News from Head of Prep

The opening bars — driven by that iconic, minimalist bass riff — are instantly recognizable and set the tone perfectly. Traditionally, the girls are presented with a puzzle to solve, typically a rebus or brain teaser to get their minds whirring. But this week, we did something a little different.

Instead of a puzzle, they were greeted by a stunning image of the Brecon Beacons, captured by our fantastic IT and Science Technician, Mr Flynn. He took the photo during his half-term holiday, and it beautifully encapsulates what many would call the ‘golden hour’ — that fleeting moment when the light is soft, warm, and utterly captivating.

Each year, Stress Awareness Day falls on the first Wednesday of November. It is a timely reminder to pause, breathe, and reflect on how stress impacts both our mental and physical wellbeing. As adults, we know all too well how easily stress can creep in. But sadly, in today’s fast-paced world, childhood is not always the carefree experience we would hope for, which is why it is so important that we equip our girls with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges — to face obstacles with confidence and resilience.

Our school provides a nurturing and supportive environment where mistakes are embraced as part of learning, and stepping outside one’s comfort zone is encouraged. But resilience — the ‘bouncebackability’ — is key. When things get tough, we want our girls to have the courage to persevere and emerge stronger. For some, escaping into a good book offers a welcome retreat from daily pressures. For others, it is about climbing trees, building dens, riding bikes, or simply lying in the grass and watching the clouds drift by. And of course, talking helps. Knowing you’re not alone, and being able to share your worries, can be incredibly healing.

With the nights drawing in and daylight fading, it has been wonderful to see our girls embracing outdoor learning this week — whether in Forest School, on the sports field, or in our dedicated outdoor spaces. Creativity and excellence have been on full display, and the academic energy across the school has been truly inspiring.

We are fortunate to have such a positive and engaged school community, and Wednesday evening’s EHSPA Fireworks Fiesta was a wonderful reminder of that. I am incredibly grateful to the EHSPA Committee and all the parent volunteers who helped make the event such a success. The atmosphere was electric, and the fireworks display was nothing short of spectacular. It is moments like these that remind me how lucky I am to lead this school.

Wishing you a peaceful weekend

Mrs N Hobson

Head of Preparatory School