‘Boredom is beneficial for children. It forces them to pause, giving their brains space to breathe… allowing them to improve their internal locus of control, build resilience, foster independence and encourage persistence’.
With that said, the boat of boredom distinctly afloat, this past Sunday the children enjoyed their hearty brunch.
With no early morning rush, the children enjoyed a well-deserved lie-in. After a quick phone-time session to check in at home, it was straight to the dining hall for our legendary Sunday brunch, an absolute feast. A breakfast fit for royalty, complete with every kind of fresh fruit you could imagine! The late morning was all about physical recovery.
The boys were treated (spoilt I would say!) to some well-earned X-box time, while the girls got creative; sewing and decorating old Woollies bags. The afternoon then transitioned into study time, with the senior children settling down to focus on their work.
A weekend does not go by without a movie and tuck, all wrapped up and cosy in blankets.
here is something special about watching children tackle a cross-country track through the forest, but adding a sudden shift to misty, windy weather, it turns to be grit, toughness and HEART.
One talks about a contrast in weather – a sunny Saturday morning saw the campus buzzing, with the rugby fixtures at home, and girls split between home and away.
The girls played hockey on Friday afternoon, and we thought they would want a lie in on Saturday morning as there was no sport for them! But no (you must admire their dedication) they chose to go and support the boy’s playing rugby against Cordwalles.
“The best laid plans of mice and men aft are gang agly” – Robert Burns
Sunday’s weather undid most of the activities planned for the children, although this did allow for a bit of ‘down time’ to recover and rest after a busy (and sickly) week. Between strong winds (and trees falling in Top Woods), rain and the like, we were soon running for cover… well, some of us.
There is a certain “grit” required for the winter season; cold, and wet days turn the trek to the indoor centre into a battle against the elements. The atmosphere does shift the moment indoors, squeaking shoes on the polished floors and the echoing of children’s voices.
We have officially traded the holiday “slow-mo” lie-ins for the brisk pace of a new busy term. It has been a chilly first week back, but that didn’t slow us down. From the classroom to the sports fields, the rhythm of school life is back in full swing. The children have settled well into their routines with impressive focus - balancing work and play. To soften the blow, we had a wonderful Easter dinner to celebrate the season as a community; the warmth of the dining hall with a roaring fire and all the delicious treats was memorable.