The Joy of Boarding School Life
17 October 2024 - Barry
Boarding school is more than just a place to study and live; it’s an experience that shapes you for life. As one pupil put it, “Boarding is so much fun, and I am never not busy, whether it’s activities or spending time with my friends. It helps me strike a balance between work and relaxation.”
Boarding offers more than just fun and friendship; it fosters independence. “I think it’s really fun, and I’ve become more independent as a result of it,” another pupil shared, while others echoed similar sentiments: “It helped me to become organised” and “It made me into a better person.” The bonds formed between boarders are truly special, with one pupil reflecting, “The connection between the boarders is something I will hold on to for the rest of my life.”
The boarding experience goes beyond academics, as seen in the success stories of famous boarding school alumni like Sir Christopher Wren, Dame Sue Carr, and Jawaharlal Nehru. Their accomplishments are a testament to the kind of well-rounded education that boarding schools uniquely provide.
In Barry House, this holistic approach is evident. The dedicated staff encourage the girls to respect each other, make responsible choices, and embody values such as kindness, honesty, and courage. The girls are motivated to reach their full potential, always striving to be the best versions of themselves.
In Barry House, the love of learning is deeply intertwined with values of safety, integrity, and trustworthiness, which are lived out every day, ensuring that the boarding experience enriches not only their academic journey but also their personal growth.
Beyond Wycombe Abbey
This term, I was honoured to receive an Arkwright Engineering scholarship. This scholarship is a national programme that helps guide young engineers towards their future careers as well as being a valuable addition to their CV. The recipients are partnered with a company which provides a personal sponsor to guide them and potential work experience opportunities. Applying involves a rigorous process with three stages: the initial application, an assessment, and a final interview. I think this will be an excellent way to progress my ambition to be an aerospace engineer. I highly recommend applying for the scholarship to other budding engineers.
Estelle (LVI)
I participated in two intensive programmes at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts: the Vocal Summit and the Songwriting Intensive Workshop. The Vocal Summit provided a unique opportunity to delve deeper into stage performance, explore a variety of musical genres—particularly Pop and R&B—and connect with like-minded individuals who share my passion for singing. During this immersive one-week course, we mastered two full choral pieces and prepared five individual songs, which we performed before our peers at the end of the week. A highlight of the programme was a masterclass led by Beyoncé’s saxophonist and backup dancer, who taught us how to truly captivate an audience on stage. In contrast, the Songwriting Workshop concentrated on the intricate structure of songs, the deeper meanings behind lyrics, toplining, and the art of co-writing. We also had the privilege of collaborating with artists such as ROSIE, Karissa Bone, Tavonna Miller, and songwriter Casey Smith, with whom I was fortunate to work privately. Overall, the rigorous yet supportive environment at Berklee has deeply inspired me to further pursue my passion for contemporary music. Abbey (UV)
I had the opportunity to join Imperial College’s Global Summer School, where I participated in the Medicine and Life Sciences course. In the first week, I visited a hospital where I learnt about their daily operations, and also did some lab work with genes of fruit flies, which was challenging but extremely fun. For the second week, my enterprise group and I worked together to create a product to help hurricane victims, and at the end we presented it in front of everyone. It was an amazing programme and has further strengthened my dream to be a doctor.
Chloe (LVI)
Ancient Rome and Its Legacies; Intro to Philosophical Enquiry: Love, Human Excellence, and Existential Freedom
Through these two programmes, I gained a more multi-dimensional understanding of the US university experience. At Columbia, the programme was much larger, reflecting the vibrant spirit of New York City itself. With access to all the city had to offer—like Broadway—it was the complete opposite of Silicon Valley’s sprawling lethargy. Our lecturer never gave us a word count; the task was simply to answer the question. In philosophy, we too should not aim to meet a word count but write until we are finished.
At Stanford, the academic demands were higher, often requiring longer essays with short turnarounds. However, it was the California landscape, the people I met, and the relationships I built that left the deepest impression. On the last day, our professor told us that if we remember nothing else of Roman statues, Virgil’s Homer, or Homer’s Virgil, we must remember “education, education, education.” It’s not just about passion, but the access to knowledge—a power that I know will stay with me forever. Abila (LVI)
I attended the Stanford Summer Humanities Institute in the course “Revolutions.” It was an unforgettable and incredibly rewarding experience, working closely with Stanford’s faculty and professors and culminating in the writing of a research paper as a final project. I had the invaluable opportunity to explore my passions—history, political science, and political philosophy—while participating in insightful discussions with Stanford graduate students and my peers. These discussions expanded my perspectives and deepened my understanding of the subjects.
Beyond the academic side, the friendships I formed and the people I met were the highlights of the programme. Interacting with talented, like-minded individuals from around the world allowed us to share intellectual curiosity and diverse perspectives, enriching both our conversations and our connections. These friendships made the experience truly unforgettable, and I feel fortunate to have learned as much from my peers as from the lectures. The bonds we created are something I will carry with me long after the programme. Daisy (LVI)
Activities Days
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh(DofE)
DofE was jam-packed with ups and downs. We set off at 10:00 am on Thursday morning, preparing ourselves for wind, thunderstorms, and plenty of rain. Throughout the first day, our group managed to get lost enough times for the whole year group combined! Keeping morale high through lots of singing, we finally managed to get to camp at around 7:00 pm. After a well-earned meal of home-cooked pasta, we settled down in our tents to prepare for yet another long, rainy day. Despite walking over 40km during the two days, we still put in a triumphant sprint through the school gates! Flo, Natalie,Sofia,Shirley (LV)
Trenches Trip
Our History trip to the Somme was an incredible experience. After an early start at 5:00 am, we arrived in France and visited the Sunken Lane, where British soldiers gathered before the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916. This battle saw 57,000 British casualties in a single day. At Newfoundland Memorial Park, we explored the trenches preserved since the war, learning about the peril of communication between the frontline, support, and reserve trenches, and the struggle to gain any land.
After dinner, we visited the Thiepval Memorial, dedicated to over 72,000 missing British and South African soldiers from the battle. A moment of silence around the stone of remembrance was particularly poignant and emotional for us all. We then visited the Lochnagar Crater, created by a massive mine, offering a striking visual of the war’s devastation.
The next morning, after a lovely French breakfast, we explored the underground tunnels at the Carrière Wellington museum in Arras. The Commonwealth forces had repurposed these abandoned quarries to support their offensive against German troops. Our tour enabled us to hear and experience what soldiers did, and we honoured them with a candlelit moment of silence.
Finally, we visited the preserved trenches at Vimy Ridge and followed the pathways where soldiers had fought against both the elements and the enemy. Our last stop was the Notre-Dame de Lorette memorial, where the graves of 42,000 fallen soldiers and the Ring of Remembrance, engraved with nearly 580,000 names of those who died in northern France, left a powerful impression. Some of us even found our own family names, bringing home the personal connection to these historic events.
Annika, Emily, Tiwonge (UV)
As a Housemistress, it is a joy to witness the transformation of Barry girls as they flourish within the boarding environment. The camaraderie, the sense of community, and the shared experiences create bonds that will last a lifetime. Boarding allows the girls to become more self-reliant, organised, and compassionate, while offering them a space to grow intellectually and personally. Watching them learn from each other, tackle challenges, and build resilience is one of the greatest rewards of this role. The values of integrity, trustworthiness, and mutual respect, which are embedded in everyday life in Barry House, help shape not only the girls’ academic achievements but also the individuals they will become. It is truly a privilege to be part of their journey.
Enjoy Long Leave.
