SEDBERGH SCHOOL WELCOMES WESTMORLAND LTD CEO SARAH DUNNING TO SPEECH DAY

Making history at Sedbergh School by being the first woman to be Principal Speaker and Prizegiver, Sarah Dunning, CEO of Westmorland Ltd. presided over the School’s biggest ever audience of nearly 1,000 people, as staff, pupils, family and friends assembled in Powell Hall.

The morning began with a service in Chapel, with preacher The Right Reverend Robert Freeman, Bishop of Penrith and a reading from Head of School John Campbell, 18 (SH). The School’s CCF Band played in the upper Cloisters and guests had an opportunity to visit the Art and Design exhibition before Speeches and Prizegiving began, and again later in the day.

Prizegiving began with an opening address from Headmaster Andrew Fleck, followed by the Principal Speech from Sarah Dunning. She said: “It was wonderful to come to Sedbergh School’s Prize Giving on Saturday. The energy and can-do approach of Sedbergh and its pupils was very evident and it was a real privilege to be invited to be a part of it.”

The presentation included awards for juniors and seniors, for high academic effort and achievement throughout the year, as well as historic prizes such as The Sedgwick Mathematics Prize, named in memory of the famous geologist, who was at Sedbergh c 1800-1803, and who carved his name on the outside wall of the Library.

The Renfree Martin Prize for Singing, in memory of William Renfree Martin , who died in 1918, aged 15. The Hilary Scott Rose Bowl was awarded to the House which achieved the most merits, and the John Angus Leyourne Cup, presented at the Headmaster’s discretion ‘to a very special Sedberghian.’ 

Following the prizegiving ceremony and speeches, lunch was served in Houses and pupils later competed in the inter-house Athletics Finals. Winder House and Robertson House won overall.

Full athletics results can be found here

A full list of prizes can be found here

Follow Sedbergh: