Not long ago we were excitedly welcoming everyone back with the BBQ for boarders and families on the Tuesday following Easter. What a buzz there was around the place: no time for any post Easter chocolate-induced lethargy when you are part of the Packwood Boarding Community. For the Summer term at Packwood is widely (maybe even universally!) acknowledged to simply be THE BEST. And since that happy evening new boarders have been settling in and learning the ropes, while those with more experience have slotted smoothly back into their groove. Well… sort of…because actually being part of Packwood during the summer term is all about the experiences and opportunities. While, of course, there is plenty of time for chilling out in the stunning grounds (and they have been particularly breathtaking over the last few weeks, it must be said), there has just been so much going on so no time for that much rest.
Cricket and tennis are now the order of the day, with the nets now the number one place to hang out. Those with their golf clubs have been practising their skills – (watch out any sunbathers, you never know when you’ll be rudely awoken by a mistimed drive), the fishing crew have been pottering around by the Perry (new dimension to packing…pyjamas, tick, toothbrush, tick, fishing rod and flies, tick!) and everyone has been enjoying the balmy evenings and sunny afternoons. We have already had some hugely successful cricket fixtures for both the boys and the girls against Shrewsbury, the Wind and the Willows rehearsals are going along full tilt, the weekend activities of visiting a donkey sanctuary or a Sunday afternoon stroll over the Cliffe have been very much enjoyed and it was such fun to see many boarding families at the Bluebell run and BBQ on Saturday. A particular highlight was seeing all of the dogs lined up raring to get off the mark. Much academic work has been happening too, as those in Year 8 hurtle towards CE – good luck everyone! It seems surprising that the first exeat is nearly upon us, although reflecting on all that has happened since the start of term, I think everyone does deserve a moment before the fun of the Summer Term really does begin in earnest. Time for a quick breather!
A taste of things to look forward to:
Good luck to our intrepid fencers on Sunday in Sheffield, to those with music or LAMDA exams after half term, to all children with matches on the horizon and to those involved in the upcoming Wind in the Willows performance. Many of our Year 5/6 boarders are taking a leading role in this on the stage and behind the scenes.
On Saturday 10th May we have the school VE celebrations and the boarders will follow this with a firepit gathering in the Spinney.
The weekend activities this term look like there is something for everybody, including circus skills, a gaming bus, trampolining, quad biking, a trip to the beach, fishing and Padel.
On Wednesday 18th June we are holding a “Boarders Got Talent” evening. The children will soon start to rehearse for this and do send them back to school with any costumes or props they might need after half-term. There are a myriad of trips and camps for the children to get their teeth into, the highlight of which is, of course, the Leavers’ expedition. The school will be ever so quiet without you all and we’ll look forward to hearing all about your adventures on your return.
Then we reach the end of term celebratory events and boom, just like that, another year will be in the rear view mirror. The time will fly but we are all as a community, determined to make the very best of every minute in this special place.
We very much look forward to welcoming you back to Packwood on Monday 5th May following the exeat for a drink and a catch up with Mr and Mrs Goldsmith from 5.30PM on the Theatre Terrace. Please do stop to chat and enjoy something refreshing, especially if you have travelled a long way.
