From the Principal

At last week’s end-of-term assembly, I was struck by how deceptively short a term can feel. While the students seated before me looked much the same as they did at our opening assembly, they were certainly not the same individuals who sat in their place just nine weeks prior. The personal growth that can unfold over a school term filled with enriching curricular and co-curricular experiences is profound. Equally transformative are the real-world learning, environmental awareness, and social and emotional development that occur outside the classroom during Camps Week, from which our Year 6 to 10 students have just returned. On the topic of camps, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to provide your thoughts on this week's activities via our Camp Feedback Form. 

Throughout Term 1, I have been delighted to witness our students shine across a wide array of events, carnivals and competitions – both within Girton and beyond. But what has been most uplifting is seeing our students and school community actively contributing to Girton’s culture of mattering. In previous eLink issues, I have highlighted some of the major acts of generosity I have witnessed, such as our World’s Greatest Shave fundraising drive and the warm hospitality extended to our visitors from Gojo. But I have been equally moved by the smaller, everyday gestures – like a Senior School student taking a moment to ask me how I was going during a visit to her House Tutor last week. Simple, thoughtful acts of kindness like these have the power to change the course of someone’s day and trigger a ripple effect throughout our community.

The importance of fostering a sense of mattering and belonging – particularly for young people – was reinforced for me recently as I joined the 66 million others who have watched Adolescence on Netflix. For those who have not seen the series, it explores the aftermath of a violent crime that 13-year-old Jamie Miller is accused of committing. So what is it about this show that has resonated with audiences so deeply and broken streaming records around the world? Aside from being gripping to watch, parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson believes the show’s success lies in the fact that – beyond the immediate victims of the crime – it masterfully draws our attention to another victim: childhood itself. 

Dr Coulson notes that, like so many children his age, Jamie is struggling to navigate the “toxic ecosystem” that lies hidden beneath social media apps. It is an unfiltered, adult world that imposes unrealistic standards on young minds – in Jamie’s case, fuelling self-consciousness, shame and isolation, which manifest as anger, radicalisation and violence. However, despite its adult nature, this world remains beyond the full comprehension of many adults. Adolescence portrays this disconnect by depicting how the young characters’ online interactions are distilled into a coded emoji language, masking harmful social dynamics such as bullying and misogyny that can spill over into the real world. 

One moment in the series that has stayed with me is the scene where Jamie’s parents lament their mistaken belief that as long as he was in his room, he was safe – realising too late the dangers he was exposed to under their own roof. Given that most online interactions take place at home, Adolescence serves as a powerful reminder of the need to actively engage with our children’s digital activities, in addition to prioritising face-to-face family interactions and partnering with school staff to support their wellbeing.

The show also highlights our role as parents and educators in helping young people to establish healthy connections in the real world. I believe a deep and genuine sense of belonging is one of the most powerful safeguards we can offer our children. This is something we are deeply committed to fostering at Girton – through dedicated SEL instruction, a structured wellbeing framework and meaningful opportunities for student voice and leadership, alongside a full calendar of enriching experiences each term. And in addition to the various parenting seminars we offer each year, we are continuing to develop new ways to partner with families in navigating key parenting challenges. I look forward to sharing one such initiative with you in the coming months. 

One of the most valuable ways to foster partnerships between parents and educators is through our parent-teacher conferences. And this year, in response to valuable feedback from staff and families, I am pleased to let you know that we are adopting a new format for our Senior School conferences. More details will be communicated shortly, but for now please note the updated conference dates of 14 and 21 May. I also wanted to remind you that our Foundation Day Service will be held on Friday 9 May from 6pm to 7pm. As a significant cultural event for our school, attendance is compulsory for all students in Years 3 to 12, so we appreciate you taking the opportunity to ensure your children’s schedules are arranged accordingly. More details about the service can be found later in this edition of eLink, and all major events are included in our list of important dates for Term 2.

As our first term of 2025 draws to a close, I wanted to extend my deepest thanks to you – our parents and carers – for the vital role you play in fostering a culture of mattering, both within our school and within your homes. Your partnership and participation in life at Girton are invaluable in creating a safe, supportive and enriching environment for our students. I hope the upcoming term break provides a valuable opportunity for togetherness, and I look forward to welcoming you back for Term 2 at Girton. 

Dr Emma O’Rielly

Principal