Boarders' Bulletin March 2025

Welcome to the March issue of the boarders' bulletin.

Celebrating Our Boarders' Achievements: As the term concludes, it's a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of our boarders. Their involvement in various events and their academic dedication contribute significantly to the vibrant school community at Cranbrook.

Event Highlights

Film Night: This event offered our boarders a chance to relax and enjoy a selection of films in a cozy setting. It was an evening of camaraderie, where students shared laughs, popcorn and shared cinematic experiences.

‘All You Can Eat’ Buffet: A culinary extravaganza where boarders savored a diverse range of dishes. Such events are great for nurturing a sense of community and allowing students to experience different cuisines.

Easter Egg Hunt: A great afternoon where they had to track down 6 hidden “Easter bunnies” around the school site. It was a great activity that encouraged teamwork and enthusiasm as boarders hunted for the hidden treasures around the school grounds.

Boarding House Shout: This spirited gathering allowed students to showcase their talents as a house in the big and small group categories. Such events not only entertain but also boost confidence and foster a supportive environment. Well done to Blubery for winning the big group category and to Crowden for winning the small group. It was a night where the boys stepped up across the board and broke traditions to put pressure on the “top 2” Scott & Blubery.

Academic Achievements

The dedication and hard work of our students in their academic pursuits deserve recognition. Their commitment to excellence is evident in their achievements, and it's important to celebrate these successes to motivate and encourage continued efforts. Well done to those in each house who were awarded with the “Eggcellent” and “Good Egg” award. These awards recognise their contributions to their studies and support of their house.

Community Spirit

A special acknowledgment goes to those boarders who have exemplified kindness and leadership. Their efforts in supporting and caring for their peers have greatly contributed to the positive atmosphere within the boarding community.

Looking Ahead

As we anticipate, the next term, our thoughts are with the Year 11 and Year 13 students who are preparing for their GCSE and A Level exams. Their hard work and perseverance are commendable, and we have every confidence that their efforts will lead to success.

From all the Boarding Team, we wish you a very happy Easter break!

NOTICES

End of Term station bus: A station coach has been arranged for 1pm on Friday 4th April and 8.10pm on Tuesday 22nd April, this is strictly for those who have already signed up for this service. Please refer to the Parent Mail sent 10th December for more information regarding charges and the process.

Early Return: Early return house is Crowden on Tuesday 22nd April and must be booked in advance. Please email WattsN@cranbrook.kent.sch.uk if this service is required. The early house facility incurs a charge of £10 per hour which will be placed on your son/daughter's bill.

Week A return: Please may you remind your child we return to school after the break on a Week A schedule.

THE HOUSES

Scott

This half term has seen Scott House working hard but the excitement is building as the end of term approaches! Emma K returned from half term as the U'18 junior golf champion, this is such a huge accomplishment, well done Emma!

Pancake day would not be pancake day without Mrs. Burnett's mountain of pancakes for the house, a tradition enjoyed by all!

It’s also awesome to hear that the Scott girls are getting into parkrun! Tiwa really set a great example, even roping in Mrs. B! The rise in running seems like it’s energizing the house, especially with Scott being so visible in the inter-house cross country.

This half term has been packed with fantastic moments! The Easter Bunny hunt becoming a regular part of the school calendar is such a fun tradition, and I am sure Nyama, the house captains, and Mr. Carney took great delight in hiding in obscure places.

The House Shout was such great highlight - Mariam did an amazing job leading the charge, especially pulling off a fantastic 3rd place overall. The small group’s near victory was just as impressive. It’s heart-warming to hear that the whole house came together to make it such a memorable evening.

With the Scott Ball coming up, I’m sure the excitement is building. The themed dresses will definitely add to the fun atmosphere of the event.

Best of luck to Year 11 and 13 with their upcoming exams, you’re nearly there!

Kirstie Burnett, Head of House

Rammell

Let’s start this term’s bulletin with our favourite day of the year: Pancake Day! The smell of sizzling batter filled the air, and our boys, armed with spatulas, were ready to channel their inner Gordon Ramsay—well, minus the culinary finesse. Pile on the toppings, they said! Watching Mr Crews attempt a flip resulted in more pancake on the ceiling than on the plate, turning the kitchen into a delightful pancake canvas, at least he was more successful than Mr Houston!

