The heartbeat of the College is its pupils, and Marlborough already feels a richer and more vibrant place with the arrival of our new Shell, bringing with them all the fizz and buzz that College life is renowned for. After some late summer rainfall, their arrival seemed to bring with it clear blue skies and sunshine, a positive sign of things to come!
Their skills and teamwork were immediately put to the test during our action packed Induction Day. Morning rotations saw their detective skills called upon in a College-wide treasure hunt, alongside getting to grips with those all important prep tasks and Surface devices (which I know they were all enormously grateful for!). This was followed by a plethora of mixed-House teambuilding activities, from perilously crossing a ‘lava river’ to somehow managing to herd ‘sheep’ into pens. The camaraderie and teamwork on display was wonderful to see, with the day fittingly concluding with a well earned feast and some rather more relaxing garden games.
Week two continued at pace, with the Shell already representing the College in external sporting fixtures and quickly learning the importance of working as a team and supporting one another. It was an absolute pleasure to see the whole year group involved in their first major College event – our beloved Steeplechase! Special mentions must go to Bea M (9.33 minutes) and Jack A (8.21 minutes – a new College record!) for their outstanding efforts in the Girls’ and Boys’ races respectively, as well as to Mill Mead and Barton Hill, our overall House team competition winners.
On Sunday 20th September, the Shell fully embraced another year group opportunity with our off-site teambuilding day. Although some might describe elements of it as ‘type-two’ – or perhaps even ‘type-three’ – fun, they threw themselves wholeheartedly into every challenge. More importantly, the day provided another opportunity to forge connections beyond Houses and friendship groups. A real sense of belonging is not created overnight; it is built through shared experiences, small acts of support and the confidence to connect with those around us. It was wonderful to see those foundations continuing to take shape.
In PSHEE, the Shell have been exploring digital safety and wellbeing, alongside study skills rooted in our Marlborough Mindset. This has included developing a greater understanding of how to use AI thoughtfully, including the potential for ‘cognitive debt’ when technology replaces rather than supports our own thinking. The Shell have also begun their introduction to careers, encouraging them to look ahead with curiosity and ambition, while developing the habits and skills needed to become lifelong learners.
Amid the ebb and flow of bustling College life, we will soon seize the opportunity to stop and connect with the centrepiece of our campus – the majestic Marlborough Mound. In our traditional ceremony of welcome to the College, Ad Montem (‘to the Hill!’), the Shell will ascend the gently inclining half-mile spiral path before gathering for the traditional year group photograph.
And if that was not enough, after half-term the Shell will embark on a broad and varied carousel of enrichment activities, ranging from Tai Chi Qigong and coding to creative writing and debating. The programme is designed to encourage our pupils to discover new interests and seize opportunities, whilst hopefully creating plenty of memories along the way. There really is something for everyone.
In every interaction so far, whether in lessons, fixtures, Houses, tutor time or the many activities beyond, I have been impressed by the Shell’s energy and ambition to give their best. It has been a hugely positive start, and I look forward to seeing their confidence and sense of belonging continue to grow over the weeks and months ahead.
For now, I wish them all a restorative and very well-deserved Exeat.
Will Gibbs
Head of Shell
