Thank you to Maria Rivas, Cellist, new to year 9 this year, for this wonderful account of her first weeks here at Chets:

 

Hello,
     My name is Maria Rivas. Even though I am only thirteen, I am already experiencing a huge and beautiful life changing experience at Chetham's School of Music. Of course, I miss the United States dearly, which is logical because I have lived there all my life until now. I have only been this engaged with music in my dreams. I think any new student will be bewildered when they see all the delicious meals and snacks that are served at Chetham's! The staff is wonderful, everyone is always smiling and very helpful. A good thing is that you don't really feel that your final destination in life is music, Chetham's gives you many options for the future. There are several challenges during the time in Chetham's, but it all leads you to have a more adventurous and interesting life! I came here not only because of me, but because of my brother. He is an orchestra conductor who has a very important career that is always taking my family everywhere. My dream is to play the cello in one of his orchestras, and Chetham's really helps me see this dream as a possible happening. Some things are very different from regular schools, and this is what made me struggle the most. Any new student will soon realize that these differences are very positive. So now I know I could find happiness in this school that will replace almost everything I left behind in the United States, giving me new wonderful things.

  Do you have a story to share? Send it to indiamerrett@chethams.com

 

 

 

Emma Prince has shared some useful tips to help combat stress and anxiety:


Stress and anxiety can be major problems throughout school life. Workload and practice can end up building up, and before you know it you have run out of time to cope.

Here are some useful tips to help combat stress and anxieties:
 

 Be active

Physical activity can help you to relax, identify the causes of your stress, and think about possible solutions to your problem.

Doctors say that; “To deal with stress effectively, you need to feel robust and you need to feel strong mentally. Exercise does that.”

Exercise helps to reduce some of the emotions that you’re feeling, which clears your thoughts and enables you to deal with your problems more calmly.

 

Take control

There’s a solution to any problem, sometimes taking control of the situation can make you see the solution more clearly, but don’t forget that talking to others helps to, however it is crucial that you find a solution that works for you.

 

Talk to people

A problem shared is a problem halved. Talking things through with a friend can help you relax and find a way to ease the stress.

 

 

Have some ‘me time’

Everyone needs to take some time out for socialising, relaxation or exercise.

It’s a good idea to set aside some down time each week, so you know you can relax without delaying any work that needs to be done.

Challenge yourself

Setting yourself goals and challenges helps you to build your confidence as each mini goal is achieved.

 

Finally, BE POSITIVE!

A problem isn’t a problem unless there’s some sort of solution!

 

 

 

Happy September!

Happy September!
A big warm welcome to all new students and welcome back to everyone else! The first week has flown by and all are settling into the swing of things.
The new Prefect Team and Lower Sixth began the year with an action packed and highly successful bonding weekend at the Hollowford Centre, Castleton. There was much team building, fun and a bit of mud as everyone got to know each other through exciting activities such as caving, assault courses, bouldering and canoeing.
Last Sunday the sun shone in Manchester to welcome everybody back to Chetham's and all were welcome to enjoy a BBQ and some new year socialising as friends old and new began the term.

Enjoying the views in the Peak District National Park

A spot of Bouldering to start the school year!

Up on the High Ropes

How many Chets students are inside this life preserver?!