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The Matrons of Feltonfleet Boarding House

Mrs Barnes, Head Matron

The Matron’s day will start around 6am. We wake the girls at 6.45am having a girly chat before waking the boys at 7am. Through the next half an hour we make sure all children are dressed with clean smart uniform and we hand out any medication needed before going to the dining room with the children for breakfast.

The children are served a hot breakfast fit for a king (or queen!) We also provide cereal, porridge and toast for those who prefer a smaller meal. After breakfast it is back up to the house for teeth cleaning and then the children have to go to School. When I first started working at Feltonfleet this was the part of the job I liked the least as I enjoy spending time with the boarders and would be happy to have them around in the House during the day. After the boarders have left for School matron’s day is filled with domestic tasks and looking after the sick pupils.

At 5.30pm we run a club for the bus children for half an hour and then the boarders return for supper. We always make sure the children are eating a good balanced diet which is not hard when you see the wide variety of foods available each evening. With the evening meal finished the boarders head off to their work sessions and we supervise any children having late meal or we catch up on paper work.

When 7pm is upon us it is time for the children to get their tuck (snacks) and to phone home if they want to. Activities start soon after and the matron will supervise any children who prefer to stay in the house for some quiet time or those who want to play for a while on the new Wii game. This is never many as most children are keen to do something more active around the school. We may also get the chance to help the younger boarders with their homework, a project that needs finishing or spellings. At 8pm all boarders return to the House and follow the evening routines of showering and handing in washing.

Being a matron is all about good pastoral care, being a good listener and taking a great interest in the children and their needs; a bit like being a mum really. On the whole I can not think of a more rewarding way to earn a living. It is a tough job but someone has got to do it and I am glad it is me!

Miss Emery, Matron

I started working here at Feltonfleet back in September 1990 as one of a team of four matrons in an all boys boarding house. I found myself helping to look after the senior boarding house of 64 boys aged 11 – 13 years old, all of which were full boarders only going home for exeats, half-terms and school holidays.

Since then times have changed and I now work for the first part of the week in a busy and dynamic Boarding House. Every day is different, caring and looking after the welfare of a great bunch of boarder and working alongside an excellent group of colleagues. In my 19 years I have had great fun helping with all the Pantos and House activities.

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