How to make the most of Oundle Opportunities

Oundelians do. It is part of what makes them special, and what marks them out in later life.

What follows is an introduction to the wide variety of different co-curricular activities. Each activity is run by an extraordinary person who is committed and passionate about their activity: they consider it life enhancing and even life changing, and they want to help you get involved.

Each activity description is an invitation to you to do. There is no need for you to be especially good at anything or to have had any special experiences before now. Each activity is set up to encourage you and enable you to grow in confidence and ability. It does not matter one bit if you make mistakes and get things wrong. (In fact, it is usually a sign that you are learning and so a good thing.)

I hope you agree that there is a huge range of very different things on offer. There is something for everyone, and we want Oundelians to be individuals able to express their individuality to its fullest. While this booklet is a useful starting point, your tutor and Hsm will be keen to help you find what suits you best and support you along the way. Talk to them and share your ideas.

A word of advice from me: be open to new ideas and be willing to give things a proper try. When Old Oundelians come back to visit us, what they remember most (beyond the times they got caught being naughty!) and what still means the most to them is nearly always from the co-curricular. Often it is the area in which their life-long friendships have been forged. In short, it is the area which can give you delight and change your life.

Be brave. Go and do.

Alistair Sherwin Deputy Head Co-Curricular

“At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished – it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better, it’s about what you’ve given back.”