The Boarding Review
Awhirlwind term so far! The enrichment programme has been packed with fun activities for all, ranging from calming pottery painting to the adrenaline rush of fair-ground rides to the comfort of firepit and ultimate hot chocolate. In fact, there is so much to tell you about that we are introducing a half-termly review alongside the usual termly version.
Students have settled well into the new term. New friends have been made, academic routines have settled and boarding has felt full of energy. Our new games area, complete with table tennis, table football and computer games is often buzzing. The common room provides a quieter area with comfy sofas, a TV area, books, and games. Students have commented on how they enjoy having this quieter option.
We have made a few tweaks as a response to student voice, including a slightly different set up for home learning, increased ‘dinner money’and a new football goal. Having received a request for a boarding pet we are going to be running wellbeing sessions where students can pet and befriend a dog, if they choose to do so. The Lego and baking clubs remain popular and we plan to add a ‘boarders’book club’in the future.
The British weather has not always played ball and so sometimes there has had to be a last minute change of plan in activity (hiking in a thunderstorm was not possible, for example). Even when plans changed due to the weather, boarders adapted with creativity and good humour, showing true resilience.
They have also continued to make the best of the wider opportunities boarding affords; some diligently writing their UCAS statement with expert advice on hand, and others developing their character skills as part of the student leadership team. All have developed their wider life skills such as independence, communication and cooperation through living together.
Joining the boarding family in September has been a wonderfully welcoming experience from staff and students alike. I have been struck by the wide array of skills and interests amongst boarders, ranging from expert chess player, to champion dancer, to talented artist to aspiring musician. Boarding at SGS nurtures independence, creativity and lifelong friendships, preparing students for success both inside and outside the classroom. I look forward to continuing to get to know students as the year progresses and as they continue to grow and flourish.
We hope that you enjoy this review and look forward to sharing more news and photos later in the term. Have a wonderful half term break.
With warmest wishes, Sarah Murton.
Welcome & Welcome Back!
Mrs Hammond (previously Ms Trueman - Congratulations!) and Ms Oliver prepared welcome packages of snacks for all of our students.
The first of our students to arrive was Marc in Year 10, from Spain. All of the rooms in Bolton House, bar two, are single en-suite. Marc will be sharing one of the doubles with another Year 10 student.
Marc is a keen football player, both on and off the screen, and had already signed up to our local youth team.
Parents and students met in the Bolton House common room for a few introductions.
Mrs Charlotte Willard is seen here giving a quick medical introduction with Mr Aidan Timmons, our Head Teacher, and Ms Sarah Murton,Assistant Head and Head of Boarding on the right.
After the meal students went for “Names”, our traditional word for a register, in the Bennett House common room, whilst parents had a question and answer session with Ms Murton in the dining room.
We were pleased to invite parents and carers to an evening meal. The diversity of our students soon became clear with home locations varying from Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean and the Falkland Islands.
Out of Bounds
With the weather looking ominous it was decided that a hike in the rain was not our best choice and Ms Oliver organised a group outing to the Out of Bounds centre. We were booked in for four activities. Indoor climbing, tenpin bowling, crazy golf and high nets.
Students took the opportunity to consume their packed lunches as we waited for our sessions to start. We were divided into two groups for climbing and crazy golf but were together for bowling and nets.
The indoor climbing was superb with really excellent and helpful instructors.
Many took on the speed climbing challenges andAlden was pleased with his score until Phoebe D clocked an 8.56 second run. In response to thisAlden threw himself at the climb leaping the last part to hit the button for an absolutely amazing 6.8 second ascent. Very impressive!
Brighton Orientation
At the start of each year all Boarding students are taken to Brighton for the day. The idea is that the new students are shown round by the old so that they can confidently go there on their own in future.
It is also an opportunity to do a little shopping and to visit the new IKEAstore.
After several hours of familiarisation all students met up at Donatello for a meal before returning to Steyning.
LEGO/Model club
At 4pm after school a dedicated group of LEGO enthusiasts gather to stick a few bricks together.
This year we started off with some pull back cars and then moved on to small shop and street scenes.
Some were really quick whilst others, having made a mistake earlier, had to backtrack and then reassemble their kits. Whilst the real LEGO kits are expensive we have found a number of sites that offered real bargains.
After the first two weeks students chose a number of more advanced models to make and were eagerly awaiting their arrival.
Welcome Service
Students were officially welcomed to Boarding in a short service in StAndrew’s and St Cuthman’s Church. This thousand year old church has been visited by Boarders from our inception in 1614. The address this year was given by our Head Teacher Mr Aidan Timmons.
Readings and prayers were given by our Head, and Deputy Head, Girls and Boys.
Flip Out
Boarders took a trip to “Flip Out” trampoline park in Chichester. They were surprised when their fist obstacle to overcome was getting in! Due to the heavy rain the car park was flooded and so they had to crab-walk along a curb using the steel fence for support.
