We enjoyed a glorious day at La Granja de San Ildefonso on Thursday 10th September for our annual Sixth Form Summit.
Set in the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama, La Granja provided a spectacular setting for the day. The Royal Palace was built in the eighteenth century by Philip V, Spain’s first Bourbon king, and its beautiful gardens, fountains and historic surroundings made it the perfect backdrop for a day of collaboration, challenge and discovery.
The day began with breakfast at the Parador conference centre, giving pupils the opportunity to get to know their peers better. Maria O’Driscoll, Head of Sixth Form, then welcomed pupils and encouraged them to embrace the opportunities ahead, step outside their comfort zones and make the most of the experiences and relationships that Sixth Form offers. Our new Head Pupils, Martina and Luis, were also formally introduced to the Sixth Form. They shared reflections and advice of their own, encouraging their fellow pupils to be grateful, curious and open-minded – both in the classroom and simply for the sake of learning more about the world around them.
Pupils then headed off in their form groups to tackle a variety of team-building and academic challenges. These included riddles, a scavenger hunt, exploring the Palace, creative activities, drawing and poetry, and searching for the famous fountains. Each pupil had an important role to play, with teams encouraged to draw on their individual strengths and work together. It was wonderful to see pupils collaborating, competing enthusiastically and enjoying the opportunity to explore such a fascinating setting.
We were also delighted to welcome Dr Charles Powell, Director of the Real Instituto Elcano, who delivered a fascinating keynote address on current geopolitical issues, including migration and the challenges facing the international community. Drawing on his own experience and perspective, Dr Powell encouraged pupils to think critically about the complex and rapidly changing world in which they live, while considering different perspectives on some of the most important issues facing society today.
Congratulations to Ms Risacher’s form, who emerged as the overall winners after the morning’s challenges. They were rewarded with a special lunch at the historic Parador with our Headmaster Frank Powell and Dr Powell, giving them the opportunity to continue their conversation with our keynote speaker.
A huge thank you to all our pupils for their enthusiasm, energy and good humour throughout the day, and to the Sixth Form Tutor Team for their encouragement and support. It was a memorable way to bring our Sixth Form community together and begin the new academic year.
