Hatton House - A Home from Home

Happy

Amazing

Teacheable 

Terrific

Open-hearted 

Nice

I thought I would start with this poem because it's 100% true.

The Hatton community is full of open ears and caring arms, loving and friendly faces that surround everyday life. It is my family. I always laugh with my brother because my Ipad registers Hatton as home, because I spend the most time there. I'm not cross with my Ipad because it also tells the truth. Hatton is my home. I don't count it as my second home because it is my joint first home. I love all the things about Hatton and one of them is the little quotes that they put up. I read them a lot when I walk down the stairs, but one really stuck in my mind. “Love makes a house a home.” From the moment I stepped onto the Hatton steps, even before I was boarding, I knew that this would be home.  

Hatton has taught me a lot about day to day things as well as important life lessons. Some of the day to day things involve how to change your bedding, to “brush your teeth and wash your hands”, where everything is in school and to say as often as possible please and thank you. Although that last one is an everyday essential it is also an important life lesson that can really have a big impact on others and yourself. If you thank your interviewer (who is interviewing you for a job) it might just make them that little more lenient towards you. Same example for table manners. As well as these life lessons, respect is a true hero in Hatton and saves many friendships, quarrels and the GTAs (Graduate Teaching Assistants) getting involved. Respect is a key figure and is very important for running a boarding house. I am very proud to say that Hatton is one of the best boarding houses (to my knowledge) of practicing and teaching respect. Respect for the plants and wildlife, respect for the teachers, respect for people’s stuff and respect for others.

Not only is the Hatton community respectful it is full of fun and never stops having it! From roasting marshmallows to film and tuck and the various weekend activities! Swimming in the pool, pancakes by the pan. I have also had so much fun with my friends and my friendships are so strong because of it! Because of all the fun that Hatton provided I was able to make two very strong friendships with girls that are 1,264 miles away! And a very strong friendship with a girl in the year above who welcomed me to the school. I have also made friendships with (dare I say it) some of the boys! (*gasp!) It is quite amazing what sort of friendships you can have with people once you move the stereotypical aspects out the way. 

Now, I know that this blog did not describe the day to day activities that go on but I feel it truly describes what Hatton is all about behind the scenes and how I am myself today. I am glad that I have grown up in this community to develop as a person. 

Thank you Hatton.

Written by Julia Rowell, joint first longest member of Hatton at this moment!