“Boarding has been an amazing experience for me. The boarding staff are so welcoming, and they did a great job making Dennett House a second home for all of us. My favourite aspect about boarding will be the socials we have with Campion every Wednesday. It gave us an opportunity to not only bond with the girls in our house but also the boys from the other Sixth Form House. We’ve had different events like quizzes, basketball matches, the ‘Pancake Race’, formals, etc. They have all been successful and very enjoyable.“

“I enjoy boarding so much because it’s so lovely to have a group of people who are always there for a chat, and the amount of diverse communities that we’re all from means you get to be exposed to different cultures and amazing different foods. I feel that wherever I travel in the world, there will always be someone there I can have a catch up and a coffee with. 

I think boarding will be great preparation for when I leave home and go to university. It feels like a stepping stone in between, but with people who care about you and are always there to talk. When I eventually do leave at the end of Year 13, I think that I’ll be ready and the transition to university and living alone will be much easier.”

“As a new student at New Hall, I have felt very welcomed by both boarders and staff. Campion House provides an excellent balance between studying and a social life, with both academic support and social events taking place. The boarders are very welcoming, regardless of if you have boarded before or are a newcomer. The staff are open minded and caring, and you can always have a good laugh with them. You can truly experience and live New Hall’s ethos by being a boarder. There is a real sense of belonging and community within the House, the importance of which cannot be overstated.“

“Being my home for the past five years, New Hall has been the perfect environment for me to learn and grow. The friendships I’ve made in the boarding community are ones that will last a lifetime. The structure that boarding provides has been truly invaluable, allowing me to strike a perfect work-life balance.

Staff are incredibly supportive and have genuinely made boarding feel like home. In Campion House, we’re treated with respect and given a number of freedoms, which has really helped my confidence and made me more independent.”

“Having previously been a boarder in Petre, the significant change to Campion has been a delightful journey with staff and fellow boarders being more than welcoming. The Sixth Form boarding experience has broadened my horizons and given me the opportunity to grow my personal character and be independent. The continuation of boarding has enhanced all aspects of my life – academically, socially and within co-curricular activities.

Academically, the consistent and structured environment of weekly boarding has provided an ideal setting for focused study sessions, fostering a disciplined routine crucial for A Level success, without taking away from the independence I am given. The teachers’ availability and their eagerness to help has facilitated a deeper engagement with my studies. Not only has boarding enabled me to thrive academically, but the social life of boarding means many engaging activities with the community and the friends I am lucky to have. With consistent access to sports facilities, I have been able to pursue my sporting passions and look after my physical wellbeing. Boarding in Campion provides a brilliant community that anyone is lucky to have, and a chance to grow in all areas”

“In Hawley House, we all support each other and develop strong friendships that we’ll keep for life.  We all look out for each other and there is always someone there to talk to.  With evenings structured around studying and socialising, boarding really brings out our academic potential and forges friendships that will last a lifetime.”

“Boarding is a great experience and a safe environment to learn and grow as a person. It’s filled with trustworthy people who will always be there if you need them. I started boarding at New Hall in 2016 and there isn’t a single thing I don’t love!”

“My experience at New Hall has been really enjoyable and educational. The Boarding House helped me with all of my worries and needs throughout the year.  There is a wide range of staff in Boarding who specialise in specific subjects and help me do my study and understand the work. The Boarding staff are always up for a chat and it’s nice to think of them as more of a friend than a teacher. Full boarding from Year 7 has really helped me become more independent than most younger people. I have friends from all year groups and have a really close relationship with the older girls.“

“My name is Haris, and I am currently in Year 9.  I’ve boarded for 7 years now and I’ve loved every second of it. There isn’t a dull moment in boarding!  I love waking up every morning with my friends, and being in a friendly environment where I can be myself.  Boarding has given me so much more confidence and independence, and I am forever grateful for the opportunities it has and continues to give to me.”

“My name is Zachary and I am a boarder at New Hall School.  From Year 7 to Year 9, I was adamant that boarding wasn’t for me. After going for a taster session, however, I quickly changed my mind and realised it would be fun to always be with my mates. 

Wednesday nights are Petre Cup nights.  The four subdivisions, named after our Patron Saints battle it out in various events from cracker-eating to Mario Kart to gain house points.  Whoever wins overall gets to seize the coveted Petre Cup.  Mondays are Chicken Club – the clues in the name: 10 kilos of chicken lovingly prepared by Mr Meakin before relaxing in a hot oven for us all to enjoy.  Fridays and the weekends are for relaxing and trips (with a little study on the side!).  We’ve recently enjoyed Go-Karting, trips to London and Top Golf.

Boarding has been a big step up for me: organisation has improved (something I was never good at); homework is easier to get done and the support of your friends and staff is invaluable.  I wish I’d done it sooner!”

“My name is Raffy and I am in Year 4.  While I’ve only boarded since the start of September, I absolutely love it! The staff are super kind and generous and really help us to learn (well, 98% fun and 2% serious when they really need to be!).  At first I was worried about boarding, but the friends I’ve made and the support I received from the staff have made life much easier – I really look forward to my time in the Boarding House.  Boarding has been a great experience for me and I have settled in really well.”

“For anyone who isn’t a boarder – you’re missing out!  I have boarded for four years and really enjoyed the range of activities that we get to do, from inter-house sports competitions to staff making us drinks every ‘Milkshake Monday’.  While having lots of fun is an important part of boarding, the best part is the level of support we each received from the staff. Whether it’s helping us with our homework or cheering us up if we feel down, the staff treat us like family and are really lovely!”