On Saturday 11 October, a group of boarders accompanied by Mr Nick Sexton and Mr Jim Reynolds, became weekend warriors in the nearby estate of Mapledurham. Armed to the teeth with gas powered guns, and a stock of coloured paintballs, they set out to vanquish foes as yet unknown. Organised as part of the Boarding Activities Programme, the trip was open to boarders looking to enjoy a day out and build relationships.
Over the course of the day the boys enjoyed waging war on each other, against the backdrop of the ‘Viet Kong Village’. The paintballing area had been decorated to look like a desolate, post-apocalyptic world. A red London double-decker bus, stacked barrels, and a replica of the Berlin wall dominated the landscape, creating an eerie atmosphere for the boarders to don their weapons and fight for their team, unleashing a multi-coloured vision of hell upon those wearing the opposing coloured armbands.
Half of the boys were fortunate to be on the glorious blue team, who left the war victorious against their enemies, with only a few men sporting multi-coloured war wounds. The other half of the group were fated to join the valiant but defeated red team, along with Mr Reynolds. The day was long and tiring, but one that the pupils look forward to repeating next term. Mr Sexton was very impressed with the boys, commenting that ‘they behaved very well and their enthusiasm was infectious: a big thank you to them for their grit and good humour!’ The group also got to enjoy a restorative bacon roll the following morning, to fuel them all!
