We were not distracted by the stifling heat and drought conditions of some recent Parents' Days and instead enjoyed a day of  Dorset mizzle!  Joan Dallyn, Chair of Governors, welcomed girls, parents and friends and our guest speaker, Annunziata Rees-Mogg, before handing over to Richard James who delivered his first Parents' Day speech which was both informative and highly amusing.

Annunziata Rees-Mogg spoke of her life since leaving school and described some of the seventeen jobs she has held, including temping, journalism, marketing, PR and finance.  She spoke warmly on her theme that although people said that schooldays were the best days of your life, she felt that was a rather defeatist attitude and that 'the real fun and most interesting times are still to come'.  Her variety of jobs had been enjoyed whilst trying to find her true vocation and she felt that journalism ('no matter what your view, make your voice heard') and now politics were her future.  Annunziata will be fighting for the Conservative Party in the Somerset and Frome consituency in the next parliamentary election.

Annunziata was invited to present the prizes and a new venture this year was for each member of the Upper Sixth to receive congratulations for their activities and interests within school over their recent school careers, as well as the usual prizes.  Prizes are given for a wide variety of achievements, from academic excellence to effort and progress, from excellence in music, drama and sport to a recognition of Mary Ward's qualities in our girls.

The Head Girl, Victoria Conrath, spoke with substance about the things that she felt made St Mary's so special for her and her fellow leavers and she compared her experiences on the Lourdes Pilgrimage with her time at St Mary's: the bedrock of faith and friendship was fundamental and common to both.

The rest of the day was spent in picnicking (no flies or wasps this year!), visiting displays of work, drama, the Art and Photography exhibition, the Music Concert, Mass and, for the Upper Sixth leavers and their parents, the Beaufoy Ball.