I have been at Chetham’s (Chets) for a year and it has been the best year of my life. Although I am a “newbie” I was made extremely welcome by both staff and students alike. Boarding was a new experience for me but I easily slipped into the routine and have had many exciting moments with my dorm mates and friends. This past year has been fun and full of thrills. Dorm life is great and I love the independence I have gained! I have rarely been homesick and my family was only a phone call away when the rare pangs of homesickness hit me.
The house parents are good to talk to and I feel I can confide in them without worrying about my personal information being betrayed. My friends are always there as well to talk with and have many laughs with. Basically I feel like we are a little family some of us sensible and motherly while others of us are great for moments of wildness (which is quickly stopped by the house parents when it seems to be getting out of hand)! As we are located in the centre of Manchester the shops and attractions are nearby and we have made several trips out in groups of girls, which must have been quite a sight sometimes!
Sometimes work can become really difficult and you can feel under a little too much pressure but when the situation is explained, the teachers can give you extensions on work and help ease your work-load. The teachers, both academic and musical, are informative and helpful and explain things easily whilst still pushing you so you can achieve your best. My favourite subjects are probably Religious Studies and English. I find myself looking forward to my lessons and always find myself “stretched” after a lesson. My music lessons are always packed with information and music and hopefully after a year my skill at the bassoon has improved!! When I do feel under pressure I try to relax in the evenings and the weekends, I can talk with my friends, watch movies or TV or read quietly in my dorm. Chets gives me everything I could ever want and to be quite frankly it is better than my wildest dreams. I cannot imagine myself anywhere else!
Olivia Harrison
Form 4
