News from Head of Prep

The girls have all returned from the half term break with a spring in their step and the early Spring sunshine this week has been such a blessing. Outside, the girls have enjoyed competitive netball matches against local independent schools as part of the Netball league set up by our dynamic Head of PE, Mrs Sawyers. Providing opportunities for girls to participate in competitive sport is so key when helping to develop the whole child. The skills of resilience, perseverance and collaboration, coupled with the ability to be reflective and build on skills are ones which stand the girls in good stead both within the classroom and beyond. I want the girls to 'think like winners' but to be gracious and willing in defeat; to be able to identify areas of focus and to be able to build on these. In the classroom, we encourage the girls not to be afraid of making mistakes, but we know that, in the pursuit of excellence, determination and resilience are key.

Our Mother Language Day ably led by our Prep Modern Foreign Languages Lead, Mme Hennous, was a resounding success and wonderfully supported by a group of willing parents who came into school to share their Mother Language with the girls. the girls were delighted to have the chance to explore a variety of different languages and cultures including Welsh, Patois, Polish, Urdu and Mandarin Chinese. My grateful thanks go to Mrs Francis, Dr Truchananowicz, Mrs Syed, Mrs Lai and Mrs Jones-Owen for giving up their time to support the day.

Year Four's trip to Elmhurst Ballet was, in the words of the girls - inspirational! They were treated to a performance from Elmhurst Ballet School graduates, many of whom will be going onto join prestigious companies such as the Birmingham Royal Ballet and Matthew Bourne's New Adventures. For our girls it was certainly a trip that provided awe and wonder in abundance!

This afternoon we were treated to the final of the Prep Musician of the Year Competition. This is an annual event and every pupil from Year Three to Year Six auditions for the competition. We were joined by family and friends of the finalists and the girls were phenomenal. The Octagon set the stage for the final and the excellence and courage demonstrated over the course of the afternoon was breathtaking. I am so proud of all of the girls and I hope they realise how much they achieved by making it through to the final. However,   huge congratulations must go to Jessie Liu who was crowned Prep Musician of the Year 2026 for her exceptional piano recital. 

Have a restful weekend.

Mrs N Hobson

Head of Preparatory School