A taste of things to come

Carrying on our theme of new faces, AIB is very happy to welcome our two new, full-time, boarding blog reporters: Terrence (Yr 10, Alfred) and Vladislav (Yr 8, Brooke and Refuge). Both new to the school in September, they have taken to their new surroundings quickly and made new friends and colleagues aplenty. From now on, they will be reporting on special events taking place in the boarding community and you will soon see just how well they have responded to their extra responsibility. Let us not forget that both will be interviewing and reporting in their second language, no mean feat, as I'm sure you'll agree. Congratulations on your new posts gentlemen, it's great to have you on the team!

To start the ball rolling, or should I say "bouncing", here is Terrence's report on last week's away basketball fixture between Ashford School (1st and 2nd Vs) and fierce local rivals, Cranbrooke. Terrence interviewed three members of the team, Captain Jeffrey, Jeff and Harris both before and after the game:

Before:

Jeffrey:

Jeffrey is the captain of the team who takes on a defensive role. He said that this was a friendly fixture, designed mainly  to give more opportunities to those who don’t usually play often.

As the enemy’s team would be physically stronger and generally taller as well, he expected that they would have an advantage in this area.

When asked what they needed to do to avenge last season's defeat, Jeffrey focused on tactics: " Less turnovers, try to rebound after they have missed the a field goal so that they don’t get to shoot again, and gain possession of the game." Also he thought more teamwork would be needed.

 

Harris:

As a sub player Harris wouldn't have played against Cranbrooke before, so he couldn't really judge. However, he was quite confident of doing well.

Also he thought that the difference between this game and others in which he has played before is that he would get to play longer, which would allow him to have more experience on the basketball court as he isn't one of the regular squad.

 

Jeff wasn't interviewed before the game.

 

After [a narrow 50-45 for the 1st V and a 14 point margin against the 2nds]:

Jeffrey [noticeably disappointed]:

We lost procession of the game. Yr12 did better as they had better communication, also some of the yr13s were not at their best. (Editor's note: this is probably down to all the revision they've been doing for their mock exams this week).

Jeff:

I'm disappointed. I feel that if we'd had a more settled team, that we would have done better and I'm sure we will next time. (That's the spirit Jeff!)

Harris:

Harris really enjoyed playing but he felt that there was a lack of the tacit understanding between players that they would have got if they had played with those that they usually train with. "We need to practise the rapid responses to quick turnovers as well."

All in all, a couple of tight games and the maturity with which the squad analysed their performance just goes to show what a serious outfit they are. Great reporting Terrence!

Now it's Vlad's turn, on a subject close to all our hearts (or stomachs), food. More specifically, the range of offerings from the school's new catering firm, Chartwells. As the biggest users of the refectory, AIB thought we would canvass some of our boarders' for their opinions on the new fare. Over to you, Vlad.

We are going to ask some people about our new food. We asked Vova, Nazar, Marcus and Vasilly. The first question we asked was: How have the meals changed?

Vova: The new food company has changed a lot. The food is tastier and there is much more salad, fruit and vegetables.

(Vasilly also raised the point about the better balance)

Vasilly: There are a lot of vegetables and meat that you can eat to be healthier and stronger, especially for people who like sport.

(The increased choice and portion sizes also curried favour)

Marcus: I have a very good choice of what I want.

Nazar: I get very big portions, so I've always got a full stomach. All the meat is very well cooked too.

The second question was: What do you think of the changes?

Vova: Now that we have a lot of other types of food: fruits, vegetables and so, it's very different, but the changes are good.

Nazar: I agree with Vova!

Vasilly: I think the new food is great!

The last question was: Do you think anything else needs to be changed?

All: No!

Nice work Vlad! I think we can safely say that Chartwells have got off to a good start.

On the topic of food, it's been a while since anything more was said about Mr Rayner's cookery nights in Brabourne, so AIB was thrilled when Oscar, in Yr 13, informed us of the latest creation: Mug Cakes. Yep, cakes in a mug. Oscar confided that although Mr Rayner's decision to make his own savoury version was originally doubted, it was finally voted the best. Oscar even kindly provided a picture of said creation:

I'm sure it tasted wonderful!

That's all for this edition folks. Next up, it'll be a quick photo blog and then a bumper edition for Chinese New Year.




 

New faces for a new year.

Hello everyone, Happy New Year and welcome back from all at AIB. We hope you've had a restful break and a great start to 2014.

The end of the Winter term saw us saying goodbye to House matrons Mrs Conell, Mrs Cashden and Mrs Eagle. It was sad to see them go and everyone here would like to thank them for all their hard work and kindness and wish them good luck for the future.

But the Spring term is a time for new beginnings and in this case, the new term has seen the arrival of our three new Assistant House Parents: Mr Willenberg in Brooke/Refuge, Ms Fletcher-Hall in Brabourne and Mrs Williams in Alfred. Welcome to all of you, it's a pleasure to have you here! So, for our first blog of the new year, AIB has taken the opportunity to find out a little more about the new members of our boarding team.

It would seem fitting that to look after such an international group of students our new staff hail from far and wide. Mr Willenberg, though born in England, was brought up in Toronto, Canada. Now, Canadians are widely regarded to be the friendliest people on the planet, though I'm not sure that this extends to boys being late for bed.

From closer to home, though just as friendly, comes Ms Fletcher-Hall. Originally from Wolverhampton in the English Midlands, Ms F. comes to us fresh from a stint with Disney Cruises. Judging by the hat we saw her wearing in the Brabourne common room she's brought a little stardust with her.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Mrs Williams has had 13 years of boarding school experience in many prestigious British boarding schools before joining the Alfred House team. Well, their loss has most certainly been our gain.

When asked what their first impressions of the school and its pupils were, the new staff were unanimous in their praise. Ms Fletcher-Hall describes Ashford as "a very friendly school, with a warm atmosphere and very inviting." Both Mr Willenberg and Mrs Williams describe the pupils as being "polite" with Mrs Williams adding "helpful and delightful."

So, what should our boarders expect from the new members of their boarding family? Quite a lot of food, as it happens. Ms Fletcher Hall has recently discovered that she's a bit of a dab hand at baking muffins while Mrs Williams lists among her hobbies "French, Chinese, Japanese" and yes "English" cooking. If that wasn't enough, Mr Willenberg is a self-confessed chocoholic (though I'm not sure if that wasn't a very early hint at a Christmas present). No doubt Mr Rayner will have some eager new faces at his cookery activity on Thursdays.

Activities are certainly something all our assistant houseparents are looking forward to getting involved in. Boarding captain Bruce had better mind his Ps and Qs as Mrs Williams will soon be joining him in karate club and Ms Fletcher-Hall has become our newest Prime Time contestant while already earmarking the Quiz Cup for a place in the Brabourne office. No doubt Brooke/Refuge and current holders Alfred may have something to say about that come 1st April!

As varied as their interests and backgrounds are all our new team members share common attributes and goals with all three declaring "getting to know the pupils better" as what they are most looking forward to over the coming months and I'm sure the feeling is mutual.

Once again, welcome to all of you and all of us here in the Ashford boarding community look forward to living and working with you.

P.S.

If you'd like to know:

Mr Willenberg declares his favourite pastime as "sleeping", I'm sure the boys in Brooke/Refuge will respect his wishes.

Mrs Williams enjoys making hats, always a useful skill as a member of boarding staff.

and

Ms Fletcher-Hall can do a brilliant impression of a pigeon, which as she rightly says "(You never know when that might come in handy…)."

P.P.S. Watch out for new AIB articles from new reporters Terrence and Vladislav over the coming weeks.