A NEW award created in memory of a much-loved former teacher was presented at Windermere School’s 115th annual prize day.

Around 600 students, parents and staff gathered to celebrate events and successes of the past school year. Among the Sixth Form open prizes was a new award – the Isabel Fletcher Memorial Prize for Progress in Spanish.

Isabel Fletcher taught Spanish and Latin at Windermere School from 1976 to 2012, and someone who encouraged students with real passion.

She died in her native Spain at the age of 65, following a brave four-year fight against breast cancer, in 2017. The first recipient was Tara Bryson.

There was also a new sports prize presented. The Holly Monk Memorial Cup for the Most Tenacious and Team Spirited Race Sailor was introduced in memory of Holly Monk, a passionate sailor who always wanted to be the best race sailor she could be. The 18-year-old, who went to Kirkbie Kendal School and was employed at Windermere School's summer school, collapsed and died while warming up for a hockey match.

The first recipients were Pierce Harris and Alfie Cogger.

The morning began with an address from Dr Mike Dwan, chairman of the Board of Governors, who reflected on some of the achievements of the last twelve months, including the recent ISI inspection, in which the school excelled in every category; the record-breaking 2017 IB results; and being named the International Baccalaureate School of the Year in the Sunday Times

Ian Lavender, headmaster at Windermere School, then delivered his headmaster’s report. Among those singled out for mention were four students who have been at the school since they started nursery in 2003; Victoria Stanton, Harry Broomby, Rachel Harris and Joe Baker. The four have a combined total of sixty years of Windermere School education, and all will be starting at university later in the year.

External awards were presented in Grade 8 Harp to Charlotte Salisbury, Grade 8 Singing to Katie Bryson, Grade 8 Music Theatre to Chloe Murray and Level 4 Diploma in Music Performance to Hannah Greenway.

The lower and middle school academic prizes, awarded for high effort and academic attainment, followed, as well as the lower and middle school open prizes, which cover all areas of the curriculum.

Attention then turned to the Sixth Form.

Endeavours in sport were recognised with awards going to Eleanor Dwan (all round success in junior sport), Thomas Whitehead (Tweedale Cup for Excellence in Games) and Rachel Harris (Individual All-Round Sports Cup).

The first of the final three prizes, which were kept a closely-guarded secret, was the Marga Stofberg Prize, presented to someone who demonstrates courage, perseverance and hard work. It went to Lottie Mayvers, who, as well as her packed academic programme, has also represented the school in a number of sports and is a talented show jumper.

The Headmaster’s Prize was awarded to Frederic Bargon and The Inter-House Endeavour Cup, awarded to the house which fares best in all inter-house events, including sport, debating, and performing arts, was Cavendish. Head boy and head girl, Oliver McTurk and Hannah Greenway, delivered the closing address.