As I alluded to in my last newsletter, this week has been super busy as Hollygirt pupils and staff have taken time to recognise and engage with a number of national events. We began on Monday with Odd Socks Day, an initiative started by the Anti-bullying alliance as a way of representing and celebrating difference and individuality. Hopefully, you will have seen some of the pupil and staff efforts on our Social pages earlier this week. While Odd socks are a fun visual gimmick, the meaning behind the move is serious. I am immensely proud of comments about Hollygirt which indicate that pupils feel safe to be themselves and pursue their own interests; I appreciate the pressure to conform can be incredibly strong for young people and I hope that Hollygirt allows them space to discover who they are and to develop their character. All pupils have experience messages and activities related to Anti-Bullying week whether through classroom content or during form and house time. You are always more than welcome to contact staff if you’d like to know more, Mrs Wright and Dr Holbrook can provide more information on the Prep and Senior school respectively. Please do also get in touch if you have any concerns about your child and their relationships with their peers which you feel may warrant further support.
Tuesday was Remembrance Day, in the Seniors this was marked by an assembly from Mrs Griffiths, and in the Prep, an Assembly delivered by Dr Holbrook. The whole school then stood together in remembrance and honour of those who have and continue to serve for the National two-minute silence at 11am. A big thank you from me to those pupils who took part in the act of remembrance with respect, and to those who contributed with readings.
We’ve ended the week on a lighter note; as I write I can hear the excited bubbling up from the hall as the Hollygirt Hive has been running a ‘Spin the Wheel’ venture to raise money for Children in Need. Not only is this a fun fundraiser, the Hollygirt Hive will spend their ECA session next week working out their costs and profits and considering the effectiveness of the model they put together. Over in the Prep School funds were raised via a bake sale. Thank you to those who ‘helped’ with baking and providing delicious goods for sale.
If you missed the Friend of Hollygirt survey last week, there’s still time to give your view. Please take a few minutes to answer some questions, in order that we can get an idea of parents’ views and create a vibrant Friends of Hollygirt once more. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes and can be found here.
Ever Onward and Upward
Ms Purdy