Dear Parents,
Here we are, the last day of another academic year. And what a year! When I sat down to write this newsletter, I went back to the first newsletter of the school year to remember all the high hopes and wishes I had for the year ahead. Now, reflecting on those goals and ambitions we had last September, it's wonderful to have surpassed ourselves. But not without the odd challenge along the way - the most recent with our leaking water pipe!
When we began in September I was Acting Headteacher. A few tough interview rounds and some fierce competitors later, I was delighted to be appointed as the permanent Head Teacher of this wonderful school. We battled with Covid absences, staff and children. Won handwriting competitions, excelled in Maths competitions, entered Science and Spelling Bees and raised thousands of pounds for worthy charities, driven by the children. We even had an RE inspection and the inspector, to use his words, was in "awe" of our school. We have welcomed many new children and their families, played brilliantly in our inter-school sport fixtures and enjoyed lots of interesting food, care of Louis and his brilliant catering team. Wonderful productions, assemblies and the elocution challenge have shown us what the children can do on stage, and surprised even ourselves with our incredible SATS and 11 Plus results. The diggers have broken ground on our long awaited building project, we've chosen tile samples for the new refurbishment and packed up the classrooms.
I am sure you will agree, the children have gained so much from this year of schooling, I'm sure you will agree, and we have loved watching them develop and mature, academically and spiritually.
This school really is a very special place, with the children and staff and the wider St Bernard's Prep community at its heart. Thank you for supporting me in my first year as your Head Teacher. It has been a baptism of fire, but one that I have relished and enjoyed more than I knew was even possible!
