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.

Yule (b)log - well, what did you think I was going to call it?

In the words of Noddy Holder: It's Chrisssssstmassssss! Well, not quite yet, but the countdown has begun and there's a real sense of yuletide anticipation in the air. Not least in the boarding community, as our adventurous learners head back home for a well-earned rest (yes and some revision please Year 12!)

Nowhere was the festive feeling more abundant than at the boarders' Christmas party and disco that took place in the refectory on Sunday night. Before the fun and frolics could get under way however, there was the small matter of laying out tables and decorating the hall. Mr and Mrs Single, Mr Vaughan, Mr M and Mr K were aided and abetted superbly by a hardworking team of helpers. Many thanks, Vlada, Bruce, Sascha, Yana, Summer, Summayya and Danielle for making the dining hall look so stunning!

Talking about stunning, as the students began to arrive, it was as if the Oscars cermenony had decanted into Ashford School, such was the glitz and glamour on show, none more so than little Adeline who wowed all in a gorgeous red and whited spotted number. The boys scrubbed up pretty well we all thought and the girls were simply spectacular ("Big smile! Big smile! Just one more!") Special mention must also go to Mr Vaughan whose natty waistcoat was the pick of the bunch and who proudly told AIB that it was the same dinner suit he'd been bought at the age of sixteen (how do you do it Mr V?).

Once seated everyone enjoyed a delicious meal laid on by Phil and the catering team, thank you very much to you all! This was accompanied by a medly of Chrismas tunes brought to us by the renowned Harry and his Groove Train (yes, Mr Single, we all know you requested all the Cliff Richard tracks!). Crackers were banged, toasts were clinked and jokes were groaned at and as the laughter (genuine, I'm sure) had died down after Mr Single's speech, it was time for the dancing.

Now, Harry admitted to AIB later that evening that he usually keeps a box of tricks aside to encourage reluctant dancers to hit the floor. None such was needed, however, as just as the first base beat thumped into the life it was full scale Sunday night fever!

It would be impossible to talk about all the massive moves busted on that floor that night, but there are some that just couldn't be left out. Thomas, Bruce and Justin popped better than a five-year old with a sheet of bubble wrap (there were dance-offs everywhere!). Vlada circled the arena on her own dance conveyor belt while Yijin crackled with kinetic energy. However, for AIB, the star was Savio. Remember please that earlier this term, this young man dislocated his knee in a rugby accident and is still wearing hefty support strapping. Did this stop him? No, sir it did not! Injured limb held carefully just above the floor and weaving his arms and shoulders to the rythm, this boy let it rip. Don't worry Savio, we won't tell the Med Centre (oops!). Mr K and Mr Dudley would now like to take this opportunity to request that no photos of their moves be published on certain social networking sites as it would infringe copywrite laws.

A little while in, Caviar interrupted the craziness to advertise the sale of the Young Enterprise goodybags and if the entrepreneurial spirit of Polo, Sumy, Michael and co. can even halfways match the hilarity brought on by their Christmas headgear, these guys and girls are going to be worth knowing in the future!

As the clock ticked on and tired toes found high heals to much to bear, enter Gentleman Gleb (tie barely loosened) and his princely posse to give thankful tsarinas the best seat in the house.

When Wham's 'Last Christmas' marked an end to proceedings those who had remained pushed their exhausted legs into one last effort to help Mrs Single and co. return the refectory to a state of normality. The Groove Train pulled out (thanks Harry!) and everyone agreed a fine night had been had by all. Massive thanks of course must go to our boarding heads, Mr and Mrs Single for their endless enthusiasm and wish to give their charges the most fun it is possible to have.

Other Noteworthy notes:

- Last Thursday a number of our musical talents (including Howard, Jerry, Norman, Yana and Anastasia) took part in the annual Christmas Music Concert, the highlight of which was the rendition of several well-know film themes including The Lord of the Rings. Well done to everyone involved!

