Year 11 Prom was held on Friday 1 July at Barnham Broom Country Club.   

I write this report a few days after the Year 11 Prom.  

The event was so wonderfully special, the students should, as always, be proud of how they conducted themselves.   

The atmosphere was magical – so much happiness was a joy to behold. The venue at Barnham Broom was stunning with the backdrop of the 18-hole golf course which was bathed in warm glowing sunshine, allowing for many beautiful photographs.  

In true tradition the students arrived in stunning, shiny prestige motor vehicles ranging from Teslas, old Jags, Kit cars, Land Rovers, Range Rovers, BMWs, Mustangs, Porches, a Ferrari, a VW split screen camper van and a mini that appeared in the original film of “The Italian Job”.  

Family members and teachers alike enjoyed the great atmosphere whilst listening to Mr Barns doing a terrific job on the mic announcing the arrivals as each student was having their photo taken in front of these stunning vehicles.

All our students looked so glamorous and very smart, all rising to the occasion by making a first-class effort to ‘dress in their best”, and to all of us there, they looked so mature and important.  

After a welcome drink, many headed to the garden area where Mr Evans was commanding the camera to photograph the occasion for posterity.  

After well over an hour of shooting photos, laughing, conversing, and admiring each others' prom dresses and suits, it was time for dinner. The dining suite was immaculate as was the service and food from the staff.  

It was then time for the resident DJ to spin the records and I have never seen a dance floor so full for so long; credit goes to the DJ, who was excellent. He was very complimentary about the enthusiasm of our students, which radiated with a passion for the evening. Highlight of the dancing was when Mrs Cushing entered the dance floor to the tune of Zombie nation, soon finding herself bouncing around deep in a mosh-pit surrounded by year 11s, with only a camera held aloft as a sign that all was fine. 

Then came the awards which raised much laughter, clapping and shouting and much appreciation:

Prom King: Joao Tavares  

Prom Queen: Sasha Rouse  

Disco Prince: Ethan Landreth  

Disco Princess: Lillia Earthrowl  

Kindness Award: Ronnie Clouting  

Biggest Transformation: Harry Wood   

The awards were followed by a speech from Mr McShane, thanking them for being such a special group of students.  

I felt the prom celebration was a perfect way for the students, and the staff, to end this cohort’s KS4 journey.  

It was undeniably a sad and proud moment for me as this was the last goodbye for some, (not forgetting results day, of course). The genuine way in which students said thank you meant everything to the staff. I wish them all every success.  

From the comments I have received since Prom from several students, it was evident that this was a memorable night and great fun was had by all. To make an evening like this a success, it took committed work from my colleagues, who worked tirelessly to make the occasion as good as it could be.  

Firstly, I thank all the staff who came on the night. I hope they enjoyed it, and took as much pride as I did in witnessing the sheer enjoyment from the class of 2022.   

Mr Evans deserves a huge thank you for all the patience shown as our photographer, Miss Parks and Mrs Cushing for organising the venue and corresponding with parents and the finance team deserve a thank you for all the payments received and accepted long after the deadline.  

Looking back now, the evening couldn’t have gone more smoothly; all the students made me feel very proud. It was a lovely way to say the final goodbyes and to celebrate the last five years of being together. I look forward to seeing the same big smiles on results day  

Mr Needs
Head of Year 11