Boarders Take on the Interhouse Duck Race

The morning started with a hearty cooked breakfast, which set everyone up brilliantly for the day ahead. Mrs Hughes led us in a thought-provoking chapel, reminding us of the importance of always being grateful, even during tough times.

“F” was the most popular letter of the alphabet in the alphabet thankfulness challenge, with family, friends, food, and freedom rolling straight off the tip of the tongue. There was a real buzz of excitement in the air as Mr Jenkins then introduced the inaugural Interhouse Duck Race! Each house was given time to prepare for the event and name and train their plastic ducks, create a house song to perform, and design a support banner. We all then gathered back in the theatre to perform the house songs to each other, which were judged by our GAPS. The first points of the day were awarded, with Tremlett taking an early lead with their rendition of ‘Eye of the Tiger’, complete with a boxing match and a classic quartet consisting of piano, drums, chanter, and horn!

Everyone then jumped onto the minibuses to head to the race venue for the afternoon, Langport. We all enjoyed a relaxing picnic on the riverbank before heading up to the top bridge, which was the starting point. With great anticipation, the children lined up on the bridge and the ducks were finally released. The current took the ducks down the river at a good pace, but not too quickly that we couldn’t keep up! A few overhanging branches and reeds proved hurdles along the way, but luckily, Dan was there on his paddle board, ready to scoop them out and nudge them back on track. The ducks jostled for position several times during the course of the river, much to the excitement and enthusiasm of everyone watching from the bank! We walked the route, eagerly cheering the ducks along. Everyone then lined the bottom bridge to count the ducks as they crossed the finish line. One of the Norton ducks came in first, much to the delight of its handlers, Cameron and Kwesi, but it was Dover who came out on top overall, just four points ahead of Norton! Ice creams were enjoyed by all before heading back to school.

Back at school, the children settled down to their letter writing, before then having a choice of outdoor activities and a film. A delicious roast dinner finished the day perfectly before everyone headed back into the dorms to snuggle down for the night.