Weekend Report Nov 27th

S. Anselm’s buzzed all weekend and the boys and girls have had enormous fun and so much action and adventure.

The weekend kicked off on Friday night with a stupendous performance from the Juniors in the school play “Hoodwinked”. They were quite magnificent and wowed many of the boarders and families who watched. There were some great individual performances but it was the team ethic and way everyone worked together that impressed the most. It looked great fun to perform and everyone had a big grin on their faces. Well done to Mrs Hunter and Mr Weller for their direction of this play.

On Saturday we had a challenging Steeple Chase with water jumps, hay bales and tractor tyres to tackle. The children all got through it and showed great determination as well as having a great deal of fun too! It was commented upon by many parents how much fun the pupils were having, and it was noticeable how few tears there were. It was very emotional to see huge groups of pupils cheering in, and running, with those at the back of the field who struggled (but never gave up). Well done to everyone. I’ll be working on a video version of the races – so once I’ve mastered the technology I’ll post them on the website for you all to see.

Gasping for breath in some cases, Mr Weller took a small but elite group of singers down to Bakewell for some festive carol singing. It was lovely to see large appreciative crowds gathering to listen to our pupils sing in very different acoustic surroundings. It made everyone very goose-bumpy (if there is such a word?)

On Saturday night it was also School House Mission Impossible. Mr Wood reports,

"Saturday night saw the boy boarders playing Mission Impossible late in the dark surrounding of the school’s grounds. Bertie S was first to Mr Smith at the top pavilion having made it through the menacing the Gustapo guards stationed across the grounds (Mr Northcott (face blackened and wearing size 12 army boots!), Mr Mace, Mr Tadman and Mr Berry). Unfortunately on his way back down Bertie was caught by the sly Mr Northcott hiding near the cricket square. It was Bertie S who eventually came and freed the prisoners from the clutches of the Prison guard (Mr Wood) in the torturous prison house. The boys had a second chance of making it up the alleys through the bushes and under the fences, any means of getting to Mr Smith without being caught. Monty H 3rd, Jacob B 4th and Dominic H 5th all did well finding their way to safety. Next Dominic H freed the eager to escape prisoners, some of whom were quickly caught and sent back behind bars. The young Harry T freed a number of prisoners also, despite being wounded by a tree, such courage and bravery from one of the trial boarders! Once the boys had made it to Mr Smith and had their hand stamped, as long as they were not caught, they could go and free the prisoners and then escort them through the grounds. This superb team work saw many of the boys make it, only a few didn’t. It was great to see the decoy runs trying to help their comrades. Marcus C was one of the best performing junior boys who came 9th and freed many of his comrades. Chocolate prizes will be dished out soon!"

Saturday night we all crashed out and had a big lie-in until 9am the next morning to sooth tired bodies. After a slap up breakfast and some downtime, the Year 8 girls went off to Splash Landings where they had a whale of a time in the water thanks to the Berrys who took them. They delighted in the deluge of Staffordshire's luke warm waters, basked in hot tubs and slipped down slides. The perfect cure for muscles taxed by the school steeplechase.

Mrs Seddon and Mrs Price took an eager bunch off to Eyam for a good walk and a look around this historic village. Mrs Seddon said later:

"We had a lovely lie in and a relaxed morning was followed by Hillcrest and Garden House girls visiting the Painted Plate at Eyam, we had lots of fun painting a special christmas decoration - no finished articles to show - wait for the surprise!! the craft centre was all decorated for Christmas and some of us even joined in with the carol singers - mr weller you would have been very proud of them! The day finished off with Mrs Northcott and Annabelle judging the hotly contested best decorated dorm."

Meanwhile the Junior boys went river dipping and did some environmental work at the Whistlestop Centre in Matlock – a moment of calm in a very busy weekend!

The Year 7 and 8 boy boarders went to Thornbridge Hall for a selection of team building exercises. Group A were first to orienteer along the Monsal trail. Whilst jogging around the course, guided only by pictures and landmark clues as well as hoping to get the quickest time out of the two groups for a chocolate reward, they had the opportunity to learn about different monuments, gaze at some of the glorious views overlooking the Peak District and search for landmarks that would enable them to find their way to the finish. Group B had to complete team challenges. As a group of 10 boys this proved quite challenging at times, there were plenty of ideas but too many voices rather than decisions. Getting the see-saw to balance was eventually accomplished and the mole holes were a highlight, especially the thin hole, which was not for the faint hearted! Another wonderful Sunday out, great fun and the competitiveness all came together when both teams put their heads together to find the final treasure – a box of celebrations!

Sunday night Mr Weller and Mrs Lings managed to calm everyone and ensure there was some time for quiet reflection by presenting a Taize style service which was alternative, soothing and expertly co-ordinated.

Phew! I am exhausted & it's Monday tomorrow!

It is all wonderful stuff made possible by the fact the children are so well-behaved and such a pleasure to look after. But also by the fact that we have such warm and enthusiastic staff who love to see the children, getting out there and getting their hands dirty! Many thanks to all the staff who have contributed to such a busy and action packed weekend. It is a team effort and we have a great team here.

Next weekend we are in the grips of Christmas celebrations, Boarders Feasts and the like. It is non stop here!!

One final thought this dark night: ObergruppenFührer Northcott says: “I’ll get you next time – there is no escape!!”