Boarders' Bulletin November / December 2024

Wowsers that was a term and a half!!! It started off with a bang with the CSPA fireworks night which the whole house supported and thankfully it remained dry. Our talented members of the house represented in all the significant musical productions this term, ranging from DanSing to the winter concert, to an incredible solo by Amandine in the Community and School Carol Concert at the end of term.

The whole house ventured to London by coach to watch Hamilton, which was a resounding hit from the girls.

This term saw a combined year 13 tutor trip with Rammell to Bluewater to watch Moana 2 and perhaps more popular was the Wing stop take-away. Year 9s experienced their first viewing of Wicked at the cinema and are hopeful to progress this to watching this incredible production live in London later next year.

The start of the festivities saw the boarding trip to the ice rink in Tunbridge Wells, the demand in Scott resulted in an extra impromptu evening of skating for Scott, which was incredible and the girls had free reign of the ice for the vast majority of their session, lots of laughter with the odd dramatic tumble here and there. This year saw Scott’s big build, a year group challenge to build and decorate the best gingerbread house. Well done to year 10 who were triumphant and this was swiftly followed by the Christmas sketches which always provides a twist on the goings on in Scott this term!!

A Festive Farewell to 2024 from Rammell

As 2024 comes to an end, Rammell has been buzzing with holiday cheer, laughter, and the special energy that makes this house so awesome. From the moment we put up the Christmas tree to the Christmas songs playing all day, the holiday spirit was in full swing. This term has been packed with amazing moments, starting with Mr. Houston’s epic win in a house table tennis tournament. That win set the tone for a term filled with fun, competition, and friendship. Meanwhile, the weekly park runs have gotten even more popular, with more and more boys showing up, cheering each other on, and getting better and better.

Beyond sports, the boys had some epic trips to Flip Out, where they jumped on trampolines all day and had a blast. For the Year 13s, Mrs. Hulland-Rumley’s legendary wing nights were a highlight. They had a delicious mid-week treat and a chance to relax. Adding to the sixth form fun, the Year 13s from Rammell and Scott teamed up for a cross-house trip to Bluewater. They spent the evening watching Moana and sharing a feast from Wing Stop—there was plenty of chicken and good company, so it was an unforgettable evening out. We were thrilled to have some of our past boarders back, like Layomi and Kamal. Their visits reminded us of all of the amazing connections we’ve made here in Rammell.

This term was packed with exciting events, from the incredible CSPA Fireworks Night to the pizza van visit, which was a huge hit with the boys. Thanks to the amazing parents for adding to our snack fund so we can provide lots of extra snacks, which the boys love! We also saw some incredible talent at DanSing, where Angel, Moduro, Hermes, Aidan, and Chris performed amazing shows that everyone loved. Back at the house, the Rammell Christmas window display was super creative, and the festive decorations made every corner feel like a winter wonderland. The house ice-skating trip was a blast, with the boys showing off their skills (and some hilarious falls) on the ice. The first-ever Sixth Form Winter Ball added a touch of glamour to the term’s celebrations, while the all years across Rammell-Sellers enjoyed cozy hot chocolates filled with Christmas jokes, cakes, and biscuits. The Rammell/Blubery “RnB” Christmas party was a total hit, bringing laughter, music, and joy to everyone who attended. Sports fans were also in for a treat, with trips to the valley to watch a Charlton game and the Year 10 boys celebrating their hard-fought and well-deserved house rugby victory. Our world food nights continued to delight, offering a chance to share and explore different cultures through delicious meals. And to top it all off, we had an unforgettable Christmas meal at the Great House, where everyone came together to celebrate a fantastic term.

Every term I try not to open with how it has been another busy term, but it is impossible not to do so again this term! We have been to the theatre, DanSing, the Christmas meal, hosted a Christmas party with Rammell, the seniors’ Winter Ball, a cinema trip and all the regular weekend boarders’ activities on top!

The term started with the CSPA fireworks event and the weather held off long enough for us to enjoy the fantastic display. Not even a week later, we headed over to the Queen’s Hall to support Leonor, Cassia and Onnie as they performed in DanSing. Once again, the talent in the School continues to amaze me. With mock exams out of the way, we headed off for one of the most anticipated events in the Blubery calendar, the theatre trip! This year, it was off to a very Christmassy Savoy Theatre to see Mean Girls with the surprising treat of a free upgrade to the stalls. Thank you to Mrs. Swallow for organising our tickets.

