In the latest episode of The Millfield Way podcast, we caught up with four boy boarders at Millfield Prep School (MPS). 

Toby M, Rhydian, Alberto and Toby W (Year 6, 7 and 8) discussed their experiences of boarding at MPS.

The four pupils we spoke with are all first-time boarders. In the episode they discussed adjusting to life as a boarder, how they stay organised whilst juggling a wide range of extracurricular activities, and some recent achievements which they are proud of.

How have you found sharing rooms?

Toby W: I like group dorms because there’s loads of people in the dorm. I had a boarding taster, so I made some friends already who were luckily in my dorm. I have a fun time with my friends.

Alberto: I really like group boarding; there’s always something to do with my friends in my dorm. We get to pick three people that we want in our dorm which works really well.

Rhydian: I like boarding at MPS because I’m very sociable and like to talk about things with different people. At first, I was a little shy, but your relationships get better and better until you become friends.

Toby M: At home, I shared a room with one of my sisters, so it wasn’t too different, but the relationships are getting stronger every day.

How do you celebrate birthdays in the house? Has anyone had a recent birthday?

Toby W: I got Dominoes for the whole house and got a cake for everyone which was really good. It was great to celebrate the moment.

Rhydian: I had my birthday on an early swimming morning, and they celebrated really nicely by clapping me on when I finished a length. Then I got cake for the whole house, and it was great to celebrate with everybody.

What are some of the boarding challenges which you experienced in the first few weeks?

Rhydian: I found being tidy and organised quite difficult, it gave me great responsibility. The school always check your kit bags, so you have everything you need for school the next day.

Toby M: At the start of the year, I was a bit homesick and it was hard to get all my jobs done, but I’m doing it now really well.

Toby W: The first couple of weeks I was quite homesick but as the weeks went on, I was having lots of fun with my friends and a routine every night. I’d play, do my jobs, shower, phone my parents. They really make sure that you have your kit bag packed and have everything you need for the next morning.

Alberto: I was homesick but started meeting people, made friends and then really enjoyed it. At first, I made friends in the house and then with my classmates.

What activities have you discovered at Millfield Prep?

Toby M: I’ve started tennis, cricket, rugby and hockey which I really enjoy.

Rhydian: I find the language extension lessons really interesting. After your games lesson you can relax and talk about the cultural history of a language and learn some key phrases. We recently learned about Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter). I’ve also learned about fencing and modern pentathlon since boarding at MPS.

Alberto: I started electric guitar and percussion. I was also involved in the tech for the High School Musical production. That involved a lot of programming lights and watching what the actors do.

Toby W: I do a lot of sports but this term I started film making club. You take videos around school and make it into a movie. I’ve also tried hockey, got better at cricket and done lots of other sports that I keep trying to get further and further with.

To listen to the full podcast episode, click here. 

For more insights into boarding at Millfield Prep school, click here.