RMS BOARDING JULY 2017
A look back at some memories from the last year @RMSBoarders
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RMS BOARDING JULY 2017
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There's no 'bored' in boarding! by Rachel Dobson, Housemistress of Zetland House As I sit here and reflect on the past year of boarding, with all the changes and challenges we have had to work with, it brings to mind how resilient both staff and pupils have been, in true RMS style. In September we welcomed new boarders to all the Houses, and they settled well without exception. The highlights of Michaelmas term included ten-pin bowling, a spooky Halloween party, a visit from St Nicholas, and of course retail therapy in the form of the very popular trip to Bluewater shopping mall. Back to school in January for Hilary term, and everyone had gotten used to their new routines. There were cinema trips, and a truly amazing afternoon spent with alumnae from the Old Masonic Girls’ Association who brought photos and mementoes from their time at RMS. The girls were fascinated, and enjoyed showing off the more modern facilities that we have now. To complete the term, a visit from the Easter Bunny brought very welcome chocolate to all! Trinity term began at the end of April, with the reality of exams setting in for the Year 11s and 13s, so they were rarely to be seen except at meal times! Then came the Year 11 Celebration Evening and the Year 13 Leavers’ Dinner: what a flurry of excitement! There were many deliveries of dresses and shoes, and makeup and hair were of prime importance of course. I had the privilege of being invited to both occasions, which underlined for me what wonderful and confident young women we have here.
The exams eventually started, and certainly seemed a go on for a long time, despite only actually lasting for three weeks. When they were over the celebrations were tinged with the sadness of farewells. Of course, the usual events carried on, including theatre visits and craft afternoons. One particularly busy weekend started with the annual trip to Brighton, followed by camping out on the Lowers, and chapel al fresco on the Sunday morning: thanks must go to Miss Reidie for organising this. All in all, I truly believe that we have achieved our goal of bonding boarders and staff into one close-knit community. Many life skills have been learnt, and all the RMS core values instilled. I hope that the sense of fun and the girls’ amazing zest for life will form lasting memories of this year. The knowledge that we all make mistakes, that no one knows all the answers, that it is good to ask for help, and that we can always make a plan: these are important lessons everyone has learned. We have said goodbye to Jenny Reay, who moves on in a different direction, and we wish her the best of luck with her future endeavours. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful summer with your girls, and I hope the exam results meet expectations. To those who are leaving us, good luck once again, and do keep in touch. To those who are returning next term, we look forward to welcoming you back in September.
Rachel Dobson
Halloween
Crafts
Camping
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Some highlights of the year
Gravity Force
Cuffley Camp
Apple picking
Bowling
Foundling Museum Making slime
Shrek
Ice skating
Afternoon tea with Mrs Rose
Christmas meal
Harry Potter studio
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Netball
International Women's Day
Gardening
Knitting
Spring
Static electricity
Learning about life at RMS in the past
Dodgems
Re-creating old photos of RMS
Year 13 Leavers' tea
Roller blading