Dear Bromley High School Community,
For those who don’t know me, I am Jonathan Bochenski, Director of Finance & Operations at Bromley High School. I work very closely with our Head, Emily Codling, to continuously make Bromley High School the best school for your daughters. I’m delighted to be taking over the first of our Senior Leadership blogs, following on from the ‘Headmistress’s Thoughts’ in her previous posts.
We are now about three months into the work to transform our outdoor spaces at the Blackbrook Lane entrance and in the central school courtyard. As with any project, large or small, I’ve been struck by how important it is for everyone to communicate and work flexibly with each other to ensure successful delivery. I’m pleased to say that all those involved in this project have been doing just that, and it has been a privilege to see the areas take shape day by day, with the designs that were once just on paper now coming to life.
At the Blackbrook Lane entrance, the dated and inaccessible steps have been demolished and replaced with a new accessible ramp. Planting of new trees and shrubbery began this week, and during the half-term break, the pedestrian walkway will be extended to the front of the school. To make this work possible, the front entrance will be closed to vehicular access from Monday 17th February to Friday 21st February. Later this month, the walls at the front entrance will also be taken down in preparation for the installation of new gates. A new outdoor locker area is also nearing completion, which will allow for a more welcoming entrance for our Senior School pupils. This work is expected to begin during the Easter break. We look forward to a future where our pupils and staff can feel even more energized and inspired as they enter the school each day.
In the courtyard, the Junior School outdoor classroom areas are now largely in place, and the first steel poles for the covered walkway are also being installed. Over half term, some preparatory work will take place inside a number of Junior School classrooms, ready for new windows and doors to be built leading out to the wonderful new outdoor classroom spaces. We are fortunate to have such expansive outdoor space at Bromley High School, and we are excited for the girls to be able to make even more use of it!
We are also very fortunate to have the expertise of the GDST Estates team leading this project. Mrs Codling and I continue to engage with them about future development needs at Bromley High School, and we all remain committed to improving the excellent facilities available to our school community.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for your patience as we all experience some disruption while these works are underway.It will definitely be worth it in the end, and we wish you all a lovely half term!
Jonathan Bochenski, Director of Finance & Operations