Half term at home

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Two weeks at home have worked wonders for Nicolette. Her first term at Felsted has been hard and she's enjoyed spending half term catching up with friends and getting her head around coursework. How does she feel about heading back to school after spending the longest time at home since leaving?

Got any advice for Nicolette?

Key

= Video diaries

12/11/2008

Half term at home

Two weeks at home have worked wonders for Nicolette. Her first term at Felsted has been hard and she's enjoyed spending half term catching up with friends and getting her head around coursework. How does she feel about heading back to school after spending the longest time at home since leaving?
- Got any advice for Nicolette?
04/11/2008

Homeward bound

Nicolette leaves Felsted for the afternoon to spend some much needed time with her family and boyfriend... How will she feel seeing her father again, having handed over his care to her sister?
- Are you a young carer?
20/10/2008

Politics are still paramount

Nicolette takes some time out of her life at Felsted to dip in to her local youth politics. Her work with the Braintree District Council is extremely important to Nicolette and we join her as she meets with the Lib Dem Youth Minister to discuss her youth magazine, Fresh Voice.
- Can you help Nicolette's magazine go national?
07/10/2008

Nicolette is homesick

While Nicolette is loving her new school and feels she is really fitting in, she is finding being away from home extremely difficult. She misses her family and is worried about her sister. All she can do is make the most of this amazing opportunity she's been given...
- Do you have any advice for Nicolette?
30/09/2008

Nicolette starts boarding school, part 2

Nicolette is beginning to adjust to her new life at Felsted. She's been given the opportunity of a lifetime and is determined to make the most of it.
- Leave a comment on Nicolette's MySpace

Video story
Intro video

To fully adjust to living away from home when I go to boarding school. To cope being an independent person without the constant worry for my family.
To encourage other local teenagers to participate in the elections for the Young Essex Assembly, in preparation for the end of my term of office in December 2008. As well as making a positive contribution to the running of the Braintree District Youth Council of which I am a current member.
To continue with local charity work with teenagers and children.
To act as a positive role model for other teenagers, and endorse those nominated for the Young Person of the Year Award 2008.
To continue my contribution as Director of Fresh Voice magazine, to ensure the views of young people can be heard across the Braintree District.
To spend quality time with my father who is severely disabled with Multiple Sclerosis.
To make the most of facilities and opportunities when I attend Felsted Boarding School in September 2008.
To further my love of performing arts.
To enhance my involvement in cultural diversity, this was inspired through my recent participation in an exchange trip to South Africa with Essex’s Youth Services.

Last updated: 30/06/2008

Hey, so I’m Nicolette, 16 and I’m Junior Young Person of the year in Essex. I’m taking a huge step over the next year, leaving my family to go to boarding school to do my A/S Levels. My life revolves around supporting my amazing mates, my community, in youth schemes and councils, fund raising for charity, and my family, all the things I love. Life’s always been a little tricky as Dad has Multiple Sclerosis, but my family copes somehow. It scares me leaving him and my family, but I’m passing responsibility on to my sister Isabel, who I have total faith in. So now I’m concentrating on setting myself up for a new beginning, somewhere completely different and making the most of new opportunities, but at the same time remembering the most important things in my life, my family and my friends. This means a new start and new freedom - so watch this space.

Last updated: 10/11/2008

Back in business..

...School has started up again..

And ow the joy..its nice to get back and see everyone sure..but i'm tired still from the half term, it didnt seem terribley long unfortunately..and school was not appealing on monday morning..it was wet..windy and cold..never a nice feeling to make you want to get back into a routine of early mornings and long dark nights..

But..i've been back now a week..and everyone's already talking of christmas! crazy right?? but i guess it gives us something to look forward to..there's always so much going on at school..i mean..after classes everyday theres something to do..and the homework..well 'prep' is crazy! it seems to come in amazing huge amounts...and the words..'by next lesson..which is..tomorrow' ..never seem to make me feel any better..

But everyones been really lovely to get back and see..its made me feel real good..definitly friday..there was the finals of the Andrews Society competition..which is like a speech thing that every member has to do..in the year above me..i'll be in their shoes next year...but it was a really great to meet so many people and get to know people better..kinda makes me feel more like a felstedyy person..

just been a stressful week with all the work..and all the many times i've had to sit back..take deep breaths and think 'get a grip of yourself nicolette, and do some work you stupid girl' i've not been in the right mindset for work recently..just other things..which don't involve essays..i've got to get out of the lazy-half term-state of mind which seems to grab us all..

..but i know i need to make the most of my time at felsted..and i am doing..hopefully..i just can't wait for another break..and for the play to be over..its so much work..rehersals and so long and tiresome..butttt..tried my costume on for the first time today..a purple, quite tight fitting dress..with a purple HAT! ..ow yes i get to hat..and yes..i do like hats..

Well..get in touch if you have any advise about how to cope with this work load..gar..but now its back to my english essay..Angela Carter's 'Wise Children' anyone??

Much Love x

Read all of Nicolette's blogs here