Nina | A weekly boarder

 

Nina is in her final year at RST and has been a weekly boarder since she started in Year 7. The flexibility in our boarding school means she sometimes boards on weekends when she has sports, music and drama commitments. Here, she tells us more about boarding life.

 

How do you think boarding enhances your school experience? 

There are many aspects. It has allowed me to become fully immersed in a learning environment, with constant access to the school facilities, the teachers who live on campus, etc. Furthermore, boarding has allowed me to build up my independence and responsibility, which are crucial life skills, while still feeling like I’m part of a loving and supportive community. It is preparing me for life in college and beyond, developing qualities such as my resilience, adaptability, communication, and it has provided an essential foundation in shaping my character which I know will serve me well in my future endeavours.

 

What is the best thing about being a boarder at RST?

Personally, I feel the best thing about being a boarder is that it has allowed me to create lifelong friendships and bonds that otherwise may not have been created. It has extended my sense of belonging and sense of community beyond the walls of the classroom. Boarding has also given me more free time during the day, as I never have to suffer the pain of traffic. It not only gives me more time to sleep in during school mornings, but it also gives me more time to take advantage of all the opportunities the school has to offer outside of school hours. Any additional sports training or musical rehearsals have always been easy to access outside of school hours and I’ve been able to fully utilise all the available school facilities such as the gym, the pool, the basketball courts, music rooms, etc.

 

What do you do in your free time?

On evenings where I have some extra steam to let off, I usually find myself getting some shots up at the basketball courts or going to the gym with my friends. Otherwise, I just use the free time to get some downtime and relax after a long day at school.

 

How does the school foster a sense of community among students?

The school constantly fosters a sense of community among students, particularly in the boarding houses where friendships are prioritised. The school routinely organises group activities and events that bring students together across all different years groups, such as ‘It's a knockout’, Sports Day, House Music and House Drama. A particular moment I remember is house drama in the academic year 2022/23. In my leadership role as House Drama Sixth, I was tasked with putting on a 10-minute performance which required coordinating with other members of the house. After weeks of hard work our House, Rupert Brooke, came out victorious! It was the cooperation and kindness between the members of my house that made us succeed.

 

How do the boarding house tutors support your academic growth? 

Rupert Brooke tutors have always been an essential part of providing a stable foundation for my learning and wellbeing. Particularly in my academic growth, my tutors help me set goals and constantly advise me in my journey to achieve them. For example, recently, I found myself feeling overwhelmed with all the extracurriculars I was doing along with covering the last of my academic content in preparation for my mocks. My tutors were extremely supportive in assisting me in my studies, but they also prioritised my mental wellbeing, and made sure that I wasn’t getting burnt out or unhappy.

How have the enrichment activities added to your overall learning experience?

 

I get involved in a variety of enrichment activities. These include being a member of the basketball team, choir, orchestra, Model UN, football team, and school productions. By participating in these activities, I have developed a wide array of skills outside the classroom, which has helped me grow holistically. The variety of enrichment activities this school offers has also provided me with the opportunity to explore different personal interests outside the structured academic curriculum.

 

What are your future goals and ambitions? 

I aspire to become a diplomat and aim to study international relations and public policy at university. I want to be involved in international organisations and have the opportunity to represent my country at an international standard. I think RST will lay a very strong foundation for me in achieving my future goals. It has provided an exceptional platform for me to develop myself into a well-rounded person. The opportunities, facilities, teachers and peers that the school has given me, have all played a significant role in pushing me beyond my comfort zone and constantly encouraging me to strive to be better, as well as providing me with specific support that aligns with my future subject and career pathways.

What stands out as your proudest achievement at RST?

I've overcome a lot of challenges at RST and have made myself proud on many occasions. However, my proudest achievement was getting through Term 1 of XX. I found myself feeling overwhelmed and stretched in multiple directions; I was involved in the Senior production of  ‘Blood Brothers’ where I played two main roles and performed over four evenings, as well as attending basketball training sessions in preparation for the U19 FOBISIA tournament, in which our team won and I was awarded ‘All Team Tournament player’. I also performed in the Winter Gala as a soloist, as well as being in the orchestra and Voice. All these events occurred whilst I was revising for exams and tests. This time was one of busiest in my life, and I’m proud of myself for not only just surviving and overcoming these challenges, but also coming out successful and performing in all these areas to the best of my ability.

In what ways have you grown personally since becoming a boarder?

Boarding has given me the space and freedom to independently grow into the person I want to become. It has built up many of my positive personal qualities such as my time management, my responsibility, my independence, my social skills and my adaptability.

Sum up boarding in 3 words…

Nurturing. Community. Growth.