News from Head of Prep

However, this week, EHS Prep has been filled with superheroes in capes. We know the importance of supporting positive mental health amongst the young people of today. The pace of life means that there are significant pressures on society, whether they are financial, as a result of the media or socially. At EHS we encourage conversations around strategies to support positive mental health and we educate the girls about strategies to help with their resilience; their bouncebackability when things go wrong. 

Thursday was national 'Time to Talk' day where open conversations around mental health are encouraged. One strategy we use in school is to support the girls to channel their own unique strengths. We want to encourage our girls to develop as individuals - we certainly know that one size does not fit all and we embrace and encourage individuality. To highlight our girls' inner superpowers the girls were challenged to come to school dressed as a superhero who could demonstrate their own unique superpower. But what we also hoped it would bring for pupils and staff alike, was joy! And the girls (and staff!) certainly delivered.

Our inaugural Prep Superhero Time to Talk Day was a wonderful celebration of positive mental health strategies and a great deal of fun along the way! It was remarkable how focused 'spiderman' and 'wonderwoman' could be in a challenging Mathematics lesson! And the positivity demonstrated by staff as they immersed themselves in their own Superhero characters was exceptional - Mrs VC leading the way with her inner super power of reading, Mrs Donelly resplendent in a tutu as she channelled her wellbeing powers and the remarkable Mr Cook whose super power was tidying, 'tackling mess, one desk at a time'!

For pupils to thrive and feel secure and comfortable enough to be stretched and challenged, we must not underestimate the importance of supporting them with positive mental health. Learning can be challenging and there will be times when the girls feel that they may never understand a particular concept. This is where a growth mindset is so key, the power of 'yet' and understanding and appreciating that mistakes grow our brains. I often remind the girls that if they are not making mistakes then they are not learning. At EHS Prep we focus on supporting the girls to develop a secure application of knowledge. Understanding how to apply taught concepts. We want to prepare our girls for the challenges that lie ahead into Senior School and beyond, so that they are secure and academically savvy. Our EHS values are key to providing a well-rounded education and I am incredibly proud that they are so integral to everything we do.

If the passion and determination demonstrated by our superheroes this week is anything to go by then the future is bright.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Mrs N Hobson

Head of Preparatory School