VISIT US 
APPLY NOW 
CONTACT US 
Dear Parents & Carers
It was an absolute joy to watch the Drama Showcase in assembly today. Huge thanks go to our Drama Teacher, Mrs Lynch, for organising such a vibrant and uplifting celebration of the girls’ work from the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Lights, Camera, Act! clubs. The confidence, expression and sheer enjoyment on display were a delight, and the seamless blend of poetry and musical theatre was truly wonderful. It was a genuine pleasure to see the girls perform with such energy, pride and enthusiasm.
What made the showcase particularly special was the richness of learning it offered not only to those performing, but also to those watching. For the girls on stage, it was a valuable opportunity to develop confidence, teamwork and expressive skills, as well as the courage to perform in front of an audience. For the audience, it was a chance to listen attentively, appreciate the creativity of others and engage with language, rhythm and meaning in a lively and memorable way. Assemblies like this help the girls learn how to be both confident performers and thoughtful, respectful listeners.
We were especially struck by the creative way poetry was explored and brought to life. Approaching poetry through drama, movement and voice allows girls to engage with language in a deeply meaningful way. It builds confidence, nurtures imagination and empathy, and develops strong oracy skills. Most importantly, it helps poetry to feel joyful and accessible, encouraging a lasting love of language rather than a fear of getting it “right”.
Watching the showcase prompted a personal reflection for me. When I was in Year 5, learning poetry often meant memorising verses by heart and standing up to recite them on the spot. While I love poetry now, that approach took much of the joy out of it at the time and left me feeling more nervous than inspired. Today’s performance was a powerful reminder of how creative, supportive approaches can make all the difference, helping every child to feel confident, included and excited about learning.
Thank you to Mrs Lynch and to all the girls for such a wonderful start to the day. It was a lovely example of girls enjoying success.
Before we sent off this year’s Young Art entries to the judging panel, we were delighted to display them in the library. Much like the Drama Showcase, the exhibition was a joyful celebration of the girls’ confidence, creativity and individuality. It was a pleasure to see such a wide range of technical skill, imagination and thoughtful expression on display, and to watch the girls take genuine pride in sharing their work with others. Our sincere thanks go to Mr Fellows, Art and DT Teacher, and Miss Sarkar, Art and DT TA, whose expertise and encouragement supported the girls in producing work of such a high standard. If you missed the opportunity to view the artwork in person, you can still enjoy it by clicking this link: Young Art exhibition at Channing.
As Burns Night approaches, we send our warmest wishes to all those in our community who will be celebrating. We hope you enjoy marking the occasion with good cheer, poetry and tradition.
With warm wishes
Miss Dina Hamalis
Head of the Junior School
