For days, I have had Year 8 boys loitering (which isn't usually a great sign!) to ask when it was going to happen, and this interest is both utterly genuine and, as a result - completely heartwarming. 

It provides boys at either end of their prep school journeys the opportunity to form positive bonds and friendships, allowing the Year 3 boys to have friendly faces they can look out for whilst playing on the Grid, or waving at them as they move between lessons, and it allows the Year 8 boys the opportunity to nurture, encourage and be proactively positive role models for the boys that will, invariably, be looking up to them. 

Anne Erasmus and I met the boys in the Pilgrims' Hall at break time, armed with sweet snacks. The excitement was palpable! We paired them up, then sent them on their merry way. After the last pairing was announced, I followed them out to breaktime hoping to see some evidence of the previous excitement. I needn't have worried: literally everywhere, there were groups of 'uncles and nephews' playing football on the Grid, chatting happily and excitedly, desperately trying to devour their snacks before the start of the next lesson. It was the happiest and most Pilgrims-y of Pilgrims' scenes and a lovely moment for all the boys involved to reflect on as they looked forward to a well deserved Exeat weekend.

Will Darlow
Head of English / Head of Year 8