OceanStars :: Monday 27th October 2025 :: Latest Blog Posts
Judy reports :
I wasn't sure what to expect from a sports meet but I was bowled over - no samba'd over - by the four wonderful samba bands on show, each with its own quirky characteristics: from the one I am guessing was run by the traditional dance teacher I talked to yesterday as its leader accompanied her whistle with dance steps that we saw again later in the dance numbers of the variety show; to the other female led band which had a lovely twist to its choreography - showcasing each instrumental section by bringing them forward one by one; to the impressively rhythmic host band with its very passionate male leader; and lastly and most impressive perhaps a band without a whistle blower which considering they d had a 2 hour journey to get here and had only started learning their number in 20 minutes did amazingly well. Best of all was to see Ross the professional lead them all in a rousing number which rose and fell in volume and speed with every whistle blow. I really enjoyed it.
The sports part of this event was very party-themed - from sack races to balloon popping to the smashing of clay pits to filling bottles with water carried in your hands. The Calthorpe students did England proud winning several medals but I'll never forget the winning sack racer, knees up to his chin as he bounded along. I reckoned he'd been practising all year.
We then had a break before going into the school hall for the variety show and prize giving (and some very well timed refreshments which were - you've guessed it - chocolate milk and cake and bananas. The Calthorpe students continued this theme with a banana song complete with ukele and flutes. We then witnessed some truly amazing traditional dancing that I shall take away in my memory and treasure - fluid arm movements like water, angular knees, legs curving over the head into some very poised and sculpted body poses - really wonderful!
Last but not least Ocean Stars' 20th birthday was celebrated with a blue or green cake (Amali and I differ on this - one or other of us must have been dazzled by all the candles .....)
And to supper and the meeting with our last team member - Cameron who arrived from England just now - warm welcome to him!