On the last day of the Christmas Term, with carols still ringing in their ears, 48 students from years 8-13 and 6 staff set off on an epic 18 hour bus journey to the Italian Alps, and promptly fell asleep,  full of mincepies and chocolates from tutor group parties, and exhausted by the long term. Waking up in southern France, the excitement mounted, as heavy snow forced the drivers to stop and put the snow chains on as we came out of the Frejus Tunnel for the last 10km of the journey.

Our first day skiing was therefore the first fresh powder experience for many of our skiers, and an unbelievable introduction for our 7 beginners, joined by the intrepid Mr Pritchard. Blue skies and -12 degrees centigrade, kept the snow beautifully fluffy off piste, and squeaky on piste, for the rest of the week, though the pristine slopes of Claviere which had only just opened, were quickly covered on and off piste by our tracks; the experts and upper intermediates skied miles, and had a ball in the powder. This was the first school ski trip since pre-Covid, and the first trip for many for three years, but dusty skills were sharpened up quickly by our 5 great instructors, and the beginners made the most incredibly rapid progress.

After two days of having the tree lined slopes of Claviere almost to ourselves, we went on a little ski-safari of the Milky Way resorts, visiting Montgenevre in France for a couple of days, and saying hello to the race team in Sestriere for a day. Apres-ski activities included a super trip to the cobbled streets of the fortified ancient French town of Briancon, made memorable by the delicious crepes, and a brilliant Italian-themed quiz run by Mr Pritchard and Mr Hickman. No-one could decide however if their favourite evening was the trip-themed bingo calls of Mr Baker and Mr Hickman, the skidoo ride up the mountain for hot chocolate and (another) crepe, or watching Argentina beat France in the Euros final, in a hotel with Argentinian staff, just over the border from France!

Needless to say, a lot of fun was had by all, and after receiving our grading and awards from the final test by our instructors we all slept well on the return journey!

My thanks go to the students for being such good ambassadors for the school and such good fun on and off the slopes, and to the staff Mr Baker, Mr Hickman, and Mrs McConologue. Mr Pritchard deserves special mention for joining in with all the work the staff do whilst away to look after the students at the same time as learning to ski, which for those staff and parents who have learnt as adults will know is a tough week, and to Captain John, who literally looked after everyone, being in charge of the First Aid kit and coughs and colds medicines which were in keen demand, whilst suffering from the school-end-of-term-cold himself!

Next year’s trip is being planned as I write, and will be launched in the next few weeks, so keep an eye out in the Blues Post for details!

Miss van der Werff

Watch Mr Hickman’s video here!