“They find joy in the simple things and have such an unassuming nature; every day, they remind me of life’s basic pleasures.”— Ms Janelle Fletcher, Corfe House Mother
In the heart of our vibrant boarding community, there is a beacon of warmth and understanding, a motherly presence who has woven herself seamlessly into the tapestry of life for our youngest boarders.
Meet Ms Janelle Fletcher, the House Mum of Corfe, whose journey at TGS began back in 1992 as an instrumental music teacher. Her story is one of deep connections, love for the arts and an unshakeable bond with the students of TGS.
From the time that Janelle first stepped onto campus and shared her musical talents with young minds to now creating her own “mum moments” in Corfe — she has nurtured a profound sense of community and established connections that have lasted through generations. Her presence stands as a testament to the love, compassion and wisdom that can shape the lives of our “Grammar boys.”
Janelle’s journey into the world of Corfe House began last year, not long after her then 18-year-old son Bede and 21-year-old daughter Sienna ventured into the world beyond. This “empty nest” left Janelle with the opportunity to become a mother figure to almost 40 young boarders facing the challenges of life away from home.
As she settled into her role as a House Mum, she found herself captivated by the unique blend of innocence and maturity that these boys possess. “They are so mature in so many ways...yet they have lived a sheltered life and are so refreshingly innocent in such a positive way,” she exclaimed.
In this bustling boarding house, where boys come together from diverse backgrounds, Janelle’s influence radiates.
“I enjoy the reward, watching them grow both physically, mentally and academically, and watching their emotional intelligence grow,” she said proudly.
“They embrace diversity and display tolerance and respect beyond their years. It gives me such hope that these future generations will grow into bright and compassionate men, particularly when youth, especially boys, are often scrutinised.”
Why does TGS offer our youngest boarders a House Mum when they already have so much support from staff and mentors in older boys?
“At the end of the day, they are away from their mums and families. They need to have that loving, genuine mum care to give them comfort and reassurance.”
Beyond the academic corridors, Janelle offers a haven in Corfe alongside the Head of House, Mr Henry White, and his wife Sam and Assistant Head of House, Kabe Cicolini. This is a place where homesickness meets solace, and laughter and encouragement flow freely.
While the Corfies teach Janelle something new each day, she also offers them something special through her involvement with music.
With an arts background that spans her life, Janelle envisions a future for Corfe House that is filled with creativity and homely comforts. She plans to introduce more artistic experiences, nurture interests in music and art and even share culinary knowledge.
“It would be great to have these homely things to balance out the academia and sport so that the boys learn life skills and embrace the holistic education at TGS that goes beyond the textbook,” she expressed, eager to build on the incredible dedication within the boarding community at TGS.
“I’m genuinely astounded by how much these people care for these boys and have their best interests at heart,” Janelle shared.
“I really had no idea until I started working in Corfe, and I am honoured to be a part of it.”— Ms Janelle Fletcher, Corfe House Mother
Her words encapsulate the essence of TGS — a place where education transcends classrooms and mentors become lifelong guides.
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