Boarding

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 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 nurturing the roots from which they will always grow.

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GROWING TOGETHER

Philippa Bussell is the new Housemistress of Reader Harris. Here ’ s her vision for what she describes as “just about the most rewarding job in the world” .

Over many years as a Housemistress in schools around the world, I have developed a clear vision for the role. It is about creating an environment in which pupils feel nurtured, with someone to talk to when they struggle, and a supportive and caring community to share their successes and lives with on a day-to-day basis.

When I visited Sherborne Girls for my interview, I was immediately struck by a sense that this community ethos is at the heart of the whole School. That is why I am so pleased to have secured the position as Housemistress of Reader Harris. I feel as if the culture in our House replicates that of the School, and I’ m inspired by the opportunity to build on it in the months and years ahead.

At the heart of our shared life is a desire to be transparent and authentic in each other ’ s company. I believe it is important to encourage open conversation with and between the girls, so they feel they can speak to each other, and to the brilliant House team, about anything. We have such a strong pastoral network in School and I’ ve been especially impressed by the commitment to mental wellbeing that is so much a part of our life together.

Another key part of the ethos I’ m bringing to the role is a willingness to show vulnerability. When I took my first Housemistress job, at a school in New Zealand, I was in my early 20s. My proximity in age to the pupils could have been a challenge, but I wanted to show them that I was learning alongside them, that I was growing too. That is the foundation for a relationship of mutual trust. learned from my decade or more as a Housemistress in a variety of contexts, including most recently at Heathfield School in Ascot where I set up a Junior Boarding House. But I hope to have retained a sense of humility, helping girls understand that it’ s okay to make mistakes. We can always learn.

One of the things I love about my job is that I’ m holding a community together, at the same time as getting to know girls as individuals. It is my vision that every girl in Reader Harris has a chance to shine, in whatever area is right for her. I want us to celebrate our diversity, while understanding the joy of living in a community. With that in mind, we ’ re helping the older girls build meaningful relationships with their younger peers, enjoying regular social events and activities across year groups. My hope is that it feels as much like a home environment as possible, giving the girls a place to be themselves and build relationships that will last a lifetime. That’ s all part of our community atmosphere in Reader Harris. I’ ve been delighted to see the girls ’ positive response to it so far and look forward to growing together as the academic year unfolds.