The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
15th December 22
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, or at least our boarders think so anyway!
It’s been a festive-filled end to the Autumn Term here at DLD, with our boarding students throwing themselves (and snowballs) into multiple festive activities over the last weeks of term.
We kicked off festive spirits with a trip to The Old Vic to watch A Christmas Carol, which always proves to be a popular trip. Mince pies and satsumas were enjoyed by all. Students were fully immersed in the production, even getting chance to participate in passing food towards the stage for Scrooge.
On Friday, we held a Christmas Party in the Atrium. Students were able to take part in Christmas Card, Bauble and Gingerbread decorating, as well as taking photos in the photo booth and trying their luck at taming Santa’s rogue Rodeo Reindeer. Students were also able to take part in charity lucky dips and raffles which helped us raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. The party proved to be a hit, so much so that the main man Santa, and his trustworthy reindeer Rudolph (known locally as Nima and Matin), popped by to check behaviour was on point and nobody needed adding to the naughty list.
Our annual ice-skating trip took place at Somerset House on Sunday evening. A magical setting in the heart of London with a glistening tree, stunning lighting, and real snow… that’s right, we could not believe it either but as we stepped foot onto the ice, the flakes began to fall from the heavens. A surreal moment for two of our boarding students, Makayla and Marv, who had never seen snow before and for the rest of the cohort who felt like they’d stepped foot into a Disney movie scene. Snow wasn’t the only thing falling though, with a few students taking a little time to get used to the ice…
As we left Somerset House it quickly became apparent that Houseparent Tom and I were chosen as target practice for the students, as snowballs headed towards us from all directions. Despite the misfortunes of a certain penalty the night before, our students certainly made sure they hit the target! As chaos descended outside Somerset House, over in St James’ Park students Mark and Alex took the opportunity to build a snowman; other students were busy snowball fighting and making snow angels outside DLD.
It really has been a wonderful end to this long term and as snow continued to fall heavily over central London, it was indeed, beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
From all of us at DLD Boarding, we’d like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Scott Webster, Houseparent
