Year 5 residential to Anglesey
We have absolutely loved getting back out on our residential trips and seeing the girls thrive and their confidence grow as they experience new adventures with their friends.
Year 5 set off to the Conway Centre on Anglesey for an action-packed four days of adventure. Their teamwork and resilience shone as they exceeded their own expectations with their bravery and effort in every task.
From zip wires, rope courses, rowing and rock climbing, to building shelters and indoor climbing walls, the girls were certainly kept busy! In the evenings they enjoyed making fires and toasting marshmallows, making popcorn and of course our school favourite from Forest Friday’s, s’mores! They returned full of stories to tell as well as ready for a well-earned rest!
Year 4 residential to Kingswood
Year 4 were the next to set off, this time heading for Kingswood in Doncaster excited and eager to get stuck into the tasks ahead. On arrival there was no time to waste as they started their first activities, enjoying laser tag and aeroball before dinner. After settling into their rooms and unpacking it was then off for a mini Olympics which saw famous events such as racing while balancing a ball on a racquet, dinosaur and chicken chases, and the all-important sidewalk race.
Re-energised after a good night’s sleep, the girls were up bright and early on Wednesday, ready for the challenges of the day after a filling breakfast. Problem-solving sessions showcased superb teamwork followed by stepping out of comfort zones for many who showed great bravery abseiling down the tower! They had certainly worked up their appetite for lunch! The afternoon involved two more exciting activities, the first being pond dipping. Having fished around and explored the water, the girls then analysed the content of their nets. Proud of their findings they found and discovered plenty of tiny creatures. It was then off to ‘Jacobs Ladder’ which required teamwork, skill and a big dash of bravery as the girls worked together to climb the challenging steps. Harnesses on, the girls faced their fears and got to impressive heights helping one another climb higher and higher on the difficult (and wobbly) ladder steps. After a quick change and dinner, it was time to get creative with some impressive creations in the evening as the girls worked together to design fashion from junk!
A sunny Thursday involved low ropes, zip lining, buggy building and yet another fun activity involving crate stacking! As always, the girls stretched themselves and overcame the challenges presented to them. From swinging on ropes, to navigating tricky wire walks they succeed in conquering them all. Everyone had fun on the zip wire and there was some great engineering to create buggies that actually moved. The day concluded with songs and activities around a campfire made from wood collected by the girls. After enjoying jokes, riddles and some impromptu singing, they were all rewarded with some hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows before heading off to bed for a final sleep in the dorms.
On the final day, there was still time to fit in two more activities. With no time to waste the girls got involved in some ‘team tech’, using construction kits to recreate some of their favourite activities of the week. Then it was off into the woods to learn some all-important bushcraft and shelter building skills and techniques. Watch out Bear Grylls-you’ve got nothing on these girls!!!!
Finally, a picnic lunch was enjoyed in the sun before boarding the bus home. And while the girls were sad to wave goodbye to Kingswood, everyone was excited to see their families (and pets) again, happy in the knowledge that not only had they grown in themselves and had an amazing time, but that they have also made new friendships, learnt more about themselves and one another, and made memories that will last a lifetime.
