Autumn Term
14 JUNE 2021 Issue 1 : 4th September 2020
Dear Parents, What a week! Values Week is always a joyful time, but this year has been particularly special. There have been daily assemblies (with an absolute belter delivered on Character by Hannah, our Head Girl, on the subject of her great-great grandmother Elsie Knocker and her incredible achievements during WWI), a pilgrimage to Guildford Cathedral (with only a slight detour), a sign language lesson, Immersive Theatre experiences ('How Compassionate Are You?'), the grand unveiling of our bubbled school productions The Show must Go On, a transcendental Evensong, a nature walk, a diversity celebration, daily visits to equestrian, online volunteering and charitable activities, the monumental achievement that is iPrayonline (Deacon Simon is a true whizz), and two, massive Art projects. The origami butterflies are adorning the Dining Hall and the textile hearts are in the Chapel, both now exhibited for the year to remind us of Compassion. The Eco Council conducted a litter pick, and the Boarders invited their Day Girl friends to their international supper. Today, the Sixth Form are conducting a colour run, mooted by Libby back in the dim mists of time and finally coming to fruition. Mr O'Farrell will be relieved to remove the coloured powder that has been living in his office for eighteen months. The piece de resistance is our aerial drone photograph, hastily re-arranged to avoid the deluge. The whole school turned out in bubbles to create an enormous compassionate heart, and the effect is wonderful. It will be a reminder in years to come of the truly strange circumstances of 2021. An anecdote that needs sharing about the photograph: my Year 7 English group were chatting about the drone shot happening the next period, and asked: 'Well, is Twinkle going to be in it?' Good question; he is our mascot after all. I demurred, worried that yet another short notice request might be too much for a very busy staff. 'But you're the Head, you can sort it out!'. That told me. Readers, Twinkle is in it. My own poor contribution to this amazing week was leading Breakaoke - huge, huge fun. Playlist available on request. There is no greater celebration of our school values of Faith, Character, Community, Compassion and Intellect than Values Week, and it is worth reminding all this happens, broadly, around lessons: breaktimes, lunchtimes, after school. My enormous thanks to everyone involved, to all staff who shouldered the logistics and who contributed at an already busy time, to the pupils for throwing themselves in and for leading so many parts of it, and of course, to Lucy-Kate, our Senior Prefect (Values). She has been outstanding. In other news, please note the separate communication re: end of term events in light of the Government announcement on Monday. My apologies in the delay, but guidance needed scrutinising, and the deadline for submitting our Teacher Assessed Grades for Years 11 and 13 was looming! It has been wonderful seeing these girls in the Sixth Form for their A Level transition programmes and Pre-U courses. Until next week. Best wishes, Dr Claire McShane