Summer in Cloister

2 July 2025 - Cloister

This has been one of my favourite Summer Terms to date. The majority of the house had finished their exams before Long Leave, so there has been a lovely, relaxed atmosphere up on Daws Hill. We’ve been able to make the most of our beautiful surroundings; playing swingball, tennis, and having picnics in the sunshine! The highlight was our house outing, where the girls enjoyed a pizza van and a giant water fight. 

It was wonderful to welcome so many parents to Dove Day, particularly our new U3. The sun shone, and the tent looked beautiful dressed in Green. The long awaited raft race was due to be the highlight of the day and it certainly did not disappoint. The whole Daws Hill final was very exciting as Cloister took an early lead. Our strength, communication and sheer determination led us to a victory- the first in 10 years!  

As it’s the end of the year, we are saying farewell to some members of our community. I wish you all the very best in Clarence; please do come up and visit us on the hill! We also need to say a huge thank you to Miss Pritsou, who will be moving to a Sixth Form tutor role in Shelburne. The UV also deserve congratulations for finishing their GCSE’s. Well done girls, we are so very proud of you all.  

Vivienne has summed up the term in Cloister from the perspective of a UV: 

Summer Term has always been the busiest and most robust time of the year, jam-packed with exams and activities. Despite the pressure of exams, the Cloister community has continued to thrive, embracing every challenge with energy and enthusiasm. Here is a brief rundown of some of the most memorable highlights. 

The term began with the much-loved school Funfair, always a popular event at Wycombe. With various inflatables, sweet treats like ice cream and churros, and a petting zoo, it was a brilliant way to kick off the term. Notably, Cloister students also took part in the charity run for our school charity, Mary’s Meals. 

Even amid exam season, Cloister has remained a place full of laughter. A particular favourite has been Daws Hill rounders, where members of Cloister compete with Shelburne and Wendover in light-hearted face-offs during the evenings. Another well-loved tradition is Miss Millwood’s homemade chilled apple and elderflower beverage, which has made multiple returns this term due to popular demand. 

On the final closed weekend, the girls had a spectacular time at Dove Day and Glastonabbey. These events offered a balance between talent and competition, from DT and art exhibitions to the inter-house tug-of-war. In addition, Cloister also placed first in the house raft race—a well-earned victory that perfectly captured the determination and team spirit of our house. 

We are incredibly proud of how far the Cloister girls have come this year and wish them a restful summer holiday!