There are few things we love more at Annemount than welcoming back a former pupil, and last week we had the joy of doing exactly that. An Annemount pupil who began her school journey with us as one of our youngest children, came back through our doors to say hello, all grown up at sixteen.

These days, she lives on the other side of the world, on Queensland’s Gold Coast in Australia, so it was a real delight to see her again and to hear how she is getting on.

What touched us most was how vividly and fondly she remembered her time here. She spoke with such warmth about her classes, her teachers and all the activities she took part in, describing the happy memories that have stayed with her over the years. She told us that her early days at Annemount set her up wonderfully for the school life and future she is enjoying now, which is, quite simply, everything we hope for every child who starts with us.

Perhaps our favourite moment of all: what she has kept her reception work to this very day. That a piece of work from her earliest years at school still means enough to hold on to says everything about the happy start we hope to give our children, a foundation of confidence, curiosity and joy that lasts long after they have moved on.

It was a privilege to spend time with our former pupil and to see the confident, thoughtful young person she has become. We wish her every happiness and success in Australia and beyond, and our door is always open. Thank you for coming home to see us.