Spring had officially sprung, and with it came the perfect weather for the Easter Egg Hunt! Imagine our boys morphing into chocolate-seeking ninjas, darting around the gardens as if they were on a top-secret mission. The sight of them scrambling about, clutching their spoils with absolute glee was enough to melt even the hardest of hearts (and potentially the Easter chocolate!).

As if the boys weren’t busy enough, we ventured on a fantastic adventure to Prison Island in Maidston! Equipped with clues and a sense of urgency, the boys worked together to tackle puzzles that put their academic prowess to shame. Who knew they had such strategic minds hidden beneath layers of banter? The only thing harder to escape was the debate about who had the best “brain power”.

To keep our spirits high, there was a session of Boarders Bingo! The stakes were through the roof, and boy, did it get heated! Cards were flung, shouts erupted, and moments of silence fell as the boys tried to convince us that they did, in fact, have the winning card. The atmosphere of competitive chaos was electrifying.

As if that weren’t enough chaos, we pulled off our very first joint Sellers/Rammell Sixth Form House Dinner, where the competitive spirit was alive and well. Dressed to impress (or at least in the cleanest hoodie they could find), the boys brought their A-game to the dinner table, competing fiercely over who could eat the most food in the least amount of time. Conversations were lively, punctuated by tales of “that one time” and “can you believe he did that?” It was an evening filled with laughter, enough to fuel a comedy show (not that we’d ever audition them, mind you!).

In a more serious vein, our Year 13s had the privilege of a first-hand interview experience with the fabulous Susie. Her wisdom was so on-point that the boys were practically scribbling notes like they were flipping pages in a wizard’s tome! They left with tips and tricks that could get them through any interview. Let’s not forget our love for park runs, which have turned into a feat of endurance (or a mad dash for snacks in disguise). Breaking attendance records became the new norm as the boys tackled the various courses.

The school’s Wear What You Like Day brought another level of comedic flair to the week. With a music theme, boys turned up in dazzling outfits that could only be described as “unique”. Some sparkled, some clashed, and a few looked like disco balls that had been dropped into a charity shop. The highlight? Mr Houston courageously joining a group of Year 12s in a themed costume that left everyone both impressed and, well, a bit confused.

And as we culminate this term’s events, let us herald our triumph in the House Shout! What a finale that was! We brought home the silver, narrowly edging out Scott and for the first time since records began it wasn’t Scott & Blubery in the top 2! The shenanigans, the laughter, and the camaraderie—oh, what a spectacle of melodrama and talent! As the crowds cheered and the glitter rained down, it became strikingly clear: when it comes to Rammell House, the show must always go on!

Josh Houston, Deputy Head of House

Blubery

As we wrap up another wonderful term in Blubery, we are thrilled to share the highlights and memorable moments that have made this term so special for all of us. So many of our girls have shown incredible dedication by joining Mr. Crews for numerous park runs, braving all kinds of weather from the biting February wind to driving rain - all in the name of keeping fit and healthy. With spring now upon us, we look forward to many more sunny runs ahead! The Boarders' Easter Egg Hunt was a delightful event, with Mr. Carney stealing the show dressed as a rabbit and Onnie largely evading capture by hiding like a troll under the bridge - brave considering the murky stream lurking there.

Snacks continue to be a driving force in the house! Saturday snack nights have continued to be a hit, especially with our customary Blubery crepes! Miss. Ingle has continued to create glorious snacks and our Pancake Day treats were particularly awesome!

Many of our Blubery girls joined Allan House for their annual dinner, embracing the new combined day houses and making lasting memories. Our competitive spirit shone brightly during Boarders' Bingo, with Leonor cashing in on the prizes. It was an evening of excitement and friendly competition. Some of our Blubery girls enjoyed the tranquility and peace of fishing the fishing trip to Hawkhurst and enjoyed a sunny morning by the lakes.

A huge congratulations must go to our amazing performance in House Shout! The big group category led by Indigo secured a well-deserved victory. Well done to all the girls for their dedication and enthusiasm. Tonight, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of the Easter Bunny for our Easter Egg hunt and Easter Egg deliveries.

Looking ahead, we are excited for the Blubery Dinner on 9th May at High Rocks. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and participation this term. Whilst Year 11 & 13 are preparing for their forthcoming exams, we continue to look forward to more wonderful experiences together next term!

