STARTING SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER:
EDUCATION
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
STARTING SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER:
FOR THE DREAMERS RAISING BRAVE LITTLE GIRLS
WORDS BY GILLIAN PANTON, HEAD OF PREP, SYDENHAM HIGH SCHOOL GDST
I
still remember it – that September morning, my daughter’ s small hand, sticky with jam and nervousness, slipping into mine. Her proudly buttoned school cardigan, slightly wonky bow and lovingly polished shoes were all testament to a milestone not just for her, but for us. That first day of school is a memory in the making, and if you’ re reading this, chances are you’ re about to create your own. This is for every ambitious, loving, overthinking parent sending their daughter off to school in September. You want to raise a girl who is kind, curious, strong, joyful and brave, but never hardened. You want her to be smart but still find wonder in the everyday, to love learning, and more than anything else, to be happy.
The Myth of‘ Ready’ Let’ s be honest, no child is perfectly ready for school and that’ s fine. Readiness isn’ t a finish line, it’ s a mindset that develops over time. What truly matters is her emotional toolkit. Can she persevere after a setback? Can she wait her turn, ask for help, or confidently say hello? These small yet mighty abilities form the bedrock for classroom confidence. As Dr. Steve Biddulph notes in Raising Girls, emotional security and a sense of belonging are crucial. Girls who feel safe and valued are more likely to take learning risks, speak up and stretch themselves. So, before phonics and number bonds, give her the gift of connection: play, laugh and let her ask‘ why?’ a hundred times.
Your Daughter is Not a Project Your daughter is a person to be delighted in, not perfected. If she can’ t write her name neatly or gets distracted by a butterfly, that’ s exactly as it should be. What she needs is not to master school before she gets there, but to arrive curious, loved and bursting with questions. At Sydenham High Prep, we’ re ready for her, messy laces, muddled letters and all.
Here are a few simple, human and joyful ways to help your daughter thrive:
Cultivate Her Inner Narrator: Help her tell her own stories. According to Harvard’ s Center on the Developing Child, girls who can name emotions and narrate experiences are more resilient. Practise storytelling at dinner or invent characters to overcome silly hurdles. She’ ll be building a voice that knows how to speak up.
Make Boredom Your Secret Weapon: In a world of instant gratification, children need space to daydream and create their own fun. Let her spend time in the garden with just a stick, or build a fort under the table. Developmental psychologist Dr. Teresa Belton suggests that children who experience boredom are more likely to be imaginative, self-directed learners.
Build Rituals, Not Schedules: A morning checklist is fine, but a morning ritual is magic. A whispered mantra, a secret handshake or a special after-school tea; these rituals provide a sense of control and rhythm, deepening your connection and easing first-day wobbles.
Let Her Hear You Say“ School Is Wonderful”: If you speak about her school with delight and confidence, your daughter will mirror that. If you speak about her in empowered ways, she will begin to see herself through that same confident lens.
The Gift of Girls-Only Education Choosing an all-girl environment is a vote for her voice and self-belief. At Sydenham High Prep, being clever is cool, kindness is strength and girls lead everything from the eco council to the football pitch. Our Culture Curriculum focuses on signature strengths, preparing girls not just for tests, but for life.
A Final Word for You, Dear Parent This September, your little girl will step into something big and beautiful. She’ ll wobble, she’ ll soar and she’ ll fall in love with the world anew. And you? You’ ll be her anchor, her cheerleader, her calm voice. You’ ll be tired, proud and perhaps unexpectedly emotional. It’ s all part of the journey. Pack her bag, kiss her forehead and watch her go. You’ ve already done the most important thing: you’ ve loved her into readiness. And that, dear parent, is more than enough.
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