Ashbourne's two big events are The Annual Revue at Christmas, and the week-long European trip in the February half-term. However, Ashbourne also offers a variety of exciting events during the course of the year. These events are a great opportunity for all students to indulge in the inexhaustible cultural resources of London. These events are also an excellent way for students to meet new people and make new friends at the college. Students are encouraged to sign-up well in advance as places are often limited. All of the events are either fully paid for, or partly subsidised by Ashbourne, and students are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities. Suggestions for future events are always welcome and will be fully supported by the college. If a student is interested in taking part in an event they should email activities@ashbournecollege.co.uk, stating the event they wish to attend. Alternatively, they should speak to an administrator in Reception, or the relevant event organiser.

• TOUR OF LONDON, 08/09/2011
• OPERA TRIP - LA TRAVIATA, 06/10/2011
• WEST END MUSICAL – LES MIS, 18/10/2011
• WEST END MUSICAL – WICKED, 08/11/2011
• GO-KARTING, 23/11/2011
• OPERA TRIP – TOSCA, 28/11/2011
• OLD TRAFFORD – MANCHESTER UNITED MATCH, 26/11/2011
• CHRISTMAS OUTDOORS SKATING, 02/12/2011
• PLAYSTATION COMPETITION, 12/03/2012
• MATHS COMPETITION, 23/03/2012
• THE EMIRATES STADIUM – ARSENAL MATCH, 10/03/2012
• END OF YEAR AWARDS, 27/04/2012
• POOL TOURNAMENT, 29/03/2012
• ANNUAL REVUE, 15/12/2011
• EUROPEAN TRIP FEBRUARY HALF TERM

TOUR OF LONDON

When: Registration Week, Thursday, 8th September
Who: Hussein Mitha, Fabio Carpene, Hannah Martin, Christopher Masters, Vicky Pasion
This year, on the Thursday before the start of term, Ashbourne will be conducting a tour of London for students coming in from overseas. The tourwill last for an entire day and students wishing to come, should apply now, as places are limited. The day will be structured something like this:
9.00am – meet at the college for a brief presentation about London
9.30am – board the bus for a tour of Central London, including Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and the Houses of Parliament.
11.00am – arrive at Westminster for lunch by the river.
13.00pm – depart for Camden Town.
16.00pm – depart for Hampstead Heath, where we will spend the evening overlooking London.
19.00pm – board the bus back to Ashbourne. Although Ashbourne will cover the costs of the day, students should bring their own money if they wish to buy souvenirs and for lunch.
Contact: activities@ashbournecollege.co.uk

OPERA TRIP - LA TRAVIATA

Where: The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
When: Thursday, 6th October, All Evening
Ashbourne's Opera aficionado, Hannah Martin, will be taking students to see La Traviata at London's famed Royal Opera House. Students will leave the college at 5.45pm and travel to Covent Garden by tube. The evening promises to be hugely enjoyable and is open to anyone interested in experiencing a fascinating cultural occasion.
Contact: Hannah Martin (hannah@ashbournecollege.co.uk)

WEST END MUSICAL - LES MISERABLES

Where: Queen's Theatre, London
When: Tuesday, 18th October, All Evening
Who: Fran Burns
Les Mis has played to 55 million people around the world in 42 countries and 21 different languages. Students will travel to Leicester Square to enjoya night of intense drama and music. The longest running musical in history promises to be a captivating, theatrical experience.
Contact: (activities@ashbournecollege.co.uk)

WEST END MUSICAL – WICKED

Where: The Apollo Victoria Theatre, London
When: Tuesday, 8th November, All Evening
Who: Fran Burns
Students will be taken to Victoria to watch one of London's stand-out musicals, Wicked. Students will depart the college at 6.00pm, accompanied by a member of staff and take the tube to Victoria. It should be an energised and fun night out for all.
Contact: (activities@ashbournecollege.co.uk)

GO-KARTING

When: Wednesday, 23rd November, 7-9pm
Ashbourne will be taking 20 students Go-Karting again, following a highly successful and enjoyable trip last year. A good opportunity for students to test their skills against the formidable rogue that is Kirby Schumacher.
Contact: Lee Kirby (lee@ashbournecollege.co.uk)

