2010
07.31

To say goodbye to those of us who were leaving this week we held a Trash Fashion Show and Disco! The idea was to chose a model from your group and make the best costume that you could for them out of whatever you could find! The competition was judged by a couple of our social leaders and was a very close run thing!

Check out the photos below….

Getting ready to walk the catwalk!

Getting ready to walk the catwalk!

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The stage was set for the Trash Fashion showdown!

The stage was set for the Trash Fashion showdown!

The participants and crowd wait in anticipation

The participants and crowd wait in anticipation

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The wierd, the whacky, and the wonderful all in one costume!

The wierd, the whacky, and the wonderful all in one costume!

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2010
07.31

During this week we’ve run a few tours to Christ’s college Cambridge. We’ve been able to get right inside one of Cambridge’s leading Colleges, which was originally established in 1437!

The Masters Entrance at Christ's College

The Masters Entrance at Christ's College

Exploring the main quad.

Exploring the main quad.

Famous people who have attended Christ’s College include Charles Darwin, TV historian Simon Schama and even Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat!). We even got to see what Darwin’s college room would have been like!

Charles Darwin's bust in the college.

Charles Darwin's bust in the college.

Inside Charles Darwin's room at Christ's College!

Inside Charles Darwin's room at Christ's College!

The College has some new buildings in its grounds, along with the older, more traditional college accommodation.

The 'New Court' accommodation block at Christ's College

The 'New Court' accommodation block at Christ's College

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2010
07.31

As a welcome to all our new students last week we went down to a venue called ‘The Place’. There’s no better way to get to know your fellow students and make friends with the new arrivals than to chat and dance for a few hours.

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Throwing some shapes on the dancefloor!
Throwing some shapes on the dancefloor!

Those of us who were feeling more flexible were up for having a go at the inflatable limbo!!!

Has she no spine!!! - The best girl at the limbo!
Has she no spine!!! – The best girl at the limbo!

How low can you go? - The winning boy at the limbo!
How low can you go? – The winning boy at the limbo!

This event set us all up for a good week ahead with many fun activities planned, including a tour round one of Cambridge’s famous colleges and a ‘Trash Fashion’ night to say farewell to our leaving students.

Watch this space for more photos and news!

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2010
07.28

Hi all

Just a quick note from our Social Leader Mark

If you would like to come to Great St.Mary’s Tower then please be aware of the following points:

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For health and safety reasons, there is a maximum of twenty people allowed on the tower at any time. If more than twenty people arrive then some people will have to wait for a moment.

If it rains heavily then the tower might close. This is to prevent the stairs (leading up to the tower) from getting wet and slippery.

If the tower does close, we will provide another activity to compensate.

Thanks all

Mark

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2010
07.27

WHAT’S ON IN AUGUST?

|Sun 1st Stratford upon Avon and Warwick Castle Visit Stratford upon Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare, and see the house where he was born in 1564, as well as the church where he is now buried, and other places important to the poet during his life. There is also a market and great shopping centre to explore and enjoy. In the afternoon we visit historic Warwick Castle, the finest medieval castle in the country with dungeons, towers, exhibitions and many other attractions. Castle admission included. £30.00

Wed 4th - London Theatre – We Will Rock You Spend an evening in London’s theatre land, the West End, and a chance to enjoy this great show based on music by the rock band Queen. £45.00

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Fri/Sun 6th-8th -  Edinburgh Scotland’s Capital City. This is a great weekend; we visit a Scottish woollen mill and have a whisky tasting, take a guided city coach tour of Edinburgh and you have a chance to visit all the famous sights of this historic city, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Palace, the museums, galleries and shops and have two evenings to enjoy the great nightlife. There’s also lots of beautiful scenery to enjoy as well as a visit to the historic English City of Durham. Visit to woollen mill, whisky tasting, guided coach tour of Edinburgh and excursion to Durham included. Book early. £170.00

Sat 7th – London After a morning coach tour of the historic city (included) the rest of the day is free to do as you please. Maybe visit some of the many famous sights, such as the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace, the street entertainers in Covent Garden Market, the museums, the galleries, the great shopping areas, China Town, a boat trip on the River Thames and on and on and on, there’s just too much to see and do in only one day. £20.00london1

& Alton Towers Spend a full day at the country’s largest theme park and enjoy some of the most exciting rides to be found anywhere in the universe. Experience the speed of Rita and Oblivion’s dramatic plunge to the ground and the twisting frenzy of Nemesis, still voted one of the UK’s top rollercoasters. Sharkbait Reef takes you to an underwater world full of creatures from the deepest seas and oceans. Price includes day ticket, with unlimited admission to all the rides and attractions in the park. We dare you to book. £40.00

Sun 8th Oxford & Blenheim Palace Visit the city of dreaming spires and oldest University in the country, founded in 1249. Explore and enjoy the famous colleges, museums, exhibitions and the city’s excellent shopping centre. We also visit the impressive Blenheim Palace, ancestral stately home of the Dukes of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Palace admission included. £30.00

Wed 11th - London Theatre – Chicago & Mamma Mia Another evening in London and a choice of one of these two great musicals: possibly the sexiest show in town or the record breaking Mamma Mia, based on the music of Abba. Chicago £42.00 / Mamma Mia £45.00

Sat/Sun 14th-15th – Bath & Stonehenge Bath is Britain’s most beautiful city. Here we have a guided walking tour (included) of the historic city centre with its stunning Georgian architecture and its’ famous hot water springs and where you will visit the Roman Baths, the underground remains of the ancient Roman city (admission included). Plenty of free time then allows you to further explore and enjoy the sights, shops, street entertainers and great nightlife the city has to offer. En route back to Cambridge on Sunday, we visit Stonehenge (admission included), Europe’s most famous prehistoric monument. A great weekend. £100.00roman-baths

