Reprising their role as Heads of Boarding are Mr. & Mrs. Knight and seeing as the HM has to write his own blog, it is I, Mrs. K. who is now reporting on this, our boarders’ blog!

It is exactly 3 weeks since term started and the summer holidays seem a long and distant memory! We have welcomed a very healthy number of new boys to Woodcote this term, not forgetting our new staff as well, but I hope that by now everyone knows which dormitory they are in and who all the Matrons are! The dormitories continue to look more inviting than in decades gone by. The Pelicans are the latest to have been spruced up by our extremely handy resident handyman Attila. New curtains preside in Big Top, Little Top, Red and Blue and Dominies has been given an internal facelift. By all accounts the Dominites are a very lucky bunch and are even asking NOT to have their late-ups back at school in order to go ‘home’ earlier! Mr. Ramage and Miss. Cavanagh are keeping them well stocked with toast and Nutella in the evenings not to mention the Gaming Room with its very own driving chair. Any guesses as to what Mr. Ramage is doing on his day off?!

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The weekly dormitory competition is in full swing. This week the Pelicans have won (tidy beds; tick, dirty pants and socks in the correct baskets; tick, and the Golden rule ‘Respect Your Matrons!’ adhered to; tick. So, last night the Pelican boys chose their prizes from a Mr. Kimchi (a posh Pot Noodle in case you were wondering), a packet of Pickled Onion Monster Munch or a mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows plus a DVD.

On the first Saturday night of term, a gaggle of boarders came to camp in our garden. We all had a fabulous evening and one of the boys said to me “Mrs. Knight, this isn’t camping, this is GLAMPING!”. They had a nature treasure hunt around the grounds followed by a BBQ of burgers with the works. The fire bowl was lit and Mrs. Woodall sat around with them, where they exchanged scary stories and warmed themselves on hot chocolate and marshmallows. They were all asleep by 10.30pm and we didn’t hear a peep from them until 7.00am the next morning where they were all still huddled in their sleeping bags chatting away.

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Two Sunday outings comprising of Ride the Hill – Mountain boarding at it’s best – and Paintballing were, by all accounts, huge fun. Many more excitements in the Sundays ahead include a rugby match, London Irish v Leicester Tigers and Go-Kart Racing.

Last night the boys were treated to the first of our half termly themed Supper nights: Oktoberfest. The dining room was decorated with German bunting and the boys wore pretzel glasses! The celebrations included Bratwursts and Black Forest Gateau but sadly no steins of beer or Lederhosen allowed! Next up for November will be a country themed supper from the winners of the Rugby World Cup. Let’s hope it’s not Japan – it could prove very expensive for the Chef and the Bursar will be calling me into the office! Until next time, Happy reading!

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