19th October 2022 Dear Parents, As I write, the first days in September seem like a distant memory now. This has been an exceptional seven weeks packed full of events, hard work, trips and activities. Neatly woven into all of this has been a mandatory dose of good humour and laughter and it has been refreshing to see the girls and boys at Godstowe enjoying their time here so much. As the Symphony Orchestra played their last note in our Autumn Concert and I walked back to Main School from my first Lodge Assembly, with the Nursery waving at me from the garden on Tuesday, I couldn’t help but smile. The immense privilege of headship has always inspired me but being part of the Godstowe community is something rather special. There is something for everyone here and my days have been both full and fulfilling. I have thoroughly enjoyed so many aspects of school life, with lasting memories made on the weekend match sidelines, at our FoG Race Night, at the Boarders Zumba and Wild Wood activities, taking assemblies, welcoming speakers, marvelling at the diverse talents of our students and meeting an impressive group of visiting alumnae. I interviewed a young girl this week who arrived with her two older sisters who had attended Godstowe a few years ago now. Both are now Head Girls at their respective senior schools which was wonderful to hear, but it was the way they spoke about their time at the school which captivated me the most and their sheer appreciation for their teachers. As we break for the holidays, I would like to take the time to echo this appreciation for our exceptional band of teachers and the boarding, admin, household and support team. A diverse group we certainly are, but all are united to bring out the very best in every child in our care and I thank them for their hard work and unfailing dedication. The new ICT Suite has been enjoyed by all Main School girls this term. I have been delighted to see so much industry in this new space with impressive website design lessons, online safety classes and Python Programming in action.
The new netball and tennis courts are ready and looking very smart and we shall be delighted to be hosting a wealth of lessons and matches here on our return. Mr Adams has run a Monday Football Club for Form I to Fourths and it has been good to build on the success of the national team and see the girls so inspired to play. More to follow as this club develops, no doubt! Last week, our Fourths travelled to Wellington College to take part in a Netball Masterclass. They were treated to coaching from the U14 coaching staff and Amy Flanagan Head of Netball and Surrey Storm Super League player. At the start of October, the Form I to Middles cross country teams took part in the relay event at Berkhamstead. The girls ran amazingly well and took gold in every year group. They were crowned top girls’ school of the day and won the overall shield. Congratulations to them all, once again!
We cherish our assemblies at Godstowe and this term has seen an impressive array of topics in Lodge, Main, Upper and Lower Schools. We have been delighted to welcome Peter Gill from SKSN for the Wash Bag Project and Mrs Niven on behalf of the whole school ‘Bag 2 School’ initiative. To mark Black History Month, Mrs Gillett celebrated the life of the aviator, Bessie Coleman in Lodge and I ran an assembly to mark the achievements of Lillian Bader, Evelyn Dove, Joan Armatrading, Malorie Blackman and Diane Abbott. After half term on Monday 28th November, we shall be visited by a nutritionist who will talk to the girls and boys across the whole school which will cover the theme: ‘Good for the planet, Good for us.’ World Mental Health Day on 10th October was a chance for us to showcase the good work in place at Godstowe around the important topic of wellbeing. Mrs Reynolds is leading the charge with more developments which will benefit our girls, staff and you, our parents.
Harvest Festivals were celebrated across Lodge and Main School and the Charity Monitors came together to collect all donations for the ‘One Can Trust’ Foodbank. National Poetry Day was celebrated in early October, with all girls showcasing their poetry across Form I to Fourths and the Fourths’ girls wrote and performed their own parodies in costumes, which were both clever and very funny! Our two Music Recitals and the final Autumn Concert have showcased the musical talent and diverse range of musical opportunity on offer at school. I have been quite moved by individual and ensemble peformances in violin, guitar and flute and marvelled at the Symphony Orchestra who played with such finesse for girls of this age.
The standard of Art and DT at Godstowe remains at an all-time high and I’m always delighted to see so much beautiful artwork on the walls at Lodge. ‘Artwork of the Week’ awards at Friday Celebration assemblies would find a natural place in many senior school art studios, without doubt. On Wednesday 23rd November, the Upper School Drama Club will perform their short-scripted pieces, which looks set to be a fun event.
The opinion of your girls and boys sits at the heart of all we aim to achieve. The Student Council have already met in September to plan ahead for this year and I shall meet with the Boarding Council for afternoon tea on our return from Half Term, which I have no doubt will be highly enjoyable as well as giving me important food for thought. The children across Transition to Fourths completed a feedback survey in June, ahead of my start. It has made for excellent reading and their thoughts and voices are valued and we are making sure we review key areas and any suggestions that were made. All that remains to be said now is thank you for your support and good cheer this half of term. We have much to look forward to on our return with Nativities, the Christmas Fair, Lodge Perriss Knight Awards, the Carol Service and Lower School Christingle, to name a few. Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy your family time together. Whilst vouching for the achievements of the last few months, which have been considerable, as I always say, the best it yet to come! See you all soon! Kind regards, Kate Bailey