Support in House and in the School

There are lots of people to talk to. All the House staff are here for you, and we are all good at giving hugs.

New girls to the House are allocated a shadow. Please use your shadow as a useful source of information.

In addition, the L6 girls are here to help you. The Head and Vice Head of House have both been appointed to these important roles as they really do care about the House and the girls who live here. They will listen to you and help you.

We also have a team of L6 Supporters and Listeners. These girls have been trained and will offer a listening ear if you are worried about anything and you would prefer to speak to someone nearer your own age. Look on the noticeboards for information about our Supporters and Listeners. They all have a sign on their bedroom doors that says ‘Supporter and Listener’. Just knock on their bedroom doors if you want to talk.

We have three School Counsellors (Heddy, Charlotte and Veronica) who come into School to talk to girls. Youcan also speak to the Chaplain if you want a chat. The Chaplain can be found in the Ark in Main School.

If you would like to speak to someone independent to School then do look at the noticeboards, as there are lots of telephone numbers there.

Dealing with homesickness For some of you, this may be your first time away from home and you may not find the first few days easy. That is natural. It doesn’t matter how old you are when you first move away from home, it is always tricky getting used to different routines and getting to know new people. The important thing to remember is that if you are feeling homesick, this will get better with time. To help, here are some tips from older girls who have experienced what you may be going through now.

• Make sure you are not on your own. If you are feeling sad, it often feels worse if you isolate yourself. Be brave and pop into another person’s room, or start up a conversation with someone you have not spoken to before

• You will not be the only person struggling – lots of other girls will be, too. Look at the other girls around you and see if you can get alongside someone who is also finding it hard. You can help each other!

• Remember to look at the older year groups and how settled they seem. They were like you once and now look how relaxed they are. Very soon

Reader Harris will feel like a second home

• Get into a routine when communicating with home. It is a good idea to call when you know you have something to be doing straight afterwards, so you don’t feel low after hearing their lovely, familiar voices!

• When you do speak to parents at home, talk about everything you have been doing. They will be missing you and will want to hear about all you are involved in. Give them a picture of all your highlights as well as anything you are finding challenging

• Come and get a hug from one of the members of staff on duty. We love hugs! • If you are boarding, try to ‘stay in’ as much as you can because that way you get lots of momentum and confidence, and don’t miss out on anything fun in the Boarding

House

• Be careful not to spend too much time on the phone to people not at School – while you are on your phone, relationships are being formed and fun is being had - get involved!

• Keep yourself busy –distractions are 100% the best way of getting through/ avoiding homesickness! Don’t be too hard on yourself if you have a wobble! This might happen in the first few days, after a lovely phone call home or after the first time seeing your parents. It may not happen until you begin to feel more tired at the end of term or even after a long holiday at home. It might take longer than you expect to feel settled in your friendship group but that is normal. Remember the

House staff are here to back you up and are totally used to supporting girls going through this enormous adventure with all these ups and downs