- Our first XV rounded off a very successful season by thumping a Cranbrooke XV 37-0 before wowing us all with their resounding chorus of 'Swing lo, sweet Chariot' in Monday's assembly. A noteable season boys, well done!

Finally, if there was any question as to how much our boarding students give to Ashford School, it can be well an truely answered by a look down the list of end-of-term award winners, on which they feature strongly. Well done to all, you do us proud!

Well we've had a great first term people and here at AIB we'd all like to wish our staff and students a wonderfully restful holiday (safe journey all) and let's look forward to more of the same come January.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

The Nature of Nurture

Imagine, if you could, the feeling. The feeling of a 13 year-old boy, five and a half thousand miles from home, stood in a strange environment, surrounded by smiling, laughing children from many nations, but not his own. He is different, alone.

Well, not exactly alone, but the feeling of loneliness is palpable as he enters the bedroom of his boarding house that first night. He is the youngest in that house and in this room of three, the other two are already fast friends. They speak a common language, common to many of the boys in the house, but not to him. It is a hard first night.

The following day, school starts for real and the boy throws himself into his work. Hard work is part of his country's culture, but it's hard to work on your own all the time. To his pleasant surprise, however, his colleagues don't see him as a stranger and welcome him into the school community. He makes friends fast. The helpful staff also look on him as any other and do their best to ensure the new boy learns the ropes and becomes a part of the school.

But it's still hard from time to time. All the other foreign students go around in little groups at break time, talking, joking and reassuring each other in their own language, it's natural, but not him. There is no-one. He has to make do, to be tough, resilient.

This matters less and less, however, as the year goes by and the boy, made to feel safe and secure by those around him, has grown confident and comfortable in his new environment. "Anyway," he tells himself, "there's bound to be someone from my country next year." To his disappointment, there is not, nor the next year, nor the year after that. He gives up any hope.

By this time, however, he is seventeen, in his last year of A-levels, a prefect, a well-respected member of the student community, and thanks to his tenacity and the nurturing environment in which he has lived, an erudite, polite young man with aspirations to achieve in higher education. He even wants to become a British citizen. Imagine his joy then, when, on the first day back in the boarding house, he learns that two boys from his own country have just joined the school!

You would forgive this young man, therefore, if he chose to spend his time with his compatriots, conversing in their own language, cooking and sharing national dishes with them, catching up on what he has missed. And indeed he does; with one sizable addition.

He takes the new arrivals, still unsure themselves of what to do and how to act and feeling much as he did, under his wing. He shows them around, introduces them to his friends of many nationalities (even those who are much older), ensures that they would not have to go through the same uncertainty as he did and that they would feel the way that he has grown to feel, that this is home.

"Who is it you're talking about?" you ask.

No names are required. He is a friend, a schoolmate; an Alfred man; an Ashford boarder.

Hear to help: Introducing our peer mentors.

With last week's theme being 'Responsibility' and this being anti-bullying week, staff and pupils have been encouraged to think seriously about our role in the world. Many of our boarders have already taken this to heart this term by volunteering for some of the community service opportunities available here at Ashford School.

Monday saw the unveiling of one such service, the new group of Sixth Form peer mentors and there were several members of the boarding community who, having proudly collected their badges from the Headmaster last week, gave an assembly to introduce themselves to the rest of the school.

The peer mentoring system is designed to give any pupil in school friendly faces and willing listners that they can go to with any issue or problem that they may have.

Nowhere is this more vital than within boarding, so wanting to know a little more about the role and the people involved, AIB met with new peer mentors Fiona, Kitty and Toby (all Brabourne) and asked them first of all what encouraged them to get involved.

New boarder Toby thought that it might help her to get to know more about the school and that she "liked helping people and listening." Kitty added that it would help her to improve her communication (particularly listening) skills. Fiona considered it a chance to do what others had done for her in the past and help simply "because I can."

It appears strange that when asked about the training they received, all three girls brought up how it was stressed that they don't actually advise anyone as to what to do. "[We were told] to share their thoughts, not to offer solutions." Toby said. It's not a question of not helping though. "We can research together, help them reflect, be a shoulder for them." Fiona added while Kitty elaborated "[We should] follow what they want to do and not what we think is right. Don't judge it the same way [we do], we will feel differently."

