Miss Hamalis, Head of the Junior School, tells us what the girls have been getting up to at the Junior School.

It’s certainly the season to be jolly, with festivities in full swing and the joyful sound of music echoing through every corner of the building!

Our celebrations began...with a magical performance by the Reception girls, who brought Allan Ahlberg’s beloved book ‘The Jolly Postman’ to life with confidence and enthusiasm. Complete with original songs composed by the talented Mrs Munro (Head of Music), this enchanting production was a heartwarming showcase of teamwork, gratitude and the joy of spending time together during this festive season. A special mention must go to our Year 4 – 6 Performing Arts Leaders, whose narrated projections added an extra touch of magic to the performance. A huge thank you to Mrs Lynch (Drama Lead), Mrs Munro (Head of Music), Mr Maliphant-Gray (Theatre Manager), Mrs Maliphant-Gray and the Reception Team for creating such a spectacular show.

[Then] we were whisked away to the spellbinding world of Hogwarts for the Channing Association’s (CA) dazzling Winter Fair! The air buzzed with excitement as the girls dived into an array of Harry Potter-themed activities. They brewed magical potions, aimed quaffles and bludgers through Quidditch hoops, hunted for hidden snitches and even had the thrill of holding real owls! Visits to Father Christmas, bumper cars, bouncing bronco reindeer and bouncy castles added to the festive fun, while irresistible treats from the Three Broomsticks Café kept everyone energised for more adventure. A huge thank you to the CA for creating such an unforgettable experience. It truly felt like stepping into the pages of a Harry Potter book!  

A highlight for me this term has been meeting weekly with our wonderful Year 6 Head Girls, Suhanna and Matilda. Last week, they decorated our Christmas trees beautifully, and I’m particularly proud of their podcast episode for our ‘Chatting with Channing’ series. In this brilliant instalment, they share their journey through the Junior School, favourite memories and reflections on the friendships and traditions that make our School so special. You can listen to their episode on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Channing Website. 

Finally...Year 5 delivered a truly ‘spacetacular’ assembly titled ‘The Super Spacetastic Space Show.’ Their dazzling performance transported us on a cosmic journey, recounting historic space explorations, sharing fascinating planetary facts and delivering stellar musical performances. The girls’ creativity, confidence and enthusiasm shone brightly, reminding us all of the power of curiosity, teamwork and the limitless possibilities when we reach for the stars. Well done, Year 5 – you’ve left us all starstruck!