Welcome to the final newsletter of 2025! Almost feels unreal to think that it was almost twelve months ago that I was at my desk typing out my first newsletter. My first year at Hollygirt has been truly amazing; and while there have been challenging moments (of course there have, life is not a fairy tale) I can say I love my role and Hollygirt and I look forward to 2026. Although, like many of the children, I am also looking forward to a break. Thank you to you all for making me feel so welcome.
Last week I mentioned our emerging partnership with St Ann’s Advice Centre; on Monday we took a small group of pupils to support with the work of the food bank; the pupils were re-stocking food bank shelves and preparing bags for collections, alongside wrapping Christmas gifts for local children. I was thoroughly impressed with the pupils and their attitude towards the work, the centre staff commented on how incredibly helpful they had been, saving them around three to four hours’ worth of work. The pupils got to ask questions about how the foodbank operates and how the centre relies on the goodwill of those in the local community. The pupils are keen to return, and we are keen to expand our partnership to ensure more pupils from Prep and Senior can support the centre while undertaking some key volunteering experience.
We’ve had lots of fun and entertainment at school this week with many festive activities taking place. Parents were treated to a Tony award worthy performance of the Nativity on Monday by the Prep school. The costumes, lighting and setting were top level, the performances full of vigour, and the singing got everyone’s toes tapping. On Wednesday the Senior school’s house assembly took place, and we were treated to the outcome of tasks which included a festive lip sync, a trailer for a Christmas themed Hollygirt Film, and a Christmas tree made from recycled materials. The level of input and effort was astounding; the bar has been raised for pupils this term and they have met and excelled the brief each time, I was expecting tiny Christmas trees, but I was greeted with four sculptures ranging from four to over six foot high.
At the time of writing, we still have the excitement of the Winter Wonderland market to go, although I envisage by the time of sending, you and the pupils will have had their fill of fun, bought a few stocking fillers, some sweet treats and had a go on the tombola and are now readying yourselves for the Carol Service.
I look forward to welcoming you to the carol service, with light refreshments at 6pm, for a 6.30pm start to celebrate the end of the Autumn term.
Ever Onward and Upward
Ms Purdy