Hi Dad,

I overheard the whole negotiation in the kitchen today, so here is the short version before it reaches you.

My sister wants to go to Catherine's cabin for a long weekend. Catherine's parents have said the girls can use it, and six of them are going – but no adults. She opened by reminding Mum that she has done the dishes and kept her room spotless all week, which tells you how carefully this was planned. Her arguments were that the area is very safe, that she will ring home every single day, and that she will pay for the flight and the food out of her own savings. The clincher, in her view, is that every one of her friends has already been allowed to go.

Mum's worries were the obvious ones: six teenagers and no grown-ups, and the fact that those savings were supposed to go towards university. She refused to decide anything before speaking to Catherine's parents – she will ring the father, not the mother – and left it at "I will consider".

For what it's worth, I think she should be allowed. She is old enough, the cabin belongs to a family we know, and the money is hers. But I would make the phone call to Catherine's parents a condition, and I would ask her to put the flight on a budget rather than on the university fund.

Let me know what you think before Mum calls.

Re: What to wear?

@CrazyPoor08, first of all – congrats on getting invited! But I think you're overthinking this. Let me explain.

@LiveUrLife08, I get that you're trying to be supportive, but ordering a bunch of cheap clothes just to return them isn't great advice. It's wasteful, it contributes to the fast fashion problem, and telling CrazyPoor to lie to her boyfriend? That's a recipe for trust issues. If you can't be honest about a dress, what else are you going to hide?

@doitright88 is onto something with the vintage idea. Thrift shops and second-hand apps are amazing for finding unique outfits that nobody else will be wearing. You can look incredible without spending a fortune or hurting the planet. Plus, there's something really satisfying about finding a hidden gem.

But here's what I really want to say, @CrazyPoor08: why are you dressing for your ex? You said you want to "wow everybody," but the best outfit in the world won't change how your ex feels, and honestly, it shouldn't matter. Dress for yourself and your own confidence.

My actual advice: ask your friends if anyone has something you can borrow. Most people have clothes in their wardrobe they never wear. You could also try a clothes swap – invite your friends over and trade outfits. It's free, it's fun, and it's sustainable. Your boyfriend would probably approve too.

Have a great party!

Braver Than You Believe

Welcome, first-years. I know exactly how you're feeling right now – nervous, excited, maybe a little overwhelmed. I felt the same way when I started here. And I want to share something with you that helped me.

A.A. Milne once wrote: "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think." I know it sounds like something from a greeting card, but hear me out. These words have a way of proving themselves true, again and again, if you give them a chance.

Starting at a new school is one of those moments where everything feels uncertain. You don't know where the classrooms are, you don't know if you'll make friends, and you're probably wondering if you're smart enough for the classes you've signed up for. Let me tell you right now: you are. But you won't believe that until you've tested yourself, and that means stepping outside your comfort zone.

Set goals. Not just the big, impressive ones – "I want to get top grades" or "I want to get into medical school" – but the small, daily ones too. "I'll talk to someone new today." "I'll ask a question in class even if it feels embarrassing." "I'll try out for a team or join a club." These small goals add up. They build confidence, and confidence builds momentum.

But let me be honest with you: it won't always be easy. There will be days when you feel like you're falling behind, when social media makes everyone else's life look perfect while yours feels like a mess. There will be moments when you fail a test, lose a friendship, or feel completely lost. That's not a sign that something is wrong with you. That's life. And the people who succeed aren't the ones who never fail – they're the ones who get back up.

Michael Jordan, one of the greatest athletes of all time, was once cut from his high school basketball team. He said: "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." The difference between wanting and making is action. It's showing up, doing the work, and being patient with yourself when things don't go according to plan.

So here's my advice: be kind to yourselves, but push yourselves too. Find something you care about and pursue it. Ask for help – that's not weakness, it's wisdom. And remember that every single person in this room, including the teachers, has felt exactly the way you feel right now. You're not alone in this.

You are braver than you believe. Now go out and prove it.

Thank you, and welcome to our school.