Even though the first bus does not arrive until lunchtime, our team starts at 7 o’clock in the morning. After a good breakfast the final preperations begin. Room signs, classroom signs, signposts, arrival lists, room lists, class lists…more signs, more lists, meetings and arrangements. Soon everything has been done. The room assignments have been checked, the classrooms have been prepared and the “hotspots” have been equipped with a music system. The kitchen, too, comes fully into operation so that we will want for nothing!

At 11.30 am it is time - the first students (flying from Vienna) arrive at the grounds of Benenden School. A little later, the two buses from Salzburg and St. Pölten/Voralpenkreuz arrive and the students who travelled by plane from Memmingen and Salzburg follow in the evening. After dinner, the required “fire drill” takes place before the official welcome session in the assembly hall. The first brief show from the activity team and the introduction of the teachers have already brought smiles to the students’ faces. On this note we send best wishes to all the parents and relatives back home. Everyone has arrived healthy and happy – Benenden 2014 has started!