Inflatable fun for the boarders' in-weekend
A weekend of fulfilled expectations…our last In-Weekend for 2020-2021, was exactly what we had expected and more. Our Year 8s returned from their Leavers Trip on Friday afternoon, a little tanned and full of stories to share, and memories made.
After a morning of lessons on Saturday, we all headed to the Dining Hall for lunch, and to officially start the In-Weekend. Saturday afternoon saw the children enjoy a range of activities, from cricket in the nets, playing in the woods, to ART and DT activities. The swimming pool was a favourite for many post 4pm too. The bell sounded and we gathered for supper on the Lower School lawn. Gail and I, enjoying our meal on the grass, surrounded by the children, commented on how heart-warming it was to see the children enjoying each other’s company, especially the Year 8s – seeing them share a meal and chatting with life-long friends. After supper, the Juniors headed back into their Houses for treats and movies – with an eye on the England football match, of course! The Seniors were in for a real treat – a disco. Mr Froggatt, our resident DJ, had erected the inflatable screen in the Sports Hall, and the children danced the evening away. What an action packed Saturday, and England’s resounding win was the cherry on the cake.
Sunday saw the children wake up a little later and head down for the traditional Sunday Full-English breakfast. What a feast. With full tummies, we strolled across to Letter Writing – the children wondering if they could beat their letter home! The Year 8 girls enjoyed a PJs morning – a PJ party with pillowcase craft. Mrs Forbes had created, for many of them, the perfect morning – a lazy time, in PJs, with friends.
The Year 8 boys, enjoyed a Chip and Dip morning – several bags of crisps (Mr White arrived late and was gutted not to have been invited! – Mr White LOVES crisps), various dips and music blasting around a roaring fire pit; as well as toasted marshmallows. The Year 8s thoroughly deserved this extra treat!
The activities on offer were varied and plentiful – go-karts, swimming, dance, clay making with Mrs Froggatt, Nerf wars, chalk graffiti, a football tournament with Mr Bartlett, and a very wet water balloon fight and gauntlet games, with Mr Froggatt. This took us up to lunch – which was yet another culinary masterpiece by Boney and his team: roast beef with all the trimmings!
After lunch, the children flopped down onto their beds for rest – a few of them may have even nodded off. Once rested, they were ready for Round 2. The afternoon comprised of the ever-favourite, inflatables. Ice-creams made an appearance (in the rain), after all the running around and fun had in the Sports Hall. The children returned to their Houses for movies and popcorn, whilst snuggled warmly under duvets. Mr Farquhar braved the A303 Sunday traffic to share a meaningful and inspiring Chapel.
Supper marked the end of the weekend – another delicious meal from our marvellous kitchen.
A special thank you to Mr Forbes for organising the In-Weekend activities as well as to all the staff for making it such a memorable one for the children, especially our Leavers.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our boarding families safe travels as they make their way to HZG this week and that everyone enjoys a happy, relaxing and safe summer holiday.
Mr Schreiber
