Phab Week 2015
On Monday 6th April an extremely nervous Merchant Taylors' and St. Helen's Phab team awaited the arrival of twenty disabled teenagers that they would be looking after for the week. The culmination of two terms' hard work raising the £12,000 needed to run the week and the preparations for looking after the guests was finally at an end, and the School had been transformed into a haven for guests and hosts alike. Within minutes of the arrival of the guests, all doubts and uncertainties were instantly dispelled, and the inevitably happy and exhilarating aura of Phab spread throughout the School. After some time to settle in, we wasted no time getting to know our guests, before the evening entertainment. The first night’s treat was a petting zoo with the opportunity to get up close and personal with a variety of exotic animals; including bats, owls and even a snake!
“Across the entire week, whether we were tunnelling through the ball pond, or setting off in our minivans, I don’t think anyone could deny that everyone had the greatest time of it,” said Rohan Gupta of the Lower Sixth hosts. Wednesday was a particular highlight; Electric Umbrella came to School and transformed MTS into a place filled with laughter, music and smiles. The incredibly talented and enthusiastic Tom Billington led the dynamic and eccentric quartet that allowed MTS to become a treasure hunt of musical instruments accumulating in a huge showcase of what the guests had learnt throughout the day. Electric Umbrella came back at the end of Phab week in order to perform in front of parents (of both guests and hosts), Old Phabbers and friends. By the end of the week, as Louis Rose, Upper Sixth Phab member, said, “Saying goodbye to the guests at the end of the week makes you realise how strong a bond you’ve developed with them”. After the emotional goodbyes, there was “30 minutes decompression time” for the forty Sixth Form hosts - something that made little sense to us before Phab Week, but that was gratefully welcomed following an emotional, incredible week.
As with every Phab Week, huge thanks must go to the incredible support we have - the continued support of the catering department, for preparing meals each day; the teaching and support staff who act as a reassuring safety net and make sure that everything runs without a hitch; DS Smith for sponsoring one of our trips to Woburn Safari Park, a fabulous day out in the sun marveling at the different animals; and of course the student body and friends of the Schools for supporting Phab’s fundraising endeavors throughout the year.