EDUCATION ADVERTORIAL

Enjoyable education: Pupils at include trips to Cornwall, acting in school plays and writing stories among their first-year highlights END-OF-YEAR REPORT

As the latest academic year draws to a close, pupils – and staff – share their secrets on successfully settling in their new surroundings...

OR children up and down the country, the first year has been hard at times, but it has opened my mind to other at a new school can be one of the most daunting people’s opinions and made me more of an understanding Fprospects of their young lives. person,” she said. From forging friendships and studying different subjects “I think that the ups and downs of boarding life help you to settling in to strange surroundings, a host of challenges to move forwards and grow as a person, so the challenges awaits each youngster as they continue their educational that it brings are definitely worth it. evolution. “I’ve enjoyed meeting new people from different places – But as big a step as a change in school may be – even it’s introduced me to a wider world of things and I’ve made for the adaptable offspring of Service parents – Britain’s loads of loyal Dukie friends.” boarding schools are past masters in providing the ideal The value of close classmates and supportive staff is also environment for a stable transition. appreciated by Zeynep and Marta, who are in years 11 and 12 at Shropshire’s Adcote School. SETTLING IN “The first months were quite hard because I tried to get A positive frame of mind allowed new pupil Charlotte to used to the new environment and lifestyle,” explained quickly find her feet at The Duke of York’s Royal Military Zeynep. “Then, thanks to my friends, family and teachers, I School (DOYRMS) in Dover. am really comfortable here.” The year seven student admitted that while living in a Marta added: “My first year here has been really fun – I’ve dorm with girls with different interests and personalities met a lot of very nice people, tried new activities and learnt was a challenge, it has ultimately helped her to thrive. a lot of good things.” “We’re all different and coping with those differences The need to form strong relationships is especially ›› www.armyandyou.co.uk summer 2017 Army&You 45 EDUCATION ADVERTORIAL important for boarding pupils and debates; played musical who are living away from family instruments and even tried his members, some for the very first hand at computer coding during time. a busy first year. Ozo found herself in this boat, He said: “It has been really but the welcoming atmosphere enjoyable – it is my first at Reigate’s prestigious Royal experience of boarding and it Alexandra and Albert School has been great fun. (RAAS) soon put her anxieties “Settling in was the biggest to rest. challenge as it was my first time She told us: “I’ve been enjoying at and it was my first year a lot. I think a big change from my previous it’s because I really like my schools.” boarding house. The diversity of school life “On my first day, I was nervous has allowed new pupils at and afraid, but there were “Millie has found it useful as it Haberdashers’ Monmouth people to help me. Now, every Schools to swiftly settle in their time I walk into my house the matches her with a sixth former who new surroundings. smell makes me feel happy and provides a supporting role.” Issy (12), from Haberdashers’ safe. I love that I’m part of a Monmouth School for Girls, bigger family. – Charlotte, The Leys – explained: “I have really enjoyed “The best part of boarding different year groups. she was settling into her it. There are a lot of clubs and is being with friends. There is The system has worked well new environment, but more we have so many opportunities always something to talk about, for Millie, a year nine pupil, and importantly life – or gossip – in to try new things. always someone to talk with her “big sister” Charlotte, with the year nine dorm!” “I like netball and swimming and always someone who is fun the Dale House duo developing and all the lessons. I’d never and entertaining.” a close friendship. KEEPING BUSY done home economics before With year after year of Charlotte said: “Millie has Charles, who is from a military coming here.” children negotiating similar found it useful as it matches family, managed his move Fellow student Leah (12) has journeys into new schools, her with a sixth former who to North Dorset’s Port Regis filled her time with netball and Cambridge’s The Leys harnesses provides a supporting role; School by throwing himself into art, while Monmouth School the experiences of older someone with experience the wealth of extra-curricular student Sam (11) has enjoyed students for the benefit of those who can help with any small activities on offer. the opportunity to play cricket following in their footsteps. problem or is just there for a Already at home thanks in the evenings. The co-educational boarding general chat. to being around some of the Sport and being in the great and day school runs a big sister/ “Millie and I have coffee dates school’s other Service children, outdoors are also common little sister programme which at our school cafe, Balgarnie’s, the 11-year-old sampled sports themes at Farleigh School, near pairs pupils from the same to talk about life at the school. including squash, cricket and Andover. Year three boarders boarding house but who are in At first we discussed how fencing; took part in lectures Jemima and Henry both ››

