Wow!!

Well, today is the first day of lessons and I have finished academic subjects for today. I got up at 7am, had some breakfast in the dining hall and then first code started at 8am. They call lessons codes as on the timetable you do not have names, just codes for each subject. It is very confusing! First code today was English A1 Higher level. This meant that the majority of the students were British, American or Canadian. We had a brief introduction and read a poem. After assembly (which is for the whole school every Monday) I had Economics. Julian, my personal tutor, is my teacher and so it is really good. I already have a gigantic text book which I will keep for the whole two years. After that we had a coffee break and prep for the British National Evening next Sunday. All the Brits gather together to introduce something about our country.  Following break I had History in a classroom which has to be the best classroom in the castle! My Hungarian teacher is wonderful and has taught here for 13 years. I am so excited for the History course. The course is very tough and the examinations are challenging, but the periods of European history we will study are fascinating. We then had Approaches to Learning with Tristian, the Vice Principal. This was interesting and explores various ways in which to learn and gain knowledge. I am in the library at the moment and will be going to a Service meeting back at PK in a minute. We will discuss with our tutors which service to take and then it will be arranged who can do what. I am trying to get to Llantwit sometime today as I need fruit and a paper hole punch! I am eating some fruit but I want some in my dorm to eat whenever I want. The food is great on a Monday- meat free Monday. Well, I had better go but I have really enjoyed my first day of lessons and it has actually been the best day so far. I finally feel that I am at school and not a summer camp! The sun is shining and the whole campus looks beautiful. Bye for now!

Back from Camp

Last night we returned to AC from the Camp in Pembrokeshire. It was fun but also very tiring. Amongst the activities we did were coastearing, archery, games, surfing and a five hour walk from the camp to St. David's along the coastal path. It was beautiful and my group completed it in record time! When we got back to PK there was literally a race for the showers! I am so glad to be back! 
   Today is a rest day with very limited activities. We have some introductions to 'lounges' and then we have a meeting with our tutour to discuss our timetable. Lessons start tomorrow. I really want to get into a routine and meet my classmates and also to find out which service I will be doing. I am having lots of fun here but last night a couple of us got very homesick (I think it was the feeling of being wet and dirty for four days!). We all feel so much better today and I think it was the exhaustion that made us emotional. I also missed Dad's Birthday and for a time I just wanted to be back home with people I know and love. It is really good because however you're feeling you can usually find someone who is feeling exactly the same. Well, as it is Sunday we have brunch in the dining hall. The second years have already left their dorms as brunch is the food highlight of their week!  Am going to go and find out for myself!

A Whole New World- Part II

Hello everyone!
I now have an account on the internal AC internet and so should be able to use the internet more. Today is our final day of service inductions before we leave for Camp this afternoon. Since Saturday we have had induction talks and information on academic programmes and services. My personal tutor is Julian and he is very caring and helpful. I have now made my academic IB choices, and have discussed them with a panel of AC teachers. For the IB I will be studying Higher Level European History, English and Economics, and then French, Maths Studies and Environmental Systems and Societies at Standard Level. We did a Maths test and my result was borderline Standard/Studies so I chose Studies. That was before I got an A in Maths GCSE!
       We have had so many inductions for all the various services on offer (service is compulsory in the IB). So far I have been to Lifeguards, Inshore Lifeboat (ILB), MEMS (marine conservation), EMC (Extra Mural Centre), Performing Arts, Social Service, Estate and Media Service. I have decided that I want to interact with people and so the choice is between Social Service and Performing Arts. Social Service involves visiting elderly people in the local community as well as visiting schools and a prison. Performing Arts is a very small service which uses music to communicate and help people with Dementia and Autism. I found the induction to this so moving and incredibly powerful that I felt compelled to join. I am not a confident singer, however the relationship with the people is what counts. I am going to put this down as my first choice and SS as my second choice. You are not guaranteed your first choice service (especially as PA is so small).
Well, I am off to camp in wet West Wales until Saturday!!

A Whole New World!!!

Hello everyone!!
I'm having the best time ever and have had lots of talks about what to expect as a student at AC. I have already had maths and swimming tests! My dorm mates are really nice- and say hi! Rina is from Japan and Natascha is from Denmark. Well, I had better go and get some supper. Loving it and talk soon.