The shortest spring term I can remember has drawn to a close amidst a plethora of activities, most notably the ‘glorious' choral concert at St Joan of Arc in Farnham. As our youngest children donned their Easter bonnets and older girls cheered with evident enjoyment the songs of the visiting classical / pop group ‘Blake', I have managed to find a few moments to reflect on a terrific term, marked with sadness at the sudden illness and untimely loss of Mrs Williams, our Classical Civilisation teacher and School Examinations Officer.

The Lower Sixth are about to depart for our annual pilgrimage to Lourdes on Easter Sunday morning having just unpacked their cases following their trip to a United Nations Conference for students in New York, which as well as the usual compulsory trip to Maceys, Tiffanys and the like, provided moments of reflection at Ground Zero. The sixth form have not been alone in enjoying residentials. Among others, Year 4 battled the elements at Marchants' Hill, Year 9 experienced the rigours of the Battlefields and Year 10 made the most of an early spring flourish on their hugely successful residential to Bath and Bristol.

The everyday tasks associated with teaching and learning have also not been neglected and continue apace. Science and Technology week broadened and focused prep school minds ,while revision for GCSEs and A Levels is at the forefront of our Fifth and Sixth formers' thinking. I was again delighted with the success in entrance examinations of our Year 6 pupils and I am sure we can look forward with equal confidence to another bumper year for all our senior school external examination candidates if recent modular exam results are anything to go by.

Fundraising events have proliferated especially in Lent with ‘little houses' filled to bursting and stomachs shrunk at the Lenten hunger lunch, not to mention the highly successful Prep school Bazaar. Together the school has raised the staggering sum of over £2000 for the Good Shepherd Appeal and over £12,000 for the Lourdes Appeal since the autumn. Many thanks.

Amidst the chaos and bustle of the end of term and preparations for Lourdes, I find myself reflecting once again on the strength of our school community and the value placed on every single child. Though faces change, and people come and go, I know I can rely on the magnificent support and generosity of parents in their contribution to the joint enterprise of educating our children. It is a privilege and a joy to share this responsibility with you.

I wish you all a restful holiday and very happy Easter.
Yours sincerely,

Sue Kirkham
Headmistress