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AUTUMN TERM | 2023
BOARDING LIFE
Dates For Your Diary
@lewestonboarding @lewestonboard
www.leweston.co.uk 01963 210691
ELEANOR HOUSE MRS SIMKINS-SMITH & MISS ROBINSON
As another busy and successful term in boarding draws to an end it’s lovely to look back on all the fun, laughter and excitement the community has shared. Eleanor House is always a warm and welcoming home from home where the girls feel comfortable and confident enough to fully embrace our values of honesty, respect, solidarity, courage and responsibility. As senior boarders I am incredibly proud of the example of inclusivity, kindness and enthusiasm they set for our junior boarders. This term has been filled with an exciting and varied activities programme from Go Karting to Well-being weekends, Zorbing, Ice Skating and the Bath Christmas Markets to name a few! The week day activities programme has also been full of fun and we were proud to introduce our ‘Ladies that Lift’ session at the gym this term in response to student voice. We saw the return of Boarding's Got Talent which was a huge success, thank you to International Prefect, Hazel, and Boarding Prefect, Daisy, for organising such an entertaining evening! Although the weather has been glum at times, the boarding community have made the most of the time indoors by cosying up for tea, cake and hot chocolate over family style games in the common rooms, watching movies or painting the mural in the Eleanor House common room. Each boarding house will have it’s own mural so that students can enjoy some mindful painting to promote relaxation and creativity. It is also fantastic to see the boarders being able to quite literally leave their mark in their boarding house! The boarders are actively engaged in numerous aspects of school life, contributing significantly to sporting, musical, and drama achievements. Eleanor House students have had successes in the equestrian field, excellent martial arts results, incredible performances at the various musical events this term and a number have secured roles in the school musical to be performed later this year. Their full involvement reflects a commitment to a well-round and enriching educational experience that extends beyond academics, showcasing their talents and dedication in diverse areas of activities. Miss Robinson and I wish all the girls in Eleanor House a wonderful Christmas break. We look forward to welcoming them back to boarding in the New Year!
ANTONY HOUSE MR CANNON & MR PURCHASE
In the spirit of growth and progress, we are delighted to welcome new international students to our community. The freshly refurbished dormitories provide a comfortable and welcoming home for all. It's heartening to witness the newcomers embodying our core values of honesty, faithfulness, respect, loyalty, and the strong sense of family that defines life at Antony House. Beyond the classroom and sports fields, our new students have seamlessly integrated into the fabric of Antony House life. They've not only excelled academically but have also had the enriching experience of spending time with British families, fostering cultural exchange and lifelong friendships. As we stride into the heart of the academic year, it is with great pride that the boys are valuing the results of our recent end of module tests and mock exams. Our dedicated students have showcased their commitment to academic excellence, and we commend their hard work. In the realm of sports, Antony House continues to shine brightly. Some athletes are reaching new heights with Olympic Hopes, as well as excelling in events such as pentathlon, and making their mark on the rugby circuit. Weekends at Antony House are a tapestry of activities, and this term is no exception. From exploring the Bath Christmas Market to the thrill of go-karting and the challenge of escape rooms our boarders are making the most of their time outside the classroom. A trip to the cinema and an afternoon of shopping in Exeter add the perfect blend of entertainment and relaxation to our weekends. As we celebrate our achievements and welcome new faces, let us continue to uphold the ethos that makes Antony House a truly special place. Together, we create an environment that nurtures, not only academic and sporting success but also, personal growth and lasting connections.
MARTHA AND CECELIA MRS OVEY
I cannot believe it is the end of term already - where has this term gone? It seems like yesterday that we were welcoming all of our new students into Martha and Cecilia Houses, and welcoming back our returning boarders on a lovely summer’s day in September. Our international pupils have been a credit to themselves this term. They have become an integral part of the House and have forged great friendships both within our boarding community and with day pupils alike. Likewise, our returning boarders have been so incredibly welcoming to all the new pupils and this is why they have felt so at home. As always, it’s been an incredibly busy term for the Martha and Cecilia girls and it’s been great to see them all making the most of the school activities on offer to them in the afternoons. It always amazes me how many things these girls can cram into their days. Our weekend activities have also been varied, from Polo tasters, tree planting, shopping trips and ice skating. They have also enjoyed numerous House activities throughout the term including trips to Ecco Gelato and Castle Gardens, hot chocolate evenings, and midnight feast pyjama parties. Outside of the House there have been many achievements - sporting, musical and dramatic prowess fills the corridors on a daily basis. I have seen some great progress on the hockey field and heard beautiful carols sung in Sherborne Abbey during the Carol Service. The boarding staff and I are all so incredibly proud of all of our boarders. As always the end of term brings a little sadness as we say goodbye to some of our short stay pupils. We hope that they have had the most incredible time and wish them all the very best for the future. We will also very sadly be losing Miss Hamilton and Miss Tapp our GAP assisstants. I’m sure the boarders will be as disappointed as I am to be losing them.
