In our latest blog post, Harthan House Parents Emma and Sam Morris discuss life behind the scenes as pupils settle into a new term. Their top tips for successfully settling into life at Bryanston, include staying organised, building new connections, embracing new environments, taking care of one another and embracing this new chapter with open arms.
Starting at Bryanston is a significant milestone, and many Year 9 (D) pupils have navigated this transition seamlessly over the last three weeks. As House Parents we have had front row seats and have had the pleasure of helping pupils settle in.
Embracing the New Environment – Build connections and get involved!
Over the last few weeks, pupils have actively explored the campus with tutors or existing pupils to familiarise themselves with their lessons, extracurricular commitments, and daily routines. This proactive approach has helped them feel more at home and less overwhelmed by their new surroundings.
Despite being a large campus, Bryanston is a welcoming and extremely friendly community, and actively identifying familiarity in routine is a sure way to quickly settle nerves, to look up and begin to explore the opportunities here.
Forming new friendships
This is key to a successful transition and there have been plenty of opportunities and fun events for new pupils to make friends over the last few weeks. From trips to Dorset Aquapark for the Ds and Brenscombe for the Year 12 (A3)s, to Silent Discos, tuck trips, and house sports competitions, these activities have helped them build a strong support network. As the term progresses, these friendships become stronger and networks widen.
We have the pleasure of seeing Old Bryanstonians return to campus for reunions, as parents and as visitors. What is always evident is the depth and sincerity of the friendships they form here; they are lifelong. This starts on day one of their journey, be this in September or at Familiarisation Day or during Sixth Form Induction Week.
A great way to fast track this is participation in clubs, taking part in sports, and other extracurricular activities, all of which are instrumental in helping our pupils meet new people, discover new interests, and feel more connected to the school community outside of the boarding house. The ECA Fair, an exciting and engaging afternoon, showcased the wide range of activities on offer, from kickboxing to jewellery making. There really is something for everyone!
Home from Home – Take time to look after yourself
Creating a comfortable and personalised living space can make a big difference. Pupils in Harthan have decorated their dorm rooms with photos, posters, and personal items from home. This not only makes their rooms feel more inviting but also provides a sense of familiarity and comfort. Alongside this, maintaining a healthy routine is vital for wellbeing.
The dining hall provides a huge range of menu choices, with many themed evenings to enjoy. Everyone has adjusted to meal sittings, bed change days, and lights-out times. While boarding with new people can be very exciting, adequate sleep is crucial for success.
As House Parents, we actively promote the benefits of sleep and pupils are fast to recognise its value in this busy environment. Educationally, this is something we are passionate about and believe it to be a ‘non-negotiable’ allowing pupils to recharge and seize the day ahead.
Our phone policy ensures that pupils stay focused during the school day but also provides them with daily opportunities to communicate with family and friends. This helps them cope with homesickness and feel supported during their transition. Sometimes, a call home might seem overwhelming, and pupils might prefer a comforting chat with Matron instead.
Every pupil is different, and we work with every individual to find the best way to support their needs as quickly as possible.
We are here to help – Be organised, be patient, be positive
Recognising when to seek support is crucial. New pupils are now familiar with the various support structures available. House Parents, tutors, and the wider house teams are readily available for a chat. For those who prefer to speak to someone outside of their immediate circle, we have counsellors, an independent listener, and a dedicated wellbeing team in the Medical Centre.
Staying organised is key to managing the demands of long, busy days. At Bryanston, we use SOCS to manage student commitments and Teams to access assignment work – the iPad keeps this all in one place, with everything pupils need quite literally at their fingertips. Pupils are now familiar with these systems and are receiving regular feedback through our eChart. Weekly meetings with tutors are also important in guiding pupils with their work and supporting them with their overall wellbeing during this busy term.
Finally, we encourage pupils to stay positive and to be patient while settling in. Adjusting to a new environment takes time, and being kind to oneself during this process is important. A positive mindset will help them overcome challenges and enjoy their new experience.
Settling into a new boarding school is a journey. The start of the Autumn term has shown that with the right strategies and mindset, it can be a successful and rewarding experience. By embracing their new environment, building connections, staying organised, and taking care of themselves, pupils have made the most of this exciting, new chapter in their lives.
Emma and Sam asked a handful of new pupils some questions about settling into life at Bryanston.
What has been your favourite moment since the beginning of term?
- “House singing really helped connect with my house and year.”
- “Pizzas on Saturdays!”
What would your top tip be for a new pupil?
- “Head to the Café and try to socialise with everyone.”
- “Sign up for multiple extra-curricular activities and stay busy. Also, make sure you get sleep and time to relax.”
- “Do not be afraid to ask questions.”
If you have been finding the transition difficult, what has helped you?
- “Settling became a lot easier with the fantastic A2s to guide us and I have a fantastic House Parent who is so lovely to talk to. Also, sport has helped me settle in.”
- “Talking to the people around me, in particular the house parents and residents.”
- “Having assignment periods during the day has helped me avoid doing prep so late.”