Indeed, as part of the training they were asked to listen to a description of someone's holiday and every time they thought it related to them, they had to put their hand up. Fiona explained the object of this exercise: "The moment we start to relate to something they say, it becomes about us. We need to process information while keeping a distance."

Despite this 'distance', the empathy these girls felt for thier colleagues and friends was palpable. When talking about the younger year groups, Kitty put it it very eloquently: "What their mind does is what what ours did." As the for those who stay at school, for whom the mentors will be available in 2-hour slots in Brooke at the weekend, Fiona was clear: "[What they talk to us about] may not have worried them during the week, because of school stresses. Things like homesickness. As boarders [ourselves] we've been through it."

Just sitting and listening to Fiona, Toby and Kitty was an inspiring experience. Not only was it obvious that they were the right people for the job, it was comforting to feel that should there be any boarder who is concerned, worried or upset about anything, we know that there are mature,caring and dedicated people willing to lend an ear and help them through. Just look for the long, green badge, they're there for you.

Broadening Horizons

The half term has come and gone in a rumble of suitcases, a fluttering of permission forms, the squeaking of taxi breaks and the thunk of the house doors as they open once again to welcome our boarders back. Though many had spent the ten-day break deep in deserved relaxation or some early revision work, a number of our our cultured community took to the Eurostar, along with Mr Smith, Mr Hughes, Mr Raynor and Miss Garcia, pour un grand weekend á Paris.

In an action packed itineraire, our Year 12 artists took sampled a smorgasbord of the highlights of the French capital's artistic treasures including: Le Musée D'Orsay, Le Musée D'art Moderne, the Eiffel Tower, the Tuillerie Gardens, the FIAC international art festival at Le Grand Palais and even managed a stroll around the chic Latin Quarter and Pere Lachaise cemetery, final resting place of ancient and modern celebrities alike.

Two of the group, Zekai and Shanahan, took some time out from their studies to come to talk to AIB about their experiences in the City of Lights.

When asked what they enjoyed most about the trip the answers varied not so much detail but in scale. Zekai appreciated the wider viewpoint, "I got to know more about the situation of art these days." Indeed, there wouldn't be too many other places where you could have such a varied look at different types of art.

Shanahan, whose prolific talent can be viewed in many areas of the school, pinpointed, not a famous museum, but the FIAC modern art festival as his highlight. "You would have to travel a lot around the world to see such a mixture of art." he enthused. One piece in particular caught his attention, a common-or-garden shopping receipt enlarged to wall-size. "Although I didn't understand the French writing, the way it was presented was really fun! I learnt a lot."

We cannot underestimate the educational benefits of such trips and it's not just subject-related either. Independently dealing with different situations is just as, if not more, important. Shanahan exemplified this astutely with his next point; "[When allowed some time by themselves] we couldn't speak or understand the language, so we had to try to find different ways of communicating; gesturing, body language etc."  He didn't say whether or not they were understood!

Paris, no doubt, left an indelible mark on our two artistic explorers, but again, in very different ways. An early morning ascent of the Eiffel Tower proved quite something for Zekai, "I will never forget the sunbeams coming through the clouds." he said.

For Shanahan, the special came through the mundane, a lunch at the Chartier restaurant, "They had old-fashioned luggage racks above the tables," he mused. "People put their motorbike helmets on them. I'd never seen a resaurant like that [before]."

It doesn't matter which way you look at it, through a sunbeam, a luggage rack or a giant receipt, art, as beauty, is in the eye of the beholder and the experience of it won't be leaving these boarders in a hurry. When asked if this trip had inspired them to go back to Paris, on their own, the answer was emphatic: "Yes, we'd go again!"

The Paris art trip hasn't been the only chance the boarders have had to head off to foreign climes. A couple of weeks previous to this a group of A-Level physicists travelled to CERN, in Switzerland, to visit the Large Hadron Collider.

