It has been a tremendous Summer 2019 at St Mary’s School in Ascot, and the whole ORA team has loved their time on campus. But all good things must come to an end, and Saturday saw the summer programme conclude as the final cohort departed with some fantastic memories and a lot of new found friends and knowledge. Across five wonderful weeks at the school, a great deal of progress has been made towards some exciting futures.
The students have been able to learn about a vast range of subjects in their classes, covering topics from sea creatures to space and animals to archaeology. The lessons have opened up their eyes to a whole world of possibilities, and really encouraged them to approach learning in a different way. They have all worked incredibly hard, and the quality of work on display at the end of each week has been truly outstanding.
On top of their regular classes, the students have had access to some awe-inspiring workshops, which have showcased some remarkable and very engaging fields. Mad Science was a particular hit, with practical demonstrations of some spectacular experiments. The students have also had an introduction to sign language and an origami masterclass to help them expand their already considerable skill sets!
There have been some awesome activities outside of the classroom as well. The sumptuous summer sun has allowed everyone to run around and play all sorts of sports and other games. Cricket, football, frisbee and many more have all graced the lawn, as the students have embraced the great outdoors, whilst they have also been able to play chess or get creative with arts and crafts during their free time.
The enjoyment hasn’t been restricted to time spent on campus either, as a string of excellent excursions have allowed the students to enjoy some amazing attractions around the UK. Trips have included those to London Zoo, and the fantastic Legoland resort in nearby Windsor. There were also visits to KidZania, an indoor city which allowed the students to try their hand at some brilliant careers!
All of these activities and outings have contributed to a magnificent harmony throughout each and every week of the programme, as the students have not only had an excellent time, but also found it easy to make friends and cooperate. The staff have been continuously impressed by the students’ socialising, as well as how supportive they have been with each other. These are admirable traits to have, and ones which will help them going forward.
Each week was concluded with a great graduation celebration, a chance to honor the students’ academic endeavours and bid a fitting farewell to those who were leaving that weekend. Awards were handed out in the ceremonies, whilst the subsequent meals and parties were a chance for some well-deserved down time. Overall, the whole summer at St Mary’s has been a wild success. As our students head off to enjoy the remainder of their summers, they should feel very proud of their Ascot achievements.