Head of Prep School’s Message

Ms Kate Umpleby

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Whilst Year 3 and Year 6 were enjoying their residentials a few weeks ago, I wrote of relationship building, resilience and self-confidence. As you know, our mission at Habs is to empower our students to have a profound impact on the world, and thus the development of leadership skills is essential. The immersive nature of residential trips provides a unique environment for children to learn and practise the essential qualities required for effective leadership.

Collaboration is a key aspect of leadership, and residential trips offer numerous opportunities for students to work together towards common goals. Whether it is participating in team-building activities, solving challenges, or organising group tasks, students learn the importance of teamwork and how to leverage individual strengths for collective success.

Residential trips also foster respect among students. They often involve working with others they don’t typically work with in school, encouraging acceptance and appreciation of individual differences. Students learn to value and respect their peers’ perspectives, abilities and contributions, cultivating empathy and compassion, enabling young leaders to understand and support others’ needs and experiences.

Communication skills are fundamental to effective leadership, and residential trips provide an ideal setting for their development. Students engage in various activities that require clear and assertive communication, such as giving directions, expressing ideas and resolving conflicts. Through these experiences, children gain confidence in articulating their thoughts, actively listening to others and adapting their communication style to different situations.

Of course, residentials are also about having fun with friends, late night chats and silly games – but much learning happens alongside.