Empowerment has been the overarching theme for this weeks’ focus on wellbeing. Kamala Harris is one the role models that offers inspiration to our future leaders and changemakers and her story has been shared as part of the inspirational reflections of this week.

Closer to home, we were enthralled by members of the Senior School who gave their time to share their stories about personal achievements and challenges they have faced in a Felsted Talks forum. Children across the Prep school have been inspired by these role models and have been able to reflect on how personal growth is directly linked to wellbeing.

Returning from a Heads conference that invited 1200 headteachers from international and state settings as well as HMC and IAPS member schools, I wanted to share one of my personal highlights ...

I am not ashamed to admit to being a little star struck after hearing Baroness Tanni Grey Thompon DBE speak in person of her time at school and how she overcame assumptions, challenges and almost impossible obstacles to achieve her goals. Her father told her that ‘education gives you choices,’ and she has held on to those words throughout her life. 

‘I get to be part of the system that brings about change,’ describes her tireless work at the House of Commons in the field of changing policy for a range of areas that include amongst others; disability rights, education, public transport and employment and training.

She ended her talk with her family motto: ‘Aim high … even if you hit a cabbage!’

I know that the children of Felsted aim high everyday. There may be a few stumbling blocks and maybe even a couple of ‘cabbages’ on the way but the commitment remains the same. Mr Fincher and I will be meeting our Year 8 pupils this week and next at the start of their leadership journeys and I look forward to sharing the changes they will bring to the school in their term of office.  

With warm wishes to all our Felsted families,

Miranda Norris