Yesterday morning’s lessons brought yet more exciting and stimulating challenges for students, which they were then able to mull over and discuss further with their friends during their afternoon trip into Oxford’s city centre.

They embarked on a tour that took in the Oxford Castle, complete with a rundown of its goriest and most glorious moments ―from executions on the mound in the 18th century, to Empress Matilda’s ice-skating flight across the Thames in the deep December of Stephen’s siege of 1142― and the Botanic Gardens, in full verdant show at this time of year. Some students opted for a change of pace, instead gliding along the River Cherwell in that most charming of Oxford conveyances, the punt.

Back on dry land, students were treated to a special Intro to Chinese lesson led by Aline, one of our many talented Counsellors: she has just graduated with a degree in Chinese, and students were eager to learn some key phrases and characters. After-dinner entertainment came in the form of an African drumming workshop, in which students learned how to synchronise their rhythms, and had the Catz amphitheatre pulsing to the beat of the drums. Those who were in the mood to sit back and relax did so at the cinema, where they enjoyed the latest Marvel film, Spiderman: Homecoming.