From Mrs Ross

Reception and Pre-Prep reports are now ready to read and download on My School Portal. 

A visit by monks from Fleury with Dean Catherine.

We send off our fabulous cohort of Year 2 boys into the exciting realms of the Junior Department, confident that they will thrive during the next stage of their Pilgrims' journey.

On a personal note, I would like to thank you all so much for your kind words, cards and gifts, as I begin my exciting journey into the next stage of my learning and development!  This week has been emotional and yesterday's Prize Giving provided a wonderful opportunity to sit and soak up the Pilgrims' experience without having responsibility for anything.  Watching so many of my past Pre-Prep boys receiving awards, was truly special.  Mrs Kent was able to recreate a photograph in the Quad, with five Reception boys who were amongst our Year 8 leavers!

Following a staff lunch yesterday, I was able to share a few words with my colleagues and I would like to share some of those with you here:

It is thirty-five years since I took up my first teaching post in Surrey. I had not planned to retire this early, and it has been a huge decision for me. I do leave feeling that there is so much more to do. However, I know that I leave a fantastic team in place and a wonderful new Head of Pre-Prep in Sarah Hall.     

I am proud of what we have achieved together, and I know that the Pre-Prep will continue to flourish. 

I will miss many things about The Pilgrims’ School... 

• My parking permit! 
• Greeting happy boys and parents at the Pre-Prep door every day. 
• The enthusiasm and thirst for learning that our boys have.  
• The expertise, enthusiasm, friendship and support of Pilgrims’ staff. 
• Walking through the back gate and across the bridge in the early morning. (I stop on the bridge every day and say “wow!” as I look down the river!) 
• Our close links to the Cathedral and all the privileges that brings. 
• Listening to music at all times of the day, all over the school. 
• Listening to Pre-Prep boys singing in French whilst Mr Power plays his ukelele. 
• The wonderful Pre-Prep Sports Day, organised by Mr Buck. 
• Pilgrims’ performances in all their forms. 
• The laughter that I hear from the staff room, when the window is open and from the Pre-Prep classrooms. 

“Thank you” to you all for welcoming me into the Pilgrims’ community. 
Thank you especially, Pre-Prep staff team, for all your support and hard work.   
Thank you everyone for your kind words, encouragement and gifts.   
I hope that I can continue my association with this special place and the special people in it. 
I wish you all every success and happiness."

Thank you to all parents who were able to attend the Open Classrooms this week.  I know that it meant such a lot to the boys to be able to share their work with you and show you around their classrooms.  The happy atmosphere was palpable as I strolled through the rooms.

The Pre-Prep were so pleased to be invited to the whole school final Cathedral Assembly with Dean Catherine on Monday morning.