Hi and Welcome to Canford This guide has been written and produced by seven pupils in Year 9 (‘Shell’ year). Over the folllowing pages you will find information about us and about school life here. We hope that it is helpful and gives you an idea of what it is like to be a pupil at Canford .
This publication is supplementary to the main school prospectus and further information literature.
Mar tha Taylor I knew a little bit about the scho ol before I came as I have an older brother here and knew quite a few people who had been to Can ford already. I wanted to come here because I’d been invo lved in lots of activities and competitions with my prep school and had really enjoyed them. I also really love my sport and knew that it was really good at Canford. However I was still anxious as it was so much bigger than my old school and I never thought I’d find my way around. In the end it was a lot less scar y and the older year s, especially in the houses, really helped me in the first few days. With lots of different clas ses and activities you get to kno w a lot of people in your year very quickly. One of the main differences abo ut senior school is that you get a lot more free time, which is really useful in the first few term s for making new friends. There are also a lot more activities to try. One of my main highlight s has been going to the Hockey Nationals where we came 5th in the country! I have also really enjoyed life in house, where it is fun to get everyone involved across the year groups in plays and concert s. My advice would be to try and get to know as many people in your year as possible and also to make the most of the facilities and opportunities on offer.
George Farthing
I joined Canford from Sandroyd prep school and had never moved school before so was ner vous about coming here. I soon realised that everyone would be in the same position and so nothing bad could happen! Everyone else here was once a Shell so they all know what it is like to star t a new school. On the opening day I was just amazed. I can still remember having my hand set on fire in Chemistry!! Your first few weeks are so busy that you won’t have time to be homesick, and house life is grea t for relaxing and having fun. Boarding is brilliant and there is so much on in the evenings and at weekends – when I go home I feel as if I’m almost missing out.
Archie Hunter re I knew Canford pretty well befo ol I joined as I went to a prep scho k or wee first the d foun close by. I still got lost so a bit daunting though, and right a few times trying to find the much a on is ing ryth Eve m! sroo clas ol, but scho last my bigger scale than at and this w kno to seem hers the teac helpful. everyone is very friendly and t of I have really enjoyed being par also concert was great fun. I have se hou the and se Lancaster hou brilliant. We’ve n bee has ch whi DT as such tried some new subjects, ipment and there is lots of different equ made iPad holders and lamps to try out. a few ford so don’t be worried – in It really isn’t scar y star ting at Can s! year been here for weeks you will feel like you have
There are so many opportunitie s at Canford and I think it’s best to just try everything and see what you enjoy best. That’s what I did and now I am coxing for the 1st VIII rowing team. It’s strange to thin k that 8 months ago all I knew about rowing was there was a boat and some oars! I was also involved in the junior play which is amazing. It’s such a privilege to be perform ing in a professional theatre. Canford just seemed to me to be very welcoming and it is – the school wants you here and I wanted to be at Canford. The teachers and pup ils make it feel like a second home. There is nothing to be afraid of. Ultimately it’s your decision but there are so man y opportunities to do the things you love and you can defi nitely find what you’re good at here.
CANFORD in a nutshell
Matthew Longley
rne I came to Canford from Sherbo love I ause bec it Prep and chose and my sports, par ticularly Hockey d goo ly real a Cricket, and it has d reputation for those. I also talke and here e to my sister who cam really enjoyed it. I was a bit worried about the k was going to amount of prep and if the wor has helped me plan and there r tuto se hou my be harder but up and get prep done when I h is free time in the day to catc need to.
as definitely a bit ner ve-wracking The first couple of weeks are You ne! anyo w kno ly hard you you are at a new school where r school – mine had around go from being at the top of you a school with over 600 and 300 pupils – to the bottom of ever my Housemaster really How . nge that does feel a bit stra ed me to other Shells quickly. helped me settle in and introduc rding house – it is very relaxed boa our I love the atmosphere in ng good fun, being par t of somethi and the house play was really ps. which involved all the year grou rt at Canford and have played I have thrown myself into spo key and Cricket. Matches have Hoc by, Rug in the A teams for l and it has been a challenge to been a lot tougher at senior leve expectations of the coaches. improve my game and meet the nised, as if you get your school My advice would be to be orga you will have much more time wor k done early and on time ’t get in a panic! I would also won to do the other things and ly might surprise yourself by real try everything on offer as you ld. wou you ght thou enjoying something you hadn’t
Rosie Johnstone I thought Canford was huge and scar y. There were loads of people rushing to get to lessons and I didn’t know anyone. I was worried about not making friends but on the first day everyone was so nice and friendly and it was fine. I chose Canford because man y people from my old school come here and recommended it to me, so we toured around it and we loved it. I thought I would get completely lost whe n I got here but we were given a map and it was actually real ly fun wor king out where all our classes were. We had such a good time in dorm and we all bonded really quickly. Everyon e is going through the same thin g star ting a new school but it’s so fun being a boarder and you are surrounded by your friends all the time. It can get a bit tiring but if you are feeling homesick they can help you feel better. My Housemistress and matrons played a big part in helping me settle in too. Canford encourages you to try new things and step a bit out of your comfort zone. I have tried so many new activities like Real Tennis, Ceramics and Pres entation Skills and I’ve star ted rowing for the first time, while being par t of the Junior Play helped me get to know the Dra ma department a bit better. I have made so many new frien
ds and it’s so much fun here!
