Co-Curricular The Cheltonian 2023-24
Co-Curricular
Our pupils have again, this academic year, engaged wholeheartedly in the richness and variety of our co-curricular offering at College. It remains a real joy of teaching to see sports pitches full of energy, determination and teamwork on Saturday afternoons, to be present at a concert and hear ensembles and choirs perform after many months of practising, to see senior cadets taking the lead and supporting younger cadets in CCF, witness the expectation and challenge ahead for pupils as they depart on their Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, to watch our pupils perform on stage and, much more besides.
We continue to encourage our Cheltonians to try new activities and push themselves out of their comfort zone. The aim of the co-curricular programme is always to challenge, and to encourage our pupils to persevere when they inevitably find the going difficult. We want our pupils to leave with a sense of purpose, resilience and grit from all they have engaged with outside the classroom. None of this is possible without the enthusiasm, commitment and dedication of our staff and I am hugely grateful for their support. This Cheltonian publication will, I hope, give a flavour of the hugely varied opportunities on offer for our pupils and what achievements they have made throughout the year.
Mr Stephen McQuitty, Deputy Head (Co-Curricular)
The Wilson Diploma
At College we aim to support our pupils to fulfil their ‘Cheltenham Potential’ by developing and encouraging them toward the virtues of Character, Creativity, Curiosity, Community and Continuous Excellence.
Monday Activities
Every Monday after lessons, Third Form to Fifth Form pupils enjoy a range of activities including: debating, Mock United Nations (MUN) and mock trials; sports and dance; board games, chess and Majong; horse riding, cooking and coding.
Third Form Challenge
The Third Form Challenge (3FC) brought together the entire year group in spirited competition for the esteemed Melvill Cup, named after the brave Victoria Cross recipient and OC, Teignmouth Melvill (1858).
Electives
All students in the Lower Sixth either take part in College’s extensive Community Action Programme or choose one of our Elective courses.
CCF
The College Cadet Force has had another hugely enjoyable, rewarding and fulfilling academic year. Cadet numbers continue to be extremely high, with pupils attracted by the ability to develop their leadership skills, learn new things, have fun outside the classroom and build confidence which will serve them well, long after they have left the school.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Once again the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) contributed a great many hours to the College’s community action efforts helping to instil in our pupils a sense of service and selflessness.
Co-Curricular Drama
The dramatic year opened with the Boyne House, College Lawn and Queen’s House Play, an innovative retelling of Grimm’s Fairy Tales.
Co-Curricular Music
As another academic year draws to a close, it gives me great pleasure to reflect on the huge amount of music making that goes on at College.
Lower Sixth Travel Awards
The Travel Awards are funded by the Cheltonian Endowment Trust (CET). This is just one of the ways CET uses its annual income to support Cheltenham College.