsal, the choirs performed classic pieces from the choral repertoire, including the Rose Responses, Stanford’s ‘Magnificat’ and ‘Nunc Dimittis in A’, and Haydn’s epic ‘The Heavens are Telling’ from his oratorio ‘The Creation’. Libby in L5 and Anna in L6 were selected as soloists in the Stanford, and pupils from Bradfield as soloists for the Haydn. Director of Performing Arts Mrs Aimee Jamison said: “Performing in such an historic venue is always a thrill, and the choirs were blown away by the chapel itself and the wonderful acoustic. We were delighted to have such a good number of visitors in the congregation, including the Heads of Senior and Prep from both schools and several parents.”

Higher Education Evening

"Headington Rye Oxford welcomed an impressive range of prestigious institutions for the annual Higher Education Evening in February. Those taking part in the event included some of the most popular Russell Group and learning institutions such as Warwick, Bath, King’s College London and Exeter. Headington Rye Oxford’s highly-talented creative arts students were catered for with not only visits and specialist lectures on Art, Dance and Drama but also a special workshop for the Dance students. The evening began with a lively and well attended carousel of stalls and was followed by informative and detailed subject-specific talks on a wide range of topics such as UCAS, Degree Apprenticeships, Applying for Medicine and Dentistry and how students can know themselves and their “brand” to help them with degree and career choices. Academic Director of Sixth Form Mrs Alice Barrett said: “I look forward to following these students’ future successes beyond Headington Rye Oxford."

Mind, Body and Soul Dance Show

Girls took to the stage for two sell-out audiences for Headington Rye Oxford’s dazzling annual dance show, Mind, Body & Soul in February. This year’s showcase was a resounding success, with over 170 dancers delivering performances across the two shows and demonstrating a variety of different dance styles and techniques. The event showcased the exceptional talent, confidence, creativity, and versatility of Headington Rye dancers from all year groups. The show was a celebration of collaboration, bringing together dancers of all levels, fostering a strong sense of unity within the dance community at school.

Welcoming the Year of the Snake

Headington Rye Oxford welcomed members of its community to the School’s annual Chinese New Year celebration in February. Pupils, parents and grandparents from the Prep and Senior Schools gathered together for a spectacular evening of cultural performances and festive food, celebrating the rich traditions of China, Hong Kong, and beyond. Prep School pupils Emma, Xiaoyan, and Sophie opened the show with the Lion Dance, a high energy dance performed during Lunar New Year, said to bring good luck and fortune. This was followed by a choir, with pupils from Nursery to the Senior School, who sang ‘Gong Xi Gong Xi’, a popular song to celebrate the coming of Spring. To conclude the entertainment, Sixth Form students Maya, Bridget, Yarrow and Ruth performed songs in Mandarin and Cantonese. After the show, guests enjoyed a delicious Chinese feast prepared by Headington Rye’s in-house Catering team, which included a variety of traditional dishes. An abundance of fortune cookies and red envelopes containing riddles and chocolate coins added the finishing touches to a special evening, and were appreciated by children and adults alike!