It’s a Mugs Game
There was an opportunity for Boarders to decorate their own mugs. Each was supplied with a plain white mug, some ceramic paints and basic instruction from our visiting expert… and off they went.
The results, delivered back a week later after firing, can be seen below. There were some really great and artistic designs.
Wellbeing Meeting on Consent
PC Sally Scott came into Boarding to give a talk on the subject of Consent. Laws vary from country to country and this is a talk given in Boarding every year for the protection of our students.
As always Sally had a question and answer session at the end.
Who To Turn To
Every Boarding student has a right to contact an adult outside the normal Boarding staff if they have a concern… or even just for a chat. That person is Victoria Ryan, a lo-
cal Steyning resident and her contact details are listed on our staff picture board.
In the above picture Victoria is on the left, our Wellbeing Lead, Mrs Willard, in the middle, and Tanya Mitchell, our Boarding Counsellor, is on the right. Ms Oliver also reminded students how to report things in Boarding using QR codes.
Miner BeesAre Back
Sunny weather heralded the yearly return of our colony of Miner Bees. These are basically harmless and rarely fly more that a few inches above the ground when nesting. Each bee digs a small tunnel to lay eggs, from which they get their name. In a few months the eggs will hatch into larvae which in turn will become the next generation of miner bees destined to return the year after.
Line Dancing
We generally alternate between salsa and line dancing each year. This year…. Line Dancing with Stetson hats and inflatable horses. The ladies who run this for us teach the students a number of steps that combine into a number of dances. Everyone has a go, with some showing more talent than others, and a few staying for the more advanced styles at the end.
Our Head Girl, Tosan, went the whole way and performed in one of the inflatable horse and cowboy suits including bandanna.
Thorpe Park Trip
What to do on a school INSET day? The answer was a trip to Thorpe Park to try out the new Hyperia and other rides.
Minibuses left after breakfast, confident that the park would be relatively empty. Oh, how wrong we were!
The coach park was choc-a-bloc full and it was only that we had minibuses that allowed us to squeeze in whilst other coaches had to park further away. To add to this there were “quite a few” in the lines waiting to through the security checks and get in.
Once in Mrs Hammond gave out contact cards and confirmed the end of day meeting times and the meeting place. Then it was off to the rides… well… the lines. Most headed straight toward Hyperia, the newest ride.
E-Safety
Mr Dryer, who has responsibility for e-safety within the school, came to Boarding to give a talk about the law and how to stay safe online.
Technical staff from school were also on hand to sort out any log-on or wifi connection problems.
Nigerian Independence Day
For many years we have celebrated Nigerian Independence Day and this year was no exception.
Sil, our chef, produced some fine Jolloff rice with some great spicy chicken to go with it. Our Nigerian students showed us how to make puff puff, and we tried plantain chips and chinchin. We finished off with a quiz about Nigeria which rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Pamper Night
One dark and windy evening in early October boarders had a Pamper Evening. Mrs Willard created a variety of “mocktails” for students to drink whilst face masks were applied and nails painted.
Several students showed considerable artistic talent and there were soon ques for them to apply some brilliant henna designs.
Whilst all this was going on the Build Your Own Ice Cream Sundae bar was opened. As well as various ice cream flavours there was a large variety of sauces and toppings to choose from. There were some impressive creations.
Fire Pit
Mrs Hammond put together a great selection of things to toast on the Boarding fire pit. Marshmallows are always a favourite but there was also a selection of healthy fruit options. Long skewers in hand students eagerly warmed, and sometimes cremated, their selections.
Visiting Alumni
Students from over 20 years ago popped in to visit Boarding. They were surprised to see Bolton House which is where the old dining room and outdoor swimming pool used to be. They were also surprised to see Mr Treadwell who had already been at SGS for 20 years when they were boarders. Welcome back Michael, Brandon and Shirley.
Milkshakes
Friday evenings have activities run by our Resident Boarding Tutors. Milkshakes with ice cream, fresh strawberries, Crusha syrup or Oreos are always a popular choice.
Pumpkin Carving
Boarders gathered on a Friday evening for the messy and slimy task of pumpkin carving. Designs were drawn with Sharpie pens and then the cutting and scooping began in earnest. There were some excellent creations but staff chose our first ever twin level “Halloween Snowman” as the overall winner. Well doneAnna and Theo who won a golden ticket each for their efforts.
Halloween Games
In a boys vs girls competition Boarders competed at a variety of spooky games with the girls ultimately victorious.
Pizza Making
On a lazy Sunday afternoon Ms Oliver gathered the Boarding students for pizza making. Using bread mix, they made their bases and let them rise for a few minutes. Then it was tomato base and topping time. Some went for the basic option of just cheese but most were more adventurous and piled up the toppings. Needless to say that all were quickly eaten.
