Residential week : 17th June - 21st June 2024

Day 1 - Monday 

The sun is shining for what will be a fantastic week for our Year 6s. They arrived in Kingswood around 1pm. Lunch and then a busy afternoon. After settling into their rooms they have Bush craft shelter making before dinner and then after dinner it is the trail of mystery. Very mysterious indeed!

I will update parents everyday (usually in the morning).Mrs Skelton and staff will update me twice a day and I will give a morning update. Hopefully the weather will keep smiling and shining for a wonderful week. 

Day 2 - Tuesday 

Good morning all!! The trail of mystery last night proved to be very mysterious indeed, and so much fun was had by all!

All were in bed last night by 10.30pm, so not a bad start at all and quite early for the first night! Everyone is settled into their cabins.

All children are awake, up and getting ready for their very busy day ahead, all slept through the night and no disturbances so off to a great start. They'll be having breakfast shortly then straight onto the nightline followed by the High Equilibrium. After lunch and a short break they will take part in Fencing and Quidditch, LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!

Mrs Skelton will keep us updated throughout the day, but safe to say, all off to great start, all excited and ready for today's challenges 

Day 3 -Wednesday

Good morning!

Another busy day ahead but a little cooler which I think they will enjoy.

Yesterday's excitement of the high equilibrium tired them all out so it was another quite early night. All were in bed again by 10.30pm, and believe me, for the beginning of the week ,that is quite early.

As always the children are surprising themselves,which often happens with such activities, they start off a little reluctant of heights and challenges and then before we know it they are throwing themselves in.

Today's activities include fire-lighting, aeroball, leap of faith and orienteering. They will certainly be telling some stories tonight after the leap of faith; this always surprises them.This morning we have many 'nos' but they will then give it a go and feel that exhilaration.They will be very proud of their own individual achievements this week as they will overcome many challenges. 

Have a great day!

Day 4 -Thursday

Good morning,A fantastic day yesterday with many achievements . They all worked tirelessly in their teams to build and light their fire, some were very determined. The leap of faith was certainly that, the nerves were put aside and the achievement felt. 

Last night all were asleep by 10.30pm and this morning every child had to be woken after 7am for breakfast. As Mrs Skelton said, no one was awake on first call and she had to wake everyone. 

Today's activities include archery, exploring mini beasts, problem solving, abseiling and then tonight, the scrapheap challenge. I will be popping down today for a surprise visit this morning so I will have a little more to say later or in the morning. Let's see who has the tidiest room! 

Have a lovely day!

Good evening,

A bonus message today as I have just got back from my afternoon visit. They are all having an amazing time. There was so much laughter and team work, it was so lovely to see them enjoying themselves. Lunch was chicken popcorn and diced potatoes or pasta and meatballs. Very very good portion sizes and it was almost silent, so shows they were hungry and enjoyed. They had abseiling and problem solving games while I was there and all worked so well supporting or encouraging each other. Lots of them have almost lost their voices from so much cheering and shouting for each other on activities. 

They complained about the school in the yurts next to them, as on Tuesday they woke them up at 5am :-) , that hasn't happened since though.

Thank you for such amazing children!

Day 5-Friday

Good morning,They are all set for their final morning. A later night packing last night and an earlier morning with final packing. Even with all the packing, still there will be something missing. This morning after breakfast they have climbing and buggy building before they depart at 12.30pm. I am sure the coach trip will be a much quieter one than on Monday as there will be some very tired children. The office will update you on departure and ETA throughout the afternoon. 

Have a lovely day and I will see you at the coach. 

Residential updates

Day 1

The children arrived happy and safe yesterday afternoon (updated via parent mail) and settled into their Yurts before embarking on a fun filled afternoon and evening of Orienteering and a quiz. I think while Lights out was a little after 10.30pm ,I think they took a little longer to become quieter and eventually sleep.

Day 2

An early morning this morning.All were up and dressed for my first message at 7.30am.After breakfast they look forward to ;Quidditch,Jacobs ladder,Get connected,bushcraft shelter building,nightline and then tonight they have mini Olympics after dinner. They will certainly sleep well tonight!

Day 2 was certainly a busy day.The sun shone all day and I do believe a few burnt noses from staff (if only they had read the packing list!).The children are enjoying themselves,have settled well into their yurts and are certainly enjoying their meal times after such vigorous activities.The nights are very cold but they snuggled up and had a much earlier night. Most asleep before 10pm.

Day 3

This morning they are up and dressed and ready for breakfast. The weather is a little overcast but hopefully the sun will shine later. Today they have abseiling,an environmental art activity,bushcraft -firelighting,fencing,team games and a scrapheap challenge to end the day.

Wednesday update- I did visit yesterday afternoon and I can assure that they are all fine. I visited while they were actively engaged in fire lighting.By they end ,after lots of patience and perseverance each group did light their fire using their baby,teenager and adult sticks.One group even encouraged their fire with a catchy song and named it.

They really are enjoying and actively involved in their activities. They have settled into a routine ,especially now that they realise the day is very very long if they get up when the sun rises!

The children's behaviour and manners have been commented on several times by other school staff,Kingswood team leaders,other pupils and yesterday the Kitchen staff came over to praise them for being quiet,polite and a pleasure to serve while they were eating lunch. True commendations of what we all already know.

I had a quick peak inside their rooms and I have to say they were perfect!Beds made,everything away,even towels drying ,not just living on the floor. You should expect the same on their return :-) 

The evening did get very cold but they are learning to layer  up as the evenings and nights are cold,especially with the constant wind that seems to grace Kingswood but the food is good and they now have a nightly hot chocolate with the log burner ,which looked really cosy .all before bed. 

Day 4

I am so glad I am not there today ,as they begin the day exploring mini beasts. Not for me! They also have areoball, archery a wellness workshop,high equilibrium and of course the disco. I heard all about the plans for the disco. I know who the designated hair dresser is ,what outfits they are wearing and the dilemma of what trainers to wear.The story of my life :-)

Thursday was another fantastic day. A little later to bed after all the excitement of the Disco but they slept well.

Day 5

They are up and ready for breakfast and surprise surprise they are all packed already. This morning they have the long awaited Leap of faith which they are excited for.Lunch is at 12pm before hopefully loading the coach for 1pm. The office will update you on expected time of arrival later on in the day but they are expected before the end of the school day. Please allow space outside the school for the coach to park and turn safely. 

I know the staff have had a fantastic week but of course this has been a big undertaking and commitment from them which shows their dedication to your children.I know that you to are as grateful and appreciative of their support as I am.