The 5 Best Things About Nelson: A Day Pupil’s Review – Alex Coplestone-Crow
Coming from among the ranks of the day houses, I’m rather new to this boarding malarkey. A day pupil for 6 years and half a term, in Michaelmas 2 I made a big leap… boarding a full THREE nights a week. Not a massive change, I realise, but it was, none-the-less, significant. I propose, as many in the upper 6th have realised, that even this small increase in hours spent at school can enhance the overall experience, and this is nowhere more true than in that enigma of enigmas, Nelson House.
Before year 13, I had never once set foot in Nelson, but I had heard many a story… ‘There’s a bar that opens every night’ being the most common. But are these rumors true? Is the legendary ‘Nelson Arms’ really a daily occurrence?
Unfortunately, not quite. However, becoming a 3-night boarder has indeed confirmed to me that Nelson is the best year of any RHS pupil’s school career… and here’s why.
1 Atmosphere: While it can get rowdy at times, the general atmosphere of Nelson House is one which strikes the perfect balance between work and frivolity. Yes, there’s a Wii (the greatest console ever made) and it’s true that table tennis games get rather heated, but there is an undercurrent running through everything that happens in Nelson: you’re here to work, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself.
2 Events: Over your time in Nelson, you will experience the entire spread of functions and parties which you may be required to go to in future. From the ever traditional Trafalgar Night, to the rather more informal decades disco, ‘Nelson Nights’ are surely a highlight. You may be like me, who’s idea of fun more closely aligns with the tradition and formality of a Black-Tie dinner, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a pie-and-a-pint with the Pooleys.
3 People: By the time you reach Nelson, the last time your whole year-group was in the same house will be at least 5 years in the past. It may not seem like a big deal, but having an entire year group come together in the most important year of school is, without a doubt, one of the best things about Nelson. From being able to complete group work far more easily, to being able – especialy as a former day pupil – to see your boarding peers far more often, this really is an added bonus.
4 Freedom: In Nelson, a number of greater freedoms are given to the average upper 6th student. These include trips to the chippy on Thursdays, the opening of the bar on Saturdays, and the option to drive into school if you are able. The whole point of Nelson is to prepare its students for the world, outside of the mythical RHS ‘Bubble’, and these freedoms are a greater part of that preparation. Yes you are more free, but that means greater responsibility, and often a change in attitude towards work.
5 Staff: No article about Nelson House would be complete without mention of the fabulous staff who support the running of the establishment. The Pooleys are sterling House-Parents, stern but supportive – especially on the matter of SOCS sign up. Matron, known as ‘Maich’, is the foundation on which the house stands, there for your every need, trivial (such as the disaster of a missing button minutes before divisions) or serious. Mr Herbert brings his unique brand of humour and leadership to the house, and the tutors do great work in supporting us academically. There can be no doubt that Nelson would cease to function without any one of these people.
So, that’s 5. I could have done more, 10 perhaps, but I have left those for you to find yourself. Of course, all of this applies to day pupils as-well – I did indeed experience all of these in my first half-term as a Nelson ‘part-timer’. Nelson truly is the best year of RHS, and has, so far, fully justified my decision to stay at RHS: I would urge you to do the same.
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