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Dear Parents and Carers,
In this morning’s assembly, our Year 1 pupils treated us to a delightful performance of Traction Man’s Totally Time Twisting Toy Adventure!, which whisked us away on a joyful journey through the decades of toys. Traction Man’s mission to find his loyal sidekick, Scrubbing Brush, led us through time and introduced a charming array of characters, each with their own tale to tell. I especially enjoyed the nod to the 1980s, with the Care Bears and My Little Ponies bringing back fond memories of my own childhood. Amid the fun and laughter, the girls shared something truly special – a celebration of companionship, curiosity and, above all, the power of storytelling.
At the Junior School, we believe that stories are at the heart of learning and growing. This belief shapes our commitment to Reading for Pleasure, an initiative grounded in research from the Open University’s Reading for Pleasure programme. Reading for Pleasure is far more than a hobby; it plays a crucial role in a child’s academic and personal development. Studies show that children who read regularly and find joy in reading tend to achieve stronger outcomes in writing, vocabulary, comprehension and general knowledge. They are also more likely to develop empathy, self-confidence and resilience; qualities that help them thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
The Open University’s research outlines four core aims that we have woven into our approach at the Junior School:
- Creating a reading-rich environment, where books are visible, accessible and celebrated across the school.
- Building reciprocal reading communities, where adults and children share and recommend books in a culture of trust.
- Nurturing reading relationships, where we talk meaningfully about what we read and why we read it.
- Developing children’s reading identities, helping them discover what they enjoy, take ownership of their choices and see themselves as readers.
In our classrooms, book corners are thoughtfully curated to include a wide range of genres, authors and styles. Our teachers share their love of reading aloud, model curiosity and invite the girls into conversations about characters, plots and personal connections. Pupil voice plays a key role in selecting new books and shaping reading areas, ensuring that every girl feels represented and inspired.
We know that when reading is seen as pleasurable rather than purely instructional, children are more likely to sustain reading habits long-term. It is our hope that every child at the Junior School discovers books that ignite their imagination, comfort them, challenge them and make them laugh out loud. Whether it’s a familiar picture book or a newly published graphic novel, every story opens a door.
You can support this journey at home by reading together, listening to audiobooks on journeys, visiting your local library or bookshop or simply chatting about what your daughter is reading. Show them that reading is not just something we do at school, but a valuable and enjoyable part of everyday life.
Just like Traction Man, whose greatest adventures were shaped by the friends he met and the stories they shared, our pupils’ reading journeys are enriched by the people who travel with them. Thank you for being part of that adventure.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Westerman (KS2 English Lead), Miss McHard (EY & KS1 English Lead) and Ms Jupp (Librarian) for leading our Reading for Pleasure initiative with such enthusiasm and commitment.
Looking ahead, I hope to see many of you at what promises to be a wonderful afternoon at the CA’s Summer Fair this Sunday 18 May. It’s the final week to buy your tickets: click here. The Junior School will once again be transformed into a vibrant festival, with a dance challenge party from Sharkey & George for KS1, a performance by The Rubbish Shakespeare Company for KS2, and a host of creative and exciting activities including hair braiding, nail painting, glitter tattoos, flower planting, bunting decorating and mask making. There will also be plenty of fun to be had with a bouncy castle, inflatable obstacle course, bumper cars, a surf simulator and a bucking bronco – not to mention a tombola, games, prizes and delicious food and drink stalls to enjoy.
With warm wishes
Miss Dina Hamalis
Head of the Junior School
