College Principal - Thom

What is your role at summer boarding courses?

Principal, Cambridge.

What’s the average day like at summer school?

Long! We start early, making sure the first face students see is friendly-waking in a strange place, at a strange time, can be tough, so knowing we can help by being available, visible and warm and welcoming is key. My job is about making sure everyone feels safe, happy and aware of how lucky we all are to be doing what we’re doing: staff and students! A lot of what fills my days is reassuring students that they can do the course, the tapestry of social interactions and the living and learning abroad. A heavy load for many of them. I also spend a lot of time working with parents to reassure them their children are in fact safe, happy and enjoying themselves (internationally, across cultures, most people don’t tell their parents much!).

What have you enjoyed the most about working with Summer Boarding Courses?

Working with the project over such a long time, and seeing the dream of how good it could be become reality. In a world in flux, it’s great to see that what we do IS hugely worthwhile and fabtastic fun!

What advice would you give a staff member going into their first summer with Summer Boarding courses?

It’s such a great job! You learn so much so quickly, you get to take real responsibility, and make great things happen…. but always remember: you’re never alone. Everyone at SBC is actively involved in making sure you enjoy the experience. Because if we aren’t enjoying it, why would students?!

What’s your favourite summer school memory?

Every time the cocktail of a large group of people in one place feels like it might spill, and there is frantic work to think our way through whatever crazy moment is happening, massive action…and then…we come out the other side, laughing!

Or

Looking around on my wedding day and seeing so many, smiling faces of friends, from so many happy summer schools, who have become parts of my family.

Or

Every time I see a group of young people from everywhere in the world, just….getting along, having a brilliant time, and being much, much more likely than they were before to help make the world a place of peace.