Love Letter to LWC’s Matrons

During the Boarding Schools’ Association’s National Boarding Week, we shine the spotlight on the tireless work of LWC’s Matrons and hear about the crucial role they play in each of the College’s eight Houses.

 

Ever asked the Matron of a boarding house how they feel about the end of the school year?

 

Chances are they’ll become misty-eyed at (among many things), the prospect of ‘losing’ their much-loved Upper Sixth Formers. Many of these boys and girls have benefited from the Matrons’ steadying eyes and warm hearts since they popped their heads over the parapets of teenagehood years before.

 

Because first and foremost, Matrons care and the relationships they develop with their younger charges is like no other.

 

To mark the BSA’s National Boarding Week, we asked LWC’s team of Houseparents to articulate their feelings about the Matrons who work alongside them every day….

 

“Matrons are the lungs of a boarding house,” explains Park Houseparent, Holly Hunter-Wright. “They breathe life into the space and create a home within the school setting, which we all look forward to stepping into every day.”

   

In neighbouring Sutton House, Louis Yates is similarly evangelical about the value that his House colleagues bring. “To the students, the Matrons are central to their day-to-day experience,” he explains. “They’re a calming presence, a source of comfort and often the person they feel safest opening up to. Whether it’s patching up a knee, finding a lost tie, managing homesickness, or handing out tuck with a warm smile, they make life in the House feel more personal and caring. They create the kind of nurturing environment that makes students feel truly looked after, not just managed.”

 

At the heart of campus, in School House, Houseparent, Russell Fisher is in agreement that Matrons fulfill many roles. “Matron can be mum, granny, aunt or big sis,” he points out. “They are the House rock. They get you to make your bed, ensure you’ve had enough to eat for breakfast, get you to take your medicine when you’re poorly or just check in that everything is ok.”

 

“Matroning is a true vocation, even a calling maybe and to have that kind of support is completely invaluable.”

— Pete Maidment, Junior Houseparent

     

But the role of a Matron is not just one of a caregiver for LWC’s 700+ boarding and day students.

 

“It’s hard to articulate properly just how much value my Matrons bring, because no words really can do it justice,” admits Hazelveare Houseparent and Head of Boarding at LWC, Tom Sheddon. “The range of roles they perform at any given time is vast and the positive impact that they have on a House is simply enormous. They are completely loved members of our community, by every pupil and member of staff who comes into contact with them.

 

“As much as the pupils need their Matron, so do I as a Houseparent. They help advise and guide me, offer sound, salient advice and are very much part of a team effort to guide our pupils through their school journey. I simply couldn’t do the job that I do without them.”

 

“They’re my co-pilot, my sounding board and often my early-warning system when something’s bubbling under the surface,” adds Sutton’s Mr Yates. “They handle a huge amount behind the scenes, whilst also being some of the most emotionally intelligent people in the House. Quite simply, they help me do my job better and the House is a better place because they’re in it.”

   

Park’s Mrs Hunter-Wright is clear that Matrons don’t only assist her with the practicalities of Houseparenting, but also provide emotional support for the emotional supporters. “They keep me sane, bring laughter throughout, sometimes sigh with an ‘oh-darling’, keep us all in check, hold the standards high and add an endless twinkle and humour,” she smiles.

 

“Matrons are a consistent, warm presence,” concurs Lesley Radmann, who heads up another all-female House in Gosden. “They support me, man the house in my absence and serve as a link between myself and the girls during the day, when I’m teaching.”

   

For anyone who has ever set foot inside an LWC House, it won’t come as much of a surprise that Matrons are loved. But you may be interested to learn that there is seemingly no end to their talents.

 

“Matrons are invaluable and the House wouldn’t be able to run without them,” states Haygate’s Josie Waskett-Long. “They’re especially good in emergencies; whether that’s someone who is ill, a leaky pipe or a blocked loo! They know who to call and how to help. They also hold more of an executive PA role these days; ensuring all daily email communications are dealt with efficiently.”

 

“The role has changed significantly from that of a Matron when I was at school,” agrees Mr Sheddon. “Now they have a detailed knowledge of school systems, NMS boarding standards, rewards and sanctions, running various elements of accounting within the House…the list goes on.”

   

And for the man tasked with leading LWC’s youngest House, it’s clear that the Matron bond is a strong one from the beginning.

 

“She’s the mum of the house,” reflects Junior’s Pete Maidment. “I’m profoundly lucky to be supported by such compassionate and professional people, who constantly have the best interests of the children and the House at heart. Matroning is a true vocation, even a calling maybe and to have that kind of support is completely invaluable.”

 

For those entering Junior, at the tender age of 11, they can look forward to seven years of guiding hands on the way out in the morning and warm smiles upon their return. But what of the moment when it’s finally time to part ways?

 

“Many boys leaving House at the end of their time at LWC, suddenly realise what a huge wrench it’s going to be for them,” concludes School House’s Mr Fisher. “Leaving this person who has only ever shown them love, affection, showered them with tuck, done their washing and ironing and a myriad of other things. She may have taught them how to make ‘a proper cuppa’, shared a joke or been a shoulder to cry on.”

   

“Matrons make the school go round,” adds LWC’s Deputy Head (Pastoral), Ali Cocksworth.

 

And long may it continue.