New term, new faces

Welcome back everyone and Happy New Year! We hope you had and fun-filled and relaxing holiday.

Before we get on to the business of the blog, can we take this opportunity to wish all those who are unwell at the moment a speedy recovery and extend heartfelt thanks to our medical team, headed by Nurse Field and all the members of the boarding staff, who have been working so hard to look after you all.

Well, the Christmas decorations are down, bags long since un-packed and the new term is well and truly under way. For many this has meant mock exams, as the Year 11s and 13s test their knowledge of their courses so far and (for the 11s) have a first-hand experience of a formal exam situation. It has been testament to the environment here that, although the pressure has been on, the atmosphere in the boarding houses has remained light and positive.

A new term also means new boarding trips and we’ve already had a group enjoying the sights and sounds of Canterbury and this weekend the history of Dover Castle. Thank you to Miss Ith for leading the trips and for all the staff who have been involved. Fun tuesday has been at Battle Zone again and if anything the competition was ben more fierce than last time.

The beginning of the year traditionally sees the departure of last year’s gap students and heralds the arrival of our new ones. I’m sure you’ll join us by thanking Miss Hurley, Miss Parks and Mr Richards for all the great work they did while at Ashford School. We wish them every success for the future.

Fresh-faced and raring to go the present group are here and beginning to get to grips with life in Ashford. As is our practice here at AIB, we have asked our new boarding staff a few questions about themselves and their aspirations for the coming year. One thing we can say about all of them is that they all have a great sense of humour, as you’ll soon see.

One name might be familiar to many, as we welcome the younger member of the Vevers family. Joining him is Miss Salter, also from Australia (Sydney, to be exact) and Miss Wilson who joins us from Cape Town, South Africa. We hope you enjoy their responses:

How would you describe yourself?

Mr Vevers: Sergeant major of the banter brigade

Miss Wilson: Fun loving, pancake burning, photo taking, Barbie playing aspiring astronaut and international knitter. (May well need to attend Mr. Rayner’s cookery club then)

Miss Salter: Australian

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Miss Wilson: Protecting my hands from frostbite, learning how not to burn pancakes and discovering how to use the London underground without losing myself (with much help).

Mr. Vevers: taking long walks on the beach and helping old people across the road.

Miss Salter: Swimming at the beach, going to Sainsbury’s and planning trips to explore England.

What should the boarders know about you?

S: Don’t talk to me before 10am (good luck with that one!)

W: I am a renowned food lover.  Don't come near me with anything that looks tasty - it will be devoured. (not pancakes then)

V: I played for Uganda in their World Cup Qualifier in football (Did they get through now?)

What do you think you will bring to your post and the school as a whole?

V: A ‘can do’ attitude.

W: South African sarcasm, a wide and foreign vocabulary of '' bru's '', '' takkies '' and '' just now's '' and no cooking skills whatsoever! (I think we may have picked up on the last one with the pancakes)

What are you most looking forward to in the months ahead?

S: Wearing shorts outside

W: I'm greatly looking forward to educating the population about the goodness of biltong, learning how to greet by saying 'you alright?' And somehow developing a tan to prove this winter wrong (A quick glance out of the window shows a blizzard in full flow!)

V: Having my first kiss

Joking aside, our gap students play a vital role in helping the boarders, especially in their evening and weekend activities. They have also been ably manning some of the boarding houses while the children have been ill. We are sure that you will all make them feel welcome and that they will, in turn, enjoy their time with us.  Judging by Miss Salter answer to her first impressions of the school, this has already begun:

“Creds to that lovely girl who showed me the way to the library on my first day and to the boys who said “thank you” to me for holding the door open for them.  I wish I had your names to say thanks, you really started off my time here well!”

That’s just the Ashford way. Have fun all, mind the snow and see you next time.