Head Mistress' Welcome - December 2021

It was wonderful to see such a great turnout for the Alumnae Carol Service last week; the event was just as heart-warming as always, with the LEH Choirs singing so angelically and our readers sharing the Christmas story once again. 

The Autumn Term is always pretty hectic and this year it seems to have simply flown by.  In October we stressed the importance of mental health on our Wellbeing Day; I enjoyed catching up with some of you over Zoom as part of our Virtual Alumnae Reunion; and we had the pleasure of seeing the students performing live once again in the joint LEH Hampton musical, Guys and Dolls. In November our musicians excelled themselves in a quite stupendous Winter Concert; the treats have just kept coming!  

Our House Drama event morphed into a more Covid-friendly House Film Festival, with pupils making their own videos to share with the school community. We concentrated on improving staff and student awareness of Inclusion and Diversity through our celebration of Black History Month and a series of talks, "What I wish you knew about..." , covering topics such gender, race, ethnicity and faith.  

This week saw the premiere of our latest Write the Girl play, Betsey, while two of our L6 students have been shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Playwriting with their entry Of Silent Words.  

It makes me incredibly proud that LEH is going from strength to strength in so many areas and of course the icing on the cake this term was being voted Independent Girls' School of the Year!  

I’m looking forward to raising a glass with you in person at our Remarkable Women Reception next year, planned for Saturday 26th March, when we will be celebrating all of you and your impressive achievements, as well as our magnificent Alumnae Wall.  

Its recent major overhaul is part of the strategy to increase the visibility of alumnae for the whole LEH community. The update has seen a three-fold increase in the number of photos proudly on display. The hope is that these pictures, along with a selection of quotes from powerful women, will engage and inspire pupils as they pass by daily, knowing that one day they too could be added to the wall. Look out for more information early next year and please Save The Date. 

It is cheering that we are now in touch with more of you than ever. We love hearing your news, so please keep sharing your stories, and we look forward to welcoming you back to School to meet old friends and rekindle memories.  

I wish you and your family the very merriest Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. 

Heather Hanbury 
Head Mistress