Bootham Fireworks and BBQ

This evening we celebrated Guy Fawkes Night (one day late!) in style with a hearty BBQ outside Fox House, followed by a scintillating fireworks display courtesy of Mike Shaw and Rob Hudson. Many thanks to all involved, especially Edmund Fisher and Alex Blott for sorting out the lights and sound, Ian Zhong for providing the music and Liam Langedijk and Robert Hall for the amazing video projection.

 The party in full swing

 Res Grads Amy and John showing their skills

 Resident DJs Ian and Edmund

 Rowntree girls enjoying the festivities

 Light show

 The real deal

 Mike getting a little close for comfort!

Res Grad Team 2012-13

Here's a belated introduction to our team of Resident Graduates for this academic year. For those that don't know, we're here to organise regular activities and trips to keep boarding students entertained, look after children in the boarding houses, help students with prep, provide tutoring and support, as well as many other day-to-day duties around school such as admin, reception and lesson cover.

Familiar faces from last year include Daniel Gustafsson, Amy Sheldrake and Luke Highstead. The injection of inspirational of new blood includes John Chambers, who's come down from from Scotland, as well as Jess Melia and Rachel Essex who are both local Yorkshire ladies. Among the resident staff we also welcome Morvin Hamilton from Glasgow (Writer in Residence), and welcome back Emily Harper (Res Artist). I'll post up some individual profiles with more detail at a later date if I can obtain their permission!

From left: Luke, John, Morvin, Jess, Rachel, Amy (front), Emily, Daniel.

It's a girl's life!

In episode four of our foreign-language podcasts, join Jodie, Rachel and friends as they explain what it's like to live in Rowntree House. Rowntree is our girls' boarding house, located right in the heart of the school, and it is a busy, happy home from home for about forty of our female students, aged eleven to eighteen.

...Recorded in Cantonese...

click here to listen

Moon Festival

Every year, the full moon that falls just after the equinox is the traditional time for our Chinese students to enjoy their Moon Festival. Traditional bean cake is eaten, games are played and everyone gets together to have fun and companionship. It is particularly nice to see how the older students really go out of their way to look after the younger ones.

In this podcast, Jimmy and Wing share their thoughts about the event, and what it means for them and their peers at the school.

click here to listen

Chinese Podcast episode 2

Hello to all our families and friends in Hong Kong! This episode, recorded by College 2 (yr 13) boys Kevin Cheung, Benedict Tang, Cyrus Yu and Jeffrey Lam is in Cantonese, and gives an insight into life at Bootham for our older boarders. If you have any feedback about this episode, or would like to suggest topics for future podcasts, please write to Mike Shaw at the school and let us know what you think!!!

click here to listen

Welcome to Bootham!

Yesterday evening we welcomed a new cohort of boarding students to Bootham. Following a warm greeting from the boarding staff, and a hearty buffet dinner, we took advantage of the fine evening weather to stroll around York, take in the sunset and make some new friends along the way.

 Some historical facts from Mike as we pass through the Shambles

 York skyline from Cliffords Tower

 New Fox and Evelyn residents (and a few old ones!)

 Back along the river

 Time to head home

End of year BBQ

Before we kick off the new academic year tomorrow, here are some pictures of our end of year gathering outside Fox House, where College 1 student Samir delivered a masterclass in BBQ cooking.