Editor of The Day and Sydenham High alumna Miranda Green was the guest of honour at this year’s annual Celebrating Success awards ceremony at the start of term.

The journalist and political pundit, who has worked at the Financial Times, Times and Observer and appeared on various current affairs programmes including News Night, congratulated current 12s and year 13s and year 13 leavers on their excellent public exam results and then presented the school prizes.

After handing out the awards, Ms Green addressed students, parents and teachers.  She warmly congratulated the girls on their tremendous achievements.  Ms Green also encouraged them to continue to strive for their goals in life and said that facing up to their fears would make them stronger and more resilient adults.  She looked forward, she said, to seeing them help to increase the number of women in key roles in business and politics as they clearly had the talent and drive to do so.

Headteacher Kathryn Pullen also spoke of her pride in the girls for all that they have achieved, not only academically but also in their many and varied contributions to the life of the school.

The audience was also treated to a virtuoso performance of the first movement of Poulenc’s Sonata for Flute and Piano by year 13 flautist Rose Cope, accompanied on the piano by Head of Music Andrew Baars.