WELCOME BACK It was very exciting to see so many new faces as well as welcome back more familiar ones at the start of term. We saw the arrival our new Gap Assistant from Ethiopia, Mr Walter; who is working in the sports department and Antony House alongside Mr Cannon and Mr Purchase until next July.
During the early weeks of term, Sixth Form boarders had the opportunity to get together in their common room to enjoy each other’s company over a delicious chocolate fountain and assorted treats. This offered new boarders the chance get to know each other.
After an exciting first week back to school, the boarders got the opportunity to decorate and personalise their own mug to keep in the House. This activity was a great chance for boarders across the Houses to meet and begin building beautiful, longlasting friendships. Boarders were then put into teams and tasked with a challenging photo scavenger hunt to get accustomed with the school grounds. Zorbing was the final activity, and all the boarders had great fun, with a little healthy competition.
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES Go Karting Boarders had a thrilling experience racing around the kart track and developing their driving skills at Haynes Motor Museum Go Karting. Everyone was pedal to the metal but Eduardo and Blanca came out on top with super speedy times. So much fun was had by all boarders and staff; especially Miss Robinson and Miss Tapp who beat Mr PagetTomlinson!
Exeter Shopping
A lovely trip to the beautiful city of Exeter allowed boarders the chance to explore the rich history of the city and browse the many different shops and markets. Everyone got to travel around in groups having a few hours of independence exploring the city centre. Stories of delicious seasonal treats and purchasing last minute gifts for family back home buzzed around the bus on the drive back.
Escape Room
Our boarders experienced the challenges of an escape room in Dorchester, where teamwork and quick thinking definitely came in handy. It was great to see so many get involved and have a go. The day wasn’t without some funny moments including some dancing by Ines and Carlotta; it definitely doesn’t get you out any quicker!
Martha & Cecilia PJ Party
On the last night in boarding Miss Tapp and Miss Hamilton hosted a PJ slumber party for the Martha and Cecilia girls to celebrate all their hard work over the term and as a mini farewell party before they left at the end of term. The girls had a lovely time chatting and giggling in the common room, before Mrs Ovey surprised them all. It was a very exciting, fun final night in boarding.
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES Bath Christmas Markets
The Bath Christmas markets were definitely worth it! The boarders enjoyed the freedom of walking around in groups and buying presents or treats for themselves in the great Black Friday deals. It definitely put everyone in the Christmas spirit - even Mrs Ovey!
Well-being Weekends
Exeat weekends in boarding are now our well-being weekends. Staff encourage boarders to participate in a variety of activities that are both community-based and beneficial for their physical and emotional wellbeing. Activities include reading, yoga, meditation, tree planting, letter writing to our sister school in Nepal, country walks, and the much loved afternoon tea. It has been great to see everyone taking some time away to reflect on themselves and practise self-care. The weekends also offer a great opportunity for a ‘digital detox’, allowing boarders to build relationships across the Houses.
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Moon Festival
Fun New Activities
Boarding offers a range of exciting weekly activities; swimming and sports hall games have continued over on Wednesday and Thursday nights, as they are very popular. Ladies Who Lift, is a women’s only gym session run on Tuesday night by Miss Tapp for girls in Year 9 upward and this has been extremely popular and will be continued into next term. This term we were lucky enough to hold a basketball social with Milton Abbey. Spirits were high the whole night as the Antony House boys represented the boarding community with great determination. The remainder of the boarders provided great support encouraging their friends as they enjoyed burgers from the side-lines.
Boarders celebrated the Chinese Mid Autumn (Moon) Festival at the Belvedere with mini campfires. A group of our Chinese students shared the importance of the Moon festival with boarders as they enjoyed the evening socialising and catching up after being back at school for a few weeks. A lovely evening had by all.
There was also spooky night that started with a fun trick or treat trail throughout the boarding House, finished in the Watering Hole where haunted snacks and a ghoulish hot chocolate bar awaited everyone. It was lovely to see everyone get involved, dressing up and participating in the Halloween fun!
Mural Painting
As part of a new health and well-being initiative, Miss Robinson has specially designed ‘Mindfulness Murals’ for each boarding house. These allow boarders to take some time out from studying and focus on a fun group project as well as allowing them to leave their mark on the boarding community.
