The Becoming

Last week, we welcomed back some of our former pupils who left South Hampstead over 65 years ago. Their reflections and observations reminded me of the visceral ways in which many of us recall our school days – powerful sensory recollections that stay with us, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia.

I was very fortunate to experience a wonderful education which laid the foundation for the role I am fulfilling today. These deeply happy memories are also combined with recollections of the intensity of experience during the teenage years; that ability to feel so deeply and keenly of course remains with us in adulthood, but is tempered by experience, wisdom and greater capacity for empathy. I can vividly recall my own sense of outrage at being given a stern reprimand for allegedly smiling during a PSHE talk, which seemed rather harsh (I fully recognise the overtones of my Hermione Granger traits as I write…!) I also remember the deep sense of elation from pursuing my passions, whether creative writing or dashing to sports activities; I was rarely to be seen without some form of sports equipment in my hand. Above all, I recall a sense of flourishing, expanding confidence and a delight in my school experience. If it sounds halcyon that is because in many ways it was; but I also feel that perhaps there was insufficient reflection on the challenges we were going to face in the future as women and ways to overcome them.

Perhaps there was insufficient reflection on the challenges we were going to face as women and ways to overcome them.

Our alumnae who left school in the 1950s and 60s recalled many different memories, but a theme which emerged was some sadness about the prevailing social and cultural attitudes of the time, which meant that their professional choices as women felt limited, despite the superb education that they received. Of course, many of them also recounted their deep sense of pride at having challenged those stereotypes and forged their careers with great success. Their stories led me to recall a quotation from Rose Tremain’s novel, Absolutely and Forever, where she explores the challenges of coming of age with beautiful clarity. The book is set in the same era as when our visiting alumnae were at school and implicitly addresses the barriers that existed for women at that time. Reflecting on the challenges faced by the novel’s female protagonist, when trying to determine the direction she wants her life to take whilst on the cusp of adulthood, the narrator observes that ‘becoming was just too hard.’

One of the most inspirational aspects of my role is the fact that it enables me to do everything in my power to ensure that ‘the becoming’ – the gradual growth towards adulthood for our girls – is as holistic, uplifting, intellectually stretching and rich in experience as we can make it. We seek to do this in partnership with you as their parents, laying the foundation for what we very much hope will be future lives characterised by happiness, fulfilment, a profound sense of purpose and a deep-rooted capacity for self-belief.

The gradual growth towards adulthood for our girls is as holistic, uplifting, intellectually stretching and rich in experience as we can make it.

Our latest pastoral spotlight blog post, reflecting on the power of sport to support girls’ wellbeing, captures one of the many elements of this holistic approach to education. The final weeks of the summer term promise to be replete with House events, concerts, performances, day trips, social action initiatives and end of year celebrations – some of the many joyful opportunities that characterise a South Hampstead education today, as we help to set our students on their own unique paths to success. As our Class of 2025 students leave us this summer, I very much hope they will return to their equivalent alumnae events in years to come.

I have every faith that this generation – equipped with a sense of purpose, determination and confidence to compete on the biggest of stages – will go on to forge diverse and exciting futures. We will have to await their reflections on life in another 65 years from now, when they are in their eighties. One thing I know for sure is that, when the 2090 reunion happens, the Head will feel the same sense of pride, emotion and respect as I felt when meeting our former pupils last week.