It was an absolute honour, although also nerve-wracking at times, to host my first Prize-giving event as Head of Hollygirt School. I was incredibly pleased with how the programme took shape during the planning and how the evening ran; so much of this was due to the hard work and preparation of staff and pupils. The prefect team did a wonderful job of ushering guests; our performers demonstrated not only musical skill, but confidence in performing in front of a crowd at an event so early in the term. It was heartwarming to hear from four Hollygirtians at different stages of their lives: From Emily and Munashe, beginning their final year at the Prep school, to Diya, reflecting on her years at Hollygirt as she steps into the Head Prefect role and prepares for her GCSEs, to Dr Ackroyd, who left in 2008, reflecting on her career built on her Hollygirt foundations. Huge congratulations all round to prize winners and performers, and I look forward to my next prize-giving!
I noted in my address at Prize-Giving that we are stronger together, a strong sense of community already exists in the school, and it is my intention to strengthen and develop the community reach at Hollygirt so that all pupils can experience broadened community links. This is important for pupil’s all-round development and development of character, to understand the community they live in and to start to contribute where they can. With this in mind, Mrs Wright and I have refreshed our approach to school charities. Rather than selecting charities every year, we are aiming to work with charities for around five years to truly build a relationship with them and allow pupils to see the rewards in contributing to a charity, and I mean contribution in the broadest sense not just financial. We are looking to support local charities for the same reason and will select a Prep School and a Senior School charity; pupils will have the casing votes on who we support. If you know of any local charities that it would be suitable for us to support, please do let me know; the pupils have been asked for their suggestions too.
I’d like to thank parents for their support in sending pupils to school in correct uniform; and in supporting them in arriving to school on time, I know that it does not take much to create slow traffic in Nottingham and with the autumn weather well underway, it may well take longer than it does in the summer to get into school. The pupils have done well this half term, and we’d like to keep that momentum going for the next two weeks as we approach the half term break.
Ever Onward and Upward
Ms Purdy