EXCITING EVENTS IN BOARDING
Bonfire Night
The boarders enjoyed a night of fireworks at the annual school ‘Fireworks Night’. They enjoyed browsing the stalls and a warm cup of hot chocolate before watching the much anticipated display.
House Meals
The Martha House girls were spoiled by Mrs Ovey during the last few weeks of term when they visited Castle Gardens and Ecco Gelato in Sherborne. Year 7 House member, Alexis, said it was ‘nice to just sit together and chat’ because ‘we get to see what each other are like outside of school and boarding’. Miss Robinson and Mrs Simkins-Smith took the Year 11 Eleanor girls out to Tamburinos for dinner during the second last week of term. It was a lovely evening and the food was delicious as always.
Boarding’s Got Talent
Our yearly ‘Boarders Got Talent’ took place this term, and we saw a variety of acts perform with great enthusiasm. From comedians, future football stars and grand pianists; we saw everything, even Mr Cannon’s rendition of Robbie Williams. Hazel and Daisy did a great job organising.
Christmas Celebrations & Events The boarders were busy getting into the festive spirit during the last few weeks of term, by decorating the Houses and Christmas trees; creating clay Christmas tree ornaments; competing in a mini gingerbread house making competition; celebrating Saint Nicholas day with treats and special ornaments; and assembling Christingles for the service in the Trinity Chapel.
FROM OUR PREFECTS Boarding Prefect ~ Daisy “This term in boarding has been very busy but great fun. Seeing everyone get so stuck into Boarding’s Got Talent made it loads of fun to prepare. To watch Mr Cannon forget the lyrics to “We Will Rock You” in a pink bunny suit was a performance I'm not going to forget for quite some time! I enjoy making the most of my last few terms here at Leweston by getting involved in boarding activities and leading Boarding Council meetings.” International Prefect ~ Hazel “It has been a lot of fun in the boarding house this term! My favourite activity is Sixth Form socials on the weekends. Everyone gets really competitive playing cards and it’s such a great way to spend a weekend evening. At the beginning of the term, my friends and I loved going on a walk down to the Belvedere after dinner. We love watching the sunset while talking about some silly random topics until it turns into a deep talk. Unfortunately we don’t get to do that in the winter but it is equally great getting having tea and hot chocolate, and getting cosy in the common areas. It’s always comforting to have people around boarding supporting you during the most stressful time in school!”
FINAL WEEK IN BOARDING
Boarders performed and sang in the School Christmas concert and Sherborne shopping day over the last weekend of term. Well done to all those who took part. The Sixth Form Masquerade Winter Ball also took place towards the end of term and it was lovely to see so many boarders have a wonderful evening of dancing and socialising.
Skibobs and Ice Skating The last weekend in boarding was extremely busy with musical performances, celebrations, Mass, boarding excursions, and the unmissable movie night; it was a wonder how boarders managed to fit everything in! If it was great to see the boarders try everything - even if that resulted in them falling onto the ice! Resilience was in evidence largely due to brisk weather conditions (temperatures below - 4℃!!) but, as they always do, the boarders relished the opportunity to get involved and made the most of ice skating, skibobs, and the Christmas markets.
The boarding staff are all going to miss our boarders greatly over the Christmas holidays but we are sure they will have lovely Christmas breaks catching up with family over the festive season. We hope they all have a safe holiday and look forward to seeing them all in the new year!
It is with a heavy heart we say a sad goodbye to our Gap Assistants Miss Hamilton and Miss Tapp who are heading back home to Australia. They have been with us for the past 12 months and have been much loved and highly valued members of the boarding team. We know that the boarders will miss them greatly, as will the staff. We wish them both all the best for their bright futures and upcoming adventures! Miss Hamilton is continuing her work at a school as a teaching assistant and working on her family farm. She is very eager to get home and see her puppies. Miss Tapp is going to study Psychology at Wollongong University next year and looks forward to seeing her ponies when she gets home. We hope that they will come back and visit us soon!
The Boarding Staff would like to wish all Leweston families a MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! Important dates for Spring Term 2024 International Travelling Day (from 12pm)
Tuesday 2nd January
Start of Term
Wednesday 3rd January
Exeat (from 16:20)
Friday 19th to Sunday 21st January
Half Term (from 16:20) Returning Sunday from 18:00
Friday 9th to Sunday 18th February
Exeat (from 16:20)
Friday 8th to Sunday 10th March
End of Term
Friday 22nd March
International Travelling Day
Saturday 23rd March
Leweston School, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 6EN 01963 211 015 | admissions@leweston.dorset.sch.uk | www.leweston.co.uk