Welcome to the January / February Edition of the Boarders' Bulletin.
Dear Parents and Guardians, As we reach the Spring half‑term break, I wanted to take the opportunity to share some highlights from across our boarding community. It has been a positive and productive term so far, and I am incredibly proud of how our boarders have engaged with both their academic commitments and the wider life of the school.
Academic Focus Our Year 10 and Year 12 students completed their mock examinations this term, and we are very pleased with the effort and maturity they demonstrated throughout the process. Well done to them for approaching this important milestone with such determination. We also wish to extend our best wishes to our Year 11 and Year 13 pupils, who will be undertaking their next set of mock assessments shortly after the half‑term break. These exams form an essential part of their preparation ahead of the public examinations in May, and the boarding staff will continue to support them with routines, revision time, and wellbeing.
Boarding Life & Activities It has been a busy and enjoyable half‑term across all houses, with a variety of activities helping to build community spirit and provide important downtime. Trips and outings have included:
- A fantastic evening at the theatre to see The Devil Wears Prada
- A high‑energy performance of Michael Jackson: The Musical
- A weekend visit to Ashford Designer Outlet
- A team‑building Escape Room challenge, which proved very popular
On‑site activities have featured:
- The Table Tennis Championship
- A Boarding Basketball Challenge
- Chinese New Year Celebration
- Regular social events and various inter‑house competitions
It has been wonderful to see pupils embracing these opportunities, supporting one another, and contributing to the positive atmosphere in their houses.
Looking Ahead As we head into the second half of the Spring Term, our focus turns increasingly towards GCSE and A Level preparation. Boarding staff will continue to provide structured support, guidance, and encouragement to help all exam‑year students feel confident and ready for the months ahead.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support. I wish all our boarders and their families a restful and enjoyable half‑term break, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back soon.
Warm regards, Dave Carney Director of Boarding
IMPORTANT NOTICES
Boarders Half Term station bus: A station coach has been arranged for 15.10 on Friday 13th February from school and 20.10 on Sunday 22nd February from Staplehurst, this is strictly for those who have already signed up for this service. There is a £10 charge each way which will be placed on your son/daughter's bill.
Early Return: Early return house is Rammell on Sunday 22nd February and must be booked in advance so that house staff can plan accordingly. Please email CrewsA@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.
Exams, Reports & Parents Evenings next half term: A reminder Year 11 & 13 have mock exams week commencing Monday 23rd February, immediately after the break. Year 11 Parents Evening is Wednesday 25th March.
Students returning to House from the station: please may we remind parents when your child is returning to house after the weekend your child is not in our care until they arrive in the boarding house. If they miss their train or the minibus it is your responsibility to ensure they make adequate, alternative arrangements. Boarding staff cannot leave the boarding house to collect a student. We thank you for your cooperation with this.
Up to date parent/guardian contact details: At the halfway stage in the year may we please remind parents/guardians to check the contact details we hold for you - address, email, contact phone number (and emergency contact number). Please let your house know if there have been any changes.
Weekend trips/activities next half of term: Film Night, Brighton Shopping, 'All You Can Eat' Buffet, Crazy Golf & Chips (Hastings), Easter Egg Hunt. Please do discuss with your child what they might like to sign up for. Dates and costs can be found on the school website under the boarding section.
THE HOUSES
This half term saw our very first Just Dance competition, organised by James (Ra). The excitement it generated even inspired the house to purchase a Nintendo Switch to ensure we’d be up for the challenge! Many congratulations to Grace and Franny, who danced their way to victory and were crowned this year’s winners.
This year’s production of Matilda was truly phenomenal, showcasing not only the incredible talent of our students at Cranbrook but also an outstanding and imaginative set design (care of Kester and his team). The performances were full of energy and confidence, and the production was a fantastic success. It was especially wonderful to see the house out in support of Daisy, Sofiah and Paloma as they took to the stage. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication. We hope their involvement will inspire other members of the house to step forward and take part in future school productions.
