Summer in Full Swing

Sunshine has set the rhythm since the first arrivals on Sunday, giving every break the feel of a small holiday. Houses are already settled and the corridors sound lively with several languages at once, proof that friendships are forming quickly.

“Classes began on Monday with a BANG!” a teacher commented, and the pace has stayed brisk. Think Global students have filled an entire wall with their Wonderwall of hometown facts and questions. MBA learners raced through their first PechaKucha talks, each slide flipping before anyone could wander off topic. Sustainable Future swapped whiteboards for a lake near Canterbury, lashing barrels and timber into rafts sturdy enough to carry a cheering crew. Breaking Digital groups are polishing storyboards ahead of a workshop with filmmaker Ben Higginson, while University Prep is mapping out next week’s visit to Oxford.

Afternoon activities have matched the mornings for energy. A guided walk around Folkestone and The Leas helped new students hunt out the best coffee spots and admire the sea views. Taskmaster challenges yesterday had everyone solving puzzles and completing quick-fire tasks around campus, followed by a round of “Jeux sans Frontières” water games that proved the value of a warm July day. The evening trip to the bowling lanes produced more laughter than strikes, which seemed to suit everyone.

Attention shifted to London. Coaches roll out after breakfast tomorrow for a full day that started at the British Museum, moved through the city’s landmarks and ended with time to explore Covent Garden. Students have been swapping tips on must-see artefacts and planning snack stops, and the buzz at dinner hinted at a good night’s sleep only because the alarm clocks are set early.

Back on site, preparations continue for Thursday’s UNESCO Debate Day. Notes, cue cards and hastily drawn flags cover more than a few desks, and late-afternoon sunshine on the lawn has hosted some informal rehearsals. Once the debates wrap up, park games will give everyone room to unwind before attention turns to Earlscliffe’s Got Talent. Music practice drifts from open windows, and a few brave dancers have claimed a corner of the common room to perfect routines. The week will round off with a sunset barbecue down on the shingle, a simple chance to relax together as the tide turns.

With London, the UNESCO debates and a talent show still to come, the timetable remains full, but the tempo feels balanced—focused mornings, active afternoons and a steady undercurrent of support. The weather continues to cooperate, adding a bright backdrop to everything on offer.

Halfway through the first week, Earlscliffe is running smoothly, and students are already building a bank of stories to share when they get home.