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Dear Parents & Carers
It was an absolute joy to watch the Year 1 assembly this morning, where the girls so confidently and enthusiastically shared their scientific learning through the delightful story Sunny the Meerkat and the Search for Belonging. The energy, pride and sheer enjoyment radiating from the girls made it a truly special occasion for us all and, for me, a moment of immense pride as Head.
Through the voices of our narrators, we were introduced to Sunny, a small meerkat on a big adventure. Unsure of where he fitted in, Sunny set off on a journey to meet different animal groups, determined to discover his place in the world. Along the way, the girls took on a wide range of roles with such confidence and expression, including narrators, scientists and a wonderful variety of animals such as fish, birds, reptiles, frogs and tigers. Each group played their part brilliantly in helping Sunny learn more about the characteristics that define different animals.
The assembly skilfully brought together scientific understanding with a powerful message about belonging. As Sunny met each group, the girls clearly explained key features: fish with their gills and life underwater, birds with feathers and wings, reptiles with their scaly skin and amphibians who live both on land and in water. Our young scientists spoke with impressive clarity and confidence, showcasing just how much they have learnt.
Despite noticing similarities along the way, Sunny realised that he did not fully belong with any of these groups. It was only when he met the tigers that everything clicked into place. Discovering that he was a mammal too was a moment of great excitement and celebration, not just for Sunny but for all of us watching. Importantly, Sunny came to understand that while he belongs to a group, he is also wonderfully unique.
This message sits at the heart of our school values and is something we care deeply about as a community. A strong sense of belonging is fundamental to a child’s happiness, confidence and success. When pupils feel that they belong, they are more willing to take risks in their learning, to express themselves, to form positive relationships and to persevere when things feel challenging. Belonging creates a sense of safety and security, allowing every girl to thrive both academically and socially.
It is therefore incredibly important to us that our school is an inclusive and supportive community where every girl feels seen, heard and valued. We want each girl to know that she can be herself, that her voice matters and that she has a meaningful place within our school. Through our daily interactions, our curriculum and our shared values, we actively nurture empathy, respect and understanding so that the girls not only feel that they belong, but also play their part in ensuring that others feel the same.
The girls demonstrated our Channing Characters throughout, particularly curiosity as Sunny explored the world around him, bravery as he stepped into the unknown and resilience as he continued his journey even when things felt uncertain. It was also wonderful to see their growing confidence, teamwork and joy in performing together.
The music and movement added an extra layer of excitement. The ‘Vertebrate Song’ was performed with great enthusiasm and clarity, and ‘Eye of the Tiger’ brought a real sense of fun, determination and spirit to the stage. Whilst, the smiles said it all!
I am incredibly proud of every single pupil for their hard work, commitment and the way they supported one another to create such a meaningful and engaging assembly. It was a wonderful celebration of their learning and a powerful reflection of our shared sense of belonging as a school community.
This same spirit has been evident throughout the term – well done to all of the girls for their hard work and determination. It has been a joy to see how much they have grown in confidence and character.
With warmest wishes to all those in our community celebrating, we wish you a meaningful and reflective Passover, and a joyful, hope-filled Easter. We hope you enjoy a restful and refreshing holiday, and we look forward to welcoming the girls back on Wednesday 15 April for the final term of the academic year – where has the time gone!
With warm wishes
Miss Dina Hamalis
Head of the Junior School
