Miss Dina Hamalis, Head of the Junior School, writes to parents in her weekly Bulletin about the importance of perseverance. Read on to find out more...

At the Junior School, we are committed to nurturing not only academic excellence but also the character and mindset that will serve the girls throughout their lives. One of the most valuable traits we can instil in them is perseverance – the ability to keep going despite challenges, setbacks or difficulties.

As part of our bespoke Character Education Programme, the much-loved Perseverance Squirrel is a familiar figure who reminds the girls that success isn’t about getting things right the first time, but about embracing challenges, learning from mistakes and persisting even when things feel tough. Through classroom discussions, assemblies and daily learning experiences, we inspire the girls to develop a ‘can-do’ attitude, approach setbacks with confidence and recognise that effort is the key to mastery.

Teaching perseverance is so important because it helps the girls to:

• Develop confidence in their own abilities.
• Approach new experiences with curiosity rather than fear (just like Curiosity Fox).
• Manage frustration and setbacks in a healthy and constructive way.
• Build the stamina and determination necessary for long-term success and fulfilment.

In an assembly we explored the journeys of some well-known figures who have demonstrated remarkable perseverance:

• Lionel Messi – Diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child, Messi overcame financial and physical challenges to become one of the greatest footballers in history. His dedication, resilience and unwavering commitment to his craft exemplify the power of perseverance.
• J.K. Rowling – Before achieving worldwide success with ‘Harry Potter’, Rowling faced multiple rejections from publishers and personal hardships. However, her determination and belief in her story led her to become one of the most successful authors of all time.
• Michael Jordan – Cut from his high school basketball team, Jordan used this setback as motivation to work harder. His perseverance and relentless drive helped him become an icon in the sport, proving that failure is just a stepping stone to success.
• Emily Blunt – As a child, Blunt struggled with a debilitating stammer that made speaking difficult. Through perseverance and practice, she overcame this challenge and went on to become an award-winning actress, demonstrating that obstacles can be overcome with resilience and effort.
• Walt Disney – Before creating the global entertainment empire that bears his name, Disney faced numerous failures, including being fired from a newspaper for “lacking creativity” and experiencing multiple business setbacks. His perseverance, vision and persistent pursuit of his dreams ultimately led to the creation of some of the most beloved films and theme parks in history, inspiring generations worldwide.

We are delighted that our commitment to fostering resilience, confidence and a love of learning has been recognised in the latest Good Schools Guide review, which is now live on our website. Both the Junior and Senior School received glowing praise, with particular emphasis on our strong sense of community, inclusivity and pastoral care. We were thrilled to see the reviewer highlight that: “ ‘Fearless’ teaching and learning, encouraging girls to step out of their comfort zone and be ‘10 percent braver,’ is reaping academic rewards.” These independent and comprehensive reviews truly affirm our mission to empower girls to become kind, confident and articulate young women who are ready for life’s challenges. As one parent beautifully shared in the review: “We couldn’t have given them a better start” (thank you, whoever you are!).

You can read both reviews in full here: Good Schools Guide ~ Channing School.