It has been another busy week to round off a busy term at Durham School and in MacLeod House! 

We hope that our MacLeod Family who were celebrating Eid on Monday enjoyed a special day celebrating with their families and communities after the period of Ramadan. 

Sixth Form Social

Last Friday the Sixth Form enjoyed a Plus Ones social where they could invite a friend from any of the other houses to join them at our usual cheese and wine events. We welcomed guests from School, Poole, Caffinites and Lodge for lots of fun and games. An event which will certainly become and annual affair for the senior girls! 

Dunelm Run – House Cross-country 

On Monday, the annual House cross-country event took place, the Dunelm Run. This year saw a slightly different course implemented with all year groups competing on the same afternoon. The whole school gathered on the Playground to compete and support their houses. The girls put in an extraordinary effort across all year groups and supported each other with the loud, vibrant and passionate support which has become synonymous with MacLeod!

All girls who took to the start line, completed the race and the individual podium finishing places were as follows: 

Junior Race (Y7/8)

1st – Pimlico girl 

2nd – Lodge girl 

3rd – Lodge girl

Swainston Run (Year 9/10) 

1st – Samantha J (Y10) 

2nd – Lodge girl 

3rd – Sophie (Y10) 

Dunelm Run (Year 11-13) 

1st – Teresa (Y13) 

2nd – Pimlico girl 

3rd – Emily P (Y13) 

The afternoon concluded with the new Vallance Relays; an exciting new addition which involved a member of the house from each year group running a 700m course from the Playground, up the back drive to the Vallance and down past the Budworth back to the Playground. Year 7 pass the baton to Year 8 and so on until Year 13 bring it home.

After a tough start against some excellent junior runners we were second when it got to Year 10 runner Samantha who managed to break away into a lead. The competitive Year 11 round lead to a good amount of work to do for Year 12 runner, Jess, but she managed to catch up and overtake the other houses giving Emily the challenge of staying ahead in the final leg. And WE WON!!!

Well done to our fantastic team of Gabby (Y7), Annabelle (Y8), Lotte (Y9), Samantha (Y10), Niamh (Y11), Jess (Y12) and Emily (Y13). The girls fought through the lactic acid and their competitive spirit really came out. A brilliant end to a very proud afternoon for MacLeod. 

The final results will be announced in chapel after Easter but we cross our fingers that our team spirit and hard work converts to point in the final standings. 

Easter Bake Sale 

Thank you to all those who supported the bake sale on Tuesday by bringing in cakes, cookies, brownies and much more. We raised a total of nearly £150 for the Winnie Mabaso Foundation. 

We will be visiting the charity this summer on the sports tour to South Africa and will be presenting the charity with some old sports kit, books for their library and some presents from MacLeod. It will be a wonderful opportunity for the girls on tour to see the wonderful work that they do there and report back to the girls in September. 

Marsden Public Speaking 

The following girls were finalists in the competition this week:

Removes: Isla Y (Y8) and Frances (Y7) 

Intermediates: Gabrielle (Y9) and Zia (Y11) 

Seniors: Millie (Y12 

The finals took place on Tuesday and Mrs Swan said that all of the girls in MacLeod performed brilliantly. Dana WON the Intermediates competition, even with the fire alarm going off twice during her speech. 

A huge congratulations to all those who took part! 

Rowing Tour 

We wish all the very best to our girls who are going to Rotterdam on the rowing trip over Easter. We hope the girls have a great time and it proves a worthwhile trip to prepare for the races next term. 

Dates for your Diary Next Term 

Monday 5th May – Bank Holiday, school closed

Tuesday 6th May – Y11 Pizza Social

Wednesday 7th May – House and Sports Photos 

Thursday 8th May – Sixth Form Pizza Social 

Wednesday 14th May – Year 10 Pizza Social 

Wednesday 21st May – Year 9 Pizza Social 

Friday 23rd May – Prize Giving in Durham Cathedral – compulsory school event (evening) 

Week commencing 2nd June – EXAM WEEK for all year groups

Friday 6th June – Girls' Sports Dinner, Raddison Blue, Durham – tickets need to be purchased

Wednesday 11th June – Year 8 Pizza Social

Tuesday 17th June – Year 12 Parents Evening 

Thursday 26th June – Year 7 Pizza Social and Year 7 Parents Evening

Week commencing 30th June – Activities Week 

Thursday 3rd July – House BBQ (evening) 

Friday 4th July – End of Term and Leavers Service (Year 13) 

Wishing you all a restful Easter break.