The past few weeks have been full of activity across the school, reflecting the breadth of opportunity that makes our community so distinctive.

We were delighted to welcome twenty immersion pupils from China for a short cultural exchange. Our younger pupils embraced the role of buddies, helping their visitors settle into school life and guiding them through daily routines, stepping up to the responsibility with impressive maturity and care. Experiences like this enrich our whole community, offering pupils the chance to learn about different cultures and perspectives firsthand.

At Abbotsholme, we pride ourselves on nurturing not only intellectual and emotional intelligence, but also cultural intelligence, the ability to understand, respect and work effectively with people from different cultures. This spirit of curiosity and openness was reflected across the school, with Prep pupils also joining in through activities such as learning Chinese writing and exploring traditions in anticipation of Chinese New Year.

In February, our Prep pupils were busy creating beautiful Valentine’s Day gifts. The care and thought poured into their clay hearts and handmade cards, which were delivered to their lucky recipients, was a lovely reminder of how fortunate we are to be part of such a thoughtful and caring community. It felt especially fitting during Children’s Mental Health Week, whose theme this year focused on belonging.

The Creative Arts department is truly on fire at the moment. Our recent Icons Showcase brought together performances inspired by some of the most celebrated artists of previous generations (for those of us slightly older, at least!). It was fantastic to see both familiar and new faces take to the stage with such confidence, and Mr Lewis even treated us to a sneak peek of what we can expect from this year’s musical, Legally Blonde. I would strongly encourage our community to book tickets - the effort, energy and quality of performance delivered by our pupils easily rivals many amateur productions.

 On the sports field there has also been much to celebrate. Our First Team Hockey secured an impressive third place in the Midlands Final tournament in Newcastle. In the Prep School, Abi and Rafe achieved county champion status with their clubs, Stone and Leek, in the In2Hockey tournament. One of the strengths of our Prep provision is that pupils benefit from specialist coaching at an earlier age than is often seen elsewhere, helping to build confidence, strong foundational skills and, most importantly, a lifelong love of sport.

Equestrian success has also been remarkable this term, with several NSEA riders already qualifying for Hickstead. A special mention goes to Lotti and Reeva, who competed in the Hickstead Elite 1.10m Show Jumping Qualifier. Lotti won the class overall on her horse Olympic, while Reeva won the pony section riding Sandy’s Mel, meaning both secured qualification for the Championship Final in the International Arena this June. 

Back on site, another of Abbotsholme’s most cherished traditions has well and truly begun once again: lambing season. For many of our former pupils, lambing remains one of their fondest memories of school life, a truly unique experience that leaves a lasting impression - ask any Old Abbotsholmian! It has been wonderful to see pupils who have never previously set foot on the farm stepping confidently into new roles, guided by more experienced peers.

We are also excited to share this special experience with the wider community through Lambing Live! on 15 March, when local pupils will visit the school to see lambing in action. Events like this are made possible thanks to the dedication of our staff, many of whom give up countless hours to support the farm during this busy season.

Looking ahead to the next stage of academic planning, we recently hosted our GCSE Information Evening for families. At first glance, being a small school may appear to limit opportunities. In reality, the opposite is true. We are proud to offer an impressive range of 20 optional GCSE subjects, providing pupils with genuine breadth and flexibility as they begin to shape their future pathways.

At Abbotsholme, the individual child has always been at the centre of everything we do. Our role is to support each pupil in pursuing their own aspirations and interests. With nearly seven new subjects introduced this year, our curriculum continues to evolve, reflecting our commitment to providing distinctive and forward-thinking opportunities. What remains unchanged, however, is the strength of being a small school: every child is known, understood and supported to thrive.

Some of you may also have heard that I have recently bought a horse - a wonderfully chunky and characterful 15.2hh cob called Leo. Leo is a perfect riding school horse: responsive, well-mannered and able to meet the needs of both beginners and more experienced riders.

Leo will be on working livery here at school, which means many of our pupils will become very familiar with him over time. He has already proved himself to be calm and reliable, and I am sure he will play an important role in supporting the development of our riding school. He is already proving to be a firm favourite with both staff and students!

It is easy to forget quite how unique these opportunities are. The chance to learn, ride and grow in an environment like ours is something truly special, and it is a privilege to call this place our school. Abbotsholme has given me the confidence to rediscover my own love of riding. That willingness to try something new - or return to something - with courage and commitment is something I see in our pupils every single day. Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, in the theatre or at the stables, they continually step forward, challenge themselves and grow in confidence, often surprising even themselves with what they can achieve.

It is a joy to witness, and a privilege to be part of a community where curiosity, courage and care for one another remain firmly at the heart of school life.