It’s only four days until half term. Where has the time gone? We’ve certainly been busy since my last post.The Juniors have been out on an overnight trip to Ufton House which they loved – especially the banqueting! Meanwhile the senior boys were taking on the might of St Andrew’s Pangbourne (Andy Pangers) at football, with the 3rd XI as the only victorious team.
On Friday of last week,the Colts took on L’Ecole du Battersea in an excellent game of football, running out 7-2 winners at the end. In the evening though, their boys showed us a thing or two about fencing – it’ll be a while before we are good enough to compete with them at that!
The boys learn the salute…
They are taught the lunge…
The lunge…
The final salute
On Saturday we had an Open weekend. The Chapel, having been beautifully decorated by Mr. ad Mrs. Mark for Harvest Festival, was absolutely packed. It was really good to see so many parents there and I am delighted that so many of them stayed for lunch – even if it was a bit like the feeding of the five thousand! There was some excellent football played in the House matches during the afternoon and just under half the school went home after match tea for the evening.
For those that remained there was a pizza and bowling trip on Saturday evening and on Sunday Mr. Paterson took the older boys paintballing – no photos I’m afraid (too dangerous apparently) but DP professed it to be the best trip he has ever been on. We shall endeavour to take another trip there very soon!
On Wednesday, we took on Milborne Lodge at football. The first eleven picked up their second draw in succession but kept their unbeaten season alive in the process, and there were also victories for the 2nd XI and Colts A.
On Thursday Woodcote hosted its annual charity golf day at Foxhills, in aid of Bob Wilson’s Willow Foundation – raising money for days out for cancer sufferers aged 18-40. Apart from the incessant rain, it was by all accounts a tremendous day with somewhere in the region of £8000 raised! Many thanks to all involved and especially to Andrew Monk for organising it so efficiently as always.
Last night (Friday) there was a Muay Thai demonstration in the gym for the boys, kicking off (!) with several professionals showing the boys some moves. The boys then had the chance to practise with the coaches before trying it out on each other. It was really good to see all the boys have a go, even the little ones, and it was even better to see that they listened to the instructions and that no further kick-boxing took place in the dormitories later that evening!
This is how you do it….
Some last minute advice from his corner….
Today we have matches against Pilgrims, although sadly no Colts fixtures. Tomorrow, Holey is preaching in chapel at 10am and in the afternoon there is a rock-climbing expedition led by Mr. Elliot. On Monday the Colts are getting a final run out before half term against Greenfields and on Tuesday the Juniors are all off to the Roald Dahl Museum; in the afternoon we have the House Cross-Country!
The half term concert will begin at 10am on Wednesday morning and I hope to see as many parents, grandparents, siblings etc. as possible, before the boys disappear for a very well deserved break!
That is all.