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Dear Parents & Carers
How is it already the final half term of the 2025/26 academic year? The year truly seems to have flown by and it is hard to believe that we are already approaching the final few weeks of school before the summer holidays. At the same time, when we pause and reflect, it is remarkable to see just how much the girls have grown and developed since September.
Of course, many of the girls have quite literally shot up in height, something that always feels especially noticeable at this point in the year. Even more wonderful to witness, however, has been the tremendous growth in their maturity, confidence and independence. Across the school, the girls have continued to challenge themselves, embrace new opportunities, develop resilience and show increasing kindness, empathy and responsibility towards others. Whether performing in assemblies, representing the school in competitions, supporting younger girls, leading initiatives or demonstrating quiet perseverance in the classroom each day, they consistently embody the Channing Character traits that are such an important part of life at the Junior School.
It has been particularly lovely to see how naturally the language of the Channing Characters has become embedded in the youngest girls’ everyday interactions. We regularly hear the girls speaking about showing empathy, resilience and curiosity, whilst celebrating these qualities in one another. Watching the girls grow not only academically, but also into thoughtful, confident and compassionate young women, is something we are incredibly proud of as a school community.
The final half term is always one of the busiest, most exciting and memorable parts of the school year and there is certainly a huge amount for the girls to look forward to over the coming weeks. The calendar is packed with opportunities for the girls to learn, perform, collaborate, compete and celebrate together. Highlights this half term include: the Year 4 Residential Trip to Ufton Court, the Year 3 Channing Camping Night, the Channing Association Summer Fair, the Year 5 Taster Day at the Senior School, the Year 6 Junior Entrepreneur Project Sales Week, the Year 6 trip to HMS Belfast, Sports Days, the Year 2 performance, the KS2 Tea Time Recital, the Sustainability Team Craft Swap Shop, the Year 1 Summer String Group Assembly, Moving Up Day, the House Buddy Summer Smoothie Social and the Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly. Alongside these events, the girls will also be taking part in numerous sports fixtures and competitions, continuing to demonstrate fantastic teamwork, determination and school spirit.
What makes this half term so special is not simply the number of events taking place, but the memories that are created through these shared experiences. These are often the moments the girls remember for years to come – cheering on their friends at Sports Day, camping overnight with classmates, performing on stage, visiting new places, working together on projects or simply spending time together enjoying the final weeks of the school year. These opportunities play such an important role in strengthening friendships, building confidence and nurturing the strong sense of belonging that sits at the heart of our Junior School community.
For our Year 6 girls especially, this half term is a particularly important and emotional one as they begin preparing for the next stage of their journey. We are looking forward to celebrating all they have achieved during their time in the Junior School and creating many special memories together before they move on to the Senior School and beyond. They continue to be wonderful role models for the younger girls and we are extremely proud of the confident, thoughtful and resilient young women they have become.
This half term also marks a personal milestone for me, as at the end of this academic year I will complete my eighth year as Head of the Junior School. Looking back over that time, I feel incredibly proud of all that our wonderful girls, staff and families have achieved together. It continues to be a privilege to lead such a warm, vibrant and ambitious school community and I remain deeply grateful for the ongoing support, kindness and partnership of our parents and carers.
As always, thank you for your continued support of the school and of your daughters throughout what has been another incredibly busy and successful year so far. I have no doubt that this final half term will be filled with energy, excitement, laughter and many memorable moments and we very much look forward to sharing them with you over the coming weeks.
With warm wishes
Miss Dina Hamalis
Head of the Junior School
