Headmaster’s Notes: Celebrating the real architects

In between the inspiring trips, music recitals, public speaking competitions, academic lessons, sports matches, book fairs and tea-time music concerts this week, we took time to mark International Women’s Day and chart progress made since women got the vote around a century ago – but recognising that there is still much work to do. It seems incredible that, despite women leaving higher education and entering the workplace in similar numbers to men for 20 years, they still make up only around 5% of top leaders.

Whilst leaders reflect on why it is taking so long to achieve parity at the top we focus on how we can get there and making sure our girls (and boys, of course) are unhindered, leaving Prince’s Mead with a vision of a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. I am fortunate to be surrounded by some excellent leaders and role models at Prince’s Mead in this respect.

On the theme of inspirational women, my warmest of congratulations to Matron who has learnt that she is about to receive the Mayor of Winchester’s coveted Community Award for service to the people of Winchester. The award honours those individuals who, year in and year out, undertake tremendous work on behalf of the community. We know how much she makes your children’s lives brighter, happier and enriching such is her service to Prince’s Mead. Mrs Field, too, has been recognised this month – as a leading lady of Hampshire – by Hampshire Life magazine in her senior leadership role at Prince’s Mead, ensuring innovation and learning is at the heart of everything we do. I know there are many more inspiring women behind the scenes and outstanding role models to our girls and boys. This week, we celebrate them all – the teachers, sports staff, mothers, leaders, support staff, drivers, grandmothers and aunties that make a most phenomenal contribution to making Prince’s Mead the powerhouse that it is. I take my hat off to them all.

Mr Peter Thacker