Mrs Tidbury reflects on the half term
14 February 2025 - Clarence
Clarence pupils have been able to settle into 2025 and start their final full term together at Wycombe without the additional pressure of submitting university applications, which has been lovely to see. We have been very excited to see many brilliant offers coming in from across the globe for all manner of subjects, and – as ever – the support and kindness shown across the year group has demonstrated what a special group of young people we have in Clarence House this year. As they think ahead to their exciting futures, the reality of ‘Wycombe lasts’ is slowly setting in, with a few tears along the way already. A poem written by one Upper Sixth tutor group encapsulated this rather nicely:
Where ivy clings and echoes stay,
Wycombe Abbey stands today.
Silent halls and whispers bright
Hold the past in soft moonlight.
In every stone, a tale is spun
Of countless lives, and all they’ve done.
A timeless place where dreams still roam,
A cherished heart, home away from home.
We asked the Clarence Chairs – Amelia, Chung Yu, Maya T and Laeticia – to give their thoughts on the past six weeks:
We’ve had many highlights in Clarence this first half term. The Sixth Form Play, The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, took place in our first week back. It follows the antics of Truffaldino, a clever but hungry servant who secretly takes on two employers to double his meals and wages. It was a truly enjoyable evening as we all watched the chaos unfold and we were kept engaged until the very last moment. The whole production was a testament to the hard work invested by the cast and crew, and it definitely paid off on stage. A special mention must go to Madeline, Judea and Ava who really owned their roles and delivered standout performances.
On 30 January, we had the privilege of inviting back fourteen Wycombe Seniors to a Networking event to speak about their experiences post-Wycombe in various fields. It was an extremely valuable experience, offering us a chance to hear from professionals in industries we might be interested in entering ourselves, as well as having an opportunity to put into practice our networking skills. The ability to have these direct conversations with Seniors made the future feel a little more tangible and real. There have been many exciting moments, with many university offers coming through, and we continue to plan and strive towards the future.
We are very excited to support the upcoming Orchestral Concert at St Mary’s Church in Marylebone, London. The orchestras will be performing a varied programme of music, alongside concerto movements featuring our wonderful Clarence soloists, Sophia B, Sophia S, Francesca and Astrid. The rehearsals have demanded serious commitment, but we are sure the result will be worth it, and we’re all looking forward to seeing/hearing the hard work pay off. There are also many sporting events happening in the next half term including our last National Schools’ Lacrosse Tournament, which will be a joyful few days for all involved as we put into practice everything that we have been working on for the past seven years. The cast of the Highlights Dance Show will also take to the stage, and the Dance Captains have been working hard to perfect all their pieces.
As we enter the final term or so of life at Wycombe, we Clarence Chairmen will continue performing our duties to the highest standard, passing on our lovely housemates’ complaints for more oranges in House Kitchen, and reminding everyone to register on time. We have recently been working hard on crafting Clarence’s most memorable yearbook yet, and we can’t wait to see its pages turn before our very eyes. Here’s to the rest of the school year!
Thank you to the Clarence Chairs for sharing their thoughts! Whilst this Long Leave will be dominated with revision for A level mocks, we do sincerely hope that the girls carve out time to treat themselves, to rest, to get outside, to read something other than their notes, and to have some fun. It is a marathon, not a sprint, to the much-deserved long Summer break, and it is all about pacing oneself. We are so proud of you all – keep going!
Mrs Tidbury, Director of Sixth Form