The last supper

Across the country over the last week, 18 year-olds have been breathing the biggest sigh of relief of their lives so far. A-levels are over, for most, and these students can look forward to at least 8 weeks of rest, relaxation and recuperation before the nerve shredding that is results day and then the run-in to uni.

It's no different for our Year 13 boarders as they prepare to leave us for the final time. Though it is, isn't it? For at least two years, some many more, their lives have revolved around school. Ashford School has become their home from home; their teachers, house parents and friends in the house have been their family and now they must leave. But, true to form, Ashford boarders are going to do it in style.

Picture the scene: Alfred Sky Room kitchen 17:30. The atmosphere is intense, bubbling - it should be, there are three slow cookers of simmering broth on the go! Across the chequered tablecloth packets of exotic foodstuffs (seafood, chicken balls, dumplings of all kinds) lie open, waiting for their turn. At the counter Kitty looks on as Beeno painstakingly peels a white radish for slicing into the pot (it was painful to watch him do it!), while Shan the man tips, tastes, and tests his creations. In short, there's a cook-up goin' on!

Over the other side of the road: most nights the boarding staff would have been concerned to see ten to fifteen teenagers troop through the refectory and out the other side - certainly without stopping to ask to go to Imperial China - but this particular night is different; they're heading to Shan's.

By 7 o'clock the place is hopping; every seating space in the Sky Room has been claimed; the cooking pots have migrated to the table and people are helping themselves to whatever they've dunked into the vats of spicy broth. The whole crowd is here: the chefs (Shan, Kitty and Beeno), Felix and Christie, Matthew, Jeffrey, Tony, Kevin, Gray, Erica and Janice. Even Nicola has come back from her Art Foundation Course in Cambridge to join the fun.

AIB is invited to join the party and try some of the food (after having been reminded to cook it first). Every bite is sensational and we joke that if Shan didn't make it as an architect, there's another career here. He smiles, but brushes the compliment aside with the amiable modesty for which he has been rightly lauded across the school.

Everyone is eating, smiling, joking and deservedly kicking back as tomorrow many of them will be enjoying a quick European holiday before returning to clear up and head home for good.  Janice, Erica, Shanahan and co. are off to Copenhagen; Felix and Christie are taking a romantic, whistle-stop tour of Italy while Tony and Kevin are heading to the northern cultural centres of Brussels and Berlin. For now though, it's a chance to relish the sudden freedom from the whirlwind of exam season.

 However, the overwhelming sense here - as we watch usually mild-mannered girls pushing each other into squealing, giggling heaps on the sofa - is not one of relief that it's all over, it's a simple celebration of camaraderie; friendship that will be soon be buffeted by the joint forces of time and distance. They're all just really happy to be together, one last time: classmates, boarders, friends. The smiles are wide and genuine but you can't help having the feeling that they're hiding just a little fear.

AIB joins Mr K on his bedtime rounds and through all the buzz of last minute laundry, packing and planning, we come across Zekai. He's not off anywhere just yet - there's an IELTS test to pass - but we can tell he's feeling it too.

"I don't want to go." He says, putting calmly into words what we're sure the others have inside. Mr K asks him why. The answer not only makes us choke back the tears, but also epitomises everything that Ashford School's boarding community stands for:

"I've been so happy here."

Goodbye Year 13 and good luck, we'll miss you.

Onwards and Upwards. Part 2: Leavers' Day

The last day of the last half term was one of high emotions. The day when Year 13s say 'goodbye' to their teachers and tutors as they head off for exam leave. Two years of hard work, on both sides of the desk; countless hours of essay writing, marking, feedback, lunchtime revision sessions and no doubt plenty of sleepless nights (again on both sides) have led them to this point. Relationships have been sorely tested and renewed as the stress levels have built up, but this is a day for celebration and our boarders, though not actually going anywhere yet were at the heart of it.

The day began with the Leavers' Breakfast. Behind the Octagon Muffins, croissants and other tasty nibble were served as teachers and students arrived and sipped orange juice in the sunshine that had decided to give us a rare appearance for the day. Suspicious piles of gift bags, poster tubes and cake tins also began to pile up by the wall of the building, more later on that.

At roughly a quarter past ten Mr Thompson called everyone to order and asked the house captains to bid farewell to their tutors and heads of house. The speeches were heartwarming and sincere, you could tell just how strong the bond was that had formed over the years. Tears flowed freely as tales of exploits and personalities were shared. Boarding captain Daichi thanked Mr Single for all his work within the boarding community of Ashford School and Shanahan and Yana followed this with notes of gratitude to Mrs Williams and Mr Vaughan who Mr Rayner even managed to get a photo of (shhh!).

At Midday came the leaver's assembly, where the yr 13s said their own very special goodbyes to the rest of the school community and also presented special teachers' awards. The leavers' lunch was a lovely buffet, set out by the catering team and the students took this opportunity to take as many selfies as possible with their teachers and friends. Unsurprisingly Miss Dores was a very popular choice for the boarders due to all the help and support that she and the EAL dept have given to them over many years. A big thanks to them! Harris also regaled Mr Thompson and Mr K with tales of his many travels.

The highlight of the day though was undoubtedly the leavers' ball in the beautiful grounds of Westernhanger Castle. It was clear from the first how many hours of preparation had gone into outfits and hair and I'm not just talking about the girls. At a little Pimms reception in Alfred Sky Room (thank you Mr H) the suits were sharper than a Katana blade, but the show stealers were definitiely Gleb's military waistcoat and Shanahan's gold toe-caps. The sound of the limos arriving outside also heralded the coming of the ladies. The shades, shapes and styles were stunning in their variety, Blair and Janice were just two of many who had people's eyes on stalks.

Many of the boarding staff, including Mr and Mrs Rayner, Mr Vaughan, Mrs Single and Miss Swaine, joined the boarders at the meal at which two teachers were seated at each table of students. AIB talked to many that night and was impressed at the confidence, politeness and fun that was displayed by all, especially Terrence, Caviar, Shirley and Zekai who were on our table. As the last of the coffee was cleared away, the DJ started up and students, teachers and parents well and truly let their hair down. Is that you up their on the dance floor, Mr Stoddart? The atmosphere was buzzing and the smiles a mile wide. Nobody would have known these students would soon be entering the most stressful three weeks of their lives.

At midnight sleeves wiped faces ("just something in my eye sir.") and last hugs and promises of contact were exchanged and the boarders all headed back to school in limos and minibuses, tired, a little wobbly perhaps, but all having had a brilliant time. Our thanks must go to Mr Vaughan and Mr Hinton for driving the minibuses, to Mrs Williams who helped Mr V with the organisation and to Mr Single, who missed the night to look after the remaining boarders back in Alfred. Not to mention all the staff at Westernhanger and Mr Thompson for organising the day and for being such a good sport.

The fun it would seem is now over, for a few week at least; now onto the exams, but we'll leave you with some photos from the night (taken by Mr Rayner) just to keep the memories strong. I don't think many people will forget Leavers' Day 2015!