Welcome to this week’s newsletter and indeed to the Pride! I, for one, could not have been prouder of your children’s achievements which we celebrated in assembly on Wednesday morning…
Dressed in vibrant Arsenal red, Miss Senior and Year 8 pupils launched a surprise celebration of Nefe O’s two-year signing to the Arsenal youth squad including a triumphant entry to the Apthorp Hall and a poem that they had written for him. We also congratulated another four pupils on scholarships to senior schools - please read about the School’s extraordinary success in Miss Leighton’s article in this newsletter.
Congratulations are also due to Alexis O, Xander M, Monte M and Dylan S who won the team gold in the EFROC Chess Championships, beating 23 other schools – what an AMAZING achievement! You can read Alexis' article here about the experience. Well done, also to Ayomipo D on her outstanding success in gymnastics out of School and to Anna R on her excellent speech and drama success at The Watford Festival.
Plaudits also went out to Year 2 for their amazing work inspired by their visit to St Albans Abbey and to our Year 6 girls, who wowed the Downe House staff with their musical and dramatic talents. We even had a guest video appearance from Dara O’Brien, congratulating Reuben on his astronomical curiosity into black holes…well done, Reuben! Harry N achieved a distinction in his first LAMDA exam and Ishaani P raised a massive £1,168.50 for Olives School in Mombasa through the Hope4Smile charity, asking for donations to this charity instead of birthday presents this year! What an awesome example of selfless philanthropy. Well done, Ishaani!
Alongside all of this success and celebration, Mrs Broadis, once again, pulled out all of the stops in devising the most wonderful World Book day celebrations. Alongside numerous and very generous book donations for children who might not otherwise be able to afford books. Pre-Prep and some Years 3 and 4 pupils dressed up (prizes to follow!) and Year 5-8 brought in imaginative props and Jasmine Richards inspired us all with her top writing tips. We also celebrated Miss Morris’s personal commitment to raising funds for Cancer Research in support of her friend and colleague. If you would like to support, here is her fundraising page.
Our Values of this fortnight are Determination and Kindness and both seem to have been evident in abundance over the past weeks.
Thank you to the many parents of girls in Years 5 and 6 who attended the inaugural Lionesses Breakfast; although it is only now possible for a few Year 6 Lionesses to stay for Year 7 and 8, there seems to be very healthy interest building in Years 5, 4 and 3, which bodes very well for a coeducational future in these year groups.
Whatever it is that you are saying about Edge Grove at present is clearly working; we seem to be inundated with prospective parent enquiries at present and it is wonderful to see so much interest in the School. Please keep them coming!
Thank you all, as ever for the lovely feedback you have given in our questionnaires and surveys and please do keep coming in to support your fabulous sons and daughters!
With best wishes,Yours,
Ed BalfourHead
