Miss Hamalis, Head of the Junior School, writes about what the Junior School is doing to celebrate both International Women’s Day and World Book Day. Read on to find out more...

We are committed to nurturing confidence, ambition and resilience in our pupils, empowering them to embrace every opportunity and challenge with enthusiasm. As part of this, we are delighted to celebrate International Women’s Day this week, a global occasion to recognise the achievements of women and continue the conversation about gender equality.

As a girls’ school, this day holds particular significance. It is a chance to affirm to our pupils that their voices matter, their aspirations are limitless and their potential is boundless. History has shown that when girls are given the tools, encouragement and opportunities to lead, innovate and advocate for change, they transform communities and shape the future. International Women’s Day is not only about celebrating progress but also about acknowledging the work that still needs to be done to ensure every girl, everywhere, has the freedom to pursue her ambitions without limitation.

This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ highlights the urgency of creating opportunities for all girls to thrive. In assembly, the girls will engage in discussion that showcases the contributions of inspirational women, past and present, encouraging them to reflect on the role they, too, can play in shaping the future. To support these discussions, they will explore the International Women’s Day film on gender equality, which addresses inequalities both in the UK and worldwide while celebrating women’s achievements. 

One of the exciting ways we are marking International Women’s Day is by participating in the Biggest Ever Football Session 2025 on Friday 7 March. This initiative aims to inspire the next generation of female footballers by encouraging as many girls as possible to play football on the same day. This event is about more than sport; it’s about confidence, teamwork and breaking down barriers. By stepping onto the pitch, the girls are making a statement: that they belong in every space, whether in sport, leadership, science, the arts or any field they choose to pursue.

We are also looking forward to celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 6 March, which will feature a variety of exciting activities to celebrate the magic of books. The day will begin with an assembly highlighting the importance of reading. The girls are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite book character for a costume parade on the MUGA.

Both International Women’s Day and World Book Day reflect our school’s ethos of ‘Girls enjoying success’, whether through sport, storytelling or striving for change.