Word of the Day: “Greetings”

What better way to start the day than with a warm greeting from your house parents and a deliciously filling breakfast in your new CAE home? The excitement and anticipation of Arrivals Day has given way to newly formed friendships and eager greetings for returning students.

The Morning Assembly in the Great Hall welcomes all students and staff to the CAE family and creates an immediate feeling of warmth, community and connection. Each student teaches the group how to welcome and greet each other in their language(s) and culture(s), and a sense of belonging is quickly formed. The resounding comment of the morning was how welcome they felt and how much CAE already felt like home.

Up next was a short placement test to assess the language levels of the students, whilst the continuing students planned out a hands-on tour of our Stamford School Sixth Form site. This developed their teamwork skills as well as enhancing their leadership skills.

During the tours, the continuing students got their new friends drawing portraits of each other.

With teachers eager to meet their new students, classes started straight after lunch with a variety of ice-breakers, name games and getting to know you activities. Students practised their international greetings learned in their welcome assembly, and were excited to find out how many similar interests, stories and experiences they share – from much-loved pets to broken bones and travel adventures!

The afternoon flew by with a full group activity at the sports fields. New friendship bonds are forged through a variety of activities that got everyone running around energetically.

Next up was Portfolio Class, and students are greeted once more by eager teachers excited to share with them some unique aspects of their learning journeys at CAE. During their busy days, students may have little time to pause and reflect on their learning, and Portfolio Class is a golden moment to do this. It gives students agency over their learning, and the opportunity to document both the skills and new language they have acquired, as well as the friendships and social elements of their CAE journey.

After dinner, it was time for our ‘Sorting Ceremony’. Our very own Professor McGonagall with the help of the ‘Sorting Hat’ sorted the students into their Harry Potter Houses: Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Gryffindor. Students must now show qualities such as teamwork, kindness and respect to earn house points over the rest of the course. The race for the House Cup begins!

To get each House into the competitive spirit, we started with House Games which brought delight and laughter to the garden.

A series of races tested each House’s teamwork, communication and determination.

To end our House Games the students were challenged to create a still image in silence. Some fantastic creations got us grinning from ear to ear.

After a day full of greetings, fun and smiles, the focus turns to the rest of the course.