This is the 16th end-of-year break-up that I have experienced in my career, and every single one has been emotional, but this one hits differently.
It is strange; as a teacher (and I am sure as a parent), you are always aware of how many weeks until the next school holiday. Teaching is full on; your brain never really switches off – or maybe this is just something I need to work on. So, when the holidays near, you count down to them and when they arrive, you are ready. But at the same time, when something is such a massive part of your life, every single day for the best part of 10 months, like Pennthorpe is, you know that you will miss it. Not only does the summer mark seven weeks off school, away from Pennthorpe, it also marks the end of a chapter for some Pennthorpe families, and I am rubbish at goodbyes. Seeing children, families and staff, who have been such a special part of this community, walk out of the gates for the final time is tough and I know from drop off this morning, you feel it too.
So, rather than focus on the sad side of saying goodbye (which I now pretty much simply refuse to do), I want to share a quote from a card I received this week. This is from a pupil who leaves us today having spent three years as part of the Pennthorpe community. It really does encapsulate what we do here, what we really are ‘all about’. I have not edited this, it is his voice and the message is clear:
“Pennthorpe is a family, and although I have only been here for a short amount of time, it feels like I am part of it. When I first came to Pennthorpe, I was not reaching my potential, but Pennthorpe changed all of that. Pennthorpe has supported me and believed in me and now, I am thriving because of it. I will be so sad to leave but I wanted to write this to tell you, it will always have a special place in my heart. I could talk for hours about what you and the community have done for me, but put simply, I will thoroughly miss this school.”
I have lots of moments of pride when it comes to our school, but reading cards like this makes me realise just how incredible Pennthorpe is; messages and feelings like this are not rare. This is what Pennthorpe creates in you. We really do change lives.
I must specifically mention our Year 8 pupils who enjoyed their Pizza Prom last night. And if I wasn’t already feeling emotional about the end of term, last night certainly sealed my fate. Our Year 8s have always been an incredible demonstration of what Pennthorpe is, and this year is no different. I am so proud of them and as they go on to their senior schools (with a quite incredible array of scholarships, by the way), I know that they will continue to make us proud.
So, if your child is leaving us today for the final time, thank you. Thank you for entrusting us with the most precious thing in the world, thank you for letting us be a part of their journey and thank you for being a part of ours. And remember, once a Pennthorpian, always a Pennthorpian! Stay in touch.
But rather than simply an ending, today also marks the start of something new; today represents welcoming in a new era for Pennthorpe. Next time you walk back through these gates, it will be to lots of new pupils and staff. It will be to the first full year as part of the Hurst family of schools and it will be the first term under our new strategic vision. You will be walking into a school built around the principles of Growth. Ambition. Excellence. And I can’t wait.
This year has been incredible, and I can genuinely say that these two terms have been the busiest professional months of my career, but by some distance, they have also been the most enjoyable and by far the most rewarding.
I do not want to repeat much of what I said to you at the recent Early Years and Year 1-8 Prize Giving events, but I feel it necessary to state in writing, one more time, how incredible your children are. This school is what it is, because of them.
So, as we look towards September and beyond, I do so with enormous optimism. Not because of our grounds or facilities, not because of buildings or a strategy, but because of the people I have the privilege of taking these next steps with; you, the staff and your children.
Pennthorpe’s future will be written by children who are brave enough to dream, staff who care deeply enough to go the extra mile and parents who believe in what we are building together. The foundations are strong; the direction is clear and the opportunities ahead of us are extraordinary. We are not simply preparing children for the future; together, we are creating it. Thank you for being part of this journey, thank you for believing in our vision and thank you for helping us build something truly special.
To our leavers; good luck and thank you; we will miss you and please do know, this school will always be a part of you, and you will always be a part of Pennthorpe.
To those of you, like me, looking forward to returning to Pennthorpe in September, remember this; although Pennthorpe has achieved so much already, our greatest days area head of us. Let’s go and make them happen!
