As we begin our final session of the summer in Oxford, we welcome students back to Yarnton Manor once again! This time, we’re especially lucky to have both a 13-15 and a 16-18 cohort staying with us for the session. The grounds have been very quiet since the last cohort left in July and everyone was excited to see students bustling about again.

Warm sunshine greeted the arrivals as they made their way up the drive to the manor house, setting the perfect tone for the first day. Inside, there was cake and squash for any weary travellers to snack on as they collected their lanyards and welcome packs. Our amazing campus team were quick to make sure everyone knew what to do and to lend a hand helping students get their suitcases to their rooms.

After everyone had settled in a little and started to unpack, it was time for a quick welcome talk in the Long Gallery from the programme director. He covered everything from reminding the students to keep their lanyards on them at all times to encouraging them to embrace all the cultural opportunities on offer while they’re in Oxford. A final important note reminded them to be respectful of all their new international friends, no matter how different their views might be.

The end of the welcome talk meant not only dinner but also saying goodbye to any last parents. It was a bit of an emotional moment, but our counsellors were on hand to help out and as dinner began, the excitement of making new friends soon washed away any sadness.

Icebreaker games took up the rest of the evening, helping our students get to know each other better as they laughed and had fun together. It was great to see so many friendships already springing up between members of the same cohort and even a few between members of different ones! We have high hopes for the last session at Yarnton being the best of all.