Boarding Activities Autumn Term 2024/25

AUTUMN TERM

Welcome to the Boarders’ Activity Booklet!

Greetings Boarders,

We are delighted to present to you the ultimate guide to fun, adventure, and camaraderie – your very own Boarders Activity Booklet! This booklet is designed to be your trusty companion throughout your boarding school journey, offering a diverse range of activities that promise not only to entertain but also to enrich your time here.

In these pages, you will find a blend of creative, physical, and intellectual pursuits tailored to cater to all interests and skill levels. Whether you ' re an aspiring artist, a budding athlete, a curious scientist, or simply looking for new ways to bond with friends, there's something here for everyone.

Our Mission

Our goal is to ensure that your boarding experience is filled with joy, learning, and meaningful connections. We believe that engaging in a variety of activities is key to personal growth and creating lasting memories. This booklet is more than just a collection of activities, it's a gateway to new experiences and friendships.

Get Involved

We encourage you to dive into these activities with enthusiasm and an open mind. Don't hesitate to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Collaborate with your fellow boarders, share your experiences, and most importantly, have fun!

Let's make the most of our time together and create a vibrant, supportive, and dynamic boarding community

Happy adventuring!

Mrs Bradbury Head of Boarding

Sports fixtures form an important part of our weekend programme, with training leading up to the excitement of competitive matches on Saturday afternoons. They provide important motivation and challenge, while developing team dynamics under the pressure of competition.

Find our full programme of fixtures on the SOCS Sports portal at: westonbirt.org/all-sports/

INFORMATION ABOUT SATURDAYS

Breakfast is served at 0800, Lunch at 1200 and Supper at 1800.

There is a full programme of sport on every Saturday – this will either including a training session at school or a match either home or away.

Also on a Saturday morning there are a range of options offered by teaching staff. This programme is managed by Mr Balderson and includes a mixture of academic options including coursework sessions and revision for the exam years as well as the opportunity to develop existing interests or try new ones. Our programme in 23/24 included; art, baking, board games, cosmetics club, dance workshop, film appreciation, history of art, golf, harmonica for beginners, minecraft, orienteering, paddleboarding, pizza making, riding, seasonal activities, trips to Westonbirt Arboretum and yoga to name just a few!

On a Saturday afternoon boarders have use of the Leisure Centre and there are activities available for those not playing or supporting matches.

Saturday evenings are a mixture of house based events as well as those for the whole school. There are regular quiz nights, board games cafes in the library and a chance to watch sports matches or films on the TVs in the common rooms.

INFORMATION ABOUT SUNDAYS

Timings

Sundays have a more with Brunch being se light tea served at 15 at 1800.

Activities

Some Sundays include a coach trip to places like; Bath, Oxford, Bristol, Cheltenham and London. Whilst on others we tend to stay more local with trips into Tetbury, the Cinema in either Yate or Chippenham. Boarders are able to enjoy the grounds and opportunities on campus.

Ms Lambert plans to host a sports tournament each Sunday afternoon including both routine and more unusual sports.

DURING THE WEEK

There is a prep session each evening as well as an activity programme.

The Sports Centre and Astro are available for boarders to use with sessions led by members of staff and other on site facilities can be used, such as cooking in the Food Room. Our music practice rooms are available into the evening as well.

The table below gives an example of a typical evening programme in boarding. Our new one will be published in September!

Gym Astro MultiSports SwimmingPool

Monday Gym20:00-21:00 Astro20:0021:00 19:00-20:00

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Gym20:00-21:00

Gym20:00-21:00

Gym20:00-21:00

Gym20:00-21:00

Astro20:0021:00

MultiSports20:00-21:00

MultiSports20:00-21:00 19:00-20:00

Astro20:0021:00

MultiSports20:00-21:00 19:00-20:00

Housesalsoruntheirownactivitiesduringtheweek–thesewillbeadvertisedinHouse FoodTuesdaysareahitinbothBadmintonandDorchesterHouses.

AtypicalweekinGloucester/BeaufortHouse

Monday MindfulnessMonday–activitiesvaryeachweekbutinclude;colouring,jigsaws,walk

Tuesday TVTuesday–girlsgatherintheCommonRoomtowatchanepisodeofachosenseries The CommonRoomisaccessiblethroughouttheweekbuthavingthisnightbringseveryonetogether

Wednesday WellbeingWednesday–achancetopauseandreflectmidweek

Thursday Try-itThursday–anythinggoes!

