BOARDING IN PICTURES
ORCHARD
2020-21 was undoubtedly the strangest year of my boarding career . Beginning the year with boarders in quarantine , activities limited to on-site , single house ‘ bubbles ’ for tea and chapel , remaining open over the holidays , and two national lockdowns – and yet we came through it with smiles on our faces and , somehow , a stronger than ever sense of community .
I actually hold very fond memories of the Lent Term lockdown . The two remaining Orchard boarders moved across into Faircote House , and our tight knit group of five
or so girls spent their days remote learning , going for walks , watching movies and making the most of the bizarre peace of a deserted school campus – the snow days were fantastic !
Still , it was a pleasure in March , and then the Summer Term , to welcome back a fuller complement of boarders , and get back to something approaching normality . We managed a sunny seaside excursion and our annual trip to Flamingo Land . We welcomed lots of new students to Orchard House on Prep School taster evenings , and continued fostering the strong links we had made with Faircote House . I have never been more impressed by the resilience and good humour of our boarders , and this year has made me prouder than ever to be part of this exceptional boarding community .
26 THE POCKLINGTONIAN