Hill End ends

 

The children of Class 10 and 11 left school on Monday and Wednesday (respectively) with a collective sense of excitement, anticipation and some anxiety. For some this was their first time ever staying away from home overnight. They quickly settled into the routines and really enjoyed the activities we put on for them. In fact, the staff at Hill End always tell me that they enjoy seeing Ladygrove because we make such good use of everything they have to offer there. The children launched themselves into den building, habitat exploration, the mud walk, the night walks (which both finished after 10pm then year), the campfire, adventure trail and team work skills- all in 2 and a half days!

It was my great pleasure to help both classes gain new skills in independence and become more cohesive as groups. A number of children shared their thoughts: 

• this was the best day of my life
• this is the best food I've ever eaten
• this is the most I've ever walked
• this is the closest I've ever been to a sheep
• can I go back for 5ths of this dinner
• I love this jelly and ice cream, can we sing happy birthday now? (no one had a birthday)
• can you get my welly out of the mud? I can't see it anymore
• I was so scared of bugs but am I allowed to hold that slow worm?
• I'm upset we have to go home!

But, most importantly, I am proud to work with the team of staff in Year 4 and across the school. The team worked 24 hours a day switching in and out of roles (cleaning, nurturing, caring, teaching) to ensure the activities and the support of the children was seamless. This includes all the staff who came all the way from school, in their own time, each evening, to give the Year 4 team a short break. Here are some of them from Thursday evening.