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New head hopes to be a stone cold success
12-113 10/2/2012 Sarah Bourn is the new head teacher at South Hill School, Hemel Hempstead
THE new headteacher at South Hill School has asked everyone to write their name on a pebble to symbolise their part in the community.
All the stones are collected in a bowl and when anyone leaves they can take their pebble with them, so a part of the school stays with them forever.
Sarah Bourn says the strong sense of community at the Heath Lane school was what attracted her to the job.
“It’s a very warm environment. All the staff and governors really go over and above to create a really good community feel,” she said.
“All the children and individuals in the school have all written their name on a pebble with their date of birth and the day they started, so we can remember anyone in the school community.
“When anyone leaves they can take their pebble away to take part of the school community.”
The school was rated ‘good’ in its last Ofsted report in 2010 and Sarah hopes to build on this, introducing creativity into the curriculum, focusing on character-building and tying into events like the Olympics.
“It’s about giving the very best education to the children so they are able to achieve ultimately,” she said.
“But it’s also about building character and making sure the children are good citizens now and in the future.”
She says two children choose the songs for assembly.
“Children here love singing,” she said. “Performance is a big thing. It’s important to give people confidence and high self esteem.”
Sarah, 46, lives in Mill Hill and was previously headteacher at a number of schools in London. In her spare time she likes the theatre and playing netball.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
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