The boarders became super sleuths, daring detectives and treasure hunt trailblazers

Super sleuths, daring detectives and treasure hunt trailblazers - it can only be... The Hazlegrove Boarders

Sheep. Worry. Juggling. Psalm 23. Bonfire... were just a few of the key words used in the awe-inspiring Chapel delivered by Mr Jenkins. Did you know that sheep are actually quite intelligent and on a par, in terms of brain capacity, with dogs and monkeys. Mr Jenkins gave us a few strategies on how to deal with worry, and stressed that we should try and worry a bit less and trust more in God. We should be like sheep and worry about five or six things and then our lives might be a bit more manageable. We all have to juggle many things in life but God is here to help us and we can cast our cares on to him. A very practical Chapel that ended with us writing our worries down on paper and then throwing them into a bonfire, symbolising that God is like the fire and takes our worries away. As usual the boarders behaviour was exemplary and they were very good company.

We were very fortunate that the industrious and creative Mr Shaw was on duty and he had devised his annual treasure hunt for the boarders. His enthusiasm and positivity got us into the right frame of mind before we set off for the historic town of Castle Cary. We were put into teams, each with a member of staff. Just before we set off Mr Shaw revealed that the winning team would get an amazing chocolate cake. We were immediately turned into daring detectives, the likes of which Sherlock Holmes would have been proud of.

We scoured the streets of Castle Cary deciphering clues, making calls from phone boxes to get clues and searching for hidden car registration plates. The children absolutely loved it and even discovered the smallest jail in the south west, right in the centre of Castle Cary. We had to draw gargoyles, read maps and figure out which member of the clergy could help with selling vacuum cleaners. After about an hour most of the teams had nearly finished and the motivation of winning the cake was still spurring us on to find the last clues. 

Once our time had run out, we made our way to The Green to eat our lunch and find out the all important results and find out who had won the CAKE. After marking all our answers two teams came tie and Mr Shaw had to decide who had won by deciding who had drawn the best gargoyle. The sense of excitement and tension was palpable and then Mr Shaw revealed that Mr Jenkins team had won. The cake was enormous and delicious what a treat. In true Hazlegrove fashion the children decided to share their winnings so everyone was a winner in the end.

Prep School experiences with our friends truly are the best days of our lives and we really do need to make the most of every moment. As staff, it is truly a privilege, to see such kind and resilient children growing up before our eyes. 
Mr Forbes.

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