This half term has also seen many members of the house showing real dedication and commitment beyond the school day. Several students have been getting up bright and early on Saturday mornings to take part in Park Run (thank you Mr Crews) — an impressive display of motivation and resilience. In addition, several students have been attending regular training sessions for the school netball squads, demonstrating excellent teamwork and perseverance. It has been fantastic to see such enthusiasm for sport and such strong representation from the house.
Grace has already taken up the helm in leading the house during House Shout practices ahead of next term’s Boarders’ House Shout competition. It has been lovely to see everyone coming together with such enthusiasm and team spirit. The house is already sounding fantastic, and we look forward to seeing their hard work pay off next term.
The penultimate night of term saw the boarding community come together to celebrate Chinese New Year in a wonderful evening of culture and community. Keith and his team provided an amazing spread of delicious food, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Special mention must go to Sophia (Bl) and Paul (Ra), who led the evening’s festivities and whole-school assemblies with great confidence and enthusiasm. Their efforts helped make the celebration both meaningful and memorable for everyone involved.
As we began to wind down towards half term, the house decided that a waffle night was very much in order! An evening of laughter, conversation and (seemingly endless) waffle-making was enjoyed by all. Here’s to plenty more moments like this — and perhaps a well-earned break for the waffle chef!
We would like to wish our Year 11 and Year 13 students the very best as they prepare for their forthcoming mock examinations at the start of next half term. We know how hard they are working and encourage them to use the break for some focused revision alongside well-earned rest.
Scott is also looking forward to welcoming Trinia into Year 9 next term — an exciting new chapter ahead! Meanwhile, the girls are already busily planning their tutor trips to enjoy once exams are over — something lovely to look forward to.
Here’s to a restful and restorative break. We look forward to seeing everyone back on 22nd February.
Kirstie Burnett, Head of House
Things have certainly been busy around Rammell since the start of half term. We began the half term with our New Year’s dinner and have since enjoyed a host of dishes from around the world, as the boys introduced us to their family favourites. Mrs Flinn’s legendary after-school snacks have also continued to fuel plenty of productivity too!
As ever, there has been a hive of activity around the house. Highlights include our Just Dance tournaments, Parkruns, regular duty-room games, crafty activities with Mrs Betts on Saturdays, football and pickleball, a trip to bowling and Valentine’s socials, as well as weekend treats. We have also had a couple of unexpected surprises along the way too – not least the arrival of a rescued cat!
Alas only a small snapshot of the fun can be captured here, please follow the Rammell instagram for more updates on all the fun. Have a lovely half term everyone.
Josh Houston, Deputy Head of House
As we wrap up another term at Blubery House, it’s safe to say we’ve weathered a grey and rainy couple of months—but true to Blubery spirit, we powered through with energy, enthusiasm, and plenty of laughter along the way.
Despite the drizzly mornings, many of our determined Bluberys continued to brave the park runs with Mr Crews. Their dedication has been admirable—not least because it earned them plenty of cosy evenings back in House, complete with crepes and Mrs Swallow’s legendary bakes.
The cheekier members of the park‑running crew even convinced Mrs Pack to spend a Sunday baking an impressive spread of treats for them… and remarkably, everyone survived!
A huge highlight of the term was seeing six Blubery girls take to the stage in Matilda. Their talent and hard work shone through in what was a stunning production—well done to all involved for representing the House with such flair. We also enjoyed our annual theatre trip, this year to see The Devil Wears Prada. The show was fantastic, but what made the evening truly special was the impeccable behaviour and enthusiasm of our Bluberys.
A big thank you to Ms Flinn for organising another wonderful outing.
For our Year 13s, love and laughter were the theme of the evening at the joint Rammell–Blubery Valentine’s party. With nibbles, games, and some truly interesting AI‑generated “offspring” images curated by the students, it was a night to remember. We welcomed the Chinese New Year a little early, joining together for a lovely dinner followed by festivities in The Coach House. It was a bright, joyful celebration—perfect for lifting spirits in the middle of winter.
