Dear Ash Mount Community,
As January comes to an end, it feels like a good moment to pause and reflect on what has been a lovely start to the year. It’s been a busy few weeks, but full of positive conversations, new connections, and a growing sense of what Ash Mount is becoming.
One of the real highlights was last week’s Cinema Under the Stars evening. It was such an easy, relaxed way to spend time together, and it was lovely to see families chatting, children settling in with friends, and everyone enjoying being part of something that already feels very warm and welcoming.
What struck me most came right at the end of the evening. As the film finished, children began quietly helping to tidy away cushions and clear up rubbish, no one asked them to, they simply noticed what needed doing and got on with it. I was so impressed. In that small moment, there was so much kindness, gratitude, and care for the shared space. It was a simple but powerful reminder that compassion often shows up in the everyday moments.
I’ve also been visiting the site most weeks this month, and each visit feels more exciting than the last. The build is progressing really well, and it’s a joy to see the plans turning into real spaces. We’ve even started painting some of the internal walls, which has helped us begin to finalise colour choices for classrooms and learning areas. These details matter more than we sometimes realise, calm colours, natural light, and thoughtful design all help children feel settled, focused, and comfortable in their environment.
Throughout January, our Voices of Ash Mount blogs have focused on Living with Compassion, and that theme has felt very present in many of the moments we’ve shared together.
Living with compassion for others is about noticing, listening, and acting with kindness. It’s about how children learn to care for one another and for the spaces they share, just as we saw so naturally at the cinema evening.
At the same time, compassion also means being kind to ourselves. Children need to know that learning isn’t always easy, that mistakes are part of the process, and that it’s okay to take time, try again, and ask for help. When children experience this kind of understanding, they build confidence and resilience alongside empathy for others.
At Ash Mount, this will be part of everyday life, in how adults speak with children, how challenges are handled, and how we create a culture where children feel safe, supported, and valued.
Families support this in small but powerful ways too. At home, compassion can be nurtured by talking openly about feelings, modelling empathy, encouraging children to think about how others might feel, and allowing space for reflection rather than rushing to fix things. Over time, these moments help children develop emotional awareness, patience, and care for others.
As we move into February, our focus will shift to the next part of our vision: Leading with Courage. This is about helping children develop the confidence to do the right thing, to speak up when something doesn’t feel fair, and to support others — not by being loud or dominant, but by acting with integrity and kindness. It also includes learning not to stand by when help is needed.
I’m really looking forward to exploring this theme with you in the weeks ahead, and to continuing to build Ash Mount together, step by step, with thought and care.
Best wishes,
Abigail Fishbourne
Founding Principal, Ash Mount School
