Merry Christmas!
13 December 2024 - Airlie
As the year draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the many wonderful memories we’ve created in Airlie this half term. The weeks leading up to Christmas are always among the busiest, yet also the most joyous, on the Wycombe Abbey calendar. We’re thrilled to share with you just a few highlights of Airlie’s unforgettable adventures during this festive season.
We returned from Long Leave feeling refreshed and ready to embrace the challenges of the rest of the Winter Term. Our Lower IV pupils wasted no time, diving straight into the final preparations for their ‘Guy’ ahead of Bonfire Night. While, sadly, Airlie didn’t place in the competition, we couldn’t be more proud of the effort and creativity they put into crafting an incredible, detailed cardboard version of Tow Mater from Pixar’s “Cars”. Their teamwork and dedication truly shone through.
On Wednesday 6 November we welcomed parents and families for Wycombe Abbey’s much-anticipated House Charity stalls and Fireworks night. Mara, our Charity rep, reports:
On Bonfire Night, our House Charity stall was a fantastic success! The tombola was very popular, with both parents and students eager to win one of the many exciting prizes on offer. We were thrilled to sell out all our bottles by the end of the evening, demonstrating the generosity of everyone who took part. Thanks to this support, we managed to raise an impressive £490 for our chosen cause. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who donated prizes and helped run the stall, your contributions are greatly appreciated!
The excitement of the first week didn’t end there! While the rest of the House busied themselves with preparations for Bonfire Night, the Upper IVs were hard at work rehearsing for one of the highlights of their year – House Dance! On Thursday 7 November, we came together to cheer on our talented Upper IVs, who wowed us with their incredible dance moves, performing to the music from one of Dr Tsaknaki’s favourite musicals, “The Greatest Showman”. It was indeed everything we ever needed, everything we ever wanted.
As the term went on, the Christmas spirit gradually filled the air, and the weather certainly played its part. On 19 November, we woke up to a delightful surprise – snow! While nothing can quite compare to the breathtaking sight of the Aurora Borealis last half term, we certainly enjoyed the beauty of our snow-covered grounds.
Towards the end of November, we gathered to celebrate our House Dinner. For the first time, Mrs. Garcia had the pleasure of hosting our Airlie parents and pupils, and it turned out to be a truly memorable evening. Sasha, our Head of House, reports:
Despite the weather outside, our house dinner was a wonderful opportunity to come together to celebrate all that Airlie has achieved so far this year. The evening of lively conversation, warmth and laughter portrayed the true sense of community that makes Airlie so special. A special mention must go to Sia for her wonderful singing, and to the catering staff, as a particular highlight for everyone was the delicious cheesecake dessert!
As Mrs Garcia said in her speech, “it is such an honour and a privilege for the Airlie House Staff to be part of your daughters’ lives and to help them grow and develop, making this the best job in the world.”
As we returned from Short Leave, our Upper V pupils jumped straight into their mock exam period. We are incredibly proud of how maturely they’ve handled this challenging time. We’ve been particularly impressed by the support they’ve shown each other, with one memorable moment being when they revising Chemistry in the drawing room, using cushions to represent atoms. It was such a creative and collaborative way to make learning fun!
The Christmas spirit truly soared when our Christmas tree was delivered! As is tradition, it was decorated by our newest House members, the Lower IV pupils, and I’m sure you’ll all agree that they did a wonderful job. The tree looks absolutely stunning, and this festive addition has brought even more joy to our life in Airlie.
As November drew to a close, we gathered in chapel to celebrate the incredible work our pupils have been doing during their House Ensemble sessions on Mondays. Airlie House truly impressed us with their performance of “I Will Survive“, especially considering they pulled it all together in just three weeks. Their hard work and teamwork were evident, and it was a joy to see their creativity come to life in such a short time.
As we near the end of this term, we are so grateful for all that it has brought us. It’s been a busy term, and as always, we are incredibly proud of the academic achievements of our Airlie pupils. But beyond that, it’s the memorable moments in House that we’ve truly cherished – from making a charcuterie board to rock painting, sharing hot chocolates, and, of course, the return of the much-loved Airlie-Campbell interhouse quiz competition. These activities have been a wonderful way to build community and celebrate the spirit of Airlie.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! We’re excited for the memories we’ll create together in 2025 and beyond.
Merry Christmas
Feliz Navidad
圣诞快乐
Счастливого Рождества
Joyeux Noël
Καλά Χριστούγεννα