Christmas Wreaths and Slimbridge

We have not quite got to Advent yet, but a few decorations have appeared in and around the boarding office. We will have a House Advent Calendar over 14 days from Friday. To get us in the Christmas Spirit Vic's film choice was Home Alone and this classic provided very popular with much laughter emanating from the Year 8 room! Mrs Duke continued her creative workshop series this time making Christmas Wreaths using cardboard circles, a varied assortment of pasta and gold spray paint. There are now a number of wonderful wreaths on display in the dormitories.Mrs Curtis also got one.

 Decisions about what type of pattern to have

 Getting sticky fingers

 Some nearing completion!

 Marco has a go after his rugby debut for the U12 C team which he loved.

 Lovely finished products!

Mrs Duke was pleased with all the pupils and commended them on their creativity and industry!

Ryan and Marco made their rugby debuts in matches against KPS. The boys enjoyed the matches and the bacon butties after the game, too. Michael and Maddie were on prefects yesterday and a good number of boarders came back with Christmas gifts. You may benefit! The Lego also got its first outing.

All the boarders attended a meeting tonight to discuss whole school boarding matters so we did Quiet Hour this morning, before brunch and our departure to Slimbridge. For more info about this wonderful Wetland check our https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/

The pupils were treated to an excellent presentation about the importance of Wetlands for mankind and animals. We all got a chance to meet two of the amphibians, the common toad and the Fire Salamander before meeting all the wildfowl outside. Many birds migrate to Slimbridge from much colder climates including numerous types of flamingos, swans, ducks, geese, cranes and dipping birds. Many of the pupils really enjoyed feeding these wild animals and learning about their habitat and the journeys they make each year.

 The toad did not turn into a Prince!

 Very slimy!

 The Salamander decided to go to the toilet in this moment!

 Avocets

 Flamingos - they were quite smelly!

Pupils also were able to visit some of the hides to see other birds and we also saw a demonstration with otters who were very cute. Another good day out in the company of High Vinnalls pupils from KPS. There were many positive anecdotes shared by the boarders in our weekly review of the week, which was encouraging.  We hope you are well, too.

Westwood Boarders celebrate Thanksgiving thanks to Kingswood Catering

I hope the Westwood boarders tell you all how awesome food is at school is always. Well tonight was no exception! Chilli hot dogs, sweetcorn and chips followed by Marshfield's finest Clotted Cream Ice Cream with various toppings. There was little waste and hardly an seconds. Everyone has gone to bed on a full belly. Ishika kicked off our meal with a traditional Thanksgiving Grace reflecting the good things for which we are grateful -  friends and family. It was lovely to have Miss Rolfe, the Thatchers and Dukes in attendance. We were also thinking of Mrs Curtis in her absence. William did the prayer at the end of our meal to thank those who made the food for us and for those less fortunate. The photos below tell you we all had a 'swell time'. Sincere thanks to our official photographer, Connie, for the snaps. We had a great team of tidy-uppers, Rachel, Sarfina, Suruchi, Ayomikun and the prefects, Jaz and Sam.

 Excitement building!

 William looking aloof!

 Looks tasty!

 

 Arty shots

 Thatcher Clan also tucking in!

 Happiness!

 This is good!

 Friendship!

 Sam pleased to be on duty!

 Seconds!

An Outlet that became an Oasis - Week 9

Saturday was a particularly busy day for our boarders, who enthusiastically embraced the full breadth of sports fixtures and competitions. By the afternoon - although fatigued - spirits remained high, fuelled by the excitement of a Year 7 multi-birthday party which was celebrated at All Saints, Weston, Church Hall that evening. Whilst shimmer, style and socialising occupied Year 7s on that fatefully uplifting night, another fate awaited our Year 8s - Movie Night! Herein, our remaining boarders continued to immerse themselves in the epic journey that is the Marvel cinematic universe, enjoying their most recent offering: Spider-Man: Homecoming.

After recovering from this action-adventure masterpiece of film-making, Sunday brought it's usual allure of a trip out of school. This week, we travelled to the festively decorated Swindon Outlet Shopping Centre for the early afternoon; this was to become an Oasis water-park adventure later that afternoon. Kitted out and ready for a road trip, the journey to Swindon commenced!

An auspicious sign for a fun afternoon!

 

And upon arriving at the Swindon Outlet Shopping Centre...

"All I did was touch the tree; look what happened?!"

"All aboard the Polar Express!"

From the Outlet Centre we traversed a small distance to an Oasis of swim-filled fun and adventure!

The Oasis Centre water-slide: not for the faint-hearted...

Sasha and Sophie a.k.a. the faint-hearted, chilling with Vic and Kezzi...

Sudipti (barely conspicuous head to the left) preparing to take the plunge...

A farewell to the Outlet that became an Oasis.

Our new magical house Unicorn - Jeffuma Rainbowpatch - was born at 13:52 p.m. on the 19th November 2017 at the Swindon Outlet Shopping Centre. Mr. Duke warmly welcomes this new addition to the Westwood boarding team!

  
Our boarders look forward to another busy but hopefully fulfilling week, which will include a special Thanksgiving celebration meal on Thursday! Mr. Duke looks forward to hosting and Mr. Thatcher may make an unscheduled appearance, in support of the logistical cause, of course...