Page 9 - Demo

snuggling down with a book before lights out has always been a firm favourite with the girls. In their free time, the girl boarders have always enjoyed summer swims, especially the occasional late night swim; playing spotlight or manhunt with the boy boarders, having movie nights at the Housemaster%u2019s house, where they enjoyed treats and time together; squad competitions, whether they are bed-making challenges, dance-offs, ortheir all time favourite; %u2018Boarders-Got-Talent%u2019.The landscape of girls%u2019 boarding has undoubtedly evolved, and the boarders have since moved into their stunning new dormitories in the Oliver Boarding House on Jack%u2019s Paddock, yet the spirit remains unchanged. Obvious differences are that they now have 8 showers and shorter wait times, the boys%u2019 and girls%u2019 dormitories have their own common space with modern couches and bright colours, they have reliable Wi-Fi to be able to video call their families at home, sharing immediate updates and daily happenings. There is still an allocated time for prep, with perhaps less written prep than they used to do, now their laptops and tablets helping them to work on their Inquiries and enabling them to complete Maths tasks online. The dorms still hum with the same energy, and the connections that were once made that kept boarders as long term friends, are still shining through. Boarders in the early 2000s right up until today, have benefited from a vast array of extra-curricular opportunities. Earlier they were involved in what was known as Minster, where staff members offered a variety of after-school activities that included art and pottery, calligraphy, games, model-making, and board games. The boarders still have access to many of these activities, but now they can also choose to join a robotics and coding club. Amidst any advancements and the boarders living in a more modern boarding house, with air conditioning that keeps the temperature constant from summer to winter, the core of boarding life endures. We still witness the same heartfelt family goodbyes on Mondays and joyous reunions on Fridays, the shared laughter, the late-night whispered conversations, the comforting presence of caring House staff, tutors and friends, the games late into the evening. The development of resilience and independence is as strong as ever too. While the tools of connection may have changed, the fundamental human need for belonging, support, and shared experience remains the bedrock of our boarding community. Independence has always been fostered by having a routine and a sense of collective responsibility for the boarding house. There has always been a unique camaraderie born from navigating life together with fewer distractions, forging deep bonds through shared experiences, both big and small. In 25 years, the essence of girls%u2019 boarding at our school hasn%u2019t shifted. It%u2019s about building a home away from home, nurturing strong friendships, fostering resilience, and preparing confident, compassionate young women for the world. We invite all our alumni, especially those pioneering girls from 25 years ago, to revisit our school. Walk through the boarding house, see the changes, and most importantly, feel the enduring warmth of the community you helped to build. We%u2019d love to hear your memories and stories of boarding life %u2013 what unique details do you remember that made your time here special?Here%u2019s to the next 25 years of empowering young women through the extraordinary experience of boarding!Bev McMaster (Girls%u2019 Housemaster 2004 - 2020) and Liz Donald (Girls%u2019 Housemaster 2023 - the present)