What is your role at summer boarding courses?
I have spent two summers at SBC as an activity leader.
What’s the average day like at summer school?
The average day of summer school is filled with laughter, enjoyment, and new experiences. Mealtimes at summer school are an ideal time to talk to students, set a positive vibe for the student and staff, and fuel up! Activities either take place in the morning or afternoon and this is my second favourite part of the day. Activities are essential to summer school, whether it is a sport activity like football or an art activity such as tie dye, these activities provide joy for everyone involved and have created some of the best memories I have working at SBC. Evening activities, my favourite part of the day, everybody in the camp comes together after dinner and takes part in an activity run by the AL’s. As an AL there is so much freedom with what activities we would like to run, and the evening activity is no different. This time of the day really sums up summer school for me. Everybody is together having an amazing time, providing enjoyment, and sharing so many laughs.
What have you enjoyed the most about working with Summer Boarding Courses?
SBC has provided me with so many wonderful experiences. I think this is because of the freedom staff get to provide a good time for the students. Alongside this freedom I have never had a job where I have been so comfortable and supported by managers and other members of staff. For me SBC is like a family, everybody supports each other, and this makes summer school truly a rare and incredible experience.
What advice would you give a staff member going into their first summer with Summer Boarding courses?
The main advice I would give to staff is be yourself! If you have a passion let people know. In doing this you will be running activities that you as a staff member enjoy, this really translates to students. If you are enjoying yourself then students will be enjoying it too!
What’s your favourite summer school memory?
Summer school has honestly provided me with some of my fondest memories and some of my closest friends. My favourite memory, although extremely difficult to choose, would have to be when I was walking around the accommodation checking that student where in their rooms and going to sleep, I heard this loud noise. I couldn’t work out what this noise was, so I walked towards the noise, and it was coming from a bedroom. I knocked on the door and stood there was one of the youngest students playing a violin (incredibly well). It was so random but it stands out for me because summer school hosts so many people from all over the world and this is what makes it so special.