Claire Pack, Head of House

Crowden

As we celebrate the achievements of our Year 13 leavers, I want to reflect on the remarkable year we've had together so far. Our boys have embraced numerous opportunities, from inter-house competitions and charity events to boarding trips and activities like Pancake Day, the Easter Egg Hunt, and most notably the House Shout - taking victory in the Small Group. Living in a boarding house has brought us closer, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and community. This year, we also navigated the challenges and opportunities of integrating the Day-Boarding house structure, which has strengthened our bonds and adaptability.

I'm thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous contributions, we've made significant progress on several projects, too, including the new Sixth Form Common Room and the gazebo in the back garden. As we approach the upcoming exams and study leave, I wish all our students the best of luck and a restful break. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our community.

Nick Watts, Housemaster

Cornwallis

As we draw to the end of this term, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey our boys have embarked upon. They have shown remarkable dedication and resilience throughout their studies and activities, making us all immensely proud.

This term, our boarders have embraced both academic and extracurricular challenges with enthusiasm and determination. Their hard work has truly paid off, and their achievements are a testament to their commitment and perseverance.

We are thrilled to share with you the exciting activities and achievements of our Cornwallis boarders this term. It's been a vibrant and engaging term, filled with fun. Here are some of the highlights:

Pancake Day - Our boarders enjoyed a fun-filled Pancake Day, where they flipped and decorated pancakes to their hearts' content. Still looking for one or two pancakes that are on the celling!

Cross Country - Congratulations to all the participants who showed great enthusiasm and determination in the cross-country event. I can guarantee that we won the house event with all the boys present participating in the run.

Driving Range - Our budding golfers had a fantastic time honing their skills at the driving range.

Dodgeball - Energetic games of dodgeball kept the spirits high, with teamwork and strategy on full display.

Cornwallis vs. Blubery - A "friendly" competition that showcased the talent and sportsmanship of our boarders. The ladies were a force to be reckoned with!

Pizza and Movie Nights - Relaxed evenings were spent enjoying delicious pizza and a selection of popular movies, bringing everyone together for some much-needed downtime.

Fishing Trip - A day out by the water, where boarders learned the patience and skill involved in fishing.

Friday Night Football - Weekly football matches that have become a beloved tradition, fostering teamwork and fitness.

Nachos Night - A delightful evening filled with homemade nachos and good company.

Easter Egg Hunt - Our boarders participated in a fun Easter Egg Hunt, with individual winners from Cornwallis showcasing their easter bunny-finding prowess.

Webster-Cornwallis Senior House Hockey - Congratulations to our Cornwallis team for being the winners in this exciting hockey tournament!

Looking ahead to the new term, we are gearing up for some significant milestones. Our Year 11 and Year 13 students will be facing important exams, with Year 11 taking their GCSEs and Year 13 preparing for their A-levels. We are confident that their efforts will lead to successful outcomes and we are committed to supporting them every step of the way. We also have the long awaited Cornwallis House Dinner to look forward to, a black tie event on 25th April - always a fabulous night!

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to another term filled with growth, achievement, and success.

The Cornwallis Team

HOUSE SHOUT & EASTER EGG HUNT

The long awaited annual House Shout saw Blubery win 'big group' and congratulations to Crowden for their 'small group' win too! Well done to everyone involved.

The Easter Egg hunt is becoming a firm favourite in the diary too, always well attended with everyone getting into the spirit - house captains and Mr Carney dressed for the occasion and did not disappoint!

In keeping with the Easter traditions we would like to highlight the following students who received a Good Egg award!!

RAMMELL - Jack Sharman, Hugo Real, Lucas Chavesse-Grimes

CROWDEN - Kyle Chan, Sean Lee, Laju Akpieyi

BLUBERY - Poppy Polding, Emilie Moon, Tilly Beckerman

CORNWALLIS - Ethan Mangondo, Freddie Davis, Jackson Waring

SCOTT - Susanna Hood, Ama Baffoe-Bonnie,

Year 9 - Estella Lau, Ethan Mangondo, Year 10 - Natalie Cheung, Branden Leung, Kathy Pang, George Jacobs, Markus Chui, Year 11 - Katie Wong, Timothy Lui, Wilson Lau, Aidan Lam, Adachi Uduanochie, Year 12 - Isobel Rennie, Kevin Okoli, Mariam Jagana, Elliot Hughes, Hugo Parsons, Year 13 - Indigo Adamson, Julian Kearon, Alexi Haslett, Freddie Parker, Flo Stephenson

Well done to each of you!

From all the Boarding Team, we wish you a Happy Easter!