EDUCATION
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF
RHIAN THORNTON NEW HEAD AT SOMERHILL INDEPENDENT PREP SCHOOL
6am I’ m an early riser, which means I can fit in a quick run before the day begins. Those quiet moments running 6k around the grounds at Somerhill are the best thinking time. That said, I often run into the cross-country team doing morning practice or the cricket teams warming up at the nets, so less quiet time but more fun these days.
6.45am Back to the cottage in the grounds to get ready for the day ahead. Marcus and I are big breakfast fans, so this morning it is Marcus’ s legendary poached eggs with avocado and chilli flakes. Our fox-red labs, Elmo and Ernie, have already been out and have been proudly returning stray cricket balls to the pavilion; the grounds look spectacular in the early morning sunshine.
7.45am The school comes alive at this time and I love greeting the children as they arrive loaded with musical instruments, sports kit and bags. Then, a quick catch-up with the team about the day ahead- today there’ s a parent coffee morning, exciting IAPS swimming finals news and Home Front Day, with Year 6 dressed for evacuation activities, WWII-style.
8.15am This morning I am meeting a new family who have just arrived from Dubai. I then head to Pre Nursery and read a story to Kindergarten. Next up is Saplings, our Forest School, where children are wheeling barrows, swinging through the trees, making leaf prints and chatting.
10.30am House song rehearsals are underway, so I drop in to hear the different songs being practised. Somerhill has a wonderful music department and a brilliant sense of house spirit that really raises the energy. I hear the choristers rehearsing and look forward to the upcoming concerts.
11am Back to my office, where the sunshine is streaming in and children are passing the windows chatting away. The Year 7 boys arrive to take me on a whistlestop tour, where we see the school news quiz champions and an engineering class launching gliders they have designed on the formal lawns.
12pm Lunch. Staff and children all eat together in the dining hall, which is a lovely part of the day. We have excellent catering and plenty of snacks around break and after sport, so the children stay fuelled and focused. There is huge excitement building as it is match day- cricket kit is everywhere!
12.45pm Back to my desk to answer emails and check in with Lucy and Reggie. Reggie is our school wellbeing dog and spends time both with me and in classrooms. I love dogs- Elmo and Ernie are delighted with the move to Kent and the parkland now being their back garden.
2pm Matches. Somerhill takes sport very seriously and there’ s always something going on. This week we have cricket fixtures against a local school, which are always fun and well attended. I love seeing parents arrive to cheer on the children- you really feel the school community.
3.30pm Match tea. Everyone comes together afterwards, which gives parents a chance to chat while the children refuel after all the running around they do during the day.
4.30pm Official home time, although clubs run until 5.45pm. In the Trinity term, aquathlon and cyclo-cross are particularly popular, with children riding all over the estate on their bikes. Most pupils sleep very well after a day at Somerhill!
6pm Checking emails, reviewing the next day and looking ahead to the week. Then it is family time. My daughter and son both have GCSEs and A levels approaching, alongside the Netball Nationals in Nottingham.
8pm Elmo and Ernie eagerly await their twilight walk. It is such an uplifting time of day watching the sun set across the grounds.
8.30pm Dinner is always a good catch-up point. Marcus works in technology, so I often come away with new ideas from hearing about his work. At Somerhill, I am keen to build on innovation through opportunities such as drones, CAD and broadcasting, while recognising that screens are never a substitute for great teaching and hands-on learning.
10pm TV and bed. I often find myself nodding off on the sofa, so when my eyes start closing, I head upstairs. Once my head hits the pillow, I am out like a light.
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