Session 5 week 1 has unfortunately come to an end, marking the end of some of the students stay with us here at St Mary’s Ascot. This group of ORA students have been an absolute pleasure to teach, and they will be greatly missed by the students staying on for another week. All students have dived fully into English life and grabbed every possible opportunity to gain new experiences wherever possible in their short stay with us. Students have shown exceptional levels of effort, with frequent positive feedback coming from all teachers.

Students gathered in the St Mary’s Rose Theatre where they were greeted by Programme Director, Wendy Missions. Wendy gave a warm welcome speech, before recapping some of the week’s highlights. Each student was welcomed up on stage to receive their individual graduation scrolls, verifying their completion of the ‘Academic Discovery’ programme at Oxford Royale Academy.

In a galaxy far far away, the students braced themselves for an intergalactic ‘Space’ themed end of week party. This provided a valuable opportunity for students to spend their final few hours with their new friends having fun and creating memories. Students enjoyed the three course sit down meal altogether alongside the Counsellors and Junior Deans and had a blast on the space arcade games surrounding the main attraction – the dance floor. Students had their faces painted and danced late into the evening, enjoying every last minute their new friends.

We are sad to see those who are leaving go, but we welcome them back with open arms next year, perhaps at one of our Oxford campus’.