Dear Parents
One of the many things I love about being Head of the Junior School is the delightful unpredictability of each day – there’s no such thing as a “normal” or “quiet” day! Our School is a vibrant hub of activity, where we’re constantly creating memories for the girls to cherish. Themed days and weeks are always a highlight, and this year’s Maths Week was no exception.
To align with our focus on Reading for Pleasure, our theme this year was ‘Maths Through Stories’. Last week, every form explored mathematical concepts using picture books carefully chosen for their year group, bringing Mathematics to life in an engaging and meaningful way. The girls also participated in a workshop, where they collaborated on solving challenging mathematical problems embedded within the story 365 Penguins. This sparked their curiosity and deepened their love for the subject.
On Friday, we embraced some extra fun with ‘Dress up for Digits’, raising money to support the NSPCC’s services such as Childline and the ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ programme. The girls arrived in a wonderful array of creative, sustainable and homemade costumes – from football shirts to dice and calculators. I joined in the fun, dressing as a penguin from 365 Penguins. The blue shoes completed my transformation into “Chilly” from the story! It was such a joy to see the girls’ reactions – some strolled past me without noticing, while others burst into laughter. I especially enjoyed being part of the penguin huddle at drop-off.
The magic continued this morning with the Year 4 assembly, where the girls, fully in role as a clowder of cats, transported us into the enchanting world of ‘Varjak Paw and the City of Cats’. Watching them bring the story to life was a true delight, showcasing their talent, dedication and creativity. Each girl contributed something special and it was heartwarming to see their enthusiasm shine so brightly.
From the confidently delivered narration to the captivating acting and lively singing, the girls drew us into Varjak’s journey of courage and self-discovery. Their seamless teamwork and evident pride in their performance was inspiring. It was clear how much thought and effort went into every detail, and the result was nothing short of magical.
Assemblies like these remind us of the incredible things our girls and staff achieve when they work together. We are so proud of their accomplishments and deeply grateful for the support of our families, who cheer them on every step of the way.
We are thrilled to welcome Year 4 parents into school to watch their daughters perform in their Year Group Assembly. The performance will take place in Fairseat Hall this Wednesday 29 January, from 8.30am to 9.00am. Please arrive no earlier than 8.25am, where you will be asked to sign in at the iron gates and escorted to Fairseat Hall by our Specialist Teachers.
In addition, following the launch of our strategic objectives for Channing 2035 last week, we are delighted to invite you to contribute to shaping our vision for the future. We will be hosting World Café-style facilitated sessions to gather your invaluable insights. These sessions will explore what you love most about Channing, what you feel could be improved and your ideas for change and innovation. If you would like to participate, please click here to sign up.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement with school life. We are excited to share many more special moments with you in the months ahead.
I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes for a very happy Chinese New Year to all our families celebrating. May the Year of the Snake bring you an abundance of love, health and happiness. May it be a year filled with prosperity and joy for you and your loved ones.
With warm wishes
Miss Dina Hamalis
Head of the Junior School