This was just one great weekend from beginning to end because everybody was in a fabulous Christmas mood! If we forget about the pot noodles, dorm decorations and prizes etc etc......
Well, of course everyone knew that this was going to be THE BIG Sunday! This, quite frankly, is one of the best Sundays of the year and when it happens everybody knows that Christmas is coming, the end of term beckons and it is time to really let our hair down and have a fabulous time!
First of all - a big lie-in. This was just what the doctor ordered before the festivities commenced. Letters were raced off (some to Father Christmas perhaps?) and then it was off to the Bakewell Christmas Market. A leisurely stroll down the lane past the peeling bells and Christmas trees of the parish church was followed by a good hour bargain hunting in the bustling market. The boys and girls clutched their five pounds torn between buying granny a nice glass vase or getting another lolly to scoff on the way back up the hill! Rightly, most of them decided to spend carefully and got all sorts of chintz to wrap up and put under the tree when they get home - hope you like yours!
Meanwhile, back at base, the boys readied for battle - would age and experience triumph? Below is Mr Callun's resume:
5th Form Boys v Fathers Drew 15-15
On a very soggy pitch, nine brave adults did battle against thirteen fit & healthy boys in a much awaited game of touch rugby. Great skill was shown by the adult team with their handling and attacking play being first class. Mr Litchfield , Mr Berry and Mr Watt all showed glimpses of past glories with some good skills. The adults were keen to exploit the lineout option, having the slight height advantage of Mr Nolan. Three tries were scored by the Dad's team but unfortunately none were converted as Mr Barton had left his kicking boots at home. The boys managed to score a try just before half time through Rufus L which was successfully converted by Ollie N, the half time score was 15-7 to the adults.
The boys then started to play some good rugby moving the ball well through hands and exploiting the space. They crossed for a further try which was not converted making the score 15-12. The closing minutes of the match were very tense with the boys just failing to cross the line on several occasions. With seconds remaining the boys won a penalty in front of the posts and duly converted it to make the score 15-15. The result was right for a match played in fantastic spirit , enjoyed by both the players and spectators. MAC
Tired but elated the school gathered together again for lunch and woolfed down some sausages, beans and chips followed by a donut. Thus bolstered, the pupils plunged into their afternoon activities. A merry band jumped into the minibus and whizzed down to Chesterfield to catch, "The Fantastic Mr Fox". Popcorn was dished out with coke and lemonade and we just squeezed into our seats before the show began. All the children said they would recommend this one as a good Xmas flic!
Others chose to swim or play in the sports hall whilst a more adventurous bunch of young ladies readied themselves for battle this time hoping to better the boys.
The girls did better than they might have anticipated, winning 3-0 against the mothers. I am told the mums ran out of puff (but I don't believe that!). Georgia H was woman of the match and Lydia F scored a most fabulous goal. It was all played in the most maginificent spirit and all came off exhausted but having had the most enormous fun. Well deserved drinks and nibbles were had and the mums and daughters had some precious time together.
After an hour's pause to catch our collective breath and galvanise ourselves we entered into the last Sunday service of term. This was delivered in perfect style by Mrs Lings who understood the mood and the need to relax and reflect. She produced a lovely and thoughtful assembly that was full of humour and the spirit of Christmas. She told a wonderful story and encouraged us to be charitable over this period when it is so hard for many. PS- Jacques T made a great donkey and Jemima W was the perfect angel!
Finally it was time for the Christmas Feast and my goodness this one was one to be remembered for some time! The tables were decked out in holly and tinsel, streamers and red table cloths. An enormous feast was laid out - turkey, roast potatoes, roast parsnips, carrots, cabbage, gravy followed by profiteroles with fire shooting out of them!
After this there were speeches and then a sing song that must have had them out of their beds in Sheffield! Tables were thumped, hands were clapped and voices were made hoarse as the S. Anselm's Christmas songs were pelted out and "The 12 Days of Christmas" echoed through the school! What a triumph and what an end to a wonderful term and a magnificent start to the boarders' year. It just does not get better than this! Thanks to all those numerous people who made it possible (well over 20 staff were involved in one way or another) and thanks to the children who make it so much fun! Still to come: the concert, disco, dorm prize night.................
Posted on
Sun, December 6, 2009
by RDM