A Vibrant Start to 2026 in the Junior School

What a wonderful start we have had to the 2026 academic year in the Junior School. It has been a joy to welcome our girls and families back onto campus and to feel the energy and excitement that has filled our school over the past few weeks.

Our first day of school set the tone beautifully as we launched our whole-school annual theme, ‘Ideas in Motion’. The morning was truly memorable with our staff proudly wearing their themed T-shirts, drones filming from above, as well as bubble machines, photo booths and lively music created a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere. It was an inspiring way to remind our girls that learning is dynamic, creative and ever-evolving.

Our Parent Information Morning was another highlight. It was a pleasure to see parents engaging meaningfully with their daughters’ grade teachers. Parents also heard about the Head’s vision and five-year strategy, which is closely aligned with the broader school vision and gained valuable insight into expectations across the different grades. We were also grateful to have a dietician from SELMI join us to educate parents on balanced and nutritious lunchbox options which was a wonderful example of our commitment to supporting the whole child.

Our Grade 1-7 Welcome Chapel Services, where new families were formally welcomed into the Junior School. Similarly, the Grade 7 Induction Service was a special occasion, reminding our Grade 7 girls of their responsibility as servant leaders and Daughters of the King. Our phase picnics have been particularly heart-warming, offering families the opportunity to connect with one another across grades in a relaxed and joyful setting. These moments of connection are central to who we are as a school.

In sport, our very first Summer Splash was a proud milestone. Competing against ten top girls’ schools in Gauteng was a valuable experience for our swimmers. While we placed eighth, we were incredibly proud of how both our Junior and Senior School swimmers showed up, gave their all and competed with determination and sportsmanship. This forms part of a deliberate five-year strategy, and we are confident that with continued exposure and experience, our girls will grow in confidence and performance. am confident that within the next three years, our girls will be well positioned to compete on par with other girls’ schools.

We are also delighted with the refined look of our Junior School reception area. This space continues to be upgraded and we remain committed to developing it to the standard we envision for our Junior School which is a welcoming environment that reflects excellence, warmth and care.

As we look ahead to February, there is much to look forward to. We will be celebrating Women in STEAM careers, Read Aloud Day and hosting the ever-popular Grade 7 Skottel Rules, where our Grade 7 families connect through friendly cook-offs.

Most importantly, we have expanded our academic offering by introducing Learning Support classes during the school day in both Mathematics and English. This ensures that girls no longer have to choose between academic support and extra-mural participation in the afternoon. Through this approach, we are able to provide meaningful support, reinforcement and extension, ensuring that every child receives the care and attention she needs to thrive academically.

I have truly appreciated the intentional collaboration between the Junior and Senior Schools. I look forward to working even more closely with Mrs Miller, with the guidance and support of our Executive Head, Mrs Howard, as we continue this journey together.

We give thanks and pray for God’s continued blessings on our teachers and girls as we embark on this new year together.