What is your role at summer boarding courses?
College mentor at Wadham College, Oxford
What’s the average day like at summer school?
Every day varies a little bit depending on if you have the morning shift or the evening shift. But mainly as a team we prepared for the evening activities in the morning, made sure that students are well and are where they supposed to be (classes, assemblies and at meal times). We then checked the students out for lunch time and then checked them back in for their afternoon classes. In the afternoon we again prepared for events further in the week, then when the students finished their classes for the day, we checked them out for their free time where they could explore Oxford with their friends. Then in the evenings we had different activities and events each night, some with small groups, some with everyone in the camp. After the evening event whoever is on duty, they ensured that all the students were back in their own room and ready for the next day.
Throughout the day we also chat with the students and play some board games with them to build connections and to give a unique experience for everyone.
What have you enjoyed the most about working with Summer Boarding Courses?
I think what I really enjoyed about working at SBC during summer was the location and my colleagues overall. We all had a very busy schedule but time flies by when you have people around you, you have fun with.
What advice would you give a staff member going into their first summer with Summer Boarding courses?
Prepare yourself that it is going to be busy. Be open, be helpful, have fun and take care of yourself when you have time off.
What’s your favourite summer school memory?
I think it has to be the late evening shifts when we were all really tired and we just started to tell each other random facts about ourselves. I’ve learnt so many random funny bits about everyone and I will always cherish them.