Speech Day 2025

Renowned skipper, ocean advocate and founder of eXXpedition, Emily Penn, joined pupils, parents, governors and guests of The Peterborough School’s annual Speech Day, in Peterborough Cathedral to celebrate the success of the previous academic year.

Deputy Headmaster Mr Ross Cameron, alongside the Heads of School and Senior Prefects, delivered the School’s Annual Review. Highlights included outstanding examination results, with nearly one in four A Level students achieving A* or A grades in three or more subjects, and a third of all GCSE grades awarded at the highest levels of 9 to 7. A cheque for over £6,000 was also presented to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, the School’s chosen charity for the 2024–2025 academic year.

In her keynote address, Emily Penn shared her journey from architecture graduate to environmental pioneer. She recounted her eye-opening discovery of plastic pollution in one of the most remote areas of the Pacific Ocean—over 800 miles from land—and spoke passionately about the mission of eXXpedition: a global initiative involving 30 all-female sailing voyages covering 38,000 nautical miles to investigate plastic and toxic pollution in the world’s ocean gyres. Emily also emphasized the importance of self-discovery, resilience, and embracing unexpected opportunities—encouraging students to work hard and remain open to paths they may not yet have imagined.

Emily Penn presented over 160 prizes to students from the Preparatory School, Senior School, Sixth Form, and the Class of 2025 Upper Sixth Leavers, recognizing their academic excellence and personal achievements.

Heads of School Cameron and Maija expressed their gratitude to Emily with a Vote of Thanks and a gift.