What a term it has been! Packed full of memorable experiences and wonderful opportunities for the girls at Bromley High School.

This final fortnight has been no different, with a hilarious muck-up day from Year 13 pupils, a Steinway Masterclass at Steinway Hall, A level Geography and Biology field trips, the Year 8 Computer Science visit to the Science Museum, Year 5 Taster Days, Year 7 Music Showcase and the Year 12 Minerva Symposium. On Friday, the creativity continued with our 140 minutes of ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat,’ where students, parents, and staff performed together in a seamless production to entertain the school community. Each event has required an immense team effort from site staff, parents, teachers, support staff, girls, and our catering and cleaning teams.

Last week, our Year 11 students began their study leave, having completed their language orals and practical assessments in creative arts. It was truly delightful to see them enjoy their last assembly and have a picnic lunch together in our beautiful grounds. The next few weeks of exams will pose a challenge for them, but over the summer, they will have plenty of time for adventures and to reclaim some time and space for fun.

Compassion is one of our key values, and we engage in exceptional charity work that supports people in our local and wider communities. Mr. Thaw leads this effort at the school, with a special focus on causes that support women and girls, particularly those empowering women through access to education. The girls themselves lead the programme, and we strive to establish connections with the wider community whenever possible. We received great news last week that the two sisters we support in the Kinamba Community Project achieved top marks in their end-of-year exams. Other projects include support for the Bromley Foodbank, Kidney Care UK, the Turkey and Syria Earthquake Appeal, the Marjorie McClure partnership, Music for All, Magpie Dance, Wrap-Up London, and Anti-Bullying Week.

In addition to our charity work, we also actively participate in multiple outreach projects. The motivation our girls have to ‘give back’ is truly inspirational. Some highlights of our outreach work include the SHINE project with local primary schools, Latin evening classes for parents and adults from the local community, regular delivery of primary school lessons in Classics, Science workshops, and German, sharing our Mini-Minerva series, Post-16 teaching of Maths to local Junior Schools, and weekly volunteering with a Bromley special needs school.

The concept of civic responsibility values a type of learning that goes far beyond the academic curriculum, offering our girls the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

“It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” Nelson Mandela

I hope you will find the time to review my ‘Towards 140 and Beyond’ plan. I am immensely grateful to everyone who has supported the design of this plan and taken the time to consult and discuss their ideas with me. This document is a collaborative effort that reflects a wide range of contributions.

The plan has been developed around five key priorities:

  • Curate a vision for cohesive school leadership at every level
  • Provide an irresistible educational offer that inspires academic scholarship
  • Implement an ‘enrichment for all’ programme that provides broad and stimulating opportunities for mind, body and spirit
  • Forge strong connections within our Bromley High family through an undivided and inclusive community culture
  • Inspire the girls to narrate their own story of the big adventures still to come

For parents who wish to discuss these priorities in more depth, please sign up for my forum. Places are limited, but I will arrange additional dates if needed.

I wish you a very happy May half-term break and look forward to seeing you refreshed and back in June.

Mrs Emily Codling, Headmistress