Boarders' Bulletin April / May 2024

Welcome to the April / May issue of the boarders' bulletin.

In the blink of an eye and exam season is upon us. The year 11 and 13s have been fully immersed in their revision and have made use of the SFC at weekends and prep support during the week for silent study. With the exams come the yearly house dinners which have all been a great success, with only School Lodge to have their end of year event in June.

I would like to say a massive thankyou to our out going Senior Boarding Captains and all of the House Captains for all of their efforts this year, they have been amazing and it was nice to say a thankyou with an evening out at the Giggling Squid.

Next half term sees the arrival of the new senior Boarding Captains, along with the new team of House Captains and the school prefects. I am certain plans are already a foot for their first whole boarding event.

Several year 12s gave up their Sunday a few weeks ago to run a boarding taster event, with 27 new (or potential) year 7 and 8s. The feedback I have received has been incredible so thankyou for all your amazing efforts in creating and running such a successful event.

As is customary the end of this half term Speech Day, which is our formal goodbye to year 13 and a celebration of what they have achieved during their final years at Cranbrook, a fantastically warm and sunny day with some exceptional music. We wish them all the best in their next adventures.

Kirstie Burnett, Director of Boarding

NOTICES

End of Term station bus: A station coach has been arranged for 1pm on Saturday 25th May after Speech Day and a return to School on Sunday 2nd June at 8.10pm from TONBRIDGE train station due to engineering works - this is strictly for those who have already signed up for this service.

Early Return: Early return house is Scott on Sunday 2nd June and must be booked in advance. Please email BurnettK@cranbrook.kent.sch.uk if this service is required. The early house facility now incurs a charge of £10 per hour which will be placed on your son/daughter's bill.

THE HOUSES

Scott

What a fantastic start to this half term. The weather was dry which made for some excellent Scott Ball photos. The event ran without a hitch (minus the delayed video showing!!). Special thanks to Lily-May, Paris, Daisy, Kaya and Nyama who made the evening such a memorable one where the year 13s spoke fondly of their friendships and their time at Scott.

The leavers BBQ followed soon after and as per usual I spent the evening blubbering as I said my farewells to year 13 and a number of year 11s. They all took a brief break from studying to come together for a final time as a whole house. They have all worked so incredibly hard and I am certain this will be reflected in their grades in August.

There has been tutor trips for year 13 and 9 and I know that Mr Parr is keen to have one more evening out with his tutor group before they leave. Year 10 and 12 are chomping at the bit for their next evening out next half term.

The last night of term saw the remainder of the house come together for a BBQ, it was lovely to see the year 12s get the house up and dancing in the quad. We were so loud apparently, we could be heard across the road at Rammell!! The evening also saw the formal hand over of the outgoing House Captain to the new, with the traditional handing over of the Scott scarf. The evening ended with a few drinks, marshmallows and the fire pit going for year 13 to reminisce about their time in Scott. It was great to see them all laughing and chatting together knowing there were no exams the next day.

Well done to all of the Scott prize winners, super proud of all your efforts. Enjoy the week off and we look forward to seeing you back on Sunday 2nd June.

Kirstie Burnett, Head of House

Rammell

The BBQ is out, football is being played in the garden, the swimming pool is open almost on a daily basis and ice lollies are becoming a regular treat. This can mean only one thing; summer is almost here! We started the summer term off with a bang, enjoying the Rammell house dinner with Moduro and Hermes stepping up and performing some excellent music, George and Harry doing an incredibly detailed and accurate sketch of the scene (which is now hanging up in Rammell next to last years’ sketch), a hilarious and engaging mid-dinner game from Ola and some really touching but entertaining speeches from Harry, Tim and Mason.

I’ve been incredibly impressed with how the boys have balanced themselves over this half-term, revising and studying hard, but also enjoying the fresh air and sunshine too. This means that we’ve been able to have regular BBQs, where Michael has really stepped up and become the ‘go-to BBQ man,’ go-karting where Reni left us behind for dust, football games where the boys get to try and show off all their expert (ish) skills and chilled long evenings; ranging from chips and cards, steak and chips, ice creams, pizza, milkshakes, the list goes on. The boys even got an unexpected late night treat of seeing the northern lights from the Rammell garden, a once in the lifetime opportunity for most.

