This week, I began reading ‘Ghost Boys’ with our Year 7 English pupils. An incredible story written from the perspective of a 12-year-old boy living in America, which explores some complex and mature themes. It has been an engaging, inspiring and enjoyable week of study and once again, I have been impressed by just how brilliant our pupils are.  

In the story, one of the most interesting characters is Jerome’s Grandma. In the second chapter, she asks Jerome for ‘Three good things’ – something she does regularly to focus her grandson on optimism, positivity and joy. Grandma, I love it! 

So, this week, I have been celebrating my own ‘three good things’ – the simple things which have brought me joy at Pennthorpe this week:  

  1. Overhearing a younger child ask Mrs Manvell ‘So are you Mr Marler’s bodyguard’ – no explanation needed, that is the joy of working with children!
  2. Sitting under a table tennis table, I heard a Year 2 pupil say to a younger Nursery child ‘Would you like to play with us? We can tell you the rules, it’s a fun game’ – kindness, community and leadership epitomised in one simple moment 
  3. Walking through the woodlands as a whole school and all turning round to shout a surprise ‘thank you!’ to the Estates team for all their work on the wonderful new Forest School Outdoor Classroom. Seeing children appreciate the efforts of others is a wonderful thing. Gratitude is often described as the ‘memory of the heart’ – and I love that we instil that here at Pennthorpe.  

If you get the chance this weekend, why not set your children (or even yourselves) the task of naming three good things – it is a wonderful thing to consider.  

I also had the pleasure of receiving many entries to the ‘tolerance poster’ competition and now have the tough task of choosing a winner! Thank you to everyone who encouraged their children at home – I will share a photo of the latest office masterpiece, next week! 

We had a very positive set of interviews for the role of Assistant Head of Pastoral Care, and I will write to you all next week with an update, alongside an announcement of our new Head of English for September 2026. I am aware these appointments have taken some time, but I am pleased that we have remained focused on what is important; recruiting the right staff for your children based on quality teaching, educational values and cultural fit. It is wonderful to see the staff growing and subject specialist provision strengthening, as we look towards the new academic year.   

This week, we celebrated the internal opening of the new Forest School area, with the children each creating part of the sentence ‘We are the Pennthorpe Forest and Farm Founders 2026!’ using completely natural resources found in the woods. The whole school took part on Wednesday morning, and I look forward to sharing a video of the process and the outcome, at our Forest and Farm Grand Opening Event on Saturday 9th May. We are also welcoming external families to join us at this event, so if you know anyone who might like to come and see Pennthorpe for the first time, please do share this flyer. 

Finally, I had the pleasure of ending my week at Afternoon Tea with the Class Reps and Friends of Pennthorpe Committee. I would like to thank all those who attended – not only for coming along and sharing feedback on behalf of the parent body, but for the vital role they play as a crucial point of communication between the school and the families of Pennthorpe.