"Life is a challenge - go for it!" was the slogan set for St James's Girls' School by Mrs Rosalind Hayes when she took over as headmistress in January. She met an unexpected challenge herself at last Saturday's Commemoration, when guest speaker, round-the world yachtswoman Tracy Edwards MBE, was taken ill on the morning of the prizegiving and unable to attend. The challenge was well met, however, by persuading the school's newest governor, the Rev Timothy Wright, to stand in at the last moment. But perhaps he had little choice, having given an address on 'adversity and opportunities' at the earlier church service! A former Malvern College chaplain, he now lives in Colwall.

Mrs Hayes was appointed to the headship after many years at St James's, successively as head of geography, head of sixth form, director of studies and deputy head. She reported excellent academic results with the school standing third in the Worcestershire league table and 100 per cent of university applicants having been accepted by the university of their first choice. Another 100 per cent success rate was at A-level, with 89 per cent of pupils having achieved at least five grades between A* and C and GCSE. A highlight of the musical year, under head of music Mrs Lynn Lindner, was this month's visit to Italy by the school choir, culminating in their singing Mass in St Mark's Cathedral in Venice. Among many notable sporting achievements, Mrs Hayes mentioned Lucinda Eaton who will be representing Great Britain in a three-day equestrian event in Ireland.

Chairman of governors Bruce Woodall said there was a distinct buzz around the school which was on the up and up, with numbers now rising rapidly from their one-time low of fewer than 100 pupils.

There will be two notable services at St James's Church this month. At 10.30am this Sunday, there will be the annual leavers' service for St James's CE Primary School. It is hoped there will be a good turnout of parents and friends of the school in support of the pupils and staff of this vital village institution. The following Sunday, July 20, also at 10.30am, will see the patronal festival service, in celebration of the church's patron saint St James the Apostle. By lending his name not only to the church but to both the two schools in West Malvern mentioned above, the saint could be regarded as particularly significant to our village - if also sometimes the source of some confusion!