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11 December 2017
On Friday 8 December, Woldingham School celebrated its 175th anniversary with the whole community coming together for a day of activities that encapsulated the wide array of interests, talents and opportunities that make a Woldingham education so distinctive. The morning began with a Mass of Thanksgiving and continued with song, dance, art and sport, before culminating in a silent disco and huge enjoyment of the largest cake ever seen in the valley!
The carousel of activities that took place after Mass referenced the community of Sacred Heart schools that has grown extensively since six nuns and two children set up the first school in England on December 8 1842. Each of Woldingham’s Houses chose a country from the Sacred Heart network – India, Colombia, Kenya and Australia – and learnt one of its songs and dances, which they later performed to the rest of the school. Students also creatively expressed their personal identity and connection to the school by decorating tiles that will collectively form a permanent 175 display.
Founded in 1842, Woldingham is one of the oldest girls’ schools in the country and has much to celebrate in its momentous 175th anniversary year. From the beautiful location and outstanding facilities through to the academic rigour and extensive extra-curricular opportunities, Woldingham is a school with a rich tradition that has sought to adapt and move forward from the moment it was founded.
Headmistress, Mrs Alex Hutchinson, said:
‘175 years ago, our founders began their pioneering work of educating young women. Not only are we immensely proud of that fact, but it is work that we continue every day, transforming our students’ lives through an outstanding holistic education. Woldingham very much has an eye on the future, but this has been a wonderful day to stop, look back, and celebrate our long history.’
