This week, we celebrated Berkhamsted’s vibrant boarding community with an extended programme of events, showing off exactly what makes boarding at Berkhamsted so special. Boarders shared fun activities and cultural experiences with friends and tutors, forming the strong bond that characterises our boarder life.
The week began on a high note as boarders headed to our Outdoor Education Centre for an afternoon of high ropes and climbing activities. On Tuesday, boarders showcased their culinary skills at the Chadwick Centre, learning how to make sushi together. These activities exposed students to something new and challenged them to ‘Be Adventurous’ in more ways than one.
Wednesday brought one of the highlights of the week, as boarders welcomed teachers and fellow students to a sunny community barbecue on the St John’s lawn. The afternoon’s entertainment, a highly competitive football match amongst the Incents boys, was the perfect excuse to sit together on the lawns and keenly support over burgers and hot dogs. Others enjoyed tours around the boarding houses, organised by current students, where teachers could learn more about what it’s like to board at Berkhamsted.
Thursday offered further opportunities for creativity and competition. St John’s boarders contributed to their growing wall of artwork, while Incents residents once again embraced their competitive spirit in a fiercely contested table tennis tournament. Later that evening, boarders headed to the cinema to watch the latest Toy Story release, following a pizza party at the girls’ house.
It has been a fantastic week of celebration, bringing together boarders, friends and teachers to recognise the strength of our community. With a small boarding cohort, Berkhamsted offers boarders the opportunity to form a close-knit community with students from across the world, creating friendships and experiences that last well beyond their time at school.
We were also pleased to see both full-time boarders and flexi-boarders taking part in the festivities, bringing our community closer together. Many choose to board at Berkhamsted on an ad-hoc basis, with families enjoying the convenience of access to short stays when required. From a nearby bed after a late-night rehearsal, or a later wake-up before an early morning sports commitment, flexi-boarders are welcomed into the community whenever they should need the room.
The festivities continue this week with the annual boarding quiz, a St John’s Mario Kart night, and another football tournament for Years 9 and 10; all hotly contested events. With activities for every pupil to get involved with, we hope that this week has been engaging and exciting for our boarders, and that is has brought the boarding family even closer together.