The building has been ringing with learning, laughter and visitors over the last two weeks. Monday 23rd September was an exceptional evening for the School on so many levels. The launch of our treasured new publication, ‘Through the door of Wetherby-Pembridge’ is a beautiful memento of our history, journey and educational philosophy in New York. Whilst it celebrates our British heritage and curriculum, it is a marked tribute to our local community partners and the Carnegie Hill area where the School resides. It is hard to believe it was two years ago when we hosted the Grand Opening in 2017 and it is most inspiring to observe how far the School has come in such a short period of time.
The publication includes reflections from myself as Founding Head and from the Heads of our Wetherby Group of schools and Pembridge Hall in London. It refers to the philosophy of a British Education, with its focus on breadth, depth and balance and mastery and differentiation. There is an additional section on the focus we give to nurturing the whole child and the care we give each individual. As ever, we look to achieving high standards and mention is made of the Alpha Plus Group, the Gold Standard we all adhere to and the Governance cycle and process, which makes our school so unique here in New York. The Wetherbridge Way is celebrated within its local Carnegie Hill heritage and is a beautiful tribute to the School and its community.
Two key educational figures were missing when we officially opened, and I was delighted to finally share this occasion with them in 2019. We were joined by Nick Baker, Headmaster of Wetherby Prep and Henry Keighley-Elstub, Headmaster of Pembridge Hall. We have all worked closely together as colleagues in London and have learnt much from each other over the years. I am indebted for their support and advice and much of what we have built here in New York is testimony to shared best practice from our two hallowed London schools. I was delighted to show them both the school and for them to meet you all. At the tribute assembly we held on Tuesday, Mr. Baker even signed and stamped a few Grade 2 books with Headmaster’s Good Shows. These names will be read out in the weekly Friday WPS assembly in Marylebone in London and will feature in their Newsletter this week. If there is one characteristic, we all share as Heads, it is the positive affirmation we give to talent and achievement, so key to the confident growth of each child entrusted to our care.
Mark Hanley-Browne made his annual visit to the School and made further reference to our planned expansion and the Wetherby-Pembridge Foundation – watch this space, as it looks set to be another exciting year for the School. My heartfelt thanks are extended once again to Emma Espin, Liz Francis and Rossella Proscia for their support and leadership. The book is a masterpiece and the final product of hours of hard work, creative design, text and language challenges, editing and quality control. It reflects both our brand and high standards and the commitment we all share to making educational connections and building memories and community across the Group on both sides of the Atlantic.
If you have not read the book yet, please do collect one from Reception – it is lovely and will look stunning on your coffee table at home! Thank you to all of you who turned up on such form on Monday – we thoroughly enjoyed your company.
