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Dear Parents
This week, we are marking Anti-Bullying Week with a heartfelt focus on the theme of ‘Choose Respect.’ Through thoughtful discussions, engaging activities, and a special school-wide display, we aim to inspire the girls to make kind, respectful choices in all their interactions.
To help the girls understand what it truly means to be respectful, we’re spotlighting one of our beloved Channing Characters, Respectfulness Hedgehog. Respect involves valuing each other’s feelings, opinions, and differences – even when we may not fully agree with them. We’re also sharing how respect goes hand in hand with kindness and empathy, beautifully represented by another of the Channing Characters, Empathy Rabbit.
Throughout the week, we will be exploring what it really means to ‘Choose Respect’ rather than resorting to unkindness or bullying. The girls are engaging in thoughtful conversations about questions such as, “What does respect mean?” and “How can we show respect to others in school?” We want them to understand that choosing respect helps create a positive, uplifting community, while unkindness and bullying can lead to feelings of sadness and isolation.
To remind everyone of the power of respectful choices, each girl is contributing to our ‘hand on your heart’ display. They’ll add kind words and images of respect to hand-shaped templates, which we’ll bring together to form a vibrant display across the year groups. This will serve as a lasting reminder of the values we hold dear at the Junior School.
Tomorrow, we’ll be celebrating Odd Socks Day, and we warmly invite everyone in our school community – pupils, staff, and parents – to join in by wearing odd socks. It’s a fun, simple way to embrace our individuality and celebrate the strength we find in our differences. This day carries an important message: that everyone deserves the freedom to be themselves, free from bullying.
We have also reminded the girls of the support available to them if they experience unkindness or bullying. Our Safeguarding Team – Mr Entwisle (Deputy Head), Mrs Brant (Head of EY & KS1), Miss Kitsis (Head KS2), and myself, along with all teachers, TAs, and our Welfare Assistant, are here to help. We want every girl to know she can always turn to a trusted adult in school.
On an exciting note, since publishing our series of storybooks based on the Channing Characters last Spring, we’ve been delighted by the many requests from families to purchase a set. We are thrilled to announce that the books are now available to order. Stocks are limited, so please don’t delay in placing your order, especially if you would like to collect them before the end of term and in time for Christmas or Chanukah. The complete set is available for £30 which will be added to your bill. Any profits will support partnerships and bursaries at Channing, helping to extend the gift of a Channing education to more young people. Please note, the deadline for ordering books before the end of term will be Friday 29 November.
If you would like to order a set, simply complete the Google form. And if it’s meant to be a surprise, let us know, and we’ll keep it secret so your daughters don’t find out!
You can also listen to the stories being read aloud here: Character Education stories.
As we all commit to ‘Choose Respect,’ let’s work together – pupils, parents, and staff alike – to make the Junior School a place where kindness, empathy, and understanding continue to flourish.
With warm wishes
Miss Dina Hamalis
Head of the Junior School
