Winter Term activities roundup

Our activity programme last term was, as usual, varied, exciting and action packed. Read on for a summary of the Winter Term's activities and events – taking us everywhere from London to Didcot!

The year’s activity programme kicked off with a sightseeing trip to London. Apart from taking in all the usual tourist sights, such as Parliament and Trafalgar Square, we managed to celebrate Chinese mid-autumn festival in our own unique way: by holding a massive leaf fight in St James Park! After expending all that energy, a hearty meal was in order, which we enjoyed in Chinatown.


And what better way could there have been to burn off all those calories than a serious bout of shopping in Covent Garden?

Appropriately, the onset of colder weather coincided with our trip to the skating disco at Oxford Ice Rink. For some students from tropical parts of the world this was a new – and very awkward – experience. The Russian speakers, however, were clearly in their element. As the rest of us slowly shuffled around in circles, clinging to the edge of the rink, they whizzed past gracefully. Still, a few more trips and we might be as good as them.

The annual Party for Parkinson’s coffee morning was an opportunity for the staff to surprise the students with their culinary skills. Most astounding of all were Melinda’s ‘New Zealand Afghan’ biscuits. Although no one understood the name, they were certainly popular and with them we managed to raise over £80 for the Parkinson’s Disease Society.

The November 5th Fireworks trip was particularly successful this year and the clear night provided a great opportunity for our amateur photographers (as you can see from the photo). It also meant the fire lit more easily than previously. All in all, it was a spectacular night.


The highlight of our social calendar had to be the ISC Pantomime – a truly memorable performance. There were too many good moments to mention them all, but a special mention must go to Daniel who had lost his voice but somehow managed to mime his entire performance. Well done, Daniel!


Our final trip of the term was to Birmingham to visit the Thinktank science museum and to do some serious shopping at the annual German Christmas market and the spectacular new Selfridges.