Autumn '08 Activities
House Based Activities
On the first weekend the house staff organise activities for you to take part in, in order to meet everyone you will be sharing a boarding house with. These could vary from cooking meals to games and walks out. So be prepared to be entertained!
Timings: Over the weekend
Cost: Free
Where: your boarding house
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Boarders' Suppers
During the first and last week of term we often have a sit down supper for all boarders. We allocate seating and we mix in with all age groups and houses. These dinners may be to celebrate something in particular like Christmas or Easter or to say welcome or goodbye!
Timings: 6pm 1-2 hours
Cost: Free
Where: In school dining hall
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Prefects' Evenings
Our Boarding prefect team will arrange an evening of fun and games and this may coincide with a dinner or tea. The idea of the evening is to encourage all girls to mix in and get to know each other. The prefects may mix ages and house groups to make up teams.
Timings: 4-8pm, 1-2 hours
Cost: Free
Where: In school
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Tour of Oxford (Open top bus)
The city tour lasts approximately 1 hour (depending on traffic conditions). On the tour you will see Magdalen College, the site of William Morris's first workshop, the University Science Area, the City Walls, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Ashmolean Museum, the Martyrs’ Memorial, Christ Church College, the River Cherwell, the Carfax Tower, Alice's Shop, the Radcliffe Infirmary, the Bodleian Library, the High Street, Broad Street and the University Parks. The tour also stops at various points for visits to university colleges, museums, shops, restaurants and the Botanic Gardens.
Timings: 4-8pm, 1 hour
Cost: £5
Where: starts at St Clements (hop on and off)
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Tour of Oxford and Headington
This is organised by the boarding prefects and it is a ‘need to know’ trip around Oxford. They will show you where to get the buses to and from or how to walk in and out! Oxford is where to go for basic necessities, banking, toiletries, stationary, restaurants and general shops!
Timings: 2-8pm for 2 or so hours
Cost: £2 bus fare!
Where: School to Oxford
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Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837.
It evolved from a town house that was owned from the beginning of the eighteenth century by the Dukes of Buckingham. Today it is the Queen's official residence, with 775 rooms. Although in use for the many official events and receptions held by the Queen, areas of the palace are private residences. This trip may be combined with a shopping trip down London’s famous Oxford Street and Regent Street… visit the world famous Selfridges or check out Piccadilly Circus!
Timings: 9.30 am–5. 00pm
Cost: £15
Where: London
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International Evening
This is an opportunity for the boarding community to share and celebrate their wonderful and varied cultures and traditions. It is a truly cosmopolitan evening incorporating dance, drama, literature and traditional cooking. Preparations for this span a few weekends preceding the event.
Timings: 3 afternoons and 1 evening
Cost: None
Where: school
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Golf
This is an introductory taster session to the sport. You are given a basic lesson in how to play the ground strokes. You may get to play on a golf range or on an open course.
Timings: 2-8pm for 1-2 hours
Cost: £5
Where: Local golf club
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Paris
This is a weekend trip to Paris to see all the sights. It is an action packed weekend as we travel by coach and ferry to Paris leaving the white cliffs of Dover behind us and heading for the city of Paris; we can visit the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, les Bateaux Mouches and shop on the Champs-Elysees!
Timings: Early Saturday morning–Sunday Night
Cost: £70-90
Where: Oxford to Paris!
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Cinema
A chance to see the latest films at a choice of local cinemas.
Timings: Show time dependent
Cost: £5
Where: Oxford Odeon
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Theatre trips/Musicals
This is a chance to visit London’s famous West End to catch a performance of one of the many magical musicals on offer. This term we are going to see Mamma Mia! Timeless songs such as Dancing Queen, I Have a Dream, Voulez-Vous, and Take a Chance on Me, are ingeniously woven into an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother's past back to the Greek island paradise they last visited 20 years ago.
We are also going to see Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera and hope to combine this with shopping at Covent Garden and Leicester square.
Timings: Show time dependent; matinee 11.00am -7.00pm
Cost: £35
Where: London West End
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Skateboarding
A chance to try out your skateboarding skills. This will be a taster session introducing you to the basic skills and tricks of skateboarding! All equipment including knee pads etc is provided so it is a simple have a go session!Timings: 2-8pm for 1 hour
Cost: £5
Where: In school
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Rambert Ballet
After a record-breaking season in London last year, the Rambert Dance Company returns to High Wycombe with a brand new programme. Artistic Director Mark Baldwin’s major new production, Eternal Light, is set to a melodic and uplifting original score by composer Howard Goodall, played and sung live. The evening also includes the athletic yet spiritual Infinity by Garry Stewart (Australian Dance Theatre), and a revival of acclaimed British choreographer Siobhan Davies’ most popular and endearing work, Carnival of the Animals, set to Saint-Saëns’ score.
Timings: TBC: 6-11pm or matinee
Cost: £15
Where: Wycombe Swan
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Dance Classes
We are offering a variety of taster dance sessions, each lasting an hour and introducing the basics of different dance styles.
Salsa is a fusion of informal dance styles with roots in the Caribbean (especially in Cuba and Puerto Rico), Latin and North America. The dance originated through the mixture of Mambo, Danzón, Guaguancó, Cuban Son, and other typical Cuban dance forms. Salsa is danced to Salsa music. There is a strong African influence in the music as well as the dance.
Lindy Hop is an African American dance that evolved in New York City in 1927. It is a fusion of many dances that preceded it or were popular during its development but is mainly based on jazz, tap, breakaway and charleston. Lindy Hop co-evolved with jazz music and is a member of the swing dance family. It is frequently described as a jazz or street dance.
Jive is a dance style in 4/4 time that originated among African-Americans in the early 1940s. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance.
