From the Headmaster’s Desk 22nd November 2019

As always, there were many highlights of this week but Monday’s celebration of our new premises was extra special and perhaps the most exciting event of the Autumn Term thus far.

The School community is a very precious thing, and we were delighted that so many members of the Lyonsdown community gathered together to celebrate the school’s new facilities and developments. Parents, current and former pupils and staff, as well as local residents, all enjoyed seeing the School’s latest developments in a showcase evening that included displays, refreshments and tours provided by the wonderfully committed Year 6, who provided their usual excellent service, showing off the newly opened Dining Hall, Science Lab, Library and Year 4 classroom.  These impressive new facilities are all part of a new and exciting chapter in Lyonsdown’s 110-year history, which sees the School fully embrace all girls’ education.

Visitors particularly enjoyed seeing the changes to our Dining Hall, which has been extended to create a new multi-purpose area in addition to the School’s main hall.  Our wonderful in-house catering team, led by Pat, prepared a range of School food for visitors to sample including homemade shepherd’s pie, sweet potato curry and one of the children’s favourite, freshly baked pizza! There was also an array of delicious food on  display which the children can choose from each day, including the salad bar, and food choices at both Breakfast Club and After School Club.

Earlier in the day the School’s new library was officially opened by a Year 2 pupil who had won Mrs Hall’s competition.  All pupils were able to put forward suggestions to name the library, with names ranging from the ‘Malala Library’ to the ‘Marie Curie Library, ’which then went to a whole school vote. Always a useful way to demonstrate the value of fundamental British value of democracy, the winning name ‘The Emmeline Pankhurst Library’ now adorns the door following a short ribbon cutting ceremony.

These opportunities to speak to parents informally are so valuable and we are glad to be able to host several a term. I hope parents who were able to make it enjoyed the termly Headmaster’s coffee morning in our new library on Thursday and, next week, we welcome former England netball captain, Pamela Cookey, to speak about the importance of sport for young people – please check the Facebook event for full details.

All the best for a relaxing weekend.

Mr Hammond