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READY FOR TAKE OFF Mulliner House may be a launchpad for the future, but new Housemistress, Katherine Cole, is keen that it keeps the girls rooted in School life, too. I’ve noticed an interesting phenomenon since taking on the role as Housemistress of Mulliner. Just as the U6 girls get ready to take A Levels and move on from School, their enthusiasm for the traditions of Sherborne Girls deepens. This is seen in little things like a recovery of their love of hot chocolate before bed or an ice-cream night after their evening’s work is done. It is also evidenced in the set-piece events that characterise School life, such as Abbey Services. It is as if the girls realise that they only have one year left to relish their time at Sherborne Girls, and want to savour every experience as they form memories for the next phase of their lives. At the same time, the move to Mulliner signals a significant increase in maturity. We expect the U6 to be role models to their younger peers. They take on Prefect responsibilities and have a part to play in the culture and ethos of the whole School. That is why I have been so pleased to see a culture of kindness, compassion and consideration for others at the very heart of Mulliner’s community. The girls really do look out for each other, taking their responsibilities seriously and setting a brilliant example for the younger pupils. Which isn’t to say that our life together is characterised by seriousness. I want Mulliner to be a place of laughter and cheer, where girls can revel in each other’s company and enjoy their youth. With the pressures of university applications and A Levels bearing down on them, it is important that our U6 have a way to let off steam and unwind. Fortunately, they’ve shown plenty of gumption in identifying opportunities to relax. They’ve already ensured that Mulliner is a place of warmth and 05
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welcome, building a tangible sense of community, and they have enjoyed having their say in the interior décor of the new Snug kitchen where they can practise that useful student skill of cooking. Given that they come together from separate Houses for their final year at School, I’ve been impressed at how quickly they form new friendships and foster a sense of a shared identity. This helps build the trust that is central to our life together. U6 girls have a great deal more autonomy than those in the younger years. They can come and go from campus with more freedom, are able to manage their own schedules, and enjoy greater privileges in organising their social lives.
With this freedom comes high expectations. For example, the girls have to make their own travel arrangements for trips away from Sherborne, and are expected to arrange their study schedules to optimum effect. That they are able to do so is a reflection of the brilliant foundations laid in their earlier years at Sherborne Girls. That makes leading Mulliner a genuine privilege. The girls help me build the community, sharing responsibility for its ethos and helping to steer our direction. While that ultimately leads them away from Sherborne Girls, for now they are tnurturing the roots from which they will b always grow.
