School

SCHOOL HOUSE

It was an encouraging start to the year with 9 new Lower Sixth boarders joining the House and some hopeful Year 9s looking forward to being a part of School House.

However, Covid still loomed large and we were operating in year group bubbles both in the house and around school; regular temperature checks for the boarders in house and social distancing was the new normal. It was lovely to have most of the boarders back in the house after the first week with some having to fulfil quarantine regulations.

Despite the Covid restrictions, the girls made the most of school life, taking part in a range of sports, MUN, having picnics on the campus, yoga, baking, cooking and sharing many meals in the house. It was certainly a different feel with only the boarders in the house and everyone operating around school in year group bubbles. We missed the day pupils and before we knew it we were back into another Lockdown after half term.

We resumed lessons on Teams but the boarding life continued. For the boarders this meant no town leave, no shopping and no weekends away. This did not deter the boarders who made the most of the new Nintendo Switch and the piano kindly lent by the Music Department. The Upper Sixth enjoyed a wine tasting with the Headmaster and the cooking and baking in the house took on a new level of intensity! Another highlight was the House video competition where the School House Upper Sixth boarders took on the challenge with alacrity, producing an amusing take on School House boarding life. By the end of the term we were down to just 4 boarders and only 3 returned to the house in the new year.

We were delighted when we were able to mix within year groups in other houses. The boarders enjoyed a Curry Night in Hall House, the International Boarders’ evening, snow in January and Saho, Mayu and Kitty demonstrated their baking expertise by winning the Bake Off! Amazing patisserie – well done girls! For a while we were joined by a few Sixth Form boarders from Fonthill and opened up to Summerhill to allow all the girl Sixth Form boarders the opportunity to mix. It was great fun to have more life and bustle in the house and thanks to the Fonthill staff for helping out with the duties. The school kitchen outdid themselves by preparing themed evening meals. The highlight for the girls was a four course Italian meal with the best tiramisu they have tasted. The girls also enjoyed a sushi evening with some of the boarders from Hall and Middle, followed by a very competitive evening of Just Dance.

March saw the return of more boarders and back to lessons in school. It was good to see the day girls back again but still in our learning zones. The Upper Sixth stepped up to reinvigorate the House spirit with a great video of 9-5 life in school. School House took on the PE Department’s ‘Race around the world’ challenge, producing some fantastic results. The House Netball matches took place in year group bubbles with the Year 11, 12 and 13s winning their matches. The senior girls won the House Cross Country Relay competition, beating their own record – a fantastic achievement! School House’s Pink Day was able to go ahead, raising awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Care and the Alzheimer’s society. Head of House Lizzie Narbett and her older sister, Emma, completed a 100km run to further raise funds – well done girls.

In the Summer term we saw the return of almost all the boarders and it was lovely to feel the House alive again. The Year 9s won the House Tennis and it almost felt back to normal with Senior Sports Day taking place. There was a wonderful sense of House spirit with many taking part in the various events with some very good results. The end of term was a mix of live events and Teams meetings. The Upper Sixth fully appreciated their Leavers’ Assembly and Service and it was lovely to see Mrs Morris back again to say goodbye to her tutor group. Even Mrs Marshall popped in and passed on a message to her tutor group, whom she misses greatly.

The end of term also saw School House say goodbye to Mrs Reeman. Mrs Reeman has been a part of School House since 1992. She was Senior Housemistress for 16 years and has tutored a great many girls during her time. We will miss Mrs Reeman and wish her all the best in her retirement. She has great plans of travelling in her camper van, cycling, playing golf and learning to play the saxophone – it sounds fabulous!

Thank you to all the House staff, tutors and matrons who have worked tirelessly throughout a very demanding year. Also thank you to Lizzie and Kate (Head and Deputy Head of House) for their ongoing positivity and determination to keep the School House spirit going no matter what. We wish all our leavers the very best. Here’s hoping the next year will be a little more ‘normal’.

Lizzie Head of House

SCHOOL HOUSE COLOURS

• Vicki Baldwin • Saho Kumagai • Rosie Bartlett • Edie Morris • Nina Brain • Lizzie Narbett • Grace Cardwell • Patience Rhodes • Elli Duke • Lily Saunders • Kate Hollywood • Aurora Vergani