Congratulations to Girls’ school pupil, Bella who has secured second place in slalom at the international FIS Alpine Ski Race for children, which was held in the Czech Republic. This is a remarkable achievement and the best result that Great Britain has ever had at these races, which are now in their 62nd year and considered one of the most prestigious international children’s races on the calendar.

Bella’s outstanding performance is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion and we are incredibly proud of her – Congratulations, Bella!

Mrs Bridget Ward will be leaving Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School at the end of this academic year to take up the role of Headmistress of St Helen’s School in Northwood, London.

During her three years at Merchant Taylors’, Mrs Ward has played a key role during a period of sustained development and, at the heart of everything Bridget has accomplished, her passion for education, coupled with a commitment to giving every girl the best possible preparation for her life ahead, has shone through.

We congratulate her most warmly on her appointment and wish her every success and, with her family, every happiness when they eventually move to London. Whilst Mrs Ward will be much missed, the Board of Governors is already taking steps to ensure we are in a strong position in September 2024 to guarantee a smooth transition.

We look forward to thanking Mrs Ward in the coming months for all that she has done for the School as both Deputy Head and then Head of the Senior Girls’ School.

Our very own Amabile choir has won gold at the European Choir Games – the Olympic Games of Choral music – in Sweden.

Representing Great Britain, Amabile were crowned winners of their competition and were awarded Gold. The girls also won a silver medal to add to their collection of accolades, putting the country firmly on the medals table.

Amabile took part in the event in Norrkoping, home of the Norrkoping Symphony Orchestra, 160km south of Stockholm and performed over several days and received many plaudits for the outstanding quality of their performance. Indeed, they have been invited to perform at the event for the next five years.

The trip included a remarkable workshop with internationally-acclaimed choral director, Michael Joseph Barrett. Michael guided the girls through a series of warm-up challenges, which helped enhance their choral abilities and he then proceeded to teach them a new song and style of singing, specifically Ke nna yo Morena, a traditional Sesotho piece from South Africa.

Amabile performed one last time at the Friendship Concert on Saturday, alongside choirs from Greece and Sweden. This was followed by a spontaneous rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah with their new Greek friends, demonstrating the essence of the event; fostering connections with renowned choirs from different countries, exchanging ideas and learning from one another.

Later in the evening, the girls had the privilege of attending the Sacred Music, featuring three of the world’s top choirs from Denmark, Sweden and Italy, and they were amazed by the spectacle.

After winning the Girls’ Schools Association Choir of the Year contest in Warwick earlier this year, Amabile qualified and then reached the finals of the European Choir Games.

Bridget Ward, head of the Girls’ School at Merchant Taylors’, said: “What a fantastic achievement for Amabile. We are incredibly proud of the girls and our music staff for the enormous amount of work and preparation they have put in to reach international standard, building on their success at the national GSA Choir of the Year event.

“Over several months, the girls have rehearsed regularly and even changed some of their lifestyle habits in order to protect and preserve their outstanding voices, while also maintaining their academic studies and other school commitments. The whole of Merchant Taylors’ can be proud of their outstanding success.”