The Boarders Are Back!

And finally, they arrived!

The start of term felt like Christmas – we had done all the preparations, got the Houses cleaned, bathed the dogs and straightened the rugs…the children were about to return. We have missed the children and the energy and love that pulses through the school when filled with the boarders. Never has the community spirit been more evident that in the return and the first week back. Everyone has been so incredibly supportive, kind and considerate; it really has been very heart-warming to witness.

After the first few full days of lessons, the children embarked on their first In Weekend – a weekend where all the children stay in, to enjoy each other’s company, forge friendships and settle down to life at HzG. Saturday saw the Year 6s and Year 8s playing in internal cricket matches whilst the others enjoyed a variety of activities on offer: free swim, bike riding, roller-blading, Art and DT, den-making in the Woods, croquet on the front lawn (which is a rather impressive sight) and mooching around with friends. Supper was a delicious BBQ – ribs and chicken wings, on the lawn – what a fantastic way to end a busy day – good food and sitting outside with friends. After supper, the children returned to their Houses for movies and treats.

Sunday started with a full-English breakfast, followed by an inspiring and thought-provoking Chapel by Mr Shaw. After chapel, the children wrote their letters home and then had a spot of free time before the plethora of activities started. The children headed off into the woods for fire-making and 40-40, others took to the dance floor whilst some took the quieter option and enjoyed Arts and Crafts with Mrs Jenkins and Mrs Head. The go-karts could be heard roaring around the track, not to be out-done by the fun had in the pool. The more dedicated, headed to the cricket nets and football was on offer on the Bastion too. Mrs Froggatt, running low on summer fruits and jam, headed off, with a gaggle of children armed with buckets, to collect blackberries.

The children were treated to a scrumptious roast lunch and then, in a rather civilised fashion, enjoyed rest. We headed to the front lawn for our annual photo and then started the afternoon’s programme: the Year 7s and 8s went on a walk while the rest of the boarding community enjoyed the falconry display. After all this was done, the children enjoyed a film with popcorn in the late afternoon. Not too shabby for our first weekend back…

A big thank you to Mr Forbes for organising the weekend, to the kitchen crew for feeding us so royally, to all the staff for helping out and especially to the children – who were fantastic company.

Mr Schreiber

Click here to see all the photographs on Flickr