'As One Door Closes, Another Door Opens' 

It is strange to think that this is my last day in Pimlico, and I will take so many fond memories with me. However, prominent emotions of excitement and pride are bubbling as I look forward to September and all the adventures that follow! 

As my previous Friday Flyer said, myself and Mrs Fordyce met with the House to present the House Monitors with their badges – the sun shone down on us and it was lovely to get the House together. It will be a real honour seeing Niamh G cross the stage at Speech Day to take her place at the founding Head of House. 

The week after saw Familiarisation Day take place, where the Year 6 pupils who will join us next year came to spend the day at the school. With croissants in the sun, arts and crafts, clay model making and games, the girls were a little weary by the end but all left with smiles on their faces and an eagerness for September. With Lodge House still being worked on, we set up camp in the school library, and with a few balloons and our motto clearly in view, we called it home for the day. The House Monitors were with the girls throughout the day and were brilliant at giving them some comfort and getting the girls to mingle and get to know one another. The girls' first task was to draw around their hand and write down what they enjoyed. We then spoke about things the girls were excited for and things they might be worried about, which with no surprise there were common thoughts and feelings. Having the monitors there allowed a pupil's viewpoint and opportunity for personal advice; combining real truths and experiences to comfort and excite the girls. A tour made them realise that an open site will enable their step goal to be hit quite easily(!) but also that it is not as overpowering as it may seem. The girls will get another tour in September and I did urge them to, if in doubt, please just ask! The rest of the girls in the lower years popped up to the library during their break to support the girls and as a way to try and get the House together again. This worked well and conversations flowed around sport, drama and academic challenges. I thank the girls for sacrificing their toast to come and see the new Lodge House members. From a personal point, it was lovely not only to meet the girls and introduce them to myself, Mrs Fordyce, the House Monitors and the school, but it was great to meet parents/guardians of the Year 6 pupils. There is a lot of excitement around the new House and I am so looking forward to welcoming the girls, and their parents/guardians in in September. 

Speaking of September, it is really important to me to get the girls and parents/guardians together before school actually starts. The start of school is an extremely busy day/week and it can be overwhelming for some, so with this in mind and to kickstart a unified House, I would like to invite ALL pupils and parents into Lodge House on induction day (Monday the 2nd of September) for tea/coffee and cake. On this day you will also receive a Lodge House Handbook which will be useful for all pupils and parents/guardians. 

Tea and cake timings as follows: 

New pupils in Year 7: Induction day finishes at 12:45pm after they have had their lunch. If parents/guardians could arrive at the House to collect pupils around 12/12:15 and join us for a cuppa, this would be lovely. Your daughter will come back to the House after they have finished lunch, and you can leave from there. 

New Pupils in Years 8-13: Induction day STARTS at 12:45. If pupils parents/guardians could arrive at the House at around 12/12:15 and join us for a cuppa and a slice of cake, this would be lovely. Formal induction will then take place from 12:45/1pm. 

All current pupils coming across to Lodge House: If parents/guardians come to the House with their daughters for 12/12:15 for a cuppa and a slice of cake, it would be a great opportunity to meet the rest of the House. We will be resuming Induction Day timetable for the new starters at 1pm. Apologies this is in the middle of the day, but it is the only time it will fit. 

I will also send out an email during the holidays to confirm these arrangements. 

Communication 

I appreciate that parent/guardians can be bombarded with emails and communication from school about various different things. To keep the House information clear and simplified, I would like to use this platform, the Friday Flyer, to notify of any upcoming dates/events and important generic messages. For whole years or tutor groups I may use InTouch email, and for individual emails I will use direct email. I hope this will help with how to find information and what to be looking out for in your inbox. Please do keep an eye on the Friday Flyer come September. 

Uniform Swap 

As communicated in the launch booklet of Lodge House, those pupils that are currently at Durham School and moving over to Lodge House are able to swap their ties and House games tops. Communications will be sent on how to do this and completion of an online will be needed for top sizes etc. Please do come to school in September with the old tie and tops, so they can be swapped. 

Important Dates 

Induction Day: Monday 2nd of September 

Term starts: Tuesday 3rd of September 

Have a fantastic summer holiday and I very much look forward to seeing you in September.