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| Reach Cambridge Programme |
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| Reach For The Stars |
| Yes, we learnt to do it at the Reach Cambridge programme |
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I won’t use the usual adjectives (magnificent, splendid, mesmerising) to describe our experience at the ‘Reach Cambridge’ summer school programme held from the August 2 to 15, this year. We were all extremely excited and looked forward to the trip eagerly. Nine students from Cathedral and John Connon School attended the programme, accompanied by Mrs. Mila Chakrabarty. We had already sent our introductory slides and just could not wait to meet everyone at campus.
On reaching Downing College we were all spellbound on seeing the beautiful campus which was going to be our home away from home for the next fortnight. There was lush greenery all around, and architecturally imposing buildings. Once we settled in, we were taken on a tour of the city. It was beautiful. The beauty of this place became more evident when we went punting down the River Cam. Besides punting, in Cambridge we also participated in many fun sports like tennis, football, volleyball and the best of all - our Reach Olympics! We engaged in many activities like a scavenger hunt, ice breakers, corridor lunches… the list is endless.
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Every day, besides our regular classes in the mornings, we had many special lectures for which we all got together in the Butterfield Room. Our lectures were on topics such as The Evolution Theory, the Green Agenda, University Applications, Poetry Workshop and many others.
Being a part of the English Literature course I even attended a theatre workshop with Mr. Toby, a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and we acted out scenes from ‘Twelfth Night’ and studied the way Shakespeare wrote.
We had the most amazing teachers who made all our lessons fun. There was a day when we attended lectures with the teachers of all the classes and learnt Interview Skills, Presentation Skills, Note Taking skills, Tips for our Personal Statements and many more such skills. |
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Besides studying, we also went on many fun-filled excursions. We went to the Botanical Gardens, Imperial War Museum ( Dorchester), The Natural History and Science Museum (London), Stratford-upon-Avon (which needs no introduction), The National film and Television Museum (Yorkshire) and even to Haworth’s Bronte Parsonage museum, to just name a few. Each trip was more exciting than the other.
We saw two plays - ‘Jerusalem’ in the Royal Court Theater in London and ‘As you like it’ in Stratford. Both were stimulating. I met students from different countries like Canada, Nigeria, Spain, France, Italy, China and Malaysia. On the International Night, we learnt about each others’ vibrant cultures and nations. We all put up a performance to showcase our country. It was an enriching experience for all of us.
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On our last night we all had a formal dinner. Our supervisors arranged an entertainment programme for us. Our last song for the night was the Reach Cambridge song – ‘Reach for the Stars’ which coincides with their motto. Our Supervisor had prepared a slideshow full of our trip moments. We all were so touched and at the end of it tears were streaming down our eyes. It was a night none of us will ever forget.
I can never ever forget the memories created by this trip. Every person there has left footprints in my heart and I will always cherish the moments I spent with them. This was an unforgettable trip. I would really like to thank our Principal Mrs. Isaacs and my school for giving me the opportunity to go to Cambridge. I really had the time of my life and I learnt to really ‘Reach for the Stars’. Well, as they say, I may not get one but I will not come away with a hand of dust either… |
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Vedica Podar
11 A |
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