Boarder of the Week: Alex Ezimora
Half-term seems a distant memory now that we are nearly at the end of our 2nd week back. Last week’s article was delayed due to the fact I was away with the 6th form in the Brecon Beacons. Plenty of wind, a little rain and even some sunshine! A very successful trip, nonetheless.
The boarders’ return coincided with the impending storm that was set to engulf the SE. It proved to be a rather damp squib, with very little in the way of excitement or damage. A small branch appeared in my garden and a hockey goal blew over!! With the 6th form away we launched the first Boarder Taster evenings for all those boys who currently do not experience any form of boarding at Woodcote. Over 50% of those eligible spent either 1,2 or 3 nights in the dorms during the week. Like most first time experiences excitement was through the roof and the first night proved to be quite a challenge for the matronal staff. However, things eased and the boys immersed themselves in the upstairs routine and got on extremely well. Some boys stayed an extra night and I was met with comments such as “this is better than being at home!”, “it was great fun”, “Amazing, Sir!” on my return. Thank you to Miss Becky, Miss Danielle and Miss Hattie for all their help and support, as well as the duty masters. Overall, a huge success!
The 6th form returned just in time for the evening of the term so far! While the rest of the school entertained themselves with the film Ghostbusters; the art department, Mrs Woodall and Mrs Knight created a wonderful Halloween themed dining room. It looked fantastic and hopefully the pictures show it too. A special menu was created by the chef, including some delicious pumpkin tart! Wonderful. Thank you to you all and the boys enjoyed themselves enormously. It will hopefully pave the way for some more themed nights – any suggestions are most welcome.
The weekend was as busy as ever, despite the cancellation of our guest speaker, Hektor Krome. He couldn’t get beyond Stonehenge due to traffic and therefore we couldn’t hear his tales of getting shipwrecked or living with tribesman in various parts of the world. Another time. Instead we had a Woodcote favourite – BINGO! Messrs German, Hugo K and George L were the happy recipients of sweeties! On Saturday the 5th form were taken off to Bracknell for their turn at Tenpin Bowling and Pizza consumption. Mr. Foster proved to be the bowling champ, but all the boys had a great time.
On Sunday I took 14 boys off to the Madjeski Stadium in Reading to watch London Irish v Northampton Saints in the Rugby Aviva Premiership. It was a great second half, full of running rugby, which has whetted the appetite of a few boys for the impending rugby season. Northampton ran out 19-14 winners.
The only other thing to share with you this week is the 1st phase of Operation Dormitory Improvement, which began over half-term. New dorm was fully carpeted out and all the dorms had some new pictures hung in some empty wall areas. The intention is simple, to continue to make upstairs as homely and as warm as possible.
With the success of the taster nights, the themed suppers, outings, dormitory competitions; has there ever been a better time to be a boarder at Woodcote House?