Sunday, 29 April 2018

Team building and lots of fun!

A good number of Westwood boarders headed to the cinema to enjoy the latest Marvel blockbuster, Avengers Infinity War, yesterday and Mr Thatcher also tagged along as aficionado! The cricket was lost to the weather, but Katya was involved in tennis fixtures.

Sunday afternoon was spent at Mojo Active near Bristol http://www.mojoactive.co.uk/. New Captains of Boarding Dasha and Ishika have penned this brief, but accurate summary:


This weekend the Westwood boarders visited Mojo Active, where they had tons of fun doing various activities, such as: Low Ropes, Climbing and a not-so competitive assault course at the end; a few of the boarders even went swimming… Although everyone may have gotten ‘slightly’ muddy, everybody seemed to enjoy it, and that is all that counts.

Back to Mr Duke: The staff at Mojo Active commented on how receptive Westwood boarders were; the excellent instructors were really impressed with the courage, energy and desire for fun amongst the pupils. It was, despite the cool weather, a very successful trip. The pupils worked really effectively in teams, encouraged and helped each other and it was afternoon of very productive team bonding.

 Ishika ready for action
 Posing with Ollie, the instructor

 Getting the whole team on a small piece of wood!

 Digging the war paint, Isabella and Yuma!

 Listening carefully to instructions
 Vladislav having to retrieve the metal pole for the team to cross over the obstacle without touching the ground.
 Connie gives Kezzy a helping hand!


Having to move the planks to cross the obstacles


 Balance and team work crucial for Ryan, Marcus, Dominic and Perry

 Will and Kenneth making it look easy!
 Suruchi sets the pace!


Don't go swimming...advice came a little late for Ayomikun who made a splash!

Sunday, 22 April 2018

Episode 1 - The Quest for Salvation


This first week has the seen the emergence of new hope and promise. Spring has forsaken its reign to Summer, rain has forsaken its reign to sunshine, and exile has forsaken its power to salvation. Salvation, of course, firstly came in the form of this week's movie:
 

This is a true story of kindness and compassion at its best; offering salvation to a young man all but exiled from his true potential. A human being, accorded the kindness and respect he deserves, is propelled to wonderful new heights in life - love from others was at the heart of this.

In keeping with the theme, our boarder's endured a slightly earlier start than usual as they partook in a pilgrimage to Monkey World in Dorset. The road to salvation once again became apparent. This time, our afternoon was spent immersing in, and appreciating, the stories of many species of monkeys being saved from a life of neglect and abandonment, as well as the beauty of the Dorset countryside. Salvation lay in their new life at the sanctuary, which offered freedom and contentedness in an environment of love and care.

Welcome to Monkey World!
Here, there is plenty of opportunity for play,...
  
...creative expression,...
...enjoying the monkeys in their wonderful enclosures,...
 
...enjoying the environment,...
...being together,...

...and enjoying the spoils (Note the name at foot of T-Shirt)!

Episode 1 was thus writ. Our boarders enjoyed the experience of something unique this weekend; it is our hope that they realise how far a little kindness and compassion goes in people's lives; and that they too, can offer salvation to all those in need of it. We look forward to our second week of the new term; our quest for this week comes to an end. Until next time...

Friday, 20 April 2018

Glorious Friday evening on the Middle

A good number of the Boarders enjoyed a competitive boys versus girls game of Rounders on the Middle field tonight. The sun was setting as the game reached its denouement with the boys narrowly winning. Prefects Jess and Max got very competitive and it was lovely to be outside for an hour.



Wednesday, 18 April 2018

Welcome to our guests from Kingswood College Grahamstown

Ben, Connor and Thato are boarding in Westwood for most of this half-term. They have day pupils with whom they are paired at the weekends and in July the Bath pupils will head to South Africa. Robert, Thomas and Vic are looking after them when they board. The three boys have been made to feel very welcome. The exchange is a wonderful experience and our daughter, now in Year 9, really enjoyed her time at Kingswood College, Grahamstown last year. The three boys appear to have brought great weather with them. Our Magnolia at the front of Westwood is in full bloom and looks spectacular