Senior Girls’ Boarding Blog

Whilst the usual Christmassy things are not happening in quite the usual way or in abundence this year the music department have been determined to find a way to ensure the Nine Lessons and Carols service goes ahead. Filming has been well underway in the year group bubbles and I was fourtunate to stumble across one or two photos features the Malvern girls, Amy, Issy and Katie.

Mr Williamson and Mrs Jupp have been just as determined not to let Coronavirus ruin the Christmas spirit in the sixth form too and organised this year’s Winter Warmer for Wednesday after school and whilst I wasn’t able to find any pictures of the girls, I did find one of the Sixth Form Heads who masterminded the Christmas tree in the quad and decorating the gallery and sixth form centre.

This week has – as usual – been a busy one. For our 5th Year students, it has marked the start of mock GCSE exams and has seen Uliana, Evie, Carlotta and Emily embrace all that comes with being off timetable and showcasing all that they know in the Assembly Hall. They have studied hard in-between exams and have approached the week with maturity and calm.

The announcement that the UK would come out of Lockdown 2.0 on Wednesday has been looked forward to all month and the news that Cornwall were to be in Tier 1 was joyfully met; that said the girls have been so sensible, acknowledging their shared social responsibility to each other and recognising the risk that bringing Covid or any associated symptoms, might pose on the holiday plans for our international boarders going home for Christmas. I have been really impressed with their attitude and decision making post-Wednesday.

Thursday evening was the last evening that would see the house full and could therefore only mean one thing. Christmas tunes and of course Malvern House Secret Santa gift giving. If was a lovely occasion and the girls had really gone to town thinking about the person they were buying for! There was much laughter and of course a lot of wrapping paper EVERYWHERE!

The usual Saturday night social was brought forward to Friday to enable those leaving early on the school transport to Heathrow, could join in the fun. Jess organised an ice cream feast complete with numerous Ben and Jerry’s and Hagan Diaz flavours, marshmallows, squirty cream and fruit! The girls settled down to a evening chatting and enjoying each others company.

Saturday morning meant an early start for Hattie, Steph, Issy and Kristina. The minibus picked them up at 7.15am for the trip to Heathrow. Keen to say goodbye the other girls had also set their alarms and so the house was unusually busy for this time of the day/week. That said, once they had waved the girls off, those not travelling headed back to their rooms and beds.

After brunch and keen to get OUT now that we could we boarded the minibus and headed to St Ives for a mooch. The weather was wintery to say the least but the girls appreciated being outside, off site and in the fresh sea air. The quaint independent shops in St Ives were made the most of with treats and gifts purchased.

Saturday evening was unusually quiet, with just eight girls. Jess and Charlotte got to work making a baked cheesecake, Emily and Carlotta decorated Christmas biscuits and Amy headed off to the Poltisco games room for a lower sixth social.

Sunday was a very important day for our German girls. It was St Nicklaus Feast Day. St Nicklaus, or St Nicholas, is the patron saint of children and in Germany it is a tradition that children put a shoe out the night before this feast day in the hope that he comes in the night to fill it with candy, chocolate or fruit. It would appear that St Nicklaus visited us overnight as there were lots of happy looking faces on Sunday morning; Emily and Carlotta were pleased and everyone enjoyed a lovely chocolate surprise before breakfast!

On Sunday after brunch, the girls had some free time. The gym was visited, studying was certainly on the cards for many, tennis was played and the Truro outside Christmas market pursued. Charlotte, Amy and Carlotta headed up to the pool for an afternoon swim and then we enjoyed a hearty braised beef or sticky ribs dinner together in the dining hall.

This evening the girls have been readying themselves for the week ahead; there are still mocks to be completed before we are able to fully relax and enjoy the run up to Christmas. Good luck Evie, UIiana, Emily and Carlotta!

For me, this is my last blog of the year. Mrs Wood is holding the fort next weekend and will capture the final week/weekend of the term in Malvern, but before I hand over to her I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Malvern staff team, Mrs Wood, Mrs Thurlow and Miss Wright for their tireless efforts this term; it has certainly been one like no other and their unfaltering support, adaptability and positivity has really made it much easier! The girls and I are super lucky to have them and I hope that they have a really happy Christmas and a much-deserved rest! Sadly, we have to say goodbye to one member of the house too. Carlotta returns to her studies in Germany and we will really miss her! She has been an absolute star, she has thrown herself into everything that Truro School and boarding has to offer; her sense of humour is super and I know that I speak for all of the girls, who have made friendships for life, when I say she will be leaving some very big shoes to fill! We wish Carlotta the very best of luck and hope that she will keep in touch and let us know how she is getting on!

Mrs Mulready (Housemistress)