“It’s been really good and lots of fun!” – Jemima and Henry, Farleigh School – www.armyandyou.co.uk summer 2017 Army&You 47 admitted to loving playing in explained: “The welcome was the nearby woods, with Jemima good and it helped me a lot. also learning the rules of hockey, There’s always something going rounders and netball. on and I really enjoy it. It’s like a Ellen, whose dad is serving home-from-home.” in Germany, is another highly- Living alongside others proved active youngster. Her first year to be a bit of a culture shock for at Christ College Brecon has Charlotte, from The Leys, who been filled with swimming, put extra effort into trying not netball and rounders as well as to be too dominant in group additional opportunities laid on situations. by the school. She said: “Everyone should “I like the activities we do as be equal in order to work boarders and the excursions,” efficiently together. she said. “My favourites were “It takes a while to understand go-karting [and trips to] the “If you’re a boarder, do all the this and get used to everyone’s trampoline park and leisure different ways of thinking, but centre.” activities you can. It’s really fun and when you do, I can assure you Forces-friendly Queen Victoria the best thing to do to make new that you are inseparable as a School, based in Dunblane, year group.” ensures pupils are never at friends and not exclude yourself.” Anxiety over making a loose end by providing a – Ellen, Christ College Brecon – new friends is a common stellar set of out-of-classroom preoccupation for many activities. including a trip to a laser game who provided an equally diverse children, but Henry from One year seven pupil enthused centre in Falkirk and the chance set of memorable moments Farleigh School assures anyone about the “interesting and fun” to try knitting, hockey, rugby from their first year at the new to a boarding school that “it nature of their introduction and even bread making. school. doesn’t take long” to form close to life at the Scottish school, The same is true for students A trip to Cornwall’s Eden bonds with classmates. singling out highlights at Salisbury’s Chafyn Grove, Project went down well with In the classroom, Adcote day students from year five, School’s Marta said that an while one year four girl enjoyed initial adjustment to new styles having a role in the school of teaching is now paying play and being selected for the dividends. swimming gala. A gymnastics She said: “The way subjects club, the school’s adventure are taught is completely playground, the opportunity to different to what I was used to – write stories and being around but it’s better!” caring staff were also among the Ensuring she was well appreciated extras. prepared for her academic endeavours was key to Royal OVERCOMING Alexandra and Albert School CHALLENGES student Ozo’s enjoyment of her Being in alien surroundings opening year. is just one of the issues facing “When I first started, I wasn’t pupils embarking on education as organised as I should have at a new school. been,” she told us. “I had to Ellen, from Christ learn to write down my prep College Brecon, pointed and keep on top of everything I to homesickness as a “big needed to.” challenge”, but the combination of being used to her military dad SUPER STAFF being away a lot and keeping Starting at a new school can busy with school life has helped be just as nervous a prospect her to overcome it. for staff as it can for pupils, but She added: “I like having a set husband-and-wife team Regan place – there’s lots to do in the and Gail Schreiber found they house and I have really good fitted right in when they became friends who are really nice to head of boarding and house me.” parent at Hazlegrove School in Homesickness was also Somerset. a short-lived issue for Sam Describing their opening from Monmouth School. He year as “exhilarating”, Regan

48 Army&You summer 2017 @ArmyandYou EDUCATION ADVERTORIAL

SCHOOLS DIRECTORY

ADCOTE SCHOOL Little Ness, Shropshire adcoteschool.org.uk

CHAFYN GROVE Salisbury, chafyngrove.co.uk

CHRIST COLLEGE BRECON Brecon, Wales christcollegebrecon.com

THE DUKE OF YORK’S ROYAL “As teachers, we have witnessed a degree of MILITARY SCHOOL Dover, Kent professionalism, creativity, accountability and doyrms.com dedication that is awe-inspiring.” FARLEIGH SCHOOL – Regan Schreiber, head of boarding, Hazlegrove – Andover, Wiltshire said he and Gail have been The close-knit community and the best thing to do to make farleighschool.com re-energised and had their love at Haberdashers’ Monmouth new friends and not exclude HABERDASHERS’ for teaching rekindled by the Schools sits at the heart of the yourself.” MONMOUTH SCHOOLS happy, flourishing pupils under advice offered by Leah and Issy. Charlotte, from DOYRMS, Monmouth, Wales their care. Leah said students should agreed: “There are countless habs-monmouth.org He added: “As teachers, we “be excited about coming opportunities open to you, so have witnessed a degree of here because it’s like one giant go for anything that appeals – HAZLEGROVE professionalism, creativity, family,” with Issy adding: “We you never know, you might find Hazlegrove, Somerset accountability and dedication would both choose to come here you’re really good at something hazlegrove.co.uk that is awe-inspiring. again if we had the choice.” you never thought about before. “During our time here, we Ellen from Christ College “Take every chance thrown THE LEYS have felt valued and part of an Brecon suggests taking your way – I promise you won’t Cambridge amazing family of like-minded advantage of the incredible regret a single one.” theleys.net staff. Children, parents and opportunities on offer. Staying “open minded” is staff all need people who are She explained: “If you’re a praised as a strategy for success THE PARK SCHOOL deeply committed to their boarder, do all the activities you by Marta from Adcote School, Yeovil, Somerset roles and who are constantly can. I realised that it’s really fun who urged: “Enjoy every parkschool.com reminded that all we do is for moment – take the opportunity PORT REGIS SCHOOL the children’s well-being.” to broaden your horizons and Shaftesbury, Dorset try new things.” EXPERT ADVICE And Port Regis pupil Charles portregis.com From nervous newcomers said that fellow first-timers QUEEN VICTORIA SCHOOL to seasoned students, each shouldn’t fret about settling in: Dunblane, Scotland of the children we spoke to “Be confident,” he said. “Relax qvs.org.uk highlighted the admirable and don’t get stressed about adaptability of youth. anything as there are great ROYAL ALEXANDRA AND But having been through the teachers and staff at Port Regis ALBERT SCHOOL rigours of the first year at a new to help you all the way.” Reigate, Surrey school, what advice would they Whatever concerns potential raa-school.co.uk pass on to those that follow? pupils might have prior to A pupil at Queen Victoria starting at their new school, SCHOOL School recommended forming Charlotte, from The Leys, Warminster, Wiltshire close friendships to help out concluded that children should warminsterschool.org.uk through good times and bad, follow the wisdom of her “little WELLINGTON ACADEMY with Ozo, from RAAS, also sister” Millie. Tidworth, Wiltshire praising the power of people. She said: “Her advice is simply She said: “Don’t be afraid – “Don’t be afraid – to be yourself. It’s great to do thewellingtonacademy.org.uk people are nice! When I got lost this from the outset, as getting WYCLIFFE COLLEGE during my first days, people people are nice!” to know your peers, teachers Stonehouse, Gloucestershire were happy to help and show and members of house staff is – Ozo, Royal Alexandra and wycliffe.co.uk me where I needed to go.” Albert School – so useful.” n www.armyandyou.co.uk summer 2017 Army&You 49