News from Head of Prep

This week, our Reception girls have loved the chance to grow tomatoes from seed.

Growing tomatoes from seed offers a vivid way to think about nurturing the next generation, because both depend on creating the right conditions rather than trying to control the outcome. A seed needs warmth, light and steady care to germinate; children need safety, encouragement and a sense of belonging to take their first steps. In both cases, the early environment shapes everything that follows and small, consistent acts of attention matter far more than dramatic interventions.

As growth continues, the parallels become even clearer. Tomato seedlings stretch, stall and strengthen in unpredictable rhythms, just as children and young peoplemove through phases of confidence, doubt, curiosity and resistance. The gardener adjusts water, light, and support as the plant develops; teachers adjust guidance, boundaries and expectations as pupils discover who they are. Too much interference—whether overwatering a plant or overmanaging a child—can stunt growth, while thoughtful pruning or timely advice helps channel energy in healthy directions.

Eventually, both plants and pupils must face the wider world. Hardening off a tomato plant before it goes outside mirrors preparing young people for independence: gradual exposure builds resilience. Weather, pests and unexpected frosts echo the challenges and setbacks life inevitably brings. What endures is the gardener’s quiet commitment—showing up, noticing, responding, and trusting the natural process. In the same way that staff within EHS Prep do just that. The harvest, whether fruit on the vine or a confident young woman finding their place, is never identical to what we imagined, yet often richer and more surprising.

Thursday brought the joy of World Book Day to school - a chance for pupils and staff to immerse themselves in the wonderful world of reading. Miss Robinson treated us to a fabulous 'Masked Reader' assembly where the girls were challenged to work out which member of staff was reading a particularly text! School was filled with book characters galore and a girls took part in a delightful potato book character decorating competition to earn points for their Houses!

As our Reception girls tend to their tomato plants over the coming months under the watchful eyes of their teachers, my hope is that they will develop lifelong, transferable skills to ensure they grow into positive, kind, thoughtful young women.

Wishing the entire EHS community a safe and peaceful weekend.

Mrs N Hobson

Head of Preparatory School