ELEANORHOUSE
MRSSIMKINS-SMITH
AstheSummerTermdrawstoaclose,we’vehadtosaysomeheartfelt goodbyes—notonlytoourwonderfulYear13students,butalsotomanyof ourinternationalshort-stayandyear-stayboarders.Whileit’salwayshard toseestudentsleave,weareincrediblyproudofeverythingtheyhave achievedandthelastingfriendshipstheyhaveformedduringtheirtime withus.Whetherheadingofftouniversity,returninghome,orembarkingon newadventures,wewishthemalltheverybestforthefutureandhopethey stayintouch.
Oneofthehighlightsofthetermwasourend-of-yearboarders’dinnerand awardseveningattheRoseandCrownInn.Itwasatrulyspecialoccasion anopportunitytocometogetherinarelaxedsetting,reflectontheyearwe haveshared,andcelebratethefriendshipsandmemoriesthathavemade thistermsomeaningful.Theeveningwasmadeallthemorepoignantas wehonouredourdepartingstudents,withheartfeltfarewellsandawards recognisingtheiruniquecontributionstoourboardingcommunity.
Toallourboarders:thankyouforanincredibleterm.Havearestfuland joyfulsummerbreak.TothosenotreturninginSeptember—youwillbe dearlymissed,andwehopetohearaboutallyourexcitingnextchapters soon!
ANTONYHOUSE MRPURCHASE
AswereachtheendofanotheryearinAntonyHouse,it’sapleasureto reflectonthemanymemorablemomentswe’veshared.Weweredelighted towelcomeseveralnewstudentsfromGermanyandFranceintoour boardingcommunitythisterm.Theirenthusiasm,adaptability,and willingnesstogetinvolvedhaveenrichedhouselifeforeveryone—from tryingtheirhandatcircusskills,toexploringtheAirArmMuseum,tomaking asplashduringwatersportsinPoolePark.
Ourboyshaveembracedeveryopportunity,withseveraltakingonthe challengeofDofEpracticewalksandmanyproudlyrepresentingtheHouse intennisandcricketfixtures.Aspecialmentionalsogoestothosewho showcasedtheirtalentsintheschool'sproductionofSeussical afantastic representationofAntonyHousespiritonstage.
ThistermalsomarksasignificantmilestoneforourYear11students,who havenowcompletedtheirGCSEcourses.Weapplaudtheirhardworkand awaittheirwell-earnedresults.Atthesametime,webidafondfarewellto ourYear13leavers youngmenwhohavegrownintooutstandingrole modelsduringtheirtimewithus.Wewishthemeverysuccessand happinessintheexcitingjourneysthatlieahead.
Onapersonalnote,asthisismyfinalterm,Iwanttoextendheartfeltthanks totheentireAntonyHouseparentcommunity.Yoursupportoverthepast fiveyearshasmeantagreatdeal—notonlytomebuttothewhole boardingfamily.Iamimmenselyproudofwhatwehaveaccomplished together,andIleavewithmanyfondmemoriesandahugedebtof gratitude.
MARTHAANDCECILIAHOUSES
MISSROBINSON
It’sbeenanotherwonderfulterminMarthaandCecilia,filledwithsunshineand laughter.Wehavewelcomedsomelovelynewfacesintothehouse,andithasbeen suchapleasuretoseehowquicklytheyhavesettledinandbecomepartofthefamily
Thewarmerweatherhasbroughtwithitplentyofoutdoorfun oureveningshave beenspentenjoyingtennismatchesandevenafewspontaneousgamesofcroquet! Weekendshavebeenequallylively,withseveralopportunitiestocooloffinthewater, includingourtriptoDorsetAdventurePark,bouncingaroundoninflatablesinthe schoolpool,andheadingoutforsomepaddleboardingandkayakinginthesunshine. Thegirlshavetrulymadethemostofeveryopportunitytounwind,laughtogether,and enjoybeingpartofsomethingspecial.
OneofthethingsItreasuremostarethequieteveningmomentsIspendchattingwith thegirls whetherit’shearingabouttheirday,offeringencouragement,orsimply sharingalaughoversomethingsilly TheseconversationsarewhereIseethereal heartofthehouse:girlssupportingoneanother,growinginconfidence,andbuilding friendshipsthatIknowwilllastwellbeyondtheirtimehere.
It’salwaysbittersweettosaygoodbyeattheendofaschoolyear.Thisterm,wewaved offafewgirlswhoareeithermovingonorheadingupintoEleanorHouse Theyhave broughtsomuchtoourcommunity,andwhiletheywillbeverymuchmissed,I’m incrediblyproudofthemandexcitedforallthatliesahead.
Ithasbeentrulylovelytoseefriendshipsflourishandtowatcheachgirlgrow bothin andoutoftheclassroom Iamsoproudofalltheyhaveachievedandthecareand kindnesstheyhaveshownoneanotherthroughouttheterm.
Wishingallourfamiliesahappy,restfulsummer.Ilookforwardtowelcomingeveryone backintheautumnforanotherexcitingyearahead.
