It’s been a great start to term with most of Upper Prep going on exciting residential trips! Our children have had the opportunity to experience various outdoor activities that challenged them, inspired them, and taught them valuable life skills. Here are some highlights from each year group:
Year 3: Henley Fort
Year 3 had a fantastic time at Henley Fort Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development on their first ever residential trip. They enjoyed various outdoor activities that helped them build resilience, teamwork, and confidence. Some of the activities they tried were:
- Archery, learning how to use bow and arrows and understanding more about how to aim at the target
- Climbing and bouldering on the climbing wall, trying to step out of their comfort zones and climb a little higher than they have before
- Fire lighting and woodland skills, discovering how to survive and thrive in nature
- Orienteering and map reading, working as a team to find their way around the site using clues and landmarks
- Challenge course, overcoming a variety of unexpected obstacles along the way
All the activities helped to build resilience, teamwork and confidence. The children had a lot of fun and learned a lot from their instructors and each other.
Year 4: Thames Young Mariners
Year 4 visited Thames Young Mariners for their residential where they took part in a variety of outdoor activities, including:
- Kayaking, paddling on the water and learning how to steer and balance
- Sailing, controlling the sail and the rudder to navigate the wind
- Raft building, designing and constructing their own rafts using barrels, ropes, and planks
- Climbing, scaling the artificial rock wall and reaching new heights
- Archery, aiming for the bullseye and improving their accuracy
They also enjoyed toasting marshmallows around the campfire in the evening. They’ve developed their team building, communication, and problem-solving skills by working together in groups.
Year 5: Norfolk Lakes Activity Centre
Year 5 children went to Norfolk Lakes Activity Centre where they experienced many new adventures, including:-
- Abseiling, descending from a high platform using a rope and harness
- High ropes, walking across a series of ropes, beams, and nets suspended in the air
- Kayaking, exploring the lake and its surroundings by boat
- Paddle boarding, standing up on a board and propelling themselves with a paddle
- Canoeing, travelling in pairs or groups in a canoe
- Orienteering, finding their way around the site using a map and compass
The trip enabled them all to learn new skills and improved their teamwork, initiative, leadership, resilience, and confidence. A brilliant time was had by all making memories with their friends and teachers.
All the children demonstrated great enthusiasm, resilience, and cooperation throughout their trips, and we are very proud of them and their achievements.
Year 6 are looking forward to their residential trip in the Summer term.
