Phoenix | A Full Boarder

 

Phoenix has been boarding since 2020. Having started as a weekly boarder, she then became a full boarder. Find out how the experience has shaped her.

How do you think boarding has enhanced your school experience? 

It allows you to get so much closer to your peers, therefore is good for strengthening friendships. Another benefit of boarding includes more interactions with people outside your year group that you otherwise would not have time to talk to during the school day.

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

Honestly, it’s the ease of getting to and from school every day. There is no time wasted commuting on a car twice a day, this allows you to wake up later in the morning and have more free time at night.

What do you do in your free time here?

I enjoy playing sports, especially basketball and volleyball. Last year we used to play volleyball games every night after dinner, with Wednesday nights being students against staff. 

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

The best way to develop a sense of community in my opinion is through sport teams. In a team, you share all the highs and lows of competing together. In the recent FOBISIA basketball championships, I believe our mutual team spirit brought home the trophy. If someone makes a mistake, it's okay, we don't want them to fixate on the past but focus on the present instead. This helps the game.

How do the Rupert Brooke tutors support your academic growth? 

If you open up to your tutors and be honest about how you feel, then they can offer the best support available. My tutor has been helping me with my Duke of Edinburgh award, giving me advice on setting up goals and offering feedback on my progress, which has helped a lot.

How have enrichment activities added to your overall learning experience?

I am involved in a variety of activities, which include; basketball, volleyball, MUN, Physics Olympiad and EPQ. If you're not familiar with what MUN is, it stands for 'Model United Nations', and it’s like a formal debate club; each member represents a country, coming together to try and figure out solutions to present problems. It helps to develop my critical thinking, judgement and problem-solving skills. It makes my learning experience so much more enjoyable, as I can grow as a person whilst having fun arguing with my friends!

What are your future goals and ambitions? 

I have set very ambitious goals for the future since they allow me to push myself beyond my capabilities. My top choice for university is Oxford, studying genetics, microbiology or biochemistry. Then going on to do a masters in genetic engineering so I can reach my final goal in joining the cancer research field and try to find solutions to battle it. I believe RST can help me by providing opportunities for extracurriculars which can strengthen my application. 

What stands out as your proudest achievement at RST?

On Sports Day I signed up for 800m and 1500m without knowing they were back to back, within 10 mins of each other. I was the only one who signed up for both races! However, I pushed past it and ended up winning both races, breaking the record for 800m, which was after 1500m. This made me really proud as I was so surprised that I actually did it. This other achievement came in as a close second; which is when I got the highest marks in Thailand for physics and chemistry, and the highest in the world for biology with Oxford AQA. I was really proud of putting in enough hard work to achieve those results.

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

I believe it is boarding has enabled me to level up my time management, independence and discipline. I've learnt to take care of myself, such as cooking, doing the laundry and grocery shopping on a budget. I believe everyone should take some time to experience boarding before university, to have a better taste of what independent living feels like.

Sum up boarding in 3 words…

Opportunity of a lifetime

(Technically 4 words, but too nice not to share as it is!)