The students have arrived! Session 4 at Goodenough College is now firmly underway, with typically overcast English weather kicking off arrivals day in London. Counsellors and Junior Deans ensured this did not put the students off their first day at summer school with a warm reception and afternoon tea for both students and parents. Parents had the opportunity to meet the staff that would be taking care of the students, and ask any final questions before departing and leaving everyone to settle in.

Programme Director, Chris Hovell, gave a welcoming and informative introductory speech reassuring some of the more apprehensive students that they were in safe hands, but also guiding students through upcoming highlights to build their excitement. Students were encouraged to “fully immerse themselves in the experience” and absorb as much information as possible in their short time with us here at ORA.

After students had been shown to their rooms and dropped off their bags, the Counsellors and Junior Deans wasted no time to break the ice with numerous social exercises, encouraging the students to meet and mingle. As a relatively small group of 23 students, it was very easy for everyone to quickly meet each other and quickly make friends. It already looks as though it is going to be a close knit group with everyone seemingly getting on very well.

After many long flights and a busy afternoon, there were some very weary faces. Students were keen to rest up in anticipation for tomorrow afternoons tour of London, after a full morning of lessons. The sun is meant to come out tomorrow, tune in again find out how they got on.