Now, in matters of particle physics AIB is largely ignorant, so it was with some trepidation that enquieries were made into the highlight of the trip. It turned out however, that this involved somewhat larger particles (a physics student, a bicycle and a park bench) coming together at some speed (admitted lower than the particles in the collider). The identity of said student will remain hidden, for privacy's sake - though the pronounced limp gave it away for a while.

More amazing trips will be coming our way over the course of the year, not least of all the ski trip. More on that when it happens. Before we share some of the great pictures from our boarder's recent adentures, AIB would like to give an extra large thank you to all the teaching staff who give up their time to make these trips happen.

 (Top and above) Terrence and Shanahan in the zone and in their own space while (below) Derek and co. admire some Damien Hirst at the FIAC festival

Despite the efforts of this kindly old Parisian gentleman Mr Smith manages to  locate the rest of the group.


 Zekai aks Mr Hughes why he would want to take a picture of his shoes (left).








(Right) everyone strikes a pose at Pere Lachaise

Game(s) for anything!

There’s been a buzz about the boarding houses of late and that’s not because the daddy long legs have been out in force. Come Monday night, there has been a pounding of trainer-clad feet down the corridors and stairwells and the occasional muffled thump as dimpled rubber hits concrete or carpet (yes you know you shouldn’t Thomas!).

“What are you going on about?” you may ask. Well, indoor sports fever has hit the Ashford School boarding community and it’s spreading! With the brand new sports hall now open, our boarders now have the opportunity to keep fit, learn new skills and have fun out of the cold and rain.

Under the leadership of Mr Butt, the new set of evening sports activities has got off to a roaring start and our Head of Boys Games couldn’t be happier. He explained to me just how important the state-of-the-art facility will be: “The [new] sports hall will have a massive impact on boarders lives and we now have a good resource to keep boarders active and enthused.” Mr Butt  then added “We have been able to do lots of activities which just weren’t possible before. This along with employing some outside coaches to take sessions and has transformed the activity program.”

Looking at the list of activities below, you can see his point.

On six days out of seven boarders will be able to make use of the new sports hall and on four of those nights have the benefit of the following specialist coaches:

·         My Hyde (Football) is an ex professional football who played for Leicester in the premier league. He is also a UEFA B coach.

·         Mr Gray (Volleyball) is a national league volleyball player

·         Mr Luker (Karate) has represented and captained the United Kingdom in Karate from 1994-2000 and has coached numerous people to national level.

·         Mr Sunderland (Basketball) is a Basketball coach who coaches the south of England team and runs the basketball academy at the north school who are one of the top schools nationally.

This is on top of our existing team of dedicated sports staff. The new facility has clearly begun to pay dividends. On Thursday our first V basketball team took on the North School, regulars in the top school competitions around the country (see above). In the corresponding fixture last year our team went down to a thumping 80-point loss. Though again defeated, this time out they restored pride in the jersey by coming out on the wrong side of a narrow 41-60 score line. Returning from the match our boarding hoopsters were far from despondent: “We lost, but it was a good game.” said Jeff. “Better than last year!” added captain Jeffrey. I spoke to Mr M. live from the side-line with 7 minutes to go and the pride in his voice was audible.

It’s certainly clear that with our new sports hall and the dedication of staff and students, the sporting prowess of Ashford School is on the up.

In other sporting news, our boarding rugby players have all had a busy few weeks, with some notable successes. On Saturday our first XV, with many first choice players missing, took on and defeated a strong Cranbrooke School 3^rd XV 19-5. This was their second victory on the bounce after last week’s win over St Lawrence. New boarder and now first choice prop forward Mwaniki set up tries in both games, the first coming from a deft reverse flick pass. Our Under 13s also trounced Buckswood 52-0, while the Under 15s narrowly lost by two tries to one to the same opponents.

On a sporting themed blog it would seem odd to mention music, but it appears that our senior rugby boys will be taking to the Brake Hall stage in the near future to encourage the school to sing up. Sounds like that could create quite a buzz too.

