Lower Sixth - 'Dining-in' 2

Another week, another gorgeous meal. This week's feast included a traditional Bavarian soup, prepared by Konstantin, ably supported by Benny. Marcus served up his Mum's lemon chicken. Happy faces all round from fellow diners, Gani and Phillip (they helped serve the drinks!), Mr and Mrs Curran, Mr Tester and Mr Stedman.

Lower Sixth 'Dining-in'

To mark the beginning of the year and to enable both existing and new Lower Sixth boys to get to know each other better, we are hosting 3 'Dining-in' events. At each dinner, the boys select the menu themselves and then cook a meal. Beginning last week with our Italian, German, Chinese and English contingent, meant for a truly international feast. Thanks boys - a great effort.

Leo and Edison's table!

Connor's starter

Andreas - pasta masterchef

Nico preparing the salad

Shell watersports at Ardingly Reservoir

Around 80 of this year's Shell took part in an afternoon of watersports actitivites at our local Ardingly Reservoir. Groups took part in sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and raft building and everyone got wet! As a way for the boys and girls to get to know others in their year, it was a huge success.

Jake building his raft

Eddie and team with their raft

Anthony kayaking

Jonny preparing to get wet

Moritz having already got wet!

Tobias and the winning raft crew!

14A vs KES Witley - a goal fest

Several Mertens boys represented the 14A's football last weekend in their first fixture of the season against KES Witley. The outcome was a comprehensive victory with a score line of 17 - 1. Here are a few pictures including Sonny Bircham, Chris Holman, and Eddie Davis.

14A's vs KES Witley

Eddie Davis scores from the spot...

Michael Makepeace and Chris Holman, ready to pounce on a cross..

Sonny Bircham, Chris Holman and Jak Alcock

Eddie Davis scoring one of his four goals...

Shell pizza night



Mr Curran's pizza kitchen

With the nerves of the first week now set aside, it was time to relax and enjoy some well-deserved junk food! We don't like to make things too easy in Mertens, so the Shell were asked to make their own pizzas. Mr Curran's kitchen became a hive of activity as our Shell boys set to making their own creations. With ham, cheese, chicken and pepporoni gracing the pizza oven, everybody had a smile on their faces and a piece of pizza in their mouth!

First Impressions...

First Impressions of Mertens House....

Jake Freeman (Shell)

When I first came to Ardingly I was feeling nervous about meeting new friends and getting to know the other boys in Shell. I was amazed at how nice the atmosphere was in the house and in lessons. Lessons weren’t that bad and the prep was easier than I expected. In the past I have had bad experiences with school food but not at Ardingly. The breakfast is always nice and keeps you going until lunch. Lunch is also very nice with a big variety of what you want to eat with salad and soup on the sides. The common room is the main room that everyone goes to in the evenings to play pool, table football or watch sky. Evening school is quite good, everyone settles down to do work at sevenish and either does prep or revises. I have really enjoyed my first week here and I am looking forward to next week.

Maxwell Pierce (Shell)

When I first stepped in to Mertens house I was so anxious I didn’t know anybody and everything looked so different. Then, when I was in my bedroom, I met an Italian boy called Mauro. He was just as shy as I was. Eventually I got to know Mauro and a lot of the other boys in Mertens House. The lower sixth are so nice they always help you with your homework and talk to you if you’re feeling a bit lonely.  At first I thought the lessons were going to be really hard and annoying but they were very enjoyable. In the common room they have a PlayStation 3, a pool table and a flat screen TV. Most of the boys in shell are addicted to FIFA ’11; you wouldn’t believe how much they play it. The food is great every weekend Mertens House has a barbecue and we have hamburgers, hotdogs and lots of other great things. This week has been fantastic; I can’t wait till next week.

A New Year....A New BBQ..

The sky is blue, the sun is warm and there's a gentle cool breeze. Summer is hanging in there.

It's a perfect day for a BBQ, some hoops and loud music!!



Mr Caston and those who've smelt the food!!



Hamburger Heaven....

Moritz, Quincy and Jonathan...

Laurence and Mike