Page 6 - The Badger - Issue 8

THE BADGER Celebrating 125 Years of The Downs
News from the Boarding House
Life in the Boarding House has continued to be busy, action-packed and vibrant. Our boarding community of girls and boys from Year 3 to Year 8, from seven countries around the world, has been the heartbeat of the school, living and learning here seven days a week.
Our flexi boarders have brought lots of energy and dynamism, especially on our themed Fun Nights, and it is fantastic that around three
quarters of the Prep school have boarded at some stage this academic year. Some stay regularly each week and some more sporadically, and whether it is to spend time with friends, reduce time travelling to and from school or perhaps to help wider family logistics, our flexi boarding provision is a very important part of Prep school life.
In addition to our wonderful on-site facilities, our
Sunday trips have been a varied and enriching element of our boarding provision. Our trips and activities have included: a hike in the Malvern hills; a trip to Drayton Manor theme park; playing conkers and carving pumpkins; a trip to the cinema, Flip Out trampoline
park, ice skating, escape rooms and the Autumn Term concluded with a Christmas shopping expedition to Worcester. The Spring Term kicked off with our annual Olympiad, followed by climbing in Gloucester; creative teamwork during the One-Day Film School; waves and slides in Malvern Splash; indoor crazy golf and finally Master Chef making pizzas, led by our own Head Chef, Mr Rimmer. The Summer Term was equally thrilling with a trip to the Herefordshire Raceway to go karting; laser tag games on site; more aquatic fun at the Aztec water park rounded off with the final weekend which began with the fantastic Summer Celebration on the Saturday evening! In amongst all that, the children enjoyed various BBQs and special weekend menus as part of Boarders’ Choice, and lots of well-deserved time on site enjoying our grounds and facilities, in the sports hall, on Brock Meadow playing in dens or just relaxing at the end of a very busy week at school. The Year 8 pupils also enjoyed trips to the coffee shop and store in Colwall.
Our Fun Nights have been a popular addition to the calendar, and it has been wonderful to welcome so many children into the House for these occasions. Some were for the younger years, some aimed at Years 7 & 8 and some were open to all to attend. In all, we enjoyed: Capture the Flag; Hunted (which became Dodgeball due to the thunderstorm!); Dance Fever; Quiz night; Nerf wars; an assault course; the House Talent Show; Hunted #2; Aquatastic and finally the Cricket bash.
Running through all of these amazing events and opportunities are our core values that underpin our boarding community: kindness and consideration towards others, developing empathy and being a
good friend; respect (which can be towards another child, their personal space and needs, and towards staff and their expectations); and showing courage when, inevitably, there are tricky moments to overcome socially or academically. As a Boarding staff team,
we focus on every child’s happiness, progress and individual needs, and work collaboratively alongside Tutors and other staff to provide that core team around each child, 24/7.
We say goodbye to our leavers who move on with our very best wishes. Particular mention to Max who has been an outstanding leader and Head of House. We also say a heartfelt thank you and best wishes to our departing staff: Miss Furlong and Miss Stephenson who have been so caring and dedicated as resident Graduate Assistants, and to Miss Tyler who moves back over the hill: we will miss her cheerful calm and sense of humour. We also thank Mr Dixon for all of his support and enthusiasm over the past few years as House Tutor, but we know that he will remain in very close contact, next year and beyond.
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