Message from the Head
Dear Parents,
I’m sure you’re aware of the media coverage around Andrew Tate and the propulsion of misogynistic comments into the social media arena. We have started to have an open conversation about this in school through assemblies and our pupil voice (School Council, Prefects etc). We are keen to listen and to hear views rather than force any opinions; PHSE lessons are following up too looking at tolerance, misogyny and misandry as themes rather than focussing on Andrew Tate himself. A copy of the information given in assembly will be emailed out to parents today. I really do recommend that you take a look – we need your support here; our children need parental and school support to navigate the waters of social media.
Next week is an exciting week for us as we interview for the new Head of Sixth Form. We have had an overwhelming response to the advert which testifies to the knowledge out there about Hollygirt. Current Year 11 will be invited to have lunch with the candidates and to proffer their opinions. The Sixth Form Taster Day on 26th January will give all internal and external students a chance to ‘sample’ a wide range of A Level classes including Computer Science and a little bit of Electronic Engineering. We will keep you posted regarding the appointment.
In the next few weeks, we will also deliver our in-house test anxiety intervention to Year 11 – this was a product of my research with the Faculty of Education’s Psychology Department at the University of Cambridge so is quite unique to Hollygirt students!
Entrance Day for our new Year 7s is next week and we have a good number signed up. I will be meeting all the families as this is a key part of our process – we want to make sure we are the right school in all ways. Worth a mention to Charlotte Schmidt here who works tirelessly on our admissions and is currently very busy indeed.
On Tuesday next week, we welcome our current Year 7 parents in for an informal catch up – this will be followed later in the year with a formal Year 7 Parent’ Evening – please know the door is always open too.
Sparkle Week is next week and timely. I heard some research this week which said that an act of kindness is simply the best thing to improve overall well-being. Sparkly accessories I believe?
We are beginning to get to know our new MIS system and awarded merits are currently going to student emails; the promised parent app – we hope to be with you sooner rather than later and you will then have a readily visible record of all merits and sanctions, reports, timetables etc – a lot of work going on to get this to our lovely parents sooner rather than later!
Have a good weekend,
Dr Helen Barsham
Head
Message from the Head of Juniors
Good afternoon,
Our extra-curricular programme has commenced this week and the children are really enjoying the new clubs on offer. It is great to see so many involved and trying something new. Although this is a fairly short half term, there is a lot going on. You should have received an email to book onto one of our Someone Special Afternoons. Please complete the form if you wish to attend. In our House meetings this morning, we discussed charity events we would like to run over the rest of the year. More details on these will follow.
Next week is Sparkle Week. We will be raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing with children demonstrating acts of kindness. Children in Kindergarten and Preparatory can wear a sparkly or brightly coloured accessory to school each day of next week.
Year 6 will be spending the day in the Senior School next Wednesday for our Year 7 Entrance Day. In the afternoon, Miss Cooper will be taking a girls’ football team to Repton School. We wish them the best of luck. I am sure they will have a great afternoon.
If children are absent, please could you email Form Teachers and Reception before the start of the school day. You should email on each day of absence.
I hope you all have a lovely weekend,
Mrs Wright
Head of Prep School