Year 6 Wet and Wacky weekend

As ever, the boarders have had a busy weekend here at Elstree.

The Year 6 children (and the Year 4 & 5 full-boarders) enjoyed a slightly shorter than normal ‘Big Weekend’ – a Wet, Wild and Wacky Saturday night organised by Miss. Boyd and Mr. Duarte.

Buckets of water bombs were lugged up into Park for an epic game of “Capture the Flag” before some water pistol marksmanship on Yard and some hijinks in the pool. Suffice to say, everyone went home sopping wet, but smiling!

The following morning Mrs. Lavoipierre baked some cookies with the children, and, after their customary roast lunch, Mr. Prichard took everyone for a long walk in the English countryside followed by a soft drink and a bag of crisps in a local hostelry – what a wonderfully British Sunday afternoon.

That evening there was ‘movie night’ in the Boarders’ Common Rooms and the children certainly slept well.

Boarding

Boarding at Elstree provides the mix of enrichment and excellent pastoral care as well as the practical approach and flexibility that modern families need from a prep school. This is an exciting time to join a flourishing area of the School. Boarding is optional for all year groups from Year 4 upwards and the many children will go on to either flexi-board or full board as they move up the school.  We think that our approach ensures a happy school and family life balance whilst enabling pupils to make the most of everything that Elstree has to offer and to prepare them for their next school.

Benefits of boarding

We firmly believe in the benefits of the boarding experience – it enables pupils to learn to live as part of a community; it builds up their self-confidence, independence and organisation skills; to pursue a wealth of activities and interests and to build up strong friendships. Our pupils develop a strong set of values and good manners which they take with them not only to their senior schools, but which will serve them well for their adult life. We aim to provide a safe and happy environment, in which the pupils can develop and thrive. Click here for a statement of our aims and mission for boarding.

Our Head of Boarding leads a dedicated team of houseparents, matrons and house tutors who all live close to the dormitories. The Headmaster and his family reside close by in the school grounds and are also fully involved with the pupils in their everyday boarding life during the week and at weekends.

A parent’s view

My son boarded initially for two nights, then three and in his final year, he chose to full board – allowed to go at his own speed, he learned to be independent and confident whilst enjoying all that boarding life at Elstree had to offer. I could not recommend it more highly!