South House Newsletter Michaelmas Term
2014
Edited by Laura Clark & Christi Radkiewicz
Mrs Frett’s Corner: There is a moment towards the end of this term every year when my heart literally skips a beat on receiving an email entitled “South Newsletter” and is followed by the immortal lines, “Dear Mrs Frett, please can we have your article for the newsletter asap!” For an awful moment my weary brain goes blank and (impossible as it seems for all of you who know me so well) I am lost for words. I know I have to come up with something fairly promptly to appease my long-suffering editors, but how do I encapsulate or articulate a wealth of wonderful memories in one small paragraph? After all, the many achievements of this incredible bunch of individuals are already emblazoned across the South newsletter pages. So this term, I have decided to focus on the essence of South - those thousand little moments which leave me in no doubt that being a Housemistress in South has to be the best job in the world. So how to describe South… Quite simply we are a family - admittedly a little larger than the average one with a lot of teenage emotions flying around, but what makes South so special is the realisation that no matter what kind of day you have had, when you walk through those blue doors you are home and know that you are accepted, valued and will be heard. In South, everyone plays a part; there are no spectators - all of us are participants, whether it is as soloists, goal scorers or goal keepers, thespians, painters or cooks. The Southies really do make this place buzz. I cannot tell you how many prospective parents I show round South who comment on the vibrant atmosphere - and that is during study periods when (rare for South) all is quiet and calm! You should see us when we let our hair down! Chocolate fountains, Orange Wednesdays, the after-play cast party, Santa Fir (where one of my lovely Upper 6th decided it would be a great idea if we bought a real reindeer for the South garden!), mixed netball matches with the boys (to be seen to be believed!), a jazz evening with a live band and our very own fabulous singers, MNM (Monday night matrons!) where I often enter to screams of laughter from Charades and quizzes. We South girls know how to work hard and play hard and we do both with equal measure! We treasure this house with its quirky layout, extreme temperatures (and I am not talking about the girls!) and fabulous MCR/LCR (middle and lower Common Rooms!). In House Prayers last night I asked the girls to focus on what it means to be part of this family - that trust is a vital ingredient and how happiness is not just about possessions and acquiring the latest gadget but it is about looking beyond ourselves, to the welfare of others and it is about being comfortable in one’s own skin. That is going to continue to be my message to this incredible band of unique individuals. Finally, my heartfelt thanks to my 112 wonderful Southies who make this place buzz; to my fabulous tutors who are the ultimate in professionalism and diligence; to my long-suffering, creative and positive matrons; our patient cleaners, Val, Molly, Mel and Jan; and of course the irrepressible and effervescent Miss Sturdee and dynamic and feisty Miss Merry who have made this term memorable, manageable and marvellous!! A very peaceful and happy Christmas to you all. God bless. Mrs Frett x