Half Term Highlights

Date: Monday 25 February 2008

Even before half-term officially started, the annual pilgrimage to Paris had begun, as Mme Micheloud, Miss Passmore, and Mr and Mrs Dagley escorted just nine of this year's Lower Sixth to enjoy the culture and language of the French capital city. A very busy three days - I remember it well from last year! - of walking, walking, and more walking allowed the party to visit four major museums, including the Orangerie, which Miss P had never before visited, as well reaching the summit of the Eiffel Tower - an experience which truly tested Mr Dagley's vertigo.There was some time to relax - two meals chez 'Flunch', a river tour along the Seine, and sketching time outside Notre Dame. It was cold and sunny - and it took two days for the 'senior' members of the party to recover from the non-stop itinerary!

In the less than distant past, Sixth Formers had always enjoyed a Valentine's Ball, during the Lent Term, and on School premises. Such are the licensing laws of the present day that such an event is almost impossible to stage on campus, so, on the initiative of Annalisa Flood and her team of organisers, the event was revived, out of School, at Boughton Golf Club. The evening of Friday 15th February turned out to be one of 'civilised sophistication', as Sixth Formers dressed formally, behaved formally, and thoroughly enjoyed a 'better than anticipated' excellent meal, and Suzy Jackson's excellent band. A typical Oz Andrews disco brought the curtain down on a triumph of organisation, showing our senior pupils in the best of lights.

The third event of the week, occupying the whole of the Sunday to Sunday slot was the now annual ski trip, organised once again, and superbly, by Mr Middleton. Four of the six days of skiing took place under blue skies, and for those hardy enough, in shirt sleeves! The quality of the snow was excellent, but there were inevitably the bumps and bruises which are part and parcel of the sport. Two plaster casts are worn with pride by Patrick McMaster and Tom Vafidis - wrist injuries! The outstanding performers of the week were clearly Alex Thomas who won the advanced class slalom race, and Nick Keliris and Edam Naseem who triumphed in the intermediate categories. Most improved skier of the week was probably Will Hollis, who moved up from the beginners' class to take third place in the intermediate slalom.

And now back to routine - as only three and a half weeks of concentrated study remain before we break up for the very early Easter on Maundy Thursday.