Sean Herrington
Hollie Hazzard Jersey Coming from a day school in and g rdin boa try to I was excited ed a chose Canford because it seem I also ol. scho t grea nd friendly, all rou d goo very a has it and rt spo love we year This . reputation for that were 5th in the country for Hockey and came 3rd in the Netball Regionals. Every school has a bit of a ps, hierarchy in terms of year grou be to e ther ect but I didn’t exp the different ages. The so much chat in house between ing and suppor tive towards com wel ly real n bee older year s have went quite slowly for me ks wee the Shells. The first couple of s we all got lost quite a few time getting to know everyone, and ed help ly real se hou le who the too! But it was super fun and us settle in. I can’t believe I have been at After that time has flown by and I love boarding and the fact you Canford nearly a year already. to school to chat to friends and prep get more free time than at r supper. relax in house, par ticularly afte going on the Hockey tour to A highlight of my first year was ing against the Dutch, we had Holland. It was so much fun play t by dam and stayed in a hotel righ time to go shopping in Amster the beach. your first year before two My advice would be to enjoy rk hard – your parents get Wo ms. year s leading to big exa – but ks so you need to keep it up assessments every three wee ing. ryth also have fun and enjoy eve
I came from a small school in the Swiss Alps, so Canford was quite a change! It was so much bigger and I didn’t really know what to expect so I was a little bit worried but thought I’d be OK. I wanted to come here because I’d seen the amazing grounds and also knew it had a good academic reputation. As soon as I arrived, it felt as if I’d been here forever. Everybody was very welcoming and it was easy to get used to school life. Despite this, it did take me a while to get used to navigating round the school. On the first day I got lost between the Art and the English blocks, which are right next to each othe r! There is a great atmosphere in boarding and on Sundays you have the whole campus avai lable so, especially in the summer term, you can really mak e the most of it and play Tennis, Golf, Football, Rug by or whatever else you like. You can also go to the Spo rts Centre and use the pool or the gym. There is lots going on in house and I was lucky that my room mates have become some of my best friends. Just go ahead and enjoy the first year before the academic wor k really steps up. Try everything and make as many friends as possible.
CANFORD in a nutshell
LIFE
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CANFORD
What happens in the first few days?
On the first day you are welcomed to the school by the Head and you are given things like books and timetables. You are also given a map of the entire school, which is not as good as our map of course! We each got a mentor who helped us with everything, pointed us in the right direction, helped us with our duties, showed us to supper, etc., so you are never left alone. “After a few days you’ll feel at home. It’ll feel like you’ve been here for ages – and you soon find your way around the campus!”
What are the houses like?
The houses are good places to study or socialise as there are desks for private work and common rooms and kitchens with sofas and TVs. There is always milk and bread, plus toasters and kettles to use. You can check your e-mails and go on Facebook in the IT rooms, as well as do work if you want. In the boarding houses you sleep in dorms. In Shells there are usually four in a dorm, which then turns into a two bed dorm in the Four th and Fifth Form. You have your own personal spaces and privacy is never a problem. Sharing a dorm is great because it’s like having a sleepover every night, but don’t be too loud! Day houses are set up in the same way - just without a bed! Dorms or ‘lodges’ have desks where you can do your prep, and as you move up the school you can share with just one or two others if you want to.
Is it easy to make friends?
Yes – everyone is new and wants to make friends – don’t worry about ‘fitting in’, everyone is very friendly and probably has the same worries as you. By the end of the first week, most Shell pupils know each other anyway. It is a good idea to make friends outside of your house too, although you will make new friends who aren’t in your house/classes through sports teams, creative ar ts projects and school trips.
