Brentwood School - Brentwoodian 2020

82 As once stated by Dr Seuss, "Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory". The boarding experience itself is full of memorable moments that will stick with most of us forever. Throughout the school year, bonding has been a nonstop priority in the Mill Hill household. This has not only been done through various evening activities but also through several excursions conducted this school year. We started the year off with the annual Thorpe Park trip together with Hough House. In there, we not only got to explore the park and the adventures it held, but we also got to know each other by splitting into groups and mixing with different crowds than we had previously done. The wrap-up of this excursion was followed by a paintballing and go-karting trip also alongside Hough house. We also had a trip exclusive to Mill Hill, in which we had the opportunity to go shopping and watch a movie in the cinema as a House together rather than in split groups. However, we not only bonded through these excursions but also from within the House. Throughout the year, we have had weekly movie nights, where we have gathered in the common room and got together as a group. These nights allowed us to experience another atmosphere than the daily academic one we live in. We laughed. We cried. We experienced a variety of emotions which helped strengthen our bond as a House and community. Additionally, our Head and Deputies of the House put together a quiz night, which we all took part in. This gave us a better perception of others in the House and helped uplift the overall mood of Mill Hill. The evening quickly escalated from questions and answers to dancing and excitement spread around the House. Once Christmas rolled around the corner, as per usual, we all got together and through the support of various Christmas songs and shared laughter decorated the tree in our common room. However, Christmas fun did not halt there! The rest of December was filled with Secret Santa, long evenings spent in the common room, and ended with our annual Christmas dinner. Once the New Year struck, and February came around, it was time for the annual Chinese New Year. However, unlike previous years, some of the newer girls introduced us to a night full of food and delight. Throughout the week leading up to the day itself, the House was filled with the aroma of delicacies. We conducted a dumpling factory over three days, in which hundreds of dumplings were wrapped and made. After all the hours put into this, especially by Sammi Chan, the evening itself came. Alongside every member of the House, we ate the amazing food and celebrated the New Year. Despite the shortening of the school year, the bonding created in the House and the sense of togetherness we share will forever remain my best memory of Mill Hill. A special thanks to our Houseparents, Mr and Mrs Cope, who unconditionally devote their time to making our experience and time in Mill Hill as incredible as possible. Furthermore, Miss Simpson-Crick, Dr Tsaknaki, Miss Coady and now Miss Spriggs, who notably have allotted several hours a week to the upholding of the House spirit and further strengthening the bonding within it. Another special thanks goes to Mrs Skinner, who came along to the Last Christmas trip, full of fun and enthusiasm. By Inger Hansen Mill Hill