Arrivals Weekend at St Clare’s is always a special time, filled with energy, anticipation, and the start of lasting friendships. In this post, three of our students reflect on how this year’s Orientation and the St Clare’s Olympics set the tone for their journey ahead.
Patrick (IB27):
Orientation Week was a really fun way to start the year. It helped me get to know new people, make friends, and feel more comfortable at school. Throughout the week, we did different activities that helped us work as a team and learn more about the IB program. I liked that it wasn’t just about schoolwork it was also about connecting with others and having a good time. Overall, it was a great experience that made me feel more confident and ready to begin the IB.
One of my favourite parts of the week was the theatre performance we did. Each of us played a different IB Learner Profile trait, like being caring, open minded, or reflective. The story was about a main character trying to “survive the IB,” and we gave them advice based on our traits. It was funny, creative, and something different from what we usually do. At the end, we all sang a song together to show teamwork and the IB spirit.
I really enjoyed the whole week because it mixed fun and learning, and it made me feel part of a community right from the start.
Luis (Pre-IB):
Arriving at St Clare’s for my Orientation Weekend was quite the adventure! At first, everything felt a bit strange, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I quickly started to adapt and take on new responsibilities, which felt pretty rewarding.
Part of the Orientation Weekend was the famous Olympics, which were definitely the best part for me. I’m super competitive, so I loved every moment of the event and competing in every game. “Winning is awesome, but just being here is a blast!” I laughed with my teammates. The vibe was fantastic, and I made some great friends along the way.
The opening ceremony was full of energy, with everyone cheering for their teams. I really pushed myself in the races and team challenges. My new friend Sarah said, “What’s great is how we all cheer each other on, no matter the outcome!” Even when we didn’t win, we celebrated every little victory together.
As the weekend went on, I realised I wasn’t just having fun competing; I was really enjoying the time spent with my teammates. The St Clare’s Olympics taught me a lot about teamwork and responsibility, and I’m already looking forward to coming back next year for more challenges and good times.
Vittoria (IB27):
We got the opportunity to participate in a special excursion in the heart of Oxford last week. It was a team task that transformed sightseeing into an entertaining sport rather than a straightforward city walk.
A sheet containing a list of locations dotted over Oxford was given to each team after we were split up into groups of four. The objective was straight forward: get to each destination as soon as possible while fulfilling predetermined tasks. We had to snap selfies at some locations to show we were there, and at other stops, a service person handed us a secret word to write down. At one point, rather than using words or images, we were required to respond to a question correctly before we could move on
There was a lot of energy, laughter, and a hint of rivalry in the air. The experience was much more exciting as we ran through Oxford’s old streets, looking for our next destination. Everyone was motivated to give it their all, since we weren’t just competing against the clock; we were also competing against the other teams.
The team that finished the entire treasure hunt in the quickest amount of time ultimately won. But the true prize for all of us was learning about Oxford in such an interesting way not just as students, but as active explorers. It was an unforgettable experience that blended fun, problem-solving, and collaboration against the stunning backdrop of one of the most famous university cities in the world.
Written by Patrick (IB27), Luis (Pre-IB), and Vittoria (IB27)