College to recreate swimming relays at La Vallette
IN A recreation of an old school event, The Ladies’ College is calling on former students and staff to take part in a series of relays at La Vallette Bathing Pools, beginning their 150th anniversary celebrations.
On 20 September, from 5-6.30pm, alumni are invited to swim in their old house teams alongside the current school community.
Despite female swimming starting in the Olympics in 1912, evidence shows swimming as part of The Ladies’ College’s curriculum from as early as 1898, which head of physical education Helen Le Maitre said showed how forward-thinking the school was.
‘It’s very interesting to see that this did happen,’ she said.
‘This shows the place of The Ladies’ College in Guernsey’s history and how important it is in continuing to educate young girls to be leaders across all sectors of Guernsey.’
Leading anniversary celebrations is head of history Bronwyn Henderson, who said there was evidence of egg and spoon swimming relays taking place in 1911, as well as girls racing across the Bathing Pools in large tubs.
‘It was a mix of competition and fun, which is lovely.’
The school’s senior swimming and house trophies date back more than 100 years, she added.
An old school publication stated that following the Occupation, there were 72 girls that couldn’t swim, but by the end of the season, 44 had been taught to.
‘This is echoed in Covid – there are so many people who have missed out on swimming,’ Mrs Le Maitre added.
‘It’s so important for people.’
She encouraged old girls of the school to return for the swimming event.
‘It’s really lovely to maintain connections in the community.’
A team of A-level historians were working alongside Mrs Henderson in going through school archives last term.
‘The fact that competitive sport was so intrinsically part of girls’ education 100 years ago shows how pioneering the school was,’ said Kate Bain, 17.
The school had been ahead of societal norms, added 17-year-old Athena Mellor.
‘It goes to show they really wanted to grow their sports education.’
15-year-old swimmers Erin Watterson and Hannah Kennedy looked forward to connecting with former students, and had enjoyed open water swimming in a recent PE lesson.
‘It’s interesting because we are recreating what happened back then with old students from the school,’ Erin said.
Hannah added: ‘It makes it really special and this could carry on in the future and become a nice annual event.’
