Welcome to the start of the new school year! 2020 is a special year for Lowther Hall as we celebrate the school’s centenary – and it is interesting to think that 100 years ago, at the beginning of the 1920 school year, the very first cohort of Lowther Hall students would have gathered for their first assembly, with their Principal, Miss Florence Hutton, with many of the same hopes for the year ahead that our girls might have as they have commenced this week: academic hopes, hopes of happy days with friends and supportive teachers and hopes of involvement in school life that set up meaningful participation in the post-school, adult world. Our girls are part of a tradition that we can all be justly proud of and I am delighted to be commencing this new, centenary, year them.

At the Years 2 – 12 assembly on Wednesday we had the opportunity to welcome our many new students and new staff and to present them with a Lowther Hall Teddy Bear as a sign of connection to our community. The girls were in fine voice as they sang our School Song with great enthusiasm and their delight to be back and to see their friends and teachers was palpable. It has also been joyous to see our new Kindergarten and Prep girls arrive and settle in, with many photos of the “first day” being taken!

While the girls have been on their Summer break, there has been plenty happening at the School. Over the last few weeks the staff have been busy preparing for the return of the girls and planning learning experiences for them that I am confident they will find engaging and enjoyable. In addition, the buildings and grounds have been cleaned, tidied, freshened and refurnished where needed and new lighting has been installed through Raymond House. I am sure you will agree that our gardeners have done a wonderful job with the external areas once again, with the 2 lawns looking fantastic and the garden beds thriving. I would particularly like to thank our Facilities Manager, Mr David Borg, and their his team, for an incredible effort over the Christmas period. 

Our Parents and Friends’ Association Committee have already had their first meeting for the term and planning is well underway for the various events that they are hosting through the year. I hope that many of you will be able to engage with these – and with the many centenary events that are being held. The first of our significant centenary events is the book launch and garden party, which is taking place on Friday 28 February. I do hope that you will join me to not only launch our newly commissioned history of the School, but also to launch us into the 2020 year! This is a great event for parents to come to, where you can meet other parents and exchange advice, experiences and conviviality. I do hope to see you there. 

Thank you for all you have done to prepare your girls for a positive start this year. It was a challenging summer for many, but as usual, our girls have returned with optimism and focus. I am sure it will be a wonderful term. 

Ms Elisabeth Rhodes
Principal