Welcome Back!

The campuses of Berkhamsted Schools Group burst to life this week, as we welcomed back our pupils for their first day of the new academic year.

New pupils in Years 7, 9 and 12 were first to arrive on Tuesday, and despite being greeted by sudden downpour, spirits were high. Huddled together under umbrellas (we’re pleased our School Prefects came prepared), our new pupils explored the new sites, made friends and met their teachers.

Staff were just as excited to meet a new cohort of pupils- though we doubt they were also up at 5:30am like one of the Year 7s we met! One Head of House commented that he always loved to meet new pupils and watch them grow over 5 years: one of the many joys of pupils belonging to a House community from the point of arrival to finishing GCSEs.

Renovations to the Girls’ House rooms of Russell, New Stede and St Davids were met with great excitement, while other Houses took design into their own hands. Girls house Old Stede sport a new disco ball that they plan to use regularly, while the Loxwood boys’ house room has been rejigged to better support future table tennis tournaments.

On Wednesday, the School was abuzz with new faces and old friends. With much nicer weather for our returners, pupils enjoyed meeting their teachers and tutors for the year.

First assemblies set a positive and purposeful tone for the year, and pupils were encouraged to think about how they could be role models and contributors to the Berkhamsted community. Sixth were tasked to build a learning culture in which all find motivation and responsibility in their studies, as they prepare for A Levels and their futures. Senior pupils were asked to be good friends to all. Our school values, to Aim High with Integrity, Serve Others and Be Adventurous, will continue to be central to day-to-day life at Berkhamsted.

At Pre-Prep, the joy of being outside with friends quickly overshadowed any new joiner fears. The walled garden welcomed back a very excitable bunch of pupils, ready for another year of learning. At Berkhamsted Prep, the mood was very much the same: a busy playground, smiling faces and teachers with big plans for the year ahead.

Over in Amersham, Heatherton girls streamed across the newly resurfaced playground to greet friends and teachers. With fresh netball courts, and games for the girls to take part in at break and lunch times, Heatherton are set for a very active year outside.

The newest addition to the Berkhamsted family were also the first to start the term: at Charlotte House, pupils were already back into the swing of things by Thursday last week! Much is in the pipeline this year so that Charlotte House girls can benefit from the range of facilities and opportunities in the Berkhamsted Schools Group- and for our other schools, this is a chance to build an even bigger family and learn from each other.

With all this excitement and new development, it’s clear that there’s a great year ahead for every one of our pupils. From new teachers and facilities to an exciting future selection of trips (word is that pupils will be travelling everywhere from New York to Iceland this half term), the stage is set for a very exciting year at Berko. Watch this space!