Albert, our rising Mathematics star and University of Cambridge hopeful, stepped up and into the role of teaching assistant in the Mathematics class yesterday morning. Albert reported that he really enjoyed passing on his knowledge and communicating to his peers his love for the subject and later went on to receive a well-deserved round of applause from his fellow students for rising to the challenge.

Students went head to head (literally) in a speed-debating workshop this morning, as they were tasked with devising quick-fire arguments for and against various topics, facing off against one classmate after another. Students in our Engineering Preparation programme conducted an experiment in the Manor grounds, investigating elevation and trajectory with a toy cannon.

The Chemistry class took a trip to the Museum of Natural History, where they saw skeletons, including those of no less than seven whales (Minkes, Orcas and Northern Bottlenoses), a proud array of taxidermia, and rocks for every taste and time ‒ glow in the dark minerals and 5000 year old fossils. Students also popped into the Pitt Rivers Museum for the customary pilgrimage to the case of the shrunken heads, the most famous and gruesome of the museum’s many curiosities.

Back at the Manor, students worked hard on their essays, which will be the final products of the two weeks’ learning. House Deans are on hand throughout this week to supply essay-writing tips, brainfood, and brain breaks! For example, Alex led a drama workshop for students yesterday, raising spirits and bringing some quieter characters out of their shells.