We held our Annual Certificate Evening at Hulme Hall in Port Sunlight on Tuesday 18th December. Certificates and Awards were presented to students in last year's Year 11 and 13. Examination achievement was outstanding and a further improvement on the record levels of 2006, most notably at GCSE. Sir Philip Carter, the life-long president of Everton Football Club and the Principal Officer of Wirral Grammar School's Governing Body was the Guest Speaker. Sir Philip encouraged all students, past and present, to reflect on their achievements and consider those 'hard to measure' factors that had made them so successful, not least the guiding support, love and dedication provided by parents. He asked them to look to their futures and in doing so, take with them the fact that their education at Wirral Grammar School had provided them with an exceptional start in life. Sir Philip referred to Wirral Grammar School as a 'centre of excellence' where 'achievement and opportunity are nurtured'.
It was a pleasure to see so many of our Year 13 students back from University and quite clearly enjoying their new ventures.
Mr Hazeldine, our Headteacher, gave his report on the year. He emphasised that success was a combined effort and the result of collective hard work and dedication by pupils, teachers and parents. He added that achievement at Wirral Grammar School comes in many different forms, he said:
“Some achievement is so much harder to quantify. Good schools add value beyond academic success. For many here, it will be the opportunities presented through extra-curricular activity that will secure the lasting memories: the pleasure of participating in the school performance, the thrill of scoring a try, the satisfaction of receiving an award, the enjoyment that comes with taking part in an overseas visit. It is very hard to put a value on opportunities such as these any yet this is where lasting educational value is added.”
Robert Woodward (Head Boy), in his address encouraged all students to reflect on how we define success; he added “for me, success is about achieving your potential; doing what you thought you couldn’t and being able to look back proudly and say “did I really do that?” Included within his talk was short film showing some of the successes of 2006/7. Robert concluded by referring to a Chinese proverb that states: “there are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.”
We wish all our former students every success for their future.
