Fun in the Sun

Well that jinxed the weekend for us! The temperature dropped and light rain fell but we still had a good time. The weekend became known though as Pain in the Rain. Saturday night was spent relaxing with tuck and a film in St Bedes called ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’ and was enjoyed by everyone! Sunday started well with pancakes for breakfast followed by a letter home to parents. Most children were then keen to be outside and took advantage of the bikes despite the drizzle and went zooming around the track.

Following a roast lunch the children were taken up to Scouts’ Woods and split into teams for a tower building competition. Much fun was had by all and three prizes awarded for their various talents. There was then some free time running about in the woods before heading back to school for hot chocolate. Mass was enjoyable with Father Philip sharing a homily about the Christian Family throughout the world and standing up for what we believe in despite persecution. We finished with (another!) hot chocolate before heading off to the dorms to give them a thorough cleanup before Open Day and then bed.

Meeting the animals!

Surprisingly, the sun was shining this Saturday and with few sporting fixtures it meant that our boarders had ‘the run of grounds’ in the afternoon warmth. Swarms of children crawled over the adventure playground and the newly erected traversing wall had its first airing as ‘little monkeys’ displayed their flexibility and strength.

Amazingly enough the sun continued to shine on Sunday morning. A full English breakfast fuelled the troops, as once again they enjoyed the best of weather to get some fresh air into their lungs.

The afternoon saw a trip to The Tropiquaria Wildlife Park at Watchet
Lunch followed our arrival before we had some fun time in the playing area.

A crew of twenty-four budding zoologists then met some interesting wildlife both outdoors and as part of a tropical environment. Highlights included meeting a skunk (Mr Bumble the skunk was very famous and appeared in the news one day!), monitor lizard and handling a python - for those who felt brave enough! The children enjoyed their time on the adventure playground, were treated to a marionette puppet show and were introduced to a variety of interesting animals from all parts of the globe. From emus and wallabies, tarantulas, turtles, snakes, tropical birds, peacocks, crocodiles, gibbons, lemurs and meerkats to the Brazilian tapir – we saw a great variety and had a fun-filled, educational day.

On the return to school, food once again took centre billing as a hearty Sunday meal was consumed. The Yorkshire puddings and Ice Cream going down particularly well….although not at the same time of course! Mass with Father Phillip followed, before the evening ended with a steaming cup of hot chocolate, a bourbon biscuit or two and a roaring fire in St Bedes.

Luke models the new school scarf!

"mmm ... dinner!"

"Urgh! Whats that smell?" ... says the skunk!

The fiercest creatures seen all day!

A meeting of minds?

All Hallows Has Talent

A new year and a new search for talent.

Friday evening saw 16 diverse and varied acts take to the stage in the first round of
"All Hallows Has Talent 2010".

Open to all comers, the acts ranged from singers to dancers to meerkat impersonators through stunt men and magicians.

The team of judges - Piers D. Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell faced the difficult task of whittling the 16 acts down to the lucky 12 who go on to perform in the next round on Thursday.

Amanda, Piers & Simon relax in the green room

School in the Snow!

The first day back at school for a new term, and the snow began to fall ... and fall and fall!
The school managed to remain open with a skeleton staff, but the boarders took the opportunity to make the most of the 'white stuff!'

Batten Down the Hatches!

The UK is enjoying (or should that be enduring?!) a wet, wild and windy November and, whilst we are fortunate that we here in Somerset have not suffered the flooding that has hit other parts of the country, on many days its time to close the door, light a roaring fire and be glad to be indoors!

Saturday the 14th November was such a day - the wind howled and rain lashed down and the boarders enjoyed an afternoon indoors, relaxing with their friends, as all school matches fell victim to the weather.

Sunday dawned with the sun shining, although the wind continued to blow, and the boarders took the opportunity to enjoy the extensive school grounds. The bikes were ridden and football played on the all weather astro turf, before everyone went for a long, muddy walk in the afternoon.

Bonfire Night!

After a fun packed day celebrating the School's 71st birthday, the boarders were able to round off the day's festivities with a bonfire party.

The weather stayed dry - a cold, damp November evening warmed by a roaring bonfire and illuminated with a magnificent fireworks display. Tradition demanded that Toffee Apples were eaten by all and everyone enjoyed a fantastic spectacle to end a great day!