As you will see from this fortnight’s edition of Highlife, there has been a huge amount going on in school, alongside the usual business of teaching and learning. STEAM week was a huge success and provided a vast array of creative and scientific inspiration for students, teachers and parents alike. Activities as diverse as: welding; learning about the science behind stained glass; Harry Potter ‘potions’ and ‘skyping a scientist’ demonstrated beyond all measure the excitement and creativity that is STEAM. A real highlight was the ‘Maths and Computing careers evening’ at Seniors with three absolutely inspirational speakers, two of whom we are fortunate to name as our parents. Sue Kershaw’s talk on the opportunities to change lives through civil engineering and project management was inspirational and Raia Hadsell’s introduction to Google DeepMind definitely broadened our horizons.

The creativity continued with our two brilliant Junior Choirs performing at the Bromley Music Festival. Both choirs won their categories and most importantly performed with commitment and great energy. It is so good to see the girls working together, enjoying their music and representing the school so well. We are very grateful to all our parents for supporting so loyally, especially given the challenges of south London traffic and, of course, our dynamic musical duo of Miss Atalar and Mrs Beenders. Congratulations!

Our English department’s inter-disciplinary cultural celebration evening is now a regular fixture on the calendar to look forward to. This year the theme was ‘1918’ to mark the centenary of the Armistice. Designed to provide engagement and inspiration outside the curriculum, students and staff entertained the audience with poetry, opera and presentations on suffrage, flu and high society. Thank you to all involved for a highly enjoyable and convivial evening.

Next week, we embark on a new venture; something we also hope will become a regular school event. Staff and students, from Year 6 upwards, and will be taking part in a sponsored 10km walk on the final day of term. The walk is to raise awareness of and funds for, the charity Plan UK. Plan UK work and raise funds to provide opportunities for children and girls to have access to education globally. This is a mission completely in tune with our own heritage and ethos and something we feel is very deserving of our support. We join several other GDST schools in participating in the walk this year. We hope you feel able to support your daughter in participating and raising money for this extremely worthy charity. Mrs Maddison has sent further details via Firefly.

I wish you a restful break over Easter.