Eastlife Spring 2020

EDUCATION
Why opt for boarding?
Boarding can help a child create strong friendship groups and
social skills; understanding how to bring out the best in one
another through collaboration and at times, tolerance. Pupils
spend so much time with each other, they become like family.
Indeed, schools like the Royal Hospital School near Ipswich bring
together groups of pupils from different year groups within their
houses to create support groups for each other, often known as
‘families’. They meet on a regular basis to chat or to help each
other with any issues they might be facing.
Pupils often comment on how boarding helps them with
their confidence and independence. By learning to be more
self-sufficient through learning to get themselves organised each
morning for classes and managing their prep at the end of the
day. Even scheduling time for basic tasks like polishing their own
shoes can contribute to the skills needed to manage their
own lives both now and in the future. Many also cite the
additional time they gain as they have no commute.
Independent schools offer children a huge range of
activities over-and-above the co-curricular timetable.
These include film nights, trips to theme parks and visiting
speakers who come in to talk to pupils, some of which take
place in the evenings or at weekends. Boarding allows a
child to maximise these opportunities and discover new
things without parents constantly having to act as a taxi
service.
Some sixth formers who were previously day pupils
decide to board in their final two years. Not only does
this allow them to focus on their studies but also live in
an environment more akin to university. Thanks to their
experience, boarders adapt more easily to university life
and don’t have to add coping with being away from home
to their already busy new schedule.
FXP Festival returns in July
The FXP Festival will take place from 6– 8 July, at the Rizing Games
studios at Cambridge Regional College.
The Festival is a local education initiative which uses computer
games to increase interest and uptake of STEM subjects, build
young people’s digital skills and provide an insight into what
careers in the technology, creative digital and related industries
might offer. The competition comprises three key strands –
computer games concept design, computer games development
and, new for 2019, creative writing and illustration.
Each year hundreds of students, aged 13-19, participate, with the
support and expert mentoring of industry volunteers from
companies including Jagex, Arm and Table Flip Games, as well as
course leaders from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU).
Entry is open to schools, colleges, home school groups and
out-of-school clubs across East Anglia.
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