Culcheth High School decided that the penultimate day of term should involve a bit more flair than shuffling into registration and watching the clock, so it held its second CHS Summer Fest - and, to be fair, it sounds like a cracking way to reward students after a long academic year.
The school put on a full festival set-up with large inflatables, including a 100ft obstacle course, a rodeo bull, and a total wipe-out challenge. That is exactly the sort of gloriously chaotic energy the end of term calls for. Far better than pretending everyone still cares about worksheets in July.
There was also a gentler side for those not keen on being launched sideways by a giant inflatable. Students had access to a chill-out zone, board games, and a Macrame and Crochet corner, which is a beautifully random mix and somehow very British. One minute competitive chaos, the next intricate knot work. Balance.
The biggest scene-stealers, unsurprisingly, were the animals from Woodland Alpaca Farm. Alpacas, goats, rabbits, and guinea pigs turned up and were especially popular. Of course they were. Put an alpaca anywhere near a school crowd and it instantly becomes the main character.
Headteacher Mr Hunt said the school was incredibly proud of students' efforts this year and that the event was a chance to reward those who had lived the school's values and met its high standards and expectations. Fair enough - schools do love the language of values and expectations, but in this case the reward actually sounds like a reward, rather than a stern smile and a certificate nobody can find by September.
Festival-goers also had music, iced treats from Charlies Ice Creams, sweets and drinks from the Young Enterprise group, face painting by Mrs Cannon, and hair feathers and headbands by Mrs Farrington. It sounds like someone actually thought about making it fun, which should not be a revolutionary concept, but here we are.
Most importantly, the day also coincided with the school's Patric Wilson Memorial non-uniform day, which raises money for Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of former student Patric. That gave the event a more meaningful purpose beyond the games and treats, and it is right that the school highlighted the generosity of students, staff, parents, and the wider community while donations are still being counted.
The school thanked supporters including Psycho Peacock for banners, Go Bouncy for inflatables, Woodland Alpaca Farm, Charlies Ice Creams, and all the staff who helped run the day. These things do not magically appear because someone writes 'festival' on a poster - they happen because a lot of people put the hours in.
One slightly odd footnote in all this is that the original write-up apparently came via an exclusive subscriber partnership with USA Today and the views did not necessarily reflect The Herald. Which is hilarious, really. A story about Culcheth High, alpacas and hair feathers somehow taking the scenic route through America. Still, wherever it was written, the main point stands - this was a lively, well-supported school event with a proper community feel, and not just the usual end-of-term limbo.
Organisers say students thoroughly enjoyed it, and plans are already under way for CHS Fest 2026. Hard to argue with that. If you are going to celebrate surviving the school year, you may as well do it with obstacle courses, ice cream and livestock.