Despite the buzz of anticipation tangibly in the air throughout yesterday morning, lessons continued very well. In English classes, Robert Sharpless, our teacher, has been encouraging students to make more careful use of paragraphs, with good effect; in Fashion and Design, students are continuing to build an elaborate collection of garment ideas; and in Leadership classes, students continued their studies in an examination of the UN Charter, particularly Article 5.

This determination and commitment to work was impressive, considering the potential for distraction that a party, long known of and eagerly awaited, brings with it. Students prepared themselves throughout the day to travel to St Peter’s College, where a marquee awaited them on the lawn, for a Wizard School celebration on Friday evening.  Some made a great deal of effort with their costumes, while others inventively elected to go as wizards posing as Muggles. In St Peter’s grounds, they were joined by students from the ORA campus in Lady Margaret Hall: the two groups mingled on the dance floor, with both parties especially enthused by Justin Bieber’s Despacito.

Off the dance floor, the magic carpet was undoubtedly the most popular activity, with students queuing up to see how long they could stay on. Challenged by the high scores put up –notably Elton’s, from the US, which at 45 seconds was very impressive— LMH counsellors Jack and Josh took on the best ORA’s students had to offer and came up sadly short, with their 9 second paling in comparison.

Elsewhere at the party, other students found a more quiet enjoyment in magic tricks first demonstrated, and then taught, by a visiting magician.

When the time came to leave, it was hard for students to tear themselves away from the place where they had had so much fun—but they can be reassured by the fact that today, they are visiting the Harry Potter Studios, where their wizarding desires will be fully satisfied!