MARTHAANDCE MRSOVEY

Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Miss Robinson for covering me as Housemistress whilstIwasawayonMaternityLeave.Iamsurethatyouwouldallagreethatshedidafantasticjobofcaringfor eachandeveryoneoftheMarthaandCeciliagirlsandshecontinuestodosoovertheweekendsandonmynights off. I would also like to thank all of the pupils for welcoming me back so graciously and baring with me whilst I remindedmyselfoftheboardingroutines.

This term has been another fantastic term in boarding for Martha and Cecilia girls. As ever, our numbers are growing, and we have been over subscribed with boarders, which is a fantastic position to be in. With this it's brought a little more noise, but as ever, it is a delight to hear friends chatting animatedly through the corridors on their way to prep. After half term we welcomed 15 new faces to Martha and Cecilia House from France, Italy andSpain,includingsomereturningstudentsfromlastyear.It’sbeensolovelyreconnectingandgettingtoknow all of the new international short stays and this has given everyone ample opportunity to embrace new friendshipsandforgerelationshipswithintheirdormroomsandthewiderboardingcommunity.

The Martha girls had their End of Year exams prior to the half term break, with the Cecilia girls returning for their exam week. There have been a number of fantastic results in these and the girls should be proud of the maturewayinwhichtheyapproachedtheseandconductedthemselvesduringtherevisionandexamperiods.

Our weekend programme as ever has been packed to the rafters with engaging, exciting and exhilarating activities. It has been heart warming to witness some of our boarders try new things and challenge themselves to the ‘advanced group’ in our caving activity, and also for just attempting the cave, despite being scared beforehand. Ninja Warrior was another popular activity, with the girls pushing themselves to complete the coursewithoutfalling.Theweathertowardstheendofthistermhasbeenglorious,unfortunatelythisdidn’thold out for the one day that we went to visit the beach but at least the International Students had a more accurate picture of what a British Beach holiday might look like. The sun came back out for Paddle Boarding and Kayaking,anactivitythattrulywasenjoyedbyall.

The last couple of weeks have been incredibly busy. It started with the BSA National Boarding Week which saw our Martha and Cecilia girls take part in the 2K relay around the school grounds (my dog, Guinness, was a particular fan of this event), inter-house bake off, and the inaugural Boarder’s Concert. I was mesmerised by the talentthatwehavewithinourHouse,especiallywhilstwatchingaperformanceofamusicalinstrumentthatI’ve never seen or even heard of before. This was followed by our annual Boarder’s Dinner at The Rose and Crown in Longburton.Itwasfantastictoseealltheboarderscometogethertocelebratetheendofanotherexceptionalyear in Boarding. The last weekend was a busy one, with Roller Skating in Bournemouth on Saturday, followed by Afternoon Tea and Lawn Games in the Italian Gardens on Sunday. The atmosphere around site on Sunday was delightful, with our girls sunbathing, playing volleyball, attempting to fly kites and generally being present in themoment.Itwasoneofthosepictureperfectdays,thatIwillrememberforalongtime.

As with every year, it is time for us to say goodbye to a number of students as they move on to pastures new, or just up the corridor to Eleanor House. They will be dearly missed from Martha and/or Cecilia House and our doors will always be open for you to return to us for a catch up. As we come to the end of a jam packed year in boarding, I would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy Summer Holiday - please take a well-earnt rest andcomebackinSeptember,readytodoitallagain.