Welcome back to the new school year! It is always an exciting time; meeting new people, seeing what has changed at school over the summer, and getting into new routines of work and play. As the Head I am very lucky to have an insider’s view of the first day of school. Every year I watch as children say goodbye to their parents at the gate or jump off the minibus and walk confidently into school. Some may need the helping hand of a teacher or friend to make the transition but very soon all is well.
Once at school every child is warmly welcomed into their new classroom and routines are explained and practised. As the week goes on mornings take on a very purposeful air as routines bed-in and children are encouraged to start every day with age appropriate independence. The evolution from ‘first day of school’ to ‘everyday at school’ happens very quickly under the careful guidance of our expert teachers and TAs.
Sticking with the theme of the first day of school, I was incredibly lucky to accompany a handful of St Christopher’s pupils to meet New Zealand’s Black Ferns Rugby Team at Brighton College on Monday afternoon. The Black Ferns are training at Brighton College ahead of their match against Ireland at the Amex Stadium on Sunday. You probably already know that the Black Ferns are six time Rugby World Cup winners, current cup holders, and the most successful women’s sporting team in the world. To meet them was inspiring and very moving. Despite their many successes (or maybe because of), they were kind, humble, funny, and warm. They spent time chatting with pupils, answering questions and posing for photos. One of the players even showed our pupils a video of the team performing their pre-match Haka. We learned that the Haka is reserved for opponents which is why it would never be performed to friends. When we left, the players said they would look out for St Christopher’s pupils in the crowd on Sunday! A very touching comment, indeed.
Reflecting on this special occasion, I think that every St Christopher’s pupil has something in common with the elite sportswomen of the Black Ferns: a quiet confidence that is only earned through hard work and the courage to face challenges with a growth mindset. Our pupils are taught the value of hard work and encouraged to stretch themselves and strive for continuous improvement in everything they do. I have been told many times by the Heads of Senior Schools that they can tell who is a St Christopher’s pupil by their quiet confidence, unwavering kindness, and commitment to working hard. Instilling these qualities in Prep School will enable our pupils to succeed in any arena in later life – be it a sporting pitch, in the boardroom, in the design studio, on the stage, in the operating theatre or research lab, in the classroom as the teachers of the future, or even the House of Commons!
Ms Elizabeth Lyle, Head
