After losing out on a residential trip in Year 5, Year 6 were able to take full advantage at the beginning of this term, with a week away to start the school year off with a bang.
They had an incredible week in the sunshine, taking part in numerous activities, getting to know their new teachers and enjoying the company of their school friends once again. Osmington Bay, in west Dorset, is a PGL site situated in the most beautiful spot, high up on the cliffs over-looking the sea, with far reaching views towards Weymouth and Portland Bay. Not only was the setting stunning, the week’s activities did not disappoint either.
Barely had we arrived on the Monday, wolfed down a lovely lunch and poked our noses into the 4-berth ensuite dormitories then it was zip-wiring and archery. Even if zip-wiring didn’t appeal, the views as you were dangling from the extraordinarily long zip wire made it worth it and certainly added to the drama.
Over the course of the week the children engaged in a whole raft of activities: some to boost teamwork (Jacob’s Ladder and a sensory trail), some designed to test critical thinking skills (the low ropes course and buggy building) and some for sheer fun (the giant swing and kayaking).
We also spent two happy afternoons on the water at the nearby at Weymouth Sailing Club (home of the summer Olympics 2012) with half the group kayaking and the other half taking the helm on keelboats before swapping over for the second session. We were very lucky with the weather and spent almost every day enjoying the September sunshine.
The evenings were not short of fun and action either, with treasure hunts, campfire singing, beachcombing and a movie night. As you may imagine, after all this excitement, it was a quiet return journey on the coach home!
The week served to remind us just how much fun it is to all be back together and, although full-on, it was invigorating, uplifting and set us all off on a fantastic start to this important final year at AJS.