OPERA TRIP – TOSCA

Where: English National Opera, St. Martin's Lane
When: Monday, 28th November, All Evening
For those willing to be exposed to an enthralling night of heightened drama and music, Hannah will be taking students to see Puccini's Tosca at the English National Opera. The dark thriller, set at the time of Napoleon's invasion of Italy, features some of Puccini's best- known lyrical arias that promises to captivate our students.
Contact: Hannah Martin (hannah@ashbournecollege.co.uk)

OLD TRAFFORD – MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL MATCH

Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
When: Saturday, 26h November, 3.00pm Kick off, Meet at Ashbourne at 9.00am
In the first of a double-bill, Ashbourne will be taking students to watch a Premier League match at Old Trafford, the Manchester United stadium. Students are required to be at the college at 9.00am. They will be taken on the train up to Manchester in time for the 3.00pm kick-off. This event has limited places so please let Fabio know as soon as you can. It promises to be an exciting and memorable occasion.
Contact: Fabio Carpene (fabio@ashbournecollege.co.uk)

CHRISTMAS OUTDOOR SKATING

Where: Natural History Museum, South Kensington
When: Friday, 2nd December, Evening
Who: Vicky Pasion, Lynsey Hamilton, Andy Pitois
Aside from it being a formidable museum, the Natural History Museum also offers a spectacular winter attraction, outdoor skating. Students will be taken to enjoy an enchanting experience on the ice. Spaces are limited to 10 students, so please drop your name in an email if you're interested as soon as you can.
Contact: (activities@ashbournecollege.co.uk)

PLAYSTATION COMPETITION

Where: Old Court Place, Room 04/05
When: Monday, 12th March, Lunchtime
The competition requires 8 teams of 2 and students will team up to play FIFA in three rounds. The competition will be organised by Fabio Carpene. The winning team will be awarded £50 worth of vouchers each. Students should enter their teams and team names to Fabio as soon as possible.
Contact: Fabio Carpene (fabio@ashbournecollege.co.uk)

MATHS COMPETITION

Where: Old Court Place, Room 3
When: Friday, 23rd March, 1pm
The Ashbourne Maths competition is now in its second consecutive year. All entrants are welcome to take a challenging Maths test. The winner will be awarded a trophy and £50. Who will rise to the challenge?
Contact: (activities@ashbournecollege.co.uk)

THE EMIRATES STADIUM – ARSENAL FOOTBALL MATCH

Where: The Emirates Stadium, North London
When: Saturday, 10h March, 3.00pm Kick off, Meet at Ashbourne at 9.00am
In the second visit to a football stadium, Ashbourne will be taking students to watch a Premier League match at The Emirates Stadium, home to the great Arsenal. Students are required to meet at the college at 11.00am. This event has limited places so please let Fabio know as soon as you can. It promises to be an exciting and memorable occasion.
Contact: Fabio Carpene (fabio@ashbournecollege.co.uk)

END OF YEAR AWARDS

Where: Old Court Place, Room 04/05
When: Friday, 27th April, 1pm
Who: John Wilson
A variety of awards will be given at this ceremony to reflect the outstanding achievements of the Ashbourne student body in the course of the year. Whilst academic achievements will feature in the award ceremony, students will also receive awards for a variety of quirky traits.

POOL TOURNAMENT

Where: Riley's Club, Victoria
When: Thursday, 29th March
Ashbourne will be hosting a Pool tournament for any students that are interested. Ability is not important, and everyone is welcome but students should be warned that Andy "Hurricane" Pitois treats the tournament as no light matter…do you have what it takes?
Contact: Fabio Carpene (fabio@ashbournecollege.co.uk)

ANNUAL REVUE

This is an annual event organised at Christmas time by the College as a showcase for many of Ashbourne's talented and enthusiastic students. It provides a highlight of the college year and for many students, the highlight of their time with us. Over half of the student body (and many of the staff) will be involved in some way. In recent years, it has developed from a Fashion Show of costumes designed by the art department to an all-encompassing talent show, which has involved the following:
Acting
Comedy
Cultural displays
Drumming ensembles
Fashion
Football skills
Graphic design
Musicians
Modern dance
Singing
Traditional dance

EUROPEAN TRIP

Every year Ashbourne visits a major European city during the Spring half term in order to enhance appreciation of European cultural heritage with art, architecture, music and drama as prime focus. Previous trips have included Barcelona, Amsterdam, Athens. Madrid and Rome. For many students, the European Trip is the highlight of their time at the college.