Friday FunFriday–anotheropportunitytogathertogetherandenjoyeachother’scompany

THIS TERM’S HIGHLIGHTS

Bath Rugby Game

Boarders will get to watch the Bath rugby team compete in the beautiful town of Bath.

London Lights

Trip to London to see the Christmas lights and to go festive shopping

Mary Poppins

e story of the world’s favourite nanny.

Air Hop

Ultimate bouncing fun for kids and big kids.

Trip to Oxford

Boarders get to explore the historical university town of Oxford.

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

Air Hop

Trips to Westonbirt Arboretum for both Enchanted Christmas and Forest Live Concerts .

Baking

Always a popular activity , with new recipes to try each week. This is one not to be missed.

Bath Trip

The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its significant cultural and architectural importance.

Bath Rugby Game

Experience an action packed game watching one of the local teams compete in the beautiful bath stadium on the river.

Bowling

Take to the lanes and strike down those pins.

Christmas Themed Events

et into the holiday spirit with our fun array of hemed events!

Cinema

12th Oct 12th Oct

Experience the latest movies with your friends.

Craft Club

An ever-changing carousel of creative activities for you to have a go at over the weekend.

Cribbs Causeway

Browse from over 150 stores at The Mall Cribbs Causeway and The Retail Park - The Heart of Bristol Shopping.

Cotswold Weekend

The Cotswolds is a beautiful area of rolling hills, honey-coloured stone villages, and charming market towns in England.

Enchanted Christmas

Set out on the illuminated trail and discover a magical world of breath-taking light spectacles and interactive displays amongst the magnificent trees of Westonbirt Arboretum!

Game Night

Challenge and compete through a range of board games with some snacks and friends and hot chocolate.

Halloween Themed Events

Dress up and get spooky at our Halloween celebrates including a cellars tour, Halloween party and themed activities.

House Hampers

Saturday nights

These have become a popular weekend feature so look out for more Saturday evening treats being delivered to Boarding Houses.

Ice Skating

Date to be Confirmed

oin us on a trip to the local ice skating rink. Warm up and show us your twists and turns.

In House Activities

Compete and join in on all the fun with your fellow houses mates as you are put through a range of activities spanning themed nights and surprises.

London Lights

7th Dec

Get into the holiday spirit with this trip to London for the Christmas lights and shopping

Mary Poppins Musical

16th Nov

Take a trip to the Bristol Hippodrome to be transported into the musical and magical world of Mary Poppins.

Orienteering

5th Oct

Explore the grounds through a competitive or noncompetitive recreational activity in which participants find their way over an unfamiliar course using a map and compass.

Oxford Trip

22nd Sept

Oxford is world famous for its University and place in history. For over 800 years, it has been a home to royalty and scholars.

Quiz Night

7th Sept 16th Nov

An opportunity to come together as a House on the first weekend of the year. Whose knowledge is on point?

Treasure Hunt

7th Sept

Do you think you have what it takes to find all the missing pieces around a Victorian Mansion?

9th Nov

Enjoy a beautiful walk through the colourful fall foliage in the country’s only national arboretum, which is right on our door step.

15th Sept

Our annual school event that includes stalls, food, competitions and tons of local fun!

HOUSE PARENTS MEET OUR TEAM

Lisa Brad

Head of B

Sally Gould

Houseparent of Dorchester

Year 9-11 Girls’ Boarding House

Diana Lambert

Houseparent of Sedgwick

Years 6 - 8 Co-ed Boarding House

useparent of Badminton

0 Boys’ Boarding House Lisa Allen

Sara & Myles Nash

Houseparents of Holford

Year 13 Co-ed Boarding House

Suzy & David Morton

Houseparents of Gloucester & Badminton

Year 12 Girls’ & Year 11 & 12 Boys’ Boarding Houses

MEET

MEET OUR TEAM

ASSISTANT HOUSEPARENTS

Scarlett Jones

Sedgwick Assistant Houseparent

Megan Veiga

Dorchester Assistant Houseparent

Michael Coop

Beaufort Assista

Debbie Sestaret

Holford Assistant Houseparent

Alice Attwell

Gloucester Assistant Houseparent