With so many whole house trips this term, we have had little time for our key stage trips but managed to squeeze in a cinema visit to see Wicked and a cheeky McDonalds before with Year 12 & 13. The seniors also had the glamour of the ‘Winter Ball’ in early December and they looked absolutely beautiful as they headed out in their finery.

The student house leaders of Blubery and Rammell decided there was a gap in the calendar of festivities, and it should be filled! They set about organising a Rammell/Blubery house party for Christmas with traditional games interwoven with some new ideas. The marshmallow ‘Chubby Bunny Challenge’ was a particular favourite of mine along with the ‘After Eight Challenge’. A great time was had by all and a possible new tradition…

Despite the gloomy, windy weather recently, the boys' spirits have remained high, and they have thoroughly enjoyed a variety of activities and events this term. We kicked off with a spectacular fireworks display, which was a hit among the boys. The colour and excitement of the night set a positive tone for the weeks to come. Weekends have been made sweeter with baking competitions, fortnightly, the boys enjoyed experimenting with recipes and sharing their delicious creations. With all their hard work this term, a trip to the cinema to see Gladiator 2 provided a much needed break from revision for some. Of particular note, too, despite other year groups losing out to the weather and postponements, the Year 10s did us proud in their Inter-House Rugby securing 2nd place in the competition. Their hard work and team spirit were commendable.

Latterly, our attention has turned towards Christmas, starting with Matron decking the halls, and the boys taking part in a great many opportunities to get in the mood. Highlights have included fun-filled ice-skating trips allowing the boys to showcase their skills and a few tumbles. The seniors also got the chance let their hair down at the Winter Ball with everyone dressing up and enjoying an evening of dancing and socialising with other Boarders and Day pupils, and our dedicated and skilled musicians impressed everyone with their talents at the Winter Concert. It was a proud moment for me seeing these guys on stage with my son who was singing in his first Cranbrook event.

The fun and excitement peaked this week with the boys donning their most creative and festive Christmas jumpers. The day was filled with laughter and a friendly competition for the best attire. This was followed by a fantastic evening of food and frivolity at the Milkhouse in Sissinghurst, where we were blessed with delicious food and festive decorations – apart from the delicious food, a highlight being the After Eight Challenge. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate the season, and we didn’t stop there. On our return to base, the Senior 4 led the annual favourite, Secret Santa, with thoughtful and humorous gifts bringing joy to everyone involved.

The Autumn Term traditionally comes to a close in Crowden with the much-anticipated Awards and Raffle events. Several boys were recognised for their achievements and contributions to the House. Certificates were awarded, and House Colours were presented to those who had shown exceptional dedication. Adding to the love-in and chocolate-fest, many boys won some fantastic prizes - a fun way to wrap up the term!

As we approach the Christmas season, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the remarkable achievements and experiences of the boys in Cornwallis Boarding House during this autumn half term. The camaraderie, teamwork, and spirit displayed by the boys have been commendable, and they have embraced a variety of activities that have organised by the house captains ranging from house badminton and football.

Throughout the term, academic performance has remained strong, with many boys showing improvement in their studies. The support from staff and the collaborative study sessions fostered a conducive learning environment. Notably, the boys have demonstrated resilience and dedication, which will undoubtedly serve them well as we approach the exam season in the year.

Some highlights of the term:

1. Charlton Football Match: The trip to the Charlton football match was a standout event. The boys that attended the game displayed great enthusiasm, cheering for the home team and engaging in friendly banter with rival supporters. The experience was capped off with a "thrilling" match that ended in a nail-biting finish, leaving everyone excited and eager to see if Charlton will start to win a game for the sake of Mr Davies who organised the trip.

2. House Ice Skating Adventure: An evening of ice skating provided an excellent opportunity for the boys to enjoy some winter fun and test their balance. Many faced their fears and took to the ice, while others demonstrated impressive skating skills. The laughter and friendly competition added to the joy of the evening, and it was heartwarming to see everyone supporting one another, especially those who were learning to skate for the first time.

3. House Dinner at Dale Hill Golf Club: The house dinner at Dale Hill Golf Club was a resounding success. The boys dressed up for the occasion, showcasing their maturity and respect for the event. The afternoon was filled with delicious food, engaging conversations, and some light-hearted speeches that allowed the boys to express their gratitude towards their peers and staff. This dinner reinforced the importance of community within the house and allowed the boys to celebrate their achievements together.

4. House Table Tennis: The introduction of a table tennis table has caused great excitement and competition through the house. The boys have been organising various competitions over the last couple of weeks leading to the competitive edge coming out in some more than others.