Boarding round-up - May 2025 | Westbourne House School

All things summer term boarding!

Pupils and staff all share a soft spot for summer term boarding. Long, light evenings playing cricket, tasty barbecues shared with friends, outdoor adventure parks, trips to the beach...there are so many fabulous activities to squeeze into this busy term!

Mrs Cook: a trip to Paultons Park

Our Head of Girls' Sport took our boarders on a highly successful trip to Paultons Park.

"We had a full on day filled with numerous rides and a delicious picnic lunch. The highlight was definitely one pupil dancing with George Pig!"

Mrs Cook, Houseparent

Between rides the children enjoyed sitting in the sun with an ice cream and chatting about the day. They also loved getting the chance to practise their basketball shooting skills (which is only right as they were with one of their Heads of Sport, after all!) at the fairground.

The weather was perfect, contributing to a day filled with smiles and laughter. The group departed the park at 5:45 PM, returning with tired but very happy staff and children, having created lasting memories for everyone involved.

Mrs Cook

Mrs Armitage: Wednesday evenings

"There is nothing quite like Wednesday boarding evenings at Westbourne," said Mrs Armitage, houseparent.

The grounds are a hive of activity; the children play cricket for hours on end, there are at least two cartwheels going on at any given time, people are chatting in big groups, making up dance routines, enjoying barbecues or ice lollies and running around joyfully.

One of our Year 7 boarders summed it up perfectly:

Mr Allum: West Wittering beach and Wild Wood adventure course

After 15 years in our boarding community, Mr Allum has had his final boarding weekend! Although he remains our Assistant Director of Music, he will be dearly missed by our boarders.

"It was great to have a sunny weekend for my last boarders' outing. Pupils had great fun scaling the heights of the adventure course, and a walk around the harbour is always a winner! The children were great company."

Mr Allum.

The group kicked this sunny Sunday off with a trip to the beautiful West Wittering beach, where they enjoyed playing some cricket in the sunshine. On the way back, everyone had a much needed and very refreshing drink at the harbour cafe. The children tirelessly climbed the trees along the front in preparation for the afternoon's exciting activity...

After a quick refuel back at school with a Sunday roast lunch, complete with delicious cauliflower cheese, they hit the road again, this time to Guildford. Wild Wood Guildford is a fantastic high-wire assault course which really tests the mettle of even the most seasoned adventurer! Our boarders tackled it with gusto, with one child even conquering their fear of heights in the process. Well done to everyone for getting so stuck in - what a fabulous weekend!

Mrs Armitage: Europa Champions League Final

Shopwyke boarding house was filled to the brim with Year 8 friends who watched the Manchester United Vs Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the Europa Champions League Final together.

Mrs Cook challenged everyone with a tricky football quiz to win extra tuck prizes, and then everyone settled down to watch the first half of the match.

"We love evenings like this in boarding! When the children woke up and were told the score the next morning, most were happy with the result!"

Mrs Armitage, Houseparent.

Mr Dichmont: Petworth Park and Southsea

The children were up bright and early on Sunday morning to help Mr Dichmont with his daily dog walking duties at Petworth Park, a gloriously green outdoor space. From hiding in trees to running wild, it was safe to say that everyone burned off some energy!

After returning for a lovely lunch, everyone headed to the Clarence Pier funfair in Southsea.

"The children had an amazing time on the rides, which all look out onto the sparkling water. The dodgems were particularly popular - the children loved racing around and trying to catch each other."

Mr Dichmont