Day 11

This morning, the group were asked to give presentations in House assemblies on Repton UK. I watched as Caitlin, Eleanor and Sam gave a very confident presentation to Foremarke which impressed M. Creber, the Housemaster of Foremarke. The group were even bold enough to suggest some things which could improve both Schools. They then took questions from the group and answered them with poise.

Then it was off for a day out. We went to Aquaventure at Atlantis: The Palm. Based on the huge artificial palm tree shaped island jutting out into the Arabian Gulf, the Hotel itself is an amazing site. The water park was no less impressive – acres and acres of pools, rapids channels and a water slide appropriately called the “Leap of Faith”. It had a near vertical drop, before going through a tunnel inside an aquarium full of sharks and stingrays. Everyone (apart from Fraser, GLH and DTC – the latter two out of cowardice, the former for medical reasons!) had a go or two. In all of the excitement of the day, a few of us forgot about the powerful sun and some in the Repton group looked like a troupe of lobster imitators.

From Atlantis we headed straight to one of Repton’s rival schools in Dubai – Jumeirah College, for a Netball tournament. Caitlin, Charlie, Eleanor and Grace arrived midway through the first game that ended 10-1 against. The next game was a draw and the final two were victories, so that Repton finished up in 4th place from a field of 10.

The boys took an opportunity provided by a trip to town check up at the hospital for Fraser to have dinner at the legendary Fuddruckers restaurant. Ethan opted for the POUNDER burger, which was about as big as his face. We all gawped in wonder at the leviathan of beef which arrived at the table. Despite some early confidence, Ethan didn’t manage it and we left the restaurant with its two pounder record intact.

Tomorrow looks to be an exciting day for everyone – there are no lessons and we plan a City Tour and a trip to Al Karama, the market district of town. We’re also hoping to meet up with Luke Lacey (C ‘09) who is stopping off in Dubai on his way back from a season playing cricket in Western Australia.

DTC