What if I’m homesick?
Parents are only a phone call away, and with regular exeats, there’s plenty of oppor tunity to spend a weekend at home if you are feeling homesick. Sixth Formers, matrons, tutors and house staff are always on hand and will do all they can to suppor t you. Some people find, especially if they are boarding for the first time, that it feels a little strange, but after a few weeks you will be surprised by how ‘at home’ you feel and you will wonder what you were worrying about.
What you can do at weekends?
At weekends in the Shells there is a special programme of activities on Saturday evenings and Sundays, so you shouldn’t have time to feel lonely or homesick. There are trips out to places like Tower Park to visit the water park, bowling, cinema, shopping and eating out. You can also go to the beach on Sundays when the weather is nice. Within the programme you might also find yourself trying out some pizza making, having a go at juggling or watching a film in the theatre. You can also make full use of all the facilities in the sports centre - go for a swim in the pool or have a workout in the gym. Added to this are activities you can do within (or between) your House(s) – informal competitions in garden spor ts, such as volleyball and football are common. You cer tainly won’t be bored!
The Canford Day Early Morning 7:10.............................. Day begins for Boarders 8:00.............................. Breakfast for Boarders 8:15.............................. Day Pupils arrive Daily Timetable 8:45.............................. Lessons begin (To Break) ....................................... 3 periods of 35 minutes each 10:40........................... Break 11:10........................... Lesson 11:50........................... Lesson 12:25........................... Lunch 13:05........................... Lesson Afternoons are split between games/matches (Mon, Thurs, Sat) and lessons (Weds, Fri), plus on Tuesdays Shells can try a range of different activities - anything from bell ringing to beekeeping! Events such as music rehearsals and drama activities have priority at cer tain times on specific days. Day minibuses leave at 6:10pm so you can stay until then for 1st Prep if you need to. If you are collected from school you can leave from 5:30pm if you would rather do all your Prep at home and are not involved in an activity. Evening 17:30........................... Day Pupils can go home 17:30-18:20..............1st Prep/Activities 18:20........................... Supper for Boarders 19:30-20:30.............. 2nd Prep for Boarders 20:30-21:30............. Free time 21:45........................... Lights out in dorms
CANFORD in a nutshell
What’s where @ Canford 1
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Canford Sports Centre
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The Layard Theatre
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The Grubber
Up to the Boathouse
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CANFORD in a nutshell
The Grubber A lot of pupils visit the Grubber (our tuck shop) for crisps, sweets and snacks at break and lunch – also a good place to catch up on all the recent Canford news!! The Grubber is also open most evenings and is a good place to socialise.
What is the food like? At Canford the food is very good and there is a huge selection to choose from; burgers and chips to salads and pastas. The theme nights are always a huge hit - the American and Indian nights are very impressive. Every day you can choose from pasta, salad, baguette bar, two hot meals and a vegetarian option. There is always a hot pudding like chocolate sponge and there is a cold pudding counter where you can choose from a large selection, e.g. chocolate cake or banoffee pie and there is always enough fruit.
What Sport is there? At Canford there is such a huge variety of sport from rugby to rowing and hockey to real tennis. If you aren’t into team sports then you can go down to the gym and do a workout. On Saturdays there are always matches which are played at home or away. There are also sports tours and sports trips. The most recent one was a girls’ hockey tour to Holland during Easter where they had great success and a rugby tour to Ireland over October half term. Badminton and squash are favourites with everybody.
Drama, Art & Music The drama is fantastic. The theatre is used by professionals and has all the stage equipment anyone could dream of! Recently, the juniors (Shells and Fourth Forms) put on the play ‘The Gallery’ which was very impressive. Sometimes, the Art and DT blocks help to create the scenery for the productions. The art department is a two floor building dedicated only to arty stuff! It’s great as you don’t really have to worry about messing it up too much. The music at Canford is brilliant, the musicians are very talented and there are regular concerts that you can go along to for free, even if you are not performing.
What do I do if I find the work difficult? Firstly - don’t panic! Lots of us find things tricky at some point. Ask a friend or an older pupil and never be afraid to approach your teachers for further explanation - they are always helpful as long as you are trying your best. They want you to do well and sometimes even give rewards like commendations or chocolate!
CANFORD in a nutshell
Canford School, Wimborne Dorset BH21 3AD Telephone: 01202 841254 www.canford.com COVER DESIGN BY SHELL PUPILS