Mrs Barbara Elliott
Ever since its foundation in 1885, Channing has been known as a happy and successful community.
Our small size gives pupils both security and a sense of their own significance: we recognise all achievements, of whatever nature, and hope each girl here knows she is valued as an individual.
Headmistress's Letter
9 July 2010Dear ParentsThank you to everyone who came and supported us as we celebrated Founders’ Day last Saturday. Once again, the sun shone, and I hope you will agree that the school looked splendid. The girls were so respectful and calm: you may not be aware that this was the first time that all the Fairseat girls had taken part in the service. I was so impressed with their perfect behaviour and their beautiful voices.As I now look back over the anniversary year, I am proud that we achieved all that we set out to do, from the Barbican to the Ball, with many other highlights on the way. I hope that the next generation will be in a position to feel as positive about Channing in 25 years time as the school approaches its 150th anniversary.I appreciated one of our parents, an architect, talking me through the various designs for the development of the lower school site. I am very keen to enhance our facilities but anxious to preserve this wonderful environment. I look forward to being in a position to move forward with these ambitious plans.The Bursar has a very full programme of works for the summer with ongoing IT upgrades, a new Science lab and many other refurbishment projects to fit into just eight weeks. I am very grateful to Mr Hill and his team who always ensures that we are very well resourced and in good shape for the start of the new academic year.Accompanying this letter you will see a reminder about the changes to the timings of the Senior school day, along with dates for next term. Also attached is information about the Mydaughter website, www.mydaughter.co.uk. You will also find a link to this invaluable source of advice and information on our website.We say farewell this term to teachers who are moving on to the next chapter in their lives: to Mrs Miller who has taught Mathematics and is now moving to Bath; to Mrs Robson, Year 6 teacher, who has been an inspirational force for three years at Fairseat, and helped teach Geography at the Senior School; to Mr Ross, who is moving to the Princess Helena College in Hitchin to be Head of Spanish; to Mr Rees, who has brought so much to music-making at Channing. He will be missed! I thank them all for their dedication to the school.We also send our very best wishes to Miss Gale, who is to be married on July 24th, and returns as Mrs Ross in September.I will write early in the new term with news of our new teaching staff.In the meantime, I hope you all have a relaxing summer.With best wishesHeadmistress
