End of Term Message from the Head: March 2024

Dear families and guardians,

As we near the end of a busy term, last week was uplifting as I heard great feedback about our students. Sometimes as a Head, it feels as if you only hear from members of the public when things go wrong. Last week, however, I received unsolicited emails from complete strangers praising the students for their good manners in shops, their consideration and kindness in helping out in a streetside emergency and for their creativity in entering competitions. It has been so pleasing to hear and I am immensely proud of the girls for how they conduct themselves and what thoroughly decent and thoughtful human beings they are!

Events:

We have had several exciting events and trips over the final weeks of term. Our second TEDx event, was an impressive affair on the theme: ‘Voices of the Future’ TEDx. It was great to collaborate with adult and student speakers beyond our own walls and our girls did extremely well. Bravery and pupil voice in action! 

This led neatly onto the second in the series of our ‘Fearless Women’ webinars, Fearless Women Webinar organised in conjunction with three other leading Scottish Girls’ schools. Christine Middlemiss, school governor and UK Chief Vet was an extremely engaging speaker and our students, Mounika and Bivy led the question and answer with real skill. 

Next in the series is with Gina Brennand, Detective Chief Inspector of the Major Incident Team at Greater Manchester Police on 3rd June. It promises to be very interesting, so please watch this space!

Trips have been out in Arran (Geography fieldwork), Wanlockhead (Silver Duke of Edinburgh), Newcastle (Netball/Hockey tour) and Manchester (Lacrosse tour). My grateful thanks to the staff for planning and accompanying these fantastic enrichment experiences for the students, albeit sometimes more enriching than planned when ferries get cancelled off the islands!

We have been spoilt with a wonderful selection of musical performances so far: a magnificent Upper School Spring Concert and, at the other end of the age spectrum, a fabulous Spring Concert for nursery families on Friday. We still have more to come. 

Media Coverage:

We were very proud of our students who were part of the opening of the cycle route in Roseburn last week. Isobel in Primary 6 won a poster competition ahead of the launch and her poster design was printed on T-shirts for the big day on Wednesday. There was a super piece of coverage in the press: Cycle route declared officially open | The Edinburgh Reporter.

I was asked to write an article for the Scotsman last week on how a girls-only environment, particularly in the younger age groups, means our students are likely to be more active for longer at school and for much longer into their adult lives. I would encourage you to read it, especially junior parents, and let us know what you think! https://www.stge.org.uk/latest/changing-school-uniforms-and-sports-kit-can-help-girls-get-more-exercise

Staff update:

At this time, we have two farewells to make to staff. Ms Lorna Macrae, Assistant Housemistress, leaves us to return to Jet2 as a member of cabin crew. Her caring nature, organisational skills and knowledge of the travel industry have benefited our boarders and we wish her well. Joining us for the summer term will be Miss Kelsey Gosling. Kelsey will be moving up from Norwich, where she has been a Family Support worker, focussing on young children for the organisation ‘Action for Children’. Prior to this she has also worked as a Teaching Assistant and Nursing Support Assistant in Norwich. She is very excited to join our team in Houldsworth for the summer term.

At the end of April, we will also be saying farewell to Mrs Muriel Hackland, our beloved Classroom Assistant, after 22 years of service to our junior school children, as she has decided to retire. Her positive impact on generations of young children is notable and we will be finding the right way to say goodbye when the end of April comes. We will cover her responsibilities from within the Junior Team for the summer term.

Best wishes from me to you all for a restful and sunny Spring break. 

Mrs Carol Chandler-Thompson