Founded in 1899 St Helen’s School stands proudly before us. This isn’t just any school. It’s a legacy built by May Rowland Brown a visionary educator. Imagine a time when Northwood College wouldn’t accept students connected to trade. May changed that. At 25 she founded Northwood High School. It later became St Helen’s a testament to her determination.
St Helen’s occupies a sprawling 22-acre site. Separate buildings house the Senior Junior and Little Saints sections. Each boasts specialized facilities. A state-of-the-art Junior School building opened in 2016. Science labs art rooms a drama studio and even a language lab are all here. The school also has computer rooms a recital hall and a well-stocked library.
But St Helen’s is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a place of sporting excellence. In 2004 the first phase of a magnificent sports complex opened. Olympic bronze medalist Steve Parry did the honors. A 25-meter pool and a fitness suite were created. Phase II followed adding a multi-gym dance studio and treatment rooms. The female celebrity competitors from the television program The Games even used the pool for training in 2005. Olympic silver medalist Roger Black opened the final phase in 2006. A new Centre opened in 2014 a vibrant space for drama music gymnastics and even recording.
The house system began in 1927. Initially it featured houses named after Antarctic explorers. These were later changed. Now they honor inspiring women like Mary Seacole Frida Kahlo Charlotte Bronte and Rosalind Franklin. Each house vies for the House Cup awarded annually. The Junior School adopted its own house system in 1999. It celebrates pioneering women in history.
Academically St Helen’s excels. Students take GCSEs IGCSEs and A Levels. The school consistently achieves impressive results. In 2009 they had a 100% pass rate with all grades A*-C. In 2015 they achieved some of their best results ever with 53% of entries graded A* and 84% graded A*-A.
St Helen’s School has nurtured numerous notable alumnae. These women excelled in the arts business sports journalism law and even the military. The school’s impact extends far beyond its grounds. It’s a place where girls are empowered to reach their full potential.
So as we stand here look around. See the legacy of May Rowland Brown. See the dedication to excellence. See the bright future for the girls of St Helen’s School. They are indeed conquering by the cross and growing like the daisies. Just as Miss Rowland Brown envisioned.