Sophia and Saskia tell us what is is like to join SG and board for the first time
Sophia
Everyone was so welcoming and friendly and although I was a bit nervous, Mrs Jamieson (Housemistress, West) and the other boarding staff and teachers made me feel at ease and helped me to settle in. My brother goes to Sherborne School so I sort of knew what to expect and, as a surprise to my family, I didn’t feel homesick at all! There was so much happening to keep me busy, I didn’t think about it. But the chance to call home and FaceTime my family was so nice and I was able to share with them everything that I was doing at School.
I was disappointed when lockdown happened as I had only one term in the boarding house but I stayed in England and the Teams lessons worked really well and I continued my music lessons online. Although I’m a little nervous about moving into Kenelm, one of the mixed-aged house in September, I am sure it will be another adventure.
Saskia
I have an older sister in School so I had heard a lot about SG and was very excited about coming, but it is still a long way from home. All the other girls were so fantastic and helped me settle in and soon I didn’t feel homesick at all.
I stayed in Hong Kong during the last lockdown, so I did my school work in a different time zone. My school day started at 3.30pm and went through to midnight – I liked being allowed to stay up late! I still felt part of the year group and the girls even organised Teams calls for lunch time so I felt that I was actually sitting with them in the West dining room. [insert line space]
Being back in School was fantastic. Even though we still couldn’t go out on trips Mrs Jamieson and the boarding staff organised other just as exciting events such as a silent disco and camping out in the gardens where we toasted marshmallows.
For anyone boarding for the first time, I would say, don’t worry about feeling homesick as there are so many ways everyone will help you to settle in so it feels like home.
