Year 6 PGL Trip to Shrewsbury
Friday, 16 May 2008
We all made it back home after a morning of kayaking and climbing (photos to follow). The journey back seemed to be a lot quicker...we didn't even get to see the end of the second video..... , but I suspect that is because it was all downhill from Shropshire! We all had a fantastic time, learned new skills, made new friends and had fun.
The teachers are looking forward to next year. Thank you Year 6 for making the trip so successful.
Thursday, 15 May 2008
WOW! We all managed the second longest zip wire in Europe...including Miss Harmer and Miss Ullmer. Atomic wedgies all round according to the childrens' descriptions!
Miss Ullmer is now kayaking with half of the children with the other group finding their way around the site orienteering. Dancing clothes and shoes are being dusted off for tonight's disco....just where has the week gone? It has absolutely flown.
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
On Wednesday afternoon, groups 1 and 2 took part in orienteering and the challenge course. The challenge course was a small assault course and we worked our way around the course, working individually, in pairs and as a group on the different components. Teamwork was key on some elements, though unfortunately we couldn't go through the underground tunnel as a whole group, we had to do that individually.
As group 1 went through, they emerged a little muddier and then proceeded to tell Miss Ullmer that 'She will never fit through there!' The tunnel got thinner as it went along and the gap to squeeze through at the end was very small. Once all the children were through, she tried her best, but they were right, she couldn't fit through the gap! So back she went and emerged completely covered in mud much to the children's amusement.
Next we swung on ropes and went over and under poles and we also climbed through a tyre tunnel. It was great fun.
Joseph managed to climb to the top of the climbing wall TWICE...he was so proud and so were the group of his achievement. The gift shop was raided by New Hall with some interesting choices of necklaces and dog tags being bought.
This morning, Groups 1 and 2 went down the river in open canoes. The children really enjoyed this activity and seemed to get the hang of going down the river in a straight line.
They had to work as a team to make sure they didn't keep crashing into the banks. At one point we joined all of the boats together and played some interesting games, that involved putting various body parts in the water.
Christina had to put her head in and dived in straight first, much to her and everyone's amusement. Luckily the water was very shallow, which meant the children all got to bellyflop into the water after the activity. Thank goodness for the drying rooms!
Groups 3 and 4 were on two of the Jacobs' ladders. Congratulations to all those who achieved their goals of the rung they wanted to get to...especially Isabel J who made it to the top twice as group leader!
The sun is still shining and the groups and staff will be climbing, biking, orienteering and assault coursing this afternoon....watch out for further updates.
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
A wet afternoon of canoeing enjoyed by all, including Miss Harmer and Miss Whitton. After a lesson on dry land it was up to the children to carry the canoes to the river before getting in and travelling upstream. Oxford and Cambridge eat your hearts out!
After a few games involving dunking we paddled back before going to wash and dry out. After dinner we went to the tuck shop...again.....
The Great Egg race takes place tonight with all activities starting again in the morning.
Quote of the day...' So have we actually left Essex then?!! '
This afternoon it was group 1's turn to have a go on 'Jacob's Ladder'. All of the children were very determined and managed to climb to the top.
Unfortunately Miss Ullmer and Josephine only made it to the third rung, but were more than happy to sit there and look at the gorgeous scenery, whilst Elliot bravely ventured to the top by himself! There was some excellent team work going on and it was lovely to see the children encouraging each other and achieving a 40ft goal!
An exhausting morning of Pony Treking, Jacob's Ladder, Vertical Challenge and Low Ropes!
Sophie showed true leadership skills in helping group mates climb Jacob's ladder and then managed to climb it in 1m 3s with Daniel coming a fairly close second at 1m 58s!
Everyone managed the vertical challenge with its climbing wall and rope ladder...extra strong upper body strength needed there!!
This was followed by lunch of rolls or jacket potatoes.
This afternoon we have two groups canoeing, another treking and the final group climbing! Watch out for more updates and photos during the day.
Monday, 12 May 2008
The party arrived at their destination around 3pm this afternoon. They had a good journey and all the children have settled in fine.
All the children have settled into their rooms after an uneventful but hot journey. Ludo and Sian have the children eating out of their hands and are enjoying the activities this evening 50:50 in the warm sunshine. The tuck shop was raided by New Hall and the staff have heard rumours about midnight feasts! Dinner was chicken nuggets or pasta with peach pie for desserts.
Teachers are going to market the new anti-sickness measure of sitting on a J cloth with its magic pressure points.....well it worked, no travel sickness!
