Comments from Boarders

"I think that probably everyone in here knows vaguely who I am. Either you saw me in the corridor or because you are one of the amazing people I had the chance to talk to and get to know quite well. If you aren't in either case, I'm Constance, nicknamed Connie by the boarders, and I am French. Tomorrow will be my last day here and I really wanted you all to know that coming here has been the most amazing experience of my life.

"I have to admit that when my mum, about 5 months ago, asked me if I would like to spend a term here, I was terrified! I decided to come to improve my English but it turned out I learned a lot more. I learned how to find my way into Chichester, I nearly managed to drive a dune buggy, I also learned how to make pears with chocolate sauce. Most important I learned how to play netball! When I heard about netball for the first time, I had no idea what it was about and more than once Miss Sims had to blow me for footstep! Then, there was hockey, well I'll just say that I quickly realised that to shoot you had to use your stick and not your feet.

"Those weren't the only differences from where I come from. One of them is that I had never worn a uniform before! During three and a half months, I didn't have to think about what to wear in the morning. But this wasn't the major difference. I have to say that when I came here, I was far from expecting that I'd meet such amazing friends. I didn't know that a person could be so sensitive and take care of me so well. I didn't know that a form could guide me so well into my new life and help me throughout the term.

"I think that probably most of you have boarded at least once in your life. If you haven't then you are missing something. Boarding was completely new for me. Although I was a bit lost and homesick during the first few days, I soon made great friends. I shared a room with the best roomies ever. We had a lot of fun imitating the queen guards and even having girls nights and always ended up laughing more and more. We also had special events each day of the week. We cooked on Monday and always ended up completely full with too much chocolate! Outdoor activities on Tuesday with Miss Wiggs, which turned out to be indoors most of the time. We also had lots of weekend activities including a trip to Marwell, Southampton, to town or even to the cinema.

"But that is the nice part of boarding, there was also more difficult times like playing against Miss Wiggs on the Wii or fighting with Claudia on the computer.

"So if you ever want to board ask for Holly Peace and Bethany Restarick and have a good amount of Wii training.

"I'll finish today by telling you that right now I want to stay more than ever. Even though this isn't possible, I will never forget the most amazing experience of my life and the most amazing people I have met. I would like to thank all those people and especially Miss Wiggs and Mrs Kyffin and all the staff."

Connie Frayssineau

It has been a great pleasure to be an overseas boarder at Lavant House School. Although when I first came, I was feeling alone and being a little homesick, both the house staff and teachers offer a great support and the family atmosphere of the boarding house made me overcome the homesick problem quickly and soon I made lots of friends during my time at Lavant. The small classes mean that we have lots of individual academic helps from the teachers and my English has improved enormously during my five years at Lavant. I have improved not only academically but also communication skills and confidence levels as well.

I often feel I have an extended family when I am boarding, and we have ‘family’ time as well as our own individual time. There are lots of activities we can do in the evenings, after homework; such as cookery club and netball club and also fun outings at the weekends for instances, to France, London and Thorpe Park. You do not have to be upset the fact that if you are in England, and you cannot celebrate Chinese New Year with your family as the school decorates with lots of Chinese New Year decoration and we often have Chinese food for lunch as well.

One-to-one EFL lessons are offered to International students and we are prepared specific English examinations for university including IELTS. Moreover, the school provides lots of advice and gives considerable help to all students in selecting and applying for the suitable courses.
The school offers a great variety of subjects at AS and A-levels in our small and lively sixth form. We often have one-to-one lessons and I found that teachers are more like our friends than teachers. The particularly small sixth form means that I have a stable friendship group with the English girls and we often go out for shopping and have meals together. Throughout my time at Lavant House, I have achieved a great deal and I think I have made the right choice to stay at Lavant House. I look forward to meeting you!

Patty Choy, Overseas Boarder

For more information please contact Lavant House School via our contact form, or you can request a prospectus