Eminent women celebrated on Speech Day at Talbot Heath

Talbot Heath school’s annual Speech Day award ceremony was coupled with the grand opening of the new STEAM Hub: the state-of-the-art interdisciplinary learning resource centre.

Friday 13th September was an auspicious day for the Talbot Heath school community, for all the right reasons; celebrating eminent women past, present and future. The annual Speech Day award ceremony was coupled with the grand opening of the new STEAM Hub: the state-of-the-art interdisciplinary learning resource incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics, as well as a 25-metre indoor swimming pool.

After three years of energy, hard work and commitment, the STEAM Hub was officially opened by the school’s nine patrons, many of whom are Talbot Heath alumnae. They offer a wide range of expertise, skill and knowledge in their respective fields and are as follows: Dr Anjana Khatwa (Geographer and BBC Presenter), Rebecca Newnham (Sculptor), Dr Jan Peters (MBE/STEM Specialist), Rosalind Preston (OBE/Women’s Rights), Jessamy Wells (Architect of the Hub), Louisa Clein (Actress), and Emily Harris (Drama Specialist). The ninth patron is former pupil, Kate Royal, an internationally acclaimed soprano, and she wowed the audience at the opening ceremony with her vivacious performance of Arditi’s ‘Il Bacio’.

Earth scientist Dr Anjana Khatwa gave an inspirational address to the audience about her formative travels and invited the assembled community to consider what ‘lights your fuse.’ She said that the Hub represents creativity and ‘Creativity is power.’ Dr Khatwa ended with her own personal mantra, and quote from Mahatma Ghandi: ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’

The future eminent women of TH, (comprised of former and current pupils), were congratulated during the afternoon’s award ceremony. Their academic, creative and sporting successes were celebrated, and included Music, Duke of Edinburgh Awards and Drama, alongside the recent GCSE and A-Level achievements. Sporting accomplishments were also acknowledged at local, national, and international level, and included athletics, cricket and golf.

Congratulations go to all of the award winners, thanks go to the patrons and sponsors of the Hub, and particular thanks go to those involved in organising the day’s events.