Boarding

This term saw isolation, testing, re-testing, periods of quarantine, broken bones and new starters. But once again the students and staff have risen tremendously to these challenges.

With no boarding activities off site allowed the times we have come together as a community in Colson, Haven, Thompson and Mannamead have been somewhat of a throwback to a simpler time. The houses have been regularly filled with screams of laughter and cries of injustice over card and board games. With Mr Wesley’s movie and musical nights proving hugely popular across all ages in Mannamead and the standard fervent support for the boys football teams and the odd Wombat game and ‘Articulate’ meaning the term has flown. The lockdown period has had an impact on the swimming program but perhaps not as much as was once feared. Due to the excellent work of Director of Swimming Robin Armayan, Director of Sport Phil Mutlow and the Head, the programme has merely transferred to the school pool. Indeed one of the most pleasing times of the week is a Saturday afternoon when many swimmers have chosen to access the boarding swim slot and coached each other. These qualities of mate-ship, care for your fellow boarders and maturity are exactly what we would wish for our young men and women in our care when they leave.

With the Christmas dinner to look forward to over the last weekend of the term all are looking forward to dressing up for the first formal gathering since last year’s event. It is a mark of the quality of the staff group, many of whom worked throughout the half term, that the level of pastoral care and support provided has remained first class. It is safe to say that for students and staff alike, the morning of Monday 14th December is a lie in that we are all looking forward to very much. For me, the holiday period allows for time spent with family and loved ones but also an opportunity to reflect on pride in the boarding community that, thus far, has dealt with all the challenges presented during these strange times.

Mr Matt Byrne, Head of Boarding