PUPILS celebrated their successes at South Wilts Grammar School's annual speech day.

Guests and members of the school congregated in Salisbury Cathedral on Thursday, September 21, for the 95th anniversary of the event.

South Wilts organises the speech day to highlight the great work pupils have completed and also to thank staff for their contribution and commitment.

Guest speaker and alumna Alison Say shared her experiences of SWGS and her non-linear path to becoming vice president of ecosystem at IBM Technology.

Encouraging the pupils, Miss Say said: "Get involved at every opportunity – the unlikeliest of motivations can often lead to the greatest of accomplishment; be comfortable in your own skin and gravitate to people who support and encourage that; be accountable for your actions; be honest, it builds trust.

"Have integrity – do the right thing – stand up for what you believe in; Lastly, and most importantly, don’t forget to have fun."

Read more: ​PC would have been dismissed had he not resigned, force says

Michele Chilcott, who has been headteacher at the school for 12 years, praised pupils for getting involved in extracurricular activities.

She mentioned how more than 450 pupils from Years 9 to 13 participated in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and highlighted their work in fundraising for the school charities and their service both to the school and the wider community.

The school celebrated, with pupils sharing their experiences, the ongoing commitment to sustainability and equality diversity and inclusion.

Guests were treated to remarkable performances from the senior choir and the talented musicians on cello, piano, violin and trumpet.

To conclude speech day 2023, Mrs Chilcott said: “South Wilts continues to be a thriving school community where academic excellence and compassion go hand in hand.

"This success is not possible without the support from parents, staff and the students themselves, so a big thank you to you all.”