BOARDING
Boarding A s I write, our jam-packed calendar of brunches, afternoon teas, ceilidhs and other celebratory events are in full swing – it really is incredible to think how much things have changed since we returned to school in August when travel restrictions and pandemic legislation governed just about every aspect of life in the boarding houses. Yet, in the same breath, I must also articulate how thankful I am for the wonderful boarding staff, families and guardians at St Leonards who worked together to make the most of these trying circumstances; the well-known saying “it takes a village to raise a child” has never felt more apt. In partnership with pupils and their families, the positivity and ‘can do’ attitude of the staff has ensured that
this year was not only filled with opportunities for the pupils to develop resilience, but also to have great fun and to build friendships that will last a lifetime. The pupils, too, displayed great strength in the face of adversity. Bishopshall, Ollerenshaw and St Rule truly are ‘homes from home’ filled with exceptional young people and staff who stand up for what is right, look out for each other, and seek to make a meaningful difference to the lives of others – I am very proud to be part of this family. What makes boarding at St Leonards, and indeed the school at large, such a wonderful place to live and learn is the warm and welcoming community, which is global in composition and outlook – everyone here is committed to fostering a homely and supportive
environment in which pupils can grow and flourish. Our commitment to delivering a firstclass boarding experience for pupils means that we are always looking to refine the strategies and initiatives which underpin the wellbeing of our boarders. As part of her Master’s in Residential Education, Mrs MurrayTurner, Housemistress of Bishopshall focused on this very topic, and we were delighted that her innovative research and our exceptional pastoral care received national recognition at the BSA Awards, at which St Leonards was named the winner of the Boarding Research Award 2022. Looking to the future, St Leonards will continue to research and develop its boarding and pastoral care, implementing strategies to support current and future pupils and disseminating its findings to ensure that its sector-leading research benefits pupils across the UK and further afield. I hope that you enjoy perusing the colourful House pages that follow. Gerry Young Deputy Head (boarding)
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