The Hove Community Field, an area of land that borders the campus of Brighton, Hove And Sussex Sixth Form College, is usually a calm place, with few groups of people scattered in varying sections of grass, barely interacting with each other. On your average day, you would probably see boys playing ball games, a family having a picnic, and others just taking a rest from a tediously lengthy, grueling day of work. However, Friday, 8th May 2026 must have been a special day, for the field's visitors caught a strange sighting of some inflatable structures, along with the chatter of an exuberant crowd, for hundreds of students were celebrating their graduation from high school before the start of their exams that would determine their futures.
Every year, Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth form college - colloquially known as BHASVIC - organises a celebration for their departing students, which takes place on the Hove Community Field since it can be directly reached from BHASVIC through a short path between the huts. Due to the bittersweet feelings of leaving the college community and nerves becoming tense from anxious worries about the upcoming exams, BHASVIC gifts all of their second-year students a trouble-free day of amusement and socialising.
Despite the event being limited to a rather small area, the organisers were able to fit in a wide range of activities. Two inflatable structures usually seen at funfairs - a tall slide and an obstacle course - were walls that partially separated the main location of the plot from the rest of the field. No bouncy castles though - the students were too old. Food stalls nearby provided delicacies to give the students extra energy for the event - from fresh fruit to sugary sweets. Oh, and who could forget the interactions that people had with each other, reminiscing on their time at BHASVIC?
Near the huts there was a soft mat for Sumo wrestling; two kids in ridiculous inflatable suits that reminded one of roast chicken physically tackled each other. Fortunately two BHASVIC teachers, stood next to them to ensure their fighting was under control, and one even stepped in to interfere with the brawl! Although the battle using bodies looked inhumane without context, one could infer that it was addictive to the BHASVIC students forming a large ring of spectators around the action, their many pairs of eyes glued to it from all around. Nearby, there was an inflatable arena where students battled each other with red and black "weapons" - really just two cylinders of different colours that represented each "warrior" - but due to the absurd-looking sumo costumes and faux physical harassment, the crowd seemed to prefer the latter.
Soon, the students grew bored of watching the wrestling, so it was replaced with a tug of war where two teams aggressively pulled opposite ends of a thick rope. The game was locked securely in a stalemate - neither side seemed to be in the lead. A blonde first-year who was attending the celebrations as part of next year's student union, was frantically pacing around the system comprising of the students and the tough rope. Dressed in a black outfit with the temporary Student Union uniform of a pink florescent jacket and a necklace of artificial flowers (also pink), he looked amusing as he commanded the teams to "[CENSORED] HEAVE!" at the top of his voice.
There were many different opinions on the celebration, but they all had a common theme: how they would miss being part of the BHASVIC community, and what they were looking forward to in the autumn. Noah and Anna, two friends of opposite genders who were sticking together, gave a blunt "Gonna miss my friends" when asked about their opinions on the incumbent stage of their life, but said that they enjoyed the slides and physical activities.
Another student who loved the inflatables was Fergus. Known for being an important member of the college's Knitting and Crochet society, it would not be easy to picture him on such dopamine-boosting activities. "The slide is really fun, and the obstacle course's beginning is very easy, and then it's hard. Overall, very fun." Fergus told reporters from B-mag, BHASVIC's student-run online school magazine.
The obstacle course could be done singly, or in pairs. One such pair was Michael and Bertie, two students with a lot in common. They found each other in secondary school, becoming friends after splitting from their original groups where they did not seem fit in. When asked who had won, Michael answered that he did, but since it is typical of young people to pretend they won when they actually did not, Bertie was asked to confirm that Michael had won, and he did. However, Michael's victory was not smooth, since the course was "really hard" and jumping over the obstacles was "quite tricky", as Michael himself explained.
Although the event was organised for second years, that did not stop some curious first-years sneaking in. Exploiting the event were the newly-selected Student Union members for the next academic year; they were using the activities as their own celebration for their successful election. A large wooden seat consisting of a rigid BHASVIC cloth stretched over a frame was occupied by two new members; one sat snugly on the giant chair, relaxing in the sunlight as if they were on a beach holiday.
Other first-years in attendance were undercover reporters for B-mag, who mixed seamlessly into the crowd of second-years, a body of students so numerous that it was impossible to learn all the names and faces. Due to attending student-led societies, the first-years had gotten acquainted with several second years. They even got to sign their tote bags!
Even if the majority of people were absorbed in the entertainment provided, a small number only came to the event for the people, and the completely rational fear of missing out. For Mabel, a model student headed for Oxbridge if she gets A* grades in all her upcoming exams, the physically-demanding challenges would probably be overwhelming. "I haven't done much, maybe it's not my thing." Mabel answered when asked what she had done in the event. "But I'll miss the people that I spent two years with." At least Mabel has a bright future to look forward to - provided she gets the grades. You can do it, Mabel! We believe in you!
As the event headed towards its end, the atmosphere relaxed. Some girls sat on the stairs of the BHASVIC huts, watching the fun, while a man stood near them aiming a camera to capture the best moments. Most of the students who had been just a few moments ago chatting excitedly and moving with lively energy were now sitting peacefully on the grass, watching a student band's performance of Daft Punk's Get Lucky. A blonde girl sang in to the microphone as she was accompanied by two other girls and four boys, playing keyboard, drums, guitars and even a saxophone!
After the band had finished, one of the amateur singer-songwriters who has already made somewhat of a name for himself in Brighton, performed a solo accompanied by a backing track, his natural black hair dyed a bright sunshine blonde. Seems like in a few years he might be famous all over the UK!
The Leavers' event was scheduled to end at 2:00, but whatever students remained on the field were engrossed so much in the experience that all time seemed to stop for them. At 2:10, the celebrations were still going on! Even so, one minute later that had changed drastically. The towering inflatable slide that had been standing proudly over the field had been collapsed into something resembling a clothes heap. The density of students had suddenly dropped as well - there were less than 100 left on the field. Another rock band, this time with a male singer, could be heard playing a slower-paced song, as if to signify the gradual end of this party.
The following Monday, there was not even a ghost left of the event. The field was bare, and one would never know that something exhilarating had happened there only three days before. The second-years were preparing tirelessly for their exams, some at the college but many at home. The teachers that had attended the event were teaching classes of unsuspecting first-years for whom last Friday had been nothing but a normal day at school.
Although this year's Leavers event is over, there is good news! The celebrations are annual, so if you are currently a first-year, there shall be another event like this in a year's time when you are leaving the school! Who wouldn't look forward to another day of bittersweet excitement?