What a truly wonderful In-Weekend it was for the Hazlegrove boarders — a day packed with fun, laughter, activity, and a real sense of community.

The day began with a scrummy Full English breakfast that fuelled everyone for the exciting hours ahead. There’s nothing quite like crispy bacon, sausages, eggs, and beans to kick off a perfect Sunday!

After breakfast, the boarders gathered for chapel, where Mr Shaw delivered an inspiring message focused on faith, forgiveness, and perseverance. The Hazlegrovians sang the hymns with enthusiasm and listened with thoughtful attention, setting a meaningful tone for the day. After chapel, the boarders went off to write letters home.

Next up, it was time to test some skills on the climbing wall. Cheers and encouragement echoed around as everyone gave it their best go. The climbing wall was just the beginning of a packed schedule of activities that followed.

Boarders were given the chance to choose from a wide range of exciting options, including:

• Biking through the grounds
• Swimming
• Hockey matches
• Art and craft sessions
• Toasting marshmallows and making s’mores around a campfire
• Touch rugby
• Nerf gun battles
• Blackberry picking followed by homemade crumble making

Every corner of Hazlegrove was buzzing with energy and joyful chaos!

As tradition dictates, everyone later assembled at the Dog Gates for the annual Boarders’ Photo, with lots of smiling faces, family residents, and canine friends. Then it was time to tuck into a tasty bagel and salad lunch, before enjoying a peaceful half-hour of quiet time. Many sat with a good book, enjoying a calm moment in the middle of such an action-packed day.

But the excitement wasn’t over yet. Mr Froggatt took charge in the sports hall, where he led an hour of whacky team races. From running through hoops to passing balloons and completing hilarious challenges, the laughter was non-stop and the team spirit was infectious. I was hoping to sit and watch, but in the end, Mr Atkinson, Mr Forbes, Mr Jenkins, Mr Hill, and I all had to participate — much to the boarders’ amusement.

To round off this perfect boarding day, Upper School went off to play rugby whilst the rest of the boarders settled down with hot chocolate and popcorn, before enjoying a film together in the boarding house. A delicious roast was then served and enjoyed by all — a cosy end to a perfect day.

From start to finish, the day captured everything that makes Hazlegrove boarding so special.