Cloister House December

9 December 2022 - Cloister

Reflecting on this half term, I cannot believe how much we have managed to fit into such a short space of time. The girls have been very busy in School with both the LVI and UV having School exams. I have been so impressed with how organised both year groups have been and how calmly they approached the exams. The support from their peers has been lovely, and another example of Cloister House coming together as a family.

Charity has been a big focus in the lead up to Christmas, led by our Charity Prefect Amaya. Shortly after Long Leave came Bonfire Night- our choice of stall was a bottle tombola and balloon darts Both sold out well before the end of the evening and we raised over £300 for the School charities which was an outstanding amount. Amaya also led the House bake sale which raised £127. 

This year has been a particularly difficult year for many in our local area, and demand for the One Can Trust foodbank has increased by over 50%. Each year the School holds a collection for this worthy cause, the girls responded to this challenge as a community, bringing in jars of sauce to donate. This was added to donations from other houses and the One Can Trust were thrilled by all the food they received. With the spirit of season at large in the House Amaya and the LVI wanted to also focus upon Children who may find Christmas particularly difficult. As a House we not only collected toys and wrote cards which will be given to children in Great Ormand Street Hospital- but also filled three shoeboxes to go to young people in war-torn countries. Thank you so much to all of the Cloister families for their generous donations over the term, it is very much appreciated.

As well as charity works, we have been very busy with a wide range of different activities in House. The LVI spent many hours creating their guy for Bonfire Night, which this year was the alien from ‘Toy Story’. Unfortunately, it was too wet and windy to light the bonfire, but as a School we were able to enjoy all of the creations on the evening. The different dorms carved pumpkins for Halloween and these were displayed outside the Cloister door for all to enjoy. Reading week was very busy and along with the School readathon, we were treated to a book quiz with Mr Lenton, Blind Date book swap with Miss Dorme, book arts and crafts, and literary themed snacks! Other activities these past few weeks have included pizza making, Gingerbread house decorating and creating our very own Christmas wreaths. During anti-bullying week each House was tasked with creating a short film or poster to illustrate the theme ‘Reach out’. Cloister, led by Laila, created a fantastic video which included girls in every year. I am very pleased to say that despite tough competition, we won the best film and collected our prize at School Meeting where the whole School were able to enjoy the video!

Unfortunately, at the end of this term we will be saying goodbye to Miss Dorme, as she moves on to be Housemistress of Campbell House. Miss Dorme has been an integral part of Cloister over the past 4 years and she will be so missed by every member of the Cloister Community. She will be a fantastic Housemistress and our loss is certainly Campbell’s gain! Please stay in touch Miss Dorme; you will always be a part of the Cloister family.

All that is left for me to do is to wish every member of the Cloister Community a well-deserved Christmas Holiday. I hope that you have a wonderful break surrounded by family and friends, and I look forward to welcoming you all back in the new year.