Evenings, a Prime Time for Fun!

One of the things that makes boarding at Ashford School such a positive experience for everyone involved is the wide variety of activities that the boarders can take part in, in the evening and on the weekends. We have already heard about one such Saturday trip, but we'd like to now make special mention of the weekday activities.

Co-ordinated by Mr Butt, organised and run by the boarding staff and enjoyed by all, the newly re-vamped activities program has hit the ground running. We will have a special sport-themed blog next week, but we would like to mention that, as part of their evenings, the boys and girls can benefit from, amongst other things, the coaching of an ex-professional footballer and an England volleyball player.

This week, though, the focus is on fun and there's no day that you can have more of it than on Tuesdays! Fun Tuesday, run by Mr Dudley and Miss Carwardine, has been a fixture here at Ashford School for a while now. Between 17:30 and 19:30 every week, junior boarders (Years 6-9) can indulge themselves in mind blowing variety of activities

This blogger was privy to a Fun Tuesday planning session and let me tell you, I'd like to be a junior boarder! There's a veritable cornucopia of craziness being put forward! We have murder mystery nights, a make your own pizza evening, a picnic, Laser Quest and tonnes more. What was even more evident than the range of activities on offer, was the enthusiasm and the willingness of the organisers to use their time to bring fun and laughter to our boarding pupils. Indeed, as Mr Dudley explained to me, "Plans [are already] being made for the Christmas Party!" Fun Tuesday, it's coming your way, every week, with attitude!

If you've room for more fun after all that, 20:00 Tuesdays evenings in Alfred House is time for Prime Time! Run by Mr Kadinopoulos and aided an abetted on most nights by Mrs Single and others, Prime Time aims to bring a healthy dollop of British culture to our overseas boarders in the guise of game shows and quizzes.

Already sampled by our cosmopolitan connoisseurs: Dragons' Den, Would I Lie To You?, Pictionary and The Great British Quiz and there have already been some unforgettable moments:

During Dragons' Den Maria and Yana tried to convince the Dragons that a huge, black leather bean bag could also be marketed as lightweight, waterproof body armour, a designer dress and quite astonishingly, a hat! I say 'astonishly' as Yana had the job of modelling said accessory. How she didn't collapse under the weight of it we'll never know!

Would I Lie to You? saw Mrs Single convince the students that the upside-down lid of a tagine was the result of an after-school pottery class and Mr Vaughan, in tones that defied anybody to think otherwise, sold everyone on the fact that he rode motorbikes in competitions across Wales as a child.
There was also Yuri's cool head, under tiebreaker pressure, to win the Big Quiz.

However, the most memorable and nail biting event occurred in the midst of our Pictionary evening. Imagine, if you can, the scene when, behind on points and faced with a rapidly diminishing 90 seconds to extract the word 'Explore' from Joon's ever more frantic drawing, Frank coolly stopped the clock, with the correct answer, at 1 min 29.1 seconds!

New Adventures In Boarding roving reporter, Jonathan, canvassed some of the participants on the new Tuesday activity. Here is his summary of the opinions voiced:

"The activities brought a lot of enjoyment to people, through the very well-designed games. These were brilliant ideas, such as Would I Lie To You. People said this game was like a TV show, in which they had a good time sitting and listening to stories told by the staff. In addition they found it interesting to know more things about the staff. One person said he found himself unable to distinguish lie from truth.

In the next two activities, The Big Fat Quiz and Pictionary, people said it was exciting and fun because there was competition between different teams and nationalities, such as Korean and Russian. There were also prizes."

Once again, we have the wonderful view of boarders of different cultures united together in fun. Not only this, boarders from across the senior age range were always present (including all three of our house prefects) and just to show that it wasn't just about the prizes, after her team triumphed in the Big Quiz, Vlada distributed the winnings amongst the other contestants.

Evening activities, whether on Tuesday or otherwise, will continue to be your appointment with frivolity, fairness and above all, FUN!