This next half term will fly by with swimming galas, sports day and I am sure, many more BBQs! I wish you all a very restful half term and look forward to making more memories with the boys once they return. Whilst it will be incredibly sad to say goodbye to the year 13’s and Tim Kong, who has done an excellent job as house captain, I am really excited to announce Freddie Parker as the newest member of the Rammell House Captains Club. I know he and the year 12’s are really looking forward to leading the house and welcoming the new School Lodge boys when they arrive.

Alex Crews, Housemaster

Blubery

After waiting what felt like an eternity, spring has finally sprung over the campus and the Blubery garden has come to life. Once again, Year 11 & 13 are making the most of the finer weather for revision in the paddock.

We have begun the season of goodbyes and, as I write, we are preparing for the final leavers’ BBQ – always an emotional event. Year 13 headed off with Mrs Rogers and Mrs Pack to The Great House for an evening of reminiscing an tales from the years in Blubery – they have been an amazing year group and have given so much to not just Blubery but the wider school. They will be so missed by the girls and the staff.

Year 11 decided against the afternoon tea in the garden (in their defence, it had been solidly raining for five days) so we went for an al fresco Domino’s instead. It was sad to say goodbye to those who are not returning and we hope they will keep us updated on their adventures elsewhere.

Of course, the highlight of the half term was the annual Blubery Dinner where we returned to High Rocks (we’ve become quite the regulars!). The girls all looked beautiful and it is scary to see how they have all grown up so very much since I joined the house in 2020. We enjoyed a wonderful speech from Eve as House Captain and Scarlett as Deputy Captain, with Shermaine (Deputy Captain) putting her feelings into a poem to music. An array of entertainment from the girls kept us all enthralled and, once rescued from a technical hitch by Hazel, we watched the leavers’ videos from Year 11 & 13.

We had delayed our theatre visit as I had been on maternity leave in the autumn term. In a post baby brain fog, I had decided the same week as the house dinner would be a fabulous plan to set off to London to see Moulin Rouge! However, the girls were on their very best behaviour and made it all run smoothly. The show was outstanding and comes highly recommended.

Finally, it is the time of year that brings very mixed emotions for all the house, including staff. The senior school and house roles were advertised and interviews took place in the final weeks. It is never an easy decision to make and, inevitably there will be disappointment but it is also one of the early times the senior girls get to experience this before they hit adulthood where, as we know, life is littered with such challenges. I am very pleased to announce the following roles: House Captain - Onajite Omoru. House Deputies – Tilly Beckerman & Cassia Tung. Sports Captain - Indigo Adamson. Well-being Prefects: Paige Evans & Nicole Plummeridge. Creative and Entertainment Team – Demi Adebanjo, Nyleve Chan & Eloise Pauling.

I hope the weather holds out and you all enjoy a sunny and relaxing half term break.

Claire Pack, Head of House

Crowden

Crowden has been abuzz with academic life this half term. All year groups have been preparing for and sitting exams, whether internal or external. As ever, it has been great to see so many of the boys helping each other out. It's exciting to see the gazebo groundwork being finalised and, with the promising early summer weather, the lads will soon be enjoying the peace and tranquillity of their surroundings - I am particularly looking forward to the Gardening Club's contributions.

Earlier this term, though rather later than normal, Wear What You Like Day raised thousands for Scotty's Little Soldiers and we were central to further fundraising efforts in the Giving Day activities, running a very professional car wash on OC Day and rowing, running and cycling our way to HK. Soon after we were able to chill and reflect together on a very busy year, celebrating the Y13s time here at the fantastic Crowden House Dinner. The venue was once again perfect, the food was great and the company was even better. This year we have said good-bye to a proper band of brothers in Y13 – we will miss them. Best of luck in your exams Y11 and 13, you deserve it!