A RA DLEY CHRISTMAS

Aflurry of snow during the last week of Michaelmas Term created the perfect backdrop for our Christmas celebrations. Boys were in fine voice during our carol services, gave their all on the Steeplechase course and enjoyed a hearty Christmas lunch before heading home for the holidays.

A Radley Christmas would be incomplete without an abundance of musical opportunities throughout December. From the high-octane Winter Jam to more intimate lunchtime performances as well as the sold-out Christmas Concert, there was something for everybody to enjoy. The Carol Services, which are open to parents and members of our local community, were a wonderful celebration of the festive season with Peter Taylor (Chaplain for Partnerships and Charities) leading an evocative service.

Christmas Advent Trail

Tim Lawson (E Social Tutor) and his wife, Lel helped to put the spirit of Christmas in houses across our campus during Advent. Throughout December, resident staff were encouraged to create and display a Christmas scene in their front windows on their allotted night, creating a ‘living’ advent calendar. This proved incredibly popular, with families and boys seeking out the windows each evening. Their initiative raised more than £1,745 for the Oxford Hospitals Charity, who fundraise for medical equipment and research in the local area.

Steeplechase

The buzz of the festive season continued to whirl around the College as boys prepared to take on the annual Steeplechase. Boys were undeterred by the winter weather, especially the 6.2s who turned up at the start-line sporting some ‘fetching’ fancy dress. Descriptions of their costumes are wisely omitted from The Radleian, but they certainly didn’t look warm… For the first time in some years, the course records were broken. The Inters (Remove and Fifths) course record now belongs to Will (R, K Social) with a time of 20m 28s, and Max (6.2, D Social) shaved an impressive 1m 30s from the Seniors record with 23m 30s. Overall, F Social placed third, G Social came second and the Steeplechase trophy returned to D.