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Current and former pupils and staff from The Ladies College have gathered at La Vallette Bathing Pools to mark the school's 150th anniversary.
The swimming gala last night was dubbed 'Ladies at the Vallette’ and will be one of a series of celebratory events planned to mark 150 years since the College was opened.
Among the entrants in last night's swimming gala was 82-year-old Ladies College alumna, Judith Le Tissier MBE.
She had attended The Ladies’ College between 1949 and 1957. She was the school’s swimming captain in 1957 and represented the College and the island in breaststroke and butterfly. She was delighted to be involved with the anniversary gala.
"Age is only a number, and most probably there are those older than me who could qualify for the event. Swimming, and all sports, were so important during my time at The Ladies’ College."
Archives from the College show that swimming was part of The Ladies’ College’s curriculum from as early as 1898. Former students used the Vallette swimming pools for lessons and competitions. 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.
These events were incorporated into last night's relay swims. All past and present students were arranged into their house teams for the following relay events:
Head of PE at The Ladies’ College, Helen le Maitre is another alumna of the College, and a former international swimmer.
She said: "I am so excited to bring this event to life with the current students. Swimming continues to be an integral part of our PE curriculum, and many of our students continue to compete at a high level or simply enjoy swimming as part of their island life."
Ailish Rabey, an Upper Sixth student, who was recently part of the Commonwealth Games team, said: "It’s great to see competitive sport being a huge part of girls’ education so many years ago. Our school continues to be pioneering, challenging societal norms and allowing girls to try activities that interest them. It’s exciting to be part of history."
Pictured: All images with thanks to Black Vanilla.
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