Boarding School Hosts “Harry Potter”-Themed Formal Dinner to Kick Off the New Year

Students at Steyning Grammar School in Steyning, West Sussex, England, were treated to a magical surprise when they returned to school in January. It’s a tradition at the school to host a formal dinner to celebrate the start of the spring term with staff and students, and this year, they decided to have a Harry Potter-themed event.

Speaking to Sussex World, one of the boarding house parents, Amanda Templeman, said that it was the perfect theme to kick off the new term.

Every year, we mark the start of the spring term with a formal dinner, and we decided on a Harry Potter theme because many students learn about boarding by reading and watching Harry Potter. Students gave a standing ovation to the staff who had dressed up.

This magical event was organized by a committee made up of staff and students alike, and everyone at the school received a sealed invite to the dinner (much like a Hogwarts letter) and robes to wear. The school’s dining hall was decorated like the Great Hall, complete with floating candles. Staff was dressed as their favorite Potter characters, which included Professor Snape, Professor Trelawney, Hagrid, and even Voldemort, among others.

Source: Sussex World

Once everyone had eaten their fill, the real fun began, and students were treated to potions classes and mini Quidditch. There was also a treasure hunt for Dobby’s socks. We don’t know about you, but we can’t think of a better way to kick off the new year and the new term, and there’s no better way to make students feel at home than welcoming them back with a Hogwarts letter and a feast in the Great Hall.