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A crowd of people looks upward in the foreground with the London Eye towering in the background under a clear blue sky.
Week 5 Whitgift Summer School: Unforgettable Moments and Learning Adventures

As the sun-kissed days (finally!) of summer rolled on, the Whitgift Summer School entered its 5th week, packed with unforgettable events and experiences. The students went to London on a half-day excursion, had the ever-popular talent show on Thursday and made the most of the professional coaches on our academy courses.

Half-day Excursion to London 

The students had a lovely sunny afternoon in London on Wednesday. They soaked up the sun whilst going on the London Eye, which is always a popular attraction, and then on a River Thames Cruise. The weather has definitely not been kind to our students this summer (we think it has rained on almost every Wednesday half-day excursion!) but last Wednesday was truly magnificent. It meant students could fully enjoy the sights which included The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Southbank, Tower Bridge...and there was even time for Ice Cream!

A crowd of people looks upward in the foreground with the London Eye towering in the background under a clear blue sky.

Our students being "wowed" by the capital city!


Talent Show Extravaganza

Every summer we run a talent show, and it is one of the the BIG events of the summer school. The buzz of excitement and nervousness was flowing around campus before the show itselfm with many students signing up to perform. In the end, it was described by one student as "the best night of summer school" so far. Indeed, the stage came alive with an array of astonishing performances.

Sunny and Lawrence, our student hosts, captured hearts with a soulful duet of Ed Sheeran's "Perfect":
 

A man in a white shirt plays a black grand piano against a background of a wooden wall and blue curtains.

Lawrence on the piano!

A young man in a grey polo shirt speaks into a microphone in front of a large wooden wall.

Sunny on vocals!

A touch of elegance graced the stage as some of our Japanese students mesmerized the audience with a Japanese fisherman dance:

Several performers dance on a wooden stage in front of a background featuring a large red door and dark curtains.

Adam, our Activity Leader, struck a chord with the audience by singing "Ken" by Barbie, earning a standing ovation for his remarkable performance.

A blurred man in a blue shirt holds a microphone in the foreground against a background of a plain wall and a wooden door.

Adam's moves on stage were so fast, our camera crew couldn't keep up!

The Turkish students brought their culture to life through a traditional song and dance:

A group of young people dance in a line on a stage in front of a large projection screen and dark curtains.

Madinah took to the stage with her unique flair, presenting an original rap inspired by Hamilton's spirit. She was assisted by Activity Leader Megan:

Two women stand on a stage in the foreground, with a projection screen and a wooden door in the background.

Madinah (Right) and Activity Leader Megan (Left) prepare their song.

The evening's entertainment also included some challenges such as apple bobbing, pictionary, and the dangly donut game.

Academies 

Elsewhere this week, the school was buzzing in the afternoons as the students engaged in a range of academies, each guided by skilled professionals. From honing their hockey skills to perfecting their football techniques, students embraced the competitive and serious nature of our academies as well as ensured they had a lot of fun. Under the guidance of these professional coaches, students not only improved their sporting skills but also important life skills like teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

A blue hockey goal stands in the foreground of a bright blue field where players are competing against a backdrop of green trees and fencing.

Whitgift School is one of the top schools in the UK for Hockey.

Horse Riding: A Unique Equine Experience

Horse Riding added a distinctive touch to this week's activities. With professional equestrian instructors at Kingsmead Equestrian Centre leading the way, the students had the chance to not only ride horses, but also learn about a real working stable in the UK.

A rider mounts a dark horse using a mounting block in the foreground, with wooden stables and green trees under a clear blue sky in the background.

Students at Kingsmead Equestrian Centre have the chance to learn what it is really like at a UK working stable. 

Fencing

The art of fencing brought a touch of history and elegance to the week's academies. Guided by Mr Ian Williams, Head of Fencing at Whitgift students delved into the intricacies of this sport that combines agility, strategy, and mental acuity. The clinking of swords echoed as students not only learned the techniques but also about valuable qualities of focus, strategy, and quick decision-making. The week ended with competition, which saw the students participate in electric fencing!
 

A fencing instructor in dark clothing holds a foil in a training room with equipment and a window in the background.

Mr Ian Williams, Head of Fencing at Whitgift, particpated at the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992. 

These academies always add an extra layer of diversity to the Whitgift Summer School experience. As students explored the world of sports, equestrian activities, and fencing, they acquried new skills, developed exisiting talent and also fostered personal growth in an environment that values learning, teamwork, and holistic development.

We are now entering the final week of the Whitgift Summer School, so stay tuned next week to find out what the students got up to!