The sun has been shining, the grounds look stunning and school feels complete again as we welcomed new and returning students to Canons for the start of a new academic year.
Friday (31 August) marked a very special day in the 173-year history of the school as we welcomed our 10th Headmistress, Vicky Bingham to Canons, Vicky joined all our new staff joiners for a new staff induction day. On her first day at NLCS, Vicky said:
“I am delighted to be joining NLCS, a remarkable school with a proud intellectual tradition and a history of educating women of influence and impact. I was delighted to witness during New Staff Induction sessions today just how committed the school is to fostering a lifelong love of learning and to providing a vibrant enrichment programme. I am very much looking forward to meeting more colleagues and pupils next week. It certainly seems that there will be no shortage of talent and ideas to support me in leading this inspiring community.”
On Monday and Tuesday, all staff members returned to NLCS from the summer break for the first of two INSET days, kicking off the new term. After a wonderful breakfast from the fantastic catering team, new Headmistress, Vicky Bingham welcomed staff back to Canons.
It was a busy two days as staff immersed themselves in a variety of workshops and sessions, including an AS Steer pastoral training session led by Head of Sixth Form, Benjamin Tosh and a Teaching and Learning session on academic courage, curiosity and conversation led by Vicky Bingham and Deputy Head, Academic, Jess Bedi. The day closed with a chance for all staff to enjoy the weather with refreshments on the terraces.
On Wednesday we were delight to welcome new and returning students to NLCS as they took part in their Orientation Days.
Our students had a great time touring the school, enjoying a delicious lunch, and participating in “getting to know you” activities in our beautiful, sunny grounds.
Following inductions to our Sixth Form study centre and library, our older students learnt about the opportunities available to them in our vibrant co-curricular and academic enrichment programmes, featuring myriad societies; many led by the students themselves, student magazines and journals they can join and an extensive variety of sports activities to immerse themselves in, from yoga and cheerleading to rugby and lacrosse.
On Thursday, girls were treated to a warm welcome as members of staff were on hand to greet them as they arrived at the school gates as all year groups returned to Canons for the start of the academic year.
After arriving, girls in the Senior School were officially welcomed back by Headmistress Vicky Bingham as she delivered her first assembly, sharing stories about women who have inspired, impacted and shaped her life. Mrs Bingham spoke passionately about Mary Beard, Classicist and Historian, Mishal Hussain, BBC Radio 4 Presenter and Journalist, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Lawyer and Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. She concluded her assembly by encouraging all our girls to inspire, support, and look out for one another, ensuring each student at NLCS can impact and shape their peers.
Students in Years 11, 12 and 13 were then privileged to hear from our Senior Societies keynote lecturer, Katie Perrior, who in 2016 became the first female Director of Communications at 10 Downing Street. During her lecture entitled, ‘What would you do if you were not afraid?’, Katie spoke about having courage, being confident and resilient and not being afraid to make mistakes. Following her talk, students had the opportunity to ask Katie questions, and she shared stories of her time working for Theresa May and Boris Johnson and offered her opinion on the current political landscape.
The week ended with students getting stuck into lessons, continuing to make new friends as our Year 7 and 8 pupils enjoyed a buddy lunch. There was also a chance to make the most of the glorious weather with many girls opting to try out the new table tennis tables that have been very generously donated by a current parent
