Last weekend our boarding community came together for this year’s Residential Weekend. These retreats give new pupils a warm welcome into house life, offering shared adventures, team challenges, and quiet moments of connection that help friendships take root early.
Honan House – Riders Lodge
The past weekend at Riders Lodge was nothing short of bliss, a much more relaxed residential than our trip to Melaka in the previous year. The girls had a great mix of outdoor activities, time to unwind, cultural experiences and, of course, a little shopping!
We started Friday with a hike at Gunung Pulai Waterfalls, before heading to Riders Lodge for an afternoon of horse riding, horse leading and yoga. Over the weekend, the girls also enjoyed horse grooming, meditation, swimming, trail riding, horse feeding and horseshoe memento making. The groups were mixed up throughout the weekend, giving the girls plenty of opportunities to get to know each other and build those all-important relationships. The horse grooming was particularly memorable, with some girls deciding that grooming the horses wasn’t quite enough and giving their hooves a rather creative makeover – yes, they actually painted them!
There was also lots of time for bonding, particularly in the evenings with games, laughter and marshmallows around the campfire. It sounds a little cheesy, but these were genuinely some of the loveliest moments of the weekend. The girls were able to relax, chat, laugh together and simply enjoy being away from school.
On Sunday, we headed to Putuo Culture Village to make some wishes to throw on the wishing tree before finishing the trip with some shopping, food and boba at Johor Premium Outlets.
Overall, it was a really lovely weekend – full of laughter, muddy shoes, painted hooves, campfires, marshmallows and lots of bonding. The slower pace meant the girls could properly enjoy themselves, try new things and spend time getting to know one another. Most importantly, they came away with some great memories and, hopefully, a few new friendships too. The girls will be given the opportunity to give feedback on the trip via a questionnaire and hopefully we can make next year’s trip just as lovely. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our resident team Ms Speirs, Miss King and Miss Tehah for giving their time and energy for this weekend. It would never happen without them.
Munawir Hill – Tioman Island
Munawir Hill pupils departed bright and early on Friday morning for an unforgettable adventure to the beautiful island of Tioman, staying at Melina Resort.
Following the coach journey, the boys waited patiently in the fully air-conditioned departure lounge before boarding the speedy Bluewater Ferry. On arrival, we were warmly welcomed at Melina Resort after a short walk from the jetty.
After a late lunch, the group split up, with some boys enjoying the beach, swimming in the sea and playing beach volleyball, while the majority headed off to play futsal against a local team. In total, we played five matches, with more than 20 boys taking part and producing some fantastic performances. However, the highlight had to be Terence’s tap-in from five metres, which sent a crowd of more than 50 spectators wild!
The opposition then joined us back at Melina for our evening meal, providing a fantastic opportunity for the boys to socialise and build new friendships.
Saturday was absolutely packed with activities. The boys enjoyed a jungle walk, ATV rides and snorkelling before tucking into a feast of a BBQ. The evening continued with a bonfire, marshmallows and plenty of singing, followed by an awesome quiz designed by our very own quiz master, Mr Scott.
Alongside some very funny answers, including the question of what the only sport played on the Moon is, the boys also took part in a series of challenges, working together in groups and showing plenty of enthusiasm, creativity and teamwork. The challenges even included the now infamous Oreo biscuit challenge!
Housemaster Mr Baker said:
“Such opportunities allow the boys from all year groups to forge relationships and friendships that allow a common purpose, build self-esteem and confidence. The value of such experiences develops lifelong memories, from five-a-side futsal, snorkelling in clear blue seas, ATVs and quiz challenges.”
He further added:
“I am proud of all the boys for embracing the weekend with such a positive attitude and feel Munawir Hill are well placed to continue to develop men of great character and positive masculinity in the year ahead.”
On Sunday morning, the boys rose early for breakfast before beginning the journey back to MCM. Although the trip was packed with activities, its real success was seeing so many of our new pupils settle into Munawir Hill, begin to forge friendships and create some fantastic memories as they start their journey through the Senior School.
