14 / 32
14
ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE
Julius Nyonyo
Peer Listener
I am a Peer Listener, and a Head Sacristan.
Particularly when I am on duty in House I make sure to check up on all
individuals of the year before putting them to bed. Being from Tilly’s, I tend to
speak to pupils in our common room which is quite big and open so presents
an inviting environment for conversation.
I make sure that pupils in House know and understand my role as a Peer
Listener, and a Head Sacristan. I am here for them to speak to about any issues
that they may have, not necessarily school related, and that whatever I am told
remains confidential between us. Pupils are welcome to find me (or any Peer
Listener) in their Houses; in my case pupils usually come and find me in my
room if they wish to speak to me about something.
As Peer Listeners, we have weekly meetings with Miss Steer and Mr Tester
to discuss how we are finding our role, whether there any serious issues
around the School at the present time and, if so, what we can do to help.
We also talk about areas in our role that we think we are struggling and how
we can make improvements. We communicate with each other regularly via
email. Head Sacristans also have weekly meetings with both Reverend Kerr
and Reverend Jones to talk about how we could engage more pupils in their
faith and their spiritual side.
I often ask pupils in the lower years what is going in their year group and
enquire how they feel about the atmosphere in their year, in order to gain
an understanding of how the pupil may feel and how they are being affected
by this.
It provides me with the opportunity to interact with the lower years, on a
regular basis. It also gives me the chance to lend an ear to those pupils who,
around this age, sometimes think they are on their own and aren’t being
heard by others. It is rewarding to be able to encourage them to believe in
themselves and stay positive.
Julius was previously at Caldicott
Anna Fielding
Assistant Housemistress
I am on duty in the boarding house on a
Wednesday and also on a Thursday evening.
However, I usually aim to pop into the House
at least once a day to catch up with whoever
is around. I am in charge of the boarding
house for one weekend a term and I am often
around on Saturdays or Sundays.
We do have formal meetings but it’s mostly
regular chats (often over tea) to keep up to
date with what’s happening.
I read the news and articles on social
media to keep up-to-date with issues affecting
teenagers. However, it’s mostly through
talking with the girls in House - there are lots
of things said in the media but the best way to
find out what’s bothering young people is to
talk to them.
The big events are always fun when the
whole House comes together - Corfe/
Field dinner, summer BBQs,
Corfe Occasion
,
House sporting wins. However, the best bit
is probably getting to know the girls as “real
people”. They are not just pupils sitting in my
classroom; they are interesting individuals
with their own interests, cares and concerns.
In the end it’s probably the little things that
really make it enjoyable - table tennis and pool
competitions, jigsaws, mending broken
mobile phones, Chinese takeaway
and, of course, cake night. Living in
a boarding house helps pupils to
appreciate that you are a real person
too - certainly after early morning fire
alarms in the rain in your pyjamas!