Timings: 2-8pm, 1 hour
Cost: £5
Where: In School
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Capoiera
Capoeira, meaning ‘clear area’, is a blend of martial art, game, and dance that originated from the regions of Bahia, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and São Paulo in Brazil. The art-form started during the 16th Century, a result of the slave trading that took place in conjunction with the previously slaved native Indians. Capoeira was created and developed by both the native slave Indians in Brazil and slaves brought from Africa. Participants form a roda (circle) and take turns playing instruments, singing, and sparring in pairs in the center of the circle. The game is marked by fluid acrobatic play, feints, and extensive use of groundwork, as well as sweeps and kicks.
Timings: 2-8pm, 1 hour
Cost: £5
Where: In school
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Iceskating
A trip down to the Oxford ice-skating rink where you can have a go at gracefully sliding on the ice! Total beginners to experienced skaters are welcome.
Timings: 2-8pm 2 hours
Cost: £5
Where: Oxford Ice rink
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Laser Storm
Laser Storm is an exciting fun packed interactive laser game, all the action takes place in a play frame and in the dark! With a smoky atmosphere and music! It’s great fun!! Or we may have our own set up in CCF style in the Davenport Gardens. A chance to play team games using shooting and hiding tactics in a hid and seek fashion! All good fun!
Timings: 2-8pm, 1 hour
Cost: Free
Where: In school
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Bonfire Night/Guy Fawkes
Guy Fawkes Night (also known as Bonfire Night, Cracker Night or Fireworks Night) is an annual celebration on the evening of the 5th of November. It celebrates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot of the 5th of November 1605 in which a number of Roman Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London, England. On this day we make goodies in house to eat or sell in the evening, finishing with an awesome fireworks display.
Timings: 6-10pm
Cost: Free
Where: In school
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Halloween
Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31. Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, ghost tours, bonfires, costume parties, visiting ‘haunted houses’ and carving jack-o-lanterns.
Timings: 6-10pm
Cost: Free
Where: In school
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Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
This is a whole school charity event and the boxes are collected on Monday 10 November. We make up Christmas boxes from old shoe boxes and include things which are both practical and fun (a list will be sent out nearer to the time). We would like the boarders to be more involved this year and to return to school from half term with some gifts to add into the shoe boxes which they can create together in houses.
Timings: during the weekend of 8/9 November
Cost: small gifts
Where: In school
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Oxford Ghost Tour
You are hereby cordially invited to join Bill Spectre on a tour of Oxford's ghosts. Illustrated with props and illusions, your costumed guide who is a professional actor and equity member, will entertain and horrify you through the streets of this most historical city.
Timings: 6-10pm
Cost: £5
Where: Tour in Oxford
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Archery
Archery is the practice of using a bow to shoot arrows. Archery has historically been used in hunting and combat and has become a precision sport. This is a taster session, giving a introduction to the sport.
Timings: 2-8pm 1 hour
Cost: Free
Where: In school
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The Good Food Show
Prepare to be entertained by a top line-up of celebrity chefs dazzling you with their recipes and repartee … tantalise your tastebuds with over 500 food and drink exhibitors, each with a distinctive flavour to satisfy your appetite. Masterclasses from the popular Slow Food movement will inspire and enlighten you, whilst the Great British Food Festival will remind you of just how rich this country is in mouthwatering, local food. The Good Food Show is an opportunity to experience the best in contemporary and traditional cookery with experts on hand to give you first class culinary advice.
Timings: 9am-8pm
Cost: £15
Where: Birmingham NEC
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Jewellery Making Workshop Taster Evenings
Throughout the evening you are given the opportunity to explore some of the workshops we offer - you can take part or wander and watch. Have a go at creating your own beautiful jewellery, including necklaces and rings.
Timings: 2-8pm, 2 hours
Cost: £5-15 (depending on what you make)
Where: Cowley Road Oxford
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Crafts/Pottery
Have a go at creating your very own master piece in ceramics. You can make or recreate your own ideas on a chosen ceramic item, perhaps a mug for Mothering Sunday a trinket box for Valentines?!
Timings: 2-8pm, 1-2hours
Cost: £5-15 (depending on what you make)
Where: Summertown, Oxford
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Candle Making
The basic candle making techniques are easy to master and perfectly good candles can be made just using the simplest methods. Once you start making candles you may find you're hooked, in which case there are plenty of ways in which you can improve your technique and produce some amazing results!
Timings: 2-8pm 1-2hours
Cost: £5-15 (depending on what you make)
Where: In school
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The Clothes Show
One of the largest fashion and beauty events in the world for fashion, hair, beauty, makeup, models, celebrities and of course more shopping! In the zones you will find high street, chic boutique, vintage, designer, fast fashion, accessories and beauty areas. There is a catwalk show featuring over 40 handpicked models and dancers from around the world in a breathtaking 45 minute performance!
Timings: 10am-6pm
Cost: £15-20
Where: Birmingham NEC
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Bath Christmas Shopping
Each year, the beautiful area between the stunning Bath Abbey and the internationally renowned visitor attraction the Roman Baths, is transformed into a Christmas shopper’s haven – Bath Christmas Market. In the heart of Bath’s main shopping district, 123 traditional wooden chalets adorn the streets; each one offering unique, handmade and unusual gifts, decorations and food items - everything you will need for the perfect Christmas celebration. The Bath Christmas Market is the ideal event to help you get into the festive spirit, with the sound of choirs singing carols in Bath Abbey drifting through the market, colourful decorations brightening the streets and aromas of mulled wine and cinnamon on the air, all creating a magical atmosphere. Street entertainers play music and talk to visitors, while market traders offer their wares, with tasters, trials and entertaining demonstrations.
Timings: 10am-6pm
Cost: £10
Where: Bath City
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