The Julia Powell Sports Hall & Auditorium has played a key role at the heart of Runnymede life ever since its inauguration last spring. Using cutting-edge, sustainable materials and a striking architectonic design, “The Julia” is a light-drenched, multi-functional space which is now an integral and innovative part of the school campus.
The Sports department has been using the Hall as a fantastic arena for Team Runnymede training sessions, Junior and Senior School PE lessons, as well as a space for the new Fit Formers exercise sessions for Years 12 and 13. With its soaringly high roof and excellent changing facilities, “The Julia” is adaptable to every sport and activity, from volleyball to circuit training.
Moreover, “The Julia” has also been employed as a spacious and versatile Auditorium. The yearly Founders’ Debate took place there as the inaugural non-sporting event, as well as the Year 9 Shakespeare Performance Competition and the Junior School’s production of “The Jungle Book” over the course of the summer term. With the capacity for an elevated stage to be constructed, alongside top-of-the-range lighting, sound and projection equipment, the venue is ideal for a wide range of events, and last year’s Prize Giving & Speech Day and Ⅵ Form Leavers’ Ceremony were great successes.
We are looking forward to November’s Old Runnymedians round table Ⅵ Form orientation event; and December’s Christmas Performance, involving the Music and Drama departments, which will be held in “The Julia”, and hope that as many parents as the protocols permit will be able to experience this impressive space as audience-members in the near future.
