Fasten Your Seatbelts: Welcome to the 2026 Senior School Journey
Senior School officially reopened this week with a powerful message to students: every new academic year is a journey, and 2026 is one worth committing to.
In the welcome address by Head of Senior School, Ms Janelle Mathias, students were invited to think of Senior School as being much like an airport – a place full of anticipation, movement and possibility. Just as no two travellers share the same destination or pace, no two students experience Senior School in exactly the same way.
Some students arrive confident and excited, others unsure or feeling the pressure of expectations. All of these feelings are normal. What matters most is not how fast students move, but that they keep moving forward, learning as they go and finding their own rhythm.
The message also acknowledged that the world students are preparing for is changing rapidly. Information is louder, expectations feel higher, and adaptability has never been more important. Senior School is therefore about more than academic results, it is about developing critical thinking, empathy, resilience and a strong sense of self in an increasingly complex world.
Students were reminded that, like any journey, there will be moments of turbulence. Assessments may not go as planned, motivation may dip, friendships may change and confidence may waver. These moments do not signal failure; they are a natural part of learning and growth. Staying committed, asking for help and trusting the process are key.
A central theme of the address was commitment to effort, to growth, and to treating others with respect. While each student’s destination may be different, they are not travelling alone. Teachers, staff and peers are all part of the journey, supporting and guiding along the way.
As the Senior School community begins the 2026 academic year, students were encouraged to remember that they do not need to have everything planned before take-off. They simply need to be willing to board the plane, stay curious, remain resilient and show kindness, to others and to themselves.
Welcome back to Senior School. Welcome to the 2026 journey.
Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a meaningful one!