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
GOAPE
Ouradventurousboarderstooktothe treetopsatGoApe,tacklingahighropes coursedesignedtotesttheircourage, balance,andteamwork.Suspendedhigh abovetheground,studentsnavigated wobblybridges,ziplines,anddaring obstacleswithdeterminationand enthusiasm.Formany,itwasachanceto overcomepersonalfearsandbuild confidenceinasupportiveenvironment. Laughterandcheersechoedthroughthe treesasclassmatesencouragedone anotherthrougheachchallenge,proving thatgrowthoftenhappensjustoutside ourcomfortzones.
MINDFULNESS
Over exeat weekend, students embraced a refreshing mindfulness retreat designed to balance relaxation with light physical activity. The weekend began with a focus on wellbeing through sport, as students took part in friendly games of tennis, badminton, and football. These sessions not only encouraged teamwork and gentle competition but also gave everyone a chance to unwind and stay active in a fun, inclusive environment. Saturday evening concluded with a cosy mov thered together to enjoy a filmandr ctivities.
Sunday brought a calmer, more reflective tone. The morning began with a guided yoga session, helping students connect withtheirbreathandbodiesthroughslow,mindfulmovement. Later, the group set off on a peaceful walk into the nearby village of Lillington, passing by paddocks and enjoying the natural beauty of the countryside. This tranquil outing offered a chance to clear the mind and appreciate the quiet rhythm of the weekend, rounding off the exeat with a sense of calm and restored focus before returning to the usual school routine.
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
CircusSkills
Boarders took part in a circus skills workshopthatbroughtenergy,laughter, and a touch of spectacle to the school grounds Under the guidance of skilled performers, students learned how to juggle, spin and balance plates, and even try their hand at walking a tightrope with the help of safety supports. The atmosphere was filled withencouragementanddetermination as pupils challenged themselves to master new tricks and coordination skills. It was a weekend of creativity, confidence-building, and shared fun leaving many with a newfound appreciation for the art and discipline behindcircusperformance.
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
Pool Inflatables
DorsetAdventure Waterpark
Watersports
Theboardersenjoyed anexcitingand competitivetripto Rockley,filledwith fantasticwater sportsactivities.
ST ANTHONY’S DAY
BoardingstudentsmarkedStAnthony’s Daywithaheart-warminggardening projectatthePrepSchool,wherethey lovinglyrevitalisedtheflowerbedsasa colourfultributetothepatronsaint. Armedwithtrowelsandgardening gloves,theyweeded,dug,andplanted potsofseasonalflowers.Theactivity nurturedboththegroundsand communityspirit,asstudents collaboratedeverystepoftheway, whilealsolearningvaluable horticulturalskillsandappreciatingthe joyofworkingtogetheroutdoors. Everyonethenenjoyedanice-cream foralltheirefforts.
Thisterm,agroupofPreppupilshad theexcitingopportunitytoexperience anightinboarding.
Thechildrenenjoyedarelaxedevening withsupperandafunbuntingcraft activitybeforesettlinginforthenight. Thenextmorning,theywereupearly foraspecialvisittothestables,where theyhelpedoutandgotafeelforlife ontheyard.
Welovedwelcomingthepupilsand givingthemaglimpseintothe warmth,fun,androutine ofboardinglife andlookforward toseeing them backagain soon!
EVE BOA
Tocelebratetheendofterm,our boardersenjoyedamemorable eveningattheRoseandCrownInn foraspecialend-of-yeardinner andawardsnight Theatmosphere waswarmandjoyfulasstudents andstaffgatheredtosharea deliciousmeal,reflectonthe yeargoneby,andcelebratethe uniquecontributionsofourboarders. Theawardswereahighlightof theevening,recognisingeverything fromkindnessandleadershipto resilienceandcommunityspirit.Itwasaperfectwaytomarktheendofafantastic term andasend-offforourYear13leaversandinternationalstudentswhowillbe movingontonewadventures.
AspartofBSABoardingWeek celebrations,ourboarderswere treatedtoadeliciouslyfunFudge Day!MrPurchaseandMissBailey tooktheleadinthekitchen, creatingabatchoforiginal homemadefudgethatfilledthe housewithitsmouth-watering aroma.Studentsgatheredto watch(andtaste!),andsome evenhadagoatmakingtheir ownflavours.Itwasawonderfully sweetwaytobringeveryone together,showcasingthewarmth andcreativityofourboarding community—andprovingthat fudgereallydoesmake everythingbetter!
Itiswithaheavyheartthatwesay goodbyetoMrPurchase.Hehas beenatLewestonsince2020and hasbeenamuchlovedandhighly valuedmemberoftheboarding team.ThiswasMrPurchase’sfirst yearasHouseparentofAnthony House,fillingtheshoesofMr CannonwholeftusinDecember; andhasbeensuchavalued memberofstaffworkingin boarding,andtheLanguages Department.Weknowthatthe boarderswillmisshimgreatly,as willtheboardingstaff.WewishMr Purchaseallthebestashe embarksonhisnextgreat adventure,teachinginBoston, USA.Wehopethathewillcome backandvisitussoon!
