Heading home for Christmas.
Merry Christmas to everyone!
It is so wonderful to see so many of our students heading home for the Christmas break. It was only a few years ago that students couldn’t get home for the holidays due to the Covid pandemic, so we are pleased that this year so many students are able to get home to spend some time with their families.
At Pippa’s Guardians we pride ourselves on the fact that, when possible, we will be there in person for our students as they travel home. Our Area Managers, host families and network of chaperones are on hand to assist and to allay any worries students might be feeling about their journeys.
Some students are naturally nervous about flying so far alone, and for some it will be their first experience of flying without a guardian. So we were pleased to be able to support many of them as they boarded their plane home for Christmas. Then we enjoy following up to make sure our students have been met safely at the other end. We now look forward to welcoming our students back in the new year, after a well-earned rest.
Here are a few photos of students preparing to enjoy their Christmas holidays, whether that means getting home, or making plans for staying in the UK.
Area Manager Michelle recently enjoyed the Godstowe School carol concert, after which she collected student Nico from her boarding house. Nico then spent a lovely day with Michelle and her daughter, and later that evening Michelle accompanied Nico to the airport so that she could catch her flight back to Japan.
Area Manager Michelle recently enjoyed the Godstowe School carol concert, after which she collected student Nico from her boarding house. Nico then spent a lovely day with Michelle and her daughter, and later that evening Michelle accompanied Nico to the airport so that she could catch her flight back to Japan.
Area Manager Sam has been accompanying many of her students to the airport to ensure they all successfully make their flights home – including Melody from Headington School, who was travelling home to spend the holidays with her family in China…
Area Manager Sam has been accompanying many of her students to the airport to ensure they all successfully make their flights home – including Melody from Headington School, who was travelling home to spend the holidays with her family in China…
…and Niki, also from Headington School, who was looking forward to flying back to the US for the Christmas break.
…and Niki, also from Headington School, who was looking forward to flying back to the US for the Christmas break.
Debbie, Area Manager for Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, has been chaperoning students from local schools to Heathrow airport. Karen from St Francis College was flying home to Hong Kong for the holidays, so Debbie accompanied her to terminal 3 to ensure that she caught her flight home safely.
Debbie, Area Manager for Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, has been chaperoning students from local schools to Heathrow airport. Karen from St Francis College was flying home to Hong Kong for the holidays, so Debbie accompanied her to terminal 3 to ensure that she caught her flight home safely.
Debbie was back at Heathrow airport the following day, accompanying Emily from Queenswood School who was taking her first flight alone to Shanghai. Debbie was happy to be there to support Emily and to make sure everything went smoothly for her.
Debbie was back at Heathrow airport the following day, accompanying Emily from Queenswood School who was taking her first flight alone to Shanghai. Debbie was happy to be there to support Emily and to make sure everything went smoothly for her.
Mido used the school transport service to get to Heathrow airport from Malvern St James Girls’ School, however, this meant she arrived at terminal 3 at lunchtime, but her flight was from terminal 4 at 9pm. Pippa’s Guardians Managing Director Ben accompanied her to the correct terminal and waited with her until she was able to check in for her flight that evening.
Mido used the school transport service to get to Heathrow airport from Malvern St James Girls’ School, however, this meant she arrived at terminal 3 at lunchtime, but her flight was from terminal 4 at 9pm. Pippa’s Guardians Managing Director Ben accompanied her to the correct terminal and waited with her until she was able to check in for her flight that evening.
Ren, who studies at Windlesham House School, flew home to Tokyo for Christmas just after his 13th birthday, where his Mum was excited to meet him at the airport. They sent this wonderful picture to their Pippa’s Area Manager Anne-Marie to let her know Ren arrived safely and they were happily reunited.
Ren, who studies at Windlesham House School, flew home to Tokyo for Christmas just after his 13th birthday, where his Mum was excited to meet him at the airport. They sent this wonderful picture to their Pippa’s Area Manager Anne-Marie to let her know Ren arrived safely and they were happily reunited.
Students Sakura and Yurika are studying in the UK for a year and were recently introduced to their host family, who they will be staying with over the Christmas break. The host family have planned a festive trip to London to see the sights, a living nativity with carols at Ludlow Castle, and a gala dinner at Netley Hall in Shrewsbury for Christmas Day (with stuffed quail as one of the starters!). Sakura is a runner, so is keen to take part in a park run in Ludlow, as well as visiting her local friends that she has made. Yurika is going on a trip to Germany with some school friends for first few days of holidays, which Area Manager Gilly Hartley has helped her to arrange.
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Students Sakura and Yurika are studying in the UK for a year and were recently introduced to their host family, who they will be staying with over the Christmas break. The host family have planned a festive trip to London to see the sights, a living nativity with carols at Ludlow Castle, and a gala dinner at Netley Hall in Shrewsbury for Christmas Day (with stuffed quail as one of the starters!). Sakura is a runner, so is keen to take part in a park run in Ludlow, as well as visiting her local friends that she has made. Yurika is going on a trip to Germany with some school friends for first few days of holidays, which Area Manager Gilly Hartley has helped her to arrange.
It is not easy for our international students to take a short trip to Paris, as this requires a Schengen VISA. To apply, parents often seek the help of a VISA specialist to help compile the vast amount of documentation required. Once completed, the student must go to the VISA centre in London, accompanied by their Guardian. This process was something Area Manager, Sarah Davies from Cheltenham, was so pleased to be able to help her student with, enabling a family trip to Paris for Christmas. This is something the family had always wanted to do, so we wish them a wonderful holiday.
It is not easy for our international students to take a short trip to Paris, as this requires a Schengen VISA. To apply, parents often seek the help of a VISA specialist to help compile the vast amount of documentation required. Once completed, the student must go to the VISA centre in London, accompanied by their Guardian. This process was something Area Manager, Sarah Davies from Cheltenham, was so pleased to be able to help her student with, enabling a family trip to Paris for Christmas. This is something the family had always wanted to do, so we wish them a wonderful holiday.
In addition to Area Managers and host families, Pippa’s Guardians has a wonderful network of chaperones who are available to help support our students if they need to travel around the UK, particularly on airport runs as students fly home for the holidays. Chaperone Nick recently accompanied Lillian from Sherborne Girls to Heathrow, to ensure that Lillian could safely catch her flight home.
In addition to Area Managers and host families, Pippa’s Guardians has a wonderful network of chaperones who are available to help support our students if they need to travel around the UK, particularly on airport runs as students fly home for the holidays. Chaperone Nick recently accompanied Lillian from Sherborne Girls to Heathrow, to ensure that Lillian could safely catch her flight home.
Haileybury student Valerie had never flown on her own before so was understandably a bit nervous. Pippa’s Guardians Managing Director Ben stayed close by during check in so that she felt more confident and was able to pass through security and board her flight home.
Haileybury student Valerie had never flown on her own before so was understandably a bit nervous. Pippa’s Guardians Managing Director Ben stayed close by during check in so that she felt more confident and was able to pass through security and board her flight home.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone associated with Pippa’s Guardians a happy and relaxed Christmas break, and a healthy and prosperous new year.