Campbell

Campbell House blog March 2026

Building Community Beyond the Classroom

The second half of the Spring Term has been filled with many small yet meaningful moments that reflect the warmth and spirit of Campbell House. Alongside the busy pace of academic work and co-curricular activities, there have been wonderful opportunities for the girls to connect with one another, strengthen friendships and enjoy the simple pleasures of House life.

One particularly popular initiative this half term has been the Wednesday evening games sessions with the UIV girls. In an effort to encourage pupils to step away from screens and social media, Miss Dorme has been hosting weekly gatherings centred around card games, board games and other light-hearted challenges. The room is often filled with laughter as the girls compete enthusiastically, discovering that even the simplest games can become surprisingly competitive. These evenings have quickly become a valued part of the weekly routine, offering a chance to unwind, talk and enjoy each other’s company.

Supporting One Another Across Year Groups

A strong sense of care and mentorship across the year groups continues to be a defining feature of life in Campbell. This term, our Mons (LVI) have been guiding younger pupils in learning cooking skills, turning the House kitchen into a lively and welcoming space. These sessions have provided a wonderful opportunity for the older girls to share their experience while helping the younger students build confidence and independence. The conversations, encouragement and shared laughter have been just as delightful as the dishes created.

We have also taken particular care to ensure that our Day Boarders feel fully included in House life. Regular meetings with the day girls help maintain a strong sense of connection and, this Term, Miss Dorme organised a relaxed pizza outing for them. It was a simple but enjoyable opportunity to spend time together outside the usual routines, reinforcing the message that every member of Campbell House is an essential part of our community.

Confirmation:

On Sunday 1 March, Yimika and I were confirmed alongside twenty other girls into the Anglican Church. This moment had been long awaited after months of preparation with Padre Paul, and it felt great to finally reach the day. The service was shaped by thoughtful contributions from readers and especially by the Bishop Colin Fletcher, whose humour added a relaxed and personal touch to the occasion.

Many families were able to attend in person, and those abroad joined through a live Zoom stream, making it possible for everyone who wanted to be part of the moment to share it with us. Knowing they were watching made the day feel even more meaningful. After the service, we were able to celebrate together with cake, conversation, and plenty of laughter — a simple but perfect way to end an important milestone. With our newly gifted bibles, candles and certificates we were able to leave feeling accomplished, supported and ready for whatever comes next! – Isla (LVI)

Celebrating Creativity and a Love of Reading

This Half Term also brought a burst of imagination and creativity as we celebrated World Book Day. Both staff and pupils embraced the occasion by dressing as characters from their favourite books. The variety of costumes was impressive, ranging from beloved literary classics to more unexpected and inventive interpretations. The day served as a joyful reminder of the power of reading and storytelling, encouraging the girls to rediscover the pleasure of books beyond the demands of their academic studies.

A Moment for Reflection-The Miracle of the Creation of the Universe

On Thursday 26 February, I organised Campbell House’s Chapel Service. In keeping with this term’s theme of miracles, I chose to focus our service on the Creation of the Universe, a miracle that reflects God’s intentional craftsmanship and His desire for humanity to grow, flourish, and live in harmony with the world He made.

The service explored how each stage of Creation reveals a different aspect of God’s character, reminding us that the world around us is a deliberate gift. It encouraged us to recognise the significance of even the smallest details in our daily lives and to approach them with gratitude rather than complacency.

To reinforce this message, I selected the hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful, which echoes the themes of wonder, generosity, and divine creativity. I also wanted to bring a distinctive and engaging element to the service, ensuring that every member of the house felt involved. We began with the Chapel lights switched off, followed by a dramatic reading of Genesis 1:3,  “Let there be light”, at which point the lights were turned back on to symbolise God illuminating the darkness. As each part of the Creation story was read, the girls from the corresponding year group stood and held up images representing the elements described in the passage.

The enthusiasm and energy of the Campbell girls truly brought the service to life. Their willingness to participate created a warm, collaborative atmosphere and played a huge part in the success of the Service.

Overall, the service was both joyful and reflective; a meaningful reminder of the beauty of Creation and the importance of appreciating the world God has entrusted to us.

Marta (LVI)

The National Schools’ Lacrosse Championships

On the weekend of the 7th-8th March, Yimika, Marta and I travelled to Aldershot to compete in the National Schools’ Lacrosse Championships. We all faced tough group stages and narrowly missed out on reaching the Championship division.
The following day, the 1st team won the group in Division One and gave the Round of 16 everything we had. In a thrilling match against St Pauls, we scored a last-minute goal before winning in overtime to take us to the quarter-final! We then defeated NLCS and HABs, before an unlucky loss in the final against Birkenhead. The 2nd team were also very successful in Division Two! Coming back from 2-0 down to a 3-2 win over Caterham. It was such an enjoyable weekend and definitely one to remember!

Verity (UV)

A Special Evening at the Campbell House Dinner

One of the highlights of the year in Campbell House is our annual House Dinner, a much-anticipated occasion that brings together pupils, parents and tutors for a truly special evening. This year’s event was no exception and was a lovely celebration of the strong sense of community that defines life in Campbell.

Our girls looked stunning and made a real effort to dress up for the occasion. Their enthusiasm was clear throughout the evening, and they threw themselves into every part of it. One of the highlights was their singing performance, which was fun, relaxed and brought plenty of smiles and laughter.

Alongside the meal, there were a number of activities, including a raffle and a quiz, which added to the sense of fun and togetherness. These moments created a relaxed atmosphere and gave everyone the opportunity to chat and connect.

Most importantly, it was lovely to see how happy and appreciative the parents were. The evening offered a valuable opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school, while also giving the girls a special chance to share their school life with their families.

Overall, it was a truly memorable evening — full of laughter, warmth and a strong sense of the Campbell community.

Looking Ahead

Taken together, these moments capture what makes life in Campbell House so special. Whether through games, shared meals, creative celebrations or friendly competition, it is the sense of belonging and care for one another that lies at the heart of our community. As the Year continues, we look forward to many more opportunities to learn, support one another and celebrate the spirit that makes Campbell feel so truly like home.