Aldhelmsted East

Aldhelmsted East, named after Saint Aldhelmsted who founded the Abbey, is renowned for its warm and friendly atmosphere.

It is a happy and homely house and with its circular dining tables and a cosy drawing room, it does not take long before everyone knows each other and life-long friendships begin to flourish. With Shadows and Sixth Form Mentors to guide them, new girls very quickly become part of the East family.

East girls are caring, enthusiastic, resourceful and very supportive of each other. They are proud of their house and there is a strong house spirit which has resulted in much success in inter-house competitions. East girls are encouraged to have a ‘can-do’ approach to life and to believe that anything is possible if you are positive and persevere. East is located over the bridge.

Housemistress

Mrs Emma Custodio

Emma read History at university before completing her PGCE.

She teaches History and is committed to furthering her professional development having completed the Boarding School’s Association Certificate of Professional Practice and is an active member as a Fellow of the Institute of Boarding. Emma has considerable experience of all-girls’ boarding having held pastoral positions at Headington, Benenden and more recently the Royal High School, Bath.

Emma writes:
"I bring with me a wealth of pastoral experience in girls’ boarding schools from Deputy Housemistress at Headington School, Housemistress at Benenden School and as Director of Boarding and Housemistress at the Royal High School Bath.

Alongside walking, I am a keen swimmer, having set myself distance challenges in the pool over the years from swimming the length of the English Channel to more recently, swimming 10 miles in January. I also love dance and although I am not blessed with the physical strength and body of a ballerina, I decided to take up adult ballet online in lockdown, which I continue to enjoy now in a studio, but I will happily dance to anything, especially in the comfort of my sitting room! To relax, I love crafting and painting when I’m inspired.

As a History teacher, I also enjoy visiting historical sites, reading historical books from all eras to widen my knowledge and going to see historical theatre productions such as Six and Hamilton!

Other staff in Aldhelmsted East

Mrs Jenny Hinks is Assistant Housemistress and Mrs Maria Paolozzi and Miss Michaela Lawrence are Day Matrons. Mr Matt Tolley and Miss Lauren Teasdale are Resident Tutors.

What makes East special to the girls?

The house is a very friendly, positive place, buzzing with life and after a busy week studying the girls can enjoy a huge variety of exciting weekend activities, from cake decorating, jewellery and ceramics workshops to ice skating, discos and parent functions. Maddie, Catherine and Tally (U4) said:

East is renowned for its house spirit and now this is stronger than ever. We have a house that we can be really proud of. We strive to create a positive family atmosphere where each girl feels that they are in a ‘home from home’. This has always been the spirit of East and I feel privileged to be Housemistress here.

House colour - Purple
House motto - Hoc tempus faciendum est - This is the time to do!

Address

Aldhelmsted East
Sherborne Girls
Bradford Road
Sherborne
Dorset
DT9 6EB

Phone

Email

For any queries relating to boarding house admissions, please email the admissions team or call.