Hello everyone, Boardington Bear here!
I have made it to the end of Week 2, although I am not entirely sure how. It has been VERY busy in Boarding this week. I have been learning about academics, celebrating a day dedicated to bears (finally!), practising our fire procedures, waving off our DofE adventurers, taking on the rides at Thorpe Park and welcoming lots of new students into our Boarding family.
And I have some very exciting news…
WE HAVE A FULL HOUSE!
There are now Bears and students everywhere, and I absolutely love it!
I’ve Been Getting Academic
This week I have been learning all about our different year groups at the Academic Information Evenings. There has been lots of information about subjects, expectations, exams, homework and all the different ways our students are supported throughout the school year.
I am not completely convinced that anyone needs quite this much homework, but apparently I am not in charge of the curriculum.
Back in Boarding, I have also been keeping a close eye on Prep. Everyone is beginning to settle into the routine now, with laptops out, books open and students getting organised for the days ahead. Our Boarding staff are always around to offer support, and I have been reminding everyone that there is nothing wrong with asking for help. Sometimes we all need a helping paw.
I have offered my own academic services, but apparently sitting on someone’s textbook does not count as helping.
FINALLY – Teddy Bear Day!
I have been waiting all year for this one.
Teddy Bear Day!
Finally, an entire day recognising the contribution that bears like me make to society.
I celebrated with the students and joined them for some colouring. It was actually lovely to have a quieter moment during such a busy week. Everyone could sit around the table together, chat, colour and relax for a little while.
Obviously, I took my responsibilities as official Teddy Bear Day representative extremely seriously.
I am now campaigning for Teddy Bear Week.
Then perhaps Teddy Bear Month.
I think we all know where this is heading.
I Heard the Alarm!
Just as I was getting comfortable, we had our whole-school fire drill.
With so many new students around the school and Boarding House, it is really important that everyone knows exactly what to do when the alarm sounds. There is no stopping to find things, no wandering around wondering what is happening – we leave the building safely and make our way to the correct assembly point.
I watched everyone evacuate sensibly and was very impressed with how well our students responded.
I did have to move my little legs rather quickly to keep up, but I made it!
Safety is a really important part of Boarding life, and drills like this help make sure that if we ever do have a real emergency, everyone knows exactly what to do.
I Waved Off Our DofE Adventurers
Some of our students had an even bigger adventure this week as they headed off on their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition.
I looked at the size of the backpacks and decided that, on this occasion, my role was probably to provide moral support.
Our students had to navigate their routes, work together as a team, carry everything they needed and keep going even when they were tired. DofE is a fantastic opportunity to develop independence, resilience and teamwork – all the things we encourage in Boarding too.
From what I understand, the expedition involved walking.
Then some more walking.
Then a bit more walking.
And just when everyone thought they had surely finished walking… more walking!
I am very proud of everyone who took part. I hope there were plenty of snacks involved and that everyone found a very comfortable sofa afterwards.
I Went to THORPE PARK!
Now this was more my kind of adventure.
On Saturday, I packed myself up and headed off with the students for our trip to Thorpe Park!
I had been told there would be rides. What nobody explained was quite how BIG some of those rides would be.
Still, I am Boardington Bear. I had a reputation to maintain.
So I bravely took on the rollercoasters and even ventured onto the water rides. There were screams, lots of laughter and some VERY wet students. I am pleased to report that I survived, although my fur may never be quite the same again.
It was brilliant seeing everyone having fun together. Trips are one of my favourite parts of Boarding because students get the chance to spend time with people outside their usual friendship groups and make memories together.
I would also like everyone to know that photographic evidence exists of me on the rides, so nobody can question my bravery.
Then 15 More Students Arrived!
After Thorpe Park, I thought I might get a quiet Sunday.
I was wrong.
This weekend I helped to welcome 15 new Emil Dale students into our Boarding House.
They will be living here with us and becoming part of our Boarding community. I will see them at breakfast, dinner, during the evenings, at activities and throughout the weekends. During the school day, they will head off to Emil Dale, but when they come home in the evening, they will be part of Boarding just like everyone else.
Arrival day was quite something!
Every time I turned around, another suitcase seemed to appear. There were students finding their new rooms, families arriving, keys being handed out, paperwork being completed and people trying to remember which corridor they were supposed to be on.
There were Bears and students everywhere!
I tried to supervise from a safe position, although I nearly disappeared underneath a pile of luggage at one point.
What I really loved, though, was watching our existing boarders begin to welcome everyone. Moving into Boarding can feel a little scary, particularly when you don’t know many people yet, so seeing students saying hello, chatting at dinner and helping our newest residents find their way around made me a very proud Bear.
I Have a FULL HOUSE!
And that brings me to my biggest news of Week 2…
THE BOARDING HOUSE IS FULL!
Every corridor now has students living on it, the Games Room is getting busier, there are lots more people around the dinner tables and there is a real buzz around the house.
I have spent the last two weeks watching new friendships beginning, students finding their feet and everyone gradually getting used to the Boarding routine. Now our final new residents have arrived, it really does feel as though our Boarding family for this term is complete.
To all my new students: welcome! I hope you quickly begin to feel at home here. Don’t worry if you don’t know where everything is yet, if you forget a routine or if you need to ask for help. There are lots of people around who will happily point you in the right direction.
And to all my existing boarders, keep doing what you’re doing. Say hello to someone new, invite them to sit with you at dinner, include them in an activity or help them find their way. Those little things can make a huge difference.
So that’s it from me for Week 2.
It has been busy, exciting, slightly chaotic and a lot of fun.
I now live in a FULL Boarding House with Bears and students everywhere, and I couldn’t be happier.
I am, however, going to try to find myself a quiet corner for a little nap before Week 3 begins.
With a full house, I don’t fancy my chances…
Until next week!
Boardington Bear
Boarding house 
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