Despite the rain on Wednesday there were many huge grins to be seen at the start of the school day and the new term; although I will note they were mostly from parents!
It has been wonderful to welcome pupils back and get the 2025/2026 academic year underway; this year I want the whole school to think about ‘Reducing risks and Increasing Chances’ thinking about how their actions and behaviours can be most beneficial to themselves and their community, considering also how the four Hollygirt values of Hardwork, Kindness, Honesty, and Resilience underpin their day to day actions.
I am very excited to begin my first full year at Hollygirt. Having taken time to observe, review and listen I feel I have a clearer understanding of the school and the direction we need to go in to ensure we can continue to provide a safe, nurturing environment in which all children can thrive and be successful in a way that matters to them. I understand the huge commitment and investment parents make when they choose to put their child into independent education and I am ever grateful that you have chosen or continue to choose Hollygirt. I am very proud of my role here and always happy to speak with parents, if you ever do find yourself wanting a chat over the phone or in person, please do make an appointment via headspa@hollygirt.co.uk
Helping me with building on Hollygirt’s ethos is my new Deputy Head Dr Neil Holbrook; Dr Holbrook’s commitment to the pastoral support of pupils was a stand out feature for me along with his years of experience in the independent sector:
“It is both a pleasure and a privilege to be joining Hollygirt School as Deputy Head. I am very much looking forward to getting to know our pupils, parents, and staff over the coming weeks.
For the past seven years I have lived and worked in boarding as Housemaster, responsible in loco parentis for 32 pupils. This experience has given me a deep and varied understanding of pastoral care and of what it means to be a young person growing up in today’s world. Alongside this, I have held roles including Head of Careers, Head of PSHE, and Head of Year, while also remaining heavily involved in the co-curricular life of school as Officer in Charge of the Army Section of the CCF, holding the rank of Captain. My classroom teaching has been focused on Economics, but I have also taught Business, Maths, Finance, and Drama.
Since leaving boarding, my wife and I — along with our 16-month-old daughter, Hettie — have settled in Hucknall (although we are still surrounded by boxes and flat-pack furniture, which I suspect may be the case for some time yet!). Needless to say, I am hugely excited about contributing to the student experience here at Hollygirt and about working alongside my colleagues as we continue to move onwards and upwards together.”
I hope you have been following my back-to-school countdown on Facebook and seen a few previews of our new phone pouches and laptops. Both initiatives have been actioned because of pupil voice and parent feedback and it’s always pleasing when we can invest in the school in a way that supports pupil learning and wellbeing. Please do give us a follow on Facebook and Bluesky for more updates, previews and a few competitions.
Next Saturday (9am to 12pm) we will be throwing our doors open to prospective parents for Open Morning, if you would like to volunteer, please do let Charlotte Schmidt (CharlotteSchmidt@hollygirt.co.uk) know; nobody can sell Hollygirt as well as current parents! Well, there is an exception to that: your wonderful children of course! Pupils are expected to attend to support with tours of the school, they can be collected at 11am (earlier for Prep school children). Please keep an eye for more details next week.
One more ‘Save the Date’ – for this year’s Prize Giving on the 2nd October, 6 for 6.30pm start. More details, including those of prize winners will be shared soon.
Finally, some sad news, as I write news has broken of the death of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent at age 92. Hollygirt was honoured to be visited by Her Royal Highness in 1994 when she opened the new facilities at the White House and also the new Music Room. We send our condolences to her family and loved ones.
Ever Onward and Upward,
Ms Purdy.