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Paddle-boarding in Bedford
The boarders had an exciting Saturday trip to Box End water park in Bedford. It was a beautiful day and proved to be a very enjoyable trip. The lesson was an hour. The students appeared to have a really good time. They all learnt a new skill, it was definitely a good way to spend an afternoon.
Here is what some of our boarders had to say:
‘It was a very fun trip to go on a summer weekend. The weather was very good. The instructor was really nice and kind on helping us learning how to paddle.’ – Year 10 Student
‘We went on Saturday for a trip of paddle boarding. It was really fun and I think everybody enjoy it. The travel was really good in the bus, I prefer it to travel in bus.’ – Year 10 Student
‘I went paddle boarding, the travel was really good, and beautiful, but it was to long for me. My favourite part (of course) was when we did paddle boarding, it was really fun, because I was whit my friends and I enjoy it a lot.‘ – Year 8 Student
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What is it like to be a short stay student during the exam period?
Throughout the school internal exam period, some of our short stay students took part in a special education program which included putting on a charity bake sale. They did an excellent job. This is what they had to say about their experience.
‘I am a short stay student and during Year 10 exam week we had a special programme. We have done lots of things but the especially good ones for me were Music and Charity.
In Music we played the song “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa (feat. Charlie Purth). I played the piano part. Another classmate played the piano with me and the third student played her flute. We played very well and created a beautiful melody.
In Charity we made cakes and cupcakes and sold them. However, that day was exam day for some students and the weather was not so good so there were not lots of people who came to the charity sale. But we tried to call customers to come to the charity. That was a very good experience for me.
I had a very good opportunity and experience this week. We did lots of things. I am very appreciative to the teachers who gave me these wonderful opportunities.’
By Year 10 Boarder
I am a Year 10 boarder. I have been at St Francis’ College for 6 weeks and I am here for the Summer Term to learn some English.
This week I had a special programme of learning because all the Year 10 students were doing end-of-year exams and I did some different and entertaining activities.
Some of the activities of this week were, for example, a cake stall. On Wednesday we sold cakes and people who bought them donated money to charity. The charity’s name is Kanyike Project. I enjoyed selling the cakes a lot, but I also very much liked making them. During a Food and Nutrition lesson we baked a lot of cupcakes and the boarding staff also helped us a lot.
Another activity was a PE walk. I had a great time and the place we walked in was beautiful.
We also had an amazing Music class. I learned how to play a new song on the piano called “See You Again” with two classmates: one was also playing the piano and the other played the flute.
On Thursday we had a History lesson which I found really interesting and we learned about the English history of 1066. After that we did two experiments in a Psychology class.
Finally I also enjoyed a Photography lesson a lot in which we took photos of each other with different lights and with different colours and then we printed them out.
It has been a great week, I have enjoyed all the activities and I had the opportunity to meet a lot of teachers.
By Year 10 Boarder
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Ice Skating at Ally Pally
A group of our boarding students went ice skating at Alexandra Palace. They all seemed to have an excellent time. This is what they thought of the trip:
‘We went on the train and then the bus to Alexandra Palace. We walked around the gardens and some people decided to take a boat ride for Half an hour and the rest of us sat and enjoyed the sun. After this we went to the ice skates booth and gave in our shoes so we could get our ice skates. We all put them on and started the ice-skating at 1:00. I think we all found it fun even if it was a bit difficult to get started! After the ice skating ended at 2:30, we sat in the café in the hall and ate our sandwiches and we could buy some food if we wanted. Then we went outside and some of us went on a walk around for 20 mins while everyone else sat down, tired out.
After this we went back on the bus and went on the train where we got back to school a short while later.
The trip was great fun and I’m sure most of us would want to go on it again if they could.‘ – Year 8 Student
‘We were to Alexandra Palace, we arrived early so we went to walk in the park beside it. There were a lot of activities and we saw one that was near a café, about paddling in a cute boat and we saw ducks swimming past out boat, it was fun. After that, we went to ice skating and I wasn’t good at it so I spent a lot of time trying, but it was fun. We also went to the Alexandra Palace Park, we could see the view from there, it was beautiful. I hope next time we can go again, but not before exams so more students can join.‘ – Year 9 Student
‘We went on the boat after that we went to ice skating. It’s very tiring but it’s very enjoyable.’ – Year 11 Student
‘Over the weekend I went on a ice skating trip in London while we were there, we went ice skating and on a boat ride which was really fun‘ -Year 6 Student
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Boarders’ Sponsored Walk
The Boarding House decided to do a sponsored walk for charity on the Bank Holiday Monday. Our aim was to help Action Aid raise money for the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis. We are very proud of all of our boarders who took part in the event, raising an impressive £395 (£95 over our target). We thank everyone who supported and sponsored us.
The Charity walk was held on Bank Holiday Monday it was very meaningful. Although it is hot and tiring that day, I am glad that I can raise money by walking to support Ukraine. The walk also makes me realised that there are many beautiful scenery near our school. – Year 10 Boarder
We walked for nearly two hours. I think it was a bit tiring, but meaningful, that we could raise money for people in need. – Year 10 Boarder
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Spring time at Cambridge Botanical Gardens
I’d like to say that being in Cambridge is an awesome idea and the Botanical Gardens is wonderful. It’s a great place for me, because I have some interests in botany (it’s like only a hobby because I don’t major science). The place is wonderful, I have learned so much from the gardens. Besides, the place is also very aesthetic, the beauty of the plants under the sunshine cannot be simply expressed. I have enjoyed the experience at the Botanical Garden.
There is only one suggestion: aside from the Botanical Garden, can we also maybe arrange some trips to other destinations in Cambridge as well? Like the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Whipple Museum, Museum of Archaeology, Sedgwick Museum of Earth Science….. etc. or maybe some others like King’s College chapel or just a random college in Cambridge, I think some of them are open to public but some of them aren’t due to COVID or other restrictions like their students.
But please do not get me wrong I still love the trip to the Botanical Gardens and it’s both fun and educational – Written by Year 11 Boarder
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Welcome to our Boarding House
Welcome to our wonderful Boarding House Blog. The Boarding House in St Francis’ College is like a big family, we create happiness and love. We would like to tell you about the many opportunities we offer to help students from overseas to understand and discover new cultures. Daily activities take place after school such as, sports, baking and movie night. Trips to London and Cambridge take place frequently, as both places are nearby. Thorpe Park is the most popular destination, and a wide range of other choices from ice-skating to Pots of Art. We would like to share these experiences through the Boarders’ own words.
I was 11 when I was first joined, with the support from all the Boarding Staff I became more independent and thoughtful and what I have learnt is not only the knowledge in the book but also life lessons on how to take care of myself, make majority of the decisions on my own and think more before I act.
I welcome you to the Boarding House and look forward to sharing our Boarding Life with you.
Year 13 Boarder
About the Blog
Welcome to the Boarding House Blog, your inside guide to life in our vibrant boarding community. Join us as we share stories, adventures, and the everyday magic that makes boarding life so special.
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