November 2022
It was brilliant to be able to return to our usual way of celebrating St Kate’s Day this year. It was a joy to hear the St Kate’s Hymn echoing through YPH during a joyous Eucharist led by our School Chaplain. During the service, students were told the story of Saint Helen and the significance of the words above our Chapel doors – ‘IN HOC SIGNO SINCES’ (translation: in this sign you shall conquer).
The day was filled with an abundance of exciting activities. The 2p race was great fun for the whole school – students laid thousands of coins in the shapes of houses in support of our chosen charity, Aspire Oxford. This was followed by our charity fair packed with bake sales, face painting, nail bars, hair plaiting and competitive games. The fundraising total for both of these events came to £2,386.08.
In the afternoon, our 1st lacrosse team faced Abingdon School’s 1st rugby team in a much-anticipated match. Faced with a downpour of rain and a tough start, St Helen’s eventually – as is tradition – came out the winner with a score of 5–1.
Celebrations in school ended with our inter-House dodgeball tournament in the Sports Centre and, of course, the Sixth Form play which featured a peek inside a ‘senior leadership meeting’, HelKat Kitchen, Carpool Karaoke and a Grand Designs special of the new Sixth Form Centre.
St Kate’s Day Social
The celebrations did not end when the was bell rung and the buses departed – once again, the alumnae community gathered in London to celebrate at the St Kate’s Day Social, which this year was held in the private area of All Star Lanes, Holborn.
The evening celebrations consisted of catching up with familiar faces over retro bowling, plenty of prosecco and delicious bites to eat! Mrs Dougall and Emilie joined the alumnae team to hear the varied, inspiring and impressive paths that alumnae have followed after leaving St Helen’s. What was especially poignant was to also hear how fondly the former students reflected on their school days.
It was fantastic to receive a myriad of photos our alumnae sent us from around the world, sharing their celebrations of St Kate’s Day with Kit Kats and other sweet treats.