As we head into half term, we send our very best wishes to Years 11 and 13 as they dive into revision and prepare for their upcoming exams. I hope you all have a fantastic half term break and here’s hoping the coming weeks bring us a little spring sunshine—we’ve certainly earned it.
Claire Pack, Head of House
As we reach the halfway point of the academic year, I wanted to share a few reflections from what has been an exceptionally busy—if notably damp—first half of term. January and February have delivered incredible amounts of rain, even by our usual standards, but I’m pleased to report that it hasn’t dampened the spirits, enthusiasm, or energy of the boys.
Inside the house, focus has been very much on the upcoming final mock examinations for Year 11 and Year 13. The pupils have been working steadily and sensibly, making full use of Prep Support each week, as well as the considerable number of academic clinics available across departments. Their commitment has been evident, and we wish every one of them the very best of luck as they head into this important assessment period.
Beyond the classroom, there has been plenty to keep everyone active and smiling. Weekends have been a welcome chance to relax for many, though a committed group continues to brave the elements at Park Run—running is becoming quite the popular pastime amongst the house. There’s also been a great deal of gym work taking place, and our few hockey players have been hard at training and competing in matches.
Life in the boarding house has been especially vibrant. Matron has presided over a surge of culinary creativity, with pupils cooking meals, baking cakes, and generally transforming the kitchen into a warm, flour‑covered hub of activity. Year 11 enjoyed a particularly successful trip to Gravity followed by a well‑earned meal at Nando’s. We also marked Chinese New Year in house, with celebrations enjoyed by pupils and staff alike. Plans are afoot for more year group trips after the mocks.
A major highlight of the term has undoubtedly been the incredible performances in Matilda, where many of our pupils showcased their talent and hard work. In quieter moments, we’ve reintroduced book reviews within the house—something that has already sparked lively conversation and recommendation‑sharing among students – good timing given World Book Day is just around the corner.
Looking ahead, we return after half term straight into preparations for Wear What You Like Day, always a favourite event. We are also pressing ahead with design ideas for improvements to the lobby area and our garden—weather permitting, of course. Upcoming events include and the much‑anticipated House Dinner; please remember that black ties will be required.
Finally, for those heading off on skiing trips over the break: have a wonderful time, stay safe, and who knows—perhaps we’ll see future Winter Olympians emerging from these slopes!
Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable half term.
Mr Watts & the Crowden Team
The start of this year has certainly been a deluge for our boys in Cornwallis. They have been kept busy with exams, revision, school musicals, house trips, and weekend activities. Our Year 13s have been having some timely meetings with Mrs Hulland-Rumley, diving into revision techniques and planning for the months ahead. We are all grateful for her guidance. Our Year 11s have also been given revision techniques and with mock exams starting soon we wish them well. Our Year 9s are doing great things. They have been contributing to the CCF and school hockey teams, and they even managed to hold their own in the annual Cornwallis History Test. Let’s not forget our Year 10s, who have been actively participating in after-school clubs while working towards targets set from their RAs and the Year 12s, who know what they need to do to improve following their own recent exams as well as leading the cooking of the House roast dinners at the weekends!
As a whole House, we had a fantastic trip up to London to see the Michael Jackson Musical, had a well fought game of Dodgeball against Crowden and even managed to get outside to cook on the BBQ. There have also been shopping trips, Escape rooms, basketball tournaments and house walks to keep the boys busy and entertained.
As we wrap up this half term, we also have to say a fond farewell to one of our Cornwallis boarders. Maxi is heading back to Germany after six months with us. He has been a fantastic addition to our band of brothers, always polite, smiling and contributing to the ethos and values of Cornwallis. We will miss him a lot. Maxi, Viel Glück for your next adventure.
With best wishes to you all for the half term break,
Mr Copping & the Cornwallis Staff
Last night saw all the boarders come together for another very special event - Chinese New Year! Always a fun and social activity that reflects the spirit of Chinese New Year: hope, luck, and togetherness.