Boarding Newsletter Autumn 2020

Cobham Hall Boarding News: Autumn half term 2020 Welcome! The Autumn Half Term Newsletter.

By Natascha Kuesel and Luka Knierim

As we begin a new year at Cobham Hall, we would like to declare a warm welcome to our new and returning Boarders, as well as our new Housemistress Miss S. Shipton, our Language Assistants Miss Ortiz and Miss Cauvin and our new Gap Students Miss KĂźsel and Miss Knierim. We wish everyone a great year at Cobham Hall, filled with many beautiful memories and loads of fun!

Our Boarders have adjusted well to the many changes in both the Boarding Houses and School due to the current times, and they are doing very well! As the term has progressed, we have had to get more creative with our trips, in order to keep our Boarders as safe as possible. This has meant that we have all got to spend more time enjoying our lovely grounds here at Cobham Hall.

If you would like to see what we have done so far, keep on scrolling to see all the great photos we captured and imagine the memories we made together! Make sure to keep-up-to-date with life in Boarding by following us on Twitter @CobhamBoarding Brooke House & Bligh House

My name is Isis, I’ve been a Boarder at Cobham Hall since Year 8, now I’m in Year 11. Being Head of Bligh House, my aim is to make the House as best as it can be for all of the girls in it.

I will do this by asking each girl individually what improvements they think the House might need and taking each bit of their feedback (either positive or negative) into account. Being Head of House is fun, I feel as if I’m everyone’s big sister, I help the girls with their prep and answer any questions they may have. As this is my last year at Cobham, I strive to be a great Head of House and make this year memorable for all of the girls in Bligh.

My name is Mya and I’m honoured to be this year’s Head of House for Brooke. Last year I worked very closely with the Head of House by assisting her in attending meetings with Mrs Barrett to improve minor things around the House and voice our peers’ opinions.

We were able to accomplish reinstating Brooke Takeaway days in hand with our Friday activity evening, which we’ve so far found to be a really nice way to spend time with each other and escape the stresses of A Levels for an evening. This year, I’ll be looking forward to working along side our social officers; Kareema and Clara, to plan events such as the Christmas dinner and overall make Brooke a more comfortable space for my peers amid these hard times of Covid-19.

We watched Mulan as a Boarding activity. It was really fun and we all got popcorn for the movie. It was nice as we couldn’t go to an actual cinema because of Covid – 19.

Kat, Year 9

After the first week of school we were given the opportunity to bake cookies. It began well because we got into groups and did all the mixing. But what happened after was a tragedy. THE COOKIES GOT BURNED! To this day I refuse to believe that it was our fault.

But I believe that one of the Housemistress switched our cookies for theirs. Just kidding!

At the end, I did have a really good time because I made some of my first friends.

Yaka, Year 10

On Sunday 6th September, all girls from the Bligh House and some girls from Brooke House, went to Ikea. At 11.00am, we drove with the mini bus from the reception to Ikea at Lakeside. This trip was for the new girls and the girls who were here before to decorate their rooms. We bought flowers, pillows, lamps and pictures. We were staying there for almost two hours and we really needed the time because there was so much to see. After this we drove back to the school and arrived at like half past four. Then we went to our rooms and started to unpack our stuff and began to decorate. The rooms are really looking nice now.

Clara, Year 10

Due to Covid—19, we were unable to actually go to Nandos. So we ordered take away. It was an ultimately fun experience, and everyone enjoyed their meals.

Nabeelah, Year 9

When I did Pizza making I found it really fun.

Since I made Pizza with someone else and was able to go half/half with them. There were many different toppings and people were having so much fun. It was a really nice experience.

Lindi, Year 8

When I went to Chessington I had so much fun we went on lots of rides. Such as the Gruffalo, Vampire, Tiger and many more. We also accidentally spend twenty pound on trying to win games. In the end we won nothing so we decided to buy some huge slush puppies. For sure, I would go again as in this school we go on fantastic trips.

Tobi, Year 9

It was a Wednesday trip which was quite fun, because it was after school we got some time to relax away from classes. I had fun at my Bluewater trip, I got to order food, buy clothes and have fun with my friends. We all had to get in a group of 3-4 so we don’t have to wonder around alone. I went with my friends and we had so much fun together.

Nadirah, Year 10

On a Sunday, we had an amazing time. The Housemistress made a festival for us. We had such a nice BBQ that I got to enjoy with my friends. Not only did we have a BBQ, but we got to play fun games, such as musical chairs and capture the flag, which got a bit tense.

And even our Housemistresses played with us! All in all, I had an amazing time and loved and enjoyed every part of it.

Jasmine, Year 10

I loved Gravity, it was a great opportunity to bond with my friends and I had fun. I hope to go back soon.

Ayobami, Year 9

That night was one of the best nights at Boarding in Cobham Hall. First, we ordered some Nando´s and then we put the movie on which was Mean Girls. I really enjoyed this night because we were all together watching one of my favourite movies and the food was very delicious. Also, Ms Shipton and Ms Kßsel, hung up some fairy lights which created a very comfortable and cosy environment. I would definitely enjoy another evening like this!

Candela, Year 12

Nigeria For Nigerian Independence Day, we ordered Nigerian food from a local Nigerian restaurant with some of the foods being jollof rice, fried rice, chicken and beef stew, asun, suya, puff puff, plantain, meat pie and more. We enjoyed our meal and celebrated by dancing and listening to some Nigerian music. It was a very fun Friday evening!

Kareema, Year 13

China I really liked what the school did for the mid autumn festival celebration, it meant a lot to me, especially since I was feeling homesick, they ordered Chinese food and I played traditional Chinese songs, it was very fun and thoughtful.

Savannah, Year 10

Germany On Saturday we had German day so me and a few others made an apple cake in the AC’s kitchen upstairs. We were given instructions on what we had to do and how to cook it. Some of us were in groups and others were alone. The Housemistresses Ms Kßsel and Ms Knierim helped us with the oven and other things when we asked nicely. After we finished making it we took it to the Boarding House and ate it and if we had some left we gave it to the girls that wanted some. Overall, it was a really fun day and we all had so much fun hanging out together and eating the apple cake.

Thank you!

Natalie, Year 9

Last week the whole house took part in a treasure hunt, we went around taking pictures of exactly what we needed to take pictures of in under an hour. It was very fun and exciting to take part in this activity, because the whole house came together and had fun.

Abadere, Year 10

Cobham Hall is full of exciting things and one of my favourites was when we had Pizza Hut. I enjoyed it with some of my best friends. It was also delivered nice and hot. Although we didn’t get to go to Pizza Hut because of Covid-19 it was still amazing. This was very exciting for me because it was my first event with other students after being in quarantine. Pizza is nice eating it on your own but when with family it’s even better.

Kachira, Year 8

We kindly ask that before your daughters return to Cobham Hall, all clothing, especially new items, be named and labelled clearly.

Please could you let your Housemistress know your travel arrangements for the December end of term as soon as possible.

Please note that it is a busy time and we need to book a lot of taxis to get girls to airports.

We will try and share these with other girls, if at all possible, but we will need to have the information in plenty of time. Girls may not leave school before the specified time.

If you need to request permission to leave early you must email the Headmistress via her PA, Mrs Odendaal at OdendaalL@cobhamhall.com.

Members of Boarding staff are not able to give permission for leaving school early.

@CobhamBoarding