Friday Headlines
the weekly newsletter from EHS
Message from the Headmistress
Westbourne | Preparatory | Senior School | Sixth Form
13 September 2019
Having completed my first full week at EHS, I feel as if I have always been here. All of us who are new, both students and staff, are walking around the school with more surety that we know where we are going. The smiles are still firmly in place and the support that it is offered to the girls by the teachers is evident. However, just as heartening is the support that the girls themselves offer to each other. It was really good to hear some of our Year 12s talking to Year 11 earlier this week about what to expect in their GCSE year, how they can best utilise their time and what support they can expect from their teachers. They were calming, encouraging and honest. It will be a tough year for Year 11, but they have clearly got the bit between their teeth and are focusing on what they need to do. But, as one of the Year 12 said, and I wholeheartedly agree with, there is still time to enjoy the many events that will be arranged for them and if they work efficiently and smartly then they can still have lots of fun along the way. I also said to our Year 5 and 6 parents at one of the many parent information evenings that have taken place this week, the happiness of children is paramount and without this education doesn't happen. There is a hum about the whole of EHS that reflects a vibrancy in the learning environments and an excitement at what there is still to discover.
I have also had the pleasure of speaking to many Year 13 this week who have come to tell me what they hope to do once they leave EHS. The variety of university courses and other options that they are choosing is so broad; I have spoken to prospective engineers, economists, historians, and classicists, as well as girls interested in biomedical sciences, international relations, medicine, media relations and many more. The awareness of what is on offer to them post A level is impressive and testament to the work of the careers department, their tutors, head of year, and their own research.
I must also thank Year 12 for their welcome pack, or as they termed it, survival pack! It was packed full of thoughtful gifts such as energy tablets, lip salve, popcorn and blister plasters (!?) and Colin the Caterpillar Cake will be certainly be welcomed by all of my children tonight.
I would also like to thank the trio of Year 1 pupils who, with their teacher Mrs Mohamed, made the journey from prep to welcome me to the school. They were confident, full of smiles and eager to tell me all about what they enjoyed doing and what they wanted to do when they were older. Stripy Tiger, Geraldine the Giraffe and Zig Zag also came along and the girls were keen to tell me all about the special roles these toys have in their learning and development.
I wish everyone a relaxing weekend and a good week ahead.
Clare Macro
