Head’s welcome

Dear Parents and Girls,

Welcome to your 2021/22 Gazette. This wonderful review of last year’s highlights serves to confirm what a super school The Study is. I cannot comment on the events of last year so, for this year, the photos in The Gazette will tell their own story. All schools have struggled with coronavirus and, on top of this, The Study went through a period of change. Despite this, the school has come through the other side and, when looking back over the last year, one would never know there had ever been any challenges to face.

I would like to say that, since my arrival here as Interim Head, I have felt very welcomed and looked after by the girls, staff and parents. There is undoubtedly a special atmosphere created by everyone which, it seems to me, is founded on a strong sense of kindness. The school provides the girls with excellent teaching and learning - but it does so much more. In the world of education, this combination of high levels of nurture and care, combined with great teaching, makes for a very happy and successful school.

I would like to say a special thank you to Joanna Gay and Susan Johnson who are celebrated in this edition. They gave so much of their working lives to the girls at The Study; their dedication and service are remembered very fondly by everyone here and their legacy will live on in the hundreds of girls they taught.

Those of you who left Year 6 in the summer of 2022 are not known to me, but I have seen how well you all did in your 11+ and I hope that you are all feeling happy and settled at your new schools.

I hope you will enjoy reliving memories from last year. As you move forwards, nod to the past – it made a tiny part of you that makes you whole.

Mrs Helen Lowe Interim Head

A fond farewell

A special mention must be made to Miss Gay, Deputy Head, and Mrs Johnson, Reception Teacher and Head of Early Years, who both retired from full time teaching.

Miss Gay is stepping back from teaching after twenty years of outstanding service to the school as Deputy Head. Miss Gay’s commitment to The Study and her dedication to providing a happy, nurturing environment, filled with enriching learning opportunities, was second to none.

Also retiring this year were Mrs Appleby who taught at Wilberforce House for 9 years, Mrs More who taught at Spencer House for 5 years, and Ms Wheeler who was School Secretary at Wilberforce House for 8 years.

Mrs Kirkby left her role as Head of Drama, after twelve years of exceptional leadership of the Drama department. She provided Study girls with countless opportunities to perform, grow in confidence and develop a love of the performing arts.

A farewell also to teaching staff Mrs Cleeve, Ms Smith, Mrs Deighton, Mrs Cannell, Mrs Nicol, Mr McKillop and Mr Chatzidakis, and support staff Mr Leyenda.

All staff made extraordinary contributions to school life during their time at The Study. We wish our departing staff happy retirements and success with new ventures, although we are sure they will continue to be familiar faces in the wider school community!

Mrs Johnson was at the school for thirty four years and she will be sorely missed. She saw countless Study girls through their first year of schooling, ensuring that they had a happy start to school life.

Head for the day

Two Study girls stepped into the shoes of Miss Ellis for the day in the Summer Term.