I lie in bed, tired but awake. I read my alarm clock. 7:15. We need to set off at 7:45 so we have enough time to get to the college by 10. The college is a few hours away from here and is close to the seaside, high up in a forest. It looks beautiful there; judging by the photos in the leaflet. But is the college as beautiful as it seems? "Honey!" Mum pops her head in the room. "Time to get up!" "Just coming," I moan. "Tired?" "A bit," I reply. She smiles. "Your clothes are hung in your wardrobe. Quickly get ready and then come downstairs for your breakfast." I nod. "Okay mum." Once mum's gone back downstairs, I put on an ironed blouse, a black blazer, some skinny black jeans and hang my tie around my neck. I head to the bathroom and brush my teeth. I then apply some black felt-tip eyeliner, some mascara and some lip gloss. I unravel my plait that I put in last night, and nearly brush it. I rush downstairs. "Oh, you look very smart and presentable!" Dad says. "Here, let me tie your tie. This version's a smarter way of tying it." Dad bends down and ties it. My tie is part of the uniform that they wear at the college. It had gold, blue and black stripes on it. Mum gives me a hug. "Ogh, look at you; all grown up. You look beautiful," mum comments. And then they go on about how I have my mum's eyes and my dad's nose. I sigh, embarrassed. Once they're finished fussing over me, I grab a bowl of Muesli and a glass of milk, then help pack the car and get in with my parents. We begin the journey to my new life.
. . . .
We turn left around a bend, and then turn right into a forest up a small hill. "Is this the place?" Dad asks. "I think so," mum replies. We keep on driving for a few minutes, and then approach some big gardens with a long path in between a row of trees on either side of it. At the end of the path stands a wide building made of white marble and standstone. It looks very architectural. "That must be the College's Headquarters- the main entrance and offices," mum explains, just as amazed as I am. "It's a beautiful building," mum says. Dad and I nod. We travel along the gravel path and approach the building. We park outside the Headquarters, and get greeted at the main entrance. "Hello, I'm Alison, and I'm the manager of Windslodge college. My acquaintance will collect your bags for you. If you follow me into my office," Alison smiles. We thank the luggage man and follow Alison into the building and up to the top floor. We pass reception, other offices and staffrooms. Alison enters a code and opens the door to her office. She holds the door open, and gestures for us to sit in seats on one side of her mahogony desk. In her office there's lots of drawers, file cabinets and bookcases. Her office is really neat, with everything stacked in piles and is well organized. Behind her desk is a balcony with patio doors. This must be the most luxurious office here. Once she's sat down, she shakes each member of my family's hand and starts speaking. "Welcome to Windslodge College. I hope your daughter enjoys her stay here," she looks at me, smiling. "Our school standards and expectations are high, so we have 4 goals for every student to remember; Excellence, Respect, Teamwork and Humour. We help make all of our pupils become responsible citizens, effective contributors, successful learners and confident individuals which makes up our curriculum for excellence. We have highly qualified teachers, great quality dormitories with additional facilities, a large variety of subject choices aswell as additional clubs, activities and trips. Becsuse your daughter received a scholarship,-which I congratulate you on- it means that your daughter's stay here is all enclusive and paid for. You only have to pay for extra activities and trips which is your choice. Here is an information leaflet with everything you need to know about your stay here, and a map which will guide you around the college. It's really big here, but I'm sure you'll get used to it. If you have any questions you can ask your peer supporter which will help you for the first few weeks of your stay. Your peer supporter will take you to your dormitory and will take you for a tour around the school just now. If you wait a minute." She looks at a sheet on the wall, and presses a few buttons and says clearly through a microphone,"This is Mrs Mayson. Could David Roberts please come up to my office as soon as possible. Repeat, could David Roberts come up to Mrs Mason's office as soon as possible. Thank you." She releases a button and focuses on us. "Right. Is there any questions?" "No. Thank you very much for having us. I'm sure Hannah will enjoy her time here," my mum replies. "I just have a few questions," dad pauses. Mrs Mason nods. "How will we know what trips and clubs are coming up, and how will we pay for them?" "Well, at the end of each term, you will receive a report on your daughters progress and how well she's getting on with each subject from each of her teachers. And with it there will be a newsletter along with information on trips and events. Then you contact me, and we'll sort it out from there." Mrs Mayson answers. "Any more questions?" "When do we leave, and when's the next time we'll get to see Hannah?" Mum asks. "Well, you can say your goodbyes now. If any urgency, you can visit your daughter on weekends, but the next time you'll get to spend time with her is the October Holidays." "Right, we best get away then," mum says. They both wish me luck, hug me, kiss me, and tell me to call them regularly. Once they go, and I watch them drive along the gravel path into the forest from the window, someone knocks the door. "Come in!" A tall lean boy enters the room, wearing a badge that reads PEER SUPPORTER. "Hello David. Hannah, mee David, your peer supporter," then she turns to David," and David, this is Hannah, a new student here. Please take her for a tour around the college, and then show her to her dormitory. I hope you have a nice time here Hannah," Mrs Mayson says. I thank her, and walk along the corridor with David and begin the tour.
