I can very well remember my first day at Russell House, as I walked into Transition as a shy, introverted four year old feeling very nervous. However, it was a nice, warm day and we played fun games outside, my nerves disappeared and I quickly felt very welcome and at home. Because of the nurturing family feel every day after that, I have always entered the school excited to see what the day has to offer and I feel just simply...HAPPY! 

I have loved learning here at Russell House, which has very much been encouraged by all the amazing teachers we have enjoyed. From the thrilling dissections of a lamb’s heart in Science with Mrs Carn, to the dynamic teaching in maths with Mrs G’s dancing and Mrs Knight’s stories. Expressing myself in music concerts and drama, the diversity in sport and even challenging the boys in chess! All our classes have been taught with great enthusiasm that it has been hard not to get hooked by everything on offer.

One of the best days at Russell House must  surely have been the day after the 11+ when we went to Chessington. Seeing Mr McCarthy’s face on Dragon’s Fury, was a picture!

The school trip to France was another highlight of life at Russell House, with many belly laughs from when Sammy pushed me off the paddle board, sharing stories in our pods after lights out with my friends and of course, visiting beautiful Paris together. 

I couldn’t honestly have asked for a nicer class. Even though we are all very different, we have supported each other through good and bad times and learnt a lot along the way. I have hopefully made lifelong friendships and I feel proud to have been part of this class and to have been the School’s Head Girl.

My philosophy in Russell House has been that in order to achieve well in school and life, you need to take every opportunity given to you and use it to your full potential. This way your rewards will come back tenfold.

Now, of course, not everything at school has come easy. The time leading up to the 11+ exam was definitely not much fun for the pupils and parents alike, but as Mrs G would say: “it’s just a little hurdle to get over”. This we did and we see now, at the end of Form 7, how much we have flourished and have such amazing confidence. Our true colours have been revealed and we are now ready and excited about secondary school. 

My philosophy in Russell House has been that in order to achieve well in school and life, you need to take every opportunity given to you and use it to your full potential. This way your rewards will come back tenfold. Mrs Reay and Mrs Bannister were amazing in the lead up to our Pocahontas production which made a perfect ending to our time here. It’s so nice to end on a high and I hope you all felt goosebumps like I did. 

Finally, on behalf of the entire Form 7,  I would like to thank all the teachers here at Russell House. They have given all of us fantastic experiences that we can build on from here at our secondary schools and probably the rest of our lives. 

The teachers have given all of us fantastic experiences that we can build on at our secondary schools and probably the rest of our lives.