Throw out the IPods, PSPs and televisions, these kids know how to make their own fun! From beginning to end this weekend was about good old fashioned entertainment. All areas of the mind were challenged! There was something for the musical, something for the gladiators, something for the thespians and something for budding artists. This weekend could have taken place a hundred years ago at S. Anselm's and the children loved it!
After a mouthwatering breakfast the pupils raced off some letters to their loved ones (these ones should be good as the pupils were given a masterclass in letter writing before putting pen to paper)!
Sarah Tenant, Deputy Headmistress at Repton School delivered a warming address in which she urged us not to strive for "perfection" but instead to seek harmony and peace. If one was to be true to oneself then New Year resolutions could be shelved. Instead we should be prepared to accept our own faults and gain a sense of calm and contentment. Life, she said, is not just a constant struggle to achieve the next challenge, it is also about being accepting and enjoying the moment.
The 5th year boys and girls spent their pounds down in the town whilst the rest of the school had some well deserved relaxation. Lunch was a fabulous roast followed by thick treacle pie and this was just the ticket before everybody got on with the myriad of activities on offer.
Some of the boys swam and played 5-a-side in the sports hall whilst the vast majority played "Man Hunt" and "Capture the Flag" out on the back field. Hearts raced as man hunted man and there was mud aplenty as the lads dashed about madly trying to evade capture or seize a flag.
The girls were more sedate and indulged in some beautifully creative work back at the houses. The Hillcrest girls made some delightful hand puppets under Mrs Calun's expert guidance and the Slieve Mor girls baked some delicious dainty cakes with the Berrys whilst Mrs Price took a happy bunch down into Bakewell for tea and cake.
Everybody returned to the dining hall for hot chocolate and cookies after which the girls' netball squad were put through their paces under the direction of Mrs Northcott who worked on vital moves and lines of running to make up for lost time due to the snow. Oh yes, and Mr Northcott ran a swim too!
At six o'clock a touring theatre company, "Say Two" moved into the Hargreaves Hall and the boys and girls were treated to two hours of riveting drama and history. The group put on a hillarious show that explained some of the most dramatic moments of medieval history. They then turned the spotlight on the pupils and in just half an hour they managed to co-ordinate three small pupil plays of some quality. There was a vast amount of humour and laughter - just the thing to round of a delightful Sunday and not a PSP to be seen!
It is a shame that there is an exeat coming up but we have great plans for the 31st - watch this space!
Posted on
Sun, January 17, 2010
by RDM