We welcomed our pupils back very eagerly this September with a new building finished for them and proving to be the exciting creative arts space we have wanted for so long. Teachers and pupils have been delighted with the facilities and new spaces and we look forward to showing parents around. The formal opening will take place in the spring term, not in October as listed on the school calendar. We want to wait to have everything exactly as we have planned. For so many months I have looked out on a developing building site but on Thursday my room was filled with music as I listened to the first rehearsal of the Chamber Choir in the exhibition area. It is a building which brings both prep and senior schools together in shared facilities and will see exciting ventures in the months to come.
The autumn term means new in so many ways. We have welcomed bumper numbers of girls into Year 7 and although they will have been feeling apprehensive, by now they will be feeling that what seemed big and confusing at first is now comfortable and settled. Once routines begin and friendships are formed, pupils soon feel as if they have always been part of our school community. We have other new pupils joining many year groups in both schools so pupil numbers are very buoyant. Our new uniform looks smart and neat and we are keen for all pupils to maintain the highest standards of appearance as befits an independent school and therefore we shall no longer run a second hand uniform shop on site.
Mrs Kavanagh guided the site staff over the summer as changes were made to rooms vacated by the creative arts subjects. There was a lot to do but all was accomplished on time for the start of term. It was a pleasure to see how clean and shining the whole school looked for the start of term. The prep school’s programme of refurbishment continued and the old Drama Studio is now a fully refurbished classroom for the science department. Classics and PE have moved into the old music rooms and the peripatetic rooms have other uses.  The biggest changes have happened in the old art rooms which are now one large room for humanities and two rooms for mathematics. New false ceilings have concealed the artistic cameos painted by former pupils as they said farewell to their art teachers! The entrance to the Marian Hall and the staircase have been transformed so that the whole area looks fresh and more spacious. All muddy shoes must now be removed by pupils at the entrance without fail!
New also means fresh staff and this year is no exception.  The prep school had no changes for the new academic year but a replacement for Mrs Davis during her maternity leave will be appointed later in the term. In the senior school we welcome Mrs Ash to teach Drama and Theatre Studies, Mrs Walker and Mr Warner for English and Media Studies, Miss Vincent-Brown for Art, Madame Hoyet in French and Spanish, Miss Williams for Classical Civilisation and History, Mrs Drage to teach Biology and Chemistry, Mrs Kellet to teach Geography and also Biology, another Miss Williams teaching Geography, Mr Dale for Economics and Business Studies, and Mr Dunne for Psychology. We wish all those teachers who have left us for pastures new success and happiness in their new ventures and a happy ‘retirement’ to Mrs Dilloway, although I suspect that by now she and her husband are happily sailing the Atlantic on the Queen Mary.  I think we will see her in school from time to time providing the pupils with a variety of workshops. The Governors and I have expanded the school’s leadership team to keep abreast of major educational initiatives. To that effect Mr Maher has been appointed as a deputy head in charge of curriculum ethos and quality assurance. Mrs Alcock and Mrs Dell join the school’s leadership team and Mrs Bothwell and Mrs Spooner join the management group in the preparatory school.
I hope all families enjoyed a good summer break. Our sixth form have returned from India having experienced a way of life that they could never have prepared for fully. The degree of poverty and illness which was observed everywhere was a salutary lesson but equally the students and teachers were moved by the happiness and cheerfulness that they encountered. Their guide said to them on one occasion, ‘I think you must have a very special school.’ When questioned further he said that he noticed that the girls were so kind and caring and that the relationship between the staff and pupils was very special.  It was humbling to think that a stranger could comment on what we hope so much to instil in our pupils and are lucky enough to find in our staff. They may have left their marks in a small way but it is also what each of them brought back with them which has further significance.
The examination results this summer were again very pleasing. The Upper Sixth maintained the tradition of 100% pass rate with 84% achieving A and B grades. All girls found places at their first choice universities to study a wide range of courses, including medicine, law, biochemistry, european law with French, English, estate management, psychology and anthropology.   Not to be outdone the lower sixth results were also exceptional and they are well on the way now to achieving high grades next summer. Currently of course they are turning their minds to UCAS and the all important decisions of which courses to choose and where to go. The GCSE results were again very gratifying with two thirds of all results at A* and A grades. This year fifteen girls achieved all ten subjects with A* and A grades. Our sixth form students have now settled back into a very busy and varied schedule of academic subjects and extra curricular activities for them to undertake this year. I see this aspect of sixth form life as being very important in shaping the whole person.
The senior school production will no doubt take a new form this year under the direction of Mrs Ash. It seemed too much pressure to expect her to settle into a new building and stage a full school production this term with girls she does not yet know - so watch this space. New developments for the prep school this year will, we hope, include some swimming for years 4 – 6, further opportunities for independent learning throughout the prep school, and the extension of online support for the prep curriculum.
Our Transition Open Evening for Year 7 will take place on Thursday 25th September from 7.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. and the Open Evening for the Sixth Form on Tuesday 7th October. We will welcome all pupils intending to take our entrance examination in January to a taster day on Wednesday 15th October. This is always a useful introduction for them to come and experience a day in the senior school and meet some of the teachers. There will be a taster day for prospective sixth form students on Thursday 17th October when they can sample lessons and learn about the scholarship opportunities.
As in all schools the safety of our pupils is paramount. We have an ongoing programme of placing security key pads on exterior doors. The staff is reminded regularly of the need for vigilance, to close doors, lock gates and challenge visitors. We also need parents to be vigilant when collecting children so that they are supervised carefully from playground to car park. If you need to collect your son or daughter from a trip please take collection times seriously and be waiting in the car park when the coach returns.
It has certainly been a year of achievement and success but we are not ready to sit back contentedly and think enough has been achieved. We are a thriving school full of life and vibrancy. We want to challenge the tried and tested and to come up with new initiatives and ideas for the future. Happy as we are that much has been achieved to improve the facilities of the school, we are all working to keep the school moving forwards. I am confident that with your support we will be able to give your sons and daughters a happy, challenging and rewarding time at school.

Sue Kirkham,
Headmistress.