Session 5 has already proven to be challenging and entertaining alike, as ORA students at University College compete in the ORA Olympics, participate in extreme games and undertake a spaghetti challenge.

ORA Olympics

The renowned ORA Olympics arrived last weekend, bringing together various Oxford colleges to battle it out for sporting glory.

Running races were the main order of the day, with both individual and team events occurring throughout the afternoon. University competed with solidarity and support, ensuring that all of their athletes were running to the sound of loud cheers.

The colleges battled through the heat, with some exhilarating events for spectators and runners alike, but ultimately there could only be one winner. University smashed the competition and walked home triumphant with the glorious trophy, cheering loudly in pride.

Extreme Games

Apple bobbing, doughnut eating and egg splatting: welcome to ORA at University’s Extreme Games. A series of challenges were presented to students this week as they tested their accuracy skills with apple bobbing and their quick eating talents with the doughnut on a string game.

Perhaps the most entertaining game of the afternoon was the egg roulette, where pupils picked an egg from a box, some of which had been hard-boiled, and had to risk splatting them on their heads. The lucky ones only had a bit of shell to retrieve from their hair, whilst the unfortunate few ran off to shower the yolky mess from their heads.

A paper plane challenge was another activity that amused students, as they designed their very best aircraft complete with patterns and names. With the planes constructed and preliminary tests conducted, the pupils lined up to fly their aircraft and see who could get them the furthest. Some tragically nosedived near the starting line, but a select few glided far from the group. The glory of being crowned paper plane champion was not lost on the students, who battled it out until the last plane had landed.

The Games were thoroughly enjoyed by staff and students alike, who all joined in with the activities. The staff noted how wonderful it was to see everyone diving straight into the games (quite literally for the apple bobbing!) and having a jolly time together.

Spaghetti Challenge

Using marshmallows and spaghetti, pupils were also tasked with creating a stable structure that could carry the weight of an egg. Small teams formed to have a go at the challenge, using top engineering logic and practical skill.

The results were varied and innovative, with some groups opting to use an abundance of marshmallows to stabilise their creations, whilst others decided that spaghetti would provide a more rigid structure.

When the constructions were complete, staff tested the egg-holding capabilities of the obscure structures and were impressed with the strength of most of the crazy creations.

Check back in the next few days to hear more about what ORA students at University will get up to in their final week.