Dear Parents, Governors and friends,
I have been so proud of our students this term and the way they have tackled their exams with courage, tenacity and resilience. I know full well the worry that our students have, whatever my encouragement is, to focus on the process of learning rather than the outcomes but it is so important as a school that we focus on the progress that our students make from year to year not just a final summative number. There is always a balance to be had between having high expectations and yet ensuring that our young people feel supported and encouraged to demonstrate the efforts that they have made over the year. And, as ever, I feel that our role is to make sure that they keep these examinations in perspective as they are, however important, just one aspect of what is seen as success.
Strategically the opportunity for trips and visits then is directly connected to finishing exams and I am so gratefu to our staff who don’t just mark, encourage and support but lead trips to provide new experiences for our students. Whether it’s the Kilve residential for our Year 7 pupils who are away from home for the first time or for our Year 12 students who head off to on Arvon to write and be inspired, Year 8s trip to Amsterdam, diving in Cornwall, or conducting fieldwork in Somerset, the opportunities beyond the classroom which celebrate both learning and character are extraordinary. What greater lesson is there than visiting the Anne Frank House and appreciating the courage and humanity of her family? Or boarding on grass down hills in Somerset for the first time or giggling in dormitories overnight with your friends? These are the memories of childhood and these will be the things that our students will remember long after the writing on the examination papers has faded and crumbled.
This is not just the time to celebrate the achievements of this year but also to start putting the foundations in place for the next. Next week we welcome Dr Kevin Stannard GDST Director of Innovation and Learning to Oxford High school to explore with our Sixth Formers the most recent GDST research on the benefits of a girls’ only education and the ways in which our Sixth Formers are able to exemplify that research from their experiences. If you aren’t able to join us do download the research This weekend our Year 12 students who are interested in Oxbridge will be in group seminars held by Oxford High School alumnae to demonstrate how Oxbridge tutorials work side by side with boys from Reading Blue Coats school. We will be welcoming our prospective year 7 students soon and I am delighted that the numbers of interested students are so similar to last year despite the introduction of VAT. I am so aware of the sacrifices that you make as families to give your daughters the best possible education and that word of mouth is the best possible recommendation. Thank you so much for your confidence in what we offer.
Finally, we have so many wonderful events to look forward to including the premiere of ‘Bugsy’ our Summer concerts and Art and Textiles exhibitions. I can’t wait to see and celebrate with you all.
Ad Lucem,
Mrs Gardiner Legge