The Barnaby Blog 18 July 2025

Woof! Another Pawsome School Year Ends in New Malden

Paws up everyone! It's me, Barnaby, your favourite miniature schnauzer from Barnaby & Boo's, and I'm practically bouncing with excitement (well, more than usual) because another fantastic school year has come to an end here in our wonderful New Malden community!

As I trot around our lovely area with my humans, tail wagging at maximum speed, I can't help but notice all the happy faces, the slightly crumpled school uniforms being worn for the last time this term, and that unmistakable buzz of summer holiday freedom in the air. It's got my whiskers twitching with joy!

Our Incredible Young Humans (They're All Good Boys and Girls!)

First things first – let me give the biggest, most enthusiastic tail wag to all our amazing young people! Whether they're the tiniest tots from reception classes or the almost-grown-ups preparing for their next big adventure, every single one of you has made this schnauzer's heart proud.

I've watched from my cosy spot in the shop as children from Corpus Christi have grown taller and more confident, their faces lighting up when they master new skills. The pupils from Holy Cross always seem to have that extra spring in their step, just like me when I see a particularly interesting squirrel! And don't get me started on the brilliant bunch from Coombe Hill – they've tackled this year with the same determination I show when trying to reach a treat on the high shelf.

The young scholars from Christ Church have impressed me with their kindness and curiosity, while the Burlington students always bring such wonderful energy into our shop. The Kings Oak crew has shown the sort of persistence that reminds me of my own efforts to convince the humans that I definitely need more treats (still working on that one!).

Our secondary school stars deserve special recognition too! The young people from Westbury House have demonstrated maturity that would make any schnauzer proud, while the students from both Coombe Girls and Coombe Boys have shown they can handle whatever challenges come their way – much like how I handle the postman's daily visit with unwavering dedication!

The Humans Who Make Magic Happen

Now, let me tell you about the most wonderful humans in our community – the teachers and support staff who work tirelessly for our young people. These are the humans who arrive at school before I've even had my morning walk, and who stay long after my evening dinner!

These amazing humans don't just teach – they nurture, encourage, and show the kind of patience that I aspire to have when the delivery van arrives (though I'm still working on that bark-control thing). They know exactly which child needs an extra pat on the head (metaphorically speaking – I'm the one who provides the literal head pats) and which one needs a gentle challenge to reach their full potential.

The teaching assistants, office staff, caretakers, and all the other wonderful humans who keep our schools running smoothly deserve the biggest doggy appreciation award I can give. They create environments where children feel safe, valued, and ready to learn – rather like how the humans at Barnaby & Boo's make everyone feel welcome!

Our Pack-tastic Community

You know what makes me wag my tail the most? Seeing how our whole New Malden community comes together like one big, happy pack! Parents and carers who've juggled everything from sports day attendance to homework help, extended families who've provided extra love and support, and neighbours who've looked out for each other.

Our local businesses have been absolutely fantastic too – offering work experience, supporting school events, and showing young people the exciting opportunities right here in our community. It's partnerships like these that make New Malden such a special place to live and grow up in. Plus, some of these businesses give me the occasional treat when I'm out on walks, which definitely gets my approval!

Local council services have kept our streets safe for school runs, maintained our parks where children play, and provided all those essential services that make our community function smoothly. From our lovely library to the sports facilities, these services help create the perfect environment for learning and growing.

The Joy of Watching Our Pack Grow

One of the most tail-waggingly wonderful things about being the mascot for a local business is watching our community's children grow up! I've seen tiny humans who once needed help reaching the counter transform into confident young people who can carry on proper conversations (and sometimes even sneak me a treat when their parents aren't looking – though I probably shouldn't mention that!).

Over the years, many of these young people will join the Barnaby & Boo's team, bringing their fresh energy and enthusiasm to our little business family. There's something special about employing someone you've known since they were small enough to be at my eye level! These young adults often become bridges between different generations of customers, and they bring a wonderful energy that keeps our shop buzzing with life.

Summer Adventures Await!

As we say goodbye to school shoes and hello to summer sandals, I'm getting excited thinking about all the adventures ahead! For families heading abroad, I wish you safe travels, wonderful weather, and experiences that create the kind of memories that make tails wag for years to come. Don't forget to take lots of photos – though probably not as many as my humans take of me!

For those exploring our beautiful UK, there's so much to discover! From seaside adventures where you might spot dogs like me having the time of their lives on the beach, to countryside walks where the smells are absolutely divine, to city breaks full of new sights and sounds – the possibilities are endless!

Come and Say Hello!

For all our wonderful neighbours staying local this summer, please pop in and see us! I absolutely love meeting familiar faces during the school holidays, hearing about children's plans and dreams, and getting all the attention a miniature schnauzer could want. Whether you're picking up essentials or just want to give me a pat and tell me about your adventures, you're always welcome at Barnaby & Boo's.

My humans love catching up with families, hearing how the school year went, and staying connected with our fantastic community. Plus, I must admit, I do enjoy the extra attention that comes with school holiday visits!

A Pawsome Year Remembered

As we close another chapter in our New Malden educational story, I want to take a moment to appreciate everything we've achieved together. Every child who's grown in confidence, every young person who's discovered something new about themselves, every family that's felt supported by our community – these are the things that make my heart as full as my food bowl after dinner!

To all our incredible young people at Sacred Heart, Corpus Christi, Holy Cross, Coombe Hill, Christ Church, Burlington, Kings Oak, Westbury House, Coombe Girls and Boys and Richard Challoner– you've made this schnauzer incredibly proud. To our amazing teachers and support staff, you're the best humans a dog could ask for in his community. To our wonderful families and everyone who supports our young people – you're all absolutely pawsome!

Here's to another fantastic year, a brilliant summer ahead, and the continued joy of being part of this amazing New Malden community. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go practice my summer holiday greeting routine – it involves a lot of tail wagging and possibly some happy barking!

Woof woof! Barnaby 🐾

P.S. – The humans at Barnaby & Boo's asked me to mention that we'd love to see you all over the summer holidays. But between you and me, I think they just want an excuse to hear about all your adventures – and I definitely want to meet any new four-legged friends you might encounter on your travels!

HAVE YOU SEEN BARNABY?

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