A Wonderful Finale to Another Exceptional Year
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On Wednesday 1 July, the Sports Hall at St Gabriel’s was once again transformed into a vibrant celebration of learning, creativity and achievement as families gathered for our annual Junior School Celebration Day and Prize Giving.
Parents were welcomed from 1pm to enjoy refreshments while exploring a wonderful exhibition of pupils’ work from across the Junior School. Colourful displays showcased the breadth of learning, creativity and curiosity that has flourished throughout the year, giving families the opportunity to celebrate the children's many achievements both inside and outside the classroom.
The formal celebrations began with a selection of uplifting performances from the Junior Orchestra, who delighted the audience with pieces composed by our Director of Music, Caroline Woodhouse. Principal Mr Smith then welcomed families before the entire Junior School, from Reception to Year 6, filled the hall with an energetic performance of We're All in This Together, setting a joyful tone for the afternoon.
Head of Juniors Mr Dove then addressed the audience before each year group took to the stage to share a performance inspired by their learning throughout the year.
Reception proudly presented their topic on Animals, wearing the wonderful masks they had created and delighting the audience with a charming song.
Year 1 performed a thoughtful poem about Old Toys, bringing imagination and expression to their recital.
Year 2 celebrated the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough by reading excerpts from the heartfelt letters they had written to him, explaining how his work has inspired them to care for the natural world and make a positive difference.
Year 3 delivered a moving interpretation of There's a Rang-tan in My Bedroom, combining poetry and dance in a powerful performance that highlighted the importance of protecting our environment.
Year 4 entertained everyone with a hilarious Tudor-themed sketch, complete with a memorable performance of Henry VIII's six wives to the tune of Mambo No. 5, which had the audience laughing.
Year 5 shared a fascinating presentation about Japan, showcasing everything they had discovered through their Geography studies and giving families a glimpse into another culture.
Year 6 rounded off the class performances with a lively rendition of Teamwork from their recent production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. In a spectacular finale, they climbed aboard the famous Chitty Car and drove off the stage, symbolically zooming towards their exciting futures in the Senior School.
The afternoon continued with the presentation of prizes for pupils in Years 1 to 6, recognising outstanding effort, achievement and contribution across the Junior School. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the determination, kindness and enthusiasm shown by so many pupils throughout the year.
Our Junior Head Boy and Head Girl then delivered a heartfelt Vote of Thanks, expressing their gratitude to staff, parents and classmates for making their Junior School journey so memorable.
The celebrations concluded with one of the most poignant moments of the afternoon as each Year 6 pupil was presented with their Leavers' Book by Mr Dove. Reception to Year 5 then gathered to sing the traditional Leavers' Song, creating an emotional farewell as the Year 6 pupils reflected on their time in the Junior School before embarking on the next stage of their education.
It was a joyful and uplifting afternoon that perfectly captured the spirit of our Junior School community. From music and drama to poetry, history, geography and environmental awareness, every performance reflected the enthusiasm, confidence and creativity of our pupils. We are incredibly proud of all they have achieved this year and were delighted to celebrate another successful year of fun, friendship and learning with our families.