Settling into Braeburn Life – Through the Eyes of New Students

It's never easy moving into a new school, a new beginning. No acquaintances, No friends, Not knowing what people will think of you. Although we pride ourselves in The Braeburn Difference, this week we interviewed a series of new students to see how things are going and how they personally are settling into this new atmosphere.

For many, Braeburn’s “interesting systems” have stood out as one of its defining features. Tamari highlighted how the school encourages a collaborative environment where both teachers and students shine. She recently went to our Lunchtime acoustic music sessions, led by our inspiring Music teacher Linda and the BTEC L3 Music students and was amazed. She highlighted that so far it seems like Braeburn is “a place where talents and creativity are allowed to be freely expressed.”

Newcomers like Gwenedith appreciate the freedom to explore their passions. Whether it’s through leadership opportunities or performances, students feel empowered to express themselves. Our community is more than just about the role teachers play but the importance of our Prefect body. Gwen shared a heartwarming moment where she had lost her jacket and was feeling out of sorts but later that day, after asking around a prefect found and returned her the jacket—a gesture that made her feel truly welcome.

You may think that Braeburn is all about academic excellence— but new student Najma pointed out that she found the school's production to be priceless for building confidence and fostering flexibility. These activities allow students to do more than just act; they learn to lead and take initiative, further improving their sense of belonging. Najma, with a smile, affirmed that Ms Miranda's “flexibility” in allowing her to help out backstage has been a great way for her to be involved with the production despite not wanting to be on stage.

For Jasmine, Braeburn’s inclusive environment has made settling in smooth and enjoyable. Whether in the classroom, dorm or during extracurricular activities, Jasmine has found the community to be “welcoming and well-rounded”. She describes her time in the dorm as comfortable, helping her build strong bonds with people that she would have never known if she hadn't joined but now she can't imagine not having such “great friends”.

School spirit is alive and well at Braeburn, Lily shared about the time the boarders organised an impromptu pool party on the Maulid public holiday, a long weekend. Similarly, Charlie expressed the fun he had on the KS5 boarding boys’ outing to Andrew’s. Students are given opportunities to unwind, enjoy activities, and feel like they are part of a larger family.

In these first few weeks, the new students have truly settled into life at Braeburn, bringing their own energy, talents, and stories to the mix. As they continue to grow and find their way, it’s clear that they are already an integral part of this lively and inclusive school community.

Isaac Kombe