Dear Parents, Guardians and Friends
The school site had lots of work done to it over the summer holidays, with the last of the scaffolding being removed over the last few days.
The work includes long awaited repairs on the hall and café roofs, replacement fire doors throughout the school, a brand-new computer room in the 6th form block for lessons for the main school and a new full computer room in the humanities block. The latter one being the amalgamation of two “half suites” to make one full suite and one full classroom…….and finally four new boilers!
I would like to say a massive thank you to Corey Gilbert, our operations and estates director and his team Michelle Smith, Ben Phillips, Jake Giles and CJ Barnard for all their work on the site over the summer.
Work was also completed on a brand-new science lab. We were able to make this lab conversion thanks to the generosity of Regina Wilkinson, who left us a significant sum of money on her Will back in 2024. Regina was a former “Holt girl” back in the 40s. We even managed to find her in an old school photo in our archives! Regina loved The Holt and in particular science, so it seemed like a great tribute to her to use her money to create an additional science lab. Although the lab is already up and running, we are planning to hold a special opening ceremony to acknowledge her kind contribution to The Holt.
On the subject of kind contributions to the Holt, I will make a plug for the school’s Holt Association. Linda Carroll, a former member of Holt staff is the chair of The Holt Association. The Holt Association work very hard to bring together former students and staff to share their fond memories of The Holt at their twice-yearly reunion lunches. The next one takes place on Saturday 4th October at 12.30pm for a 1pm start. There is a buffet lunch, a raffle, a tour of the school for old times’ sake and the chance to have a great catch up with old friends.
The Holt Association raise a lot of money for the school. This is through the raffles and membership fees, but also through the running of the second-hand uniform shop, both online and at in-person opportunities. Some of our members have also donated to the school in return for a plaque on a bench, which is a lovely idea.
Linda and her team also run the Krispie Crème Doughnut sale which is happening in December……..look out for this after half term, and again in May. The members also give up their time to attend events in school and give talks. For example, Linda, and Steve Thomas also a former member of staff presented to all of Year 7 on their first day the history of the Houses!
We really couldn’t manage being without The Holt Association. If you are a former student of The Holt, however old or indeed young you are, or if your neighbour, aunt, cousin is an ex-Holt girl, then please do make them aware of this event.
Another team we could not manage without is our Friends of The Holt. This team is a group of parents and staff who support the school in raising money all of which comes directly back to us to spend on those “extras” that enhance your daughters’ experience in school. Most recently we have raised money to buy audio-visual equipment, staging, lighting, updated screens, equipment for new classrooms, PE equipment, musical instruments, ipads for the LRC …….a whole variety of things. Our key fundraisers are the Christmas tombola and the summer colour run. For the last couple of years, we have had one parent, Rochelle Wilson, who ran fantastic auctions for us which raised a lot of money.
This year we are looking to raise money for our 2026 production……..which is “Dagenham Girls”.
If you can help us out, either by volunteering at events or making a donation, or even a direct debit, then you can sign up using the letter that was sent out last Thursday.
The extracurricular timetable has now been finalised and is on the website. Students have also been issued a paper copy of it so they can plan their clubs. There are so many over the week; there really is something for everyone. We would love for students take part in at least one club at lunchtime. We choose to have a longer lunch time than most schools because we really value the benefit of taking part in clubs. Please have a look at the clubs with your daughter and encourage her to join one!
Finally, if like me, you are waving a child off this weekend as they start their next exciting steps at university, I wish you safe travels……as you pass the many cars on the various motorways also stuffed to the brim with “stuff” and topped with duvets……remember, this next independent step is what we as parents have trained them for……they have got this…..and if your daughter/son started last weekend, as some did- I hope they have settled well and are enjoying Freshers’………
Mrs Pearce
Co-Headteacher