An Exciting Start to the New Academic Year!

There might have been a few drops of rain, rather than Keats’s ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’, but nothing could dampen the high spirits of our Eaton House The Manor boys and girls as they thronged through the gates for the start of the autumn term.

Excited and ready, classmates rushed to greet each other, smiling and sharing summer stories. Badges were proudly displayed on pressed blazers. Parents waved and smiled in animated greeting, arranging post-summer coffee mornings or meet-ups, many carrying dark green Eaton House umbrellas, with an array of dog breeds on leads at their feet, tails wagging. Parents touching pupils’ cheeks or chins, or granting a brief kiss of farewell, and shouts of ‘good luck!’ as they left. Eaton House The Manor coaches rumbling in from Parsons’ Green, Belgravia and Wandsworth. All in all, business as usual, in this electric and familial community that we are all fortunate enough to enjoy and be a part of.

There is always something special and magical about the fresh September weather of the autumn term. A new page to start. New academic and sporting heights to scale and the promise of a bright future on the horizon. There is always a feeling at the start of term that makes us wonder ‘what will happen next?’

Prep boys clustered chatting, ready to greet Principal and Eaton House Headmistress Mrs Sarah Segrave on the steps by the Georgian pillars. Many shared a brief recollection of their exciting summer memories and all shook her hand, glad to see her again. A number of boys were wearing their smart new striped shirts and ties, and girls had a trouser option for the first time, which made for a lovely crisp start to the year.

In the throng of parents, Mr David Wingfield, Headmaster of the Pre-Prep, greeted all the boys and wished them welcome, especially the youngest boys in their very neat and tidy red and green uniforms and caps.

Mrs Claire Fildes, Headmistress of the Girls’ School warmly greeted all her girls, many with summer boaters still affixed, next to her Deputy, Mrs Kirsten Bond. Many other teachers joined the crowd, all welcoming all their pupils and parents.

This year, children, parents and staff had much to look forward to, the first being the unveiling of the school flag at 12.30pm, which is always a special moment. Boys lined up in rows and gave three cheers to Eaton House as our new Head Boy, Rayan W., proudly unfurled our school flag.

Pupils also came back to a school that was fresh, clean and ready as the Bursar, Mr Liam Corbett, and our Head of Estates, Mr Charlie Kelly, have worked hard to present a fresh face for the autumn term. We will soon be able to unveil a dedicated Wellbeing Hub, where pupils will have access to the Head of Wellbeing and the School Nurse.

Our dedication to the happiness and mental health of our pupils is demonstrated by the fact that we recently learned that we are a finalist in the School House Magazine 2024 Awards in the ‘Mind and Mental Health’ category. The results will be announced in November, so watch this space.

One little boy came prepared with a ‘back to school’ board! He is ‘3.5 years old’, in the Nursery, and loves to ‘count, sing and play’. He has a few diverse ideas about what to be when he grows up, ranging from ‘Astronaut’ to ‘Singer’ – but no doubt will think about many more as he takes the Pre-Prep and Prep school journey. He’s a typical Eaton House pupil, with so many dreams and ideas and the knowledge that anything can happen if you work hard, play to your strengths, show grit and let your star shine. We are all here to help!

As Mrs Segrave said: ‘The first day of term in September is always a special one – new beginnings, empty books and a clean slate! Here’s hoping 2024-5 is a purposeful, successful and happy one for all.’