Sat 14th Canterbury & Leeds Castle Christianity was introduced to Britain at Canterbury in 597 and here you can visit the country’s oldest Cathedral. You can also visit the Roman Museum, explore the great shopping centre and much more. Then to the beautiful and romantic moated and medieval Leeds Castle, for centuries home to many Queens of England. Castle admission included. £30.00

Sun 15th – Brighton This exciting seaside resort on the south coast is always a great place to spend a day. There’s a lot to see and do. You may decide to visit George IV’s 19th century Royal Pavilion, the strange and wonderful palace he built to live with, and entertain, his mistresses. There is also the Victorian pier stretching out from the beach into the sea and a busy action-packed city centre to explore with its great shopping areas, bars, restaurants and often a variety of entertainers and musicians performing in the streets. £25.00

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Wed 18th - London Theatre – We Will Rock You Spend yet another evening in London’s theatre land, the West End, and aother chance to enjoy this great show based on music by the rock band Queen. £45.00

Sat 21st - London Another chance to visit this great city. A morning coach tour takes in most of the famous sights and the afternoon is free for you to further explore and enjoy some of the many attractions. There’s just too much to see and do. Coach tour included£20.00

& Norfolk Coast Walk We drive to the north Norfolk coast for a refreshing walk along the sandy beaches of this beautiful coastline, edged with sand dunes and pine tree forests. Why not bring a picnic lunch to eat on the beach or, alternatively, the walk ends at the small fishing town of Wells where you could treat yourself to a well earned meal of fish and chips. A very enjoyable day. £20.00 edinburgh-castle

Sun 22nd – York A guided walking tour of this historic city takes you back to Roman, Viking and Medieval England. There is so much history in this one city. After the tour you may wish to return to visit the famous Cathedral, walk along the Roman walls and through the medieval streets and enjoy the shops, museums and other attractions of this fine city. Price includes guided walking tour. £30.00

Wed 25th - London Theatre – Chicago & Mamma Mia Another trip to London and again a choice of one of these two great musicals: possibly the sexiest show in town or the record breaking Mamma Mia, based on the music of Abba. Chicago £42.00 / Mamma Mia £45.00

Sat 28th Royal Windsor & Castle Windsor Castle, home of the Royal Family, stands majestically on one bank of the River Thames. Here we have an impressive self-guided audio tour (included). Then free time to explore Windsor’s many other attractions, its busy town centre, nearby Eton College where the Princes William and Harry attended school, river cruise on the Thames, and lots more. £35.00

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Sun 29th - Stratford upon Avon and Warwick Castle Another chance to visit Stratford upon Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare, and historic Warwick Castle, the finest medieval castle in the country. Castle admission included. £30.00

Mon 30th Notting Hill Carnival Come and enjoy one of the biggest street parties in the world. This international and multi-racial festival has music and dancing through the streets of this fashionable area of London and an impressive and colourful all day costume parade and lots more. It’s just one big non-stop party. £20.00

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2010
07.23

On Thursday afternoon we went to to the river to go punting, something that people have been doing in Cambridge for over 100 years!

Students took it in turns to punt each other up and down the river Cam in the sunshine…check out the photos!

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After punting it was straight to Parker’s Piece to play volleyball!

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The match was hard fought and everyone played well, even those who hadn’t really played volleyball before got stuck in and certainly gave the more experience students a run for their money!

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2010
07.23

If you like Thorpe Park, you have got to try Alton Towers.

The mother of all British Theme Parks!

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On Saturday the 7th of August we travel to Alton Towers. Its the countries largest Theme Park and has some of the most exciting rides in the world! Experience the speed of Rita, the dramatic plunge to the ground on Oblivion and the twisting frenzy of Nemesis.

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There’s even a ride that takes you under water!

Price is £40 and includes transfer and admission to the park, with unlimited entry on all the rides and attractions!

For more information and to book see me [Mike] in the computer room

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2010
07.22

After your English Language Classes at EC Cambridge we know that our students like to let their hair down.

There are a range of things to do in Cambridge in the evenings.

You can catch a film at one of the three cinemas in the city centre, go bowling, or enjoy one of the many fantastic restaurants within Cambridge.

After that if you fancy a boogie, then there are plenty of places to go.

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Most nights of the week their offers available exclusively to students! Here are two of my personal favourites.

International Mondays at Soul Tree.

Located right near the school on the Corn Exchange! Free Entry until 10:30. Four floors of music and the usual offers on drinks!

International Tuesdays at The Place.

What better place to go then The Place on Tuesday evening. Located three doors down from our Sydney Street office. £1-3 for entry and offers on drinks all night!

Come and see me [Mike] in the computer room for more details.

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2010
07.21

One great way to see Cambridge is by climbing the 123 steps to the top of the tower of Great St Mary’s church. There has been a church on that site in the very centre of Cambridge since about 1200AD. Check out the view from the top…!

Kings College Chapel and lawns

Kings College Chapel and lawns

Senate House - where the students of Cambridge University collect their degrees!

Senate House - where the students of Cambridge University collect their degrees!

Cambridge market on market day. A hive of activity!

Cambridge market on market day. A hive of activity!

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2010
07.21

All aboard the love boat! As our welcome night activity this week we organised a ‘speed dating’ night with the Junior programme.

It was a great way to get to know each other and the new people who have just started the course! Students have a couple of minutes to ask each other questions before swapping partners and finding out about where their classmates are from, and what their favourite flavours of ice cream are!

Speed dating at The Guildhall

Speed dating at The Guildhall

A great way to make new friends!

A great way to make new friends!

Ready...set....go!

Ready...set....go!

After getting to know each other there was enough time to push the chairs to the side and put some music on for a Welcome Night Disco!

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