As the latest academic year draws to a close, pupils – and staff – share their secrets on successfully settling in their new surroundings. Here, youngsters from Chafyn Grove tell us how they have been getting on… 


Year 5 day boy from America

How have you found your first year at the school?
I found it a bit hard, but it eventually got easier. I have found all the teachers nice

What have you enjoyed the most?
I enjoyed going to the Eden Project. I have also enjoyed helping out

What new skills or hobbies have you picked up?
I have picked up lots of new sports like hockey and rugby

What did you find was the biggest challenge?
I found maths the biggest challenge with all the metric

What advice would you give to someone starting at the school in the next academic year?
I would tell them ‘Keep trying, never give up, and do your best!’

Year 5 day boy

How have you found your first year at the school?
I have really enjoyed my first year, because there is so much sport and friends to rely on and trust

What have you enjoyed the most?
Sport and activities and learning new hobbies

What new skills or hobbies have you picked up?
Football and cricket, hockey and how to light a fire in bushcraft to cook the marshmallows

What did you find was the biggest challenge?
Learning the day to day routine of school

What advice would you give to someone starting at the school in the next academic year?
Take advice from your shadow and don’t be afraid to ask questions

Year 4 day girl

How have you found your first year at the school?
I have really enjoyed my first year at school and have made lots of new friends

What have you enjoyed the most?
I have really enjoyed being in our school play and being chosen to be in the swim gala

What new skills or hobbies have you picked up?
A new skill I  have learnt is hockey and I really enjoyed it

What did you find was the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge was remembering everyone’s names and finding my way around the school

What advice would you give to someone starting at the school in the next academic year?
Try to meet someone in your class before you start school so you know someone on your first day

Year 5 day girl

How have you found your first year at the school?
I joined the school in January and I have found the teachers and my classmates very friendly and helpful.  I have been feeling that I’ve been here more than a three months

What have you enjoyed the most?
Going to the Eden Project

What new skills or hobbies have you picked up?
I’ve learnt a bit more gymnastics and improved in netball a lot!

What did you find was the biggest challenge?
Science was and still is my biggest challenge

What advice would you give to someone starting at the school in the next academic year?
I would tell them not to worry and stay calm.  The teachers are always there for you if you’re feeling a bit worried and lost

Year 2 day girl

How have you found your first year at the school?
I have really enjoyed it and have settled in quickly

What have you enjoyed the most?
Gymnastics club and the adventure playground!

What new skills or hobbies have you picked up?
Street dance and I learnt to make Scotch Pancakes

What did you find was the biggest challenge?
Working out how everything works here because I was at my old school since the age of 3 and it was all different there

What advice would you give to someone starting at the school in the next academic year?
At lunch you have to eat a little bit of everything even if it’s not your favourite!

Year 2 day boy

How have you found your first year at the school?
I liked it a lot!

What have you enjoyed the most?
I enjoyed learning things I didn’t know

What new skills or hobbies have you picked up?
Netball, hockey, music and art

What did you find was the biggest challenge?
Making friends, maths and spelling

What advice would you give to someone starting at the school in the next academic year?
To work really hard and try to make friends as quickly as you can

Year 5 boarder girl

How have you found your first year at the school?
Really enjoyed it – found it difficult at the beginning finding my way around and getting to lessons having moved from a smaller school

What have you enjoyed the most?
I enjoyed DT, Art and writing stories.  The teachers are really nice and explain the work so I can understand it

What new skills or hobbies have you picked up?
I’m new at boarding and fitted in well.  Before coming to Chafyn I had not played netball or hockey.  I love netball and play centre

What did you find was the biggest challenge?
Making new friends

What advice would you give to someone starting at the school in the next academic year?
To be patient, it takes time to fit in and get to know everything


Do you want your school to be involved  in Army&You‘s education advertorials? email info@tylerbale.co.uk or call 01252 714870.

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