The weekend provided a wonderful opportunity for boys from across the year groups to spend time together outside the classroom, develop confidence, strengthen friendships and experience new challenges in a supportive environment.
A huge thank you goes to our resident staff, Mrs Wilson, Mr Scott, Mr Bhogal and Mrs Baker, for giving up their time and making this memorable trip possible.
It was certainly a weekend to remember and a fantastic start to the boys’ Senior School journey.
Steel House – Melaka
The Steel Boarding House enjoyed a fantastic weekend away in Melaka, filled with adventure, laughter and plenty of opportunities for the girls to spend time together outside of school.
The trip was a wonderful chance for us all to relax, explore and strengthen the friendships that make the boarding community so special. From discovering the sights and sounds of historic Melaka to enjoying activities together, there was never a dull moment – especially with our fantastic tour guide, Daniel, keeping us entertained along the way!
One of the highlights of the weekend was our evening river cruise, where we were able to see Melaka from a different perspective as the city came alive at night. We also enjoyed the freedom of choosing our own dinner and exploring Jonker Street, where the girls had great fun browsing the shops, picking up lots of random treasures and, of course, sampling some of the local treats. For some of us, the evening ended with a rather memorable ride in a beca – a quintessential Melaka experience!
Trips like this are such an important part of boarding life. They give the girls the opportunity to develop independence, build confidence and form friendships across year groups, while enjoying experiences and making memories that they will remember long after they return to school.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the Steel Boarding House trip possible, and especially to the girls for making it such a fun, relaxed and memorable weekend. We’re already looking forward to our next adventure!
Wills House – Sibu Island
The boys of Wills House recently headed off for a weekend trip to the beautiful Sea Gypsy Resort on Sibu Island. Packed with outdoor adventure, sustainability lessons and plenty of house bonding, it was a fantastic trip from start to finish.
Our journey started on Friday with an ecstatic bus ride to the jetty before embarking on a thrilling, splash-filled speedboat ride across fierce waves. After landing, the boys trekked through lush jungle paths to reach our beachfront resort. Once settled, everyone hit the water to cool off and unwind.
A highlight of the afternoon was an exclusive eco-tour led by the resort manager. The boys got a firsthand look at self-sufficient living, visiting the on-site carpentry workshop where accommodation timber is cut and treated, inspecting the natural spring water treatment system and learning how power generators and eco-incinerators keep the island running sustainably. As evening fell, the bar area turned into a lively lounge where the boys bonded over Monopoly, Connect 4 and card games, with the house staff joining in to teach them new games.
Following an early night, Saturday kicked off with a morning snorkelling trip. Though previous big waves meant lower visibility underwater, it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits for a second! The boys made the absolute best of the beach, building massive sandcastles, playfully burying Head of House, Mike, in the sand and practising their rugby tackles in the surf.
The fun continued into the afternoon as the boys hired bodyboards, surfboards and kayaks to conquer the swells. After dinner, the Sixth Form led a House Shout practice, with the whole house impressing the staff and other guests with their singing. To round off an action-packed day, Mrs Laycock hosted an evening quiz night. The boys teamed up to test their music, celebrity and dingbats knowledge, led by their Sixth Form clan leaders.
Sunday began with an educational walk along the beach and across the coastal rocks, where the boys explored fascinating evidence of historic volcanic eruptions. Turning discovery into action, the boys then spent a hot and sweaty hour conducting a beach clean. Working hard in their clans, under the leadership of their Year 13 house leaders, the boys demonstrated incredible team spirit, filling four massive net bags with washed-up rubbish and hauling it back to the resort for recycling or incineration.
A final, refreshing dip in the sea to cool off and fun on the slip and slide capped off a weekend defined by teamwork, resilience, environmental responsibility, and fantastic memories. A huge thank you to all the staff and the Sea Gypsy resort team for making this weekend such a resounding success.