Sixth Form Barbecue - 27th September 2002 Well I must admit, I was absolutely exhausted in the car on the way home from school on Friday. Yes, I know it was the end of the week and everyone feels absolutely pooped, but I wasn’t quite ready to collapse, I felt more like I’d had a catharsis. (use of big word cos I just learned how to use it properly! Thanks, Terry!) ANYWAY! I know I tend to drift off, just try to keep up with my mad ramblings! So as I was saying, the reason for my catharsis (feeling of being drained but cleansed, wait - after that sweaty volleyball I wasn’t exactly cleansed... oh, nevermind!) was the wonderful first sixth form/staff event of the year - the barbecue!!! Although many of the lower sixth may not have realised, the lovely 6th form social committee (ahem, which I’m on) spent many a lunch hour with Mrs Lawrence in her room, sweating up a storm (it’s bloomin hot in there) and coming up with fab (sometimes silly) ideas for the barbecue. The rowdy clan of sixth formers scared poor Mrs Lawrence when they cheered to the suggestions of “wacky races” such as pass the orange and bin bag racing! Once we had settled down a bit, we were each assigned duties such as picking teams, buying the trophies, being an MC or a judge, etc. The planning was going perfectly and apart from a few hitches such as groans of “we want volleyball / football!” (which we catered for and my team did NOT win by the way, BOOHOO!) and Nina who was meant to do the barbecue being rushed to hospital on the day, everything was working out great! It finally got around to four-thirty on Friday afternoon and you could see the spirit and enthusiasm amongst teachers and students alike. Some strutted their stuff in sporty shorts and t-shirts, whilst others chattered away excitedly, fag in one hand, sangria in the other. (When in Rome...!) The Volleyball tournament started in traditional spanish style (late), following the footie game, and while Miss Lyons and Jamie thrashed everyone with their killer serves, everyone seemed to have a good time (especially team 6 who won, grr) and enjoy the competitive element. Those who didn’t play were not without function, Mr Griffin was a constant support at the side of the court, although his game tips weren’t particularly helpful when we were already beaten 4-0! After the final game, the weary players and supporters marched in high spirits to the bar area, where Natasha V. had already started cooking and John was handing out drinks. Whilst Natasha K worked the music and showed off her DJ skills, Katie, Tasha V and I worked the barbecue, watching the contented munchers around us and burning a few burgers! Whilst everyone milled around, another surprise was upon the crowd. A team of professional dancers, including Daniel and Leigh in Year 12, gave a fantastic dance performance and got the teachers and other students up and dancing too! Whilst we barbecuers clapped along happily with our meat prongs, everyone felt a sense of team spirit and happily bounced around to the music. The restless crowd sat for only moments after their dancing, before indulging in the wacky races! With David Lowe as MC and Tasha K still spinning those CD’s, everyone screeched with laughter as they joined or watched the races. A few people who had drunk too many glasses of Sangria couldn’t make it to the finish line and fell over during the three-legged race! As dusk fell, the trophies were awarded to the winners and some members of the party started to drift home. Others, such as the normally demure Year 12 started to boogie on down to the music! Under the influence of the atmosphere, the spanish sky and the alcohol, everyone had a good time. One new boy even asked me if we could have a barbecue EVERY Friday! (Sorry, the answer is no!) All in all, it was the perfect welcome to the new school year for new and old students and staff alike. I know everyone enjoyed themselves and as I raise my glass of sangria, all I can say is, here’s to us! Cheers! Holly Greenwood - Year 13